Mrs. Valerie (Val) Mason (1927-2019) was a local sheep farmer, business-woman, Beechworth shire councillor, and mother to five children. With her husband, Charles, Mrs. Mason developed and managed the Big Valley farm estate, at Everton, which is now part of a vineyard and farm stay. Mrs. Mason was instrumental in introducing a 'paddock to plate' philosophy and business model, opening a butcher shop on the farm in 1973. Concerned with improving infrastructure and developing economic opportunities in the region, Mrs. Mason successfully stood as a local council representative for South Riding in the United Shire of Beechworth, and later become the first woman Shire President in 1979. Mrs Mason was a member of the local Business and Professional Women's Club for 37 years. 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. Mason's story is historically significant for understanding economic and social changes in the Beechworth region during the latter half of the twentieth century. As a council representative, issues such as road and infrastructure modernisation and the transition from traditional government employment sectors, like Beechworth's care institutions, were challenges for local government. As a farmer and local employer, Mrs. Mason's story is testimony to the region's economic diversification as businesses like Big Valley farm shop helped shape the region's contemporary character. Mrs. Mason was among the first women to broach the traditionally all-male Beechworth Council Chambers and her story is socially significant for understanding the changing role of women in rural and regional Australia. This oral history recording offers interpretive capacity for social history themes and may be compared with other oral histories in the Burke Museum's collection. This oral history account is socially and historically significant as it is a part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth-century Beechworth.' While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the 20th century, many of which will have now been lost if they had not been preserved.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.Mrs Val Mason /listen to what they say, beechworth, oral history, burke museum, working women, trail blazers, farm to plate, farm shop, paddock to plate, woman farmer, united shire of beechworth, rural and regional women, beechworth's first woman shire president, women in leadership positions, women leaders, australian settlement history, settler societies, victorian gold rush, heritage tourism, culinary tourism, regional land use, indigo winery, farm stay, social history

Born on the 24th of December 1912 at the Three Mile was Wilma Wells. Her mother born into English heritage bore four children, one who died shortly after birth, while her father had Irish heritage and worked at May Day Hills as a warden and a nurse. Wilma married Ted Wells when she was 23 and subsequently had two daughters. 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. Wilma Wells account of her life during the 20th century is historically and socially significant to the cultural heritage of Beechworth and the surrounding regions. She details important historical places and hardships within the region that have a lasting impact which includes but is not limited to issues with race, women's societal expectations and economic struggles. This oral history account is socially and historically significant as it is a part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth-century Beechworth.' While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the 20th century, many of which will have now been lost if they had not been preserved.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.Mrs Wilma Wells /beechworth, may day hills, oral history, burke museum, wilma wells, hospital, listen, weddings, three mile, picnic

This photograph depicts the visit of Sir Rohan Delacombe and Lady Delacombe (on right) to Beechworth in 1965. Also present are Shire Secretary Graham Gray and Mrs Gray (left), and Shire President J McCauley and Mrs McCauley, centre. His Excellency Sir Rohan Delacombe (1906–1991) was appointed Governor of Victoria on 8 May 1963 and served until 1974, when he was replaced by the first Australian-born governor, Sir Henry Winneke. Born on 25 October 1906 at St Julians, Malta, Sir Rohan was the second child and only son of Addis Delacombe, a British army pay officer, and his wife Emma Louise Mary, née Leland. The Delacombe family seat was Shrewton Manor, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, and several generations of Delacombes had served in the armed forces. Sir Rohan took up his role in Australia following long and distinguished military and diplomatic career. He is reported to have taken great interest in local events and politics, and at the time this image was taken, he and Lady Delacombe made several appearances as guests of local government representatives at centres around Victoria. This photograph is historically significant for its record of the visit of Sir Rohan and Lady Delacombe at Beechworth in 1965. It may be compared and studied alongside other photographs and objects in the Burke Museum.A black and white rectangular reproduction photograph printed on paper.Reverse: A02556-2 /local government, united shire of beechworth, sir rohan delacombe, victoria governor

The main photo is by Max Lowenhardt and shows John Green, Mrs Eva Penny (inside the tree and hardly visible) nursing Charlie, May, George and Nicolas Penny. Colin Silcock wrote of the tree on p.39 that the family lived int he hollowed-out butt for nine months in 1906-1907. It was 20 feet across at floor level with 12 feet of head room inside. Nicholas Penny ring-barked the tree in 1905, with it being 130 feet high with the top broken off. The fires the following year destroyed the tent in which he was living and hollowed out the tree. After "making a few alterations" Penny moved in and brought his wife and children across from Outtrim. They later built a more permanent home. The tree was destroyed in the 1926 bushfires. (ref Linda Barraclough)This magazine is a useful reference on Gippsland history.A 64 pp magazine, titled Gippsland Heritage Journal. It has a dark green cover with a photograph of the "Penny Tree" . The magazine is dated March 1996 and cost $7.50. It contains stories and photographs on the history of Gippsland.There is a library bar code on the outside back cover.gippsland-heritage-journal penny-tree history-gippsland

This photograph shows Mac and May Stuart landing at Marlo in their small boat.A black / white photograph / postcard of two people sitting in the stern of a small sailboat pulling in to land on a beach. It appears to be late in the day.on front - "Evening at Marlo" on back - " Mac & May Stuart, 57 years ago" ; "Mrs????M Marshall Bairnsdale"marlo stuart-may-mac

The Orbost Methodist Church began services in April 1910, the Rev. E. Hooper as the first minister. Reverend R.W. Little was minister in 1930-31.Ministers at that time batched either in a little room at the back of the church or in Locksley House (near the state school). Sunday School at that time involved a lot of commitment on the part of the teachers towards the children and this was reflected in the efforts they went to to make Sunday School an interesting and enjoyable event. The Sunday School Anniversaries were always a big community event and children usually dressed up for the occasion. The children spent weeks practising hymns and choruses for the occasion and on the Saturday before picked armfuls of flowers from Mrs Hocking's garden ( may blossoms) to decorate the church hall. (ref. Pioneers and Pilgrims Revd Peter Gador-White).For many years the Methodist people of Orbost enjoyed the fellowship of the church and the children, in particular, were socially and spiritually involved. This item is reminiscent of that time.A rectangular cardboard invitation to a service and prize-giving at the Orbost Methodist Sunday School. The print is black on a pale blue background with a black frame and floral decorations in each cornerSpecial Invitation R.W. Little, Ministerorbost-methodist-church sunday-school

This photographic postcard of the SS Edina was taken after the 1890’s due to the style and configuration of the vessel. There is a black and white photograph of the same image also in our Collection (RN 3192). It is most likely that both of the photographs were donated by the same person because the people mentioned in the inscription on the black and white photograph’s reverse side connect with two of the people mentioned in the letter on the reverse of the coloured photograph. * RN 3192; Black & White photograph - inscription: "Donated by Mrs. Nancy Mason, Bay View. Owned by Mac Fordham, Chief Engineer, 'Edina', then given to Mrs. Mason's father-in-law Arnold Mason (both Engineers W.W. I)" The “Arnie” to whom the letter was addressed is likely to be Arnold Mason, Engineer. The author of the letter, “Mac”, is likely to be Mac Fordham, Chief Engineer of SS Edina. The transcribed letter tells of two men who know each other well and have an interest in the Edina. “Mac” mentions that he may be “too old” to be at sea again; this would also support the idea that the older writer would give his photographs to the perhaps younger “Arnie”. * RN 3193 (this photograph) - Transcription of pen and ink script handwriting = = = = = = = = = = = = 19-12-37 No. 1 Flat, “Goodwood Lodge” 196 Lennox Street, Richmond [Victoria] Dear Arnie , Been meaning to write for long time but you know, it’s just the usual routine of the seamen within Bay trades. Had a good trip back from Sydney. Took our time, spent almost a week coming back, rather monotonous in parts in the hill country, too many darn curves, still was a good trip. How are you all keeping? Suppose you’ve moved back to Drummoyne [erettris?], expect you can let the house in Manly easily enough. Noticed they had a strike at Cockatoo [Cockatoo Island NSW]. don’t suppose they pulled the boys out. How is Jack doing? Has [Willie?] commenced training yet, or no! too young, isn’t she? Been a lot of “paper” talk about the “Edina” finishing but nothing official that I’m aware of, but it’s always on the cards I suppose, then I suppose it will be to sea again if I’m not too old. Easy Winter only 3 trips per week, running every day from today until further notice. Trust [Mary?] Is well & all’s well with you too. Best wishes from us both for Xmas & New Year. Cheerio Mac = = = = = = = = = = = = ABOUT THE S S EDINA The three masted iron screw steamer SS Edina was built in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1854 by Barclay and Curle. She was adorned with the figurehead of ‘fair maid of Judea’. The many years of service made SS Edina famous world-wide as the longest serving screw steamer. (The term screw steamer comes from being driven by a single propeller, sometimes called a screw, driven by a steam engine.) SS Edina’s interesting history includes English Chanel runs, serving in the Crimean Ware carrying ammunition, horses and stores to the Black Sea, and further service in the American Civil War and later, serving in the western district of Victoria as well as in Queensland and carried gold, currency and gold prospectors Australia to New Zealand. SS Edina had the privilege of being an escort vessel to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh during his visit to Australia in 1867. In March 1863 SS Edina arrived in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne and was bought by Stephen Henty, of Portland fame, to work the cargo and passenger run from Melbourne – Warrnambool – Port Fairy - Portland. After a short time of working the run from Australia to New Zealand, with passengers and cargo that included gold and currency, she returned to her Melbourne - Warrnambool – Port Fairy run, with cargo including bales of wool produced in the western district of Victoria. The Warrnambool Steam Packet Company purchased SS Edina in 1867; she was now commanded by Captain John Thompson and Chief Engineer John Davies. She survived several mishaps at sea, had a complete service and overhaul and several changes of commanders. In 1870 SS Edina was in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, when a gale sprung up and caused a collision with the iron screw steamer SS Dandenong. SS Edina’s figurehead was broken into pieces and it was not ever replaced. SS Edina was re-fitted in 1870 then was used as a coastal trader in Queensland for a period. She was then brought to Melbourne to carry cargo and passengers between Melbourne and Geelong and performed this service 1880-1938. During this time (1917) she was again refitted with a new mast, funnel, bridge and promenade deck, altering her appearance. In 1938, after more collisions, SS Edina was taken out of service. However she was later renamed Dinah and used as a ‘lighter’ (a vessel without engine or superstructure) to be towed and carry wool and general cargo between Melbourne and Geelong. In 1957, after 104 years, the SS Edina was broken up at Footscray, Melbourne. Remains of SS Edina’s hull can be found in the Maribyrnong River, Port Phillip Bay. [Reference: A Brief Review of Steam Navigation in Victoria; C Dickson Gregory; Centenary Maritime Exhibition catalogue, 1934; published by Shiplovers' Society of Victoria Dandenong, Passengers in History, http://passengersinhistory.sa.gov.au/node/924034 Edina, Victorian Heritage Database VHR S199 http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/shipwrecks/heritage/199 SS Edina, Coastal Trader and Passenger Ship 1853-1938, Museum Victoria Collections, https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/6227 SS ‘Edina’ – the Longest Serving Screw Steamer in the World, POI Australia, https://poi-australia.com.au/ss-edina-the-longest-serving-steamer-in-the-world/ ]This photographic postcard with the letter on the revers tell about the SS Edina and are significant for its association with the screw steamer SS Edina. The SS Edina is heritage listed on the Victorian Heritage Database VHR S199. She had endeared herself to the people of Port Phillip Bay as a passenger ferry, part of their history and culture. She played a significant role in the Crimean War, the American Civil War and the gold rush in New Zealand. She also served western Victoria for many years in her cargo and passenger runs. The SS Edina is famous for being the longest serving screw steamer in the world. After spending her first nine years overseas she arrived in Melbourne and her work included running the essential service of transporting cargo and passengers between Melbourne and the western Victoria ports of Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland. The SS Edina was purchased in the late 1860’s by local Warrnambool business, the Warrnambool Steam Packet Co. and continued trading from there as part of the local business community. The SS Edina’s original ‘fair maid of Judea’ figurehead was broken to pieces in a collision with another vessel (the SS Dandenong) in a gale off Warrnambool, Victoria, in 1870.Coloured (hand coloured) photographic postcard of SS Edina. Letter on reverse, hand written in pen and ink, from Mac to Arnie, dated 19-12-37 [1937]. The photograph shows the SS Edina moving under steam power, many people on both the bow and stern and a few people in the centre of the vessel. There are buildings on the shore in the background. The ship's configuration is dated post 1890.Hand written in pen on base of front “1854-1957” Hand written on back in blue pen and crossed out “REC 409” Hand written on back in pen ‘EDINA,’ “3173,” “086.2” Hand written letter dated 19-12-37, from Mac to Arnie. Script writing in pen and ink letter on reverse of photograph – see “Context” section for transcription. warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, barclay & curle, figurehead 'fair maid of judea', centenary maritime exhibition 1934, a brief review of steam navigation in victoria, pleasure steamer edina, trade and travel late 19th and early 20th century, trade melbourne to geelong, screw steamer edina, coastal trader edina, lighter dinah, cargo carrying for cremean war, cargo carrying for american civil war, passenger and trade in western district of victoria, export gold and currency and gold diggers to new zealand, export vessel to h r h the duke of edinburgh, melbourne - warrnambool - port fairy - portland cargo run, warrnambool steam packet company, stephen henty, captain john thompson, chief engineer john davies, lady bay warrnambool, lighter edina, shipping victoria, port phillip bay steamers, steamship great britain, edina, vhr s199 victorian heritage database, photographic postcard of ss edina 1854-1957, letter by mac fordham chief engineer ss edina, letter to arnold mason, engineer

Date may possibly be 1927 as typing has been changed.HistoricalFramed photograph of group of women, 3 seated.at front, dressed in coats, furs and hats.,Taken at the Ventnor sports 10.4.26. Front row sitting- Mrs John McIlwraith, Mrs M. Evans, Mrs Janet Morrison. Standing- Mrs Morrison [ Fanny West ], Mrs Henderson [Minnie West], Mrs McDonald [ Alice West], Mrs J. Forrest [ Elsie Findlay ],Mrs Charlie West [ Annie Leeson ],Mrs Warren [ Janet Anderson ]ventnor phillip island, west family, forrest family

This was held on the centenary of European settlement of Phillip Island. It mentions the discoveries of Aboriginal artefacts on the Island.Historical2 A3 photocopied pages of a newspaper article from The Powlett Express Wonthaggi, June 5 1942 on the Centenary of Phillip Island and the formation of the Historical Society at Erehwon, the home of Cr and Mrs Davie on May 25 1942. Speakers included Mr & Mrs Hardy [McHaffie], Captain E. Dixon, Mr J. Gliddon, Mr W. Kennon and Mr J. Grayden.The Powlett Express Wonthaggi and Victorian State Coalfields Advertiser. One Hundred Years Of Progress Phillip Island Centenarycentenary celebrations 1942, phillip island and westernport historical society, centenary gathering at erehwon, cr dawson davie, j w gliddon, mchaffie, r. grayden, powlett express 1942, aboriginal artifact

This is a photograph of the twin daughters of Mrs Trixie Mason - Marion and May,. They had a brother Alec Mason. The Mason Twins are the granddaughters of George and Agnes Thomas from Newmerella . The photographer was Warren, Helena (1871-1962) who was a self-taught photographer who became both the local press correspondent and a producer of humorous trompe l'oeil postcard images. Helena Warren was a thirty-two year old settler living on a small mixed farm with her husband, William, at Newmerella, near Orbost in Gippsland, Victoria, when she bought her first camera, an Austral Box quarter-plate. Her family says she was entirely self-taught, like many women photographers who started out with nothing but the instructions on the packets of film and chemicals. In over fifty years practice she graduated from the total novice, who opened all her first mail order plates in bright sunlight and ruined them, to a competent photographer who became both the local press correspondent and an inveterate producer of humorous trompe l’oeil postcard images.This photograph has significance in its association with Helen Frances Warren, a popular Orbost identity who was well known as an accomplished photographer and needleworker.A black / white photograph of two small twin Aboriginal girls in a large pumpkin floating on water. There is a Union Jack at each end with "HMAS CENTENARY 1934" on the side.pumpkins-orbost warren-helena-photographer mason-marion mason-may aboriginal-children

Newspaper clippings and correspondence from Australian Defence League and Austraslian Military Forces to Cr. J.K. McCaskill, Borough of Ringwood, regarding speakers and attendance at inaugural local ADF branch, January, 1939. Photocopy of Cr. J.K. McCaskill's Certificate of Authority under War Damage Commission National Security Regulations. Newspaper clipping regarding Austerity War Loan Rally, Ringwood Town Hall, November, 1942. Photocopy of a souvenir - United Service of Thanksgiving (cover only) held in Ringwood Town Hall on 9th May 1945. Ladies are cordially invited to attend, and the formation of a Ladies' Emergency Section will be discussed. Speakers: W.J. Hutchinson, M.H.R., Mrs Weber, M.L.A., Capt. Brock, 24th Batt., Lt. Col. Knox, M.L.A., Mrs Colliver (Red Cross); Hon. N.J. Makin, Minister for Navy and Munitions; T.R.G. Williams, Mayor, Chairman, Ringwood War Loan Committee (1942).

Collection of various family and personal documents, photographs, and early 1900s greeting cards. Papers of Gwen Reed from Edith Graham of Ware Cres, Ringwood East. (Provided by Nicki Shea, Granddaughter of Stan & Jo Bridgman of Eastwood Cycles) Contents: Hand-written notes – Woodford Family Tree, by Gwen Reed Autograph book with entries "To Gwen" Bookmark - with name "Lorrie B" Christmas card to May with love from George 1906 Christmas card from May to George 1906 Christmas card from Edie to Gwen (Cousin Ede) Christmas card from Dot to Gwen 1925 (from Dot Grundy, dc'd) Christmas card from Ollie S to Gwen 1924 Happy New Year card to Gwen from Grandma (Woodford) Christmas card from Mum & Ethel to Gwen 1926 Christmas card to Gwen from Emily (Gawith, Jeparit East) Christmas card from Olive to Gwen 1919 (Olive Janetski, Jeparit East) Christmas card from Hilda (Obst) to Gwen 1929 Postcard to Miss G Woodford "Bygalorie Park" Tullibigeal PO NSW (To Gwen from Effie - Effie Robson, Jeparit East) Christmas card to Gwennie from C. S. Graham 1915 (School teacher) Christmas card from Mum to May & George Christmas postcard from Grandfather to Gwenny Christmas card to Dear Daddie from Gwen Christmas card from May with love to George Christmas card from Nellie Parker (Nell Rodgers - Albury) to Gwen 1924 Greeting card from Hilda to Gwen 1919 (Hilda Obst Jeparit East) Christmas card from Ethel to Gwen 1927 Christmas card from Anne (MCGrath) to Gwen Christmas card from S. Hoober(?) (School teacher, Bygalorie) to Mr & Mrs Woodford, Gwen & Ollie) 1924 Christmas card from May and George to Mum and Dad 1925 Christmas card to Gwen Syd & Family from May Dad & Kiddies (Stepmother) Christmas card from George to May 1907  Postcard (signed Dulcie) to Mrs G. Reed, 9 Laurence Grove, East Ringwood Vic 3055 postmarked 1993 Envelope (only) addressed to Mrs. G. Reed, 9 Laurence Grove, Ringwood East Vic. 3135 Birth Certificate District of Balmoral, Victoria – Sonia Woodford b.1856 (Issued 1987) Death Certificate District of Stawell, Vic – Archibald Brown d.1914 Marriage Certificate District of Hamilton, Vic – John Brown & Margaret Dale m.1895 Coroner’s Post-Mortem report – Edward John Reed d.1981 Family Data Tree (Family Tree) William Walker/Elizabeth Silk, Hamilton Vic & children b.1842-1862 Newspaper clipping – May & Archibald Brown drowned at North Hamilton, 1887 Pictorial Souvenir – Selected Views of Mount Gambier to Miss L. Boyce, postmarked 1959 Hand-written poems/song lyrics by Gwen Reed (4 pages) Newspaper extract - Weekly Times Magazine Section “At Hamilton”, 1937 Photograph – “My mother standing with Foster parents” Photograph of Gracie (?) Grandma (?) Murray (?) Photograph of costumed performers Photograph of child Photograph of lady at John Mansell dispensary (Chemist at Forest Hill Vic?) Postcard photograph – Gwen & Ethel Woodford Photograph of grave – Victoria May Woodford (died 1957 aged 56 years) Photograph of grave – William Woodford and Sarah Woodford Photograph of un-named male Photograph of baby on chair Photograph – “Myself. Hope you like it May" Photograph (colour) – un-named group on train at Currumbin Qld Photograph – 2 un-named girls Autographs include Arthur Young Rosie Sturgess Joff Ellen Carlu Carter Toni Lamond Dick Curtis Billy Daniels Margaret Whiting Horrie Dargie Duo Moreno Therese Talbert Richard Gray Three Apollos Robert Leeman

From https://www.dogearedbooks.com.au/product-page/battling-with-the-world-by-a-l-o-e: Charlotte Maria Tucker, English author, who wrote under the pseudonym A.L.O.E. (a Lady of England), was the daughter of Henry St George Tucker (1771-1851), a distinguished official of the British East India Company. From 1852 till her death she wrote many stories for children, most of them allegories with an obvious moral, and devoted the proceeds to charity. In 1875 she left England for India to engage in missionary work, and died at Amritsar on the 2nd of December 1893. Book with Red Hard Cover, purchased from The Brown Study, Ringwood. No date, but presented as an award in 1930. Also includes handwritten letter dated 3rd May 1967 to "Dear Sylvia" from ?On inside fly leaf: Awarded to Sylvia Richards for highest marks in spelling Grade 7th Ringwood SS 2997, Dec 19th 1930 Grade Teacher Margaret E Barron Head Teacher William Broben Further down the page in different handwriting: presented to school by Mr and Mrs Thomas from Croydon 24/11/50

Black and white photograph"Written on back of photograph" 1st Daughter of Mr/Mrs Kuypers of Strathallyn Street,Ringwood Theo Geet recently from holland Married Easter Monday at the Church of St Mary,s -Box Hill Refer Ringwood Mail - 16 May 1967

This Dice holder from the Woods Point goldfields would have been used to while away the time in the evenings, and the odd moments of time off during the day, children may have had use of it also, but would have had to be very careful not to lose the dice , because they would have been in big, big trouble. if the dice was lost !This item is of some significance because of its rareity and oral history passed on with the Item.Leather Dice Holder and Dice mounted on wooden base, leather dice holder is original. dice and wooden base is a mock up.(there is a small hole in the leather pouch 1.5cm from the bottom 2.5cm from the base, the hole is .2cm in size )W F Pickersgill Warburton 1960, Woods Point Gold Field circa 1890 app. Donated by Susan Issacs.recreation, leather, dice, dice holder, game, woods point, w f, pickersgill, mrs isaacs, mrs susan isaacs, yarra junction, gold field, game accessory gambling

Printed invitation one of 4 invitaions in the set ,to invite Mr & Mrs H. H. Bradley from His Majesty's Ministers of State for Australia to Celebrtae the Opening Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia to meet their Royal Highness The Duke and Dutchess of Cornwell and York. To an evening reception at the Exhibition Building Melbourne on the 9th of May 1901, at 8 o'clockSignficant collection of 4 invitatons of national signficance Plus a printed Momento from the Duke and Dutchess 00533 Evening reception to Meet the Duke and Dutchess 00534 Invitaion from the Govenment of Victoria 00535 Invitaion from Edmund Barton the Prime Minister 00536 Invitaion from the Govenment of Victoria for a conversazione 07/05/1901 at 8 pmMounted offset print. The print is mounted on brown mount board. The print has an embossed seal of Duke and Dutchess of Cornwall and York. Printed invitation from the miniters of state to invite Mr and Mrs H H Bradley to attend the reception.Invitaion hand written. On the left is a maiden , dressed in red with a helment carrying a British Shield on the Right hand side is a maiden dressed in purple carrying a St shield . The print is bordered by vines and leaves with scrolls for text details. The print has silver and gold highlights.Printed: His Majesty's Ministers of State for the Commonwealth of Australia/ request the honour of the presence of... / in the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, on Thursday, 9th May, to witness/ the Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth./ Edmund Barton/ Prime Ministermelbourne, australia, commonwealth, printed offset, invitaion, celebrate opening parliament commonwealth australia, parliament, duke dutchess cornwall york, mr mrs h h bradley, exhibition building, 1901, 09 05 1901

Letter in relation to unidentified soldier. Son of Mrs. Barbour, presumably a member of the Victorian Regiment, who died of illness during the Boer War during the year of 1900 in South Africa. Believed to be Private Robert Barbour S/N 94, who died of Enteric Fever at Bloemfontein on 6 May 1900.Faded white paper with black borders. Detailed black typed letter outlining last days of the son of Mrs Barbour who died from illness in the Boer War.boer war, 1900, letter of condolence, disease, private barbour

The AIF News was issued by the Army Canteen Services, free to Australian Troops during WW2. It contains Military News and a mix of cartoons, crosswords and letters similar to home newspaper. Aim to keep troops informed and increase morale. magazine often sent home to family. Items in collection relating to David Peterson.1-11. Tabloid size newspaper. Faded white to yellow in colour. Usually about 16-18 pages in content with black and white photos, black writing and some highlighting in red covering May 1942 to Jan 1943. 12. Is smaller magazine supplement issued Christmas 1942 mainly pictorial in black and white and red covering photos of Egypt, Palestine and Syria.All have been sent home to family and written on back; Mrs C. J. Penney 95 Shaftesbury Parade, Thornsbury W17, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (or some variation)newspaper, aif

This invitation to a ‘Conversazione’ to celebrate the Federation of the six colonies in Australia into the six States of Australia in 1901 was sent to the invitees after the event to keep as a souvenir of the occasion. The event was hosted by the Government of Victoria. The certificate was designed by George Brougham Austin, a Melbourne architect and artist employed by the Victorian Department of Public Works. He also designed many of the public decorations displayed in Melbourne during the Federation celebrations. Austin’s original work was lithographed by an artist at Sands and McDougall, Melbourne. This particular invitation was sent to George Rolfe and his wife, Annie. George Rolfe (1836-1919), a tea merchant from Melbourne, began buying blocks of land near the mouth of the Hopkins River in Warrnambool in the 1870s. By the early 1880s he owned 50 acres of land in the town and some nearby farming properties. He used the building on the ]and near the mouth of the Hopkins River as holiday accommodation and called the property, Lyndoch. He improved the property with the additions of stables, jetty, boathouse, bone and chaff sheds, reservoir and windmill and extensive gardens. Rolfe spent most of his later life at Lyndoch. Today the property is the site of an Aged Care facility. This certificate is of considerable importance for two reasons: 1. It is an important and attractive memento of a signal event in the history of Australia – the Federation of the States in 1901. 2. The certificate was an invitation to Mr and Mrs George Rolfe. George Rolfe was a prominent Warrnambool person in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This is a multi-coloured certificate printed on a cream-coloured card. The certificate has an image of the Exhibition Building surrounded by an ornate border of heraldic shields, portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, views of the six capital cities of Australia, native flora and fauna, the Royal Crest and the Crest of Australia. The names of the invitees are handwritten in black ink. ‘United Australia 1901 One Flag One Hope One Destiny Australian Commonwealth Celebrations’ ‘The Government of Victoria requests the honor of the presence of Mr & Mrs G. Rolfe at a Conversazione in the Exhibition Building on the Evening of Tuesday 7th May 1901 at 8 p.m.’ george rolfe of lyndoch, warrnambool, federation of australia, history of warrnambool, george rolfe

This certificate was sent to those who had been present at one of the celebrations in connection with the Federation of the six States of Australia in 1901 – The Royal Review at Flemington Racecourse on 10th May 1901. The invitation to attend the event was issued by the Government of Victoria. The certificate was intended to be kept as a souvenir of the event and framed. This particular certificate was issued to George Rolfe and his wife of Warrnambool. George Rolfe (1836-1919), a tea merchant from Melbourne, began buying blocks of land near the mouth of the Hopkins River in Warrnambool in the 1870s. By the early 1880s he had acquired 50 acres of land in the town and several farming properties. He used the buildings on the land near the mouth of the Hopkins River as holiday accommodation and called the property, Lyndoch. He improved the property by adding stables, chaff and bone sheds, jetty, boathouse, reservoir, water well and windmill and extensive gardens and he spent most of his later life in the Warrnambool area. Lyndoch today is the site of an aged care facility. This certificate is of considerable importance for two reasons: 1. It is an important memento of a signal event on Australia’s history – the Federation of the six States in 1901 and the subsequent celebrations. 2. The certificate was issued to a prominent Warrnambool person, George Rolfe and his wife.This is multi-coloured sheet of paper mounted on card. There are four black and white photographs of the Royal Review at Flemington and photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. The images include the Royal Crest, the shields of the six Australian States, a shield of Victoria with a background of flags, cannon and ammunition, two mounted soldiers with a soldier and sailor standing nearby and swords and bayonets. There is also much colour decoration around the edges of the certificate. The names of Mr and Mrs Rolfe are handwritten in black ink. ‘Australian Commonwealth Celebrations’ ‘The Government of Victoria requests the honour of the presence of Mr & Mrs G. Rolfe at the Royal Review at Flemington on Friday the 10th of May 1901’ federation of australian states, george rolfe of lyndoch, history of warrnambool, george rolfe

This certificate is an invitation to the Evening Reception in Melbourne in 1901, an event which was part of the celebrations in Melbourne to commemorate the Federation of the six colonies into the six States of Australia in January 1901. The certificate was sent to the invitees after the event as a souvenir of the occasion. The certificate was designed by the artists Julian and Howard Ashton and lithographed and issued by Sands and McDougall Limited of Melbourne. This particular certificate was sent to George Rolfe and his wife Annie. George Rolfe (1836-1919), a tea merchant from Melbourne, began buying blocks of land near the mouth of the Hopkins River in the 1870s. By the early 1880s he had acquired 50 acres of land in the town and several nearby farming properties. He used the buildings on the land at the mouth of the River Hopkins as holiday accommodation and called this property Lyndoch. Rolfe improved this property adding stables, jetty, boathouse, bone and chaff sheds, reservoir and windmill and extensive gardens. Rolfe spent most of his later life at Lyndoch. Today the property is the site of an Aged Care Facility. This certificate is of considerable importance for two reasons: 1. It is an attractive and valuable memento of a signal event in Australia’s history – the Federation of the States in 1901. 2. The certificate was an invitation to Mr and Mrs George Rolfe. Rolfe was a prominent person in Warrnambool in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This is a multi-coloured certificate mounted on a piece of grey cardboard. The certificate is highly embossed and has a figure of Britannia in a red dress and a mailed vest holding a shield with the Union Jack emblem. Britannia is extending her hand to a figure of a younger woman representing Australia. This figure is dressed in blue and holds a shield which has a blue cross with white stars. The borders have vines and vine leaves and the Royal Crest is at the base of the certificate. The names of the invitees are handwritten in black ink. ‘In Celebration of the Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, To Meet Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, His Majesty’s Ministers of State for Australia have the honor to invite Mr & Mrs G. Rolfe to an Evening Reception at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne on the 9th of May 1901, at 8 0’clock’. george rolfe of lyndoch, warrnambool, federation of australia, history of warrnambool, george rolfe

This is an invitation to George and Annie Rolfe of Lyndoch, Warrnambool, to attend the opening of the first Australian Parliament in Melbourne in May 1901. A smaller invitation card was first sent to the recipients and this larger invitation was sent after the event for the recipients to keep as a souvenir. The six Australian colonies became six Australian States in the newly-formed Commonwealth of Australia in January 1901. George Rolfe (1836-1919), a tea merchant from Melbourne, began buying blocks of land in Warrnambool near the mouth of the Hopkins River in the 1870s. By the early 1880s Rolfe owned 50 acres of land in the town and other nearby pastoral properties. He used the existing building on the land near the mouth of the Hopkins River as holiday accommodation, calling the property Lyndoch and adding stables, bone and chaff sheds, jetty, boathouse, reservoir and windmill and an extensive garden. George Rolfe spent most of his later life at Lyndoch. Today the area is the site of an aged care facility. This certificate is of considerable importance for two reasons: 1. It is an important memento of a signal event in Australia’s history – the Federation of the States in 1901. 2. The certificate was an invitation to George Rolfe of Lyndoch and his wife. Rolfe was a prominent Warrnambool person at that time. This is a piece of cardboard containing an illustration of a young queen in battle dress and on horseback bowing to an image of Britannia. The queen is about to be crowned. There are several lady attendants in the background and two large columns depicted on the sides of the illustration with shields and banners. An extract from Kipling’s poem, The Young Queen, is printed at the bottom of the card. The invitation is coloured in brown, yellow, white and orange tonings. The name of the recipient of the card is handwritten in black ink. The card is slightly scuffed and marked. The card is an invitation to Mr and Mrs Rolfe to attend the Opening of the First Australian Parliament in Melbourne in May 1901. ‘Mr & Mrs G. Rolfe’ federation in australia, george rolfe and family, history of warrnambool, lyndoch warrnambool

Tait collection: item 19 of 62 This is an 1899 document giving Will and Probate details of William Cox who died in Warrnambool in March 1899. He was a farmer residing in Moore Street Warrnambool at the time of his death at the age of 83. He left real estate to the value of £425 and personal estate to the value of £412 to Gwenllian Williams who may have been his sister or niece. A Mr and Mrs Williams were also living in the Moore Street house at the time of Cox’s death. His executors were Thomas Goodall, a law clerk who managed the office of the lawyer Ernest Chambers in Warrnambool and John Ward, a pioneer settler in Warrnambool and a shopkeeper in Jamieson Street in 1899. No other details are available on William Cox. This is an interesting document as it gives details of the Will and Probate belonging to a local Warrnambool person, William Cox. The lawyer dealing with the document was Ernest Chambers who had legal offices in Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Koroit at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. This document has been passed on to successive lawyers occupying legal chambers in the Kepler Street building and that is where the document was held until passed on to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society in 2014.This is an 1899 piece of parchment paper folded in two with handwritten material on three sides of the paper. The seal of the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria is attached with blue ribbon and there are two stamps, one blue one of the Colonial Bank in Warrnambool and the other a red one of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court in Melbourne. Two of the pages have ruled black lines. The writing is very clear but the pages are a little stained.In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria In its Probate Jurisdiction In the Will of William Cox late of Warrnambool in the Colony of Victoria farmer deceased; Probate; I certify there is no duty payable on this probate (signature) Officer under Section 96 of act No 106; E J W Chambers Warrnambool Proctors for the Executorswilliam cox, ernest chambers, john ward, thomas goodall, tait collection

The name ‘Ruttledge’ may have no local significance thought the name ‘Rutledge’ is important in our history, commencing with William Rutledge who purchased the Farnham Special Survey in the 1840s( Tower Hill to Dennington). The name ‘Swinton’ is prominent in our history. Mrs John Swinton (Charlotte Scott nee Dunn, 1871-1944) was married to John Swinton, the son of William and Ann Swinton who came to Warrnambool in 1854. William established a store in Timor Street in the 1850s and opened branches of this store in several local towns. The Swinton family still has commercial interests in Timor Street. This book is of interest because it belonged to Charlotte Swinton, a member of the Swinton family important in Warrnambool’s commercial and community history. This is a black leather-covered book of 656 pages plus a Supplement of Hymns of 32 pages. The cover has gold lettering on the front and the spine. The pages have a gilt edging. The inscriptions are handwritten in pencil. The cover is somewhat scuffed and worn. ‘Mrs John Swinton’ ‘A. Ruttledge, 317 Wattletree Rd., E. Malvern’ swinton family, warrnambool, john swinton, charlotte swinton, history of warrnambool

The Davidson brothers, James and John, were pioneer settlers in the Warrnambool district, with John establishing th property of Rosebrook in Woodford and James establishing the homestead of Woodend in West Warrnambool. Another brother William was an early storekeeper in Woolsthorpe. He died in 1904 and may be the W. Davidson who was the recipient of this book. The Midgleys came to the Yangery Creek area in 1852 and established the property of Yangery Grange. Mrs Midgley presumably belonged to one of these families from pioneer times. Ethel Davidson would be a descendant of one of the Davidson families but there were several women with this name born in the 19th century though one born to a William Davidson in 1887 may be the later owner of this book. This book is of interest because of its connection to members of the Davidson families – pioneer settlers in the Warrnambool area.This is a hard cover book of 461 pages. The cover is dark red with some ornamental borders and gold lettering. The book has two black and white full page illustrations, with the first one protected with tissue paper. The inscriptions are handwritten in blue and black ink. ‘To W. Davidson from Mrs Midgley’ ‘Ethel M. Davidson’ william davidson, ethel davidson, history of warrnambool.

Ostrich eggs were a novelty item found in many homes in the 19th and early 20th centuries, though in Australian homes they were more likely to be emu eggs. Some ostrich eggs may have been brought to Australia from South Africa after the Boer War or purchased by travellers to foreign lands at other times. This ostrich egg has no known provenance.This ostrich egg has been in the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society for 45 years and the only known connection it has to Warrnambool is seen in the fact that the donor was Mrs Uebergang and the Uebergang name is well-known in our district as the Uebergangs were pioneering settlers in the Allansford/ Warrnambool area. This is a cream-coloured ostrich egg resting in a circular cavity in the centre of a rectangular wooden frame. The egg has a small hole on the top and has paintings of an African woman and child on one side of the egg and huts with palm trees on the other side. history of warrnambool, ostrich eggs, painted ostrich egg

Pictorial record of the grave of pioneer woman Mrs Mary Hollonds, who passed away in 1862. The grave is located at Mullagong Station (farm) in Tawonga, five miles south of Keegan's Bridge. Miss Hobbs, formerly of Running Creek, mentioned that twin babies of the Brigg's family are buried at Mary Holland's feet.Pictorial record of pioneer gravesites in the Kiewa Valley. Social history of people in 1977 showing interested in local historyColour photograph of group visiting the grave of pioneer woman Mrs Mary Hollands at Mullagong on 29th May, 1977Handwritten in faint blue ink on back of photograph: Mrs Mary Holland's grave. Died 1862 Mullagong. 29th May, 1977kiewa valley, mullagong station, tawonga, hollonds family, brigg's family