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The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Nankeen Kestrel, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
The Nankeen Kestrel is native to New Guinea, Indonesia and Australia, mostly mainland Australia and its coastline islands, but is occasionally seen in Tasmania and New Zealand. Seen in pairs, individually or in flocks of up to 30 birds, the kestrel’s numbers are considered ‘secure’. A non-migratory bird, the Nankeen kestrel is similar to other species of kestrel in appearance, (often being mistaken for other varieties), and is universally one of the smallest kestrels, comparable to the size of a pigeon. The kestrel’s diet consists of small reptiles and amphibians, insects and small birds, mammals and rodents. Rather than speed, this particular species of kestrel hunts by hovering and using wing suspension, one of the only two types of kestrels to do so. Fascinatingly, the kestrel’s wings have adapted to reduce turbulence. Their nesting places vary, depending on what is available and they may choose to use/recycle other birds’ old, unused nests. Nankeen Kestrels prefer to inhabit temperate grasslands, open woodlands and farmland. The contextual comparison of this taxidermy mount to live Nankeen Kestrels is a complex one. As discussed in the description, traditionally, Nankeen Kestrels have soft speckled and ochre red outer plumage with dark brown feathers at the tips of their wings and lighter greyish plumage on their head. This particular specimen however, has none of these defining features, but rather, seems to have more similarities with other hawk and falcon species, such as the Common Buzzard. Contextually, the choice of artificial eyes are slightly more enlarged than is seen on the species in the wild, and the top of the specimen’s head has been ruffed up, whereas for most of this species, their head plumage is smooth. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.One of the smaller falcon species, the Nankeen Kestrel is a slender bird of prey with dark brown speckles on soft ochre red outer plumage and dark brown feathers at its wing tips. It has lighter greyish plumage on its head with a small curved beak and yellow around its eyes and beak. Its tail reflects the same ochre colour of its outer plumage and is tipped with bands of dark brown/black and cream.Identification swing tag with catalogue page number reads: 4. / Nankeen Kestrel - / See Catalogue,/ Page 2. /taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, falconidae, falco cenchroides, nankeen kestrel, australian kestrel, birds of prey, kestrels -
Vision Australia
Painting - Artwork, Portrait of Tilly Aston, 1990
Framed portrait of Tilly Aston who began the Association for the Advancement of the Blind, a forerunner to the Association for the Blind. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the AFB Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Tilly sits with one hand resting against a table, and the other in her lap. She is wearing a black collared dress with a white lace neck ruff held with an opal pin. Two medals (the Jubilee medal and Coronation medal) are pinned to the chest, each consisting of a red and white bowtie with a brass medallion. Tilly Aston was born in Carisbrook, Victoria, in 1873. When she was very young her parents noticed she was having problems with her vision. They took her to a doctor who diagnosed her with no sight in her right eye and the prognosis of loss of vision in the left eye. As a result of this she was totally blind by the age of 7. Despite this her parents endeavoured to give Tilly as many of life’s advantages that their limited means could supply. From an early age she was taught singing, music, poetry, arithmetic, encouraged to read and observe the natural world around her and be independent. At the age of 8 she was sent to the Asylum and School for the Blind (later called the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind). She excelled in a wide range of subjects and matriculated in 1889. With the help of a public fund was able to attend Melbourne University, being the first blind Australian to do so. Unfortunately the lack of Braille text books made it impossible for Tilly to continue her studies and she left in second year. Tilly was determined that other blind people would not have the same negative experience she had had. In 1894 she organised a meeting to form the Victorian Association of Braille Writers with the aim of producing and supplying Braille to blind Victorians. Braille was produced by trained volunteers with ? recruited in the first six month. Other rights and services for blind people remained very limited. In 1895 Tilly organised a meeting, which formed the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now Vision Australia). The Association was instrumental in obtaining many benefits for blind people including a blind pension, voting rights and transport concessions. It also established the first nursing homes for blind people, at a time when many blind people were homeless and destitute. Tilly went on to be Australia’s first blind teacher. She was also a very talented musician, author of seven books and was very gifted at arts and crafts. She knew Esperanto and corresponded with people all around the world including Helen Keller. Tilly passed away on November 1st 1947. Her legacy continues through the work Vision Australia which provides services for thousands of blind Australians. A memorial bell dedicated to her is also situated in the King Domain Gardens. 1 art original in gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Miss Matilda (Tilly) A. Aston / President 1904, 1910, 1943 to 1947/ Association for Advancement of the Blind'. association for the advancement of the blind, association for the blind, tilly aston