The medal was issued by Cole's Book Arcade, with the proverb “Federation of the World, Be Good and Do Good”, circa 1885. This nickel-plated medal is one of a series of medals offering maxims and proverbs issued by E.W. Cole (Edward William Cole), owner of his Book Arcade. He called the medals 'little missionaries for the spread of educative knowledge' According to Sydney Endicott, an employee of Cole, customers were charged three pence for these medals (which he prefers to call tokens) which, when the Arcade was particularly busy, gave them admission to the second-hand books' gallery where the orchestra played. Each medal could be exchanged for thee pence worth of goods, but most were kept. The pierced ones were sometimes worn as pendants or on pocket watch chains. The medals served as perpetual advertisements of the Arcade (Victorian Historical Magazine, February 1962). George Dean suggests that the medals were also given in change at Christmas time, and could be used to operate amusement machines (presumably including the symphonion (clockwork instrument) and hens, although these only required one penny to operate). Cole had his first medal stuck in 1879 and his last one in 1903. The medals were variously gilded, silvered or bronzed, replicating the coinage and then circulating, or plated with nickel or white metal. The metal blanks were usually made of copper or brass, but some might have been bronze; aluminium was also sometimes used. In all, perhaps 300,000 medals were struck, in 97 different types or designs. Only 50 types are known to have circulated according to George Dean's 1988 book "A Handbook on E.W. Cole: His Book Arcade, Tokens and Medals'.The medal is significant for its association with Cole's Book Arcade in Melbourne, established in the 1870s. The unique shop not only had new books, but secondhand books, and many curious and interesting objects and musical treats. Cole's Book Arcade, at the time, was known as one of the wonders of 'marvellous Melbourne. it closed in 1929.Nickle plated bronze medal or token, round, featuring a tree fern and a thought provoking maxim. The medal was issued by E W Cole, Book Arcade, in Melbourne. Obverse: "BE GOOD AND" "DO GOOD" "HINDOO MAXIM" "PURE THOUGHTS" "PURE WORDS" "PURE DEEDS" "PARSES MAXIM" Reverse: "PURE / THOUGHTS / PURE WORDS / PURE DEEDS / PARSEE MAXIM" and below rainbow in tiny letters; "FEDERATION OF THE / WORLD MEDALS / ISSUED / BY E.W. COLE / BOOK ARCADE MELBOURNE"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, medal, maxims, coles arcade melbourne, federation of the world, advertising token, edward william cole, book arcade, e w cole, cole's book arcade

Leather bound ledger with hand written details on donations to the Ballarat School of Mines Museum or the Ballarat School of Mines Library. The Ledger was made by J. McHutchison, Bookbinder, paper ruler and Account Book Manufacturer. 267. 07 July 1880 - John Lynch Junior - Smythesdale - Cast of "Golden Age" nugget found at Browns by Co-operative Party - 12 men. Weight 75 oz 12 dwts 12 grs 294. 24 June 1880 - W.H. Shaw - Ballarat - 94 numbers of 'The Engineer'. 295. 28 June 1880 - Rivett Henry Bland - Clunes - Specimen of water pipe from the Port Phillip Consols Mine encrusted with Carbonates of lime and magnesia and sulphate of lime with earthy matter. 418. 17 June 1881 - F. Ratte - Sydney - Catalogue of Rocks, minerals, etc of New Caledonia. 462. 28 September 1881 - Dr Bunce - Ballarat - Concretionary Basalt with Car. Lime and Magnesia. 465. 06 September 1881 - J.J. Sleep (Chairman of the Board) per favor of E.W. Spain, Esq, Manr - Ballarat - Diamond drill core from "Carisbrook Freehold Estate" - cut at a depth of 150 feet. Dedrites from Munster Gully ... 517. 20 January 1882 - William Lester - Ballarat - The Agricultural Teacher 549. 24 March 1882 - C.E. Grainger Manager Ballarat Woollen Mills - Ballarat - Samples of dyed and raw wool and dye material. 600. 04 July 1882 - Henry Sutton - Ballarat - 13th Annual Report of the Aeronautical Society of Great Britain. 1222. 31 October 1884 - Trooper Dowling - Miner's Rest - Owl 1223. 04 November 1884 - W. McKeenan - 3, Adair St, Ballarat - Flying Squirrel. 1259. 16 January 1885 - A.A. Buley - Ballarat - Prospective of Grenville College 1885 1428. 06 October 1885 - Ballarat - Collection of mineral specimens from Silverton (Collected by Mr James Murray). 1442. 20 October 1885 - Ballarat - Specimen of fossil fruits collected by Haddon by Charles Brown. 1682. 28 February 1887 - James Lamb - Ballarat - Copy of the Ballarat Times Newspaper of 3rd December 1854, framed and protected on both sides with glass. 1730. 23 May 1887 - Bella Guerin - Ballarat - Copy of the Victorian Review No 74 December 1885 4786. 27 March 1894 - James Oddie - Ballarat - 3 mineral specimens 4835. 01 August 1896 - P.V> Barnard - Ballarat - {ortion of Mining truck wheel altered to oxide of iron found in the old workings of the Golden Gate Mine at a depth of 200 feet. (4235 is last entry)ballarat school of mines, ballarat school of mines museum, donations, henry sutton, bella guerin

Diggers & Mining. Life Of The Selectors. Diggers & Mining. A soldier looks on as three male witches stand around a cauldron placing cards in the pot with OCCUPATION LICENSES, LEASE HOLDS and AGRICULTURAL AREAS written on them, the cauldron is labelled LAND MESS. The title of the picture is 'The Land Witches'. Markings; Life Of The Selectors 1860-1890 Set 432 No. 16. The Land Witches ''Melbourne Punch,'' Feb 25, 1864. Used as a teaching aid.Visual Eduation Centreeducation, tertiary, goldfields

Black and white photograph ( copy ) - image shows landscape view of early Sandhurst ( Bendigo ) showing McGuire's Bath Rooms situated behind Bendigo Creek ( original course ) Written on front of building 'Bendigo Baths warm and cold ' Horse and dray in forefront, people standing on road. Photo taken from 'The Story of Charing Cross' page 39', written on bottom of page. Photo taken in early 1860's ?bendigo, streetscape, early pall mall, bendigo, sandhurst, mcguire's baths, pall mall, bendigo creek.

Hand painted Gold buyers shop sign. Circa 1860. Metal Construction. Previously on loan to National Museum of Australia. Now located at Specimen Cottage. The sign is constructed of metal (Tin). It consists of a strap attached at the top and bottom of a rectangular plate. The sashes and plate are painted brown with the words 'LICENSED GOLD BUYER' painted in gold lettering on the plate. The sashes are constructed in such a manner as to be attached around a post of tree trunk.

2 hand written sheets of paper, titled Anticline Garden Gully - Reef or Mine Carlisle. Has the name of companies, depth of shaft, years, calls, Divs, Tons, Ounces, Authority & Remarks. Dates from 1860 to 1918. Reference: Production Statistics Bendigo Mines N. L. Bendigo Goldfields, History & Production. General Index. Companies & Reefs. Pages 196 & 197. Mines Dept. Bendigo Office.mine, gold, carlisle, carlisle mine, gold production, mines dept. bendigo

Statistics re Gold Escorts (SA & Victoria re 1851-1856); author L J Blake, RHSV, no date. Statistics re South Australia (Mt Alexander to Adelaide 1852/53); Victoria (Ballarat to Melbourne, Geelong 1852; Victoria (Mt Alexander to Melbourne 1852? Escort Loadings Sample, Castlemaine 1853; Escort Loadings, all areas 1860; Total Escort Loadings, Victoria 1851 -1862.document, gold, gold escort statistics, gold escorts. south australia. victoria.

The context in which the hat was made and worn assists in establishing its potential historic significance. 'Bailliere's Victorian Gazetteer and Road Guide containing the most recent and accurate information as to every place in the Colony' (1870), describes the village of Vaughan as being located on the road from Daylesford to Castlemaine. In 1870 the Vaughan was deemed to be entirely a gold mining area, gold having been discovered in the district in 1853. Intriguingly the entry in the Gazetteer claims that the electoral division of Vaughan began at the junction of the Middleton Creek and the Loddon River, so perhaps the cap might have belonged to a member of a significant local family. In 1870, Vaughan had a population of about 1000 persons and included almost 300 dwellings. Articles from newspapers, published on Trove refer frequently to a Mr Middleton as a litigant in court cases before the Vaughan Court in the 1860s. By the 1870s, the Mt Alexander Mail, in an article on ‘Mining: The Pioneer Wheel’ describes the success of Mr Middleton and his Middleton’s Reef Gold Quartz Mining Company, which had built the largest water wheel in the Colony. The wheel was 20’ in diameter and 2’ wide. Quartz mining as practiced by companies such as Middleton’s had become necessary after the exhaustion of alluvial quartz mining deposits in the 1860s. So we can probably establish a link between the cap and a significant mining identity in the period in which the article was made. The historical significance of the cap is only one part of the story. Caps such as the Middleton example can also be items of aesthetic significance as they were typically, examples of women’s work, using published patterns in magazines such as the Ladies Home Magazine. While women might follow or adapt a published pattern, their choice of materials reflected what was available locally. The fine hand stitching on this example is evidence of high quality domestic needlework. The maker crafted the cap from five triangular pieces of cotton cloth, each piece lined with a faded yellow net. The net provides some stiffening for the cap and has a functional purpose in that it anchors the hand-stitched, looped design of yellow silk ribbon that decorates the surface of the cap. Gentleman’s smoking (lounging) cap believed to have been made in c.1860-69. The conical hat is made of a dark green cotton fabric embroidered with narrow ribbon of a paler green silk. The unlined rimless hat is made of four pieces of fabric. There is no evidence of the hat at one stage featuring a tassle. The original donation record noted that the cap had been made for, and was worn by, a Mr Middleton, of Vaughan in Central Victoria. Nilhats, smokers hats, men's clothing

The move to build the Mechanics Institute was started in 1883 and the foundation stone was laid by Lady Janet Clarke in 1885. The Shire of Bulla took it over in 1922 to be remodelled as the Soldier's Memorial Hall.A black and white photograph of the Sunbury Mechanics Institute in Stawell Street, Sunbury. The building complete with portico sits behind a picket fence with pine trees at the front and side.memorial hall, clarke, janet (lady), william (sir), mechanics institute, shire of bulla, stawell street, sunbury, soldier's memorial hall, foundation stones, george evans collection

Warrnambool Rowing Club had a boxing day regatta from 1885. The land beside the club was owned by the Rolfes who be-quested it to be an aged care home- presently called Lyndoch.Large silver colored cup (trophy) and a wooden base.Warrnambool Boxing Day Regatta Lyndoch Cup Maiden Eightsrowing, city of warrnambool rowing club, warrnambool rowing club, lyndoch, hopkins river

The bible belonged to Francis Newton, who was born in Cornwall, England in 1831. Newton came to Wandiligong with his Irish wife, Mary (Molly) about 1860 by way of Sydney and BeechworthBrown embossed leather like cover. Gilt edged fine paper pagesCover spine : Hole Bible Common Prayer - in gold. Front Cover : Henry John Colles 1852 - in gold Fly page : Francis William Newton The gift of Mrs. C N Spaulding Growlers Crk Dec 1 1864 - in pencil

Oriental motifs c 1860, were the greatest influence on cheaper wares of Minton Ware from 1870's. Mary McGowan brought the item out from England in 1934Large earthenware oval dish decorated with blue and black motifs. Centre of dish has recessed design in shape of Xmas tree to receive turkey juices.Porcelain Marks Goddens|Mintons BBdomestic items, crockery

William Macansh (1860-1921) was a representative of Brighton Council between 1892-1894, elected Mayor in 1893-94. He was appointed Municipal Health Officer between 1895-1912. portrait, councillor, mayor, brighton, south ward, municipality, town of brighton, william macansh, doctor, health officer

Soft cardboard cover, black print on front & spine, white background. Illustrated, 3 full portrait sepia photos of soldiers in uniform. 56 pages, cut, plain, white. Illustrated black & white photos. Stapled.Front cover: “VICTORIA'S DIGGERS. A history of each Victorian military unit which has served overseas from 1860 to 1945. Allan Box” Handwritten in blue ink title page: “from Mr Allan Box Leongatha” Inside back cover: “RSL stamp” booklet, victoria’s diggers

Perseus is the work of J. Cranari who was sctive in the 1880s. It was presented to the National Gallery of Victoria by James Chapman in 1885, before being de-accessioned and transferred to Ballarat in 1943. It was Perseus is the work of J. Cranari who was sctive in the 1880s. It was presented to the National Gallery of Victoria by James Chapman in 1885, before being de-accessioned and transferred to Ballarat in 1943. In 2008 it was removed from its Camp Street location and underwent conservation treatment, Pegasus was moved to the Robert Clark Centre at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.Various photographs of a marble sculpture of Perseus when at Camp Street. Perseus was the son of Zeus who was the most supreme Greek god of all.perseus, statue, marble

Perseus is the work of J. Cranari who was sctive in the 1880s. It was presented to the National Gallery of Victoria by James Chapman in 1885, before being de-accessioned and transferred to Ballarat in 1943. It was Perseus is the work of J. Cranari who was sctive in the 1880s. It was presented to the National Gallery of Victoria by James Chapman in 1885, before being de-accessioned and transferred to Ballarat in 1943. In 2008 it was removed from its Camp Street location and underwent conservation treatment, Pegasus was moved to the Robert Clark Centre at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.Marble statue of Pegasus at Camp Street, Ballarat, outside the former Ballarat State Offices.pegasus, statue, sculpture, camp street

This document is a receipt detailing the transfer of five documents from the Bank of Australasia Warrnambool to the security of the Solicitor E L Ardile (and W M Ardlie) of Kepler Street Warrnambool. The documents include a Title and are concerned with the bank's customer, W J Bell, deceased. They refer to Jas Bell and Mark Nicholson. The dates mentioned are from 1883 to 1885 and the receipt is dated 10 August 1890. The Bank of Australasia was incorporated by the Royal Charter of England in March 1834. The bank began in Australia 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 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 later 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 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; 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 Receipt from E L Ardlie documents names of local families and are of historical significance. The movement of the documents from the Bank of Australasia, to the security of the Solicitor, shows that the bank was relied on for more than just financial services. The document is significant for its association with the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool, the first bank in Warrnambool, established in 1854. The bank continued to operate until its merger in 1951 when it became the ANZ Bank, which is still in operation today. The Bank was an integral part of the establishment and growth of commerce in Colonial Warrnambool and throughout Australia.Receipt, printed on pale yellow paper, an official form titled Solicitor's Accountable Receipt, with handwritten details. DATE 10th August 1898 FROM E L Ardlie, Solicitor, TO Bank of Australasia Warrnambool FOR CUSTOMER W J Bell decd. DOCUMENTS five (5) on loan, held for security.DATE: "10 August 1898" SOLICITOR: "E L Ardlie" CUSTOMER: "W J Bell, decd." TEXT: "... RECEIVED on loan from the BANK OF AUSTRALASIA ...documents held in security ... " DOCUMENTS: "Certificate of title to W J Bell" " Grant ... Mark Nicholson" "Conveyance .. Mark Nicholson to ... W J and J Bell dated 16th January 1883" " W J and J Bell to Mark Nicholson 17 January 1883 ..." "Conveyance Jas Bell to W J Bell dated 16 March 1885"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, commerce, banking, bank of australasia, david charters mcarthur, e l ardlie, solicitor, convenancer, w j bell, jas bell, mark nicholson, document security

One of a collection of 6 photographs donated by Anne Grayden. Charles Grayden, the son of John and Anne Grayden. 28/2/1885 to 1977. Photograph taken 1909 at brother Richard's wedding.Black & White copy of a photograph of Charles Grayden, dressed in suit.charles grayden, anne grayden

Frank Hurley (1885-1962) was an Australian photographer and adventurer. He participated in trips to Antartica and was an official photographer with the Australian forces during both world wars. This book was first published in 1955.Photographs include the Hume Reservoir, Mt Buffalo and the Alpine High Country of Mt Kosciusko. (pages 140-144) All are associated with the type of country at each end of the Kiewa River. The Kiewa River flows into the Murray River just below the Hume Dam and Mt Buffalo and Mt Kosciusko are part of the Alpine High country near the Bogong High Plains. Clare Roper lived on a farm in the Kiewa Valley.Blue hard cover, bound book with the title in gold at the top. 208 pages. Mostly Black & white photos but some coloured.Inside back of first page - written 'Clare Roper'frank hurley photographer, australian photography, clare roper

"The Mikado" is a two act comic opera with the music by A. Sullivan and the libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It is a satire of late 19th century British society set in a fantasy Japan. It opened in March 1885.Bendigo Community Theatre & Arts program for 'The Mikado' production Green coloured program, title of The Mikado in red ink on front cover Red ink details of The Story, Characters & Cast names on inside page. No photos of cast members A4 size program folded in half (2 double sided pages), Program made from light cardboard. No dates mentioned souvenir programme, bendigo community theatre

Part 3 A general history of Collingwood, of schools of design from 1885 and Collingwood School of Design. Includes copies and transcripts of articles from books and newspapers regarding the school and those associated with it. Background history of CTS and the area surrounding it.Red plastic folder with plastic inserts. Part 3 A general history. Includes copies and transcripts of articles from books and newspapers regarding the CTS and those associated with it.Some documents have a numerical inscription relating to the Collingwood Technical School archives.collingwood technical school, cts, collingwood technical college, ctc, collingwood school of design, history, nmit,

All pictured were residents of Rutherglen; in 1885 only Nell Burch is alive. Ella Thompson was mother-in-law to Aileen Terrill, member of Rutherglen Historical Society and Museum Cataloguing Committee.Black and white photograph of eight young people in stage costume in line under a small banner, mounted on stiff cardboard, unframedUnder photo, typewritten and on reverse hand written: "L to R, Billy Cottingham, Doris Judd, Syd Gregory, Elsie Scott, Cliff Thompson, Nell Burch, George Judd, Ella Thompson". On Banner in photo "Magpie".billy cottingham, doris judd, syd gregory, elsie scott, cliff thompson, nell burch, george judd, ella thompson, magpie

founded in 1885, 'The Tess' as it was known was the key to Nunawading's early development, 'but it was no favourite on Monday mornings when the kilns were fired up and vast quantities of black smoke hung over the area.'Black and white photograph of the Australian Brick and Tile Company buildings, previously situated in Nunawading on the south side of the railway line between Simla and Calcutta Streets. The photograph is mounted on board. There is a smaller, clearer photograph at NP216australian brick and tesselated tile co., tile manufacturers

The Ballarat State School became the Urquhart Street State School and the building is now used by Brace Education and Training. The sketch comes from Views of Ballarat by Niven & Co circa 1885.building, public, school, ballarat state school, urquhart street state school, views of ballarat

Portsmouth was an important harbour with many emigrants leaving for Australia from this port. It has world class displays of The Mary Rose, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860, Museums and Harbour tours. portsmouth harbour emigrants

A meeting of gentlemen in Kyneton on 27th August 1860, proposed the formation of a "mounted troop of riflemen under the sanction of the government. In July 1863 this troop was granted the title of "Prince of Wales Light Horse.Softcover book with white cover and sepia photographs on front. Contains 105 pages with a contents page and an index. Outines the history of the Kyneton Mounted Rifle Corps and the people involved. Contains black and white photographs maps and diagrams.Michael P Garnettmilitary, army

Vesta cases, also known as match safes, are small boxes that are used to carry matches and keep them safe from the elements. In the early 1800's, it was common to carry matches, since some type of portable fire was needed to light lanterns and stoves. The matches of that day were crude compared to today's standards, and were known to light when making contact with each other, and sometimes even spontaneously. In order to alleviate this potentially hazardous situation, it made good sense to utilize a Vesta case or match safe. One of the more interesting features of the vesta case or match safes is that they almost always include some type of rough or ribbed surface, usually on the bottom of the case that is used for striking the matches. This vesta case is a portable pocket vesta. These cases take their name from the virgin Roman goddess of fire, home, hearth and family. Usually Vesta was depicted as the fire in her temple. Only Vestals (her priestesses) were allowed into her temple. Her association with fire made her name the natural choice for British companies that manufactured matches. The hallmarking of sterling silver is based on a combination of marks that makes possible the identification of origin and age. The town mark identifies the Assay Office where the item was verified. The town mark on this piece is an anchor, so it is from Birmingham, England. The lion passant certifies the silver quality, as at least 925. The maker's mark, identifying the silversmith presenting the piece to the assay office is D&LS for David and Lionel Spiers. The date letter identifies the year the piece was verified, this item was verified in 1885. Lionel Spiers was a significant figure in the Jewellery Quarter and in 1906 was chairman of the Jewellers and Silversmiths Association. The item also has NHILL 1928 engraved on the front, this is likely a recent addition to the piece. Nhill is a town in Victoria so it could be that the previous owner lived here or it was gifted in commemoration. The social history objects held in the Burke Museum's collection help to tell the stories of Beechworth's past by showing the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the town's history.Silver vesta case with ribbed strike plate at the end and an etched design. D&LS/ lion symbol/ anchor symbol/ l/ Sovereign head/ [hallmarks] CHH/ NHILL 1928/ [obverse inscription] A01198/burke museum, silver, vesta, fire, silversmiths

David Sydney Wanliss entered Ballarat College in 1872, passing his matriculation at the age of thirteen, before studying Law at Trinity College Cambridge. He served in World War One.Light brown calf bound book with gold lettering and embellishments on cover and spine. Crest of Trinity College Cambridge on front cover. Book plate inside front cover: Trinity College, Cambridge / FIRST CLASS IN THE EXAMINIATION OF FRESHMEN / EXAMINATION IN LAW / This prize was adjudged to / D S Wanliss / June 1885 / R W Venall / Head Examiner.

The Rufous-bellied Kookaburra is a large member of the Kingfisher family. It commonly resides in the dense rainforests of lowland New Guinea, Saibai Island, Indonesia, Biak, Maluku/Moluccas Islands, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia and Queensland in Australia. This is unlike other species of Kookaburra which commonly prefer to reside in locations of open country. Another aspect which makes this bird unique to other Kookaburra is its tendency to live in pairs and not in family groups which is typical of other Kookaburras. In the case of the Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, both parents incubate and care for the eggs/chicks. This Kookaburra feeds on small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. The Rufous-bellied Kookaburra was originally named the Gaudichaud's Kookaburra after the French botanist Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré. This species of Kookaburra is among the most colorful varieties of the Kookaburra alongside the Spangled Kookaburra. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. The Rufous-bellied Kookaburra is a large Kingfisher with a black coloured cap on the head, white collar around the neck, blue feathers on the wings and rump and a rufous belly. The female Kookaburra has a brown/rufous coloured tail, as is the case for this particular specimen which identifies it as female. This bird has a large white bill and pale coloured legs. The head is a large square shape and the body is stocky.Label: National Museum Victoria / 159a /taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, australian birds, kingfisher, kookaburra, rufous-bellied kookaburra