The artefact is a piece of ship’s timber from the wreck-site of the SCHOMBERG, a vessel which collided with the Peterborough reef on her maiden voyage in December 1855. This small wooden remnant of the disaster has been concreted on one side by the accrual of marine sediment while submerged. The build-up of sediment over the remains of the vessel is typical of the site as a whole. This artefact illustrates the reclaiming power of the ocean and the gradual disappearance of timber constructed vessels that have come to grief along this coastline (for example, the THISTLE in 1837, and the CHILDREN in 1838). The SCHOMBERG was a 2,000 ton clipper ship, specifically designed for the Australian immigration trade (back-loading wool for Britain’s mills), and constructed in Hall’s shipyard in Aberdeen, Scotland. She was owned by the Black Ball Line and launched in 1855. Alexander Hall & Son were renowned builders of sleek and fast 1,000 ton clippers for the China trade (opium in, tea out) and were keen to show they could also outclass the big North American ships built by Donald Mackay. Consequently the SCHOMBERG was ‘overbuilt’. Her hull featured five ‘skins’ of Scotch Larch and Pitch Pine overlaying each other in a diagonal pattern against a stout frame of British Oak. Oak has been favoured by builders of wooden ships for centuries. Its close, dense grain made it harder to work, but also gave it great strength and durability. In addition, the lateral spread of its branches supplied a natural curvature for the ribs of a vessel’s hull, as well as providing the small corner or curved pieces (‘knees’ and ‘elbows’) that fit them together. The shape and texture of this wood sample suggests a dense hardwood like Oak. The timber has been cut off at one end since its recovery from the sea, exposing a smooth and almost shiny surface. Seasoned English Oak has a similar light brown colour and tight grained finish. At the launch the SCHOMBERG’s 34 year old master, Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes, had promised Melbourne in 60 days, "with or without the help of God." James Nicol Forbes was born in Aberdeen in 1821 and rose to fame with his record-breaking voyages on the famous Black Ball Line ships; MARCO POLO and LIGHTNING. In 1852 in the MARCO POLO he made the record passage from London to Melbourne in 68 days. There were 53 deaths on the voyage but the great news was of the record passage by the master. In 1954 Captain Forbes took the clipper LIGHTNING to Melbourne in 76 days and back in 63 days, this was never beaten by a sailing ship. He often drove his crew and ship to breaking point to beat his own records. He cared little for the comfort of the passengers. On this, the SCHOMBERG’s maiden voyage, he was going to break records. SCHOMBERG departed Liverpool on her maiden voyage on 6 October 1855 flying the sign “Sixty Days to Melbourne”. She departed with 430 passengers and 3000 tons cargo including iron rails and equipment intended to build the Melbourne to Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. She also carried a cow for fresh milk, pens for fowls and pigs, 90,000 gallons of water for washing and drinking. It also carried 17,000 letters and 31,800 newspapers. The ship and cargo was insured for $300,000, a fortune for the time. The winds were poor as she sailed across the equator, slowing SCHOMBERG’s journey considerably. Land was first sighted on Christmas Day, at Cape Bridgewater near Portland, and Captain Forbes followed the coastline towards Melbourne. Forbes was said to be playing cards when called by the Third Mate Henry Keen, who reported land about 3 miles off, Due in large part to the captain's regarding a card game as more important than his ship, it eventually ran aground on a sand spit near Curdie's Inlet (about 56 km west of Cape Otway) on 26 December 1855, 78 days after leaving Liverpool. 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 and crew were able to disembark safely. The SCHOMBERG was lost and with her, Forbes’ reputation. 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. Later one plunderer found a case of Wellington boots, but alas, all were for the left foot! 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. In 1864 after two of the men drowned when they tried to reach SCHOMBERG, salvage efforts were abandoned. Parts of the SCHOMBERG were washed ashore on the south island of New Zealand in 1870, nearly 15 years after the wreck. The wreck now lies in 825 metres of water. Although the woodwork is mostly disintegrated the shape of the ship can still be seen due to the remaining railway irons, girders and the ship’s frame. A variety of goods and materials can be seen scattered about nearby. Flagstaff Hill holds many items salvaged from the SCHOMBERG including a ciborium (in which a diamond ring was concealed), communion set, ship fittings and equipment, personal effects, a lithograph, tickets and photograph from the SCHOMBERG. One of the SCHOMBERG bells is in the Warrnambool Library. The SCHOMBERG collection as a whole is of historical and archaeological significance at a State level, listed on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S612. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the SCHOMBERG is significant for its association with the Victorian Heritage Registered 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. The SCHOMBERG collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger ship. The shipwreck collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day. The SCHOMBERG collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history. A piece of wood, concreted in sediment, from the wreck of the SCHOMBERG (1855). The limestone accretion includes sand, shell grit and marine worm casings. The exposed surface of the wood is broken and worn smooth along the grain. One end of the timber has been cut or sawn off across the grain, presenting a smooth and shiny surface.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, wood segment, schomberg, shipwreck timber, alexander hall and son, limestone concretion, oak-framed hull

Ballarat Children's Home was formerly the Ballarat Orphanage. The 1969 report was the 104th annual report. White soft covered booklet ballarat children's home, ballarat orphanage, r.m. sharp, matron, donaton form, w.j. north, m.j. brown, mandy heinz, queenscliff, christmas tree, peter grant farm, trawalla, pauline lunnon, joan trounson, charlotte thayer, beverly lacey, b. boyd, roger mcfarlane, a.c. rizzoli, f.n. pitts, football, list of contributers, orphanage, mark farley

This child's green, silk, party dress was worn by Sylvia Marriott in 1927. The Marriott family were early settlers in the Moorabbin ShireMembers of the Marriott family arrived in Port Phillip in 1857. However it was John and Jane Marriott who in 1876, (after toiling hard since their arrival in1871, for very little gain), first leased, then purchased in 1882, 30 acres with a four-roomed house in East Boundary Road, in the area then called East Brighton. (Now known as East Bentleigh). The land they purchased had previously been a part of the 1841 Dendy Special Survey. Over the following years, John and his four sons with hard work and determination became prosperous vegetable growers and purchased further land in the area. Following John's retirement and subsequent death in 1903, the land was passed to his sons, and then onto the Marriott grandchildren. The family continued to remain very prosperous and successful vegetable growers and are one of many families steeped in the tradition of vegetable growing which significantly contributed to the prosperity of the Moorabbin ShireA home-sewn pale green silk party dress, worn to a wedding by four year old, Sylvia Marriott c 1927. The skirt of the dress has layers of ruffles. It has short cap sleeves. Decorative ribbons are attached at the shoulder continueing to the waist, then hang loosely over the skirt of the dress. Small pink and white ribbon rose buds have been applied at the neckline, waist and the edges of the sleeves .brighton, moorabbin, marriott, clothing, market gardeners, home, dressmaker, needlework, dendys special survey

Booknon-fictionAnalysis of late 19th century American and European writing, art, science and philosophy exploring cultural misogyny. Discusses the attitude to women as having only sexual and reproductive roles and being depicted as symbols of evil, passivity and sensuality, and ever dependent, while men were free to follow financially independent public and intellectual lives. painting, feminism, sexuality, violence, symbolism, mythology, motherhood, darwinism, pre-raphaelites

booknon-fictionPublished in Italy in 1979 exploring the theme of women and sexuality these diverse images reveal how women see themselves, their bodies and their changing roles, characterised by inventiveness, intimacy and sensuality.portraiture, body, colour photograpy, erotica

fictionA satirical illustrated tale of artist Hephzibah Brown who is persuaded by Cedric the Imp of Perversity to follow him to the recently independent Ghana to compose a tourist book he will write and she illustrate. She follows him but changes it to a novel about two tourists, one pragmatic and one an idealistic, a woman, to examine "real life'' being a form of transience.collage, drawing, travelogue, weaving, sexuality, satire, writing

Booknon-fictionExplores the lives, ideas and artworks of women in the Surrealist Movement including Frida Kahlo, Meret Oppenheim Dorothea Tanning and Leonora Carrington, alongside their more well-known male counterparts.painting, drawing, collage, photography, surrealism

Index, bib, ill, p.216.non-fictionSeven chapters and picture essays describe conditions and situations contributing to the beginning of World War II.world war 1939-1945 - causes, world war 1939-1945- social aspects

Document. Cardboard folder (tan) containing documents concerning shares. North Virginia GMC N L.McColl, Rankin & Stanistreetorganization, business, north virginia gmc n l, mccoll, rankin & stainstreet, north virginia gmc n l, gold mining, shares

Index, ill, p.190.non-fictionDouglas Bader tells the inspiring story of the Battle of Britain from the viewpoint of 'The Few'. Using superb illustrations he traces the development of the Spitfire and Hurricane and describes the nail-biting actions of those who flew them against far superior numbers of enemy aircraft. As an added bonus, other well-known fighter aces including Johnnie Johnson, 'Laddie' Lucas and Max Aikten contribute to Douglas's book, no doubt out of affe.world war 1939-1945 - aerial operarions - britain, spitfire, hurricane

The Bruck Inhaler is a modification of the Clover Inhaler, designed by Lambert Bruck. Bruck added a glass dome which enabled the level of ether to be monitored during administration. This was a revolutionary change as it removed guess work from the process.The Bruck Inhaler is a historically, aesthetically and scientifically significant piece. The basic design is based on the Clover Inhaler, but with a rounded bottom. The idea of a glass viewing window was possibly inspired by Wilson-Smith Inhaler. The Bruck Inhaler is historically significant as it is the first inhaler to be made with a completely clear lower glass section. This improved the usability for the ether administrator, and eliminated much of the guesswork associated with dosage and ether levels, which in turn improved the patient experience. This piece provides a strong local link to both anaesthetic and general medical practice at the turn of the century. The design is credited to Ludwig Bruck of Sydney, and was presumably manufactured in the same area. Bruck, as the attributed designer, holds much relevance to the significance of the object, as connected with him is much historical information about the social context of medical practice. Ludwig Bruck was a prominent figure in the medical industry. He started his medical career in Sydney as a Medical Transfer Agent, and later owned a shop at 16 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. This business is listed in the 1903 Register of Firms as a Medical Agent and Importer of Medical Instruments and Books. Bruck was vocal as a journalist and published analyses of medical statistics, as well as the well known Australasian Medical Dictionary and Handbook, which included the “List of Unregistered Medical Practitioners”. Ludwig Bruck was an immigrant. He was of German descent, which placed him in a precarious position within Sydney society during the turn of century. Bruck conducted several public conversations with prominent members of the Australian Natives Association through the Sunday News in regards to his disagreement of the employment of medical practitioners by the ANA specifically to corroborate their health insurance policies. He was also a stalwart supporter of the Australian arm of the British Medical Association, being the publisher of the first and subsequent editions of The Australian Medical Gazette. Bruck chose to end his life with a combination of poison and chloroform on 14 August 1915, after being accused of trading with the enemy during World War One. His suicide note stated his horror at leaving his business partner to deal with the tarring of his reputation as the reason for his decision. The Bruck Inhaler has aesthetic significance as it is a beautiful example of turn of the century surgical design and craftsmanship. Aseptic methods of surgery were well known by 1909, and the aesthetic design of the Bruck Inhaler conformed to these principles. The ability for the surgeon to unscrew, clean and sterilize each part of the Inhaler contributes to the streamlined design of the piece. The Buck Inhaler holds scientific significance. There is the capacity for further research to be undertaken on the object. Geoffrey Kaye often collected multiple examples of equipment, usually one for reverse engineering and another for teaching. There are currently two examples of the Bruck Inhaler in the collection, presenting an opportunity for further technical research on the object. The inhaler is oval shaped with one half made of glass to allow observation of the ether level. A vertical cross tube, 22mm in diameter passes between the face-piece and the bag [missing]. There is a stopcock for admission of oxygen or nitrous oxide opposite the bag attachment. There is a central tube, 28mm in diameter, with controllable ports on either side. There is also a tear-drop shaped fask mask.Hand engraved on side of base: L. Bruck / Sydneyclover, joseph, bruck, lambert, inhaler, rebreather, nitrous oxide, oxygen, williams, probyn

This is a superb piece of work that contributes to the study of one of the most complicated and controversial aspects of American involvement in Vietnam. It looks in detail at an area of news coverage that has not received sufficient attention. What launders has done here is also important to a better understanding of how information and perceptions of American military and foreign policy are developed. He clearly establishes that the role of the news media for a far more complicated issue than popular opinion and general assumptions credit.newsweek, time, vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975 - press coverage - united states

In Taking The Lead, air Commodore Mark Lax examines the major elements that contributed to Air Force's application of air power in the defence of Australia, and in supporting our national interests. the royal australian air force, strategy of raaf

This Honour Shield was the work of the school Sloyd pupils and Head Teacher. The honour book written by the Head Teacher Mr Thomas Kidman contains the names of 14 past students of Docker's Plains Primary School who served during the First World War. Handwritten summary of service pertaining to each past student including Nurse Alice M BYRNE who served in Egypt and France.Honour Board in the shape of a shield and carved from timber originally made by the Sloyd students and head teacher of Docker's Plains State School in 1921. The Honour Board centrally houses a casket with glass door containing a velvet covered book containing the names of 14 past students who served during World War 1. When the school closed in the 1940's resident were invited the take items and William Richardson, brother of Private Leslie George Richardson who died in June 1916 from meningitis prior to embarkation, chose the shield and framed photograph collection which his mother contributed to. After William died in 1964 and his wife in 1977 their daughter Clarice and husband Jim Tobias took on guardianship prior to donating to the RSL in 2003.An honour board in the shape of a shield ornamental carved ornamental from wood featuring a glass faced casket mounted in the centre,Our Boys Docker's Plains Honor Bookdocker plains, ww1, docker plains state school

Wangaratta Comfort Fund final Meeting Report dated 18th December 1945 and 2 x Lists of Camouflage Nets sent to CWA Headquarters dated 24th and 31st of August 1943 2 x newspaper cuttings 3 page photocopy of handwritten notes dated 13th August 1941 detailing gift of Autoclave (medical apparatus) for use by the AIF presented by the then Mayor of Wangaratta Cr J F Dundas and President of the Wangaratta Branch of RSSILA Mr W Law The ACF provided a source of comfort, support and encouragement for the troops abroad and offered a means for women at home to contribute to the war effort and identify with the men in the trenches. The ACF acted as a vital link between home and the battlefields. The Australian Comforts Fund officially closed on the 27th June 1946. Typed and photocopied handwritten notes.Wangaratta Comforts Fund.comfort fund, wangaratta, ww2

Pedal Clubs began in the late 1950's to encourage safety, to stimulate interest in getting out into nature, to teach owners how to look after their bikes; to provide to young and old opportunities for healthy recreation; to provide enjoyment and fellowship for all lovers of the open spaces and to develop greater skills in cycling. From the 1970's onwards the clubs developed competitions to encourage safe bike handling and skills. These clubs generally relied on parents to run the competitions for the children in their locations. These clubs provided opportunities for healthy recreation and in addition contributed to social cohesiveness in local communities.Handwritten minutes, reports, correspondence of Geelong West Pedal Club 1986; photographs of club members at club activity days; newspaper articles.geelong west pedal club; sir hubert opperman; 1985; 1986;

Contains service records, newspaper articles and photographs where available of all known students of Traralgon State School who enlisted in World War One.Honouring the memory of those who served and died in the Great War. Contributed to the centennial services held in Traralgon 2016.First of 25 volumes. Coil bound, A4, approximately 60 pages each volume. Clear plastic front cover, leathercraft black plastic back cover. Stored in 4 plastic magazine holders.traralgon state school, ww1, great war, ex-scholars, service records

An excellent example of Australian First World War recruiting posters aimed at women, rather than potential soldiers. The poster suggests that in helping defeat Germany, women were really defending themselves.During the First World War, governments needed to convince their citizens to contribute to the war effort. In the absence of radio and film, the poster was the most effective method of mass communicationDepicts a woman with arms raised, her clothing torn and right breast exposed. Two children lie dead on the round at her feet, while the town behind her burns. Full poster text: 'Women of Queensland! Remember how women and children of France and Belgium were treated. Do you realise that your treatment would be worse? Send a man today to fight for you'poster, ww1, women of queensland

Clara Jane Matthews was born in 1870 as the eldest daughter of Robert Matthews. She married William Frederick Busse on the 5th of December, 1894 at St Columb’s church, Hawthorn. Clara and her husband lived on Main Street in Chiltern, and her husband was a Clerk of Courts in Chiltern and Wodonga throughout his life. Clara and William also owned a 640 acre farm called Clairedale Park, four miles (6.5km) outside of Barnawartha. They had both crops and sheep on the property, and adopted innovative farming practices. It appears that Clara was heavily involved in the farm business, as she is listed as a purchaser of sheep in multiple stock reports between 1914 and 1918. This is very unusual for the era, as women were not generally involved in stock markets, especially if her husband was still alive. Clara’s husband’s work at the court likely meant that he wasn’t able to travel to the markets in order to purchase stock. Clara’s taking the reigns in this manner was highly unusual, and signals just how strong of a woman she must have been. Clara Busse died in Chiltern in 1968, when she was 98 years old. She is also the mother of Wilfred C Busse, who was an author and a member of the Chiltern Athenaeum. This photograph is of a woman who lived most of her life in Chiltern, and undoubtedly contributed to the community of the town within her 98 years. She will most likely be remembered as the wife of William Frederic Busse, Clerk of Petty Sessions, or as the mother or Wilfred Clarence Busse, author and barrister. Although the records of her time almost entirely connect her with the men of her life, her father, husband and then her son, some digging can reveal that she was an entire person of her own, who broke norms of her time and is worthy of being remembered for her own sake.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper mounted on board in a textured metallic frameObverse: Clara Jane Busse / (nee Mathews) / Mother of W. C. Busse / clara jane busse, clara busse, c j busse, busse, women in agriculture, remarkable women, 20th century women, women's history, working women, wilfred busse, wilfred clarence busse

Clunes Horticultural Society was established in Clunes during the 1980's to encourage interest and involvement in growing all types of vegetation. Dudley Irwin was the local Liberal Party Politician in the 1950'sThis Trophy was named after Dudley Erwin, a long term resident of Clunes who inaugurated the CHS. This Trophy was awarded annually by the CHS executive group to the member who was deemed to have contributed most to advancing Horticulture in the Clunes DistrictInverted Silver EPNS inverted hollow cone or cup with two opposed side handles, mounted on black bakelite base.Engraved: CLUNES HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY DUDLEY ERWIN PERPETUAL TROPHYclunes horticultural society, community group

Walter Withers was a significant Australian landscape artist and a member of the Heidelberg School of Australian Impressionists. In 1903 Withers bought 'Southernwood', a house on 2½ acres (1 ha) at Eltham, to which he added a studio. Because of ill health, he lived during the week at his studio in Oxford Chambers, Melbourne, and on weekends and holidays with his family at Eltham until his death in 1914. The Eltham rail bridge is a unique and valuable historic relic of an earlier steam locomotive transport era in the Diamond Creek Valley and has long formed an important part of a magnificent Eltham landscape. When built in 1902 it was close to the terminus point of the Heidelberg-Eltham rail extension, on the route of the proposed Diamond Valley Railway that was then planned to continue much further up the valley towards Kinglake. This bridge is situated in attractive river-valley parkland amidst the tall and spreading manna gums and candlebarks of the Diamond Creek Valley. The Alistair Knox Park river-valley landscape, of which the timber trestle bridge is an important visual component, has been classified by the National Trust. Large manna gum and candlebark trees adorn the adjacent creek banks, and historic Shillinglaw Cottage is also part of this much-prized Eltham landscape. Eltham is home to a historic wooden railway trestle bridge. Mainly of timber-pier and timber-beam construction, but varied by a few longer steel-joists spans on timber piers at the main stream channel, this substantial bridge has almost two hundred metres of timber deck. Built in 1902, it is the only railway bridge of predominantly timber construction that is still in regular use as an integral part of Melbourne's metropolitan electric railway network and one of extremely few timber rail bridges in the State that still carry trains. Apart from its important continuing social function as a carrier of rail transport for the Hurstbridge line, this impressive bridge and its beautiful parkland environs contribute much to the character of Eltham township and that town's special reputation as an historic centre of environmental and conservation concerns. This section of the Diamond Creek Valley was the subject of a Walter Withers painting in the earliest years of the twentieth century and has strong historic links with our Heidelberg School of painters. Watercolour painting on paper of Eltham's Trestle Bridge in the middle of the day. A small section of the wooden bridge is located to the left of the painting. The focus is predominately on the wattle, manna gum and candlebark trees that is to the right of the bridge. The golden hues typically represent the australian sunlight and landscape. "W.W" in gothic script on the lower right side of the painting. Not dated. withers, eltham, trestle bridge, railway, watercolour

Information re planning for Park released for public comment in 1997.Contributes information on the history and development of the Bay of Islands Coastal ParkGovernment published 81 page + maps book.peterborough 3270, bay of islands coastal park, parks victoria - peterborough, bay of islands

Continues the debate regarding the naming of Massacre Bay, a small bay located to the West of the Bay of Martyrs, with information and opinions from different people.Contributes to the ongoing debate about the reason for the name of Massacre Bay.Photocopy of a newspaper article from the Warrnambool Standard, 1973; transcription of same; a photocopy of a handwritten letter and a print out of an email.massacre bay, peterborough, aborigines, great ocean road

Published to help the war effort and contribute to the defence of the country. Patterns selected in collaboration with the three services-colours and garments by active services in air,on land or at sea.Green-grey light card cover. 32 pages compiled by the Country Womens Association of Victoria sponsored by the Wool Board.J.Tatebooks, handcrafts

Originally located on large oak reading table in the Rowden White Library until the end of 2003. Replaced by brass versions made by Thomas Mintsenikos on 26th May 2004.In 1938 Dr Alfred E. Rowden White contributed 1,000 pounds and his own personal book collection to the University of Melbourne Student Union to establish the library that still bears his name. Rowden White's idea was that students should have access to materials beyond those prescribed for their courses. As Library Rule No. 7 stated, 'Except under exceptional circumstances, the room MUST NOT BE USED AS A WRITING ROOM'One of two white plastic signs mounted on a wooden base with black letteringSign reads 'Please do not study'. university of melbourne student union, rowden white library, signs

A memorial service to commemorate the life of Joyce Caroline Suto was held at the Mountview Uniting Church, Mitcham on 15/06/2022. Joyce was a long time member of the Whitehorse Historical Society.non-fiction A memorial service to commemorate the life of Joyce Caroline Suto was held at the Mountview Uniting Church, Mitcham on 15/06/2022. Joyce was a long time member of the Whitehorse Historical Society.suto joyce, mountview uniting church mitcham

Anonymous undated notes pertaining to the establishment of Holmbush. Forms part of the documentation and research for this project and indicates the type of staff required for a boarding house at that time.Contributes to the documentation still in existence for the establishment of Melbourne Legacy residences.Faded blue ink handwritten note on white paper, two holes punched for filing.holmbush initial negotiations, holmbush