R .Sharp was a well known Ringwood resident and orchardist.Blue and gold metal medal hung from a ribbon of blue with white stripes. Medal fastened by a gold safety pin on the top edge.Presented to Brother R. Sharp for services rendered to the Loyal Ringwood lodge, Manchester Unity, Independent Oddfellows.

Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This book was used in a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.A brown book with ablue spine. It contains pink paper copies of correspondence from M.U.I.O.O.F. (Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows)on front cover - handwritten in pen "M.U.I.O.O.F Orbost Branch"m.u.i.o.o.f. friendly-society manchester-unity

Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This item was used in a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.An account book for M.U.I.O.O.F. (Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows ). It has a dark blue fabric cover. It contains hand-written accounts.m.u.i.o.o.f. friendly-society accounts-book

Robert Carr - correspondence to BHS and life history information sent back to writer re Carr (Great Extended Hustlers). Robert Carr was born Magherfelt Ulster 1833 and educated in agricultural pursuits. He arrived at Eaglehawk (part of Sandhurst) 4 miles from Bendigo in 1853 and began alluvial mining in 1855. Robert was on the committee to establish the Presbyterian Church at Eaglehawk. Robert began reef mining at Hustlers and Extended Hustlers mines and was manager in 1881. Robert was also a past Secretary of Oddfellows. In the years 1871-2 the mine yielded marvellous cakes of gold. He was a model mine manager. During 1872 he was on the committee of School of Mines. In the year 1873 he fell 60 feet down an abandoned shaft and not badly hurt. Robert died in May 1893, aged 60 years, and at the time of death was director of Great Extended Hustlers, Hustlers Company. 'A person of uprightness, frankness and integrity.'person, individual, robert carr, presbyterian church eaglehawk, hustlers, extended hustlers and great extended mines, oddfellows, school of mines bendigo.

Document. Bi-fold invitation to MUIOOF Concert., Social and Presentation, August 1903, Oddfellow's Hall. Programme printed inside Mr A. Hamilton included in program.performing arts, elocution, invitation

Document. Yellow flyer advertising ''Grand Vocal and Instrumental CONCERT''. In aid of Recreation Reserve Kangaroo Flat, Oddfellows Hall, March 1905. Mr.A.J.Hamilton included in program.performing arts, elocution, concert

Cardboard Certificate from the MUIOOF (Manchester Unity Friendly Society Independent Order of Oddfellows) to W McMillan, 5th June 1916 (Recognising his contribution to the Society)w mcmillan, certificate, muioof

Document. Bi-fold invitation to Mr A. Hamilton to attend the Oddfellows Hall, Bendigo, 11th October 1905. Invitation from Mr and Mrs B. Spencer ''Sans Souci'', Hopetoun St, Bendigo.performing arts, elocution, invitation

These two stamps were for use by an Independent Order of Oddfellows organization – the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge. The Independent Order of Oddfellows is a benefit society, founded in U.S.A., offering medical and employment benefits for its members. Its motto is ‘Friendship, Love,Truth’. A branch was first established in Melbourne in 1846 and the Loyal Victoria Lodge was established in Warrnambool in 1860. The Oddfellows Hall in Warrnambool opened in 1869 (building still existing today). It is likely that the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge has been established from the original Loyal Victoria Lodge.These stamps are of interest as they have been used by the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. Benefit societies such as this one have been influential and important in the social and economic history of Warrnambool.These are two I.O.O.F. stamps. One has a black plastic handle, a rectangular wooden base painted red with a small indent on one side and a rubber stamp. Part of the rubber stamp has been cut off on one side. The other stamp has a rounded black plastic handle, a wooden base and a rubber stamp. Stamp one: ‘The Grand Secretary, I.O.O.F. of Victoria, 380 Russell Street, Melbourne, 3000’ Stamp two: ‘Loyal Warrnambool Lodge’ loyal warrnambool lodge, independent order of oddfellows, warrnambool, stamp