A pioneering response to the problem of preservation of foodstuffs in hot climatesA timber framed hessian covered cabinet with metal tray at the top and metal guttering cooled by the evaporation of water. Used to preserve cheese, butter, cream and meat and to set jellies. Invented circa 1900 at Coolgardie, W.A. and was in use until electric refrigeration became available.

The P.S. Alexander Arbuthnot was the last of the paddle steamers built at Koondrook, for the river trade in 1923. Owned by the Arbuthnot Sawmills. She was used to bring timber in from the forest to the sawmills to be processed from logs to timber. She was later owned by Evans Bros and then Barmah Charcoal Ltd. She sank at Yeilima, re-floated in 1973, placed on a low loader and taken to Shepparton for preservation. Echuca city council bought her for the Port of Echuca in April 1989. She was bought to Echuca in December 1991 to complete her restoration by shipwright Kevin Hutchinson. She is now used as a passenger vessel and is licensed to carry 47 passengers. The P.S. Alexander Arbuthnot is a reminder of the past life on the river. Being the last paddle steamer built for the river trade in 1923, the Alexander Arbuthnot is a reminder of the past life on the river. Licensed to now carry 47 passengers, she was used by the saw mills to bring timber in from the forests to the sawmills. A timber planked, monohull, side wheeled paddlesteamer with a 8hp horizontal Ruston Hornby steam engine. It has a flat bottom and mutiple decks. Currently painted cream with burgandy trim.Alexander Arbuthnot signage on wheelhouse and port and starboard bowp.s. alexander arbuthnot

Yarra River Conference History Segment [Noted on VHS tape jackets "Due to unavoidable circumstances, the quality of these tapes in some setions is less than desired."] The Yarra River Conference, organised by the Board of Works as part of the Centenary Celebrations, was held in the Board's Head Office Theatrette from 13-16 April, 1991. A segment of the Conference focussed on the role that the Yarra River has played in relation to the historical development of Melbourne. Conceived and presented by a group of prominent historians as a chronological 'trip down the river in time', and profusely illustrated with slides, this segment traced the various impacts that urban and rural growth, development of marine commerce, recreational uses, and environmental problems have had on the Yarra during a century and a half of European occupation. As no formal written paper of this combined presentation is available, these two video-tapes provide a record for anyone who has an interest in tis fascinating aspect of the Yarra's history. The speakers who combined to present this segment are identified on the cover of Tape 2. Tape 1 (2 hours) 1838-1863 Deputy ?? to Utility Early navigators of the Yarra River; developing the port of Melbourne; the gold rush and its effect on the new colony; punts and bridges; water supply; pollution of the Yarra; the discovery of gold and early settlement of the Yarra valley; floods of 1839 and 1863. 1863-1891 Formation of the Harbour Trust; Coode Canal; pollution of the Yarra by industry; aborigines, gold miners, timber getters in the Upper Yarra areas; bridges; the flood of 1891. Tape 2 ( 1 1/2 hours) 1892-1934: People Begin to See Beauty and Romance to the River Henley-on-Yarra; realignment of the Yarra; MMBW is responsible for a sewerage system; new docks to cope with increased overseas trade; development of recreational parks; new reservoirs; timber production and timber tramways; bushfire; flood of 1934. 1935-1970: The River is Neglected Still, Except When it Proves Useful Bushfirs of 1939; the end of many sawmills; birth of tourism; increased interest in conservation and preservation of land for open space; further augmentation of water supply system; birth of containerisation changes the port; environmental concerns gain momentum. Speakers Dr Tony Dingle *, Department of Economic History, Monash University Dr Carolyn Rasmussen *, History Consultant Prof. Graeme Davison, History Department, Monash University Mr. Tom Griffiths, Lecturer in Public History, Monash Uiversity Mr. Patrick Miller, History Consultant Mr. Colin Jones, Author and Historian * Co-authors of the Board's history, 'Vital Connections'.video recording, yarra river, conference proceedings