On September 11, 2008 MP Bill Shorten visited the Essendon offices of Vision Australia to present Bursary Awards to Jenny Tran and Trudy Ryall.56 digital images of Bill Shorten, with Jenny Tran, Trudy Ryall and Chris Edwardsvision australia, bill shorten, jenny tran, trudy ryall, chris edwards, kate gniel

Displayed at History HouseBlack and white photograph, showing postman, Bill Smith delivering mail to the shop of Barsby, Seedsman and Florist.Front: Portland's 1st Postman, Bill Smith. Back: Portland's 1st Postman Miss L. Carthew, Portland, Vic. 70 years ago.

Ballarat School of Mines Council President, Bill Gribble, studied Art at Ballarat School of Mines Technical Art School. In 1956 he was working with Villiers Engineering, then Bendex Mintex in 1966. He retired from there in 1988 as Chairman and Managing Director. In 1989 Bill Gribble was appointed to the Ballarat School of Mines Council. He served as President from 1992 until his retirement in 1996. In that year the Ballarat Technical Art School building was named the W.J. Gribble building.Two black and white photographs of Bill Gribble in Founders Room at the Ballarat School of Mines.ballarat school of mines, ballarat school of mine council, bill gribble, gribble, founders room

Coloured photo of L - R - Beryl Gray, Gracelyn Rajakulenthiran, Norma Jamieson, Bill Gray.gray, beryl, bill, rajakulenthiran, gracelyn, jamieson, norma

Black and white photo of Bill Cook. Cook Road in Mitcham named after him. Cook Street (Cook Road) formed the Western Boundary of his orchard in Mitcham.cook, bill, cook road, mitcham

A cutting from from a Melbourne Legacy President's report showing a photo of Legatee W R (Bill) Mehan (President of Melbourne Legacy in 1979). It was collected to be a record of a photo of past presidents. Legatee Bill Mehan served in the Royal Australian Navy in World War 2 with most of his service in Corvettes involved with anti-submarine activities and in mine sweeping and convoy escort duty. He was inducted into the Legacy Club of Adelaide in 1953 on the nomination of his father Legatee J S Mehan. He transferred to Melbourne Legacy 1960. The article was part of an album of past presidents from 1965 to 1989. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of prominent Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.A record of Legatee Bill Mehan a past president of Legacy. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.Article with a black and white photo of Legatee Bill Mehan - President 1979.past presidents, bill mehan

A copy of the President's message from the Bulletin written by Bill Rogers during his time as President of Melbourne Legacy March 2006 to March 2008. The message recounted the duties he undertook and other relevant messages to the Legatees. Document was from a folder of documents donated to the archive by Legatee Bill Rogers that related to his time as President (March 2006 - March 2008).A record of the duties of a Legacy President and events that happened in 2006 -2008.Fifty one A4 page photocopy of the President's message published in the Bulletin between 2006 and 2008 by Legatee Bill Rogers.presidents, bill rogers

Yields information about the way former SEC Ballarat tram No. 39 was house in Lismore following the closure of the SEC tramways and recovery by the BTPS.Digital image from a colour print of Ex SEC tram No. 39 under the shelter at Lismore, circa June 74 (date stamp on back of photo). Printed on Kodak paper. Photo by Bill Kingsley. Shows the substantial nature of the shelter provided for the tram."39 Lismore (Bill K)" in ink.trams, tramways, lismore, tram disposal, tram 39

A “Bill of Fare” is a menu or list of food offered for a meal. This Bill of Fare from the sailing ship Schomberg is handwritten in pen in hard-to-read script on the printed pages specifically for the Schomberg ship, of the Black Ball Line of Australian Packets. (‘Packets’ were vessels that had a regular trade run of cargo, passengers and mail; the sailing ship Schomberg was designed for long voyages between England and Australia.) These menus posed a puzzle as they have the handwritten dates of, May 10 and 12, 1856, by which time the Schomberg had sunk (she sunk on December 26, 1855). The donor of these pages of Bill of Fare is a stamp collector from Melbourne. He came across the menus in a package that he bought in 1980 at a stamp auction in Tasmania. He decided to give the menus to Flagstaff Hill this year during his annual family holiday in Warrnambool. A 1981 newspaper article about this donation included an interview with Flagstaff Hill’s curator Mr Peter Ronald, who said that the stationery of these menus is genuine. He went on to say that there would have been much stationery printed for use on the Schomberg although she sank on her maiden voyage. These menus could have been written at a dated late because the surplus Schomberg stationery could have been used for menus on other ships. We will probably never be sure of the answer but none-the-less the pages are still connected to the Schomberg. Below is what we believe the menu consists of although some of the writing is indecipherable - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (first menu) Roast Mutton Boiled Mutton? Ox Tail Mulligatawny? Or possibly Ox Tail Vegetables? Mutton Pies? ------------------------------- Vegetables Potatoes ---------------------------------- Dessert Fruit Puddings? Saturday May 10, 1856 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - AND - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (second menu) Boiled Mutton Roast Mutton? Roast Geese? Ox Tail?? Calves Head Broth? ------------------------------- Vegetables Potatoes ------------------------------- Dessert Tarts? Rice Pudding? ?...Maids?? Monday May 12, 1856 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Background of “SCHOMBERG” When SCHOMBERG was launched in July, 1855, she was considered the “Noblest ship that ever floated on water.” SCHOMBERG’s owners, the Black Ball Line (one of three companies by that name), commissioned the ship for their fleet of passenger liners. She was built by Alexander Hall of Aberdeen, UK at a cost of £43,103. She was constructed with 3 skins: one planked fore and aft, and two diagonally planked, fastened together with screw threaded trunnels (wooden rails). Her first class accommodation was luxurious: velvet pile carpets; large mirrors; rosewood; birds-eye maple; mahogany; soft furnishings of gold satin damask; an oak-lined library; and a piano. Overall she had accommodation for 1000 passengers. SCHOMBERG’s 34 year old master, Captain James ‘Bully’ Forbes, had promised Melbourne in 60 days at the launch, "with or without the help of God." James Nicol Forbes was born in Aberdeen in 1821 and rose to fame with his record-breaking voyages on the famous Black Ball Line ships MARCO POLO and LIGHTNING. In 1852 in the MARCO POLO he made the record passage from London to Melbourne in 68 days. There were 53 deaths on the voyage but the great news was of the record passage by the master. In 1954 Captain Forbes took the clipper LIGHTNING to Melbourne in 76 days and back in 63 days, this was never beaten by a sailing ship. He often drove his crew and ship to breaking point to beat his own records. He cared little for the comfort of the passengers. On this, the SCHOMBERG’s maiden voyage, he was going to break records. SCHOMBERG departed Liverpool on her maiden voyage on 6 October 1855 flying the sign “Sixty Days to Melbourne”. She departed with 430 passengers and 3000 tons cargo including iron rails and equipment intended to build the Melbourne to Geelong Railway as well as a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. She also carried a cow for fresh milk, pens for fowls and pigs, and 90,000 gallons of water for washing and drinking. SCHOMBERG also carried 17,000 letters and 31,800 newspapers. The ship and cargo was insured for $300,000, a fortune for the time. The winds were poor as she sailed across the equator, slowing SCHOMBERG’s journey considerably. Land was first sighted on Christmas Day, at Cape Bridgewater near Portland, and Captain Forbes followed the coastline towards Melbourne. Forbes was said to be playing cards when called by the Third Mate Henry Keen, who reported land about 3 miles off. Due in large part to Forbes regarding a card game as more important than his ship, SCHOMBERG eventually ran aground on a sand spit near Curdie's Inlet (about 56 km west of Cape Otway) on 26 December 1855, 78 days after leaving Liverpool. The sand spit and the currents were not marked on Forbes’s map. Overnight, the crew launched a lifeboat to find a safe place to land the ship’s passengers. The scouting party returned to SCHOMBERG and advised Forbes that it was best to wait until morning because the rough seas could easily overturn the small lifeboats. The ship’s Chief Officer spotted the steamer SS QUEEN at dawn and signalled it. The master of the SS QUEEN approached the stranded vessel and all of SCHOMBERG’s passengers and crew were able to disembark safely. The SCHOMBERG was lost and with her, Forbes’ reputation. The Black Ball Line’s Melbourne agent sent a steamer to retrieve the passengers’ baggage from the SCHOMBERG. Other steamers helped unload her cargo until the weather changed and prevented the salvage teams from accessing the ship. Later one plunderer found a case of Wellington boots, but alas, all were for the left foot! Local merchants Manifold & Bostock bought the wreck and cargo, but did not attempt to salvage the cargo still on board the ship. They eventually sold it on to a Melbourne businessman and two seafarers. In 1864 salvage efforts were abandoned after two men drowned when they tried to reach SCHOMBERG. Parts of the SCHOMBERG were washed ashore on the south island of New Zealand in 1870, nearly 15 years after the wreck. The wreck of the SCHOMBERG lies in 825 metres of water. Although the woodwork is mostly disintegrated, the shape of the ship can still be seen due to the remaining railway irons, girders and the ship’s frame. A variety of goods and materials can be seen surrounding the wreck, by divers. Flagstaff Hill holds many items salvaged from the SCHOMBERG including a ciborium (in which a diamond ring was concealed in concretion), communion set, ship fittings and equipment, personal effects, a lithograph, tickets and photograph from the SCHOMBERG. These Bills of Fare are significant due to their connection to Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg, which is significant for its association with the Victorian Heritage Registered shipwreck S612. The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg. The Schomberg collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger ship. The shipwreck collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day. The Schomberg collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history. Menu, or Bill of Fare, on cream coloured stationery from the sailing vessel “Schomberg”. Two rectangular pieces of paper, each bears the printed words “Black Ball Line of Australian Packets, Bill of Fare, Ship, Schomberg”, a printed symbol of the Black Ball line (a black ball on a red flag) and a decorative border. Both pages are handwritten, in similar but different sized writing, with a Bill of Fare and a date, Page (1) dated May 10th 1856 and (2) dated May 12th ’56, (Both dates are AFTER the Schomberg sank in December 26th 1855.) Both pages have three fold lines spaced across their width. To be used for the return voyage.Printed on the pages ““BLACK BALL LINE OF AUSTRALIAN PACKETS.” “Bill of Fare, / SHIP / “SCHOMBERG”.” Handwritten list of food, and on one page “Saturday May 10 1856” and on the other page “Monday May 12” warrnambool, peterborough, shipwrecked coast, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, maritime museum, great ocean road, flagstaff hill, sailing ship schomberg, shipwreck schomberg, black ball line of australian packets, bill of fare schomberg, menu schomberg 1856, food mid-1800’s, food on ships mid-1800’s, menu, may 10, 1856, may 12, 1856

An article from the Melbourne Legacy Bulletin on the death of Legatee Bill Braidie (President of Melbourne Legacy in 1974). The Bulletin published articles on Legatees when they passed away. Legatee Bill Braidie died in 1979 aged 54 years. During his war service he served in the RAAF in the South West Pacific area. He joined Legacy in 1964 after being nominated by Legatee Terry Kirby and Legatee Ray Mitchell. The article was part of an album of past presidents from 1965 to 1989. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of prominent Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.A record of Legatee Bill Braidie a past president of Legacy. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.Typed copy of a page from the Legacy Bulletin on the death of Legatee Bill Braidie - President 1974Bulletin No 2451. 3.4.1979. Page No 1 and 2past presidents, vale, bill braidie

The Ballarat School of Mines was established in 1870. It is a predecessor of Federation University Australia. Bill Gribble was the President of the Ballarat School of Mines Council. A black and white photograph of four men at the Ballarat School of Mines. They are (left to right) ? , Bill Gribble, Bruce Tanner and Max Palmerballarat school of mines, gribble, bill gribble, bruce tanner, max palmer

The Collingwood Campus library of NMIT was redeveloped in 2007 and renamed the Bill Freeman Library and Student Centre. The new centre was designed to meet changes in thelibrary to a more student-focused service. It provides spaces for a variety of learning needs and styles. The library was named after Bill Freeman, a long-standing institute council member of Collingwood College of TAFE and later NMIT, serving as NMIT Council President 2002-2006. He retired from the Council in 2007.As the first 'student centre' the Bill Freeman Library and Student Centre was a design model for the development of Fairfield, Heidelberg and Epping campus libraries.2 copies of colour brochure, printed on A4 and folded to A5. Includes photographs of Collingwood campus library and background on Bill Freeman.student centres, libraries, collingwood college of tafe, bill freeman, ccot, nmit,

Peter Lasky, Dunera boy, talking with Governor General Bill Hayden at the 50th anniversary, Dunera reunion.Black and white photograph of Governor General Bill Hayden, talking with Peter Lasky at the 50th anniversary on 6 September 1990. Commemorating and landing of the Dunera 1940.dunera boys, dunera reunion, 50th aniversary dunera reunion, peter lasky, bill hayden, australian governor general

The Ballarat School of Mines opened to students in 1870, making it the first School of Mines in Australia. Ballarat School of Mines Council President, Bill Gribble, studied Art at Ballarat School of Mines Technical Art School. In 1956 he was working with Villiers Engineering, then Bendex Mintex in 1966. He retired from there in 1988 as Chairman and Managing Director. In 1989 Bill Gribble was appointed to the Ballarat School of Mines Council. He served as President from 1992 until his retirement in 1996. In that year the Ballarat Technical Art School building was named the W.J. Gribble building. A colour photograph of Bill Gribble making a speech in the Library Courtyard at the Ballarat School of Mines. Vern Robson is on the left and Principal Ron Wild is in the centre.ballarat school of mines, gribble, bill gribble, ron wild, vern robson, robson, ballarat school of mines, gribble, bill gribble, ron wild, vern robson, robson

A cutting from from a Melbourne Legacy President's report showing a photo of Legatee Bill Braidie (President of Melbourne Legacy in 1974). It was collected to be a record of a photo of past presidents. In World War 2 Legatee Braidie served in the RAAF, in the South West Pacific area. He joined Legacy in 1964 having been proposed by Legatee Terry Kirby and Legatee Ray Mitchell. The article was part of an album of past presidents from 1965 to 1989. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of prominent Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.A record of Legatee Bill Braidie a past president of Legacy. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.Article with a black and white photo of Legatee W A (Bill) Braidie - President 1974past presidents, bill braidie

Warren Perry write a history of the Ballarat School of Mines which was published in 1984. Bill Ryan was an Ballarat School of Mines staff member who acted as his research assistant.Four men stand in from on an historical display at the Ballarat School of Mines. They are Warren Perry (author), Graham Beanland (Principal) , E.J. Tippett (President), Bill Ryan.warren perry, e.j. tippett, bill ryan, graham beanland, history book

Miss Olive Codling was a Foundation Member and a Life Member of the Wodonga Historical Society. Many of her prize-winning photos are held in the Society Collection. She also held a range of roles and committee positions in a wide range of Wodonga community organisations. These included the Horticultural Society, the Wodonga Arts Council, the Wodonga Camera Club and the Wodonga Lapidary Club. This photo collection is significant as it documents how the businesses and buildings in Wodonga have evolved and contributed to community throughout the 20th century.Wodonga, High Street West Businesses including Emilio's Bistro, Bill Baxter office, Hume Permanent and Sharrock Motors. Hume Permanent opened its branch at 97 High Street, Wodonga on 6th March, 1972 with Mr. D. Hepburn as manager. ‘Permanent’ was dropped from Hume Building Society’s name in 1988. These buildings have since been demolished and the area is part of the newly developed Junction Place, Wodonga. On shop facades - "BISTRO, Cuisine/BILL BAXTER MP/HUME PERMANENT"wodonga businesses, high st wodonga, emilio's bistro, hume permanent

SKI TICKETS Before tows and lifts were introduced at Falls Creek, it could take skiers 20 minutes to climb to the Summit … but only TWO minutes to go back to the bottom. The arrival of tows, then chairlifts and T-bars changed the face of skiing forever. The first rope tow was constructed by Toni St. Elmo for the 1951 winter season. Bob Hymans installed a smaller tow for his guests at Skyline Lodge. Tows were still quite slow, so in 1956 Bob Hymans created his single chairlift. In 1958 the Village rope tow, designed by Albury engineer Jock Wilson, opened. It was financed by shareholders including Bill Griffith (Bowna Ski Club) and the Bridgford family (St. Trinian’s Ski Club). Several other tows followed including the Summit T-bar in 1961, built by Ron McCallum and operated by Alpine Developments Pty. Ltd. which was a company formed by C. H. (Bill) Bridgford. By 1982 Falls Creek was served by 16 different lifts or T-bars, all owned and operated by Alpine Developments (Holdings) Pty. Ltd. During the development of Falls Creek, different methods have been used to pay for the use of tows, lifts and T-bars … including metal tokens, single tickets, strips of tickets and season passes. The Falls Creek Historical Society Collection includes many examples of these items.These ski passes are significant because they were issued to a pioneer of the ski industry in Falls Creek, Victoria.Passes for Phyl and Bill Bridgford for 1991' Charles (Bill) Bridgeford built a family lodge called St. Trinian's in the early 1950s. Bill had previously worked in the family shipping firm and had been Member for South Eastern in the Victorian Parliament. He became one of the shareholders in the Village rope tow which had been a failure partly because too many people had been involved. In 1960 Bridgeford approached Toni St. Elmo with an offer to buy the Nissen tow and Nissen Lodge which was accepted. With friends Geoff Henke and Ron McCallum, an engineer, he formed Alpine Developments (Holdings) Pty. Ltd. Ron had also been Lift Manager at Mt. Buller and together they acquired the Village rope tow and replaced it with a T-bar. They gained the franchise to operate all ski lifts and T-bars and later the Falls Creek Ski School. Alpine Developments (Holdings) Pty. Ltd continued to expand the lift network until 1983 when the lifts were sold to Transfield.Card 1 - 91 Season Adult BILL BRIDGFORD "SNOW CRYSTAL" Card 2 - 91 Season Adult PHYL BRIDGFORD "SNOW CRYSTAL" Card 3 - 91 ADULT MORNING AUG 18 - 18 VIC VETERANS RACE !! On Reverse - instructions $032.00 Card 4 - 91 1 DAY ADLT JUL 26 - 26 FRYERS FRIDAY FRENZY On Reverse - instructions $043.00bill bridgford, 1991 season pass, vic veterans race falls creek 1991

William John ARCHER (Bill) No 321 enlisted in B Coy 21st Batt AIF on 18.1.15. Embarked for Eygpt 8.5.15. Hospital 9.9.15 with Influenza. Hospital 24.11.15 with Gastric Enteritis. Hospital 2.1.16 with Otitis Media. Transfers to the 57th Batt and embarks for France. Hospital with Trench Fever 4.10.16. Promoted to Cpl 28.4.17. Hospital 19.3.18 with Scabies. WIA 18.4.18 GSW's to chest and leg severe. Discharged from the AIF medically unfit 9.1.19. Alexander William ARCHER No 40637 enlisted in the RAAF on 16.5.41 age 18 years 8 months. He wanted to be a Mess Steward and was taken in as he had worked in similar work line. He then has 5 postings before embarking for Egypt on 2.4.1942 and was posted to No 3 SQD RAAF on 20.5.1942. Re mustered as a Motor Cyclist he became a Dispatch Rider on 8.9.1942 between the RAAF and the Army. Alex served in the Middle East and Italy with 3 SQD. He embarked from Egypt diagnosed with Kyphosis and Scoliosis on 5.2.1944. In Australia he was re mustered as Office Orderly on 6.7.1944 and then discharged from the RAAF on 2.10.1944 Medically Unfit. Wooden base with brass shells either end resembling Officers caps,one being WWI, the other WWII, both inscribed. Centre plaque inscribed Alex Archer and Bill Archer, father and son. Above the centre plaque is a piece of German shrapnel chrome plated Map - "North Africa, 1940", on left hand side, "18-Pounder, 1917, Bill Archer-Anzac, 1914-1919", on right hand side, "German shrapnel"handcrafts - trench art, metal craft- brassware, arms - ammunition, military history - souvenirs

Paul Keating laid a stone at the Ballarat School of Mines on 25 October 1995 on the 125th anniversary of the Ballarat School of Mines. Ballarat School of Mines Council President, Bill Gribble, studied Art at Ballarat School of Mines Technical Art School. In 1956 he was working with Villiers Engineering, then Bendex Mintex in 1966. He retired from there in 1988 as Chairman and Managing Director. In 1989 Bill Gribble was appointed to the Ballarat School of Mines Council. He served as President from 1992 until his retirement in 1996. In that year the Ballarat Technical Art School building was named the W.J. Gribble building. Colour photograph of three men in a courtyard of the Ballarat School of Mines. They are from left, Ron Wild (Principal), Prime Minister Paul Keating, Bill Gribble (SMB Council President)ballarat school of mines, paul keating, prime minister, bill gribble, gribble, ron wild, anniversary, 125th anniversary., ballarat school of mines, paul keating, prime minister, bill gribble, gribble, ron wild, anniversary, 125th anniversary.

William (Bill) Holder, pictured here taking a drink after a football match, was an editor of the first volume of the International House magazine, Satadal, in 1959, and the 1960 IH student president. Originally from Kerang, Victoria, Holder studied law at The University of Melbourne. In 1960, IH students played social sport matches against other Colleges. This photograph comes from an 'Album of Student Activities 1960', compiled and presented to International House by Soedjadi Satrosoegito & Richard Shiell.football, students

These three formal photos of LTCOL Lionel ‘Bill’ Sprenger MBE, MID were taken at the Army Headquarters (AHQ) Survey Regiment, Fortuna, Bendigo on the 30th of September 1969. LTCOL Bill Sprenger MBE, MID joined the Australian Army on the 10th of June 1940 and after rising through the ranks, his career culminated in his appointment as CO of the Army Survey Regiment from 1969 to 1970. Despite suffering debilitating poor health during his appointment, LTCOL Sprenger MBE, MID led the Regiment on the unit’s first Freedom of Entry Parade held in Bendigo on the 14th of June 1970. For more information on this occasion, refer to item 6020.8P. Unfortunately, LTCOL Bill Sprenger MBE, MID passed away on the 5th of December 1970 and was farewelled with a full military funeral. He is remembered as a model of good leadership. More information on LTCOL Sprenger’s tenure as CO of the unit is provided in pages 98 to 99, 102 and 134 of Valerie Lovejoy’s book 'Mapmakers of Fortuna – A history of the Army Survey Regiment’ ISBN: 0-646-42120-4.These three formal photos of LTCOL Lionel ‘Bill’ Sprenger MBE, MID were taken at the Army Headquarters (AHQ) Survey Regiment, Fortuna, Bendigo on the 30th of September 1969. The black and white photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. Photo .1) was scanned at 300 dpi and photos .2) & .3) were scanned at 600 dpi. .1) to .3) - Photo, black & white, 1969, LTCOL Lionel ‘Bill’ Sprenger MBE, MID - CO of AHQ Survey Regiment.‘Unit Photos 30 Sept 1969’, ‘1 Topo Svy Tp’, ‘ LT COL Sprenger’ . Note - Yellow tag is annotated with incorrect date (1970). royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr

Bill Cahill in conversation at Victoria Hall Melton South July 1974 Chaff Mills Melton’s hey day, as I call it in the days when more hay was grown in Melton and Rockbank than, I’d say in any where in Victoria. We had two chaff mills. If I can remember rightly I’m sure of this, that in one month the amount of hay and chaff that went from Melton to Melbourne was about 1800 tons, that’s hay and chaff. There was a lot of hay went from the Melton Railway Station. I have often seen whole train load going down the Schutt and Barrie, that’s Bonnie’s father’s mill at West Footscray. The mills in those days employed up to from 18- 20 men in each, that was before electricity when the mills were run on steam then, there was no power. At times those chaff mills they got a lot of shipping orders, to the Philipines and other Asian countries. They’d work shifts at night on the second shift at night time they would have an old hurricane lamp hanging above from the ceiling just over the chaff cutter, you could hardly see yourself, or see the anything. Well they worked through the whole night they might have an order come in for perhaps 100tons up 500 tons of chaff to go a boat would be in and be waiting to be loaded in Melbourne and they’d have to go and work two shifts. Then they brought in casual labour to help them through and get the order cut and get it down by rail to ship board to send it away. Talking about the hay I’ve seen wagons of hay in the farmers carting to both mills and also hay going down to West Footscray. There would be a quarter of a mile without exaggeration wagons and teams would be waiting to get into the mill, they would come down at the weighbridge at about 3-4- o’clock, 2 o’clock waiting for the bridge to open to weigh their loads, the ones that would be running late would be there at the weighbridge about half past 7 - 8 o’clock. They would be lucky to get away by night before getting their load off. A funny episode I remember well was a farmer from up, Alan Hurley you would remember him, Sam McCorkell he would put on his load in the afternoon or evening leave it up the yard, and would leave Toolern Vale about 12 or 1 o’clock in the morning and he would get down to the weighbridge and when it was breaking day he would bring half of his fowl yard down with him. The fowls would hop up on top of the load and have a ride down and when it came daylight they’d hop off and away they’d go, and I suppose everybody had some of McCorkells poultry. [laughter from the audience] That always tickled my fancy and everybody would be laughing about the fowls getting off his load of hay. I reckon that was about one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard of. The Victoria Hall, where we are tonight was originally known as the Exford Hall. I believe Bonnie’s father was the original builder and owner of the chaff mills here round the corner which is known as Wards today. Later on I understand that his father had a chaff mill here were this hall is, then Dixon Bros were just a bit on the other side. I believe Bonnie’s father sold it to Dixon Bros, and they shifted this part of the mill here and took it over and joined it up. That’s the history of the early chaff mills. Is that right Bonnie? You might like to correct, I’m about right am I? Bonnie answers yes. The original audio tape was recorded on the reel to reel tape recorder by Bon Barrie using his own tape recorder. Transferred to CD by Tom Wood using computer technology capable of adjusting the recording to a legible speed for reproduction to compact disk. Bill Cahill article featured in the The Mail Expresslocal identities

Charles Withers (aka Bill) with his good friend from school, Mervyn Britain and his eldest sister Emily (aka Dall) with mock trenches and rifles at the Withers family home, Southernwood, Eltham. The view is looking to the east with Main Road and associated buildings near ridge in distance. [Charles son, John Withers explained that his father and friend liked to play war games.]"Mervyn, Bill and Dall 1916" Many items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldjohn withers collection, eltham, 1916, main road, southernwood, trenches, mervyn britain, emily gladys withers, charles meynell pitt withers