Tait collection: item 32 of 62 This document contains details of the Will and Probate of Ellen Hart, a married woman of Warrnambool who died in January 1905. Ellen Hart (nee Stocker) 1829-1905, came to Victoria in 1859 with her first husband, George Greening, and two of their children. George Greening died in 1863 and Ellen married a widower, George Hart, in 1881. Ellen and her second husband were involved in the activities of the Warrnambool Methodist Church. Ellen Hart left real estate to the value of £400 and personal estate to the value of £9. The beneficiary was her stepdaughter, Charlotte Hart. Ernest Chambers, who had legal offices in Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Koroit at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, was the lawyer concerned with this document. He had it in his possession and it was passed down to successive lawyers occupying the legal premises in Kepler Street where it was located in 2014. It was then passed on to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society.This document is of interest as it contains details of the Will and Probate of Ellen Hart who lived in the Warrnambool area for many years in the 19th century. It will be useful for researchers. This is a cream-coloured piece of parchment paper folded in two and containing handwritten information on the Will and Probate of Ellen Hart of Warrnambool. She died in January 1905. Three of the pages have black ruled lines. A seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is attached with a green ribbon and there are three red stamps of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. The document is slightly discoloured. In the Supreme Court of Victoria in the Probate Jurisdiction in the Will of Ellen Hart late of Spring Gardens near Warrnambool in the State of Victoria Married Woman deceasedellen hart, ernest chambers, warrnambool, tait collection, spring gardens

Tait collection: item 34 of 62 This is a document giving the details of the Letters of Administration following the death of Helen Robertson, a spinster from St. Kilda, Melbourne. She died intestate in November 1881 and left property to the value of £363. This property reverted to her sister Agnes Thomson in 1889. No other details have been found on Helen Robertson. The lawyer in the case was George Skinner of Melbourne but the document was one of several stored in legal premises in Kepler Street, Warrnambool and passed on to successive lawyers occupying these premises. It was located in the same building, the former premises of the legal firm, Mackay Taylor, in 2014 and handed over to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society.This document is of minor interest as one located in former legal premises in Warrnambool but no other connection has been found between Warrnambool and the person whose details are in the document, Helen RobertsonThis is a cream-coloured piece of parchment paper folded at the bottom edge and containing hand written material on both sides of the paper. The contents give details of the Letters of Administration following the death of Helen Robertson in 1881. A seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is attached with green ribbon. The document is somewhat stained.In the Supreme Court of the colony of Victoria in its Probate Jurisdiction in the Estate of Helen Robertson late of Acland Street Saint Kilda near Melbourne in the Colony of Victoria Spinster deceased intestate Letters of Administrationhelen robertson, george skinner

Tait collection: item 42 of 62 This is a document giving details of the Will and Probate of Patrick White, a farmer from Codrington who died in 1883. He left personal estate to the value of £316, with the beneficiaries being his wife, Eleanor and his son George. The lawyer concerned with this document was Ernest Chambers who had legal offices in Port Fairy, Koroit and Warrnambool at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. He had possession of this document and it was passed down to successive lawyers occupying the legal premises in Kepler Street, Warrnambool and located in this Kepler Street building in 2014. This document is of minor significance as Patrick White was not a resident of Warrnambool. The interest lies in the fact that the lawyer, Ernest Chambers, practised in Warrnambool in the 19th centuryThis is a cream-coloured piece of parchment paper containing details of the Will and Probate of Patrick White of Codrington who died in 1883. The paper is folded in two and the edges of the pages have blue lines ruled on them. There is handwritten material (black ink) on three of the pages. The seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is attached with olive-green ribbon and there are five red stamps of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. The writing is fading in places but the document is readable. In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria In the Probate Jurisdiction In the Will of Patrick White late of Codrington in the Colony of Victoria Farmer deceasedpatrick white,, codrington, ernest chambers, warrnambool history

This plate has been produced by the English firm of W.H.Grindley for use at the Criterion Hotel in Warrnambool. The Criterion Hotel was on the western side of Kepler street near Lava Street and was established in 1872 with the first licensee being John Tate. The hotel closed in 2008, was partially destroyed by fire in 2010 and was demolished in 2013. The Humm family had a long association with the Criterion Hotel, with George Humm of Woodford taking over as the licensee in 1882 and buying the hotel in 1887 and remaining there until his death in 1894. George Humm’s widow, Elizabeth, was the licensee from 1894 to 1907, her son, John was the licensee from 1907 to 1916 and his widow, Bridget, was the licensee from 1916 to 1919. The plate could have been in use for all or part of these years but is most likely to have been bought early in the 20th century. This plate is of considerable interest because it came from the Criterion Hotel, a prominent hotel in Warrnambool for over 130 years.This is a white china plate which has a red embedded stamp in the shape of a belt (the maker’s trademark) on the front and on the back it has the blue markings of the maker with an image of a crown. The bowl has a shallow base and was perhaps a soup plate. The edges of the plate are somewhat worn and scuffed. ‘Humms Criterion Hotel Warrnambool’ ‘Grindley Hotel Ware England Vitrified’ criterion hotel, humm family of woodford, history of warrnambool

These dishes were part of a crockery set used in the George Rolfe household at Lyndoch, Warrnambool. George Rolfe (1836-1919) was a Melbourne tea merchant who acquired land at the mouth of the Hopkins River in Warrnambool from the 1880s on as a holiday home. He developed the property over the years, adding a windmill and reservoir, bone and chaff sheds, a stable, jetty and boathouse and an extensive garden. In 1891 he married Mrs Annie Lake and it was his stepdaughter, Florence Lake who built the house, Lyndoch in the 1920s. This building today forms part of an Aged Care Facility. This item is part of the larger Rolfe dinner set as described on Victorian Collections at VC001421 and VC001422These dishes are of importance as they belonged to the George Rolfe family of Lyndoch, Warrnambool. They demonstrate the quality of the household goods used by more affluent families in the second half of the 19th century. These are four china serving dishes or plates which are part of a set of crockery used in the Rolfe Lyndoch household in Warrnambool. The dishes have a circular base with a circular dish resting on the base. The dishes have or had two handles with these handles and the edges of the dishes being gold trimmed. Around the rim of the dishes is a pattern of loops and dots etc of teal and gold. One dish (.1) has no handles, one dish (.4) has one handle only and two dishes are cracked (.3 & .4) . Two dishes are stained, one severely (.2 & .4) ‘Minton’ george rolfe, florence lake

These saucers are part of a crockery set that belonged to George Rolfe and his family. George Rolfe (1836-1919) was a tea merchant in Melbourne who bought land at the mouth of the Hopkins River in Warrnambool in the 1880s. He had adjoining land and the properties of ‘Shipley’ and ‘Fairy Hill’ and developed ‘Lyndoch’, adding stables, jetty, boat house, windmill and reservoir, chaff and bone sheds and an extensive garden. In 1891 he married Annie Lake and it was his stepdaughter, Florence Lake who built the ‘Lyndoch’ house still standing today. ‘Lyndoch’ today is now the site of an Aged Care Facility. This item is part of the Rolfe Dinnerset as described on Victorian Collections at VC001420 and VC001422.These saucers, part of a crockery set, are kept because they belonged to George Rolfe, a prominent property owner and farmer in Warrnambool in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The items, dating from 1864, have social significance showing the type of crockery used by a more affluent family in the 19th century. These are six circular china saucers with a gold rim and ornamentation in a scallop design in gold and teal around the rim and the outer edges. The base of the saucers has a gold rim. One of the saucers has a chip on the edge and four show significant wearing of the inner gold circle. Some of the outside gold edging also shows wear. The maker’s marks and name are indented on the bottom of the saucers ‘Minton’ lyndoch, warrnambool, rolfe and co., george rolfe, history of warrnambool, florence lake

These dishes were part of a crockery set used in the George Rolfe household at Lyndoch, Warrnambool. George Rolfe (1836-1919) was a Melbourne tea merchant who acquired land at the mouth of the Hopkins River in Warrnambool from the 1880s on as a holiday home. He developed the property over the years, adding a windmill and reservoir, bone and chaff sheds, a stable, jetty and boathouse and an extensive garden. In 1891 he married Mrs Annie Lake and it was his stepdaughter, Florence Lake who built the house, Lyndoch in the 1920s. This building today forms part of an Aged Care Facility. This item is part of the larger Rolfe dinner set as described on Victorian Collections at VC001421 and VC001422These cups are part of a crockery set, and are kept because they belonged to George Rolfe, a prominent property owner and farmer in Warrnambool in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The items, dating from 1864, have social significance showing the type of crockery used by a more affluent family in the 19th century.Four small white cups decorated with aqua band around the top of each cup . A scalloped pattern of dots are suspended from the solid band which is decorated with a row of gold dots. There is a gold rim at the base of the cup.Mintonrolfe, lyndoch, warrnambool, minton cups, mrs annie lake

This book is a Yangery State School book owned by Tom Johnston in 1896. Yangery State School was established as a National School in 1858 with George McKay as the first head teacher. In 1909 the name was changed to Illowa and it was closed in 1970. We do not have many historical items that are associated with the old Yangery school. The Johnston family was associated with the Tower Hill/ Illowa area from the 1850s. " Sea View" was occupied by the McCullough family in the early 20th century.This book is retained because of its relationship with the Yangery State School and the Johnston family.This is a soft covered book of 118 pages. The cover is red cloth with black printing. The book contains printed material and some sketches and maps.It is dog eared, tattered and stained.It is much scribbled on the inside covers.Tom E Johnston Yangery State School No. 690 February 8th 96 T E Johnston Sea View Ilowa T.E Johnston Tower Hill tom johnston, yangery state school, tower hill, illowa

This book was given as a prize to William Giles in the late 19th century. It came from the Skiddaw Sunday (or Sabbath) School. Skiddaw was the home of the Batterbee family and was situated on the old Princes Highway in East Warrnambool near Simpson Street today. The corner here was known as ‘Batterbees Corner’ and there is a Skiddaw Street in the locality today. George Batterbee had a ham and bacon business in Warrnambool. For 36 years his wife, Mary, conducted a Sunday School at Skiddaw (from 1882 to 1918). This Sunday School was under the auspices of St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Warrnambool. Mrs Batterbee was assisted by her daughter Florinda and other teachers. Florinda and her brother Rex were both artists of note. William Giles and his family lived on the Allansford Road. The Logan family farm was in the vicinity of where Logans Beach is today. This book, though tattered and stained, is most important as the only item we have in our collection that is associated with the Skiddaw Sunday School. Situated in a family home, this Presbyterian-sponsored Sunday School operated for 36 years under the direction of Mary Batterbee. This is a book of 32 pages with the cover and perhaps some of the pages missing. It has been stapled but the staples have been removed. The book has large print and illustrations on all the pages. The illustrations have been coloured in by hand. The first page is loose and scribbled on. The pages are very stained and torn in places. The inscription is handwritten in black ink. ‘Skiddaw S. School, Second Prize, Awarded to William Giles for diligence in class, S. Logan, Teacher’. skiddaw, east warrnambool, batterbee family, giles family, logan family, history of warrnambool

This book comes from the property of Lyndoch near the mouth of the Hopkins River. George Rolfe, a tea merchant from Melbourne, established Lyndoch in 1875 and Miss Florence Lake, daughter of Miss Annie Lake, later Mrs George Rolfe, inherited the property with her sister Annie. In 1920 Florence Lake built a large house called Lyndoch. She had a Rolls Royce car and a chauffeur and was a tireless worker for local charities. Florence Lake died in 1946 and the property became the site of an Aged Care Facility in Warrnambool. Florence Lake’s house now forms part of the hostel section of this facility. This book would have been in the Lyndoch library during Florence Lake’s time there. D K Broster ( Dorothy Kathleen) was a popular writer of historical novels in the early part of the 20th century. The Flight of the heron being her most acclaimed This book is of interest as it came from the historically-important property and house known as Lyndoch and so it is connected to Miss Florence Lake, a prominent person in Warrnambool in the first half of the 20th century. This is a hard cover book of 439 pages. It has a red cover with black lettering on the front and spine. It also has a dust cover which has a colour image of a man in late 18th century attire and a shield containing a yellow poppy. The dust cover is partly torn away. The book has 46 chapters. The inscription is handwritten in black ink. ‘Lyndoch Xmas 1937’lyndoch, florence lake, history of warrnambool

This school exercise book belonged to Philip Ridgway Le Couteur, Warrnambool’s first Rhodes Scholar. Philip Le Couteur (1885-1958), the son of George Le Couteur, a Warrnambool chemist and Fanny Byron (nee Maling), began his schooling at Middle Park State School and continued it in Warrnambool at the Warrnambool Academy run by Richard Lawson and William Oakley. He matriculated at the age of 14 and completed an Arts degree at Melbourne University before studying first year medicine. At the university he excelled in sport – cricket, football and tennis. In 1908 he won the Rhodes Scholarship for Victoria and studied classics, classical history and philosophy at Oxford University. In 1913 he was appointed the foundation lecturer in Mental and Moral Philosophy at the University of Western Australia. Following this he was the Head Master at various secondary schools, including Methodist Ladies’ College for 11 years. This book is of great interest because it contains examples of the schoolwork of Warrnambool’s first Rhodes Scholar, Philip Le Couteur.This is a school exercise book of 40 pages. The cardboard cover is a mottled blue and red colour with brown binding. All the pages have handwritten school work including dictation, arithmetic, spelling, map work, grammar and composition. The pages are detached from the cover and the cover is partly torn away and bent. The cover has some sketches drawn presumably by the owner of the book Philip Le Couteur. ‘P. Le Couteur, commenced 22nd November 1898, Sixth Class, Warrnambool School.’rhodes scholars, philip le couteur

This box was produced by the Henderson business to hold half a pound of chocolates for sale to the Australian public. The box is a souvenir one, with the image of George V of England on the lid. This suggests that the box was produced perhaps to celebrate the coronation of George V in 1910. He reigned until his death in 1936.This box is of interest as a souvenir item sold in Australia and dating back to the early years of the 20th century. It will be useful for display.This is a white rectangular cardboard box with the base extended on all sides about half a centimetre out from the base. The box has a white cardboard cover which has a top with a navy blue background, a Union Jack, the six stars of the Southern Cross (making the Australian flag) with an image of King George V of England. The lettering on the top of the box is in gold print. The cover completely encloses the box. Inside the box are the remnants of a white lace-pattern paper used to line the box. There is a trace of silverfish damage on the side of the box and the edges of the box are a little crumpled. “Henderson’s ‘Australia’ Box, Chocolates ½ lb. Nett.”henderson chocolates

This book belonged to John B. Murray and he gave it to Miss Jessie Sandison on their wedding day. It appears that they lived in Scotland. The handwritten family information reveals that George Sinclair married Janet Swanson in 1825 and one daughter, Ann, married George Sandison in 1859. Their child, Jessie Sandison, was born in 1865 and married John B. Murray on 19th April 1888. The births of four Murray children are recorded in the Bible – Annie, John, George and Maggie. The husband, John B. Murray, died in 1916 and Jessie died in 1925. This Bible is both of antiquarian interest and also of interest regarding the connection with the Sandison/ Murray families. But so far there is nothing to link these families with the Warrnambool area. So the item at this stage remains useful only for display. This is a black leather-covered book. The cover is extended at the edges to partially enclose the pages which are gilt-edged. The cover has embossed decorative patterns and the spine has gold lettering. The cover is stained and torn in places and the inscription pages and two others are loose. The inscriptions have been handwritten in black ink and there are two stamps with the name, ‘J.B. Murray’. One page lists the Murray/Sandison family tree information. ‘J.B. Murray’ ‘To Miss Jessie Grandison 19/4/88’ john b. murray, jessie sandison, warrnambool hitory

This book was given in 1943 by the Warrnambool Technical School to Joyce Goodall. Considering that World War Two was in progress at the time, the book was an expensive one to be given as a school prize. But the donor was Miss Florence Lake, the daughter of John and Annie Lake and the step-daughter of George Rolfe of Lyndoch, near the Hopkins River mouth. Miss Lake inherited the property and built the residence known as Lyndoch that is today part of the Lyndoch Aged Care Facility. Miss Lake was known for her philanthropy and community work in Warrnambool. John King’s name has been crossed out in the book as he was no longer Principal in 1943. He was the founding principal of Warrnambool Technical School in 1911 and remained there for 29 years. The Goodall family established Wanstead Farm in East Warrnambool in the 19th century and Joyce Goodall was descended from the Mortlake branch of that family.This book is of interest because of its association in 1943 with Joyce Goodall, Florence Lake and Warrnambool Technical School. This is a hard cover book of 472 pages. The cover is brown with gold lettering and the image of a lion on the front cover and a scroll pattern on the spine. The book has a preface, 41 chapters and an index. There are eight colour plates scattered throughout the text. The book plate on the first page is printed and pasted in and it has typed material added to it. Another inscription has been handwritten in pencil. There are also several notes and quotations handwritten in pencil on the back page. The cover is stained and torn in some places and many of the pages are stained. ‘Warrnambool Technical School, Labor to Efficiency, 8th December 1943, for Outstanding Efficiency in Art Subjects, Donated by Miss Lake, Awarded to Joyce Goodall, John King Principal’ (the name ‘John King’ has been crossed out) ‘Joyce Goodall 198 Timor Street Warrnambool’ joyce goodall, florence lake, warrnambool technical school, history of warrnambool

These rulers have been distributed by the Warrnambool chemist, George Le Couteur as advertising tools for his business. George Le Couteur operated a pharmacy at 78 Liebig Street, Warrnambool from 1896 to 1908. Born in Warrnambool in 1856 Le Couteur was educated at the Anglican-sponsored Warrnambool Common School No. 691 and then spent four years at Beechworth Grammar School. He was apprenticed to the Warrnambool chemist, Michael Ryan and then worked as a chemist in Kyneton and Melbourne. When he returned to Warrnambool he took over the business of Frank Uren in Liebig Street, building a second storey on to the building. He was very active in community affairs in Warrnambool. He left Warrnambool in 1908 to open a pharmacy in Hawthorn, Melbourne. When he retired in 1935 he was the oldest registered chemist in Victoria. The information hand printed on the back of one of the rulers has an historical inaccuracy in that J.A. Bromfield was not the first known chemist in Warrnambool. These rulers are of interest because of their connection to the pharmacy business of George Le Couteur He was a prominent person in Warrnambool in the 19th and early 20th centuries.These two oblong wooden rulers have imperial measurements ( to 12 inches). There is black printing on both sides advertising a Warrnambool chemist. One ruler is much stained and has a piece missing on the centre top edge. The other ruler has information on one side hand printed in black ink.‘With compliments of G.T. Le Couteur, Chemist, Liebig Street, Warrnambool’ ‘For a cough or cold use Le Couteur’s Pectoral Cough Mixture. Bottles 1s.6d., 2s.6d.’ ‘First Chemist Shop in Warrnambool 1853 Mr A. Bromfield – Chemist, rebuilt 1898 by G.T. Le Couteur – 1973 shop same as at 1898 situated 78 Liebig Street’ george le couteur, history of warrnambool

This book was given to Bill Rogers for his 8th birthday in 1927. Arthur George (Bill) was the grandson of Joseph Rogers, a Warrnambool plumber, and the son of Arthur and Agnes Rogers. Bill Rogers (d. 1995) worked in the advertising department of the Warrnambool Standard for nearly 50 years. He married Lorna Steller and they lived in MacDonald Street in South Warrnambool. This book is of interest as it belonged to Bill Rogers, a Warrnambool resident in the 20th century. It is also of interest as an example of the type of present given to an 8 year-old boy in the 1920s. This is a black leather covered book of 208 pages. There are two sections – The Book of Common Prayer and Hymns Ancient and Modern. The cover is partly detached from the binding and there is gold lettering on the front cover and spine. The pages are gilt-edged. There is a full page black and white illustration at the beginning of the text. The two inscriptions are handwritten in black ink. ‘To Billie on his 8th birthday 1927’ ‘Billie Rogers 32 McDonald St. Sth. Warrnambool’ bill rogers warrnambool, lorna steller warrnmbool, history of warrnambool

This book was given to Lorna Steller on the occasion of her Confirmation in 1939. Lorna Otelia Steller was the daughter of Max and Felie Steller. Max Steller was a Warrnambool hairdresser who hailed originally from Germany. Lorna married Arthur George (Bill) Rogers and they lived in MacDonald Street in South Warrnambool. The Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne in 1939 was Frederick Head. No information has been found on the Rev. Crossley. This book is of interest because it belonged to a 20th century Warrnambool resident, Lorna Steller. It is also of interest as This is a hard cover book of 96 pages. The cover is red with gold lettering on the front cover. A red ribbon for marking a place in the pages is attached to the binding. The inscription is handwritten in black ink.‘Lorna Otelia Steller Confirmed by the Archbishop of Melbourne Aug. 21st 1939 C.L. Crossley (Vicar)’ lorna steller, history of warrnambool

This plate has been produced by the English firm of W.H.Grindley for use at the Criterion Hotel in Warrnambool. The Criterion Hotel was on the western side of Kepler Street near Lava Street and was established in 1872 with the first licensee being John Tate. The hotel closed in 2008, was partially destroyed by fire in 2010 and was demolished in 2013. The Humm family had a long association with the Criterion Hotel with George Humm of Woodford taking over as licensee in 1882, buying the hotel in 1887 and remaining there until his death in 1894. George Humm’s widow, Elizabeth, was the licensee from 1894 to 1907, her son, John, was the licensee from 1907 to 1916 and his widow, Bridget, was the licensee from 1916 to 1919. The plate could have been in use for all or part of these years but is most likely to have been bought early in the 20th century. This plate is of considerable interest because it came from the Criterion Hotel, a prominent hotel in Warrnambool for over 130 years. This is a white china plate which has been broken into three pieces and inexpertly mended. The plate is much stained. It has a red embedded stamp in the shape of a belt (the maker’s trademark) on the front and on the back it has the blue markings of the maker with an image of a crown. The bowl has a shallow curved base and was perhaps used for soup. ‘Humms Criterion Hotel Warrnambool’ ‘Grindley Hotel Ware England Vitrified’ criterion hotel, humm family of woodford, history of warrnambool

The contents of this display case are known as Princess Mary’s Christmas Fund 1914. In October 1914 Princess Mary, the 17 year-old daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, launched an appeal to raise funds to produce a Christmas present for every person serving in the British and Allied Forces in World War One. The Christmas box was a silver one for officers and a brass one for other ranks. The box usually contained a packet of cigarettes and tobacco, a Christmas card and a photograph of Princess Mary but some boxes contained confectionery, notebooks, pencils etc. By Christmas 1914 200,000 boxes had been distributed but it took until 1920 to dispose of the 2,500,000 boxes that were produced. Many of the boxes given to Australian servicemen have survived but few contain any or all of the contents. It is not known to whom this box was sent. This box and its contents are of great interest as an important memento of Australian participation in World War One. This is a rectangular brass tin and its contents – two yellow cardboard boxes which originally held cigarettes and tobacco, a Christmas card and a photograph of Princess Mary. The five items are displayed within a rectangular wooden box with a removable glass top. The brass tin is embossed with an image in the centre of Princess Mary surrounded by a laurel wreath. The embossing includes the letter ‘M’ (twice) and the names of some of the allies of Britain in World War One. Christmas Card: ‘With Best Wishes for a Happy Christmas and a Victorious New Year from The Princess Mary and Friends at Home’ Cigarettes and Tobacco Boxes: ‘Her Royal Highness The Princess Mary’s Christmas Fund 1914’. warrnambool and world war one, princess mary’s christmas fund 1914

This book was a prize awarded to Janet Shade in 1926 by Warrnambool High School. The donor of the prize was Miss Merrett who was a Shorthand and Typing teacher at the school. Janet Shade, born in 1913, was the daughter of James and Gert Shade. She married Stewart Lindsay in 1935. George Langley was the Head Master of Warrnambool High School from 1924 to 1940 This book is of interest because of its association with Warrnambool High School and Janet Shade, George Langley and Miss Merrett. This is a hard cover book of 143 pages. The cover is dark blue with gold lettering and ornamental gold scrolls on the spine and the gold initials of ‘M.B’ on the front cover. There are two book plates inside the front cover and on the first page. They are printed in white and gold tonings and have been filled in with handwriting in black ink. The pages are gilt-edged.‘Nil Sine Labore, Xmas 1926, Warrnambool High School, 2nd in D Form, Shorthand and Bookkeeping Prize, Janet Shade, George Langley, Head Master, Gift of Miss Merrett’. janet shade, warrnambool high school, history of warrnambool, george langley

This book is an autobiography of George Meudell (1860-1936). He spent about six years in Warrnambool as a young boy when his father came to Warrnambool as the Manager of the Bank of Victoria. Meudell went to the Warrnambool Common School 646. He later became well-known in Melbourne in social, economic and political affairs. He was a company promoter, stockbroker and writer and an acquaintance of most of the influential and wealthy people of the time. In 1928 Meudell wrote an article for the Royal Historical Society of Victoria Journal detailing his memories of Warrnambool and this article is now a very important piece of local social history. He was enthusiastic about the benefits of living in Warrnambool in the 1860s and 70s. Meudell’s book, ‘The Pleasant Career of a Spendthrift, was an important publication as it gave a complete account of the commercial morality of the power brokers in the financial world - those concerned with the land boom and the banks’ crash of 1886-1893. The book was so inflammatory that it was initially withdrawn from sale. This book is of considerable interest as it was written by George Meudell who lived in Warrnambool in the 1860s and 70s and played a part in Warrnambool’s history by writing about these years. The book is also of wider interest as it has some information on people connected with Warrnambool’s history, including John Archibald and Thomas Bent. The signature in the front of the book is of no known relevance to Warrnambool.This is a hard cover book of 282 pages. The cover is red with black printing and the spine is very faded. The book has a foreword and twelve chapters of text. The first page contains a signature and notes written in pencil.‘Gordon Leitch Christmas 1942’ george meudell, victoria’s land boom (19th century), history of warrnambool

This journal has been produced in 1905 for the Government of Victoria under the direction of the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. George Swinburne, M.L.A. It has articles on agriculture in Victoria, including an article on how to increase and improve our dairy products and an article on the Grasmere Butter Factory. This journal produced in 1905 is of considerable interest because it has an article on the inspection of the Grasmere Butter Factory and the resultant erection of a new building on the site. Dairying is a major industry in the Warrnambool area and this journal contains important historical information and photographs.This is a soft cover journal of 68 pages (pages 482 to 550 in Part 7 of a journal). The front cover has a black and white photograph of a wheat harvesting scene. The back cover is missing. The first two pages have advertisements for insurance and banking firms. The journal contains black and white photographs and statistics tables. The pages show considerable silverfish damage. The journal is bound with cotton thread and rust marks show where metal staples may have been removed. grasmere butter factory, dairying in the western district, warrnambool history

This small book, a prize given to George Powell in 1891, is believed to have come from the Warrnambool South State School. The signature in the book is that of John Sloss and he was the first Head Teacher of Warrnambool South State School which opened in 1877 and closed in 1995. The Powell families were in business in Warrnambool in the 1890s and the recipient of the prize may have been George Powell who was born in Warrnambool to George and Kate Powell in 1878. This book is of considerable interest because it appears to have been a prize awarded by Warrnambool South State School in 1891. The book is one of the few items we have connected to the early years of the Warrnambool South School. The book is a mixture of fact and fiction and the stories are meant to be instructive as well as entertaining.This is a hard cover book of 62 pages. The cover, dark green with a coloured floral pattern on the front and back, has been partly detached from its cloth binding. The book has several black and white sketches, with some pages missing at the beginning of the book. There are advertisements for other books on the inside of the covers. The pages and the cover are much stained. The inscription on the first page is handwritten in black and blue ink.‘3rd Prize, Upper 1st Class, Won by George Powell, Marks obtainable 200, Marks obtained 120. John Sloss, H.Teacher, 17/12/91.’ george powell, warrnambool south state school

This book was published in 1952 by the Australian Poetry Lovers’ Society. This group was based in Melbourne and was founded in 1934 by George and Ethel Fielding. In 1973 a member, Harry Hastings Pearce, wrote a history of the society. This 1952 volume contains two poems by Thomas Terrington (born 1897) - ‘Henry Lawson’ and ‘Stella’. Tom Terrington was a well-known local poet and writer from Framlingham. He has been described as a ‘rhymster of flair and skill’. He was a self-taught person with little formal education and he worked at various jobs until he took over the general store at Framlingham in his middle age. He also recorded some of the history of Framlingham, a small settlement about 24 kilometres north east of Warrnambool. The identity of ‘Fred’ in the inscription is not known. This book is of interest because it contains two poems written by Tom Terrington, a local 20th century writer and poet. This is a soft cover book of 50 pages. The cover is green with black printing and an image of two kookaburras on the front cover. The book has poems by 18 writers and a black and white photograph on page 10 of the late George Fielding. The cover is somewhat soiled. The book has been stapled but the staples have been removed. The inscription is handwritten in black ink. ‘To Fred with best wishes from Tom Terrington Framlingham 21.11.52’ tom terrington, history of framlingham

This book by J. M. Barrie was a prize given in 1927 by Warrnambool High School to Janet Slade. She was born in Warrnambool in 1913 and marred Stewart Lindsay in 1935. The presenter of the prize, Cr Frederick Williamson, had a tailoring shop in Liebig Street and was a City Councillor from 1924 to 1930, 1934 to 1939 and 1942 to 1945. He was a Mayor of Warrnambool in 1944-5. George Langley was the Head Master of Warrnambool High School from 1924 to 1940. He had a distinguished military career in both World Wars One and Two. Warrnambool High School was established in 1907 and moved to its present site in Albert Park in 1961. It merged with Warrnambool North Technical School to form Warrnambool College in 1995. This book is of interest as a memento of several features of Warrnambool society in the 1920s - Warrnambool High School, a pupil, Janet Slade, an important Head Master, Colonel George Langley and a Warrnambool businessman and Councillor, Frederick Williamson. This is a hard cover book of 432 pages. It has a dark blue leather cover with a gold monogram on the front cover and gold ornamentation and printing on the spine. The book has 28 chapters. The school book plate on the first page has green ornamental edging, the Warrnambool High School shield and handwritten material in black ink. The cover and spine are somewhat faded.‘W.H.S. Nil Sine Labore, Form C, To Janet Shade For C Chemistry, presented by Cr. F. Williamson, G. F. Langley B.A., Headmaster, December 1927.’ warrnambool high school, frederick williamson, george langley, janet shade, history of warrnambool

This cash book, found in the old Mackay Taylor building in Kepler Street, contains entries relating to Costs Accounts and Trust Accounts for the Warrnambool firm of Fletcher and Mackay which had been formed from the amalgamation of the law firms of George Mackay and James Fletcher in 1893. In the 1920s the firm became Mackay and Taylor after J. McD. Taylor became the partner with George Mackay. This firm was a prominent one in Warrnambool until the 1990s. This cash book is of considerable interest as the entries show the names of many well-known residents of Warrnambool at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The firm of Fletcher and Mackay was an important one in Warrnambool at that time and George Mackay, one of the partners of the firm, was prominent in local community and civic affairs. This is a ledger with black binding and buff-coloured spine and corner reinforcements. There are 135 double-sided pages. The pages have been printed with red ruled lines for accounting purposes. There are red and blue mottled coloured cardboard pages at the beginning and end of the book. There are two loose pages which appear to be scrap notes only. The entries are written in black ink.White paper pasted on front cover: ‘Cash Book from April 26th 1898 to March 22nd 1902’ Spine: ‘1898-1902 Cash Book’ james fletcher and george mackay, warrnambool law firms, warrnambool

This letter book (1922-6) was found in the old Mackay Taylor building in Kepler Street. The Secretary of the Presbytery of Mortlake in the early 1900s was George Mackay who established his legal business in 1891 and merged with the business of James Fletcher in 1893 to form Fletcher and Mackay. In the 1920s J. Taylor joined the business which was known from then on as Mackay and Taylor and this firm existed until the 1990s. George Mackay was prominent in Warrnambool civic and community affairs and was Secretary of St. John’s Presbyterian Church for many years. The Presbytery of Mortlake was an administrative district committee established in 1862 and included the Presbyterian churches of Port Fairy, Tower Hill, Wangoom, Allansford, Warrnambool, Woodford, Hexham, Caramut, Mortlake and Terang. The committee consisted of the local ministers, some elders and other church representatives and met monthly or quarterly to discuss church business that affected the region. This letter book is of some significance as it indicates the type of business carried out by a district church council – properties, missions, individual church problems etc. It also shows the community work of George Mackay, a prominent Warrnambool resident at the time, and the book contains his signature, many times over. The book will be of interest to researchers. This is a ledger with dark blue binding and binding reinforcements on the spine and corners. The inside covers are lined with thick paper in a mottled blue and black coloured pattern. There are 250 pages with entries up to page 54. The letter copies are typed with an alphabetical listing at the front.Front Cover: Label with typed title ‘Presbytery of Mortlake’ Spine: ‘Letter Book’ presbytery of mortlake, george mackay

A keepsake badge which relates to the tumultuous period of the English royal family with the death of George V when his son Edward V111 abdicated from the throne due to his involvement with divorcee Wallis Simpson. His brother Albert was crowned as King George VI on May 12 1937. This badge is of interest as the dates are a mere two weeks before the abdication. The Christ Church fetes and flower shows have been a part of Christ Church social and fundraising agenda since the 1890’s, with the ladies’ guild playing a large part in their organization and operation. This object has significance as it commemorates a long running and popular event on the social and religious calendar for the parishioners and people of Warrnambool. It also is linked to an event of world- wide interest.Small white badge with red writing and symbol of crown in the centre. Pin at the back.1936 Coronation Fair Christ Church Warrnambool Nov 25 & 26.christ church fete 1936, coronation fete warrnambool

This is a photograph of a painting by the noted artist George Webb (1861-1949). Webb was best known for his portraits of civic dignitaries in Melbourne and Adelaide but he also produced many landscapes and seascapes. Some of these feature Warrnambool landmarks as he married, in the late 1890s, Christina Lake, the step-daughter of George Rolfe who owned the property known as ‘Lyndoch’, near the mouth of the Hopkins River. Webb painted the early cottages at ‘Old Lyndoch’ using a photograph taken some time earlier. The painting was given to Dick Allan, the chauffeur in the employ of Florence Lake, Christina’s sister. Florence Lake owned and resided at Lyndoch after her parents’ death. Dick Allan’s son, living in Tasmania, acquired the painting and Les O’Callaghan obtained the photograph of the painting from him. Although this is only a photograph of an original painting, it is of some considerable importance as the painting has great historical significance and this is the only representation we have of it. The man in the photograph represents George Rolfe and the story of Rolfe and his ownership and development of the property of Lyndoch is an important one in Warrnambool’s history. The original by George Webb is also an important work of art in its own right.This is a colour photograph of a painting. The frame of the original painting can be seen at the bottom of the photograph. The photograph is in on old frame which has two wooden edgings with the outer one having an ornate gold plaster edging and an inner one with a gold velvet insert next to the glass. The ornate gold plaster has a piece missing near the top left hand corner. The photograph is set into a gold-coloured wooden frame inside the glass. The photograph is mounted onto cardboard and covered with cardboard at the back with a small piece of wood attached (from the original frame). The backing is nailed on. lyndoch, george webb, george rolfe

This is a reminder of the Le Couteur family who feature in the history of Warrnambool and district. George Le Couteur, a son of the pioneer Le Couteur family, was a chemist in 19th century Warrnambool and the family had a long association with the Nirranda district. Philip Le Couteur was a Rhodes Scholar in 1908. These biros are of some interest as a memento of the reunion held in 1991 of the Le Couteur family descendantsThese are three black biros without tops. The ‘LeCouteur Reunion’ inscription has been etched in white.LeCouteur Reunion, 1991 Bic, Australia le couteur family, bic biro