"The outbreak of World War I in August 1914 had an immediate impact on communities across Australia, and it was no different in Melton. Young men began enlisting immediately, and Australia’s initial offer of 20,000 troops was soon exceeded by Victorian enlistments alone. Over the four years of the war, approximately 114,000 Victorians enlisted and around 91,000 servicemen and women were sent overseas. They came not just from Melbourne, but from all over the state; from farms, small towns and suburban areas. They included locals, newly arrived migrants and Indigenous people. The Australian home front was a hive of activity throughout the war, and the Melton community played its part. Following the announcement that Australia was joining the war with Great Britain and its allies on 5 August 1914, the Melton community lost no time in launching into action. A meeting ‘to assist the Red Cross fund’ was held in the Melton Mechanics’ Institute hall on 18 August – just days after the outbreak of the war. Collectors were appointed for each corner of the shire and individual donations were made. A Melton branch of the Australian Red Cross Society was formed in June 1915 and focused its energies on raising funds to purchase material that was used to make clothes for sick and wounded soldiers. A depot was established in Melton to collect clothing and other ‘comfort’ items for the soldiers – including reading material, tobacco, linen, canned foods and soap – and to coordinate the branch’s work and activities. Local cab driver Percival Stubbs volunteered to transport all the packages to the Melton railway station, until he enlisted and departed for the front in 1916. Such were the numbers of people getting involved that branches were also established in Toolern Vale and Rockbank. Regular community events were held to farewell soldiers who were leaving on active service and to welcome those who returned home. Gunner Robert (Bob) Wynne, whose uncle’s family ran the general store in Toolern Vale, was presented with a pair of field glasses (binoculars), a gold watch, inscribed locket and autographed letter by the Toolern Vale community before he set sail for the front in 1916. His mother noted that he ‘sailed away in good spirits with a smile till out of sight’. From June 1915 to June 1919, the Melton Red Cross branch donated 2,156 pairs of socks, 1,357 shirts, 425 kit bags, 251 pillowslips, 224 towels and 121 pairs of pajamas. Countless fundraising events were held, including jumble fairs, concerts and gift evenings. Local schools also encouraged students to contribute through fund-raising and making and collecting comforts for the soldiers. People across the country engaged in similar activities, but Victoria’s rural communities found unique ways of contributing. In Melton, people were encouraged to send rabbits and hares ‘in good condition’ to an exporter in Spencer Street, for export to Belgium ‘for the relief of those suffering". Special Anzac Memorial article featured in the Star Weeklylocal identities, war

Art Exhibition, Bendigo Easter Fair Society presents The Annual Art Exhibition. Painting Section. Artists: Gordon Allen, Mrs D Allender, 'April', Bruce Barklamb, Thomas R W Benkendorff, Christine Berkman, Mrs J A Blakey, James E Bowman, Darryl Brown, Malcolm H Cannon, R L Carless, Pamela Caswell, Bett Cheek, Mrs Betty Cooper, Peter Costello, Jennifer Cottrell, Stephanie Cottrell, Dorothy Dempsey, Noelene Edmunds, Emma J., Ruth Epps, Mrs Jean Ferguson, Mrs Margot Flood, Lorraine Fraser, Maureen French, Neil Friswell, Ian Glanville, Sheryl Gregory, Mrs Valmai Hill, Mr A B Hocking, Ivy Jeffrey, George Kendall, Mrs Joan Kerr, Miss Jillian Locket, R McKenzie, Mrs J E McLean, Mrs Coral Manfield, Meenah Marchbank, Lillian B Mark, Ian John Mark, T Matthews, Mrs Judy Maxwell, Margaret Metcalf, Jean Morrissey, Mrs E Noble, I Osborne, Max Paull, R Paynter, Anthony N Penno, Norman William Penrose, Mark Phillips, Janice Pinder, Yvonne Pocock, Jennifer Reilly, Mrs S Reed, R J Ritter, Roma Robbins, Faye Roberts, Frank S Saunders, Jeanette Skrokov, Mrs C A Slootjes, John Spink, Ruth E Stewart, Mrs W Tebb, Gerard Terpstra, Stan Thomas, Pat Frewin, Dominic Tuohy, Peter Tyndall, Neil G West, Tony Wilson, Wilma Wilson, Pam Wright, A McGregor and R Pearce, T A Solbig. World Prints. List of various world print available for sale and prices, for the first time in Australia. World Prints Pty. Ltd. Copyright. Aztec Graphics, Moorabbin.- Design R H Bultows 72Aztec Graphics, Moorabbinevent, easter fair, bendigo easter fair society, art exhibition, bendigo easter fair society annual art exhibition. artists: gordon allen, mrs d allender, 'april', bruce barklamb, thomas r w benkendorff, christine berkman, mrs j a blakey, james e bowman, darryl brown, malcolm h cannon, r l carless, pamela caswell, bett cheek, mrs betty cooper, peter costello, jennifer cottrell, stephanie cottrell, dorothy dempsey, noelene edmunds, emma j., ruth epps, mrs jean ferguson, mrs margot flood, lorraine fraser, maureen french, neil friswell, ian glanville, sheryl gregory, mrs valmai hill, mr a b hocking, ivy jeffrey, george kendall, mrs joan kerr, miss jillian locket, r mckenzie, mrs j e mclean, mrs coral manfield, meenah marchbank, lillian b mark, ian john mark, t matthews, mrs judy maxwell, margaret metcalf, jean morrissey, mrs e noble, i osborne, max paull, r paynter, anthony n penno, norman william penrose, mark phillips, janice pinder, yvonne pocock, jennifer reilly, mrs s reed, r j ritter, roma robbins, faye roberts, frank s saunders, jeanette skrokov, mrs c a slootjes, john spink, ruth e stewart, mrs w tebb, gerard terpstra, stan thomas, pat frewin, dominic tuohy, peter tyndall, neil g west, tony wilson, wilma wilson, pam wright, a mcgregor and r pearce, t a solbig. world prints. list of various world print available for sale and prices, for the first time in australia. world prints pty. ltd. copyright. aztec graphics, moorabbin.- design r h bultows 72

A cut glass and embossed sterling silver serving dish (known as an epergne) presented to Mrs. Mary Williams at a banquet held at Knuckey's California Gully Hotel in October 1889. The banquet was held to honour Mr. Richard Williams, who had been the Mine Manager of the Johnson's Reef Gold Mines for the past 24 years. Mrs. Mary Williams (nee Thomas) was born in St. Austell, Cornwall in 1830. She migrated to Australia with her husband in two children in 1857, arriving on the 21st December on the 'Shakespeare'. The family lived in California Gully. Richard Williams was a mine manager, firstly for George Lansell and then for thirty seven years at the Johnson's Reef Gold Mines. Mary received the epergne at a presentation banquet for her husband in October 1889. She received the accolade as 'she was a kind and charitable lady, a genuine wife and a good mother'. Transcript of address presented to Mr. R. Williams, Mine Manager, Johnson’s Reef Gold Mines, Bendigo at a banquet held at Knuckey’s California Gully Hotel, California Gully, Bendigo. Description of presentation of epergne to Mrs. Mary Williams at the same function. “To Richard Williams, Esq., J.P., Fenton Gove, California Gully. Dear Sir, We, the undersigned, on behalf of the employees of the Johnson's Reef Gold Mines Company, California Gully, Bendigo, desire to place on record the very high esteem which we have always entertained for you in your responsible position of General Manager of the above company for the past 24 years. During the whole of that time the relations which have existed between you and those under your supervision have been of the harmonious kind. You were ever ready to appreciate and acknowledge our efforts in carrying out your orders, thus making it a pleasure for us to possess your confidence and to give satisfaction to our employers. We trust that you may long continue to maintain the position which you now occupy, feeling assured that in the future, as in the past, you will render faithful service to the company whom your instructions represent, and that we, by our efforts in following your instructions may succeed in retaining the good feeling which has hitherto existed between us. In presenting you with this small token of our esteem, we sincerely trust that Mrs. Willliams and yourself may be long spared amongst us to continue in the good works in which you are so thoroughly appreciated by those with whom you are intimately connected. With every feeling of respect to yourself and family, we subscribe ourselves, George Roberts, Andrew Leahy, Robt. Thomas, Geo. Smith, John Holt, Henry Tonkin, and 220 others. The chairman then presented Mr. Williams with a very handsome diamond locket, manufactured at the establishment of Mr. J. Moody. The large gathering of employees that night showed a genuine feeling of gratitude for past kindness, and was a means of keeping up the kindly feelings which always ought to exist between employers and employees. Much what is said with regard to there being no gratitude among workmen was false, as gratitude will be shown where fair play is given, which could always be relied on from a large-hearted man like Mr. Williams, was received with loud applause”. ‘Banquet to a Mining Manager’ Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 - 1918), Tuesday 29 October 1889, page 3 The epergne comprises of a silver and mirrored glass base, a decorative silver centrepiece, a cut glass bowl with a conical base, and a small silver plaque. The silver centrepiece features two twining palm trees with a stag deer at the base. Epergne is from the Tui Mitchell Collection. Separate shield shaped silver coloured plaque.Presented to Mrs. R Williams By Her Friends As a slight token of esteem California Gully. October 28/89epergne, tui mitchell collection, richard williams, mary williams, california gully, knuckey's california gully hotel, johnson's reef gold mines

Eaglehawk Dahlia & Arts Festival 1991, Souvenir Programme, March 14th - 24th. Programme. Debutante Ball x2 Debs presented to Mayor of Eaglehawk Cr. W Carney. Music 'Gaytones'. Gala Fair, Canterbury Park. Organised by Y's Men and Menettes of Eaglehawk. Porcelain Art and Craft Show, Art Show, Stafford Ellison & McKern Awards. Display of Memorabilia, Cornish Association. Children's multi-Dimensional Art Exhibition. Flower Show, sponsored by North West Country Credit. Children's Photographic Display. Photographic Print Competition. Historic California Hill Church, open. Victorian Police Display Unit caravan open to public. Official Opening His Excellency, Dr. Davis McCaughey. A.C. Governor of Victoria. Dahlia and Arts Street Procession. Presentation of Art, Craft Photographic and Literary Awards. 9th Annual Dahlia and Arts Half-Marathon, conducted by Eaglehawk Athletic Club. Ecumenical Church Service, Combined Clergy. Speaker: Rev. Lindsay Faulkner, Eaglehawk Citizens Brass Band. Their Excellencies, the Governor of Victoria, Dr. McGaughey and Mrs McGaughey. Picnic Lunch. Free Concert. Cycling Criterium, Featuring the Tony McCaig Memorial Wheelrace. Barry Kenny Country Roundup. Family Mini Fair. Borough Bingo. Indoor Garden Party. Celebrity Concert. Rotary Club Dinner. Children's Fancy Dress Parade, sponsored by Bendigo Advertiser. Gala Charity Old Time Ball, 'Premiers Orchestra'. Traditional Cornish Concert, Eaglehawk Citizens Brass Band, Val Broad, Annette Beckwith, Steven Higgs. Traditional Cornish Service. Genealogy Society, Cornish Association Display, Walk Tours of Eaglehawk, Ray Wallace. Picnic in the Park followed by family reunions and entertainment. Aussie Clean-up Day. Croquet and Bowls Tournaments. Official Guests: His Excellency, Dr. Davis McCaughey A.C. Governor of Victoria, and Mrs McCaughey. Mayor of Eaglehawk: Cr. W Carney J.P. Festival President: Cr Lola Miller B.E.M. Vice Presidents: Alan Bull & Kevin Herdman. Executive Officer: Ruth Claridge. Treasurer: Mary Mills. Committee Members: Alan Pearce, Harold Trahair, Wendy Holland, Trevie Dineen, Wayne Evans, Rebecca Evans, Jean Tebb, Lois Locket, Pam Wright Ron Dineen, Sandie Morris, Wayne Morris, Joyce Shelton, Dot White, Ric Norris, Ron Watts, Noel Thomas, Lorna Thomas, Ted Brown, Heather Bull, Dennis Cock, Edith Mudford, Ron Mudford, Anne Scott. Acknowledgements: Councillors, Officers and Staff of the Eaglehawk Borough Council, and by members of the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk. Lions Club of Eaglehawk. Judges of various awards. Sponsors, donors of procession prizes, voluntary workers, dedicated community of Eaglehawk. Sponsors: Stafford Ellison, Borough of Eaglehawk, Bendigo Bank, KcKern Manufacturing Pty Ltd, Bendigo Advertiser, State Bank of Victoria.event, entertainment, eaglehawk dalia and arts festival, eaglehawk dahlia & arts festival 1991, programme, march 14th - 24th. programme. debutante ball x2 debs. music 'gaytones'. gala fair, canterbury park. organised by y's men and menettes of eaglehawk. porcelain art and craft show, art show, stafford ellison & mckern awards. memorabilia, cornish association. children's multi-dimensional art exhibition. flower show, sponsored by north west country credit. children's photographic display. photographic print competition. historic california hill church, . victorian police display unit caravan open to public. street procession. presentation of art, craft photographic literary awards. 9th annual dahlia and arts half-marathon, conducted by eaglehawk athletic club. ecumenical church service, combined clergy. rev. lindsay faulkner, eaglehawk excellencies, the governor of victoria, dr. mcgaughey and mrs mcgaughey. picnic lunch. free concert. cycling criterium, featuring the tony mccaig memorial wheelrace. barry kenny country roundup. family mini fair. borough bingo. indoor garden party. celebrity concert. rotary club dinner. children's fancy dress parade, sponsored by bendigo advertiser. gala charity old time ball, 'premiers orchestra'. traditional cornish concert, eaglehawk citizens brass band, val broad, annette beckwith, steven higgs. traditional cornish service. genealogy society, cornish association display, walk tours of eaglehawk, ray wallace. picnic in the park family reunions and entertainment. aussie clean-up day. croquet bowls tournaments. official guests: his excellency, dr. davis mccaughey a.c. governor of victoria, and mrs mccaughey. mayor of eaglehawk: cr. w carney j.p. festival president: cr lola miller b.e.m. vice presidents: alan bull & kevin herdman. executive officer: ruth claridge. treasurer: mary mills. committee members: alan pearce, harold trahair, wendy holland, trevie dineen, wayne evans, rebecca evans, jean tebb, lois locket, pam wright ron dineen, sandie morris, wayne morris, joyce shelton, dot white, ric norris, ron watts, noel thomas, lorna thomas, ted brown, heather bull, dennis cock, edith mudford, ron mudford, anne scott. acknowledgements: councillors, officers and staff of the eaglehawk borough council, and by members of the rotary club of eaglehawk. lions club of eaglehawk. judges of various awards. sponsors, donors of procession prizes, voluntary workers, dedicated community of eaglehawk. sponsors: stafford ellison, borough of eaglehawk, bendigo bank, kckern manufacturing pty ltd, bendigo advertiser, state bank of victoria.

There is a Union Jack brought back from South Africa by 1229 Trooper Fredrick James Smith. Between 1899 and 1902, around 16,500 Australians served in South Africa during the Boer War. This was the largest international deployment of troops from the Australian Colonies before Australian Federation. Of the 16,500 men who served in South Africa, 606 were killed in action or died of diseases. The Australian War Memorial records that the fighting conditions in South Africa extremely hard on men and horses. Australians fighting in South Africa were doing so as part of Colony based Regiments such as the Victorian Mounted Rifles, New South Wales Lancers, Queensland Mounted Infantry as well as units from the other states. Australians were awarded six Victoria Crosses during the campaign along with many other decorations. In May of 1902 the treaty of Vereeniging was signed officially ending the Boer War. The Boer War is commemorated in many Towns and Cities around Australia. The Lara RSL Sub Branch holds some memorabilia from the Boer War. There is a Union Jack brought back from South Africa by 1229 Trooper Fredrick James Smith. He was a resident of Lara and was a member of the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles. It was reported that he carried this flag into battle. The Lara RSL also holds the flag staff of the China, South African and Old Veterans Association. Both these items are of national significance. Both the flag and flag staff were used in marches in Geelong each year until 1916 when Anzac Day commenced. The flag and flag staff were donated to the Lara RSL sub Branch when he joined in 1928. Fredrick James Smith was born at Lara in 1879, the son of Mr/Mrs Smith from Lara. He was a farm hand from Horton Vale, Anakie when he joined F Company of the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles at the beginning of February 1901. Two weeks later, he left for South Africa on the 15th February. Before leaving, he purchased the flag from W. Libby & Son Geelong. Frederick Left for South Africa on the 15 February 1901 on the Orient. He saw service between March 1901 - March 1902 in east Transvaal and Natal frontier under the British Major General S. Beatson then Pulteney, including the defeat at Wilmansrust where 18 soldiers were killed and 42 wounded (12th June 1901 - heaviest casualties of any Australian contingent,); and the successful intervention at Onverwacht on the 4th January 1902. The 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles suffered: 36 killed or died of wounds, 13 died of disease of a contingent of 46 Officers, 971 Other Ranks and 1099 horses. They returned to Australia on the 26th April 1902 on the Custodian after sailing from Point Natal in South Africa on the 5th April. On his return, Tropper Smith (Saddler Private) joined the South African Soldiers Association of Victoria – Geelong Branch, and after 1928, he joined the Lara RSL. He was buried in Western Cemetery on the 19th June 1968 at the age of 89. Enrolled February 1901 Departed for South Africa on 15 February 1901 Establishment: 46 Officers, 971 Other Ranks with 1099 horses Mobilised at Pretoria: 24 March -- 4 April 1901 Typical company: 1 Captain, 4 Lieutenants, 1 company sergeant-major, 1 company quartermaster-sergeant, 1 sergeant-farrier, 1 sergeant-saddler, 5 sergeants, 6 corporals, 3 shoeing-smiths, 3 saddlers, 1 bugler, 99 privates. Total in company: 126 with 131 horses. Engagements: Rhenoster Kop, Klippan, Kornfontein, Drivelfontein, Wilmansrust, Kambuladraai, H'Lobane, Luchiel's Nek, Loch's Kraal, Vryheid, Onverwacht, Johnston Hoek Killed in action (or died): six Officers, 48 Other Ranks VC Winner: Lieut. L. C. Maygar News article Leader (Melbourne) Saturday 31st May 1902, page 42 - Dear Cinderella. — This is the second time I have written to you. I was very sorry at not seeing my first letter in "The Leader". But I hope to say, that this one will be in. The last time I wrote to you I told you that my brother (Fredrick Smith) went to the Boer War in South Africa, and that he was supposed to be killed in the Wilmansrust disaster. But this time I am going to tell you about his return, and the grand welcome he got from the residents of Lara. Mother, Father, and my Brother, went down to Melbourne, to meet the boat. You can just imagine how rejoiced we all were to see him back again. The railway station was decorated some thing beautiful with flags of all description all the colours you could think of. He has bought a lot of Boer curios home and some Kaffir bracelets. They are such funny looking things. The residents of Lara, also gave my brother a grand social and ball there were over four hundred people present, They presented him with a hand some gold chain, and locket suitably inscribed, and a pair of gold sleeve links, they were magnificent. The ball was very nice. . I had a few dances. I enjoyed myself grand. I think this is all I can tell you this time. I must conclude with love. I remain yours sincerely - BESSIE SMITH. Age 14-years. This flag is of national significance as it was used in the Boer War by Private Fredrick James Smith (SN:1229) of the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles, F Company in their deployment to South Africa between 1901 and 1902. The flag was taken into the Wilmansrust engagement in which 19 soldiers died and 41 were wounded. On return to Australia, the flag was used in marches by the South Africa, China Old Veterans Association - Geelong. This flag represents a unique part of Australian history from which the movie, Breaker Morant was taken. It is of spiritual significance as the Boer War was where the first Australian received the Imperial Victoria Cross, and the spirit of Anzac was conceived, giving birth in World War 1. The Flag represents the spirit of Australians who fought and died in South Africa.Cotton Union Jack flag approx 221cm wide by 109cm tall with small repair patches and center section cotton deteriorated.Has the word "Lara" inscribed in black on bottom part of the flag heading. Has the flag makers name "W.Libby & Son" on the top part of the flag heading.boer war, union jack flag, south africa, wilmansrust, 5th victorian mounted rifles, f coy, private fredrick james smith, service number 1229, february 1901, april 1902, south africa china old veterans association

Coins are one of the worlds oldest types of currency, though the worlds first coins were very basic . They first began to appear in the ancient world and by the time of the Roman and Greek civilisations, coins were being issued in a range of denominations with quite sophisticated designs. With coins being used instead of older systems such as barter, people needed a way to carry and store their money and the coin holder appeared on the scene. Sovereign cases were small portable boxes usually in cylindrical shape and made from various metals with snap shut covers to contain the coin. This one is kept safe by being attached to a fob chain. The silver sovereign holder was used for carrying either full or half gold sovereigns. It had the shape of a locket or of a watch and was often worn on a chain and kept by gentlemen in a waist coat pocket. This item is an example of a commonly used sovereign case.A small round metal ( nickel plated?) sovereign coin holder. it has a spring opening with a slot for insertion of coin, It has a link attached to top.currency coin sovereign-case personal-effects