These certificates were given to John Richard Watson, the son of Thomas and Eliza Watson of "Gracedale," Yendon. He was their 5th child of 11 children, the first to be born at Yendon. A large printed certificate given to State School students in the 1880's. Beige background with gold, red and blue lettering. Personal details hand written in black ink..1 Department of Education, Victoria. Certificate of Progress. This is to Certify that John Richard Watson has been Examined in the Third Class at Yendon State School, and has Passed in every subject. Dated at Yendon this 30th day of July 1885 (Signed) Samuel Summons MA LLB Inspector of Schools John Kemp Head Teacher .2 As above except "Fourth Class" and "Dated 10th day of August 1886" Letters after inspector's name not added. certificate of progress, department of education victoria 1880's, state schools victoria 1880's, yendon, yendon state school, samuel summons, jonh kemp, john richard watson, gracedale yendon

The two cards of nibs are retail display cards of the dip pen nibs that William Mitchell Calligraphy produced, dating back to around the 1920’s, which was the time of the Great Exhibition in the UK. At that time dip pens with steel nibs were the main writing instruments. British Pens Ltd. had recently formed as a company and its subsidiaries included the the company William Mitchell, which is why British Pens Ltd. is named on the cards as well. One card (1) has the Round Hand nib, which is widely used today for calligraphy scripts. The other card (2) has the Script nib that has round upturned points for monocline or unshaded lettering that is also used for calligraphy. The nibs also have a detachable reservoir. The pen nibs are shaped to fit into a slot in the base of a wooden or Bakelite pen holder. The hole at the front of the nib is for collecting ink from a well, which is then stored in a reservoir at the back of the nib. The nibsare stamped with their nib size and Pedigree (what type of nib it is) and maker’s details. William Mitchell Calligraphy still makes these nibs today with a slightly difference finish. (ref: Sales and Marketing Director of William Mitchell Calligraphy in 2016). HISTORY of the Ink Pen Quills and ink were common writing tools until the early 19th century when the pen trade began mass producing steel nibs and pens. The steel nibs each have a hole in the middle that acts like a well for the ink. When the nib is dipped into the ink well the writer needs to ensure that it is dipped to only just past that well. India Ink was one of the most popular inks used with the nib pens, notable for its satin-like smooth flow. This ink is composed of a particularly fine carbon mixed with water; it can also be obtained as a dry stick that is then crushed and mixed with water as required. The Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham had the largest concentration of independent jewellers in Europe. Birmingham became the centre of the world’s pen trade for many years -, during the 1800’s over 100 factories, employing 1000s of skilled workers, manufactured the ‘Birmingham Pen’. ABOUT WILLIAM MITCHELL CALLIGRAPHY LTD.* (*The following text is quoted from the William Mitchell Calligraphy website) British based William Mitchell Calligraphy has been designing and manufacturing exceptional pens for almost 200 years. The William Mitchell heritage in making pen nibs began whilst working with his brother John Mitchell in the early 1820s. William Mitchell established his own business in 1825 to become one of the leading nib manufacturers and famous for lettering pens. Almost 100 years later William Mitchell merged with Hinks, Wells & Co, another pen manufacturer, to form British Pens, employing around 1000 people in the Bearwood Road area of Birmingham. During the early 1960s British Pens acquired the pen business of other pen manufacturers Perry & Co and John Mitchell, once again reuniting the two brothers. Joseph Gillott, who were famous for their artist drawing and mapping nibs, amalgamated with British pens in 1969. William Mitchell and Joseph Gillott established in Birmingham during the early part of the nineteenth century and [their products] are still proudly made here. British Pens were subsequently purchased by its current owner Byron Head, the owner of William Mitchell (Sinkers) in 1982, and was subsequently renamed William Mitchell (calligraphy) Ltd. Established in 1827 Joseph Gillott was one of the pioneers of mass steel pen nib manufacturing. The company was particularly strong in the American market, prompting Elihu Burrit, the American consul, to write “In ten thousand school houses across the American continent between two oceans, a million children are as familiarly acquainted with Joseph Gillott as with Noah Webster” (The compiler of the famous American dictionary). The company consequently received visits from many notable Americans, including president Ulysses S Grant. The early 19th century invention and mass production of pen nibs such these in our collection had a large impact on education and literacy because the nibs could be produced in great numbers and affordable prices.Pen nibs; 2 cards of steel dip pen nibs from the 1920’s. The steel nibs are attached to cards by 2 rows of entwined cotton cord. Reverse sides of cards have some hand written marks. Manufacturer; William Mitchell, Birmingham, England. Card issued by British Pens Ltd. Nibs have shaped ends, a hole in the centre with a well on the underside, and the tops are shaped approximately quarter circle. Inscriptions are pressed into each nib. The script pens have detachable reservoirs made of a metal different to the nib. (Card 1) Round Hand Pens, 11 nibs remain from card of 12. Printed on card “Round Hand Pens for Beautiful Writing, Twelve degrees of point, Square points. William Mitchell, Birmingham, England. This card is issued by British Pens Ltd. MADE IN ENGLAND” Also printed on top left of card is a pen drawing of a person writing at a desk, background of decorative 3-paned window in brick wall. (Card 2) Script Pens; 11 nibs remain from card of 12. “Script pens fitted with detachable reservoir. William Mitchell, Birmingham, England. This card is issued by British Pens Ltd. MADE IN ENGLAND” Also printed on top right of card is a pen drawing of a person writing at a desk, background of decorative 3-paned window in brick wall. On Card 1, - each nib is stamped with its size, and “Wm MITCHELLS / PEDIGREE / ROUND HAND / ENGLAND” - hand written on front bottom of card in ball point pen “Lettering 5 times size of nib” - hand drawn on back of card in red and blue ball point pen are scribbled lines On Card 2 - each nib is stamped with its size, and “WILLIAM / MITCHELLS / SCRIPT PEN / ENGLAND” - a black circle corresponding to the nib is printed on the card above each nib. - hand written on back of card in black felt tip pen are numerals - hand drawn on back, 4 parallel lines in red ball point pen with the numbers “10” between 2 of the lines flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, william mitchell calligraphy ltd, british pens ltd., pen nib, writing implement, dip pen, round hand nib, script nib, birmingham manufacturer, communication in writing, mass produced pen nibs

non-fictiontraining ships, apprentices, education, navy school

The boys came across from Stony Point and planted trees and were plagued by mosquitoes. The poem is quite humorous describing their venture to Cowes. They decided that Cowes derived its name - "The mosquitoes were cows down at Cowes." On the back of the folder is a note from E Murnane, one of the Supervisors, to "Dear John". The poem is most likely written by E Murnane too as it has the initials (E.M.) at the end. The Souvenir Folder was donated by Neil Lacco.A souvenir folder with two photographs included of the First School Boys' Camp at Cowes run by the Education Department. The souvenir also includes a poem called "How Cowes Got Its Name" and a list of the participants. Photograph on the front shows three boys with a koala. Photograph inside the folder shows all the boys and Camp Supervisors.As shown on the front: Education Department Koala Preservation Souvenir of theFirst School Boys' Camp at Cowes. October 1939.koala preservation, first school boys' camp cowes, e murnane, neil lacco, education department

Photograph donated by W Evans - owner of the Quarry in the 1960's. Second, original photo from Mary Karney.Black & White photograph of the Cowes State School in 1911. Reproduction of original photograph. Also original photo on cardboard mount and names on rear. Names on back as per scanned copy.cowes state school pupils, w evans, mary karney, education, jenner family, west family, justice family, mclardy family, harris, robert forrest, alice richardson, leeson, cleeland

Part of three items Alice Robinson donated to the Society.Merit Certificate given to Alice Clark for completing the Course of Study prescribed for Elementary Schools at Ventnor School on the 13th November 1942.As per photographeducation department merit certificate, alice clark, alice robinson (nee clark), ventnor state school phillip island