"To Mayor of Ballarat from Capt A D Barling DSC VRD" "This Ship's Crest was designed by Miss Rodriguez of Perth WA prior to me leaving there to take command of HMAS "Ballarat" 2.5.41. This design was approved by Navy Board in due course. Motto -'Through Valour to Victory'photo/pictures, ballarat rsl, ballarat

In 1940, German minefields were laid in east and west Bass Strait which quickly claimed merchant ships Cambridge (British) and the City of Rayville (American). HMAS Goorangai had finished mine sweeping duties and after resupply was crossing from Queenscliff to Point Nepean to seek better anchorage due to impending bad weather. At around 20:30 on the 20th of November 1940 the 10,400-ton MV Duntroon was transiting the South Channel on her way to Sydney from Perth via Melbourne carrying 65 passengers and general and perishable cargo. It struck HMAS Goorangai forward of the funnel on the port side and cut her in two. At about 20:45 HMAS Goorangai sank in less than a minute resulting in the loss of her whole ship’s company, a complement of 24 officers and sailors.HMAS Goorangai was the first Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ship lost in WWII, the first RAN surface ship lost in wartime, and the first RAN surface ship lost with all hands. A memorial cairn was erected at Queenscliff in 1981 and a service of commemoration is held there every year.A severely damaged and corroded aluminium teapot recovered from the wreck of HMAS Goorangaihmas goorangai, wwii, collision at sea

non-fictionThis book tells the story of Margaret Gee's family, spanning three generations living on the land in picturesque North Eastern Victoria, near Beechworth-Kelly country and steeped in the history of the gold rush and early pioneers. It is the story of her indomitable father, who grew up at Silver Creek, then joined the Australian Navy, became a prisoner of war on the Burma Railway after surviving the sinking of HMAS Perth, of his wife and family.gee family, beechworth, rural families, country life -- victoria

A variety of badges that once belonged to J B McLean some are souvenirs and a couple are from the A.I.F. The badges for those returned from active service could be worn by soldiers and nurses who returned to Australia from active service and were honourably discharged. From information found online: The badge from Ypres is known as a sweetheart badge. Often produced post war as a souvenir. It is the arms of the city of Ypres/Ieper. The crown over the shield is called a "mural crown" and is often seen as part of the arms of cities and towns. The phrase 'sweetheart brooch' is commonly used, but is misleading, as it was not only 'sweethearts' that wore them. These were with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F. J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving in Portsea in 1920. His full war record is available from the National Archives of Australia (B2455, MCLEAN JBM).This is an example of badges held by an ex soldier.Seven assorted badges collected by J B McLean. Two returned from active service AIF badges. A kangaroo badge on a blue enamel circle with the word ANZAC. Badge with the arms of Ypres surmounted by a crown. A pin with a field canon and a motto in latin. A pin with the Australian coat of arms from HMAS Australia sailing in the Great Fleet in 1916. A medallion with the Australian naval flag and the Union Jack.01122.1 On the front 'Issued by Dept of Defence. Returned from Active Service. Australian Military Forces. A.I.F.'. On the reverse '188589 Stokes and Sons Melb' 01122.2 'ANZAC' written in silver, on the reverse 'AJC Sterling' 01122.3 'Ypres' 01122.4 A latin phrase: 'Ubique constru stabiles Australia'. It could translate as 'everywhere together and trust'. 01122.5 On the front 'Grand Fleet. H.M.A.S. Australia 1916' 01122.6 On the front 'Issued by Dept of Defence. Returned from Active Service. Australian Military Forces. A.I.F.' On the reverse '117083 ? Perth' 01122.7 on the reverse 'Imitation'.world war one, soldier