The Old Identities' Association was a forerunner of the Old Colonists' Association Ballarat. John Brooksbank was a very early arrival to Ballarat in September 1851, which was not long after the discovery of gold at Ballarat. J. Brooksbank lost a dog in 1857 "LOST from the Half Way House, Smythe's Creek Road, a black bloodhound and kangaroo dog. Anyone detaining him after this date will be prosecuted. J. BROOKSBANK" (Ballarat Star, 30 December 1857) Another very early identity in Ballarat, James Oddie, advertised the sale of J. Brooksbank's hotel in 1860: "JAMES ODDIE & CO. have received instructions from the Mortgagees, to sell I by auction at their rooms, Dana street, on Thursday, 20th September, at twelve o'clock, All that desirable properly known as the , Halfway House Hotel, Together with all that piece or parcel of ' land situate in the parish of Cardigan and county of Grenville, containing 34 acres 1 rood 26 ½ perches, part of allotment 1, section 6, of said parish, situated on the Ballarat and Smythesdale road, and recently occupied by Mr J. Brooksbank. The property consists of a spacious stone building one story high, strong and substantially built, the internal fittings and arrangements are neat and complete. The house possesses all requisite accommodation for a respectable country hotel. In addition are stockyards, stables &c, all well and securely fenced. Terms at Sale. (Ballarat Star, 20 September 1860) Four years later Brookbank was selling his hotel in Lyons Street Ballarat: "RARE OPPORTUNITY.-FOR SALE the BLACK BULL HOTEL, Lyons street. The proprietor of the above hotel being about entering into another line of business, begs to call the attention of parties looking for a safe and profitable investment, the above having undergone thorough repairs, and is now in good working order and doing a fair share of business. The conditions will, be half cash, balance six, nine, and twelve months. Apply, J. Brooksbank, proprietor, on the premises. (Ballarat Star, 22 October 1864)Colour photograph of a sterling silver medal relating to The Old Identities' Association 1851-1854. The medallion, belonging to John Brooksbank, has a drilled hole at the top suggesting it was worn by the owner at some stage in its life. The medal has been engraved: Arrived "Sep 51 J. Brooksbankold identities association, old colonists' association ballarat, c.a. welch, silversmith, numismatics, j. brooksbank, medal

The Old Identities' Association was a forerunner of the Old Colonists' Association Ballarat. John Brooksbank was a very early arrival to Ballarat in September 1851, which was not long after the discovery of gold at Ballarat. J. Brooksbank lost a dog in 1857 "LOST from the Half Way House, Smythe's Creek Road, a black bloodhound and kangaroo dog. Anyone detaining him after this date will be prosecuted. J. BROOKSBANK" (Ballarat Star, 30 December 1857) Another very early identity in Ballarat, James Oddie, advertised the sale of J. Brooksbank's hotel in 1860: "JAMES ODDIE & CO. have received instructions from the Mortgagees, to sell I by auction at their rooms, Dana street, on Thursday, 20th September, at twelve o'clock, All that desirable properly known as the , Halfway House Hotel, Together with all that piece or parcel of ' land situate in the parish of Cardigan and county of Grenville, containing 34 acres 1 rood 26 ½ perches, part of allotment 1, section 6, of said parish, situated on the Ballarat and Smythesdale road, and recently occupied by Mr J. Brooksbank. The property consists of a spacious stone building one story high, strong and substantially built, the internal fittings and arrangements are neat and complete. The house possesses all requisite accommodation for a respectable country hotel. In addition are stockyards, stables &c, all well and securely fenced. Terms at Sale. (Ballarat Star, 20 September 1860) Four years later Brookbank was selling his hotel in Lyons Street Ballarat: "RARE OPPORTUNITY.-FOR SALE the BLACK BULL HOTEL, Lyons street. The proprietor of the above hotel being about entering into another line of business, begs to call the attention of parties looking for a safe and profitable investment, the above having undergone thorough repairs, and is now in good working order and doing a fair share of business. The conditions will, be half cash, balance six, nine, and twelve months. Apply, J. Brooksbank, proprietor, on the premises. (Ballarat Star, 22 October 1864)Photographic portrait of John Brooksbank from a photographic montage held by the Ballarat Old Colonists' Association.john brooksbank, ballarat old colonists' association, ballarat old colonists' club, old colonists' association

John Robson was born at Newcastle, Northumberland, England, the son of Mathew Robson and Hannah Sproat. Hesailed to Australia on the "Arabian", landing at Port Phillip in 1854. Obituary DEATH OF MR. JOHN ROBSON ANOTHER PIONEER GONE. AN EXTREMELY VERSATILE MAN. General regret was expressed at the death yesterday morning at Miss Garnett's private hospital, of Mr John Robson, musician and and elocutonist and one of Ballarat's oldest, best known and most respected citizens. Mr Robson had been sitting for a few weeks, and his medical adviser, diagnosed his complaint as appendicitis, which afflicted, him in such a severe form that an operation was deemed to be absolutely necessary. He was removed to Miss Garnett's private hospital, and about a week ago he was operated upon. Mr Robson, being a man of robust constitution, stood the shock of the operation well, and he was making good headway towards recovery when the spell of hot weather set in, and caused exhaustion. Heart failure followed, and exhaustion the attention of his medical adviser, and the careful nursing he received, the end came peacefully at the time stated above. Mr John Robson was born at Newcastle, Northumberland, England, in , and he was therefore 72 years of age. Mr Robson's father, who was a contractor, had much to do with the building of the City of Newcastle. After passing through minor schools, Mr John Robson entered the academy of Professor Ross, and soon rose to a foremost position in the classes. When his studies were completed he was apprenticed to an architect and for a time studied the technique of this important branch of his father's calling. His adaptability for the work was great, and hopes were entertained that he would rise to a high position in the profession. Then came glowing reports of the wonderful Australian gold discoveries. Mr Robson’s father decided to migrate to these parts, and he sent a son to prepare the way. Believing that tools and timber might not be procured in Australia. Mr Robson, senr, constructed a portable wooden residence, which was shipped in pieces on the White Star liner Arabian which brought the family over. In 1854 Mr John Robson, who was then nearly 17 years of age, landed at Port Phillip, and with the other members of the family came on to Ballarat, which place he made his home to the end. When he first reached Ballarat, Mr Robson joined in the search for gold, but not being strong enough for this rough work, he turned his attention to carpentering. This he did not care much about, and in 1858 he was appointed a teacher in St. Paul's Day School, Ballarat, but in the following year he relinquished this position and became exchange clerk in the local branch of the National Bank. Being adapted to this quickly made himself acquainted with the details of a banker’s profession, and his rise was rapid. In the year 1871, about 12 years after he joined the bank, he was appointed manager, and for four years occupied that position with conspicuous success. He was connected with the National Bank for eighteen years, and in 1875 he entered business on his own account. With his brother, Mr Wm. Robson, he erected red-gum sawmills at Gunbower, on the River Murray. Subsequently he was offered the management of the Australian and European Bank in mills. In 1886, he accepted the position and held it until the bank was absorbed by the Commercial Bank of Australia. For a time he lived privately, still, how ever, holding his interest in the saw mills. In 1886, he accepted, the position of manager of the Ballarat branch of the Mercantile Bank of Australia. This bank was closed in 1892, and Mr Robson retired, altogether from commercial circles. In the meantime his brother died, and the saw-mills were sold. Mr Robson held a very important position in music, in fact he for many years was looked upon as the leading musician in Ballarat, he being master of quite a variety of instruments. In 1864. he was appointed conductor of the old Harmonic Society in this city, and subsequently conductor of the Ballarat Liedertafel. Under his leadership this society attained a high state of efficiency, which has since been well-maintained. Many years ago Mr Robson formed an operatic company from amongst Ballarat residents, and such beautiful operas as “Lucrezia Borgia' "Lucia di Lammermoor," “Ernani,' La Sonnambula,” and others were successfully rendered. As an elocutionist, Mr Robson attained much prominence, he being recognised as one of the most capable teachers in Ballarat. He was president of the one-time Ballarat Shakespearian Dramatic Club, which under his direction, from time to time produced Shakespeare’s masterpieces. In this, too, he took the chief characters, the roles of Macbeth, Othello, Hamlet, and Shylock, all being powerfully represented by him. For some years prior to his demise Mr Robson, acted as a teacher of music, and elocution, and many of his pupils, competed with great success at the Ballarat and other competitions. Some years ago he acted as adjudicator at the South street competitions, when he gave every satisfaction, and his services were frequently secured to judge at competitions in other parts of the State and in other states of the Commonwealth. At the Ballarat band contests every year, he was a conspicuous figure, and he always acted as leader of the massed bands, by whom his appearance was always enthusiastically greeted. In his younger days he took a keen interest in several forms of sport, was a successful oarsman, one of the best amateur boxers of his weight and as a billiard player was able to hold his own with professionals. 'Mr Robson was an earnest adherent of the Church of England, and in social and other organisations he from time to time held important positions. As a Anglican churchman, he was widely respected, being the official principal and lay Canon of the Cathedral, a member of the Bishops Council, and a prominent member of St. Paul's Church, Ballarat East. He was also a prominent member of the Masonic order. and was a Past Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Victoria, an office which he filled with the greatest credit. He was also a member of the Old Colonists' Association and the Mechanics' Institute, was at one time vice-president of the Art Gallery was once a member of the School of Mines Council, and was many years ago made a Justice of the Pence. On many occasions he was asked to stand for Parliament, as a representative of Ballarat and on one occasion he consented to do so, but subsequently retired without going to the poll in favor of the late Mr Daniel Brophy. He was also often pressed to stand for both the Ballarat East and City Councils, but he declined to allow himself to be nominated. Mr Robson was an active gentleman, and a brilliant conversationalist. His courtesy, high mental and moral endowments, and warm open-heartedness, made him a most interesting and congenial companion. During his long residence in Ballarat, which city he declined to sever his connected with, he was well known and much courted, and was looked up on as one of the most prominent citizens, and his loss will be very severely felt. Some years ago a portrait of Mr Robson, in full Masonic regalia, was painted by he late Mr Stanton Bowman, and was presented by Mr Robson to the citizens, and it was hung in the City Hall, where it is always admired by visitors. The late Mr John Robson never married, and with his brother, James, lived for many years in Eureka street, Ballarat. The two brothers were nearly always together, and as they walked the streets with arms linked, they were frequently referred to as the Siamese twins. The only Australian relative of the late Mr John Robson is his brother. Mr James Robson, who hardly left the bedside during John's illness, and to him the blow has been a very severe one. In his bereavement he will have the heartfelt sympathy not only of the whole of the residents of Ballarat, but of people in all parts of the State. When the news of Mr Robson’s death became known the flags were flown at half-mast at the City and Town Halls, and the Old Colonists’ Hall, out of respect to the memory of the deceased. The interment will take place at the Old Cemetery this afternoon. The cortege will leave “Rothbury," Eureka street, Mr Robson’s late residence, at 3 o'clock, for St. Paul’s Church, where there will be a short service conducted by the vicar, the Rev T. A. Colebrook. (Ballarat Star, January 1910)Photographic portrait of John Robson, member of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat.john robson, old colonists' association of ballarat, old colonists' club

Yields information about the postal services in the Ballarat region.Pamphlet - 3 folds - printed on semi gloss paper, titled "Ballarat Post Offices since the gold discovery of 1851", outlining the history of the post offices in Ballarat, prepared for the Ballarat Historical Park Association (Sovereign Hill), 12/9/1972. Details the history of the postal services and deliveries with a background of the establishment of Victoria and Ballarat in particular, centred around the discovery of gold. Includes notes on the construction of the Ballarat post offices and their history. Has the Park Association logo on the rear.trams, tramways, post office, gold, sovereign hill

Yields information about the tram painted for the centenary of the discovery of gold in Ballarat and the official launch of the tram. Significance would be higher if names of people known.1116 - Colour copy print of a colour photograph of SEC Ballarat No. 18 painted in gold and white for the centenary of the Borough of Sebastopol. Taken outside the Sebastopol Town Hall possibly at the time of its launch, as the driver and conductor are standing by the tram and a lady with a name tag next to one of the crew. Taken by Mrs. V. Butler in 1964 on a colour slide, from which print taken from. Tram has gold paint on the end and side panels with the "1864 1964" on the end panel and "100" on the side panel. Tram showing destination of "Lydiard St. Nth" indicating it was possibly a service tram. Tram carrying Australian flags at either end. 2nd copy of large print added 29/7/2007, from Alan Bradley 5/2007 collection of photographs. 1116.1 - the smaller original photograph noted above. Three copies held, two without border, one with border. High Res scan of copy negative added 17/1/2019 see image i1. See Reg. Item No. 1090, "Sebastopol Victoria - A Historical Survey of Early Sebastopol - 1864- 1964".sebastopol, centenaries, 18, gold, tram 18

Colour photograph of Ballarat No. 18, painted in Gold for the Centenary of the discovery of Gold in Sebastopol in 1864 at the Lydiard St. North terminus during 1964. Tram has destination of 'Sebastopol', head lights and marker lights turned ready for departure from the terminus. Sides painted in Gold, with white around windows and roof, and lettering in red paint. TMSV photograph. On Agfa paper. Copy made Oct. 2001 for the "gold, Gold GOLD" temporary exhibition - colour laser print onto card, with Velcro dots on rear. Stored in box D1 (Display Box) 02/2003. See Destination EaglehawkStamp on rear, purple ink ' Copyright by the Tramway Museum Society of Victoria Ltd"gold, sebastopol, lydiard st. north, centenary tram, tram 18

Black and white print of a donated negative. Print made 8/1998. Photo of decorated SEC tram 23 for the centenary of the discovery of gold in Ballarat. Tram has destination of Lydiard St. North, has Town Hall in Background. Shows detail of decoration. Taken on 26-3-1951. Shows arrangement for mirrors on a single truck - rare? High Res scan of copy negative added 17/1/2019tramways, trams, gold tram, gold centenary, ballarat, decorated trams, tram 23

Newspaper Clipping from Bendigo Advertiser, March 1, 2001, page 7, titled "Tram heads off to golden rival" with story and photo about Bendigo tram No. 18, being painted in a gold colour scheme for the 150th anniversary of the discovery of gold and to operate for the Ballarat Tramway Museum. Photo features Central Deborah staff Norm Harris and Jason Dunstone as miners and Darren Hutchesson as the driver. Tram has number covered, destination of "GOLD" and numbers "1851 - 2001" on front dash with the "Bendigo Talking Tram Tour" sign under the driver. Photographed at the mine terminus on 28 Feb. 2001.gold tram, bendigo, btm, gold

Photocopy of part of City of Ballaarat's Mayor's Report for 1950 - 1951. Originals held in the Ballarat Library. Three pages covering trams, railways, centenary of discovery of gold and photo of Cobb & Co. coach arriving Ballarat with trams in background. Image added 18-12-2016trams, tramways, city of ballaarat, trams, railways, civic history

Book - 320 pages + end covers + hard covers + dust jacked, titled "Lucky City: The First Generation at Ballarat: 1851 - 1901". Dust jacket printed in colour, sewn sections, end papers glued to cover. Has contents, list of illustrations, list of maps, acknowledgements, table of conversions, an index, appendices, abbreviations, notes, bibliography. Detailed history of the discovery of the Ballarat Goldfields, divided into three parts; Skirmish, Bonanza and Consolidation. Has small notes re the horse trams on page 219. Written by Weston Bate. See Reg Item 8410 for "Life After Gold" by the same authortrams, tramways, ballarat, local history

Set of 10 Agfa Plastic mounted slides - from the Eldon Hogan collection - possibly on an ARE Bendigo tours - mid 1960's (black destination rolls) and late 1960's or early 1970's. Scanned on the Canon scanner at the depot 15/12/1971 at the time of the installation of the scanner. .1 - No. 24 in bound along High St Bendigo with the discovery of gold monument in the foreground, Golden Sq route. .2 - ditto .3 - No. 26 outbound at the above location. .4 - No. 24 at the corner of Short St and High St, with the Technical college building? in the background. .5 - No. 26 at ditto, outbound for Golden Square. .6 - No. 24, High St Bendigo, with the Cathedral in the background. Tram has two Johnnie Walker Whiskey roof advertisements. .7 - Three trams, Pall Mall, Charing Cross, with the Beehive building in the background. Trams have SEC roof advertisement. .8 - ditto with Coca Cola ad on the Beehive building, turning around. .9 - No. 29 and a bogie tram at the Golden Square terminus with Billy Rodda's Golden Square Hotel in the background. Just past the tram is a large truck carrying boxes. .10 - Nos, 18, a bogie tram, 21 and 29 at the Quarry Hill terminus. tramways, trams, bendigo, tram 18, tram 24, tram 26, tram 21, tram 29

Black and White print contained within the Wal Jack Bendigo and Geelong Album, see Reg Item 5003 for more details. Photograph of Bendigo 22 decorated for the Centenary of the discovery of Gold Celebrations outside the depot by Keith Kings 9-1-1952. On the rear in blue ink - "SEC Bendigo No. 22 decorated and illuminated for "Discovery of Gold" celebrations 1951 / 9.1.52. Has the K. S. Kings copyright stamp in the top right hand corner, and the number F(k)(i) written in.trams, tramways, bendigo, gold, gold centenary, gold tram, depot, tram 22

Buninyong owes its existence to the Learmonth brothers and surrounding stations. Timber for fencing and building was followed by a number of industries including the discovery of the famous Ballarat goldfields. Buninyong people have fostered and maintained a range of social, sporting and philanthropic activites.An illustrated history of Buninyong. M.W. Thorpe. Mary Akers. Buninyong (Vic); Buninyong & District Historical Society; 1982. 64 p.; illus, maps. Soft cover. ISBN 0 959 3044 0 1buninyong; m.w. thorpe; mary akers; history; mount buninyong; gold; settlers;

Diggers & Mining. Diggers and miners. Walhalla - Gold Town. Many Victorian towns owe their origin to the discovery of gold. Several of these towers, such as Ballarat and Bendigo, survived a declining gold production to become prosperous centres of agricultural and industrial areas. Markings: 3 995 WAL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Book - 240 pages + end papers + hard covers + dust jacket titled "Life after Gold - Twenthieth-Century Ballarat" Dust jacket printed in colour, sewn sections, end papers glued to cover. Has table contents, list of illustrations, list of maps, acknowledgements, table of conversions, an index, appendices, abbreviations, notes, bibliography. non-fictionDetails the history of Ballarat following the 19th century gold discoveries and how Ballarat changed its industry and social life in particular after the 1st and 2nd world wars and the change of Government policies in respect of trade and social welfare.ballarat, local history, 20th century social history, social history

1823-1923.MR. JAMES VENN MORGAN. "FATHER OF" KEW."In a Village in Somersetshire in England on February 21, 1823, a son was born to George and Sarah Morgan. The child was so delicate that his parents feared that he would not live. How little ground the parents parents had for their fears may be judged from the fact that the boy, christened James Venn Morgan is still alive and hale. He is able to exhibit with pride the paper with its faded ink on which a clergyman wrote the certificate of his baptism almost 100 years ago. But for some slight infirmities of sight and hearing, Mr. Morgan, who is within six weeks of completing the 100th year of his life, is in good health, and is well able to attend to his business affairs. His immediate cause for regret is that he is not now able to do a day's work in his garden, as he was 12 months ago. After spending his early life in England, where he learned his trade as shoemaker, Mr Morgan came to Australia in April, 1851. He carried letters of introduction to Mr. Tripp, a solicitor, of Melbourne, who strongly recommended him to begin business as a shoemaker, and accordingly he opened a shop at the corner of Swanston and Bourke streets, where the Leviathan Stores now stand, and was not long in working up a good connection. Among his customers at that time Mr. Morgan recalls Mr. Justice A'Beckett and many leading men in law and medicine of the day. Then the news was flashed through Melbourne of the discovery of gold at Ballarat. Nothing can give a clearer idea of the excitement this news caused in Melbourne than that Mr. Morgan, who was a member of one of the first parties to leave for the diggings, left uncompleted in his workshop one of a pair of riding boots he was making for Mr. J. B. Weir. As the purchase of suitable clothing would have taken time, he set out to make his fortune wearing a top hat. At Ballarat he stayed for five or six weeks, and returned to Melbourne with 10oz. of gold. He remained in the city long enough to finish the second of the two riding boots, and then, with three companions, set out for Chewton, near Castlemaine. Here fortune smiled. The party tried their luck in an abandoned shaft, and in two weeks returned to Melbourne again after having won 35lb. weight of gold. How Kew Was Born. Mr Morgan was content with his success, and induced his partners to invest their money with him in land. After obtaining the advice of a friend, the party negotiated with Mr Samuel Watts, of Collngwood, who had recently purchased land from the Crown, and from him they took over at £15 an acre about 32 acres of land in the district that is now known as Kew. This land extended from where the Kew Post-office now stands to the locality of the Boroondara Cemetery. At that time there was not a house in the district, and there was a fairly large population of aborigines, but no white men. Here it was that Mr Morgan decided to settle, and, after having had the land surveyed, the partners apportioned it by drawing straws for the four sections into which it had been divided. One of them sold his holding later in the year for £100 an acre, and was sorry for it afterwards. In 1853 Mr. Morgan built the first house in Kew, and this house is the one in which he still resides. Here with his wife, he settled down to market gardening and dairying. He tells with a laugh how he was paid 1/ a lb for the first potatoes he grew, and 1/ a quart for milk. So successful was the new venture that he induced his father and other members of the family to come out to Australia to assist him. How different Kew of those days was from the Kew of to-day will be understood from Mr. Morgan's statement that for weeks at a time they never saw a a white face other than those of the family. The blacks, he says, although very noisy, were entirely friendly. Gradually the district became settled, Mr. Morgan parted with a portion of his holding, and subdivided and built on the remainder which he still retains. In 1884 he found himself in a position to retire from active business. Youth in Old Age. In Mr Morgan's garden, which is a large, one trees which he and his father planted more than 60 years ago are still bearing heavy crops of apples. Mr. Morgan has been a widower since 1915. He has three daughters all of whom are married, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of the great-grand children reccntly informed Mr. Morgan that he was about to be married. Perhaps the most striking characteristic of Mr. Morgan to-day is his activity. Not only does he move about with surprising alacrity, but is able to go into the streets and attend to his business affairs with but little fatigue The Argus, 17 January 1923, p.12.This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.A group portrait on the occasion of the 100th birthday of James Venn Morgan in 1923. Dorothy Rogers used this photograph in 'A History of Kew' (1973). It faces page 17. In the book, the caption reads "JAMES VENN MORGAN'S 100TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY. The party was held at 'Morganville'. Mr Morgan is shown with a group of descendants."James Morgans 100th Birthday Party. james venn morgan, kew, model dairy, dorothy rogers

Small snapshot of the floral carpet displayed in Ballarat's Alfred Hall for the Centenary of Gold celebrations 1951.ballarat, alfred hall, centenary of gold discovery. floral carpet.