John Thomas was born at Worcester, England in 1796 and he became a blacksmith at Hagley, Worcestershire before becoming a Methodist and he soon started to preach. He married Sarah Hartshorn who predeceased him in 1867. He was accepted by the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society (WMMS) in 1824 and he became a pioneering missionary to Tonga (the Friendly Isles) in the South Pacific. He sailed first to Australia, and eventually arrived in Tonga in 1826, together with his wife and fellow missionary John Hutchinson.Initially he preached in Hihifo, Tongatapu from 1826 to 1828 and then moved to the island of Ha’apai in 1829. He baptised the chief Taufa’ahua Tupou in 1831 and enthroned him with English rites as the first King of all Tonga in 1845. Although the WMMS withdrew from Samoa in 1839, Thomas advocated its re-entry and he supported the King’s policy of sending Tongan Wesleyan missionaries to Fiji and Samoa. John Thomas also persuaded the Australasian Wesleyan Conference ( which took over the Pacific region from the British in 1855) to reverse the London Missionary Society’s decision regarding Samoa. John Thomas had 2 periods in Tonga from 1826 to 1850 and 1855 to 1859. Following a visit to England his influence with King Tupou waned in the 1850's and he retired to England and became a supernumerary minister at Stourbridge, Worcestershire, where he died in 1881. His wife Sarah had been a partner in his missionary work until she died 14 years earlier than he did. John Thomas’ name is honoured by having one of the 12 dormitory houses of Toupou College in the capitol of Tonga named after him. John Thomas House is House #1, and it is customary for the Head Prefect to reside in this dormitory. B & W engraving from a photograph of the Rev. John Thomas, formerly missionary in the Friendly IslandsRevd. John Thomas, Formerly Missionary in the Friendly Islands, Engraved by J. Cochran from a Photograph.rev. john thomas, methodist, tonga, friendly islands, wesleyan, missionary, wesleyan methodist missionary society

James Watkin (1805–86), Pioneer Missionary. James Watkin was born in Manchester in 1805. While still young he felt the call to preach and in 1830 was accepted as a candidate for the Wesleyan Ministry. In the same year he married Hannah Entwistle and they sailed with a missionary party to Tonga. The work of the mission was jeopardised by prolonged and involved struggles between Christian and non-Christian Tongan chiefs; Watkin faced alone the danger of tribal warfare, but the experience left him depressed and exhausted. On his removal with his family to Sydney in September 1837 he prayed for a return home to England. Instead, when John Jones offered a free passage for a missionary appointed to Waikouaiti, where Jones had a whaling station, Watkin was selected for the post and arrived there in May 1840. Here he established the first mission station in the South Island. Watkin found the whaling settlement of Waikouaiti a centre of violence, licentiousness, and drunken depravity. Thoroughly disliking the corrupted Maoris and convinced that they were doomed to extinction, and disgusted by the brutality and vices of his fellow Europeans, Watkin laboured without hope, in the bitterness of exile and with deepening depression and distress. In spite of an abhorrence for his situation he established schools at Waikouaiti and Matanaka, and stationed partly trained Maori teachers at Stewart Island and at Moeraki. He had a natural flair for languages, preached in Maori four months after his arrival, and compiled an elementary reading book to be printed in Ngai Tahu. In November 1840 Watkin was greatly disturbed by Bishop Pompallier's visit to Otago. When, however, this was followed by Anglican intrusion – for Bishop Selwyn visited Otago in January 1844 – Watkin thought of withdrawing his own Maori teachers and abandoning the field. Never reconciled to his position at Waikouaiti, Watkin was relieved by Charles Creed and in June 1844 he sailed for Wellington, leaving 227 church members in Otago. In 1855 Watkin settled in New South Wales, and was president of the National Methodist Conference at Adelaide in 1862. He retired in 1869 and died on 14 May 1886, at Ashfield, New South Wales. 'WATKIN, James', from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/1966/watkin-james (accessed 30 Apr 2018) B & W engraving from a photograph of the Rev. James Watkin.Revd. James Watkin, Australia Engraved by J. Cochran from a Photograph.

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A collation of reminiscences, anecdotes and recorded histories of the pioneer families and their descendants in Arthurs Creek, Victoria by Bruce Draper. From the back cover "Up the Creek is a window into the community spirit and achievements of former generations. This book is an enduring legacy to the families who were pivotal to the early settlement of Melbourne."Softcover book with a part of the painting "Arthurs Creek" by Harry Harwood (1878) wrapped around the front and back covers in green and blue tones, black lettering and 144 pages.#arthurscreek, #localhistory, #arthurscreekfamilies

Unveiling stone tablet on completion of Pioneers’ Memorial 1938. Black & white photo showing His Excellency, Sir Frederick Wollaston Mann, K.C.M.G., and Lieutenant Govenor of Victoria, unveiling of stone tablet on the completed Pioneers Memorial in c 1938. Mr. W.G. Sharpley the Town Clerk on the right, holding his hat. The Memorial is situated at the top of the Big Hill, which gives a spectacular 360-degree view of the area.Unveiling stone tablet on completion of Pioneers’ Memorial c 1938. The black & white photo showing His Excellency, Sir Frederick Wollaston Mann, K.C.M.G., and Lieutenant Govenor of Victoria, unveiling of stone tablet beside the Town Clerk Mr. W.G. Sharpley. Dedicated to the Pioneers of Stawell and District - by - His Excellency Sir Frederick Woolaston Mann, K.C.M.G. Leiut. Governor of Victoria Aug. 6th 1938.stawell

Three colour photographs, one view of Pioneers Memorial and two of the stone plaques. The memorial photo looks freshly painted. The plaques illustrate that the foundation stone was laid by Lord Huntingfield in c 1935 while the other plaque is dedicated to the Pioneers of Stawell and Districts in c 1938. Three colour photographs, one view of Pioneers Memorial and two of the stone plaques. The view of the memorial looks crisp and clear with a dark cloudy background. A Ute is parked in the background beside the light post. "Stawell Gold mines" on the back of the 3 photographs. Wording on plaques "This Foundation Stone was laid by HIS EXCELLENCY LORD HUNTINGFIELD, K.C.M.G. Governor of Victoria October 7th, 1935. The second plaque "Dedicated to the Pioneers of Stawell and District by HIS EXCELLENCY SIR FREDERICK WOLLASTON MANN K.C.M.G. Lieut Governor of Victoria. August 6th, 1938.stawell

Local Stock and Station agents.Metal match box holder enamel casing with photograph and match striker on the end."With compliments McPherson Thom & Co Stock and ...Station Agent,Yarrawonga,Victoria. and 430 Collins St Melbourne ,Branch Offices at Corowa N.S.W, Oaklands N.S.W.matches, stock agents, yarrawonga

Bev McFarlane (mn Long) was Miss Victoria 1959. Yarrawonga Fooball team won the Ovens and Murray Grand Final played in Albury, beating Wangaratta Rovers31cm diameter, 33 1/3rd rpm black vinyl record with blue and white printed label in centre. It fits a white square card envelope 32cm sqSonic All recording,Broadcasting and Public Performance Rights reserved. Serial No SLA114B

Foreward comments written September 1917 by Sir Arthur Stanley Governor of Victoria, Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, Governor General Australia and Frank Tate Director of Education 1st March 1921. These books were distributed to each state school in VictoriaHard cover book, 303 pages containing photographs of teachers who enlisted and served in WW1, along with the stories of those who fell and those who returned. List of honours and decorations, chapters on War Relief Organisation, Patriotic Guild and Fund donationsInside front page - presented to Bathumi School. Signed by Stradbroke. (Governor of Victoria 1920 to 1926

Produced with financial input from Australian oil companies for Victoria's 150th anniversaryStiff cover book with black and white photographs of Melbourne streets along with descriptive captions facing each photograph. Dates from1850's to early1900. Approx 60 pagesPhotography design Joe Murray Text Peter McIntosh

This safe came from the property “Fairview” Tungamah. Victoria. Fairview was owned and farmed by Charles and Nellie Nunn. The safe is at least 100 yrs old and served the family of parents and 12 children well by keeping food cool in the blazing summer days. Beverley Long(McFarlane) remembers it on the farmhouse verandah of her grandparents property near the dairy where fresh milk was separated to produce cream and butter..it cooled meats, and dairy products by strips of hessian kept wet by water stored in the top tank, hanging down around the safe.More than 100 years oldMetal box construction with fly wire covering on all 4 sides. Has three shelves

Crop Competitions have been held at local Shows dating from late 1800’s to todayCream card red and blue print. Hand printed details of winner and description of Crop Competition. Also has tractor and plough, silos, tractor and header logos on top and wheat head logos on sides and bottom.The Farm Competitions Association of Victoria. Special Certificate awarded to J C Thom, Winner of Open Wheat Crop Competition (40 acres) 1963. Variety exhibited - Olympic. Conducted by Yarrawonga Agricultural Society Signed by Deputy Chairman JW McCann, Hon Secretary R A Andrew

Crop competitions have been held at local shows dating from late 1800’s to todayCream card Red and Blue print. Hand printed details of winner and description of Crop competition. Also has tractor and plough, silos tractor and header logos on top and wheat head logos on sides and bottom.The Farm Competitions Association of Victoria. Special certificate awarded to J C Thom ad P Bruce Open Wheat crop competition 1957 Area 40 acres. Variety Sherpa Conducted by Yarrawonga and Border Agricultural and Pastoral Society. Signed by Chairman Wm B Miller, Hon Secretary JWC McCann

Black & white photo showing foundation stone at Pioneers’ Memorial being held in place by a crane and watched by several people. On the right side of stone is the governor of Victoria Lord Huntingfield and beside him, town clerk Mr. Sharpley with a ribbon in his lapel and holding his hat. On the left side wearing glasses is Cr. Stan Freeland. Three Black and white photos of foundation stone, held in place by a crane and watched by several people around the foundation stone c 1935. Of the three photos two are enlarged."This Federation Stone was laid by His Excellency Lord Huntingfield K.C.M.G. governor of Victoria October 7th 1935." - inscribed on the stone. stawell

Photograph shows a gathering in front of the original Bellbrae school. The Bellbrae school was the seat of learning for the children of the Bellbrae pioneers.Black and white photographbellbrae victoria pioneer families

Photograph shows Llanberris House, built by Joseph and Mary Gundry on Iron Bark Station, west of the Anglesea Geelong Road, off Menzels Road above Spring Creek. The Gundrys took up Iron Bark station in 1844 and subsequently bought up more surrounding land. Just prior to Joseph's death in 1878, the property comprising 7721 acres was offered for sale as well as conditional rights to adjoining land. Llanberis House was a substantial stone dwelling of 2 storeys with 11 rooms.The Gundry family was one of the pioneering European settlers in the Bellbrae Torquay area.Black and white photographbellbrae victoria pioneer families

Photograph shows members of the Bubb family cutting ironbark logs in the Anglesea forest for their sawmill. The sawmill was established after WW2 to provide work for his sons. The sons who worked at the mill were Arthur, Harold (aka Jimmy), and Robert all of whom are buried at Bellbrae cemetery. As well as providing timber for their own use, Bubbs' timber was used in many homes around the Anglesea and Bellbrae areas.The Bubb family was a prominent pioneer family in the Bellbrae district.Black and white photographbellbrae victoria pioneer families