The town borrows its name from the Koroitch Gundidj people who occupied the area prior to European settlement. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koroit, accessed 21 December 2016) Koroit was first surveyed as a township in 1847. Around the 1850 the district had the highest population of Irish immigrants in rural Australia. The Koroit Post Office was designed by architect and engineer John Mason of Port Fairy. (Moyne Shire Heritage Study 2006 Stage 2, Volume 2: Environmental History, Prepared for Moyne Shire Council Helen Doyle in association with Context Pty Ltd, 2006.) Rosebrook Bridge, Rosebrook (1853; replaced) Post Office buildings, Bank Street, Port Fairy (c.1857) The author Henry Handel Richardson lived in the Koroit Post Office as a child after her family moved to Koroit in 1878. Remembering Koroit from her youth, the third volume in her The Fortunes of Richard Mahony trilogy is set in the town. When the author was six, her father Walter died in Koroit on 1 August 1879 and was buried at the Koroit cemetery. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koroit, accessed 21 December 2016) In 1878 Mary Richardson was appointed postmistress of the Koroit Post Office at a salary of 72 pounds with free quarters, firewood and kerosene. She lived at the back of the Post Office. (From a Green and Pleasant Land by H. McCorkell and P. Yule.) Photographs showing the bluestone Koroit Post Office, phone box and postbox. It is located at 99 Commercial Road, Koroit. "Historic Area Statement of Significance: The significance of Koroit derives from its role as the urban centre of one of the most concentrated Irish Roman Catholic rural districts in Australia, noted for its mixed livestock and cropping argicultural patterns. This is reflected in two separate and distinctive areas in the town - the administrative/commercial area and the church precinct. The administrative and commercial area (focussing on the Boundary-Commercial Road/High Street intersection and the Koroit Hotel) consists of a number of significant public buildings and leads to a street of relatively intact humble shopfronts and kerbline verandahs, visually punctuated by opposing bank facades. The church precinct is dominated by a group of Catholic buildings larger in scale and more complete in range than those in any comparably sized Victorian town." http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/69338#sthash.ELLuSMvg.dpuf, accessed 21 December 2016."koroit, post office, phone box, payphone, bluestone, henry handel richardson, koroit post office

4 page A4 printed document. Achievements of Peter Ellis (for consideration for the Order of Australia) Peter is regarded as one of the leading collectors and presenters of traditional dance tunes, dances and musical instruments in Australia. At the 2005 National Folk Festival it was announced by Robyn Holmes that he has the largest selection of dance related material collected in the National Library Archives in Canberra. Peter has been collecting for many years and has collected with the late John Meredith (AM), Shirley Andrews (AM), Rob Willis and Dave Di Santi amongst others. Peter has literally travelled Australia collecting over the past thirty years. He has extensive field recordings from Western Australia and Tasmania in addition to his Victorian collection, for example. Most of his recording has been in North Western and Central Victoria. Peter collected a lot of his material from Harry McQueen ( Castlemaine), which led to a double CD of Harry's music. Harry had played in dance bands for over sixty years in Central Victoria. Harry had a number of tunes from Bill McGlashan who had taken Harry under his wing as a young man. Through Peter's efforts much valuable material and knowledge from almost a century ago was saved for posterity. Founder, Charter member and life member of the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo. Life Member of the Victorian Folk Music Club. Recipient of the Graham Squance award (for the person who has done the most to promote folk dance and music in Victoria)) from the Folk Song and Dance Society of Victoria. Member of the famous Wedderburn Old Timers Band for over twenty-eight years (two platinum and several gold recordings in that time). Founder and leader of the Emu Creek Bush Band (twenty-nine years old in 2010) Emu Creek has made many CDs of dance music as listed. Friday Night at the Spring Gully Hop, Three double CDs called 'Quadrille Mania' which contain many rare dances and tunes which have been learnt and recorded, under Peter's guidance, so they would not be lost to posterity. A triple CD called 'Take Me Back To Bendigo' with heritage songs and music from the Gold Rush to Federation (solely organised and financed by Peter) These CDs show the multicultural heritage in Bendigo and include music and groups from the Koorie, Chinese, Cornish, German, Irish, Italian, Scots, English and Welsh communities of Bendigo and district. Upon his recovery of costs Peter has handed over copyright to the Bendigo Community so future profits go back into the community. Three double CDs called 'The Merry Country Dance' with dances and tunes going back to the time of Governor Lachlan Macquarie's Ball in 1804. Most of the tracks are performed by Emu Creek Following much practice under Peter's tutelage. For further authenticity Peter liaised with other musicians to record some tracks which were revived from almost two hundred years ago and have now been recorded using the instruments of the time. A three volume set of Bush Concert recordings (Vol 1 Goornong (launched Australia Day 2006 with any profits going to the Soldier's Memorial Hall Committee), Vol 2 Heywood and Vol 3 Maldon/Sutton Grange, already recorded and to be released as money from other projects becomes available. NOTE: None of these CDs have led to any profit. All money raised is put back into the community and further heritage recordings, books and videos through the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo Inc. In 2009 a full collection of all Peter's book and CDs was donated to the John Gorton Library as part of the recognition of the fifty year career of the Gay Charmers Dance Band from Lake Charm. 'Music of the Diggings' (4 tracks by Peter or Emu Creek). In addition the Emu Creek Band, under Peter's leadership, has appeared on a CD backing Bruce Watson on his song, 'The Old Bush Dance'. Emu Creek has performed at National Folk Festivals in four states and several times at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. They have also been mainstays of the Maldon Folk Festival for over twenty years as well as doing dance programs for the Port Fairy Folk Festival on two occasions. Peter has written and published many books related to traditional music and dance. These include Three volumes of 'Collectors Choice' which is musical notation for bush dances coupled with much dance history which would have been lost without Peter's efforts. 'Two Hundred Dancing Years - How to run a Colonial Ball: (co-authored with Shirley Andrews (A.M.), 'Music Makes Me Smile - The Music of the Nariel Valley' (co-authored with Harry Gardner). The Merry Country Dance' (292 pages) a companion to the three double CDs. He has also been a contributor to Verandah Music' authors Rob Willis and Graham Seal and 'The Oxford Companion to Australia Folklore' Ed Graham Seal. Peter is also a regular contributor to 'Trad and Now' Magazine. His latest completed book is titled 'The Merry Country Dance' and is over three hundred pages of social history, recipes and dance instructions. It was completed with the assistance of a Victorian Government Heritage Grant. The first edition sold out in only a few weeks. Peter has taught many children about old time musicianship through the junior bands which have functioned over the years with many children joining Emu Creek and then going on to follow their own musical inclinations. He has trained several young concertina and button accordion players over the years. Peter has been a regular tutor with Continuing Education in tin whistle, harmonica and old time dancing for many years. Peter has conducted workshops in music dance at National Folk Festivals in Perth, Alice Springs, Maleny, Melbourne, Adelaide, Kuranda and more recently at several Canberra National folk Festivals. He has also done this at Maldon for many years, Port Fairy, Glen Innes, Jamberoo and Kiama Festivals. For over thirty years Peter has been a guest player and MC for the dances at the Nariel Folk Festival (Australia's oldest continuing Folk Festival) Peter is very well known in the Corryong area as a collector and the co-author of the book, Music Makes Me Smile, about the Klippel/Simpson dynasty in the Nariel Creek Band. This book is currently being revised for re-issue as more material has come to light since the original publication. For many years Peter trained Debutante Sets in the Bendigo District. Peter was an instigator of the annual Dinki Di Ball held each September in Eaglehawk for the past thirteen years. At this ball three bands play for a quarter of the night and then join together for the final part of the evening. The bands are Emu Creek, The Wedderburn Old Timers and the Gay Charmers. Up to four hundred dancers, many in heritage costumes have attended this dance. The ball also pays tribute to, and involves, the old MC's. Through this example their skills have been passed down to a younger generation of MC's. All profits are returned to the Dance Club to foster our musical heritage. Each Ball includes presentations designed to promote social dancing in Australia. Over the years several young musicians have been presented with musical instruments at the Ball, libraries have been given copies of Peter's books and CDs and one year a keen young dancer was presented a pair of dancing shoes. Peter is a trained ballroom dancer and has gained gold medal status in this field. Peter is an accomplished musician and is one of Australia's foremost button accordion players. He is also highly accomplished on the tin whistle, bones and harmonica. He is the only exponent of the Swanee whistle that I have seen. Peter also plays the piano and ukulele. Thirty six years membership of the Bendigo Field Naturalists Club, Secretary in the 1970s and actively involved in campaigns to save Lake Pedder and establish the Whipstick and Kamarooka State Parks (now part of the Bendigo National Park). Peter was also extremely active in the establishment of the Salomon's Gully and Jackass Flat Flora Reserves in Bendigo which have now been saved for posterity. Peter has also been involved in efforts to save One Tree Hill and this area has now been included in the Greater Bendigo National Park. He has discovered and named new plant species in the Whipstick Forest and propagates Australian plants. Peter takes regular guided tours of interested people through the Whipstick each Spring on wild flower educational tours. He is a keen and gifted photographer of local plant species. Life member of the Bendigo Field Naturalists. Peter contributed text and photographs to their publication 'Wildflowers of Bendigo'. When the Victorian State Parliament had its first historical sitting outside Melbourne Emu Creek played during lunch for the guests and public. They have also played at functions such as the Centenaries of Federation, the Bendigo Post Office, the Shamrock Hotel and the opening of the new Melbourne Museum and the Federation Museum in Bendigo. The band regularly plays for Seniors week and at homes for the aged such as Bethlehem, Mirridong, Bignold Park, Bendigo Village and others. Peter has been instrumental in getting the band to play for fundraisers such as schools, scouts and environmental groups. The band plays many charitable 'gigs'. The band supports the Bendigo Easter Fair and the Eaglehawk Fair when able and has appeared in several parades over the years. The above list shows the invaluable contribution that Peter Ellis has made towards the collecting and distributing of Australia's musical and dance heritage. No one has done more than Peter in this area. He has also been active locally and nationally in his endeavours towads saving the natural environment. He has put many years of time and energy into both area's and has many on going projects in mind for the years ahead. The awarding of an honour from Australia would be just reward for a man who has preserved so much of our musical and dance heritage for future generations. Knowing Peter I have no doubt he would treasure such an honour as he has given so much to preserve Australia's music and dance heritage over most of his sixty plus years. Compiled by John Williams. Handwritten notes at bottom of last page reads: Referees Jacinta Allan MLA Steve Gibbons MHR Willie Carney ex Mayor of Bendigo Supporting letter Mary Smith Sec. Bush Dance + Music Club.person, individual, peter ellis oam

Colour photocopy of article from Bendigo Advertiser. Dated Saturday, May 23, 2015. FAREWELL, MA.. When Peter received his Order of Australia Medal it was one of his proudest moments. He couldn’t resist wearing it on every occasion. FROM - PREVIOUS PAGE The Emu Creek Bush Band has performed at National Folk Festivals in four states and numerous times at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. They have also been mainstays of the Maldon Folk Festival for most of its history as well as doing dance programs for the Port Fairy Folk Festival on two occasions. Peter wrote and published many books related to traditional music and dance. These include: Three volumes of 'Collector's Choice' which is musical notations for bush dances coupled with much dance history which would have been lost without Peter's efforts, are 'Two Hundred Dancing Years- How to run a Colonial Ball' (Co-authored with Shirley Andrews (AM), 'Music Makes Me Smile- The Music of the Nariel Valley' (Co-authored with Harry Gardner), and his last completed book is titled 'The Merry Country Dance' with over 300 pages.. .. .. Grant. The first edition sold out in only a few weeks. Peter taught old time musicianship, accomplished as he was on the concertina and button accordion, tin whistle, and harmonica, as well as the Swanee whistle, piano and ukulele. In demand for workshops in music and dance at National Folk Festivals in Perth, Alice Springs, Maleny, Melbourne, Adelaide, Kuranda and more recently at several Canberra National Folk Festivals, he was a hit at festivals across the country. As a trained ballroom dancer, with many gold medals to his name, Peter passed on his knowledge every time he trained debutante sets in the Bendigo region. As an early environmentalist, he was a life member of the Bendigo Field Naturalists Club, secretary in the 1970's and actively involved in campaigns to save Lake Pedder and establish the Whipstick and Kamarooka State Parks (now part of the Bendigo National Park). He has discovered and named new plant species in the Whipstick Forest and propagated many Australian plants. Peter took regular guided tours through the Whipstick each spring, on wildflower educational tours. He was a keen and gifted photographer of local plant species. When Peter received his Order of Australia Medal it was one of his proudest moments. He couldn’t resist wearing it on every occasion. Funeral details. Family, friends and his supporters will farewell Peter.. .. .. ..person, individual, peter ellis oam

Three Folk Festival handbooks containing names and a short summary of performers, programs, photos of some of the performers, History of the Folk Song & Dance Society of Victoria, advertisements and attractions. The three programs are the 20th National Folk Festival Melbourne 1986, 22nd National Folk Festival & Sutherland Bicentennial Crafts Fair 1988 (has Corry written on the front cover) and the Port Fairy Folk Festival 1989.entertainment, music, national folk festival, peter ellis collection, emu creek bush band, peter ellis, 20th national folk festival melbourne 1986, 22nd national folk festival & sutherland bicentennial crafts fair 1988, port fairy folk festival 1989

Colour photograph. Large cream building. Crosses on peaks. Cars parked in front of building. Back of photo reads: Nunnery at Koroit. Emu Creek was billeted there for Port Fairy F.F. early 1990's. Peter snored so loudly that two members swapped rooms and one went to sleep in the bus!buildings, church, nunnery at koriot

This steam whistle is part of the salvage of the wreck of the "S.S.Casino" It was given to the Tyler family because of their association with the ship.Large brass cylindrical steam whistle ('Casino')maritime technology, communications, belfast and koroit steam navigation company, signals, local history, s.s.casino, port fairy, ship, steamer, coastal steamer

Owned by Captain William Robertson, Captain of the "S.S.Casino" and Naval Reserve Officer in Port Fairya naval arm badge or patch: naval arm patch or badge with two embroidered crossed red flags with a red six pointed star abovelocal history, uniforms, navy, naval reserve, robertson, mr or captain william, belfast and koroit steam navigation company, naval insignia

Part of Capt. William Robertson's Collection. Spare cap badge of the Belfast and Koroit Steam Navigation Company - S.S.Casino uniform.Small cap badge: gold emboridered cap badge of laurel leaves around red and cream flag of Belfast and Koroit Steam Navigation Company on Black felt backgroundBKNSlocal history, costume, male uniform, civilian, s.s.casino, robertson, captain or mr william, belfast and koroit steam navigation company

Blue enamel candle holder with fluted edgelocal history, lighting, candle, candle holder, domestic item

owned by Mr John Greenwood, of Cox Street Port Fairysafety shaver in wooden case, containing directions for use, frame, seven blades, stropping machine, and blade holderFrame: Wilkinson/made in England . Blades: Wilkinson sword co ltd Hand forged made in England Reverse side: Wilkinson Special edge etched with a day of the weeklocal history, personal effects-toilet requisites, shaving, greenwood, mr john

not recordedLarge brown,white and pink teapotlocal history, domestic items, crockery

Black and white aerial of Martins Point Moyne River showing dredge. The original signed by R. W. Golding.Black and white landscapelocal history, photography, photographs, slides, film, aerial, martins point, moyne river, dredge

These paper cups were given to patrons of the The Star of the West Hotel Cnr, Bank and Sackville Streets during the time A.E.Spence was proprietess.waxed paper disposable cup, manufactured for Star of The West Hotel: White waxed paper with coloured letteringWith the compliments of the Star of The West Hotel Port Fairy "There are several good reasons for drinking, and one has just entered my head, if a man cannot drink when he's living, how the hell can he drink when he's dead. A.E.Spence. Proprietress Phone 12local history, domestic items, food & drink consumption, a.e.spence

Grey enamel plate with the alphabet in bold black letters around the rim. Faded clock face in bowl .local history, domestic items, food & drink consumption

This is a photograph depicting the Merrijig InnMounted in folder with gold border surroundlocal history, photography, photographs, slides, film, merrijig inn, hotel

Part of Captain William Robertson Collection who was an instructor/officer in the RoyalAaustralian Naval Reserve2 navy cap ribbons :- 1 with "HMAS Cerberus" and 1 with "Royal Australian Naval Reserve" printed on themHMAS Cerberus. Royal Australian Naval Reservelocal history, uniforms, navy, robertson, mr or captain william, port fairy naval reserve, s.s.casino, belfast and koroit steam navigation company, hat accessories

Hot water sea baths established in 1889 in Bank Street Port Fairy for separate men and women bathing. The bathes were closed in 1916. One bath was taken by Leo Brady when baths were demolished and used in his home until 1939. These items are from this bath.1. Metal bolt used to clamp slabs of marble for bath , from hot water baths. Bolt tapers from top to bottom and round knob on top. 2. Piece of white marble used in the sea baths - roughly triagular in shape. 3.Large piece of marble from the base of a sea bathlocal history, buildings, fittings

cooking pot (saucepan) rounded sides straight fluted handle, Inside enamelled, colour blackT&C Clark & Co/ England/ No 2 1/2 pints/ first qualitylocal history, domestic items, cooking

Used by Captain William Robertson during meetings of the Freemasonslodge apron and case: A. Masonic lodge apron. cream leather and pale blue grosgrain trim and rossettes. B. Leather carry case black with gold insription C. Small silver key (Pink cord) single rosette, 2 silver plated ornaments with hanging chains for apronBro. William Robertson Port Fairy Lodge, No 67, U.G.L.V.local history, societies, freemasons, s.s.casino, port fairy naval reserves, captain william robertson, port fairy

Owner: Edmund Moutray Esq. died on voyage from London to Adelaide 1860.Mrs. V. Rowley, daughter, and Moutray family, Port Fairy districtAn example of an heirloom and it’s connection to familyblack top hat, tall crown, cream lined: brown leather case with lid and red liningbrim: 720/ 678 crown: extra quality/ Lincoln/ Bennett/ & Co. base of case: E. Moutraylocal history, costume accessories, hat accessories, edmund moutray, london, mrs v rowley, moutray

Part of Capt. William Robertson's collection. Early career in navy. Captain of S.S.Casino. RAN reservesSailor's cap: Navy and white topped sailor's cap with grey lining and navy ribbon6 7/8 size marking / 157 red inking marking on crown lininglocal history, uniforms, navy, robertson, mr or captain william, s.s.casino, royal australian naval reserve, hats

not recordedSmall vase- orange lustre on white porcelainlocal history, ornaments, ceramics

not recordedSmall metal flour sifter. Simple action. Painted advertisements for Cavalier Brand flour and macaronilocal history, domestic items, food preparation

These sashes were awarded to Frank Pevitt a successful runner in the late 1940's and early 1950's. The year 1954 was when Frank finally came into his own. In March he came second in the mile and two miles in Bendigo and then, a week later, won the Lilydale Gift and the Eighty five pound prize. In April he won the two-mile Grampian Stakes at Stawell. In a large field of 81 starters, he won by five yards. Following this, he came a creditable third in the Bendigo Guineas. To cap off the year, at the end of December he won the Port Fairy Mile from John Barmby, 'effortlessly' according to the Argus newspaper. In 1955 Frank won the mile at the Orford Sports Club meeting and then decided to retire from running More information on Frank's career as a runner can be found in 'Icons of Port Fairy' a book published by the Port Fairy Historical Society which contains information on objects and people 'Iconic' in our area.These sashes are representative of local resident Frank Pevitt's athletics career and the part that sport played in the early 20th century2 sashes royal blue, a. Port Fairy mile, metal badge with metal badge of wreath & athlete, metallic fringe. b. Orford - textile fringea. PF Athletic Club/PF mile, 1954/presented by Hanley Bros/ Proprietors PF Gazette/won by F.D.Pevitt b. Orford Sports Carnival/Orford Mile/15-1-55/won by F.D.Pevittlocal history, trophies & awards, sports, athletics, frank pevitt, orford, port fairy

long abdominal corset - peach colour, embroidered lingerie satin, lycra, hooks, lacing eyes, synthetic boning, elastic panelsModel 3987/10 type g. size 37local history, costume, female

Used to mark butter in the boxes from the Port Fairy Butter FactoryPossibly the only butter box marker left from the Port Fairy Butter FactoryTubular embossed "Bonnie Port Western district Choicest" wooden marker. Shaped like a rolling pin. One handleBonnie Port Western district Choicestlocal history, rural industry, butter making, port fairy butter factory

Not recorded but used as a bed warmerGlazed stoneware cylinder, knob handle and screw topHoffmanlocal history, ceramics, stoneware