Cast iron mercury bucket, used to hold mercury, potentially in the process of recovering minute pieces of gold mixed in soil and sediments. See research page for description of one process of using mercury to extract gold.gold mines, mining equipment, mercury bucket, miners used mercury in a number of ways to amalgamate gold, with each mill or battery operator having their preferred method depending on the nature of the ore. by the late 1850s the most common way of crushing goldbearing quartz ores or consolidated alluvial cements was in a stamp battery. the battery featured heavy iron stamp heads held in a frame, with each head often weighing up to 500 pounds (226 kg) or more (see msv 1880, page 45) (birrell 2005). stamp heads were lifted and dropped by a rotating overhead cam shaft driven by a steam engine or water wheel. ore was fed into a large cast-iron battery box, mixed with a steady stream of water, and pulverised by the stamp heads. in some batteries, mercury was placed in the base of the boxes to amalgamate with freed gold. the violent agitation of the mercury in the mortar box, however, could cause the mercury to break into myriad tiny globules that were carried away by the water with the tailings, thus losing a certain amount of gold in the process (thompson 1867; ritchie & hooker 1997). the water and sand slurry was splashed by the falling stamps from the box through fine mesh screens and onto inclined wooden tables below the mortar box (figure 2). the tables were covered with copper sheets or plates coated with mercury, which caught and amalgamated with a portion of the gold. the grey putty-like amalgam was periodically scraped off the sheets and retorted in a furnace to collect the gold and recover the mercury for reuse. mercury was inevitably lost from the plates, while poor maintenance resulted in further losses of gold and mercury in the tailings. mercury use and loss from gold mining in 19th century victoria. peter davies1, susan lawrence, and jodi turnbull, department of archaeology and history, la trobe university.

Embroidered by hand. Top edged in gathered, coffee coloured lace, 4.5 cm wide. An opening at the base is also edged in the same patterned lace.Four metal press-studs close the shoulders and neck of the cover. Padded and lined with art-silk featuring butterflies and floral designs in dark - grey and white. The initials M.B. are satin stitched on the back, while fine running stitches outline a pattern on the front, emphasising the padded effect.Hand stitched, the initials M.B. give the only indication of ownership.manchester, trimmings, pink satin hot water bottle cover

The Maroondah System was first and foremost developed as a functional component of Melbourne's Water Supply System. In addition to functionality, the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) envisioned the Maroondah Reserve to be enjoyed aesthetically and recreationally by the public. This souvenir illustrates the realisation of the Maroondah System as a local recreational and tourist attraction in the early 20th century. The Maroondah Reserve gardens were landscaped with English-style ornamental stonework, exotic trees, flower beds and rose gardens. All features of the water supply system became widely celebrated as beauty spots that continue to be very popular to this day with tourists and locals alike. This souvenir is a product of that flourishing tourist trade. These water supply sites continue to enhance Melbourne’s charm and liveability and are now recognised as places of cultural and historic significance.Manufactured in England, this souvenir dish made from bone china with gold trim, features an illustration of the Maroondah Reservoir in the centre reading, “Maroondah Reservoir, Healesville”. On the back of the dish is the makers mark, Royal Stafford, one of the oldest pottery factories in Staffordshire, England. The Royal Stafford brand was established in 1845 and continues to provide high quality tableware in the present day. This souvenir item has been curated by Melbourne Water as it represents an important historical aspect of the organisation by demonstrating the popularity of its water asset sites as recreational places and tourist attractions, and although these sites are functional parts of the water supply system, they were also designed to be enjoyed by the public both aesthetically and recreationally. Souvenir dish made from bone china with gold trim, featuring an illustration of the Maroondah Reservoir in the centre reading, “Maroondah Reservoir, Healesville”.Makers mark, Royal Stafford.maroondah, healesville, dish, porcelain, melbourne metropolitan board of works, melbourne water, mmbw

The Maroondah System was first and foremost developed as a functional component of Melbourne's Water Supply System. In addition to functionality, the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) envisioned the Maroondah Reserve to be enjoyed aesthetically and recreationally by the public. This souvenir illustrates the realisation of the Maroondah System as a local recreational and tourist attraction in the early 20th century. The Maroondah Reserve gardens were landscaped with English-style ornamental stonework, exotic trees, flower beds and rose gardens. All features of the water supply system became widely celebrated as beauty spots that continue to be very popular to this day with tourists and locals alike. This souvenir is a product of that flourishing tourist trade. These water supply sites continue to enhance Melbourne’s charm and liveability and are now recognised as places of cultural and historic significance.These souvenir salt and pepper shakers have been curated by Melbourne Water as they represent an important historical aspect of the organisation by demonstrating the popularity of its water asset sites as recreational places and tourist attractions, and although these sites are functional parts of the water supply system, they were also designed to be enjoyed by the public both aesthetically and recreationally. Additionally, the salt and pepper shakers are aesthetically pleasing as the blue glass and wooden handles demonstrate the design and style of the 1970s. These souvenir salt and pepper shakers feature glass bodies, wooden handles and plastic lids. The salt and pepper shakers are decorated with pictures of koalas, kangaroos and a map of Australia. The text “Maroondah Dam, Vic” has been inscribed on the wooden handles.melbourne metropolitan board of works, mmbw, maroondah, salt and pepper shakers, souvenir, glass, healesville

Original postcard featuring black and white pen and ink sketch of a platypus. Landscape in background; water in foreground. Name of artist in right hand lower corner of card. Also Sanctuary identification printed on front and reverse of card.THE SIR COLIN MACKENZIE SANCTUARY, HEALESVILLE A. JORDAN/FROM A PHOTOGRAPHplatypus, sir-colin-mackenzie, healesville-sanctuary

See inscription. Gift from Vietnamese Captain to an Australian Captain in 1968Orange, yellow and red colourful Painting. Water scene with ten sampans featured floating: four in foreground and six gathered together in background. Mountain range in background. Three people featured on three sampans. Painting done on board. Wooden frame.Bottom RHS of painting front: "To Capt Goodchild/ From Capt Trung & 10 M.I.D/ June 1968 Vietnam" On frame at back: 5538383 Major Bernard Goodchild 15.01.34 - 01.08.2021, Enlistment date 1965 Discharge 1990, Corps RAAMC, 1st Australian Special Service Civil Affairs Unit, Vietnam (southern zone) 21.06.1967 - 25.06.1968painting, vietnam, goodchild, trung, sampan

Robin Boyd was appointed Exhibits Architect for the Australian Pavilion at Expo ‘67 in Montreal. In 1966 Boyd travelled to Far North Queensland and the Northern Territory for research – the Expo exhibits included a coral display, a large rock feature made from Australian sandstone and a native plant garden.Colour slide in a mount. Rocks and water, unknown location, probably Northern Territory, Australia, when visiting Alice SpringsMade in Australia / 28 / DEC 66M4 / Encircled 36A (Handwritten)australia, slide, robin boyd

The photograph is one of a series of 6 which feature the Sunbury Railway Station complex. The complex includes photographs of the railway station with the wooden pedestrian bridge which has been demolished and two photographs of the water towers. The photographs were taken before the railway land on the west side of the line was developed to make way for a supermarket complex in 2000.A view of the brick and iron water tower which is sited on the Bendigo side of the Sunbury Railway Station. The brick structure at the base has 3 arched recesses across the front and two at the side. Two of the railway buildings are visible on either side of the tower.sunbury railway station, water towers, footbridges, bridges, railways, george evans collection

In 1949 the HELLENIC PRINCE with its 3 hospitals, 2 cinemas, and air conditioned accommodation was chartered by the International Refugee Organisation to transport displaced persons from Europe to Australia. Its first trip was to Sydney where it arrived with 1000 passengers on 5 December 1949. On the third trip it left Naples on 23 March 1950, and arrived in Fremantle on 20 April 1950, and in Melbourne on 25 April 1950. The men and women were separated for the voyage with my father sleeping on a hammock in a large room with other men, while my mother, my brother, and I had bunks in a shared cabin. On board were displaced persons ex Bagnoli Camp Italy, some of whom later built their bungalows on the grassy and rocky paddocks near Sunshine Victoria, and began to establish a new life in a new country. A few of the families that arrived on the third trip and purchased land in the Dunkeld Ave - Sandford Ave area of North Sunshine (Birmingham Estate) were Janczak, Kolanowicz, Mroz, Pawlak, Rasztabiga, Skrobalak, Szydlowski, Witkowski, and Zielinski. Some friends settled elsewhere in Sunshine. The family Tabaka went to West Sunshine just over the Derby Rd Bridge, while the family Wojcik went to Ardeer. The ship first started service in 1929 for the Royal Australian Navy as the HMAS ALBATROSS. It had a standard displacement of 4,800 tons and was 443 feet 7 inches (135.2 metres) long, and its top speed during trials reached 22 knots (41 km/hr). It was built at Cockatoo Island Dockyard as Australia's first Aircraft Carrier (seaplanes), but the aircraft that it was designed for were retired just before the ship went into service. A new plane specifically designed to work with the Albatross began operations after the ship was decommissioned in 1933, and placed into reserve in Sydney Harbour. Seaplanes continued to operate from the anchored ship. (Click on the Link 'HMAS Albatross (1)' situated above the Object Registration number to view pictures of the HMAS Albatross on the Navy web site). In 1938 the ship was recommissioned and transferred to the Royal Navy as part payment for the light cruiser Hobart. The ship then did military service for the Royal Navy during World War 2. It did patrol and escort duties in the southern Atlantic, and from mid 1942 in the Indian Ocean. By early 1944 the ship was converted so that it could repair landing craft and other support vessels off Sword and Juno beaches. The ship managed to return 132 craft into service and to save 79 others from total loss. On 11 August 1944 Albatross was torpedoed with the loss of either 50 or 66 personnel, but was able to be towed back to Portsmouth. After repairs she did a short service as a minesweeper depot ship, and following that was placed into reserve on 3 August 1945. In August 1946 the ship was sold for commercial use but the plans to convert it into a luxury liner or a floating cabaret fell through. The ship was again sold on 14 November 1948 to the British-Greek Yannoulatos Group, who renamed it HELLENIC PRINCE in recognition of the birth of Prince Charles and his Greek heritage. After conversion into a passenger ship the Hellenic Prince made several trips to Australia transporting displaced persons, however apparently not all trips were pleasant for the passengers. In the on board newsletter 'Kangaroo' dated 5 January 1951, the ship's master P. C. King expressed his indignation about the behaviour of passengers and made accusations of mutiny. According to some immigrants the conditions were appalling and overcrowded with 1200 passengers. Passengers were supposedly required to work and were paid with Woodbine cigarettes. The drinking water ran out, the freezer broke down, and fresh food that was brought on board went to the crew. Sea sickness was rife because the ship was rarely level due to malfunctioning pumps. (The newsletter 'Kangaroo' can be viewed at the Museum Victoria web site by clicking the Link 'Newsletter - Kangaroo'). In 1953 during the Mau Mau uprising the Hellenic Prince was used to transport troops to Kenya, and in 1954 the ship came to an end in a scrap yard at Hong Kong. THE ABOVE INFORMATION WAS COMPILED FROM; (1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Albatross_(1928) (accessed 11/2/2013), (2) An article by Graeme Andrews found at http://www.afloat.com.au/afloat-magazine/2011/july-2011/The_boat_people_of_the _forties_and_fifties#.UuYY6ou4apo (accessed 27/1/14), (3) http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/items/273166/newsletter-kangaroo-hellenic-prince-5-jan-1951 (accessed 27/1/14), (4) National Archive search starting at; www.naa.gov.au/collection/search/index.aspx (accessed 27/1/14), (5) http://www.flickr.com/photos/41311545@N05/3864781978 (accessed 29/1/14). Hellenic Prince has a significance to Sunshine Victoria because some of the displaced people from Europe, who arrived in Melbourne on Anzac Day 1950, were among the first people to settle in the grassy and rocky paddock areas of North Sunshine. These settlers established a residential suburban area out of the paddocks. In those early days there were no services and the planned roads were basically just drawings on a map. The ship is also significant because it was named in recognition of the birth of Prince Charles. In the ship's former life as the HMAS Albatross the significance is that it was built in Australia as our country's first Aircraft Carrier (seaplanes).New photograph made from a scanned copy of a circa 1950 Post Card featuring the ship on calm water.Hellenic Prince / Hong Konghellenic prince, migrant ship, displaced persons, refugees, international refugee organisation, bagnoli camp, hmas albatross, yannoulatos group

Walter Magilton's professional painting career is highlighted by numerous solo exhibitions, five of which have been in Great Britain. He has also won countless prizes, which include many 'Best in Show' awards. Walter is represented in a great number of private and corporate national and international collections, including ART Bank, in approximately twelve countries.This painting is a one of a series of approximately eight works of the river at Warrandyte and the local creeks, with particular emphasis on the reflections in the water and of the wattle growing along the banks. I was particularly inspired by Penleigh Boyde who did similar work while living in Warrandyte in the early 1920s.'Sunlight and Shadows, Warrandyte' is an oil on canvas painting depicting the Warrandyte landscape, featuring a winding creek with beautiful reflections cast upon it. The colour palate comprises muted green and earth tones, with a vivid aqua for reflective water.walter magilton, nillumbik, warrandyte

Charles Steedman was headmaster of Williamstown Grammar School from 1870-76 and 1885-90. In 1870, under agreement with school trustees, Sir George Verdon and John Courtis, he leased the school under a seven-year lease, effectively saving it from closure. Steedman had previously been manager of Sandridge Baths and a champion swimmer of Victoria. His 1867 book, 'Manual of Swimming', was the first major technical contribution to the sport of speed swimming and water safety, for which Steedman was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2006. As headmaster of Williamstown Grammar, Steedman initiated a student produced school paper called 'The Schoolboy' (surviving editions can be accessed at the State Library of Victoria), added swimming lessons to the curriculum and opened enrolment to girls in 1885. The book contains nine illustration plates featuring line drawings of a human figure in the positions detailed by Steedman in his text. These drawings are attributed to O.R. Campbell. Oswald Rose Campbell is best known for his appointment (1876-1886) as drawing master of the School of Design, a department of the Public Library, Museums and National Gallery of Victoria. He taught (and famously disagreed with) the likes of celebrated Australian artists, Tom Roberts and Frederick McCubbin. O.R Campbell taught drawing and painting at Williamstown Grammar in the early 1870s.The book holds historic significance for Westbourne Grammar School, having been written by a former headmaster and very important figure in the history of the school. It evokes our early history as an emerging grammar school with links to prominent athletes, artists and gentry of colonial Melbourne. Blue cloth covered case-bound book, with debossed decorative scrollwork in each corner and in the centre of front cover, and gilt lettering on the spine. 270 numbered pages, nine illustration plates (one adjacent to title page, eight as end pages).On title page, handwritten inscriptions in brown coloured ink. Possibly ‘Joshua Saggs Esq. / With the authors compliments’ and below, in different handwriting and darker ink, ‘To dear Flossie from Grandma 1901’. williamstown, sandridge baths, swimming, colonial melbourne, art, williamstown grammar

Photograph shows crowds of beachgoers on Torquay front beach in front of bathing boxes.The bathing boxes in the background were a feature of the Torquay foreshore until 1953. A water tower, long removed, is also visible in the background.Black and white photographtorquay victoria., bathing boxes, beach crowds early 1900s, beach wear

Development of park along Dandenong Creek from Knox and Nunawading to Rowville and Mulgrave featuring wetlands, billabongs, cycling and walking tracks, bushland, picnic facilities and wildlife.dandenong creek, melbourne water, floyd, jeff, dandenong valley metropolitan park, chesterfield, chris, parks and reserves

In 2021, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) constructed two new groynes and a section of rock seawall at Apollo Bay to help manage the impacts of coastal erosion. The new 70-meter-long rock groynes run perpendicular to the shoreline and be located just south of the Milford St revetment and to the south of Milford Creek. Sections of rock seawall will be constructed between the two Groynes with an aim to protect the dune, walking path, cypress trees and road from erosion. Colour photograph of a coastal scene at Apollo Bay, featuring new rock groynes to protect the Great Ocean Road from erosion. apollo bay, beach, coast, groyne, rockwall

In 2021, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) constructed two new groynes and a section of rock seawall at Apollo Bay to help manage the impacts of coastal erosion. The new 70-meter-long rock groynes run perpendicular to the shoreline and be located just south of the Milford St revetment and to the south of Milford Creek. Sections of rock seawall will be constructed between the two Groynes with an aim to protect the dune, walking path, cypress trees and road from erosion. Colour photograph of a coastal scene at Apollo Bay, featuring new rock wall and groynes to protect the Great Ocean Road from erosion. apollo bay, beach, coast, groyne, rockwall

In 2021, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) constructed two new groynes and a section of rock seawall at Apollo Bay to help manage the impacts of coastal erosion. The new 70-meter-long rock groynes run perpendicular to the shoreline and be located just south of the Milford St revetment and to the south of Milford Creek. Sections of rock seawall will be constructed between the two Groynes with an aim to protect the dune, walking path, cypress trees and road from erosion. Colour photograph of a coastal scene at Apollo Bay, featuring new rock wall and groynes to protect the Great Ocean Road from erosion. apollo bay, beach, coast, groyne, rockwall, sea wall

In 2021, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) constructed two new groynes and a section of rock seawall at Apollo Bay to help manage the impacts of coastal erosion. The new 70-meter-long rock groynes run perpendicular to the shoreline and be located just south of the Milford St revetment and to the south of Milford Creek. Sections of rock seawall will be constructed between the two Groynes with an aim to protect the dune, walking path, cypress trees and road from erosion. Colour photograph of a coastal scene at Apollo Bay, featuring new rock wall and groynes to protect the Great Ocean Road from erosion. apollo bay, beach, coast, groyne, rockwall, sea wall

Timber entrance feature to Vaughan Mineral Springs Reserve.vaughan, vaughan springs, vaughan chinese cemetery, chinese, mineral water

Constructed in 1903 and enlarged in 1917 this dam originally featured the only siphonic spillway in Victoria. Being the uppermost of the three Coliban storages, it is usually the first drawn down in periods of high demand.Colour photograph of the Upper Coliban Reservoir.upper coliban, coliban, water, reservoir, supply, system, upper coliban reservoir, water storage

London Bridge, pre 1990 was a double-spanning bridge connected to the mainland. The stack was created over hundreds of years, with the weaker layers toward the base being eroded away by wind and water to form the two bridges. The span closer to the shoreline collapsed unexpectedly on 15 January 1990, leaving two visitors, whilst uninjured, stranded on the outer span before being rescued by helicopter. Two coloured photographs of the London Bridge, on the Great Ocean Road. This photo was taken days before the collapse of the geological feature. The photographer walked across the bridge to the warning of her mother "if you go over there and it collapses you will be stuck. After the collapse it was renamed London Arch. london bridge, great ocean road, london bridge, peterborough, london arch, shipwreck coast, 12 apostles

As St John ambulances are featured in this 1960s accident depiction, the event shown has occurred in either South or Western Australia.Water colour painting. Depicts car accident victim being treated on the road by ambulance officers. Two St John ambulances in scene and police officer (motor cycle branch). Full colour painting.

Framed and laminated colour photograph featuring a beach scene with two windsurfers on the water. Land, beach and foliage in the background. Laminated surface and brown wood frame.

Framed and laminated colour photograph featuring a small family on the water's edge.The mother and father are lifting a small child between them. Large rocks and boulders can be seen behind them. Brown wood frame.

Ceramic outdoor sculpture featuring 15 clay pipe forms of various heights and designs. Decorated with a range of diferent designs and paint slips. Water pumped through each pipe to make a waterfeature in the council garden.

From 1928 until the 1980s, Melbourne Legacy ran an excellent exercise program for its widows. Classes were held weekly at Legacy House and there was often a waiting list for the water classes, which had both swimming instruction and water exercises. Some of the class members were in their 90s, many just learning to swim. A record of activities provided for Legacy widows.Black and white photo of six older women in a swimming pool, holding onto a bar at the edge of the pool.Stamped on the back: "COPYRIGHT / HERALD - SUN / PHOTOGRAPH / SUPPLIED BY / FEATURE SERVICE / THE HERALD & WEEKLY TIMES LTD. / MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA" Written on the back and circled in blue pen: "2"widows, exercise classes, swimming, activities