Showing 127 items
matching stories for boys
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Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Peter Rees, Desert boys: Australians at war from Beersheba to Tobruk and El Alamein, 2011
About 1300 Australians died in the desert campaigns of World War I, while another 3500 died in North Africa and the Middle East during World War II. Thousands more carried the wounds of war for the rest of their lives. Countless families were left behind to mourn the dead and comfort the injured. A ripple effect of grief passed down the generations. This is the story of Australia's desert wars as never before told. Using letters, diaries, interviews and unpublished memoirs, Desert Boys provides an intensely personal and gripping insight into the thoughts, feelings and experiences of two generations of Australian soldiers. In many cases these were fathers and sons going to successive wars with all the tragedy, adventure and hardship that brought.Index, bibliography, notes, ill, maps, p.712.non-fictionAbout 1300 Australians died in the desert campaigns of World War I, while another 3500 died in North Africa and the Middle East during World War II. Thousands more carried the wounds of war for the rest of their lives. Countless families were left behind to mourn the dead and comfort the injured. A ripple effect of grief passed down the generations. This is the story of Australia's desert wars as never before told. Using letters, diaries, interviews and unpublished memoirs, Desert Boys provides an intensely personal and gripping insight into the thoughts, feelings and experiences of two generations of Australian soldiers. In many cases these were fathers and sons going to successive wars with all the tragedy, adventure and hardship that brought.australian army - desert campaigns, desert warfare - 20th century -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Roger McDonald, 1915, 1979
... the story of two boys from the bush, the thoughtful and awkward ...The year young Australians sailed off to war in high hopes of adventure, only to find themselves faced with disaster. The tragedy and violence of Gallipoli provide the climax to this very personal, moving and surprisingly romantic story. With remarkable skill and in achingly beautiful prose, Roger McDonald takes the reader on an archetypal Australian journey which parallels the nation's progress from its country childhood, through the adolescent exuberance of its young cities, to initiation on one of the world's ancient battlefields. It is a vital journey, haunted by menace and disillusionment, one embedded in our national mythology. This astonishing first novel, published to great critical acclaim in 1979 and since then selling over 100,000 copies, tells the story of two boys from the bush, the thoughtful and awkward Walter and his knowing friend Billy Mackenzie, and their girls Frances and Diana. Together they discover a future which seems full of promise, drawing them into the exciting turmoil of passion and war. But theirs is a fateful alliance, in a world all too quickly passing, with an outcome they never could have foreseen.p.426fictionThe year young Australians sailed off to war in high hopes of adventure, only to find themselves faced with disaster. The tragedy and violence of Gallipoli provide the climax to this very personal, moving and surprisingly romantic story. With remarkable skill and in achingly beautiful prose, Roger McDonald takes the reader on an archetypal Australian journey which parallels the nation's progress from its country childhood, through the adolescent exuberance of its young cities, to initiation on one of the world's ancient battlefields. It is a vital journey, haunted by menace and disillusionment, one embedded in our national mythology. This astonishing first novel, published to great critical acclaim in 1979 and since then selling over 100,000 copies, tells the story of two boys from the bush, the thoughtful and awkward Walter and his knowing friend Billy Mackenzie, and their girls Frances and Diana. Together they discover a future which seems full of promise, drawing them into the exciting turmoil of passion and war. But theirs is a fateful alliance, in a world all too quickly passing, with an outcome they never could have foreseen.gallipoli campaign - fiction, world war 1914-1918 - fiction -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Bryce Courtenay, The story of Danny Dunn, 2011
In the aftermath of the Great Depression few opportunities existed for working-class boys, but at just eighteen Danny Dunn has everything going for him: brains, looks, sporting ability and an easy charm. His parents run The Hero, a neighbourhood pub, and Danny is a local hero. Luck changes for Danny when he signs up to go to war. He returns home a physically broken man, to a life that will be changed forever.p.610.fictionIn the aftermath of the Great Depression few opportunities existed for working-class boys, but at just eighteen Danny Dunn has everything going for him: brains, looks, sporting ability and an easy charm. His parents run The Hero, a neighbourhood pub, and Danny is a local hero. Luck changes for Danny when he signs up to go to war. He returns home a physically broken man, to a life that will be changed forever.world war 1939-1945 - veterans - fiction, bars - australia - fiction -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Richard van Emden, Boy soldiers of the Great War, 2005
... . This is their untold story - the heroics of boys aged as young as thirteen who ...When war broke out in 1914, no one was more caught up in the popular tide of patriotism than the young boys who wanted to fight for King and country. This is their untold story - the heroics of boys aged as young as thirteen who enlisted for full combat training.index, ill, p.340.non-fictionWhen war broke out in 1914, no one was more caught up in the popular tide of patriotism than the young boys who wanted to fight for King and country. This is their untold story - the heroics of boys aged as young as thirteen who enlisted for full combat training.world war 1914-1918 - personal narratives - british, child soldiers - great britain - history -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Jack Bennett, Gallipoli, 1990
... . This is the story of two of those boys Jack Bennett Collins / Angus ...One fifth of the men engaged in the Gallipoli campaign were under the age of 21. This is the story of two of those boysp.280.fictionOne fifth of the men engaged in the Gallipoli campaign were under the age of 21. This is the story of two of those boysaustralian fiction, world war 1914-1918 - gallipoli campaign - fiction -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Anthony Hill, Soldier boy : the true story of Jim Martin the youngest Anzac, 2001
On 28 June 1915, young James Martin sailed from Melbourne aboard the troopship Berrima - bound, ultimately, for Gallipoli. He was just fourteen years old. "Soldier Boy" is Jim's extraordinary true story, the story of a young and enthusiastic school boy who became Australia's youngest known Anzac. Four months after leaving his home country he would be numbered among the dead, just one of so many soldier boys who travelled halfway around the world for the chance of adventure. This is, however, just as much the story of Jim's mother, Amelia Martin. It is the heartbreaking tale of the mother who had to let him go, of his family who lost a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend. It is about Amelia's boy who, like so many others, just wanted to be in on the action.ill, maps, p.166.non-fictionOn 28 June 1915, young James Martin sailed from Melbourne aboard the troopship Berrima - bound, ultimately, for Gallipoli. He was just fourteen years old. "Soldier Boy" is Jim's extraordinary true story, the story of a young and enthusiastic school boy who became Australia's youngest known Anzac. Four months after leaving his home country he would be numbered among the dead, just one of so many soldier boys who travelled halfway around the world for the chance of adventure. This is, however, just as much the story of Jim's mother, Amelia Martin. It is the heartbreaking tale of the mother who had to let him go, of his family who lost a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend. It is about Amelia's boy who, like so many others, just wanted to be in on the action.world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - gallipoli, gallipoli campaign - child soldiers - biography -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Affirm Press, Sons of war : astonishing stories of under-age Australian soldiers who fought in the Second World War, 2022
In the Second World War, thousands of Australian boys lied about their age and volunteered for a war the scale of which they could never have imagined. Like many of their fathers in the Great War, they went with their eyes wide shut: under-trained, under-equipped and under-age. Some were as young as thirteen - too young even to shave. Many did not grow old; others came back broken. A handful are still alive to tell their tales. This extraordinary book captures the bold and untold stories of forty Australian children who fought in the deadliest war in history. Follow these boys through Libya and Palestine, Greece and Crete, to the jungles of Malaya, Papua New Guinea and Borneo, fighting for their lives, their country, their mates. Many of the photographs have never been seen. Haunting images of youths in training camps and behind the lines stand beside moving portraits of old men who have not forgotten.Index, ill, ,maps, p.380.non-fictionIn the Second World War, thousands of Australian boys lied about their age and volunteered for a war the scale of which they could never have imagined. Like many of their fathers in the Great War, they went with their eyes wide shut: under-trained, under-equipped and under-age. Some were as young as thirteen - too young even to shave. Many did not grow old; others came back broken. A handful are still alive to tell their tales. This extraordinary book captures the bold and untold stories of forty Australian children who fought in the deadliest war in history. Follow these boys through Libya and Palestine, Greece and Crete, to the jungles of Malaya, Papua New Guinea and Borneo, fighting for their lives, their country, their mates. Many of the photographs have never been seen. Haunting images of youths in training camps and behind the lines stand beside moving portraits of old men who have not forgotten.world war 1939-1945 - australia - under age soldiers, world war 1939-1945 - personal narratives - australia -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Allen & Unwin, Bomber boys, 2017
Bomber Boys is the extraordinary and little known story of more than 100 Dutch airmen stranded in Australia with no country to return to who were joined by a contingent of Australians to make up the RAAF's No. 18 (Netherlands East Indies Squadron). Formed in Canberra in April 1942, the squadron flew operational coastal patrols before eventually being relocated to the secret MacDonald Airfield, north of Pine Creek in the Northern Territory and then Batchelor near Darwin.Bib, ill, maps, p.305.non-fictionBomber Boys is the extraordinary and little known story of more than 100 Dutch airmen stranded in Australia with no country to return to who were joined by a contingent of Australians to make up the RAAF's No. 18 (Netherlands East Indies Squadron). Formed in Canberra in April 1942, the squadron flew operational coastal patrols before eventually being relocated to the secret MacDonald Airfield, north of Pine Creek in the Northern Territory and then Batchelor near Darwin.royal australian air force - 18th squadron, world war two 1939-1945 - aerial operations - australia -
Melbourne Legacy
Pamphlet, What you should know about Legacy, 1968
This is an example of Melbourne Legacy promotional material that was issued to inform the public on the work of Legacy. It includes the story of Legacy and what Legacy does. Headings include: Care of families ; Welfare ; Education and Training ; Boys' and Girls' classes ; Holidays and camps ; Residences ; Widows' Club.An example of promotional material issued by Legacy in 1968.Brochure to promote Legacy in 1968 with a black and white photo of a young boy in a slouch hat on the cover and black and white photos inside.legacy promotion, fundraising -
Melbourne Legacy
Letter - Document, letter, Biography of Sir Stanley Savige, 30 November 1959
Duplicated letter sent by Alan Spowers, Chairman of the Biography Committee, to those 'acquainted with Sir Stanley Savige' promoting the book, 'There Goes a Man'. He includes a number of positive newspaper reviews of the book, and suggests that it might appeal to boys in their late teens.Part of the story of how the book 'There goes a Man' came to be created.White foolscap letter with black typesavige book, biography -
Melbourne Legacy
Magazine - Newsletter, Melbourne Legacy, Legacy Newsletter December 1956, 1956
The newsletter from December 1956. It featured a fireman and a Santa on the cover. The president's introduction talked about London as a city of the Commonwealth and Christmas greetings. There was an Christmas story written by Rachel Field. There were results from the annual Boys Sports Day at Melbourne High School with names of JLs. Malvern group won the Memorial shield. It also announced the formation of the Intermediate Legacy Ladies Club. They had held a fete to raise money. They met on the third Wednesday each month. They say "Our feelings are that as Legacy has done so much for us we want to help Legacy." Another article on deciding a career for the children - this time the engineering industry. A newsletter published by Legacy in this format for many years from 1942. It mentions "Issued from time to time for Private Circulation among the Sons and Daughters of Deceased Service men and Merchant Seamen who served their Country during the War of 1914-18, or the present War". Many articles on the work of Legacy, including features on boys classes, girls classes, camps, the residences and where their past residents ended up. There are some suggestion for careers and some general interest articles. Some very interesting photos.Newsletter outlining news of Junior Legatee activities.Black and white printed newsletter x 12 pages from December 1956. Volume 9 Number 3.boys classes, activities, girls classes -
Melbourne Legacy
Document - Speech, Anzac Day speech by Legatee Bert Davis, 2005
A copy of a speech given by Legatee Bert Davis at Glenburn Hall on Anzac Day 2005. It tells the story of his grandfather Lieutenant William Edwin Davis who served in the Boer War and then was killed on Gallipoli. Also William's son, who also enlisted in the first World War in France and married a Welsh nurse and returned to Australia and were Bert's parents. There was also a story of William's widow Mrs Maud Davis who was involved with the War Widows Guild and was one to the ladies approached by the founding Legatees when they wanted to established Boys Classes in the 1920s. Donated by Legatee Bert Davis' daughters.An excellent record of important people in Legacy's history.White A4 printed copy of a speech given by Legatee Bert Davis on Anzac Day 2005.anzac day, bert davis, speech -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, History of Welfare Committee, 1927 ; 1938 ; 1950 ; 1966
Documents relate to aspects of Legacy committees from as early as 1923 to 1950. In the original archive project these documents were put together. The card (two copies) is a promotion of the Deceased Soldiers Children Welfare Committee. It is asking the Legatees where they would like to help - for instance the Junior Boys Club, the holiday camp, Big Brothers for deceased comrades sons, or with vocational placements. This shows that the legatees were being reminded of their obligation to Legacy. It also captures the part of the poem 'In Flanders Field' that relates to the Torch and a quote about Legacy's work. It is from approximately 1927. A letter dated 1966, that accompanies these cards is from Frank Doolan and it claims that this might the sole surviving example of the brochure. He says it is an 'early Legacy story' that is now nearly 40 years old. It also says : 'In those days Literary and debating amongst boys was an important part of our weekly Boys Class, under Jim Gillespie, Alan Murray, Harold Peters and Co, and we turned out some remarkable boys including Ted Kennedy, Graham Billiet, Jack Covue and Jim McGregor, and entered several of them at Ballarat South Street in this year of 1928, which was also the year of the first demonstration in the Melbourne Town Hall.' Another letter is to Legatee Joynt from Legatee J Barnes dated 18th November 1938, it mentions that the recent Clothing Committee meeting had decided it was better to approach Legatee wives directly to get donations of clothing for the junior legatees, by ringing them. It was attached to a report on the meeting of the Clothing Committee from 11 November 1938. A third letter is a a cover letter to the Chairman of Legacy (W E Orr) attached to the resolutions made at the Welfare Sub Committee meeting on 29 August 1950. One recommendation was the hiring of a full time social worker and that the Contact Committee be reconvened to oversea contact with the widows.These documents are a snap shot of some of the work legatees were doing in sub committees to achieve the aims of Legacy.Documents and a brochure relating to the Welfare Committee of Legacy in the 1930s.committee, activities -
Mont De Lancey
Book, Michael D. Gibson, The Air Wreckers, 1944 (reprinted 1948)
A story set in Scotland of young men and their adventures flying monoplanes.A red hardcover novel for boys with the title Air Wreckers by the author Michael D. Gibson written in black lettering with double zigzag lines on the left side of the front cover. The title, author and publisher are written on the spine in black letters. There is a black and white illustration on the frontispiece of men fighting. 222p.fictionA story set in Scotland of young men and their adventures flying monoplanes.aeroplanes fiction, adventure fiction, friendship stories -
Mont De Lancey
Book, E.Payson Hammond, M.A et al, Roger's Travels; or Scenes and Incidents with the Journey of two boys in foreign lands, and how they were led to start for the better country, 1886
The journey of two boys in overseas countries and their adventures with strong religious themes.Orange hardcover children's fiction book, Roger's Travels by E. Payson Hammond. M.A with the title surrounded by gold boxes and an illustration of a Dutch windmill and boat in the countryside. Brown flowers decorate the right side with the author's name E. Payson Hammond M.A underneath. The spine has the title author flowers and initials of the publisher SSU at the bottom. Black and white illustrations and full page plates are throughout. At the end are 15 pages of recommended books for young children by the Sunday School Union. 155p.fictionThe journey of two boys in overseas countries and their adventures with strong religious themes.religious fiction, adventure stories, children's books, morals fiction -
Mont De Lancey
Book, The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd. Melb, 1923 Pals Annual for the Boys of Australasia, 1923
... is a lengthy story, Wilson's Wheel by Andrew Walpole. p. 817 - 854 ...A large annual for Australasian Boys of Pals weekly magazines from Sat August 26 1922 to Sat April 14 1923 including a lengthy adventure story at the back - Wilson at the Wheel.A badly damaged red fabric hardcover book Pals Annual for the Boys of Australasia with a black, red and white lined illustration on the front cover in a large square of a cowboy cracking a whip on a farm. The covers are detached from the pages which are tanned, some torn and with foxing on the edges. There are a year's worth of magazines included date from Volume 1 No.1 Sat August 26 1922 to Volume 3 No. 34 Saturday April 14 1923. Price 3d. each. There are black and white illustrations throughout , and a coloured plate,. There is a coloured plate frontispiece as well as a green background lined illustration. At the end of the book is a lengthy story, Wilson's Wheel by Andrew Walpole. p. 817 - 854. There are missing pages 847 - 850. Total p. 854.fictionA large annual for Australasian Boys of Pals weekly magazines from Sat August 26 1922 to Sat April 14 1923 including a lengthy adventure story at the back - Wilson at the Wheel.children's magazines, boys annual, adventure stories, australian fiction -
Mont De Lancey
Book, Partridge Publishers, The Children's Friend, unknown
A large children's book of assorted stories, poems and facts written by different authors.A large hardcover children's book with a coloured picture on the front cover of two boys and a girl preparing a toy yacht to sail on a pond in a park. The title Children's friend is in large white lettering at the top and the illustrator Van Jones is at the bottom. The green cloth spine has just the title printed in black lettering on the side. The stories and poems are by different authors, and some non fiction or information articles are at the back. A child has coloured many pictures with coloured pencils throughout. tanning, loose pages and foxing is seen. Coloured plates and black and white illustrations are noted. On the front endpapers are stampings of trains, buildings, a lighthouse and man. fictionA large children's book of assorted stories, poems and facts written by different authors. children's fiction, children's stories -
Mont De Lancey
Book, The Colosseum-Treadway Stores, The Colosseum-Treadway story book for boys, Unknown
... The Colosseum-Treadway story book for boys...-and-dandenong-ranges Book The Colosseum-Treadway story book for boys ...Boys annual containing many short stories by different authors.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 -
Mont De Lancey
Book, T.S. Millington, A Great Mistake - a Story of Adventure, 1880
... friendship A novel from The Boy's Own Bookshelf No IV - a story ...A novel from The Boy's Own Bookshelf No IV - a story of adventure of three boys who ran away from school, and later go to war and the siege of Paris.A blue cloth hardcover book, A Great Mistake by Rev. T.S. Millington, with a gold, red and brown illustration of a boy climbing into a hot air balloon basket already in flight and a city skyline in sunset at the bottom of the cover. The title and author are printed in gold and black lettering on the front. An illustration in gold and brown is on spine of a soldier and a woman holding hands. Black initials RTS for the publisher are at base of the spine. Numerous black and white illustrations are inside. On the middle of the back cover black leaves are printed on it.fictionA novel from The Boy's Own Bookshelf No IV - a story of adventure of three boys who ran away from school, and later go to war and the siege of Paris.children's books, adventure, war, friendship -
Mont De Lancey
Book, Martha Finley (Martha Farquharson et al, Mildred's Boys and Girls, copyright 1886, 1914
A family story of Mildred's life with her children and husband set in the time of the Civil War in America. The Landreths harbour a family of fugitive slaves and fear the possibility of sending fathers, sons brothers and cousins off to fight. Strong religious themes throughout.Tan coloured floral fabric hardcover novel, Mildred's Boys and Girls by Martha Finley (Martha Farquharson) with black lettering for title and author. Spine has title, author and publisher in black lettering and a coloured flower.fictionA family story of Mildred's life with her children and husband set in the time of the Civil War in America. The Landreths harbour a family of fugitive slaves and fear the possibility of sending fathers, sons brothers and cousins off to fight. Strong religious themes throughout.family life fiction, civil war united states, children's fiction, religious fiction -
Mont De Lancey
Book, Willard F baker, The Boy Ranchers OR Solving the mystery at Diamond X, 1921
Merve from Auntie Zillie and Uncle Henry. with love Xmas 1927Grey hardcover children's book The Boy Ranchers by Willard F Baker with brown and white illustration on front with two boys riding horses in the rocky country. Cover has title and author, spine has title, author, publisher and illustration of a cow.Merve from Auntie Zillie and Uncle Henry. with love Xmas 1927children's fiction, adventure stories, books -
Mont De Lancey
Book, Blackie and Son Limited, The Big Budget for Boys, c1930's
Book read by family members, especially Lance Sebire who was awarded it from Sunday School in 1936Large hardcover children's book for boys with coloured picture on front cover of two boys sitting on a rock, one looking through binoculars and the other pointing into the distance. The title, The Big Budget for Boys is printed in black lettering on the front and spine with an illustration of another boy and the publisher. The back cover is also illustrated in colour with two more boys reading a map. The collection of adventure stories have black and white illustrations throughout.Mrs Les Gaudion's Class - Methodist Sabbath School Wandin Yallock. Awarded to Lance Sebire for Diligence and Attendance. Mr J H Lord Supt. Harold Blanksby Sec. May 18th 1936. The Book Depot, 288 Little Collins Street (Methodist Book Buildings)adventure, young people's fiction, children's fiction, children's book -
Mont De Lancey
Book, Blackie and Sons Limited, The Big Budget for Boys, unknown
Large hardcover children's book with coloured illustration spreading the front and back covers of two boys and a dog in a rowboat. The title - Big Budget for Boys is in black lettering on the front and there are black and white illustrations throughout the.18 separate adventure stories.Mr Riseborough's Class 1st Prize Methodist Sabbath School Wandin Yallock Awarded to Lance Sebire for dilegence and attendance. J H Lord Supt. H Blanksby Sec. 31st March 1937children's book, adventure stories, children's fiction -
Mont De Lancey
Book, Renwick of Otley, Holiday Yarns, early 1900's
This Book Belongs To Lance Sebire Dec 22nd Christmas 1934Hardcover children's book with a coloured picture of two boys rowing at sea in a boat called Saucy Sally on the front and back covers. The title Holiday Yarns is in large red lettering at the top on the front cover. There are black and white as well as some coloured illustrations.De Lancey Francis Sebire Christmas 1934 is written on the front right hand endpaper in grey pencil. Written inside on the page that says - This Book Belongs to - Lance Sebire Dec 22nd 1934children's fiction, adventure stories, young people's fiction -
Mont De Lancey
Book, Renwick of Otley, The Chief, early c.1900's
... stories written for boys Renwick of Otley ...a collection of short adventure stories written for boysQuite a damaged large thin format storybook for boys - the front and back covers are detached and depict a coloured illustration of an Indian chief, two other Indians and a European man all on horses. On the back of the front cover is printed bookplate - This book belongs to..... Inside there are black and white illustrations. There is a separate loose page presumed to be part of the original book, a coloured picture of a schoolboy standing outside a Tuck Shop taking money out of his pocket to buy sweets. There is a short poem at the bottom of the page and the title - That Empty Feeling is written about the overall picture. At the top is an inscription written in ink, To Lance with all good wishes from Auntie Ada and in pencil - Xmas 1932.fictiona collection of short adventure stories written for boys children's stories, adventure stories -
Melton City Libraries
Photograph, Bruce Myers, 1931
My Story by Bruce Myers – June 2001 Arthur Bruce Myers was born on Wednesday morning on the 29/4/1925 at Kelvin Grove Hospital Bacchus Marsh. Background Information: Prepared by Niece Wendy Barrie. The early life of Bruce Myers “Burnbank” Ballarat Road Melton. The family home was built by his grandparents Ann nee Dowling and Henri Miers in 1867. His father Frederick was born in 1877 in Melton the youngest of four boys. Bruce the fourth son of Frederick and Martha, brother Frederick the eldest was followed by Marjorie and Edna. His brother Max was the youngest child. Father Frederick Myers attended Melton State School No 430 enrolling in 1881 and leaving in 1888 gaining his Merit Certificate No 116343. Bruce enrolled in July 1931 and completed and gaining his Merit Certificate in 1937. In 1938 he travelled to Melbourne Boys High School. Bruce was taught piano by his sister Marjorie, a respected Melton music teacher. He entered many Piano competitions and at the age of 10 winning the radio cup in the Junior Cavalcade at 3AW at Latrobe Street. At Melbourne Boys High School during his lunchtime was allowed to practice the piano in the basement for his recreation. He was pestered by another boy (name I have forgotten) a teacher intervened telling him to leave Myers alone. As a young child when listening to music he was able to on hearing it identify the key it was written in, due to his perfect pitch. I remember “Mum” Myers telling about the time they went to see Artur Rubeinstein at a concert, when Bruce was a small boy, it may have been on this occasion that he had noted the key of the piano composition. Bruce writes – In my early teens Max and I frequently accompanied the Williams boys, Wally and Jim on expeditions up the Toolern Creek near where the Gisborne exit now crosses it. The dogs would chase the rabbits into their burrows after placing nets over the burrows a ferret would be let in to burrow, much excitement would be involved in the rush to grab the rabbits as they bolted into the nets. In the same area I used too accompany Dad on an evening rabbit shoot (summer time). After the heat of the day the rabbits would emerge from their burrows at dusk. We would his behind the tree in silence, a mark contrast to the ferreting scene. Dad with the shotgun cocked would wait until 2 or 3 rabbits were close together then fire (Bang!). Hopefully killing two rabbits. They would have to be killed outright, otherwise they would run back into their burrows. Needless to say, one deafening shot ended the event, also it only cost one cartridge. Our only swimming pool was hole in the Toolern Creek at its junction with the blind creek at the eastern entrance to Melton. Dad swum there in the 1880’s teaching many of the youngsters to swim. Females never swum there to my knowledge. The dressing shed consisted of a 4 corrugated iron nailed to a wooden frame about 4 metres by 3 no floor or roof. We always walked the kilometre in our bathers anyway. The swimming hole once dried up leaving about 2 ft of mud. We Melton boys had so much fun fossicking around with our hands and feet and yanking out numerous eels, some very bid. I don’t know what happened to them all. No doubt Dad would have skun one or two for Mum to cook after cutting them up into short lengths. They used to jump around the pan when they were cooking. Dad accompanied by Max and I, frequently fished for eels in the Gillespie’s waterhole just below our place using a rod, line, sinker, hook baited with a worm, and a white floater so as to easily see when an eel was on the hook, so that it could quickly be pulled before it could anchor itself on and under water snag such as a tree root making it impossible to catch, or causing the line to be lost. At about the age of 8, I suddenly discovered amazingly easily means of movement. One day when I was riding the bike on rough bluestone road near the Presbyterian Church [Uniting Church] in Melton when the front fork broke and I landed on my right knee and right eye gashing both, the knee severely. I have carried the scars ever since. I started getting mobile by riding a scooter with good leg on the scooter and swinging the right leg, keeping is straight because bending it was too painful.Childhood photo of Brucelocal identities -
Melton City Libraries
Photograph, Jim (James) and William (Horace) Barrie, Unknown, c.1940
In 1939 when World War 11 erupted Jim and Horace enlisted in the RAAF Jim to become a pilot and Horace a navigator. James Edward Barrie enlisted in the RAAF on 21st June 1941, aged 19 years. He was sent to Canada and then later to England to become a Spitfire Pilot. Half way through the War he returned to Australia to be sent north to fight the Japanese. At one stage he had to bail out over the Pacific after his engine had failed. Fortunately, he had time to radio his position before he abandoned his Spitfire. He dropped his boot out to determine how far below the water was, parachuted down inflated his dinghy and waited to be rescued. He was picked up very quickly by a rescue crew just as a heavy fog descended, or he may never have been found. He lost many of his mates in that Squadron in the Pacific, it was a particularly vital time for the Allies and these boys played a major part in turning the tide against the Japanese. This information has been taken from the writings of Mary Robinson, sister of Jim. My parents Bon and Edna Barrie spoke about this incident leaving a vivid impression in my mind as a young child. Jim is mentioned in the book Two Steps to Tokyo. A Story of the RAAF in the Trobriand and Admiralty Islands by Gordon Powell Chaplain, RAAF. After the war Jim returned to Darlingsford. In 1953 he married Wilma Ryan of Yarram. He continued in the family farming tradition obtaining a Soldier Settlement Block at Shelford. Jim regularly attended the ANZAC day march to the Shrine. He died in August 2004 This account has been compiled by his niece Wendy Barrie Sons of Charles (Ernie) and Jessie Barrie of Darlingsford Meltonlocal identities -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Book - Brave Bonegilla Boys, Marie Elliot, 2004
The small community of Bonegilla produced 28 young volunteers, average age 22, eager to leave their homeland and their families to fight for their King, country and freedom. Twelve were never to return, leaving devastated family and friends. Those who did return were often not blessed with a long life after the mental and physical damage they had suffered in the carnage and destruction of a bloody war.. This book explains their stories.non-fictionThe small community of Bonegilla produced 28 young volunteers, average age 22, eager to leave their homeland and their families to fight for their King, country and freedom. Twelve were never to return, leaving devastated family and friends. Those who did return were often not blessed with a long life after the mental and physical damage they had suffered in the carnage and destruction of a bloody war.. This book explains their stories.bonegilla, soldiers bonegilla world war one, bonegilla victoria -
Rutherglen Historical Society
Image, c1985
Colour photograph of a small painted brick building with a story board in front of it. The photograph is mounted on a bright blue sheet of paper, along with a typed caption of the text from the story board.Caption text: "Browns Plains Chapel. In 1866 the Browns Plains community funded the construction of this building to be used for religious and educational purposes. Erected on granite foundations carted from nearby Mt Ochtertyre, the shingle roofed brick building was opened as a Common School No 821 on the 1st of July 1866. In 1880 a weatherboard school was built to the south of the brick building. The School closed on 31st Dec 1895 there were 12 boys and 12 girls in attendance. Regular community church services are still being conducted here."browns plains, churches, schools, common school no 821 -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Document, History of Tally Ho Boys Home, 1972
Three papers on History of Boys Training Farm, Highbury Road, Tally Ho3 papers on History of Boys Training Farm, Highbury Road, Tally Ho, commenced in 1903 by Rev. and Mrs George Cole. The story covers the period from 1903-1930. The farm was built on land bought from Abel Hoadley for 1,000 Pounds near the corner of Springvale Road in Boundary Road (now Highbury Road). 2 letters (16/7/1972 & 28/5/1972) to Nancy Leach from E. Hinneberg, Assistant Superintendent, Tally Ho, about his association with Tally Ho.Three papers on History of Boys Training Farm, Highbury Road, Tally Hoyouth services, tally ho boys home, cole, george, rev., cole, mrs, hoadley, abel, boundary road burwood east, highbury road, burwood east, springvale road, burwood east, leach, nancy, hinneberg, ernest.