Main St. looking East towards Big Hill from Coffee Palace Verandah over Present War Memorial area. 1878 Businesses from left Walters and Son Factory, General Furnishing Mart, Stawell Town Hall, J. & A. Price Wine Spirits & Provision Merchants, Stawell Post Office. On right south side of Main Street, two-storey wooden Bull & Mouth Hotel, Whiteside Taylors, Carters Boot shop, Lecky Draper, C. Mulcahy Post Office Hotel, G.J. Hewlett Baker & Confectionery, Iron Monger, Victoria House Bond Draper, Town Hall Hotel, J. Richards Fancy Repository. Victorian Views. C. Herbert, Photo. Stawell 1878stawell business streetscape

Upper Main Street east of Patrick street, looking East c 1867 with Big Hill Mining in Background. J McGee's Shamrock Hotel. Jennings Western Turf Hotel. R Lorimer & Co. Photo c 1867 McGees Shamrock Hotel centre. R. Williams Dining Rooms, Jennings's Western Turf Hotel. Situated in upper Main Street (Opposite Monaghan's Estate Office) Mr. George Jennings was proprietor until the late 1860's when he went to live at "Mayo Park" Lubek. The Hotel had Various owners until it was delicensed in 1909 and became a boarding house. It was demolished in 1921. R. Lorimer & Co general Store near corner of Patrick Street.Streetscape of South Side of Main Street East of Patrick Street. Two wagons in street. Showing J. McGees Shamrock Hotel, R Williams Dining Rooms, Jennings's Western Turf Hotel and R. Lorimer & Co. Mine Engine Chimney is on left of photo. Big Hill in Background with Waterloo Reef Company Whim at centre.stawell streetscape

Deep Lead Post Office - M.J. Sweetman General Storestawell

The post office opened at this location in 1912. It was demolished in 2000. Post office history in the area: Until 1883 when the railway came through to Surrey Hills, this was essentially a rural community of scattered farms. Land subdivisions soon occurred along the railway line and limited postal services followed soon after, although a ‘permanent’ home for the post office was two decades away. George Sim Junior is acknowledged as our first postmaster; he opened a post office on 1 October 1884 in his father’s general store at 619-621 Canterbury Road, a few doors down from the Surrey Hills Hotel on the corner of Union Road. Over the next 20 years, the Surrey Hills Post Office moved several times into temporary, shared accommodation – in 1889 into Woodhead’s Corner Store at 364 Canterbury Road; then in 1895 to No 376, Hansen’s Exchange Building, part of Hansen’s Terrace (demolished) and in 1901 to 109 Union Road, on the corner of Windsor Crescent. Following Federation in 1901, the new Commonwealth Government established the Postmaster-General's Department to provide postal services to the nation. Many of the post offices constructed in the following years reflected a growing sense of Australian pride and nationalism. It was 1914 when building commenced on the ‘purpose-built’ post office at 609 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills. Described as “a polychromatic Federation Freestyle building”, it served as the local post office for nearly 85 years until sold by the Commonwealth Government in c1999, after which the post office moved to the current, less prominent site at 100 Union Road. For nearly 10 years under private ownership, the building was successfully adapted for use as the base for two businesses, Gargoyles and Dragons and later the Surrey Sculpture Studio, and fortuitously the historic integrity of the building was maintained. However although renovated in the 1990's, structurally sound and of historic significance, it was not protected under local or commonwealth heritage legislation and was demolished soon after sale. This is an early image of a demolished building which should have been protected. In 1991, when the City of Camberwell conducted a heritage study, (which still informs the basis of the City of Boroondara’s heritage guidelines for this part of the municipality,) the post office was owned by the Commonwealth Government. As such, it could not be considered for heritage listing by the local authorities. Some years later, the Commonwealth and Australia Post rather belatedly recognized not only that post offices have heritage and social value, but also that the architecture of post offices as community buildings is important. A heritage management scheme was developed for the buildings they own or control under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999. Unfortunately, the Surrey Hills Post Office had been sold and demolished before this was finally enacted in 2004. Black and white image, perhaps from a post card, of Surrey Hills post office at 609 Canterbury Road. The building is flanked by a picket fence. There is a woman, a dog and a man in front of the entrance. The man is in uniform - possibly a postal employee.post offices, canterbury road, businesses, surrey hills post office, surrey sculture studio, gargoyles and dragons

"Dennys, Lascelles Limited 1857-1957 Annual Wool Report and Centenary Review". Apart from the annual report, this booklet also contains a brief history of Dennys, Lascelles Limited from its founding in 1857 up to 1957. A copy of both the ‘Dennys Lascelles Limited 1857-1957: Annual Wool Report & Centenary Review’ & ‘Staff Reunion Souvenir Programme, 1988’ was donated to the museum in 2021. These were duplicate items so only their story was retained in addition to the image of Rita located in Multimedia. “Enclose two items which may be of interest to add to your collection. They belonged to my mother, Rita Sedgwick (nee Glenn), who died earlier this year in April. She worked for Dennys Lascelles in two separate periods. First as a young girl, who had finished her schooling, at Morongo Presbyterian ladies College, having been sent as boarder there by her parents from their farm at Mathoura (just north of Echuca). This period was from 1942 — 1947. It was her second job out of school having worked first at the then Geelong Telephone Exchange. She would commute daily to work on a bicycle from where she was then living in Drumcondra. She had the front office role of receptionist and telephonist driving an old manual switchboard. The old front desk was her domain. She departed in 1947, shortly after she was married in late 1946. She spoke fondly of her times at the company as a young girl in her late teens and early twenties. Her second stint was much later, but again as the front-desk telephonist and receptionist commencing in 1972, ending 11 years later in 1983. This was a period when Sir Henry Bolte was on the Board, Don Urqhuart was MD, Ray Hobson was General Manger, Cliff Bone the company Secretary, Peter Keys the CFO and Jim Hay was also on the Executive team. While there were some 25 years between her periods of service, she welcomed the chance to re-join the company. Again, it was a time of hard work, and good friends. The busy times were the wool auctions, when the Firm would be visited by representatives of the big Japanese trading houses such as Mitsui, and Kanematsu. The Chief Auctioneer, Mr. Reeves (I can't recall his first name), would hold court at the now demolished Geelong Wool Exchange — I saw him in action once — what a sight. The huge show floors in the Denny's building would be full of open bales and samples for the buyers to inspect, and for mum days would start at 0800, and finish at 1800 or later. In quieter times over summer, it was reported that the empty show floor would provide an excellent arena for the more enthusiastic cricketers to get in a bit of practise with a tennis ball at lunch and after closing time! Dennys was a full-service firm for wool growers, with branches all over the Western Districts as far afield as Mt Gambier, but through Timboon, Warrnambool, and the like, as I am sure you are aware. She also saw the merger of Dennys and Strachan to create DSM, and later the amalgamation with AML&F to create Dennys AML (I think). She saw the change from the old manual switch board to the then latest of PABX technologies and was part of the team the relocated from the original offices to the new address on the south side of Brougham Street. Along with the shift from the large show floor-based sales of the past. She retired from fulltime work in mid-1983, again with fond memories and friendships that lasted a lifetime. I found these two items among her things recently, and felt that given her connection to the industry, and the place in which the Museum now resides you may like to add them to the collection. I hope you can find a home for them, and that they might add a little to the story that the wool museum now houses and curates.” "Dennys, Lascelles Limited Annual Wool Report and Centenary Review, August 1957". Apart from the annual report, this booklet also contains a brief history of Dennys, Lascelles Limited from its founding in 1857 up to 1957.Dennys, Lascelles Limited Annual Wool Report and Centenary Review, August 1957wool brokering, wool growing, dennys, lascelles limited

Certificates used by staff at the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales to honour people who had made donations to the organisation. A cream A4 sheet with the words 'Royal Blind Society gratefully acknowledges the generous support of (blank) on this (blank) day of (blank) 19 (blank) (signature) Jon Isaacs, General Manager' , and 'ROYAL BLIND SOCIETY A VISION TO SHARE' around the RBS logo as a background in the middle of the page. Around the edge are multiple lines which form a border, and a smaller version of the logo in the middle at the base.1 x A4 certificate blank with RBS logoroyal blind society of new south wales, office equipment

These meetings were held at the Kooyong office and the minutes include Present, Chair, Apologies, Minutes, Matter arising from minutes, Correspondence, Life governors, Election of nominees, Nominations, Reports from Finance, Welfare, Brighton, Ballarat, Kooyong, Regional Centres, Nursing homes, Blind Members' auxiliary, Social activities, General business, Guest speakers. The AFB Blind Members' Council Annual Reports are also included beginning with June 30th 1977. Some highlights include: 25/5/1976 it was reported that the newly formed Tandem Bicycle Club would be holding their meetings at Kooyong the first Sunday of each month. 30/6/1978 it was reported that in April the Kooyong complex of buildings was named H.M. Lightfoot Centre after the immediate past President of AFB. The Council has been successful in having included in the learner driver book of road rules a question on the significance of the white cane. 30/7/1979 The Chairman, Mr Sitlington, represented Blind Members at the opening of the Ballarat Day Centre, Kelaston, in April. 30/6/1980 it was reported that the BMC welcomed 119 new members during the past twelve months. The Chairman, Mr Sitlington, represented Blind Members at the opening of the new George Vowell Nursing Home and Day Centre. 20/2/1981 a letter from the Chairman of VicRail, Mr Reiher, giving assurance that audio announcements will still be made in conjunction with the computer board. Minute book for Blind Members Councilassociation for the blind, blind members council

Framed portrait of Bruce Small who was President of the Association for the Blind 1955-1964. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the VAF Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Small stands in his Gold Coast mayoral robes, which consist of a dark blue velvet with ermine trim and a white ruffled shirt.. He wears a mayoral chain of office around his neck and glasses, with his hands clasped in front of him. Sir Bruce Small joined the Vision Australia’s General committee in 1944 and became President of the organisation in 1955. He developed an efficient team with Sir Hubert Opperman (for many years the world’s number one cyclist), whom he brought in as Vice President and Mr. Pat Lightfoot, himself president for many years. Sir Bruce had to leave school at an early age after the death of his father in order to support his family. The lessons he learned from this episode in his life created a man of quick wit, with a razor sharp mind and the skills of a gambler - attributes that enabled him to achieve his goal of “aiming for the stars”. This was put into effect when he proposed a plan for 3 new Vision Australia nursing homes in 5 years at Ballarat, Bendigo and Brighton at a cost, which at that time seemed impossible but which was finally achieved between 1957 and 1959, through astute financial management. Sir Bruce also supported the concept of organisational decentralization and made amendments to the constitution, which enabled the associated branches of the Vision Australia (then the Association for the Advancement of the Blind) to form local committees. This was in order to generate local interest in the blind people in the community and engage them in fund raising and running of the nursing homes. Although he resigned in 1964 when he moved to Queensland he still retained an interest in Vision Australia. Sir Bruce had always pushed for a symbol for Vision Australia which would be recognized by the public and serve a useful purpose. This took the form of a beacon which was erected at Brighton, overlooking the sea, having a twofold purpose – a reference point and guiding light for small craft, and symbolically for blind people a guiding light to direct them to a safe harbour. Sir Bruce switched on the guiding light at in 1969 having already donated the cost of $3000. Prior to joining Vision Australia, Sir Bruce had operated the Malvern Star bicycle business in Glenferrie Rd. He promoted and expanded the business making Malvern Star the industry leader in Australia. This was aided by his friendship with Sir Hubert Oppermen, who promoted Malvern Star bikes through his role as world’s number one cyclist. In 1967 he became Mayor of the Gold Coast and, in 1972 he was elected to the Queensland Parliament representing the seat of Surfers Paradise. 1 art original in gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr Bruce Small / President 1955 - 1964 / Association for the Blind'.association for the blind, bruce small

This van was used in Western Australia by linesmen and for mail pickup between 1972 and 1991. When transferred to the collection, it was the very last surviving vehicle of its type owned by the company. Despite its age, the van is in excellent condition having been reconditioned in 1987.This Volkswagen Transporter, 2nd generation, is commonly known as a kombi van; named as such after the German word Kombinationskraftwagen, meaning multi-purpose vehicle. This van is believed to have been used by linesmen and for mail collection from 1972 to 1991 in Western Australia, before being donated to the, then, Telstra Collection. Conflicting accounts from John Moynihan, PMG Engineer and author, suggest the van was used by cable jointers from the 1960s. Owing to this unclear use, the van’s historical significance is low though provenance from the Postmaster General’s Department to Telecom, then Telstra, is established. In 1987, the vehicle was extensively reconditioned and some original parts were presumably replaced. It is not, however, in working order or in good condition; the body carries several areas of rust, rubber seals have suffered plasticiser migration, a mirror is missing and there are marks from use. The hand lettered “P.M.G.” inscription is indicative of a Postmaster General fleet vehicle, as is the red colour of the vehicle paint. Though it is in poor condition, the van’s aesthetic style is of some significance. The van is representative of the type of Volkswagen vehicle used by the Postmaster General’s Department and other private businesses and government branches of the era. The vehicle may, therefore, carry social significance for those that lived in this era, where their communication service provider travelled in a Volkswagen van. Indeed, Volkswagen vans were used into the Telecom era, as evidenced by an image (6681153) in the National Archives of Australia collection. While many of these vehicles may exist today, there are few to no examples which survive in museum collections. In 1966, the Post Office (Postmaster General’s Department) had the largest fleet in Australia, totalling nearly 11,000 vehicles (The Canberra Times, 29 September 1966, p. 34). Though in the late 1960s Volkswagen vehicles accounted for just over 500 of these vehicles, with the remainder represented by Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, and others, the multi-purpose nature of the van is significant as a metaphor for the multi-directional services of the Postmaster General’s Department. Archival images show a variety of models and adaptations including roof racks, bull bar and door configurations. Its conflicted history of use may in fact attest to the vehicles variety of application in the duties of the Postmaster General‘s Department.Red Volkswagen Kombi van with stencilled gold lettering on doors. Scratches on bumpers indicate duck-egg blue undercoat. Single sliding door on left side of vehicle body with secondary opening at rear with horizontally divided doors. Mirror missing on right front. Western Australia registration sticker in front windscreen..1: "PMG" .2: "ROYAL" .3-.4 "PMG" .5-.6: "MAIL" .7,.8: "ER" .9: "C OF A / ZEH 622"transport, kombi van, linesman van, postal van, postmaster general’s department

Postmaster-General's Department telegraph linesman, Chris Byrnes, received a British Empire Medal for bravery and devotion to duty for his response to the flooding at Darlington Point, New South Wales, in June 1952. As E Henderson, then Acting Director of Posts and Telegraphs recalled, the town's "communication lines were menaced by floodwaters" when the nearby Murrumbidgee River flooded. In order to retain communication to the town, Chris Byrnes, a Postmaster-General's Department employee of over 13 years, acted in the "best traditions of the service" (E Henderson). An eye witness, recorded in the Murrumbidgee Irrigator newspaper on June 27 1952, described Byrne’s efforts: "An interesting incident was witnessed when a Leeton post office linesman swam through flood waters to reach a telegraph post which had been washed out by the flood…With a rope tied around his waist, one end of which was held by other members of the linesmen's gang, Chris Byrne swam through the flood water…to release the trunk lines from the post." An eye witness, recorded in the Murrumbidgee Irrigator newspaper on June 27 1952, described Byrne’s efforts: "An interesting incident was witnessed when a Leeton post office linesman swam through flood waters to reach a telegraph post which had been washed out by the flood…With a rope tied around his waist, one end of which was held by other members of the linesmen's gang, Chris Byrne swam through the flood water…to release the trunk lines from the post."darlington point, murrumbidgee river, pmg, postmaster-general, linesman, flooding, natural disaster, emergency

VA 2825 Attorney-General's Department (previously known as the Law Department)Eureka Stockade:Depositions taken against John Chapman for Breach of the Peace charge/Gravel Pits Riottrial

VA 2825 Attorney-General's Department (previously known as the Law Department)Eureka Stockade:Depositions taken against Duncan McIntyre for Breach of the Peace charge/Gravel Pits Riottrial

VA 2825 Attorney-General's Department (previously known as the Law Department)Eureka Stockade:Petition from Ballarat residents re Scobie murdertrial, charles hotham, james bentley, james scobie, james r. thomson, peter lalor, john weightman gray, william cork, peter martin, george bassar, everett gad, henry green

VA 2825 Attorney-General's Department (previously known as the Law Department)Eureka Stockade:Depositions VPRS 5527/P Unit 2, Item 6trial

VA 466 Governor (including Lieutenant Governor 1851-1855 and Governor's Office)Eureka Stockade:Captain Thomas reports on the attack on the Eureka Stockade to the Major Adjutant Generaltrial, w.h. paul, robert adair, john smith, felix boyle, william butwell, timothy galvin, william french, michael roney, h.c. wise, john byrne, henry colles, william juniper, bernard o'donnell, joseph wall, patrick sullivan, j.w. thomas

VA 2825 Attorney-General's Department (previously known as the Law Department)Eureka Stockade:Depositions VPRS 5527/P Unit 2, Item 5trial

VA 2825 Attorney-General's Department (previously known as the Law Department)Eureka Stockade:Brief for the Prosecutiontrial, catherine bentley, william henry hance, john farrell, dr. carr, william duncan, barnard welch, thomas mooney, peter martin, edward john davy, mary ann welch, agnes sinclair, gorden evans, james stewart, george bostock, henry green, everard gadd, alfred carr, michael welch, james bentley

VA 2825 Attorney-General's Department (previously known as the Law Department)Eureka Stockade:Depositions from Scobie Murderinquisition, james scobie, james bentley, d.s williamson, walter anderson, john gillott, hugh meikle, henry green, john campbell, duncan henderson, david richards, john haig, john fletcher, john phelan, walter davis, james hasseltop, archibald carmichael, william duncan, j.f bentley, barnard wech, peter martin, mary ann welch, john alfred carr, dr alfred carr

VA 2825 Attorney-General's Department (previously known as the Law Department)Eureka Stockade:Additional Depositionstrial, goldfields, depositions, eureka, gold, mining, miners, gold rush, james scobie, john farrell, michael welsh