The Ballarfat School of Mines Mining Plant and Laboratory were formally handed over on 23 May 1902Ground floor plan of ore laboratory drawn on coated cotton cloth, hand colouring Drawing No 3. Initialed "C.B.A. Jan 1900) H [Illegible} 31 1 00smb ore treatment laboratory, mining, ballarat school of mines, department of public works victoria, architecture, plan, laboratory, ore sampling floor, furnace, boiler house engine bed, gaol ground, ballarat gaol ground, laboratory

The M.B. John Trade Building was built on the Albert Street Frontage..1) Plan of SMB showing Albert, Grant, Lydiard and Dana streets, on paper with colored highlights undertaken by Ballarat School of Mines student George Murrowood in 1932 .2) Hand written page by George Murrowood, of technical description of land surveying Grade II 1932ballarat school of mines, surveying, george murrowood, albert street, alumni, m.b. john building, architectural plan

mounted 1858 panoramic view of Ballarat in 4 photographic prints taken from near the SMBtyped text lower left of image partiallyballarat, ballarat school of mines, wesley church ballarat, ballarat gas company, gold mining

Ballarat from the Ballarat School of Mines. 9 x silver gelatin prints depicting panoramic view of Ballarat mounted onto board, split into two sections 14073.1 and 14073.2ballarat, ballarat panoramic view

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Photograph of the Queen Mother (Elizabeth) signing a book watched by Frank Wrightqueen mother, queen elizabeth, royalty, frank wright

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Alexander Wright was born on 25 August, 1898 in Smeaton He was the brother of musician Frank Wright. Alex Wright was killed whilst performing at the Birmingham Empire as the result of a German air Attack in October 1940. The theatre had a direct hit. According to Frank Wright Alex was a great impersonator with a unique range Bass - tenor with many accents (not unlike Peter Dawson) "AUSTRALIAN CARUSO Smeaton Boy's Fame Andre Navarre, who left Australia about three years ago to study opera in Europe, bids fair to take a place among the world's great tenors. A few months ago Navarre sang for Melba for the first time, and she immediately acclaimed him to be a finished artist, describing his voice as the nearest approach to the immortal Caruso she had ever heard, writes the Ballarat "Courier." Andre Navarre is, however, only a stage name adopted by Alexander Wright, a son of Mr. and Mrs. William. Wright, of Armstrong street North, Ballarat, and brother of Mr. Frank Wright and Mrs. William Ritchie, of that city. Born at smeaton 31 years ago, in what may be termed a musical atmosphere; Alex. Wright showed a definite desire to sing at a very early age, and in his boyhood figured as soloist at school concerts, etc. His youth was spent around Smeaton, working at home and at various farms in the district until he was about 19 years of age, when he secured a position at the Dunlop rubber works, Melbourne. Up to this period Wright had no vocal training whatever, but being the possessor of a good resonant baritone voice, was persuaded by some of his friends to "have a go at the stage.'' Securing a position in the chorus of "Maid of the Mountains," which was at that time showing at the Theatre Royal, he soon made his voice heard to advantage, and also commenced to take lessons from Signor Robottaro. It was about this time that Wright was invited by a fellow musician to a musical evening at which a member of Rigo's grand opera company, then performing at " The Playhouse," was also present. Hearing Wright sing, the musician immediately said : ' You're a fool to waste your time in a chorus with that voice. Rigo is looking for a singer like you for the role of 'Figaro' in 'Barber of Seville'." Alex, however, did not take the remark seriously, and it was only after the numerous persuasions of friends who obviously knew the real value of his voice that the modest young man was eventually induced to meet Rigo. The Italian maestro was so delighted with the voice that without hesitation he was given the principle role of "The Barber" to study. Many singers having previously been tried and rejected for the part, Wright was astonished at his success in being chosen, and awakened suddenly to the fact by the maestro that a world voice, if properly trained, would surely develop in the young artist, Alex at once settled down to study, and all day long in his boarding house at St. Kilda could be heard rehearsing his new role. In less than a month he had completely mastered the part, and on the opening night, in the exacting role of "The Barber," he was an outstanding success. Later, he toured Australia with many leading artists, including Elsa Stralia and Harry Lauder, and spent his last two years in Sydney, where he was engaged as soloist in the biggest picture house. Realising that a training in Italy and on the Continent was essential for a successful operatic singer, the young artist decided to go overseas to continue his studies. He did not leave Australia, however, before he gratuitously gave a concert in his little home town to the obvious delight of all his old friends, who flocked from all parts of the district to hear him. The hall was packed to overflowing , and so pleased was Alex with the tumultuous reception he received that he sang fewer than 20 songs. Once in Italy, he lost no time in placing himself under the tuition of Cottone, and it was at the studio of this maestro that he met Toti dal Monte, a former protege of the same master. Two years were spent in Italy, when "Navarre" learned to speak the Italian language fluently, and acquired a wide knowledge of the operas. He sang in Milan about a year ago, and was paid some glowing tributes by the Italian Press critics, who likened his voice to that of Caruso. From Italy he went to Paris, where he met John Brownlee and many other famous singers. The critics on the Continent are unanimous that Andre Navarre-the unassuming Smeaton boy, whom his schoolmates still affectionately call "Hock"--is destined to become one of the luminaries in music history. It is interesting to recall some facts concerning the remarkable family from which this artist springs. Four other members have won championship honors in the musical world. Mr. Frank Wright has the Australasian cornet championship to his credit ; Mr. Norman Wright, of Sydney, has won a tenor championship of New Zealand, and has recorded for the Columbia Gramophone Company ; Mrs. Wm. Ritchie ( formerly Miss Laura Wright) won the A.N.A. contralto championship in Melbourne; whilst the oldest member, Lydia (Mrs. C. Cane, now in N.Z.) won the violin championship at South Street when 17 years of age. Last year Mrs. and Mr. Wright celebrated their golden wedding. Both of the old folk are intensely musical, and it has been said that the voice of the mother, although entirely untrained, showed in her earlier days glimpses of the beautiful quality which made Melba famous. Andre Navarre does not propose leaving the Continent for some time. Recently he was offered a 12 months' contract to sing in London for £2500 but on the advice of Melba and his coach, it was refused on the grounds that yet another 12 months' French study was necessary to ensure absolute perfection. That "Alex " has lost none of his school-boy wit is evinced by his own jocular remark that he has "a top C sharp that will crack every window in the Sydney Town Hall!" (Horsham Times, 20 February 1931) "AUSTRALIAN KILLED An Australian, Alexander Wright, radio variety star, who toured Europe and Australia under the pseudonym of Navarre, was killed during a recent air raid in a Midland . town. His broth-er, Frank Wright, is musical director for the London County council."(Border Morning Mail, 22 Oct 1940) Black and white image of Smeaton born Alexander Wright whose professional name was Navarre "Prince of Mimics". alexander wright, alec wright, navarre

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Three women stand on the verandah of 54 Charles Street, St Kilda. They are Kate Braithwaite (nee Wright), Eileen, Laura Wrightkate braithwaite, kate wright, frank wright, st kilda, laura wright, laura ritchie

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Portrait of Frank Wright.frank wright

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4 page colour programme and menu for the Eureka Luncheon held at the Old Colonists' Club. Guest speaker was The Hon. Julie Bishop MP, MC was Clare Gervasoni and Dr Dorothy Wickham spoke on the women of Eureka. eureka, eureka sunday luncheon, women of eureka, julie bishop, clare gervasoni, dorothy wickham, ballarat old colonsts' club, judy verlin, val d'angri, frank williams, anniversary

Laminated newspaper poster from The Saturday Mercury, October 30, 1993. Headline 'Mt Lyell Early Closure Looms'.mt lyell, closure, mining

Laminated newspaper poster for The Sunday Tasmanian. June 19, 1994. 'Lyell Boss Slams Greedy Queenie'.mount lyell, mining, queenstown,

Laminated newspaper poster dated Thursday, November 10 1994 from The Mercury. 'Lyell's $43m Life Line'.the mercury, tasmania, lyell, life line, poster

Laminated poster advertising the Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Company Limited Centennial Celebrations taking place in Queenstown 26th to 29th March 1993 'Mt Lyell A Century in Copper'.mt lyell, mining, centennial, copper 100 year

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