A directory of oral history collections, collected in a state by state order.directory listingsgenealogy, oral history, family history, local history

John Millington Synge's plays were produced by the Irish National Theatre Society in 1905. Program notes reveal that the first performances "were the focus of some of the bitterest scenes ever witnessed in a theatre. Audience unrest ... grew to full-scale riots, and Yeats claimed that by the end of the week's run 70 police were keeping order inside the theatre, while 500 patrolled the streets outside".Unruly gatherings have been witnessed in the Athenaeum Theatre and Collins Street, such as in 1843, a year after the building was completed: "The first election for the Melbourne seat in 1843 turned into a sectarian battle between a Catholic and a Presbyterian candidate." Supporters of the losing candidate "massed outside the Mechanics Institution where the official declaration of the poll was to occur, and tried to storm the building. The police arrived and did disperse them but only to send them on a rampage throughout the town, ...("Building a Free Australia : Places of Democracy" by John Hirst, 2009)Paper program; coloured cover; 16 p. includes articles about the play and the actors.melbourne theatre company, the playboy of the western world, john millington synge, athenaeum theatre, katy wild, riots

White pad with green letteringTo Younghusband Limited Merchandise Department Woolpack Order Form.

The machine was most recently used by donor's father c2008 to knit socks, but had been used for many years earlier. According to family history, it is believed that the machine came to Australia with donor's grandparents in the early 20th century, and was created c1890-1900. It is still in working order and a demonstration was given by the donor during the acquisition process.Griswold stocking knitter machine. Black steel manual machine which clamps on to the edge of a table and is operated by turning a handle. Centre of machine is a cylinder which can be lined with pins to create the sock/stocking. Two detached parts of the machine include a bobbin holder and yarn feeder. Accompanying items include: 3 examples of incomplete attempted socks made by donor. 4 envelops containing instructions, pattersn, notes and advice on using the machine, created by donor's father and grandfather. 1 bobbin with grey yarn. 2 metal machinery pieces. 2 tins containing pins for the machine. 1 metal yarn feeder cone. 10 weights plus two weight stands. Stocking knitter machine has an identifier plate with patent numbers on the side.

Photographs of sheep showers in situ, at different angles.Photographs of sheep showers in situ. Photographs of sheep showers in situ. Photographs of sheep showers in situ. Photographs of sheep showers in situ.Cooper Race Type Sheep Shower First Marketed 1946 Photography by Wofgang Sievers in association with Norman Ikin9 Collins Street, Melbourne, C.I.When ordering please quote No. .......shearing machinery, cooper engineering company pty ltd wolfgang sievers photography

Made by Mrs Noel (Lizzie) Morton, the donor's mother on their farm "Wanera" at Benjeroop on the Murray River. It was stitched with a treadle machine. Her sister Flora MacDonald did the running stitch and provided the silk backing. The squares were sent as samples from a firm called "Fred Hesse" who advertised in the Melbourne papers "Be smart and dressy In a suit by Fred Hesse". The buyer chose a sample and then sent it back with measurements and received a "mail order" suit.A small knee rug made from suiting samples machine stitched together. It is backed with black silk fabric and finished with a running stitch of orange wool oversewn with black wool thread.farming quilting quilting - history, wanera benjeroop, farming, quilting, quilting - history

Fabric sample book produced by Ernest Waddington with specifications circa 1930. Such a book would work as a catalogue of a designer’s previous Mastercards. Mastercards are specification sheets that are sent to mills in order to produce commercial amounts of fabrics for tailoring into final products, such as suits. Keeping a catalogue of previous designs is useful for designers to take inspiration from in future designs and for re-releases of iconic designs. This sample book is also notable because of its period of creation. It was created in the Great Depression. Despite societies psyche at this time, there is a surprising amount of colour and what may be viewed as daring designs. Fabric sample book produced by E Waddington with specifications.E. Waddingtonweaving textile design textile mills textile mills, waddington, mr ernest, weaving, textile design, textile mills

Draft of a letter ordering tappets for a twin shuttle loom. Among items from Yarra Falls Mill.Draft of a letter ordering tappets for a twin shuttle loom.O/N 6840textile machinery weaving, yarra falls mill david sowden & sons, weaving looms, weaving machinery, textile machinery, weaving

Carbon copy of a typed letter to David Sowden & Sons, ordering tappets for a twin shuttle loom. Among items from Yarra Falls Mill.Carbon copy of a typed letter to David Sowden & Sons, ordering tappets for a twin shuttle loom.May 24/11textile machinery weaving, yarra falls mill david sowden & sons, weaving looms, weaving machinery, textile machinery, weaving

Photographs were most likely used for promotional purposes.Sepia photograph of a loom in landscape format.Bottom mid edge - NEG. 17689 ORDER M&C 12106textile machinery, wool manufacture, wool, loom

A Textile Designer’s Fabric Sample Book is an important tool for keeping a record of past designs. This is useful in order to showcase a designer’s previous work; functioning like a portfolio or a résumé. They also serve as a source of inspiration, sometimes even providing a template to re-release iconic designs. The National Wool Museum has a large collection of Fabric Sample Books. They reveal the colour and daring designs produced by textile mills across various time periods. This Fabric Sample Book is from the 1920s and gives us insights into design trends that are now over a century old.The cover of this book has a brown/grey marble. It carries many marks and oils from the hands, after more than a century of use. A strip of red tape has been added to the spine of the book in order to give it integrity. The book internally has white pages that have turned a brown/cream with age. These pages have a faint blue line printed horizontally across them, to assist with handwriting. The contents of the pages are fabric samples which have been staple to them, as well as handwriting with a blue ink. The pages also include technical drawings, relating to the fabric samples and how such samples were woven together.textile design, textile manufacture

Part of the Zakrzewski Collection of spinning wheels donated to the National Wool Museum by Mr Wlodzimierz Zakrzewski. For many years, Mr Zakrzewski collected, researched and repaired spinning wheels from all over the world. This spinning wheel is English and is made mainly from oak. It dates from the late 19th century and has elements of Chinoiserie in its design. It was originally bought from Portobello Road, London in quite poor condition and was later exchanged by Mr Eric Corran (a manufacturer of looms and spinning wheels) for a spinning wheel in working order. Mr Corran later sold it to Mr Zakrzewski who restored it.Part of the Zakrzewski Spinning Wheel collection.handicrafts - history, spinning wheels, highlights of the national wool museum: the zakrzewski spinning wheel collection - exhibition (28/07/2001 - 02/12/2001), zakrzewski, mr wlodzimierz

Part of the Zakrzewski Collection of spinning wheels donated to the National Wool Museum by Mr Wlodzimierz Zakrzewski. For many years, Mr Zakrzewski collected, researched and repaired spinning wheels from all over the world. This wheel is from Yugoslavia and dates from the early 20th century. It is made from Poplar Alba. The treadle bar runs obliquely from beneath the right arm of the T-shaped base to beneath the stem of the T. The mounting of the wheel and the flyer mechanism are reversed. This is in order that flax may be spun with one hand or that plying may be done. It was purchased by Sobieski Galleries, Glen Iris.Part of the Zakrzewski Spinning Wheel collection.handicrafts - history flax, spinning wheels, highlights of the national wool museum: the zakrzewski spinning wheel collection - exhibition (28/07/2001 - 02/12/2001), zakrzewski, mr wlodzimierz, handicrafts - history, flax

This medal is a CBE (Commander of the most excellent order of the British Empire). It was awarded to Senator J.F. Guthrie in 1953. Senator James Francis Guthrie (1872-1958) was the founder and first president of the Australian Corriedale Sheepbreeders' Association in 1914 and was involved in the wool industry all his life. He worked for Dalgety's and was managing director of the Guthrie Corriedale Stud. He was a Senator for Victoria between 1920-38 and wrote a number of books about the Australian wool industry.C.B.E. presented to Senator James Guthrie in 1953. Medal bestowed upon Mr JF Guthrie. Medal bestowed upon Mr JF Guthrie.FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE G R I C.B.E. GARRARD & Co. LTD. / Goldsmiths, Jewellers &c / TO THE KING / By Special Appointment / TO THE CROWN / 24 ALBEMARLE ST, / LONDON, W.I.j.f. guthrie (corriedale) pty ltd, guthrie, senator james francis c.b.e.

This pamphlet is an advertisement for a new edition of the 'Pastoral Review' publication "Sheep, Farm and Station Management" by E.H. Pearse. It is advertising the third edition of this book, to be published in 1932. It contains an order form and a synopsis of the contents.Leaflet (pages 1 & 4) advertising the third edition of "Sheep, Farm and Station Management" by E.H. Pearse, 1932. Leaflet (pages 2 & 3) advertising the third edition of "Sheep, Farm and Station Management" by E.H. Pearse, 1932.wool growing sheep stations - management, pastoral review pty ltd, wool growing, sheep stations - management

Single issue of the English trade journal "Textile Recorder", No. 563, Vol. XLV11, 15 February 1930. This issue is a special issue from the Lancashire Cotton Fair and was sent gratis and unsolicited to the Collins Bros Mill with the purpase of obtaining a subscription."Textile Recorder" 15 Feb. 1930. Letter from John Brooks, editor of 'Textile Recorder' Subscription form for the "Textile Recorder" Order form for "Calvert's Mechanics' Almanack", 1930, page 1 Order form for "Calvert's Mechanics' Almanack" 1930, page 2 Order form for the 1930 edition of "The Silk and Rayon Directory & Buyers' Guide", page 1 Order form for the 1930 edition of "The Silk and Rayon Directory & Buyers' Guide", page 2textile machinery, textile industry, cotton, textile recorder

Probably 80 years old or more. In fair order, though a little wobbly as was the only table used by four generations of Mitchells.shearing

Rosemary Varty served as a member for Nunawading Province from 1985 - 1992Rosemary Varty served as a member for Nunawading Province from 1985 - 1992varty rosemary, nunawading province, order of australia medal

This ornate cross sits at the right hand side of View of Trajan's column, Cast Courts, Room 46a, The West Court, Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Cast Courts: "When the Architectural Courts – or Cast Courts as they are now known – opened in 1873, The Builder magazine compared the experience of seeing them to a first glimpse of Mont Blanc, creating one of those 'impressions that can scarcely be effaced'. Since then, these two enormous rooms and the reproductions they contain have continued to impress and inspire visitors to the Museum. For centuries, antiquarian interest in world architecture and sculpture led to reproductions – or copies – being made of outstanding national monuments and notable sculptures. When the Museum was founded, it collected and displayed reproductions of great art and architecture from across the world in order to offer objects for study and tell a complete story of the history of art and design. Casts are made by placing several plaster moulds upon the surface of the original structure. Once hardened and removed, the moulds are then enclosed in an outer casing, the interior coated with a separating agent and the wet plaster poured in. When set, the pieces are then assembled and the joints and surfaces finished off, to make a complete reproduction of the original work. The finished product – as well as being a formidable technical achievement in its own right – enables admirers to study faithful reproductions of important monuments and works of art." Ref: https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/history-of-the-cast-courtslondon, victoria and albert museum, cast courts

St Nichols' National School, Limerick, Ireland, is near the Adare Church, built on the grounds of good land beside a river where three groups of monks made their home during the Middle Ages. The Church was formerly the Black Friar's Abbey. The monastery was founded by John, Earl of Kildare, in 1315. The name of the old parish church was St Niholas where the school derived its name. On 2 June 1808 the local vestry meeting of the Church decided to abandon the old parish church of St Nicholas, the ruins of which are on the Estate, and the old Black Abbey was restores. The remains of the monasteries of all three orders of monks are in relatively good order still (considering their age) and two of them have been restores for worship. The first is the Trinitarian Abbey, otherwise known as the White Abbey, which is in the centre of the village of Adare. This was once the mother-house of a small influential order which had as its main object the ransoming and redeeming of Christian captives from the Moslems. The second is the ruin of the Franciscan Abbey in the demesne, beside the gold course. The third is the Augustinian Priory or the Black Friars' Abbey founded in 1315 by John, Earl of Kildare. Reference: Adare Church by The Right Reverend R. Wyse Jackson LITT.D., LL.D., D.D., Bishop of Limerick 1961-1970.st nicholas' national school, national school, education, schools, adare, ireland

Louis Kahan (1905-2002) is best known in Australia for his skill as an artist. As Independent Fashion Curator, Laura Jocic has observed, ‘It is less known though that Kahan had a career in theatre and fashion in Vienna and Paris during the 1920s and 1930s that continued when he came to Australia in 1947. He signed his fashion illustration with the initials 'nac', a phonetic interpretation of his surname spelled backwards. In this illustration on newspaper we can see Kahan playing with the graphic effects of line and text, while communicating the cut and drape of late-1950s fashions.’ Kahn was born in Vienna in 1905 and first travelled to Australia in 1947. He moved to Melbourne in 1950 where he became friends with artist George Bell, writer Alan McCulloch who introduced him to Clem Christensen, editor of the literary journal Meanjin, where many of his portraits of Australian writers were published. His 1962 portrait of the author Patrick White won the Archibald Prize, bringing him national recognition. He also designed sets and costumes for the Elizabeth Theatre Trust (Opera Australia) and the Melbourne Theatre Company. In 1993 his contribution to Australian cultural life was recognised when he was made an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO). He died in Melbourne, at the age of 97 in 2002. Ann Carew 2018Fashion illustration on newsprint. Drawing depicts two women. Women in foreground is wearing a long green coat and hat.Woman at rear is wearing a green and white evening dress with white gloves.Signed lower right in ink, 'nac 1958'.fashion illustration, fashion design

The Boyds purchased their record player and sound system from Thomas’s in Melbourne. Patricia Boyd (later Davies) was very interested in opera and was later appointed to the Board of the Australian Opera. As Penleigh Boyd wrote in his obituary to his mother: "In 1988, Patricia was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to opera involving many years of voluntary work on the Board of the Australian Opera - work which she greatly enjoyed involving travel, music and meeting many interesting and entertaining people. She was also a Life Member and former President of the National Gallery of Victoria Women's Association." Maria Callas sings great arias from French operas. LP 33RPM vinyl, Catalogue Number: SAXO-2410, Record cover, Plastic sleeve, 1 vinyl disk. Cover notes, Andrew Porter. Cover photo: Luc Fournol, Jours de France. Maria Callas. Conductor: Georges Petre, Orchestra National de la RTFlp, sound recording, opera, ohm2022, ohm2022_9

As Penleigh Boyd wrote in his obituary to his mother: "In 1988, Patricia was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to opera involving many years of voluntary work on the Board of the Australian Opera - work which she greatly enjoyed involving travel, music and meeting many interesting and entertaining people. She was also a Life Member and former President of the National Gallery of Victoria Women's Association." The Walsh Street Archive also holds the medal associated with this honour (item F126).Certificate on a presentation board with 4 corners holding it in place, contained in a envelope with Mrs Dorothea Patricia Davies, AM.The Order of Australia (Signed) Ninian Stephen Governor-General of Commonwealth of Australia and Chancellor of the Order of Australia. To Dorothea Patricia Davies Greeting. Whereas with the approval of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The second, Queen of Australia and Sovereign of the Order of Australia, I have been pleased to appoint you to be a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia. I do by these Presents appoint you to be a Member in the General Division of the said Order and authorise you to hold and enjoy the dignity of such appointment together with Membership in the said Order and all privileges thereunto appertaining. Given at Government House, Canberra, under the seal of the Order of Australia this thirteenth day of June 1988. By His excellency's Command. (Signed) David I Smith Secretary of the Order of Australia.

This is the citation appointing Robin Gerard Penleigh Boyd, Esquire F.R.A.I.A., F.A.I.A., F.R.S.A. a Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. The citation states "Member, National Capital Planning Committee. For services to Architecture and Government".Citation on Governor General Commonwealth of Australia letterhead in envelope.Honours and Awards 12 June, 1971. Appointed a Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Robin Gerard Penleigh Boyd, Esquire F.R.A.I.A., F.A.I.A., F.R.S.A. Member, National Capital Planning Committee. For services to architecture and Government.

Set of papers collected for the archives relevant to the visit of BTM Horse Tram No. 1 for the 2002, Melbourne Moomba trams on Parade. .1 - "Call Sheet" - four A4 sheets, giving details of the participant, times, assembly area, parking, contact and notes. Also sheet listing trams in Parade (black and white), Assembly information, and a plan of the tram assembly area showing the location of the various display trams. .2 - Colour A4 sheet of the trams on parade in order of appearance and details of the street party that followed. .3 - Photocopy of a letter from the organisers (Arts Projects Australia) thanking the BTM for participating. .4 - Copy of National Express Group company newsletter for Week 11, 15/3/2002, titled "Weekly Update" with a photograph of the horse tram in the parade with the South Melbourne skyline in the background. See pdf file for full copy.trams, tramways, moomba, trams on parade, melbourne, btm

4 page A4 printed document. Achievements of Peter Ellis (for consideration for the Order of Australia) Peter is regarded as one of the leading collectors and presenters of traditional dance tunes, dances and musical instruments in Australia. At the 2005 National Folk Festival it was announced by Robyn Holmes that he has the largest selection of dance related material collected in the National Library Archives in Canberra. Peter has been collecting for many years and has collected with the late John Meredith (AM), Shirley Andrews (AM), Rob Willis and Dave Di Santi amongst others. Peter has literally travelled Australia collecting over the past thirty years. He has extensive field recordings from Western Australia and Tasmania in addition to his Victorian collection, for example. Most of his recording has been in North Western and Central Victoria. Peter collected a lot of his material from Harry McQueen ( Castlemaine), which led to a double CD of Harry's music. Harry had played in dance bands for over sixty years in Central Victoria. Harry had a number of tunes from Bill McGlashan who had taken Harry under his wing as a young man. Through Peter's efforts much valuable material and knowledge from almost a century ago was saved for posterity. Founder, Charter member and life member of the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo. Life Member of the Victorian Folk Music Club. Recipient of the Graham Squance award (for the person who has done the most to promote folk dance and music in Victoria)) from the Folk Song and Dance Society of Victoria. Member of the famous Wedderburn Old Timers Band for over twenty-eight years (two platinum and several gold recordings in that time). Founder and leader of the Emu Creek Bush Band (twenty-nine years old in 2010) Emu Creek has made many CDs of dance music as listed. Friday Night at the Spring Gully Hop, Three double CDs called 'Quadrille Mania' which contain many rare dances and tunes which have been learnt and recorded, under Peter's guidance, so they would not be lost to posterity. A triple CD called 'Take Me Back To Bendigo' with heritage songs and music from the Gold Rush to Federation (solely organised and financed by Peter) These CDs show the multicultural heritage in Bendigo and include music and groups from the Koorie, Chinese, Cornish, German, Irish, Italian, Scots, English and Welsh communities of Bendigo and district. Upon his recovery of costs Peter has handed over copyright to the Bendigo Community so future profits go back into the community. Three double CDs called 'The Merry Country Dance' with dances and tunes going back to the time of Governor Lachlan Macquarie's Ball in 1804. Most of the tracks are performed by Emu Creek Following much practice under Peter's tutelage. For further authenticity Peter liaised with other musicians to record some tracks which were revived from almost two hundred years ago and have now been recorded using the instruments of the time. A three volume set of Bush Concert recordings (Vol 1 Goornong (launched Australia Day 2006 with any profits going to the Soldier's Memorial Hall Committee), Vol 2 Heywood and Vol 3 Maldon/Sutton Grange, already recorded and to be released as money from other projects becomes available. NOTE: None of these CDs have led to any profit. All money raised is put back into the community and further heritage recordings, books and videos through the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo Inc. In 2009 a full collection of all Peter's book and CDs was donated to the John Gorton Library as part of the recognition of the fifty year career of the Gay Charmers Dance Band from Lake Charm. 'Music of the Diggings' (4 tracks by Peter or Emu Creek). In addition the Emu Creek Band, under Peter's leadership, has appeared on a CD backing Bruce Watson on his song, 'The Old Bush Dance'. Emu Creek has performed at National Folk Festivals in four states and several times at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. They have also been mainstays of the Maldon Folk Festival for over twenty years as well as doing dance programs for the Port Fairy Folk Festival on two occasions. Peter has written and published many books related to traditional music and dance. These include Three volumes of 'Collectors Choice' which is musical notation for bush dances coupled with much dance history which would have been lost without Peter's efforts. 'Two Hundred Dancing Years - How to run a Colonial Ball: (co-authored with Shirley Andrews (A.M.), 'Music Makes Me Smile - The Music of the Nariel Valley' (co-authored with Harry Gardner). The Merry Country Dance' (292 pages) a companion to the three double CDs. He has also been a contributor to Verandah Music' authors Rob Willis and Graham Seal and 'The Oxford Companion to Australia Folklore' Ed Graham Seal. Peter is also a regular contributor to 'Trad and Now' Magazine. His latest completed book is titled 'The Merry Country Dance' and is over three hundred pages of social history, recipes and dance instructions. It was completed with the assistance of a Victorian Government Heritage Grant. The first edition sold out in only a few weeks. Peter has taught many children about old time musicianship through the junior bands which have functioned over the years with many children joining Emu Creek and then going on to follow their own musical inclinations. He has trained several young concertina and button accordion players over the years. Peter has been a regular tutor with Continuing Education in tin whistle, harmonica and old time dancing for many years. Peter has conducted workshops in music dance at National Folk Festivals in Perth, Alice Springs, Maleny, Melbourne, Adelaide, Kuranda and more recently at several Canberra National folk Festivals. He has also done this at Maldon for many years, Port Fairy, Glen Innes, Jamberoo and Kiama Festivals. For over thirty years Peter has been a guest player and MC for the dances at the Nariel Folk Festival (Australia's oldest continuing Folk Festival) Peter is very well known in the Corryong area as a collector and the co-author of the book, Music Makes Me Smile, about the Klippel/Simpson dynasty in the Nariel Creek Band. This book is currently being revised for re-issue as more material has come to light since the original publication. For many years Peter trained Debutante Sets in the Bendigo District. Peter was an instigator of the annual Dinki Di Ball held each September in Eaglehawk for the past thirteen years. At this ball three bands play for a quarter of the night and then join together for the final part of the evening. The bands are Emu Creek, The Wedderburn Old Timers and the Gay Charmers. Up to four hundred dancers, many in heritage costumes have attended this dance. The ball also pays tribute to, and involves, the old MC's. Through this example their skills have been passed down to a younger generation of MC's. All profits are returned to the Dance Club to foster our musical heritage. Each Ball includes presentations designed to promote social dancing in Australia. Over the years several young musicians have been presented with musical instruments at the Ball, libraries have been given copies of Peter's books and CDs and one year a keen young dancer was presented a pair of dancing shoes. Peter is a trained ballroom dancer and has gained gold medal status in this field. Peter is an accomplished musician and is one of Australia's foremost button accordion players. He is also highly accomplished on the tin whistle, bones and harmonica. He is the only exponent of the Swanee whistle that I have seen. Peter also plays the piano and ukulele. Thirty six years membership of the Bendigo Field Naturalists Club, Secretary in the 1970s and actively involved in campaigns to save Lake Pedder and establish the Whipstick and Kamarooka State Parks (now part of the Bendigo National Park). Peter was also extremely active in the establishment of the Salomon's Gully and Jackass Flat Flora Reserves in Bendigo which have now been saved for posterity. Peter has also been involved in efforts to save One Tree Hill and this area has now been included in the Greater Bendigo National Park. He has discovered and named new plant species in the Whipstick Forest and propagates Australian plants. Peter takes regular guided tours of interested people through the Whipstick each Spring on wild flower educational tours. He is a keen and gifted photographer of local plant species. Life member of the Bendigo Field Naturalists. Peter contributed text and photographs to their publication 'Wildflowers of Bendigo'. When the Victorian State Parliament had its first historical sitting outside Melbourne Emu Creek played during lunch for the guests and public. They have also played at functions such as the Centenaries of Federation, the Bendigo Post Office, the Shamrock Hotel and the opening of the new Melbourne Museum and the Federation Museum in Bendigo. The band regularly plays for Seniors week and at homes for the aged such as Bethlehem, Mirridong, Bignold Park, Bendigo Village and others. Peter has been instrumental in getting the band to play for fundraisers such as schools, scouts and environmental groups. The band plays many charitable 'gigs'. The band supports the Bendigo Easter Fair and the Eaglehawk Fair when able and has appeared in several parades over the years. The above list shows the invaluable contribution that Peter Ellis has made towards the collecting and distributing of Australia's musical and dance heritage. No one has done more than Peter in this area. He has also been active locally and nationally in his endeavours towads saving the natural environment. He has put many years of time and energy into both area's and has many on going projects in mind for the years ahead. The awarding of an honour from Australia would be just reward for a man who has preserved so much of our musical and dance heritage for future generations. Knowing Peter I have no doubt he would treasure such an honour as he has given so much to preserve Australia's music and dance heritage over most of his sixty plus years. Compiled by John Williams. Handwritten notes at bottom of last page reads: Referees Jacinta Allan MLA Steve Gibbons MHR Willie Carney ex Mayor of Bendigo Supporting letter Mary Smith Sec. Bush Dance + Music Club.person, individual, peter ellis oam

2 page article printer on A4 printer paper. Handwritten in greylead pencil across top of first page reads: Trad + Now Article written by John Williamson. Peter Ellis Order of Australia Recipient 2012 By John Williams. On 26th of January 2012 Peter Ellis was awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to the Arts through the collection and preservation of Australia's folk history. Peter has been a long time correspondent to this magazine and has provided the most detailed information on social dancing in Australia. There are many more things about Peter that readers should know. Peter has the largest collection of dance related material in the National Library Archives from over thirty years of collecting. His collecting trips have included Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania. The Western Australia trip was with John Meredith who was a long time mate of Peter's. Peter is a founder, charter member and life member of the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo and received the Graham Squance award from the Folk Song and Dance Society of Victoria. He was also awarded a life membership of the Victorian Folk Music Club. Peter is founder of the Celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band which has been performing for thirty years and has played at the opening of the Melbourne Museum, Victorian State Parliament and Centenaries of the Shamrock Hotel and Post Office in Bendigo among many other gigs. Peter has also produced twenty one CDs with Emu Creek in that time which cover quadrilles, couples dances and the History of the Bendigo over one hundred and fifty years. (Emu Creek are already booked for the Canberra Centenary Ball in 2013!) Peter has also played with the famous Wedderburn Old Timers for thirty years during which time that band has received two platinum and several gold recording awards. Peter has also found the time to write several books including his three well know volumes of dance music, 'Collectors Choice' and the definitive volume on social dance in Australia 'Merry Country Dance'. He has also co-authored 'Two Hundred Dancing Years' with Shirley Andrews and 'Music Makes Me Smile - The music of the Nariel Valley' with Harry Gardner. Peter has also contributed to books compiled by others such as Rob Willis, Graham Seal and Dave Di Santi. Peter has trained many young musicians and conducted continuing Ed classes and Deb sets. He is a gold medal standard ballroom dancer in his own right which many dancers say contributes to his understanding of the correct tempo for all the dances he plays for. Peter has also been instrumental in the Bendigo Field Naturalist's Club of which he is a life member. He has been heavily involved in campaigns that have led to the establishment of two flora reserves and extensions to the Greater Bendigo National Park when housing developments threatened native bushland. He has contributed text and photographs to the publication 'Wildflowers of Bendigo'. Peter's award was really well deserved as you can see. What is really fitting is that he received the award on Australia Day. How fitting for a man who has single handedly saved more of Australia's Social Dance music and history than any other person. Australian dancing, music and the environment really owes Peter a lot. Well done from all your Trad and Now readers.person, individual, peter ellis oam