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Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, Wal Jack, 12/04/1959 12:00:00 AM
Yields information about Ballarat's trams, and the City centre area and motor vehicles late 1950's.Black and white print of Bendigo 28 at the Quarry Hill terminus, 12/4/1959, photo by Wal Jack. Has a lady walking across to the tram - dressed in gloves and hat. Tram has the destination of Eaglehawk. Photo print courtesy of Port Dock Railway Museum, now the National Railway Museum. See worksheet 4311 for letter and details of prints sent to Bill Scott, 19/10/2001. Any photo credit to mention NRM Collection.On rear of copy "SEC Bendigo #28 / Quarry Hill terminus / 12/4/59 / Wal Jack photo / National Railway Museum.trams, tramways, bendigo, quarry hill, tram 28 -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Flag
The Australian union jack has been in use since 1901, with a slight modification in 1908. The union jack is above the "seven-pointed Commonwealth star" and to the side of the Southern Cross, a constellation of five stars that can be easily seen in the southern hemisphere. The country's six state flags have union jacks too.In a gold frame there is a RAN red ensign flag. On the top left hand corner there is the Union Jack and against the red background are the white stars of the Southern Crossran, flag, cerberus collection -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Stanbridge, Jack, 70 Years of Rails & Wire In Western Australia
... the photographic collection of Jack Stanbridge. ill, maps, p.95. 70 Years ...A 70 year history of railways and electric trains in Western Australia from the photographic collection of Jack Stanbridge.ill, maps, p.95.non-fictionA 70 year history of railways and electric trains in Western Australia from the photographic collection of Jack Stanbridge.railroad construction - western australia - history, railroad operations - western australia - history -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Postcard - Post, Card Georgia, c.1910
The recipient of this card, Jessie Bonnett was born in Allansford in 1897. She spent her life on the family farm at Mepunga with her brothers Jack and George. She died in 1990 and her scrapbook came into the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society through her relative, Mary O’Callaghan. Nothing is known of Ada Lawlor.This card has social significance and interest showing the communication between people in an earlier age. Postcards were commonly used to convey a short message between friends. This is a postcard with an image of the ship ‘Georgia’ on the front and a letter from Nullawarre on the back. There is a stamp from the Gray’s Colosseum Stationers and a symbol, ‘F & J’ on the back. Nullawarre, 13.10.10 Miss Jessie Bonnett, Mepunga, Dear Jessie, Just a P.C. in answer to your pretty card and for being so kind in always helping me with my sums. Please excuse this P.C. as I have no other. I remain, your affect. playmate, Ada Lawlor. Dear Jess I was not at school yesterday as I was sick with a cold.jessie bonnett, ada lawlor, the georgia -
Glen Eira Historical Society
Document - Clarke, Rita May
Four items in this file. Email from Yarra Ranges Council re Rita Clarke, informing that they hold her scrapbook in their collection. Computer printout with details of Rita Clarke’s Order of Australia Medal, 1998. Computer printout, two pages from The Border Mail News outlining Rita’s biography and development of her career. Includes colour photo taken in her later years. Computer printout, three pages of Rita’s career, particularly her later work with local theatre and charity performances.clarke rita may, melba nellie dame, murray david, clarke harry, miley millicent, newstead judy, mcmahon helen, williams shirley, collins jack, warrener vincent, lyons john, buchanan nita, flegeltaub laurie, flegeltaub syd, watkins donald, alliston joy, podbury dudley, de wan enid, ward barry, bilsborough robert, gilson rita may, bentleigh, jasper road, centre road, roma street, st. paul’s roman catholic church bentleigh, higgins road, moorabbin hospital, parkglen community village keysborough, ormond, scrapbook, southern cross theatre company, charity performances, awards – oam 1998, theatre, radio, performance, southern cross light opera company, moorabbin centenary festival, moorabbin elderly citizen’s club, southern cross musical company -
Glen Eira Historical Society
Article - Mayor Jack Campbell 1987-88 (1 of 2)
... Arts collection Councillor Mayor Jack Campbell Allan Moore ...Newspaper article and black and white photograph Japanese Arts collectioncouncillor, mayor, jack campbell, allan moore, japanese kamuri restaurant, helen friedmann, sandt anderson -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Jack stay Transfer (Sydney to yarra) vietnam 1970
Photograph of a sailor being transferred by bosun's chair from one ship to another. Several people watched the transfer.My vietnam Collection. copyright david Triggbosun's chair, photograph, hmas sydney, hmas yarra -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Ear Infection
A black and white photograph of Captain Jack (Jack The Quack) Blomley, Officer Commanding the 2 Field Ambulance Hopsital at the 1st Australian Task force Base, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province (note text is missing from the bottom of the photograph)photograph, 2 field ambulance, vung tau, capt jack (the quack) blomley, gibbons collection catalogue, digger, phuoc tuy province -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Great Hung Vuong Day Roadrace
A black and white photograph of taken at Baria, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, Trooper Jack Thurgar 1st Special Air Squandron is congratulated by Col Tu after being presented with the winners trophy following his first place win in the Great Hung Vuong Day Road Race - 15 April1970photograph, 1st sas sqn, baria, phuoc tuy province, trooper jack thurgar, col tu, gibbons collection catalogue, great hung vuong day road race -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Great Hung Vuong Day Roadrace
A black and white photograph of National Route 23, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, Trooper Jack Thurgar 1st Special Air Service Sqnuadron, in 1st place leads Capt Craig Leggett the second runner up, also from 1st Special Air Service Squadron, to the finish line in the Great Hung Vuong Day Roadrace, 15 April1970. The third runner up, also from SAS, can just be seen behind the Army Land Rover. No Vietnamese runner is evident in the photophotograph, national route 23, phuoc tuy province, trooper jack thurgar, 1st sas sqn, capt craig leggett, gibbons collection catalogue, great hung vuong day road race -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Peeling An Orange
A black and white photograph of Pte Jack Higgins peeling an orange enjoys a joke with his boss Maj Jake O'Donnell MC, A Company, 7 RAR (1967 - 1968) upon return to 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, after completing Operation Caroline in the foothills of the Nui Nghe Mountainsphotograph, pte jack higgins, maj jake o'donnell, a coy, 7 rar, 1st atf base, nui dat, operation caroline, gibbons collection catalogue, military cross, nui nghe mountains -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Clothesline
A black and white photograph of Private Jack Higgins combat batsman to his company commander Maj Jake O'Donnell A Comapny, 7 RAR hangs out his boss' washing on a telephone wire clotheslinephotograph, a coy, 7 rar, pte jack higgins, maj jake o'donnell, gibbons collection catalogue -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph - Photograph, J Higgins
A black and white photograph of the Batman, Pte Jack Higgin, Chelsea, Victoria brews a coffee for himself and his boss Maj Jake O'Donnell MC, Woolgoolga, NSW, A Company, 7 RAR (1967-1968) during Operation Caroline a search and destroy mission, in the Nui Nghe mountains foothillsphotograph, a coy, 7 rar, pte jack higgins, maj jake o'donnell, operation caroline, 1st atf base, nui nghe mountains, gibbons collection catalogue -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Helping Hand
A black and white photograph of Pte Jack Higgins batman to the Company Commander Maj Jake O'Donnell MC, A Coy Headquarters 7 RAR (1967 - 1968) a heavy pack on his back,with radio, anenna protruding, in the rain, gets a helping hand up a slippery bank during Operation Carolinephotograph, pte jack higgins, maj jake o'donnell, a coy, 7 rar, operation caroline, nui nghe mountains, gibbons collection catalogue, military cross -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Jack The Quack
A black and white photograph of a Newspaper article by Denis Gibbons about Captain Jack Blomley CO 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, known as Jack the Quack. This article appeare in People on 10th April 1968 and was on page 10photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, capt jack (the quack) blomley, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, people magazine -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Monsoonal Rain Squall
A black and white photograph - In a monsoonal rain squall at the 1st Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, the CO of 2 Field Ambulance Hospital, Capt Jack (The Quack) Blomley, makes the short walk, past the bomb shelter from, his tent to the hospitalphotograph, 1st atf base, nui dat, 2 field ambulance, capt jack (the quack) blomley, gibbons collection catalogue, phuoc tuy province -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Shrapnel Removal
A black and white photograph of Capt Jack Bromley, 2 Field Ambulance Hospital, Nui Dat removes shrapnel from the neck of an SAS Digger (Note text is missing from the bottom of the photograph)photograph, capt jack (the quack) blomley, 2 field ambulance, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue -
National Vietnam Veterans Museum (NVVM)
Photograph, Morning Sick Call
A black and white photograph - Following morning sick call the Commanding Officer, Capt Jack (The Quack) Bromley, is assisted by one of his Sgt Medics to complete the medical reports on the moning's patients. The diggers found to be too ill were sent by Dustoff Helicopter to the hospital at Vung Tauphotograph, capt jack (the quack) blomley, 2 field ambulance, nui dat, dustoff, vung tau, gibbons collection catalogue, digger, medic -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Two Bendigo Tramways Co. Ltd steam trams and trailers at Charing Cross, William Ninnis, 1898
Black and White reproduction (copy by scanning and reprinting) of a image of two Bendigo Tramways Co. Ltd steam trams and trailers at Charing Cross. Appears to be trailers 3 and 4. Understood to be 1898. Shown as a William Ninnis photographer, held by the Bendigo Historical Society (crossed out) and Creative Image Photographic Collection, Both trailers have roof advertisements "Confidence-Curls Tobacco" and in the background is Henderson & Goodisson? Beehive building, advertising Furniture and Drapery. Also J. T. Mill Tailor. .1 - Black and White copy print contained within the Wal Jack Bendigo and Geelong Album, see Reg Item 5003 for more details. Added 1/7/2013In pencil "The Fountain 1898 / Bendigo Historic Society Inc Collection (crossed out) / Photographer William Ninnis" and in ink "Creative Image Photographic Collection". .1 - in ink on rear "Steam Trams at the Fountain" and in the bottom right hand corner "P.W. Duckett"trams, tramways, bendigo, steam trams, trailers, charing cross, tram 3, tram 4 -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Former Bendigo Steam motors at David Mitchell Estate, Ray Pearson, c1930
Two black and white photographs of former Bendigo steam motor No. 2 at the David Mitchell estate railway, Lilydale district, photographed c1930. Reference Light railways 208, August 2009, page 9.Yields information about a former Bendigo steam motor.Black and White copy print contained within the Wal Jack Bendigo and Geelong Album, see Reg Item 5003 for more details. .1 - On rear in ink "Steam motor from the Bendigo steam tramway's (rebuilt). This was taken at the David Mitchell Estate at Lilydale used to run to the Mt Evelyn about 6 miles. Broken up after this photo was taken" Similar notes on rear of Ken Magor collections with the additional detail of photographer - Ray Pearson.trams, tramways, bendigo, steam trams, light railways, tram 2 -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Tram trailers - Railway Picnic day Mitchell St, Cyril White, 14/09/1906
Photo of 7 Bendigo Tram trailers - both single and double deck in Mitchell St for the Railway Picnic Day 1906. In the far distance can be seen an electric tram.Yields information about trams used for the Railway Picnic day in 1906.Black and White copy print contained within the Wal Jack Bendigo and Geelong Album, see Reg Item 5003 for more details..1 - On the rear in pencil, "Bendigo Tramway Railway Picnic Day, 14-9-06, Nos. 1st car 9, 14, ?13, ?14", Has Ken Magor stamp in the bottom right-hand corner with the number "3784". On the rear in pencil of second copy from the Ken Magor collection- "Bendigo Victoria, Railway Picnic Day, 14 September 1906. Photo by Cyril White, Mundy St Bendigo. DD Nos. 9, S deck 14, DD No.13, Open and Seat, S deck D No. 12" - see rear image.trams, tramways, bendigo, mitchell st, trailers -
Bendigo Military Museum
Document - VIETNAM PAPERS - HERDMAN
... and yours. Margo and Jack Olsen." Collection of documents related ...5. Pocketbook issued to Australian Troops during the Vietnam War. Contents include: The War in South Vietnam, The People, Government Services, Armed Services, Viet Cong, Vietnamese Language, Useful information. 14. Details of Australia V US. Hill climb with program of Events, 22nd February 1970. 15. Details of dog races with fields listed on a six race program - 20th February 1970. 18. Document details departure itinerary (ex SVN) for K.J. HERDMAN. 27. Notebook contains names and addresses of US service personnel. Papers related to "Kevin John Herdman's" visit to South Vietnam from 18th February to 4th March 1970. Part of the Kevin John Herdman, No. 397661 Collection. See Cat. No. 5942P for details of his service. 27. Collection of documents related to K.J. Herdman. 1. Two page TAA flight ticket. Text in blue coloured type. Two baggage tickets stapled to front. 2. Single diary page with torn edge. Handwritten flight itinerary in section dated 16th February. 3. Two page QANTAS flight ticket. Text in red and black type. Flight details printed in purple type. 4. Printed flier outlining Australian Customs and Quarantine regulations. Recipient's name handwritten in black ink. 5. Green coloured soft cover pocketbook. 74 pages with cut edges. Black and white diagrams. Text in black type. 6. Small pamphlet with black type. Written in Vietnamese. 7. Foolscap sized 5 page document stapled on top LHC. Text in black type. Title "VISITS BY CMF OFFICERS TO VIETNAM". 8. A4 sized one page document with text in black type on one side only. Two sided pamphlet on blue paper stapled to top LHC. Black type on pamphlet. Title "NINE RULES FOR AUSTRALIAN ARMY FORCES IN VIETNAM." 9. Two page A4 sized document with text in black type. Text on one side of each page. Title "AUSTRALIAN FORCE VIETNAM, RTA BRIEFING NOTES - QANTAS CHARTER, SAIGON/SYDNEY". 10. Foolscap signed proforma oriented in landscape. Title: AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES, VISITS BY CMF OFFICERS TO SYN". Details of personnel in black type. 11. Quarto sized two page document with printing on one side. Text in black type. Staple in top LHC. Title: "CMF VISITOR - LT. K.J. HERDMAN, (ITINERARY FOR LT. K.J. HERDMAN)". 12. Quarto sized two page document with printing on one side. Text in black type. Staple in top LHC. Title: " CMF VISITOR - LT K.J. HERDMAN (ITINERARY FOR LT. K.J.HERDMAN)" 13. A4 sized document with text in black type. Text on one side only. Title: CMF VISITOR - LT. K.J. HERDMAN". 14. Foolscap sized document with text in black type. Printing on one side. Title: "LONG HI HILL CLIMB". 15. Quarto sized document with text in black type. Printing on one side. Title: "DAT DO DOGS". 16. Foolscap sized 9 page document with text on one side. Printing in black type. Pages stapled together in top LHC. Title: "1 ATF G INSTRUCTIONS 14/69, SUPPLIES, POL AND AMMUNITION HOLDINGS". 17. A4 sized document with text on one side. Printing in black type. TITLE; "AMENDMENT 1 TO Q INSTRUCTION 14/69, DATED 23 OCT 69". 18. A4 SIZED DOCUMENT WITH TEXT ON BOTH SIDES. PRINTING IN BLACK TYPE. 19. Foolscap sized 3 page document with staple in top LHC. Text on page 1 in black type. Text on pages 2 & 3 in purple type. Pages are entitled "TEMA FLYING PROGRAMME - CH 47". 20. Foolscap sized 7 page document with text in black type. Printing on one side. Title: " OPERATIONS BREF - DET 52 SUP PL RAASC, REPUBLIC SOUTH VIETNAM (1967-69)", Dated 20 Sept, 69. 21. Foolscap sized 2 page document with text in black type. Printing on one side. Pages stapled on top LHC. Title: " Q INSTRUCTION 15/69, RETURN OF PRODUCE, " Dated 16 Oct 69. 22. Foolscap sized single page document with text in black type. Printing on one side. Title: " Q INSTRUCTION 19/69, RETURN AND DISPOSAL OF UNSERVICEABLE AMMUNITION" Dated 5 Nov 69. 23. Foolscap sized single page proforma with text and lines in black. No handwritten details. Title: "26 TRANSPORT COY RAASC VEHICLE SERVICEABILITY/AVAILABILITY STATE". 24. Foolscap sized single page proforma with text and lines in black. No handwritten details. Title: "DAILY EMPLOYMENT STATE, 85 TPT PL RAASC". 25. Foolscap sized single page document. Text and lines in purple. Reproduced on a spirit duplicator. Title: "INDENTING PROGRAMME FRESH". 26. Foolscap sized single sheet proforma with text and lines in black. No handwritten details. Title: DAILY MAINT MOVEMENT PLANNING TABLE". Printing on both sides. 27. Red and white covered note book. Title on front and details on back in black type. Lined pages. Handwritten information on most pages. 28. Illustrated Christmas Card. Illustration features an angel and the three Magi. Printing on inside in black. Handwritten message in black ink. 1. Passenger details handwritten in blue, carbon copy. 2. Itinerary notes handwritten in blue ink. 3. Handwritten in black ink: "CAPT K.J. HERDMAN". Flight details printed in purple coloured text. 4. Handwritten in black ink : "KEVIN JOHN HERDMAN". 7. Handwritten in black ink on page 1: LT. K. HERDMAN, 6 Coy RAASC, 17 Feb 70." Handwritten in black ink on last page: "1. Ensure teeth are all O.K., 2. Have you still got your tags Identity? (Signature). 11. Handwritten on top RHC of page 1: "CAPT A". 12. Handwritten on top RHC of page 1: "LT HERDMAN". 27. Handwritten notes in black ink on various pages. 28. Handwritten in black ink on inside of card: "Hello Kevin, Perhaps you remember the 62nd Trans. Company at Long Bing? I completely enjoyed your brief stay. If you are ever in the U.S. do stop by. Have a Merry Christmas to you and yours. Margo and Jack Olsen." vietnam war, army, training notes, kevin john herdman -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Postcard - People, Bill Ferrier - rescuer, 11th November, 1905
The postcard shows a photograph of William Ferrier, the 25-year-old Warrnambool fisherman from South Warrnambool whose rescue of two sailors from the wrecked La Bella made him an overnight National hero, quoted as “one of the most heroic rescues in Victoria’s shipwreck history”. The La Bella was wrecked on 10th November 1905 and the photograph was taken on the next day. In the photograph, William Ferrier is seated in the centre, with four of the five survivors beside him: (from left to right) Leonard Robertson, R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. The photograph was taken by Foyle Photography Studio in Warrnambool, originally owned by James Charles Foyle. He previously had a photographic studio in Melbourne 1882 1887, then opened “Foyle’s Photo Card Studios” in Liebig St, Warrnambool. James Foyle died on 13th July 1905 and his son and daughter, Charles and Lilian Foyle continued on with the business until 1945. This photograph was most likely taken by either Charles or Lilian Foyle. The story of William Ferrier’s brave act follows on below … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, the company was one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. She was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the Pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October 1905, the twelve-year-old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia. She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. Bad weather en route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a northwesterly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with seawater and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on the shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11 pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11 pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2 am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise, the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning, Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25-year-old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days, an unidentified body of a young person had washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues, he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor-General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy), Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy, she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ. As well as this postcard, Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a photograph of the wrecked La Bella, a brass rail holder and the letter from the Prime Minister and other Members of Parliament that was sent to William Ferrier to commend him for his bravery. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. This postcard is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The photograph of William Ferrier and four of the five survivors demonstrates the bravery of ordinary Australians who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. The postcard is significant to the history of Warrnambool as it portrays William Ferrier, a local fisherman whose descendants continue to live in the area. It highlights the way of life of people who lived in coastal towns in 19th century Victoria and the effects of shipwrecks upon them. The postcard connects to the congratulatory letter which was sent to William Ferrier by the Prime Minister and Government of Australia and demonstrates the importance they attached to his efforts for Victoria and to Australia. The postcard is also an example of the photography of Foyle Photographers who were in the town of Warrnambool from the late 1800’s. Charles and Lillian Foyle took over the business when their father James died in 1905. Lillian Foyle is significant as the first woman photographer in Warrnambool. It is not known whether Charles of Lillian took this photograph. This postcard is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella”. The “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Sepia photograph of William (Bill) Ferrier (seated in the middle), heroic rescuer of two crew members of the La Bella, wrecked at Warrnambool. The photograph is a postcard and shows five men dressed formally in suits and hats. Printed below the photograph are the name and place of the photographer, a royal crest and the details of two patrons of the photographer. Also below the photograph are some handwritten words in black pen. On the back of the postcard is a handwritten message in the same writing as the front.Printed on the front of the card is “Foyle, WARRNAMBOOL” “PATRONS: / HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CORNWALL & YORK. / HIS EXCELLENCY LORD BRAS_ EY, R.O.B.” Handwritten on the front of the card is “Bill Ferrier / rescuer / Oh my hero _ _ _ “ Handwritten on the back of the card is a message. “La Bella” Wrecked off W.Bool Breakwater Nov. 1906 (_ _ _ _ show night) Payne Noake Rosenholme Robertson and Capt Mylius (saved) (moonlight bright) Watson (_ _ _ _ boy) Richwoud [possibly Richmond] drowned” and signed “Desdewoua [possibly Desdemona] Slogos”la bella, foyle, william ferrier, bill ferrier, lady bay, 1905, 10th november 1905, 11th november 1905, parliament of the commonwealth, royal humane society medal, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Award - Document, 21/1/1893
The name on the letterhead, “Canning Pierhead North” is the name of the Liverpool Pilot Authority, which was situated in 1883 at Cannon Pier on the River Mersey where ships entered to travel to Liverpool. The logo on the letterhead belongs to the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society. The letter is addressed to “Mr Peter Carmody, Port Campbell, south coast of Australia”, and reads as follows: “January 21st 1893, Dear Sir, I have the pleasure to forward to you by post herewith a Silver Medal and a Certificate of Thanks, voted to you by the Committee of the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society for your courage and humanity in going out into the surf to rescue the survivors of the crew of the barque “Newfield” which vessel was wrecked near Port Campbell on the 29th of August last. Be kind enough to send a few lines acknowledging receipt of the testimonials. I am Dear Sir, Yours Faithfully, Robert P. J. Simpson, Secretary.” The medal accompanying the letter is the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society’s “Bramley-Moore medal for saving life at sea 1872”. The Society was formed in 1839. In 1872 Mr John Bramley-Moore donated £500 on condition that the medal have the specific inscription above on its reverse. The Bramley Morre medal was first awarded in 1874 and records show that since that time only one gold medal has been awarded, twenty-two silver medals and seventeen bronze medals, the last being in 1945. This Bromley-Moore medal was awarded to Peter Carmody for his bravery in saving lives on the Newfield shipwreck. The Newfield was a three-masted iron and steel barque, built in Dundee, Scotland, in 1889 by Alexander Stephen and Sons. It was owned by the Newfield Ship Company in 1890 and later that year It was registered in Liverpool to owners Brownells and Co. The Newfield left Sharpness, Scotland, on 28th May 1892 with a crew of 25 under the command of Captain George Scott and on 1st June left Liverpool. She was bound for Brisbane, Australia, with a cargo of 1850 tons of fine rock salt, the main export product of Sharpness. At about 9pm on 28th August 1892, in heavy weather, Captain Scott sighted, between heavy squalls, the Cape Otway light on the mainland of Victoria but, due to a navigational error (the ship’s chronometers were wrong), he assumed it to be the Cape Wickham light on King Island, some 40 miles south. He altered his course to the north, expecting to enter Bass Strait. The ship was now heading straight for the south west Victorian coast. At about 1:30am the Newfield ran aground on a reef about 100 yards from shore and one mile east of Curdie’s Inlet, Peterborough. The ship struck heavily three times before grounding on an inner shoal with 6 feet of water in the holds. Rough sea made the job of launching lifeboats very difficult. The first two lifeboats launched by the crew were smashed against the side of the ship and some men were crushed or swept away. The third lifeboat brought eight men to shore. It capsized when the crew tried to return it to the ship for further rescue The rescue was a difficult operation. The Port Campbell Rocket Crew arrived and fired four rocket lines, none of which connected with the ship. Peter Carmody, a local man, volunteered to swim about one mile off shore to the ship with a line to guide the fourth and final lifeboat safely to shore. He was assisted by James McKenzie and Gerard Irvine. Seventeen men survived the shipwreck but the captain and eight of his crew perished. The Newfield remained upright on the reef with sails set for a considerable time as the wind slowly ripped the canvas to shreds and the sea battered the hull to pieces. The Marine Board inquiry found the wreck was caused by a "one man style of navigation" and that the Captain had not heeded the advice of his crew. According to Jack Loney ‘… when the drama was over . . the Newfield was deserted except for the Captain’s dog and two pigs.’ Peter Carmody was awarded the Bramley-Moore medal by the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society for Saving Life at Ssea, which he received by mail on January 21st 1893. The medal and letter of congratulations were donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum by Peter Carmody’s grand-daughter Norma Bracken and her son Stuart Bracken on 25th May 2006. The Medal and Letter of Congratulations join other items in the Newfield collectionlFlagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Newfield is significant for its association with the shipwreck Newfield, which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Registry. The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects. The Newfield collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international cargo ship. The Newfield collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its association with the shipwreck. The Letter accompanying the Medal for Bravery awarded to Peter Carmody is significant because the attempt to save lives is associated with the shipwreck Newfield.A copy of a letter from the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society to Peter Carmody in reference to the bravery of Peter Carmody over the wreck of the "Newfield". The letter is divided into 2 columns and is written in longhand using black ink on both columns. There is a letterhead in the centre of the left hand page and a round logo printed or stamped on the top of left of the left hand page. The centre of the logo shows a design of a man kneeling on a floating part of a wreck. He is rescuing a child from the sea. On the top of the circle of the logo a design shows a long-legged hen cormorant with extended wings holding an olive branch in its beak. There is also the name of a city printed onto the page under the letterhead. The letter has been folded into half along its long side, then in half again along its long side then into thirds. The letter is dated January 21st 1893. “CANNING, PIERHEAD, NORTH” and “LIVERPOOL” are printed on the top left hand page. The logo “LIVERPOOL SHIPWRECK AND HUMANE SOCIETY” is printed or embossed on the paper.28 august 1892, bramley moore, carmody, certificate of thanks, curdie's river, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, gerard irvine, james mckenzie, liverpool shipwreck and humane society, maritime museum, medal, newfield, nineteenth century, norma bracken, peter carmody, port campbell, rescue, robert simpson,, shipwreck, ship wreck, stuart bracken, victorian shipwrecks -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Letter - William Ferrier, 14th November 1905
The letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth recognised the significance of William’s brave and courageous lifesaving act to the people of Australia; “They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The story of that brave rescue follows on below … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, The company was one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. She was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the Pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October 1905, the twelve-year-old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia. She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. Bad weather en route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a north-westerly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with seawater and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on the shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11 pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11 pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2 am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise, the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning, Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25-year-old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days, an unidentified body of a young person has washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues, he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor-General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy), Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with the manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy, she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ. As well as this letter, Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a photograph of the wrecked La Bella, a brass rail holder and a postcard of William Ferrier with four of the survivors. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. This original congratulatory letter sent to William Ferrier by the Prime Minister and Government of Australia demonstrates the importance attached to his efforts for Victoria and to Australia. The letter is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The letter to William Ferrier from the Australian Government acknowledges the bravery of ordinary Australians who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. The letter is significant to the history of Warrnambool as it honours William Ferrier, a local fisherman whose descendants continue to live in the area. It highlights the way of life of people who lived in coastal towns in 19th century Victoria and the effects of shipwrecks upon them. The letter connects to the postcard of William Ferrier with four of the five rescued crew, the photograph of the wreck of the La Bella and the artefact from the wreck, the rail holder. This letter is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella”. The “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament commending him on his bravery. The printed letterhead includes a coat of arms in the top centre and the official address. The letter is very neatly hand written in black pen and includes 4 signatures of Members of Parliament. The rectangular paper is cream coloured with some yellow/brown discolouring. It has the letterhead on the right hand side of it and the written letter begins below the letterhead. The paper has been folded so that the right side becomes the cover page of the letter. The writing is continued onto the inside right hand page of the folded paper and the writing ends here. There is more recent writing on the bottom right hand corner of the back page. The paper has been officially folded in half a total 3 times and there is heavy discolouration on the sections that form the front and back of the folded letter. There is a 4th fold line that is less pronounced that the other folds and would make the paper the size to fit into a pocket. At several fold creases the paper has worn through. The edges of the paper have minor tears. The printed coat of arms is that of the House of Representatives. Underneath is printed “The Parliament of the Commonwealth, / Parliament House / Melbourne”. The hand written, letter is dated “14th November, 1905” and addressed to “Mr. William Ferrier / South Warrnambool” The letter begins “The Speaker, the Prime Minister and Members of the Ministry and its supporters, the Leader and Members of the Opposition, the Leader and Members of the Labour Party, being all the Members of the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament of Australia” … It continues “desire to express to you their appreciation of your bravery in skulling out to the wreck of the “La Bella” at Warrnambool on Saturday, 11th November, 1905, and recovering therefrom two of the crew who were in imminent danger of their lives. They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The letter is “Signed on behalf of the Members – Speaker (Frederick Holder ), Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Joseph Cook ), Prime Minister (Alfred Deakin), Leader of the Labour Party ( J.C. Watson)” On the back of the letter is blue ink handwriting “OWNER / G. FERRIER / TO. BE. PHOTOGRAPHED / 27-4-76”la bella, william ferrier, bill ferrier, lady bay, 1905, 10th november 1905, 11th november 1905, parliament of the commonwealth, prime minister, australian government, new zealand, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village -
Villa Alba Museum
Decorative object - Nursery wallpaper sample, British Empire, c.1880–c.1900
A wallpaper sample donated to the collection by Frances Alexandra (Frankie) Derham (1894–1987). Derham was an Australian artist and educator. A lecturer in art at the Melbourne Kindergarten Training College (1928-64) , she later taught at the Associated Teacher Training Institution (1949-61). Her commitment to `child art’ developed after 1935 when she accepted an invitation from Margaret Lyttle to teach at Preshil school.Frances Derham's collection of nearly ten thousand children’s drawings and paintings was acquired by the Australian National Gallery in 1976. Her interest in art for and by children is reflected in her donation to the Villa Alba Museum of an important and rare collection of early wallpapers designed for children's rooms. Empire theme children's nursery wallpaper. Depicts Union Jack with children playing with others from around the British Empire. Originally donated by Frances Derham to Villa Alba Museum via Terry Lane..decorative arts & design, wall coverings – history, wallpapers – history, interior decoration – history, wallpapers -- children's, frances derham -
Greensborough Historical Society
Book, Jack Cannon, My War: more than 150 epic events of World War 2, 1990
A collection of newspaper headlines gathered to commemorate 50 years since the outbreak of World War II.228 p., illus., newspaper facsimilesnon-fictionA collection of newspaper headlines gathered to commemorate 50 years since the outbreak of World War II.world war ii, newspapers - melbourne, facsimiles -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Photos - Jack Watson Collection x3
... Photos - Jack Watson Collection x3... identified in two of the photos. Photos - Jack Watson Collection x3 ...The KHES was constructed from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. Jack Watson worked on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme for 39 years. The photos show a group of men (workers) at the entrance of a tunnel.1. Jack Watson is the worker on the back right hand side with a soft Akubra type hat. 2. Jack Watson at the front on the right hand side. 3. Men not identified. When Jack retired he had been the supervisor of the patrolmen during the last 8 years.Three black and white photos of a group of men in work clothe at the entrance to a tunnel on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.jack Watson has been identified in two of the photos.jack watson, tunnel workers khes -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Folder - Jack Watson Collection, Lots of things about Mt Beauty
... Folder - Jack Watson Collection... about Mt Beauty Folder - Jack Watson Collection ...Jack Watson collected articles etc. on Mt Beauty during his 39 years working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.Jack Watson was the supervisor of the patrolmen during the last 8 years before his retirement. His collection covers many aspects and insights into the growth of Mt Beauty township and the Kiewa Valley.Thick white ANZ folder with 3 rings holding collections of articles etc. in plastic sleeves. Includes pamphlets, newspaper cuttings, papers on Mt Beauty Schools, SEC Hydroline newsletter, Bogong, tourism, clubs, etcjack watson, kiewa valley -
Falls Creek Historical Society
Photograph - Ray Meyer racing at Falls Creek, c1949
MEYER COLLECTION - FALLS CREEK PHOTOS In 1947 a determined group of like-minded State Electricity Commission (SEC) staff including Ray Meyer, the chief surveyor of the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme, had a common interest that revolved around the skiing potential of the snow-covered high plains which included what is now the resort of Falls Creek. The six SEC employees, Toni St Elmo, Ray Meyer, Jack Minogue, Lloyd Dunn, Adrian Ruffenacht and Dave Gibson (together with their families) banded together to secretly build a 'hut' that was the first ski lodge at Falls Creek. Using a road built in 1930s to gain access to Falls Creek, their hut project was carried out in secret as efforts by other skiers were blocked by H.H.C. Williams – the engineer in charge of the Hydro Scheme. In 1946 Ray Meyer made a trip to the Lands Office in Melbourne. He came away with a 99-year lease on three acres that was ideally suited for a hut designed by Lloyd Dunn. Adrian Ruffenacht (Design Engineer for the KHS) had suggested where the group should build because of easy access to a spring for water. Much of the building material required was scavenged from derelict huts on the high plains. Due to the need for secrecy, the determined group worked on the hut in the evenings and weekends to avoid detection. During the building period the group had met at Echidna Rock (now known as Eagle Rock) where Skippy St Elmo announced, "This is my favourite ‘Skyline’.” And so the first lodge in the area at Falls Creek Ski Resort came into existence. With the development of the International Poma in the 1970s, the Skyline Lodge, which was sited between the ski-lift’s pole one and pole two, was demolished. However, the legacy of Ray Meyer, Toni St Elmo, Jack Minogue, Lloyd Dunn, Adrian Ruffenacht and Dave Gibson and Skyline lives on in the vibrant atmosphere of Falls Creek Resort. The MEYER COLLECTION documents developments on the Kiewa Hydro Scheme and their life at Falls Creek from the mid 1930s to 1960s.This image is significant because it depicts aspects of the life of a pioneering family of Falls Creek and the founders of "Skyline", the first lodge at Falls Creek.Images of Ray Meyer racing at Falls Creek about 1949. The fourth image shows John Meyer near the Wilkie on Bogong High Plains.falls creek, victorian snowfields, ray meyer, john meyer