This brass rail holder fixture would have been used to hold the end of a rail in place. There is no information as to where the fitting or rail would have been placed on the ship; sailing ships had many brass fittings. It was recovered from the wreck of the La Bella, which lies at the bottom of the Warrnambool Harbour. Some 15 ships are believed to have been wrecked in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the sea floor; the La Bella and the Edinburgh Castle. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. The story of the final voyage of the La Bella is summarised as follows … 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 being 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 sea water and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on 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 11pm 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 11pm 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 2am 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 was 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 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. 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. 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. 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 item 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. Brass rail holder from the wreck "La Bella". This rail holder would have been used as a fitting for the end of a rail. It is made up of two parts and looks a little like a goblet in shape. The top is a hollow spherical shape with a circular hole cut out on one side, into which the end of a round rail would fit. There are two gouge marks close to each other on one side of the hole, about one centimetre apart, at 1 and 2 o’clock position. The sphere has a hollow pipe-like stem with a screw thread turned into the outside of the lower section and the bottom of the stem has been flared out after having the base fitted. The base is round and has a mound in the centre. The edge has four evenly spaced fixture holes around its edge. The metal shows signs of pitting and has mild encrustation. The fitting of the base is loose, allowing it to swivel in a complete circle. The top of the sphere is rough and has a dent in it. Underneath the base there is verdigris; some has flaked off and reveals a bright golden colour underneath. rail holder, brass rail holder, la bella, lady bay, norway, 1893, new zealand, captain mylius, william ferrier, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village

This wagon is linked to Mr Stanley James Bell via his father Mr John Bell, who owned "Warrumyea" at Wangoom. It is believed that Stanley grew up and worked for his father at this property, eventuality inheriting his father's death in 1920. This wagon was likely used at Mr Stanley Bell's property “Warrumyea” at Wangoom around 1920-1940. The wagon was donated in 1984, at which time it was noted as having a brass plate inscribed "Jas", which name Stanley was known by. Also, a painted on the wage was “S J Bell Wangoom”. Remnants of the original paint colours of blue and yellow show on the photograph, which was taken at the time of cataloguing. Mr John Bell Snr from Plymouth, England, arrived in Portland, Victoria, around 1860. He had served in the British navy as a lad for a number of years. On arriving in Australia he travelled to the Wangoom district where he lived for many years. Mr J Bell worked for 20 years as herd manager at “Wangoom Park”., for Mr F Tozer (1843-1954), one of the original pioneers of the western district. He went on to pursue dairying and general farming at his property “Warrumyea” Wangoom. Bell’s son Stanley James Bell went to the Wangoom School. His first reader from this school, published in 1909, has his name inscribed in the flyleaf “Stanley J. Bell, Warrumyea, Wangoom” and is now in the collection of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society. Stanley went on working the property “Warrumyea” and eventually purchased “Wangoom Park” in 1956, where his father had been employed years before. Mr S J Bell died in 1968.The wagon is significant for its association with the farming history of Wangoom and the Warrnambool area in general. Also, the wage is significant for its association with one of the early families that settled in the Warrnambool area and their contribution to the dairying and general farming industries that sprang from their efforts. The wagon has a good provenance linking it to Mr Stanley James Bell and is also a good example of how goods were transported using horse-drawn vehicles at the beginning of the 20th century.Four-wheeled wagon or cart,12 spokes in each wheel, wooden axle with rear hub brake. Hinged and chained tailboard. Wheels have metal rims. Metal frame and wooden superstructure. Wagon has two pairs of staves. Wooden shelves, one missing with turntable. Small toolbox in front. Made by Kelly and Preston of Ballarat. Metal nameplate of the owner attached, "Jas" (S J Bell of Wangoom).. Original inscription, now obscured, was painted “Kelly and Preston Builders Ballarat”. Metal plate inscribed "Jas", and "S J Bell Wangoom". flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, wagon, sj bell, stanley james bell, wangoom park, warrumyea, first reader, john bell 1830-1920, stanley james bell 1904-1968, warrnambool pioneers, f tozer, western district, kelly and preston of ballarat

xvi, 218 p. illus. : non-fictionA collection of stories of Aboriginal mythsaboriginal, human rights, myths, legends, robinson roland edward, australian indigenous tribes, storytellers, poetry, roper river, northern territory, sydney morning herald, the age, folk-lore, dreamtime legends, sacred songs, vesper alexander, worrell eric, naturalist, zoology, legend and dreaming

The photograph of William Ferrier was given to Avis Quarrell by Lewis Ferrier, 3rd youngest son of William during the centenary of the wreck of the La Bella. The photograph was framed by the Henna Street Picture Framers, Warrnambool in 2005. The photograph is of William Ferrier, the 25-year-old fisherman from South Warrnambool, whose rescue of two sailors from the wrecked La Bella made him an overnight national hero. The La Bella was wrecked on 10th November 1905,and the remains of the vessel now lie 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. Several attempts were made by the Warrnambool lifeboat crew to rescue the stricken sailors on the La Bella, 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. A another rescue attempt was made by Ferrier who rowed a small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain George Mylius, 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 swam towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the ropes and debris 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 survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. 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.This photograph is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast and demonstrates the bravery of ordinary Australians like William Ferrier who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. Moreover, the photograph has an association with the sailing ship ‘La Bella’, as it is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks known to have been wrecked in the bay.Framed sepia photograph, mounted behind glass. Portrait of a man seated on a log. He is wearing a brimmed hat, dark coloured jacket and trousers, and a light coloured collarless shirt with buttons. The figure in the photograph is William Ferrier.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, la bella, william ferrier, rescue, hero william ferrier

Bendigo Advertiser '' The way we were'' from Saturday, March 27, 2004. Go girls: does any reader know when softball was first played in Bendigo? Pictured here are the women of the 1956 softball team, back row from left: Dot Moyle, Heather Ferguson, June Riley, Dot Purchess, Shirley O'Donnell and Annie Hassett. Front row from left: June McGowan, Alma Rodgers, Nancy O'Donnell and Dot Smith. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Envelope to J Badham Readers Book Club logo. Envelope has stamp removed. Hand written in blue ink is Annual Earnings. In pencil is the numbers 1325.145.document, memo, railway, j badham

Herald Sun Readers Book Club letter -resignation letter dated 12.4.1954. Addressed to J Badham, 5 Laidman St Maryborough - signed Joan B. Keast. It is a paper letter with the book club logo in red ink of six books with book ends either end. On the left book end it has the letter H and the right has the letter S.document, memo, railway, herald sun. readers book club. j badham. laidman st maryborough joan b. keast.

The Bendigo Advertiser Reader Recipes, 72 pages of recipes contributed by readers with names & advertisements, black and white photographs in a yellow soft cover produced by the Bendigo Advertiser, printed by Cambridge Press Bendigo.book, magazine, cooking

Light blue covered book with the title printed in black. Second Edition. A.C.Brooks, Government Printer, Melbourne. Book contains a number of short stories and poems. Also has sketch type illustrations. Susan Foley written in the front of the book.Wholly set up and printed in Australia. Registered by the Postmaster-General for transmission through the post as a book. A.C. Brooks, Government Printer, Melbourne.education, primary, golden square laurel st p.s., golden square laurel street p.s. collection - victorian readers sixth book, a c brooks, susan foley

Green covered book with the title printed in black. Second Edition 1940. A.C.Brooks, Government Printer, Melbourne. Book contains a number of short stories and poems. Also has sketch type illustrations. Lachlan Pitman and Ciaire P written in the front of the book.Wholly set up and printed in Australia. Registered by the Postmaster-General for transmission through the post as a book. A.C. Brooks, Government Printer, Melbourne.education, primary, golden square laurel st p.s., golden square laurel street p.s. collection - victorian readers fifth book, education department victoria, a c brooks, lachlan pitman, p ciaire

Card covered book titled Holidays, illustrated by Marjorie Howden. The Victorian Readers Second Book, First Edition 1953. Cover is blue and white with a beach silhouette with some children and seagulls. Book has larger printing and tells of the children and their family holiday. Piece of green tape on the spine at the bottom.A.C. Brooks, Government Printer, Melbourneeducation, primary, golden square laurel st p.s., golden square laurel street p.s. collection - holidays, education department victoria, a c brooks

Playmates, The Victorian Readers First Book, Education Department, Victoria. First Edition 1952. Buff coloured card cover with blue silhouette of trees and two children with a pram and dog. Green trees and a blue house in the background. The book mentions John and Betty and their family and dog and cat. Piece of pink sticky tape on the spine at the top.A.C. Brooks, Government Printer, Melbourne.education, primary, golden square laurel st p.s., golden square laurel street p.s. collection - playmates, marjorie howden, education department victoria, a c brooks

Holidays. The Victorian Readers Second Book, Education Department, Victoria. First Edition 1953. W.M.Houston, Government Printer, Melbourne. Illustrated by Marjorie Howden. Coloured picture in the front of the book shows a family about to get into the car. There is the father, the mother holding a toddler, a boy holding a Scottie dog and a girl holding a cat and a doll beside a blue car. The book has larger printing and tells of their holiday.education, primary, golden square laurel st p.s., golden square laurel street p.s. collection - holidays, education department, w m houston, marjorie howden, shane rodda

Black and white photograph of councillors and officers of Strathfieldsaye Shire early 1900's. Photo shows eleven adult males, five seated. Four visible watch chains, two floral buttonholes, brick walled building in background. Lapel badge on gent, back row, 2nd from left is similar to 1914 - 18 WW1 badge therefore photo is later. Inscriptions - on back: Stamp printed 'F Harrison, Photographer, 151? Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo'. In blue ballpoint ink 'Strathfieldsaye Shire Council from Mrs Lowndes, McIvor Road. Inclusions: typed caption 'Councillors and officers of Strathfieldsaye Shire early in the twentieth century. If any reader can assist in identifying these men it would be appreciated. Photographed by F Harrison, Bendigo Historical Society. History of object: previous Acc. No. 'GP 42'F Harrisonperson, group, councillors strathfieldsaye

Issue of ''All About Books - For Australian and New Zealand Readers'' (Nov 13,1933). 20 page stapled magazine with review information on books, plays, literary news etc. Handwritten annotation ''Merle Bush''.person, individual, bush collection - personal, bendigo, bush collection, collection, books, literature, william shakespeare, katherine mansfield, drama, exploration, novels

NEWSPAPER CUTTING - BENDIGO ADVERTISER 14/6/1980: re Hanro Knitting Mills - 'Recognize yourself or friends?' Photo of staff and management - Readers are asked to help identify people in photoorganization, business, hanro

School Papers were produced as a result of the perceived need for more local content for children as the school readers were English. In 1896 the first school papers were produced for Grade 3 students. These were followed by Grade 4 in 1897 and Grades 5 & 6 in 1898. They were compulsory reading until 1928 when they became supplemental to the readers.The school paper for grades V and VI (1916). Anzac number published by the Education Department, Victoria (Australia).school paper, anzac, education

A guide to Australian coins. Fifty-two pages book published in 2010 by Reader's Digest. Contents: How money began - Early Colonial currency 1788/1850 - Late Colonial gold and tokens 1851/1910 - commonwealth pre decimal coins 1911/1965 - Australian decimal coinage, 1966 to present - Collecting coins and tokens - Grading coins - Catalogue of Australia pre decimal coins - Glossary of numismatics terms - Australia's mints - Mint marks - further information.books, technical, numismatic

Newspaper cutting entitled 'Readers Put Their Views'. A letter written by S. McKinnon, Stephen Street, North Balwyn, about the building of Eppalock Weir.newspaper, bendigo, s mckinnon, foster & wilson collection, eppalock weir, s. mckinnon

Newspaper article entitled 'Readers Put Their Views' about the School of Mines written by S. McKinnon. Don Street, Bendigo January 29.1958newspaper, bendigo, s mckinnon, foster & wilson collection, the bendigo school of mines, s. mckinnon

Document. Eagle Star Insurance Company Policy. Eagle Star Insurance Company Free Policy Document issued to readers of The Sun News Pictorial. Policy No. 440539 Issued 21st June 1952 in the name of Perry Gertrude Eva, 38 Panton Street, Golden Square.organization, business, financial, gertrude perry collection, eagle star insurance company policy, perry gertrude eva, the sun news pictorial

Eighteen undated coloured 1.25,000 army aerial photographs covering Bendigo city and district. [a] -( Similar to A vintage Abrams map reader -Adjustable Stereoscope) -Casella London viewing eye frame with Irving scratched into frame. Another name scratched out also. [b] WW2 Leather pouch stamped Casella London made to hold eye frame.bendigo, utilities, fortuna army mapping division

112 Page soft cover book titled 'The Victorian Readers Second Book' dark orange in colour with a cloth strip at the spine. On the front cover is a female child sitting on a wooden chair reading a book. The book consists of 102 pages of stories and poems plus 9 pages of language list. The back page has three children in various poses looking at a monkey on a swing hanging from two trees. Below the monkey written in script is 'The End' Inside the front cover hand written in blue ink is the name 'John M. Merifield' Registered by the Postmaster General for transmission through the post as a book.Education Department of Victoria. H.J. Green, Government Printer, Melbourne 1930.education, primary, victoria, the victorian readers second book

Brass foot shaped charm. Item is discoloured, tarnished and rusting.bendigo, gold mining, qc binks, qc binks, reader's digest, sweepstakes.

Book. The Victorian Readers Second Book No 2.book, bendigo, the victorian book no 2.

Book. The Victorian Readers fifth book. Number 1,3,4, are missing.book, bendigo, the victorian book, fifth book.

Book. The Victorian Readers sixth book.book, bendigo, the victorian reader sixth book

Book. The Victorian Readers, seventh book.book, bendigo, the victorian readers seventh book

Book. The Victorian Readers, eighth book.book, bendigo, the victorian readers, eighth book