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Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Branding Hammer issued to FCV overseer Jim Browning at Beechworth
Metal branding hammers were the most common way to control the sale and movement of hardwood timber produce like logs, railway sleepers, fence posts, and poles from Victorian State forests. Royalty was also paid on this basis. The hammer has a crown stamp on one end with a unique number in the middle (453) which identified its owner, and a crows foot or broad arrow on the other. The broad arrow was a symbol traditionally used in Britain and its colonies to mark government property. Forest regulations state that an authorised officer may use the crown mark to identify produce which has been sold and may be removed from the forest, whereas the broad arrow can be used to brand and mark trees which are not to be felled, or to indicate forest produce which has been seized. Hammers were traditionally only ever issued to forest officers and were an important, and closely guarded tool-of-trade. They were not transferred between staff and lending hammers was not permitted. But it was an onerous task for staff to hammer and tally hundreds of logs, or thousands of fence posts each week, so in about 1990 a system was introduced whereby hammers were allocated to logging contractors to grade logs and tally them instead. But there was still spot checking by authorised officers. A register was kept, and contractors paid a substantial deposit to make sure they didn't lose them, but they occasionally turn up by fossickers with metal detectors. While branding hammers are still used in some smaller locations, plastic tags and barcodes are now more common.Metal log branding hammer with a crown stamp on one end with a unique number (453) in the middle which identified its owner, and a crows foot or broad arrow on the other. The unusual bent metal handle was designed to protect user from banging their fingers on the log. It was also fitted with a rubber hand grip. Most FCV branding hammers were issued with wooden handles. The branding hammer 453 was initially issued to Wally Cowell at Beechworth. It was reissued to Jim Browning upon Wally’s retirement The hammer still had a wooden handle, but the it broke and became loose inside hammer head. Russel Pritchard from the Beechworth Depot replaced the handle with a new metal one and put a dog leg in it It mainly branded forest produce cut in Mt. Pilot and Reedy Creek areas. The main logging contractors were Gordon Habeck from Chiltern and Steven Goldsworthy from BeechworthCrown mark one end (453) and Crows foot other endforest harvesting, forests commission victoria (fcv) -
Beechworth RSL Sub-Branch
Award - Court Mounted Medals
This original set of medals and memorabilia were donated/bequeath to the Beechworth RSL Sub-Branch by Captain Nankervis’ family. The inscription on the framed box containing the Medal Bar reads, “These medals were awarded to Captain Dick Nankervis for service during World War I and World War II. Part of the Nankervis Collection, there is a lengthy word document in the Media Section6 Court Mounted WWI and WWII medals; laid on green felt, in a wooden display case Measuring 300mm x 220mm with non reflective glass front and metal bar with an engraved inscription Metal Bar measuring 20 x 160 mm engraved with "This original set of medals and memorabilia were donated/bequeath to the Beechworth RSL Sub-Branch by Captain Nankervis’ family. The inscription on the framed box containing the Medal Bar reads, “These medals were awarded to Captain Dick Nankervis for service during World War I and World War II". wwi war medals, wwii war medals, rack of six medals, military medal -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph - Photograph - Reproduction, c.1870s
This photograph shows a piece of gold mining equipment identified as a mine winch, possibly an air winch cylinder of 1870s RG Ford's Patent design. Throughout the history of mining for gold and other precious materials, the windlass or winch (pictured) was used to bring up buckets full of soil from the bottom of a mine. This soil was then searched for gold/metals before being relocated to a different area. Due to the size and complexity of this particular piece of equipment, this winch may have been used to raise and lower mine carts to the entrance of the mine (often used in coal mining) and could have been used in raising cages up and down (acting as elevators) containing miners if the mine was particularly deep. The actual use of this particular item in the Beechworth locality is undocumented but these are some possibilities based on the use of these pieces of equipment in other mining locations. Mining can have a largely detrimental impact to the environment and therefore, the study of machinery like the one depicted in this photograph can help researches to reconstruct the methods and technologies used in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This particular item appears to have been removed from it's original site where it would have been used to assist with mining. It is possible that this photograph has been taken for recording purposes or as part of a machinery exhibition. Prior documentation records that this piece of equipment had connections to the Rocky Mountains Mining Company. Today, the Rocky Mountains Gold Mining company is famous in Beechworth for having been instrumental in the creation of the Rocky Mountain tunnel. Construction for this tunnel began in 1859 when a group of 12 men blasted a 400ft long tailrace though the rock beneath the town of Beechworth. Today, the 800ft tunnel, completed in 1871, is a popular tourist attraction but during the decades of gold mining, the purpose of this tunnel was to divert water away from the main sluicing operations so miners could better access gold and precious materials. The tunnel was used for this purpose for many years, later becoming useful for the Zwar Brother's tannery and currently as an outfall drain for Lake Sambell. This area continued to be mined until the early 1900s. The period when this item was in use is unclear but it is estimated to have been in the 1870s based on the design and appearance of the image. The gold works at the Rocky Mountain Tunnel closed in the early 1920s but the impact of mining remains in Beechworth today and therefore the study of photographs like this one which contain mining equipment can further understanding of mining in this region.This photograph has historic and research potential for study on the gold mining of the Beechworth region and types of equipment used to locate gold after the initial gold rush of 1853-1854 which resulted in the discovery of the surface gold and required miners to dig deeper to access precious metals. The clarity of the photo, and its good preserved condition, means it can continue to be used for research. This photo is part of a collection of six photos all within the Burke Museum Collection which depict mining equipment.Square black and white photograph on card.7793.1beechworth, mining, goldmining, goldmining equipment, beechworth burke museum -
Stanley Athenaeum & Public Room
Plaque - Shield - silver & wood, Shield with wooden case
Shield shape - wooden with silver shield inside . Musical motif/Irish harp/advance Stanley - extra pes. Cabinet hinged - lockable. Ornate scrolled top on wooden part of shield.Engraved 'Beechworth Choir Contest' Judge Redford 7th Oct 1903 -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Postcard
Depicted is a handwritten note written by Thomas "Tom" Lacey. It is addressed to his sister, Maude. This letter accompanies a portrait of Tom dressed in an Australian army uniform (record number 3417.1). Tom was a resident of Beechworth, and was only nineteen years old when he fought in World War I.The record is historically significant due to its connection to World War I. This conflict is integral to Australian culture as it was the single greatest loss of life and the greatest repatriation of casualties in the country's history. Australia’s involvement in the First World War began when Britain and Germany went to war on 4 August 1914. The first significant Australian action of the war was the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force’s (ANMEF) landing on Rabaul on 11 September 1914. The ANMEF took possession of German New Guinea at Toma on 17 September 1914 and of the neighbouring islands of the Bismarck Archipelago in October 1914. On 9 November 1914, the Royal Australian Navy made a major contribution when HMAS Sydney destroyed the German raider SMS Emden. On 25 April 1915, members of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) landed on Gallipoli in Turkey with troops from New Zealand, Britain, and France. This began a campaign that ended with an evacuation of allied troops beginning in December 1915. The next year, Australian forces fought campaigns on the Western Front and in the Middle East. The record has strong research potential. This is due to the ongoing public and scholarly interest in war, history, and especially the ANZAC legend, which is commemorated annually on 25 April, known as ANZAC Day.Sepia rectangular postcard printed on paper.Obverse: My Dear Sister / I will / write / you / a long / letter / next / week / CARTE POSTALE / Just a line / in (?) to your letter / which I received two / days ago. I suppose you / used to wonder why I / never wrote but it is / pretty hard to get / writting paper at / (?). Well maud / I suppose you heard / about me getting around / I was shot through the / both legs but my poor / old mate got killed / straight out. I tell you / I do miss him. / I am glad you like / your new place. / Do you ever see Mary Y(?) / I had not had a letter / from her for 3 months / I have had a good / rest since I came out / of hospital I have been to / Cairo twice. Do you ever / get any letters from Dave / (?) him to drop me a / line some of these days / Well Maud I would like / to spend next XMAS with / you but that not my luck / this is all the new good by Tom /military album, beechworth, tom lacey, army, world war i, wwi, letter, thomas lacey -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph
This photograph is a copy of that captured in approximately 1900 and depicts the on site nurses homes. During the 1880s, these detached cottages were constructed and provided accommodation for the staff (in this case, the nurses) who lived within the hospital walls. Within the image are weatherboard buildings, a number of nurses and water tanks. Beechworth's Mayday Hills was chosen as the site of Victoria's newest asylum, at the time, due to the landscape and altitude. The hilltop atmosphere and the native fauna, it was argued, would assist in the cure of the patients kept at the hospital (Wood 1985, 122). The positioning of the hospital had a beneficial effect on the rural town. A pamphlet published by James Ingram and Son (1849) reveal that famous landmarks in Beechworth which included the Post Office, Gaol, Courthouse and Asylum "demonstrate the appreciation of Beechworth by the Government not only as as important district center, but also as a site unrivaled as a sanitarium". There were other locations in contention at the time, but ultimately Beechworth was chosen (Craig 2000, 33). Prior to the creation of the Asylum in Beechworth, those charged with having mental illnesses or, as it was termed, "insanity" were unable to be properly cared for in the Gaol (which is where they were often sent). John Buckley Castieau wrote, in 1861 for the Ovens and Murray Advertiser, that the Gaol was unable to properly care for those classified then as "insane" but that they would endeavor to treat them above the other inmates (which he notes is not always the case in other establishments). Castieau wrote this in favour of supporting the building of the Mayday Hills Hospital in Beechworth. It was stated that at the time the Mayday Hills Hospital was built, there were 83 prisoners kept in the Gaol who were to be rehoused to the Hospital on the grounds of "insanity". The classification as someone as "insane", in this period of time is a reflection on the inability to cure and understand illnesses of the mind during the mid to late 1800s. Opening on the 24th of October 1867, the Mayday Hills Hospital was originally named the "Ovens Lunatic Asylum", a title which is very much a product of its time. Whilst controversial, changes to the name is part of the history of the Hospital and can provide much insight into the understanding of mental illness throughout history and the use/disuse of this term provides information into the reception/changing opinions of mental illness in society. The Hospital would later become known as the "Mayday Hills Asylum" and/or "Mayday Hills Hospital" with the latter being the most commonly used title. An article in the Ovens and Murray Advertiser notes that on the 7th of March 1865, the foundation stone of the Hospital was laid (it would officially open in 1867) and that it was such a moment of accomplishment and joy for Beechworth that a letter to the editor even suggested that there should be a holiday dedicated to the day the foundation stone as laid. This reveals an extent to which the townspeople of early Beechworth valued the construction of the Hospital in their town. It provided the town with a sense of prestige and honour.At first glance, the remains of the Mayday Hills Hospital in Beechworth, Victoria, inspire tragedy, trauma and beauty. The buildings themselves, with their Italianate style Renaissance architecture designed by J.J. Clark (Craig 2000, 49 & Smith 2016, 203) reflect a bygone period of European and Australian history. The gardens provide a sense of tranquility and beauty. The experience of those within these walls remains a valuable area of study to provide a more complete understanding. This particular hospital is considered the fourth of its like and one of three identified as the largest of their kind. The Mayday Hills Hospital is a sister to the Kew and Ararat Asylums in Melbourne which are both located in relative proximity. Understanding the role of the Mayday Hills Hospital in Beechworth history is integral to understanding the development of the goldfields town, but also for providing important information as to the history of caring for, and the reception of, mental illnesses in Australian and wider European history. Mayday Hills provides a case study which can be researched through oral history, an analysis of the grounds/buildings and through images like these. Images like these depict the strong façade of the Hospital and provide a glimpse into the tranquility of the gardens. This has been done deliberately to provide a sense of comfort and healing about the building to those looking from the outside. Further research into the importance of the Hospital in Beechworth and it's connection to the town will be supported through images like these kept in the Mayday Hills photo album in the collection of the Burke Museum.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on photographic paper mounted on cardmayday hills, nurse, weatherboard, watertank, mayday hills hospital, asylum, mental health, kew, ararat, mental hospital, beechworth, gold town -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph
Depicted are five unidentified performers. Two of them are guiding a prop. One of the male performers is wearing a mask. A sign in the background reads "Rayner Myrtleford", referring to Rayner St in Myrtleford; a town located approximately 28km south of Beechworth.The photograph provides insight into entertainment, performance and recreation in Beechworth during the 1950s. The item's interpretive capacity is enhanced by its strong relationship to other photographs in the catalogue. Collectively, these records enrich the community's understanding of how the arts have developed in Beechworth since the mid-twentieth century.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: 5667 /entertainment, entertainment album, performance, arts, theatre, play, theatrical group, myrtleford, beechworth, rayner st -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph
Depicted is an unidentified male performer dressed in women's clothing. He is positioned on a stage and in front of a microphone. The photograph appears to have been taken by a reporter from the Ovens and Murray Advertiser; a weekly newspaper published in Beechworth.The photograph provides insight into entertainment, performance and recreation in Beechworth during the 1950s. The item's interpretive capacity is enhanced by its strong relationship to other photographs in the catalogue. Collectively, these records enrich the community's understanding of how the arts have developed in Beechworth since the mid-twentieth century.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: THE OVENS AND MURRAY ADVERTISER /entertainment album, entertainment, 1950s, performance, theatre, theatrical group, arts, the ovens and murray advertiser, newspaper, beechworth, actor -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph
Taken in Beechworth, this photograph depicts the business of Camp Street looking towards the Ovens and Murray Benevolent Asylum. In the foreground of right hand side; there are row of buildings, on the left hand side; there are a two standing figures. The Ovens Benevolent Asylum (or the Ovens and Murray Hospital for the Aged) was constructed in 1862 on an elevated site overlooking the township of Beechworth. This Asylum was built in response to boom in population due to the discovery of Gold in Beechworth in 1852. This period also saw the development of additional administration buildings such as; the Court house, the Town Hall, and offices. The original Benevolent Asylum building was designed in an unusual Flemish Gothic Revival style. The single storey building is of red brick on a dressed granite base, and the main facade is dominated by four curved, Flemish gable ends, those at the extremities being added to the original central section in 1867. This facade incorporates paired windows of pointed Gothic form and dark brick diaperwork patterning. The adjacent J. A. Wallace Wing of 1899 was designed by Donald Fiddes as a separate building. Also constructed of red brick, Fiddes adopted a conservative approach, designing a simple domestic scale building with central projecting gable porch and flanking bull nosed verandahs. The Benevolent Asylum was renamed the Ovens Benevolent Home in 1935 and The Ovens and Murray Home in 1954. Many buildings have been added to this site, particularly since the 1960s, including a poorly sited addition to the front of the original building. Extensive internal renovations have also been made to the original buildings. [https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/118]The Ovens and Murray Hospital for the Aged is of architectural significance as an unusual example of Flemish influenced design from the 1860s. Although the facade has been partly obscured, it remains intact, and, together with the more simply designed Wallace wing, are important examples of early buildings designed for the specific purpose of aged care. The Flemish gables remain as a dominant form of Beechworth's urban landscape. The Ovens and Murray Hospital for the Aged is of historical significance due to its association with the early development of Beechworth and its dominant siting within the town. It is illustrative of the civic development that took place in the town after the peak of the gold rush, when Beechworth was develpoing as the administrative centre of the north east of Victoria. [https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/118]Black and white rectangular photograph. Image is printed on matte photographic paper. Obverse: BOOT SHOE STORE Reverse: 7770.2 / 1997.3099beechworth, burke museum, diggings, camp street, the benevolent asylum, ovens benevolent hom, gold rush -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph
Taken in Beechworth, this photograph depicts Albert Road looking towards the Ovens and Murray Benevolent Asylum. In the center of the image are figures standing of a bridge. The Ovens Benevolent Asylum (or the Ovens and Murray Hospital for the Aged) was constructed in 1862 on an elevated site overlooking the township of Beechworth. This Asylum was built in response to boom in population due to the discovery of Gold in Beechworth in 1852. This period also saw the development of additional administration buildings such as; the Court house, the Town Hall, and offices. The original Benevolent Asylum building was designed in an unusual Flemish Gothic Revival style. The single storey building is of red brick on a dressed granite base, and the main facade is dominated by four curved, Flemish gable ends, those at the extremities being added to the original central section in 1867. This facade incorporates paired windows of pointed Gothic form and dark brick diaperwork patterning. The adjacent J. A. Wallace Wing of 1899 was designed by Donald Fiddes as a separate building. Also constructed of red brick, Fiddes adopted a conservative approach, designing a simple domestic scale building with central projecting gable porch and flanking bull nosed verandahs. The Benevolent Asylum was renamed the Ovens Benevolent Home in 1935 and The Ovens and Murray Home in 1954. Many buildings have been added to this site, particularly since the 1960s, including a poorly sited addition to the front of the original building. Extensive internal renovations have also been made to the original buildings. [https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/118]Black and white rectangular photograph. The image is printed on matte photographic paper. Obverse: NO INSCRIPTION Reverse: BMM7590 1997.2848 AO2848 beechworth, albert road, benevolent, asylum, burke museum, photograph, black and white -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph, Late 1800s
This photograph was taken during the late 1800s at the Chinese camp at Beechworth, Victoria. It was in camps such as these that many would-be gold miners made their home after arriving in Australia from across Asia. After arriving in South Australia where there was no poll-tax required of migrants as was the norm in Victoria and New South Wales, those looking to settle on the gold fields walked en mass overland for hundreds of kilometres before arriving in destinations such as Beechworth. Due to widespread prejudice against Chinese gold diggers they were forced to live separate from the town and developed enclaves much like the one depicted in the photograph. As the years progressed the Chinese camp began to construct more permanent structures and included temples of worship, shops and separate burial grounds. This photograph demonstrates the early multi-cultural aspects of Australia and Victoria during the late 1800s. It also showcases pressures and prejudices specific to the Chinese migrant community and the measures taken to separate them from the rest of the predominantly white community. It also reflects the gold-rush period and one of the first draws to Australia due to its mineral wealth. Black and white rectangular photograph developed on paperObverse: None Reverse: From the/Chinese Camp/84-80-1/1997-3221chinese camp, beechworth, houses, immigrants, gold mining, gold rush, late 1800s, chinese, asia -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph
This image shows an unknown location in the area of Beechworth that was possibly used as a sluicing mining site for gold during the Victorian Gold Rush. This era saw an influx of Chinese immigrants and Australian prospectors hoping to strike it rich on the fields. Many companies such as the Rocky Mountain Extended Gold Sluicing Company Ltd and the Cocks Pioneer Gold &Tin Sluicing Company also set up mines in the area. This site may be the location of one of these company's mines. The wooden logs are reminiscent of known sluicing operations in the era from that time. Sluicing involved the use of high-pressured hoses to clear away soil from earth that had been dug up by miners and was a popular method of excavation in the area, although it had severe impacts on the environment.The search for gold is ingrained into the history of Victoria and therefore, images like this one which portray an open cut sluicing site can reveal important information for society and technology for the date when the photograph was taken. This image is of important historical significance for its ability to convey information about sluicing and the methods used to find gold. It also shows a location where sluicing was undertook which provides insight into the impact of sluicing on the environment at a time when it was done.A colour rectangular photograph printed on glossy photographic paperReverse: 6855 /beechworth, gold rush, sluicing, mining -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Medal - Order of the British Empire Medal, 01/01/1976
David Aloysius Patrick McKenzie-McHarg, L.I.B, O.B.E was born on 20th June 1918 in Albury, NSW to Hugh Patrick McKenzie-McHarg and Laura May (Dunne) McKenzie-McHarg. McKenzie-McHarg served on the Council of the United Shire of Beechworth for more than a decade during the 1960s-70s, including seven years as president. He was renowned as a public speaker and played a significant role in the community. In recognition for his outstanding achievements and services rendered to the Beechworth community he was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1976. David McKenzie-McHarg died on 6th June 1992 and is buried in Beechworth Cemetery. David McKenzie-McHarg’s wife, Marjorie Jean McKenzie McHarg, was well known to the Beechworth community as a brilliant pianist and played at all the balls and house parties. Apparently, she could play without sheet-music and would only have to hear a tune once to play it to near perfection. Together, they were a formidable asset to the Beechworth community over many years The British honours system has various orders, usually relating to the monarchy, military and colonial officials. An OBE (or order of the British Empire) is given for an outstanding achievement or service to the community. This will have had a long-term, significant impact and stand out as an example to others. This Order was established by George V in 1917 in response to recognising the thousands of men and women who served in a variety of non-combatant roles during the First world war who didn’t otherwise receive any formal recognition but were certainly worthy of acknowledgement. Recommendations for appointments to this Order were originally made on the nomination of the United Kingdom, however this soon became available to Commonwealth countries as well. However, Australia officially ceased to recommend the Order of the British Empire in 1989 with the establishment of the Order of Australia. Silver badge suspended from red ribbon with pearl-grey edges. The badge is in the form of a cross patonce (having the arms growing broader and floriated toward the end), the obverse of which bears the same field as the star pictures George V and Queen Mary. The reverse bears George V's Royal and Imperial Cypher. Both are within a ring bearing the motto of the Order: FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE. The presentation case in which the medal is housed is of a black outer boarder edge leatherette finishing, block letters in gold OBE. The inside has a cream velvet base with a silk padded liner to the roof with the full set of Royal Mint Crest Mark. Obverse: FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE / burke museum, obe, obe medal, beechworth, david mckenzie-mcharg, british honours system, george v, beechworth community, order of australia., order of the british empire, marjorie jean mckenzie mcharg -
Falls Creek Historical Society
Journal - Ski-Horizon Vol 3 No 5, January 1952
Ski-Horizon is the official journal of the Federation of Victorian Ski Clubs which began publication in 1949. The were 26 original member clubs which included Albury Ski Club, Bogong Ski Club, Myrtleford Ski Club, Tallangatta and District Ski Club and Wangaratta Ski Club. Two pioneers of Falls Creek, Tom Mitchell, M.L.A., and Martin Romuld were Vice-Presidents of the Federation.This Journal is significant because it documents the early development of skiing in Victoria.The journal features stories and events chronicling developments in Victoria and internationally. Items related to the Falls Creek Area in this publication include:- Page 5 A short article related to Toni St. Elmo and the success of the Nissen Tow. Page 7 Beechworth Ski Club commences construction.ski history victoria, federation of victorian ski clubs, toni st. elmo, beechworth ski club -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Postcard, 1910 - 1912
This photograph is taken of Lake Kerferd in around 1910. The photograph shows the road circling around the large lake and the jetty on the lake. On the other side, there is a written message from Fred Pulling to Win Pulling. Fred seems to have gone away and was not sure when he would return. He was also glad to hear about a gentlemen called Perc, who he stated to be a 'decent enough chap'.This postcard is significant because Lake Kerferd itself is significant within Beechworth's history. This lake was constructed in 1862 and was named after the former Beechworth Mayor, Hon. G B Kerferd. This lake was originally constructed to supply the town with water. Fred's correspondence with Win demonstrates a glimpse into what life was like during this time. Black and white rectangular postcard printed on cardObverse: (113) Lake Kerferd Beechworth / Reverse: Beechworth / 29.11.19 / [ Stamped: POST CARD / KODAK AUSTRALIA / Dear Win / Gald to hear that you / have made up your mind about / Perc / He seems a decent enough chap / too / Anyway, Thanks for the letter / Dont exactly know when we are / returning / will write later. Regards / to Nell of course, and H. (indecipherable) / Lots of love / Fred / lake kerferd, jetty, chap, postcard, letter, trees, lake, horse drawn carriage, horse drawn cart, kodak, australia, gum trees, gravel road, beechworth, kerferd -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph, 1973
Taken in 1973, this photograph features 13 men in suits, most of whom are council members of the United Shire of Beechworth, as well as a secretary and engineer. The photo is taken in a formal setting, suggesting there may have been an occasion at this time (potentially surrounding or related to the August council meeting). Previously a district (1856), then a borough (1863) and separate shire (1866) at this time the Local Government Area (LGA) had been known by this name for approximately two years, after having amalgamated with the still-existing borough. Beechworth amalgamated with Rutherglen and Chiltern Yackandandah to become the Indigo Shire Council in 1994. Little has been found about the men in the photograph, however this was at also around the time that women were becoming more widely accepted into positions on Victorian council (such as Valerie Mason, who was elected the first President of the United Shire of Beechworth council 6 years after this photograph.) The photograph has been taken in front of the Beechworth Shire Hall. The Hall was designed by architects J.J. Coe and Thomas Dalziel and is dated to 1859. Originally the building was used as the Shire Offices but also doubled as a fire station and a courthouse, with still surviving cells underneath. The Town Hall is now home to the Visitor Information Centre, is the starting point for historical Precinct walking tours and is available for hire for events or community meetings.The Beechworth Town Hall is one of five distinctive granite buildings on Ford Street that comprise the Justice Precinct, and is listed on the Victorian Heritage register. This photograph captures the ongoing importance and use of the Beechworth Town Hall and its ties to Council operations in the 1970s.Black and white rectangular photograph print matt photographic paperReverse - written in pencil upper right corner: 1997.2602; stamped in black ink across centre margin: Beechworth shire council Aug.1973/ Crs.H.H.Warner, H.C.Lucas, L.W. Powell, L. Leentjes, R.C. Sewell, T.J. Carroll/ G.Gray (Secry), Crs.R.P. O'Connor, D. Nankervis, D. McKenzie-McHaig, J.J. Macaulay, H.R. Sinclair/ D.Pope (Engineer), Absent Cr.J.V.Diffey; written in pencil in cursive lower left margin: Absent J Diffey; written in pencil bottom right edge: BMMA02602beechworth shire council, crs.h.h.warner, h.c.lucas, l.w. powell, l. leentjes, r.c. sewell, t.j. carroll, g.gray (secry), crs.r.p. o'connor, d. nankervis, d. mckenzie-mchaig, j.j. macaulay, h.r. sinclair, d.pope (engineer), cr.j.v.diffey, beechworth town hall -
Beechworth Honey Archive
Hand-Written Notes by Frank Lebbell Frost [ca 1915-1924]
Hand-written notes on vegetation and flowering quality. Includes the areas of Rutherglen, Chiltern, Beechworth, Barnawartha, Yackandanda. Includes the trees Yellow Box, Iron Bark, Red Box, Cape Weed, Green Cabbage Box, Stringy Bark and Hill Gum. Written with black ink on paper.hand written, hand-written, notes, flowering, eucalypts, gum, trees, frost, beekeeper, beechworth honey -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph, 1985
Photograph of four men standing in a burnout area of land and trees. One man is dressed as a helmeted fire-fighter, vehicle is behind them. A total of 111 fires started in Victoria on 14th January 1985 and took two weeks to bring under control. A major fire burned on Mt Buffalo, burning 51,400 hectares. Fire in Beechworth arrived via Woolshed and Eldorado in 1985/ Black and white rectangular photograph printed on photographic paperReverse: 1985 /emergency services, burke musuem, beechworth, fire brigade, fire, fire fighter, photograph, 1985 -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph
Rectangular black and white rectangular photograph, on matte photographic paper.Obverse: O'Connor's-Post-Office Hotel/ O'Connors Stables/ Reverse: 6418.2/ Post Office Hotel-O'Connor's Camp Street/ copied from the collection of Robert O'Hara Burke Memorial Museum, Beechworth/ Digital Print- Copyright (the digital print is Copyright-the Burke Museum holds this right)/ printed on Epson Matte Heavyweight Photo Paper 167gms A4 Ink jet paper hotels album, beechworth, burke museum, post office hotel, o'connor's, camp street -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph - Postcard, c1900
The construction on Lake Kerferd began in 1862 however it wasn't completed until 1874 due to engineering and funding issues. The lake was named after George Briscoe Kerferd (1831–1889) who was responsible for Beechworth's water scheme. George Briscoe Kerferd was born on 21 January 1831 in Liverpool, England and arrived in Melbourne April 1853. He spent his first years in Australia in Bendigo before settling down in Beechworth as a wine and spirits merchant. He married Ann Martindale on 17th December 1853 at St James Cathedral, Melbourne and between them they had three sons and five daughters. Kerferd began his political and legal career in Beechworth when he was first elected to the Municipal Council in May 1857. Later he would be elected to the Legislative Assembly for the Ovens District in November 1864, and continued to represent the area until February 1886. This photograph is historically significant as it provides insight into the water reserves of Victoria. It also demonstrates the political identity of George Briscoe Kerferd and the Beechworth Municipal Council.Sepia rectangular postcard printed on paperObverse: Reverse: 83-131-1/ Post Card/ Correspondence / Address Only / BMM2997 / 53 / [Kodak Australia Stamp] lake kerferd, beechworth, water scheme, water reserve, reservoir, legislative assembly, hon. george briscoe kerferd, catchments, beechworth water reserve, beechworth catchments, municipal council, st. james cathedral, lakes, reserve, water supply, political projects -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph
This rectangle black and white photograph shows a bush scene with part of a suspension rope and wooden plank bridge visible in the middle of the image. It is likely this suspension bridge was used by the Tannery workers to move between the town and the Ovens Tannery located South-West of Beechworth due to its secluded bush location, the bridge likely spanned the gorge across Spring creek. The tannery itself was located alongside Gimlet Creek, about three kilometres from town, down what is now known as Malakoff and Old Tannery Road but which at the time was remote and accessed through bushland. The Ovens tannery was stablished in 1858 by Matthew Dodd and Hallahan and later Matthew and his brother Thomas Dodd in 1866 who developed it over the years. According to Doyle, 'we have little information about its early operations except the tannery itself comprised four small buildings' by 1870 ‘a small village with gardens of vines and fruit trees surrounded the tannery’ (Woods, 121), and by 1887 the Tannery employed fifteen men. The Ovens tannery was among several new businesses establishing themselves such as a foundry that brought industrial manufacturing alongside the developing township and which strengthened the economic stability of Beechworth after the receding mining surge. According to Woods (p. 121) in the 1860’s the government spent considerable sums to establish several public buildings such as the Benevolent Asylum, the Hospital and Insane Asylum to support those in need of care in the area directly after the Indigo gold rush which had left Beechworth, a fairly remote regional and newly formed township (Gold was first discovered in Beechworth in 1852) with a number of infirm and destitute people in its wake and which due to the support and establishment of these facilities ‘made Beechworth a significant social welfare centre in Victoria’ (Woods, p. 121). The tannery provided employment and connected the regional centre with other parts of Victoria and the wider colonial outposts and would have been a welcome opportunity for those seeking work after gold was no longer a source of income.A good example of the ingenuity of regional settlers to achieve what would have been a difficult and remote construction of a bridge as a means of access. This bridge is evidence of planning and forethought and shows dedication to establishing a life in a remote landscape.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on paperreverse: / 2983 / / BMM2983 /black and white photograph, bush, suspension bridge, rope bridge, tannery, spring creek, ovens tannery, bushland, gimlet creek, matthew dodd, beechworth -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Audio - Oral History, Mrs May Harris, July 2000
This oral history interview was conducted with Mrs May Harris (née Peach), who grew up in the farming town of Stanley, about 9km southeast of Beechworth. Mrs Harris moved to Melbourne and got work cleaning houses before getting married. Her husband worked on farms, and the couple eventually found their way back to Stanley. She describes experiences of illness, particularly her husband and children's experience with asthma and the impact that had on their lives and careers. Mrs Harris talks about local fundraising events in Stanley, particularly what she calls 'Australian Teas', as well as some of the dances and picnics that were major sources of entertainment when she was young. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involved recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke.Mrs May Harris' statement explores life in a small farming community alongside some of her life in the city, which might provide an interesting comparison. She discusses the difficulties of facing illnesses in these rural communities, noting the lack of available resources and need to travel to Beechworth. She discusses community events, highlighting both the social aspects and the fundraising aspects.This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white strip and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up 40 minutes of recordings on each side.listen to what they say, beechworth, oral history, burke museum, illness, asthma, farming, farm work, rural life, stanley, stanley athenaeum, sinclair's sawmill, sawmill, the great depression, housework, australian tea, fundraising -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Decorative object - Swinging Clock, Charles Frederick Falck, 1855
This clock was made by Charles Frederick Falck who was a watchmaker and jeweller in Beechworth from 1863-1908. Falck was born in Körlin, Prussia on May 22nd in 1833 and died at the age of 75 in 1908. Ovens and Murray Advertiser, Beechworth: edition June 13, 1908 OBITUARY: Falck was brought up to the business of watch-making, in which he developed exceptional mechanical ingenuity. Attracted by the favourable prospects held out by the Australian discoveries of gold he, like many other young adventurous spirits, left his native land to seek his fortune in the great southern Eldorado, arriving in Adelaide in 1854, and shortly after came to Melbourne where he worked as a journeyman, and subsequently started in business on his own account. Feeling inclined to test his fortune on the goldfields, he went to Blackwood but, meeting with little success, he returned to Melbourne where he was married. In 1862, he moved to Beechworth, where he commenced business as watchmaker and gold-buyer. He then embarked in vine-growing on the Sydney road, but eventually resumed his business avocations. His skill in practical horology was evinced in a clock of his own design and manufacture, surmounted by a golden eagle, which was exhibited at the first Melbourne Exhibition in 1856, and which afterwards formed a pre-eminent attraction in the window of his business premises in Ford Street. For many years, he filled the position of timekeeper to the Beechworth Racing Club, with complete satisfaction also at various sports meetings. He leaves a family of six sons and one daughter (Mrs. Jas. Broadfoot) all arrived at maturity. The funeral, which was well attended by a number of residents, took place at the Beechworth Cemetery on Sunday, the burial service being performed by the Ven. Archdeacon Potter. The cortege was capably supervised by Mr. D. Wilson, undertaker. The clock was returned to Beechworth in 2020 through the generous support of the Copland Foundation. Given that Mr. C. F. Falck traded as a watchmaker and jeweller in Beechworth for 45 years and traded with the 1855 clock mounted in his front window, there is a direct link between the clocks and the social, cultural and economic life of nineteenth century Beechworth at time when the town was developing and expanding in response to gold mining. This clock represent the significant skill and expertise of Charles Falck as an horologist. Medium-sized pendulum clock featuring a carved gilt wood eagle with wings outstretch (épandre - expanded with wing-tips directed upwards) and perched above a pendulum rod that holds a silver dial clock face within a reeded sunburst surround. The clock has an eight-day fuse movement with dead beat escapement wound from the clock face. C. F. F. FALCK / EXHIBITION 1856 / MELBOURNEburke museum, copland foundation, beechworth, leonard joel, auction, purchase, clock, pendulum, eagle, eagle clock, charles frederick falck, c. f. falck, falck, horology, pendulum clock, melbourne -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph - Photograph - Reproduction
This reproduced photograph depicts a reef mine in Beechworth. Reef mining, or quartz reef mining, was common in 19th Century Victoria. This gold mining technique requires mine shafts to be sunk into underground quartz reefs, with horizontal tunnels dug from the original shaft at differing levels to find the gold-bearing rock. The quartz would then be hoisted to the surface, which would then be pounded to access the gold in its metallic state. Gold was discovered in Beechworth in February 1852, at Spring Creek. 8000 hopeful prospectors quickly descended on this region within the year, transforming it into a thriving, wealthy township. Reef mining and hydraulic sluicing were gold mining techniques used in this region in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This reproduction photograph interestingly contains dogs alongside the miners. While dogs have been recorded as deterrents to thieves in the Victorian goldfields, these dogs appear as companions to these men.The search for gold is ingrained into the history of Victoria and therefore, images like this one can reveal important information for society and technology for the date when the photograph was taken. It also shows a location where reef mining was undertaken which provides insight into the impact on the environment at a time when it was done. The Beechworth Burke Museum has additional images relating to gold mining which can be analysed and studied alongside images like this one.Black and white rectangular reproduction photograph on gloss photographic paper. Obverse: Reverse: L is miners 26%/ 10 x 8/ 6167.bbeechworth, burke museum, gold, gold mining, gold rush, victorian gold rush, reef mining, quartz, companion dog, horse and cart -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - FRIENDS OF WHITE HILLS CEMETERY COLLECTION: PHOTOGRAPHS OF FUNERAL TOWERS, 1999-2011
Photographs. Two pages of copies of coloured photographs of eight Funeral Towers: Beechworth Funeral Tower 2011. Vancouver Island BC Canada 1999. Bendigo Funeral Tower 2009. Maldon Funeral Tower 1995. Avoca Oven 1995. Dunolly Oven 1994. Castlemaine Funeral Tower 1995.photograph, landscape, copies of eight funeral towers -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph, c1920
This photo shows the large mining cavity with a hydraulic sluicing machine in operation at Baarmutha Three Mile Mine, Beechworth . The Beechworth Mining District was one of six mining districts established by the Governor-in-Council on 4 January 1858 under the provisions of An Act for Amending the Laws Relating to the Goldfields (21 Vic no.32). The District was further divided into seven divisions: Spring Creek, Snake Valley, Three Mile Creek, Buckland, Woolshed, Yackandandah and Omeo. The boundaries of each of these divisions and of the whole district are described in the Governor-in-Council's proclamation printed in the Government Gazette, 5 January 1858, pages 3-5. Hydraulic mining is a form of mining that uses high-pressure jets of water to dislodge rock material or move sediment. In the placer mining of gold or tin, the resulting water-sediment slurry is directed through sluice boxes to remove the gold. It is also used in mining kaolin and coal.This photograph shows the impact the gold rush era had on Australia and the earth.A black and white rectangular photograph printed on photographic paperCopied from original on loan film (WEBB QLD) / Donated 2009 NOV/ Baarmutha Three Mile Mine c1920-1950/ Managed by John Weir Peter Jereen Jack Cox / Owned by Plain Bros then Parkinsons Sluicing.mining, gold fields, beechworth, gold rush, burke museum, photograph, mining cavity, hydraulic mining, hydraulic sluicing, baarmutha -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph
16th Light Horse Regiment was raised in 1912 from former Light Horse units of Victorian Mounted Rifles, as part of reorganization of Commonwealth Military Forces ( Militia ) with troops in North East Victoria.Fine photograph of citizen soldiers immediately prior to WW1Black and white photograph mounted on card of an Officer and 36 soldiers posed in three ranks." B. Troop C Squadron 16th L. Horse , 5 - 8 14 " and Heath Beechworth " -
Beechworth Honey Archive
Map- Eldorado
Map of rural properties between Woorragee and Everton along Reedy Creek, Spring Creek and Sheep Station Creek.Beechworth Sheet 1. Properties of W.F Robinson, J.Tanswell, N.Griffin, W.Dyson and F.Morris shaded blue.map, eldorado, robinson, tanswell, griffin, dyson, morris, beechworth honey -
Ringwood RSL Sub-Branch
Book WW1 Victorian, The British Australian Publishing Service, All Australian Memorial Victorian Edition, 1917
Contains details and photos of many soldiers that served on Gallipoli. Not indexed.Black leather bound Gold rising sun embossed on the front.. Victorian edition printed 1917. All Australian memorial. Australia's roll of honour 1914-1916. History of heroes and helpers.Printed pages and photographs. Lists names of all Victorians who served on Gallipoli with a special section listing all those killed.. Dedicated to Warrant Officer Ferdinand Oates of Beechworth Vic. His parents worked at the Asylum Beechworth. -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph, c1960
The date this photograph was taken is unknown. Estimated date 1960-70s. The gentleman in the photograph and location the photograph was taken are also unknown. Perhaps in the Beechworth or Stanley area. Unknown what the photo is referencing, however, there is perhaps an old wooden pump house near a large body of water. Located inside the pump house is an old rusted steam engine, dated c1900, which could have controlled the flow of water. The photo is associated to another record, 6856 as it has the same elderly gentlemen in the image. He is able to be identified through wearing the same clothes and distinctive hat in both photographs. The photograph could be associated to mining as the gentleman is standing next to a small mine site in a related record. Colour rectangular photograph printed on glossy photographic paper. Obverse: Reverse: 6857/ colour photograph, beechworth, burke museum, mining, miners, stanley