Digitised video (3.80GB) Duration: 51 minutes. Recorded October, 2018 (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)Presenter: Croydon Historical Society Vice President Geoff Arnott is an active writer and researcher of heritage, having written the history of Wedderburn and many Croydon-related books. In this talk, Geoff provides a background of his family, why he decided to look into it, and the dark secrets revealed. His story is typical of many Australian family that began with migration from the “old country” during the 1850s, trying to seek their fortune and a new life in a new country.

This commemorative plaque was made for the round, stained glass window titled “Christ showing the helmsman the way” that was originally installed at the St Nicholas Seamen’s Church in Williamstown. The window was donated as a memorial to the members of the Merchant Navy whose lives were lost in the Second World War, 1939-1945. The donor was the Williamstown Lightkeepers Auxiliary, an independent ladies association working with the Williamstown Missions to Seamen (re-named the Mission to Seafarers in the year 2000). The window was officially dedicated on December 14, 1947 by Geelong's Anglican Bishop, Rt. Rev. J.D. McKie. In the early months of 1948 this bronze plaque was also placed in the chapel above the altar. The Williamstown St Nicholas Seamen’s Church ceased operation in 1966. In 1979 the Victoria Missions to Seamen donated this round, stained glass window and the memorial plaque to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, along with many other items and furnishings. These items have been used to simulate the Williamstown Mission and Chapel as much as possible. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN The Missions to Seamen was an Anglican charity that served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. It symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centres in over 200 ports world-wide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria the orgainsation began in Williamstown in 1857 as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’ in an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981 and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This plaque is significant for its connection with the round Sanctuary window above the altar in the chapel at Flagstaff Hill. The window was originally installed at the chapel of the St Nicholas Seamen’s Church in Williamstown in 1947, and is listed on the Victorian War Heritage Inventory No. 196973 as an object of significance. The plaque is also significant for its recognition of the members of the Merchant Navy who lost their lives in service to our country during World War II. The plaque is important for its connection with the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and Missions to Seamen, which were dedicated to supporting seafarers from all over the world. The funds the group raised helped to furnish the St Nicholas Seamen’s Church in Williamstown, including the Sanctuary window, pews, carpets and hangings. These items are now part of the St Nicholas Seamen's Church Williamstown Collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool. Plaque: rectangular brass commemorative plaque. Each corner has a round hole. Inscription impressed into the metal and filled in with black paint. It is now part of the Williamstown Missions to Seamen Collection. “IN MEMORY OF THE MEMBERS / OF THE MERCHANT NAVY WHO WERE LOST / IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939-1945 / FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH / THE WINDOW ABOVE THE ALTAR / WAS ERECTED BY THE WILLIAMSTOWN / LIGHTKEEPERS AUXILIARY / 1947.”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, mission to seamen williamstown, st nicholas seaman’s church williamstown, missions to seamen victoria, mission to seafarers, lightkeepers auxiliary, ladies harbour light guild, 139 nelson place williamstown, religion, religious service, sailors rest, bethel sailors’ church, bethel floating church, e. s. & a. bank williamstown, christ directing a sailor, christ showing the helmsman the way, quartermaster’s hand on the wheel, stained glass window, church window, religious window, sanctuary window, memorial window, war memorial window, victorian war heritage inventory, victorian heritage database, merchant navy ww2, 1939-1945, anglican church, bishop mckie, flying angel club, williamstown lightkeepers' auxiliary, ladies' harbour lights guild, commemorative window, memorial plaque, merchant navy, ww ii

Sepia image (copy) picture shows family gathered at base of large tree trunk with door opening. Two small children in doorway, woman holding younger child inside tree, two men either side of image. Both men are wearing suit coats, vests and wearing hats. Straw broom and pots fixed to tree trunk. Man on RH side has an axe to his right. PLEASE NOTE: Letter with photo inquiring about the people in photo, states that the image is that of Peter Tyson, younger brother of James, his wife Margaret Sheil, and their twin daughters, Alice and Harriet. Diary is of accounts with limited text of a written diary on RH wide of sheets. Bookkeeper was Robert Primrose, whose name appears frequently in the book. Further research by Murray Poustie discovered that the photograph may actually be of Nicholas Penny, his wife Eva and their children Charlie, May, George and Nicholas. Also in the photograph on the left is their neighbour, Mr. John Green. The Photograph was taken by Max Lowenhardt when the Penny family was living in the tree at Fumina in 1906-07 following devastating bushfires. Fumina is in timber country at the foot of the Baw Baw Mountains and the area was frequently affected by major bushfires. The photograph was featured on the cover of the Gippsland Heritage Journal No.19, 1996 and is also extensively noted as ''The Penny family's tree home at Fumina'' in other publications including Vision & Realisation.person, receipts

Eaglehawk's Bravest 1914 - 1918 for King and Country. Printer: Richard Cambridge Printers P/L, Bendigo. Published for Eaglehawk Heritage Society. ISBN: 0 9580541 0 X. Photographs & illustrations. Registry of those who served during 1914-1918.Elaine Harrington & Bev Hansoneaglehawk, history, wwi, eaglehawk history, wwi, served

These presses were used in shearing sheds around the country to create bales of wool by hand in preparation for transport to the wool markets for purchase and distribution. Bales have been used to store and were a standard trading unit for wool for centuries. A standard wool bale holds about 60 compressed wool fleeces and weighs a minimum of 120 kgs. The square shape and weight enabled them to be stacked on wagons or in warehouses, and a large pack horse could carry one on each side. With technological advances, the bales are now formed in electrical and hydraulic presses.All metal wool press, unpainted, surface rustfarm machinery, wool, wool press, hand operated, shearing

The Presbyterian Church owned three lots of land bounded by Pakenham Road and the northern side of Dorchester Road, between 1927 and 1964. Providence House opened in 1927 as a peaceful country rest home for “tired mothers” from the inner suburbs, and their children. It was also used, at different times, for kindergarten groups and in 1955 for a girls Bible Class for Easter “studies, fun and fellowship.”Cockatoo had several guest houses which took paying guests. Providence House did not charge fees, but is the best-documented of the large houses which provided accommodation.Framed regulations for the Presbyterian Church of Victoria's Providence House in Cockatoo.providence house, cockatoo victoria, presbyterian church, regulations,

The Presbyterian Church owned three lots of land bounded by Pakenham Road and the northern side of Dorchester Road, between 1927 and 1964. Providence House opened in 1927 as a peaceful country rest home for “tired mothers” from the inner suburbs, and their children. It was also used, at different times, for kindergarten groups and in 1955 for a girls Bible Class for Easter “studies, fun and fellowship.”Cockatoo had several guest houses which took paying guests. Providence House did not charge fees, but is the best-documented of the large houses which provided accommodation.Framed landscape design plan under glass, with detailed plant listings. Original watercolourDonated by Victoria & Digby Newcombe 2003presbyterian church, rest home, landscape plan, garden design, cockatoo victoria, providence house, black n.c,

Index, bibliography, ill, maps, p.308.non-fictionThis detailed and accessible guidebook shares the personal stories of the individuals honoured in 250 of Victoria's key war memorials. Arranged geographically, with accompanying maps and photographs, this comprehensive book covers metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, providing a unique insight into our wartime history and the local heroes who fought for our country.soldiers - monuments - victoria, military involvement - australia - history

Index, bib, ill, notes, p.288.non-fictionBefore the First World War most Australians shared the emotions and traditions of the British Empire. Proud of their British heritage, anxious to raise the Imperial status of Australia, they were eager to fight and, if need be, to die in defence of their race and country. But the horror and tragedy of the conflict brought fundamental changes in outlook. Many of the pre-war enthusiasms persisted, but the days of unquestioning allegiance to Empire were beginning to come to an end, to be replaced by the bittersweet tradition of Anzac. Dr Gammage shows how and why these changes took place. Using the diaries and letters of one thousand front-line soldiers of the First Australian Imperial Force, most of them now part of a unique collection housed in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, he reconstructs the motives and expectations with which these men volunteered and the experiences they encountered. He highlights and examines the new attitudes to war and to the homeland that developed and foreshadows the important effects in Australia of the changed outlook brought home by the survivors. Those who have returned from war will recognise immediately the raw realities faced by the 'diggers', the growing disillusionment, and the hopes for the future. Those with fathers, husbands, or brothers who served, and all those concerned with what happens to men at war, cannot fail to be moved by the simple dignity of the men{u2019}s accounts, or by the understated courage with which they wrote to their families of the miseries they endured. This book, written with sensitivity and scholarly care, must be read if we are to understand war and its impact on the ethos of a nation. world war 1914-1918 - personal correspondence, world war 1914-1918 - social conditions

Reproduction done for Port of Echuca c.1980 heritage project. Henry Hopwood who founded Echuca in 1853, made the following charges for the use of his punt across the Murray River utiliising his own tokens. Charges - one penny for 2 sheep, six pence for 1 cow or head of cattle, ninepende for 1 horse, 18 pence for 1 horseman, "footmen" were free. 2 reproduction Hopwood Pennies, in frame with gold surrounds, pennies in centre of frameInscription BRIDGE HOTEL 1858 on one penny shows scene of Bridge Hotel and the other has inscripition HOPWOODS PUNT ECHUCA 1857 One Penny and scene of same.

Medieaval and 17th century Dutch paintings show winterscapes with children from the Low Countries skating on skates of similar pattern.The Dutch love of skating is exemplified by the fact that so many brought their skates with them to their new country.4649 (a) and (b) Wooden upper, pointed at both ends; steel blade fastened with central rivet; leather ankle and toe straps. Front straps have eyelets through which very strong crossgrain strap was threaded to tie skate onto shoe, rear strap has hole either side to thread the strap through for tying under shoe instep and around top of shoe and around ankle.R 21 (on right skate) 21 (on left skate)skates, dutch winter sport

Queen Wilhelmina celebrated her silver jubilee in 1923.Princess Wilhelmina was only 10 years old when her father (King Willem III) passed away in1890. Until she became of age 8 years later her mother, Queen Emma, ruled as Queen Regent. The Dutch are traditionally proud of their Royal Family and this is one of the commemorative items with which the country honoured the Queen's silver jubilee in 1923 Shaped as a soup plate the carved out bottom carries an image of Queen Wilhelmina and the inscription "1898-1923". A branch of oranges with a golden W placed in its centre partly encircles the image. The plate is edged with three green circles. "1898-1923".

This plate was obviously created to honour those who were killed defending their country at the time of the invasion - May 10, 1940. The maker appears to have taken an ordinary plate and painted it him or herself.This is a rate item as it was produced during the war in contrast to the many plates and other items to commemorate the Liberation in May 1945.A common ceramic plate, originally white but painted over as a tribute to those who fell defending their country against the Nazi invasion on May 10, 1940. A handmade wire hanging is twisted around the plate.Aan Hen Die Vielen Voor Hun Vaderland (To those Who Fell For Their Country). 10 Mei 1940. The centre of the plate is handpainted and shows a Dutch flag, a lion rampant and two military graves. On the back is the makers's symbol (a resting lion), the manufacturer's name and Maastricht 1941. Also Made in Holland.

The VOC sent its trading ships to the (then) Dutch East Indies to collect spices and other goods. In the 17th century accurate navigation was not always possible and ships might end up on the wild, unchartered West Australian coastline. Item recalls the fact that the WA coast was unintentionally visited by Dutch ships during the 17th and 18th centuries. Because the coast was so unattractive the Dutch did not try to settle the country.Large rectangular timber plaque with scalloped edges depicting historic shipwrecks of Western Australia.An insert reads: "Historic Shipwrecks of Western Australia (Protected as of 1983). Coastal cities are marked with their names and dots along the coastline indicate wreck sites. Most are named and dated; others marked as unidentified. An inset map deals with the area around Fremantle and shows a large number of wrecks. A separate typed notice attached to the map identifies the five known Dutch wrecks - all ships of the VOC - Vereennigde East Indian Compagnie (Dutch East India Company). Further than that there are a distance scale and a compass.

Although this book is the biography of a Jewess from Vienna rather than from the Netherlands the author's experiences could have taken place in any of the Nazi-occupied countries. Her tale, however, is extraordinary in the combination of survival skills and luck that enabled her to live through the Jewish persecution of WWII.A 240p. paperback edition of the author's biographical experiences. It mostly describes her extraordinary survival of Hitler's Jew extermination policy.De Joodse Bruid - Edith Hahn Beer met Susan Dworkin. Zij trouwde een Nazi en redde haar leven. (She married a Nazi and saved her life). Original title : The Nazi Officer's Wife Translated by Ineke van Bronswijk ISBN 90 443 0092X

Champagnat College Wangaratta was opened in 1955 by the Marist Brothers. The sheaf of wheat on the badge represents the agricultural nature of the region. The southern cross represents Australia, the open book represents learning and the Jerusalem crosses represent the Catholic / Christian heritage of the college. The Marist 'M' represents the values and beliefs of the Marist Brothers, especially their devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. Maroon woolen boy's cap with gold and maroon braid trim on the peak. Cap is sewn in eight segments with cloth covered button at peak. Black cotton lining with circle of cream cotton in the centre where details of maker and owner are recorded. A yellow and maroon metal badge with gold detail is sewn to the front of the cap at four points. The words CHAMPAGNAT and DIEU ME VOIT are on the badge. Metal badge has Champagnat, the name of the college. Dieu Me Voit was the college motto. There is a sheaf of wheat, an open book, Marist Insignia 'M' and two Jerusalem crosses are also on the badge. Inside the makers were Philip Joseph and Son, Melbourne. It was made for Callenders Pty Ltd Wangaratta. Size is 6 5/8. Two owner's names: Original owner M.J. Monga or Mongu and Mongan has been written above this. Cap has information 'Improved fitting',' Pure wool,' 'Guaranteed Quality' and 'Genuine Flexite Peak.'

The German occupation during WWII lives on in the memories of those who survived and the relatives of victims. Many Dutch emigrated during the post-war years but maintained their connection with the home country. This item was most likely acquired during a visit at the time of the 1993 exhibition of which it is the catalogue.Soft cover publication containing numerous photos taken between May 1940 and May 1945, the years of occupation by Germany. The contents have been assembled by René Kok, Herman Selier and Erik Somers from the National Institute for War Documentation, Amsterdam. Publisher is Waanders in Zwolle. A single page Foreword was written by Dr .L. de Jong. The six divisions are headed: Introduction, Press Photography, Professional Photography, Colour Photography, Amateur Photography, Illegal Photography. The back cover carries 6 thumbnails indicative of the 6 divisions and a sticker showing the price of €14.95.

This diaryof a young Jewish girl is one of the best-known items to come out of the WWII occupation of The Netherlands. Jews in all Nazi-occupied countries suffered indescribably during the years 1939-1945. In The Netherlands restrictions were imposed gradually but by 1942 it was imperative the family Frank either hide or be transported East. Although many were betrayed by fellow Dutch, in this case 8 Jews were kept hidden at the work address of father, Otto Frank. At the risk of their own lives his colleagues brought food and news. Anne had received a diary for her 13th birthday and immediately made it into her best and most secret friend. Two weeks later the family went into hiding and she continued to record her personal experiences and growth.A smallish, hard-cover book printed on poor quality paper (indicative of the immediate post-war shortage), illustrated in black and white with one photo of Anne and a few of The Annexe. Anne Frank. Het Achterhuis. Dagboek brieven van 12 Juni 1942 - 1 Augustus 1944. Met een woord vooraf door Annie Romein - Verschoor. Amsterdam Uitgeverij Contact. Anne Frank. The Annexe. Diary letters from June 12, 1942 to August 1, 1944. With a foreword by Annie Romein - Verschoor. Amsterdam Publisher Contact. Gedrukt door Ellerman Harms N.V. te Amsterdam. Copyright 1947. Printed by Ellerman Harms Ltd. in Amsterdam.

Regional costumes conveyed information about the wearer, e.g., particular part of the country or province; religion; wealth.Doll dressed in the traditional costume of a man from Zeeland.The costume jacket has the brand name "Dovina" Rotterdam-Holland on the back.

Double Headed Rail from Ravenswood Station Siding which was dismantled circa 1987 the two rails were stored for a time at Maldon before being donated to Puffing Billy Museum Bearing makers marks of Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield, North East Derbyshire, England from 1872 - 1883 Double-headed rail In late 1830s Britain, railway lines had a vast range of different patterns. One of the earliest lines to use double-headed rail was the London and Birmingham Railway, which had offered a prize for the best design. This rail was supported by chairs and the head and foot of the rail had the same profile. The supposed advantage was that, when the head became worn, the rail could be turned over and re-used. In practice, this form of recycling was not very successful as the chair caused dents in the lower surface, and double-headed rail evolved into bullhead rail in which the head was more substantial than the foot. Info from Wikipedia - Rail Profile https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_profile The first records of double headed rail being used In Victoria by Victorian Railways was in 1859, the rails, chairs, oak and trenails were imported from UK. After the 1870’s the Victorian Railways went over to using flat bottom rails, but they still needed replacement double headed rail for lines already laid and this continued up to at least 1883 Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield England from 1872 - 1883 Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway The Melbourne, Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway Company received parliamentary assent in February 1853 to build Victoria's first inland railway from Melbourne to Williamstown, and Melbourne to Bendigo and Echuca. Construction commenced in January 1854 with work on a pier at Williamstown but lack of funds slowed progress, eventually prompting the company to sell out to the government. The 100-mile (162 km) section to Bendigo opened in October 1862. Its cost of £35,000 per mile made it the most expensive railway ever built in Australia. In 1864, the line was extended to Echuca, tapping into the booming Murray-Darling paddlesteamer trade. info from Museums Victoria - Victorian Railways https://museumsvictoria.com.au/railways/theme.aspx?lvl=3&IRN=450&gall=456 1863 Ravenswood Station open on the 1st Feb 1863 Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Ravenswood Siding When the Victorian Railways were established in 1856 they adopted one of the popular British permanent way standards - heavy 80lb (36.3kg) double-headed rail held up right in cast iron chairs attached to transverse timber sleepers by wooden pegs called trenails. The Ravenswood Railway siding was constructed in 1862 with 12 feet wrought iron double-head rail held in cast iron chairs with Ransom and May patent compressed keys. Trenails held the chairs to the sleepers and the joints were secured in joint chairs. Joints were subsequently joined using fish plates. It formed part of the Melbourne to Echuca rail line, initially known as the Melbourne, Mt Alexander and Murray River Railway. George Christian Derbyshire, the first Engineer-in-Chair of the Victorian Railways was responsible for the design and construction of the works. No new lines were built in Victoria using double-headed rail after 1870. The siding was disconnected from the main line in 1988. The Ravenswood Railway Siding demonstrates the original 1856 philosophy of the Victorian Railways to adopt British permanent way technology. The siding demonstrates significant aspects in the development of permanent way technology in England and Victoria over the period from the 1830's to the 1880's. The chairs in the Ravenswood siding are physical evidence of early railway technology rendered obsolete 120 years ago, namely joint chairs at rail joints and trenails to secure the chairs to the sleepers. The double-headed rail demonstrates an important stage in the evolution of British rail technology in the 1830s. The old fish plates, square headed bolts and square nuts demonstrate the success of fishing the rail joins. The Ravenswood siding demonstrates the earliest form of rail joint technology developed in England, and existing in Australia, the joint chair. In part of the siding the sequence of joint and intermediate chairs is consistent with the 1856 specifications, that sequence is rare with the joints secured in joint chairs. The survival of chairs in this sequence is rare and almost certainly demonstrates that they remained in continuous use at the same location from 1862 to 1988. This remnant of the Ravenswood siding has survived 126 years. The siding has proved to be the most significant of extant remnant double-headed sidings in Victoria, containing a rare combination of early permanent way technologies. Construction dates 1862, Info from Ravenswood Railway Siding Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/4693/download-report The remaining section of this siding is significant at the State and National levels in that it demonstrates the use of chaired rail by the Victorian Railways Department for the Trunk Lines and, more particularly, the following stages in the evolution of this long obsolete method of permanent way construction: a) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs at regular intervals inferring that the original wrought iron rail lengths were 12 feet, as is known through documentary sources to have been the case. The survival of chairs in this sequence is unique and almost certainly demonstrates that they have remained in continuous use at the same location and in the same sequence from 1862 to 1988 . b) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs designed for use with trenails. c) The use of later intermediate chairs designed for use with steel pins and the use of fished joints with steel double head chaired rail, representing a second method of constructing the permanent way using chaired rail technology. info from Ravenswood Siding - Melbourne/Echuca Railway Line - Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/70103/download-report Addition to Citation for Melbourne to EchucaRailway Line 1/10/1990 Double Head Rail The surviving lengths of double head rail with chairs on this railway compare with one surviving similar remnant on the Geelong to Ballarat railway and are representative of permanent way construction techniques applied exclusively to the two trunk railways of the 1860's. In this respect they are rare survivors and may be unique at the national level and of technical importance at the international level to the extent that they enhance contemporary understanding of early railway building technology. Surviving lengths of chaired double head rail survive at Kyneton, Ravenswood and Bendigo on this railway and include a number of different types of cast iron intermediate and joint chairs with hardwood keys and metal pins. The Ravenswood siding is of special significance for the diversity of chair types and for the sequence of chairs recalling rail lengths known to be associated with construction of the line in 1862. Construction of the Railway Tenders closed on 24 March 1858 with no less than 133 tenders being received. A contract was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937 to commence work on 1 June 1858 and complete the line by 31 July 1861. Cornish and Bruce made quick early progress with the Melbourne to Sunbury section being officially opened on 13 January 1859. The line was officially opened to Bendigo (Sandhurst) on 20 October 1862 by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Barkly. A great banquet was held for 800 guests and this was followed by a grand ball. The extension of the line to Echuca was a relatively simple matter as that part of the line was across plain country without any significant engineering challenges. Tenders were called for the work in 1863 and the work was completed in 1864 by contractors Collier and Barry Apart from the line contractors, other firms directly involved were J Shire law and Co (sleepers), R Fulton, Langlands Brothers and Co, William Crossley (water supply), B Moreland, Langlands Brothers and Co (platelayers lorries), E Chambers (iron pins, traversers), Miller and McQuinstan (luggage vans and steam engines) and various contractors for building works. Info from Engineers Australia Engineering Heritage Victoria Nomination for Recognition under the Engineering Heritage Australia Heritage Recognition Program for the Goldfields Railways - Melbourne , Bendigo & Echuca Railway Page 25 - .2.9.2 Statement from National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Listing number B5323 for Mt Alexander/Murray Valley Rail Line: Page 69 - Theme 3 https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/portal/system/files/engineering-heritage-australia/nomination-title/Melbourne_%20Bendigo_Echuca%20Railway%20Nomination.pdf The Melbourne, Mount Alexander and Murray River Railway Company was a railway company in Victoria, Australia. It was established on 8 February 1853 to build a railway from Melbourne to Echuca on the Victorian-NSW border and a branch railway to Williamstown. The company struggled to make any progress and on 23 May 1856, the colonial Government took over the Company and it became part of the newly established Department of Railways, part of the Board of Land and Works. The Department of Railways became Victorian Railways in 1859. Construction of the Bendigo line commenced in 1858, but this private consortium also met with financial difficulties when it was unable to raise sufficient funds, and was bought out by the Victorian colonial government. The design work was then taken over by Captain Andrew Clarke, R. E., Surveyor-General of Victoria, with bridge designs completed by Bryson and O'Hara The contract for the first stage of the line from Footscray to Sandhurst (now Bendigo), was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937.2s.2d ($6.714 million) with work commencing on 1 June 1858. Completion of the permanent way was to be by 31 July 1861 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne,_Mount_Alexander_and_Murray_River_Railway_Company Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Victorian Railways : report of the Board of Land and Works November 1862 GP V 1862/63 no. 21 (2.8 MB) https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1862-63No21.pdfHistoric - Victorian Railways - Double Headed rail Ravenswood Railway Station and Siding Victorian Heritage Database Reports Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1100 Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1786 National Trust VHR H1100 Mount Alexander and Murray River Rail way Line National Trust2 rail lengths of Double Headed Rail made of Iron makers marks : Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel and 20 joint chairs with metal rail pins Makers mark Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel (possible date 187? very hard to read ) puffing billy, double headed rail, wilson & cammell - dronfield - steel works, ravenswood station siding, melbourne to echuca rail line, initially known as the melbourne, mt alexander and murray river railway.

Station Sign - Yea Yea Station Opened 16 November 1883 Closed 8 November 1978 Yea is a former railway station in Yea, Victoria, Australia. The tracks have been removed and the reserve has been turned into The Yea Railway Park consisting of the historic railway station and eleven acres of parkland. It has a picnic shelter, barbecue, toilets, playground, skatepark, walking track, community reserve and includes Rotary Park. The station building houses Blackthorn Textiles (a privately run craft shop). Also on the site are the former goods sheds which are available for hire for varied functions. The Yea Country Market is held in the park on the first Saturday of each month and local artists hold an exhibition and sale in the goods sheds each Easter. The site is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yea_railway_station photo at http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/vhd-images/places/000/078/092.jpg Historic - Victorian Railways Station sign used at Yea StationStation Sign - Yea Metal rectangle Station Name Sign with white enamel back ground and black lettersYeapuffing billy, station sign, yea station