This camera comes from the 1920s and originally belonged to a member of the Shadbolt family but no information has been found on this family. The Kodak junior camera was very popular in the first half of the 20th Century This camera has no known local provenance but is retained as an interesting example of an early Kodak camera This is KODAK junior camera in a leather covering with a leather handle. It has a concertina mechanism. It has an outer leather case with a leather strap and a broken metal catch. The cover is much scuffed and rubbed. The camera is rectangular in shape with curved ends.1. Kodak No.1a Autographic Kodak Jr. .2 Molly Shadbolt Ulverstone Tasmania M.A. Shadbolt Burnleigh Church Terrace Walkerville A Mitchell Hyde Park history of warrnambool, kodak cameras

This book (a reprint of a book first published in 1986) was written by Jean MacKenzie and details the life of her grandmother, Jessie MacGillivray. Much of the information on Jessie MacGillivray comes directly from the diaries she kept. The book is also a great social history of 19th century and early 20th century Peterborough and district. This book is of considerable interest as it contains historical information on one family in particular and a region (Peterborough and district). Many of the people and events mentioned had a direct bearing on Warrnambool’s history (eg. James McKain Meek, local shipwrecks). This is a soft cover book of 144 pages plus 16 pages of black and white photographs and other images. The front cover has a buff-coloured background featuring some original diary writing with an inset of a black and white photograph of Jessie MacGillivray. The back cover has a black and white photograph of the Peterborough coastline. The book has 16 chapters of text.peterborough (vic.) history, history of warrnambool, jessie macgillivray

This pipe has been made by William White of Glasgow, Scotland, a firm that was producing this type of pipe throughout the 19th century. Pipe smoking for men was prevalent in the 19th century and early to mid 20th century but is no longer a popular pastime. This pipe has no known provenance but it is an interesting object from the past and is retained for display purposes.This is a white clay pipe. Part of the stem has been broken off. 657 W. White Glasgowmen’s accessories, history of warrnambool

Hair clips such as this one would have been worn by women in the 19th and early 20th centuries and would have been used to keep back long hair from around the face. Similar clips may be used today but they would more likely be made of plastic or ornamented metal. This hair clip has no known provenance but is an attractive item and is retained for display purposes.This is a curved shell (perhaps tortoise shell) hair clip with an ornamental fretwork pattern in the centre. A metal piece, slightly curved, is attached to the clip with a screw. vintage hair clips, history of warrnambool

This needle case, probably dating from early in the 20th century, contained knitting needles of various sizes and those needles were probably used in sets of four to knit such items as socks. In the early to mid 20th century many items of clothing and furnishings were hand knitted with the yarn mostly favoured being wool. Today knitting is a hobby taken up by a few and clothes that were once knitted are now bought ready-made. This needle case is of antiquarian interest and is retained for display purposes. This is a cylindrical metal case with a gold-coloured marbled pattern around the case and closed metal ends. One metal end swivels around to reveal four compartments that once contained metal knitting needles. One of these needles remains. The case has printing on both metal ends and on the case body but much of this is now indecipherable. The Crescent Case Best English Knitting Instructions …. antiquarian household objects, history of warrnambool

This item has come from the business of J.P.McMeekin of Warrnambool. It would have been sold or given to clients of the business for promotion purposes. The father of James McMeekin, with his brother, William, established their business in Warrnambool in the early 1880s with land, estate and insurance agencies and a produce store, including a dairy produce trade exporting butter to South Australia, South Africa and England. The business was initially in Fairy Street Warrnambool and then moved to Kepler Street. James McMeekin’s son, also James Parker McMeekin (1885-1935) continued on with the business until his death.His pen is of interest as an example of the type of promotion item issued by business men in Warrnambool in the 1930s. This is a pen with a brown-coloured wooden body tapering to a point at its end. It has a metal band at the other end with a metal nib inserted. The end of the pen is slightly broken and the nib is rusted. J.P.McMeekin Produce Merchant Warrnambool Phone 263j.p.mcmeekin, history of warrnambool

This is a booklet written by Jack Rooke about his life. Born in 1910 Jack Rooke faced early the challenges of living in the bush in the Camperdown and Panmure areas. He describes the difficulties of the small farmer and the tough living conditions. He also records the struggle to survive during the Depression years in the 1930s and his heartache after his farm was burnt out in the Ash Wednesday fires. Rooke’s story mirrors that of many settlers in the Western District in the early to mid 20th century and so he has produced an important social history in a simple but compelling manner. This booklet is of considerable importance as it gives the details of the life of one person facing the challenges of living in the bush in the district around Warrnambool in the 20th century. It is a simple but great social history that should be read by the younger generation today.This is a soft cover book of 40 pages. It has been self-published and home-produced with a buff-coloured cover and a plastic overlay. The cover has a black and white illustration. The pages contain some sketches and black and white photographs. early 20th century settlement in the warrnambool district, history of warrnambool

This item comes from the great aunts of the donor, women of the Kinnear family of Allandale, Allansford. In the early 1840s William and John Allan took up large tracts of land to the east of the Hopkins River. In the late 19840s the run was divided, with William taking the Allandale section and John taking the Tooram section. In 1906 a portion of the Allandale section, including the homestead, was acquired by the Kinnear family. This hat is retained as an example of a woman’s hat from 80 years ago – stylish and eye-catching. It is also of interest as coming from the Kinnear family of Allansford.This is a woman’s hat – a spherical-shaped piece of dark blue felt or velvet curved to fit a head. The headpiece is covered with layers of small feathers in brown, yellow, black and white tonings. The label of the maker is on the inside of the hat. Urbi et Orbi Custom Hats Yokohamavintage hats, kinnear family, allansford, history of warrnambool

This handmade woman’s nightdress comes from the Kinnear family of Allandale, Allansford. In the early 1840s William and John Allan took up a large tract of land to the east of the Hopkins River and in the late 1840s William Allan took over the Allandale section of the run and John Allan took the Tooram section. In 1906 the Kinnear family acquired a portion of Allandale which included the homestead. The nightdress came from the estates of the donor’s great aunts. This item is retained as an example of an early 20th century woman’s nightdress and it has the provenance of coming from the Kinnear family of Allandale Allansford. This is a white cotton nightdress with an opening to the waist which is enclosed with two white buttons. There is a frill of lace on one side of the opening. The white collar also has a large white frill of lace. The long sleeves are inset and have a band of lace at the wrists. There are some stains on the dress. vintage clothing, kinnear family, allansford, history of warrnambool

Magneto wall telephones such as this one were commonly in use in Australia around the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The wall telephone, powered by dry cells, was an invention of the late 1870s. In the first half of the 20th century many old wall telephones were restored and put back in use by the Australian P.M.G. when there was a shortage of telephones in the 1930s Depression and during World War Two. This item, a reminder of the days of early technology, has no known local provenance but is retained for display and research purposes.This telephone piece is contained within a brown wooden box with a back board that has curved edges and extends over the edges of the box. On the back there are three metal screws for attaching the box to a wall or door. The front section of the box has curved edges with an inset panel around the edges. There is a metal turning handle on one side of the box and on the other side there is a metal clip holding a hearing piece attached to the box by a cord. On the front of the box is a speaking piece attached to the box by a metal piece. Attached to the front of the box are two semi-circular ringing pieces now situated some centimetres out from the box. The box was originally varnished but the edges are now rubbed and there are some splotches of paint. vintage wall telephones, history of warrnambool, magneto wall telephones

This item comes from the estate of Dorothy and Agnes Ardlie and contains a clear photograph of their family home, Aroona (19 Princess Street, Warrnambool). Dorothy Ardlie (1910-1993) and Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993) were the daughters of Arthur and Ethel Ardlie of Warrnambool, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, pioneer settlers in Warrnambool. This calendar is of interest as it contains a photograph of Aroona, the early 20th century residence of Dorothy and Agnes Ardlie. The photograph is at least 54 years old and so has historic significance, especially for local researchers.This is a piece of lightweight cream-coloured cardboard with a calendar for the year 1954 printed in blue on the bottom half of the sheet and some blue decorative patterns around the calendar. The top half of the sheet has a black and white photograph of a house inserted in slots with a blue border around the photograph. The back of the sheet has the stamp of a business house and some handwriting in blue ink. Calendar for 1954 ‘Aroona’ 19 Princess Street Warrnambool Home of A.S. Ardlie Familyardlie family, history of warrnambool, dorothy and agnes ardlie

This item came from the estate of Dorothy and Agnes Ardlie of Warrnambool. It is a type of autograph book where the signatures are used to form inkblots, thus creating patterns which in this case are called the ‘ghosts’ of those signing. The making and interpreting of ink blots became popular in the late 19th century and this autograph book created by Cecil Henland is a quirky example of this craze. The autograph book belonged to Agnes Ardlie and was apparently given to her on her 13th birthday (1928). Dorothy Ardlie (1910-1993) and Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993) were the daughters of Arthur and Ethel Ardlie of Warrnambool, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, pioneer settlers in Warrnambool. This book is of great interest as a good example of an early 20th century style of autograph book using the signatures to form ink blots. It also has local provenance as the signatures/blots are mostly those of an Ardlie family and other early to mid 20th century Warrnambool personalities.This is a book of 50 pages. The cover is dark red with the inkblot or ‘ghost of a celebrated general’ in black and white in the middle of the front cover. This inkblot is reprinted on the second page. The front cover and spine have gold printing. The book originally had 48 blank pages with a fold down the middle and printed space at the top and bottom for a date and a name. This book has 19 blank pages and the others are filled with ink blots formed by writing a signature along the fold and then folding over the sheet without blotting to get patterns called in this book, ‘ghosts’. The book has a signature and an inscription handwritten in black ink, a page of instructions, and a poem called ‘Ghosts’. To Agnes with love from Mickie Sept 5th 1928 Agnes Marianne Ardlie ardlie family, history of warrnambool

This letter book contains the correspondence from the legal firm of William Ardlie in Warrnambool to other legal firms in Melbourne and other parts of Victoria (1951-1957). The correspondence deals mainly with legal matters concerning property transfers, wills, probates and court cases. William Ardlie (1943-1933) was the son of John and Mary Ardlie, pioneer settlers in Warrnambool. In 1865 William Ardlie established his legal practice in Warrnambool, initially in partnership with George Barber. William Ardlie, prominent in community affairs in Warrnambool, practised as a lawyer until the early 1930s and the firm continued on after his death with members of the Ardlie family involved in legal firms in the Warrnambool district until the early 21st century. This letter book is of historical interest because of the letters dealing with the property, wills etc of many residents of Warrnambool and district during the 1950s. It will be a useful research tool. This letter book of 393 pages has a buff-coloured cover which is somewhat stained. 227 pages contain copies of letters written over a period of seven years and the rest of the pages are blank. The pages are of a lightweight strength. At the front of the book is an alphabetical index with black printed letters on tabs cut out of the outer edges of the pages.Agents 1951ardlie family, history of warrnambool

This candle holder was probably home made and hung in a kitchen where the candles would be accessible and lit from the wood stove or a fireplace. Candles for lighting would have been in widespread use in Warrnambool until the mid 1920s when electric lighting was introduced and would have been used for a couple of decades after this in areas out of towns and cities where there was no electric lighting. This item is retained as an example of a household item from the early 20th century. It will be useful for display and school visits.This is a rectangular-shaped wooden container with a fitted lid. The container has been painted white but is now peeling in places. The top of the container has an extra wooden piece at the top with a hole in the middle for attaching a cord or string to hang the item on a door or wall. The word ‘candles’ is incised into the side of the container. Inside the container (originally space for six candles) are the remains of three candles with one other candle almost intact and another one intact with a wick. CANDLESvintage household goods, history of warrnambool, candles

This booklet contains the first draft of an article on Samuel Baulch’s acquisition of his property, Rose Park which was in the Macarthur/Hawkesdale district. Samuel Baulch’s parents, Francis and Ann Baulch were pioneer settlers in the Kirkstall area and Samuel worked at the Dunmore Station in the Macarthur area before purchasing the property he named Rose Park in the early 1870s. In the 1890s he acquired property in the Dunmore Estate. Samuel’s son, Stan Baulch, acquired sections of the Dunmore property after his father’s death and he named his section, Rose Park, a property to the west of the original Rose Park. This article is of historical interest and will be useful to researchers of local and family history. This is a booklet of 18 pages. It has a paper cover and the pages were originally stapled together but now have a plastic clip. The booklet has been home-produced and the material typed on a computer. Some of the pages are a little stained. samuel baulch, rose park, western victoria, history of warrnambool

These items concern the history of the Baulch family ownership of Cowabee, a large grazing property in the Riverina in N.S.W. In the 1870s Samuel Baulch, the son of pioneer Kirkstall settlers, Francis and Ann Baulch, established a property in the Macarthur/Hawkesdale area called Rose Park. In 1893 he acquired Dunmore, a nearby property, and Rose Park became part of that estate. In 1910 Samuel Baulch purchased Cowabee in N.S.W. and Stan Baulch, the son of Samuel and Eliza, later managed Cowabee for some years. After Samuel’s death Stan Baulch and his two brothers split up Dunmore and Stan acquired the eastern third which he named Rose Park. Cowabee was sold in 1922. This booklet and associated material is of some historical interest as a summary of the history of Cowabee, one of the properties owned by the Baulch family of the Western District in the early 20th century. It will be of some use to researchers, with the photographs an added bonus. .1 This is a booklet of 41 pages with a buff-coloured paper cover with a black tape binding. The front cover has a title in hand-printed lettering and the back cover has a red stamp (partly obliterated). The booklet contains typed information on Cowabee Station. .2 This is a small envelope containing six black and white photographs, all with handwritten information on the back. .21 & .22 These are two loose sheets of writing pad paper with handwriting in blue ink. .1 Cowabee .2 Snaps Cowabee Church Cemetry(sic) & pise buildings left there cowabee station, n.s.w., baulch family western district victoria, history of warrnambool

The Pentax Asahi Spotmatic camera is an SLR camera and was manufactured around 1960. An example of an early SLR camera.Black body with silver metal top . Three circular dials on the top with silver shutter button and winder. Base is silver with opening for battery. It has a screw on lens with lens cap . It has a thin plastic neck strap. It is quite a heavy Pentax Asahi on front near the lens . Spotmatic on front below shutter on the back Asahi OPT Co Japan.on top left 3588316 SPpentax asahi, pentax spotmatic, warrnambool history

This camera, known as the Manhattan Optical Cycle Wizard was made towards the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th , when the pastime of photography was popular and people were also becoming more mobile. They were relatively cheap to buy and portable .An interesting item which shows the early mechanisms of cameras.Black rectangular hard cardboard and wooden case with a leather type covering. It has a leather strap handle attached with metal keepers. The bottom is hinged and opens to reveal the lens and other components of the camera which expand out when in use. The metal fitting on the inside are white metal. The top has an inner section which closes with two metal clips. It opens to reveal a rectangle of opaque glass held in place with two small metal clips.Cycle Wizard Manhattan optical co. N Y. Bausch & Lomb Opt Co Pat Jan 8 . 91.black cycle wizard, wizard camera, warrnambool history

Both these items deal with the property of Dunmore, in the Macarthur/Hawkesdale/ Woolsthorpe area of Western Victoria. The first item is a sheet of paper with a map and details of the sale of portion of Dunmore in 1954. This is an original document. The second item is a history written by Stan Baulch of the property Dunmore from its establishment up to 1970. Dunmore was first established by Charles Hamilton MacKnight and two partners in 1842 and it was purchased by Samuel Baulch in 1893. After Samuel Baulch’s death the property was bequeathed to his three sons. One son, Stanley Baulch (1897-1980) took over the eastern portion which he named Rose Park. Stan Baulch was a member of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society and wrote several articles on aspects of his life and work, including this valuable article on the history of Dunmore. These items are of significance as they concern the estate of Dunmore in Western Victoria, an early and important property which is still farming land today under various owners. .1 This is a sheet of paper containing a map of the Dunmore property on one side and details of the sale of portion of Dunmore on the other side. The map has been annotated in handwritten black ink. The page has been folded twice. .2 This is an article typed on 12 foolscap pages. The typing is somewhat faint in places. ‘Dunmore’ Estate Dunmore baulch family, western district, victoria, dunmore estate, macarthur/hawkesdale, history of warrnambool

This item is a copy of an article on Henry Dana and the Native Police of the 1840s and 50s in Victoria. Henry Dana’s police corps is regarded as the forerunner of today’s Victorian Police Force. The article was written by Stan Baulch when he was a member of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society, probably in the 1970s. The paternal grandparents of Stanley Samuel Baulch (1897-1980) were Francis and Ann Baulch, pioneer settlers in the Kirkstall area in the 1840s. Stan’s father, Samuel Baulch, established a property in the Macarthur/Hawkesdale area in the 1870s (Rose Park) and in 1893 bought the nearby property of Dunmore which had been established in the 1840s by Charles Hamilton MacKnight and partners. (It was when Stan Baulch was reading the 19th century diary of Charles MacKnight that he first came across the story of Henry Dana and the native police). Stan Baulch inherited part of the Dunmore estate on his father’s death and this he named Rose Park, using his father’s property’s name. Stan Baulch had a great interest in local history and as well as the article on Henry Dana he also produced a booklet on early bullocking and bullock-drivers in the Western District. This article is a copy so does not have any strong historical significance but another copy of it will be a useful file item in the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society.This is an article of 8 foolscap pages, with the material in it being a typed copy. The first page has two photocopied illustrations. stanley baulch, rose park, western district,, victoria, history of warrnambool

The saddler and harness business of E.D. Evans and Co. in Liebig Street was prominent in Warrnambool from the 1870s to the early decades of the 20th century. Edward Evans came to Warrnambool in the 1850s, was a Warrnambool Councillor from 1875 to 1878 and from 1884 to 1888 and was prominent in racing circles in the town,These labels are of interest as E.D. Evans was a well known saddle and harness maker in Warrnambool's history..1 Light brown cardboard label, primarily rectangular with mitred corners at one end, a hole with a red reinforce sticker surrounding it. The label has black printed text and several parallel lines. Also there is a pencilled code. .2 Identical to .1 but smaller.1 FROM E. D. EVANS & CO. SADDLE & HARNESS MAKERS, WARRNAMBBO, PORT FAIRY, AND TERANG. C 1900 ( In pencil) .2 Identical to .1 edward evans, saddler, warrnambool councillor, warrnambool racing

This label comes from the newsagency and stationery shop of James Deany. He took over the business of O.Gorman in Timor Street in 1901 and was in partnership with Robert Armstrong until 1906. His business was purchased in 1918 by Mrs Matilda Rowan. Deany was a Warrnambool Councillor (1911-1917), Mayor 1915-1916 and M.L.A. Victoria from 1917 to his death in 1927.This label is an interesting memento of the Timor Street, Warrnambool business of James Deany in the early 20th centuryThis is a piece of paper pasted on to another sheet of paper. The paper has white printing on a blue background with a blank space for an addressFrom J.D.Deany opposite P.O. Timor St. Warrnambool Bookseller, Stationer, Fancy Goods, Sporting Requisites Agent for Colonial Mutual Fire Insurance The Age Agency james d.deany, history of warrnambool, warrnambool councillor

This label comes from a Patersons Furniture and Home Furnishings Store. This company dates from the early 20th century with the first store in Smith Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne. One of the company’s many branch stores was in Warrnambool, based at 177-179 Liebig Street in the 1960s. At that time Patersons Pty Ltd had 70 branch stores.This label is of minor interest as a memento of a 1960s business in Warrnambool – Patersons Furniture Store.This is a buff-coloured thick card with two corners slightly cut away. It has blue printing and an inserted eyelet for attaching the label by string or cord to a parcel or piece of furniture.From Patersons Pty Ltdfurniture stores, patersons pty ltd, history of warrnambool

This is a label from the business of Melsom Hemmons, a Warrnambool dentist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He had a practice at first in the chemist’s shop of Richard F. Kennedy in Timor Street and was later in Kepler Street.This label is of interest as a memento of a prominent dentist with a business in Warrnambool a hundred years ago. This is a small white card with a black border, black and red printing and some decorative patterns.M. Hemmons Dental Surgeon, W’bool Antiseptic Mouth Wash for Cleansing and Hardening the Gums melsom hemmons, warrnambool dentist, history of warrnambool

This label comes from the business of James Earle. It was established in Liebig Street in the 1880s, taking over from A. Kentish. In the early 20th century it was known as Earle and Son. James Earle died in 1934.This label is of some interest as it is a memento of James Earle. His Warrnambool business was a prominent one in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This is a cream-coloured piece of paper with cream-coloured printing on a green background. The paper is pasted on to a piece of pink card. From Jas. Earle - Fair Price – Clothier, Milliner & Draper Stocks Best Class Goods Liebig Street Warrnambool draper,, history of warrnambool

This knitting pattern book dates from about the 1940s. Garments made with a Fair Isle pattern, especially sleeveless vests for men, were popular at that time. In the early to mid 20th century in Australia many of the woollen garments worn were handmade. Today this is not the case and hand-knitted garments are rare. Miss McClure had a lingerie and babywear shop at 114 Liebig Street before the building was demolished in 1953. This book is of minor interest as an example of a 1940s knitting pattern book and as a memento of Miss McClure’s shop in Liebig Street at that time. This is a booklet of 16 pages. It has a white cover with a red edging and black and white photographs and black printing on the front and back cover. The pages contain instructions for knitting six garments.Fair Isles For the Family Miss McClure Liebig Streetmiss mcclure, liebig street, history of warrnambool, knitting pattern books

This notebook comes from the estates of the Misses Dorothy and Agnes Ardlie of Warrnambool. Dorothy Ardlie (1910-1993) and her sister Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993) were the daughters of Ethel and Arthur Ardlie of Warrnambool, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, early Warrnambool settlers. The notebook has been used in 1954 as a visitors book and later as an address book and a notebook for recipes, messages etc. The significance of ‘A la Ronde’ or ‘In the Round’ on the opening page is not known. This notebook is of minor interest as a memento of the Misses Dorothy and Agnes Ardlie of Warrnambool (20th century)This is a small notebook with a light brown cover with an ornamental gold edging around the front cover. The cover is somewhat stained. The pages are gilt-edged and contain handwritten signatures, names and addresses and notes. There are many blank pages.Visitors Book A La Ronde 1954 ardlie family, history of warrnambool

These are cards awarded as prizes in Flower Shows in Warrnambool in the 1940s to the Misses Ardlie. Dorothy Ardlie (1910-1993) and her sister Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993) were the daughters of the Warrnambool law clerk Arthur Ardlie and his wife Ethel, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife, Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, early Warrnambool settlers. The cards were mostly awarded to Agnes Ardlie for prize flowers and pot plants and come from the Warrnambool Agricultural Society Annual Show, St. John’s Warrnambool Presbyterian Church Flower Show and St. Joseph’s Warrnambool Catholic Church Fete and Flower Show.These cards are of minor interest as mementoes of Agnes and Dorothy Ardlie, members of a prominent Warrnambool family in the 20th century. These are lightweight cardboard cards, rectangular in shape. They all have printing in various colours and handwriting in ink or pencil. Some cards have been annotated on the back and one card has a newspaper cutting and a photograph of the winning pot plant. ardlie family, history of warrnambool

These items came from the estates of Dorothy Ardlie (1910-1993) and her sister Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993). They are poignant mementoes of their sister Olive who died in 1912 of gangrenous appendicitis at the age of 6. The three sisters were the daughters of Arthur and Ethel Ardlie of Warrnambool, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, pioneer Warrnambool settlers. These mementoes were kept by family members for over 100 years These items are of considerable interest as mementoes of a small child who died early in the 20th century and of the type of bereavement cards used at that time. .1 A black and white photograph produced as a post card. The subject is a young girl on a swing and holding a doll. The photograph has a hole at the top. .2 A bereavement card with black edging, black printing and handwriting in black ink. .3 A bereavement card with black edging and black printing. .4 A small envelope, much stained. This contains a small amount of a child’s hair. .1 Foyle’s Photo Card Liebig St. Warrnambool For Ethel in memory of her little playmate Olive Ardlie .2 In Affectionate Remembrance of Olive Mary Josephine Ardlie who departed this life 24th February 1912 Aged 6 Years .3 Mr & Mrs Arthur Ardlie return sincere thanks for kind sympathy in their great sorrow ‘Aroona’ Warrnambool .4 Olive’s hair, March 31st 09 3 yrs ardlie family, history of warrnambool

This is the seat from the aeroplane of Basil Watson. Photographs held by the Warrnambool and District Historical Society confirm that this was Watson’s aeroplane seat. He was a pioneer aviator who had built his own plane which was 5.5 metres long with a wingspan of 8 metres. It had a 7-cylinder 50 HP rotary Gnome engine. Basil Watson flew this aircraft to Warrnambool in January 1917, becoming the first person to fly to Warrnambool, coming from Point Cook in one hour 55 minutes – an Australian cross-country flying record at that time. Watson amazed Warrnambool crowds with his dare-devil flying, looping the loop 14 times over the Warrnambool racecourse. He also brought with him the first aerial post to arrive in Warrnambool and the Warrnambool and District Historical Society has the letter he brought written by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne to the Mayor of Warrnambool. Two months after he was in Warrnambool Basil Watson was killed when his plane crashed near Point Cook in March 1917. Parts of the plane were salvaged and the seat was donated to the old Warrnambool Museum in 1918. It remained there until the museum was dismantled in the early 1960s and it was later passed over to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. The tag on the seat today is an old Warrnambool Museum label. This is a most significant item as it is the original seat from the aeroplane of Basil Watson, an important early aviator in Australia’s history and it is also an early 20th century memento of the many treasures from the old Warrnambool Museum (1883-1963). The seat shows the primitive nature of early 20th century aeroplanes in Australia. This is a metal (galvanized iron) seat with a semi-circular base and a curved back stretching around from one end of the base to the other end. The back has a rolled metal edging on the base and the top. On the sides are two slots with a khaki-coloured cloth strap passing through the slots. This strap has a metal buckle at the end. The metal in the seat is somewhat blotched and discoloured. A luggage label is tied to one of the slots and has a name typed on it.Mr Watsonbasil watson, aviator, old warrnambool museum, history of warrnambool