The author of this book, Allan Scarfe, was a Warrnambool resident. He was a graduate of the University of Melbourne. He taught in India, England and Australia (including several years at Warrnambool High School) and was the joint author with his wife Wendy of 12 non-fiction books published in Australia, India, England and the U.S.A. He and Wendy were twice awarded Australia Council Literature Board grants. The Dissident Guru was one of several crime and adventure novels written by Allan Scarfe. This book is one of many books written or co-written by Allan Scarfe, a resident of Warrnambool for many years and one well-known for his literary output. He died in 2016. This is a soft cover book of 328 pages. It was written by Allan Scarfe. The cover is black, grey and white and the lettering is white on the front cover and black on the spine. The front cover has an illustration of masked figures and a body and the back cover has excerpts from critics’ remarks about other Scarfe books. allan scarfe

This book belonged to John Cowtan. He was a purchaser of land near Cassady’s Bridge in Warrnambool and an important and early settler in Port Fairy. The land that John Cowtan selected was bought by Williaam Cassady whose sister, Ann, was married to John Cowtan. Cassady established the property, Boughton where Cassady’s Bridge is today. This book came from a Cassady estate sale early in the 21st century. Between 1839 and 1844 John Cowtan was a ship’s captain for John Griffiths, a shipowner and entrepreneur. In 1844 Cowtan established a merchant trading and produce business in Port Fairy with John Bland. In the 1860 John Cowtan went to live in Melbourne.This book is of great interest because of its early date (one year after the founding of Warrnambool) and because of its association with John Cowtan, a pioneer settler of Port Fairy with connections to Warrnambool.This is a brown leather cover book of 385 pages. The spine has gold lettering. The binding has come apart and has been mended with white cotton material on the inside of the cover. The insides of the cover have a brown, white, blue and yellow mottled pattern. The cover is stained and torn at the edges and has a deep gouging on the front. The first page has been torn and mended with tape and some of the pages are stained. There are two pressed fern fronds, one loose newspaper cutting and a bookmark with a sepia-coloured image, lace paper edges and coloured embroidery contained within the pages. The book has a preface and 58 chapters. The inscription is handwritten in black ink. ‘J. Cowtan 1848’ john cowtan, port fairy history, william cassady

John Glass Cramond 1829 and James Dickson 1831-1910 were founders of a large drapery store. Both were Scots and both came separately to Australia in 1852. Cramond initially came for gold but soon opened a store in St Kilda with a post Office attached and he was the first post master there. Dickson was a farmer’s son but became a draper and while he was unsuccessful on the Bendigo diggings and then returned to Melbourne where he met Cramond and soon after they opened a store on Lonsdale Street. They opened their business in Warrnambool in 1855 as a general store with groceries, drapery and ironmongery. Both partners were involved with the community and James Dickson was an original director of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill 1909 and the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory. He also served on the committee of management of Warrnambool Base Hospital. The business in the late 1970's. This shape preserver would have been an item given to customers to maintain their tie in good condition. The shape would indicate that it would have been used around mid 20th century.A common object from one of Warrnambool's longest established businesses.Brown cardboard in the shape of a gentleman's tie with a hanging hole on one end and black text with company details and instructions for use. front surface is smooth while the back is coarse.With Compliments from Cramond & Dickson Tailors, Mercers and general Drapers. Warrnambool and London. warrnambool, cramond & dickson

This book was given to Lorna Steller on the occasion of her Confirmation in 1939. Lorna Otelia Steller was the daughter of Max and Felie Steller. Max Steller was a Warrnambool hairdresser who hailed originally from Germany. Lorna married Arthur George (Bill) Rogers and they lived in MacDonald Street in South Warrnambool. The Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne in 1939 was Frederick Head. No information has been found on the Rev. Crossley. This book is of interest because it belonged to a 20th century Warrnambool resident, Lorna Steller. It is also of interest as This is a hard cover book of 96 pages. The cover is red with gold lettering on the front cover. A red ribbon for marking a place in the pages is attached to the binding. The inscription is handwritten in black ink.‘Lorna Otelia Steller Confirmed by the Archbishop of Melbourne Aug. 21st 1939 C.L. Crossley (Vicar)’ lorna steller, history of warrnambool

This is a token made for William Jamieson of Warrnambool in 1862. Tokens were coins made in the mid 1850s to alleviate the shortage of currency coins in Australia. They usually had the value of one penny and could only be used in the store or business designated on the coin. Two Warrnambool businesses had tokens made – those of William Jamieson and William Bateman, Junior. Born in Scotland, William Wilson Jamieson completed an apprenticeship in the ironmongery trade in that country. He worked in the ironmongery business in Melbourne before establishing ironmongery stores in Koroit and Warrnambool (Liebig Street). He was a Warrnambool Councillor (1862 to1874 & 1877 to1880) and Mayor (1866 to 1868 & 1872 to 1873). He was active in many local organizations including the Warrnambool Hospital, the Fire Brigade, the Mechanics Institute, the Villiers Building Society, the Bowling Club and the Caledonian Society. He died in 1882. This token is of great importance as it is an Australian token issued by William Jamieson and Co. of Warrnambool and so is part of the fiscal history of Australia. It is also important as it comes from one of only two businesses in Warrnambool to issue tokens. It is today a rare token. This is a round metal coin (token) with, on one side, an image of a woman holding the scales of justice in one hand and a cornucopia in the other. The other side has lettering. There is a small dent on one side of the token. Side One: ‘Australia 1862’ Side Two: ‘Liebeg Street W.W. Jamieson & Co. Storekeepers Warrnambool’ (N.B. Note the Warrnambool 1860s spelling of ‘Liebig Street’) william jamieson, australian tokens, history of warrnambool

This book is an autobiography of George Meudell (1860-1936). He spent about six years in Warrnambool as a young boy when his father came to Warrnambool as the Manager of the Bank of Victoria. Meudell went to the Warrnambool Common School 646. He later became well-known in Melbourne in social, economic and political affairs. He was a company promoter, stockbroker and writer and an acquaintance of most of the influential and wealthy people of the time. In 1928 Meudell wrote an article for the Royal Historical Society of Victoria Journal detailing his memories of Warrnambool and this article is now a very important piece of local social history. He was enthusiastic about the benefits of living in Warrnambool in the 1860s and 70s. Meudell’s book, ‘The Pleasant Career of a Spendthrift, was an important publication as it gave a complete account of the commercial morality of the power brokers in the financial world - those concerned with the land boom and the banks’ crash of 1886-1893. The book was so inflammatory that it was initially withdrawn from sale. This book is of considerable interest as it was written by George Meudell who lived in Warrnambool in the 1860s and 70s and played a part in Warrnambool’s history by writing about these years. The book is also of wider interest as it has some information on people connected with Warrnambool’s history, including John Archibald and Thomas Bent. The signature in the front of the book is of no known relevance to Warrnambool.This is a hard cover book of 282 pages. The cover is red with black printing and the spine is very faded. The book has a foreword and twelve chapters of text. The first page contains a signature and notes written in pencil.‘Gordon Leitch Christmas 1942’ george meudell, victoria’s land boom (19th century), history of warrnambool

This set was given by the Warrnambool City Council Councillors to Horace Lawson on the occasion of his marriage in 1898. Horace Edward Lawson was the son of Susan and Thomas Lawson. The latter at one time had a drapery business in Liebig Street. Horace Lawson was the Town Clerk of Warrnambool from 1893 to 1918. He was a keen cyclist and a member of the Warrnambool Volunteer Artillery Corps. In 1918 Lawson was appointed the Secretary of the Municipal Association of Victoria, a Melbourne appointment. This set is of considerable interest as it was presented to Horace Lawson, notable in Warrnambool’s history as a long-serving and successful Town Clerk. This silver-plated tea and coffee set has four items – coffee pot, tea pot, sugar basin and milk jug. All have the same etched decorative patterns on the sides and the lids and all have handles attached with a nut and a bolt. The tea pot and the coffee pot have the maker’s marks on the bases and there is an inscription on the side of the sugar basin. The lids of the coffee pot, tea pot and milk jug are hinged. ‘W. Mammatt & Sons Sheffield’ ‘Presented to H. E. Lawson Esq. Town Clerk by the Mayor & Councillors of Warrnambool on the Occasion of his Marriage Sept. 1898’horace lawson, history of warrnambool, silver tea set

This book about the New South Wales goldfields was written by Rolf Boldrewood in 1890. It is retained because the author played a significant part in Warrnambool’s history. Rolf Boldrewood, the pen name of Thomas Browne, first came to the Warrnambool district in 1842, visiting the Bolden brothers’ property, Grasmere. He camped on the banks of the Merri River for about six months and described the area, including Warrnambool Bay, some years later in his book Old Melbourne Memories. In 1844 Thomas Browne established the property, Squattleseamere near Bessiebelle, north west of Portland. He remained there for ten years then moved to New South Wales. The last forty years of his life were spent writing and he became well-known for the classic Australian novel, Robbery Under Arms. This book is retained because it is a 19th century example of the writings of Rolf Boldrewood. He is important in Warrnambool’s early history as he was in the area in the early 1840s. His account of the area at that time is the most important one we have of the area that was later to be the site of the new settlement of Warrnambool.This is a soft cover book of 188 pages. The cover is brown with red edging and lettering and is partly detached from the binding. The spine is partly missing. The pages are dog-eared and there is some foxing. The text is printed in two columns to a page. Frank J. Donovanrolf boldrewood (thomas browne), bolden brothers in the warrnambool area, warrnambool history, the miners right

This is an early map of the Borough of Warrnambool (1872/3) showing the central town area of Warrnambool and the surrounding district. Reserves, public buildings and some businesses are marked. The map was photolithographed by John Noone, a Melbourne artist and photographer who claimed in 1858 to have the oldest-existing photographic studio in Melbourne. Photolithography was a process first developed in Melbourne. For several years Noone was the official photographer for the Victorian Crown Lands Office and for the Victorian Public Library and Museum. The map has the stamp of the seller of the map – Charles Hider, the well-known stationer and bookseller in Timor Street, Warrnambool. The owner of the map, Henry George Marfell, (1883-1962) was the son of John and Mary Ann Marfell. The Marfells were well-known in Warrnambool as grain merchants and managers of the Warrnambool Co-Operative Milling Company. It is surmised from the writing on the Marfell label that this map was at some stage given by Henry Marfell to the old Warrnambool MuseumThis map of early Warrnambool is of considerable significance, firstly because its original state and early date (1873) make it of antiquarian and historical interest. Also the connection with the names, Charles Hider and Henry Marfell and the old Museum gives it added provenance and interest.This is a wax paper map mounted on cloth. At the top it is attached by nails to a piece of wood and at the top it has a cloth ring for hanging the map. The map is in black shadings on a yellow background. The map is badly creased and coming away from the cloth at the edges and at other various points. There is some red or pink marking or staining on the township area of the map (originally the sold lands on this map were coloured in brown and the reserves, buildings, etc in pink). On the left hand corner there is a piece of paper glued on with some handwriting in ink (Marfell). There is also the stamp of the seller of the map – Charles Hider, stationer and bookseller, of Timor Street Warrnambool‘Early Map of W’bool, H.G. Marfell’ history of warrnambool, charles hider, henry marfell

This book was written and produced by Edward Vidler, Born in England, Edward Vider, a writer, publisher, journalist and editor, was in Geelong in the 1880s where he produce a commemorative volume of that city. In Warrnambool in the early 1900s Vidler was Secretary of the Warrnambool Chamber of Commerce and Manufactures and of the Warrnambool and District Progress League. In 1907 he produced ‘Warrnambool Past and Present’ to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of Warrnambool. In 1907 he also organized the project that produced the Warrnambool Pioneer Honour Board. Later Vidler lived in Melbourne where he edited magazines and published his own and other writings. He was interested in the promotion of the arts and was a keen naturalist. He was a foundation member of the group that established the Maranoa Native Gardens in Balwyn.These books are of the utmost significance as ‘Warrnambool Past and Present’ is a seminal work in the history of the Warrnambool – second only in importance to Richard Osburne’s History of Warrnambool published in 1887. ‘Warrnambool Past and Present’ is noted for the accuracy of Vidler’s research, its complementary value to Osborne’s history and its presentation of historically valuable material that might otherwise be lost. The photographs in the book are of excellent quality and of great historical value and continue to be scanned and copied today. Intact original copies of this book are very rare today.These are five copies of ‘Warrnambool Past and Present – 88 pages, text by Edward Vidler, 120 black and white photographs and illustrations, local advertisements, original soft cover is missing in all copies. .1 Full original text with letter insert from donor and blue cardboard cover with plastic overlay and black binding .2 Full original copy with added index and soft cover with plastic overlay and red binding .3 Original text to page 76 with added photocopied pages and blue cardboard cover .4 Original text to page 72 and added photocopied pages and no cover with staple binding and some adhesive tape, tattered first and last pages .5 Original text to page 80, added photocopied pages and no cover and no binding .1 Letter from Margaret Wright, Queenscliffe Historical Society .3. ‘S. Wickham’ history of warrnambool, edward vidler, pioneer honour board

This book of verses has been written by Ethel Lucy Newcombe (nee Forrester) The daughter of Lucy Sorrell and James William Forrester, she was born in 1874 in Warrnambool. As a Matriculated student she taught at the Warrnambool St. John’s Hall Private School for Girls in the 1890s. The proprietor of this school was her friend, Grace Newcombe and Ethel Forrester, especially talented in literature and music, composed a Cantata, ‘Austral’s Sunny Year’ for the annual school concert in 1898. In 1902 Ethel Forrester married Dr Frederick Newcombe (Grace’s brother), a medical missionary in India. His father Ebenezer Newcombe was well-known in Warrnambool as a timber and hardware businessman. Dr Frederick Newcombe died in India in 1905 and Ethel Newcombe spent the greater part of her later life in Melbourne. She died in 1971. The identity of Arthur, the recipient of the book, is not known. This book is of considerable interest because it was written by Ethel Newcombe who was born and educated in Warrnambool and the book is thus is associated with both the Forrester and the Newcombe families in Warrnambool early in the 20th century This is a soft cover book of 32 pages. The cover is dark orange in colour and has dark blue lettering on the front cover with ornamental scroll work on the left margin of the front cover. The book has three blue stamps of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society and the inscription on the first page is handwritten in black ink. The book has been stapled with metal staples but the staples have been removed. ‘To Arthur, with the writer’s best wishes, Xmas 1941, Ethel L. Newcombe’ newcombe family, warrnambool, forrester family. warrnambool, st. john’s hall school, warrnambool, ethel newcombe, history of warrnambool, australian literature

This book was published in 1952 by the Australian Poetry Lovers’ Society. This group was based in Melbourne and was founded in 1934 by George and Ethel Fielding. In 1973 a member, Harry Hastings Pearce, wrote a history of the society. This 1952 volume contains two poems by Thomas Terrington (born 1897) - ‘Henry Lawson’ and ‘Stella’. Tom Terrington was a well-known local poet and writer from Framlingham. He has been described as a ‘rhymster of flair and skill’. He was a self-taught person with little formal education and he worked at various jobs until he took over the general store at Framlingham in his middle age. He also recorded some of the history of Framlingham, a small settlement about 24 kilometres north east of Warrnambool. The identity of ‘Fred’ in the inscription is not known. This book is of interest because it contains two poems written by Tom Terrington, a local 20th century writer and poet. This is a soft cover book of 50 pages. The cover is green with black printing and an image of two kookaburras on the front cover. The book has poems by 18 writers and a black and white photograph on page 10 of the late George Fielding. The cover is somewhat soiled. The book has been stapled but the staples have been removed. The inscription is handwritten in black ink. ‘To Fred with best wishes from Tom Terrington Framlingham 21.11.52’ tom terrington, history of framlingham

This book was given to Henry Huntingdon Smith in 1918 by a grateful sister of a soldier killed in World War One. Private Percy Palmer was listed as coming from the Warrnambool area even though his enlistment place was given as Bannockburn. H.H.Smith (1857-1941) is an important figure in Warrnambool’s history. He had a bakery business at the corner of Lava and Fairy Streets. He was a Warrnambool Councillor and Mayor, a Hospital Committee member for 39 years, a Methodist church office-bearer and an active worker for the welfare of local returned soldiers. It was said that he greeted every returning soldier at the Warrnambool Railway Station. Mrs Sharpe was one of those who benefited from his solicitude and kindness. This is book is of antiquarian interest but more importantly it is a lovely memento of Henry Smith’s untiring concern for local soldiers returning from World War One and for their family members. This is a hard cover book of 38 pages. The cover is blue with gold lettering and gold ornamentation on the front and back covers. There are two sepia-coloured photographs of Melbourne at the front of the book and two blue stamps of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society at the front and the back of the book. The pages of the book have become detached from the binding. The inscription at the front of the book is handwritten in purple ink. ‘Melbourne, Aug. 28, 1918, To Mr H. Smith as a small token for kindness shown on behalf of my dear late brother, Private Percy Palmer from N. Sharpe.’ private percy palmer, world war one and warrnambool, henry huntingdon smith, warrnambool history

This is a receipt book issued by the Warrnambool Harbour Board to masters of ships that took on fresh water in Warrnambool Harbour. The Port of Warrnambool was administered by various bodies since the early 1850s with Harbour Masters, Pilots, Boatmen and Customs officials appointed by the Colonial Government. In those times these officials were responsible to the Chief Harbour Master and the Ports and Harbours Department in Melbourne but over the ensuing years the Port of Warrnambool came under different colonial and State Departments and the titles of the harbour officials in Warrnambool changed accordingly. In 1928 the Warrnambool Harbour Board was formed with Captain James Menzies as the Warrnambool Harbour Master. This Board was dissolved in 1937 and Captain Menzies was transferred to Portland where he stayed until 1945. Warrnambool ceased to operate as a port in the early 1940s. This receipt is of maritime interest. The book records the names of several ships in Warrnambool from 1927 to 1937, including the ‘Casino’, ‘Chillagoe’, the dredge ‘Pioneer’, and ‘Kapera’. This is a receipt book used by the Warrnambool Harbour Board. The book has mostly the pink copy of the receipt issued but there are a couple of the original receipts still intact. The receipt book has been printed and the details on the receipts have been handwritten in ink. The cover is cardboard with brown taping and the stamp of the Warrnabool Harbour Board is on the back cover. ‘Warrnambool Harbour Board’ warrnambool harbour board, captain james menzies, maritime history of warrnambool.

This book was a prize awarded to Miss Middleton, a pupil at Ormiston House College, East Melbourne in 1887. The Principals of the school were the Misses Singleton and their father, Dr John Singleton was a practising doctor in Warrnambool from 1860 to 1865. He had an important influence on Warrnambool, establishing several Total Abstinence Societies and campaigning for improved health conditions for pastoral workers in the district and the aborigines at Framlingham. In Melbourne Dr Singleton and his wife worked tirelessly for the underprivileged. He established many institutions for the less fortunate, including the Prisoners’ Aid Society, the Children’s Hospital, lending libraries, cottages for widows, shelters for homeless men and women, a society for the protection of animals and the Collingwood Free Medical Dispensary. He died in 1891 at Ormiston House, his daughters’ school and home. It is not known which of the Singleton daughters ran the school and no information has been found on Miss Middleton. This book is of considerable interest as it has a close connection to Dr John Singleton, important not only in the social history of Melbourne but also in the history of Warrnambool. This is a hard cover book of 160 pages with 16 pages at the back of the book of advertisements for other books published by the Religious Tract Society. The cover is brown with a sketch of a young man and lettering in gold and an ornamental floral pattern on the front cover. The gold lettering and the ornamental floral pattern are also on the spine. The book has 13 chapters with ornamental scrolls and initials at the beginning and end of each chapter. There are also some full page black and white sketches in the book, with the one at the front of the book covered by a piece of tissue paper. The book plate at the front of the book is white with a gold border pasted onto the page and handwritten details have been added in black ink. The book is a little scuffed at the edges of the cover. ‘Ormiston House College, East Melbourne, Principals, The Misses Singleton, Prize for Writing and Maps in Upper Third Class Awarded to Miss Middleton, Christmas 1887.’ dr john singleton, ormiston house, history of warrnambool

This replica booklet documenting the details of the winning races by the thoroughbred racehorse Phar Lap shows the continuing interest today in the exploits of Phar Lap in the 1930s. Phar Lap captured the imagination of the Australian public during the Great Depression with his 37 wins from 51 starts, including a Melbourne Cup. He died in the USA in 1932 in controversial circumstances. At the time he was the third highest stakes winner in the world. His preserved hide is on display at the Melbourne Museum.This booklet is of some interest as Phar Lap is Australia’s best known racehorse. The booklet could be used in exhibits.This is a small booklet of 48 pages containing the details of the racehorse Phar Lap’s 37 race victories in the years 1930, 1931 and 1932. It has a reproduction colour image on the front cover of a painting of Phar Lap and his jockey from the 1930 Melbourne Cup Day Official Programme. This is a reproduction of the original booklet, published by Toohey's Brewery.Front cover –Phar Lap Collection and Melbourne Cup Day, Official Programme Back cover –Tooheys, Estd. 1869 australian horse racing,, phar lap, melbourne

The Warrnambool Industrial and Art Exhibition of 1896-7 was held for three months in the Town Hall/Council Chambers/ Mechanics Institute buildings with additional temporary buildings placed on the Liebig and Timor Streets corner area. It was one of the biggest events ever held in Warrnambool with an estimated 70,000 attending. John Villiers, the owner of a glassware and crockery shop in Liebig Street and a well-known theatrical performer, had a large display stand at the Exhibition. He displayed glassware items from Britain and Europe and sold souvenirs of the Exhibition. Villiers engaged Mr Bartholomew, a Melbourne engraving artist, and he gave engraving exhibitions at Villiers’ stall. Glass etching had not been seen in Warrnambool previous to this. No doubt many of his engraved objects were sold and this glass tumbler would be one of these. This is a valuable and significant item because:- 1. It is an important souvenir from the Warrnambool Industrial and Art Exhibition of 1896-7, the only one we have from Villiers’ stall. 2. It is an example of what is believed to be the first etching on glass to be done in Warrnambool. The identity of ‘M.R.’ is not known. This is an etched glass tumbler from the Warrnambool Industrial and Art Exhibition of 1896-7. It is plain glass with a solid base. A three branched frond of fern is on one side of the glass and a two-branched frond of leaves on the other. ‘Warrnambool Exhibition, M.R. 1897’ warrnambool, warrnambool industrial and art exhibition 1896-7, etched glass tumbler, john villiers 1896, warrnambool souvenirs, villiers

Joseph Wilder, a professional photographer, came to Warrnambool in 1860 and took a series of photographs, two of which survive today. One was of the local Volunteer Corps and the other was a series of photographs taken from Cannon Hill showing Merri Street and the town and buildings beyond. It seems that copies of these last-mentioned photographs were framed to produce a large panoramic view of 1860 Warrnambool and one of these was given to the old Warrnambool Museum in the 1880s by James Astley Bromfield. He had established a chemist’s shop in Warrnambool in 1854 and showed his interest in the history of the young town by producing a map in 1856 showing the first landowners, a seminal resource today for historians. He again demonstrated this interest when he included the names of the people and places in the 1860 photograph he gave to the museum in the 1880s. The frame fragment was found amongst the collection of items from the old Museum at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and brought to the Historical Society to accompany the original series of photographs. Bromfield went to live in Melbourne in the 1880s. It is presumed that the plastic cover has been placed on the frame fragment at a much later date than the 1880s.This frame fragment is interesting and very important for several reasons:- 1. It is one demonstration of the interest that James Astley Bromfield had in local history 2. It came from the old Warrnambool Museum and shows how that institution kept items of historical interest 3. It gives us the names of the people and places in the Joseph Wilder photographs of 1860 that placed together form a panorama that reveals what a major section of Warrnambool looked like only 13 years after its foundation. The list enables us to correctly identify the early places and people and so is invaluable for research purposes 4. It links a Museum exhibit of the 1880s with the original 1860 photographs which are held by the Historical Society This is a piece of wood broken from a frame containing a photograph. It has jagged edges. It contains the list of people and places depicted in the Joseph Wilder panorama photograph of Warrnambool in 1860. The list is handwritten in ink on paper which has been attached to the frame with a piece of plastic. Warrnambool in 1860 Photographed by Wilder. Showing children of the late Andrew Semple etc In red pencil – ‘Keep’, in ink, ‘Keep’ On separate piece of paper - Presented to Warrnambool Mechanics’ Muzeum by James Astley Bromfield, August 3rd 1886 joseph wilder 1860, panorama of warrnambool

Mechanics Institutes were first established in the 19th century in Scotland and England to improve the education of working class men and to instruct them in their various trades. In Australia Mechanics’ Institutes were set up in the late 1920s with the first one in Melbourne dating from 1839. The Institutes in Victoria were (and some still are) a feature of Victorian country towns, usually consisting of a hall containing a Library and in bigger centres art class rooms and other recreation areas. The Woodford Mechanics’ Institute was established in 1861, enlarged in 1868 and burnt down in 1917.This seal is of major interest as it is the only seal we have of Mechanics’ Institutes in our district. These Mechanics’ Institutes were very important in the educational and social development of Victorian country towns. This is a seal or stamp made of brass and attached to a wooden handle. The wood on the handle is of a dark colour and is urn-shapedStamp - Woodford Mechanics Institutemechanics’ institutes, woodford, early mechanic institute seal

This is a photograph of a painting by the noted artist George Webb (1861-1949). Webb was best known for his portraits of civic dignitaries in Melbourne and Adelaide but he also produced many landscapes and seascapes. Some of these feature Warrnambool landmarks as he married, in the late 1890s, Christina Lake, the step-daughter of George Rolfe who owned the property known as ‘Lyndoch’, near the mouth of the Hopkins River. Webb painted the early cottages at ‘Old Lyndoch’ using a photograph taken some time earlier. The painting was given to Dick Allan, the chauffeur in the employ of Florence Lake, Christina’s sister. Florence Lake owned and resided at Lyndoch after her parents’ death. Dick Allan’s son, living in Tasmania, acquired the painting and Les O’Callaghan obtained the photograph of the painting from him. Although this is only a photograph of an original painting, it is of some considerable importance as the painting has great historical significance and this is the only representation we have of it. The man in the photograph represents George Rolfe and the story of Rolfe and his ownership and development of the property of Lyndoch is an important one in Warrnambool’s history. The original by George Webb is also an important work of art in its own right.This is a colour photograph of a painting. The frame of the original painting can be seen at the bottom of the photograph. The photograph is in on old frame which has two wooden edgings with the outer one having an ornate gold plaster edging and an inner one with a gold velvet insert next to the glass. The ornate gold plaster has a piece missing near the top left hand corner. The photograph is set into a gold-coloured wooden frame inside the glass. The photograph is mounted onto cardboard and covered with cardboard at the back with a small piece of wood attached (from the original frame). The backing is nailed on. lyndoch, george webb, george rolfe

This book contains information on all known Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes were organizations formed originally to improve the education of working men and to instruct them in their various trades. The first Institutes were established in London and Manchester in the 1820s and in Australia the first Institutes were set up in New South Wales and Tasmania in the late 1820s, with the first one in Melbourne in 1839. Mechanics’ Institutes were set up in Victorian country towns, in many cases, soon after the settlements were founded. This book is of some importance as a reference book as it gives information on all known Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria and there were many in the Warrnambool region. The Mechanics’ Institutes were important centres for local adult education and recreation. The book will therefore be of great use to readers of local history and researchers. This is a hard cover book of 704 pages. It has many photographs, mostly black and white, and other images related to Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. It has a Contents page, Foreword, Dedications, a story entitled ‘Dingo Flat’, Preface, Introduction, Acknowledgements and articles on hundreds of Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria, whether closed or still existing. The front cover has two black and white photographs and the title and the back cover has images from two Mechanics’ Institutes. The authors are Pam Baragwanath and Ken James.Front Cover: ‘These Walls Speak Volumes’, ‘A History of Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria, ‘Pam Baragwanath and Ken James’mechanics’ institutes in victoria

Augustus Bostock was the 9th child of Robert & Rachael Bostock of Vaucluse Epping Forest, Van Diemen’s Land. He was only 4 years old when his mother died. He along with his brothers, was inspired by his father to seek his fortune in the Western District of Victoria. He arrived around 1850. He married Margaret Aitkin in July 1865. Augustus owned several properties in the district and leased others. He sat on the court of Warrnambool, Mortlake or Hexham as required. He resided at Marramook in Hawkesdale and later moved to Vaucluse in Hopetoun Road Warrnambool, where he died in 1920 at the age of 87. He was involved in many aspects of life in the Western District, racing, cricket, and social activities to name a few. James Bostock was the youngest of Robert and Rachel Bostock with his mother dying in childbirth with his delivery. He loved working with horses and was close to his brothers Augustus and John. He was the third of the Bostock brothers to marry an Aitkin sister in this case Alice in 1875. He was a commission agent and money lender in Warrnambool. He died in 1919. In the 1860/70’s William Melville traded in partnership with William Bayles as merchants in Melbourne and as landholders and leases of land in the Western District Weerangourt with 14192 acres freehold. This lease is for approximately 6000 acres and is for a period of 10 years at 2/9 per acre. This is one of a number of documents which relate to the Bostock family who were one of the most important pioneering families of the Western District. They owned and leased various properties around Warrnambool and were involved in many aspects of social and business life. The document itself is indicative of its time and provides an insight into the details and terms of such documents at the time. Ten page, large sheeted document, handwritten in black ink on blue paper. It has been folded in four. Date and names of people involved on one section.William Melville Augustus Bostock James Bostock.warrnambool, bostock, augustus bostock, james bostock, william melville, lease 1862,

The Bostock, Manifold and Aitkin families were all pioneering families in the Western District of Victoria almost from the time of settlement. They leased and owned vast tracts of land and operated businesses around the district, often associated with the farming industry. This document is dated 5th July 1865 and is an assignment of stock by way of mortgage. Augustus Bostock is the mortgagor with James William Manifold Aitkin and Ernest Bostock as mortgagees. At various times they were involved in running businesses together, in particular the Aitkin and Bostock store and flour mill. Three of the Bostock men were married to three of the Aitkin sisters. The amount in question is £2157/3/2 and surety is 8000 sheep and their increase, presently running at Coomete. The penciled in details on the document refer to Robert Brand Paterson who was later in business with Aitkin This is one of a number of documents which relate to the Bostock family who were one of the most important pioneering families of the Western District. They owned and leased various properties around Warrnambool and were involved in many aspects of social and business life. The document itself is indicative of its time and provides an insight into the details and terms of such documents at the time.Large grey coloured, lined hand written document over four pages. Folded in four with date and details on one section. Red wax seal on page 3. There are extra entries written in black lead pencil in areas relating to the money and surety of the agreement.Signed by the following George Barber Warrnambool, Thomas Sunderland Deputy Registrar General, and Augustus Bostock. Hingston & Co, Chancery Lane Melbourne hand written in top left hand corner. warrnambool, bostock,augustus bostock james william manifold aitkin,robert brand paterson, coomete,

Peter’s Project is an organization set up to raise funds for a Regional Cancer Care Centre in Warrnambool and to manage the Centre after it is built. The project was initially set up by Vicki Jellie in memory of her husband, Peter, who died of cancer some years earlier. The main aim was to build a centre for the treatment of cancer in Warrnambool so that many cancer sufferers did not have to go to Geelong or Melbourne for treatment. Government and local Council funds have been obtained for the project with the general public contributing to an appeal to raise $5 million. This target has been reached. The building is currently being erected. This invitation to the Official Launch of the appeal was sent to Bill Phillpot who was the Director of the appeal. This invitation is of some interest as it indicates the launch of the public appeal for funds for Peter’s Project and it is a great example of one person commencing a community campaign which was very successful and will have far-reaching results. This is a single-sheet card sent to Bill Phillpot by the Directors and Committee of Peter’s Project Ltd and the Premier of Victoria, Dr Denis Napthine. It is an invitation to attend the launch of the public appeal towards the building of a Cancer Care Centre. The card has blue printed material on a white background with the logo of Peter’s Project at the top left hand corner.peter’s project, warrnambool regional cancer care centre

This is a card sent by the family of Samuel McDonald in 1922 thanking the Warrnambool Club members for their sympathy following a recent bereavement. The Warrnambool Club was established in 1873 as a gentlemen’s club and the Warrnambool Club building in Kepler Street which still stands today was erected in 1877. Samuel McDonald, a Justice of the Peace, died in Malvern, Melbourne, at the age of 78. His wife was Eliza Spiers McDonald. Samuel McDonald was buried in the Warrnambool Cemetery so it is presumed he was a resident of the city at one stage.This card is of interest as it has a social history showing the type of bereavement card used in the 1920s. – a plain card with a black edging. These cards could be purchased in bulk with a blank sheet for inserting the relevant details. The connection to Samuel McDonald and the Warrnambool Club is also interesting.This is a small cream-coloured card with black edging. The card has printed material and a small slit in the top left hand corner indicating that it has been pinned to a notice board or wall. ‘The family of the late Mr Samuel McDonald return(s) sincere thanks for kind sympathy in their recent bereavement. December 1922’samuel mcdonald, warrnambool club

As this blotter came with a collection of dockets etc from the Warrnambool Club it is assumed that it was a blotter used at the Club. It comes from the firm of B.H.Altson, a tobacconist, probably a supplier of goods to the Warrnambool Club. Henry Altson, a tobacconist, built an eight-storeyed building in 1903 at the corner of Elizabeth and Collins Streets in Melbourne (on the site of the first brick building in Melbourne). Altson’s tobacconist shop occupied the prime corner position for many years. The Warrnambool Club was a gentlemen’s club established in Warrnambool in 1873 and the Warrnambool Club building in Kepler Street erected in 1877 and the Club still exist. This blotter is of some interest as an example of the Melbourne firms patronized by the Warrnambool Club in 1924This is a piece of blotting paper advertising on one side the firm of B.H. Altson, Tobacconists, in Melbourne. It has a calendar for 1924. The printed material is black on a creamy-coloured surface. The blotting paper on the other side has been slightly used (blotted handwriting) There are also some handwritten figures scrawled across the advertisement, the meaning of which is not known.‘B.H. Altson Pty Ltd, Tobacconists, Altson’s Corner, Collins Street, Melbourne, Telephone 2076, With Compliments’.warrnambool club, b.h.altson,, tobacconist

Marriage licence issued to James Bostock and Alicen Aitkin to be executed within a period of 3 months. It has been issued by the Bishop of Melbourne of the United Church of England and Ireland. It is signed by P Teulon Beamish who was arch Deacon in Warrnambool for many years. Three Bostock brothers married three the Aitkin sisters. James was the youngest of the Bostock family as his mother died in childbirth at his delivery. He had a keen interest in horses and worked for both Augustus and John .He died in 1919. Alice died in 1896 at the age of 53.This is one of a number of documents which relate to the Bostock family who were one of the most important pioneering families of the Western District. They owned and leased various properties around Warrnambool and were involved in many aspects of social and business life. This particular personal document shows a link between two influential families in the district at the time.Heavy cream paper with black printing and handwritten black ink inserts. Oval stamped seal in bottom right hand corner. No 2782 stamped in top right hand corner.warrnambool, bostock, aitkin, james bostock, alice aitkin, 1875,

This stamp was used by an Independent Order of Oddfellows organization – the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge. The Independent Order of Oddfellows is a benefit society, founded in the U.S.A., offering medical and employment benefits for its members. Its motto is ‘Friendship, Love, Truth’. A branch was first established in Melbourne in 1846 and the Loyal Victoria Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows was established in Warrnambool in 1860. The Oddfellows Hall in Warrnambool (building still existing) opened in 1869. It is likely that the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge has been established from this original Loyal Victoria Lodge. This stamp is of interest as it has been used by the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. Benefit societies such as this one have been influential and important in the social and economic history of Warrnambool. This is a stamp for the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. It has a circular wooden handle, a metal base and a round rubber stampLoyal Warrnambool Lodge,Warrnambool I.O.O.F., No 181 F.L.T. loyal warrnambool lodge, independent order of oddfellows, stamp

These two stamps were for use by an Independent Order of Oddfellows organization – the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge. The Independent Order of Oddfellows is a benefit society, founded in U.S.A., offering medical and employment benefits for its members. Its motto is ‘Friendship, Love,Truth’. A branch was first established in Melbourne in 1846 and the Loyal Victoria Lodge was established in Warrnambool in 1860. The Oddfellows Hall in Warrnambool opened in 1869 (building still existing today). It is likely that the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge has been established from the original Loyal Victoria Lodge.These stamps are of interest as they have been used by the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. Benefit societies such as this one have been influential and important in the social and economic history of Warrnambool.These are two I.O.O.F. stamps. One has a black plastic handle, a rectangular wooden base painted red with a small indent on one side and a rubber stamp. Part of the rubber stamp has been cut off on one side. The other stamp has a rounded black plastic handle, a wooden base and a rubber stamp. Stamp one: ‘The Grand Secretary, I.O.O.F. of Victoria, 380 Russell Street, Melbourne, 3000’ Stamp two: ‘Loyal Warrnambool Lodge’ loyal warrnambool lodge, independent order of oddfellows, warrnambool, stamp

No particular information is available on this item but as the matches were made at a Commonwealth Government factory they probably date from World War Two (1939-45). At this time many essential items that would be of particular use for the war effort were produced by Government factories to ensure a regular supply and to regulate the use within the community. This item has no known local provenance but is of some historical interest as an example of matches produced mid 20th century. Matches at that time were much more important as a lighting mechanism and a common household item. This is round cardboard box in two sections with a circular cardboard lid (slightly bent). The box has a striped black and cream pattern on it. The box has 21 waxed matches with blue or white tips.‘The Commonwealth Match Works, Melbourne, Waterproof’commonwealth match works, warrnambool