Commissioned by the Friends of Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens and gifted to the Hepburn Shire in 2012. Historical Significance - In 1848, Irish immigrant John Egan took up land on the future town site then known as Wombat Flat. He and a party of searchers found alluvial gold in 1851 on ground now covered by Lake Daylesford initiating the local gold rush. Other finds quickly followed. With the finding of alluvial gold a town site was surveyed and founded in 1852. Initially called Wombat, it was renamed Daylesford. Cultural and Artistic Significance - Miriam Porter's 'Wombat' is a symbol of the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens where visitors and locals alike love being photographed. Large scale solid redgum wombat sculpture.Artist intends to sign the work with 'M' on one leg.daylesford, hepburn shire, public art, miriam porter, wombat, art, sculpture, red gum, australian wood, australia, tourist attraction

Gold was discovered in Ballarat in 1851 when many people rushed to the diggings. A monument commemorates the centenary of the finding of gold at Poverty Point and is dedicated to the memory of pioneer miners of Ballarat. It records gold yields, nuggets and the richest recorded yields of both alluvial and quartz mines. The replica gold nugget on the monument is the `Welcome Nugget`, found in Ballarat in 1858, weighed 2,217 ounces and was sold for £10,500. The memorial, known as the Pioneer Miners’ Monument, was made to commemorate Ballarat's gold centenary. It was proposed that part of the Pioneers' Memorial Fund might be used. This fund was started with £1300 profit from the 1938 centenary celebrations. (Age (Melbourne), The monument was created by John Edward Skilbeck, a toolmaker with Ronaldson and Tippett. John Skilbeck had a deep interest in Ballarat History, and undertook much research with Bert Strange and Keith Stacpoole. Councilllor William Ernest Roff provided the copper for the memorial from scrap copper obtained during his plumbing business. The copper was reworked by John Skilbeck, and was soldered in the kitchen of his home at 14 Frank Street. Colour photograph of the gold monument on the corner of Sturt Street and Albert Street, Ballarat. It commemorates the discovery of gold at Poverty Point in August 1851, and was The monument was unveiled in 1951 and is mainly constructed of large piecesof quartz, with a miniature popper head on the top made of copper. Mounted on the side is a replica of the Welcome Nugget, which was unearthed on the corner of Humffray and Mair Streets, Ballarat on 09 June 1858.FRONT This monument was erected by the Ballarat Historical Society to commemorate the finding of gold at Poverty Point 21st August 1851 and is dedicated to the memory of/ pioneer miners of Ballarat LEFT SIDE Richest recorded yields alluvial mines Band of Hope 303269 Ozs Prince of Wales 168929 Koh I Noor 164157 Great Redan Ex 110111 Albion 107125 Bonshaw Fr 96520 Park 94699 St George 86702 Sir Wm Don 76830 Hand in Hand 76830 Sir Henry Loch 43562 Quartz Mines Star of the East 256758 Ozs Band of Hope 158299 Victoria United 152013 N Woah Hawp 129562 New Normanby 127562 Britannia 103225 Llanberris No 1 100533 Black Hill 91665 Last Chance U 83766 Llanberris 71364 Speedwell 66000 South Star 64444 Sulieman Pasha Companies 62666 RIGHT Recorded gold yield 20606000 ozs Nuggets Alluvial Welcome 2217 ozs Saraha Snads 1619 Lady Hotham 1177 Canadian 1 1117 Canadian 2 1011 Koh 1 Noor 834 Eureka 625 Lady Loch 617 Prince of Wales 606 Bakery Hill 571 Native Youth 540 Faboulous yields of earliest diggings not offically recorded Quartz Nuggets N Woah Hawp 5-- 300 200 Ozs White Horse 500 Woah Hawp 444 266 262 Canton 257 200 Q Victoria lease 410 U Black Hill Coy 315 Tinworths 250 Parade Coy 245gold monument, ballarat, skilbeck, poppet head, j.e. skilbeck, john skilbeck

Diggers & Mining. Diggers and miners. From the middle 1850's on, there was a gradual development of gold mining in Victoria. (Remember that while the first stage of this, development was going on, tens of thousands of diggers were still working on old diggings, or rushing new fields. See earlier maps.) The first ''mines'' were small affairs, - - - Markings: 25 994:LIF I. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. The Chinese on the Gold Fields. Slide reads: Discovery by ''overlanding'' Chinese of the rich canteen load near Ararat led to a great rush to that field (1857). An anti-Chinese riot followed. Slide shows route that the Chinese would have walked. . . . Whence overlanded into Victoria. Markings: 25. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & Mining. Getting the Gold. Slide: MEMS FROM THE MOUNT - But in spite of all these wonderful golden discoveries, day after day, the grand desideratum is wanting - water, and with the amazing population rushing into these fields. I am surely afraid of very serious consequences arising . . . . As much as 30s. a barrel is now being paid I some of these gullies for water, and the price is likely to increase. Near to every tent you will see great heaps of washing stuff up, waiting for the first rains; one friend of mine has 400 cartloads this piled up, which he calculates will yield about 3 ounces to the load, and he and his mates still keep adding to their monstrous heap. (M.M.H., June 14, 1853.) . . .while others would spend the dry weeks heaping up ''stuff'' to be treated when the stream flowed again Markings: 68 994.LIF:4. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Mr. Northcott served all through the Crimean war, and obtained three service medals. He was most fortunate, as he did not even receive a scratch. While fighting in the trenches one day he happened to glance round, and was surprised to discover that his brother was by his side. They had not seen each other for a long time, and the meeting under such circumstances can be imagined. Two of his brothers, John and William, served throughout the war. At its close he came to Victoria, the gold fever being then at its height. His stay in Bendigo was brief, as the New Zealand rush attracted his attention, but he returned in 1858 to Bendigo, and as the outlook was quiet, he went back to New Zealand in 1859. Finally, in 1860, he settled in the Bendigo district with his father and mother and brother William. They took up some land at Leichardt and remained there for some years. It was about this time that he became prominent in musical circles. He came of a musical family, as his oldest brother, John, was one of the musicians to the Royal Family, and was pensioned by the late Queen Victoria. His younger brother, William, is at the present time one of the leading cornet players in the United States. In 1867 the late Mr. Northcott married Miss Lansell, sister of Mr. Geo. Lansell, her demise having taken place about three months before. When he left Leichardt, Mr. Northcott became Mr. Lansell's general manager, and continued in that capacity for 26 years. While he was manager of the 180 Mine it is estimated that gold to the value of a million sterling was taken from the mine. It is, perhaps, in his capacity as a bandsman, that Mr. Northcott was best known, as he became a familiar figure not only in the chief centres of Victoria but throughout Australia. He first became leader of the old Volunteer Band, and he was subsequently leader of the Battalion Band at Castlemaine. It was when he became leader of the musical combination known as Northcott's Brass Band that his fame and the fame of the band became widespread, as some 25 years ago it was one of the finest bands in Australia, and held that distinction for many years. Although many changes in the personnel of the band have taken place, it still retainsits old name. Mr. Northcott was a cornet player of high ability, and in 1871 he was presented by the citizens of Bendigo with a handsome silver cornet, in recognition of his services as a musician. His home contains a great array of trophies, photographic groups of bandsmen etc., which serve to indicate in a sense the reputation he enjoyed as a bandsman. During his career in Bendigo he invested in mining a good deal, but was not very fortunate in this respect, as he lost a good deal of money on the New Chum line. Naturally he was well known and warmly respected, especially by bandsmen. He was a genial citizen, and made a large circle of sincere friends. He was a member of the Zenith Lodge of Masons, having passed through the chairs twice. He was also a member of the A.O.F., and formerly a member of the School of Mines Administrative Council. It was about this time that he became prominent in musical circles. He came of a musical family, as his oldest brother, John, was one of the musicians to the Royal Family, and was pensioned by the late Queen Victoria. His younger brother, William, was one of the leading cornet players in the United States.Black and white photograph of Northcott's City Band, Bendigo. 3 rows of men in Band Uniform. Drum centre, brass instruments.men laying in grass at front.organisation, band, northcott's city band

Book - 240 pages + end papers + hard covers + dust jacket titled "Life after Gold - Twenthieth-Century Ballarat" Dust jacket printed in colour, sewn sections, end papers glued to cover. Has table contents, list of illustrations, list of maps, acknowledgements, table of conversions, an index, appendices, abbreviations, notes, bibliography. non-fictionDetails the history of Ballarat following the 19th century gold discoveries and how Ballarat changed its industry and social life in particular after the 1st and 2nd world wars and the change of Government policies in respect of trade and social welfare.ballarat, local history, 20th century social history, social history

Original wooden hotel built 1852, burnt down 1884 and replaced by current brick building.Licensed premises since gold rushB/W photo of Crown Hotel, Buninyong, two-story, gabled hotel, brick painted white, viewed across intersection, large Chinese Elm tree to left, which was destroyed in truck accident 6 May 2022.buninyong, crown hotel, building, streetscape, chinese elm

Original Building dates from around 1855, strong connection with Robert Allen, prominent citizen in early goldrush, links through him to Allen Store and Old Library.Built by prominent citizen and benefactor, early gold-rush dwellingEyre Cottage, former home of Robert Allen, c 1855, on S/W cnr. of Eyre and Winter Streets, side view from N/W.buninyong, eyre st, winter st, robert allen, streetscape, building

The "Jack Be Nimble" competition was run as part of Maryborough's annual Wattle Festival.The competition for which the trophy was presented is based on the traditional game of knucklebones or "Jack - Be - Nimble". The now defunct Wattle Festival was a significant feature of the town's cultural life for many years. Varnished wood two- layer base with central pillar, topped with gold coloured knucklebone. Metal plaque on upper layer of base and metal shields on lower level.Jack Be Nimble competition (main plaque) Individual competition winners noted on shields (Betty Briggs (1984), Isa Stewart (1985), Frank O'Connor (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989), Susan Crouch (1990), Vicki-Lee Rush (1992/3).trophy festival

This image shows the house occupied by Thomas Mason and his family in 1883. The man in the centre of the image holding the reins of the horse is possibly Thomas Mason. One of the two women seated in the buggy is possibly his wife Catherine Mason (nee Whelan). This house was built by grazier George Palmer Hall around 1846-1848 north of what is now Lerderderg Street, Bacchus Marsh, at a point close to the Lerderderg RIver. The house and the accompanying farm of over 5,000 hectares was leased by George Ball to George Hobler in the late 1840s and early 1850s. During this time George Hobler's daughter Emily married Henry Bacchus the son of Captain William Bacchus. By 1865 Thomas Mason had purchased the property. Mason named the property Riverton. After his death in the 1890s the property was owned by a number of different people. The house was still in use until 1999 but since this time has been unoccupied and its condition has significantly deteriorated.This image is significant because it depicts one of the earliest houses built in the town of Bacchus Marsh. It is probably the earliest surviving image of this Bacchus Marsh pre-gold rush structure.Small sepia unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Housed in the album, 'Photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by Stevenson and McNicoll'. The image shows a brick house, with an iron roof and with a white picket fence around the front garden. There is a buggy to the left of the image with two women seated in it. A man stands in front of the buggy holding the reins of a white horse which is harnessed to the buggy. Further to the right of the image is an older man with his hands in his pockets. On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME. On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun. Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district, houses bacchus marsh, george hobler 1800-1882, henry bacchus 1820-1887, emily bacchus, mason family bacchus marsh

non-fictionThis book tells the story of Margaret Gee's family, spanning three generations living on the land in picturesque North Eastern Victoria, near Beechworth-Kelly country and steeped in the history of the gold rush and early pioneers. It is the story of her indomitable father, who grew up at Silver Creek, then joined the Australian Navy, became a prisoner of war on the Burma Railway after surviving the sinking of HMAS Perth, of his wife and family.gee family, beechworth, rural families, country life -- victoria

This specimen was recovered from Mica Schist, Canada. Chalcopyrite is a copper iron sulfide mineral with a chemical composition of CuFeS2. Its name derives from the Greek words for copper (chalco-) and brass (pyrite). It can be found in shades of yellow, green and grey, and, when exposed to acid, it can change to purple, blue, violet and yellow tones. Weathering can cause loss of its metallic luster and its brass-yellow colour. Chalcopyrite forms under various conditions, with the most significant deposits being hydrothermal in their origin. It is known globally as the most important ore of copper for thousands of years, and is thus considered a very important mineral formation. Given its golden appearance, it is often confused for the mineral gold, earning it the popular reputation as 'fool's gold' or 'yellow copper'. However, it can be straightforwardly distinguished from gold; the latter is soft, with higher specific gravity and a yellow streak, whereas chalcopyrite is brittle, easily scratched by a nail, and has a greenish grey streak. Copper was the first metal that was used by people. It was discovered by the Neolithic man about 9,000 years ago and it gradually replaced stone as it was easier to be shaped. In Australia, search for copper began after the European settlement, leading to the discovery of substantial deposits, like the one at the Olympic Dam in South Australia, which is regarded as one of the largest copper deposits in the world. Chalcopyrite has been used for copper since smelting processes began approximately five thousand years ago. Although by no means rare, this the specimen of this mineral can be used to reflect a wider history of industrial uses of copper for a significant portion of human history. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A solid hand-sized copper iron sulfide mineral of brass yellow, often with an iridescent tarnish, with greenish-black streak and submetallic luster. Chalcopyrite can be formed in several ways, including crystalizing from accessory minerals in igneous rocks, or from magma or within volcano sulfide deposits. Most commonly, chalcopyrite are found in hydrothermal conditions, where it forms in hydrothermal veins. As a member of the tetragonal crystal system, it often takes the shape of tetra-headed crystals, often with striations along the sides of the crystals. #18 Copper pyrites/(chalcopyrite) in/Laurentian Slate/(page 315 of inventory)/page missing from/descriptive catalogue/ Other label: 81 /fool's gold, chalcopyrite, mineral, rock, geology, geological, hydrothermal, neolithic, european settlement, olympic dam, south australia, stone, deposits, specific gravity, greenish grey streak, brittle, mineral gold, metallic luster, cufes2, greek words

This Holy Bible is entitled "The Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments, translated out of the original tongues: and with former translations diligently compared and revised by His Majesty's Spiritual Command." It was printed by Sir D. Hunter Blair and M.T. Bruce in Edinburgh, 1836, printers to the King's most Excellent Majesty, H.B.S." The Bible belonged to David and Alice Ellis, a young couple married in Dublin in 1855. It has been handed down in the Ellis family until it was donated, together with other personal effects, in 2004 by David and Alice’s granddaughter, daughter of David Ellis Junior. Alice treated the Bible as an important posession. On 6th October 1855 newlyweds David and Alice Ellis set sail for Australia in the brand new Schomberg, considered the most perfect clipper ship. She was built as an emigrant ship in Aberdeen and set sail from Liverpool on her maiden voyage, bound for Melbourne, Australia. She was loaded with 430 passengers plus cargo that included iron rails and equipment intended for building the Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. On 27th December 1855, only one day from her Melbourne destination, the Schomberg was grounded on a sand-spit on the Victorian coast near Peterborough. The passengers and crew were all safely rescued by a passing small steamer, the SS Queen, which traded between Melbourne and Warrnambool, and taken to Melbourne. The passengers had been told, when leaving the sinking Schomberg, that all they could take with them was a small basket or handbag. A newspaper article later mentioned that one of the things Alice made space for in her basket was her Bible. (It is unclear whether Alice took any possessions with her onto the SS Queen, but a note accompanying the donation of the Bible and basket states that the items were “left on deck and salvaged as Schomberg went down”.) Another steamer was despatched from Melbourne to retrieve the passengers’ luggage from the Schomberg and Alice was reunited with all of her boxes of belongings. Other steamers helped unload the cargo until the change in weather made it too difficult. Although the Schomberg was wrecked there were no lives lost. At that time David was 23 years old (born in Wales, 1832) and his new bride Alice was 26 (born in Dublin, 1829). They had been given letters of introduction to people in Tasmania so they travelled there from Melbourne. However the couple only stayed on that island for about a year before they returned to the Western District of Victoria. David worked for Mr Neil Black as a gardener for a while then, when the land in the area was made available by the Victorian government, David and Alice claimed a selection of land on Noorat Road in the Terang district. They settled there for the remainder of their lives, expanding their property “Allambah” as opportunities arose. A document accompanying the donation lists the names of six children; William, Grace (c. 1859-1946), Thomas (c. 1866 – 1939), David (c. 1962 – 1953), James and Victor. David died on 13th April 1911, aged 79, at their property. Alice passed away the following year, November 1912, aged 83. Alice’s obituary described her as “a very homely, kindly-natured woman, who was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends; and she was also a firm adherent of the Presbyterian Church”. At the time of Alice’s death she left behind three sons and one daughter. Her daughter Grace Ellis was also a very active member of the Terang Presbyterian Church and a member of the PWMU (Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union). She was also involved in the Red Cross and other charities. Grace passed away in 1946, aged 87. David and Alice Ellis were amongst the very earlies pioneers of the Terang district of Western Victoria. Their donated possessions are a sample of the personal effects of emigrants to Australia. The donated items are a sample of the personal goods carried aboard a significant migrant ship in 1855. They are also significant for their association with the Schomberg. The Schomberg, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612), has great historical significance as a rare example of a large, fast clipper ship on the England to Australia run, carrying emigrants at the time of the Victorian gold rush. She represents the technical advances made to break sailing records between Europe and Australia. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg is significant for its association with the shipwreck, The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg. It is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger Ship. It is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day Bible, known as the Ellis - Schomberg Bible, with patterned brown leather cover. Printed by Sir D. Hunter Blair and M.T. Bruce, Edinburgh 1836. Bookmark of card placed within Bible’s pages is from Keswick Book Depot, Melbourne. Bible has hand written inscriptions inside front and back covers and has been well used. Bible was amongst the possessions of David and Alice Ellis, passengers on the Schomberg when wrecked in 1855.Scripture references and notes are hand written in pencil on front and back inner pages. Bookmark card has printed inscription; on front “BOOK MARK / KESWICK / BOOK / DEPOT / EVERYTHING / EVANGELISTIC / 315 COLLINS ST / MELBOURNE / CENT. 3013”, on back is line drawing of a stem of iris flowers above the verse “The entrance of Thy / words giveth light; it / giveth understanding / unto the Simple. Ps. 119-30” flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, schomberg, holy bible, schomberg bible, d hunter blair and m t bruce, 1836 bible, 1855 shipwreck, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, david ellis, alice ellis, allambah terang, dublin emigrants, terang presbyterian church, western district victoria

This pair of brass candlesticks feature a internal candle stubb pusher that is pressed from underneath the base of the candlestick to push up the used candle stubb from inside the hollow candlestick. It once belonged to David and Alice Ellis, a young couple married in Dublin in 1855, possibly a wedding present. It has been handed down in the Ellis family until it was donated, together with other personal effects, in 2004 by David and Alice’s granddaughter, daughter of David Ellis Junior. On 6th October 1855 newlyweds David and Alice Ellis set sail for Australia in the brand new Schomberg, considered the most perfect clipper ship. She was built as an emigrant ship in Aberdeen and set sail from Liverpool on her maiden voyage, bound for Melbourne, Australia. She was loaded with 430 passengers plus cargo that included iron rails and equipment intended for building the Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. On 27th December 1855, only one day from her Melbourne destination, the Schomberg was grounded on a sand-spit on the Victorian coast near Peterborough. The passengers and crew were all safely rescued by a passing small steamer, the SS Queen, which traded between Melbourne and Warrnambool, and taken to Melbourne. The passengers had been told, when leaving the sinking Schomberg, that all they could take with them was a small basket or handbag. A newspaper article later mentioned that one of the things Alice made space for in her basket was her Bible. (It is unclear whether Alice took any possessions with her onto the SS Queen, but a note accompanying the donation of the Bible and basket states that the items were “left on deck and salvaged as Schomberg went down”.) Another steamer was despatched from Melbourne to retrieve the passengers’ luggage from the Schomberg and Alice was reunited with all of her boxes of belongings. Other steamers helped unload the cargo until the change in weather made it too difficult. Although the Schomberg was wrecked there were no lives lost. At that time David was 23 years old (born in Wales, 1832) and his new bride Alice was 26 (born in Dublin, 1829). They had been given letters of introduction to people in Tasmania so they travelled there from Melbourne. However the couple only stayed on that island for about a year before they returned to the Western District of Victoria. David worked for Mr Neil Black as a gardener for a while then, when the land in the area was made available by the Victorian government, David and Alice claimed a selection of land on Noorat Road in the Terang district. They settled there for the remainder of their lives, expanding their property “Allambah” as opportunities arose. A document accompanying the donation lists the names of six children; William, Grace (c. 1859-1946), Thomas (c. 1866 – 1939), David (c. 1962 – 1953), James and Victor. David died on 13th April 1911, aged 79, at their property. Alice passed away the following year, November 1912, aged 83. Alice’s obituary described her as “a very homely, kindly-natured woman, who was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends; and she was also a firm adherent of the Presbyterian Church”. At the time of Alice’s death she left behind three sons and one daughter. Her daughter Grace Ellis was also a very active member of the Terang Presbyterian Church and a member of the PWMU (Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union). She was also involved in the Red Cross and other charities. Grace passed away in 1946, aged 87. David and Alice Ellis were amongst the very earlies pioneers of the Terang district of Western Victoria. Their donated possessions are a sample of the personal effects of emigrants to Australia. The donated items are a sample of the personal goods carried aboard a significant migrant ship in 1855. They are also significant for their association with the Schomberg. The Schomberg, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612), has great historical significance as a rare example of a large, fast clipper ship on the England to Australia run, carrying emigrants at the time of the Victorian gold rush. She represents the technical advances made to break sailing records between Europe and Australia. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg is significant for its association with the shipwreck, The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg. It is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger Ship. It is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day Candlestick holders, brass; pair of two candlestick holders each incorporating a candle pusher inside the stem (used to push up and eject the candle stump). Candlestick holders were amongst the possessions of David and Alice Ellis, passengers on the Schomberg when wrecked in 1855.schomberg, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, candlestick, candlestick with stubb pusher, 1855 shipwreck, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, david ellis, alice ellis, allambah terang, dublin emigrants, terang presbyterian church, western district victoria, lighting, candlestick holders

Two handwritten copies of a Bendigo Advertiser report 16/6/1910 Page 7. This is a longer version of 3600.14. It was thought that the rush of water was from a dam bursting in one of the other mines, but as the water showed no signs of slowing that theory was discarded. The temperature of the incoming water was much higher than the Victoria Quartz was accustomed to bail, and this circumstance is significent in view of the increased temperature of the water at the deep levels in the New Chum Railway. Some months ago, the water commenced to flow from the New Chum Railway workings into the New Shenandoah, which is the next mine north. The water rose so rapidly that a disaster was narrowly averted. The mines along the line were connected at different levels and with the cessation of bailing at the deep levels in the southern mines, it was only to be expected that the water would find its way north to the Victoria Quartz. The water raised from the operating mines under the direction of the New Chum Drainage Association, a yeart or two ago used to exceed six million gallons per month. At that time there were eight companies bailing water, and even then some of the plants, especially those at the deep mines, were severely taxed in coping with the water, and performing ordinary work. Since some mines had discontinued bailing, the water has been filling up extensive workings, and as was predicted in the ''Advertiser'' some time ago, the Victoria Quartz Company could not expect to succeed with its deep sinking project without making some special provision for raising the water, which ultimately would become a source of trouble. The Victoria Quartz Company was allotted a special grant of 10,000 pound to assist in sinking the shaft 1000 ft from the 4254 ft level. Under the conditions of the grant, the Company had to contribute half the cost of the sinking, and the raising of the water has also been an exensive item. For the present, all attention will be concentrated in lowering the water, and should the appliances prove unequal to the task the deep sinking scheme can only be accomplished by resorting to some comprehensive system of combating the water'. Document from Albert Richardson Collection of mining history.document, gold, drainage problems, drainage problems, inrush of water at the victoria quartz, bendigo advertiser 16/6/1910 page 7, mine reports 13/6/1910, victoria quartz, lansell's 180, mr stevens, mr w abraham, new chum & victoria mine, new chum railway, new shenandoah, new chum drainage association

The Gem The Poseidon Rush. Tarnagulla, Saturday. Article - The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW : 1871 - 1938)Friday 8 February 1907 - Page 43 The Poseidon Rush. Tarnagulla, Saturday. Several indicators and quartz leaders on the Woolshed Hill have received considerable attention during the last fortnight. In some claims the stone looks very promising, and nice tracings of gold have been obtained. Wragg Brothers struck it rich yesterday. At a depth of 12ft. on the bedrock they discovered a nugget specimen 206oz. in weight, which has been christened the 'Port Arthur. The party also had the good fortune to find two other specimens close, by, one weighing 23oz. 15dwt. and the other 24oz.These were named 'The Twins,' the Wragg Brothers bearing that distinction. In this claim about eight weeks ago the Gem (88oz.) was unearthed. THE POSEIDON RUSH. Article Illustrated - Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918, 1935)Saturday 29 December 1906 - Page 33 THE POSEIDON RUSH. It is only about five weeks since this rush was opened by John Porter, but since that time a marvellous change has taken place. The quietness of the bush has given place to a scene of wild excitement, and each week this is intensified by the discovery of large nuggets. When Smith, Rogers and Stephenson picked out their slug on election day, no one dreamed that larger ones were lying only a few feet away, but such was the fact. On Tuesday afternoon two immense slugs, one of which weighed 960 oz., and the other 373 oz., were found in adjoining claims within a few minutes of each other. The finding of these created a scene which it is difficult to describe. "I've got one, “was shouted from the claim of Bert Williamson and T. Stephenson, two men just entering into manhood. They were seen excitedly digging round a lump of gold, one of them with a double-ended pick, the point-of which he broke in his anxiety to unearth it. This slug is nine inches long by seven inches by 43 inches, and is very similar in appearance and size to the big nugget got previously in the adjoining claim. It has been cleaned and smelted, and has yielded 306 oz. of pure gold of the best sample. Before the excitement caused by the discovery of the last nugget had sub-sided, there was a shout from an adjoining claim. Sam Woodall, a Llanelly miner, felt his pick strike a hard yielding sub-stance, and, satisfied that he had struck a nugget, called the attention of his mates to the fact. He soon levered it out of the ground with his pick. Taking it up in his arms he staggered out of the claim with it, and in a minute or two was sur-rounded by hundreds of men who rushed from all over the field to view it, and to feel its weight. It was certainly a magnificent specimen, and the fortunate miners were congratulated on all sides. Its weight was guessed to be a hundredweight, and probably in its then dirty state it would nave turned the scales at that. In a few minutes the crowd was so dense that it was impossible to get a close inspection. The nugget was first taken to Newbridge under escort, then through Llanelly to Tarnagulla, where it was lodged in the Union Bank. It was found that the bank scales were not sufficiently large to weigh the mass. By tying a number of large weights together, and suspending them from a steel bar, a fairly accurate weight was obtained, and it just balanced 80 lb., or 960 oz. The nugget measures 16 in. x 10 in. x 5 in. The party was cheered as it drove up the main street here, and the sight of an armed escort was quite a novelty. The nugget was held aloft in a tin dish for inspection by the crowd. These nuggets were found in the shallow workings, and neither of them were a foot under the surface. The ground is a black loamy soil; there was no appearance of wash whatever, and no one knowing anything of alluvial mining would think of searching for gold in such a spot. All those who have claims on the hillside are breaking out all the dirt in a face from the surface to the reef, which is a mixture of lime and sunstone, and searching for nuggets. The ground is carefully pulverised so that nothing shall be missed. Some are puddling the whole of it, but it is hardly payable. Where the big nuggets are now being found, the ground has been pegged out and abandoned more than once since the rush started, and shares in the claims have been purchased for small amounts. Smith was given a third share in the claim where the first nugget was found for puddling the dirt big lump was discovered, by Woodall, Condron, Brooks and Eva, two of them sold a sixth share for £5 a few days ago to a man named Woods, who only worked a few days and sold out again for 50/. Some fancy prices are now being offered for shares in the claims in the vicinity. Woodall holds a third share, Condron and Brooks three-quarters of a share each, and Eva a sixth share. The largest nugget has been christened "The Poseidon." The names given to the other nuggets obtained previously are as follow: — Wragg Bros., 88 oz. nugget, "The Gem"; Smith and party's 378 oz. nugget, which was unearthed on election day, has been fittingly named "The Federal"; Jackson and Hughes 152 oz.specimen, "The Little. Beu"; Williamson and Stephenson's 373 oz. nugget is said to be called "The Christmas Box." A representative from the (Mines department has been at the bank during, the week taking models for the museums and schools of mines. )A replica of the "Gem" gold nugget that was discovered on 29.11.1906 on the Poseidon Lead at Tarnagulla at the depth of 9 feet. Found on the bedrock by the Wragge Bros. Weight 88 ozs. Value of $126,358 in 2016. (See additional Research.)mining, models, plaster model of victorian gold nugget

When the ship Schomberg was launched in 1855, she was considered the most perfect clipper ship ever to be built. James Blaine’s Black Ball Line had commissioned her to be built for their fleet of passenger liners. At a cost of £43,103, the Aberdeen builders designed her to sail faster than the quick clippers designed by North American Donald McKay. She was a three masted wooden clipper ship, built with diagonal planking of British oat with layers of Scottish larch. This luxury vessel was designed to transport emigrants to Melbourne in superior comfort. She had ventilation ducts to provide air to the lower decks and a dining saloon, smoking room, library and bathrooms for the first class passengers. At the launch of Schomberg’s maiden voyage, her master Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes, drunkenly predicted that he would make the journey between Liverpool and Melbourne in 60 days. Schomberg departed Liverpool on 6 October 1855 with 430 passengers and 3000 tons cargo including iron rails and equipment intended the build the Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. The winds were poor as Schomberg sailed across the equator, slowing her journey considerably. She was 78 days out of Liverpool when she ran aground on a sand-spit near Peterborough, Victoria, on 27 December; the sand spit and the currents were not marked on Forbes’s map. Overnight, the crew launched a lifeboat to find a safe place to land the ship’s passengers. The scouting party returned to Schomberg and advised Forbes that it was best to wait until morning because the rough seas could easily overturn the small lifeboats. The ship’s Chief Officer spotted SS Queen at dawn and signalled the steamer. The master of the SS Queen approached the stranded vessel and all of Schomberg’s passengers were able to disembark safely. The Black Ball Line’s Melbourne agent sent a steamer to retrieve the passengers’ baggage from the Schomberg. Other steamers helped unload her cargo until the weather changed and prevented the salvage teams from accessing the ship. Local merchants Manifold & Bostock bought the wreck and cargo, but did not attempt to salvage the cargo still on board the ship. They eventually sold it on to a Melbourne businessman and two seafarers. After two of the men drowned when they tried to reach Schomberg, salvage efforts were abandoned.32 In 1975, divers from Flagstaff Hill, including Peter Ronald, found an ornate communion set at the wreck. The set comprised a jug, two chalices, a plate and a lid. The lid did not fit any of the other objects and in 1978 a piece of the lid broke off, revealing a glint of gold. As museum staff carefully examined the lid and removed marine growth, they found a diamond ring, which is currently on display in the Great Circle Gallery.33 Flagstaff Hill also holds ship fittings and equipment, personal effects, a lithograph, tickets and photograph from the Schomberg. Most of the artefacts were salvaged from the wreck by Peter Ronald, former director of Flagstaff Hill. The Schomberg, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612), has great historical significance as a rare example of a large, fast clipper ship on the England to Australia run, carrying emigrants at the time of the Victorian gold rush. She represents the technical advances made to break sailing records between Europe and Australia. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg is significant for its association with the shipwreck. The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg. It is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger Ship. It is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day Small brass horse harness disc 1½" in diameter. Slight verdigris and encrustation. Recovered from the wreck of the Schombergwarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, schomberg, shipwrecked-artefact, clipper ship, black ball line, 1855 shipwreck, aberdeen clipper ship, captain forbes, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, horse harness, horse brass

The Border Inn located on the corner of Main Street and Graham Street Bacchus Marsh opened in 1851 making it a very early hotel in Victoria. It was built and owned by John Pilmer. The first licensee was James Watt. The building has been added to and changed many times. It was originally a single storey building. A second storey was added in 1863 by John Pilmer. In 1866 the hotel was purchased by Edward Jones. The Jones family owned and operated the hotel until 1939. Additional second storey sections were added in 1883, 1904 and 1936. For a number of years the Border Inn was a stopping post for coaching services between Melbourne and Ballarat. The first licensee of the hotel James Watt was among the first in Victoria to offer a regular coaching service and his hotel was used for overnight accommodation by coach travellers. At the time this picture was taken coach services were still operating between Bacchus Marsh and other locations. The coach in this picture is possibly one of those coaches.This building has been documented as of state significance by Richard Peterson and Daniel Catrice in their 1995 heritage study for the then Shire of Bacchus Marsh. Their assessment of the heritage significance of the building was: "The Border Inn is of state historical significance as a pioneering pre-gold rush building, on the route to the Ballarat goldfields. It is the representative-embodiment of several historical periods and their way of life. It demonstrates a complex changing sequence of patterns of occupancy and architectural styles. Its development at this location, demonstrates the effect of a social movement, the gold rush, as a transport stopover.It is also historically significant for its association with the first rural public transport in Victoria. Locally, the hotel is significance for its association with the first meeting of municipal government, and also for its social significance as a traditional community, visitor focus and meeting place".Small sepia unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Housed in the album, 'Photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by Stevenson and McNicoll'. The image shows the Border Inn Hotel at an angle depicting the front of the building facing directly to the camera. It is a two storey brick building, with one-story additions at either end. Five chimneys can be seen extending from the building. The bottom storey has a verandah extending onto the footpath. A covered wagon, probably a coach, with four horses in harness is in front of the building. There are several people in the image. Two people are sitting on the driver’s seat of the wagon. Another man is standing holding the reins of the horses. At his feet is a dog. Behind them are two male adults. One is holding a small child. A young boy stands beside him.On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME. On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun. Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE. stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district, hotels bacchus marsh, border inn hotel bacchus marsh, carriages and coaches, stagecoaches, james watt bacchus marsh, john pilmer bacchus marsh, edward jones family bacchus marsh

This scene is typical of alluvial mining during the gold rush and up to the latter part of the 19th century showing gold miners and their equipment in actionClose view of a 1909 Schact car owned by Dr. F. Longdengold mining, miners, tramway

This photograph of miners at work on a shallow alluvial mine was taken around 1870 however the location, participants and precise date are unknownThis scene is typical of alluvial mining during the gold rush and up to the latter part of the 19th century showing gold miners and their equipment in actionSepia photograph of shallow mine with six miners location unknown c 1870Alluvial Mining late 19th centurygold mining, miners, tramway

This metal travelling trunk belonged to David and Alice Ellis, a young couple married in Dublin in 1855. They left for Australia on the Schomberg clipper ship on October 6 that same year, joining the other passengers for the luxury sailing ship’s first voyage, bound for Melbourne, Australia. The Schomberg was grounded on a sand spit near Peterborough. All passengers and crew were safely rescued. They had been allowed to take something small with them when leaving the sinking vessel, and as such, Alice took a small can basket and coin purse. The metal trunk was also amongst the couple’s possessions, along with a pair of candlesticks and a Bible. Their trunk was later retrieved from the ship’s deck by the crew of a steamer sent from Melbourne. At that time, David was 23 years old (born in Wales, in 1832) and Alice was 26 (born in Ireland, 1829). The couple lived in Tasmania for a short period before settling in the Western Districts of Victoria. David worked as a gardener and, when land in the area was available to purchase, David and Alice claimed a selection on Noorat Road near Terang. They settled there for the remainder of their lives, expanding the property that they named, ‘Allambah’, and had six children. David died in 1911, aged 79, and Alice passed away the following year, aged 83. B, B & B. Brand: - The company was renowned for its strongly constructed and high-quality travel goods. In 1906 the company was sold and renamed Buffalo Trunk Manufacturing Co. Interestingly, the trunk maker’s promise on its printed label is certainly fulfilled: - "B B BRAND. These Goods are manufactured of the best steel sheets, and are guaranteed to give every satisfaction, and will last for years."David and Alice Ellis’s donated possessions have great significance as a group of personal belongings saved from the sinking luxury clipper ship, the Schomberg, in 1855. The strong, well-crafted metal trunk is an example of high-quality travel luggage owned by newlyweds on their journey to a new life across the world. The well-made trunk is a rare shape. It joins Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg shipwreck, which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612). The ship has historical significance as a rare example of a large, fast clipper ship on the England to Australia run, built to carry emigrants at the time of the Victorian gold rush. The ship’s design included the technical advances needed to break sailing records between Europe and Australia. The relationship of the objects in Flagstaff Hill’s Schomberg collection allows has potential interpretation of the story of the Schomberg. The collection of objects is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger ship, as it represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping history, in addition to its association with the shipwreck and the ship.Traveller's metal trunk; small brown woodgrain patterned trunk with dark red features and brass lock. This well-made strong and sturdy piece of secure hand luggage has rounded corners and sides, with the ends of the lid slightly bulbous. The lid is reinforced inside across the centre. The lid and sides have dark red metal D-shaped handles that fold down. The two hinges on the lid have their fittings inside the trunk which is hinged across the back. Two dark red painted latches secure the front along with a brass rod and lockable latch in the centre front. The metal is shaped with a group of corrugated ribs on each side of the centre, around the trunk. A white printed and lacquered label is inside the lid and has additional handwritten text. The truck was the luggage of David and Alice Ellis on the sailing ship SCHOMBERG in 1855. Printed on the label: "B B BRAND./ These Goods are manufactured of the best / steel sheets, and are guaranteed to give every / satisfaction, and will last for years." Handwritten on the label: "8/3- 7/-" (possibly meaning Eight shillings and three pence, Seven shillings)flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, schomberg, sailing ship, 1855, david and alice ellis, schomberg passengers, b b brand, american made, traveller's trunk, hand luggage, metal trunk, schomberg ship, 1855 shipwreck, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, david ellis, alice ellis, allambah terang, dublin emigrants, terang presbyterian church, western district victoria, antique trunk, vintage trunk, travel goods, travelling trunk, steel trunk, tin trunk, schomberg trunk, newlyweds, b b & b, boyd boyd & boyd, pittsburgh, rare shape, luggage, vintage luggage, victorian era, travel trunk, three locks, steamer trunk

The damaged building in the photograph is the former Diggers Rest Hotel which was built in on that site in 1854 It was a popular place during the 1970s Sunbury Pop Festivals as it was the closest hotel to the Pop Festival site. It was partly destroyed by a suspicious fire on 30th October 2008, which left the walls and chimney intact but the roof caved in. Since then there have been moves by the local community to either rebuild and reopen the venue or to demolish it.The Diggers Rest has been one of the few early surviving hotels that were built along the former Mount Alexander Road, now Calder Highway, during the 1850s gold rush years.This a non-digital coloured photograph of a double storey hotel building, which has been damaged by fire. The exterior walls are intact but the roof has collapsed.The building is beside a main road. diggers rest, diggers rest hotel, hotels, calder highway, gold rushes

Olivine is mostly found on the Earth's surface in igneous rocks that are dark-coloured. It is common at divergent plate boundaries and at warm spots, such as volcanic areas. It crystalises and forms during the cooling of magma. Olivine is used in refractory sand, bricks, and gemstones. Olivine has been found on a number of meteorites, which might have originated from large asteroids or the mantle of a now-destroyed planet. This olivine crystal is thought to originate from Mount Noorat, with speculation that it could have originated from Mount Shadwell. Mount Noorat is a dormant volcano cone located in the Newer Volcanics Province of Victoria. Mount Noorat belongs to the Kirrae Wuurong people, who used the Mount as a place for meetings and gatherings prior to European settlement. Contact was first made between European settlers and the Indigenous people in 1841. The Mount has mostly been used for cattle and sheep grazing. Mount Shadwell is a well-known source of olivine and is the highest of a gathering of volcanic cones. The New Volcanic Province is located in South East Australia and covers 15000 square kilometres. It contains 400 explosive vents and small shield volcanoes. The last eruption is thought to have occurred 5000 years ago at Mount Gambier and Mount Schank. This olivine crystal has been identified as a volcanic bomb, which is a molten rock which was pushed out and ejected into the air when a volcano reupts. A rock needs to be larger than 65 mm in diameter to be classified as a volcanic bomb. This olivine volcanic bomb and its locality is historically and socially significant. The olivine was found in the Newer Volcanic Province, an area which contains over 400 dormant volcanoes. This olivine is one part of a volcanic bomb, which would have ejected when magma erupted out of a volcano. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A solid iron-magnesium silicate mineral with shades of green and brownburke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, olivine, igneous rock, volcanic, gemstones, volcanic bomb, meteorites, asteroids, plantes, mount noorat, mount shadwell, indigenous, kirrae wuurong people, newer volcanics province, victoria, european settlement, eruption

Dendrites are deposits of black minerals, typically manganese oxides that precipitated from water seeping through fractures in fine-grain rocks like a sandstone or limestone. Dendrites are much less regular than plant fossils and lacks vein structures. The manganese cryztallizes through the process called 'supercooling'. Some samples of dendrites occur in volcanic rocks in the Lilydale district, east of Melbourne. Sandstones are made of tiny sand grains that may have been deposited in the sea and later formed together. Most sandstones are made of quartz which are chemically-resistant minerals. This particular specimen was donated by Alfred Selwyn in 1868 as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria. It is connected to the original 1875 catalogue on Geological Specimen with number 189 'Quartz Crystals_Quartz Crystals (two are polished)'Dendrites on sandstones This specimen is an important contribution to the geological history of Victoria, as well as its links to the 1868 Geological Survey of Victoria. This specimen is part of larger collection of significant geological specimens in the Burke Museum that was collected from around the world between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collection as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria 1852-1974. The Geological Survey of Victoria was an organisation founded in response to the Victorian gold rush to explore the geological and mineral resources and to record a detailed map of the state. It was headed by British geologist, Alfred Richard Cecil Selwyn (1824-1902), who was responsible for issuing over 60 geological maps during his 17 years as director. These maps were all hand-drawn and coloured and became the benchmark for accuracy for geological mapping. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study. A hand-sized slice of light brown sandstone with dendrites formed from crystallized manganese oxide.Existing label: Not sure what / 'Slica dondrites' / means. / Sample is sandstone and original label / identifies it as from / the Grampians near Stawell. / C. Willman / 15/4/21 Other label: [illegible] / stone [ illegible] / from Grampians Stawell / 1894 /geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, dendrites, sandstones, quartz, lilydale district, geological survey of victoria, grampians, victoria rocks, minerals, rocks, manganese oxides, alfred selwyn

Native Sulphur in its solid form is a yellow crystalline mineral that forms near volcanic vents and fumaroles where it is the solid form of hot gases. It is also frequently found in the subsurface as a by-product of sulphide ore mineralization. In all its forms, sulphur is one of the most commonly occurring minerals on the planet, especially in natural gases, and is key to the make-up of a range of other minerals. It is essential to continuing life on earth, and was used in ancient societies as part of medical care, religious rites, and entertainment, and was key to the invention of gunpowder by the Chinese. Native Sulphur in its solid form is a yellow crystalline mineral that forms near volcanic vents and fumaroles where it is the solid form of hot gases. It is also frequently found in the subsurface as a by-product of sulphide ore mineralization. In all its forms, sulphur is one of the most commonly occurring minerals on the planet, especially in natural gases, and is key to the make-up of a range of other minerals. It is essential to continuing life on earth and was used in ancient societies as part of medical care, religious rites, and entertainment, and was key to the invention of gunpowder by the Chinese. The exact site of extraction for this specimen is unknown, but it was probably collected in New Zealand in the 1850s. Sulphur is significant both for its historical and current uses, and for its nature as one of the most abundant minerals on the planet. Sulphur's importance comes both from its abundance and its role in ensuring survival, creating other minerals, and daily human life. This specimen is significant as representative of sulphur's solid properties. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A solid, small, crystalline mineral specimen that is largely bright yellow, with some darker spotting. geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, sulphur, native sulphur, new zealand, native sulphur specimen, sulphur specimen

Thunderegg Agates are formed within rhyolite volcanic ash layers. They are rough spherical shapes, varying in size from less than an inch to over a metre long. Thundereggs usually contain centres of chalcedony which may have been fractured followed by deposition of agate, jasper or opal, either uniquely or in combination. A unique characteristic that these specimens have is the fact that they often look like ordinary rocks on the outside, but slicing them in half and polishing them may reveal intricate patterns and colours. These particular specimens are examples of thunderegg agates. Agate is a variety of chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline form of quartz. The agate component contributes to the intriguing internal patterns of the specimens. The specific locality of these specimens is unknown but they can be found in flows of rhyolite lava. They are formed in gas pockets in the lava, which act as moulds. These specimens can be found globally, with specific locations in Germany being particularly abundant. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.Two small solid specimens with pale, sandy-coloured exteriors and fractured internal patterns. burke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, thundereggs, thundereggs agate, agate, rhyolite, rhyolite lava, volcanic ash, chalcedony, cryptocrystalline