This is a ticket for a complimentary concert to the Victorian soprano, Miss Mollie Hayres, in the Warrnambool Town Hall in 1926. Inez Mary (Mollie) Hayres (1897-1980) was born in Port Fairy and received her early musical training from the Good Samaritan Sisters in Port Fairy. She received local funding to enable her to study at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music under Madame Weiderman and toured the Western District in 1926, supported by the pianist May Broderick and the violinist Cecil Parkes, in a series of complimentary concerts to give her funding to study in Europe. She became a well-known singer and singing teacher in Melbourne, featuring in radio programs and concerts. This ticket is of interest as a memento of Mollie Hayres, a noted singer in Victoria in the first half of the 20th century.This is a small white card with black edging and printing. Grand Complimentary Concert to Miss Mollie Hayresmollie hayres soprano, good samaritan sisters port fairy

This poster has been produced as a saleable item by the firm of McCarron Bird & Co of Melbourne about 1900. This firm was founded in 1872 and is best known for its publication of the two-volume work, 'Victoria and its Metropolis' (1888). The poster was intended to be hung on a wall for decorative and advertising purposes. It contains four attractive lithographs of the towns, Warrnambool, Port Fairy, Portland and Hamilton and a great number of advertisements and illustrations, some from Melbourne and the rest from the Westen District towns mentioned above. One Warrnambool advertisement is for the general merchant business of William Caffin in Kepler Street and two others are advertisements for the coastal ships, Flinders, Dawn and Casino which came into the port of Warrnambool. This poster has local historical significance as it has a descriptive drawing of the town of Warrnambool about 1900 and shows the buildings that were existing at that time.This is a cream-coloured sheet of paper with a coloured centre piece showing the title of the poster, four coloured lithographs of Western Victorian towns and advertisements printed and illustrated in black and white. The edges of the poster are frayed and the paper is torn at the centre left edge.warrnambool 1900, western victorian towns 1900, william caffin general merchant warrnambool

This sign was probably attached to a building or placed in a window and was most likely to have been at the Timor Street, Warrnambool State Savings Bank building. The State Savings Bank had its origins in the Port Phillip Savings Bank established in Melbourne in 1841 and in 1853 it became known as the Commissioners’ Savings Banks in the Colony of Victoria. A Warrnambool Savings Bank branch was established in 1859 in temporary premises and in 1860 it moved to a new building in Liebig Street. In 1884 a new sandstone building was erected in Timor Street and the bank operated from there until 1957. In 1912 the Commissioners’ Savings Banks in Victoria became the State Savings Bank. From 1957 to 1990 the Warrnambool State Savings Bank (called the State Bank of Victoria, Warrnambool Branch after 1980) had premises in Liebig Street. In 1990 the State Bank was subsumed into the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.The Warrnambool State Savings Bank was a leading banking establishment in Warrnambool for 130 years and this sign is an important memento of that institution. This is a rectangular piece of fine brown metal mesh with an ornamental gold trim around the edges and gold lettering. The edges are somewhat ragged and bent and the mesh is a little stained. ‘State Savings Bank Warrnambool Branch’state savings bank, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This book by Marten Syme is a history of Port Fairy from 1835 to 2018. The earlier histories of Port Fairy do not cover most of the 20th century and none of the 21st century. This book is a scholarly work and offers fresh perspectives on many aspects of Port Fairy history and questions some long-held views, especially on the early years of the town. Port Fairy, 293 kilometres west of Melbourne, has a rich history and is one of the earliest places in Victoria to be settled by Europeans. The author Marten Syme has written extensively on both maritime and local history and is a resident of Port Fairy. This book is of considerable significance as it is a comprehensive history of Port Fairy and complements and adds to the earlier histories of this town. It will be a very useful addition to libraries and will be a great aid to family history and local history researchers.This is a hard cover book of 295 pages. The cover is grey with gold lettering on the spine. The dust cover has white printing and an illustration with a green background with a multi-colour design of sailing ships, trees and harbour entrance. The pages of printed material are in five parts with a bibliography and an index. The book has black and white photographs, maps and other illustrative material. Signature of author (Marten A. Syme)port fairy, marten syme, port fairy, history of warrnambool

This book details the lives of some people of the past who are buried in cemeteries along the Great Ocean Road. Of particular interest to Warrnambool and district readers are the documented lives of Jack Denham of the La Bella shipwreck, early Warrnambool settlers, Agnes and James Ruttleton, William Sharrock, hero of the Nestor sinking, the Rutledge brothers and the Mills brothers of Port Fairy, the scientist Frank Burnet, the unionist William McLean, Dick the bushranger and Captain Pye, V.C. This book is of interest as it gives information on a variety of historical figures buried in cemeteries in the Great Ocean Road districts (Geelong to Port Fairy). It will be useful to researchers. This is a soft cover book of 290 pages. It has black and white and coloured photographs on the front and back covers and printing on the spine and back and front covers. The pages contain an introduction, 22 chapters, black and white photographs and maps and illustrations. western district of victoria, warrnambool

This medal was made by Stokes and Martin. Thomas Stokes established a medal-making business in Melbourne in 1856 and from 1867 to 1893 he had a partner, George Frederick Martin. In 1962 the Stokes business became a public company and operates today in Melbourne. The medal was awarded at the Annual Show of the Villiers and Heytesbury Agricultural Association in 1877. One of the earliest agricultural associations in Victoria, the V.& H.A.A., the forerunner of the Warrnambool Agricultural Society, was established in 1854 and the first Warrnambool Show was held in 1855 at the first Royal Archer Hotel in Koroit Street. The Warrnambool Agricultural Show is still held annually. The medal, first prize for the best horse hay rake, was awarded in 1877 to the brothers, Thomas and William Rutledge, sons of Eliza and William Rutledge. The latter was a pioneer settler who came to the Warrnambool/Port Fairy district as the purchaser of the Special Survey, Farnham Park in 1841. His land stretched from Tower Hill to Dennington. William Rutledge Senior was a pioneer breeder of a Lincoln sheep stud, the owner of a mercantile business in Port Fairy, a member of the Legislative Council of Victoria and the pioneer developer of farming land around Tower Hill. His son Thomas (1846-1918) was a Warrnambool Shire Councillor who farmed in the Farnham Survey, living at Werronggurt . He went to the Geelong area at the end of the 19th century. His brother William (1849-1935) also farmed in the Farnham Survey, living at Farnham Park, He later lived at Airlie in Henna Street, Warrnambool and Sherwood on the Hopkins River and had land in the Otway Ranges. He later went to New Zealand.This medal is of considerable significance because of its age and its association with Thomas and William Rutledge and with the Villiers and Heytesbury Agricultural Association.This is a bronze medal with an image of agricultural implements, agricultural produce and farm animals on one side and etched printing on the other side. There is also printing around the edge of the medal. The medal has a small hole at the top for attaching the medal to a cord. Villiers & Heytesbury Agricultural Association 1st Prize awarded to Rutledge Bro. for Horse Hay Rake Annual Show Warrnambool 10 Oct. 1877 Stokes & Martin Melbourne thomas and william rutledge, farnham special survey, villiers and heytesbury agricultural association, warrnambool agricultural society, history of warrnambool

This splendid medal was awarded by the Villiers and Heytesbury Agricultural Association in 1879. This association held its first show in Port Fairy in 1854 and in Warrnambool in 1855. It continues to this day under the name of the Warrnambool and District Agricultural Society. The medal was awarded to James Astley Bromfield, am early Warrnambool chemist who arrived in Victoria in 1852 and is significant in Warrnambool’s history. He produced the 1856 map of the Warrnambool district with the first landowners, a seminal resource for historians and was prominent in community affairs, especially in horse racing. He was also a Warrnambool and Shire Councillor. The medal was awarded for the best blood yearling of 1879 and this was Fright, one of the progeny of the famous stud horse Panic (second in the Melbourne Cup, 1865), His progeny won many hurdle races and flat races including the Melbourne Cup. The medal features also the names of two donors of prizes to James Bromfield, Henry Phillips and Francis Tozer, both pioneer men in Warrnambool’s horse racing history. Henry Phillips was the first President of the Warrnambool Amateur Turf Club and had the horse Panic standing at his 1000 acre stud, Bryan O’Lynn, at Purnim in the Western District. Francis Tozer was an owner, breeder and steward in racing circles and in the 1870s had the 2000 acre stud farm, Wangoom Park, at Wangoom, near Warrnambool.This is a most significant item as it was awarded to James Astley Bromfield, an early Warrnambool chemist and a person concerned with the history of the early settlement of Warrnambool and one prominent in community affairs in Warrnambool in the 19th century. The item also has connections with the famous stud horse, Panic and two other noted personalities of Warrnambool and district, Francis Tozer and Henry Phillips. The item also is of intrinsic monetary value as a 19th century medal from the Villiers and Heytesbury Agricultural Association. This is a round silver medal. It has etched printing on one side and raised images of farm animals and farm implements on the other side. It also has etched printing around the edge of the medal. There are some slight dents around the edge of the medal.‘Villiers & Heytesbury Agricultural Association 1st Prize Awarded to J. A. Bromfield for Blood Yearling 1879 ‘Fright by Panic’ Warrnambool Oct. 16 1879’ ‘Also Phillips and Tozer’s Special Prizes’ james astley bromfield, warrnambool, villiers and heytesbury agricultural association, henry phillips, warrnambool, francis tozer, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

The P.S Ruby is possibly the vessel mentioned in "1898 Register of Marine Underwriter's Association of Victoria." ; 'Ruby : composite construction P.S (14 h.p) ; 117/96 tonnage L 82.0 ft. X B 18.7 ft. X D 4.9 ft. ; registered - Adelaide 1884, No - 74,898. Built in Moama, N.S.W in 1876, owned by River Murray N. Co. (Reference "The Register of Australian & New Zealand Shipping 1898" page 113. This photograph was possibly taken in 1900. The photograph shows height and position of the wharf at Morgan, with another paddle steamer behind.The photo shows the height and position of the wharf at Morgan. The photo shows the positioning of cargo on the barges. This photo shows the use of rickshaw devices, used to load the cargo onto the barge. It is also a good view of the P.S Ruby.A black and white photograph of the P.S Ruby with a laden barge next to it, tied up at the Morgan Wharf.'Ruby at Morgan' is written in lead pencil on the back of the photograph.murray river, p.s. ruby, morgan wharf, barges

This is a copy of a photograph taken in 1902 to show the extent of the drought on the Darling River. It is taken near the town of Wilcannia and relates to P000012. 8 paddle steamers and 4 barges can be seen. One barge is being unloaded onto the bank. One of the paddle steamers is thought to be the P.S Wandering Jew which was built in Victoria in 1866 (Ref. The Register of Australian and N.Z Shipping' by C. Earnshaw. Page 136)This is a photograph showing the extent of the 1902 drought in the Murray Darling River basin. It also shows the type of cargo and the capacity or the barges. It also shows unloading techniques. Compare this to P000012 which shows the same scene, but with no boats present. A copy of a black and white photograph of boats stranded on the Central Darling River in the 1902 drought. Various paddle steamers and barges are piled along the left bank, including the 'P.S Wandering Jew'. Cargo is being transferred on the bank.The National Library of Australia stamp is on the back. Also written in pencil on the back of the photograph; "Originals copied by Nat. Library from photos donated by H. Coulson. Darling River." On the front of the photograph in the top, left corner in handwriting is written 'Drought 1902.'drought, wilcannia, darling river, paddle steamers, irrigation, p.s wandering jew., barges, 1902

Original photograph held by Helen Coulson. A copy is also held by the National Library. 1902 was a drought year. Compare the water levels with that of the same view in P000012. 'P. S Wandering Jew' was built in Victoria in 1866. ( Ref; "The Register of Australian and N.Z Shipping." By C.Earnshaw. Page 136.This photo is significant because it shows the extent of the 1902 drought. It also shows the type of cargo carried in barges, and also the techniques used to unload the cargo. It also show the difference between stern wheelers and side wheeler paddle steamers. It also shows the length nod the height of the bridge at Wilcannia to cope with high and low water levels.A copy of a black and white photograph taken in 1902. It shows 8 paddle steamers and 4 barges under a bridge over the Darling River near Wilcannia in N.S.W. Cargo is being unloaded onto the left bank. Two barges are also tied up on the right bank.Written on the back in pencil " see photo P000012 and P000014.1drought, 1902, darling river, paddle steamers, barges, cargo, river trade, murray darling river basin, irrigation, wilcannia

Photograph related to no.P000041, P000045 - P000048 of P. S. Adelaide re-floating. Copyright held by Riverine Herald newspaper. Original and negatives held by Riverine Herald.. Photograph taken from the river looking south west as the Adelaide enters the water backwards, from the soil ramp . The right hand side of the photograph is in shadow so is very dark. 2 people can be seen on the deck with possibly another boat moored beside the Adelaide and a small motor boat to the left of that.A significant social and historical event in Echuca as many local community groups had committed many hours and much money to re-float the Adelaide to add it to the stocks for the development of the Port of Echuca as a major tourist attraction for the region.Black and white photograph of re-floating of the P. S. Adelaide in the river, possibly still partly on soil ramp. Deep shadows on the right prevent detail of front of the boat and much of the right hand bow. There are spectators in a small motorboat on left of the Adelaide and possibly another boat coming along the side of the Adelaide (2 people can be seen on the left hand side of the Adelaide). 2 people are on the deck of the Adelaide.p. s. adelaide, echuca,victoria,re-floating of the p. s. adelaide. riverine herald newspapers,

Small black and white photograph of the entrance to Victoria Park showing high iron gates that are open. The gates are open but the gate on the right is behind the fence. There are caste iron lamps at either side of the gates in front of the bowed-top picket fence. Between the gates, in the distance the fountain is visible. Murray pines are also visible. Wide dirt approach.Victoria Park is of social and historical significance to the people of Echuca and district. It includes a state park that has a natural dry schreyphyll forest with a canopy of eucalypts. The Park also includes sporting grounds and facilities and picnic areas. This photograph depicts the entrance to the Park in the 1920s showing a dirt approach with the caste iron lights, iron gates and caste iron gate posts and the bowed-top picket fence. Black and white photograph of the entrance to Victoria Park showing high iron gates and lamps with bowed-top picket fence. Wide dirt approach.On the back of photograph, in pencil, "Park Entrance"victoria park, echuca

The old brick office buildings of the Murray River Sawmills were demolished around 1975. This photo relates to the series P000105-P000107. Sawmills in the Echuca area were historically and socially significant being a large employer in the area. The Murray River sawmill was one of the biggest and longest operating sawmills in the area. Black and white photograph of the old Murray River Sawmills, showing rear and side of the building with doorway and window. Lumber is piled at left front of photograph and other material (wire?) has been dumped in front of and along the side of the building.On reverse, in pencil, " M. R. Sawmills office or other old building, demolished". In pen "c.1975". Printed "Kodak paper". Blue ink"0932"murray river sawmills, echuca, echuca, victoria, pullicino, j

The photograph shows the state of the Echuca wharf in 1973 or 1974. The P.S Pevensey looks like it has just received a fresh coat of paint. There is also a train parked on the wharf behind the school students. The river also appears to be quite high. This photograph shows the state of the wharf in the early 1970's. It shows the fence between the wharf and Murray Esplande was relatively new. The tourism industry was very new to Echuca in the 1970's but the P.S Pevensey looks ready to take Tourists cruising on the Murray River. It also shows schools were using the port as a valuable resource for teaching History.A black and white photograph of the P.S Pevensey tied up to the Echuca Wharf. There is a group of school children leaning over the wire fence at the edge of the wharf. There is also one teacher supervising the children. The Steam Packet Inn and the Customs House can be seen in the background.Pevensey; Melbourne can be seen clearly written on the paddle steamer. On the back of the photograph is written "This photograph is with the compliments of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Victoria. Please acknowledge photo; Michael Cheshire. There is also a purple Port of Echuca stamp on the back of the photograph.echuca wharf, p. s pevensey, ministry of tourism, cheshire, michael

Customs building: built 1884 to handle goods entering Victoria up to 1901. Building classified B by National Trust.Customs houses, of similar design, were built along the Murray river to collect taxes on goods transported from N. S. W. to Victoria. The taxes were collected up until Federation in 1901. The Victorian railways used it as an office until about the 1960 when it became a private dwelling. The Customs House at Echuca is now owned by The Port of Echuca and has been used to house a wine tasting businesses, cafe and local produce retail and art gallery.Colour photograph of Customs House at Echuca port.In ink on reverse: "8A"customs house, echuca, echuca historical buildings, echuca, port of (customs history)

The Bridge Hotel was built by Henry Hopwood, founder of Echuca. The building was in disrepair until it was bought by the Port of Echuca and renovated to be turned into part of the Port of Echuca tourist exhibits and was leased out to be run as a restaurant.The Bridge Hotel is of historical and social significance to Echuca as it was built be Echuca's founder Henry Hopwood. The hotel was situated between the 2 rivers, Murray and Campaspe, where Hopwood ran his punt business, charging people and animals to cross the rivers. The hotel accommodated a variety of paying guest from wealthy squatters to salesmen and general workers. The building was purchased by the Port of Echuca to be part of the tourist attraction. It was extensively renovated to bring it back to its former glory. The Bridge hotel played an important role in the TV series "All the Rivers Run". Colour photograph of the Bridge Hotel, Echuca, after restorations (c.1979)On front of building : Bridge Hotel / Restaurant Printed on reverse:"This paper manufactured by Kodak"bridge hotel, echuca, port of echuca, echuca, victoria -history, henry hopwood

This arch was built as a ceremonial arch. Plaque citation on the arch reads " Erected in 1884 by James Mackintosh, owner of local sawmill, for the visit of the Governor Sir H B Loch. This is the only known example in Victoria of a 19th century ceremonial arch, a type usually intended to be temporary.This arch is on the Historical Buildings register no.1092. It is the only known example of a temporary ceremonial arch still in existence in Victoria. The arch has recently (2014?) been restored and relocated but still at the enterance to Victoria ParkColour photograph (postcard size) of red-gum arch across the roadway at the entrance to Victoria Park, Echuca.Printed on reverse:"this paper manufactured by Kodak"echuca, red-gum arch, echuca, victoria park, echuca, echuca-history

In 1869 the Council moved to name this park "Victoria Park. The cricket pitch construction began in 1873 and major improvements to the ground were undertaken in 1881. It is still the primary sporting ground in Echuca, offering AFL football oval, cricket pitch and nets, athletics and entry to the Echuca boat ramp and the natural bush land of the scenic drive. It also houses Echuca Council caravan park. The signage in this photograph is no longer there and the enterance to the caravan park has moved.This area of Echuca has historically been a major recreational area for the town. Being the primary sporting ground since its establishment in 1869., the area has a number of sporting and recreational facilities for the people of Campaspe Shire, from natural bush walks in and along the Murray river to more formal facilities such as AFL football ground, firefighting training area, netball courts, cricket pitch and nets, and grass tennis courts. Colour photograph (post-card size) of directory signs to entrance of Victoria Park, Echuca taken facing north. Two driveways are shown, to the east "Caravan Park" and to the west , "Victoria Park", "Boat ramp", " Scenic drive"Printed in black on the reverse:"this paper manufactured by Kodak"echuca, port of, echuca council caravan park, victoria park, echuca, echuca-tourist attraction

Customs building: built 1884 to handle goods entering Victoria up to 1901. Building classified B by National Trust.Customs houses, of similar design, were built along the Murray river to collect taxes on goods transported from N. S. W. to Victoria. The taxes were collected up until Federation in 1901. The Victorian railways used it as an office until about the 1960 when it became a private dwelling. The Customs House at Echuca is now owned by The Port of Echuca and has been used to house a wine tasting businesses, cafe and local produce retail and art gallery.Colour photograph of Customs House at Echuca port.In ink on reverse: Dec.77-M: Print made by Kodak: Kodak. In pencil Customs Housecustoms house, echuca, echuca historical buildings, echuca, port of (customs history)

This photograph of the plaque on the side of the P.S Adelaide while she was a stationary exhibit in the Hopwood Gardens from 1963 until 1984 tells the story of her manufacture and her work life up until 1963. The P.S Adelaide was launched on 21st July 1866. It was owned by J.G.Grassie from Poon Boon Station and the Officer Family of Murray Downs Station Swan Hill. The Adelaide was named after the niece of the Officer Bros, Adelaide Blackwood. The shipwrights who built her was George Linklater. The Adelaide brought wool and passengers from the wool stations on the Murray and Darling Rivers down to the Echuca Wharf. In 1872 she was sold to David Blair & Sons. She was used to bring timber from the Barmah Forest to the Echuca Wharf. She did this work for the next 80 years. In 1953 she was tied up near the Mill and left In 1958 she went to Paringa South Australia to work in the sawmill industry again. In 1960 the Echuca Apex Club and The Echuca Historical Society raised enough funds to buy the P.S. Adelaide and return her to Echuca. In November 1963 she was lifted out of the water and placed in Hopwood Gardens as this was thought to be a way of preserving her. In 1984 it was decided to return her to the water to resume work as a passenger vessel. In that time the Port of Echuca and the Echuca Wharf had been restored as a Tourist Precinct. The P.S Adelaide is extremely significant as it it the oldest known wooden hulled paddle steamers in the world. She was built in Echuca in 1866 and still operates on the Murray River today. She has worked in the Wool Industry, the Timber Industry and the Tourist Industry.Coloured photograph showing the information sign which was attached to the side of the P.S Adelaide whilst she was a stationary exhibit in the Hopwood Gardens from 1963 until 1984.On the sign is written; " P.S Adelaide/built on the Murray at Echuca for Officer Grassie &Co. Of Poon Boon and Murray Downs stations. Launched 20th July 1866. The vessel is typical of the steamers trading in the era of the Riverina and Darling River trade of 1853 to the early 1900's and which had by 1872 established aEchuca as the second busiest port in Victoria. Worked in the Red Gum logging trade until 1958 under the ownership of the Murray River Sawmills Co. She was purchased by that company from David Blair Saw Miller of Echuca in 1861. 75ft. 4 inches X 12 ft.5 inches X 3 ft. 6 inches built of 3 inch red gum planking on an angle. Iron frames 2? X 2?5/6. 30 H.P. Nominal arc original and made by Fulton & Shaw of Melbourne. Twin cylinders. 14 bore. 16 stroke Stephenson's reversing gear controlled by Captain from the wheelhouse. Locomotive type red gum wood. Master, Mate, Engineer, Fireman, Cook, and Deckhand. p.s. adelaide, port of echuca, grassie, j.g, linklater, george, poon boon station, blair, david, murray river, darling river, logging industry, officer brothers., barmah forest, fulton & shaw, hutchinson, kevin, adelaide blackwood, murray downs station

P. S. Adelaide was a logging steamer operating between Echuca and Barmah forest. It was built in 1866 by G. Linklater, Echuca. Original owner J. G. Grassie, Poon Boon Station & S. H. Officer, Murray Downs Station. In June 1891 she was purchased by Murray River Sawmills and spent most of her working life on the Barmah Forest run. In 1960 she was purchased by Echuca Apex Club and steamed to Echuca. Installed on a bed of cement in Hopwood Gardens, Echuca before being restored to be refloated as a significant addition to the Port of Echuca maritime fleet (Parsons, R. Ships of the Inland Rivers. 2005. p.46)The P.S Adelaide is extremely significant as it it the oldest known wooden hulled paddle steamer in the world. She was built in Echuca in 1866 and still operates on the Murray River today. She has worked in the Wool Industry, the Timber Industry and the Tourist Industry.Colour (hand painted?) postcard and colour negative f P. S. Adelaide towing an outrigger barge. Three men can be seen on the lower deck and one on the top deck.on the front of the postcard:". Log barge & steamer Echuca" On the bow of the steamer: "Adelaide". On reverse of postcard, in blue pen:" PORT 16.3.82 COL NEG 13x18x1." In black pen encased in a square:"396.1" In blue fountain pen. Letter addressed to "Mrs. J. Robertson 37 Roxburgh St. Ascot Vale." " Your letter to hand(?) Sat. I am much better since my trip away. Was sorry to hear Jess(?) was not well. Hope she is better again. Hoping all are well. Love to all H." Postcard stamped: "Echuca Victoria Ap 6 08" Printed in green "Post W.T.P. Card". In has a red one penny postage stamp in top right hand corner.p. s. adelaide, echuca, port of (riverboats), echuca - history, post cards, echuca, paddle steamers, timber barges

.1 This is a rectangular piece of linen folded several times to form a packet with the front part covered with a brown card. The cover has a blue and white label. The map has a white base with red and green markings and red and black printing .2 As .1 abovenon-fictionTwo fire maps of south west Victoriafire maps, warrnambool history

This towel is a souvenir of the Centenary of Victoria celebrated in 1934. It marks the centenary of the officially-recognized first permanent European settlement at Portland with the arrival of the Henty families in 1834 in Victoria (then known as the colony of Port Phillip). European settlement occurred at Melbourne in the following year. This towel is one of many souvenir items produced in 1934.This towel is of minor interest as a memento of the centenary of Victoria. It is a comparatively rare souvenir of that event as towels such as this would have been used and most would not have survived for nearly 90 years.This is a white cotton towel with a white fringe at both ends. There is a red strip down the centre of the back of the towel with red lettering in this strip down the front of the towel.The maker's name is stitched into one corner.Centenary 1934 Osmancentenary of victoria

George Knapman was born c.1851 in Ashburton, Devon, England, the son of George Knapman and Elizabeth Grant nee Wyatt. George, his mother and three sisters arrived in the Port of Melbourne, 28 Jul 1857 aboard the ship, Mindoro from Plymouth, his father having preceded them some eighteen months earlier. George married Mary Jane Williams in 1877 and they settled in Eltham where they had five children; Percival George (1878), Florence Maud (1880), Laura Blanche (1882), Alfred Edgar (1886) and Gladys Victoria (1897). In 1879 George was elected a vestryman for St Margaret’s Church, a position he would be re-elected to for many years. Both he and Mary were active members of the church and social activities. In 1884 George was also engaged in collecting funds for the renovation of the St Helena church George was also a member of the Eltham Cricket Club. In May 1884 following completion of the cricket season, several players banded together to form a group holding fortnightly meetings for the purpose of giving readings, recitations, etc to relieve the dullness of the long winter evenings. Charles Wingrove was elected President, Rev. J.B. Gason Treasurer and George along with Messrs Evans, Bourke, D. McColl, C. Jarrold, George Hill and William Brown, members of the Committee. In 1885, George advertised two horses had strayed from his premises (reward £2) and in 1891 he had a cultivator for sale (price £7/10/-). In 1902 he was treasurer of the Eltham Rifle Club. His children attended Eltham Primary School. In 1904 he was a member of the school's Board of Advice and addressed children at an Arbor Day planting activity. In 1907 he was elected president of the Eltham Progressive League, calling for public toilets to be erected at a local picnic spot. George along with William John Taylor and Isaac Hill was also appointed a Trustee of the Eltham Rechabite Hall in Henry Street on behalf of the Hope of Eltham Tent No. 195 Victoria District Independent Order of Rechabites from December 1901 until its sale to the community in December 1921 for use as a public hall. George ‘Snowy’ Knapman was a blacksmith by trade. He owned and operated a shoeing forge and wheelwright workshop, known as Snowy Knapman’s Forge, in Main Road Eltham, next door to the Eltham Court House. The location was well chosen. Mail coaches from Melbourne passed through Eltham enroute to Christmas Hills and Yarra Glen, with another heading to Kingstown (now Panton Hill). It was common practice for horses to be changed at Eltham. Two photos taken June 4, 1907, captioned ‘Election Day Eltham’, show a large crowd of men assembled in Main Road outside Knapman's premises. They are waiting to vote at the Court House. There are no women in the crowd; they were not empowered to vote. George's brothers William and John were also blacksmiths at Heidelberg, continuing the business established by their father George, who had died in 1900. After William died in 1909, George moved to Heidelberg to take over from him. George died at his residence, ‘Devon’, Yarra Street, Heidelberg on March 16, 1923, and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with his wife Mary who died July 16, 1935, at Kew. Their former house at Eltham was located near where the WW1 Monument was erected in 1919, after they had moved to Heidelberg, at the corner of Bridge Street and Main Road and occupied by Mr. R. Trevena at the time of Mary’s death. Mary was sister to E.J. Williams, W. Williams and Mrs Fawkner, all residents of Eltham. In Loving Memory of George Knapman Died 15th March 1923 Also his wife Mary Jane Died 16th July 1935 Sadly Missed Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, george knapman, mary jane knapman (nee williams)

A comprehensive history of the Schwerkolt family in Mitcham, based on extensive research and documents from family sources. Schwerkolt Cottage is a pioneer cottage built around 1880 at Mitcham, Victoria. This heritage site encompasses the original stone cottage, associated replicated outbuildings and a local history museum, surrounded by 2.25 hectares of gardens and bushland, and adjacent to Yarran Dheran bushland park. Lifetime member Doug Orford sold his house in Napoleon Street November 2023 and has moved into a care faciity. His daughter Cathy assisted him in identification of items for donation to the Society.johann august schwerkolt, pioneer, schwerkolt cottage and museum