From its beginnings in 1958, the Society has mounted exhibitions and/or displays, in early days in shop window and in community spaces located in the Kew City Hall (later Kew Library), and since 2010 at the Kew Court House. Exhibitions typically coincided with the annual Kew Community Festival in March, but after 2013 evolved into three new exhibitions yearly at the Kew Court House. Smaller displays continue to be mounted in the Kew Library.Very faded photographic colour positive of a christening gown and four Victorian-era dresses displayed at the 1976 Festival of Kew exhibition mounted by the Kew Historical Society. This picture is one of the earliest showing items from the Coombs Collection on display. The collection had been donated to the Society in 1961. Dresses displayed: L-R blue silk 2-piece fitted day day dress with long train; cream satin parasol; gold taffeta wedding dress with long train; blue silk 2-piece day dress with applied later lace at neck and waist; duck egg blue quilted afternoon dress with buttons at front. Inscribed verso: Kew Historical exhibition 1976festival of kew 1976, kew historical society -- exhibitions, coombs collection

Articles in annual report include: President's report, Finance report with Balance sheet, Auditors' report, Centres and Services by Region, Service highlights, Low Vision Clinics, Education and Training, Radio for the Print Handicapped, Telecommunications, Blind Members, Honorary Service group. During the year the Victorian Blind Bowlers Association were invited to inaugurate the first bowling green at Government House (picture inside front cover), Woodburn Lodge (16 independent living units) were completed, 3RPH was officially opened by Hon.Michael Duffy, Lindsay McMillan won a Churchill Fellowship to study radio information services, and the Telelink service began with 21 groups and 135 participants meeting by June 1984, Telecare servicing over 50 people and Telecontact made with 300 blind or visually impaired people. 1 printed volume with illustrationsassociation for the blind, corporation records

Known as the Illawarra Tigers, all the bowlers in the team were legally blind, and with the support of staff and volunteers, competed against sighted players and participated in local bowls competitions. Illawarra Bowling Association Annual Champion Donated by Illawarra Community Centre Associates: 86/87 Marj Cameron, 87/88 Y Lawrence, 88/89 Lucy Docherty, 89/90 Dulcie David, 90/91 Llona Smith, 91/92 Llona Smith, 92/93 Llona Smith, 93/94 Carol Myers Mens: 86/87 Les Walker, 87/88 Jack Shearn, 88/89 Keith Spendlove, 89/90 Dennis McKenna, 90/91 Hec Stephenson, 91/92 Keith Spendlove, 92/93 Dudley Roberts, 93/94 Dudley Roberts Aggregate: 86/87 Hec Stephenson, 87/88 Kath Jones, 88/89 Lucy Docherty, 89/90 Charles Coles, 90/91 Anne Stewart, 91/92 Bob McLeod, 92/93 Glad Trait, 93/94 Archie Maclean Mixed Pairs: 87/88 Lucy Docherty, Dennis McKenna, 88/89 Margo Stewart, Hec Stephenson, 89/90 Lillian Fowler, Jack Shearn, 90/91 Llona Smith, Jack Sutton, 91/92 Lillian Fowler, Keith Spendlove, 92/93 Glad Trait, Dennis McKenna Mens Pairs: 93/94 Dudley Roberts, Jurek WroblewskiPicture of wooden board with engraved names of the Annual Champion for the Illawarra Bowling Associationassociation for the blind, victorian blind bowls association

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: a picture of the 'The Greatest Thing in the World' - the oldest Braille book in the library, acknowledgement of the work of May Harrison, Joyce Cunnington, Joan Armytage, involvement in the Library Promotion Committee of Victoria to increase visibility, and receipt of Hear A Book's from Tasmania.1 volume with text and illustrationsbraille and talking book library, annual reports

These picture books were read to very young children in the early 1900's. A collection of 12 children's books for the very young. 1. A for Apple. 2. The Words of Jesus. 3. The Sleeping Beauty. 4. The Peg Family Number Books. 5. Father Tuck's Letter Box. 6. Nursery Land Adventures. 7. Chatterbox. 1912. 8. Range Rider Annual. 9. My ABC of Shops. 10. The Last Days of Jesus. 11. The Boyhood and Manhood of Jesus. 12. Fun and Frolic.books, baby books, children's books, children's fiction

Large hardcover book with picture of children playing in the snow on cover. Contains many coloured plates and line drawings.fictionBoys annual containing many short stories by different authors. children's books, fiction, annuals

A large thick, heavy green hardcover Girl's Own Annual Volume 46 with a large square picture depicting two women walking in the snow holding bunches of holly. The title is in red print and there is holly surrounding the illustration. The spine has the title printed in gold lettering, holly leaves and Vol 46 in black type at the bottom. It is a 1924 edition of this series. The end papers show green tinted woods and a stream. The coloured frontispiece is of a woman decorating a Christmas Tree from the story - The Christmas Fairy. Tissue paper protects this page. The contents of the book are for girls and women with stories, knitting and sewing patterns, handy home hints, factual information and more. There is an emphasis on Royal Family life. Inside is a 1997 religious bookmark for a Ekankar Seminar, Brisbane Australia. A bookplate is pasted at the front of the book. non-fictionThe contents of the book are for girls and women with stories, knitting and sewing patterns, handy home hints, factual information and more. There is an emphasis on Royal Family life.books, children's books, awards, adventure stories, family life fiction, family life

This photograph shows the Protestant Hall on Nepean Highway Cheltenham, which at the time of the photograph was used by the Returned Sailors' Soldiers' and Aimen's Imperial Leage of Australia (RSSAILA). The building facade, World War I memorials, fire station building and road plantation are also in view. The Protestants Hall was built by the Cheltenham Protestant Hall Company Limited in 1886. The hall has been used for a wide variety of purposes; in earlier times it served as the Sunday School for the Methodist Home for Children, and later as a schoolhouse when the Beaumaris School (now Cheltenham State School) No 84 met with overcrowding problems. It was also a popular venue for annual balls and regular dances held by church groups and sporting organisations. The City of Moorabbin purchased the building in the 1920's for use by the Returned Soldiers and Sailors League, in whose hands it remained until the late 1970s when it was taken over by a catering firm. During the 1920s, and right up to the late 1950s, it also served as Cheltenham's picture theatre. The three memorial columns, one from the South African War, one from World War I and one from World War II previously located in front of the hall were relocated when Nepean Highway was widened. The Protestant Hall still stands at 1261 Nepean Highway CheltenhamBlack and white digital image depicting three buildings. The right hand building bears a sign that reads RSSAILA. There are trees and a bench seat in the foreground. There is a World War I memorial pictured. world war i, world war ii, protestant hall, cheltenham, returned sailors' soldiers' and aimen's imperial leage of australia (rssaila), returned and service's league (rsl)

A newspaper clipping about the 'Gown of the Year' from a book compiled about the Legacy children's residence called Stanhope. The newspaper clipping shows a photo of junior legatee girls on the steps of Stanhope watching Justine Silver model a ball gown. The caption says 'Legacy girls "Ooh" and "Ah" over this ruched gown which could have come straight from the pages of Cinderella. The flowing gown, worn by Justine Silver, is in chiffon.' The note below the picture adds 'Grey tulle (50 yds) over old gold'. The Gown of the Year was annual event modelling the latest ball fashions with the proceeds going to Legacy. Stanhope was supervised by Matron Dorothy (Dorrie) Vines from the time it opened in 1946 until she retired in December 1966. It is likely she compiled this notebook as she is referred to as 'self' in one photo. Individual pages of photos or newspaper clippings have been added separately. Items 01817 to 01834. Blamey House (purchased 1947) , Stanhope (purchased 1945) and Harelands (purchased 1950) were residences run by Melbourne Legacy to take care of children whose fathers were servicemen, and who may have been left orphans, or whose mother may have been unable to care for them herself, or they needed to stay in Melbourne for further education. Harelands accommodated boys and girls under the age of 14, Blamey House looked after boys over 14, and Stanhope looked after girls over 14. The children were cared for until they were old enough to become independent. A record of Stanhope being used as the setting for publicity for the Gown of the Year gala.Newspaper clipping of a girl modelling a gown for girls on the steps of Stanhope in October 1959.stanhope, gala performance

Wreath laying ceremony for Legacy widows at the Cenotaph at the Shrine of Remembrance in 1996. This is an annual event for Legacy widows at the start of Legacy Week, which is the first week in September. The Service is followed by a church service and a luncheon. In 1996 it was at the Hyatt (see 00888). The photos show the a group marching to the Shrine, some carrying wreaths, including President Ray Ward and L/- David Cull. Then a group of widows posing for the camera, one is Mrytle Ingram who is pictured with Ray Ward in 00797. Some of the photos were featured in The Answer newsletter.A record of a ceremony at the Shrine.Colour photo x 2 of wreath laying at the Cenotaph and a group of widows.Printed on back wreath laying ceremony, widows, pilgrimage, widow's sunday, answer

Widows beside trading tables of books and magazines at Legacy House. It was the annual fete run by the Widows Club as a fundraising event. Beryl Billings on left in black, Irene Noll serving at the table in grey jacket. It is believed the date is 17 November 1988 due to the reference number 881117.A record of the type of activities Legacy provided as a social outlet for widows. Colour photo of a trading table of books at Legacy house.Stamped on back Picture credit and copyright to "Keesing Photographic, 18 Winton St Burwood." Photo reference number: 881117-8 written in blue pen.widows, fundraising, fete

Photograph of Ray Ward who was President of Melbourne Legacy in 1996 and an elderly widow - her badge says "Legacy Widows Club Mrytle Ingram" who was from Hastings club. Appears to be a professional photo taken at the same time as the individual picture of Ray at 00978. It appears to be at the widows luncheon at the Hyatt that follows the annual Widows' Sunday service at the Shrine, sometimes referred to as pilgrimage to the Shrine. See also 00887 and 00888.A record of the past presidents of Melbourne Legacy.Colour photo of President Ray Ward and an elderly widow.Handwritten "B&W 50%" in blue pen.past presidents, widows, widows' sunday

Aunual report and Balance Sheet10 Green card cover with three photos, two of houses at top, large photo of brick building with people outside. 6 Blue Card Cover with two photos one of a fountain the other of a brick building 1 Blue Cover with three Photos one of First Cottage - 1955, one of New Cottage 1985, one of two large buildings 2 Gold Cover with three photos one of First Cottage - 1955, one of New Cottage 1985, one of two large buildings 7 White Card Cover with text and three coloured stripes. Light Blue, Lght Green, Maroon, Gold, Dark Green, Grey, Purple 3 Cream card cover with green and white picture. and light green stripe below 2 Blue Crad Cover with Blue Text and Blue picture in lower part. 1 Multi Coloured Green with four colour photos 1 Multi Blue Multi Colour with four colour Photos 1 Grey with Maroon Stripe card cover with photo of two women. 20 Card covers various colours and designs.Green covers. Eventide Homes For the Aged Stawell Annual Report. Urquhart House 6 Blue Cover. Eventide homes for the Aged Annual Report 1 Blue Cover. Eventide Homes for the Aged (Stawell) Annual Report 1989 Main Entrance Urquhart House and Currie House Hostels 2 Gold Cover: Eventide Homes for the Aged (Stawell) Annual Report 1981 & 1988 Main Entrance Urquhart House and Currie House Hostels. 6 White Cover: Eventide Homes Annual Report 1990 - 1996 3 Cream cover: Eventide Homes (Stawell) Inc. Annual Report 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999. 2 Blue Card Cover: Annual Report 1999-2000, 2000-2001 Eventide Homes Stawell Inc. Multi Green Cover: 2001-2002 Annual Report eventide homes A great place to live! Multi Blue cover 2002-2003 Annual Report eventide homes Stawell in. A Great place to live! Fully Accreditated under Government Aged Cars Standards to 2006 Grey and Maroon Card cover. Print rotated right running up right side: Eventide Homes (Stawell) Inc. 2003-2004 Annual Report. (Normal Print) Proudly celebrating 50 years of caring 1054-2004 stawell aged

Newspaper article. Remember These? Includes a rare picture of Bendigo's tram service in the early years of this century (20th) . B T Miller's hobby is collecting prints and information on old tram services. Picture includes Double Decker Tram, hauled by electric cars. Double Deckers were formally used in Ballarat with horses. In the photograph the trams are banked up on Mitchell Street hill to handle a peak loading on the occasion of the annual railway picnic from Melbourne to Bendigo. Article possibly post 1972.cottage, miners

The Skaregrøm was a swedish windjammer. On his log during his time on the Skaregrøm Captain Archie Horka often mentions "Chile John" or "Chileno/Chilano John". He also mentions his real name John Oyarzo, probably Juan Oyarzo (see Sea History Magazine). His name, although misspelled, is written in the Freda Oxley album.The picture shows one of the work on board a sailing ship. It also demonstrates how international ship crew were at the time. The photograph was published in the annual report for 1926.Sailor with grey shirt and cap sitting on the deck of the ship, repairing sails. Around his right hand is one of the sailmaker tool: the sailmaker sewing palm is a leather strap with metal piece on the palm called the eye. This piece has indentations to accept the head of the needle as you push it through the cloth. The number 14 at the back indicates the photograph was previously on one of the grey album pages with the legend: "Chilean sailmaker on the Skaregrom".in pencil: "cut off"is written twice on the top and bottom of the photograph. Number 14 was added later in black inkskaregrom, sailing ship, sailmaker, skaregrøm, chilean, sailor, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), weller album, windjammer, freda kathleen oxley 1882-1969, juan oyarzo, john oyarzo

Small book of yellowing pages, with marron coloured lettering and picture of the Australian flag and three men, army, navy and air force. Book is titled Ex-Serviceman's Annual.On front cover: No other Book of Humour can Beat this Unique Collection! In front cover: Complied by P. Walsh, 1st A.I.F and A. Williams, Returned Sailorex-serviceman's annual, book of humour, wwii, world war 2

This medal for bravery, for rescue of the crew from the shipwreck “Eric the Red” on 4th September 1880, was awarded to one of the crew of the steamer S.S. Dawn by the President of the United States in July 1881. The medal is engraved with the name “Nelson Johnson” (the anglicised version of his Swedish name Neils Frederick Yohnson). It was donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in 2013 by Nelson’s granddaughter. Nelson had migrated from Sweden to Sydney in 1879. The next year in 1880, aged 24, he was a seaman on the steamship Dawn and involved in the rescue of the survivors of the Eric the Red. Nelson Johnson was a crew member of the S.S. Dawn and was one of the rescue team in the dinghy in the early morning of September 4th 1880. Medals were awarded to the Captain and crew of the S.S. Dawn by the President of the United States, through the Consul-general (Mr Oliver M. Spencer), in July 1881 “ … in recognition of their humane efforts in rescuing the 23 survivors of the American built wooden sailing ship, the Eric the Red, on 4th September 1880.” The men were also presented with substantial monetary rewards and gifts. The city of Warrnambool’s care of the survivors was also mentioned by the President at the presentation, saying that “the city hosted and supported the crew ‘most graciously’. Previously, a week after the shipwreck, the Australian Government had also conveyed its thanks to the Captain and crew of the S.S. Dawn “Captain Griffith Jones, S.S. Dawn, The Hon. Mr Clark desires that the thanks of the Government should be conveyed to you for the prompt, persevering and seamanlike qualities displayed by you, your officers and crew in saving the number of lives you did on the occasion referred to. The hon. The Commissioner has also been pleased to award you a souvenir in commemoration of the occasion, and a sum of 65 pounds to be awarded to your officers and crew according to annexed scale. I am, &c, W Collins Rees, for and in the absence of the Chief Harbour Master.” The Awards are as follows: - Crew of DAWN'S lifeboat-Chief Officer, Mr G. Peat, 15 pounds; boat's crew-G. Sterge, A.B., 5 pounds; T. Hammond, A.B., 5 pounds; J. Black, A.B., 5 pounds; H. Edwards, A.B., 5 pounds. Dinghy's Crew-Second Officer, Mr Christie, 10 pounds; boat's crew -F. Lafer, A.B., 5 pounds; W. Johnstone, A.B., 5 pounds; Mr Lear, provedore, 5 pounds; Mr Dove, purser, 5 pounds. Captain Jones receives a piece of plate. (from “Wreck of the ship Eric the Red” by Jack Loney) The medal’s history, according to the Editor of ‘E-Sylum’ (the newsletter of The Numismatic Bibliomania Society “… appears to be an example of an 1880 State Department medal, catalogued as LS-3 (page 322 of R. W. Julian's book, Medals of the United States Mint: The First Century 1792-1892). The reverse is mostly blank for engraving, surrounded by a thin wreath. It was designed by George Morgan, chief engraver for the Philadelphia Mint, and struck in gold, silver and bronze. The one pictured here (in The Standard newspaper, 2nd July 2013) appears to be silver.” The following is an account of the events which led to the awarding of this medal. The American ship Eric the Red was a wooden, three-masted clipper ship. She had 1,580 tons register and was the largest full-rigged ship built at Bath, Maine, USA in 1871. She was built and registered by Arthur Sewall, later to become the partnership E. & A. Sewall, the 51st ship built by this company. The annually-published List of Merchant Vessels of the U.S. shows Bath was still the home port of Eric the Red in 1880. The vessel was named after the Viking discoverer, Eric ‘the Red-haired’ Thorvaldsson, who was the first European to reach the shores of North America (in 980AD). The ship Eric the Red at first traded in coal between America and Britain, and later traded in guano nitrates from South America. In 1879 she was re-metalled and was in first-class condition. On 10th June 1880 (some records say 12th June) Eric the Red departed New York for Melbourne and then Sydney. She had been commissioned by American trade representatives to carry a special cargo of 500 exhibits (1400 tons) – about a quarter to a third of America’s total exhibits - for the U.S.A. pavilion at Melbourne’s first International Exhibition. The exhibits included furniture, ironmongery, wines, chemicals, dental and surgical instruments, paper, cages, bronze lamp trimmings, axles, stamped ware, astronomical and time globes, samples of corn and the choicest of leaf tobacco. Other general cargo included merchandise such as cases of kerosene and turpentine, brooms, Bristol's Sarsaparilla, Wheeler and Wilson sewing machines, Wheeler’s thresher machine, axe handles and tools, cases of silver plate, toys, pianos and organs, carriages and Yankee notions. The Eric the Red left New York under the command of Captain Zaccheus Allen (or some records say Captain Jacques Allen) and 24 other crew including the owner’s son third mate Ned Sewall. There were also 2 saloon passengers on board. The ship had been sailing for an uneventful 85 days and the voyage was almost at its end. As Eric the Red approached Cape Otway there was a moderate north-west wind and a hazy and overcast atmosphere. On 4th September 1880 at about 1:30 am Captain Allen sighted the Cape Otway light and was keeping the ship 5-6 miles offshore to stay clear of the hazardous Otway Reef. However, he had badly misjudged his position. The ship hit the Otway Reef about 2 miles out to sea, southwest of the Cape Otway light station. Captain Allen ordered the wheel to be put ‘hard up’ thinking that she might float off the reef. The sea knocked the helmsman away from the wheel, broke the wheel ropes and carried away the rudder. The lifeboats were swamped, the mizzenmast fell, with all of its riggings, then the mainmast also fell and the ship broke in two. Some said that the passenger Vaughan, who was travelling for his health and not very strong, was washed overboard and never seen again. The ship started breaking up. The forward house came adrift with three of the crew on it as well as a longboat, which the men succeeded in launching and keeping afloat by continually bailing with their sea boots. The captain, the third mate (the owner’s son) and others clung to the mizzenmast in the sea. Then the owner’s son was washed away off the mast. Within 10 minutes the rest of the ship was in pieces, completely wrecked, with cargo and wreckage floating in the sea. The captain encouraged the second mate to swim with him to the deckhouse where there were other crew but the second mate wouldn’t go with him. Eventually, the Captain made it to the deckhouse and the men pulled him up. At about 4:30 am the group of men on the deckhouse saw the lights of a steamer and called for help. At the same time, they noticed the second mate and the other man had drifted nearby, still on the spur, and pulled them both onto the wreck. The coastal steamer SS Dawn was returning to Warrnambool from Melbourne, and its sailing time was different to its usual schedule. She was built in 1876 and bought by the Portland and Belfast Steam Navigation Co. in 1877. At the time of this journey, she was commanded by Captain Jones and was sailing between Melbourne and Portland via Warrnambool. The provedore the Dawn, Benjamin Lear, heard cries of distress coming through the portholes of the saloon. He gave the alarm and the engines were stopped. Cries could be heard clearly, coming from the land. Captain Jones sent out crew in two boats and fired off rockets and blue lights to illuminate the area. They picked up the three survivors who were in the long boat from Eric the Red. Two men were picked up out of the water, one being the owner’s son who was clinging to floating kerosene boxes. At daylight, the Dawn then rescued the 18 men from the floating portion of the deckhouse, which had drifted about 4 miles from where they’d struck the reef. Shortly after the rescue the deckhouse drifted onto breakers and was thrown onto rocks at Point Franklin, about 2 miles east of Cape Otway. Captain Jones had signalled to Cape Otway lighthouse the number of the Eric the Red and later signalled that there was a wreck at Otway Reef but there was no response from the lighthouse. The captain and crew of the Dawn spent several more hours searching unsuccessfully for more survivors, even going back as far as Apollo Bay. On board the Dawn the exhausted men received care and attention to their needs and wants, including much-needed clothing. Captain Allen was amongst the 23 battered and injured men who were rescued and later taken to Warrnambool for care. Warrnambool’s mayor and town clerk offered them all hospitality, the three badly injured men going to the hospital for care and others to the Olive Branch Hotel, then on to Melbourne. Captain Allen’s leg injury prevented him from going ashore so he and three other men travelled on the Dawn to Portland. They were met by the mayor who also treated them all with great kindness. Captain Allen took the train back to Melbourne then returned to America. Those saved were Captain Zaccheus Allen (or Jacques Allen), J. Darcy chief mate, James F. Lawrence second mate, Ned Sewall third mate and owner’s son, John French the cook, C. Nelson sail maker, Clarence W. New passenger, and able seamen Dickenson, J. Black, Denis White, C. Herbert, C. Thompson, A. Brooks, D. Wilson, J. Ellis, Q. Thompson, C. Newman, W. Paul, J. Davis, M. Horenleng, J. Ogduff, T. W. Drew, R. Richardson. Four men had lost their lives; three of them were crew (Gus Dahlgreen ship’s carpenter, H. Ackman steward, who drowned in his cabin, and George Silver seaman) and one a passenger (J. B. Vaughan). The body of one of them had been found washed up at Cape Otway and was later buried in the lighthouse cemetery; another body was seen on an inaccessible ledge. Twelve months later the second mate James F. Lawrence, from Nova Scotia passed away in the Warrnambool district; an obituary was displayed in the local paper. Neither the ship nor its cargo was insured. The ship was worth about £15,000 and the cargo was reportedly worth £40,000; only about £2,000 worth had been recovered. Cargo and wreckage washed up at Apollo Bay, Peterborough, Port Campbell, Western Port and according to some reports, even as far away as the beaches of New Zealand. The day after the wreck the government steamship Pharos was sent from Queenscliff to clear the shipping lanes of debris that could be a danger to ships. The large midship deckhouse of the ship was found floating in a calm sea near Henty Reef. Items such as an American chair, a ladder and a nest of boxes were all on top of the deckhouse. As it was so large and could cause danger to passing ships, Captain Payne had the deckhouse towed towards the shore just beyond Apollo Bay. Between Apollo Bay and Blanket Bay, the captain and crew of Pharos collected Wheeler and Wilson sewing machines, nests of boxes, bottles of Bristol’s sarsaparilla, pieces of common American chairs, axe handles, a Wheelers’ Patent thresher and a sailor’s trunk with the words “A. James” on the front. A ship’s flag-board bearing the words “Eric the Red” was found on the deckhouse; finally, those on board the Pharos had the name of the wrecked vessel. During this operation, Pharos came across the government steamer Victoria and also a steamer S.S. Otway, both of which were picking up flotsam and wreckage. A whole side of the hull and three large pieces of the other side of the hull, with some of the copper sheathing stripped off, had floated onto Point Franklin. Some of the vessels' yards and portions of her masts were on shore. The pieces of canvas attached to the yards and masts confirmed that the vessel had been under sail. The beach there was piled with debris several feet high. There were many cases of Diamond Oil kerosene, labelled R. W. Cameron and Company, New York. There were also many large planks of red pine, portions of a small white boat and a large, well-used oar. Other items found ashore included sewing machines (some consigned to ‘Long and Co.”) and notions, axe and scythe handles, hay forks, wooden pegs, rolls of wire (some branded “T.S” and Co, Melbourne”), kegs of nails branded “A.T. and Co.” from the factory of A. Field and Son, Taunton, Massachusetts, croquet balls and mallets, buggy fittings, rat traps, perfumery, cutlery and Douay Bibles, clocks, bicycles, chairs, a fly wheel, a cooking stove, timber, boxes, pianos, organs and a ladder. (Wooden clothes pegs drifted in for many years). There seemed to be no personal luggage or clothing. The Pharos encountered a long line, about one and a half miles, of f locating wreckage about 10 miles off land, southeast of Cape Otway, and in some places about 40 feet wide. It seemed that more than half of it was from Eric the Red. The ship’s crew rescued 3 cases that were for the Melbourne Exhibition and other items from amongst the debris. There were also chairs, doors, musical instruments, washing boards, nests of trunks and flycatchers floating in the sea. Most of the goods were saturated and smelt of kerosene. A section of the hull lies buried in the sand at Parker River Beach. An anchor with a chain is embedded in the rocks east of Point Franklin and a second anchor, thought to be from Eric the Red, is on display at the Cape Otway light station. (There is a photograph of a life belt on the verandah of Rivernook Guest House in Princetown with the words “ERIC THE RED / BOSTON”. This is rather a mystery as the ship was registered in Bath, Maine, USA.) Parts of the ship are on display at Bimbi Park Caravan Park and at Apollo Bay Museum. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village also has part of the helm (steering wheel), a carved wooden sword (said to be the only remaining portion of the ship’s figurehead; further research is currently being carried out), a door, a metal rod, samples of wood and this medal awarded for the rescue of the crew. Much of the wreckage was recovered by the local residents before police and other authorities arrived at the scene. Looters went to great effort to salvage goods, being lowered down the high cliff faces to areas with little or no beach to collect items from the wreckage, their mates above watching out for dangerous waves. A Tasmanian newspaper reports on a court case in Stawell, Victoria, noting a man who was caught 2 months later selling tobacco from the wreckage of Eric the Red. Some of the silverware is still treasured by descendants of Mr Mackenzie who was given these items by officials for his help in securing the cargo. The gifts included silver coffee and teapots, half a dozen silver serviette rings and two sewing machines. A Mr G.W. Black has in his possession a medal and a purse that was awarded to his father, another Dawn crew member who was part of the rescue team. The medal is similarly inscribed and named “To John Black ….” (from “Shipwrecks” by Margaret E. Mackenzie, 3rd edition, published 1964). The wreck and cargo were sold to a Melbourne man who salvaged a quantity of high-quality tobacco and dental and surgical instruments. Timbers from the ship were salvaged and used in the construction of houses and shed around Apollo Bay, including a guest house, Milford House (since burnt down in bushfires), which had furniture, fittings and timber on the dining room floor from the ship. A 39.7-foot-long trading ketch, the Apollo, was also built from its timbers by Mr Burgess in 1883 and subsequently used in Tasmanian waters. It was the first attempt at shipbuilding in Apollo Bay. In 1881 a red light was installed about 300 feet above sea level at the base of the Cape Otway lighthouse to warn ships when they were too close to shore; It would not be visible unless a ship came within 3 miles from it. This has proved to be an effective warning. Nelson Johnson married Elizabeth Howard in 1881 and they had 10 children, the father of the medal’s donor being the youngest. They lived in 13 Tichbourne Place, South Melbourne, Victoria. Nelson died in 1922 in Fitzroy Victoria, age 66. In 1895 the owners of the S.S. Dawn, the Portland and Belfast Steam Navigation Co., wound up and sold out to the Belfast Company who took over the Dawn for one year before selling her to Howard Smith. She was condemned and sunk in Suva in 1928. The State Library of Victoria has a lithograph in its collection depicting the steamer Dawn and the shipwrecked men, titled. "Wreck of the ship Eric the Red, Cape Otway: rescue of the crew by the Dawn". The medal for bravery is associated with the ship the “The Eric the Red which is historically significant as one of Victoria's major 19th century shipwrecks. (Heritage Victoria Eric the Red; HV ID 239) The wreck led to the provision of an additional warning light placed below the Cape Otway lighthouse to alert mariners to the location of Otway Reef. The site is archaeologically significant for its remains of a large and varied cargo and ship's fittings being scattered over a wide area. The site is recreationally and aesthetically significant as it is one of the few sites along this coast where tourists can visit identifiable remains of a large wooden shipwreck, and for its location set against the background of Cape Otway, Bass Strait, and the Cape Otway lighthouse.“ (Victorian Heritage Database Registration Number S239, Official Number 8745 USA) This medal was awarded to Nelson Johnson by the U.S. President for bravery in the rescue of the Eric the Red crew. The obverse of the round, solid silver medal has an inscription around the rim. In the centre of the medal is the head of Liberty to the left, hair in a bun, with a sprig of leaves in the top left of a band around her head. There is a 6-pointed star below the portrait, between the start and end of the inscription. There are two raised areas on the rim, horizontally opposite each other, from the edge to just below the lettering and coinciding with the holes drilled in the edge. Slightly right of the top is a round indentation in the rim. The reverse has a wreath of leaves as a border, joined at the bottom by a ribbon bow. In the centre of the medal is an inscription, decorated with 3-pronged design and dots. The edge is plain with 2 small, rough and uneven holes horizontally opposite to each other, as though they had been used for mounting the medal at some stage. The medal has a matte finish on both sides and is slightly pitted and scratched.“PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES” around the perimeter of the obverse of the medal. “TO / Nelson Johnson, / seaman of the British, / str “Dawn”, for bravery, / at risk of life, / in / rescuing the crew of / the American Ship / “Eric the Red.” “M” on obverse, truncation of the portraitwarrnambool, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, shipwreck artefact, eric the red, zaccheus allen, sewall, 1880, melbourne exhibition, cape otway, otway reef, victorian shipwreck, medal, nelson johnson, neils frederick yohnson, s.s. dawn, george morgan, hero

Taken at the Ithacan Ball held at Earls Court, St. Kilda in 1948, the photograph is of members of the then Ladies Auxiliary. Pictured are from L-R: Loula Sikiotis-Kostos , Loulou Varvarigos, Ekaterini Sofianos (Pres.) Nancy Paxinos (Vice-president), Nina Varvarigos, Athanasia (Sia) Andrews, Effie Cominos-Raftopoulos. In 1991 Sia Andrews was the first woman to be elected president of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society. Although women were not permitted to become “Active Members” of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society until 1985, they played an important role in maintaining the social cohesion of the Ithacan community. Through organising social events such as the annual ball they also helped to connect the various generations of Ithacans to the Society.A black and white photograph of seven ladies dressed in evening attire and standing in front of a curtain. Stamped on the back : PHOTO CRAFT LABORATORIES PTY.LTD/ 99 NICHOLSON STREET/FOOTSCRAY, W.11./ Previous numbers have been hand written W254/1 S15

Stathi and Kassiana Raftopoulos pictured disembarking from the M/V Romantica on their arrival in Israel. They travelled annually to Greece and extensively to other parts of the world.A coloured photograph of a couple disembarking from the ship M/V Romantica at Israel.

Attendees at the annual Ithacan Picnic wore a badge in the shape of a shield which they were given on entry to the picnic grounds. Pictured are John Raftopoulos, Gerry Raftopoulos, Costas TrelivasA sepia photograph mounted on board of three men at an Ithacan Picnic standing in front of a flowering oleander bush. They are all dressed in smart casual clothes and wearing the picnic shield-shaped badge.

Photo taken at the 1988 Annual Ithacan Picnic at Ferny Creek, Victoria. Picture from left to right are: Marinos Raftopoulos, Andreas Moraitis, Nakis Raftopoulos, Kassiani Raftopoulos, Sotiris Sikiotis. The Annual Ithacan Picnic is one the most enduring of all social events for the Ithacan Philanthropic Society. A black & white photograph, enlarged of four men and a lady sitting in a park with people walking in the distance. The photo has a white border.Stamped on the back: PROPERTY OF/STATHIS RAFTOPOULOS/POET and ITHACAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC.

The photograph was taken at an Ithacan Philanthropic Society annual picnic sometime in the late 1920s or early 1930s. Races were always a feature at the annual picnic. In those early most families travelled to the picnic ground in hired furniture vans. The annual picnic is still held today in February of each year. Pictured standing L-R: ? Kasamias; unknown; Nick Kandiliotis; Andreas Razos; unknown; unknown; unknown; Spiros Digaletos; Paizis?; Dimitri Megalogenis; unknown; Paris Gabriel; Kallinikos ?; unknown; unknown; Gerasimos Papadopoulos (Tsinis); Stratos Paizis; Cominos (Bourazanis)?; Kneeling: Nikos Stratos; Platon Varvarigos. The annual picnic gave Ithacans the chance to relax and mingle away from their work on Sunday. It was and still is an important social event in the society's calendar.A scanned black and white photograph seventeen men standing in a line and two others crouched down in the front. They are either preparing to have a race or they have completed one as four of them are wearing shorts and singlets while some of the others have rolled up their trouser legs and a lot of them are wearing running shoes. The group are standing in a picnic ground in a valley which is surrounded by trees.

Stratos Paizis is being congratulated by Andreas Papadopoulos following a win in the running races a the annual Ithacan picnic. Andreas was president of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society from 1934 - 1939. Also pictured centre, l-r, Peter Razos and George Paizis (Leris).Black & white photograph of four men congratulating an oarsman after a race.

Pictured are a group enjoying coffee somewhere in Greece. Standing are Maria and Zaharia Moraitis (Morris); seated: unknown, unknown, Erasmia Brown (nee Benias). Zaharia and Maria returned to Ithaca from Melbourne in the 1970s. Erasmia lived in Newcastle and returned annually to Ithaca to visit family. Greek coffee is served in small cups accompanied with a glass of water. A faded coloured photograph of five people around a table enjoying coffee. Three are seated at the table and two are standing behind them. A large window is behind the group who are drinking Greek coffee from small cups. There are glasses of water on the table.

The Ithacan Philanthropic Society's annual picnic has been held at various locations over the years, including Mount Evelyn, Bacchus Marsh, and in latter years at the reserve at Ferny Creek at which this photo is taken. Running races have been a highlight of the picnics. Pictured on the left are Dennis Katsamas, Anthony Drakopoulos and Greg Varigos together with the place-getters displaying their medals. The annual Ithacan Picnic has always been an important and popular social event for members and friends of the Ithacan Society. The first picnic was held in 1918. A coloured photograph of a picnic scene.

The group pictured are young Ithacan girls who were taught by Olga Black and they are wearing the traditional Ithacan dress. The group performed at various IPS events including the annual ball, Christmas parties. Both Olga and her sister Nina, taught Greek dancing to many people over the years, both Greek and non Greek. Many young Australian born people of Ithacan descent develop a greater appreciation and awareness of the Greek and Ithacan culture through learning traditional dances.A coloured photograph of a dancing group dressed in a Greek costumes. In the group there are five older girls and a younger girl as well as one boy.

The photograph was taken at an annual picnic organised by the Ithacan Philanthropic Society in the ealry 1930s. The picnic remains an annual event on the club's calendar. Running races continue to be popular and in this photo the young women look to be preparing for their event. Pictured on the far right is Marguerite Panaretos (nee Black/Mavrokefalos) and next to her Fife Krizos. Fourth from the right is May Theordore, sister of Alma Theodore-Paizis, and behind her John Raftopoulos (Patakias). A sepia photograph of six young women lining up at the start of a race with three race officials standing behind the group in an open area.

Races were popular events at the Ithacan Philanthropic Society's annual picnic. The men's foot race was the highlight of the day. Pictured centre front of runners is the president, Andreas Papadopoulos. Since the first picnic in 1918, the event has been held at sporting grounds situated around Melbourne's urban fringe and remain a popular event on the club's social calendar.A sepia photograph mounted on a grey board with a darker grey border of five men preparing to race with four officials waiting for the race to start. The men are standing in a sports ground with a small rotunda and trees on the other side of the fence in the background.Written on the back: AGP - 4

The Ithacan Philanthropic Society has been donating to the Royal Children's Hospital since 1922. Easter fundraiser functions have been held at the clubrooms to support the annual Children's Hospital Appeal. The photo shows a group of IPS members presenting a cheque for $10000 to the hospital's Good Friday Appeal. Pictured presenting the cheque to the appeal organisers are committee members Dennis Katsamas, Paul Karavias, Tony Drakopoulos (President) and Kristalenia Collins, together with young three young members.The Ithacan Philanthropic Society is proud of its long held tradition of being a truly philanthropic society and every year donates to worthy causes.A coloured photograph of a lady, three men, a girl and two boys holding a large cheque to the value of $ 10 000 made out to the Royal Children's Hospital. A crowd of people are standing behind there group in a large hallway.

The photograph of the six men, who are drinking a toast, was taken at the 45th Annual Ithacan Ball which took place at the Royal Exhibition Building in 1959. Pictured from L- R standing: Peter Paxinos, Othon Kostopoulos, Stathi Vlass who served as President of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society from 1957 to 1959, Nick Kandiliotis, ...?..; seated ...?...A black and white photograph of six men at a social function.