Cypress Gardens was built by Bert and Flo Foster to encourage holiday makers to visit Yarrawonga Mulwala and enjoy aquatic pursuits. Boats were accommodated. Built in the 1950’s and opened 19th December 1959, demolished around 2000, land sold and luxury homes were built along the lakeside. Four fold coloured ( red, black, blue, yellow) brochure, printed on both sides featuring black and white photos. Taken around about and inside resort buildings. tourism, advertising, aquatic sports

These scales come from the Nullawarre Post Office. Nullawarre is a small settlement 25 kilometres south east of Warrnambool. The area was settled in the late 1860s and 1870s and the first school was opened in 1878. The main agricultural pursuit in the Nullawarre district is dairying. The Nullawarre Post Office still operates in the General Store building. This set of scales is of interest as it is a memento of the equipment used in country Post Offices one hundred years ago or more. Scales such as these may still be in use but electronically-operated scales are more likely to be used today.This is a set of metal weighing scales with two trays, one oval in shape and one round, on a balancing mechanism. This mechanism has two ornamental upright metal pieces. The scales are affixed to a wooden base in a rectangular shape with the front edge shaped into two curves. The wooden base has three slots for holding the weights. There are six brass weights with this item. The metal is a little tarnished and the wooden base is stained. nullawarre, history of warrnambool

Robert Carr - correspondence to BHS and life history information sent back to writer re Carr (Great Extended Hustlers). Robert Carr was born Magherfelt Ulster 1833 and educated in agricultural pursuits. He arrived at Eaglehawk (part of Sandhurst) 4 miles from Bendigo in 1853 and began alluvial mining in 1855. Robert was on the committee to establish the Presbyterian Church at Eaglehawk. Robert began reef mining at Hustlers and Extended Hustlers mines and was manager in 1881. Robert was also a past Secretary of Oddfellows. In the years 1871-2 the mine yielded marvellous cakes of gold. He was a model mine manager. During 1872 he was on the committee of School of Mines. In the year 1873 he fell 60 feet down an abandoned shaft and not badly hurt. Robert died in May 1893, aged 60 years, and at the time of death was director of Great Extended Hustlers, Hustlers Company. 'A person of uprightness, frankness and integrity.'person, individual, robert carr, presbyterian church eaglehawk, hustlers, extended hustlers and great extended mines, oddfellows, school of mines bendigo.

Photo taken in 1942 of damage caused by bullets to a Mercury Wireless Patrol car. White tape has been placed where the bullets struck the car. All five crew members were awarded the Valour Badge for bravery during the pursuit. Photo shows the headlights covered during the Melbourne "brown out" period during WW11.A 1940 Mercury, registration number CW-394, circa 1942police vehicles; transport branch; wireless patrol; motor police branch; motor traffic section; ford mercury car;

These scales come from the Nullawarre Post Office and would have been used there for most of the 20th century. Nullawarre is a small settlement 25 kilometres south east of Warrnambool. It was first settled in the late 1860s and 70s and the main agricultural pursuit for the area today is dairying. The first Nullawarre school was opened in 1878 and the Nullawarre Post Office operates today in the Nullawarre General Store. These scales are of interest as a memento of the type of weighing scales used in Post Offices in Victoria in the early to mid 20th century. They are also of local interest as they come from the Nullawarre Post Office.This is a metal set of scales with a balance mechanism on a metal stand. The balance has a circular tray at one end to hold weights An oval dish to hold items to be weighed is a separate item that sits at the other end of the balance. The scales were once painted green and some traces of the green paint are visible. Two weights are with this item. The scales are much rusted. ‘W & T Avery Ltd Birm.’nullawarre, victoria, history of warrnambool

Ballarat School of Mines Students' Magazine, 1961. Editorial, Prominent Personalities, The Principal's Pages, The Richard W. Richards Medal, Loyalty, Arts v. Science, Hong Kong Today, Conferring of Diplomas, Bath Push, Intellectual Pursuit, Never be a Woman, Man and Morality, The Old and the New, A Gentlemen's Excursion to Beaufort House, Awards 1961, Sports, The History of Electricity, School Council, Members of Staff, Roll Call Red front page soft cover with white inscriptions and black figures on front cover, 72 pagesballarat school of mines students' magazine, staff, sports, john w. boarmans, noel delosa, noel whitcher, bob coutts, noel kelly, les dobie, noel murphy, malcolm peel, peter agrums, ian weir, sue mole, val baker, neil bromley, kevin oscar rogers, h. e. arblaster, richard w. richards, daniel yung, m. b. john, morgan bevan john, sir william hudson, brian arthur bellingham, francis david benjamin, neil albert brogden, geoffrey angus chritian, william davison, brian harold duthie, thomas bernard gallagher, john robert gowan, william john spencer, lawrence grenville trevan, douglas james vendy, michael villani, walter john wynd, graeme robert bromley, david william brown, leonard ernest fox, ralph james hepburn, john gribble holloway, peter john matthews, peter mervyn robinson, chris peter livitsanos, david yan kai chung, thomas henry john coad, john neil mcarthur, john andrew watts, d. pollard, n. r. whitcher, peter agrumsk., e. ooi, t. smith, c. naylor, p. terry, gerald brenan, e. r. mcgrath, j. kavangh, a. bitans

Paper card with a picture of a house with a thatched roof. There is a stone wall and two trees that are beginning to blossom. There are four children two boys and two girls. One girl has no footwear. One boy is holding a goat. There are two goats a large pig and chicken in the picture. The words" An Irish Cabin" appears on the lower left side and a Orange ribbon has been attatched to the lower right side."Dear Bess I suppose you think I an never going to answer your pursuit but I thought I would do so while here in Belfast cause I know you have a lot of time for the Micks. How would you like a little home like this one no cows to milk only goats no horses to drive only donkies & it looks as though the girls have no boots to clean by this card but there is some first class sig hias this one has taken a purge he must be an Ulsty show. Love from Donald

" A Classified Catalogue, giving particulars of upwards of 1000 volumes published by Messrs Cassell & Company ranging in price from 3 pence to 25 guineas will be sent on request post free to any address by Cassell & Company Ltd: La Belle Sauvage, Ludgate Hill, London; Rue Bleu 10 Paris; 739-741 Broadway New York; 2 Russell St Melbourne " Early settlers could obtain literary works for their enjoyment and educational pursuits.This catalogue of books available from Cassell's & Co. Ltd allowed early settlers to purchase literary works for their enjoyment and educational benefitA pocket sized brochure with price list of Cassell's Red LibraryPrinted brochurecassell & co ltd; publishers, printers, london, paris, new york, library books, stevenson r.l., dickens c, austen j; mechanics institute cheltenham, market gardeners, pioneers, cheltenham, moorabbin, bentleigh, bent thomas, charman stephen,

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the mid-nineteenth century to the last decade. This series of photographs show candid pictures taken by previous residents of the Island. Dr Harry Jenkins purchased Churchill Island primarily for his son, Ted, as a quiet place for him after he was paralysed in a diving accident. Dr Jenkins lived a varied life with a variety of pursuits and activities, including crocodile hunting in the Northern Territory.Black and white photograph showing Dr Harry Jenkins and friends with a large dead saltwater crocodile suspended from a crane attached to a truck.Catalogue number written in pencil on the reversephotograph, churchill island, harry jenkins, crocodile

The Cassie Football Club was part of the Young Men's Castellorizian Club (YMCS), 1962 - 1965, an organisation established within the Castellorizian Association of Victoria to cater for the sporting, social and leisure pursuits of the second and third generations of the Castellorizian youth in Melbourne. Whilst the football team was the main focus for both players and supporters, the YMCS also fielded cricket and debating teams. This football trophy was awarded to the Best & Fairest for the 3 years of the club's duration - N Constance 1963, N Constance 1964 and L Scotis 1965. This item is of social significance as it represents the hey day of the club, with both an active ladies and men's group supporting the youth. Membership was at its peak across the organisation and the generations, with the sporting teams becoming a key focus of social events. This trophy also symbolises the assimilation of the Castellorizians in Australia in fielding teams in the typical Australian sports of Australian Rules Football and cricket.Wooden Shield with 9 silver stirling plaques attached, including a ribbon across the top and the bottom, a central shield, and 3 small shields either side of the central shield. Six silver engravings including one across the top "CASSIE FOOTBALL CLUB," another across the bottom "BEST & FAIREST," and on the three smaller shields to the left, for the top one "N CONSTANCE 1962-1963," on the middle one "N CONSTANCE 1964" and on the bottom shield "L SCOTIS 1965." On the back of the shield price marked as 6 pounds, 6 shillings shield, football trophy, australian greeks in sport

The photograph was taken on the property owned by the Beer family, situated on Lancefield Road. When Europeans first settled the area and the property was acquired by Michael Coolaton in the 1850s, it straddled either side of the Emu Creek. After the death of Michael Coolaton in 1896 and until the Beer family purchased it in 1953, the property was leased to a number of tenants who concentrated on a variety of grazing and cereal growing pursuits. The Beer family have raised cattle and a Clydesdale stud. Today there are remains of drystone fences and some stone buildings on the property.The Clydesdale Stud raised on this property is of significance in the former Shire of Bulla.A non-digital black and white photograph with a narrow cream border of a man driving a team of three Clydesdale horses pulling a wagon loaded with hay along a pathway . A row of gum trees is in the background.beer family, lancefield road, clydesdale stud, horses, cattle, emu creek

Donated June 1977 by Dalgety Travel Pty Ltd for a pre-Christmas Mid-week Pursuit Twilight Series, open to all keel boat classes on the register of any club, during the months of October, November and December, consisting of at least seven heats according to the calendar. It was first won by Gumdrop skippered by W. Bramsden. The company ceased operating in the late 1980’s and the trophy was re-named the Jo Johannesen Trophy in honour of Honorary Life Member, Jo Johannesen, who died in the clubhouse while entering results of a race.Brass Sestral Type ‘A’ Binnacle, 200 mm in diameter, mounted on 300mm high, square sectioned hardwood pedestal with footing, has rectangular brass inscription plaque attached to front.DALGETY TRAVEL CUPjo johannesen, trophy, perpetual, dalgety travel

Constable Alexander Fitzpatrick had a questionable character even before being posted to Greta Police Station in 1878. He made an attempt to arrest Dan Kelly but did not follow correct procedure. He went by himself and had also been drinking beforehand. While Fitzpatrick stated that he was assaulted and suffered a minor gun show wound at the hands of "Ned" Kelly and other family members, his claims were disputed by them. The Kellys "went bush" after this incident and two police parties - one led by Michael Kennedy - were sent in pursuit of them.Sepia toned photograph on cardboard showing Constable Alexander Fitzpatrick holding a riding crop with left elbow resting on a pillar."J.E. Bray, Photo Beecworth" (underneath photograph). "Portrait & Landscape Photographer J.E. Bray Beecworth, Victoria. Negatives kept, copies 1/. each, may be had by forwarding name and address accompanied with remittance to the amount of the order. Photographs coloured in water colours" (on reverse of carte de visite)alexander fitzpatrick, edward kelly, ned kelly, kelly gang, arrest, greta police station, 1878, bushrangers, carte de visite, bray, beechworth

Advised of the tragedy by one of the stockmen Ellen O'Hara drives the gig towards Overton, but meets Klinberg who tells her the police have found a body near Nugent's place. Ellen gets there as Nugent is pulling Keiran's body from the river. Shock grief, and old bitternesses unhinge her mind. Seizing Trooper Ryan's pistol from on top of his clothes she shoots Nugent dead, and bolts up a rough back track towards her home with the police in pursuit. Her pony falls while belting along a narrow, dangerous piece of the track, and the gig goes over a cliff. Ellen is killed.The album and images are significant because they document literature written by a prominent member of the Wodonga community. The presentation of this precis was supported by several significant district families and individuals.Ringer's River Album Coloured photo Plate 32des martin, many a mile, ringer's river, northeast victoria stories

This is a letterhead from Proudfoot’s Boathouse in Warrnambool. Thomas Proudfoot built the boathouse near the mouth of the Hopkins River in 1885 and it was an accommodation and dining place for tourists, especially for those interested in fishing and other recreational pursuits and it was the base for the Hopkins Rowing Club. Proudfoot built additions in 1888 and 1893 and after he died in 1900 his wife Catherine continued on the business for over 30 years, transferring the licence to her son. In 1939 Thomas Proudfoot’s granddaughter, Ena Hunt gained the licence and operated the business with her husband Percy until 1979. It is Percy Hunt’s name on the letterhead described here. The business today is mainly centred around catering and dining. In the 1990s other buildings were added to the boathouse complex, with the original buildings now being heritage-listed. This item is of some interest as it is the only memento we have of the Hunt family’s 40 years proprietorship of Proudfoot’s Boathouse, a significant set of buildings in Warrnambool.This is a single sheet of cream coloured paper with blue and red printing and a blue-coloured photograph of Proudfoot’s Boat House. It is slightly creased.The Boat House Warrnambool P.J.Hunt Proprietor Telephone 131 proudfoots boat house warrnambool, p.j.hunt, the boat house warrnambool, history of warrnambool

Clive Hearne Shield Donor: Will Merritt / Graham Noel The trophy was donated in memory of Clive Hearne who sailed the yacht Leading Lady, and was one of the original supporters of the Wednesday afternoon racing which became known as the Hearnes’ Heroes Series covering alternate fleet and pursuit races. Prior to the donation of the original Hearne's Shield, Wednesday afternoon races were known as the "Mid-week Muddlers", as introduced by Will Merritt. Four series are held each year commencing in July and finishing the following June. At the end of June the four series are then combined with the best result winning the J. Bryan Linacre Award. When the original board donated by Will Merritt filled up, Graham Noel donated a new board in he shape of a Shield. First Winner: Chindrina, Will Merritt 2002 wednesday afternoon, graham noel, clive hearne, will merritt, shield

Dunlop first entered into the tennis sports equipment market in 1923 with Dunlop Tennis balls. They also produced tennis shoes and by 1932 Dunlop was manufacturing two million pairs a year. The Dunlop Maxply Tennis racquet was first produced in 1932 and dominated the wooden racquet market for the next 50 years. This racquet was made from a mix of nine different woods. The Maxply was favoured by legendary tennis players including Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Lew Hoad and Rod Laver who was using a Dunlop Maxply when he won all four Grand Slam tournaments in a row, something he achieved in 1962 and 1969. Sport activities including tennis have always an important community pursuit in Wodonga and District. This racquet was used in competition at the Talgarno Tennis Club in the 1960s and 1970s.This item is significant because it represents a popular community activity and a successful manufacturer in Australia.A vintage wooden tennis racquet with a leather hand grip. It features coloured decals including the brand name added to the racquet head and the handle. There is also an outline map of Australia. The frame is also painted.On racquet frame: MAXPLY DUNLOP JUNIOR On handle: Your Servecommunity sport, wodonga and district, talgarno

This is a photograph of John Draffin and his family. John Draffin was for a time the Orbost Shire Secretary. John Draffin came to Australia as a child with his parents from the north of Ireland . He came to Orbost in 1894 and was Shire Secretary from then until 1910 He had four children: Andrina, Eva, George, Maggie, Sally and Nellie. "Mr Draffin was 67 years of age when he died. He had for many years been engaged in farming pursuits, and at one time held the position of champion plough- man of Victoria. In his younger days he used to make it his boast- that although he was a small man he could do as much work as a big one Some thirty odd years ago be took up land in South Gippsland, but in 1895 gave up farming, and was appointed secretary to the Orbost shire, a position which he held until he was compelled by failing health to resign." - from Snowy River Mail 1 August 1912.John Draffin was a prominent Orbost citizen involved in many community activities.A black / white studio photograph of a family - mother father and six children. The parents are seated with the youngest child, other children are standing.draffin-john orbost-shire-secretary

This blazer pocket is from Ann (Price) Royal's Clarendon Presbyterian Ladies College blazer. Ann attended CPLC 1947 - 1957. Blazer pockets were embroidered with the school crest and additional embroidery was added during a student's years at College to reflect school colours and leadership roles. School colours were awarded for participation and leadership in various sport, house and academic pursuits. Ann's pocket, and the accompanying authorisation receipt reflect her receipt of the following awards: Athletics Colours (1952 - 1957), Hockey Colours (1954 - 1957) , Cairns House colours, school colours (1957) as well as leadership roles as Prefect (1957), House Captain (1957) and Sports Captain (1956). Students removed their pockets after graduation to keep as a momento of their school years. The authorisation receipt indicates that Ann's family chose not to have the final embroidery for Aths 1957, Hockey 1957 added to the pocket - probably because these awards would have been identified at the end of Ann's final school year. Significant reflection of school focus and individual attainmentBrown felt blazer pocket with braid across opening and embroidered crest and achievements; bottle green braid piece, multi-coloured braid piece; completed authorisation receipt for pocket embroidery made out to Harry Davies and Co Pty Ltd. Authorisation receipt: Harry Davies & Co Pty. Ltd / Drapers and style specialists 401, 403, 405, 413 STURT STREET 1719 Sturt Street Ballarat 13.12.1957 / Please supply Mrs J Price / for daughter ANN, for Clarendon P.L.C. uniform / full CREST for blazer pocket, Aths 52.53.54.55.56.57, Hockey 54,55,56,57 / Prefect 1957, House Captain 1957, Sports Captain 1956. / M H McPhersonann-price, ann-royal, 1950s, clarendon-presbyterian-ladies-college, prefect, house-captain, sports-captain

John S Wearne First Manager of the Specimen Hill Co. W.H. Thomas Manager from September 1873. OBITUARY. Residents of the Borough of Eaglehawk will regret to learn of the death of Mr. John Wearne, a former well-known member of that community. The late Mr. Wearne, who was 68 years of age, came to Victoria in 1857. He was the first manager of the Specimen Hill mine and was also largely interested in several other mines in the district. Some considerable time ago he retired from active pursuits, and went to reside at Strathfieldsaye, whence he removed to Ascot Vale some years ago, where he lived until his death, his remains were brought to Eaglehawk by the mid-day train yesterday and conveyed to the family vault in the Eaglehawk Cemetery, many friends joining the cortege. Six members of the family survive — two sons and four daughters — Mrs. Wearne having pre-deceased her husband some time ago. OBITUARY. Article - Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 - 1918)Saturday 22 September 1906 - Page 5 Mining Company Pay book for a mining company. Dated from January 7, 1871 - February 12, 1876. Ledger format with six Columns - Name, Occupation. No. of Days, Rate, Amount, Signature on Receipt of Wages. First page lists J.S. Wearne as Manager, C. Palmer as Underground Manager, Miners - Rodda, Johns, Wearne, Kneebone, Trengove, Duncalf, Tresize. The ledger is in very poor condition and has been used by a child for drawing and writing practice.wages, mining, specimen hill mine

Badge used during Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) campaigning in 1994-1995. The September 1994 ANF Victorian Branch newsletter, On The Record (OTR), includes an article reporting on the Branch's pursuit of a 8% wage increase for members. In this article, Belinda Morieson, Vic. Branch Secretary stated “this claim is fair and responsible. We are not asking for any more than to have our national professional pay rates respected”. The campaign continued into 1995. The April 1995 issue of OTR had an article titled, “[then Victorian Premier Jeff] Kennett Must Act on Nurses 8% Pay Claim”. It states, “the claim for an eight per cent wage increase is moving forward following the success of the industrial action taken by ANF members across the state”. A picture of this badge is included in the article. The ‘Nurses: Worth Every Cent of 8%’ campaign appeared to draw to a close between July 1995 and the end of 1995. An article from the August 1995 OTR entitled “Your 8%: Slow, But Moving” details the proceedings of the ANF’s claim. This historical information places the date of the badge's production and circulation as 1995.Circular red, white and blue plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with 'PROTECT NATION RATES' and 'NURSES WORTH EVERY CENT OF 8%'.nursing, wages, nurses, unionism, trade unions, campaigning, labour history, 1990s, australian nursing federation, buttons, badges, pins

John Halfey (1825-89) was born in Southport, Lancashire and migrated to Victoria in 1852. After finding gold at Sandhurst, and representing the latter in the Victorian Parliament, he moved to Melbourne to engage in various commercial pursuits, including directorships of insurance, mining and banking companies. A resident of Kew from the late 1850s, he was known for the hospitality provided at his house Ordsall (later Southesk) in Cotham Road. On 14 December 1860, Halfey chaired a public meeting calling for separation from the Boroondara Roads Board, which led, four days later, to the proclamation of Kew as a separate municipality. He was elected to the Council in 1861, replacing Cr. Oswin, and subsequently served as the second Chairman of the Municipality in 1862-1863. John Halfey became a trustee of Holy Trinity Church in Bulleen Road (now High Street) in 1862. He was to resign from Council after four years in 1865. Twenty-four years later in January 1889, he died aged 63 from a seizure, at his rooms at the Herald Office. He was interred in the Boroondara General Cemetery where his monument is the tallest in the Cemetery. Donated by Eileen Grigg, 2017Small, full-length portrait of John Halfey in an original gilded frame. The artist depicts him formally dressed in a frock coat beside an open window. He is shown holding a document or perhaps a pair of gloves. The painting is badly damaged with a hole in the area of his face that has been patched and repainted.john halfey, ordsall, chairman of kew, boroondara roads board, municipality of kew

The Dollar Bird is the only member of the Roller family found in Australia and can be found in forests and woodland areas. The name of this bird comes from the large white spot on the underside of each wing which resemble silver dollars. They travel to Australia each year to breed from New Guinea and the surrounding area. Their main source of food is insects which they hunt during flight. They capture these foods while displaying skillful aerial pursuits. They then return to the same perch they were upon when they left to catch their food. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.This juvenile Dollar bird's feet are a faded brown and the bill is a light yellow. The colour of this specimen's head and neck are a cool grey which fades to a patch of bright purple on its upper chest. The back is grey while the underbelly and wings are a light blue-grey. The tail feathers are tipped in black. The specimen is standing on a wooden mount.taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, dollar bird

Russell Mockridge b1928 d1958 was described 'as the greatest cyclist of all time'. He died during a race in collision with a bus that also claimed the lives of two fellow riders and a spectator. Mockridge started in 1946 by winning his first race of 40km with the Geelong Amateur Cycling Club. His wins soon earned him the nickname of the Geelong Flyer. He represented Australia at the London Olympic Games in 1948 and the Helsinki Games in 1952. He also represented Australia in the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland where he took gold in the 1000 sprint and the 1000m time trial and silver in the 4000m pursuit. In Paris 1952 he won the Amateur Grand Prix and the following day the Open Grand Prix, beating world professional champion Reg Harris. Later that year he won Manchester Wheelers Club Muratti Cup again beating Reg Harris. He turned professional a year later and teamed with Sid Patterson and Roger Arnold to win the Paris 6 day race in 1955. Mockridge was one of 60 of 150 entrants to finish the 1955 Tour de France. He won 12 consecutive Australian championships. Mockridge was married and had a daughter, Melinda (1955)Russell Mockridge was described 'as the greatest cyclist of all time'. He achieved international notoriety as a cyclist from the mid 1940s until his death in 1958, representing Australia in the Olympic games, the Commonwealth Games, The Tour de France and other international high profile cycling events.Framed print of Russell Mockridge in cycling attire. Head and shoulders depiction. Mockeridge is wearing a leather cycling helmut and white cycling shirt typical of cycling gear of that era. The frame is wooden with gold mount and has a wire hanger on the reverse side.geelong cycling club; geelong amateur cycling club; geelong west cycling club; geelong flyer; russell mockridge; olympic games; tour de france;

After years of precursory surveying, debate and proposals the most ambitious civil engineering project of the day, the Overland Telegraph Line, began construction in September 1870. Superintendent of Telegraphs, Sir Charles Todd led the construction through “terra incognita,” guided by the precursory surveys of John McDowall Stuart and technologies such as his prismatic surveying compass. The unknown and hostile landscape claimed the lives of several men and scores of transport animals in the dogged pursuit of telegraphic connection to the rest of the world. Completed in August 1872, the Line connected Australia to the world via telegraph wires running 3,200 kilometres from Port Augusta in South Australia, to Darwin, then connecting via submarine cable to Java and beyond. The “earth [had been] girdled with a magic chain” according to the then Governor of New South Wales, Sir Hercules Robinson. How does it work? For use in surveying, the sight vane and prism are turned up on their hinge and the instrument is held horizontally either in the palm of one's hand or on a tripod. Two small discs of red and green glass attached to the prism can be flipped down over the sight line to reduce glare. The objective is to bring the subject into the sightline created by the prism, aligning with the thread of the sight-vane until the subject is bisected evenly. Once aligned, the division on the card may be read through the prism. This reading provides the magnetic azimuth, used for calculating the bearings of distant landmarks. Circular instrument mounted in a brass case with glass window and brass lid. The compass card face four black compass points printed on mint green paper; on the underside the magnetic needle would be affixed, all held in place by a brass knob at the centre. The arched labels of "Sawtell" and "Adelaide" and the Prince of Wales feathers appear to have been affixed with adhesive which has since yellowed in the areas of application on the compass card. The compass face is printed with numbers, every 10 degrees from 10 - 360, printed in reverse indicating this compass would have once held a mirror at the sighting bracket. On one side of the brass case is a brass hinged sighting-prism, possibly of ebonite. The sighting-prism is mounted in a hinged brass bracket on one edge of the brass case. It has two flip-type filter glasses (red and green) and folds down into a retracted travelling position. A hinged brass bracket on the opposite edge would have held the sighting bracket - carrying the sighting vane and mirror - which is now missing or removed. Under the hinge is a lever, possibly related to the movement of the bracket. Underneath the brass case is an indented circle with screw threads, possibly for attachment to a tripod, and indistinguishable marks scratched into the surface.Etched on to the centre of the lid, "Sawtell ADELAIDE / No 792." Affixed to the paper compass face, possibly from separate pieces of paper, "SAWTELL / ADELAIDE" with the Prince of Wales Feathers above "SAWTELL". Underneath on remains of white tape in red: "159."surveying, compass, charles todd, overland telegraph line, telegraph

A baleen whale has hard bristly baleen that hangs from its upper jaw inside its mouth instead of teeth. Baleen is made from a protein called keratin, just like human hair and fingernails, and its colour can vary between species, from black to yellow or white. The whale uses the tough, flexible baleen like a sieve to catch its food, filtering the small sea creatures out of the sea water it releases from its mouth. In the19th Century, whales were hunted for the products that could be made from their bodies, such as oil for lubricating machinery, soap making, lamps, heaters and fuel for the lighthouse lights. The flexible baleen was used for whip handles, carriage springs and umbrella ribs. It was also used for the skirt hoops, hat ribs, and rigid ‘stays’ in tightly fitting bodices to enhance their figures. The Southern Right Whales, as well as Blue Whales and Humpback Whales, are baleen whales. The Southern Rights annually visit the ocean off the southwest coast during the breeding season. In the early 1800s whalers hunted along this coastline in their dangerous pursuit of money for the precious cargoes of whale oil and bones. The population of these large animals dwindled quickly and by the late 1840s the whaling industry dwindled. Whaling recommenced from the 1940s to the 1980s when the whale products were used to make margarine and dog food. The baleen sample has been used to educate people about whaling and about the properties of baleen. The baleen sample is significant for its association with 19th century women's fashion. It helps to understand how garments were supported to shape a woman's figure. The baleen sample represents a period when whales were hunted and killed to provide income and products for for the local settlers and for the export industry.Baleen sample from a whale's jaw. Its black shiny hard yet flexible surface is slightly rippled and textured. One end is fringed and the other and a smooth cut edge. The colour varies in places, with stripy brown colouring. flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, baleen, whalebone, baleen whale, keratin, 19th century, whaling industry, women's fashion, stays, bodice, women's figures, fashion, clothing, whale oil, baleen colour, whale hunting, whale products, southern right whale, blue whale, humpback whale, southwest victoria, whalers, whale bones