Showing 147 items
matching australian lighthouses
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Vision Australia
Text, RVIB Yarrawonga Auxiliary, 1932 - [2001?]
This collection of the Yarrawonga Auxiliary contains correspondence to and from RVIB head office ranging between 1941 - 1998. Included is a 'Special Sugar Permit' allocated on 17/6/1947 to the Auxiliary including letter. Over the years the Auxiliary raised funds through 'Time and Talent' competitions, subscriptions, stalls, film nights, afternoon teas, The RVIB Lighthouse appeal via door knock and the sale of flowers. The dahlia tubers and cut flowers were provided by members and numerous other friends. Letters -- 11 receipt books -- index cards and various loose papers royal victorian institute for the blind -
Vision Australia
Administrative record - Text, 93rd Annual Report Royal Blind Society of N.S.W. (1973), 1973
Articles in the annual report include: the expenses incurred due to increased client numbers and wages rises, the need and inability to sell the Woollahra (Helen Keller hostel) site, the success of the fledging Reference Library seen as a model for other organisations, Matron Scott (Victor Maxwell nursery) received an M.B.E., plans to develop 3 more day centres to add to the five already operating, operations undertaken in the workshop, continued demand for places at Alexis Albert and Lighthouse hostels, recognition through the renaming of 2UW Blind Appeal to the 2UW Lions Blind Appeal which has been run since 1952, blind bowlers looking forward to being on the green at Enfield, Cricket club looking forward to when tip in Mitchell St is filled in so that it can be made into a home ground, and the collaborative relationship had with other blindness related organisations.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, corporation records -
Vision Australia
Administrative record - Text, Royal Blind Society of N.S.W. : A Vision to Share Annual Report 1981, 1981
Articles in the annual report include: establishment of the Charter for the Eighties committee to develop on the role and direction for the organisation, decision to close Alexis Albert Hostel and move residents to Lighthouse Hostel Roselands or cottage style accommodation due to increasing repair costs, increased demand for field service (but not funding) and standard cassettes from the library, new Braille production unit shared with RIDBC, further bicycle order for Dubbo Zoo, large order for PVC sleeves justified new PVC welding equipment, Talking Book of the Year award and "Art in Touch" exhibition (both created to celebrate 100th birthday in 1980) will continue, and departure of Graeme Bradshaw, Jack Chamberlain and Mavis Threlfo.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, corporation records -
Vision Australia
Administrative record - Text, Royal Blind Society of N.S.W. : Annual Report 1984, 1984
Articles in the annual report include: opening two field offices in Riverina and North Coast, C.L.D. Mears awarded in awarded Companion of Order of Australia, Technical Aids for the Disabled provided switchboard simulators for vocational training programs, review of Lighthouse and Community Cottages is required, Roselands Nursing Home cared for 104 residents, installation of computerised book and circulation system, the workshop area began trading as Mitchell Manufacturing, and the creation of a biennial Royal Blind Society National Sculpture award sponsored by James Hardie and the Visual Arts Board. Please note: page 21 is not scanned. Titled 'Extra curricular involvement of staff' the Braille on the reverse side impacted upon the visibility of the text.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, corporation records -
Vision Australia
Administrative record - Text, Royal Blind Society of N.S.W. : Annual Report 1988, 1988
Articles in the annual report include: retirement of Graham Lawrence and appointment of Jon Isaacs, death of Dr Sandy Robertson, pilot Traineeship Access Course for school leavers was developed, library involved in organising IFLA Specialist section meeting, introduction of face to face proofreading for talking books, Dr Max Lang donated his personal collection of optometry books, Maths Braille Code revised with input from Betty Smith and RBS staffers, increase of braille produced through microbraille program, Paul Cullen Centre opened on October 28, 1987 with two levels of care via Burgess Hostel and Roselands Nursing Home, closure of Lighthouse Hostel in Burwood and small cottage style hostels in Enfield and Strathfield, introduction of new lines in manufacturing (skirthanger, Miyata bicycle), Variety Club of Australia continue their support for a national children book collection, 3M Australia sponsored upgrade of studios and Talking Book of the Year award, Jillian Hallam won Sports Girl - for all Women in Sport award and Inge King's 'Awakening' won the Bicentennial RBS Sculpture award.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, corporation records -
Vision Australia
Badge - Object, RVIB Rifle Club badge
This badge has 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' written in gold against a dark blue background around an oval shape, with the words 'Rifle Club' in the same lettering at the base. Inside the oval, on a light blue background, is a lighthouse and a rifle either side of it, the butts crossing at the apex. In the 1960's, the RVIB approached engineer George Glover to produce equipment to allow blind people to shoot, based upon that made available at St Dunstan's Hospital in the UK. The rifle range opened in February 1966 at the rear of St Kilda Road with 30 members, and soon became involved in matches with sighted rifle clubs in the area. The club had many successful years, competing against teams from Canada and New Zealand in 1968, and had the support of ICIANZ which provided them with free munitions as well as teams to compete against. In 1977, George Glover passed away and some of the skills required for maintenance of the equipment was lost, however the club continued until the late 1980's/early 1990s.Lighthouse with two rifles either side and crossed at top on blue backgroundRoyal Victorian Institute for the Blind Rifle Clubroyal victorian institute for the blind, badges, rvib rifle club -
Vision Australia
Photograph - Image, R.V.I.B. Perpetual Golf trophy, 1988-1993
A brown wooden award with a inscribed banner at the top which reads "R.V.I.B. Perpetual Golf Trophy" and at the base of the shield "Sponsored by the Post Office Club Hotel St Kilda". In the centre of the shield is a large image of the RVIB lighthouse on a teal background, with gold writing 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' against a black background around the outside. 10 small shields have the name of the winners inscribed: 23.10.88 A. Lindores, 41 points; 5.3.89 E. Van Cuylenberg 41 points Rosebud C.C.; 12.11.99 D. Diaz 38 points Rosebud C.C.; 4.3.90 J. Imlach, 44 points, Chirnside Park; 11-11-90 K. Jacques, 40 pts, Chirnside Park, 3.3.91 D. Ingley, 35 points, Emerald G.C.; 10.11.91 R. Lee, 46 points, Lakeside G.C.; 12-4-92 E. Petersen, 42 points, Lakeside G.C.; 15-11-92 B. Hayden, 36 points, Drouin G.C.; 14.3.93 Claire Tellefson, 36 points, Lakeside G.C.Wooden shield with 10 mini shields, RVIB logo and bannerroyal victorian institute for the blind, awards -
Vision Australia
Image, Quilt squares
Vision Australia Foundation staff and clients were asked to make a square representing their base, which would be sewn together to represent the multi-faceted nature of the organisation. Unfortunately the patchwork wall hanging incorporating them was not made, however these squares were sent in: Warragul - sun and sunshine, clouds and water, a house on a hill with flowers around it, trees, water, people, a cow on a green hill that has daffodils and Pindari sewed upon it. Ballarat - Kelaston sown in same lettering as Ballarat, large fabric flowers with button centres, a mine head, a person panhandling, a person with a pickaxe. Warrnambool - sun and clouds over a seaside, a boat and whales in the water, a large fir tree and lighthouse. Hamilton - thick plaited stalks with fabric leaves and yellow pom poms as wattle. Digital imagevision australia foundation -
Vision Australia
Photograph - Image, Commemorative plaque : Glover
At the top of the shield is a Lions International symbol consisting of two lions heads facing outwards either side of the words 'Lions International' and the letter 'L' in between them. At the base of the shield is a blue and gold coloured badge, consisting of two rifles crossed in front of the RVIB lighthouse, with the words 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Rifle Club' around the outside. Between the two symbols is engraved "In memory of the late George Glover Past President-Lions Club of Bennettswood - Patron and Life Member of the R.V.I.B. Rifle Club. George developed and donated equipment in order that the blind may enjoy rifle shooting and compete with others. His work done will continue to serve." In the 1960's, the RVIB approached engineer George Glover to produce equipment to allow blind people to shoot, based upon that made available at St Dunstan's Hospital in the UK. The rifle range opened in February 1966 at the rear of St Kilda Road with 30 members, and soon became involved in matches with sighted rifle clubs in the area. Passionate about the sport, Mr Glover continued work and supporting the club until his death in 1977.1 wooden shield with engraved silver plategeorge glover, rvib rifle club -
Vision Australia
Document - Text, RVIB History
19 pages in table format, of events that occurred and people who were involved with the RVIB, and 1 page showing an aerial view of an unknown area. Possibly used as a base for creating in house history or to assist the foundation of Lighthouse on the Boulevard.19 pages in table format, of events that occurred and people who were involved with the RVIB, and 1 page showing an aerial view of an unknown areanon-fictionelizabeth maxwell, neil maxwell, royal victorian institute for the blind -
Vision Australia
Book - Text, Australian Scholarly Publishing, Lighthouse on the Boulevard: a history of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (RVIB) 1866-2004 / Judith Raphael Buckrich, 2005
From its beginning in 1866, the Victorian Asylum for the Blind (later called the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind) has been a prominent resident in St Kilda Road. Intended to provide work and education, the RVIB has adapted and changed according to the staff and people who passed through, lived, laughed, learned and languished in it, as well as societal expectations. In this history of the building, its services and personalities, up until the closure of St Kilda Road.284 pages without illustrations in etext filenon-fictionroyal victorian institute for the blind, rvib burwood school -
Vision Australia
Audio - Sound recording, Interview with David Blyth by Judith Buckrich, 2004
Oral history interview and partial transcript of David Blyth by Judith Buckrich, with Jess Blyth and Michele Prentice. Recorded as part of 'Lighthouse on the Boulevard'. Former students and staff recall their days at RVIB, the impact of what they learned and experienced there, and how the attitudes to blindness and low vision changed over the years. 4 audio recordings of recollections from former RVIB attendeesroyal victorian institute for the blind, david blyth, oral history, judith buckrich, michele prentice, jess blyth -
Vision Australia
Audio - Sound recording, Interview with Ted Hanlon by Judith Buckrich, 17/6/2004
Oral history interview of Ted Hanlon by Judith Buckrich, with Michele Prentice. Recorded as part of 'Lighthouse on the Boulevard'. Former students and staff recall their days at RVIB, the impact of what they learned and experienced there, and how the attitudes to blindness and low vision changed over the years. 3 audio recordings of recollections from former RVIB attendeesroyal victorian institute for the blind, oral history, judith buckrich, michele prentice, edward (ted) hanlon -
Vision Australia
Audio - Sound recording, Interview with David Ditchfield by Judith Buckrich, 31/3/2004
Oral history interview of David Ditchfield by Judith Buckrich, with Michele Prentice. Recorded as part of 'Lighthouse on the Boulevard'. Former students and staff recall their days at RVIB, the impact of what they learned and experienced there, and how the attitudes to blindness and low vision changed over the years. 2 audio recordings of recollections from former RVIB attendeesroyal victorian institute for the blind, oral history, judith buckrich, michele prentice, david ditchfield -
Vision Australia
Audio - Sound recording, Interview with Doug Kent by Judith Buckrich, 31/3/2004
Oral history interview of Doug Kent by Judith Buckrich, with Michele Prentice. Recorded as part of 'Lighthouse on the Boulevard'. Former students and staff recall their days at RVIB, the impact of what they learned and experienced there, and how the attitudes to blindness and low vision changed over the years. 2 audio recordings of recollections from former RVIB attendeesroyal victorian institute for the blind, oral history, judith buckrich, michele prentice, doug kent -
Vision Australia
Audio - Sound recording, Interview with Kevin Poole by Judith Buckrich, 12/7/2004
Oral history interview of Kevin Poole by Judith Buckrich, with Michele Prentice. Recorded as part of 'Lighthouse on the Boulevard'. Former students and staff recall their days at RVIB, the impact of what they learned and experienced there, and how the attitudes to blindness and low vision changed over the years. 1 audio recording of recollections from former RVIB attendeesroyal victorian institute for the blind, oral history, judith buckrich, michele prentice, kevin poole -
Vision Australia
Audio - Sound recording, Interview with Ted Petersen by Judith Buckrich, 16/6/2004
Oral history interview of Ted Petersen by Judith Buckrich, with Michele Prentice. Recorded as part of 'Lighthouse on the Boulevard'. Former students and staff recall their days at RVIB, the impact of what they learned and experienced there, and how the attitudes to blindness and low vision changed over the years. 2 audio recordings of recollections from former RVIB attendeesroyal victorian institute for the blind, oral history, judith buckrich, michele prentice, e.e. (ted) petersen -
Vision Australia
Audio - Sound recording, Interview with Sue Matthews by Judith Buckrich, 12/7/2004
Oral history interview of Sue Matthews by Judith Buckrich, with Michele Prentice. Recorded as part of 'Lighthouse on the Boulevard'. Former students and staff recall their days at RVIB, the impact of what they learned and experienced there, and how the attitudes to blindness and low vision changed over the years. 1 audio recording of recollections from former RVIB attendeesroyal victorian institute for the blind, oral history, judith buckrich, michele prentice, sue matthews -
Vision Australia
Audio - Sound recording, Interview with Peter Cronin by Judith Buckrich, 12/7/2004
Oral history interview and partial transcript of Peter Cronin by Judith Buckrich, with Michele Prentice. Recorded as part of 'Lighthouse on the Boulevard'. Former students and staff recall their days at RVIB, the impact of what they learned and experienced there, and how the attitudes to blindness and low vision changed over the years. 1 audio recording of recollections from former RVIB attendeesroyal victorian institute for the blind, oral history, judith buckrich, michele prentice, peter cronin -
Vision Australia
Audio - Sound recording, Interview with Barry Palmer by Michele Prentice, 4/8/2004
Oral history interview with Barry Palmer by Michele Prentice. Recorded as part of 'Lighthouse on the Boulevard'. Former students and staff recall their days at RVIB, the impact of what they learned and experienced there, and how the attitudes to blindness and low vision changed over the years. 2 audio recordings of recollections from former RVIB attendeesroyal victorian institute for the blind, oral history, michele prentice, barry palmer -
Vision Australia
Sign - Object, RVIB Mid Western District Office
Large round sign with yellow lighthouse shining yellow lights either side on blue background. Around the outside of the circle in yellow writing is: Royal Victorian Institute (upper half) and For the Blind (lower half). The words 'Mid Western' and 'District Office' sit either side of the lighthouse.Blue and yellow large round signRoyal Victorian Institute for the Blind Mid Western District Officenameplates, royal victorian institute for the blind -
Vision Australia
Administrative record - Text, Vision Australia 2004-2005 annual report, 2005
Annual report providing overview of activities and achievements including: the merger of three organisations into one national service, transition from CD and cassette services to digital via DAISY books, tactile hands on exhibition held at the Sydney Object Gallery, a new sensory playroom was developed in the Hunter region and 'Lighthouse on the Boulevard' was published.1 volume with illustrations providing overview of organisational achievementscorporation records, vision australia, gerard menses, kevin murfitt, owen van der wall, keith barton, david blyth, maryanne diamond, paul gleeson, timothy griffiths, graeme innes, mike janes, june ashmore, malcolm daubney, lynette davis, john coleman, marie bashir, don nardella, bruce mcallister, adam spencer, stephen jolley, geoff butcher, ebru sumaktus, krystal keller -
Vision Australia
Audio (item) - Sound recording, Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, Around the Institute: March 22, 2005
Around the Institute was a weekly program consisting of interviews around a specific topic, undertaken by host Corey Nassau. March 22: Lighthouse on the Boulevard book launch.royal victorian institute for the blind, radio shows -
Parks Victoria - Wilsons Promontory Lightstation
Lamp, Aldis
The lamps were pioneered by the British Navy in the late nineteenth century and introduced by the Royal Australian Navy after 1918, and continue to be used to the present day. Manufactured in 1960, the Wilsons Promontory lamp was provided to the lighthouse by the Department of Shipping for signalling ships but was also used for communicating with Cliffy Island, 18 nautical miles away. This type of lamp was renowned for its brilliant light, and lightkeepers from the two lightstations ‘used to practice their signalling with each other, as its effective use was reliant on precise positioning of the scope which is located on top of the lamp’. The inside of the case is imprinted with ‘RAN (Royal Australian Navy), and details on the lamp include a serial number, the date of 1960 and the initials of the Department of Transport, which at that time incorporated the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service. Another Aldis lamp and case with a date of 1960 is held at Cape Nelson and third lamp and case is at Point Hicks; (date unconfirmed but possibly 1943). A fourth lamp and case formerly at Cape Schanck disappeared from the collection sometime between 1995 and 2003.Aldis lamp and case (WPLS 0003.2; likely provenance) The lamps are not rare in museum collections however the Wilsons Promontory example has a confirmed provenance to the lightation and has first level contributory significance as a fine example of the Aldis lamps that were distributed to lightstations throughout Victoria and Australia.1. Handheld black signaling lantern with trigger mechanism. Glass front with inner reflective disc. Black electrical cord is attached with a two pronged plug at the end. 2. Black painted wooden box for transporting lantern. brass catch, leather handle. Grey electrical cord inside plus transformer. Hinged lid. The Aldis lamp is portable, hand held visual signalling lamp with trigger mechanism and inner reflective disk used for optical communication via Morse code. The concave mirror is tilted to focus the light into pulse signals. Larger versions of the lamp are fixed on ships or pedestals and have shutters in front of the device that are opened and closed to transmit signals. Wilsons Promontory’s black metal Aldis lamp and attached electrical cord has a black painted wooden carrying case with metal clasp and leather hand grip.1. On trigger;"AP16413" Around V shaped protrusion attached to lamp "AP197873 / AEI .LTD 59" Beneath screw on face;"AD16415" Inside lamp, under glass;"ADMIRALTY PATTERN 16409 / 5 INCH HAND SIGNALING LANTERN SERIAL No. 212 Year 1960 / AEI PTY LTD SYDNEY" •2. Box. On brass plate below handle."ADMIRALTY PATTERN 16409 / BOX FOR TRANSPORTING LANTERN / PATTERN 16409" Inside box on side of metal insert attached to inside of box;"EXTRA LOW VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER / MADE BY / M.Brodribb, Melbourne/ cat & APP / No v/QR / 1811A / 50 / 60 va / CONT. 55 c / RATIO 240, 12 V TAPS " Top of metal box on sticker;"C of A / D.O.T 143076 / 12 V 5A" On Bakelite plug on metal box;"EXTRA LOW VOLTAGE" -
Parks Victoria - Wilsons Promontory Lightstation
Box
The grey painted heavy wooden, homemade box has a freehand inscription in black on outside, which reads ‘LEVINGS To MAAT IS’. The writing refers to Alan and Marlene Levings, who began their twenty-two year career in lightkeeping with a posting to Tasman Island, off Port Arthur, in the 1960s. After four years they moved to Maatsukyer Island off south-west Tasmania, Australia’s southern-most lightstation, followed by postings to South Bruny, Eddystone Point and Wilsons Promontory. The robust box journeyed with the Levings through their postings to five lightstations and came to rest at Wilsons Promontory when Alan retired. It is not known whether the box was used in an office or domestic context. The movement of people and objects is a significant and unique theme that runs through the history of Australia’s lightstations. This historical process relates Victoria to the much bigger story of Australia’s network of lightstations. Alan Levings has been described as an extremely interesting character and artist. When Levings was a lightkeeper at Wilson’s Promontory, delivery of goods was by boat, then off the boat by a winch and onto the back of a truck. For this reason, packing boxes in earlier years had to be extremely robust. Today, anything that is not carried into Wilson’s Promontory Lightstation by foot, comes by helicopter, eradicating the need for heavy packing boxes such as Levings’. This humble box has first level contributory significance for its reliable provenance which traces its journey through five lightstations; for its association with a former lightkeeping family; and for contributing to an understanding of the pattern of lightstation life.Wooden box, light blue/grey painted. Made of horizontal pieces of timber with some tin reinforcment on the sides. Writing in black on side of box.On side of box in freehand,"LEVINGS To MAAT IS" -
Parks Victoria - Wilsons Promontory Lightstation
Radio
Type used by RAAF Radar station Wilsons Prom (RS 14) for backup communications 1942 - 1946. This is an AR8 radio receiver with a brown face and various dials and switches; They functioned as a set and were manufactured in 1938 at the Ashfield, Sydney workshop of AWA (Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Ltd, later AWA Ltd), Australia’s largest electronics manufacturer and broadcaster. They are rare outside Australia as they were seldom exported to other air forces, and remained in service until the late 1950s.202 An AT5 transmitter and AT5 coupling unit are held in Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum.203 The three units in the Wilsons Promontory Museum were deployed by the RAAF in WWII and represent the types of communications equipment used at the 14 Radar Station, Wilsons Promontory. It is not known, however if these particular examples were used at the lightstation and are part of the same set. They have interpretive relevance to the collection, but their significance to the lightstation is dependent on whether they have a direct historical association with the radar station that operated there. The units will have first level contributory significance if it is confirmed they were used at the Wilsons Promontory Radar Station.The units will have first level contributory significance if it is confirmed they were used at the Wilsons Promontory Radar Station.Radio tuning unit, brown metal face with multiple dials & switches.Yes -
Parks Victoria - Wilsons Promontory Lightstation
Radio
Type used by RAAF Radar station (RS 14) for backup communications 1942 - 1946. This one is an AT5 radio aerial coupling unit with black face and dials and switches. They functioned as a set and were manufactured in 1938 at the Ashfield, Sydney workshop of AWA (Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Ltd, later AWA Ltd), Australia’s largest electronics manufacturer and broadcaster. They are rare outside Australia as they were seldom exported to other air forces, and remained in service until the late 1950s.202 An AT5 transmitter and AT5 coupling unit are held in Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum.203 The three units in the Wilsons Promontory Museum were deployed by the RAAF in WWII and represent the types of communications equipment used at the 14 Radar Station, Wilsons Promontory. It is not known, however if these particular examples were used at the lightstation and are part of the same set. They have interpretive relevance to the collection, but their significance to the lightstation is dependent on whether they have a direct historical association with the radar station that operated there. The units will have first level contributory significance if it is confirmed they were used at the Wilsons Promontory Radar Station.radio aerial coupling unit grey metal face with multiple dials & switches -
Parks Victoria - Wilsons Promontory Lightstation
Fragments
Used by lightkeeping families. The twenty shards of crockery represent tableware from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The pieces were recovered from a rubbish dump in the grounds used by previous lightstation residents. They include blue and white transfer-printed tableware in the ubiquitous ‘Willow’ pattern as well as floral designs with distinctively British flowers, both of which remained in constant production by all the major Staffordshire companies and were hugely popular with the Australian market. Other pieces in the collection include part of a plate with a distinctive red and yellow border, a small Chinoiserie jug probably dating from the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, and fragments of heavier, more utilitarian white ceramic ware. A few of the shards are printed with trademarks or other insignia, and closer examination of these marks as well as the patterns should be able to yield information on their date and manufacturer. Most if not all the fragments are from affordable, everyday wares that were common in lower income homes. Numerous ceramic fragments are also held in the Cape Otway Lightstation collection.Domestic crockery fragments x 20. Some have been burnt. -
Parks Victoria - Cape Nelson Lightstation
Functional object - Flags, semaphore
The two semaphore flags were used as a pair for visual signaling by hand. The semaphore system is an alphabet signaling system based on the waving of a pair of handheld flags in a particular pattern to compose words to be communicated to passing ships. The system was introduced by the Royal Navy in 1880 and was later adopted in Australia, with the first School of Signaling opening in Williamstown in 1890. The system was superseded in the 1970s by more sophisticated methods of communication. Information on the Cape Nelson flags indicates that they were made by Evan Evans P/L, Flag makers, 690 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Evan Evans (d.1927) started a tent‐making business in 1877 and by 1920 Evan Evans P/L maker of canvas goods, was located at 680 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. In 1924 it acquired land at 632 Bourke Street and built a new factory. His son Ivor continued the business after 1927 and in 1938 opened a bulk store in Carlton.271 In 2016 the firm was located at 673 Spencer Street, Melbourne. Another pair of white semaphore flags made by Evan & Evans is held at Gabo Island, and Wilsons Promontory also has a pair. Cape Nelson’s white semaphore flags have second level contributory significance. They have historical importance as flags formerly used at the lightstation for visual signaling, a system that is now rarely used in navigation, and contribute to the importance of the lightstation’s large collection of flags.A pair of white flags made of white canvas/heavy cotton, the square flags are attached to dowel poles with staples. -
Parks Victoria - Cape Nelson Lightstation
Furniture - Chair, Douglas
The chair’s turned legs and bowed, spindle back are typical characteristics of the popular ‘Douglas’ chair, which descends from the long evolutionary line of ‘Windsor’ style cottage chairs. Also known as ‘Captains’ chairs, they were made on a large scale in England, America and Australia from around the 1860s in various timbers, with seats ranging from heavy pine to cane and in later models, plywood. Australiana expert, Peter Cuffley writes that they were just as much a part of Australia’s frontier experience as they were America’s; Holtermans’ 1872 photographs of the New South Wales gold towns show Douglas chairs, and they appear in illustrations of the exploits of the Kelly gang drawn in the late 1870s. Many Australians now are more likely to associate them with public offices and governments departments’. The chairs met the need for a degree of comfort and tough resilience under rough handling on hard floors. The Cape Nelson chair is known to have been used as a visitor’s chair, presumably in the head keeper’s office. No other examples of nineteenth century style chairs survive among the reliably provenanced furnishings in the five other lightstation collections. The chair complements the lightstation’s nineteenth century office desk and small number of other nineteenth century furnishings in the wider Parks Victoria lightstation collection, the majority of which are domestic items. The Douglas chair has first level contributory significance for its historical value and relative rarity as a lightstation office furnishing.The chair has turned legs and bowed, spindle back .