This pair of brass binoculars was presented to Tom Pearce in recognition of his heroic efforts at the wrecking of the Loch Ard and saving Eva Carmichael. They were presented to him by the Lady Mayoress of Sydney on 27th July 1878 on behalf of the colonists of New South Wales "In recognition of his gallant conduct on the occasion of the wreck of the Loch Ard". Tom (Thomas) Pearce was born in Ireland in 1859 and arrived in Melbourne two years later; he considered himself as Australian. Before sailing on the Loch Ard he had been at sea for three years as an apprentice sailor and had already experienced one shipwreck. Tom was on the deck of the Loch Ard with Captain Gibb throughout the night of May 31st 1878. It was mistakenly thought they were 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Cape Otway. By 2:00 am on June 1st, the wind was blowing "pretty fresh" but a thick haze remained and, when it eventually cleared, the land was so close the unsuccessful battle to save the Loch Ard began. After the ship struck Mutton Bird Island Tom and five others were sent to the lifeboats. Conditions were very dangerous as waves broke over the decks and they were all washed away. Tom found himself in the stormy waters and under a lifeboat, which had also been washed into the sea. After being swept into the gorge Tom left the boat and swam into shore; he was alone. Eva Carmichael, a passenger on the ship, had been snatched from her bed just before dawn and into the chaos, confusion and terror of the shipwreck, with rigging and rocks raining down. Thrown into the sea, she afterwards said: "God taught me to swim in my distressful plight, for I never swam before". Clinging to a spar, she was swept into the gorge and saw Tom Pearce walking along the beach. Upon hearing the cries of Eva, Tom swam out and with great difficulty brought her to the shore and placed her safely in a cave where he made a bed of grass and shrubs and gave her brandy to revive her. She sank into exhausted unconsciousness. Tom then scrambled to the top of the high cliff and after walking for some time he stumbled upon workers from Glenample Homestead. They rode back to the homestead for help but Tom insisted on returning to Eva. When Eva awoke she found herself alone, "cold, weak and terrified with the wild waves before me, and caves and cliffs around me" and upon hearing strange noises, which she imagined to be made by the local indigenous people, she hid. The noises were made by the rescue party from Glenample Homestead. After eventually discovering Eva they hauled her up the cliff in the darkness of night, “a work of great difficulty and danger” and took her to Glenample. Sadly, Tom and Eva were the only survivors of the 54 people on board the Loch Ard. Tom’s rewards for his bravery included the Gold Medal of the Humane Society, a gold watch and £1000 from the Victorian Government, a set of nautical instruments, (which included the binoculars) from the people of Sydney and £60 from the people of Warrnambool. He was also presented with a Bible by a “Friend of the Loyal Orange Institution of Victoria, Protestant Hall Melbourne” in August 1878. Coleman Jacobs composed the music "The Young Hero Schottische" and dedicated it, by permission, to Mr Thomas R. (Tom) Pearce. The sheet music was published in 1878 by Mr Roberts, professor of dancing and was on sale for 3/- (3 shillings) in aid of the "Loch Ard" fund. Tom Pearce went on to join the Loch Sunart on her return to England, only to be wrecked again off the Irish coast in January 1879. Tom left the Loch Line in 1883 and the following year married Edith Gurney Strasenbergh, the sister of his friend Robert who had died on the Loch Ard. They had three children, unfortunately, two of the male children were to die at sea. In 1895 Tom obtained his first command as Master of The Larne, a vessel with the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. He remained with the company until he died in Southampton, England, on 14th December 1908. Tom Pearce never saw Eva Carmichael after he had fare welled her some 30 years before. Eveline Victoria Berta Carmichael was born in 1859 in Mountrath, Queens County, Ireland. After recovering from her ordeal in August 1878 Eva returned to Ireland and in 1884 married Thomas Achilles Townshend, a Civil Engineer. They had three sons, all of whom had successful military careers, and when Eva’s death notice appeared in the Melbourne Argus It read. "Townshend on 8th April 1934 aged 74 at her residence in Bedford, England, Evaline Victoria, widow of the late Thomas Archilles Townshend, C.E. of Co. Cork, Ireland. Mrs Townshend was the Eva Carmichael who, with the late Tom Pearce, were the only two survivors of the ship Loch Ard, which was wrecked near Port Campbell on June 1st 1878." The binoculars are significant for their association with the wreck of the Loch Ard and the only two surviving members of that wreck Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from Loch Ard is significant for being one of the largest. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. The assemblage of items from the wreck is of historical significance in that they are associated with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. Pair of brass marine binoculars in a wooden box On the left hand eye piece, on the underside, is an engraved inscription and another engraved word. On the right hand eye piece there is another small inscription and on the underside there is a small green mark. The binoculars have a pattern of embossed tiny circles on the outside. Some of the patterning is very shiny due to wear and rubbing, there is a brass ring on the underside of the binoculars for the attachment of a lanyard. The wooden box has a hinged lid and on the front of the box in the centre is a lock, and at either end are two hooks and eyes. The box is split across the top for about 3/4 of the length. Marking on the left underside reads, 'Presented on behalf of the Colonists of New South Wales By the Mayoress of Sydney on 27th. July 1878 to Mr Thomas B Pearce. In recognition of his gallant conduct on the occasion of the wreck of the "Loch Ard"'. Underneath this inscription is engraved 'Sydney'. On the other eye piece is engraved what looks like 'Mac Donnell & Co' binoculars, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, loch ard shipwreck, tom pearce, thomas r pearce, eva carmichael, mutton bird island, loch ard survivor, loch ard hero, coleman jacobs, the young hero schottische, photograph of tom pearce, glenample homestead

This is part of a collection donated by Mrs Margaret McKenzie that belonged to her husband and was issued to him during the Second World War, the mess tins were marked with names of places, ships and battle locations. Other items include a postcard sent home in August 1941 and a photo of Australian troops on parade at Wewak in August 1945Aluminium Mess tin set, 2 rectangular tins one smaller to fit into larger. Inscriptions engraved on 4 sides containing locations of training, ships and battle areas. Additional markings include year of manufacture and company along with Department of Defence broad arrow. Item is stamped metal with wire handle on the large tin. Wire carry handle missing on smaller tin. "Inscription on base of mess tin large. 'DARLEY ALBANY/ SYDNEY/ PERTH/ TRINCOMALEE:CEYLON/ PORT TUFIC/ SUEZ CANAL/ EL CANTARA/ GAZA/ JERUSALEM/ HIFA TELAVIV/ BETHALEM/ BAYROUTA/ JUDEDES FIAKE/darwin, world war two, pan set messing, mess tins, aluminium, 2nd aif, 8th battalion, vx52576, pte, mckenzie, c mckenzie, 1939, c b ltd, 1941 1945, 19th australian infantry training battalion, b company, 21st august 1941, finchaven, wandecla, cairns, brisbane

The Langley family (see inscription ).Photo show a group of four men, three women and a boy. Some are seated and some are standing. All are wearing hats. They are in a bushy area with many trees behind them. A gate can be seen in the background."The Langley family, Arthur L. Charles (Sen) b.1853 Dad,Alice Maria (Freeman) b.1855 (Mum), Walter, Lucy & friends. Halls Gap late 1890's. Lucy m 1907 C/E to Thomas Waldron, Bellfield, Halls Gap by John William Davison (Vicar of Stawell)." written on back in blue pen.people, langley

inscription to Mrs Nightingale and familyThompson collectionStudio portrait, sepia photograph mounted on green card of young woman in victorian dress To Dear Mrs Nightingale and Family with very best love from Eaa? 5.10.06thompson collection, nightingale

None other than the inscription.Head and shoulders portrait of a middle-aged man with moustache."Mr C. H. Holmes, Secretary of the Trust and connected with Denham Street from the beginning."holmes, c. h., denham street hawthorn methodist church

Historical due to inscription on item.Possibly of WW11 historic significance. Rectangular metal matchbox holder.Embossed The Mayor, Councillors and Citizens of the City of Northcote wishes for a safe and speedy return - Cheerio!

Fire Brigade trophy - no inscriptionPart of Kyneton Fire Brigade trophy collectionRound Bakelite base, silver tiered and round mount, topped with gold coloured fire helmet symbol, surrounded by wreath.Nilkyneton fire brigade, trophy, country fire authority, fire brigade demonstrations

This is a reminder of the Le Couteur family who feature in the history of Warrnambool and district. George Le Couteur, a son of the pioneer Le Couteur family, was a chemist in 19th century Warrnambool and the family had a long association with the Nirranda district. Philip Le Couteur was a Rhodes Scholar in 1908. These biros are of some interest as a memento of the reunion held in 1991 of the Le Couteur family descendantsThese are three black biros without tops. The ‘LeCouteur Reunion’ inscription has been etched in white.LeCouteur Reunion, 1991 Bic, Australia le couteur family, bic biro

1987: 7 November. “Washing Day in the 1800s” Our float with its colonial washing day theme won the trophy for the best display. Bruce Ness arranged items from the Society's collection on his truck. Joh Ebeli and Russell Yeoman set up further items on the trailer loaned by Denis McKay. An important part of the event was the members who came along in their “old gear” to complete the picture. As usual musicians from the Victorian Folk Music Club helped us out with their lively music.Gold coloured plastic cup with two handles on brown wooden base with inscription on metal plaqueEltham Festival 1987 Annual Parade Best Display Proudly sponsored by Billabong Family Bistro Lower Plentyaward, billabong family bistro, eltham community festival, eltham festival, lower plenty, trophy, shire of eltham historical society, eltham district historical society, victorian folk music club, 1987, joh ebeli, russell yeoman, bruce ness, denis mckay