A photo of the official party at the planting of the Olive Tree of Peace in the Western Lawn of the Shrine of Remembrance in 1973. Although the back of the photo says "Planting of Lone Pine tree" it is believed that it is wrong and this photo belongs with the Olive Tree of Peace photos (see 00478 and 00479). 1973 was the Golden Jubilee year of Legacy. The names on the front of the photo mentions Sir Edmund Herring who was Lieutenant General of Victoria for 27 years, which is deputy to the Governor, so he was probably acting on behalf of the Governor at the ceremony. Herring was a renowned Australian senior officer in World War II. In September 1942 he became commander of New Guinea Force. He also served in World War I, earning the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross. A record of events to commemorate the golden jubilee of Legacy.Black and white photo of the tree planting of the olive tree at the Shrine."Planting of Lone Pine Tree / Property of Melbourne Legacy", written in black pen. Label on front of photo gives the names: President. L/Geoff Handbury ; Sir Edmund Herring ; L/Kem Kemsley ; L/Rex Hall ; L/George Cowan ; L/Frank Doolan. Stamped "This Photograph is the compliments of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Victoria. Please acknowledge / Photo: Michael Cheshire" in black ink. golden jubilee, tree planting

Four gentlemen at a afternoon tea event, presumably two are visiting Melbourne. Two have Legacy name tags, one says "Frank Meldrum, Melbourne". Other names and date unknown. It is possible it was the Legacy Conference held in Melbourne in 1973 which was the Golden Jubilee year, celebrating 50 years of Legacy. The general aim of the Australia-wide conferences was an exchange of ideas and methods of carrying out Legacy functions, and to form general policy for cooperation between clubs and groups. In 1973 it was also a celebration of their first 50 years.A record of a Legatee event hosting interstate visitors for a Legacy Conference.Black and white photo of 4 Legatees at an event.Front of photo has a typed label saying: "Interstate Visitors". The back "Interstate Guests" in black ink. Stamped "This Photograph is the compliments of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Victoria. Please acknowledge / Photo: Michael Cheshire"golden jubilee, conference, legatee event

Pocket size - folded - public transport map of Melbourne, printed in colour on paper, showing public transport services in greater Melbourne, including ticketing information, travelcards and an index of localities. The Central zone area shown in detail. On the rear, route numbers and line maps of tram routes and train lines or services and fare zones. The first map with the new three zone system of fares. Includes private bus routes. Printed 1982 by Government Printer. Issue No. 12.On inside, a circle route around Flinders, Queen, Little Collins and Swanston St in blue felt pen and arrow in blue ink. On the rear, a sketch map showing the location Charles St, Mantell St and William Road, and a circle around Upfield station.trams, tramways, melbourne, map, routes

These eight books that make up The Victorian Readers, one for each of the grades that then comprised the primary school, were first published by the Victorian Education Department between 1928 and 1930. Second editions of all but the First Book, with a few changes in content, appeared some ten years later. One-quarter of the content was required to be Australian with the remainder from Britain, the United States and Europe. Beginning in the 1950s new Departmental publications gradually replaced the old books with the exception of the Fifth and Sixth books which survived until the late 1960s, when commercially-produced reading material finally took over in schools. The Victorian Readers: Books 1 to 8. Facsimile reprint. Ministry of Education (Schools Division); Melbourne (Vic); 1986. Various p.; illus; maps. Soft cover. ISBN 0 7306 0859 Xvictoria; education department; readers; primary education;

She was among many Allied merchant ships who escaped to Britain rather than be interned in occupied countries in World War II. Together with Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam she served in the Allied cause. She was then chartered to the British Ministry of War Transport and put into service. Under the terms of the charter the flag and crew would remain Dutch. Volendam was assigned to the Children's Overseas Reception Board, a British Government scheme introduced in 1940 to evacuate UK school children overseas. She sailed from Liverpool on Thursday 29 August 1940 as one of 33 ships in Convoy OB 205. On 30 August 1940 whilst several hundred miles off Malin Head, Northern Ireland and heading into the Atlantic, she was attacked about 2300 hrs by the German submarine U-60, firing two torpedoes that hit No. 1 hold and damaged and caused flooding in No. 2 hold. Captain Wepster then gave the order to abandon ship, and despite rough seas all 18 lifeboats got away safely.In 1947 she was used in the Australia emigrant service and in June 1948 made her first Rotterdam – Quebec sailing for the Netherlands government with capacity for 1,500 single class passengers. On Tuesday October 17, 1950 she departed Rotterdam for Sydney, arriving 6-weeks and 1 day later at her destination on Wednesday November 29, 1950. She brought with her a ship-load of (mainly Dutch) immigrants, all eager to forge new lives in Australia. In September 1948 she started her first Rotterdam – New York sailing and commenced her last voyage on this route in February 1951.A framed oil painting of the MV Volenda,Volendammv volendam, migrant ships, troop ships, u boat attack

On 04 August 1987 Lu Bing Qun, Head of English at Nanjing Institute of Education, was farewelled at a dinner at the Ballarat College of Advanced Education, where the calligraphy was presented to Jack Barker. Lu had been working in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences since since the beginning of Semester 1.He participated in and contributed to a unit on Chani in the Bachelor of Arts and a unit in the B.Ed. With Linda Brumley he has translated and recorded all the Chinese gravestones in the Ballaarat New Cemetery. Lu was attached to the Ministry of Education in Melbourne where he spent considerable time preparing Chinese language material for use in Victorian Schools. As an International Teaching Fellow he was in Victoria for 12 months under the exchange programme established between the governments of Jiangsu and Victoria.Framed calligraphic work by Lu Bing Qun of China.lu bing qun, jack barker, calligraphy, china, chinese, nanjing institute of education, jiangsu, available

Photos of a ceremony and wreath laying at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. It was part of the Golden Jubilee 50 year celebrations in 1973. (see also 00479). It is the same event when an Olive Tree of Peace was planted in the western lawn of the Shrine (see 00441 and 00442). The photo shows President of Legacy in 1973, Legatee Geoff Handbury placing a wreath on the Cenotaph. Photos came from an envelope marked P1 Federal Conference 1973 / 50 Year anniversary.A record of a ceremony to mark the 50th year of Legacy.Black and white photo of a service at the Shrine for the 50th Anniversary.All stamped "This Photograph is the compliments of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Victoria. Please acknowledge Michael Cheshire" in grey ink.golden jubilee, conference, wreath laying ceremony

Photos of a march, ceremony and wreath laying at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. It was part of the Golden Jubilee 50 year celebrations in 1973. (see also 00479). It is the same event when an Olive Tree of Peace was planted in the western lawn of the Shrine (see 00441 and 00442). The photos show a group of Legatees marching towards the Shrine behind a military band. Photos came from an envelope marked P1 Federal Conference 1973 / 50 Year anniversary.A record of a ceremony to mark the 50th year of Legacy.Black and white photo of a march to the Shrine for the 50th Anniversary.All stamped "This Photograph is the compliments of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Victoria. Please acknowledge Michael Cheshire" in grey ink.golden jubilee, conference, wreath laying ceremony

Photos of the 50th Anniversary Dinner on 6 October 1973 held at Chaucers. It shows a table with Ivan Layton and Matron Vivian Bullwinkel. Ivan was the CEO of Legacy for 30 years. Matron Bullwinkel was a good friend of his. The wellness centre at Legacy House was named after Vivian Bullwinkel in 2020. An electronic copy of the article that appeared in Mufti 2022 is included here which features her life and service. Photos came from an envelope marked P1 Federal Conference 1973 / 50 Year anniversary / 1983 Morewell / 1973 Legacy March ANZAC Day, 50 yr celebration, inclusion in ANZAC Day March authority of RSL". See items 00451,00452,00453, 00391. A record of a dinner marking the 50th anniversary of Legacy during the Golden Jubilee year 1973.Black and white photo of a dinner for the 50th anniversary of Legacy in 1973.Both stamped "This Photograph is the compliments of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Victoria. Please acknowledge Michael Cheshire" in grey ink. Label on front says "Ivan Layton and Matron Vivian Bullwinkel"golden jubilee, 50th anniversary, ivan layton, vivian bullwinkel

The Housing Commission of Victoria (HCV) was established by the Victorian Government in 1938 after a public campaign for housing reform. After 1942 the HCV was responsible for developing regional and outer suburban housing estates where low-income families were located in proximity to expanding population areas and post-war industries. With greater funding and a severe housing shortage, the Commission's activities greatly expanded through the late 1940s into the 1950s. They began to build larger and larger estates of housing in the suburban fringes, as well as country towns The Housing Commission was largely responsible for the development of Wodonga up to 1973 and in 1975 was said to have built one-third of all homes in Wodonga, though many of these were handed to the Army. Criticism of the bureaucratic and undemocratic nature of the Commission and scandals over corruption in relation to housing developments in Melbourne's fringe areas resulted in the disbandment of the HCV and the formation of a Ministry of Housing in 1984. The work of the Housing Commission of Victoria allowed many people in Wodonga to acquire affordable housing and pay it off over time through monthly instalments. This booklet is of local and state significance as it is evidence of the role of the Victorian Government is providing access to affordable housing. It supported the development of Wodonga and the realisation of the "Australian dream" of home ownership.A small receipt book issued by the Housing Commission of Victoria to record payments and receipts for tenants who were purchasing their home through the Housing Commission. Monthly installments allowed people to access and purchase, affordable housing. On the front cover "Housing Commission/VICTORIA/ HOUSE PURCHASER'S/ INSTALMENT/RECEIPTS"housing wodonga, housing commission of victoria, public housing wodonga

A photo of Legatee Bill Scott sitting at a table near a microphone on the Shrine forecourt. It was probably a school student commemoration ceremony as Legatee Scott was often master of ceremonies of the annual event. Item was in an envelope with other photos and programmes from different School Student ceremonies. Labelled S15 in red pen it was part of an old archive numbering system, that showed there has been efforts in the past to collect, order and save items of Legacy's history.A record of a ceremony at the Shrine.Black and white photo of Legatee Bill Scott prior to a service at the Shrine.Stamped "Compliments of the Ministry of Tourism / Government of Victoria / please acknowledge Michael Cheshire" in grey ink. wreath laying ceremony, anzac commemoration for students

Photos of the 50th Anniversary Conference in 1973 which was held in Dallas Brooks Hall. Photos include some of the delegates, 01418.3 is President Handbury, Glen Correr and Jim Stewart, all from Melbourne. 01418.4 show Tom Yost and Goodie Ewence from Launceston and another man. 01418.5 from left, unknown, Graham Rhodes (Melbourne), Andrew Ireland (Wagga Wagga) and unknown. Photos came from an envelope marked 'P1 Federal Conference 1973 / 50 Year anniversary / 1983 Morwell / 1973 Legacy March ANZAC Day, 50 yr celebration, inclusion in ANZAC Day March authority of RSL'. See items 00451 to 00455, 00460 to 00464, 00391 and 01419. A record of a Legacy Conference in Melbourne during the Golden Jubilee year 1973.Black and white photo x 5 of the 50th Anniversary Legacy conference in 1973.All stamped "This Photograph is with the compliments of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Victoria. Please acknowledge Michael Cheshire" in grey ink.golden jubilee, conference

Photos of a service at the Shrine in 1973. People in the crowd have name badges from around Australia so it is likely this service was held during the Legacy Conference held in Melbourne in 1973. President Geoff Handbury is among the official party. In the second photo Legatee Kem Kemsley is seen at the microphone, behind him are, from left, L/- Rex Hall, L/- George Cowan, President Geoff Handbury and Sir Edmund Herring, Lieutenant-General of Victoria. In the crowd legible name tags include; Milton Whiting from Mildura and Molly Tonkin from Sydney. Photos came from an envelope marked P1 Federal Conference 1973 / 50 Year anniversary / 1983 Morewell / 1973 Legacy March ANZAC Day, 50 yr celebration, inclusion in ANZAC Day March authority of RSL". See items 00451 to 00455, 00460 to 00464, 00391. A record of a gathering at the Shrine to mark the 50th anniversary of Legacy during the Golden Jubilee year 1973.Black and white photo x 8 of a service at the Shrine for the 50th Anniversary Legacy in 1973.All stamped "This Photograph is with the compliments of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Victoria. Please acknowledge Michael Cheshire" in grey ink.golden jubilee, conference

Photos of an event for Legacy at Queen's Hall in the Victorian Parliament House. Exact event and date unknown but stored with items of the 50th Anniversary celebrations in 1973. The photos show President Geoff Handbury making a speech and his wife Helen (in black gloves), Dame Mary Herring and Sir Edmund Herring to the right hand side of the photo. Also views from a balcony down on the attendees. Photo came from an envelope marked P1 Federal Conference 1973 / 50 Year anniversary / 1983 Morewell / 1973 Legacy March ANZAC Day, 50 yr celebration, inclusion in ANZAC Day March authority of RSL". See items 00451 to 00455, 00460 to 00464, 00391, 01418, 01419. A record of an event at Parliament house to mark the 50th anniversary of Legacy during the Golden Jubilee year 1973.Black and white photo x 4 an event held at Parliament house for Legacy in 1973.All stamped "This Photograph is with the compliments of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Victoria. Please acknowledge Michael Cheshire" in grey ink.golden jubilee, legatee event

A photo of a large group of young junior legatees in sports outfits dancing on stage at the Annual Demonstration. Legacy clubs ran classes for junior legatees for many years such as gymnastics, swimming or dancing classes. It was part of providing for the children of their deceased comrades. The skills they learned were show cased in an annual demonstration usually at the Melbourne Town Hall. It appears to be photo taken professionally of the Annual Demonstration. Year unknown.A record of a way Legacy provided classes for junior legatees and the skills learned were displayed in the Annual Demonstration.Black and white photo of junior legatees in sports outfits dancing on stage at Melbourne Town Hall.Stamped "Compliments of the Ministry of Tourism / Government of Victoria / please acknowledge Michael Cheshire" in grey ink. Handwritten 'Legacy P2' in blue pen.junior legatee, annual demonstration

A photo of a large group of young junior legatees in dance outfits lined up on stage at the Annual Demonstration. Legacy clubs ran classes for junior legatees for many years such as gymnastics, swimming or dancing classes. It was part of providing for the children of their deceased comrades. The skills they learned were show cased in an annual demonstration usually at the Melbourne Town Hall. It appears to be photo taken professionally of the Annual Demonstration. Year unknown.A record of a way Legacy provided classes for junior legatees and the skills learned were displayed in the Annual Demonstration.Black and white photo of junior legatees in dance outfits lined up on stage at Melbourne Town Hall.Stamped "Compliments of the Ministry of Tourism / Government of Victoria / please acknowledge Michael Cheshire" in grey ink. Handwritten 'Legacy P2' in blue pen.junior legatee, annual demonstration

A function in Legacy's golden jubilee year 1973 attended the Governor of Victoria Sir Rohan Delacombe and his wife, they are with President Geoff Handbury and his wife, Helen and another couple. Also a photograph of two Junior Legacy performers in costumes presenting flowers to Lady Delacombe at the same event so it is possibly a Legacy Demonstration.A record of a Junior Legacy Demonstration being attended by the Governor of Victoria and his wife.Black and white photo x 2 of the Governor and his wife with Legacy President and others at a function.Stamped "This Photograph is the compliments of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Victoria. Please acknowledge / Photo: Michael Cheshire" in try ink.legacy demonstration, governor of victoria, golden jubilee, 50th anniversary, geoff handbury, rohan delacombe

43-page soft cover booklet entitled 'Eppalock Catchment Project' Contents include Before 1960, Environment, Extension, Planning, Implementation, Production. Published by the Soil Conservation Authority 1975 First published 1972 Printed by C H Rixon Government PrinterMinistry for Conservationeppalock, eppalock catchment project, ministry for conservation

Pamphlet on the Central Goldfields Restoration Fund issued by the Victorian Ministry for Planning and Environment. Includes a map of the central goldfields region, introduction by Jim Kennan (Minister) and 3 photographs. Also a description on how the fund operates and how to apply for assistance. An insert of 2 blank application forms. Photos show , Miners using a sluice at Tarnagulla c.1880. Cnr of Sturt and Lydiard Sts, Ballarat c.1880. E. Eberhard Cordial Factory at Clunes c.1890.Victorian Ministry for Planning and Environmentorganization, government, central goldfields, restoration fund, ministry for planning and environment, j. kennan, tarnagulla, ballarat, clunes.

Newsletter - 8 pages, A4 centre stapled, partly coloured, black and white photographs, titled "Easygoing - Transport Services Newsletter - Issue 6 - Winter 2000". Has a welcome from the Minister for Transport Peter Batchelor - first issue for 2000. Provides news on Government policy, Regional rail, Spencer St station refurbishment, public transport interchanges, new look trams for Yarra Trams. Has a photo of an A class with a skyline board "It's taken 115 years for this tram to get to the Docklands" - number not visible. The notes provides the basis for the new livery. Notes introduced on 4/3/2000 and has a message from the CEO Seven MacDonald.trams, tramways, yarra trams, minister for transport, livery, docklands, spencer st, doi

Folder with papers for the hand over by the Minister for Transport to the Danish Consul General - tram 965 10-11-2005 - titled "Historic Tram bound for Copenhagen". .1 - Media Release from the Minister for Transport - Peter Batchelor detailing the gifting of the tram to the Danish Tramway Museum to the Danish Consul General Jorgen Mollegaard. .2 - Full colour double side A4 sheet with details of the tram 965 history and that of the W class and a brief history of the Melbourne Tramways and some facts. .3 - Folder made from folded white card printed for the occasion marked "Tram Presentation" with the MMTB a nd the Victorian State Government logo at the time.trams, tramways, w6 class, disposal, denmark, museums

Melbourne Z3 class tram No. 117, in MMTB livery. Printed by F.D. Atkinson- Government Printer. Two copies held. Gives overall dimensions and features of the tram. See Reg Items 758, 757 and 760 for other versions of the Z3 tram.Demonstrates a cardboard fold up model of a Melbourne tram.Cardboard, punched out, folding model tram.trams, tramways, models, z3 class

Report - carbon copy 6 foolscap sheets untitled and not signed. Report looks at the finances of the MMTB in about 1930 based on the report, its constitution, payments to consolidated revenue, the tramway system in general, the board's financial position, the cable tram system, trams vs buses, the possibility of buses in Melbourne, Co-ordination of Public Transport and the Ministry of Transport Bill. Written by A. Cameron Chairman??Has some pencil correctionstrams, tramways, mmtb, parliament, victorian government, finances, buses, tramways, cable trams, public transport

Thirty two page book/booklet titled "Moving Victoria", providing information on the 1986-1987 Victorian Government Transport Budget and Capital Works Program. Has the Victoria Transport logo on the base of the front cover. Foreword by Tom Roper, Minister, details new initiatives, eg Jolimont Decentralisation, Port Melbourne - St Kilda light rail, Overseas initiatives, Transport funding, costs, industry, employment, the Ministry and its authorities, including Ports and Grain Elevators Board and the State Bicycle Committee. Information provided for: Metropolitan Transport Authority - The Met Road Construction Authority State Transport Authority Road Traffic Authority See Reg Item 1774.5 for the 1987 - 1988 version..trams, tramways, minister for transport, metropolitan transit authority, state transport authority

Report - approx. 180 pages, double sided A4, comb bound with manila covers, titled "Union Metplan - Public Transport Unions / VHTC submission to Government on Metplan August 1988". Provides a strategy for the future of Melbourne's Public Transport from the Transport Unions and Victorian Trades Hall Council (VHTC) viewpoint. Has an index, list of people involved in the study, provides viewpoints on extensions to the rail and tram networks, revenues, funding and employment conditions. On the inside cover is a light card pocket containing a card library borrowing slip with the name of the report title written on it. See also Reg item 2809 for a August 1988 summary paper and 1572 for associated documents.Stamped on front cover "Discarded from PTC Library 10 October 1989" and written in pencil "Union Metplan 1988". On first sheet stamped "Ministry of Transport and MTA Library"trams, tramways, reports, melbourne, mta, atmoea, unions, metplan

The letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth recognised the significance of William’s brave and courageous lifesaving act to the people of Australia; “They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The story of that brave rescue follows on below … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, The company was one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. She was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the Pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October 1905, the twelve-year-old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia. She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. Bad weather en route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a north-westerly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with seawater and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on the shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11 pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11 pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2 am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise, the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning, Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25-year-old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days, an unidentified body of a young person has washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues, he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor-General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy), Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with the manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy, she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ. As well as this letter, Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a photograph of the wrecked La Bella, a brass rail holder and a postcard of William Ferrier with four of the survivors. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. This original congratulatory letter sent to William Ferrier by the Prime Minister and Government of Australia demonstrates the importance attached to his efforts for Victoria and to Australia. The letter is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The letter to William Ferrier from the Australian Government acknowledges the bravery of ordinary Australians who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. The letter is significant to the history of Warrnambool as it honours William Ferrier, a local fisherman whose descendants continue to live in the area. It highlights the way of life of people who lived in coastal towns in 19th century Victoria and the effects of shipwrecks upon them. The letter connects to the postcard of William Ferrier with four of the five rescued crew, the photograph of the wreck of the La Bella and the artefact from the wreck, the rail holder. This letter is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella”. The “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament commending him on his bravery. The printed letterhead includes a coat of arms in the top centre and the official address. The letter is very neatly hand written in black pen and includes 4 signatures of Members of Parliament. The rectangular paper is cream coloured with some yellow/brown discolouring. It has the letterhead on the right hand side of it and the written letter begins below the letterhead. The paper has been folded so that the right side becomes the cover page of the letter. The writing is continued onto the inside right hand page of the folded paper and the writing ends here. There is more recent writing on the bottom right hand corner of the back page. The paper has been officially folded in half a total 3 times and there is heavy discolouration on the sections that form the front and back of the folded letter. There is a 4th fold line that is less pronounced that the other folds and would make the paper the size to fit into a pocket. At several fold creases the paper has worn through. The edges of the paper have minor tears. The printed coat of arms is that of the House of Representatives. Underneath is printed “The Parliament of the Commonwealth, / Parliament House / Melbourne”. The hand written, letter is dated “14th November, 1905” and addressed to “Mr. William Ferrier / South Warrnambool” The letter begins “The Speaker, the Prime Minister and Members of the Ministry and its supporters, the Leader and Members of the Opposition, the Leader and Members of the Labour Party, being all the Members of the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament of Australia” … It continues “desire to express to you their appreciation of your bravery in skulling out to the wreck of the “La Bella” at Warrnambool on Saturday, 11th November, 1905, and recovering therefrom two of the crew who were in imminent danger of their lives. They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The letter is “Signed on behalf of the Members – Speaker (Frederick Holder ), Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Joseph Cook ), Prime Minister (Alfred Deakin), Leader of the Labour Party ( J.C. Watson)” On the back of the letter is blue ink handwriting “OWNER / G. FERRIER / TO. BE. PHOTOGRAPHED / 27-4-76”la bella, william ferrier, bill ferrier, lady bay, 1905, 10th november 1905, 11th november 1905, parliament of the commonwealth, prime minister, australian government, new zealand, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village