The Kangaroo Hoppet is Australia’s premier long distance cross country ski race, and a member of the Worldloppet series of international cross country ski events. The first race at Falls Creek was held in 1979 under the name of “Australian Birkebeiner”. It was a 21km race with about 80 participants organised by the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club of Mount Beauty. The course started and finished at Falls Creek Alpine Resort and took participants out into the Bogong High Plains. After running the event for 10 years, it was decided they should become part of the Worldloppet series of marathon ski races. Representatives from the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club and the Australian Ski Federation attended the Worldloppet Annual Meeting in Finland in June 1990 to put the case for the acceptance of an Australian event into the Worldloppet series. Before being admitted, they had to demonstrate that the Birkebeiner Club could run a world class event, so three months later in August 1990 a 42km event named the Australian International Ski Marathon was held at Falls Creek together with a 21km Birkebeiner race and a 7km event called the Birkebeiner Lite. The event was approved by delegates from USA, Norway and Austria, in 1991 Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet, with the condition that there had to be a name change. After some late night discussion allegedly involving red wine from North East Victoria the main event became the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet, with the minor events being the 21km Australian Birkebeiner, and 7km Joey Hoppet. In the winter of 1991, the first Kangaroo Hoppet was held. It was a great success and has been a regular fixture on the international ski calendar ever since. It features the main 42km event as well as a 21km event and a 7km event. The Hoppet brings the Australian snowfields to an international audience. In 2021 plans were in place for the 30th anniversary of the Hoppet when it was again stopped due to COVID-19. A virtual Hoppet was put in place. It ran between 1st and 29th August 2021 and was again successful, with almost 1200 entrants. 31 countries and all Australian states and mainland territories were represented. Participants came from Argentina, Austria, Canada, Czechia, Dubai, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the USA.This poster is significant because it documents an event which brings international attention to Falls Creek and the surrounding region.A poster featuring two skiers heading into the distance. One skier has a race bib with 30 1991 - 2021 visible on his back. At the top is a circular emblem featuring a kangaroo looking through the middle of the number 30. It is surrounded by the words "KANGAROO HOPPET ANNIVERSARY 1991 - 2021". Logos of Worldloppet, AGL, Falls Creek, Alpine Shire Council, Victorian State Government, the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club, FIS, Community Bank Mount Beauty & District and KANGAROO HOPPET are across the bottom of the poster. In middle of image: AUSTRALIA'S PREMIER X-COUNTRY SKI RACE Between image and logos: 18 AUGUST 2021 FALLS CREEK AUSTRALIA 7 KM 21 KM 42 KM HOPPET.COM.AUkangaroo hoppet, worldloppet events, falls creek, mt. beauty

Valley Views was the newsletter of the Shire of Diamond Valley. The Shire of Diamond Valley was a Local Government Area located about 20 kilometres northeast of Melbourne. The shire covered an area of 74.38 square kilometres and existed from 1964 until 1994. 1994 edition commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Shire of Diamond Valley, in the final year before the Victorian state government amalgamated local government areas.Two editions of Valley Views. 1991 edition is 8 pages in broadsheet format (40 x 29cm), black and white illustrations. 1994 edition is 12 pages, colour illustrations, A4 (30 x 21 cm).shire of diamond valley, greensborough, valley views, diamond valley

Booklet of loose pages held together with yellow ribbon. Photographs of Buninyong.non-fictioncentenary, fisken, shire council, district road board, buninyong, 1958, dallas brookes, governor of victoria, archibald fisken

On his arrival from Scotland c 1857, James Keir commenced a communion service in his home on the Nepean Road. By 1859 the group-which included such other names as Allen, Brough, Cameron, Fairlam, Holdsworth, Le Page, Meeres, Monk, Organ, Penny, Perry, Potts, Sears and King-had built a small chapel near the corner of Wickham and Chesterville Roads. During 1858, a group had also begun meeting in the Charman family home on the corner of Charman and Balcombe Roads. Names associated with this group included Bodley, Charman, Fisher, Hayes, Hilliar, Judd, Moysey and Ruse. In 1860 they built a chapel on the corner of Charman Road and Patty Street. It was enlarged in 1866 and it became the meeting place of the two groups when they came together around 1870. They were able to buy land near the corner of Chesterville and Nepean Roads, and erected a new brick chapel on the site in 1878. This chapel, of course, continues to be an integral part of the life of the Southern Community Church and was one of the three worship venues for the 150th Anniversary celebration in 2007. The Southern Community Church was formed by the amalgamation of the Cheltenham, East Bentleigh and Hampton Street Churches of Christ in 1993, and a comprehensive new facility was designed and built to accommodate the ever-increasing activity of the amalgamated church. It was opened on 30th November 1997. ( Southern Community Church website 2019)c1878 - continuing The Church or Christ Cheltenham was one of the first places of worship established in Cheltenham by the early settlers. The settlers came together, in private homes at first, to support each other spiritually and physically and later built brick Churches for Sunday services and established social and sporting clubsBlack & White photograph as a postcard invitation to the 40th Anniversary of the Church of Christ corner Chesterville Rd and Nepean Highway Cheltenham ( ? 1900)Front Printed ; Church of Christ Cheltenham Back Printed ; POST CARD / One Penny Postage within Commonwealth / The address only to be written here/ One penny Stamp/ Sunday School Anniversary, / OCTOBER 27TH & OCTOBER 30TH / TO WHICH YOU ARE / CORDIALLY INVITED Handwritten in ink ; H.W. got the cramps in the pants. He took some pills then ran over the hills undatedearly settlers, bentleigh, mckinnon, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, were j.b., o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards, keir james, lepage frank, lepage everest, holloway josiah, bruton henry, keys robert, judd clarence, fairlam percy, meeres william, southern community church, cheltenham, cheltenham church of christ

The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest. This Issue celebrates the 50th Anniversary of CMHS Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS and this month Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of CMHS.Issue 18 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in October 2010. . Notice of AGM October 30th and Celebration of 50th Anniversary of CMHS. The Founding Members of CMHS are thanked and praised for their foresight, generosity of time and energy and for organising the collection of historical artefacts that created ‘Box Cottage Museum” as it is today. Mrs Dorothy Booth, FoMRGS, has donated her mother’s wedding dress to Box Cottage Museum, and John O’Callaghan, Glen Eira Historical Society, will donate a rebuilt computer. We are now commencing a Catalogue of our Library Books. The Story of the Elster Creek is attached.CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / OCTOBER 2010 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, booth dorothy, melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, elster creek, moorabbin shire, box cottage museum, state library of victoria, vicnet, city of moorabbin, box william, clothing, wedding dress, friends of mentone railway gardens, glen eira historical society, o’callaghan john

Two posters. The first in colour celebrating 400 years of the King James Bible, Friday 28th October 6pm 'How the KJB came about' Bendigo Library Theatrette. Sunday 30th October 2pm 'Celebration in word,image,music and drama' Bendigo Town Hall. The second in black and white, Golden Square Uniting Church 'Pleasant Sunday Afternoon' Sunday May 1st 2.15pm. Celebrating the Cornish heritage at the site of the first Church of the Goldfields. Featuring: The Victorian Cornish Singers, The Bendigo Cornish Choir. Guest of Honour: Ann Trevenen Jenkin (Past Grand Bard of Cornwell).bendigo, church, golden square methodist church

Historic - Puffing Billy Railway Locomotive Head Board used in the Celebration of the Last Train to Beech Forest 50th Anniversary Last Train to Beech Forest 30 - 6 1962 G42 ran from Belgrave to Gembrook to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the closure of the Beech Forest Railway. Puffing Billy Railway, Victoria, 30th June, 2012. The Beech Forest line was opened in 1902 and later extended to Crowes. The line was closed in sections with the last section being between Colac and Beech Forest. The last train was hauled by locomotive G 42, which also hauled the re-enactment train in 2012.Historic - Puffing Billy Railway Locomotive Head Board used in the Celebration of the Last Train to Beech Forest 50th Anniversary Last Train to Beech Forest 30 - 6 1962 G 42 ran from Belgrave to Gembrook to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the closure of the Beech Forest Railway. Puffing Billy Railway, Victoria, 30th June, 2012.Wooden - Locomotive Head Board - 50th Anniversary Last Train to Beech Forest Puffing Billy Railway 30- 6 - 2012 50th Anniversary Last Train to Beech Forest puffing billy, head board, last train to beech forest

Printed Document.To Ringwood RSL in appreciation of their support for their 50th Anniversary Reunion. 30th of June to 3rd of July 2005.

International House held their tenth anniversary Commemoration Dinner on 30th June, 1967, attended by approximately 300 guests, including Lady and Lord Casey (then the Governor-General). The Caseys presented the House with "a pair of valuable silver candlesticks" to celebrate, having been associated with the House since its establishment. Also in attendance were esteemed guests such as the High Commissioner for Singapore and the Ambassador for Indonesia, indicating the growing prominence of International House as an institution of note in Australia.Names of subjects inscribed on reversecommemoration, richard casey, maie casey, warden

City of Keilor 50th Anniversary Council 1961-91Colour PhotographNames of councillors at bottom of photograph

Certificate reads "Awarded to Association for the Blind Bicentennial River Run 1988. By the Australian Bicentennial Authority which was established to plan and coordinate a nationwide program of celebrations in 1988 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of permanent European settlement in Australia" Signed by the Chairman: Victoria Council (illegible) and Executive Director (illegible), dated 30th July 1987. All text on this certificate is located on the bottom half of the document. The top half is populated by a repeated stylised graphic of a map of Australia, in various shades of green and gold. There is also a gold version of the same logo, labelled with "Endorsed Bicentennial Activity" , situated above the official signatures. 1 certificate with Australia imageryassociation for the blind, awards

Title page reads: 'Notice Paper for Special Meeting of the Shire Council to be held on Tuesday 30th August 1983 to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of Buninyong District Road Board 1858.Cream card cover with hole-punched binding of pages. Yellow ribbon through holes. Volume contains a selection of news cutting copies relating to Buninyong.Shire of Buninyong Logo on front cover.shire of buninyong, district roads boards, local government

Contents: • Vale – Doug Orford – 22nd August 1929 – 8th July 2024 • Our Next Meeting –2.00pm Saturday 10th August 2024 • September Excursion - Saturday 7th September – Eltham Cemetery Tour • The Eltham Cemetery Trust – a little history • Robert Hoddle – Chains and Grids in Terra Nullius by Anne Paul (Part 2) • A Special Prize by Jim Connor • Eltham Library – 30thn Anniversary by Jim Connor • Eltham Library – 30th Birthday Celebrations by Sue Dyet • Eltham Library – A Special Conversation by Frank Taylor • Eltham and beyond by Andrew Lemon • Monumental Serendipity in Eltham by Terry Beaton • Montsalvat People by Richard Pinn o Sue Vanderkelen (1899-1956) o Sebastian Jorgensen (1938-2019) The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 newsletter distributed to members (Digital and A4 photocopy)newsletter, eltham district historical society

Although Presbyterians held religious services prior to 1854 it, was not till that year that Dr Nish arrived in Bendigo. It is known that Dr Nish preached to the shepherds in Axedale, long before the church was built, but where is not known. The foundation stone for the church was lain on September 30th, 1868. Axedale is a town in Victoria, Australia. It is located on the McIvor Highway, in the City of Greater Bendigo, east of Bendigo. It was surveyed and proclaimed in 1861. At the 2021 census, Axedale had a population of 984. The town is nestled alongside the Campaspe River which feeds out of Lake Eppalock. It has a golf course, tennis courts, a school, a pub and a convenience store/petrol station. It lies between Heathcote and Bendigo.Historical Notes on St Andrews Axedale 1868-1968 and the 150th Anniversary Church booklet March 2019.axedale, st andrews church axedale, dr nish

Set of 12 tickets for Melbourne tram tours contained within a Pacific Film Laboratory folder. Collected by Ian Stanley at the time of the tour. .1 - TMSV Golden Sunset Tour No. 2 - 26-12-1966 - printed on light green card. .2 - TMSV W2 Day tour - 19-5-1968, printed on dark blue card - see also Reg Item No. 605. .3 - AETA - 30th Excursion - Brunswick depot - 18-2-1961 - ticket No. 006, printed on manila card. .4 - TMSV - 4th tour - 7-2-1965 - 980 ex Malvern Depot - printed on light green card. .5 - TMSV - 19th tour - 18-6-1967 - printed on light green card. .6 - ARE - Tram tour 17 - 17-12-1967 - printed on manila card. .7 - TMSV Golden Sunset Tour No. 3 - 26-12-1967 - printed on manila card. .8 - TMSV Golden Sunset Tour 26-12-1965 - printed on manila card. .9 - TMSV - MBCTT 50th anniversary tour - 24-4-1966 printed on manila card. .10 - TMSV - Kew tour - tour No. 2 - 6-5-1964 printed on yellow card. .11 - TMSV - Richmond cable tram commemoration - 14-11-1965 - printed on pink card, has advertisement for the Model Dockyard on the rear. .12 - TMSV tour ticket for 17-11-1963 - Y1 613, ex South Melbourne - printed on long pink card which has been folded for storage..8 - has written in ink "Mr. I. J. Stanley 1-5.0"trams, tramways, tmsv, are, aeta, tickets, tours, models

The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin area residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts that are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum. Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interestHelen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS.4 x A4 paper printed on 1 side Issue 27 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in June 2012. Notice for the meeting June 24th , an interesting visit to Box Cottage Museum by members of The Brighton Antiques Club May 30th , and Jessica Bennett, Reporter for Moorabbin Glen Eira Leader Newspaper, will publish a photo and brief article about the Open Day June 17th for the Celebration of 150th Anniversary of The Moorabbin Roads Board. A new volunteer photographer has assisted our efforts to catalogue the artefacts in the museum for MAV website. A note explaining the timeline of the Moorabbin Roads Board. Helen also sends 3 x A4 pages of an interesting essay about the ‘Baptist Church Pioneers in East Brighton ( now known as Bentleigh)’, referring to the ‘Historical Reflection Notes’ of Dr. Robert Bell, that have been donated to CMHS, and the ‘Box Family History’ with 4 photocopied photos. CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / JUNE 2012 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, the moorabbin roads board 1862, city of glen eira, city of kingston, moorabbin shire, parish of moorabbin, brighton east, south brighton, bent tommy, mair william, baptist church, vickery street bentleigh, bell dr. robert, box henry, box william, box martha, box rebecca, grewar, religion, vickers street

This majestic peacock embodies the technical achievement, skill and ingenuity of artisans during the 19th century. It is now known as the 'Loch Ard Peacock' and was designed and modelled in 1873 by Paul Comolera (1818-1897) and fired in one piece at the Minton factory at Stoke-on-Trent in the United Kingdom in 1875. The peacock has been portrayed in symbolic motifs and has figured heavily in folktales and fables since antiquity, and many cultures around the world see it as a symbol of beauty, rebirth and power. Wealthy Victorians loved majolica, and the large peacock would have been the ultimate home accessory as a conservatory ornament – combining their desire for nature, the exotic and vibrant colours. The peacock model was listed in catalogues by Minton & Co. for a retail price of 35 guineas or sold as a pair for 90 guineas. Minton & Co. was founded in 1793 by Thomas Minton (1765–1836) and became a famous pottery and porcelain manufacturer. Comolera was a French artist and sculptor, renowned for dramatic naturalistic forms and life-size renditions of birds and animals that won him admiration in public and artistic circles. He was employed by Minton & Co. from 1873 to 1880, and the life-sized peacock became his best-known work. Comolera kept a live peacock loaned from the nearby Duke of Sutherland's Trentham Hall Estate in his studio to create a life-size model of fine buff earthenware model, which was then hand painted in brilliantly coloured green and blue glazes to mimic the peafowl’s dazzling plumage. There are no surviving production records, but according to documents in the Minton Archive, nine peacocks were made by Comolera. However, today, some historians now believe that twelve were fired at the Minton factory; research is ongoing. These peacocks were so admired that Minton & Co. used them as exhibition showpieces at International Exhibitions in London, Paris, and the United States of America, ensuring the company had a worldwide reputation. So, when Melbourne hosted an International Exposition in 1880, Minton & Co. sent out ceramics and tiles, and in particular, this peacock was intended to be part of their exhibit in the British Court in the Exhibition Building, built in the Carlton Gardens. The early dispatch date (1878) indicates that the company may have intended to exhibit their wares, including the peacock, at the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition, but the company did not take up this option. The ship that Minton & Co. used to bring the peacock and their other wares to the Australian colonies was the ill-fated Loch Ard, which sunk after striking Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell, Victoria, in calm foggy weather in June 1878 on the final leg of the ship's journey to Melbourne. The loss of 52 lives made it one of Victoria’s worst shipwrecks. Therefore, this peacock never made it to the grand exposition in Melbourne, as Minton & Co. had planned. Charles McGillivray dragged this peacock, still in its original packing case, onto the beach in the gorge just two days after the Loch Ard went down. The peacock was rescued unscathed apart from a chip on its beak (only repaired in 1988). After a disagreement with a Melbourne Customs Officer, Joseph Daish, McGillivray stopped his salvage operations, leaving the peacock on the beach. The second salvagers were James Miller and Thomas Keys. Miller was a member of the firm Howarth, Miller and Matthews, Geelong, who had brought the salvage rights to the Loch Ard wreck on 10 June. When Miller and Keys arrived at the wreck site, a storm had washed many of the salvaged goods, including this peacoc,k back into the sea. The two men found the peacock in its case ‘bobbing along in the water’ and pulled it back to the beach. To ensure the peacock wasn't washed out to sea again, Miller and Keys hauled the packing case containing the peacock up the gorge's cliff face to the top, ready to be transported. In an interview in 1928, Keys claimed that at the time of the rescue, the head had broken from the body. This account was proven to be true in 1988, following the birds' display in Brisbane. This peacock began its life in Australia, not in the grandeur of an International Exhibition as intended, but in the hallway of a simple domestic house in Geelong. It appears Minton & Co. did not attempt to buy this peacock back. Florence Miller, daughter of James Miller (Loch Ard salvage rights holder), later remarked that the only item of real value rescued from the wreck had been the peacock and that this had been kept by her father in the family home at Malvern for many years and became a treasured family possession. As such, this 'Loch Ard peacock' was almost forgotten and mistaken with other Minton peacocks around the world. Miss Florence Miller tried to sell the peacock due to financial difficulties in the 1930s but was unsuccessful. While attempting to sell her Loch Ard relic, it was displayed in the window of the old Argus newspaper office, which was at 76 Collins Street, Melbourne; the Argus had relocated to the corner of Elizabeth and La Trobe Streets in 1926. Between 1935 and 1939, the old Argus building was occupied by the Joshua N. McClelland Print Room, which sold not only paintings and prints but also antiques and authentic replicas, as well as hosting exhibitions. Miss Florence Miller loaned her peacock for display at the Victorian Historical Exhibition held in the National Gallery on 1st June 1935, the 57th anniversary of the Loch Ard wreck. As a result, the peacock attracted public attention in books, newspapers and magazine articles that told the story of its survival from a shipwreck. Miss Florence Miller was keen to sell the peacock, even writing overseas to Captain Blain on November 30th, 1938, about the possibility of a sale, but this became no longer possible due to the outbreak of war. Recent information points to the Loch Ard peacock being owned by John S R Heath before its sale to Frank Ridley-Lee in May 1941. Research is ongoing, but it seems likely that John Samuel Robert Heath, a leading Melbourne dentist with a practice in Collins Street, and his wife, a dental mechanic, had purchased Miss Miller’s Loch Ard peacock before its sale in 1941. They were lovers of fine arts, music, wine and food. The peacock in the window of the old Argus building could have attracted their attention as they had already purchased the old stone Presbyterian Church on Warrigal Road, Oakleigh, in 1933 and had converted its interior. The home, renamed The Studio, even included Melbourne’s first all-electric kitchen. The peacock was perfect for display in the Studio’s entrance. A magazine article published after the conversion was completed included photographs of the interior. The picture of the ‘portico’ had a caption below that stated, “Some of her [Mrs Heath’s] finest pottery was salvaged from the Loch Ard Wreck”. In 2025, Heath’s two remaining sons remember running around in the entrance with the peacock standing there, oblivious to its value. Heath was an accomplished artist, studying under Max Meldrum. He painted and exhibited his works at The Studio and in a public exhibition, and he was a finalist eight times in the coveted Archibald Prize portrait competition, including the submission of his self-portrait that is now part of his grandson’s collection. The next owner of the Loch Ard Peacock was Frank Ridley-Lee. He displayed it at his home in Ivanhoe after buying it at an auction in May 1941. The peacock remained in the hands of the Ridley-Lee family until it was offered for sale by auction in 1975 as part of an art collection belonging to Mrs Ridley-Lee's estate. The peacock was not sold at this time, as the reserve price of $4500 was not met. This news was passed on to the board of the newly created Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Urgent efforts were made to collect the necessary money through fundraising by the Warrnambool City Council and public donations. The Fletcher Jones Company and the Victorian Government contributed half the cost. On 9 September 1975, the Loch Ard peacock was purchased by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, and it found a new home at the maritime museum. Since then, it has only left Warrnambool twice. Firstly, in 1980, at the centenary celebrations of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, and secondly, in 1988, the peacock was given pride of place at the entrance to the Victorian Pavilion at the Brisbane World Expo, acknowledging that this Minton Majolica peacock is the most significant shipwreck object in Australia. The Minton majolica peacock is considered of historical social and aesthetic significance to Victoria and is one of only a few 'objects' registered on the Victorian Heritage Register (H 2132), as it is a most notable and rare object associated with the Minton factory of the 1870s and works by the celebrated sculptor Paul Comolera along with the wreck of the Loch Ard on the Victorian coastline. This Minton peacock is historically significant for its rarity; it was one of only 9-12 known to exist. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is also of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register Ref (S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's early social and historical themes. The collection is historically significant is that it is associated, unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. The peacock, resplendent in polychrome glaze, stands perched on a rocky plinth decorated with vines, leaves, flowers, blackberries and wild mushrooms. The peacock’s breast is cobalt blue; the wings and legs are in naturalistic colours. The tail is a mass of feathers coloured in green, ochre blue and brown — a fantastic display of artistry and Minton expertise. Inscribed at the base :P Comolera, and a Minton & Co. design number: 2045.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, loch ard, loch ard gorge, peacock, paul comolera, victorian heritage register, minton peacock, minton & co., stoke upon trent, bird figures, mintons, ceramics, international expositions, majolica, naturalistic, staffordshire, john samuel robert heath