This plaque displays the Bank of Australia's Coat of Arms and is significant because is ts the symbol printed on the Bank Notes of the Bank of Australasia. The bank of Australasia was incorporated by Royal Charter of England in March 1834. It had its Australian beginning on 14th December 1835, opening in Sydney. The Acting Superintendent of the bank at that time was David Charters McArthur. He was Superintendent from 1867-to 1876. The Melbourne branch opened on 28th August 1838 in a two-roomed brick cottage on the north side of Little Collins Street, where two huge mastiff dogs were used at night to guard the bank. The government also provided an armed military sentinel. Due to the bank's rapid growth, a new building for the Melbourne branch was opened in 1840 at 75 Collins Street West. By 1879 the bank had been upgraded to a magnificent two-storey building on the corners of Collins and Queens Streets, with the entry on Collins Street. In 1951 the Bank of Australasia amalgamated with the Union Bank to form the Australia and New Zealand Bank, now known as the ANZ. Then in 1970, the ANZ merged with both the ES&A and the London Bank of Australia to form the ANZ Banking Group Limited. The ANZ Banking Group Ltd kindly donated a variety of historic items from the Bank of Australasia. BANK of AUSTRALASIA, WARRNAMBOOL – In 1854 Warrnambool had two banks, the Union Bank and the Bank of Australasia. Later, completely different bank businesses opened; in 1867 the National Bank of Australasia, then in 1875 the Colonial Bank of Australasia. The original Warrnambool branch of the Bank of Australasia was established in July 1854, and operated from a leased cottage on Merri Street, close to Liebig Street. The bank next bought a stone building previously erected by drapers Cramond & Dickson on the corner of Timor and Gibson Streets. Samuel Hannaford was a teller and then Manager at the Warrnambool branch from 1855 to 1856 and the Warrnambool Council chose that bank for its dealings during 1856-57. In 1859 Roberts & Co. was awarded the contract to build the new Bank of Australasia branch for the sum of £3,000; the firm built the Warrnambool Post Office in 1856 and purchased land in Timor Street in 1858. The land was on a sand hill on the northeast corner of Timor and Kepler Streets and had been bought in 1855 from investor James Cust. The new building opened on May 21, 1860. The bank continued to operate there until 1951 when it merged with the Union Bank to form the ANZ Bank, which continued operating from its Liebig Street building. Warrnambool City Council purchased the former Bank of Australasia building in 1971 and renovated it, then on 3rd December 1973 it was officially opened as the Art Gallery by Cr. Harold Stephenson and Gallery Director John Welsh. The Gallery transferred to the purpose-built building in Liebig Street in 1986 and the old bank building is now the Gallery club. Staff at the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool included the following men but others were also involved: Samuel Hannaford, Teller then Manager from 1855-1856; Hawkins, Manager in 1856, W H Palmer, Manager from January 1857 until November 1869 when the Teller Basil Spence was promoted to Manager; H B Chomley, Manager from April 1873 and still there in 1886; A Butt, Manager in 1895-1904; J R McCleary Accountant and Acting Manager for 12 months, until 1900; A Kirk, Manager 1904; J Moore, staff until his transfer to Bendigo in December 1908; J S Bath was Manager until 1915; C C Cox, Manager until April 1923; Richard C Stanley, Manager 1923 to April 1928. The plaque with the insignia has significance through its association with the Bank of Australasia. The early Australian bank was established in 1834 by Royal Charter and opened in Sydney, Australia, in Sydney in 1835. The bank had many Australian offices in November 1877, particularly on the east and south coasts. Victoria had 45 per cent of all Offices. The plaque is locally significant for its association with the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, which was established in 1854. It was Warrnambool Council’s first bank. The bank continued to operate until the organisation's merger in 1951 when it became the ANZ Bank Group today. The Bank was an integral part of the growth of local commerce and the community.Insignia of the Bank of Australasia. Cast metal coat of arms within a gold, shield-shaped border, painted gold and red, with blue, black and white details. Decals in each corner; upper left and lower right have a white sheep suspended by a blue ribbon, upper right and lower left have a 3-masted, square-rigged sailing ship with a black hull and red flags flying on each mast, sailing on waves with storm clouds in the sky. Between the emblems are gold stars.Decals; ships, sheep, starsflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, bank of australasia, boa, union bank, australia & new zealand bank, anz bank, david charters mcarthur, d c mcarthur, currency, banknote, commerce, banking, heraldic shield, insignia, samuel hannaford

Small white booklet with blue printing inside and gold and blue printing with gold border and the Masonic emblem at the top. 125th Anniversary of the Golden & Corinthian Lodge No. 7 Bendigo 1854 - 1979. Installation of Bro. Ronald Hammer S. W. and Investure of Officers. Masonic Temple Bendigo Tuesday, September 11th 1979. Inside the booklet is a Short History of The Golden and Corinthian Lodge No. 7 of Bendigo; Ceremonial; List of Officers 1979 - 80; List of Members; toasts and Harmony and a space for autographs.organisation, masonic lodge, investure of officers, installation of bro ronald hammer, golden & corinthian lodge no 7 bendigo, criterian hotel, freemasons hotel, view point hotel, pembroke house, black swan hotel, golden lodge of bendigo, corinthian lodge of sandhurst, vahland, getzschmann, zenith lodge, 'a history of freemasonry in the bendigo district diring the firt 50 years of its existence', a h stone, k r grabasch, r hammer, m j luxford, t c k secombe, a g mcarthur, c c maskell, f a turpie, c m phillips, t k griffiths, b marett, g f turpie, r j m berry, f j palmer, l s shepherd, g e adams, w h shay, w s clemens, s n gillam, g a fraser, s b webster, j g penberthy, a k rollinson, k j beale

Letter written on blue paper with printed letterhead and emblem and dated 15 Aug 1866. Letter mentions sending a copy of the Widows & Orphans Fund Laws of the Foresters in the Melbourne District and also one of the Odd Fellows in the Bendigo District. He asks that they take care of the copy of the Odd Fellows Laws as he has to return it as soon as done with. Also some new are being printed & there will be some alterations. Signed by Jas Thos Holl. Impression of seal at the top of the page.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, bendigo united district, widows & orphans fund laws of the foresters, odd fellows, court king of the forest

Typed letter to R. J. Bartle, Esq., from D. O'Connor, Engineer and ?, Chief Engineer, of the National Roads and Motorists Association (N.S.W.) dated November 8, 1936. Letter mentions four tests done in a car over a stretch of ground to measure fuel consumption. Tests were done with and without the device installed in the fuel system. Paper has printed letterhead and the names of the President, Vice-Presidents, Hon Treasurer, Council and Secretary with the AAA and NRMA emblems on the left side of the page.sciences, instruments - general, scalebuoy, bill ashman collection - correspondence, national roads & motorists' association (n.s.w.), n.r.m.a. house, australian automobile association, r j bartle esq, hon j c watson, hon g r w mcdonald, charles ludowici esq, alderman james mcmahon, j bryden brown esq, d m cooper esq, e h cowdery esq, c r davidson esq, hon j m dunningham mla, a m graham esq, a s lumby esq, rev father w nicol, dr harold norrie, dr f antill pockley, ald h l primrose mla, a e rudder esq, lt-col g c somerville cmg dso, major blair wark vc dso, g a l wilson mla, h i johnson fiis, d o'connor?

Polo Shirt: collar, short sleeves, 3 buttons from neck, cream/beige colour Emblem from left breast: square outlined in black; blue sky; five undulating stripes along bottom of square: purple/yellow/green/yellow/orange. Six 'gum' leaves upper right corner of square - yellow/orange/green/orange/yellow/yellow - all with green central vein. Black stitching under square: 'City of Nunawading Parks And Recreation'shirt, nunawading

BHS CollectionNavy and white school exercise book. Front cover has text, emblem and space for personal details to be added. Lined pages inside with handwritten notes. Back cover has arithmetical tables and multiplication tables. Kangaroo Flat Red Cross Minute book containing minutes of special meetings held monthly at various halls. Special meetings held to organise fundraising via fetes and stalls. Back of book contains ledgers of donations, receipts and expenses of fundraising activities.Faded writing on front cover in space to personal details.kangaroo flat, red cross, minutes, finance

A Wilson Famous Player Series, Bruce Barnes International Model tennis racquet. Throat features a decal head profile illustration of Barnes, in front of a faux-Olympic rings device. Wilson logo in front of winged tennis ball emblem features on the shaft. Black leather handle grip with four-leaf clover perforations also feature. Butt cover features logo 'IT'S A WILSON'. Materials: Wood, Gut, String, Leather, Adhesive tape, Paint, Ink, Glue, Lacquer, Metaltennis

A Wilson Famous Player Series, Bruce Barnes International Model tennis racquet. Throat features a decal head profile illustration of Barnes, in front of a faux-Olympic rings device. Wilson logo in front of winged tennis ball emblem features on the shaft. Brown leather handle grip with four-leaf clover perforations also feature. Butt cover features logo 'IT'S A WILSON'. Materials: Wood, Gut, String, Leather, Adhesive tape, Paint, Ink, Glue, Lacquer, Metaltennis

A Wright and Ditson 'Tournament' tennis racquet, probably manufactured for the Montgomery Ward retail chain, featuring: string whipping around shoulders and shaft, and leather handle grip with quatrefoil perforations. Model name features across base of head, with stylised tennis player serving ball emblem featuring on throat. Wright & Ditson cursive logo features along left side of shaft. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Ink, Leather, String, Nylon, Adhesive tapetennis

A Spalding 'Gold Medal BW' tennis racquet, featuring: concave throat; bevelled crown; whipping around shoulders; a wide, flat shaft; and, mid-grooved, thick octagonal handle. SPALDING/BW features across throat on obverse. Decal of model name and wreathed medallions emblem features across throat on reverse. 'A.G. Spalding & Bros. Made in U.S.A.' logo encircling ball trademark is impressed on butt cover. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Ink, Gut, Leather, Stringtennis

A Spalding 'Gold Medal' tennis racquet, featuring: laminated convex throat; bevelled head; and, fine-grooved, thick octagonal handle. Decal of model name and wreathed medallions emblem features across throat on obverse. 'A.G. Spalding & Bros. Made in U.S.A.' logo encircling ball trademark features on throat on reverse, and is impressed on butt cover. Handwritten inscriptiona cross butt cover: WATERS/"D" CO. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Ink, Gut, Leather, Stringtennis

A Spalding 'International Model S' tennis racquet, featuring: laminated convex throat; bevelled crown; hide strips along underside of shoulders; whipping around shoulders; and, deep-grooved, thick octagonal handle. Decal of model name, with wreathed medallions emblem, feature across throat on obverse. 'A.G. Spalding & Bros. Made in U.S.A.' logo encircling ball trademark features on throat on reverse. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Ink, Gut, Leather, String, Paint, Hidetennis

A Bancroft Tear Drop tennis racquet, with egg-shaped, elliptical head, bamboo and fibreglass lamination, and leather handle grip with patterned perforations. Bancroft logo features across base of head. Throat features model name with teardrop emblem. Wreathed golden 'B' trademark features on lower shaft, and red 'B' trademark on butt cap. Materials: Wood, Leather, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Ink, Plastic, Paint, Gut, Adhesive tape, Fibreglass, Nylon, Bambootennis

David Miller (Dave) Mair (1879-1938) married Lily Vipond Deakin (1890-1945) in 1910. Personal communication from Laurie Newton, Beryl's daughter: Dave and Lily initially lived in East Melbourne after they married. Their children Geoffrey, Beryl and Gwynneth were born in East Melbourne. They subsequently moved to Louise Avenue, Mont Albert and Isabel may have been born while they were there. Later they purchased 20 Barton Street, Mont Albert. Shirley was born after they moved to Barton Street. Dave was an extremely keen sportsman (particularly bowls and cricket). He started the Kangaroo Cricket Club and worked for the Melbourne Cricket Club.This is part of a large donation related to the Deakin, Mair and Young families with connections to the Surrey Hills / Mont Albert area.A sepia photo of a group of men and women grouped as in team or class photos against a leafy background. There are 23 men and 4 women. The women are all wearing large brimmed hats. The men are dressed in a variety of outfits. Most are wearing hats. Five are wearing stripey blazers but the rest are either in shirt sleeves with ties or light-coloured jumpers. On jumper has an emblem of a kangaroo facing forward over the left breast. There are 8 bowls lying randomly on the grass in front of the group.FRONT: Two crosses marking a man and woman. REAR: In black ink - "Kangaroos v M.C.C. 3 "B" / City Green / 12th March 1910 / Kutsy's last (single) / (in lead pencil) XX (In blue biro) David Millar Mair / Lily Vipond Dad & Mum Mair" The later handwriting is thought to that of Beryl Young (nee Mair). bowls, kangaroo club, david miller mair, dave mair, lily vipond deakin, lily vipond mair

A laminated A3 sketchbook page depicting a design for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Men's Village/Travel Uniform designed by Wendy Powitt. On the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games donor Doug Pleasance wrote- The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games saw an evolutionary change in designer selection. A Declaration of Interest Form was communicated to over forty potential designers. The task and especially tight timelines that were involved deterred many aspirants, however, there remained eight designers with the potential we were seeking. These eight designers were paid $3,000 per submission and the winning designer, Wendy Powitt, was paid $15,000. For the first time the judging panel included two athletes, one male swimmer and one female basketballer, their influence was pivotal. The village clothing was designed to be a highly visible garment meaning that it was easy to "Spot the Aussies" and helped to contribute to a good team spirit. Blocks of contrasting colours were a feature of the pure wool shirts. A newly developed stretch 50:50 wool/cotton fabric by Bradmill was made into shorts and jeans by Fletcher Jones.A laminated A3 sketchbook page depicting a design for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic men's Village/Travel Wear Uniform. The main drawing shows the design for a pair of yellow shorts, a green and yellow striped shirt with the Australian emblem on the right breast of the shirt and a brown leather woven belt. The top of the page shows a detailed drawing of the belt weave with a symbol of Australia as the belt buckle. To the right of the main image is a detailed drawing of the shorts as well as a drawing of a leather pouch that is attached to the belt.1992 barcelona olympics, sport, athletes, fashion, design, artwork, drawing, uniform

The Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia was formed in 1916 to support servicemen returning from World War 1. In 1940 its name was changed to Returned Sailors', Soldiers' and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia and again in 1966 to Returned Services League of Australia. Arthur Ernest Beard enlisted in the 10th Battalion in 1914 and was discharged as medically unfit in 1918. His service included three years and 115 days of overseas service. He was gassed during his war service, resulting in ongoing health issues. Beard received an incapacity pension. Despite his ill health, Arthur dedicated many years of service to the committee of the Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia Wodonga branch. At various times he served as President and secretary. He was on the committee when the branch was lobbying for the construction of a Soldiers' Memorial and also a Soldiers' Memorial Hall for Wodonga. Arthur also participated in groups and community activities, including the Wodonga Boys’ Club, Wodonga Public Library Committee and the Wodonga and District Progress Association. Arthur died on 29 Jun 1940 in Wodonga, Victoria, aged 46 years. This certificate is significant as it recognises service to the Wodonga Branch of the RSSILAA coloured certificate on heavy card presented by the Wodonga Branch of the Returned Sailor and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia. It features an archway imprinted with the name of the RSSIL with the League emblem surrounded by the flags of England, Australia and the Royal Australian Navy. It is adorned with an anchor and rifle and the words "Great War 1914 - 1919. An image of Anzac House, the headquarters of the R.S.S.I.L.A. in Melbourne is on the lower left hand side. The words of appreciation are printed in the centre of the archway. The insignia of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces is in the centre at the bottom. WODONGA BRANCH / Presented to A. BEARD As a token of esteem and in grateful recognition of valuable services rendered as PRESIDENT Year 1922 - 23 A. A. Reid President R. S. Benson Secretaryreturned sailors & soldiers imperial league, wodonga rssila

Petrol rationing was gazetted in May 1941. Australia's lack of fuel storage options and the diversion of tankers bringing fuel here forced the government to begin rationing. Initially it was proposed that consumption should be reduced by 50% but this was modified to 1/3 reduction. People had to apply for a petrol licence and this was then used to obtain ration coupons. Initially coupons were issued on a 6 monthly basis but this was reduced to 2 monthly and allowed people roughly 2000 gallons per year. Coupons allowed for 1, 2, 5, 10, 44 and 100 gallon amounts depending on need. eg. private, commercial, farm use. Rationing was strictly enforced until 1942 but remained in effect until 1950.WWII Fuel 2 Gallon Ration Tickets: 2 x rectangular shape with perforated edges, cream card with brown print. Background is a wall paper of oval shapes with "Motor Spirit Ration" printed. On the face is "Commonwealth Liquid Fuel Control Board, the Commonwealth Emblem Motor Spirit two 2 Gals, Not Transferable Ration Ticket". Department of supply & Development. Issued under national security Act. 1939-40 The back has sticky tape stuck to it.

Framed logo - PMTT monogram or emblem - Saloon door glass (see donation document) that has been framed in a walnut finished frame with gold edge and further glazing. Was a broken part in one corner - bottom right hand. At the base three photographs have been provided - one of the original Malvern Tram depot building, PMTT No. 44 bogie car and the interior of a saloon of a PMTT tram. Has paper back with a hanging strip on the rear. Very heavy.trams, tramways, pmtt, windows, interiors, tramcars, tramcar component

Uniform issued to "LOCKYER" 114493.Jacket - khaki colour wool/polyester fabric. Service dress style, gold colour plastic buttons with metal shank and split ring. Buttons have raised emblem of Queens crown, crossed swords and Kangaroo. Royal Australian Army. Collar, shoulder epaulettes, four front pockets, top two with button and two metal studs on flap, lower button down flap. Green colour polyester fabric lining with white cotton manufacturers labels inside right.Manufacturers information on labels - black ink print faded to light grey/blue. "RUSS JOHNSTON/ -TAILOR- /VIC^ 1989/90/ DEN 8405-66-019-8188/ DRYCLEAN ONLY/ REPRESS USING IRON AND DAMP CLOTH/ OR MEDIUM TO HOT STEAM IRON/ CREASE UPPER HALF OF LAPELS ONLY" "REGIMENTAL NO./NAME" Handwritten, blue ink pen "LOCKYER". uniform, army, service dress, lockyer

Printed Certificate of Discharge for Charles Miller. Signed by J Martin, Master of Ship and? Dunlop, Shipping Master and dated 23 June 1859. Signed by Charles Miller on the back. Printed border and Marine Department emblem in the top left corner. Certificate contains the name of the Ship, the 'Suffolk', Official Number 15823, Port of Registry London, Registered Tonnage 974, Description of Voyage London, Date of Entry and Discharge and Place of Discharge London. Also mentions Place and Date of Birth.industries, merchant marine, certificate of discharge, charles miller, certificate of discharge, j martin, ? dunlop, 'suffolk'

Police uniform peaked cap circa 1939-45. officer Pattern worn during WW2 period.Green police Hat. Top is green felt with bright green lines. Second level black felt around circumference of hat about 5 cm wide. Front peak Dark Green, plastic. Silver Rope Braid - two strands going from one ear around front to other ear. Nazi emblem on front with Swaztika and Eagle. On top small silver button with one dot in the middle. Inside lining is orange material with brown band around middle of rim.Size "55 1/2" Brand "Braunschweig" and some other indecipherable writing. uniform, german police, peaked cap, ww2

Jacket - RAN winter ceremonial uniform Officers. Dark Navy Blue colour wool fabric, double breasted with six buttons, collar, sleeves with two buttons near cuff. One inset breast pocket and two inset pockets with flap. Buttons - tarnished brass metal with shank and raised emblem, Kings crown, anchor, lettering - "AUSTRALIA". Black colour cotton fabric lining, white collar. White colour fabric manufacturers label - back inside collar.Manufacturers information - red ink print "M.TX/SIZE S".uniforms, ran

1. Coat - dark blue colour wool fabric RAAF overcoat. Collar, shoulder epaulettes with grey colour embroidered lettering - "RAAF", double breasted, gold colour plastic buttons with shank and raised emblem, Queens crown and wings - RAAF. Inset side pockets. Blue colour cotton lining with concealed pocket. White cotton manufacturers label. Inside back below collar. 2. Belt - fabric as coat with gold colour plastic slide buckle.Manufacturers Information - blue and black ink print. 1. Blue ink print "DAVID KLEIN/ PTY LTD/ 22 PATRICK ST. MEL/ 32 3771/ NAME/ DATE/ PURE WOOL" Black ink print - "DAVID KLEIN PTY LTD/ VICTORIA / 1966/ ^/"uniform, raaf, overcoat

Longitudinal Section of the Hustler's Reef & Hustler's Reef No 1 Mines on the Hustler's Line of Reef. Bulletin No 33, Plate No XX. Note - Plates 4, 8, 13, 20, 26 & 31 form a Longitudinal Section from Fortuna Hustler's to Hustler's Consols Mine. Geological Survey of Victoria emblem. Signed by H A Whitelaw, Underground Survey Office Bendigo, September 1913. Shows the two shafts with their levels and depths. Also shows geographical features and yields of gold and amalgam per ton. .mining, parish map, hustler's reef & hustler's reef no 1 mines, geographical survey of victoria, underground survey office bendigo, h a whitelaw

John Holley No 1311 enlisted on 11.3.16 in D Coy 39th Batt AIF aged 24 years. Embarked for England 27.5.16. Transferred to the 8th Batt 15.9.16. Hospital with PUO 14.12.16. Hospital on 20.4.17 with sore feet. KIA France 16.4.18. PUO (Pyrexia unknown origin) Refer 2132.2P. .2) One star on a ribbon represented one son/husband lost in the War. John Holley had a younger brother Arthur who enlisted in WW11. Refer 2134..1) Medals, court mounted, set of (2) re J Holley. 1. War Medal 1914-18 2. Victory Medal 1914 - 19 .2) Mothers and Widows Ribbon, black length of ribbon with Rising Sun centre, under is "For Australia", at the top is a polished metal piece with a floral emblem, at the bottom is same metal piece with one brass 7 pronged star. Rear of the top plate is engraved with a number. .3) Small brownish coloured box that housed .2). ..1) "1311 Pte J Holley 8 BN A.I.F" .2) "32962"medals, military, history

This compressor was part of the E.G. Ward Collection. It is connected to the diving suit and boots also in our collection. Siebe Gorman & Company Ltd was a British company that developed diving equipment and breathing equipment and worked on commercial diving and marine salvage projects. The company advertised itself as 'Submarine Engineers'. It was founded by Augustus Siebe, a German-born British engineer chiefly known for his contributions to diving equipment. Siebe Gorman traded as an engineering firm for over 180 years from 1819 to 1999. The early success of the business was due to its founder, the Prussian immigrant Christian 'Augustus' Siebe (1788-1872). For business reasons, he applied for and was granted British citizenship in 1856. He was a gifted engineer who was able to translate theoretical problems into practical, working products. During the industrial Victorian period, the business traded as 'A. Siebe' at 145 High Street Holborn London, but in 1828 new premises were acquired at 5 Denmark Street, Soho. The family firm produced a wide range of manufactured goods including paper-making machinery, measuring machinery, water-pumps, refrigeration equipment and diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe specialised in submarine engineering early on and the company gained a reputation for the manufacture of safe, reliable diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe is best remembered for the development and manufacture of the ‘closed’ Diving Dress based on the ideas of Charles and John Deane, George Edwards and Charles Pasley. Apart from some small modifications to valves and diver communications, the basic 12 bolt ‘closed’ diving dress remained relatively unchanged after the 1870s. Later company successes were also based on innovation, with new products that could be successfully developed and manufactured to high standards. This was largely attributed to the inventive nature, foresight, engineering and entrepreneurial skills of Robert Henry Davis (1870-1965). In 1882, RH Davis joined the company of 'Siebe & Gorman' as a young 11-year-old office boy and he was to remain with the company until he died in 1965. Augustus Siebe retired in 1869 and handed over the company to a new partnership of Henry H. Siebe (1830-1885) and William A. O'Gorman (1834-1904). The new firm traded as 'Siebe & Gorman' (1870-1879) from premises in and around Mason Street, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London. The two partners soon recognised the potential of R.H. Davis and in 1894, aged 24, he became General Manager of Siebe & Gorman. Davis increasingly ran the company until the surviving partner (W.A. Gorman) died in 1904. The firm was disposed of to the Vickers (armaments) family and a new company 'Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd.' (1905-1998) was formed. Under the chairmanship of Albert Vickers, R.H. Davis was kept on as Managing Director, and the company forged ahead. However, after WW1, the Great Depression caused manufacturing output and share prices to slump. In 1924 Robert Davis made a deal with the Vickers Board and acquired control of the company through majority shares. Under his leadership, the Siebe Gorman Company flourished and within time, four of his sons also joined the firm. The company gained a worldwide reputation for the manufacture of diving apparatus, decompression and observation chambers, and safety breathing apparatus of all types for use on the land, in the air and under the sea (including mine rescue, tunneling, aircraft, diving, submarine escape and in other hazardous environments). Close research and development links with the MOD (especially the Admiralty), also provided a lucrative outlet for the company products. In 1932, Robert Davis was knighted by King George V, principally for his invention of the ‘Davis Submerged Escape Apparatus’ (D.S.E.A.). Siebe Gorman essentially remained a family firm from the beginning (under A Siebe) until it became a public company for the first time in 1952. However, following WW2, British manufacturing stagnated through stifled investment and post-war austerity, and there was little innovation. Siebe Gorman fortunes began to decline as an ageing Sir Robert Davis failed to invest, or change the company business and management practices. In 1959, Siebe Gorman was acquired by the “Fairy Group” and the ailing Sir Robert was made Life President. Consequently, nothing changed and the slow decline continued until Sir Robert's death in March 1965. Around 1960, Siebe Gorman acquired the diving apparatus manufacturer C E Heinke, and for a brief period, it manufactured some diving equipment under the combined name of Siebe Heinke. Around 1964, Mr. E. 'Barry' Stephens was appointed as the new Managing Director to modernise Siebe Gorman. Changes were made, including a move to a new factory in Wales in 1975. The new company concentrated on fire fighting breathing apparatus and escape equipment, and the move coincided with the loss of many of the older, traditional craft skills. Between 1985 and 1998, Siebe expanded through acquisitions, and several other companies were acquired. The Siebe Gorman (diving apparatus) company has therefore traded as A. Siebe (1819-1870); Siebe & Gorman (1870-1879); Siebe Gorman & Co (1880-1904); Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd (1905-1998).The compressor is a very significant item as it gives a snapshot into marine history and the development of diving equipment generally especially that used for salvage operations before and during WW2. Siebe & Gorman the company that made the equipment was a leading inventor, developer and innovator of marine equipment with its early helmets and other items eagerly sought after today for collections around the world. The items in the Flagstaff Hill collection give us an insight as to how divers operated and the dangers they faced doing a very necessary and dangerous job during the early days of marine exploration.A single cylinder divers' pump by Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd, London, eccentric hand cranked in brass mounted mahogany case with instructions to the underside of the lid, brass covered pressure gauge and air outlet, brass makers plaque to the front, water inlet and outlet to the rear, green painted lifting rings. Machinery has some blue painted areas on the metal.Plate on the back 'WATER SUPPLY" "WATER OVERFLOW" "WATER DRAIN-IN" Pressure gauge dial "BOURDON'S PRESSURE GAUGE" STEBE GORMAN & CO. LONDON", "LBS PRESSURE" "FEET OF SALT WATER" Plate on the front " PATENT, Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd Submarine Engineers" below emblem (Lion, Crown, Horse)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, maritime-museum, diving compressor, london, siebe gorman & co ltd, marine technology, life saving, deep sea diving, maritime museum, maritime village, manine history