The Australian Historical Records Society existed in Ballarat between 1896 and 1906. They were one of Australia's first historical societies, and were in the position to still be able to talk to early pioneers. They invited such pioneers to either submit letters or memoirs, or to address the Society's meetings, where their reminiscences were taken down in shorthand and later typed up. The Society also attempted to preserve memorabilia from Ballarat's early days, but on the disbanding of the group in 1906, materials were stored at the Ballarat Town Hall and were later lost. It is not known how the papers made their way to the then Ballarat Municipal Library, but they have been part of the Library's collection for many years.Thomas Bath came to Australia in 1849, establishing a butchering establishment at Geelong. He mined during the rushes at various sites, eventually coming to Ballarat where he established a hotel now known as Craig's Royal Hotel. He held the first publican's license on Ballarat (1854) and his hotel was known as The Ballarat, later changed to Bath's Hotel; after the sale to Mr Craig in 1857 Thomas Bath established his farm Ceres, at Learmonth. Thomas Bath was instrumental in the formation of Ballarat and was a champion of all public institutions. He died in 1901. These reminiscences appear to have been recorded by the AHRS rather than Mr Bath writing them himself.goldrush, sailing ships, coach fares

Caption reads 'Opening of Railway Communications. The First Train from Geelong 1862'ballarat railway station, building, sketch, vehicle, public

Pictured are the Fanning family who were toll-keepers. The property on Geelong Road is now St Martins in the Pines which was gifted to the Sisters of Mercy by Alice Fanning.st martins in the pines, alice fanning, sisters of mercy, building, vehicle, persons, private dwelling

Report titled "State Electricity Commission of Victoria, Fifteenth Annual Report, Financial Year ended 30th June 1934", together with appendices. Has a table of contents, graphs and appendices. Notes on Ballarat and Bendigo - page 6 and Geelong page 34. Enclosed within the report is a with compliments slip and an addendum. Note; this full document can be accessed on the Parliamentary Library Annual Reports database. Yields information about the activities of the SEC through its Annual Report.Annual Report - 68 foolscap pages, stapled within grey covers. Stamped "Brisbane Tramway Museum Society J150/1" on the first page. Written in red ink "Geelong tramways page 34"tramways, trams, sec, geelong, ballarat, bendigo, reports, electricity generation

Report titled "State Electricity Commission of Victoria, Sixteenth Annual Report, Financial Year ended 30th June 1935", together with appendices. Has a table of contents, graphs and appendices. Notes on Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong page 30. Enclosed within the report is a with compliments slip. Note this full document can be accessed on the Parliamentary Library Annual Reports database. Yields information about the activities of the SEC through its Annual Report.Annual Report - 72 foolscap pages, stapled within grey coversStamped "Brisbane Tramway Museum Society J150/2" on the first page. Written in red ink "Ballarat, Bendigo Geelong tramways page 30" with pencil underlining.tramways, trams, sec, geelong, ballarat, bendigo, reports, electricity generation

Report titled "State Electricity Commission of Victoria, Seventeenth Annual Report, Financial Year ended 30th June 1936", together with appendices. Has a table of contents, graphs and appendices. Notes on Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong page 24. Enclosed within the report is a with compliments slip. Note this full document can be accessed on the Parliamentary Library Annual Reports database. Yields information about the activities of the SEC through its Annual Report.Annual Report - 60 foolscap pages, stapled within grey coversStamped "Brisbane Tramway Museum Society J150/3" on the first page. Written in red ink "Ballarat, Bendigo Geelong tramways page 24" with pencil underlining.tramways, trams, sec, geelong, ballarat, bendigo, reports, electricity generation

The photo shows Geelong No. 2 in Moorabool St at the intersection with Ryrie St. The tram has the destination of North. The tram is in its modified form that provides for one-man operation. In the photo are Edments, Savoia Cafe, Commercial Bank of Australia, and the T&G building. The photo has been dated between 1935 when the tram was converted and 1939 when the bar neon traffic lights were installed at the intersection. The photograph was taken from a Victorian Railways glass negative held at the State Library of Victoria. See item 8360 for a digital copy of the SLV scan - http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/97173Yields information about Geelong No.2 and the intersection of Ryrie and Moorabool Streets Geelong.Black and white photograph with a number of rear.In pencil "2171" on rear.tramways, trams, geelong, ryrie st, moorabool st, temperance & general, tram 2

105 page leather bound atlas containing some coloured illustrations of maps of the countries of the world up to 1861. Published by William Blackwood & Sons, 1861. Folio [51x34cm] size with 9 pages of introductory text followed by 48 double-page spread and part coloured maps.non-fictionAtlas of the word in 1861geography, world atlas, keith johnstone

Demonstrates an important part of Ballarat's tramway operations during the Second World War when Conductresses and many women were employed by the SEC.Photographic reproduction of page 13 of Christmas - New Year issue (1942-43) issue of SEC News, from a negative supplied by State Library on photo paper, laminated with 4 Velcro dots on rear. Has photo of conductresses at Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat, car drivers and clerks at Flinders St. Gives names of conductresses and motor car drivers. Images files 246i1 - full page - small version 246i1a - full page 1200 dpi version - has to be opened in a separate viewed. 246i2 - Ballarat Conductresses 246i3 - Geelong - Geelong Conductresses 246i4 - Car Drivers (Motor Transport - HO) 246i5 - Bendigo Conductresses 246i6& i7 - Flinders St. clerical workers. trams, tramways, secv, world war i, ballarat, bendigo, geelong, conductresses

Herbert James Woodhouse (1854-1937) was born in Essex and arrived in Australia with his family in 1857. A painter-lithographer like his father and three of his brothers, he was a prizewinner in the South Australian Society of Arts exhibition of 1885. He also received commendations in exhibitions at the Victorian Academy of Arts and the New South Wales Arts Society. At an exhibition of his paintings at Scott’s Hotel in Collins Street in 1892, the reviewer for Table Talk noted that the ‘artist paints almost solely in the open air, and his studies are generally carried out during the trips of the Victorian Sketching Club’. One of the paintings singled out for praise was: ‘A very effective river scene at Willsmere, aptly named A Midstream Mirror, ... a picture powerful in its effective reflection of sunlight in the river.’ Herbert Woodhouse died in Geelong in June 1937, aged 82, and was buried in the Eastern Cemetery. A number of his sketchbooks are held in the collection of the State Library of Victoria.Framed oil painting on board of the River Yarra at Studley Park, Kew, by Herbert James Woodhouse (1858-1937). The artist has framed the narrow painting with trees in the foreground and a view of the Yarra River and rolling hills in the background. Verso, written by artist: "River Yarra Near Dights Falls"australian art - 19th century, herbert james woodhouse (1854-1937), yarra river - studley park

The Manor House Rug was designed by Brinton's Carpets in 1990 exclusively for the National Wool Museum. The design is based on an earlier design from Brinton's UK Persian Rug Archive Library. This Manor House Rug sample was woven at the National Wool Museum on the 1910 gripper type Axminster Jacquard carpet loom. The rug is made from 80% wool and 20% nylon, the internationally preferred blend for high quality, long lasting carpets.Red, green, blue, black, cream floral patterned carpet sample with jute backing.axminster loom, carpet, sample, rug, wool, national wool museum, brintons

Educational booklet for school children entitled "The Importance of Being Larry". The book is designed to teach children about the shearing of sheep and exporting of wool. Published by the Australian Wool Corporation, Melbourne.Educational booklet for school children entitled "The Importance of Being Larry". Written in cartoon style, black and white, with a colour cover, front and back. Inside the front cover is a lift out page titled "AUSTRALIAN WOOL CORPORATION. LIBRARY. THE WOOL INDUSTRY: A READING LIST OF STUDENTSwool growing, wool - transportation, wool sales - export

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: celebration of Alice McClelland's 88th birthday (and 58th year at the library), the first time a book of poetry has won the Braille Book of the Year award, movement of 30,000 Braille volumes into Braille Hall due to the need to expand the audio collection, increased government funding as restrictions on lending to visually impaired are extending to those with physical or perceptive inabilities to read standard print, report identifying the need for more audio production facilities and possibility of establishing more studios in Geelong, retirement of E. Webb, C. Griffin, Elizabeth Fraser, Ray Hannah, Dudley Sherlock and appointment of Norma Brumley, David Hume, Dr Simon Haskell and David Blyth.1 volume of text and illustrationsbraille and talking book library, annual report

Articles include the production of Christmas cards using a drawing by Lady Casey, death of Captain Semmens who was a member of many sub-committees, relocation of library, cupboard to be built in kitchen and Mr Skaftouros continues to be an excellent hirer, Bird and Bottle restaurant raised money with a special dinner and entertainment night, some difficulties with Stainsby and Perkins Braillers have been overcome, thermoform machine is on order, tape recorder/talking book project still under consideration, Tellatouch machine has been received and will be evaluated, loss of Mrs Simpson who was the leader in the Honour Roll this year, St Paul's School are assisting with binding books for students, resignation of Mrs Weir and appointment of Mrs Hearn as Librarian, revision of policy to only teach Braille to adults and first junior student taken on in Geelong, potential of more auxiliaries being established and need to increase income from Hall requires suggestions from the public.32 pages of text with drawingsbraille library of victoria, corporation records

Wendy Barrie's memories of Apollo Bay The camping trips were a yearly event after the harvest had finished. The trip down to the beach was a much-anticipated event heading out through Parwan and to Geelong leaving behind the hot and dusty plains and our parents relieved to have the hard work of harvesting left behind. The Otways in the distance were reached with great anticipation, Mum in the car and Dad in the Truck ahead of us anxiously winding through the narrow roads and negotiating the hairpin bends and breathing in the cool fresh air of the forest, and keeping an eye out of the log trucks that might come sweeping the corner. The tree ferns with their dripping moisture and the giant trees and the unmistakeable small of the eucalypts. Great excitement was when we caught our first view of the sea from the highest point of the road and then is was the cautious drive the sea level to the sight of the blue ocean with the white of the waves crashing on the rocks and the pristine sand. The water from the Wild Dog and Skenes creek trickling onto the ocean. The tree ferns with their dripping moisture and the giant trees and the unmistakeable smell of the eucalypts. The return journey was usually taken on the Great Ocean Road, it was considered safer to be on the inside of the road. In the early days it was very narrow and passing oncoming cars was taken very cautiously. Landslides and floods sometimes meant we would take the inland route. One year the bridges were washed away and bailey bridges were erected to keep the road open. Rock falls off the cliffs were common Stops on the way home gave us our last chance for our feet in the sand and a swim in the ocean. By the time we reached the hill at Angle Sea the vast blue ocean was behind us and we trekked back through Geelong- Bacchus road and the plains of stubble and the dry grass, and sometimes evidence of burnt patches from a bush fire. The closest we came to a pool at home was the concrete sheep trough at the gate to the work sheds. It was filled with bore water pumped from the nearby windmill. Edna, Bon and their family members at their camp site in Apollo Baylocal identities

West Footscray Chaffcutting and Flour Millagriculture

Marjorie Gretchen MYERS was born on 21 February 1912 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.She died on 10 September 2004 in Frankston, Victoria, Australia. Arthur Bruce MYERS was born on 29 April 1925 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 26 March 2015 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Maxwell Douglas MYERS was born on 10 August 1927 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 03 May 2005 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.Three of Frederick Thomas Myers and Martha Mary Watson' childrenlocal identies

Martha Watson was born on 17 October 1888 in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia as the first child of Robina (Ruby) WATSON. She died on 23 March 1976 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Memories of Martha by Valcia nee Twigg Lowrie, granddaughter of Arthur Watson. My memories and recollections as told to me my Grandmother ‘Mum’ Myers. As a child she had scarlet fever and did not attend school during the illness and missed a lot of school (Macarthur Street State School). When she was meant to return to school having fallen behind her classmates, confused and behind with the school work, she instead spent her time wandering around Lake Wendouree feeling too ashamed to attend school. Her uncle Arthur, born in 1874, whom she idealized, was a type of father/mentor figure who played and important part in her early life. He moved to Queensland in the early 1900’s and they did not meet again until he visited Melton in 1949, he died in 1954. He was a champion rower in Victoria and Queensland and a noted cyclist who rode in three Warrnambool to Melbourne races, and footballer. Her mother’s death certificate reveals her place of death as the Ballarat Hospital on 8th September 1903 aged 36. Martha was not told of the death of her mother, it was some time later when she found out her mother had died. She was greatly distressed when she eventually found out. The grief and the circumstance of her mothers death and her unfortunate life had a permanent effect on Martha’s life. Robina was buried in Open Ground at the New Cemetery Ballarat. Marjorie likened to this to the death of Mozart at the age of 35 who was also buried in a common grave. Martha also told me the stories about how as a child she played at the cemetery, taking the oranges placed as offerings on the Chinese graves and being chased away in fright when caught by a Chinese man. Her description left a vivid impression on my mind. The Burnbank street house was just across the road from the cemetery. The pieces of this story I had heard made sense when I visited the location in recent years. Martha’s described how Nanna would sing on the front verandah, and send her off to t get drink for her. This situation might help explain the reason for Martha’s strong aversion to alcohol. As a young girl it had been distressing to her. Nanna was a colourful and theatrical personality and danced with the Duke when he visited Ballarat. She was also known to have stated that she would marry a man who could give her a bucket of gold, possibly around the time after her first husband, Charles death, she had her young boy Edward to bring up. Martha was about 13 years old when Nanna Watson left Ballarat going to Queensland to visit her son Arthur. Martha slept that night afraid and alone in the empty house. The person who was meant to collect her did not come until the next day. She went to work for a family, a woman with children, they took most of the money that Nanna had left with Martha. There was a new baby in the house and the Scottish man in the house behaved suspiciously towards Martha. She was afraid of him and would hide from him under the bed. At this young age she managed to survive on her wits and sense of self preservation. It is not known how long she worked with this family. The place was from my impression, away from the town of Ballarat. Her very difficult formative years are testament to her strength of character and determination to succeed in life and ambition to provide the best opportunities for her own children. In 1905 Martha received a post card from Uncle Arthur in Brisbane addressed – c/o Mrs Styles 14 High Street Ballarat. Dolly Styles was a Ballarat friend and she kept in contact with her for many years. A letter reveals her living in Minyip in her older years. Martha is thought to have spent a few years working before she arrived in Melton. Miss Shebler hired Martha to help her in the care of her father and to assist with work in the Golden Fleece Hotel. Mr Shebler was a nice old man and mostly confined to his room and somewhat childlike as described by Martha. [The elderly Mr August Shebler died in February 1908]. Martha’s exact arrival in Melton is not known, but could be estimated as late 1906 to early 1907. In her room at the hotel she could hear the spring cart of Mr Minns going on the milk delivery rounds in the very early hours of the morning after coming across the creek from his house When she was 19, she married Frederick Thomas MYERS, son of Henri MIERS and Ann DOWLING, on 30 April 1908 ( Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia). Frederick Thomas MYERS and Martha Mary WATSON had the following children: 1. Frederick John Watson MYERS was born on 01 October 1908 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 07 February 2001.He married Mary June BATTYE on 18 September 1948 in Victoria, Australia. 2. Marjorie Gretchen MYERS was born on 21 February 1912 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.She died on 10 September 2004 in Frankston, Victoria, Australia.She married Herbert Vivian BUTLER on 07 January 1939 in Victoria, Australia. 3. Eva Edna MYERS was born on 15 October 1918 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.She died on 31 January 2008 in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia.She married Ernest Wesley BARRIE on 25 October 1941 in Melton, Victoria, Australia. 4. Arthur Bruce MYERS was born on 29 April 1925 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 26 March 2015 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.He married Olive Irene NORTON in April 1953 in Balliang, Victoria, Australia (or Church of Christ Footscray? (WB)). 5. Maxwell Douglas MYERS was born on 10 August 1927 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 03 May 2005 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.He married Rosemary Rebecca BARRIE on 31 August 1951 in Melton, Victoria, Australia. Valcia nee Twigg Lowrie granddaughter of Arthur Watson, daughter of Mercia and Val Twigg did extensive research on the Marshall family of Lerwick Shetland Isle obtaining birth information of the Scottish forebears. She also got the birth/marriage and death certificates of the Ballarat connection of Robina’s husbands and children. Copies were sent to Edna and Wendy during the early 1990’s. Bruce and Irene also obtained certificates and Myers family information. Wendy applied for certificates at this time.Photographs of Martha (Watson) Myers taken at different times of her life

David McKenzie obituary, Romsey Examiner 1928 Another of Australia’s very old pioneers in the person of Mr McKenzie, passed away last weekend at his daughters residence At regent at the ripe old age of 92 years ( he would be 93 in November) Born at Berwick of Tweed Scotland, the late Mr McKenzie arrived in Australia with two of his uncles in 1855 by the ship “Red Jacket”. A stone- mason by trade he worked about Melbourne and at Geelong until attack by “gold fever” but met with no success at this venture so he returned to his trade, arriving at Melton about 1860. There he married and settles for about 20 years. In 1880 the Cherokee Heights with its subdivision was famous and Mr McKenzie moved there with his daughter. He continues in his trade, his work extending to Gisborne, Bacchus Marsh, Romsey, and Springfield and other places, where to this day, may be seen monuments of his skill and through tradesmanship as a mason. During his residence in the Mount, he took a keen interest in all the affairs of Kerrie and Cherokee, and he was a familiar figure at all the public gatherings at which he nearly always filled the position of Chairman, because of outstanding qualifications. He was a man of those sterling qualities possessed by those men who laid the foundation of this country so well and truly. Loyal, broad of vision, just in thought and deed, honourable to the extreme in all dealings, fearless in the cause of right, a lover of home and family, and ready to lend a hand to all progressive movements. To the memory of those grand men the youth of today should lift their hats in reverence. Mr McKenzie was a prolific reader of educational works, and the wonderful knowledge he retained upon a variety of subjects was a source joy to those who associated with him. His wife predeceased him by 43 years ago soon after arrival in Cherokee. A Pioneer of Melton There are probably some residents left at Melton and Bacchus Marsh who will remember the late Mr McKenzie, one of them has written as follows:- I knew the late Mr. McKenzie since I was a little boy – over 50 years ago- and no better man ever lived than he, he was a good man from every point of view. The late Mr McKenzie was born on the November 25th, 1835 at Montrose, Scotland. He came to Australia in 1853 and resided for a time with his uncle the late Mr. Gibson on the Kororoit Creek near Melton. A few years later he settled in Melton. In 1861 he was married to Miss Mary Buchanan, the eldest daughter of the late Mr. George Buchanan, one of the early settlers of Melton. Deceased resided on the main road to Bacchus Marsh one mile from Melton. He was a stone- mason by trade, and some fine buildings in Melton and surrounding districts to this day, stand to his credit. He built the Presbyterian Church Melton. The old school, the Shire Hall, many private dwellings and numerous bridges. He was highly respected, as he was well known for the good work he put into all he had to do with. He also took numerous contracts in the Melton Shire, and was also employed by the Shire as Clerk of Works. He was a most conscious man. In his day he took a prominent part in all public affairs, and was a leading spirit in the old school Board. He was one of the pioneers of the Melton Rechabite Tent. He was one of the earliest workers and supporters of the Melton Presbyterian Church, of which he was an elder, and for a great number of years, its Sunday School Superintendent and Teacher. He also lead the singing for many years before the days of the organ, as he had a splendid voice, and could sing his old Scotch songs and hymns up to within six months of his death. For the past five years he has resided with one of his daughters at north Preston, where he died. He had good health up to within six months of his death and could well remember all the early happenings at Melton and surrounding districts. There are five daughters and one living son:- Margaret Mrs. Walter Wyatt Twose of Burnley Elizabeth Mrs George Shebler of Brunswick Georgina Mrs Jack Sinclair Isabel Mrs H Knight of North Preston Jane Mrs William Gibson of Warragul John W. of Fremantle - Western Australia Letter from Margaret to the Melton Presbyterian Churchchurches, local architecture

Arthur Henry Schutt. Born 18th July 1912 at Spotswood He was the third child of John Ralph and Mary Jane Schutt. His grandfather was the first librarian of the Victorian Law Courts and his uncle, William Schutt, was a lawyer who later became the Chief Justice Sir William Schutt. His mother was born a Clutha House, stony Creek Yarraville, a was one of ten children. John Schutt opened a chaff mill at the corner of Williamstown and Geelong Roads at West Footscray. The mill was placed on in an old quarry below the ground which saved much of the backbreaking labour of heaving sheaves of hay up into the machinery, the below ground location enable the hay to be fed directly into the railway trucks into the cutters. An elevator then carried the chaff up from the ground directly into the waiting transport, at a great saving in manpower. The chaff mill became on of the largest in Victoria employing more than forty men, and later moved into flour milling.Schutt and Barrie Flour Mills, Melton South site. Opposite this Mill was a Public Weighbridge. A rail siding crossed Brooklyn road to serve chaff mill. The rail line crossed west of the Methodist Churchlocal identities, agriculture

FORGING AHEAD City of Footscray City of Braybrook Incorporated 1959 Chaff Milling Section Interior photograph: Caption: Chaff baggers in operation Accompanying Text Schutt & Barrie Pty. Ltd. commenced operations in 1913 [Schutt]at Spotswood, but two years later a transfer was made to the present site at the corner of Geelong and Williamstown Road Footscray. The output for years past has been 100 tons of chaff a day- the largest of any mill of its kind in Australia. The firm’s “Green String” is widely known.Schutt & Barrie workmen with John Ralph Schutt and C E Barrie.local identities, agriculture

Hardcover book which is the first of a series describing the life of a Chinese family from 1908 to the present day (1945). 206 pages. Book plate pasted to rear cover, indicating prior ownership: 'Griffiths Booksellers and Stationers Geelong.' Stamps inside book: 'This belongs to W. J. Griffiths Circulating Library'.fictionChinese culture and history novel. The first in a series of novels describing the life of a Chinese family from 1908 to present day.robert payne, chinese culture, chinese history, fiction

ill, maps, p.6.non-fictionIllustrated history of the Belmont Common Railway in Geelong & a description of their locomotives & rollingstockthe belmont common railway - geelong, tourist railways and museums - australia

ill, maps, p.14.non-fictionIllustrated history of the Bellarine Peninsula Railway and a guide to its locomotives & rollingstock in 1990the bellarine peninsula railway - queenscliff, tourist railways and museums - australia

Ill, maps, p.11.non-fictionBrief history of the tramway systems of Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelongtramways - geelong, tramways - ballarat, tramways - bendigo

Ill, p47.non-fictionBrief history of the tramway systems of Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelongtramways - geelong, tramways - ballarat, tramways - bendigo

Ill, maps, p16.non-fictionAn illustrated account of the Victorian provincial tramways prior to and after takeover by the State Electricity of Victoriatramways - geelong, tramways - ballarat, tramways - bendigo

Index, bib, Ill, maps, p16.non-fictionAn illustrated account of the Victorian provincial tramways.tramways - geelong, tramways - ballarat, tramways - bendigo

non-fictionBatman's "Melbourne" Deed facsimile of the original held in the the Public Library of Victoria.aborigines, melbourne, batman john