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Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Speaking Personally - W Murdoch, 1887/1888
These two important books are part of a series produced in the 1880s but they have widely-different content. One describes the natural history of the Parish of Selborne in the County of Hampshire in England. It was written by the British naturalist and ornithologist, Gilbert White and first published in 1789. Since that time it has been republished over 300 times right up to the present day. It is notable for its charm and simplicity and for its description of a pre-industrial England. The other is by the American author, Walt Whitman, first published in 1871. It is a major work of comparative politics and expounds on the influence of the Louisiana Purchase and the expansion of the American spirit and character. It also denounces the post-Civil War materialism that had spread at that time in America. These books are of interest because of their antiquarian nature but they are mostly of local Warrnambool interest because of their inscriptions. The books belonged to William Hugh McMahon (1862-1936). William McMahon commenced a legal practice in Warrnambool in 1894, firstly in Liebig Street and later in Kepler Street. He was a prominent lawyer in Warrnambool for 30 years and a staunch adherent of the Presbyterian Church. He and his family lived at ‘Glenrye’ at the corner of Ardlie Street and Botanic Road, a site where the St. John of God Hospital was later established. These two accompanying volumes are in the Camelot Series (1887 and 1888). They are hard cover books with red covers and two ornamental patterns on the front cover (stylized urn and fan shapes). The urn pattern is repeated on the spines. ‘The Natural History of Selborne’ has 366 pages (a Preface and Chapters on the Natural History of Selborne, a Naturalist’s Calendar and Observations on Various Branches of Natural History) and ‘Democratic Vistas’ has 175 pages (a Preface and 12 Chapters). The latter has the remains of a label stuck to the front cover. The handwriting on the inside first pages are in black ink.Book One: ‘W.H.McMahon, June 24th 1889, Warrnambool’ Book Two: ‘W.H.McMahon, Sept. 4th 1891, Warrnambool’ gilbert white, english natural history, walt whitman, american politics, william mcmahon, solicitor, warrnambool., warrnambool history -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, The Ozone Hotel Warrnambool, Early 1900s
This booklet was produced for Thomas Randall, the proprietor of the Ozone Hotel, Warrnambool. The booklet has the front cover missing and the title of the booklet is actually ‘A Visit to Warrnambool’. It is a publicity booklet given out gratis to prospective clients of the hotel. The Ozone Hotel was originally called the Grand Ozone Coffee Palace and opened in 1890 as a temperance hotel, a splendid building with over 100 rooms. In December 1891 the Coffee Palace was granted a Colonial Wine Licence and in 1895 it was renamed the Ozone Hotel. Thomas Randall was the hotel keeper from 1894 to 1907. In 1920 the Ozone Hotel, after being closed for some time, was re-opened as the Hotel Mansions and a full liquor licence was obtained in 1923. In 1929 the building was burnt down and the present-day Hotel Warrnambool was built on the site. This booklet is of great significance as it documents the splendour of the Warrnambool Ozone Hotel when it was at its best. This building is regarded as the finest and most elegant building ever built in Warrnambool and this booklet contains the only photographs we have of the interior of a 19th century/early 20th century hotel in Warrnambool. This is a soft cover booklet publicizing the Ozone Hotel, Warrnambool, published for the proprietor Thomas Randall early in the 20th century. The front cover and several pages at the back are missing. The booklet contains advertisements, both local and Melbourne ones, black and white photographs of Warrnambool and district and of the interior and exterior of the Ozone Hotel, an article on the town of Warrnambool and extracts from the hotel’s Visitors’ Book. Most of the pages contain black and white ornamental motifs. One of the pages at the front of the booklet is torn in half. The booklet is bound with staples. On first page: Warrnambool & District Historical Society Stamp (smudged)grand ozone coffee palace/ozone hotel/hotel mansions, thomas randall, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, The Practical Measurer, 1863
This book, ‘The Practical Measurer’, by Alexander Peddie, is subtitled ‘Tradesman and Wood Merchant’s Assistant’. It is a tradesman’s guide to measuring and contains many tables of measurement. The inscription in the front of the book shows that it belonged to Thomas Osborne and that he obtained it from D. McColl who is identified in the inscription as the Chief Engineer of the steam ship, ‘Julia Percy’. There is a record of a Donald McColl owning the vessel ‘Mimmie Dyke’ and sailing it to Mauritius in 1856 and there is also a record of the death of a Donald McColl in 1880 so these two facts may refer to the D.McColl mentioned by Thomas Osborne (especially as he refers to him as ‘poor old Mr D. McColl’). Thomas Hamilton Osborne was born in Port Fairy in 1851. He had a lifelong interest in ships and in Warrnambool was the Secretary and then Manager of the Western Steam Navigation Company for 16 years. Osborne wrote many articles with nautical themes using the nom-de-plume of ‘Sliding Gunter’ and had a great love of, and interest in, the ship, ‘Julia Percy’ and when he died in 1902 his body was put on board the ‘Julia Percy’ and he was buried at sea. The ‘Julia Percy’ (built 1876) was a well-known steamship on the western Victorian coast for many years. Later it plied the Queensland coast, saw service in West Australian waters, was renamed the ‘Leeuin’ and was used as a coal hulk until it was scuttled in 1935. The signature in the book of T. Hyland may indicate that he donated the book to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. This book is of prime importance because:- 1. As a book printed in 1863 it is of antiquarian interest. 2. The connection with Thomas Osborne is of key interest as he was a notable figure in Warrnambool’s 19th century history, especially in maritime circles. 3. The connection with the ship, ‘Julia Percy’, is of particular interest as it was a prominent ship in Warrnambool’s maritime history. This is a hard cover book of 448 pages with brown and gold leather binding on the spine and cover edges and a brown and tan mottled pattern cover. The book has a Preface, a Contents page, information on how to measure all types of solid figures and how to measure work involved in the various trades – masons, carpenters, painters, glaziers, plumbers etc. It also has two Appendices with information on the measurement of sawn timber. The text has many tables and diagrams. The first page has a handwritten inscription in black ink and the back pages have some mathematical calculations written in pencil and a mathematical problem with its solution written in ink. Handwritten: ‘T. P. Hyland’ Stamped: ‘T.H.Osborne’ Typed label: ‘Mr T. H. Osborne, Warrnambool’ Handwritten: ‘T.H. Osborne, Warrnamool, Australia, given to me by poor old Mr D. McColl, Chf. Engineer, Julia Percy S.S., 1888’ thomas osborne, history of warrnambool, maritime history of victoria, ‘julia percy’ steamship -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Captain James Cook, 1987
This book, written by John Hooker, contains the story of Captain Cook based on the screenplay by Peter Yeldham for the A.B.C. television production of the life of Captain James Cook. The voyages of Captain Cook are of prime importance in Australia’s history as his discoveries and positive reports of the east coast of Australia led eventually to Britain’s decision to establish a penal colony in New South Wales.This book is of significance because it was written by John Hooker, important in Warrnambool’s late 20th century history as a regular feature writer and columnist for the Warrnambool Standard newspaper. His articles, which raised moral, social and political issues from a local point of view, were widely read and admired by the residents of Warrnambool and district. Born in New Zealand, John Hooker came to Australia in 1963 and resided for a time at Killarney near Port Fairy. He was a publisher and later a full-time writer, publishing both newspaper articles and novels. This is a soft cover book of 258 pages. The cover is mainly red and blue and features on the front cover a colour photograph of Keith Michell, the actor portraying Captain Cook in the A.B.C. film production. The back cover has a summary of the life of Captain Cook and a small colour photograph of a film scene of Captain Cook with some Pacific Islanders. The book has a Prologue, three chapters and an Epiloguejohn hooker, captain james cook, history of australia, warrnambool history -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Loch Ard Gorge, Early 20th century
... families were prominent in the early history of Warrnambool... history of Warrnambool and district, especially as timber millers ...This is a booklet containing an epic-style poem by Alice Goldstraw on the subject of the wreck of the ‘Loch Ard’. Alice Goldstraw (died 1967) was the daughter of George and Robina Goldstraw who were pioneer farmers in the Cudgee area. The Goldstraw families were prominent in the early history of Warrnambool and district, especially as timber millers. The ‘Loch Ard’ wreck (1878, Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell) is Victoria’s most famous wreck – 51 lives lost with only two survivors. The story of the survivors, Eva Carmichael and Tom Pearce has legendary status in the stories of shipwrecks in Victoria and has been the subject of articles, songs, poems, plays, novels and films. This booklet is of great significance because it is a well-written poem by Alice Goldstraw, a member of a pioneer family in the Cudgee area. It is a notable early poem about the wreck of the ‘Loch Ard’ which has attracted much interest in the Warrnambool area and beyond. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool specializes in promoting stories of this wreck and features many relics of the wreck in its collection – the Loch Ard Peacock, the Carmichael watch, the Tom Peace binoculars etc. The laser night show at this Museum currently features the story of the wreck. Original copies of this poem are now rare.This is a soft cover booklet of 20 pages containing a poem about the wreck of the ‘Loch Ard’. The cover is cream-coloured with the front cover having blue print and a sepia-coloured photograph of the Loch Ard Gorge. The booklet has a page of photographs connected to the ‘Loch Ard’ and an ornamental black border around each page of the stanzas. The front cover is somewhat blotched and stained. The booklet has been stapled but the staples have been removed.poetry, loch ard shipwreck, warrnambool authors, alice goldstraw, warrnambool history -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document, Poll Book, Mid 20th century
This booklet has been produced to record information in connection with an election, presumably that of a local Council. As the title page and the inside pages are blank it is not possible to speculate in what year and for which Council election this booklet was intended for use. This booklet is of no particular importance but may be useful for display. This is a soft cover booklet of 10 pages. The cover is pink but faded around the edges and torn at the corners. The printing on the front is in black type. The pages are ruled with red lines but are blank. There is some silverfish damage on the first page. The pages are bound with metal staples. Front Cover: ‘Election Held’ ‘Poll Book’ ‘Electoral…. of …’ ‘Division…’ ‘Polling Place…’ ‘Polling Booth…’ council elections, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document, Hampden Football League Clearance Form, 1950s
... League History of Warrnambool Western District Sport ...This form was used by football players wishing to transfer to other clubs. It was used in the 1950s by the Hampden Football League. This League, now known as the Hampden Football-Netball League, is in south western Victoria and was founded in 1930. This form is of minor interest as an example of the forms used by footballers wishing to transfer to other clubs in the 1950s. This is a blue sheet of paper –the form used for football players being cleared to other clubs in the Hampden Football League (4 copies). The form is blue with black print. There are spaces for the applicant for transfer, the committee representative of the team from which the applicant desires a clearance and the Hampden Football League representative to insert the relevant information. hampden football-netball league, history of warrnambool, western district sport -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document, Illuminated Address H. H. Smith esq
This illuminated address was given to H.H.Smith, the Warrnambool Mayor, for his work with soldiers returning to Warrnambool and district during and after World War One. On the same occasion Smith was also given an armchair by the mothers, sisters and wives of Warrnambool returning soldiers. Henry Huntingdon Smith (1857-1941) started his own bakery business in 1885, firstly near the corner of Fairy and Koroit Streets and later building his own shop at the corner of Lava and Fairy Streets (Monaghans Pharmacy today). Smith was one of the most admired men in Warrnambool in the first half of the 20th century. He was a Warrnambool Councillor from 1918 to 1937 (Mayor for two terms) and served continuously on the Warrnambool Hospital Committee for 39 years. He visited patients at the Hospital twice a week. He took a particular interest in the welfare of returning soldiers and it was said that there was not a returned man or woman whom Smith did not greet on his return to the district. Smith also was a tireless worker for the Methodist Church as an office bearer and a Sunday School teacher. Smith was also Vice President in 1937 of the first Warrnambool & District Historical Society. This document is of particular interest as it is a good example of the type of illuminated address produced during the early years of the 20th century. It also shows clearly the respect and love that Warrnambool people had for Henry Smith, a great volunteer worker in the community. This is a piece of cream-coloured parchment paper with a margin ruled in black ink and handwriting in blue and black ink surrounded by red ornamental scrolls and flourishes. The paper has an address to H.H.Smith and is followed by 74 names and the date (1920). The paper is inserted into a piece of red leather cloth. This has folded edges and an ornamental gold pattern around the front edges and a gold border around the back edges. There are two holes at the top of the folder and these have metal surrounds. The backing folder is rounded at the top edges. ‘Warrnambool, 6th December 1919. To H.H. Smith Esq., Mayor of Warrnambool – We, the Mothers, Wives and Sisters of the Returned Soldiers of this City and District wish to express to you our deepest gratitude for your unswerving devotion to Our Boys interests during your long term as Secretary of the Welcome Home Committee’ (etc etc)henry huntingdon smith, world war one, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document, Ist Airmail letter 1917, 1917
... in the Western District Basil Watson History of Warrnambool ‘Town Hall ...This letter, the first air mail letter sent to Warrnambool, was written by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir David Valentine Hennessy and carried by the aviator, Basil Watson on the first flight to Warrnambool January 24th 1917. The letter was delivered to the Mayor of Warrnambool, Cr Webb.There were several other letters delivered at the same time but this is the important official one. Basil Watson was a pioneer aviator who built his own aeroplane which was 18 feet long with a wing span of 26 feet and it had a 7 cylinder 50 H.P. Rotary Gnome engine. Watson flew from Point Cook to Warrnambool in one hour 55 minutes, an Australian cross-country flying record at the time. In Warrnambool Watson amazed the crowd with his dare-devil aerial acrobatics, looping the loop 14 times over the Warrnambool Racecourse. Basil Watson died when he crashed his plane into the sea near Point Cook, just two months after he landed in Warrnambool. This letter is of the utmost significance being the first air mail letter delivered to Warrnambool. It is an important memento of the first aeroplane flight into Warrnambool by the pioneer aviator Basil Watson. This is a cream-coloured sheet of paper folded in two to make four pages. It has handwriting in black ink on two pages. The writing is a little faded. The first page has the logo of the Melbourne Town Hall. The pages are partly torn at the folds. ‘Town Hall, Melbourne, 21/1/17. Lord Mayor’s Room, Dear Mr Mayor, I have much pleasure in sending you greetings by aeroplane piloted by my friend’s son, Mr Basil Watson. I hope when the cruel war is over and victory crowns our efforts, we all in the C’wealth will be able to fly from one state to the other. With best wishes for the New Year, …….. (signature indecipherable), D.V. Hennessy. His Worship the Mayor of Warrnambool.’pioneer aviation in the western district, basil watson, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Booklet, The Wyndham Journal, late 19th century
This is a booklet containing the newspapers published on board the ship, ‘General Wyndham’ during its voyage from Liverpool to Melbourne in 1857. The newspapers may be copies of the newspapers rather than original ones. Betsey(Betsy/ Betty) Smith, the wife of Thomas Smith of Warrnambool, came to Australia with their daughter Lizzie (Elizabeth) on board the ‘General Wyndham’ in 1857 on the particular voyage during which these newsletters were printed (the emigrant ships coming to Australia at that time usually carried printing presses of some kind). It is conjectured that Thomas Smith who had come to Australia on an earlier voyage and who was a printer in Koroit Street, Warrnambool in the 19th century, printed and bound the newsletters that his wife had kept. This book is of great importance as a good collection of the newsletters printed on board emigrant ships. If the newsletters came from Betsy Smith then the significance is even greater. The newsletters tell us so much about life on board the ‘General Wyndham’ ship – the range of articles, the light-hearted humorous touches, the accounts of the deaths on board, the picture of life on board that is conveyed and the overall professional look of the newsletters make the journal interesting to read and of great historical interest. This is a bound book of 44 pages containing a collection of nine newsletters printed on board the ship, ‘General Wyndham’ in 1857. The cover is light brown and is very stained. The contents of the newspapers include poems, news items, reports of the ship’s log and its progress, accounts of the activities and organizations aboard the ship, letters to the editor and editorials. The stamp of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society is prominent throughout the book and some of the pages have been bound at the edges with white taping.‘general wyndham’ ship, 19th century emigration to australia, betsy and thomas smith, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Chambers’s Journal 1874, 1874
This is a book given to Margaret Davidson in 1875 by her aunt, Mrs J. Davidson. Margaret Milne Davidson (1839-1928) was the eldest child of James and Isabella Davidson and she was born in Kirriemuir, Scotland. She came to the Warrnambool area in 1850. The property, ‘Woodend’, was near Cassadys Bridge (Caramut Road today). The aunt, Mrs J. Davidson would be the wife of John Davidson, the brother of James and a farmer at ‘Rosebank’, Woodford. The portraits of John and James Davidson are on the Warrnambool Pioneer Honour Board. This book is of interest because of its inscription. The book is connected to the Davidson families, prominent in Warrnambool’s pioneer history.This is a hard cover book of 832 pages. The book has a dark green cover with dark green and gold lettering with ornamental gold surrounds. The book has an index, short stories, poems, essays and articles on science and the arts. The book contains monthly journals for 1874 combined in one volume. The cover is stained and blotched. There are several stamps of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society. The inscription on the first page is handwritten in black ink. ‘Margaret M. Davidson, Woodend, from her aunt, Mrs J. Davidson, 30/9/75’.margaret davidson, james and john davidson, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Album, Photo Album, 1920s
This is an album of Australian official photographs of Australian participation in World War One. Enlargements of the photographs could be obtained in the 1920s from the Australian War Museum in the Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne. World War One (1914-1918) was a highly significant event, not only in world history, but also in Australian history – a time when Australia participated to a strong degree, with a great number of Australian men and women dying in the war. These photographs were important in the 1920s as they showed war scenes and military activities that were not available to the public when the war was in progress. They are still important today showing Australian military action in World War One, a signal event in Australia’s history. The number of World War One War Memorials in most Australian towns and small settlements is an indication of the effect on the Australian people of the sacrifice of the lives of so many young people. Warrnambool was just one place in Australia that built a war memorial in the 1920s and continues today to remember World War One heroes as well as those from later wars. This is a brown photograph album containing 72 black and white photographs of Australian soldiers in World War One (Gallipoli, Palestine, France etc). The photographs have been commercially produced. There are four photographs to each page mounted on card. The cover is cardboard and the pages are bound with multi-coloured string. The cover has an imprint of a lady (ancient Greek style).Stamp of Warrnambool & District Historical Society world war one, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Good Words, 1880s
This book, published in England, has been awarded as a school prize in 1887. Woodford School, No. 648, was an early National School which commenced in a house in 1854. In 1872 a sandstone building was erected. The school still operates. James Craig was the Head Master of Woodford School from 1884 to 1889. His wife was the Work Mistress of the school and both were involved in community affairs, particularly in regard to the Presbyterian Church and the local Mechanics’ Institute. Annis Morgan was born at Woodford to Jenkin and Mary Morgan in 1874. She would have been about 13 at the time she received the prize book. Annis (Ann) married Alan Patterson in 1897. This book is of considerable significance as it is connected with the history of Woodford, the Woodford school, the teacher, James Craig, the pupil, Annis Morgan and her family. This is a hard cover book of 812 pages The cover is black with an engraved ornamental pattern and edging and gold printing in the title on the cover and the spine. There is gilt edging on the pages. There is a bookplate on the inside front cover and one or two pages at the beginning are missing. The book contains many black and white illustrations with the first one covered by a piece of tissue (now blotched). The book contains poetry, short stories (some serialized) and some factual writing suitable for older children and adults. The cover is stained and somewhat faded and is ragged at the edges.Bookplate: ‘State School No. 648 Woodford, Fifth Class, presented to Annis Morgan, Christmas 1887, Jas. Craig, Head Teacher’. Stamp inside first page: ‘Warrnambool & District Historical Society WB 196’ history of woodford, woodford state school, annis morgan -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, The Lady of the Lake, 1810
This book is an 1810 third edition copy of Walter Scott’s poem, ‘The Lady of the Lake’. It is notable for its illustrations of the drawings of Richard Westall (1765-1836), an English painter and illustrator and Queen Victoria’s drawing master. Westall is best-known for his portraits of Lord Byron. There is no information available on the original owner, the Reverend Matthew West. Tis book is important because: 1. It is an 1810 edition and of antiquarian interest 2. It belonged to Louie Mack, the cousin of Sir Ronald Mack, an important Warrnambool Parliamentarian. Miss Mack was well-known in the Warrnambool area as the Secretary of the Warrnambool Technical School in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. The Macks were prominent early settlers in the Warrnambool area. This is a hard cover leather bound book of 433 pages (poem, ‘The Lady of the Lake’ by Walter Scott). The cover is brown leather with a gold ornamental border. The inside cover has a tan and blue mottled pattern. The book has illustrations with engravings from the designs of Richard Westall. The illustrations have a piece of tissue paper in front of them. The first page has a stamp of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society and there is a loose sheet indicating that the book was published in 1810 and that it belonged to Miss L.A. Mack.‘The Revd. Matthew West, Vicar’s Hall, Clane’. sir walter scott, richard westall, louie mack, history of warrnambool, rev. matthew west -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document, The Weekly Times, Originally produced - 1869
This is a reprint of the first edition of The Weekly Times – originally printed on September 11th 1869. The paper was first published by the Daily Telegraph Newspaper Company and was described as ‘a Journal of literature, sport, agriculture, science and politics’. In 1892 it was acquired by the Herald Newspaper group which has been publishing The Weekly Times ever since. The Weekly Times is now regarded as the most important newspaper especially published for those living outside of Melbourne in rural Victoria. This newspaper reprint is of minor interest as it is a copy of the first edition of a newspaper that is widely read in rural Victoria, including Warrnambool and the Western District.This is a reprint of the first edition of the Melbourne newspaper, the Weekly Times (1869). It has 16 pages and includes news items, advertisements, black and white sketches, poems, agricultural information, ladies’ columns etc. The first page has the masthead and motto of the paper – ‘The Liberal Reviseth Liberal Things’. The paper is yellowed with age and some pages are tattered at the edges. The front page has originally had a stamp on it from the Melbourne Public Library. the weekly times, victorian newspapers, warrnambool history -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Drawing of Genius, c.1870
‘Dawnings of Genius’ by the Rev. Theodore Alois Buckley contains chapters on the lives the many distinguished men in history. Our copy of this work was given to Jane McMeekin as a prize at the Koroit Street School some time in the 1870s. The Koroit Street School was a Denominational Board School opened by the Wesleyan Church in 1859 with William Nettleton as the Head Teacher. It was later known as Common School No. 673 and closed in 1876 when the Warrnambool State School in Jamieson Street was opened. There is no date to tell us when Jane McMeekin received this book but we know that Caleb Collyer, who married Ann Brown in 1869, was Head Teacher of Warrnambool Common School No. 673 in 1875. Jane Taggart McMeekin was born in Mepunga in 1864 to John and Isabella McMeekin. She may have been about ten or eleven when she received this prize. This book is of considerable interest as it was a school prize in the 1870s and concerns Jane McMeekin, Caleb Collyer and Common School No. 673 – all of relevance and importance in the history of education in Warrnambool.This is a hard cover book of 408 pages. It has a dark red leather cover with gold and black ornamentation and red lettering on a gold background. It has an introduction and thirty chapters on the lives of eminent men. It has many black and white illustrations. The cover is torn in places and somewhat stained and ragged around the edges. On the first page it has an inscription and a stamp of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society. ‘Second Prize, Fifth Class Girls, Awarded to Jane McMeekin, Koroit Street School, No. 673, Warrnambool, C. Collyer, H. Teacher.’ warrnambool common school 673, caleb collyer, jane mcmeekin, history of warrnambool, schools in warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Australian Representative Man
This book is of general as well as local interest as it gives short biographies of prominent 19th century Australian men. Included in the book are people of local importance to Warrnambool and district – Dr Fleetwood, Dr Singleton, Rev. George Tait, James Stewart Butters, Stephen Henty and Dr Thomas Scott. This book is important because it has interesting and informative biographies of prominent Australian men of the 19th century but it is of greater importance to Warrnambool’s historians because of its biographies of men who were influential in Warrnambool’s history. It is also of interest that the book has the signature of Henri Worland, the Town Clerk of Warrnambool from 1918 to 1949. Worland was also a great Warrnambool historian, preserving items of historical importance, writing on local history and talking about our history for a number of years in a series of broadcasts on Warrnambool’s 3YB. It is due to him that we have ‘Australian Representative Men’ in our collection today. This is a hard cover book with a black cover and gold-coloured lettering on the spine. The pages are unnumbered. The book contains 107 biographies of well-known 19th century men in Australia, together with their portraits fronted by a piece of tissue paper. The book also has articles on the Federal Council and the Soudan Expedition. The first couple of pages are missing. The cover is a little stained and some of the pages have blotches on them. There are several stamps of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society.‘H.J.Worland’ history of warrnambool, dr fleetwood, dr singleton, dr thomas scott, stephen henty, james stewart butters, rev. george tait -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Barnes Notes on the Four Gospels, 1857
This is a book given in 1860 to Miss M. Davidson by L.H.R Miss M. Davidson would most likely be Margaret Milne Davidson (1839-1928) who was born in Kirremuir, Scotland and was the daughter of James and Isabella Davidson of Woodend near Cassadys Bridge on the outskirts of Warrnambool. She never married. The identity of ‘L. H. R.’ is unknown. This book is significant firstly because of its antiquarian interest (an 1857 publication) and secondly because of its connection to Margaret Davidson. Her father and uncle and their families were pioneer settlers in Warrnambool and thus of great importance in our history. This is a hard cover book of 53 pages. The cover is brown with an ornamental pattern impressed into the front cover and gold lettering on the spine. The book has a Preface, an Introduction, 21 chapters of text by Rev. Albert Barnes and an Index. It has a colour fold-up map of Palestine. There is a stamp of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society on the first page and an inscription in black ink. The cover is partly broken away and torn. ‘Miss M. Davidson from L.H.R. Warrnambool 4 May 1860’. margaret davidson, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document, A Service of Intercession, 1915
This is a programme for a Service of Intercession in Relation to the War. It was held by the Methodist Church (Victoria and Tasmania Conference) in October 1915. The Wesleyan Methodist Conference at Birmingham, England requested that Sunday October 31st 1915 be set aside as a Day of Thanksgiving and Intercession throughout Britain and all other countries in the British Empire. The service was held to seek Divine intercession and aid for those on active military service in World War One and for the families of these men and women. This programme is of interest as the 1915 service would have been held in Methodist Churches throughout Victoria and Tasmania and this would have included the Warrnambool Methodist Church. World War One was a highly significant event in the history of Australia and Warrnambool, along with all other places in Australia, was affected deeply by the war with many young local people enlisting and many dying on active service.These are two sheets of paper folded in two to make eight pages. The pages contain a programme for the Methodist Church service in October 1915. The printing is in blue on a whitish/bluish background. The front cover is edged with blue lines. There is a blue stamp of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society on the front cover. The programme has been stapled but the staples have been removed. methodist church, world war one -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Brass Plate, Dr H I Holmes, Circa 1905
Doctor Horace Iles Holmes was born at Launceston Tasmania 09/08/1877. He was educated at Launceston High School and Tasmanian University and later at Melbourne University. After graduation he came to Warrnambool in 1905 and worked in the practice of Dr T F Fleetwood and took over the practice shortly afterwards along with the position of Honorary medical officer at Warrnambool Hospital and also health officer until 1944 and as an Honorary consulting medical officer from then until 1958. His practice which was located at " Ierne" opposite the Presbyterian Church in Spence St Warrnambool. He later moved to a new home and surgery at the corner of Spence Liebig st and Raglan parade which was later sold to Dr C B Berryman. A large medical clinic still operates from this site. Dr Holmes was a keen fisherman and a member of Rotary serving as district governor.This plate is a connection to a long standing doctor in the Warrnambool district. In his practice he would have treated many district people and as such this item has strong social and historical connections to the district. Rectangular brass plate engraved with name which has been coloured in black. There are six screw holes around the outer edge of the plaque. The back is plain .H.I. Holmes M.D. Surgeon & Physician. A stamped name at middle bottom edge is unreadablewarrnambool, warrnambool doctors, dr h i holmes, warrnambool history -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Walking Stick, Mr Bendall Walking & Measuring Stick, c.1920
... of Horse Racing in the Western District History of Warrnambool ‘A G ...This walking stick, which is also a horse measurer, belonged to Atwell George Bendall, the well-known racing man, judge and handicapper in the Western District early in the 20th century. Born in the Caramut district, he was the manager of the ‘Green Hills’ estate at Winslow, a property owned by his father who also operated a livery and coach service at Caramut. When his father died Bendall carried on the family business until the end of the 19th century when he went to live in Warrnambool. A lover of horses, Bendall was an amateur rider of note and an owner of several racehorses. He also took a keen interest in coursing and owned and bred many successful dogs. In Warrnambool he took an interest in trotting and owned several trotters. For the last sixteen years of his life Atwell Bendall was a handicapper for most of the Western District race clubs and his keen judgment and knowledge of horses were greatly admired and appreciated. He was also a judge at agricultural shows and other horse events and this is probably where he was made use of this horse-measuring walking stick. He died in 1922. This is a most significant item as it belonged to the prominent early 20th century horse racing identity in the Western District – Atwell Bendall. It is also of general historical interest as an ingenious object – a walking stick doubling as a horse measurer. This is a mottled brown-coloured wooden walking stick, slightly tapered and with seven segments. It has a wooden knob at the top curved and indented in an acorn shape. The knob has silver coloured nails or tacks driven into the raised sections. The knob lifts out and is actually a wooden ruler with silver casing at the top of the ruler. Also at the top of the ruler, at a right angle to the ruler, is a lift-out metal piece which has a spirit level at the top end and this metal piece is used to rest on the horse to estimate its measurement in hands. There is a leather strap near the top of the walking stick for attachment to the wrist and a gold metal cap at the bottom of the stick. A silver band near the top of the stick has an inscription. ‘A G. Bendall Warrnambool’ atwell bendall, history of horse racing in the western district, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document, Prospectus Leahy's Electrical, 1951
This prospectus contains the history of Leahy's electrical . The objectives of this company were to allow expansion of the present business ( est,1946) , to take advantage of the excellent corner site and to modernise the building and carry all heavy duty electrical and mechanical lines for commercial users and farmers.Attached was a hire car services which operated as Leahy's Hire cars. The service of the the previous business commenced in 1946 at 82 Fairy Street and grew to employ up to 25 tradesmen. However the assets of the business were lost May1, 1950 when building stock and plant was destroyed by fire.In October 1950 Mr leahy purchased the freehold on the corner of Liebig and Koroit Streets Warrnambool The directors of the new company were John James Leahy, John Beynon Dwyer, William John Taggart Walter, William James Croft, Martin White and James Albert Affleck. They aimed to raise 50000 pounds with 100000 shares at ten shillings each. This document shows the beginnings of one of Warrnambool's most successful 20th century companies. It lists the people associated with it from its inception many of whom were and are well known in the district. It therefore has strong social and historical significance.Cream soft card cover with dark blue text. It is stapled together and contains 6 pages on cream paper with black text.back cover is plain.Prospectus of Leahy's Electrical Industries Ltd Warrnambool Vic, 19th April 1951.warrnambool, j j leahy, jim leahy, leahy's electrical industries, prospectus leahy's electrical industries 1951 -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Booklet, Almanac - Advertiser 1873, 1872
This Almanac was published by the Warrnambool Advertiser in 1873. The Warrnambool Advertiser was first published in 1868 by the Warrnambool Newspaper Company with James Hider as chairman. The first editor and publisher was Frank Davis who was succeeded in these positions in January 1870 by Daniel Harrison and Daniel George. The plant and goodwill was sold in May1874 to Fairfax and Laurie, the proprietors of the Warrnambool Standard. The owner of this booklet was Christopher Beattie who came to Warrnambool in 1853 and founded, with Henry Phillips, the undertaking firm of Beattie & Phillips in 1865. Beattie was heavily involved in community affairs in Warrnambool - the Fire Brigade, the Building Society, the Mechanics' Institute, the Manchester Unity Lodge and the Wesleyan Church. Several pages of the booklet have personal notes written by Beattie. The booklet remained in the possession of J J Leahy, the successor to Beattie & Phillips in the Fairy Street undertaking business.This booklet is of major importance as it is an original Warrnambool Advertiser Almanac of 1873. This Almanac was published two years before the Warrnambool Standard Almanacs were issued (1875-1930) and thus it contains information not available elsewhere. The association with Christopher Beattie of the firm Beattie & Phillips and the Beattie handwritten material are also of major interest to local historians.This is a booklet of 47 pages, the Warrnambool Advertiser Almanac of 1873. Some of the first and end pages are missing and some of the inside pages are torn or partly missing. Some of the end pages are loose. The booklet contains a monthly calendar with historical dates from Australia and overseas, Town and District Directories of people living in the Warrnambool area, general information on organisations and businesses in Warrnambool and the surrounding district and postal information. It also has many local Warrnambool and district advertisements, some with black and white sketches. There are also several pages with comments handwritten by Christopher Beattie. The pages have been tied together with string.Christopher Beattie Born on the/ 7th of January 1839 at Westlinton/ (near Carlisle), Cumberland, England 1872 [written in different hand at top of page]beattie & phillips, christopher beattie, warrnambool advertiser, history of warrnambool, james hider, frank davis, daniel harrison, daniel george, fairfax & laurie, henry phillips, j j leahy, undertakers -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Third Book, Late 19th century
This little book is very old, presumably 19th century, but the wording on the front cover is indecipherable, no date is evident and the first and last pages are missing. The book was owned by Mary Jane Freckleton with the main inscription written in an adult hand – ‘Mary Jane Frickelton, Mailers Flat’. The spelling of Mailers Flat with an ‘e’ was not a mistake but this was the common spelling in the 19th century and the early 20th century. According to the Freckleton family history ‘Freckleton’ was sometimes spelled ‘Frickelton’ or ‘Frickleton’. Mailors Flat is nine kilometres from Warrnambool and the Mailors Flat School, number 1210, was opened in 1872 in Caramut Road and closed in 1994. The first Head Teacher was Julian Castles. There were Freckelton families in the 19th century in Port Fairy, Caramut, Woolsthorpe, Woodford and Mailors Flat. The Freckletons at Mailors Flat were engaged in farming. Mary Jane Freckleton was for a time a pupil teacher at Mailors Flat School. She was born at the Injemira property and married Henry Giles. This is an interesting book because of its age and because it belonged to Mary Jane Freckleton, a member of the Freckleton families, early settlers in the areas north of Warrnambool. She may have used the book when she was a pupil teacher at the Mailors Flat School. This is a hard cover book of 284 pages (some pages missing). The cloth cover is brown and much torn and stained. There are 86 chapters of prose and verse and a sprig of dried flowers is enclosed in the pages. There is the red stamp of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society on the first page and several snippets of writing in black ink on the front and back pages.‘Mary Jane Frickelton Mailers Flat’mary jane freckleton, mailors flat school -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, The book of common prayer
Unfortunately we do not know who donated this book to the Warrnambool & District Historical Society and so we do not know the identity of C.M.B or S.A.B. S.A. Burtt is listed as a Timor Street grocer in 1856 and as a Director of the Western District Fishing Company (1858-9). Was he the S.A.B. who gave the book to his sister in 1854? The fact that we have the book indicates that perhaps C.M.B. also came to settle in Victoria at a later date.This is a very attractive little prayer book and remains for us a fascinating relic of 19th century migration to Victoria. It will be even more valuable if we ever discover the identity of the giver and receiver of the book.This is a hard cover leather- bound book. The book contains a Contents page, a Preface and the Common Prayers of the Church of England together with the Psalms of David. The spine has gold lettering and the cover is edged and reinforced with gold-coloured metal and there is a gold ornamental metal clasp which is affixed with small nails to the front and back covers and which closes over the pages. The pages are gilt-edged. The inscription on the first page is handwritten in blue ink and there is a loose sheet which is a printed prayer for the Governor and the Council and another loose piece of blue ribbon used as a marker. The spine of the book is slightly rubbed. There are some indecipherable pencil markings on the back page. ‘To C. M. B. A farewell gift from a brother to his sister on his sailing for Victoria From S.A.B.1854’ 19th century migration to victoria history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, The Australian Debate, Early 20th century
This book has been written by Edward Vidler (1863-1942), a publisher, editor, writer and journalist. He was born in England and was in Geelong in the 1880s where he produced a commemorative volume on that city. He was living in Warrnambool in the early years of the 20th century and was the Secretary of the Warrnambool and District Progress League and the Warrnambool Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He later lived in Melbourne where he edited magazines and published his own and other writings. He was especially interested in the promotion of the arts and was a keen naturalist. He was a foundation member of the group that established the Maranoa Native Gardens in Balwyn, Melbourne. The writer of this book, Edward Vidler, was important in the history of Warrnambool for two main reasons:- 1. In 1907 he initiated and organized the establishment of the Warrnambool Pioneer Honour Board featuring portraits of 204 pioneer men. This board still exists. 2. In 1907 he produced a publication called ‘Warrnambool Past and Present – Sixty Years of Progress’. It celebrated the 60th anniversary of the founding of Warrnambool and contained 88 pages, 120 illustrations and photographs and many advertisements. The publication is noted for its historical accuracy, the way it complements and adds to Richard Osburne’s 1887 history of Warrnambool and its presentation of historical material that may otherwise have been lost. Both of Vidler’s initiatives described above are of the utmost importance in Warrnambool’s history. This is a soft cover book of 270 pages. The cover is green with black printed material on the covers and the spine. The book has a Preface, 24 chapters of text and a Bibliography. There are advertisements for other books on the last page and the back cover. The cover is stained and faded and partly torn in places and some of the inside pages are stained. The Australian Debateredward vidler, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Willis the Pilot, 1901 (inscription label)
This book, a sequel to ‘The Swiss Family Robinson’ by Henry Frith, was a prize given to Frank Ward in 1901. His school, the Warrnambool Academy, was established in 1899 by Richard Lawson and William Oakley and was eventually situated at ‘Upton’ in Canterbury Road, Warrnambool. The Academy later incorporated the former Scott’s Warrnambool College and Stanley’s Warrnambool Grammar School. This private school closed in 1911. William Oakley later joined the Victorian Education Department and Richard Lawson had a distinguished academic career in teacher education in Melbourne and New Zealand. No details are available on Frank Ward. This is a hard cover book of 295 pages. The cover is dark blue with gold printing and ornamental gold borders on the front cover and spine. The book has an introductory chapter, 28 chapters of story and an Epilogue. In the back pages there are lists of other books published by Ward, Lock and Co. The book contains many black and white illustrations. There are two blue stamps of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society and on the first page a flyleaf from the Warrnambool Academy printed with gold print and borders and with handwriting in black ink. The cover is slightly faded and marked. ‘Warrnambool Academy, Labore et Fide, First Prize awarded to Frank Ward for Latin, Principals, Richard Lawson M.A. & W.M. Oakley. 17/12/1901’ warrnambool academy, richard lawson, william oakley, frank ward, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Romance of Real Life, 1920s
This is a book given to Clive Cust in 1926 as a prize from the Dennington Presbyterian Sabbath School. The Dennington Presbyterian Church opened in Drummond Street in 1914, moved to Lindsay Street in 1951 and closed in 1968. A Sunday School at this church would have been operating during this time. The Cust families were pioneer settlers in the Warrnambool district. A Clive Cyril Cust was born to Alex and Annie Cust in 1914 in Warrnambool and it is presumed that he was the owner of this book. This is an interesting book as it is one of the few items we have connected to the Dennington Presbyterian Church. It is also of interest as a good example of the type of reading material favoured by young boys in the 1920s.This is a hard cover book of 196 pages. The cover is dark green with gold lettering on the front cover and on the spine and a colour sketch of a hunter and a lion on the front cover and a colour sketch of a fireman on the spine. There are several colour and black and white plates throughout the book. There are several pages at the back of the book of lists of books available from the Religious Tract Society, London. The inscription on the first page is handwritten in black ink. The cover is slightly marked and faded.‘Dennington, Presbyterian Sabbath School, Prize awarded to Clive Cust, Jan. 1926’ clive cust, dennington presbyterian church, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Domestic object - Game, Cribbage board, Prior to 1913
This item is linked to the 'HMAS Encounter', possibly made on the ship c. 1913. In 1916 this ship visited a then unnamed island off the Western Australian coast, where the crew discovered two bronze cannons protruding from the sand. These cannons now in the WA Maritime Museum, Fremantle, have been linked to the "Mahogany Ship" legend by historian K.G. MacIntyre. Cribbage is a very popular card game, particularly with naval personnel. This cribbage score board belonged to Alexander Charles Forsyth who used it aboard H.M.A.S. Encounter in 1913. He was a stoker, service number 3086, from New South Wales. H.M.A.S Encounter, the fourth warship of that name, was built at Devonport Dockyard, Tasmania, for the Royal Australian Navy in 1905. She was a second class protected cruiser and in 1909 was lent for three years to the British Admiralty. In 1913 (the year marked on this cribbage board) she was in New South Wales and Queensland waters and in World War One she served in the Pacific region, taking part in the capture of German New Guinea. She was finally scuttled in 1932.Social significance: an example of leisure activities in early C20th. Historical significance: link to "Mahogany Ship" legend through H.M.A.S. Encounter. This is an interesting item with social significance as cribbage was a popular game, particularly in the 20th century, and it illustrates the pastimes of a generation past. It was given to Warrnambool and District Historical Society by a Wangoom couple and so may have local significance if A.C. Forsyth was related to this couple. H.M.A.S. Encounter was important in Australia’s naval history. Rectangular brass plate with rows of holes, grouped in tens. Plate mounted with 5 brass studs to a rectangular wooden base. 134 holes in brass, grouped in tens. Three holes in each end of wooden base. Board used for scoring made out of brass for game of cribbage Burnished gold on playing surface Reddish-brown on base 144 main indentations, 10 minor indentations Machine engraved "A.C. Forsyth" (in script)/ "1913"/ "H.M.A.S. ENCOUNTER" across middle of the plate, between the rows of holes. brass, ships, leisure, royal australian navy, cribbage board, games, mahogany ship, a s forsythe, encounter, alexander charles forsyth, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Domestic object - Plate, side, C1920
The Ozone Hotel was formerly the Grand Ozone Coffee Palace which was erected in 1890 at a cost of around ten thousand pounds. Coffee Palaces were temperance hotels which were popular in the latter part of the 19th century which offered recreation and superior accommodation. The coffee palace operated until 1915 and was then closed before re-opening in 1920 as Hotels Mansions. It had major renovations including a large theatre area. February 23rd 1929 saw the most spectacular fire in Warrnambool's history when the Hotel mansions was burnt to the ground. Evelyn O'Brien was granted a temporary licence and in September 1930 she was given permission to rebuild. The new hotel named Hotel Warrnambool was opened in March 1931. This item has local significance having come from one of Warrnambool's grandest buildingsSide Plate with Hotel Mansions crest in black, with Warrnambool in banner underneath and a black line around rim of plate. Loftus Moran Pty Ltd Melbourne stamp on back (distributor?)Hotel Mansions crest on front of plate, with Warrnambool in banner underneath.grand ozone coffee palace, hotel mansions warrnambool, ozone hotel warrnambool, warrnambool