This is a SPRA, or Schermuly’s Pistol Rocket Apparatus. The large firearm type pistol would have been used to throw a line between ships, usually in the event of saving lives. The line throwing pistol consists of a long barrel with handle attached, a pistol grip and trigger, which fires a short blank cartridge. Accessories for the pistol included: flares, 12 gauge adaptor (to shoot 12 gauge flares), a wood plunger, and boxes of faked line. The stamp on the handle, Crown over "NP" is a Birmingham Proof House mark that dates the pistol between 1904 and 1954. However Schermuly's line throwing pistol was invented in the 192s and used on British Naval Ships from 1929. The serial number '22507' is only 806 numbers later than one on sale as a British Military WWII issue SRPA '21701'. This pistol appears to be made 125-1945. The apparatus was used as a life saving device for crew and passengers on vessels in distress that were only a few hundred metres from shore, often eliminating the need to launch a boat and risk lives to go out to the vessel in dangerous conditions. It could also be used from ship to ship rescue. The pistol would launch a line from shore to the vessel. The line would be attached to the vessel, then shore crew would send out equipment, including a breeches buoy, in which the stranded people could be pulled to shore. It has saved many lives at sea. The cartridge is loaded into the breech of the pistol and the rocket is inserted into the muzzle. On pulling the trigger, the gases generated by the fired cartridge eject the rocket on its correct line of flight, and at the same time, burst through the waterproof disc and ignite the propellant mixture, which carries the rocket and line on the remainder of the flight. The rocket consists of a weldless steel case filled with propellant mixture sealed in by a waterproof disc. Fixed to the rocket case is a direction bridle, to the end of which a short length of flexible steel wire is attached, this in turn being connected to the end of the line to be thrown. A complete rocket set, or line throwing kit. would include a wood carrying case, two coils of faked line in separate compartments, three rockets and a can of six cartridges. William Schermuly (1857 – 1929) - Founder of the Schermuly business. In 1897 he invented a trough-fired, line throwing apparatus. In 1920 he and his third son, Alfred James Schermuly, invented the pistol rocket apparatus and promoted this overseas during the 1920s. The system was approved by the British Navy in 1929 through an Act of Parliament, which made it compulsory for ships over 500 tons to carry this equipment. The company, Schermuly Pistol Rocket Apparatus Ltd., grew quickly during and after World War II but business eased off during the 1970s before it eventually closed in the 1990s. Saving lives in Warrnambool – The coastline of South West Victoria is the site of over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. Victoria’s Government responded to the need for lifesaving equipment and, in 1858, the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for the lifeboat stations. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built for it on the Tramway Jetty, followed by a rocket house in 1864 to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater (constructed from 1874-1890), and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifesaving and rescue crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to rehearse and maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. In July 1873 a brass bell was erected at Flagstaff Hill specifically to call the rescue crew upon news of a shipwreck. Some crew members became local heroes but all served an important role. Rocket apparatus was used as recently as the 1950s. This line-throwing pistol is part of he Rocket Launching Equipment used to perform life-saving rescue at sea from the 1920s. It is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Pistol, line-throwing, SPRA (Schermuly's Pistol Rocket Apparatus). This line throwing pistol has a wooden pistol grip, brass trigger mechanism, and a long, wide, steel barrel with Bakelite handle attached to the top. Inscriptions are stamped onto the pistol.Stamped on handle: "5" and "[symbol of a Crown] above NP" , "22507", "[within oval] SPRA" Stamped on barrel: "L22507".gun, pistol, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, line throwing, line throwing pistol, spra, schermuly's pistol rocket apparatus, sea rescue, pyrotechnicks, marine technology, schermuly pistol rocket apparatus ltd., william schermuly, alfred schermuly, pistol line thrower, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime village, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, rocket crew, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, maritime accidents, shipwreck victim, rocket equipment, rescue boat, lifeboat, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, life saving rescue crew, lifesaving rescue crew, rocket apparatus, rocket rescue method, shore to ship, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, line throwing mortar, rocket rescue apparatus, line thrower, lifeboat warrnambool, rocket machine, rocket head, rocket launcher, rocket line, beach rescue set, rocket set, schermuly, line-firing pistol, line throwing gun, pistol rocket apparatus, line throwing cartridge, line-throwing rocket, firearm, life saving, lsrc

Designed to create an impression on paper, the slate allows users to create Braille by guiding the stylus into the correct alignment to produce Braille, through the applied use of pressure that creates a depression on one size of the paper and a raised dot on the alternative side. In this example, the frame has two hinges which allow it to sit over the paper edge, and a single line of Braille could be written.2 metal Braille frames for single line usagebraille equipment, assistive devices

Demonstrates how armatures movements (tram motors) were recorded at the SEC depot in Ballarat.Sign - made from three ply (wood) board, originally painted with black board paint and white lined and lettered for Armatures / Tram / possibly date in or out. Has two screw holes centrally top and bottom and has faded on either side of a central band, indicating it was attached to post. Has pencil marked on the top horizontal white line "369375 2 ? and 309981 1 ? 18th Oct"trams, tramways, sign, sec, depot, armatures, tramcars, equipment

Four assorted paper and cardboard party hats.costume, children's headwear, hats

PHOTO OF A WEDDING PARTY AT THE CLUNES TOWN HALLlocal history, photography, photographs, events and celebrations

The Northern District School of Nursing opened in 1950 in to address the issues around nurse recruitment, training and education that had previously been hospital based. The residential school was to provide theoretical and in-house education and practical training over three years. The students would also receive practical hands-on training in the wards of associated hospitals. The Northern District School of Nursing operated from Lister House, Rowan Street, Bendigo. It was the first independent school of nursing in Victoria and continued until it closed in 1989.Six colour photos of a banquet for the Staff Partyndsn, nursing, lister house, bendigo

Black and white photograph of a wedding party in a gardenOn back of photo: "Ada Ready's wedding & Allie Ready bridesmaid."ready family, allie ready, ada ready, wedding photographs

Photograph of a boating party on Daylesford's Lake Jubilee.daylesford, jubilee lake, boating

WRANS Fleet Maintenance Party "HMAS Penguin"photo, ww2, ran

Picture from 'Chuck Album' Latrobe LibraryAnthony Cottrell was one of the member's of Batman's partylocal identities

Location not identified, may be either Mississippi Creek tramline, or Bairnsdale to Orbost rail line.Black and white photograph of ten men beside a train line, bushland in background. Men appear to be in working clothes. East Gippsland Victoriatransport, vegetation

This is a set of four photographs of surveyors and support staff in the field undertaking duties in Dogera, Milne Bay Province and Kerema, Gulf Province of PNG in 1962. The surveyors were employed in the establishment of mapping and geodetic control. In this era surveyors used theodolites to observe horizontal and vertical angles and tellurometers to measure base line distances between survey stations. From 1957 helicopter transport of survey parties revolutionised transport in remote areas.This is a set of four photographs of surveyors and support staff in the field undertaking duties in PNG in 1962. The photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 300 dpi. .1) - Photo, colour, 1962. Unloading survey operation stores from a Landing Ship Medium (LSM) at Dogera, Milne Bay Province, PNG. .2) & .3) - Photo, colour, 1962. Hired civilian helicopter Bell 47G-2 helicopters operating at at Dogera, Milne Bay Province, PNG. .4) - Photo, colour, 1962. Survey party at survey station located near Kerema, Gulf Province southern PNG. L to R: Dave Owens, Keith Broadbent, with local villagers in background..1P to .4P annotated on back – personnel names, the year and the location. royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, asr, army svy regt, fortuna, surveying

dark Green-Black cover with red cloth binding which needs repair. Some pages worn. Blue lined pages approximately 182. Additional information re Euchre Parties glued to torn front cover. Gold lettering on binding reads 'Minute Book'. Euchre Party dates and accounts 1960-1970 with some missing. Note: Back page to Deed for Athenaeum Grounds 18 February 1873.Front cover sticker 11cm x 8cm has 'Minute Book' enclosed in an ornate edging.

Two pages handwritten notes on "Federal Country Party" by John Ellison. Notes for discussion at Country Party meetings. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection. country party, federal government

Land sales in the Municipality of Moorabbin increased when the train line from the City to Frankston was electrified.Example of the progress of the Municipality of MoorabbinThe train line from the city to Frankston was electrified which intensified the sale in the municipality of Moorabbin, particularly land which was in the vicinity of the railway stations.Golden Square Estate, Bentleigh - J. D. Graham, Stott & Burke - 25 business sites and 112 home sitescentre road, brewers road, jasper road, robert street, mitchell street, daley street, bendigo avenue, auction, real estate, moorabbin, bentleigh

Used by Collins Bros, woollen millsBrass plaque used by Collins Bros woollen mills.FOR PORT LINEwool transportation, woollen mills, collins bros mill pty ltd, sign, wool - transportation

Ceramic shard with grey gloss finishdecorative line pottery, ceramic, archaeology

Type of switch fitted to Melbourne W class trams for switching the line breaker on or off. This switch controls power to the line breaker activated by the tram controller. Had been fitted to the Restaurant tram No. 3 or Cuthberts 939. Was found to be defective - the power was available to the controller even when switched to the OFF position, that is, failed unsafe. Was replaced 4/11/2015 from a spare. Has the name of the manufacturer on the cover. Demonstrates a switch that failed unsafe.Tramcar equipment - line breaker switch - fibre material box and cover containing electrical switch and 10Amp Cartridge fusew class trams, cuthberts 939, switches, line breakers, faulty equipment, safety

Set of four photographs taken at the time of the conversion of the Wattle Park route, in Riversdale Road from single line to double track between Warragul Road and the terminus, alongside Wattle Park itself. Yields information on the single line operation of the Wattle Park line prior the conversion to double track operation.Set of four colour Anscochrome slides, of single line operations on the Wattle Park line. .1 - W5 722 on Wattle Park single line, Sat. p.m. .2 - W2 388 meets W2 344 on Wattle park loop - shows the commencement of roadworks. .3 - SW5 853 from the park .4 - W5 738 at Warragul Road - shows the gates to Wattle park and the Caltex Service Station sign.Has photographers slide numbers on each slide.wattle park, route 70, riversdale rd, w2 class, w5 class, sw5 class, trackwork, tram 722, tram 388, tram 853, tram 738, trams, tramways

Black and white photograph of Bendigo scrubber car on the Golden Square line. Taken 1959. On Ilford paper.On rear in blue biro "Bendigo 1959 / Golden Square / line Work Car" and in bottom left hand corner, in purples stamped ink, "D.F.Jowett, 192a Booran Rd., Carnegie, SE9, Victoria" with two address lines crossed out.trams, tramways, bendigo, scrubber tram , tram scrubber

Kiewa Valley Line Dancers meet regularly to move in unison to music while standing in lines. There are certain moves that are memorised to the music creating the effect of everyone moving together while facing one direction and dancing on their own. Line dancing has been around for a long time possibly originating from round & square dancing in the 1800s. In the 1990s country western music was influenced by the popularity of line dancing. Then ballroom rhythms and technique took line dancing to the next level. Line dancing reached Europe and in 2008 gained the attention of the French government. Line dancers dance to most styles of music and is popular throughout the world.This shirt belonged to Lorna Reid who lived in Tawonga in the Kiewa Valley. Line dancing began with Jim Budd in Mt Beauty in 1994 at the old Guide Hall with the assistance of the Neighbourhood Centre. Isla, a visiting teacher, with her husband Peter, continued classes at the Community Centre followed by Yvonne Sutton. At this time Social events were held with clubs from Myrtleford, Wodonga, Albury and Wangaratta. The next teacher was Joy Keith who held classes twice a week (Tuesday and Wednesday), with Eileen Speechly, from Gippsland, who held a class on Saturdays. In 2007, Robyn Quick took classes. An Intermediate class on Wednesday and Beginners on Friday. She visits Myrtleford once a week to learn from a teacher there. Line dancing is still (2018) enjoyed by many women in the Kiewa Valley giving them the opportunity to socialize and exercise together.Red polo shirt with collar and two red buttons at top front. Short sleeves. Front and back - black print of two 'mountains' with "High Country / Line Dancers / Kiewa Valley. Label size 18 "Player"kiewa valley line dancers, music, kiewa valley, tawonga, lorna reid

This child's green, silk, party dress was worn by Sylvia Marriott in 1927. The Marriott family were early settlers in the Moorabbin ShireMembers of the Marriott family arrived in Port Phillip in 1857. However it was John and Jane Marriott who in 1876, (after toiling hard since their arrival in1871, for very little gain), first leased, then purchased in 1882, 30 acres with a four-roomed house in East Boundary Road, in the area then called East Brighton. (Now known as East Bentleigh). The land they purchased had previously been a part of the 1841 Dendy Special Survey. Over the following years, John and his four sons with hard work and determination became prosperous vegetable growers and purchased further land in the area. Following John's retirement and subsequent death in 1903, the land was passed to his sons, and then onto the Marriott grandchildren. The family continued to remain very prosperous and successful vegetable growers and are one of many families steeped in the tradition of vegetable growing which significantly contributed to the prosperity of the Moorabbin ShireA home-sewn pale green silk party dress, worn to a wedding by four year old, Sylvia Marriott c 1927. The skirt of the dress has layers of ruffles. It has short cap sleeves. Decorative ribbons are attached at the shoulder continueing to the waist, then hang loosely over the skirt of the dress. Small pink and white ribbon rose buds have been applied at the neckline, waist and the edges of the sleeves .brighton, moorabbin, marriott, clothing, market gardeners, home, dressmaker, needlework, dendys special survey

This book was used by Bertha Ziebell while a student at Thomastown State School in c. 1923. A lined paper exercise book, cardboard cover, writing practice in ink, in English. Bound in cardboard. Back cover missing. Label: pencil. inside back page, bottom right corner.Bertha Ziebell was a great granddaughter of Christian Ziebell and Sophia Ziebell who migrated to Australia from Germany in 1850. Bertha Ziebell was born at Ziebell's Farmhouse and this book is typical of writing books used by Victorian school children in the first half of the 20th century. It is the only one of its kind.lined paper exercise book, cardboard cover, writing practice in ink, in English.The "Victorian" Exercise, Name 'Bertha Ziebell SS 181 Thomastown Writing Book' Made Expressly for G. H. Holden, For All School Requisites, 703& 909 High St., Thornbury'books, school/educational, exercise book, writing, ink, paper

Yields information about the arrangements made to transport trams from Melbourne to Ballarat by Yellow express vehicle.Digital image from the Wal Jack Ballarat Album of a photograph of Queens Mothers visit in 1958. Sunday 2/3/1958, outside the Railway Station in Lydiard St North. Sunday 11AM. Trams waiting special trains. No. 14, 13, 28, 40 34 up line, 26, 39, 27 down line. See image i2 for rear of photograph. See image i3 for hi res scan of print. See image i4 for hi res scan of negative Two negatives held.Royal visit day - SEC 2/3/58, Ballarat, Lydiard St North, Sunday 11AM. Trams waiting special trains. No. 14, 13, 28, 40 34 up line, 26, 39, 27 down line. In top right hand corner is Wal Jack stamp with number T245 written in.trams, tramways, royal visit, lydiard st north, railway station, tram 14

The rocket line faking box with lid has a frame inside with a specifically designed perimeter of faking pegs. The rocket shot line has been faked, or skilful wound, around these pegs to prevent it from tangling. The line is stored in the box, ready for attaching to the line throwing rocket. Some line faking boxes have a false base that is removed before firing the line-throwing pistol, leaving the line to feed out from the box when the rocket is fired. After the line is attached to the rocket the box tilted slightly and faced towards the wreck to allow it to be freely dispatched. The equipment often includes more that one faking box to make allowance for possible errors, broken lines or the need for a heavier line. Saving lives in Warrnambool – The coastline of South West Victoria is the site of over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built to house it. In 1858 the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for lifeboat stations in Victoria, and in 1864 a rocket house was built to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater area, and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifeboat and rocket crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. Some became local heroes but all served an important role. By the end of the 1950s the lifeboat and rescue equipment had become obsolete. Rocket Rescue Method - The Government of Victoria adopted lifesaving methods based on Her Majesty’s Coast Guard in Great Britain. It authorised the first line-throwing rescue system in 1858. Captain Manby’s mortar powered a projectile connected to rope, invented in 1808. The equipment was updated to John Dennett’s 8-foot shaft and rocket method that had a longer range of about 250 yards. From the 1860s the breeches buoy and traveller block rocket rescue apparatus was in use. It was suspended on a hawser line and manually pulled to and from the distressed vessel carrying passengers and items. In the early 1870s Colonel Boxer’s rocket rescue method became the standard in Victoria. His two-stage rockets, charged by a gunpowder composition, could fire the line up to 500-600 yards, although 1000 yards range was possible. Boxer’s rocket carried the light line, which was faked, or coiled, in a particular way between pegs in a faking box to prevent twists and tangles when fired. The angle of firing the rocket to the vessel in distress was measured by a quadrant-type instrument on the side of the rocket machine. Decades later, in about 1920, Schermuly invented the line-throwing pistol that used a small cartridge to fire the rocket. The British Board of Trade published instructions for both the beach rescue crew and ship’s crew. It involved setting up the rocket launcher on shore at a particular angle measured by the quadrant, inserting a rocket that had a light-weight line threaded through its shaft, and then firing it across the stranded vessel, the line issuing freely from the faking board. A tally board was then sent out to the ship with instructions in four languages. The ship’s crew would haul on the line to bring out the heavier, continuous whip line, then secure the attached whip block to the mast or other sturdy part the ship. The rescue crew on shore then hauled out a stronger hawser line, which the ship’s crew fixed above the whip block. The hawser was then tightened using the block on the shore end of the whip. The breeches buoy and endless whip are then attached to the traveller block on the hawser, allowing the shore crew to haul the breeches buoy to and from the vessel, rescuing the stranded crew one at a time. This rocket line faking box is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Rocket line faking box with loose fitting lid, painted blue on the outside. Rectangular box has two rope handles within wooden rope holders fixed onto each long side and one at each end. The box has a hook and ring at the base each end for releasing the top from the inserted faking frame. The line faking frame is inside the box. It has seventeen wooden pegs along each long side of the frame and three pegs along each short side. A continuous length of rocket line has been faked around the pegs in a specific pattern.flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, maritime accidents, rocket crew, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, rocket apparatus, beach apparatus, petticoat breeches, breeches buoy, rocket house, rocket shed, lifeboat men, rocket equipment, rocket machine, rocket head, rocket launcher, rocket line, marine technology, line-firing pistol, line throwing gun, beach rescue set, traveller, hawser, faking, faking box, faked line, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, breakwater, lifeboat warrnambool, rocket rescue method, rocket rescue apparatus, shore to ship, italian hemp, line-throwing pistol, line throwing cartridge, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, tally board, light line, whip line, endless whip, petticoat buoy, traveller chair, traveller block, her majesty’s coast guard, harbour board, line thrower, line throwing, beach cart, hand barrow, sand anchor, hawser cutter, life jacket, faking board, welsh hand barrow, rocket set, rocket line faking box, faking frame

The rocket line faking box has a frame inside with a specifically designed perimeter of faking pegs. The rocket shot line has been faked, or skilful wound, around these pegs to prevent it from tangling. The line is stored in the box, ready for attaching to the line throwing rocket. Some line faking boxes have a false base that is removed before firing the line-throwing pistol, leaving the line to feed out from the box when the rocket is fired. After the line is attached to the rocket the box tilted slightly and faced towards the wreck to allow it to be freely dispatched. The equipment often includes more that one faking box to make allowance for possible errors, broken lines or the need for a heavier line. Saving lives in Warrnambool – The coastline of South West Victoria is the site of over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built to house it. In 1858 the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for lifeboat stations in Victoria, and in 1864 a rocket house was built to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater area, and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifeboat and rocket crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. Some became local heroes but all served an important role. By the end of the 1950s the lifeboat and rescue equipment had become obsolete. Rocket Rescue Method - The Government of Victoria adopted lifesaving methods based on Her Majesty’s Coast Guard in Great Britain. It authorised the first line-throwing rescue system in 1858. Captain Manby’s mortar powered a projectile connected to rope, invented in 1808. The equipment was updated to John Dennett’s 8-foot shaft and rocket method that had a longer range of about 250 yards. From the 1860s the breeches buoy and traveller block rocket rescue apparatus was in use. It was suspended on a hawser line and manually pulled to and from the distressed vessel carrying passengers and items. In the early 1870s Colonel Boxer’s rocket rescue method became the standard in Victoria. His two-stage rockets, charged by a gunpowder composition, could fire the line up to 500-600 yards, although 1000 yards range was possible. Boxer’s rocket carried the light line, which was faked, or coiled, in a particular way between pegs in a faking box to prevent twists and tangles when fired. The angle of firing the rocket to the vessel in distress was measured by a quadrant-type instrument on the side of the rocket machine. Decades later, in about 1920, Schermuly invented the line-throwing pistol that used a small cartridge to fire the rocket. The British Board of Trade published instructions for both the beach rescue crew and ship’s crew. It involved setting up the rocket launcher on shore at a particular angle measured by the quadrant, inserting a rocket that had a light-weight line threaded through its shaft, and then firing it across the stranded vessel, the line issuing freely from the faking board. A tally board was then sent out to the ship with instructions in four languages. The ship’s crew would haul on the line to bring out the heavier, continuous whip line, then secure the attached whip block to the mast or other sturdy part the ship. The rescue crew on shore then hauled out a stronger hawser line, which the ship’s crew fixed above the whip block. The hawser was then tightened using the block on the shore end of the whip. The breeches buoy and endless whip are then attached to the traveller block on the hawser, allowing the shore crew to haul the breeches buoy to and from the vessel, rescuing the stranded crew one at a time. This rocket line faking box is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Rocket line faking box with loose fitting lid, painted black on the outside. Rectangular box has two rope handles within wooden rope holders fixed onto each long side and one at each end. The box has a hook and ring at the base each end for releasing the top from the inserted faking frame. The line faking frame is inside the box. It has seventeen wooden pegs along each long side of the frame and three pegs along each short side. A continuous length of rocket line has been faked around the pegs in a specific pattern.flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, maritime accidents, rocket crew, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, rocket apparatus, beach apparatus, petticoat breeches, breeches buoy, rocket house, rocket shed, lifeboat men, rocket equipment, rocket machine, rocket head, rocket launcher, rocket line, marine technology, line-firing pistol, line throwing gun, beach rescue set, traveller, hawser, faking, faking box, faked line, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, breakwater, lifeboat warrnambool, rocket rescue method, rocket rescue apparatus, shore to ship, italian hemp, line-throwing pistol, line throwing cartridge, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, tally board, light line, whip line, endless whip, petticoat buoy, traveller chair, traveller block, her majesty’s coast guard, harbour board, line thrower, line throwing, beach cart, hand barrow, sand anchor, hawser cutter, life jacket, faking board, welsh hand barrow, rocket set, rocket line faking box, faking frame

Its twisted old trunk is gnarled, its disembowelled carcass plump with cement and now, like many outback legends, its cadaverously pale and very dead. It has stood, an unmolested leafy sentinel, over Barcaldine’s Railway Station depot since the 1880s. It was a living Australian Labor Party memorial and heritage-listed. The double centurion, Oak Street’s most senior resident, was respectfully nursed into its dotage by Barcaldine’s faithful. Countless thousands of travellers photographed it, patted it and peered up at its bushy green tops with dutiful reverence. ... And then, by an act of craven foul play, it was murdered. Allegedly. Cold, hard forensic science pronounced death by poisoning. Sometime around May Day 2007 they reckon. (Australian Travellor, November 25, 2007.)Photograph of Philip and Elizabeth under the Barcaldine Tree. It was in the shade of this tree the Australian workers rallied and the Australian Labor Party was formed after the ramifications of the great shearers strike in 1891.barcaldine tree, australian labor party, chatham-holmes family collection