PHOTOGRAPH OF McCALLUMS CREEK RAILWAY BRIDGE, TRAIN DISASTER 19 TH. AUGUST 1909 ON MARYBOROUGH - BALLARAT LINEORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH OF RAILWAY BRIDGE COLLAPSE OVER McCALLUMS CREEK, ON AUGUST 19TH. 1909McCALLUMS CREEK RAILWAY BRIDGE.local history, document, postcard, railway

This original letter was handwritten and dated 21 January 1884. The author is Eveline V. Carmichael, of 29 Montpellier Villa, Cheltenham. Eva Carmichael was the only woman survivor of the iron clipper LOCH ARD, which was wrecked on 1 June 1878, at the subsequently named Loch Ard Gorge near Port Campbell. The letter was written to Mr J Archibald, first curator of the Warrnambool Mechanics Institute Museum, and was in response to a letter he wrote to Miss Carmichael on 1 December 1883. A complete transcript of Eva’s letter is attached as a Hard Copy Supplementary File. The letter first addressed the subject of her reply. She writes, “Thank you very much for thinking of me with regard to the volume of Longfellows Poems that have been found by Mr HW Davis [at Loch Ard Gorge], the book is not mine, nor did it belong to any members of my family. We had a ‘Longfellows’, but our book had a green cover.” The rescued book is on display at Flagstaff Hill (541) and has a blue cover. Another interesting aspect to her letter is its reference to the only other survivor from the LOCH ARD. As a postscript she writes, “You will be glad to hear that Tom Pearce is now on board the HMS Solvent. I heard from him last month he wrote from the West-Indies and seemed well and in good spirits. I have not seen him since we parted in Melbourne. I believe he is to be married next year, or perhaps this, but I do not know the young lady.” Tom Pearce was the young, male, able seaman who had risked his life to save her. In the months after the shipwreck, an excited public press speculated of a romantic connection between the two survivors, but this was clearly not the case. HISTORY OF THE LOCH ARD The LOCH ARD belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many ships from England to Australia. Built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the LOCH ARD was a three-masted square rigged iron sailing ship. The ship measured 262ft 7" (79.87m) in length, 38ft (11.58m) in width, 23ft (7m) in depth and had a gross tonnage of 1693 tons. The LOCH ARD's main mast measured a massive 150ft (45.7m) in height. LOCH ARD made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its final voyage. LOCH ARD left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of Captain Gibbs, a newly married, 29 year old. She was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers and a load of cargo. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. On board were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionary, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were items included that intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. At 3am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land and the passengers were becoming excited as they prepared to view their new homeland in the early morning. But LOCH ARD was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4am the fog lifted. A man aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and LOCH ARD's bow swung back. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold its position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time LOCH ARD was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind the ship. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves broke over the ship and the top deck was loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of LOCH ARD and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael had raced onto deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached LOCH ARD Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland, this time by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the LOCH ARD disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost all of her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the LOCH ARD tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of LOCH ARD still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some was washed up into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton porcelain peacock - one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today, the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artefact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. The LOCH ARD shipwreck is of State significance – Victorian Heritage Number S417 Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. A photocopy of a letter, handwritten in ink on both sides of 4 small sheets of thick, light blue paper. The letter is in neat cursive script. The writing originally covered 7 sides of the note paper and has been reproduced as 7 separate pages. It is dated 21 January 1884, five and a half years after the LOCH ARD shipwreck. The letter is from Eva Carmichael, one of only 2 survivors from that disaster, and is addressed to J. Archibald, first curator of the Warrnambool Mechanics Institute Museum. The copies include the reproduction of a typed index card which accompanies the original letter. The card states: “Photographic copy of the letter written by Eva Carmichael to Mr J Archibald, first Curator of the Warrnambool Museum. The original letter is kept with other documents, but the writing being on both sides of the note-paper it was not possible to read in its entireity when on display”.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, loch ard, survivor’s letter, eva carmichael, longfellow’s poems, warrnambool mechanics institute museum, joseph archibald, henry davis

A plan to develop a six-storey apartment complex next to Greensborough station will cause a "chaotic traffic disaster", concerned residents say.News article 1 page, black text and colour image.greensborough station, apartment complex, poulter avenue greensborough, banyule city council

Cap comforter worn in ill-fated kayak manoeuvres raid which resulted in the loss of 3 men remembered as the rip disaster. Commando cap comforter comforter, commando, rip disaster

During the North-East Victorian bushfires of 1952, Helen Felton, Postmistress of Tintaldra post office, worked continuously for five days and nights to ensure the flow of communication through the disaster. Helen Felton conceded to leave her post for only 45 minutes while “the fire passed within fifteen feet of the spot where she was working,” burning down the garage and neighbouring store, before returning to work. Today, technologies such as cells on wheels, mobile exchanges on wheels, and NBN Sky Muster trucks are deployed in the wake of a disaster to ensure survivors have access to communications services. In a disaster, access to mobile coverage or landline connection to emergency services can be essential for the survival of life and property.emergency, bushfires, communications, regional, post office, telephonist, postmistress, helen felton

With Victoria about to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the worst disaster in the state's history, the former emergency services chief is urging people to come together.News article 1 page, black text.black saturday fires, bushfires, craig lapsley, kinglake

This magazine was published to raise money for the State Disaster appeal. It was a tribute to the photographers and reporters who contributed to the coverage of the Ash Wednesday bushfires for these publications.this item is a contemporary record of a major fire disaster in Victoria and is a useful reference tool.A large 78 pp stapled magazine. On the front cover is a coloured photograph of the town of Macedon the morning after the bush fires in February 1983. It has white ASH WEDNESDAY in print on a red background above the photograph and 1983 BUSHFIRES in white print on a red background belop the photograph. The photograph extends to the back cover. The magazine contains black/white photographs, stories and reports.bushfires ash-wednesday magazine disasters-victoria

This house is located Lyons Street South. The brass plaque on the wall reads 'M.M. Thomas Masseuse'. Jeanette died in the Sunshine Rail Disaster.jeanette thomas, m.m. thomas, lyons street south, building, commercial, private dwelling, costume

Jeanette in her horse drawn 4 wheel phaeton accompanied by a child in Lyons Street South. Jeanette died in the Sunshine Rail Disaster.jeanette thomas, vehicle, person, lyons street south, ballarat

In February 2009, the Black Saturday bushfires ravaged parts of Victoria. This book covers the stories of those who were caught up in this disaster.288p., illus. Paperback.bushfires, victoria, kinglake, strathewen, st andrews, kinglake west

Australia's worst natural disaster, fed by extreme temperatures, tornado-like wind speeds and tinder-dry land, culminated in the disaster we now know as Black Saturday, February 7, 2009. Before the sun would set on the blackest day in Australia's history, thousands of hectares would become blackened landscape and an unparalleled loss of lives could only mean that many areas would never be the same again.fay bridge collection, black saturday, kinglake, victorian bushfires - 2009

Seven men were killed at the Great Extended Hustler's mine disaster on 2nd May 1914 by an explosion of dynamite occurring as the men were waiting at the plat to ascend the mine at the end of their shift. No blame was attached to anyone in the findings of the inquisition. It was unknown what caused the dynamite to explode. This document formed part of the research done at the time by Bendigo Historical Society, of the 100 years commemoration of the mine disaster, held at Hustler's Hill in 2014. One page plan, computer generated, annotated to show the worksite of the miners prior to when the explosion occurred at the Great Extended Hustlers mine in May 1914. The location of Martin, Ryan, Thomas, Campbell, Blair and Chinn are described. great extended hustlers, goldmining, accident, 1914

Seven men were killed at the Great Extended Hustler's mine disaster on 2nd May 1914 by an explosion of dynamite occurring as the men were waiting at the plat to ascend the mine at the end of their shift. No blame was attached to anyone in the findings of the inquisition. It was unknown what caused the dynamite to explode. This document formed part of the research done at the time by Bendigo Historical Society, of the 100 years commemoration of the mine disaster, held at Hustlers Hill in 2014. Six page copy of research document, describing the history and geology of the Great Extended Hustlers Mine and the Great Extended Hustlers Reef Q.M. Co.. Topics include: general overview of history, mines along the Hustlers line, characters of the saddle reefs, gold occurrences, effect of pitch, influence of faulting, payable reefs and saddle reefs and spurs. Mine overview researched by Mr. Albert Richardson. great extended hustlers, goldmining, hustlers consols, united hustlers and redan, k.k. mine, comet, hustlers reef no. 1, hustlers reef, hustlers royal reserve co., park shaft, hustlers royal reserve no. 2, city shaft, fortuna hustlers

Original postcard showing a group of about 20 people surveying the scene of the Waggonette Disaster that occurred on the Coach Road at Devils Elbow on 27/12/1911. The accident occurred at Devil's Elbow where now the Old Coach Road and Jasper Road meet at a cliff face. John Lundy-Clarke made a ballad about the mishap. The waggonnette was returning from an excursion to the Brooklyn Guest House in Montrose. The horses were killed and passengers presumably injured (a doctor attended). See 'The Brooklyn Dray"On front of postcard: DEVILS ELBOW MT DANDENONG SCENE OF WAGGONETTE ACCIDENT 27.12.1911wagonette, wagon, accident, disaster, devil's elbow, devils elbow, john lundy-clarke, ballad, coach road, old coach road

The Wessex was used between 1964 and 1984 by the Australian Navy in Australia and Oceania. This helicopter, no 31, also use for disaster relief in Darwin after Cyclone Tracy.Manufactured in Britain from a USA design, the Wessex was jet powered (Napier Gazelle), a multi-role helicopter used in air sea rescue, anti-submarine, ambulance, troop and freight carrying. Dependent on the mission profile, the aircraft carried a crew from three to five including two pilots.Includes a full set of Royal Australian Navy insignia and carries the Serial No. N7-221 and Navy Side No. 31.RAN Roundel. Navy Registration N7-221. No31, a/c safety markings. Tiger Head Unit Logo of 816 Sqnhelicopters, military equipment, wedssex, troop carrier, navy

Greensborough and district has always been a popular spot for picnickers but his Boxing Day picnic ended in disaster. [The injured were treated at The Farmers Arms Hotel]An account of the dangers of fast travel on country roads.2 pages. Page one has a facsimile of the article downloaded from Trove (National Library of Australia); page two is a transcription of the article.road accidents, picnics, greensborough, diamond creek

Drones, out of control burn offs and badly executed barbecues could lead to a fire disaster across the Diamond Valley and other rural areas this summer, the CFA has warned.News article 1 page, black text.cfa, bushfire warnings, bushfires, country fire authority

Victoria State Disaster Reponse Plan (DISPLAN) training exercise involving emergency services attending two real life simulations; Kangaroo Ground SES including Police, Ambulance, CFAVHS Video cassette Converted to MP4 file format 00:16:11; 1.18GBshire of eltham, video recording, shire of eltham archives, displan, training exercise, victoria police, cfa, country fire authority, eltham cfa, ambulance service victoria, eltham shire council, alan stein, kangaroo ground ses, state emergency service, victoria state disaster reponse plan (displan)

This book is dedicated to all who lost so much on the darkest Saturday in Australia's history. Australia's worst natural disaster was a tragedy beyond belief that scarred Victoria physically and the whole Australian nation physiologically. Extreme temperatures, tornado-like wind speeds and tinder-dry land, culminated in the disaster we now know as Black Saturday. Before the sun would set on the blackest day in Australia's history, thousands of hectares would become blackened landscape and an unparalleled loss of lives could only mean that many areas would never be the same again. This graphic pictorial record takes you through the conditions prior to the day, the horrific fires that destroyed both bush and townships alike, the amazing bravery of emergency services personnel and the tragic aftermath. Accounts from eye-witnesses describe a fire like never seen before, a wild fire that outran every warning system. "A comprehensive account of Australia's worst natural disaster ever"black saturday, bush fires, bushfire, fire damage - buildings, victorian bushfires - 2009

Photocopies of documents relevant to Richard E Reed, Underground Manager, Great Extended Hustlers Mine. Circa 1914 1. Certificate of Service for Richard Reed 2. Two letter of reference 3. Two letters of commendation for Richard Reed for his actions during the Great Extended Hustlers Mine disaster. 4. Letter informing Richard reed that his bravery would be rewarded by giving him a government position. 5. Extract of Birth entry for Richard Reed. Born 23.12.1869 to Richard Reed and Emily Veale. 6. Copy of a wedding group. Undated with no names. Possibly Richard Reed?

History of the City of Doncaster and Templestowe, beginning with first settlers on Bulleen and Templestowe rivers, including gold seekers, general development 1900-1945, expansion, road problem, disaster of 1962, traffic problems, Warrandyte State Park, historical research. photos index466 p.ISBN 0959948716doncaster, templestowe, bulleen, warrandyte

When work was being finished on the Back Creek syphon specially designed to push water uphill, metal plates on the pipelines were not strong enough to withstand the pressure. Damaged and loss of water was estimated to be 25,000 pounds. It was one of the biggest disasters in Vicotria's history.Bendigo Advertiser: Full page article entitled 'High pressure failure'.bendigo water supply, coliban system

Newspaper Clipping from the ""Mail", 7-9-1993". P13. "Lending a hand"Pupils at Mullum Primary School who lost all their belongings in a school fire were presented with pencil cases by the Commonwealth Bank last week. Principal Rob Bloye said the presentation was another example of the community supporting the school after a disaster. Pictured are Commonwealth Bank manager Peter Cotton presenting Mullum Primary school pupil Sonja with a pencil case. Picture by CHRIS ROSTRON

Maintained in Victorian ambulance disaster kits. Designed for use in mass casualty events and for the rapid assessment of casualties after first responders had attended a mass casualty site. AHSV curator Chas Martin never saw these tags actually used during his service.White paper tag with printed details and the word dead prominently across centredeaddisaster

Kept in Victorian ambulance disaster kits. Designed for use in mass casualty events and for the rapid assessment of casualties after first responders had attended a mass casualty site. AHSV curator Chas Martin never saw these tags actually used during his service.Yellow cardboard tag with printed details and the word ‘hospital’ prominently across centreHOSPITALmass casualty event

Kept in Victorian ambulance disaster kits. Designed for use in mass casualty events and for the rapid assessment of casualties after first responders had attended a mass casualty site. AHSV curator Chas Martin never saw these tags actually used during his service.Red cardboard tag with printed details and the word ‘resuscitate’ prominently across centreRESUSCITATEdisaster

Kept in Victorian ambulance disaster kits. Designed for use in mass casualty events and for the rapid assessment of casualties after first responders had attended a mass casualty site. AHSV curator Chas Martin never saw these tags actually used during his service.Green cardboard tag with printed details and the word ‘minor’ prominently across centreMINORdisaster