3 letters from Luio Zenere to his father Attillo Zenere after his capture by partisans, handed to American forces and subesquently to British and his incarceration in a P.O.W. camp in Naples 16/3/1944One letter in english partially readable 2 in Italian faded and difficult to read but letter in English gives insight into the life of one P.O.W.3 letter cards from Italian POW Luio ZenterePrisoner of War Post Service des prisoners de Guerre Kriegsfrngennenpostletter postcard pow

Walter William Forbes enlisted on 6.11.39 serving 40 days in Australia and 1863 days overseas. He was taken P.O.W in North Africa and imprisoned in Germany. Discharged from the A.I.F 27.7.45. Refer 1102, 1103.44, 1106."Certificate of Discharge" from the 2nd A.I.F re W. Forbes. On yellow parchment paper, double sided giving details of his Name, Rank, Regt No, period of Service, dates and physical appearance."Certificate No 173552" "VX 953 Dvr Walter Forbes 6 Aust Division ASC"documents - certificates, military history, army/records, forbes, pow

This cribbage Board was carried by W. H. Brown during his internment as a P.O.W. at Camp 4 Thailand Date To the best of our knowledge these boards were commercially made between WWI and WWII. Our research has turned up no definite date but it is possible they were made shortly after his death in 1931 Silver triangular shape,with embossed head and shoulders General Sir John MonashEngraved with General Sir John Monashjohn monash, general sir john monash, crib board, w. h. brown, camp 4 thailand, burma railway, p. o. w.

Refer Cat. No. 7944. Item in the collection of "Arthur E. Tranter" V50166 - VX52843 2/29th Bn. P.O.W. From front cover "NIPPON VERY/ SORRY - MANY/ MEN MUST DIE" "SUBMISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS/ COMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS/ (ECOSOC RESOLUTION 1503)". "AUTHORISED BY / THE QUEENSLAND EX- POW REPARATION COMMITTEE".hard cover book. Cover - cardboard with black colour buckram adhered cover with gold colour print front and spine. 123 pages - cut, plain, off white colour paper. Illustrated black and white phtographs, documents and maps. End papers - front and back - illustrated with a diagram of the "BURMA- SIAM RLY".publications, book, military history, ww2, tranter, pow's

The “Ugly man Contest” was a fund raiser for the P.O.W comfort fund in which £3891 was raised. (Pounds). The certificate was given to William (Bill) John Turner Bendigo RSL Sub Branch. Refer Cat No 8029 re this effort and others by Bill Turner. Refer Cat No 8030 for his RSL history and his WW1 service details.Framed certificate, frame is timber gold colour, backing piec is maroon colour, certificate is a fawn colour, all text in black. At the top is the word “Proclamation” followed by text, a red seal/stamp is at the bottom LH side. The paper relates to the “Ugly man Contest”Text, “Be it known by these presents - Bill Turner on the Tram each day, of ugly men he has his say; In competition he gives us shocks; And with his trams, he has his stops. In this event, he’s worked each day, to do his bit, in this big fray” “Bendigo November 27th 1943”brsl, smirsl, fund raiser

Black and white memorial photograph of Pte. A B Leach, a member of the brigade who died as a prisoner of war 26th July 1945. Photgraph is of Pte Leach in uniform and is framed in a dark brown timber frame with painted gold trim on the inner edge of the frameBallarat Fire Brigade / Social Club / In Memory of our Late Member / Pte. A.B. Leach / 2/2 Pioneer Battalion / Died P.O.W. 26th July 1945 / 105 "Killo" camp, Burma / Thorton Richards & Co / Ballaratballarat fire brigade, p o w, burma, pte a b leach, leach, leach a b, 1945, ballarat fire brigade social club, 2 2 pioneer battalion

Francis Alan BURCHNALL VX58285, 2/10 Ord W/shops enlisted 24.6.41, promoted to Cpl, possibly embarked with his father on 10.1.42. Taken P.O.W he lost his life on the Sandakan Death march in Borneo 4.6.45. His father also lost his life in Borneo. Refer Cat No 1117P for his WW1 and WW2 service details.Photo, Sepia tone, protrait of a soldier in uniform no hat, photo is on a light brown paper material over a metal frame all has a plastic coating over. Photo is re CPL F.A Burchnall. photography- photgraph, military history, sandakan

Mervyn 'Banjo' Harris (born 4/3/1914) was the eldest son of Walter 'Bob' and Zillah Harris of Bendigo. He enlisted in the C.M.F. 8th L.H. February 1937. No V22764. He enlisted in the A.I.F. 7th January 1941 when the 8th light horse disbanded. He was then posted to he 143 P.O.W. camp Murchison. He was made a Sgt. at Geelong.Paper Certificate with Australian military forces logo and some slight ageing evident. Reads: Australian Military forces Certificate of Discharge certificate no. 66757 This is to certify that v22764 Sgt Mervyn Sylvester Walter Harris- 6 Aust. Aux. House fnanopant cay who enlisted for the C.M.F on the 25th day of Nov 1939 and who served on continuous full time war service in the Citizen Military Forces for a total effective period of nine hundred and fifty four days which included active service in Australia for 748 days outside Australia for [0] days is discharged from the Citizen military Forces during that service or by virtue of that service the soldier was awarded or became eligible for [no] medals and decorations [no] war badge. this discharge takes effect on and from the first day of may one thousand nine hundred and forty four. [signitures]Australian Military forces Certificate of Discharge certificate no. 66757 This is to certify that v22764 Sgt Mervyn Sylvester Walter Harris- 6 Aust. Aux. House fnanopant cay who enlisted for the C.M.F on the 25th day of Nov 1939 and who served on continuous full time war service in the Citizen Military Forces for a total effective period of nine hundred and fifty four days which included active service in Australia for 748 days outside Australia for [0] days is discharged from the Citizen military Forces during that service or by virtue of that service the soldier was awarded or became eligible for [no] medals and decorations [no] war badge. this discharge takes effect on and from the first day of may one thousand nine hundred and forty four. [signitures

Most of the photos were pasted on something originally so that now most of the writing is unreadable. Two large photos have stamped in red & blue on rear "Gepruft Stalag XVIII A". These were censored POW post cards. .1)The man standing centre is Walter FORBES VX953, on his right is Doug Gregor VX981. Both were POW's. Refer 1101, 1102, 1106..1) Envelope, fawn colour with B & W copy of original photo showing 3 soldiers set in photo corners on one end. The other end has typed details re the contents. .2)-.47) Forty-six photos inside the envelope, B & W, Sepia, all sizes up to Post card size covering the following subjects. War damage, scenes from N/Africa, prison camp, funerals in Germany, Group photos in Prison camp, working parties & concert parties in P.O.W camps.photography - photographs, documents - envelopes, military history, pow, forbes

Plaque with metal railway bridge bolt and 2 metal railway line spikes.Spikes have lip on top to hold rail lines down with chisel shaped ends to by driven into sleepers. Metal bolt used to hold railway sleepers to bridgesNo markings on spikes or bolt. Plaque brass plate engraved-: BURMA RAILWAY BRIDGE BOLT & RAILWAY SPIKES Recovered 1987 By Ex P.O.W V.X. 30397 BILL TOON Approximatly 7,000 Australians Lost Their Lives Building This Railway Line 1942-1945.

Plume from hat of Corporal Farrier Mervyn "Banjo" HARRIS VX22764 born 4/3/1914. He enlisted in the CMF 8th Light Horse in February 1937 then the AIF on 7th January 1941 and posted to 143 P.O.W Camp Murchison. He attained the rank of Sergeant prior to discharge on 1/5/1944 ..Discharge Certificate donated to Wangaratta High School together with a display box containing black and white images and blacksmith tools..refer Victorian Collections.0334/0396Plume comprising of 2 separate emu feathers gathered at base with glue and / or tape binding.emu, feather, plume

The information sheet belongs with a map showing the Burma Thailand Railway and it's route with the various camps and P.O.W centres. The map was produced over a period of 15 months and drawn in four stages. Shows Hellfire Pass formerly ( The Konyu Cutting). The 50 Kilo Camp in Burma. There were 56 stations and 87 camps on the route of the map. The map gives due credibility and was released as a limited edition of 1000 copies only. Copies of the map are displayed all over the world including Staffordshire in England, University of Houston, National Guard Museum of Texas and on display at the Australian and New Zealand Embassies in Bangkok.Framed information sheet of the map produced to show the various camps and sights along the Burma Thailand railway. The map was produced using a number of older railway maps, including the Escritt translated map and a local Thai road touring map.

Labels below photographs. Left) "Lt. S. De Araugo/As a Company Sergeant Major he was Mentioned in Despatches" Top right "Pte W. Howard No.763, A Coy, 14th Batt AIF/ Pte F. Poliness No.114, A Coy, 14th Batt AIF/ Pte S. De Araugo No. 49. A Coy, 14th Batt AIF/ All from Bendigo District they volunteered to go in an attack with/Albert Jacka V.C., M.C. and Bar No,465, D Coy 14th Batt. AIF on/Gallipoli in May 1915. In this attack Jacka won the first Australian VC./ In WW1 Howard was wounded 3 times in the attack. He survived and/ in 1917 as a Corporal he was taken P.O.W. at Bullecourt. Bottom right: "S.E. De Araugo and A. Jacka both as Sergeants./ Place and time unknown. Donated by Mrs Kathleen Williams, Bendigo." Photograph - framed. Photograph- collection of 3 black and white photograph. Left - portrait of a soldier in uniform. Top right - group photograph full portrait of 3 soldiers in uniform. Bottom right - 2 soldiers sitting on a bench. Berlow each photograph - names and description of soldiers in black print on white background.` Frame - timber with decorative moulding, bown stain finish. Mount in dark green with second inner mount with dark brown edge. Glass front and cardboard/paper backing. photography, framed photographs, accessories, ww1

An address delivered by Legatee Brian Armstrong (according to handwritten note on Envelope L.6) at the graveside of Sir John Monash in Brighton Cemetery on 24th October 1937, six years after Monash' death. In it he mentions how he, Armstrong, was one of "the great Company of junior officers and men who carried his orders into effect." and quotes from the message sent by Monash to all the men of the Australian Army Corps before a battle on 8 August 1918 when "for the first time on the western front we fought as an Australian army, with the green grass beneath our feet and a retreating enemy in sight." Legatee John Henry Brian Armstrong was President of Melbourne Legacy in 1937, and rose from Private to Lieutenant in the AAMC 22nd Btn. He was wounded at Dernancourt 25.4.1918 and Herleville, becoming a P.O.W. 18.8.1918. He was discharged as medically unfit 2.8.1919 and became a solicitor, serving as a Legatee for 54 years. Although Melbourne Legacy is not referred to specifically, it is clear that Monash' service to his country lives on in the work of Legatees in caring for others.Typed and hand written quarto paper, black on white, bound with green cord.Numerous annotations in black pen, and pencil.john monash, speech, obituary

Paper detailing the Morning and Afternoon Service, Wreath Laying, Order of March, Assembly Points and Movement for the Anzac Day Service on Saturday, 25th April, 1959. Mentioned are: Mr W E P Carruthers, Lt Commander Herniman RN, Col L J Lockwood, 38 Infantry Battalion, Lt Col D Scholes, Ex-Navalmen's Club, Airforce Association, Railway Sub-section R.S.L., Bendigo Legacy Club, 6th Battalion Social Club, 38th Battalion Social Club, Rats of Tobruk Association, Ex P.O.W. Association, R.A.A.O.C., T.P.I. Social Club, Interunits Social Club, 105 Anti-Tank Social Club, 4th Aust. Armoured Regt. Social Club, Repatriation Local Committee, Catholic War Veterans Association, Bendigo Dad's Association, Legion of Exservicemen and Women, R.S.L. Women's Auxiliary, War Widows' Guild, S.S. & A. Mothers' Association, Ex-Navalmen's Club Ladies' Auxiliary, Airforce Association Ladies' Auxiliary, 38th Inf. Bn Ladies' Auxiliary, Sea Cadets, Air Cadets, Major T Martin, Mr G Styles, Court House Hotel, Sound Shell, and G F Osborne.event, official, anzac memorial service, r.s.l. bendigo collection - anzac service 1959, mr w e p carruthers, lt commander herniman rn, col l j lockwood, 38 infantry battalion, lt col d scholes, ex-navalmen's club, airforce association, railway sub-section r.s.l., bendigo legacy club, 6th battalion social club, 38th battalion social club, rats of tobruk association, ex p.o.w. association, r.a.a.o.c., t.p.i. social club, interunits social club, 105 anti-tank social club, 4th aust. armoured regt. social club, repatriation local committee, catholic war veterans association, bendigo dad's association, legion of exservicemen and women, r.s.l. women's auxiliary, war widows' guild, s.s. & a. mothers' association, ex-navalmen's club ladies' auxiliary, airforce association ladies' auxiliary, 38th inf. bn ladies' auxiliary, sea cadets, air cadets, major t martin, mr g styles, court house hotel, sound shell, g f osborne

The Changi Museum is a museum dedicated to Singapore's history during the Second World War. The original chapel has been re-erected at Duntroon Military Academy and is on public display as a memorial to the P.O.W's In 1988, Singapore built a replica Chapel and Museum next to the Changi Prison. When Changi Prison was expanded in 2001, the Chapel and Museum was relocated to a new site 1 km away and the Changi Chapel and Museum was officially established on 15 February 2001. Bernard Stogden, the son of Sgt. Harry Stogden, was invited to place the cross that his father made onto the wreathed altar in the new Chapel. He was claimed to have cried while doing so, as this was one of the only chances he got to interact with his father(through his work) as "Harry" Stogden died during the war. The Museum has a collection of paintings, photographs and personal effects donated by former POWs. Among the collection is a series of paintings and sketches by a POW named William Haxworth which provide valuable insight on the daily life of the internees during the occupation. In 1986, Haxworth's wife donated a collection of over 400 paintings and sketches to the National Archives of Singapore. Also in the museum is a collection of watercolour paintings by Mary Angela Bateman who was among the thousands of women and children held at Changi Prison for more than three years during the war.[1]Poster produced by Australian War Memorial detailing the history of The Changi Chapel Framedchangi, changi chapel, changi history

FELDBAUER / TEAGLE Theodore Albert ‘Curly’ Feldbauer was born 15 October 1909 at Melbourne, the son of Theodore Henry (a naturalised German) and Jessie Margarette Feldbauer. The family moved several times during his childhood but before he was 20 he was living and working in the Eltham district. He became a well-known local sportsman. He played cricket for the Montmorency Imperials in 1929 and 1930 in the Eltham Cricket Association and excelled as a footballer and football coach. There are press references at the time to minor misdemeanours and accidents: evidently he was up for a brawl or two, but he was also able to do a recitation at a social night to launch the Eltham Girls Club in 1932. He married a local girl, Violet Amelda Teagle, in 1933, the 12th of 13 Teagle offspring who lived in Frank Street. Curly and Violet’s first child, June, was born the following year. By 1935 Curly was honorary secretary of the Research Cricket Club. He continued playing cricket regularly, mainly for Research, through till the 1940 season, after the war had begun. The girls started at Research State School in 1939 and 1940, respectively. They lived near Violet’s parents in Frank Street. Curly and Violet’s daughter, Valerie Waller recalls: “We lived near my Teagle grandparents, who had a cow. Dad took over the milking. He would rest his head against the cow and sing to her. When he left to join the army, it took weeks before she would settle down to allow anyone else to milk her.” Curly’s service record is not yet accessible from the National Archives of Australia. Valerie Waller gives us some insight into that period between Curly joining and ultimately embarking for Singapore: “Before he sailed to Singapore, Mum would travel by train, to Seymour, to spend a few hours with him. He sent her postcards and called her his “dear love”. His idea was that the sooner everyone eligible joined up, the sooner the war would be over. He had a great love for Australia.” “While he was a prisoner, Mum received a few postcards from him, not in his neat handwriting, but in block letter printing, to tell her he had received no mail or parcels from her. He must have felt we’d forgotten him, because, of course, Mum had sent lots of parcels and letters, and the Japanese hadn’t handed them on.” Theo was one of over 2,000 Allied prisoners of war held in the Sandakan POW camp in north Borneo, having been transferred there from Singapore as part of B Force. The 1,494 POWs that made up B Force were transported from Changi [Singapore] on 7 July 1942 on board the tramp ship Ubi Maru, arriving in Sandakan Harbour on 18 July 1942. Sergeant Feldbauer, aged 35, died as a prisoner of the Japanese on 27 March 1945 at Sandakan Number 1 Camp. The Japanese recorded his death from Malaria. He has no known grave, but it is believed to be at Sandakan Number 2 Camp. His death was not reported in Australia until some months later. Valerie noted: “I will never forget the sound my mother made when she received the telegram saying Dad had died months earlier, ostensibly from Malaria, but he died during the march. The sound still haunts me.” Violet’s husband Theo is recognised on the Eltham Roll of Honour, which was commissioned by the Eltham War Memorial Trust to be hung in the Baby Health Centre opened in 1952; the first of three buildings, the others being the Eltham Kindergarten and Children’s Library, that were established as the Eltham War Memorial a living memorial, with a specific focus for the welfare of children of the district. Violet and Theo’s son Albert, being the youngest child of the children of soldier fathers attending a school in the district, was given the honour of turning the first sod for the Eltham War Memorial Building, 15 July 1950. In Loving Memory of Violet Feldbauer Died 7. 11 .1982 aged 88 Loved wife of Theo (Curly) Died P.O.W. Borneo 1945 Re-united Alongside Violet lay her parents, John Thomas and Margaret TeagleBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, charles louis layfield, edwina may layfield (nee teagle), john thomas teagle, margaret teagle, theodore feldbauer, violet feldbauer (nee teagle), annie lillian devine, frederick raymond devine, eltham war memorial, honour board, roll of honour

This violin was played by VX30301 Dvr Roy Arnel, as a member of the Australian Imperial Force Concert Party, in the Changi POW camp, Singapore from 1942-1945. It is claimed that the violin, in its case was thrown over the wall by a Chinese civilian. Roy Arnel, a South African by birth enlisted on 7 June 1940 at Royal Park, Melbourne and served with 2 AASC Company as a driver. He was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army at the fall of Singapore in February 1942. There was more than one concert party in Changi as indicated on the rear of the violin. The details of the Dutch, British and American Concert Parties scratched in to the varnish. There are the some well known names scratched into the violin including: The English author and cartoonist, Ronald Searle; Australian entertainer, Frank Rich; and Australian Author, Russell Braddon. Mr Arnel died in 1982 and the violin was presented to Melbourne Legacy for preservation, safe keeping and display. Further research found that one of the AIF comedians, Harry Smith, had a catch phrase, 'You'll never get off the Island' which became almost the watchword of the prisoners throughout the captivity. That ties with the phrase etched around the outside of the violin, "We'll never get off the island."A very valuable piece of equipment brought back from World War II now on display in Legacy House function room.Violin (00078.1): Violin case (00078.2): Bow (00078.3): Bag of violin parts (00078.4):Around the edge of the instrument's body: "We'll never get off the island" On the front body of the violin: "AIF concert party"; "P.O.W. camp Singapore" Names inscribed on the front body of the violin in columns from left to right: Ray Tullipan, Fred Stringer, Herb Almond, L Jacques, Keith Harris, Jack Garrett, Dave Goodwin, H Sabin, Fred F Brightfield, Jack Boardman, Ern Warne, Ern Banks, T Hoffman, Roy P Arnel, Harold W Reid, W Middleton, Douglas Matthews, Bob Picken, Harry Smith ('appy Harry), Ted Druitt "VIOLIN PLAYED BY" VX30301, (DVR) R S Arnel AIF Concert Party in POW Camp Selerang and Changi Gaol Singapore 1942-1945; T Mack O.C and Producer Harry Tennall; Jack Smith; Walter W Dains; Keith C Stephens; C E Trotter; W Sullivan, Syd Piddington; John Nibbs; Doug Peart; John Wood; Jack Geoghegan; Berry Barton; Barney Bolton; Tom Hussey; Kim De Grey; Clarrie Barker; Ron Caple; Russ Bradon; Bernard McCaffrey; Bart Galbraith; Charles Wiggins; Stan “ Judy” Garland. Rear of Violin has inscriptions top to bottom, left to right. Hans???en; Dutch Concert Party; H.S. Van der Linden; M Bark; B Freunbusch; F Horguine; H. J. Hurgarden; Lt H. J. Scholer (Violin); H.A.F. Pet; M Van Dyk; W J Witte; G H Fransen; E Ewig; M Ruwart (Hypnotist); A V Korem(Dancer) C N Rob (Violin) C H Kuipers (Guitar); W C Emmenes (Cellist) L H R???? (Violin) British Concert Party Alex????; P Holland ( “ Dutchy” Accordian); Wray Gibson :AH!; E J Bawer (Drums); Clem (Lofty) Relf(Clarinet); Bill Williams (Piano); Ken Luke; Ronald Searle; Charles Dobman “Good Luck”; Dan Harts(”Professor”); Gil Mitchell ( Violinist); John Fitzgerald; E Botor (Tenor Horn); Ronald Lewis; Ronnie Horner; Robin Wilbury; Jack M Wood ( Producer); Denis A S Houghton (Bass); C J Buckingham; Stan Mesurier; E B Dobson USA Concert Camberts Party Don Smith; Owen Baggett; Denis Roland; Stan Willner; Albert “ HAP” Kelley (Trombone); Joe Manella; Charles Kelleher. Internal manufactures tag “ “Excelsior” Brand Specally made for the Tropic and reputed for good ton and workmanship Made in Czechoslovakia”changi violin, pow

Information from research by Mabel Rogers from the first meeting in August 1939 – 1969 Notable Events of the CWA The document contains information about meetings and events and numbers of members who attended. December 2013 – a selection of some of the items of interest have been extracted by Wendy Barrie NOTABLE EVENTS Page 1 1938 August 10th 1938 Minutes of inaugural meeting of Melton Branch Country Women’s Association. Cr Coburn introduced Mrs Toose, Ballarat G.P. [Group President] 42 ladies were present, including visitors from Bacchus Marsh and Smeaton Branches. September – Miss A Raleigh was elected Magazine Secretary October- 26 members present. Penny Collection for Million Members Fund November December – Mrs Swan gave demonstration of basketry, using stringy bark, Eucalyptus bark and reeds 1939 February 1939 – 18 members present. Branch total 50. Donation towards Pedal Transmitting Set. Inquiries made of Shire Council re permission to fence War Memorial March April – cost of fence material beyond Branch Funds May- 24 members present June, July, August – birthday celebrations. September 25 members present October – Meeting hled at Toolern Vale Bird Sanctuary 36 members present November – 1st Annual Meeting December – Owing to harvest operations, only 11 members present. 1940 February electric kettle and urn to be purchased for Mechanics Institute. Also to install a power point. [Electricity was connected to Melton in December 1939] April end of page 1 Page 2 May – Council Permission to be sought, to plant trees on oval below Shire Hall P.M.G. to be asked to supply a seat outside telephone booth for convenience of callers after P.O. was closed. June- Wives of A.I.F. soldiers be made honorary members. “1d per week drive” for gift for the Empire. July, September, October November – Group President stressed the importance of keeping Branches together during time of war. Collection of sheep skins to be made into vests for fighting forces worthy of consideration. Group President, Mrs Morgan-Paylor. December 1941 February 30 members present March – Eight members attend Ballarat Group Conference. Approach Council re fencing and preparation of land for tree plantation May – Mrs Swan demonstrated making of slippers from pieces of sheepskin June – Empire Gift Scheme of 1d per week to be continued for another year or duration of the war. July – Demonstration on making camouflage nets August, September Group Conference at Smeaton, October, November meetings held 1942 February- Enquiries to be made as how to help with A.R.P. work March, April, May, June,- Headquarters busy on war work. July end of page 2 Page 3 August, September. October – 15 Camouflage Nets forwarded to Headquarters November- Mrs Glasson Group President presided at Annual Meeting. Meetings to be held at 3 monthly intervals. Overseas link, enquiries be made of Melton Mowbray had a C.W.A. Branch 1943 February- Overseas link to be Lampeter, Cardiganshire, Wales May- 7 Camouflage Nets to Headquarters. American overseas link Nov 5th Annual Meeting, letters received from Wales and America 1944 May – Approach to be made to Council re formation of Baby Health Centre July – Ball held for Baby Health Centre effort. Admission 3/- 1945 February- Mrs Lemke present at meeting May August- Miss Strahan of Womens Hospital gave a talk on “Work of Almoner Departments in Public Hospitals” November Annual meeting. eight food parcels sent to Britain, 2 to Lampeter 1946 meetings held every two months May- Congratulations to Mrs Swan, Group President Elect June – 20 members present. August- 8th Birthday celebrated with a Social Evening Music was supplied by Mrs E.W. Barrie September - Scone competition 1. Mrs Beaty, 2. Miss Robinson 3. Mrs Exell November- Eggs sent to Somers House 1947 February – Demonstration of Glove-making March – revert to monthly meetings April - decided to have an auto tray made for the Branch May – Branch decided to plant a tree for Princess Elizabeth’s 21st Birthday.. Council to be asked if agreeable to continue arrangements in 1940, to fence C.W.A. Plantation end of page 3 Page 4 June - Food parcels sent to Overseas Link July – Invitations to birthday celebrations sent to Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Sunbury, Mt Egerton August September - Collection of silver coin taken a donation from Branch towards wedding gift to Princess Elizabeth … forwarded to H.Q. November – C.W.A. together with Red Cross and Bacchus Marsh C.W.A. to provide afternoon tea and luncheon at Eynesbury sale. 1948 February – Food parcels sent to ex-Prisoner-of-war. Publicity agent appointed April – Decided to apply for trees to be planted in area already chosen a beauty spot May – Additional listeners to Broadcast Session were appointed June July – Gift of books received from Overseas Link. I was decided to stat a Library . Miss Raleigh to at a Librarian. August – 5 pound donation from Branch funds to “Save the Children” Appeal. September, October, November 1949 January – At Group Conference, delegates to vote in favour of resolution that State School children be allowed to sit for exams in own school March – Decided to contact Council for permission to fence off Water Reserve April, May – Another parcel to be sent to Ret. British P.O.W. Association June July – Fancy Dress Children’s Ball to be held for Annual Effort August – 11th Birthday September – Bank Balance November – 11th annual Meeting. Members agree to supply small gifts to Ballarat Mental Hospital 1950 February – Five books were received from Lampeter March – Branch to support idea of holding a Music Drama Festival in Group April – Miss Smith elected Group President May – C.W.A. Science Van visited Melton June – Demonstration of Macrame work - July August – 12th Birthday Celebration end page 4 Page 5 September, October November 12th Annual Meeting, Miss Smith Group President. Melton's Country Women's Association Choirlocal special interest groups, local identities

This item was used on P.C. Toby Nixon and Grace Nixon's farm, "Rolling Downs" at Bete Bolong. During WW11 the farm grew carrots, red beet, cabbages, beans and maize. Because of labour shortages the government built a Prisoner of War Camp on Russell's Hill. The manager, Dick Northrope, used three Italian prisoners to frill ring small trees and shrubs between crop harvesting. The introduction of ‘frill ringing’ and poisoning with arsenical tree killers in the 1940's and 1950's helped reduce the amount of labour required and trees on more country were treated. This enabled the hill country at Bete Bolong to become more productive. The dead trees and shrubs were later cleared by Erle Broome's D7 caterpillar bulldozer. This was the first big area of 230 acres to be cleared in the Orbost district. Soon after entering World War 11 Australia was asked by Britain to accept and guard large numbers of 'enemy aliens' and prisoners of war. The British government felt that it could not afford to feed large numbers of prisoners and it was believed that once in Australia the internees would have no chance of escape. Eager to show solidarity with Britain's cause, Australia readily agreed and decided to place the prisoners in a number of different camps scattered around the country and guard them with reservists and soldiers too unfit to serve overseas. There was an internment camp at Bete Bolong, Orbost. This item is an example of an item used by the Italian P.O.W.'s residing there. It is also an example of an agricultural tool not commonly used today.A galvanized iron watering can which has been used to hold poison for ring barking trees (possibly arsenic). It has a narrow spout. There is a handle at the back and a folding handle on the top. The top is conical with an opening for a cork. agriculture prisoner-of-war-camp tree-removal land-clearing

During World War II, following the Fall of Singapore in February 1942, the Japanese military detained about 3,000 civilians in Changi Prison, which was built to house only 600 prisoners. The Japanese used the British Army's Selarang Barracks, near the prison, as a prisoner of war camp, holding some 50,000 Allied—predominantly British and Australian—soldiers.[1] Although POWs were rarely, if ever, held in the civilian prison, the name Changi became synonymous in the UK, Australia, and elsewhere with the POW camp. About 850 POWs died during their internment in Changi during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore,[2] a relatively low rate compared to the overall death rate of 27% for POWs in Japanese camps.[3] However, many more prisoners died after being transferred from Changi to various labour camps outside Singapore, including the Burma Railway and the Sandakan airfield.this item is of historical significance because it is supposedly one of the few surving keys to Changi Jail and donated by Mr.Robertson . Changi is significant as it was a major prison camp during WWII Changi Jail Key. Blackened metal key, Wooden tag attached with Japanese print on it. Kanji Characters read Middle Gatechangi, fall of singapore, key, p.o.w.

Donated Collection Photos, Booklets, etc.literature, ballarat rsl, ballarat

Newspaper Clippings, Letters, Phots, Etc.literature, ballarat rsl, ballarat

literature, ballarat rsl, ballarat

literature, ballarat rsl, ballarat

literature, ballarat rsl, ballarat