Showing 2291 items
matching the commonwealth of australia
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Bendigo Military Museum
Administrative record - Department of Resources Draft Report of Commonwealth Topographic Mapping February 1985, 21 Feb 85
By its decision 3998 of 30 July 1984, The Australian Cabinet directed that there be a complete joint administration review of Commonwealth Topographic Mapping Resources and needs and the way in which those needs could be met. This is a Draft Report of that review.A photocopy of a 14 page, A4 Report, stapled top Left-hand corner. Some A3 folded Annexesroyal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - BOOK, AUSTRALIAN FLAGS, Commonwealth of Australia, AUSTRALIAN FLAGS, 1998
... Commonwealth of Australia... FLAGS Book BOOK, AUSTRALIAN FLAGS Commonwealth of Australia ...Soft cover book. Cover - cardboard, white background with red and black print on front, spine and back. Illustrated on front in colour, collection of seven flags. 64 pages, cut , plain, white gloss paper. Illustrated in colour photographs and flag illustrations. End paper - have printed information, green, black and gold colours.books, australian flags -
Bendigo Military Museum
Manual - HOME GUARD TRAINING MANUALS, Hodder and Stoughton, 1940-1942
1. 2. 3. This is an English book designed for WW2. 4. This is an Australian book designed for WW2. 5. This is a British Commonwealth Book. GB, NZ, Aust.1. Home Guard Handbook - red buckram cover. Blue and black printing, it has 126 pages of text and weapon drawings. Author John Brophy. 2. Home Guard Fieldcraft Manual. Green buckram cover, black print, small book and map of Australia on front. 171 pages of text and drawings and photos. Author Major John Langdon-Davies. 3. Advance Training for the Home Guard. Author John Brophy. This book has a blue buckram cover. Printing is in black ink. It has 142 pages of text and drawings. 4. The essentials of training for the home guard, Weapons and minor Infantry tactics. Author Capt. A.S. Keighley ex AIF . 36 pages and drawings. 5. The Home Guard in the Field. Light blue cardboard cover. 52 pages of text and drawings.1. Marked on the top is “1/9” 2. First page has “3/3” written in pencil. 3. Front cover has a tattered label from “McGills Agency, Elizabeth St, Vic” 4. Marked on front in pencil “5/8” Also has a round sticky label from “Albury Book Bazaar” 5. Rubber stamp on front cover from McGills Agency.ww2, home guard, manuals -
Bendigo Military Museum
Poster - B.C.O.F. POSTER, BCOF Association of Australia, Australian BCOF Contingent Poster
Item is part of the BCOF Association collection related to this Cat No 7625.This is a simple A4 sheet of paper on which is printed the title of BCOF. In the centre is a stylised crown. under the crown is the phrase AIF. Under that is a banner with the phrase:- 'BRITISH COMMONWEALTH FORCES" Under that, at the bottom is the phrase "Combined Services". RAN, RAAF are included in yellow ink. On left side are the places Borneo and Morotai. On right side are the words "Occupation Japan".bcof, poster -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - BOOK ABOUT JAPAN 1945-1948, The Rodney Press, British Commonwealth Occupation Forces - Know Japan
Australia was part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan after their surrender. Item s pat of the BCOF Association Collection, refer Cat No 7625.This is a cardboard covered book. There is a large image of Japan on front cover in colour. It shows a volcano mountain range - numerous boats on seaways. In the foreground is a thin pine plantation. It has 95 pages of text, charts and photos about Japanese history and culture.Inside front cover is modern price of $18.00.ww2, japan, 1945 on -
Bendigo Military Museum
Booklet - OCCUPATION OF JAPAN, Brief History of Australia's Participation of Japan 1945 - 1952
After the Japanese surrender in WW2 the Allies (inc Australia) occupied Japan. Australia was part of the BCOF contingent. (British Commonwealth Occupation Force) one of the man Aimee was the disarmament of the Military. Item is part of the BCOF Association Collection, refer Cat No 7625.This is a fairly modern local production (it had an internet address at the top). It has six pages, printed in black ink. Fastened with one staple.ww2, japan, ocupation -
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - JACKET, RAAF, Aust Govt Clothing Factory, Fletcher Jones, ADA, 1981
... RAAF blue uniform jacket size 10 OR. Royal Australian Air... uniform jacket size 10 OR. Royal Australian Air Force shoulder ...Battle uniform jacket is for less formal circumstance. Belonging to "Peter Stoklahsa" enlisted 1966. Refer Cat 7674P.RAAF blue uniform jacket size 10 OR. Royal Australian Air Force shoulder patches.. Commonwealth emblem patch sewn onto lower arms. Two breast pockets with service ribbon attached above left pocket. Material epaulettes on each shoulder with a black button and gold RAAF Eagle and Crown Emblem. Zipped front with stretch bands on bottom sides. Inside cotton lining. Inside pocket - label of maker on inside.Label - "A.G.C.F. VIC. 1981. 8405.66.103.8063 Size 10 OR. Service No. Cleaning instructions. raaf, uniform, peter stoklahsa -
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - DRESS UNIFORM, RAAF, Australian Govt Clothing Factory
Partial dress uniform of RAAF for "Peter Stoklahsa". Enlisted 1966 to 1987. Refer to cat No. 7674P.1. Dark blue pants size 97. White label on inside. 4 pockets, clip to do up and white elastic lining on inside. 2. RAAF blue jacket. Two breast pockets and two lower pocket flaps with no pocket. Four large front buttons and two smaller pocket buttons. 'Australia' shoulder flashes and service ribbon above left chest pocket. Inside cotton lining and inside pocket on right side. Makers label sewn on inside and Commonwealth emblem on sleeve. 3. Blue Air Force cap size 7. Leather inside lining and plastic and black material band. Button on each side with plastic strap. Gold Air Force emblem of Laurel leaves, spread Eagle and Crown.Inside maker - Australian Government Clothing Factory. Size 7.raaf, uniform, peter stoklahsa -
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - MESS DRESS, RACT, 1) and .2) DAVID KLEIN PTY LTD, 1) and .2) 1966
Royal Australian Corps of Transport mess dress belonging to Kevin John Herdman. Part of the Kevin John Herdman No. 397661 Collection, See Catalogue No. 5942P for details of his service record..1) Black jacket with two button-down breast pockets and two side pockets with flaps. Jacket buttons at the neck and down the front. Unit insignia on right collar. White starched false collar attached with studs. All buttons bear a unit insignia and are gold coloured. Major's rank insignia on each epaulette. Manufacturer's label on inside left. .2) Pair of black trousers with two white stripes down the outside of each leg. Buttons on waist band for attaching braces. .3) White elastic adjustable braces. .4) Black peaked cap with red band. Gold coloured braiding on peak. Brown coloured sweat band and clear plastic lining..1) On manufacture's label: 'DAVID KLEIN PTY LTD, PTY LTD, VICTORIA, 1966, (upwards arrow)'. On false collar: 'C.G.C.F., SIZE 15'. .2) On manufacturer's label: 'DAVID KLEIN PTY LTD, PTY LTD, VICTORIA, 1966, (upwards arrow)'. .3) Stamped on leather joiner: 'P-F, 10 73, (upwards arrow), 44'. .4) Inside cap: 'COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT CLOTHING FACTORIES, MELBOURNE,6 3/4'.uniform, mess dress, royal australian corps of transport, kevin john herdman -
Bendigo Military Museum
Headwear - BERET, Commonwealth Govt Clothing Factory
... goldfields Uniform Australian Army Beret Written in ink on the makers ...Dark green woollen beret. It is lined with a grey cotton material. On the front is a brass Rising Sun Badge. The motif states:- "Australian Military Forces".Written in ink on the makers label is name "DOBIN".uniform, australian army, beret -
Bendigo Military Museum
Souvenir - BOX WITH INLAY
... Inscribed on inlay "Australian Commonwealth Military Forces"... Box Inscribed on inlay "Australian Commonwealth Military ...Box is of unknown origin. Possibly may have contained a medal or ribbons. Originally belonged to Sgt Robert J Tyrell who served in 39th Battalion in circa 1925-26 and in WW2 was part of the Volunteer Defence Corps. R/N in 1925-26 was 172769.Small brown varnished wooden box with indentations for Mother of Pearl inlays. Inlays are 4 separate Triangular corners with flowered patterns and in centre larger circular desdigns. One side has 8 pointed star and other side has Rising Sun Military emblem.Inscribed on inlay "Australian Commonwealth Military Forces"souvenir, wooden box -
Bendigo Military Museum
Administrative record - Telex - Army Survey Regiment direction to cease Raster Scanning Sub System acceptance testing, 17 Oct 84
Telex from Assistant Secretary Major Contracts Branch. Due to problems encountered during functional testing of the Raster Scanning Sub System (RSSS) that Army Svy Regt cease acceptance testing. Intergraph will be required to resolve the problems identified and to give the Commonwealth a high degree of confidence that the RSSS would then be able to satisfactorily complete functional testing.Photocopy of a Telex, 5 x foolscap pagesroyal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr -
Bendigo Military Museum
Album - ALBUM, PHOTOGRAPHIC, March 2018
Reunion held at Junee in NSW for those that served in Japan as part of occupational forces of the Commonwealth from 1945-52. Item in the collection of Richard William McGILVERY, RAAF. Refer Cat No.7287P for Service details, photos and awards.Hard cover black photo album for British Commonwealth Occupational Forces of Japan Reunion in 2018. Album contains photos and a newspaper article relating to reunion at Junee. Photos, actual part of a booklet on glossy coloured paper. 10 pages, both sides. Cover has a window into the first page highlighting a memorial statement to those that served. A plastic isert is at the front and back of the inside pages. Inside is a separate A4 page with photo print of a ceremony at the War Memorial.On front cover, a dedication to Australian Forces who served from 1945-52.japanese occupational forces, photo album, bcof -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPH, MEMORABILIA FRAMED, Accent Framing Ballarat, Post 1970
Richard William McGilvery. Enlisted No. 450708 in the RAAF on 20/3/45, age 19 years. Served with BCOF in Japan post War, discharged on 16/10/1948, re enlisted 1950, discharged 30.9.1970 with the rank of Warrant Officer, awarded the "Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.Framed memorabilia, frame brown timber, Memorabilia has blue inset backing, there are 4 inserts. Top insert has, 2 x RAAF shoulder epaulettes, 2. Shoulder patches "British Commonwealth Forces" 3. 2 x badges with lion and horse. 4. 1 x RAAF hat badge. 5. 4 x uniform buttons. 6. 1 x badge "British Commonwealth Forces Association". 7. 1 x brown shoulder wings. 8. 1 x miniature badge "Air Training Corps Australia". 9. Set of medals mounted. (1) Defence medal 1939-45. (2) Australian Service Medal. (3) Australian Defence Medal. (4) Long Service and good conduct medal. 10. Medallion 60 years 1945 - 2005. Photo insert showing portrait of "McGilvery" in Japan. Centre insert: Details re McGilvery with "Long Service & Good conduct Medal". "memorabilia, photographs, bcof -
Bendigo Military Museum
Certificate - CERTIFICATE - BCOF
... McGilvery for contributing to Australia's effort in the British... for contributing to Australia's effort in the British Commonwealth ...Certificate issued to Australian Serviceman for their contribution towards BCOF. Signed by Prime Minister John Howard and VA Minister Bruce Scott so would be circa 1996-2001. Items in the collection of Richard William McGilvery, RAAF. Refer No.7287P for his service details, photo and awards.Hard cardboard, yellow pages with thin black, red and blue lines. Commonwealth Government emblem at top, a message of thanks and signatures at bottom. Also stylised picture of Australian Flag and image of child and man in front of a cenotaph.Says " A grateful nation expresses it's thanks to Richard McGilvery for contributing to Australia's effort in the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (Japan). Signed by Prime Minister, His local MP & Minister for Veteran Affairs.bcof, certificate -
Bendigo Military Museum
Print - PRINT, FRAMED WW1, Reader's Digest (Australia) Pty Limited, 2015
From information book- "Reader's Digest/ Gallipoli/ 25th April 1915 - 9th January 1916/ Centenary Commemorative Prints". Collection of 20 prints. Refer Cat No 7300.Framed print. Print - colour print on paper. Copy of a "chromolithograph on canvas" poster. Depicts a strong soldier wearing a slouch hat standing astride a 3D land area and peninsula. "The soldier has raised his hands to his mouth". Frame - black plastic framing with glass front and MDF board backing with adhered black paper.Details below print - in black ink, "RECRUITING POSTER, A Call from the Dardanelles, 1915". Details on poster. "A CALL FROM THE DARDANELLES/ "COO-EE"/ Won't YOU come? "/ ENLIST NOW/ Issued by Authority of THE DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF COMMONWEALTH - S.T. LEIGH & CO. LTD, LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTERS, SYDNEY".framed accessories, pprints, ww1, gallipoli, centenary -
Bendigo Military Museum
Booklet - BOOKLETS - BCOF, BCOF Association of Australia, 1. "SHINBUN ROCKU BAN" 2. "SHIBUN', 1982 and 1988
Booklets are the "OFFICIAL JOURNAL/ B.C.O.F. ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA / since 1972/ Navy, Army, Air Force, Woman's & Auxiliary Forces." BOOKLETS - Items in the Collection of Richard William McGILVERY, RAAF. refer Cat No. 7287P for his service details, photo, awards.SOFT COVER BOOKLET. Cover - paper, black print on front and back on white paper. 2, Red print decorative frame/ border. Illustrated with the "BRITISH COMMONWEALTH FORCES", logo with crown. 1. 14 pages - cut, plain, white paper. Illustrated black and white photographs. 2. 40 pages, cut, plain, white paper. Illustrated - black and white photographs and cartoons.1. Front cover - white adhesive label, handwritten black ink "2003 to 2007/ lots missing". 1. "Shinbun Rocku Ban" No. 6 February 1982. 2. "Shinbun" No. 32 December 1988.history, booklets, bcof -
Bendigo Military Museum
Headwear - CAP, PEAKED, Commonwealth Govt Clothing Factory
Item in the collection re Tom Glazebrook, refer Cat No 4330.2 for his service details.This is an army peaked cap. The peak is black glossy leather. Around the peak is old gold braid. The Royal Australian Engineers Badge is on the front. Around the hat is a red band. Around the top part is red piping and under the peak is a green material.uniform, ceremonial, peaked cap, thomas glazebrook -
Bendigo Military Museum
Headwear - CAP, PEAKED, Commonwealth Govt Clothing Factory
Item in the collection re Tom Glazebrook, refer Cat No 4330.2 for his service details. This is an Officer's peaked cap, khaki colour. The brim is also Khaki cotton covered. It has a leather strap sitting on top of the brim. It has the badge of Royal Australian Engineers on it. The badge is copper, but with silver oak leaves around left and right side. Inside is a leather lining around the inside rim. It has a water proof vinyl layer against the interior top,Inside the leather internal rim is "T. Glazebrook 3137211”uniform, hats, tom glazebrook -
Bendigo Military Museum
Card - CARD, BCOF SUBSCRIBER
Australian Membership card Occupational Forces from Commonwealth in Japan. A life Subscriber was a person who paid many years of membership ahead usually at a cheaper membership amount. Re collection of Richard William McGILVERY, RAAF. Refer Cat No.7287P for his service details, photos and awards.Small card, blue and white on front, wrapped in hard plastic. On front emblem of British Forces Commonwealth. Richard McGILVERY name on front. On back - membership No. and name and address of Mrs. W.E. McGILVERY and her signature.Titles "BCOF Association of Australia, Life Subscriber" and Richard McGILVERY's name. On back membership No. 16343.bcof, japan, richard william mcgilvery -
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - MESS DRESS - FORMAL, unknown
Ribbons are: War medals 1939-45. Australian Service Medal. Belonged to Lt. Col. E.P. Seymour. One of the CO's of 38 Bn.1. Jacket - woollen, black. Lt Col Rank Badges, gold, on epaulettes. Rising Sun badges on collars. Aust Commonwealth Military Forces. Four pockets. Four gold centre buttons. Top two pockets held shut with a gold button. 2. Trousers, woollen, black with red vertical stripe on sides. Pockets - 1 coin, 2 hip, 1 rear. Fly held shut four black buttons. 3. Shirt (ex) white short sleeved. 1 button missing. E... its cotton pocket. 4. Belt, Woollen black. Brass buckle. Two mini straps on inside of belt. 5. Tie, black, cotton. 6. Ribbon bar WW2 (2 medals). 7. Hat peaked black. Formal wear. Gold braid on brim. Red band and red piping. Rising Sun Badge. Aust Comm Military Forces.On trousers, written on two pockets is name: Seymour. Hat has a ticket inside. Lt. Col. E.P. Seymour.post ww2, passchendaele barracks trust, e.p. seymour -
Bendigo Military Museum
Medal - SERVICE MEDALS, WW2
Relates to "Edmond (Tim) Grey Bates" RAAF 20841. Enlisted 30/5/41. Discharges 30/6/45. Cpl. 1 Wireless & Gunnery School. Pacific Star awarded for Service in WW2. War medal was for all who served in the armed services or Merchant Navy in WW2. Australian Service medal was specific to Australian Citizens.Four WW2 Service Medals. 1. 1939-45 Star. 6 pointed Star of yellow copper and zinc alloy with a dark blue, red and light blue ribbon. Attached to a ring at the top. 2. Pacific Star - 6 pointed star of copper and zinc alloy with a small ring at top and colours on ribbon of red, dark blue, green, yellow, cream, dark blue and red. 3. War Medal 1939-45. Round silver medal in copper nickel with fixed straight bar on top. Attached ribbon is a combination of red, dark blue and white. 4. Australian Service Medal - round silver color medal of nickel alloy with fixed star and bar on top and ribbon colours of light blue, red, white and dark blue. 1.& 2. A crown and "GRJ VI" on front. 3. King George VI one side and roaring lion on other. 4. King George VI on one side and Commonwealth Emblem on other.medals, raaf, edmond grey bates -
Bendigo Military Museum
Administrative record - Advisory Committee on Commonwealth Mapping Meeting Notes - (National Mapping Council Meetings), Circa 1972
Advisory Committee on Commonwealth Mapping (ACOCM) Meeting Notes. 15 Items of typed pages and diagrams. .1 Letter to the Hon WS Kent Hughes MVO, OBE, Mc, ED, MP, Minister for the Interior, ACT Signed Jos Francis. Cabinet Decision taken on 22 July 1954, effects on current military mapping agreements between AUS, UK and USA. Australian responsibility "Noted was the fact that RASvy was in preparation for War." .2 Letter by H Wells Lieutenant General, Chief of the General Staff, 17 Feb 1955. Refers to the invitation of Major General RL Brown UK Defence to visit Australia to help align the mapping programme. .3 Draft Cabinet Submission on National Mapping Survey and Mapping Co-ordination of the 22 July 1955. Attachment 1 Cabinet Minute, Vice-President's letter Canberra22 July 1954. Decision No2 (VP). Submission 8 National Mapping Survey and Mapping Co-ordination. .4 Air photography and Mapping Programme 1956/57. Signed by LF Fitzgerald OBE Director of Military Survey 26 Jan 56. .5 Letter Hon WS Kent Hughes MVO, OBE, MC, ED, MP. Minister for the Interior ACT. Confirming the Cabinet Decision No2 (VP) Signed by Joe Francis .6 National Mapping Programme 1956/57. States a view to Army's contribution to this programme .7 Clarifies Army participation in Cabinet Decision No2 (VP) .8 History of National Mapping Asst Secretary (General) 24 Apr 1958 .9 Report on Army Committee on National Mapping. 2 July 1958 .10 RASvy Brief Review of Activities Jan - Dec 1964 .11 Advisory Committee on Commonwealth Mapping Meeting Notes 12 Feb 1965 - Agenda item 8. This endorsed the principle of grouping Commonwealth Mapping Agencies in a Survey Mapping Group in Canberra which included AHQ Survey Regiment. This did not come to fruition. .12 Advisory Committee on Commonwealth Mapping Meeting Notes 12 Feb 1965 - Agenda item 8 para 5.1.3 - 11.2 .13 ACOCM Meeting Agenda 1968 .14 ACOCM Meeting Minutes 1970 .15 Letter to Mr B White CBE Secretary from LF BottAdvisory Committee on Commonwealth Mapping (ACOCM) Meeting Notes. 15 Items of typed pages and diagrams. .1 Letter 22 July 1954 .2 Letter 17 Feb 1955 .3 Letter 22 July 1955 .4 letter 26 Jan 1956 .5 Letter Hon WS Kent Hughes Minister for the Interior ACT .6 National Mapping Programme 1956/57 .7 Clarifies Army participation in Cabinet Decision No2 (VP) .8 History of National Mapping 24 Apr 1958 .9 Report on Army Committee on National Mapping 2 July 1958 .10 RASvy Brief Review of Activities Jan - Dec 1964 .11 Advisory Committee Meeting Notes 12 Feb 1965 - Agenda item 8 .12 Advisory Committee Meeting Notes 12 Feb 1965 - Agenda item 8 para 5.1.3 - 11.2 .13 ACOCM Meeting Agenda 1968 .14 ACOCM Meeting Minutes 1970 .15 Letter to Mr B White CBE Secretary from LF Bottroyal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr, national mapping -
Bendigo Military Museum
Badge - UNIFORM BADGES WW1, C.1914 - 18
... .3) "Australian Commonwealth Military Forces"...) "Australian Commonwealth Military Forces" .1) .2) "Australia" shoulder ...Items issued to John. D. Gardiner No 2832, refer Cat No 5892.2 for his service details..1) .2) "Australia" shoulder badges brass curved shape with two lugs on rear. .3) Rising sun lapel badge brass, no lugs on rear..3) "Australian Commonwealth Military Forces"badges, rising sun, uniform -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - MILITARY JOURNAL
Journal issued by Commonwealth General Staff covering various aspects of Military Activities. Used as a training source by Military Servicemen.Brown A.4 size book with 201 pages issued May 1911 whose contents cover various aspects of Military Battlefield Donations. Cover has Commonwealth Emblem, Title, Volume No. and map covering Asian, African and Australian Zones. Military Journal in Red, large metal staples.Headed "The Commonwealth Military Journal Vol 1, May 1911. "Edited by General Staff (Training Branch), Commonwealth Military Forces Melbourne".passchendaele barracks trust, book, military training, ww1 -
Bendigo Military Museum
Badge - BADGES, RISING SUN
... Inscribed with "Australian Commonwealth Military Forces". ... with "Australian Commonwealth Military Forces". Brown metal Rising Sun ...Identification badges for Australian Military Forces worn on collar of uniforms. Refer 6722 "2422 F. Scott. 5AI.Brown metal Rising Sun badges with small crowns at centre and Inscription at bottom. 1. has two pins at back. 2, has no pins.Inscribed with "Australian Commonwealth Military Forces". passchendaele barracks trust, rising sun badges, f. scott -
Bendigo Military Museum
Badge - BADGE, WOMEN OF AUSTRALIA
Badge was given to mothers who had children serving on active duty in WW2. The number of stars on the bar signified the number of children serving. The number on back allowed traceability.Circular black badge with bar hanging off. Bottom with one star. Pin on back. Small crown on top of badge. Engraved "To the Women of Australia" and on back A.219253 and issued to Commonwealth Government.passchendaele barracks trust, badge, ww2 -
Bendigo Military Museum
Badge - BADGE, RISING SUN, 1914 - 1945
... Australian Commonwealth Military Forces... goldfields Passchendaele Barracks Trust Rising Sun Badge Australian ...Badge - Rising Sun, metal, black.Australian Commonwealth Military Forcespasschendaele barracks trust, rising sun badge -
Bendigo Military Museum
Badge - BADGE, WOMEN OF AUSTRALIA, Amor, Sydney, 1939-45
... BADGE, WOMEN OF AUSTRALIA Amor, Sydney, Commonwealth Government ...MOTHER'S BADGE OF ISABELLA BROOK WHO HAD TWO SONS SERVING DURING WW2.1. Badge - silver metal, bar with two yellow metal stars contained in a box."TO THE WOMEN OF AUSTRALIA" Moulded small map of Australia inside a Laurel wreath.mothers badge, ww2 -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Certificate - Federation Celebration Rolfe invitation, 1901
... Australian Commonwealth Celebrations’ ‘The Government of Victoria... Destiny Australian Commonwealth Celebrations’ ‘The Government ...This invitation to a ‘Conversazione’ to celebrate the Federation of the six colonies in Australia into the six States of Australia in 1901 was sent to the invitees after the event to keep as a souvenir of the occasion. The event was hosted by the Government of Victoria. The certificate was designed by George Brougham Austin, a Melbourne architect and artist employed by the Victorian Department of Public Works. He also designed many of the public decorations displayed in Melbourne during the Federation celebrations. Austin’s original work was lithographed by an artist at Sands and McDougall, Melbourne. This particular invitation was sent to George Rolfe and his wife, Annie. George Rolfe (1836-1919), a tea merchant from Melbourne, began buying blocks of land near the mouth of the Hopkins River in Warrnambool in the 1870s. By the early 1880s he owned 50 acres of land in the town and some nearby farming properties. He used the building on the ]and near the mouth of the Hopkins River as holiday accommodation and called the property, Lyndoch. He improved the property with the additions of stables, jetty, boathouse, bone and chaff sheds, reservoir and windmill and extensive gardens. Rolfe spent most of his later life at Lyndoch. Today the property is the site of an Aged Care facility. This certificate is of considerable importance for two reasons: 1. It is an important and attractive memento of a signal event in the history of Australia – the Federation of the States in 1901. 2. The certificate was an invitation to Mr and Mrs George Rolfe. George Rolfe was a prominent Warrnambool person in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This is a multi-coloured certificate printed on a cream-coloured card. The certificate has an image of the Exhibition Building surrounded by an ornate border of heraldic shields, portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, views of the six capital cities of Australia, native flora and fauna, the Royal Crest and the Crest of Australia. The names of the invitees are handwritten in black ink. ‘United Australia 1901 One Flag One Hope One Destiny Australian Commonwealth Celebrations’ ‘The Government of Victoria requests the honor of the presence of Mr & Mrs G. Rolfe at a Conversazione in the Exhibition Building on the Evening of Tuesday 7th May 1901 at 8 p.m.’ george rolfe of lyndoch, warrnambool, federation of australia, history of warrnambool, george rolfe