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Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph, Redesdale Bridge, 2016, 18/01/2016
The Redesdale Bridge is a wrought iron and timber structure with bluestone abutments which was installed over the Campaspe River in January 1868, although the bridge actually bears the date 1867. In 1859, the "Herald of the Morning", a ship carrying a cargo including 350 tons of ironwork for the Hawthorn bridge, caught fire and was scuttled a quarter of a mile off the jetty at Sandridge. A Melbourne salvaging firm raised the ironwork from the bottom of the bay, but after details of an arranged sale to the government caused a scandal in Parliament, the material was sold privately to the Melbourne foundry Langlands & Co. Two hundred tons of it was sold to the goldfields shires of McIvor and Metcalfe for only £1000. The bridge was designed by engineer T.B. Muntz and built by a contractor named Doran, and was completed late and considerably over budget at £6274. The bridge spans 45.7m across the river and has two roadways which are carried between three metal lattice girders in a through truss configuration. The design for the Hawthorn bridge had the deck supported over the trusses, and to stiffen the through truss configuration three sets of distinctive paired arches connect the trusses above the roadways. The roadway decking is constructed of longitudinally placed timbers on timber cross girders which rest on the lower chords of the trusses. (Heritage Victoria) A number of colour photographs showing the historic bridge at Metcalfe.metcalfe, shire of metcalfe, bridge, municipal boundary, shire of mcivor, redesdale bridge, campaspe river, t.b. muntz, doran -
Melton City Libraries
Pamphlet, Dry Stone Wall Driving Trail, Unknown
"The dry stone walls provide a tangible link to the area’s white settlement, and they remain a symbol of the profound change in land usage from the original Kulin custodians to the European arrivals of the nineteenth century. The bulk of dry stone wall construction in Victoria occurred between the 1850s and 1880s. The gold rush of the early 1850s in particular inspired a flurry of construction. At this time, labour previously available for shepherding livestock dried up, as men gravitated to the goldfields to seek their fortunes. This necessitated the building of fencing to contain the district’s growing number of sheep, cattle and horses. An explosion in surveying, subdivision and the sale of Crown lands also contributed to a boost in construction. Government regulations that punished pastoralists for allowing their livestock to stray provided further incentive to fence-off previously open expanses of land. The major benefit of this type of fencing was that it utilised the materials at hand; the plentiful grey basalt that scattered the landscape. In the case of the dry stone walls built around Melton, the characteristic round or oval shape of the volcanic fieldstones on the western plains inspired some distinctive designs.54 Another advantage of dry stone walls was their ability to withstand the ravages of flood, fire and drought often experienced in the district. This durability accounts for the fact that many of these fences still exist today". Dry Stone Wall trail brochure/pamphlet for visitors provided by Melton Visitor Information Centrecouncil, landscapes of significance -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Postcard (item) - Colour postcard, Neil Cutts, The Marysville Story-Steavenson Falls, Pre 2009
A postcard in a series produced by the Rose Stereograph Company in Victoria, Australia as a souvenir of Marysville.A colour photograph of Steavenson Falls in Marysville, Victoria. The Steavenson Falls is named after the Victorian Assistant Commissioner of Roads and Bridges, John Steavenson, who arrived in Victoria in the early 1860s. At 84 metres high, Steavenson Falls is Victoria's tallest cascading waterfall. The falls are split into roughly five cascades, with the last of these plunging into a small, picturesque rock pool. Rose Series Postcard No. 3530. The Marysville Story/ Marysville lies in the Great Dividing/ Range, a peaceful town where lush/ mountain forests provide a perfect setting/ for bush walks or just relaxing. Lookouts/ and waterfalls abound, the most famous/ being Steavenson Falls, one of the tallest/ in Victoria and spectacularly floodlit at/ night./ Established in 1863, Marysville was/ named after the wife of surveyor John/ Steavenson. The discovery of gold at/ Woods Point meant that it became/ an important stopover for/ diggers on their/ way to the/ goldfields. Steavenson Falls POST CARD The "Rose" Series/ De Luxe Proudly Printed in/ Australia Since 1880 AFFIX/ STAMP/HERE/ Rose Series/ Post Card No./ 3530 ADDRESS/ POSTCODE the MARYSVILLE STORY & Steavenson Falls/ MARYSVILLE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA/ Photo Neil Cutts Copyright Rose Stereograph Co., Glen Waverley, Victoria (03) 9560 7772marysville, steavenson falls, victoria, postcard, souvenir, rose stereograph co, 3530, john steavenson -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Postcard (item) - Colour postcard, Neil Cutts, The Marysville Story-Steavenson Falls, Pre 2009
A postcard in a series produced by the Rose Stereograph Company in Victoria, Australia as a souvenir of Marysville.A colour photograph of Steavenson Falls in Marysville, Victoria. The Steavenson Falls is named after the Victorian Assistant Commissioner of Roads and Bridges, John Steavenson, who arrived in Victoria in the early 1860s. At 84 metres high, Steavenson Falls is Victoria's tallest cascading waterfall. The falls are split into roughly five cascades, with the last of these plunging into a small, picturesque rock pool. The Rose Series postcard No. 3530. The Marysville Story/ Marysville lies in the Great Dividing/ Range, a peaceful town where lush/ mountain forests provide a perfect setting/ for bush walks or just relaxing. Lookouts/ and waterfalls abound, the most famous/ being Steavenson Falls, one of the tallest/ in Victoria and spectacularly floodlit at/ night./ Established in 1863, Marysville was/ named after the wife of surveyor John/ Steavenson. The discovery of gold at/ Woods Point meant that it became/ an important stopover for/ diggers on their/ way to the/ goldfields. Steavenson Falls POST CARD The "Rose" Series/ De Luxe Proudly Printed in/ Australia Since 1880 AFFIX/ STAMP/HERE/ Rose Series/ Post Card No./ 3530 ADDRESS/ POSTCODE the MARYSVILLE STORY & Steavenson Falls/ MARYSVILLE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA/ Photo Neil Cutts Copyright Rose Stereograph Co., Glen Waverley, Victoria (03) 9560 7772marysville, steavenson falls, victoria, postcard, souvenir, rose stereograph co, 3530, john steavenson -
Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Inc.
Photograph - Photograph - Colour, N.L. Harvey, Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Cottages, 1958, 1958
Aerial Photograph of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Cottages at Charles Anderson Grove. One of the first objectives of the Association was "to provide the shelter of a hose for those Pioneers of the Goldfields whom the reverses of fortune have deprived of the means of procuring the comforts of life in their declining years." The first home at Charles Anderson Grove was built in 1925. Before that time the Association provided relief for needy pioneers. relief included monthly monetary payments, loads of firewood, medical assistance and distribution of Christmas bosed of groceries to deserving pensioners, and in some cases payment of burial costs. ::a) The dominant purpose of the Association is to give public benevolent relief as a charity, but providing independent living accommodation in our Retirement Village for person in need who are over 65. ::b) To raise funds by membership subscription, commercial and residential rents, donations, gifts and voluntary work, for the purpose of providing direct relief of poverty, distress, misfortune or helplessness. ::c) To maintain the important heritage and ongoing viability of the Old Colonists' Association. (Revised Rules of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Inc., 2016) old colonists' association, ballarat, charles anderson grove, retirement village -
Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Inc.
Photograph, N.L. Harvey, Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Cottages, 1958, 1958
Aerial photographs of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Cottages at Charles Anderson Grove. One of the first objectives of the Association was "to provide the shelter of a hose for those Pioneers of the Goldfields whom the reverses of fortune have deprived of the means of procuring the comforts of life in their declining years." The first home at Charles Anderson Grove was built in 1925. Before that time the Association provided relief for needy pioneers. relief included monthly monetary payments, loads of firewood, medical assistance and distribution of Christmas bosed of groceries to deserving pensioners, and in some cases payment of burial costs. ::a) The dominant purpose of the Association is to give public benevolent relief as a charity, but providing independent living accommodation in our Retirement Village for person in need who are over 65. ::b) To raise funds by membership subscription, commercial and residential rents, donations, gifts and voluntary work, for the purpose of providing direct relief of poverty, distress, misfortune or helplessness. ::c) To maintain the important heritage and ongoing viability of the Old Colonists' Association. (Revised Rules of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Inc., 2016) old colonists' association of ballarat, charles anderson grove, retirement village -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - HERITAGE REPORT: FORMER POLICE STATION AND QUARTERS: CALIFORNIA GULLY
Seventeen page Heritage Place Report on the Former California Gully Police Station at 15 Thorpe Street, California Gully. It is the former police station and quarters, former timber stables and timber cottage residence demolished and horse paddock on separate title. Report includes a Statement of Significance, Place History (History of the Area), Policing California Gully Goldfields, History of the Buildings, Chronology of Ownership, Rate Books 1858, - 1867 - 1868, 1895 Borough of Eaglehawk Rates, 1922 Voters Roll, 1952 & 1962 Sands & McDougall Directory Thorpe St California Gully, Comparable Examples, Secondary Sources, Description Conservation Policy Guidelines (Specific), Physical Conditions, Physical Description 1, Map of Early Photo Location, Bendigo Parish Plan circa 1870, Certificate of Title 1950 & 1960. Pge 14 has plans, maps and an aerial photo of 15 Thorpe Street. Page 15 has an aerial photo of 15 Thorpe Street, California Gully with Allotment Size. Page 16 & 17 has photos.heritage, heritage report - former police station and quarters - california gully, city of greater bendigo, wilson & ass, butler, amanda jean, johnson reef shafts no 1 & 2, rose of denmark, princess dagmar, bendigo amalgamated goldfields company, captain frederick standish, royal irish constabulary, e thorpe, campbell, taylor, watson, brown, hosken, mckowne, mcqualter, parker, hicks, eaglehawk municipal council, victorian police force, d bannear, historic mining sites in the sandhurst eaglehawk and raywood mining divisions, department of conservation and natural resources, joshua thorpe, thorpe & co, johnson & co, william thorn, michael thomas, james murdock, edward c brown, francis youlden, gold escort, water police, mounted police, city police (melbourne), geelong police, gold fields police, rural bench constabulary, the people's force, robert haldane, n wild, streets of the borough of eaglehawk, police registration act, william henry mitchell, camp hotel, j o c nieman, j m catarach, g w hosken, margaret hosken nee mckown, majorie alice mcqualter, kellie anne mcqualter, adam joseph doolan, mr hicks, sands & mcdougall, hill george, meeking howard, mcewan frank a, jinks stanley, mccaig mrs eleanor, gordon john l, mcqualter mrs adeline, maher william l, raynor robert, flack john p, whitehead miss a, sang george t, linddsay john p, dyer henry, jackman george a, tibbetts mrs s a, hosken mrs margaret winifred nee mckowne, chaplin frank w, wilson c e, wright george, miller g a, sheyhill basil hugh, marshall r, miles j h, parker w b, barkla w g, nicholls les, cartledge clifford william, cole charles basil, farmers citizens trustees co, bev hanson -
Mont De Lancey
Decorative object - Cobb and Co Coach Model, Chas W Davis
... Goldfields ...The collection of thirteen model horse drawn vehicles were carefully handmade by Mr Chas W Davis 1925 - 2002. He was a talented artist and saw doctor. This model of a horse drawn Cobb and Co coach replicates the vehicle that enjoyed respect from the public during the 1880's. There were four horse drawn models as well.A model of a red Cobb and Co enclosed coach which is a four wheeled passenger horse drawn vehicle where the driver sits at the front behind the two light brown and grey horses. The name ROYAL MAIL COBB.CO is painted in white lettering on both sides. It has four gold painted spoked wheels with black rims, two gold painted coach lamps, black padded seating and four open windows with blinds that are rolled up. There are 2 doors with a drop-down step for easy access into the coach. A long brown wooden shaft separates the horses which also have black leather shaft style straps on both sides as well as the necessary horse tack for carriage use to help the driver communicate with the horses. There is a black wooden slotted luggage rack at the back held on by gold chains. On top of the coach is a decorative gold painted luggage rack. Freeman Cobb established Cobb and Co in Australia in 1853 to operate horse drawn mail and passengers between Melbourne and the Victorian Goldfields. It expanded to Queensland in 1865. ROYAL MAIL COBB.COreplicas, models, scale models, vehicles, carriages, horse drawn vehicles, toy horses, postal services, road transport, goldfields, coaches -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Marguerite Marshall, One Tree Hill Mine, Smiths Gully, 8 June 2006
Gold was discovered on One Tree Hill in 1854. The site has been worked intermittently until fairly recent times. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p53 Though still a working mine, One Tree Hill Mine at Smiths Gully, now stands in a tranquil reserve surrounded by bush and native animals - in contrast to its heyday. In the mid 19th century, when the mine was part of the Caledonia Goldfields, hundreds of men in search of their fortune worked the alluvial gold in the Yarra River, its tributaries and the reefs that made up the goldfields. Miner Stan Bone, assisted by Wilfred Haywood, is the last of the independent gold miners in the area and still uses the quartz crushing battery as miners did when gold was first discovered in the area in 1851.1 Stan, who is the last of six generations of miners in his family, was aged 17 when he began mining on his father Alex’ mine, The Golden Crown in Yarrambat. These days, after blasting the gold-bearing rock in Mystery Reef, one of the four reefs at One Tree Hill, Stan transports it around five kilometres by tip truck to the Black Cameron Mine for crushing. There he uses water from the waterlogged mine, (which still contains gold), as the Happy Valley Creek at One Tree Hill is usually dry.2 The One Tree Hill Mine has been worked for close to a century since it opened around the late 1850s.3 The Swedish Reef was its most productive reef and one of the largest in the area. Around 1859, extractions included 204 ounces (5.8kg) of gold, won from 57 pounds (26kg) of stone.4 Then during World War Two, Stan’s uncle, Bill Wallace, and Alex Bone, closed the mine. In 1973, Stan, with his Uncle Bill, reopened the Black Cameron Mine and worked there until 1988. Stan resumed mining One Tree Hill in 1998. As late as the 1920s gold was picked up by chance! When crossing a gully on his way to vote at the St Andrews Primary School, Bill Joyce picked up some quartz containing gold. This site was to become the Black Cameron Mine. The Caledonia Diggings, named after Scotland’s ancient name by local Scots, began around Market Square (now Smiths Gully) and included Queenstown (St Andrews), Kingstown (Panton Hill) and Diamond Creek. There were also poorer bearing fields in Kangaroo Ground and Swipers Gully (now Research). * None of these compared in riches to the Ballarat and Bendigo fields5, but the Caledonia Diggings continued intermittently for close to 100 years. Gold was discovered in Victoria following a bid to stem the disappearance of much needed workmen to the New South Wales diggings. Several businessmen offered a reward of £200, for the discovery of gold within 200 miles (322 km) of Melbourne. Late in June 1851, gold was first discovered at Andersons Creek, Warrandyte. Then in 1854, George Boston and two other men discovered gold at Smiths Gully. Gold transformed the quiet districts, with a constant flow of families and vehicles on the dirt tracks en route to the Caledonia Diggings. Three thousand people worked the gullies in Market Square, including about 1000 Chinese miners. The square established its own police, mining warden, gold battery, school, shops and cemetery and grog flowed. Market Square flourished until the middle 1860s. Bullocks transported quartz from the Caledonia Goldfields to the crushing machinery at the Queenstown/St Andrews Battery, near Smiths Gully Cemetery. It was destroyed by bushfire in 1962. By the late 1850s, most early alluvial fields were in decline, but minor rushes continued until around 1900 and some until the early 1940s. Some miners did well, although most earned little from their hard labour in the harsh and primitive conditions.6 But according to historian, Mick Woiwod, the gold fields helped to democratise society, as individuals from all walks of life were forced to share experiences, and the ability to succeed, depended less on inherited wealth or social rank.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, gold mining, one tree hill mine, smiths gully -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph
This photograph dates to 1899, towards the end of the gold rush in the Mopoke Gully area. A large opening to a mine can be seen behind the men in the photograph, with a wheeled cart on a track leading to the men's position, where the soil and rocks have been hauled away. This photograph interestingly contains dogs alongside the miners. While dogs have been recorded as deterrents to thieves in the Victorian goldfields, these dogs appear as companions to these men. Mopoke Gully mines came under the 'Fryer's Creek' division of the Castlemaine District during the Gold Rush. After the Gold Rush began in Victoria with the discovery of gold at Ballarat in 1851, Gold was found in Castlemaine by December of that year. 20,000 diggers were spread across the Castlemaine region, and the area was yielding about 23,000 ounces of gold per week. Mopoke Gully was the site of the Mopoke Gully Water Wheel, operating under the Bendigo and Fryers Goldmining Company from 1887 until 1900. This Water Wheel was used in the gold mining technique of 'sluicing'. Hydraulic sluicing uses high pressure water jets to blast away the earth, which runs through a sluice box, catching the gold with all remaining slurry washing away. This Water Wheel was built the same year as the more famous 'Chewton Water Wheel', but was smaller in diameter (60ft as opposed to Chewton's 72ft). The Mopoke Water Wheel ruins are quite intact today, and are a registered archaeological site. The search for gold is ingrained into the history of Victoria and therefore, images like this one can reveal important information for society and technology for the date when the photograph was taken. This image is of important historical significance for its ability to convey information about sluicing and the methods used to find gold in 1899. This photograph reveals important information on the use of dogs on Victorian goldfields in 1899. Dogs were used both as companions, such as this photograph depicts, as well as deterrents to thieves. Sepia coloured rectangular photograph printed on gloss photographic paper mounted on card. Obverse: Williams/ Good/ Luck Reverse: A02498/ 1997. 2498/ Good Luck/ Mine/ 1899/ Mopoke. beechworth, burke museum, gold, gold mining, 1899, castlemaine, mopoke gully, good luck mine, fryer's creek, gold rush, victorian gold rush, water wheel, sluicing, chewton -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Audio - Oral History, Jennifer Williams, Mr Alfred Spencer, 17th February 2000
... goldfields ...Alfred 'Alf' Spencer grew up on a dairy farm run by his mother, west south west of Beechworth 'down Robertson Road', and was very well connected to the wider Beechworth area. In this oral history, he recalls his time driving the milk cart around Beechworth as well as the time he spent buying lollies and seeing the pictures. He talks extensively about working as a butcher at his brother's store, including how the butchers interacted with the rest of the town and the staff, as well as his time constructing roads and the pipe network of Beechworth. He discusses the dynamics of other workplaces around Beechworth, describing issues with how the local tannery treated its workers as well as how post-war migrants integrated across the town. He briefly discusses racial tensions between Chinese migrants and other miners on the goldfields. He also discusses the experience of health care in a rural area during his childhood. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involved recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke.Alfred Spencer's oral history of his life around Beechworth during the 20th century is historically and socially significant to the cultural history of the region and Victoria. There is a lot of detail about workplaces, their staff, and how the resources of the town interacted. He explores themes that are important to Victorian history, such as migration. This oral history account is socially and historically significant as it is a part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth-century Beechworth.' While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the 20th century, many of which will have now been lost if they had not been preserved.This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white strip and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up to 40 minutes of recordings on each side.Mr Alfred Spencer /listen to what they say, beechworth, oral history, burke museum, spencer, alfred spencer, migration, post-war migration, goldfields, health care, farm, farming, dairy farm, black springs, butchers, meat processing, butcher, road, road network, labour relations -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Geological specimen - North Queensland Agates, Unknown
Agate occurs when amygdales (gas pockets) form in the upper levels of basaltic lava flows. If these pockets or bubbles are iniltrated by water bearing silica in solution, the fluid dries and hardens in layers, forming round or egg shaped nodules or geodes within the rocky matrix. Agate is formed of a silica mineral chalcedony similar to quartz. Although relatively common and semi-precious, agate has been prized since at least 1450 BC - an intricately carved agate seal was found in the 2015 excavation of a grave belonging to a Mycenaeum priest or warrior near Pylos in Greece. Agate is also used in jewellery and other decorative or ritual purposes due to its often striking appearance. These specimens originated in North Queensland, which contains noted agate-fossicking regions such as in the area surrounding Forsayth. They were collected in approximately 1852 as an adjunct to the Geological Survey of Victoria. It was donated to the Museum in 1868. Victoria and other regions of Australia were surveyed for sites of potential mineral wealth throughout the 19th Century. The identification of sites containing valuable commodities such as gold, iron ore and gemstones in a locality had the potential to shape the development and history of communities and industries in the area. The discovery of gold in Victoria, for instance, had a significant influence on the development of the area now known as 'the goldfields', including Beechworth; the city of Melbourne and Victoria as a whole. The specimens are significant as examples of surveying activity undertaken to assess and direct the development of the mineral resource industries in Victoria and Australia, as well as the movement to expand human knowledge of earth sciences such as mineralogy and geology in the nineteenth century. Two solid egg-sized pieces of peach/orange toned agate (a common semi-precious chalcedony, similar to quartz) with a striped pattern, embedded in a light and dark brown matrix. geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, agate, north queensland agate, 1852 geological survey of victoria, l. hufer - donor, mineralogy, agate specimen, indigo shire -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Geological specimen - Cassiterite
This specimen is Cassiterite in Quartz. Cassiterite is a tin oxide metal that forms in thin crystals which can have a beautiful lustre. Quartz is made of silicon dioxide, also known as silica, and is one of the most common minerals on earth. Cassiterite has been a fundamental source of tin ore for humans throughout history, including today. Tin is an important metal that has a wide variety of human uses in different areas, from dying fabric, to making mirrors, and their most well-known use ‘tin’ cans. Tin cans are primarily made of steel and are coated with tin in order to take advantage of tin’s property of being non-corroding. This is a massive step in the history of food preservation. Tinned food first reached Australia in 1815 with early settlers, and it began to be manufactured here in the 1840s. It was incredibly popular, and was a highly exported product, which would be a contributing factor to the ‘tin mining boom’ of the early 1880s. This specimen was collected at Jingellic, New South Wales, in about 1852. Although the Goldfields of the 1800s are much more well-known, tin mines existed alongside the gold mines which began in the mid 19th century and extended almost one hundred years, to the mid 20th century. Specimens like this would have been used as evidence to justify tin mining operations in the region as an investment. 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. The Geological Survey of Victoria 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 fist-sized solid geological specimen made on one half of tin oxide, which is dark grey, and on the other side of silica, which is brown and cream.burke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph, 1934
... goldfields ...The photo is taken in 1934 and illustrates the internal view of a ward in the Mental Hospital at Beechworth. Some patients in beds and three nurses are in view. Beds were arranged in lines alongside the walls and there were no partitions or screens to create privacy for patients. Furniture was simple and humble; bed frames were made of metal or wood and pillowcases and covers for the attendant`s tables were sometimes made of blue-striped canvas or calico. Large windows in the walls were offering ample light and the room was well-tended, with Christmas decoration, flowers, pots and carpets on the floor. The nurse in the foreground is Miss Neary. The Mayday Hills Hospital was constructed between 1864 and 1867, with buildings created in a number of periods. It formally opened on 24 October 1867 and, along with the Ovens Hospital and the Benevolent Asylum, made Beechworth a prominent social welfare centre in Victoria. The need for an institution of this kind was arisen due to the increased number of people with mental disturbances (induced by the harsh living conditions on the goldfields) and the remoteness of the district from Melbourne. The site was chosen for its panoramic view of the countryside, the hilltop atmosphere and the native fauna, all contributing to the cure of patients. The Hospital was originally named the “Ovens Lunatic Asylum” but, during the centenary celebrations in 1967, the name was officially changed to “Mayday Hills Hospital”, showing the gradual shift in the perception and understanding of mental health conditions over the last decades. The Hospital lies on the traditional land of the Kulin Nation. This photograph is historically significant as it provides an insight into the living conditions of patients admitted to the Mayday Hills Hospital at the beginning of the 20th century. It also contributes to the understanding of the district`s development and its importance to the course of Victoria`s history. Additionally, it provides important information about the way mental health conditions were perceived at that time and how patients were treated. Black and white rectangular photograph printed on paper. Reverse: 1997.2665/ To Miss JA.Peach/ [hallmark: Printed by Harringtons]/ With best wishes/from/H.Jeanes/for 1934.mayday hills hospital, benevolent asylum, ovens hospital, ovens lunatic asylum, kulin nation, beechworth, patients, nurse, social welfare, goldfields, melbourne, mental health, living conditions, blue-striped canvas, calico, bed frames, miss neary, mental disturbances, traditional land, centenary celebrations -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - Victoria Hill, Bendigo, 1973
Gold was discovered on Victoria Hill in 1854 and by 1861, 1,200,000 ounces of gold had been extracted from the site. The first claim was bought for 80 pounds by Prussian immigrant Christopher Ballerstedt and his son Theodore. Christopher Ballerstedt was nicknamed the "Father of the Hill" and was the first to prove that gold reefs extended below the surface. His 200-foot plus mine shafts yielded quartz rich with gold, inspired other miners, and were instrumental in Bendigo becoming the world's deepest and richest goldfield. The site still features relics of nineteenth century mining including quartz crushing machinery and the foundations of George Lansell’s 180 mine. These features are characteristic of Bendigo’s mining history and represent two prominent nineteenth century miners, Christopher Ballerstedt and George Lansell, who held important roles in the development of Bendigo. Victoria Hill Quartz Gold Mines are registered as a site of significance. The site is of historical, archaeological and scientific importance to Victoria. The mines represent the symbolic heart of Bendigo’s gold mining history and the importance that mining played in wealth creation and the development of Victoria. The diggings reserve is accessed from the rear of Albert Richardson Reserve located at 40-56 Marong Road, Ironbark. The site has steep and unformed paths and is closed to the public at dusk. It is important to stay to the paths to avoid the diggings. Interpretive signs help visitors to appreciate the importance of the site and the remaining relics of Bendigo’s mining history.Victoria Hill Ironbark, Bendigo. Photos of the poppet head, sand heap, tailings, shafts and tunnels. Before development into a tourist attraction.history, bendigo, victoria hill, ironbark, diggings -
Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Inc.
Image, Clare Gervasoni, Ballarat Old Colonists' Association Residence - Clark Cottage, 2016
This home was the second cottage built by the Old Colonists' Association, and was the gift of Sydney W.J. Clark. It was completed in 1925. From the minute books: "Mr and Mrs F.J. Williams, both natives of Ballarat, offered to build a cottage on the Association's ground at PErry Park [now Charles Anderson Grove] something after a style of the Hassell Homes. That Offer was immediately followed by another from Mr S.W.J. Clark, a member of the Council. Both offers were promOne of the first objectives of the Association was "to provide the shelter of a hose for those Pioneers of the Goldfields whom the reverses of fortune have deprived of the means of procuring the comforts of life in their declining years." The first home at Charles Anderson Grove was built in 1925. Before that time the Association provided relief for needy pioneers. relief included monthly monetary payments, loads of firewood, medical assistance and distribution of Christmas bosed of groceries to deserving pensioners, and in some cases payment of burial costs. ::a) The dominant purpose of the Association is to give public benevolent relief as a charity, but providing independent living accommodation in our Retirement Village for person in need who are over 65. ::b) To raise funds by membership subscription, commercial and residential rents, donations, gifts and voluntary work, for the purpose of providing direct relief of poverty, distress, misfortune or helplessness. ::c) To maintain the important heritage and ongoing viability of the Old Colonists' Association. (Revised Rules of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat Inc., 2016) Colour photograph of The Old Colonists' Association Cottage at The Old Colonists' Assiation of Ballarat Inc retirement village at Charles Anderson Grove, Ballarat.ballarat old colonists' club, charles anderson grove, sydney w.j. clark -
City of Greater Bendigo - Civic Collection
Financial record - Invoice, Briscoe & Co, 1898
Joseph Henry Abbott arrived in Australia from Birmingham England in 1852 aged 22 hoping to make his fortune on the goldfields. In 1853 he opened a store in Bendigo, Abbott and Co and from there began a lengthy career as a business man supplying the local community with goods and services including owning and operating the New Times Boot Market & Factory in Pall Mall, Sandhurst, run by his wife, Anne (nee Deague). J H Abbott’s main ambitions were to serve on the local and state councils. He was elected Chairman of the Sandhurst Borough Council in 1860, Mayor of the City of Bendigo in 1891 and was gazetted a Justice of the Peace in 1864. Over his lifetime J H Abbott was closely linked to nearly all the leading institutions in Bendigo and worked for the benefit of local charities. He was trustee of the Bendigo Art Gallery and a Freemason and was said to be the first person in Bendigo to have a telephone installed in1882 between his residence and his business in Pall Mall. After JH Abbott died in 1904 he passed on his businesses to his son JH Abbott Jnr and adopted son RHS Abbott. These businesses continued to trade under the name JH Abbott & Co and today still operates under the name Abbott Supply although the last of the family interests ceased in 1986. Abbott and Co acted as agents for larger Melbourne based suppliers such as Briscoe & Co and the Australian Explosives & Chemical Co. Printed and handwritten paper invoice from Briscoe & Co to JH Abbott & Co dated Jan 31st, 1898 for the purchase of dynamite and gelynite.city of bendigo mayor, shire of strathfieldsaye, mayor abbott, city of greater bendigo commerce, making a nation exhibition, briscoe & co -
City of Greater Bendigo - Civic Collection
Financial record - Invoice, The Australian Explosives & Chemical Co, The Australian Explosives & Chemical Coy Ltd, 1898
Joseph Henry Abbott arrived in Australia from Birmingham England in 1852 aged 22 hoping to make his fortune on the goldfields. In 1853 he opened a store in Bendigo, Abbott and Co and from there began a lengthy career as a business man supplying the local community with goods and services including owning and operating the New Times Boot Market & Factory in Pall Mall, Sandhurst, run by his wife, Anne (nee Deague). J H Abbott’s main ambitions were to serve on the local and state councils. He was elected Chairman of the Sandhurst Borough Council in 1860, Mayor of the City of Bendigo in 1891 and was gazetted a Justice of the Peace in 1864. Over his lifetime J H Abbott was closely linked to nearly all the leading institutions in Bendigo and worked for the benefit of local charities. He was trustee of the Bendigo Art Gallery and a Freemason and was said to be the first person in Bendigo to have a telephone installed in1882 between his residence and his business in Pall Mall. After JH Abbott died in 1904 he passed on his businesses to his son JH Abbott Jnr and adopted son RHS Abbott. These businesses continued to trade under the name JH Abbott & Co and today still operates under the name Abbott Supply although the last of the family interests ceased in 1986. Abbott and Co acted as agents for larger Melbourne based suppliers such as Briscoe & Co and the Australian Explosives & Chemical Co. Printed and handwritten paper invoice from Australian Explosives & Chemical Co to JH Abbott & Co dated 7th July, 1898 for the purchase of dynamite and gelignite. The invoice artwork/ letterhead and layout is especially notable due to its association with Troedel & Co, Master Printers and Lithographers and pioneers of the Melbourne printing industry.city of bendigo mayor, shire of strathfieldsaye, mayor abbott, city of greater bendigo commerce, making a nation exhibition, briscoe & co, australian explosives & chemical co -
City of Greater Bendigo - Civic Collection
Flyer, RHS Abbott, J.H. Abbott & Co.'s Great Spring Sale, c 1880
Joseph Henry Abbott arrived in Australia from Birmingham England in 1852 aged 22 hoping to make his fortune on the goldfields. In 1853 he opened a store in Bendigo, Abbott and Co and from there began a lengthy career as a business man supplying the local community with goods and services including owning and operating the New Times Boot Market & Factory in Pall Mall, Sandhurst, run by his wife, Anne (nee Deague). J H Abbott’s main ambitions were to serve on the local and state councils. He was elected Chairman of the Sandhurst Borough Council in 1860, Mayor of the City of Bendigo in 1891 and was gazetted a Justice of the Peace in 1864. Over his lifetime J H Abbott was closely linked to nearly all the leading institutions in Bendigo and worked for the benefit of local charities. He was trustee of the Bendigo Art Gallery and a Freemason and was said to be the first person in Bendigo to have a telephone installed in1882 between his residence and his business in Pall Mall. After JH Abbott died in 1904 he passed on his businesses to his son JH Abbott Jnr and adopted son RHS Abbott. These businesses continued to trade under the name JH Abbott & Co and today still operates under the name Abbott Supply although the last of the family interests ceased in 1986.chairman of sandhurst borough, anne abbott, city of greater bendigo commerce, mayor abbott -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Domestic object - Earthenware Bottles - S. Mason Wodonga, c1870
This bottle was used as a form of advertising for the Wodonga Business of Samuel Mason. Samuel Mason was born at Bethnal Green, a suburb of London in 1824. He came to Australia via California, landing in Sydney in 1847. After a return to the California goldfields Samuel returned to Australia, arriving in Albury, NSW in 1855. He opened a bakery in Albury, and also commenced the manufacture of ginger beer for which he gained a reputation across Australia. Mr Mason continued in business in Albury for some time, but he established himself in Wodonga c1857, continuing a branch business in Albury. Twice a month in the early days Mr Mason walked to Beechworth for the purpose of transacting business. Occasionally he was summoned to attend the Beechworth courts as a juror. In 1901 Mr Mason retired from business, handing over the reins to his only son, Mr Samuel Mason Jr. who continued the aerated water business for some years. In about 1920 the business changed hands, being take over by E. Bartel. Samuel Mason Sr. died on 6 April 1908 and is buried in Wodonga. Mr. Mason Jr. was a prominent townsman. For some years he was a councillor of the Town Riding of the Wodonga Shire Council. He was also the first chairman of the Wodonga Water Trust in 1908. Samuel Mason Jr. moved to Melbourne in March 1920, primarily due to failing health. He died on 6 February 1929 and was interred in Melbourne.This bottle has strong local significance as it is representative of one of the earliest businesses established in Wodonga in the 1850s which operated until c1920. The business continued after 1920 under different ownership and names.2 earthenware pottery bottles manufactured by Bendigo Pottery and imprinted with the business brand of S. Mason, Wodonga. One bottle still contains a marble as part of the Codd sealing system to prevent gas from the ginger beer seeping out and the drink going flat. The bottles Within two elliptical circles are painted (in freehand) "S. MASON" in the top half and "WODONGA" in the bottom half. These are separated by an asterisk on both sides. A large "S" overlaid by a similarly large "M" is within the inner circle. 2nd bottle also includes "BREWED GINGER BEER" above the brand. At bottom of bottle 1 "PINNACLE BRAND" At bottom of bottle 2 in an oval shape: "THE BENDIGO POTTERY CO./ EPSOM/BENDIGO"s. mason wodonga, aerated drinks, bendigo pottery -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Decorative object - Fob sovereign Holder, c1900
The first British gold sovereign was minted as long ago as 1489 under the reign of Henry VII. Subsequent monarchs issued their own gold coins until the reign of James I, crowned King of England and Scotland in 1603 when the practice died out. The modern use of the sovereign and half sovereign coins as common currency in Britain began in 1817. In Australia, the Sydney Mint was established as a branch of the Royal Mint in London in 1855. Its primary role, together with the mints of Melbourne (1872-1931) and Perth (1899-1931) was to strike Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns from the gold that had been discovered in the goldfields of Victoria and New South Wales in 1851. During the First World War, the Sovereign - like most gold and silver coins - was gradually withdrawn from general circulation, although special limited issue coins have frequently been minted for special events, such as the Platinum Jubilee and recent death of Queen Elizabeth 11. Sovereign cases were small portable boxes usually in cylindrical shape and made from various metals with snapshut covers to contain the coin. The spring in the base allowed several coins to be stored in a small container. These fob holders were particularly common in the late 19th to early 20th century and were frequently used by men who could then safely carry coins in their suit pockets. This case was used by a member of the Raper family of Wodonga, Victoria. This item is from the Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper.A small silver case with a fob attachment designed to hold sovereign and half sovereign coins. Inside the case are 2 circular spring loaded receptacles to hold the coins. The lid is lined with velvet. A clip and fob is attached to the front of the case.currency, predecimal coins -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Geological specimen - Sphalerite, Unknown
Sphalerite or sphaelerite is named from the Greek word for 'treacherous' or 'deceiver' as specimens can vary widely in appearance, making them hard to visually identify. It is a zinc sulfide with the chemical composition (Zn,Fe)S, the most important ore of zinc. Specimens of sphalerite can contain iron as a substitute for up to 25% of the usual zinc present, as well as trace elements of gallium, cadmium, geranium and indium. Small amounts of arsenic and manganese may also be detected. Sphalerite is found in igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. It forms when carbonate rock encounters acidic, zinc-bearing fluid. It often forms in veins or in fissures of the existing rock, with colours and crystal shapes dependent on the composition of the the combining elements. It forms isometric crystal shapes including cubes, tetrahedrons, octahedrons, dodecahedrons. This specimen was collected in approximately 1852, in Broken Hill, NSW, as an adjunct to the Geological Survey of Victoria. It was donated to the Museum in 1868. Victoria and other regions of Australia were surveyed for sites of potential mineral wealth throughout the 19th Century. The identification of sites containing valuable commodities such as gold, iron ore and gemstones in a locality had the potential to shape the development and history of communities and industries in the area. The discovery of gold in Victoria, for instance, had a significant influence on the development of the area now known as 'the goldfields', including Beechworth; the city of Melbourne and Victoria as a whole.The specimen is significant as an examples of surveying activity undertaken to assess and direct the development of the mineral resource industries in Victoria and Australia, as well as the movement to expand human knowledge of earth sciences such as mineralogy and geology in the nineteenth century.A pipe-shaped specimen of sulfide-mineral zinc ore displaying patches of black, brown, beige and gold colouring. The main item has associated broken pieces. geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, mineralogy, indigo shire, geological survey, sphalerite, sphaelerite, zinc ore, broken hill, nsw, victoria, galena, fluorite, chalcopyrite, lead, cadmium, gallium, germanium, indium, iron -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - NORTH DEBORAH GOLD MINE BENDIGO MINING PLAQUE
Metal plaque, gold writing, erected at the site of the former North Deborah Gold Mine when the brick chimney was restored by Bendigo Mining NL. The plaque reads: 'The North Deborah Gold Mine, 1937-1954. The North Deborah Gold mine was established on this site on the 28th May 1937. For an initial cost of 2,000 pounds to erect the plant, plus capital of 37,500 pounds, the North Debnorah proved to be the most abundant and profitable of all the post Second War mines in Bendigo. The North Deborah produced 128,000 ounces of gold from 1937 to its closure on 23rd December 1954. When mine manager E.J. White closed the doors that day he signaled the end to a great story of gold discovery and production. The North Deborah was the last mine to operate on the Bendigo goldfield during the initial golden era. It was not until the new century that gold mining would return. This historic chimney was restored by Bendigo Mining Limited in 2006. Along with the poppet head. It is the only visible surface remains of the original North Deborah Mine.' The mine site is situated off Breen Street in Golden Square.Kay MacGregor 2012bendigo, mining, north deborah mining company -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - DEAN HENRY BACKHAUS CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS, CITY HALL, 4 September 1982
a/ Royal Historical Society Of Victoria Bendigo Branch The President and Committee Invite With Pleasure to a Costume Ball in conjunction with Dean Henry Backhaus Centenary Celebrations, City Hall Saturday 4th September, 1982 7.30pm-1am. Dress: 1882-1982, with masks (optional) Music: 'Whipstick' Country Band Sherries: 7.30pm - Dinner 9pm. Double: $36.00 Single: $18.00 R.S.V.P 20 August, 1982. Organising Secretary, Felicity Kingerlee, Dudley House, 60 View Street, Bendigo 3550. We will/will not be able . . . . b/ Poster: Dean Henry Backhaus Centenary Celebrations German Masked Costume Ball 4th September, 1982 City Hall - Bendigo. Picture by Dorothy Carroll. The Mass Tent Used by Dean Backhaus on the Bendigo Goldfield. Royal Historical Society Of Victoria Bendigo Branch. c/ Royal Historical Society Of Victoria Bendigo Branch Dean Henry Backhaus Centenary Celebrations German Masked Costume Ball. Picture: Chair used by Dean Backhaus. Hewn from a tree stump. Programme. City Hall, Bendigo, Saturday 4th September,1982. Dance Programme.event, official, historical/educational, royal historical society of victoria bendigo branch dean henry backhaus centenary celebrations a/ the president and committee invite costume ball 4th september, 1982 7.30pm-1am. dress: 1882-1982, with masks music: 'whipstick' country band sherries: 7.30pm - dinner 9pm. double: $36.00 single: $18.00 r.s.v.p 20 august, 1982. organising secretary, felicity kingerlee, dudley house, 60 view street, bendigo 3550. we will/will not be able . . . . b/ poster: german masked costume ball 4th september, 1982 city hall - bendigo. picture by dorothy carroll. the mass tent used by dean backhaus on the bendigo goldfield. c/ german masked costume ball. picture: chair used by dean backhaus. hewn from a tree stump. programme. city hall, bendigo, saturday 4th september, 1982. dance programme. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - THE BENDIGO GOLDFIELDS - A FEW FACTS, c1970
Document. A Few Facts (7 copies). Two page typed, timelined document on the Goldfield area of Bendigo 1851 1954 by the Bendigo Branch of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. Mentions Ravenswood sheep run, German Gully, Derwent Gully, Peg Leg Gully, 'The Dascombe' & 'The Victoria' gold nuggets. Watson's Kentish mine in Long Gully, Garden Gully United in Ironbark, The Great Extended Hustlers Tribute on Hustlers Hill, The New Chum United in Golden Square, The Victoria Quartz in Victoria Hill Ironbark, The United Devonshire Mine in Eaglehawk, The Famous Devonshire Valley, Portion of the New Chum Group in Golden Square, The New Moon, The South New Moon, The 'Flying Fox' which conveyed the quartz from the Central Red, White and Blue mine to New Chum Hill, Lansell's'222' Mine, The Mine in the Heart of the City, The Fortuna Hustlers Mine; Snob's Hill, Sailors Gully & Devonshire Gully at Eaglehawk, California Gully, Long Gully, Victoria Hill at Ironbark, New Chum Hill & New Chum Valley at Golden Square, Hustlers Hill & Comet & Redan Hills at North Bendigo.cottage, miners, the bendigo goldfields, a few facts -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Slide - DIGGERS & MINING. STORES AT THE DIGGINGS, c1850s
Diggers & Mining. Stores at the diggings. ''Rates of carriage to Mount Alexander had generally ranged between £10 and 20 per ton. As winter drew on, these rates, began alarmingly to advance. The Bendigo goldfields . . . Were at this time the great focus of attention. To this locality, where it was said 40,000 persons were at one time assembled during the month of June, the rates of carriage rose successively to £80, £100, and £120 per ton, and contracts were said to have been freely made at still higher rates, even at £150 per ton. £3 to £4 per week with rations were promptly given to good bullock drivers who were disposed to undertake the protracted and adventurous charge of a provision dray. At the diggings, the course of prices had been for some time on the upward move, in anticipation of the winter's scarcity. A tent full of stores was second only to a tent full of gold itself. Flour which could be purchased in Melbourne at £24 per ton was sold at Bendigo for £20 per bag of 200lbs., or at the rate of £200 for the ton of 2,000lbs., weight'' Markings: 40 994.LIF. 5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimount -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Journal - Dicker's Mining Journal 1862
Thomas Dicker, Rowan Street, Bendigo, published a monthly mining journal that included geological information, mine details and mining practises for particular mining districts. In 1868/9, Dicker moved to England to open the "Australian and London Mining Agency" with the goals of promoting investment in Victorian mines, entering Victorian mining shares on the London Stock market, and exploring the latest in mining technology that might be suitable for mining in Victoria.Dicker's Mining Record and guide to the gold mines of Victoria, showing the bearings, depths, thickness, dips and underlies of the auriferous lodes; the progress and cost of works in operation; containing also a variety of valuable interesting and statistical information. Published by the proprietor, Thomas Dicker, Rowan Street Sandhurst. A green with black spine hardcover book. Paper glued on the front with the title Dicker's Mining Journal 1862. On the spine in gold lettering Dicker's Mining Record Vol.1 1861-2. The book contains 12 issues of the Dicker's Mining Record, the first from Saturday, November 23, 1861: the last from October 24, 1862. Also, there are two pieces of paper inside front cover with writing in pencil; the first says: shaft originally No.3 shaft of the speedwell coy. in 1902 the North Normanby Coy. was formed and took over the shaft. A new winding engine was installed in 1909. 10 head battery 1905, extra 20 head in 1909. The second, also in pencil, reads: Dept. of Mines Geological survey No.4 Ballarat East goldfields - 1907 - Mr. Marbrey (?) 39 Shamrock St. Bendigo.Sticker on inside front page: Ballarat Historical Museum presented by Mr. W.H. Lewis Young Street. On second page in pencil: Mr. John N Bailey mining manager of John Woods mines Stawell, Sons of Freedom Beaufort (illegible). To Mr. John Bailey as a mark of esteem grom J. Logan.dicker's mining journal, 1862, mining -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph
This photograph dates to 1899, towards the end of the gold rush in the Mopoke Gully area. A slurry of rocks after they have been broken up is depicted, and this is part of the hydraulic sluicing mining process. Four men are relaxing under a wooden structure, with a fifth bearded man standing near a stone wall. This photograph interestingly contains dogs alongside the miners. While dogs have been recorded as deterrents to thieves in the Victorian goldfields, these dogs appear as companions to these men. Mopoke Gully mines came under the 'Fryer's Creek' division of the Castlemaine District during the Gold Rush. After the Gold Rush began in Victoria with the discovery of gold at Ballarat in 1851, Gold was found in Castlemaine by December of that year. 20,000 diggers were spread across the Castlemaine region, and the area was yielding about 23,000 ounces of gold per week. Mopoke Gully was the site of the Mopoke Gully Water Wheel, operating under the Bendigo and Fryers Goldmining Company from 1887 until 1900. This Water Wheel was used in the gold mining technique of 'sluicing'. Hydraulic sluicing uses high pressure water jets to blast away the earth, which runs through a sluice box, catching the gold with all remaining slurry washing away. Hydraulicking is the process of breaking up the rocks and suspending it in a slurry. This Water Wheel was built the same year as the more famous 'Chewton Water Wheel', but was smaller in diameter (60ft as opposed to Chewton's 72ft). The Mopoke Water Wheel ruins are quite intact today, and are a registered archaeological site.The search for gold is ingrained into the history of Victoria and therefore, images like this one which portray a sluicing site can reveal important information for society and technology for the date when the photograph was taken. This image is of important historical significance for its ability to convey information about sluicing and the methods used to find gold in 1899. It also shows a location where sluicing was undertook which provides insight into the impact of sluicing on the environment at a time when it was done. This photograph reveals important information on the use of dogs on Victorian goldfields in 1899. Dogs were used both as companions, such as this photograph depicts, as well as deterrents to thieves. Sepia coloured rectangular photograph printed on gloss photographic paper mounted on card.Obverse: Reverse: A02497/ 1997.2497/ 'Good/ Luck/ Mine'/ Morepork/ Gully/ Mrs Joyce/ Bright/ Tunnel/ 800 ft/ 1899. beechworth, burke museum, gold, gold mining, 1899, castlemaine, mopoke gully, good luck mine, fryer's creek, gold rush, victorian gold rush, water wheel, sluicing, chewton, slurry -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Audio - Oral History, Jennifer Williams, Desmond McIntosh, 27 July 2000
Desmond (Des) McIntosh was born in Beechworth in the old goldfield’s hospital in 1940. He was the third child born in a family of five children. His great-grandparents moved from Scotland to Yackandandah in the 1930s to pursue wealth in the gold boom, but only just made a living out of it. His grandfather eventually moved and lived in the Woolshed Valley, where Desmond’s parents came from. His family continued to live in the Woolshed Valley as dairy farmers until the 1950s and then moved to Beechworth. Desmond went to school in Wooragee but left when he was 15 to work as a salesman at Freeman’s Store in Beechworth. He worked there for nine years, and then started working in the prison service in Beechworth at what is now known as the Old Beechworth Gaol, or HM Prison Beechworth, where he worked for 27 years. Desmond was an active member of the Beechworth community outside of the Prison in the church and an APEX member (which is a social justice program run across Australia). In prison, he led work programs for the prisoners such as a gardening program where they grew the fresh vegetables and fruit that they would eat. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involved recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke.Mr. Desmond McIntosh’s account of his life in Beechworth and the local area during the 20th century is historically and socially significant to the cultural heritage of the region. He details some of the change that occurred across Beechworth over time, as well as details about the management of the Old Goal Beechworth. His account is important to the region's history in terms of social issues and the effect WWII has on Beechworth. This oral history account is socially and historically significant as it is a part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth-century Beechworth.' While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the 20th century, many of which will have now been lost if they had not been preserved.This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally recorded on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white strip and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up to 40 minutes of recordings on each side. Mr. Desmond McIntoshlisten to what they say: voices of twentieth century beechworth, beechworth, oral history, burke museum, desmond mcintosh, old goal beechworth, apex, wooragee, hm prison beechworth, woolshed valley, scotland, dairy farmer, freeman's store, gardening, garden, social justive -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Geological specimen - Dolomite
Dolomite is a mineral, calcium magnesium carbonate, with the chemical formula CaMg(CO3)2. It is a principle component of various rock types sometimes also referred to as dolomite, including dolostone, dolomitic marble and dolomitic limestone (according to the composition of each type). Dolomite rock is found in sedimentary basins throughout the world, comprising approximately 2% of the Earth's crust. It is formed when lime mud or limestone encounters groundwater containing magnesium. Dolomite can contain elements such as lead, zinc and copper. Dolomite and limestone are used in various construction, landscaping and agricultural processes. This specimen was donated to the Burke Museum in 1868 by Alfred Selwyn as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria. It was donated to the Museum in 1868. Victoria and other regions of Australia were surveyed for sites of potential mineral wealth throughout the 19th Century. The identification of sites containing valuable commodities such as gold, iron ore and gemstones in a locality had the potential to shape the development and history of communities and industries in the area. The discovery of gold in Victoria, for instance, had a significant influence on the development of the area now known as 'the goldfields', including Beechworth; the city of Melbourne and Victoria as a whole. Dolomite and limestone are mined at several locations in Victoria, including sites in the North-East of the state in Bindi and Limestone Creek. There are notable dolomite deposits in most Australian states. The dolomitised form of the mineral tends to come from older limestone deposits, formed during the palaeozoic era in marine settings, so this specimen may have come from a deposit located along a coastline in Victoria or another state. The specimen is significant as an example of surveying activity undertaken to assess and direct the development of the mineral resource industries in Victoria and Australia, as well as the movement to expand human knowledge of earth sciences such as mineralogy and geology in the nineteenth century. 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.Hand-sized piece of pale pink dolomite (calcium magnesium carbonate) with dark grey rim and hollowed centre. geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, dolomite, mineralogy, geological survey, alfred selwyn, limestone, calcium magnesium carbonate