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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The History of Ireland
This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. The History of Ireland Ancient and Modern. Taken from the most authentic records and Dedicated to the Irish brigade Author: Abbé Mac-Geoghegan Translated from the French by Patrick O'Kelly Publisher: James Duffy Date: 1849 This book is covered in leatherLabel on spine cover with typed text PAT 941.5 MAC Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, the history of ireland, abbé mac-geoghegan, patrick o'kelly -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book, The History of Prahran
The History of Prahran Author: John Butler Cooper Publisher: Modern Printing Co Pty Ltd Date: 1912Label on spine with typed text RA 994.51 COO warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, the history of prahran, john butler cooper -
Bendigo Military Museum
Mixed media - PACKAGE - TEACHER'S AID BOOK, DVD & CD ROM, Australian Department of Veterans Affairs, Australian Women in War, 2008
.1) Book. Hard cover. Printed images of WWII women in armed forces, nursing & land army. Bottom image is photo of modern females in RAN. Red & blue printing. 108 pages, illustrated photos & maps. .2) DVD - Australian Government Department Veterans Affairs. Changing roles of women, 1899 - today. Images identical to front cover. .3) CD Rom identical cover to .2) above.books reference/military, audio-visual technology - audio/visual accessories, illustrations-prints, military history -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Book - History, The Coronation Book of Queen Elizabeth II, Circa 1952
... modern australian history... royalists deminishes. modern australian history british royalty ...This book was produced in a period of time when Australians, especially those in rural areas referred to Britain as "the mother" country. It was a time when the transition from a colonial dominion of Britain to the status of an individual State through the Australian Constitution was quite apparent, except for the affection and respect of the majority of the population towards "their" Queen. It was a time when the Governor General (Queen's representative) were British born and picked. Australia had grown from a colonial status to an individual state. The feeling towards the monarchy is aptly demonstrated by the words from the High Commissioner for Australia, Sir Thomas White K.B.E., proposal for Australia to adopt the royal title "Elizabeth the Second by the grace of God of the United Kingdom, Australia and her realms and territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, defender of the Faith" Here faith implies the christian (Church of England) religion. In rural Australia the respect and admiration for the Queen was very high and all public offices, clubs and halls displayed a well positioned, large photograph of the Queen. The respect for British royalty was quite pronounced by the royal toast, offered before "official" proceedings commenced, and in the military flying the royal "blessed" colours.This book was donated by one of the founding families residing in the Kiewa Valley and is typical of the general feeling of respect and admiration felt by the rural communities towards the British Royal Family, especially towards Queen Elizabeth II. The rural slant towards any form of patriotism was along the lines of "Queen and Country", in that order. After World War II the social texture through multi-culturalism (especially in the Cities)moved away from this "motherland" bondage but it had taken a longer period to penetrate those rural sectors within the Kiewa valley and high plains areas. The great post World War II immigration of European refugees started a shift of numbers of Australian families whose parents were not born in Australia or had British family ties. The book represents a period in time where ties to Britain where a lot strong and entrenched in the social fabric of the Australian rural sector. The growing push for a republic is becoming stronger and stronger as the level of rural royalists deminishes.This item is a hard covered book of 200 pages including 8 pages in full colour and over 250 photographs covering the British royal family and in particular Queen Elizabeth II and her coronation. The external protective paper dust-jacket is in colour. Specific references to Australia appear on pages 9,36 to 41 and 97. The hard cover has a "off" white cloth textured (glued reinforced) cover over thick cardboard . The front and back pages depict the Royal investiture carriage with guards and footmen. Little cherubs are portrayed around the sheath holding the Royal Crown. Crowned lion and stallion sit at attention on either side of the carriage, with the Royal shield supporting their front legs.,The dust jacket is in full colour with the wording "The CORONATION BOOK of QUEEN ELIZABETH II" With a Pictorial Record of the Ceremony" The spin of the jacket (in gold print on a regal red background) "THE CORONATION BOOK OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II" on the bottom "ODHAMS" The cover has a pressed oval shaped double lined border enclosing a crown and the words Elizabeth R, below which is pressed 1953. The spine has the following words in gold coloured print "THE CORONATION BOOK OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II. The front, inside flap, of the dust jacket details the significance of what is contained within the book and the back inside flap has the contents and those personages who contributed. The back of the dust jacket has a brief review of three other books covering other aspects of British royalty and they are titled "THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH" ( a pictorial biography), "QUEEN MARY" (her life and times) and "ROYAL HOMES ILLUSTRATED" (with an essay on the royal palaces by A.L. Rowse.modern australian history, british royalty, queen elizabeth ii, coronation of queen elizabeth ii, australia's "mother country" -
Yendon History Group
Boxed set of four (4) coasters - coaster 1
Part of the contents of a souvenir gift bag given to those who rode on the re-enactment train for the 150th anniversary of the Geelong to Ballarat railway on 10 April 2012.Gold aluminium coaster, backed with royal blue felt. Embossed with pictures of a modern intercity train and a steam locomotive.Celebrating 150 years of Ballarat trains / April 2012 / V/Linegeelong ballarat railway, railway 150th anniversary -
Yendon History Group
Boxed set of four (4) coasters - coaster 2
Part of the contents of a souvenir gift bag given to those who rode on the re-enactment train for the 150th anniversary of the Geelong to Ballarat railway on 10 April 2012.Gold aluminium coaster, backed with royal blue felt. Embossed with pictures of a modern intercity train and a steam locomotive.Celebrating 150 years of Bendigo trains / October 2012 / V/Linegeelong ballarat railway, railway 150th anniversary -
Yendon History Group
Boxed set of four (4) coasters - coaster 3
Part of the contents of a souvenir gift bag given to those who rode on the re-enactment train for the 150th anniversary of the Geelong to Ballarat railway on 10 April 2012.Gold aluminium coaster, backed with royal blue felt. Embossed with a picture of a modern intercity train and a map of Victoria. Identical to coaster 4Supporting regional Victoria / V/Linegeelong ballarat railway, railway 150th anniversary -
Yendon History Group
Boxed set of four (4) coasters - coaster 4
Part of the contents of a souvenir gift bag given to those who rode on the re-enactment train for the 150th anniversary of the Geelong to Ballarat railway on 10 April 2012.Gold aluminium coaster, backed with royal blue felt. Embossed with a picture of a modern intercity train and a map of Victoria. Identical to coaster 3.Supporting regional Victoria V/Linegeelong ballarat railway, railway 150th anniversary -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book, Australian - Thai Chamber of Commerce, Hellfire Pass Memorial. Thailand - Burma Railway, 1998
6th Edition updated by Rod Beattie. Contains many contemporary & modern photographs of the Thai - Burma railway. Book details the construction of the memorial & reclamation of the railway.Illustrated soft card cover. Title in blue letters. Stapled binding. 40 cut edge pages. Contains black & white & colour illustrations.On title page: John W Toon ex POW, Jack Fitzgerald (?) OAM ex POW, Donated by Dean Hayes.books-military-history, memorials -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book, The Army Doctrine Centre HQ TRG Cmd, Still the Same. Reflections on Active Service From Bardia to Baidia, 1996
Book, soft cover, 280 pages, illustrated black & white photos & maps. Front cover of orange appearance, images of barbed wire, modern soldier in DPU uniform & Stehyr Rifle silhouettes of 2 WWI Diggers in slouch hats in background.Written inside front cover: P Chapmanbooks, military history -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Framed photos, Light Horse
Two photos vertically arranged in wooden frame. Top - coloured photo of 5 modern day mounted 4LH re-enactment members. At Shrine of Remembrance Bottom - Old black and white photo of 4th Light Horse troopers -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Display Binder, 2/4 Armoured Regiment Group, abt 2014
Provides an excellent account of the service of Australian 2/4 Armoured Regiment Group in New Guinea and Bougainville in World War 2. By 1945 the United States publicity machine under General McArthur focussed on US campaigns to the North treating this action as a back water The unit's battle honours comprise South West Pacific 1945, Liberation of Australian New Guinea, Hawain River, Wewak, Wirui Mission, Slater's Knoll, Hongorai River, Egan's Ridge-Hongorai Ford, Hari River and Mivo River2/4 Armoured Regiment is an antecedent unit of our modern Regiment ., Museum quality 3 ring, A3 size binder with clear inserts for documents and photos, in slip case. Presents history of Australian 2/4 Armoured Group in South West Pacific in World War 2 -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Hat Fur Felt
Hat is of modern manufacture but created to represent the hat worn by a soldier of the 11th Australian Light Horse Regt in the period 1903-@1912. Boer War Mannequin (Jack's Dad), lacks a hat of the period and this hat is being used until a suitable hat can be located. The hat represents the period immediately after the Boer WarHat, wool felt, green/khaki, broad brim Puggaree with 1 white fold, polyester/cotton Badge 11th Light Horse Regt. Feather, cock,100% wool Made in China Finest Qualityhat light horse felt pre ww1 -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Medal, South Atlantic Medal
The South Atlantic Medal is a British campaign medal awarded to British military personnel and civilians for service in the Falklands War of 1982, between the United Kingdom and Argentina; 29,700 were issued. The South Atlantic Medal Association was formed in 1997. The medal is a coin, made of cupronickel, 36 mm in diameter, and was struck by the Royal Mint and issued by the Army Medal Office, Droitwich. The obverse side bears a crowned effigy of the The Queen. Like a modern British coin, it has the abbreviated form of ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSOR ("Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith") on the border and the Queen is facing to the right. The reverse side has the Falkland Islands' coat of arms, which bears the words "DESIRE THE RIGHT" (an allusion to English explorer John Davis' ship, "Desire"). A laurel wreath and the words "SOUTH ATLANTIC MEDAL" make up the border. CPL J FINLAY (number) RAFmedal, south atlantic, falklands -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Book, Trojan Press, Australian Army Unit Colour Patches, 2008
Hard covered book , 98 pages. A guide to usage in the modern Australian ArmyISBN 0-9578280-0-4 (978-0-9578280-0-1)colour patches -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Pamphlet, Department of Supply Central Drawing Office, Signal Training (All Arms) Pam No 7 Voice Procedure 1963, 1963
Used by the RegimentSoft covered book detailing the voice procedures to be used throughout the AMF incorporating new procedures to cater for modern equipments.Signal Training (All Arms) Pamphlet No 7 Voice Procedure 1963 Supersedes Signal Training Pamphlet No 7 Voice Procedure 1955. WO Code 8943radio training, voice procedure -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Book, Modern Printing Co Pty Ltd, Manual of Map Reading, Photo Reading ing and Field Sketching1929, abt 1940
Soft covered book covering map reading, field sketching and air photo reading for use of Officer candidates, Officers and NCO's. Reprinted with amendments Nos 1 - 4, 1939. 2 copies26 manuals 412manual, map reading, air photo reading, field sketching -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Booklet, The Defence Military Training Pamphlet No 3 1943, June 1943
Soft covered booklet issued as guidance of formation and higher commanders regarding the doctrine and rules of modern defence for sub-unit commandersRestrictedtraining manuals, defence, world war 2 -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Booklet, Australian Medical Publishing Company Ltd, The Art of Camouflage, 1942
Soft covered booklet dealing with the art of camouflage with regard to the modern use of aircraftcamouflage, world war 2, -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Book, Modern Printing Pty Ltd, Signals Training Vol II Part II 1937 - Supplement, 1936
A hard covered book dealing with skip distances of short wave signals, with graphs.signals, short wave, skip distances -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Booklet, Modern Printing Co Pty Ltd, Tank Training - Eye Training and Crew Control 1944, 1944
Soft covered booklet. Volume II, Part 1 - Pamphlet No 2, covering the eye training of crew commanders and gunners, and the orders given to the tank crew tank crew training -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Booklet (2 copies), Modern Printing Co Pty Ltd, M.E.T.P. No 2 Part VIII Tactical Handling of Armoured Divisions in the Middle East, 1940's
Paper covered bookletarmoured tactics, middle east, world war 2 -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Booklet, Modern Printing Co Pty Ltd, Tank Training Vol II, Pam No 1 Tank Gunnery 1944, 1944
Soft covered booklet covering various aspects of tank gunnery including elementary ballistics, training tank gunners, and cones of fire for machine guns. Supersedes Pamphlet No 1 1938tank gunnery, world war 2 -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Booklet, Modern Printing Co Pty Ltd, Royal Artillery Training Memorandum (Field, Tank Attack, Anti-Aircraft Branches) No 8, July 1943
Paper booklet covering up coming amendments to Artillery publications and fire orders for smoke screens and immediate registered or predicted battery Smoke screenartilllery, smoke, world war 2 -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Booklet, Modern Printing Co Pty ltd, Middle East Training Pamphlet No 2 Part 1A. The Tactical Handling of the Armoured Regiment in Middle East, 1940's
Paper covered bookletarmoured tactics, middle east, world war 2 -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Booklet, Modern Printing Co Pty ltd, Casualties in Tanks 1943, 1943
Soft covered bookletNot to be publishedcasualties in tanks -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Australaisn Bittern, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
The Australaisn Bittern is a partly nocturnal bird who resides in costal and sub-coastal locations in south-west mainland Australia, south east Australia and Tasmania. They can be found in wetlands, swamps and among reeds. These birds are mostly brown and yellow in colour and with short legs and a stocky body. The "woomph" sound made by the Bittern late at night is thought to have been the origin of the traditional Aboriginal myth of the Bunyip. The Bunyip, like the Australasian Bittern, was believed to reside in reedy swamps. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.The Australaisn Bittern is a stocky bird with mainly yellow and brown colouring. This colouring makes the bird difficult to see in the dense, reedy vegetation it resides amongst in shallow freshwater wetlands. When threatened, the Australaisn Bittern will raise its bill skyward in a pose which helps it camouflage. This specimen has streaked yellow-brown feathers, a yellow bill and legs which are a yellow-green colour. It stands on a wooden platform.taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, bunyip, myths, australaisn bittern, bittern -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Australasian Darter, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
An Australasian Darter is a waterbird with a distinctive long straight neck and a sharp bill. This feature has resulted in this bird sometimes being called the "snakebird" . This specimen is a slim bird with pale grey to white colouring. This colouring identifies this particular specimen as female. The Australasian Darter is commonly located around waterways in freshwater or brackish wetlands more than 0.5m deep. The Darter will perch on fallen trees and branches near the water and holds its wings out to the sides in an effort to dry them. The Noongar people of southwestern Australia called this bird "mimal". It has also been called the New Holland darter or the New Holland devil-bird. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.An Australasian Darter with a large, slim body and grey to white colouring. This specimen has a long snake-like neck and webbed feet. It has large powerful wings positioned flat against the rear of its body. The eyes are made of glass and are a pale yellow colour which is similar in colour to the long and sharp bill.Paper label: "154 New Holland Darter"taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, darter, bird, australasian darter -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Musk Duck, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
This particular Musk Duck is a female specimen. This is ascertained through the lack of a large bulbous lobe of skin hanging under the bill. This particular duck has a much smaller lobe on the underside of its bill which is only visible when close. The name Musk Duck comes from the strong musk odour produced from a gland on the rump of the bird. These ducks are found only in Australia, in south-western and south-eastern mainland and in Tasmania. They prefer to reside in locations which have deep water and plenty of aquatic vegetation. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.A large duck with a sooty-brown plumage and paler brown colouring on the stomach and areas of the neck. This bird stands with its head turned to look over its right shoulder. The eyes are made of brown coloured glass. The legs on the Musk Duck are positioned towards the far back of the stocky body and the feet are webbed. This enables the duck to swim but provides a clumsy gait. The bill of this Musk Duck is dark grey and the tail feathers are positioned in a fan-shape.Paper tag reading "9a Musk Duck. See Catalogue, page, 39."taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, duck, musk duck, aquatic, biziura lobata -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Musk Duck, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
This particular Musk Duck is a male specimen. This is ascertained through the inclusion of a large bulbous lobe of skin hanging under the bill. The name Musk Duck comes from the strong musk odour produced from a gland on the rump of the bird. These ducks are found only in Australia, in south-western and south-eastern mainland and in Tasmania. They prefer to reside in locations which have deep water and plenty of aquatic vegetation. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.A male Musk Duck with a wide, heavy body covered in dark grey-brown plumage. This specimen has a broad and triangular shaped bill with a large lobe hanging from beneath the bill which helps identify this particular duck as male. The duck has glass eyes which are a dark brown colour. The legs on the Musk Duck are positioned towards the far back of the stocky body and the feet are webbed. This enables the duck to swim but provides a clumsy gait."8a Musk Duck. See Catalogue, page, 39."taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, duck, musk duck, aquatic, biziura lobata