The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was raised in June 1941 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W G Hopkins with officers and men selected from the wider AIF in Victoria. The regiment trained in newly arrived M3 General Grant tanks at Puckapunyal before moving north to Singleton, then the Wee Waa plains. The regiment sailed for New Guinea in April 1943 and carried out mobile defence to airfields at Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Dobadura and Popondetta. The regiment returned to Australia in February 1944 and disbanded as an armoured regiment and retrained as Nos 41, 42 and 43 Landing Craft Companies. They returned to the South West pacific serving at Bougainville, Balikpapan, Lae and Wewak. Captain Ken Menzies, son of Sir Robert and Dame Pattie Menzies served with the Regiment and consequently Dame Pattie became patron of the Regimental Association after the war.Rare document associated with an armoured regiment of WWII (1939-45) autographed by the patron Dame Pattie Menzies.Folded coloured card being Menu and Program for luncheon held at the Melbourne Bowling Club, Windsor, to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the 2/8th Australian Armoured Regiment. Enamel lapel pin attached to front cover.Autograph of Patron on front cover Dame Pattie Menzies GBE "Pattie Menzies "; on back cover "Ian (Kilty) McKay / Lorna McKay" and "Pattie Menzies"2/8th armoured regiment, menzies pattie dame

Photograph taken at Squadron Ball at Wangaratta 7 October 1989 The 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as a regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps on 1 May 1948 with Headquarters in Melbourne and squadrons in Sale, Benalla/Wangaratta and Albury. In 1955 Regimental Headquarters moved to Wangaratta and a second squadron was located at Albury. The Sale squadron transferred to 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse. In 1977 8/13 VMR Regiment was reduced to an independent squadron A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and in 1991 was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse forming the VMR Squadron of that regiment.Colour photograph of two officers of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles in mess dress being Captain Lyle Jackel ( left ) and Major Robert Morrison.

The 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as a regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps on 1 May 1948 with Headquarters in Melbourne and squadrons in Sale, Benalla/Wangaratta and Albury. In 1955 Regimental Headquarters moved to Wangaratta and a second squadron was located at Albury. The Sale squadron transferred to 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse. In 1977 8/13 VMR Regiment was reduced to an independent squadron A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and in 1991 was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse forming the VMR Squadron of that regiment.Colour photograph of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles officers and guests at a Dining In night 22nd April 1989. From left: Major ( Ret'd ) Max Oates, Lieutenant Colonel ( Ret,d ) Jim Allard, Colonel John Neale, Colonel McAloney, Colonel ( Ret,d ) Tom Arrowsmith MC, Major Robert Morrison, Colonel Brewer, Major Gordon Cole and captain Peter Hartung. Sergeant Robin Ellison standing behind.

Height 25 cm, 160 pages, soft cover A soft cover book of 160 pages with black and white photos, newspaper clippings and other illustrations. It includes lists of principals, presidents of school council, house captains, SRC presidents, parents & friends association presidents, women's auxiliary presidents, male and female staff members, and all students who attended the school between 1941 and 1991. There is an extensive list of sources and acknowledgements.non-fictionA history of Camberwell High School from its beginnings in fighting for a school to be built and finally opening for business in 1941. It includes a list of students from 1941-1991. Also a list of female staff and male staff, as well as House Captains, Women's Auxiliary Presidents, Head Prefects, Student Representative Council - Presidents. It also details the School Uniform Policy. It details the growth in the early years, building on the foundations and the modern times, including some troubled years.education and research, secondary schools, school plays, school committees, robert d ewins, camberwell high school, education, camberwell high ex-students society, kylie monogue, elida brereton, robert manne, dannii monogie, brian naylor

Picture of Carlton's Premiership Team & Coach Ron Barassi. Back row: Gordon Casey, Barry Gill, Neil Chandler, Bill Bennett, Adrian Gallagher, Denis Munari. 2nd row: Ron Auchettl, Ian Robertson, Bryan Quirk, Peter Smith, Bob Edmond, Brian Kekovich, Brent Crosswell. 3rd Row: Gary Crane, Ron Stone, Vin Waite, Peter Jones, Robert Walls, Peter McLean, Alex Jesaulenko, Ian Nicoll. Seated: Ian Collins, John Goold, John Nicholls (captain), Ron Barassi (coach), Wes Lofts, Sergio Silvagni, Kevin Hall. Carlton FC's first premiership after 21 years, at the time the longest drought premiership in the club's history. The win was the culmination of recruiting Ron Barassi from Melbourne FC in 1965. Ron Barassi leaving Melbourne at the end of the 1964 season was one of the most sensational stories in VFL history. Carlton defeated Essendon 7.14 (56) to 8.5 (53) Att 115828. The game was marred by a blustery wind. Brian Kekovich kicked 4 goals for Carlton and Gary Crane was Carlton's best player.Postcard size Black & White photo

Team photograph. From Roger Skien Collection. Records scores of game - final Scores: Carlton 17-16-118 defeated Richmond 3-5-23. Back Row: Mark Leitch (Trainer), John Bekiaris, Paul Scerri, Matt Shotton, Gavin Green, Andrew Petridis, Danny Waters, Peter Ward, Keith Leitch (head Trainer) Centre Row: Kinnear Beatson (Development Officer), Adam McConnell, Wayne Charlton, Paul Malcolm, Mathew Carmichael, Michael Robertson, Bradley Smith, Tony Jones, Glenn Indian, Danny Corsetti, Patrick Hall, Russell Roberts (Trainer). Front Row: Roger Skien (Team Manager), Paul Mullarvey, Paul Rastevski, Chris Doyle, Darren Sharp (Captain), Trevor Keogh (Coach), Aaron Roche (Vice Captain), Peter Diciero, David Watson, Karson Stimson, Antony Clarkson (Assistant Manager).Colour photograph mounted on cardboard

Carlton Football Club Under 19 Team 1987. From Roger Skien Collection. Fifth Row (Standing): Frank Finn (Assistant Statistician), Doug Castledine (Training Assistant), Geoff Taylor (Runner), John Lamont (Trainer), Colin Jones (Statistician), Keith Leitch (Head Trainer), Tom McLeod (Trainer), Wayne Gilbert (Property Steward), Cameron Miller (Trainer). Fourth Row (Standing): Luke O'Sullivan, Haydn Draper, John D'Angelo, Peter Mark, Brendan Dixon, Fraser Brown, Mark Bowring, Ross Andrews, Craig Tough, Dean White, Mark Hughes. Third Row (Standing): Robert Miller, Michael Scicluna, Michael Dodorico, Paul McConville, Danny Noonan, Craig Symons, Roger Boxtell, Steven Symons, Heath Buck, Jamie Marra, Matt Rossin. Second Row (Seated): Geoff Walsh (Recruiting Co-ordinator), Roger Skien (Team Manager), Ashley Mathews, Nick Goodear (Deputy Vice Captain), Phil Poursanidis (Captain), Ross Henshaw (Coach), Justin Coburn (Vice Captain), Brendan Lowther, Andrew Cavedon, John Vincent (Committeeman), Simon Tori, Chris Heverin (Development Officer). Front Row (Seated): Greg Marra, Brad Langbourne, Craig Sadler, Tony Hamill, Andrew McKinnon, Darren Cope, Michael Gravina, Mark Bouw, Peter White, Paul Donohue Absent: Dr. Richard Ingram, Mark Rowe (P.E. Instructor)Colour team photograph mounted on cardboard

Anthony Koutoufides - Biography/Autobiography Date of birth 18 January 1973 (age 46) Original team(s) Lalor Debut Round 13, 1992, Carlton vs. Adelaide, at Princes Park Height 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) Weight 100 kg (220 lb) Years Club Games (Goals) 1992–2007 Carlton 278 (226) Career highlights Leigh Matthews Trophy (AFLPA MVP): 2000 Robert Reynolds Trophy: 2001, 2005 All Australian: 1995, 2000 Carlton Captain: 2004–2006 Carlton Leading Goalkicker: 1997 Carlton premiership team: 1995 AFL and Carlton life-member Victorian State of Origin: 1999 Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee 2014 Greek Team of the Century: Vice-Captain VFL/AFL Italian Team of the Century: Centre Half-BackBook outlining Career & Life of one of Carlton's most popular & gifted players. Kouta was a match winner whose career was curtailed by injury. Kouta's most famous game was Carlton's 1 point win over Essendon 1999 Prelim Final

Carlton FC U15 Squad for 1988 CarnivalColour Photo of players & officials that represented Carlton in U15 Schoolboy Carnival Notable individual Anthony (Kouta) koutoufides Career: 1992 - 2007 Debut : Round 13, 1992 vs Adelaide, aged 19 years, 147 days Carlton Player No. 985 Games : 278 Goals : 226 Last Game : Round 17, 2007 vs St Kilda, aged 34 years, 191 days Guernsey No. 43 Height : 190 cm (6 ft. 2 in.) Weight : 95 kg (15 stone, 0 lbs.) DOB : 18 January, 1973 Premiership Player: 1995 Leigh Matthews Trophy (AFLPA MVP) : 2000 Best and Fairest: 2001, 2005 All Australian: 1995, 2000 Leading Goalkicker : 1997 Club Captain: 2004 - 2006 AFL Hall of Fame Location of Photo the now demolished Robert Heatley Stand change rooms.Framed Team Photo

Hardcover book made in 1976 made to keep original copies of “The Football Record”. This book contains all Football Records relating to Carlton games for the home and away season of 1976. Captain: Alex Jesaulenko Coach: Ian Thorogood Leading Goal-kicker: Robert Walls - 55 goals Best & Fairest: Trevor KeoghHardcover book, navy blue

Hardcover book made in 1989 made to keep original copies of “The Football Record”. This book contains all Football Records relating to Carlton games for the home and away season of 1989. Coach: Robert Walls / Alex Jesaulenko Captain: Stephen Kernahan Vice Captain: Justin Madden Leading Goal-kicker: Stephen Kernahan - 59 goalsHardcover book, blue

Image 1a and 1b - Church of Christ, located in Chesterville Road, Cheltenham. Images 2a and 2b - Pioneer Presbyterian Church, Scots Church, located in Charman Road, Cheltenham Images 3a and 3b - Shopping strip located on Charman Road, Cheltenham, c.1918 Images 4a and 4b - A cricket team, located in Cheltenham Images 5a and 5b - Cheltenham Cricket Team, photographed outside St Matthew's Church. Back row: E. McSwain, R. Woff, S. Cullen, F. Bodley, T. Chandler, C. Warne, A. Organ, J Monk. Middle Row: C. Roberts, A. Hewett, S. Chandler, F. Chandler, A. Chandler. Front Row: A. Beulke, F. Groves Images 6a and 6b - Cheltenham Rifle Club Committee Opening Day of the new Butts. Back row: C Irwin, E. W. Proudman (Chemist), F T LePage, Centre: W Lamb Smith (Captain), E T Penny, G. Stayner, One unknown gentleman, Front: John Butler, city inspector, and E C Rippon (Manager of the Cheltenham and District Co-operative). A strip of 35mm black and white negative film of six photographs. rifle club, cricket, cheltenham cricket club, charman rd, church, cricket club, shopping strip, horse, cow, sport, team, cars

Bacchus Marsh celebrated 100 years of white settlement in 1936. The centenary celebrations committee comprised of L.M. Dugdale (President), A.W. Bond (Hon. Secretary), Charles Dickie, W. Grant Morton, W.R. Vigor, C.J. McFarlane, G.H. Anderson, T.J. Shea, F.C. McC Crisp, Dr E. McDonald, Robert Elliott (treasurer), R.H. Lambert (Decorations manager)Brown covered book of 28 pages. The book includes an historical essay, official centenary programme, Electric Light Plant, Patriotic Bacchus Marsh, milk industry, Pioneer Women's Memorial Avenue, Bacchus Marsh Gas Works . The book includes numerous advertisement, some illustrated. Images include: * Bacchus Marsh Flats from Anthony's Cutting; * Manor house; * Scene in Maddingley Park * Werribee Valley; * Werribee Gorge * Maddingley Park lake; * ANA Hall and Post Office * Shire Hall and Soldiers' Memorial Hall, * State School No 28 * At Werribee Gorge ** The Gas Supply Co, Bacchus Marsh * Bacchus Marsh Shire Council, 1935-6 (named) Images depicted in the book were supplied by H.J.M. Vallancebacchus marsh, merrimu guest house, anthony's cutting, captain bacchus, manor house, maddingley, maddingley park, werribee gorge, bacchus marsh shire, bacchus marsh shire council

Heidelberg Golf Club 1998 Pennant Squad Division 2 Minor. Team members named in caption: Back row: Gary Armstrong (Manager), Bruce Harding (President), Bill Garratt (V. Captain), John Gonzales (Captain). Front: Peter Cassidy, Luke Young, Robert Gilderdale, Adam Smedley, Rian Cust, Dale Streeter, Ben Fraser, Andrew Spicer.Laminated copy of team photo with caption. Names of team membersmen's pennant, pennant, 1998

Group photograph with caption: Back Row: Gary Armstrong (Manager), Bruce Harding (President), Bill Garratt (Vice Captain), John Gonzales (Captain). Front: Peter Cassidy, Luke Young, Robert Gilderdale, Adam Smedley, Rian Gist, Dale Streeter, Ben Fraser, Andrew Spicer.Mounted colour team photograph, with caption golf teams, pennant golf

robert walder (runner), bob wilkie, rodney marr, charlie sedgmen, douglas matthews, alli muir, barry hart, ron jackson, neville mitchell, dennis vinning, max sparkes (sec), ross cupper, barry maynard (committee), ray martin (trainer), kevin parker (treasurer), nick cetenich, danny moncur (captain), alf sylvia (president), graeme bland, bruce cupper, mark lang, chiera larry de, ray sylvia, greg adams, brian doering, ian gervasoni

BHS Collection32 pages of copies of Bendigo businesses and hotels including photos, sketches, or illustrations of D & W Chandler, Kirkby's, Langley & Plumbe's name plate, City Family Hotel, The Bendigo Taxi Cab & Motor Garage, Morley Johnsons, Leggo's, Plane Trees, Lansell Statue, Soldier's Statue, Gold Jubilee Statue, View Point, Queen's Statue, In the Conservatory, Chief Officer W M Chellew, Deputy Chief J Turner, Chief Mechanic J Trengove, Senator Captain David Andrew, Lieut-Col T S Marshall, Mr T R J Brown, Mr Sinclair, Sandhurst Hotel, Metropolitan Hotel, The Dug-out,Crown Hotel, Stilwell's and Irvine Motors. Advertisements mention business name, location, phone number, proprieter and goods and services for sale.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - collection of advertisements, chandlers, d & w chandler ltd, casamento's ballarat and daylesford daily motor service, casamento's garage, george pethard, kirkby's, c j kirkby, langley & plumbe, f c wright, cta, racv, city family hotel, f h mcintosh, the bendigo taxi cab & motor garage, catling & roberts, the arcade stores, george bennetts, morley johnsonsmr j w hill, pethard motors, bendigo mutual permanent land & building society, andrew balsillie, leggo's, h m leggo & co ltd, a stroll along pall mall bendigo, prominent men of victoria's country fire service, chief officer w m chellew, deputy chief j turner, cjief mechanic j trengove, senator captain david andrew, lieut-col t s marshall, mr t r j brown, mr sinclair, andrew & son, farmers & citizens trustees company bendigo limited, r a rankin, chatfield bros, jas andrew & co, j d andrew, mr t e andrew, lougoon and strahan, andrew's buildings, w h gurton tire co ltd, webb's old mill, b b b, sandhurst hotel, les patten, w cowling, metropolitan hotel, m walsh, dowel's, the dug-out furniture stores, the dug-out, thomas & newell, 59th battalion, 38 battalion, state savings bank, crown hotel, r w leahy, stilwell's complete house furnishers, the advertiser, the bendigo advertiser, morris minor, irvine motors, webster bros

BHS CollectionBendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2003. Flag-bearers: the Sandhurst Football Club reserves premiership side of 1952. From left back are: L. Laity, K. Carr, J. O'Brien, R. Lee, T. Owens, M. Mummery, E. Sanders, J. Hunt, R. Slattery, K. Slattery, V. Hussey, J. Pollock. Centre: G. Roberts, G. Leonard, H. Mathers, J. Hartney (coach), H. Winfield (captain), k. Clohesy, P. Houston, D. Bartram, S. Yorston. Front: G. Arthur, W. Roberts, m. Rayner, D. Nuttall, J. Shephard, D. Casley, g. Mathews, M. Molloy, G. Bridgland. The team scored 5.8 (38) to defeat Eaglehawk 2.10 (22). The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Bendigo Operatic Society ''The King and I'' at the Capitol Theatre View Street Bendigo for Five Nights Commencing 6th June 1969. Producer: Cid Ellwood - Musical Director: Max O'Loghlen - Assistant Producer, Ballet Mistress and Wardrobe Mistress: Madge Welch - Society Pianist and Chorus Mistress: Gwen Grose. Cast in Order of Appearance: Ferd Lorenz as Captain Orton - Carl Steinberg and Robert Stout as Louis Leonowens (Alternating) - Carol McKenzie as Anne Leonowens - John Canno as The Interpreter - Peter Houston as The Kralahome - Brian Thomas as The King - Ian Unmack as Phra Alack - John Boquest as Lun Tha - Patricia McCracken as Tuptim - Patricia Lyon as Lady Thiang - Ray Austin and Robert Spicer as Prince Chululongkorn (Alternating) - Bert Donovan as Sir Edward Ramsay - Ann Mason and Wendy Kent as Princess Ying Yoawlak (Alternating). Stage Manager: Malcom Cannon.program, theatre, bendigo operatic society

Bendigo Operatic Society Programme ''White Horse Inn'' Opening, 23rd November 1962 for six Nights. Bendigo Operatic Society Presents ''White Horse Inn'' by permission of Samuel French (Aust) Pty Ltd. Producer: Beatrice Oakley. Music by Ralph Benatzsky & Robert Holtz. Lyrics and Book by Robert Gilbert & Harry Graham. Cast in order of Appearance: Patricia Lyon as Kathi (the Postwoman) - Roger Sprawson as Karl ( Young Waiter) - Max Rule As Head Forester - Mary Speedy as Zenzi (a Goatherd) - Ferd Lorenz as A Courier - Arthur manning as Franz - Leonard Carr as Leopold ( Head Waiter at White Horse Inn) Gertrude Perry as Josepha (Owner of White Horse Inn) - Reginald Boromeo as The Steamer Captain - Kenneth Nichols as Bridegroom - Carolyn Pinch as Bride - Alfred Annison as John Ebenezer Grinkle (a manufacturer) - Carol McKenzie as Ottoline (His Daughter) - John Gow as Valentine Sutton 9 a Solicitor) - Fred Trewarne as Sigismund Smith 9Another Manufacturer) - Denis Cremen as Professor Hinzel - Annette Wilson as Gretel (His Daughter) - Peter Houston as The Mayor - Joan Heard as The Mayor's Lady Secretary - Bert Donovan as The Emperor - Ferd Lorenz as Ketterl (His Servant) - Peter Unmack as Landlord of the Traveller's Rest.program, theatre, bendigo operatic society

Programme of the Bendigo Operatic Society ''Show Boat'' Capital Theatre for six nights Commencing Nov 11th. Music & Lyrics by: Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II. Producer: Norman Lee. Cast in Order of Appearance: Peter Houston as Windy - Fred Trewarne as Steve Baker - Valerie McCracken as Queenie - Fred Lorenz as Pete - Gertrude Perry as Parthy Ann Hawks - Alfred Annison as Captain Andy Hawks - Annette Wilson as Ellie - Brian Brewer as Frank - Denis Cremin as Rubber-Face - Ruth Iredale as Julie La Verne - Vincent De Araugo as Gaylord Ravenal - Gerald Hayward as Vallon (The Sheriff) - Margaret Rule as Magnolia - Leonard Carr as Joe - George Steele Backwoodsman - Patricia Lyon ad Landlady - James Allen as Jake - Victor White as Max - Robert Nichols as Charlie - Aileen Simmonds as Lottie - Margaret Rule as Kim (Magnolia's Daughter). Synopsis of Story: The play is woven around a romance between Magnolia Hawks and Gaylord Ravenal, and the main scenes are associated with the Show Boat ''The Cotton Blossom'', on the Mississippi in USA.program, theatre, bendigo operatic society

Program Bendigo Operatic Society ''The New Moon'' Capital Theatre for Six Nights Opening September 27th, 1963. Producer: Beatrice Oakley - Musical Director: Max O'Loghlen - Ballet Mistress: Miss M. Welch - Society Pianist: Mrs. R. Conolan. Cast in Order of Appearance: Mary Speedy as Julie - Victor White as Monsieur Beaunoir - Desmond Duguid as Captain George Duval - Peter Houston as Vicomte Ribaud - Alfred Annison as Monsieur Fouchet - Leonard Carr as Robert Misson - Fred Trewarne as Alexander - Reginald Boromeo as Jacques - Roger Sprawson as Besac - George Steele as Brunet - Aileen Simmonds as Marianne Beaunoir - Graham Filcock as Doorkeeper of Tavern - Max Rule as Philippe Léntendu - Gertrude Perry as Clotilde Lombaste - Graham Filcock as Admiral De Jean - Erica Scharp as A Dancing Girl - Anne Pearson as A Flower Girl.program, theatre, bendigo operatic society

The Lancaster bombers shown were a part of a squadron of elite Pathfinder Force. The small Pathfinder Force went ahead of the main bomber stream to mark targets with flares and incendiary bombs. R.A.F Pathfinder was Squadron 582.Framed print named "Bombers Moon" . Showing Lancaster Bombers crewing up before a mission.Inscribed " Bombers Moon" by Robert Taylor. Pathfinder Force Lancaster's crewing up on a Lincolnshire airfield. Winter 1944. Signed by Air Vice Marshal DON BENNETT CB CBE DSO FRAES and Group Captain HAMISH MAHADDIE DSO DFC AFC FRAES.

This majestic peacock embodies the technical achievement, skill and ingenuity of artisans during the 19th century. It is now known as the 'Loch Ard Peacock' and was designed and modelled in 1873 by Paul Comolera (1818-1897) and fired in one piece at the Minton factory at Stoke-on-Trent in the United Kingdom in 1875. The peacock has been portrayed in symbolic motifs and has figured heavily in folktales and fables since antiquity, and many cultures around the world see it as a symbol of beauty, rebirth and power. Wealthy Victorians loved majolica, and the large peacock would have been the ultimate home accessory as a conservatory ornament – combining their desire for nature, the exotic and vibrant colours. The peacock model was listed in catalogues by Minton & Co. for a retail price of 35 guineas or sold as a pair for 90 guineas. Minton & Co. was founded in 1793 by Thomas Minton (1765–1836) and became a famous pottery and porcelain manufacturer. Comolera was a French artist and sculptor, renowned for dramatic naturalistic forms and life-size renditions of birds and animals that won him admiration in public and artistic circles. He was employed by Minton & Co. from 1873 to 1880, and the life-sized peacock became his best-known work. Comolera kept a live peacock loaned from the nearby Duke of Sutherland's Trentham Hall Estate in his studio to create a life-size model of fine buff earthenware model, which was then hand painted in brilliantly coloured green and blue glazes to mimic the peafowl’s dazzling plumage. There are no surviving production records, but according to documents in the Minton Archive, nine peacocks were made by Comolera. However, today, some historians now believe that twelve were fired at the Minton factory; research is ongoing. These peacocks were so admired that Minton & Co. used them as exhibition showpieces at International Exhibitions in London, Paris, and the United States of America, ensuring the company had a worldwide reputation. So, when Melbourne hosted an International Exposition in 1880, Minton & Co. sent out ceramics and tiles, and in particular, this peacock was intended to be part of their exhibit in the British Court in the Exhibition Building, built in the Carlton Gardens. The early dispatch date (1878) indicates that the company may have intended to exhibit their wares, including the peacock, at the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition, but the company did not take up this option. The ship that Minton & Co. used to bring the peacock and their other wares to the Australian colonies was the ill-fated Loch Ard, which sunk after striking Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell, Victoria, in calm foggy weather in June 1878 on the final leg of the ship's journey to Melbourne. The loss of 52 lives made it one of Victoria’s worst shipwrecks. Therefore, this peacock never made it to the grand exposition in Melbourne, as Minton & Co. had planned. Charles McGillivray dragged this peacock, still in its original packing case, onto the beach in the gorge just two days after the Loch Ard went down. The peacock was rescued unscathed apart from a chip on its beak (only repaired in 1988). After a disagreement with a Melbourne Customs Officer, Joseph Daish, McGillivray stopped his salvage operations, leaving the peacock on the beach. The second salvagers were James Miller and Thomas Keys. Miller was a member of the firm Howarth, Miller and Matthews, Geelong, who had brought the salvage rights to the Loch Ard wreck on 10 June. When Miller and Keys arrived at the wreck site, a storm had washed many of the salvaged goods, including this peacoc,k back into the sea. The two men found the peacock in its case ‘bobbing along in the water’ and pulled it back to the beach. To ensure the peacock wasn't washed out to sea again, Miller and Keys hauled the packing case containing the peacock up the gorge's cliff face to the top, ready to be transported. In an interview in 1928, Keys claimed that at the time of the rescue, the head had broken from the body. This account was proven to be true in 1988, following the birds' display in Brisbane. This peacock began its life in Australia, not in the grandeur of an International Exhibition as intended, but in the hallway of a simple domestic house in Geelong. It appears Minton & Co. did not attempt to buy this peacock back. Florence Miller, daughter of James Miller (Loch Ard salvage rights holder), later remarked that the only item of real value rescued from the wreck had been the peacock and that this had been kept by her father in the family home at Malvern for many years and became a treasured family possession. As such, this 'Loch Ard peacock' was almost forgotten and mistaken with other Minton peacocks around the world. Miss Florence Miller tried to sell the peacock due to financial difficulties in the 1930s but was unsuccessful. While attempting to sell her Loch Ard relic, it was displayed in the window of the old Argus newspaper office, which was at 76 Collins Street, Melbourne; the Argus had relocated to the corner of Elizabeth and La Trobe Streets in 1926. Between 1935 and 1939, the old Argus building was occupied by the Joshua N. McClelland Print Room, which sold not only paintings and prints but also antiques and authentic replicas, as well as hosting exhibitions. Miss Florence Miller loaned her peacock for display at the Victorian Historical Exhibition held in the National Gallery on 1st June 1935, the 57th anniversary of the Loch Ard wreck. As a result, the peacock attracted public attention in books, newspapers and magazine articles that told the story of its survival from a shipwreck. Miss Florence Miller was keen to sell the peacock, even writing overseas to Captain Blain on November 30th, 1938, about the possibility of a sale, but this became no longer possible due to the outbreak of war. Recent information points to the Loch Ard peacock being owned by John S R Heath before its sale to Frank Ridley-Lee in May 1941. Research is ongoing, but it seems likely that John Samuel Robert Heath, a leading Melbourne dentist with a practice in Collins Street, and his wife, a dental mechanic, had purchased Miss Miller’s Loch Ard peacock before its sale in 1941. They were lovers of fine arts, music, wine and food. The peacock in the window of the old Argus building could have attracted their attention as they had already purchased the old stone Presbyterian Church on Warrigal Road, Oakleigh, in 1933 and had converted its interior. The home, renamed The Studio, even included Melbourne’s first all-electric kitchen. The peacock was perfect for display in the Studio’s entrance. A magazine article published after the conversion was completed included photographs of the interior. The picture of the ‘portico’ had a caption below that stated, “Some of her [Mrs Heath’s] finest pottery was salvaged from the Loch Ard Wreck”. In 2025, Heath’s two remaining sons remember running around in the entrance with the peacock standing there, oblivious to its value. Heath was an accomplished artist, studying under Max Meldrum. He painted and exhibited his works at The Studio and in a public exhibition, and he was a finalist eight times in the coveted Archibald Prize portrait competition, including the submission of his self-portrait that is now part of his grandson’s collection. The next owner of the Loch Ard Peacock was Frank Ridley-Lee. He displayed it at his home in Ivanhoe after buying it at an auction in May 1941. The peacock remained in the hands of the Ridley-Lee family until it was offered for sale by auction in 1975 as part of an art collection belonging to Mrs Ridley-Lee's estate. The peacock was not sold at this time, as the reserve price of $4500 was not met. This news was passed on to the board of the newly created Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Urgent efforts were made to collect the necessary money through fundraising by the Warrnambool City Council and public donations. The Fletcher Jones Company and the Victorian Government contributed half the cost. On 9 September 1975, the Loch Ard peacock was purchased by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, and it found a new home at the maritime museum. Since then, it has only left Warrnambool twice. Firstly, in 1980, at the centenary celebrations of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, and secondly, in 1988, the peacock was given pride of place at the entrance to the Victorian Pavilion at the Brisbane World Expo, acknowledging that this Minton Majolica peacock is the most significant shipwreck object in Australia. The Minton majolica peacock is considered of historical social and aesthetic significance to Victoria and is one of only a few 'objects' registered on the Victorian Heritage Register (H 2132), as it is a most notable and rare object associated with the Minton factory of the 1870s and works by the celebrated sculptor Paul Comolera along with the wreck of the Loch Ard on the Victorian coastline. This Minton peacock is historically significant for its rarity; it was one of only 9-12 known to exist. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is also of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register Ref (S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's early social and historical themes. The collection is historically significant is that it is associated, unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. The peacock, resplendent in polychrome glaze, stands perched on a rocky plinth decorated with vines, leaves, flowers, blackberries and wild mushrooms. The peacock’s breast is cobalt blue; the wings and legs are in naturalistic colours. The tail is a mass of feathers coloured in green, ochre blue and brown — a fantastic display of artistry and Minton expertise. Inscribed at the base :P Comolera, and a Minton & Co. design number: 2045.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, loch ard, loch ard gorge, peacock, paul comolera, victorian heritage register, minton peacock, minton & co., stoke upon trent, bird figures, mintons, ceramics, international expositions, majolica, naturalistic, staffordshire, john samuel robert heath