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Melton City Libraries
Photograph, Fanny Parker's house, 1972
Fanny Elizabeth nee Minns Parker, daughter of George Minns was born in Norfolk c.1808, married Nicholas Parker in Melton 1874. They had two sons, John Nicholas. Father Nicholas died circa 1877. Their second son George Minns Parker was born 31st December 1876. Fanny’s house contained external decorative features and corner stonework which was also used in the Willows House. Fanny died circa 1919 Fanny Parker was a friend of Ann Myers. Their sons were born in the same decade. The rate books show her as a dressmaker. Parkeer's house was located on Mckenzie Street, Meltonlocal identities, local architecture -
Kilmore Historical Society
Photograph, Kilmore Senior Citizens Club Rooms, 1980's
Is on the site of the Oriental Bank Corporation, but in a different building. 18cm x 12.5cm black and white photograph of the Senior Citizens Club Rooms at 7 Sydney Street Kilmore. Single story brick building with an access ramp on the south side of the building. Two cars are parked on the street, one on each side of the road. Printed on glossy standard photo stock. Possibly the same cite as the Oriental Bank Corporation. Stamped on the back of the item: John Squire Photography 633 Rathdowne Street N. Carlton - Phone 347 4922 NEG No. B4049-16banks -
Parks Victoria - Wilsons Promontory Lightstation
Stretcher
Made of canvas and bamboo slats with hemp ropes, adjustable canvas straps and metal buckles and rings, the rescue stretcher was used for carrying an injured person. According to the Powerhouse Museum, the stretcher and was ‘designed to support and carry an injured person in circumstances where the person has to be lifted vertically’. Known as the ‘Neil Robertson stretcher’, it was developed in the early 1900s by John Neil Robertson as a lightweight rescue device and was modelled on Japanese bamboo litters. An identical stretcher is held in Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum and is thought to date between c.1967 and 1999. The museum’s statement of significance for the unique stretcher elaborates on its cultural values: The canvas is wrapped around the patient and secured with strong canvas straps. A lifting rope is attached to a ring above the patient's head, while a guideline is tied near the ankles and used to stop the stretcher swaying as it is hoisted up. This style of stretcher was specifically designed for use on ships, where casualties might have to be lifted from engine-room spaces, holds and other compartments with access hatches too small for ordinary stretchers. The original name of the Neil Robertson stretcher was 'Hammock for hoisting wounded men from stokeholds and for use in ships whose ash hoists are 2 ft. 6 in. diameter'. Since those times the Neil Robertson stretcher has also been used in factories and mines and for other emergency rescue situations. It is still possible to buy this type of stretcher although the slats are now more likely to be made of wood. The example in the Powerhouse collection was amongst several items of obsolete first aid and rescue equipment donated by the electricity generation company Delta Electricity. It would have been used - or at least been on stand-by - at the company's Munmorah Power Station or the associated coal mine on the Central Coast of New South Wales. Industrial sites and mines are extremely dangerous work places. Throughout the 20th century to the present there has been a drive, especially in developed countries like Australia, to improve workplace safety. Measures taken to reduce injuries and deaths have included safer industrial equipment, safer work practices, staff training, and the ready availability of accident and emergency equipment.It was also used throughout WWI and WWII. There are two other examples of the stretcher are known in Parks Victoria heritage collections. Canvas and bamboo stretcher with straps and buckles. Hemp ropes are attached to the stretcher. -
Canterbury History Group
Ephemera - touchstones to WW1 in Balwyn, Camberwell, Canterbury and Surrey Hills, Susan Barnett, 1/04/2015 12:00:00 AM
Booklet compiled by Susan Barnett, President of the Surrey Hills Historical Society with the assistance of the Balwyn Historical Society, Camberwell Historical Society, Canterbury History Group and the Surrey Hills Historical Society, for a bus tour of significant places in Boroondara to commerate the centenary of the Gallipoli Landing.beckett park memorial, white> dorothy sevilla, cahill> francis matthew, cahill> martin, cahill> richard nicholas, cahill> kevin martin, lone pine dairy - balwyn, bignell> alfred charles, canterbury citizens carnival, canterbury gardens, soldiers - memorial hall - canterbury, canterbury memorial home units, canterbury primary school, camberwell city rsl sub-branch, golding> herbert, daly> gustav anthony disney, daly> william constant beck, daly> clarence wells didier, wattle park lone pine, clock tower memorial> wattle park, hethersett house - plc - burwood, surrey gardens - memorial cross, surrey gardens - the shrine, steele> mrs charles h d, blogg> john kendrick, gawler> john stephens, mawson> frederick w, webster> clarence -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Skates
Ice skates used to skate on Lake Catani. Ice skating was a popular activity for guest and visitors to Mt Buffalo. Ice skates were provided for hire by the the first Lessee of the Chalet, John Newton and also Norwegian born Hilda Samsing, who took over from him in 1919 and did much to pioneer and promote winter sports in the Victorian Alpine region . Ice cover on the Lake has not been sufficient for safe skating for many decades. 'After its initial popularity, skating at Mount Buffalo dwindled in the post-war years. According to Museum Victoria curator, Michelle Stevenson, few collections hold historic ice-skates, so any early examples identified in the Chalet collection will be important for their rarity." (Pg 94. Historica) 'Ice-skating was a popular recreational activity in the later nineteenth and early twentieth centuries...According to Michelle Stevenson, Australian Collections hold little material culture relating to its practice other than images and film. The few pairs of ice skates in the Chalet collection, which are in good condition, are important for their rarity as well as for illustrating the popularity of skating on Lake Catani prior to WW2.' Pair of black leather ice scates, mounted on wall. Skates feature white laces, metal blades and brown leather reinforcing area around laces and ankles.Boots are stffed with 1993 newsprint.On skate blade, "Made in Canada 11 1/3 CCM / Senior A" On boot sole , "Made by J Molony " plus worn name label. -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Photograph, " DR J.F.WILKINSON"
'There are also a number of framed portraits, including those of...Dr. John Wilkinson, a doctor who started a practise in Bright in the late 1880's and helped develop the tourist potential of the Mount Buffalo Plateau. " (Pg 84, Historica, 2011) Dr John .F. Wilkinson was a significant figure in the pioneering of tourism at Mt Buffalo. A Doctor and resident of Bright, he and W.A. Staker were the founder members of the Bright Alpine Club formed in 1887 to promote the natural attractions of the Buffalo plateau. " They form the Alpine Club and charge a membership fee for guiding people up the mountain (led by official guides Bill Weston and Edward Carlisle). this is matched by a grant from the local shire council.... They advertise in the Argus and promote the Australian Alps, Bright district as "The Switzerland of Victoria'. Mt Buffalo, with the railways nearby, is the most accessible snowfield and becomes 'the cradle of skiing in Victoria'." (Pg 179 Historica . 2011) The initial funds raised by the Alpine club funded the Staker's walking track, the first easily accessible route up the mountain. . They engaged the services of early Victorian photographer Nicholas Caire, whose scenic photographs helped to promote the beauty of the mountain. The efforts of these gentlemen culminated in securing 2.800 acres for the one of the first National Parks in Victoria, 1898. Listed in Draft Inventory of significant Items. Framed sepia photograph. Grey mount in wooden frame. Portrait of Dr.J.F Wilkinson. Brass name plaque at base of frame. Hand finished / highlighted in places." DR J.F.WILKINSON" -
Parks Victoria - Mount Buffalo Chalet
Billiard table
The Billiard Room and South wing were completed in 1914, built by recommendation of the Lesee John Newton and the Government Tourist Officer and Supervising officer of the Government Chalet, James Boyce... "Boyce was present at the Chalet on 14 March to witness the completion of the new wing's foundations ...when he returned in June he found the wing approaching completion and that '... the billiard table was expected to reach the Chalet during the week'. The table possibly came second-hand from the Oriental Hotel, Bright. When visiting in March, Boyce had heard from a Mr Tewksbury 'that he is disposing of those at the Oriental Hotel so that if the Public Works Department is going to provide the table for the Chalet it might be possible to pick one up cheap from the Hotel'. It's reasonable that the Chalet did acquire one of the second-hand tables in 1914 and, and changed over to a new model in the 1930s. Three billiard tables remain in the Chalet Billiard Room today; one full sized table and two smaller tables, one perhaps a pool table. The full-sized table was made by the well-known billiard table manufacturers Alcock, Thomson & Taylor, who adopted this name when they merged their billiard businesses in January 1930. Henry Upton Alcock had initially established the business in Fitzroy in the mid-1850's and the table at the Chalet resembles the 'Squatter's Favourite' model that Alcock first produced in the nineteenth century from Australian timbers. this style of table was installed in Melbourne's Parliament buildings, several prestigious clubs as well as hotels and houses."(Pg 13-14. Historica)Listed in Appendix A.1 Furnishings. - Billiard Room. Draft Inventory of significant Collection Items. (Pg 162 Historica, 2011)1. Full size billiard table made of dark wood with eight turned legs. Green blaize covered table surface. 2.Wooden triangle to enclose balls. 3.balls(16) .4 Wooden backed bristle brush with VR stamp. 5. Billiard scorer with Alcock & Taylor, Pty, Ltd. 6. framed billiard rules. 7. Pool balls & cue rest. .8Plus 1x revised rules of pool framed behind glass.(stored in area 23) 1 x original cue rest.Alcock, Thomson & Taylor. -
Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens History Group
Work on paper - Director of Parks and Gardens, City of Ballarat, Interview with Bob WHITEHEAD by John Garner, 07 February 2007, 7th February 2007
Bob Whitehead, Director of Parks & Gardens for the City of Ballarat. 1978-1989The interview is valuable in terms of the development of new techniques in the Gardens and the establishment of the Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.All visible. Clear grey and white photograph of Bob Whitehead, front page. 2nd front page coloured photograph of Bob Whitehead.None.john garner collection, garner, whitehead, interview, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens, doctor, horticulture, kevin heinze, melbourne city council, modern techniques, fernery, sequoias, conservatories, establishment of the friends of the ballarat botanical gardens -
Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens History Group
Work on paper - Bob Whitehead Courier, Wednesday May 25th, 1994, Stepping Down as Chairman of the Friends of the Ballarat Botanic Gardens, May 25th, 1994
Courier, "Inside Out with Kim Quinlan", Wednesday 25th May, 1994, speaking with Bob Whitehead, outgoing Chairman of the Friends of the Botanic Gardens, Ballarat.Bob Whitehead was instrumental in the formation of the Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. Prior to that, he was Parks and Gardens Director for the City Council. So, he was something of an authority on the Gardens and the Friends' early history. p.4 of the Ballarat Courier, torn down right side, yellow with age. There is a black and white photograph of the Statuary Pavilion in the Gardens, top right hand corner.Blue biro marks in columns 3,4,5.john garner collection, garner, dr, whitehead, courier, chairman, friends of the botanical gardens, city council, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens, bob whitehead, jack chisolm, jessie scott, ballarat botanical gardens' design, gardens' history, history of the friends. -
Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens History Group
Work on paper - Gardening, Ballarat Horticultural Society, Double Diamond Jubilee, Courier newspaper, Saturday October 20, 1979, page 33, Saturday, October 20, 1979
Ballarat Horticultural Society, Double Diamond Jubilee, Courier newspaper, Saturday October 20, 1979, page 33The Horticultural Society was one of the oldest societies in Ballarat and some of the longstanding and eminent members played an important role in the establishment and development of the Ballarat Botanic Gardens and other public gardens especially in Ballarat. 1 sheet with large photograph in black and white, top half of page, 2 Certificates of Merit, bottom half of page with print left hand side and middle of the page. Folded page.Printing in black biro on the left hand side of the page concerning John Ross and Andrew Anderson.john garner collection, garner, dr, horticultural society, courier, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens, jubilee, society, double diamond jubilee, gardening, roy mosman, henry shaw, john ross, t.b.toop, geo longley, blue gums, pollarding scheme, trees in victoria park, test gardens, roses, gladioli, public gardens -
Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens History Group
Work on paper - Robert Williams Blue Gum ?, Dedication Plaques in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, 7-9 January 1991
Director of Gardens M/s Claire Nailer nee Williams is asking for information about a Blue Gum dedicated to her Great Grandfather, Robert Williams. She is also asking whether a new plaque could be made also including her grandfather and father. This correspondence refers to the history of the Blue Gums in the Ballarat Botanic Gardens, the issue of dedication plaques missing and the lack of funds for replacements. Insight is also given into Philip Clingin's assiduous work. pp.1,3 & 4 are printed on City of Ballarat notepaper with City Logos and address in blue. p2 is a photocopied letter written in longhand.There is a note in longhand stapled to the right top corner of p.1.john garner, john garner collection, doctor, ballarat botanical gardens, curator, philip clingin, claire nailer nee williams, robert williams, major-general robert earnest williams, friends of ballarat botanical gardens, blue gums, williams family papers, weston bate, dedication plaques, director of gardens and parks, roy mosman, 1991, eucalyptus globulus, gardens, ballarat -
Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens History Group
Work on paper - Adam Lindsay Gordon Cottage, Restoration, 1989, 1989
The Ballarat Y's Mens Club Project had this leaflet printed calling for funds to restore the Adam Lindsay Gordon Cottage. The letter to Mr R.Whitehead, Director, Parks and Gardens from Dr.R.R. Schrieke, President of YMCA, 23/1/1989, confirms their interest in the active involvement in the restoration and management of the Cottage.The Adam Lindsay Cottage was seen as an important part of local history.1 sheet of yellow paper with printing and picture of Adam Lindsay Cottage and 1white sheet of paper with blue and red print in the heading. There is the red and blue international logo for the YMCA and the heading Y's Men"s Club of Ballarat. john garner, doctor, john garner collection, ballarat botanical gardens, adam lindsay gordon cottage, craft cottage, craig's hotel, australian poet, ballarat y's mens club project, restoration, ymca, doctor r.r. shrieke, mr r.whitehead, director of ballarat parks and gardens, gardens, ballarat -
Park Orchards Community House
Photograph, Park Orchards Annual Gardens Open Day at Park Orchards Community House, with John and Val Smith. Doncaster and Templestowe News 4 November 1992
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Park Orchards Community House
Newspaper, State Premier John Cain and ALP candidate Bob Ives at Box Hill, incorrectly talking about building a childcare room at the Park Orchards Community House
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Park Orchards Community House
Newspaper, Discussing plant varieties at Park Orchards Community House with Department of Agriculture's John Blackstock. Doncaster and Templestowe News, 10 March 1987
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Park Orchards Community House
Newspaper, Aerobics classes at Park Orchards Community House, with instructor John McGrath. Doncaster and Templestowe News 6 June 1987
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Park Orchards Community House
Newspaper, St Johns course at Park Orchards Community House. 1987
... melbourne St Johns course at Park Orchards Community House. 1987 ... -
Wonga Park Community Cottage History Group
Photograph (sub-item) - Pupils opposite school on Dudley Road, 1912. From left, Les Read, Nell Read, Alice Knee, ‘Fat’ St. John
wonga park school, read, knee, st john -
Melton City Libraries
Pamphlet, Thoroughbred Country, c.1985
"Melton has a long and celebrated history of horse breeding and racing. Draught horses were a crucial aspect of life in the early days of European settlement, and were heavily depended upon for both transport and agricultural labour. Peppercorn trees at the corner of Station and Brooklyn roads have been associated with a horse trough installed there to provide a drink to workhorses carting produce to the chaff mills and railway station south of Melton.20 Breeders, trainers and harness drivers in the area later became such an influential force in the equine industry that this came to be a defining aspect of the district’s identity and reputation.Pioneer of the Victorian horse racing industry and early Rockbank squatter William Cross Yuille was one of the earliest importers of stud racehorses in the district in the 1850s. A leading sports editor and writer, Yuille established bloodstock auctioning agency W. C. Yuille & Co. and was involved in the compilation of the first Australian Stud Book, which ensures the integrity of thoroughbred breeding in Australia. According to early Melton chronicler Alexander Cameron, horse races were first organised in the area by Rockbank farmer William Keating. Keating owned racehorses of his own, and many brought horses from Melbourne for the events, which ‘drew large gatherings’.22 Melton Racing Club meetings were held on the Exford Estate with the permission of H. W. Staughton, who built a small wooden grandstand in 1882. Other early races and sports meetings are said to have been held in the vicinity of the current-day Melton golf course.23 An 1884 article reported that Melton’s ‘race programme … equals any put forth by country towns of far greater size’. Ernest Clarke was another important figure in the early horse racing industry in Melton. He established the Melton Stud in 1902, which bred numerous successful racehorses. Perhaps most notably The Welkin, one of the most famous stallions in Australian horse racing in the early twentieth century. The Welkin sired Gloaming, bred by Clarke at the Melton stud in 1915 and one of Australia’s greatest champion racehorses. During a long and prestigious career in both Australia and New Zealand, Gloaming achieved a triumphant 57 wins out of 67 starts and won a record amount of prize money. Ken Cox purchased the Stockwell Stud in Diggers Rest in 1957 and developed it into one of the largest and most renowned thoroughbred breeders in Australia. With its top-class facilities, international design standards and scientific methods, Stockwell became ‘the flagship of the Victorian breeding industry’.26 As well as racing studs, numerous trotting tracks were established on the flat plains around Melton in the 1960s.27 Other studs to play a leading role in the development of Melton as thoroughbred country were Cornwall Park and Merrywood at Toolern Vale, St John’s Lane Stud at Diggers Rest and Birchwood, Teppo Park and Dreelburn in the far north-east of the shire, near Sunbury. By 1985, thoroughbred horse breeding was such big business in Melton that the shire council adopted the slogan ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, which was used throughout its promotional material.29 But the slogan contained deeper meaning and was not just about Melton’s great equine industry and thoroughbred champions, the council explained: ‘“Thoroughbred Country” should be seen as a new concept of Melton, as a place where people can achieve the “Thoroughbred” ideal, excellence in all aspects of life’. The aim of the council in promoting ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, was ‘to instil in present and future residents the feeling that this is a place that is better than others. A place to be proud of’. In 1988, Melton’s champion reinsman Gavin Lang won his 176th race of the season, claiming the national harness racing record for the most wins in a single season.The following year, the first Melton Plate was held at Moonee Valley Racecourse, cementing the district’s importance in the harness racing industry. The inaugural winner was Victorys Phil, owned by local Danny Mullan. By the 1990s, Melton had earned the title of the ‘Home of Harness Racing in Victoria’. State-of-the-art, world-class harness racing facility and entertainment complex Tabcorp Park opened in Melton in 2009. In 2011, the Shire of Melton was home to over 140 registered trainers and over 1,200 horses. The municipality’s continuing leadership and influence in the industry today is a testament to the skills, talents and leadership of the local community over its history".Shire of Melton pamphlet of a map and information of the equine industry in Meltoncouncil -
Melton City Libraries
Document, Minns Family Reunion, 2004
"A perpetual spring in the adjacent creek provided a steady supply of fresh water to the site on which the homestead is built. Although we can not be certain of the identity of the builder, the first stage of ‘The Willows’ homestead appears to have been constructed in the mid 1850s. The house is situated on Crown Allotment No.1 (No Section), Parish of Kororoit, an allotment of 5 acres 3 roods 4 perches. Although it had surveyed the land, the Crown did not offer it for sale until 22nd November 1861, at which time it was purchased by Charles March Williams. (Although the property is directly opposite and immediately adjacent to the Township of Melton, and was sold as ‘Suburban Allotment 33’, it was situated within the Shire of Braybrook rather than the Shire of Melton until 1917.) Considerable improvements had taken place on the land prior to the Crown sale. When CM Williams purchased the allotment in November 1861 he paid £23.5.0 for the land itself, and valued the improvements at £400. Even allowing for some exaggeration by Williams, this is an extremely high valuation for improvements, and must have included a house. Some local research has claimed that in 1858 Williams had taken over the interest of a Mr Parkinson in the property, and that Parkinson built the house upon taking possession of the land c.1855. It was definitely built by 1861, when a map shows a square building on the site marked as ‘House’. The property is important in the district for its association with the establishment of the pound. The district pound had been established in 1854, when George Scarborough of Mount Cottrell (Mt Cottrell Road, south of Greigs Road) was appointed pound-keeper. Scarborough resigned in 1857. The pound was moved to Melton following agitation from local farmers and Charles March Williams appointed pound-keeper on 26th April 1858. Williams, the son of a doctor, had been born in London. Reminiscences of local residents of the time, as recorded in the Express newspaper, note Williams’ success in breeding horses on the property. Sales of up to 60 guineas were noted. Whether this was from Williams’s own stock or from unclaimed pound stock is not made clear. Williams appeared before a government inquiry in 1860 and advocated registration of all stock brands in the State. Williams died in 1862 leaving a widow, Catherine, and five living children aged 15 years to five months. At the time of his death Williams had entered negotiations with one Matthew Devenish and had a mortgage of £100 on allotments 1 and 2, Parish of Kororoit. Catherine Williams was appointed pound-keeper on 2 September 1863, with her eldest son Charles as her assistant. Her tenure was short for on 22nd March 1864 George Minns senior paid Matthew Devenish £135 for allotments 1 and 2 Parish of Kororoit (considerably less than Williams had claimed the property was worth in 1861) and on the same day paid William Tullidge £45 for the adjoining allotments 3 and 4. In April 1867, James Ebden Minns, the newly married son of George senior became the owner of The Willows property having entered into a mortgage arrangement with his father to the extent of £200. At the time George Minns was residing in Kaarimba having left Melton in 1867 for a short trip to England and upon his return having taken up a selection in the Kaarimba district with his son Frederick who had a hotel licence there. James paid out the mortgage on 2-1-1873. James Minns was appointed pound-keeper in 1872; in 1885 the pound was moved elsewhere and Minns purchased the old pound site and added it to his farm. The Willows residence underwent a major change about this time. A two room extension, similar in style but with a lower elevation was added to the original rear of the house with a chimney matching the distinctive originals. Window arrangements did not match the original but became a feature of the façade when the new addition became the front of the building. Six buttresses were attached to the east and west walls of the old building, two to the south wall and the whole rendered with mortar to give the appearance of dressed stonework around the windows. Galvanized iron was placed over the shingles and a verandah added on three sides. By 1876 The Willows was the homestead for a thriving mixed farm of 340 acres of which 156 was rented from a H. Ruck. In October of that year the Australasian travelling reporter visited and reported on the property. In common with the nearly every other property in the district the farm had ‘recently’ (generally within the last two years) abandoned cultivation of crops, and turned over completely to cattle pasture. Butter making was the principal occupation of the farm, which had about 50 head of cattle, a large proportion of which were milking cows. The reporter also noted that a ‘large number of pigs are kept upon this farm and are found to be very profitable stock’. Their manure was used in an orchard and garden in which ‘large quantities of lucerne and prairie grass are grown for the use of stock when ordinary feed is scarce’. Two bores attached to deep brick lined wells supplied water for the house in addition to the farm. A commodious timber barn and necessary sheds had also been constructed. Access to the property was improved following the construction of the bluestone ford across the creek c.1887, when the recreation ground came into use. Prior to this date it may have been that the crossing referred to as ‘Mr Minns bridge’ was used. This appears to have been a flimsy structure and has but two references in Council reports in the Melton Express in the 1880’s. It is believed that in the late 1890’s a timber building was added near the rear of the building to house a kitchen, ablutions and laundry rooms and rooms for seasonal workers. This was attached to the house by means of a trellised walkway using the original front entry to the house (long since the back door). A photograph of this building appears in a local history of Melton. This was demolished in recent decades during the period when the house was tenanted (after the Minns family had left). James Minns son, George, took over the property following his marriage to Alice Walsh in 1903. James and Caroline moved into a house on the former JH Games property at the eastern end of Henry Street. George held the position of Shire Secretary for Melton for 40 years. He was a most prominent member of the community being Secretary to, among others, the Melton Coursing Club, the Shooting Club and the Cemetery Trust. He also rode with the hunting parties who sported across the Plains and were entertained at Mount Kororoit. George and Alice had one son, Norman who followed his father into local government and became Secretary of the Shire of Werribee completing a record term in this position. George retired to Werribee in 1951, where he died in 1965. The National Trust records note that James Ebden Minns and his sons were ‘leading men of the district, Justices of the Peace, and Shire Councillors’. It claims that Sir Thomas Bent was a frequent visitor. The Willows passed into the hands of George’s grandson, Bruce Minns and the property was let for a number of years. In the 1960s it became vacant and was subject to vandalism. Major structural problems arose with the part demolition of the roof, the loss of windows and doors and holes dug into and under the floorboards. The outbuildings were particularly targeted. Following widespread public support, the Shire of Melton purchased the house, with 3.75 acres of land, in 1972. In 1975 the Shire of Melton and the Melton and District Historical Society were successful in nominating the building for National Trust classification, and then the Australian Heritage Commission’s Register of the National Estate. The AHC particularly noted its ‘townscape importance’. It was envisaged that the farmhouse would form ‘a picturesque centrepiece to Melton’s planned … historical park, along with Dunvegan bluestone cottage … and similar structures as they become available.’ In a time of great Melton’s ‘satellite city’ development the Council spelt out its broader vision in its submission to the AHC: ‘Melton is destined to become, by the end of the present century, a city of between 75,000 and 100,000 people. Significant relics of the past, such as ‘The Willows’, regrettably will be rare in that situation. It is essential that sufficient tangible links with Melton’s pioneering days remain to promote in the new community a sense of history and continuity’. Under the direction of ‘The Willows’ Restoration Committee and consultant architect John Hitch, all outbuildings, with the exception of the garage and toilet, were demolished and the dwelling house restored. Finances were provided by the Shire of Melton and the National Estate Grants Program, and considerable amount of voluntary labour was provided by the local community. The orchard was removed, and remaining wooden buildings were relocated to provide an open vista for visitors to the Park. The property was furnished with donations from district families keen to preserve this example of pioneer life in the area. The Willows became the headquarters of the Melton and District Historical Society". Invitation to the family reunion at the Willowslocal identities, pioneer families -
Parks Victoria - Gabo Island Lightstation
Whale bones
Whale bones found in harbour area. Dr Imlay operated a whaling outpost in Santa Barbara Bay in the early 1800's. John Morris ventured into whaling in 1848. The success of these ventures is not known. Retrieved from the Gabo Island Harbour in 1999, the collection’s two venerable whalebones are reminders of the whaling industry that was associated with Gabo Island prior to construction of the lightstation. Evocative relics of this long ceased activity, they are now also symbolic of today’s concern for protecting and saving whales. The whalebones are the only known artefacts in the collection that illustrate the period when European sealers and whalers intermittently used the island for their activities. The Imlay brothers, who operated from Twofold Bay, Eden NSW, used the island as a base and lookout up until about 1846, and several huts were erected.Whaling was last associated with the island in 1848, when John Morris surreptitiously ventured into this activity while being paid to erect lightstation buildings for the NSW government. Gabo’s historic jetty store, which stands as the oldest structure on the island, was thought to be built by Morris and is possibly associated with the activities that led to his dismissal. The whalebones were recovered from the harbour, close to the location of the store and the site of the former whaling outpost. The bones have first level contributory significance as evidence of the island’s whaling activities, which pre-date the history of the lightstation.1. Whale vertebrae, bleached white. 2. Whale bone, (rib) bleached white. -
Parks Victoria - Point Hicks Lightstation
Lid, ship tank
The heavy cast iron, round lid was originally fastened into a large, riveted metal box, known as a ship tank. It has the name ‘John Bellamy London’ cast in capitals in a continuous circle on the outer edge of the lid face, and the words ‘Byng St Millwall’ on the inner circle. , of Millwall, London, manufactured boilers and ship tanks from the 1860s to the 1930s and came from a family of tank makers who began manufacturing tanks some time before 1856. Ship tanks were invented in 1808 by notable engineer, Richard Trevithick and his associate John Dickinson. Their patent obtained the same year described the tank’s superior cubic shape that allowed it to fit squarely as a container in vessels and thus use space efficiently, while its metal fabric preserved and secured its liquid or solid contents from damage. The containers revolutionised the movement of goods by ship and made wooden casks redundant. Research by Michael Pearson has determined that they were carried on passages to Australia from at least the 1830s conveying ships’ victuals and water storage, as well as general goods heading for the colonies. Pearson found photographic evidence of their use in the 1860s, and by the 1870s they appeared to be in common use. lids surviving from containers indicate that nearly all the tanks transported to Australia came from London manufacturers. It was usual for the brand name to also feature as a stencil on the tank but in most cases this eventually wore off. A tank without its original stencil survives at Wilsons Promontory. Tanks transporting ‘drinking water or perishable dry goods were hermetically sealed by the use of the tightly fitting lid with a rubber sealing ring ‘which was screwed tight with the aid of lugs cast into the lid and wedges cast into the rim of the loading hole’. The raised iron rod welded across the outer face of many lids such as the Bellamy example, allowed for screwing the lid tight. Once in the colonies, the ship tanks were often recycled and adapted for many resourceful uses such as packing cases, dog kennels, water tanks, oil containers and food stores and this invariably led to the separation of the lid and tank. The Bellamy lid could have been salvaged from a shipwreck but is more likely to have to have originated from a recycled tank that was brought to the lightstation for water storage purposes. Pearson writes that: Ship tanks show up at a wide range of sites, many of them isolated like lighthouses. They were, I think, usually taken there for the purposes they filled, usually water storage, as they were readily available, relatively light to transport, and probably very cheap to buy as second-hand goods containers. In rural areas they may have been scavenged for their new uses from local stores, to whom goods were delivered in them. Parks Victoria has identified five tank lids in the lightstation collections covered by this project. In addition to the Bellamy lid at Point Hicks, they include a Bow brand lid at Point Hicks and another at Cape Otway, unidentified lids at Cape Otway and Wilsons Promontory. Pearson and Miles Lewis have each recorded two versions of the Bellamy trade name on the lids; one being ‘John Bellamy Byng St. London’; the other, ‘John Bellamy Byng St. Millwall London’. The Point Hicks lid has the second version of the name, as do other examples in Victoria that Lewis has identified at Illawarra, Toorak; Warrock homestead, Casterton; Eeyeuk homestead, Terang; Ward’s Mill, Kyneton; and Boisdale homestead near Maffra, and in NSW at Ayrdale Park, Wolumla; and Bishop’s Lodge, Hay. Pearson’s list includes the same lids in NSW at Tumbarumba; the Quarantine Station, Sydney; Willandra Station; Bedervale, Braidwood; Gunnedah Museum; Walla Walla and Macquarie Island. The Point Hicks lid is currently stored in the lighthouse although it is unlikely that its use had any association with this building. The lid is in good condition and retains the central bung. Pearson notes that ‘surviving lids are far less numerous than the tanks themselves, presumably because the uses to which the tanks were put did not require the lid to be retained’.347 The Bellamy ship tank lid has first level contributory significance for its historic values. Circular cast-iron disc with raised outer ridge with inscription. It also has an inner depression with inscription. Two metal sections form handles over inner depression. Hole in middle of disc.Around perimeter of outer edge "JOHN BELLAMY LONDON" Around inner area "BYNG ST MILLWALL" -
Parks Victoria - Point Hicks Lightstation
Lid, Ship tank
The circular cast iron object is a lid that was originally fastened into a ship tank. This particular lid is cast with the name ‘Lancaster & Co Bow London E’ in capitals in a continuous circle on the outer edge of the lid face, and has the words ‘Bow Tank Works’ on the inner circle. It is the same type of round heavy lid that was made by tank manufacturer John Bellamy although it may be a younger example. According to Pearson, the Lancaster & Co firm produced tanks between 1910 and 1930 from their works in Bow, East London. It was possibly preceded by the company, Lancaster & Bawn, which ran between the 1870s and 1890s.Pearson has collected a list of Lancaster & Co tank lids that he and others have sighted at various locations in Australia including Coolgardie, WA; Gulgong Museum, NSW; the Quarantine Station, Sydney NSW; Blundell’s Cottage, NSW; and Woolmers homestead complex, TAS. In addition, Lewis has identified lids at Ayrdale, NSW, and the shearing shed at Murndal homestead, Western Victoria. It is most likely that more than three lids survive in Victoria and more will be identified, however, as noted by Pearson, ‘surviving lids are far less numerous than the tanks themselves, presumably because the uses to which the tanks were put did not require the lid to be retained’.Parks Victoria has identified five tank lids in the lightstation collections. There is another Lancaster & Co lid at Cape Otway and possibly a second example there as well. In addition there are Bellamy lids at Point Hicks and Cape Otway and an unidentified lid at Wilsons Promontory, and a tank without a lid at Wilsons Promontory. The Lancaster & Co ship tank lid has first level contributory significance for its historic values.Circular cast-iron disc, with raised outer ridge with inscription and inner depression with inscription. One metal section forms a handle over an inner depression.Around perimeter of outer edge "BOW LONDON.E LANCASTER & CO " Around inner area "BOW ANK WORK" -
Melton City Libraries
Photograph, Shire centenary, 1962
Bon Barrie, Graeme Cooper, N. Gillespie, Peter Barrie, Ken Robinson, Ray Allen, Tom Barrie, John Roaers and Graeme Gilliland, members of the Mt Cottrell Fire Brigades Group In the background of the photo is the pavilion during construction, Melton Recreation Park on Reserve Road.Melton South Trailer tank, pump and Syd Coopers Car at the Shire centenarycouncil, local significant events, emergency services -
Melton City Libraries
Photograph, Brooklyn Estate, Unknown
Brooklyn Park homestead built 1875 by Stephen George Staughton, son of Simon Staughton. In 1907 the residence was refurbished for Cr Stephen John Staughton who was returning from England with his bride. The building contained over 25 rooms some 25x20 feet. There were elaborately decorated rooms with friezes, embossed wall papers, massive curtains, marble and carved mantle pieces. A Ryder Erickson Hot air engine pumped water from underground tanks up to elevated tanks to circulate water through the house. Acetylene gas generator for 100 light and chandeliers. Prominent family with civic connection in Melton holding very large areas of land. 'Brooklyn' mansion built by Stephen Staughton, local identities, pioneer families -
Park Orchards Community House
Photograph, Official opening of the nature trail at The 100 Acres Reserve, to be held on 2 June 1991 by Cr John Bridges. With Frank Gibbons showing Park Orchards painter Elly Pleasance the area. From Doncaster-Templestowe News 29 May 1991
Unknown year -
St Patrick's Old Collegians Association (SPOCA)
Photograph - Students, 1920s
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Woodend RSL
Coat, Late 20th Century
This coat would have been part of a St Johns Brigade ambulance uniform. The buttons were made by A J Parkes, who manufactured buttons for the Australian Defence force. A J Parkes began manufacturing plastic injection moulded buttons from the early 1980's which suggests that the coat would have been made and worn during the late 20th century.This item is representative of a particular piece of uniform that would have been worn by a member of the St Johns Ambulance Brigade. It has historic significance as an item dating to the late 20th century which may have been used in the service of wounded military personnel. It also has some areas of staining which could have been coused by contact with blood. This could potentially be useful for scientific research purposes.Off white knee length coat with long sleeves. There is an epoulette on each shoulder and pointed collars. There is a deep waist pocket on either side of the coat. There is one silver plastic button at the top of each pocket. These have the St John Ambulance symbol on the front, which consists of an eight pointed cross, with two very small lions and two very small unicorns nestled in the corners of the cross. These motifs are surrounded by the words "THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE". The epoulettes are fastened with one identical button each. Underneath each epoulette there is also a clear plastic button attached the shoulder seam. Each sleeve has a 36mm long cuff which is fastened with one St John Ambulance Brigade button each. There are 10 clear plastic buttons that fasten the entire front of the coat. The back has two pleats commencing near the nape of the neck. The back of the collar on the interior seam has a label which has been cut and shows only a small amount of detail. Printed in faded blue on the label is: "E.R. TIMMINS".military, coat, st johns brigade, uniform, ambulance, st johns brigade ambulance, st johns -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph, Harefield UK, 1919
Copies of photos of the No 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital set up in the ground of Harefield Park during the first World War. They were wooden huts. Also the graves of the deceased soldiers in the Australian Military Cemetery in 1919 in Harefield's St Mary's churchyard. Plus two photos of the Mansion at Harefield one in 1917 and one from 1927. Harefield Park was owned by Australian couple, Letitia Billyard-Leake (born Letitia Leake) and her husband Charles Billyard and their 4 children. The family donated their property, Harefield Park, to the Australian Government for use as an Australian-run hospital. The family moved off the property and lived nearby to help run the hospital. Letitia and her daughter, also named Letitia, ran the canteen while Charles Billyard organised activities and was a hospital board member. (from research from Carol Grbich and John Berger). During World War 1 the Australian Auxiliary Hospital No.1 was stationed at Harefield Park in Harefield, UxBridge, Middlesex UK. 111 Australian soldiers and one nurse from the hospital are buried at St Mary's Church, Harefield. This became an Australian Military Cemetery with individual headstones and an obelisk and arch. The headstones which are of a scroll design unique amongst Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries were chosen by the staff and patients at the hospital. The arch was erected by the CWGC. Anzac Day services are held there and the local school became involved with the headmaster, Mr Jefferies, bringing the school children to lay flowers on every grave and attend the service on Anzac Day. This started in 1921 and has continued until at least 2021. One school child who attended was Mr Alf Young, he made contact with Legacy in the 1990s and sent photos of the Anzac Day Services and the cemetery. Legacy responded by sending Australian flags for the school children and also Legatee John Cohen met with Mr Young when in London. Melbourne Legacy staff member Susie Howard also visited Mr Young and the cemetery in 1995. Mr Young provided historical photos and information of the area to Legacy. He was featured in the widows' newsletter The Answer many times and his death was announced in The Answer in April 1997, he was 85. Many of the photos he provided were labelled as coming from Mr R G Neil, Photographic historian from Harefield. He holds copyright over those photos.A record that Legacy helped support remembrance of Anzac Day and World War 1 soldiers buried in the UK.Black and white photos x 4 of the Harefield Hospital and area from 1917 to 1927.02067.1 Printed on front 'Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield No 1. 1914-1918'. Handwritten on reverse 'Harefield Park 1917'. Handwritten label 'Hospital as it was 1916-1918'. 02067.2 Handwritten on the reverse 'Part of the old Australian cemetery 1919'. Handwritten label 'The grave on the left "Private Wake" was the first grave in the cemetery'. 02067.3 Printed on the front 'The Lake, Australian Hospital Harefield Park, Mdx.' Handwritten on reverse 'Harefield Park 1917'. Handwritten label 'The lake in front of the mansion 1917'. 02067.4 Printed on the front 'Harefield Park' and 'Coles Watford'. Handwritten on reverse 'The Mansion, 1927 Harefield Park'. All four have a sticker of Mr RG Neil, the photograph historian that provided the reprint.cemetery, harefield, alf young, memorial, wreath laying ceremony, hospitals -
Bacchus Marsh & District Historical Society
Map, Lerderderg Park Lands sale plan. 1911
... for sale from the Lerderderg Park property owned by John Wills.... A. Fairbairn & Co. Lerderderg Park Estate was a significant and early ...This plan was for the sale of parcels of land from the Lerderderg Park Estate property in 1911. Advertising for the sale appeared in the Bacchus Marsh Express newspaper through July of 1911. The property was situated only a few kilometers from the township of Bacchus Marsh. The agents for the sale were L. A. Fairbairn & Co.Lerderderg Park Estate was a significant and early colonial property in the Bacchus Marsh area. This plan provides details about the first time the property was subdivided for sale. It is therefore documents an important moment in the history of this property and the broader trend of the subdivision of older and larger properties in the district.A single page paper plan showing allotments of land for sale from the Lerderderg Park property owned by John Wills. The parcels of land for sale are coloured in red.The Lerderderg River and Pyke's Creek Irigation Channel shown on the plan are in blue ink. The rest of the plan is a dark cream or beige colur with the text in black ink. The plan has been extensively annotated with hand-written notes indicating the names of people who purchased the various parcels of lands and the prices paid for those lands. Part of the top of the plan containing some text appears to be missing. The plan is pasted into a bound volume containing 76 maps or plans in total. Top: Have received instructions to Sell, account Mr John Wills, his renowned LERDERDERG PARK LANDS, so well and favourably known throughout the Commonwealth. In areas from 3 acres to 1276 acres. Every lot is either rich lucerne land (or portion now under lucerne) with some higher land adjoining Railway Station, and 2 Milk factories within 2 miles, absolutely the finest land in Victoria. Bottom: THIS IS THE FIRST SUBDIVISIONAL SALE of Rich Flats in Bacchus Marsh since the Pyke's Creek Scheme, and every lot is commanded by it. Only 32 miles from Melbourne.bacchus marsh victoria maps, land sales, lerderderg park estate, land subdivision