This article highlights the popularity of Lake Wendouree for leisure time activities and the account of a suicide in 1884.Elizabeth Murphy's suicide at Lake Wendouree contrasts with the usual happy reports of activities at the Lake and was selected over 100 years later perhaps to give another perspective on Ballarat Life.2/3 of a page of newspaper print with a large black and white picture, mid- page of people paddling in Lake Wendouree in 18884Nonejohn garner, doctor john garner, ballarat botanic gardens, friends of ballarat botanical gardens, lake wendouree, boating, picnicking, paddling, suicide, elizabeth murphy, william pritchard, 1884, ballarat star, john garner collection, gardens, ballarat

Edna Barrie describes the Darlingsford property. C.E. Barrrie Land developers bought the property from my husband’s brother. It was one big farm and they were a big family. When the father died he left it to be cut up for the family. The youngest son had to reach age 21 before the property could be divided and portioned out to the mother and children, but it was deferred until Jim returned from the war. Eventually it was cut up into two parts, we were married by then and so was Edgar. Part of the land included the block on the other side of Ferris road, which became the quarry, Edgar’s section was on the Toolern Creek end, he was the last one married and lived in the old bluestone house until 1974. The developers bought this section but they could not get permits due to the state of the old bridge due to the cost. Barries had built the bridge across the creek [1926]. It took the big loads of hay and the family kept it maintained. Once the Barries had gone it did not get any upkeep. The developers found the cost of replacing the bridge and developing site with sewerage and drainage power before they sell. The rural land itself is not worth much as the developer has to complete the subdivision before any blocks can be sold. The developer from Sydney had a man living in the house, who let it go the rack and ruin. He managed to buy from the developer 25 acres with the bluestone house. Bernard Coburn had it for a while but is was well out of our hands by then. There were various people who have bought into and tried to develop and have given up. There was a project sometime ago to save the buildings from ruin but nothing has happened as yet, they are six or seven years to late. The buildings continue to deteriorate and were badly damaged vandals and fire. The Shire bought all the rest of it from the developer, where the tip is now, that was also part of Edgars land. Article about a fire at Darlingsford Estate featured in the Telegraphlocal architecture, local identities, emergency services

"A court was established in Melton by 1864, when the first recorded case was heard before Mr BA Porter JP, with Mr A Carroll as the Clerk of Courts. John James was convicted of being drunk, for which he was fined five shillings or 24 hours imprisonment. The court was held in the ‘long room’ of the old Melton Hotel, before moving to rented accommodation at the Raglan Hotel, and finally to the Roads Board office. Tenders for construction of the present building were called for by the Public Works Department on 13th February 1892. The architect Samuel Edward Brindley was born in Birmingham, England, in 1842. He was articled to the local architect, J.R. Botham, FRIBA, before emigrating to Victoria where he was employed as an architect in the Education Department from 18 August 1873. With the amalgamation of the architectural branch of the Education Department with the Public Works Department in 1884, Bindley was placed in charge of Victorian government building design for the North-Western District. In 1975, the Melton and District Historical Society became concerned at hearsay that the court house was to be demolished to make way for carparking space. Melton had been declared a ‘satellite city’ and was developing rapidly. A new shopping centre had recently been built at a setback of 60 feet (c.18 metre) from 323-329 High Street, and the court house, together with the adjacent weatherboard police station, had been left standing alone. A new police station was planned, and the weatherboard police station was subsequently demolished. In its nomination of the building for National Trust classification the Society argued that the Court House was ‘the best of two early buildings left in the main street’ (the other being a bluestone hotel) and that its loss would be ‘tragic’. However the nomination was unsuccessful, the National Trust at the time judging that it was of no particular ‘distinction’ or ‘antiquity’. The building continued to be used as a court house at least until 1991 when the Department of Housing and Construction (formerly the PWD) conducted a heritage study of court houses. By this time Federation-era architecture had achieved acceptance within the heritage movement. The building was recognised as being ‘the only surviving example in brick of the Federation Queen Anne style which was used for court houses only twice.’ Twenty years later when it was proposed to modify the eastern façade of the building to accommodate a café, the M&DHS was again concerned. This time the National Trust objected that the proposed extension would be an over-development of the site, and questioned the changes to the interior court room furnishings and fittings. The site never appears to have been nominated to the Victorian Heritage Register. It has since been converted into the Shire of Melton Tourist Information Centre". Opening of the Visitor Centre in Meltoncouncil, local architecture

"The Mechanics Institute movement flourished in Victoria from 1839 to 1950. It was based on the development of Mechanics’ Institutes in Scotland and England from the 1820s, which were intended to educate and enlighten the working classes. The term ‘mechanic’ in those days meant an artisan, craftsman or working man, especially those who had moved from rural areas to work in new city factories during the Industrial Revolution. The early Institutes were usually equipped with a reading room, a library and a lecture room. Although enjoying mixed success in Britain, they contributed to the development of public education and library services. The movement was adopted more enthusiastically in the colonies. It began slowly in Victoria but its expansion after the gold rushes population influx was rapid, especially in rural areas. Every suburb and town wanted to have a Mechanics’ Institute. During the 1850s approximately forty Institutes were established, with even greater growth in the period 1860 to 1900. By 1900 there were 400 Institutes in Victoria. The establishment of a Mechanics’ Institute was often a great achievement for a local community, requiring organising committees to raise substantial funds for a building site (where this had not been granted by the Government), and the building. Once built, the committee then had to purchase books, provide a caretaker or librarian, and finance the ongoing use of and improvements to the building. ‘The history of many Institutes is a story of tremendous community effort, and often, financial difficulties’. In addition to being monuments to local enterprise and community life, the Mechanics’ Institutes played a vital role as an intellectual forum, and in contributing to an informed and participatory democracy in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They provided journals and other reading matter on local, state, national and international issues, and hosted of lectures and held debates about wider issues such as Federation, colonial nationalism, defence, female suffrage, the price of land and labour. With the development of the school and technical education in the latter part of the nineteenth century, the need for community technical and adult education declined. As a result of the introduction of government library grants in 1867, many Mechanics’ Institutes incorporated a free library in their buildings to finance collection of their books. By 1884-85, there were 257 free libraries in Victoria. However, government support and library grants dropped off in the 1890s depression. Entertainment took on a greater role in the 1890s, with the introduction of moving pictures, billiards rooms, games rooms (chess), concerts and dances. The First World War had a devastating impact on many rural communities, and some Mechanics’ Institutes were no longer viable. On the other hand the early twentieth century was also a time of agricultural development, and many country towns were growing in this period. The 1930s depression further limited growth of many libraries and reduced grants substantially. In response many Mechanics’ Institutes were renamed, for example as memorial halls, in order to retain and attract more patrons (eg at nearby Sunbury). The diminishing role for Mechanics’ Institutes and the preference for larger and better appointed halls (with supper rooms, cloak rooms etc) resulted in demolition of some small Institutes. The advent of cars, radios, and television also provided other opportunities for recreation, learning and entertainment. The greater role of municipalities in providing library services also eroded the need for free libraries. While over 500 Mechanics’ Institutes or halls are extant, very few of these retain their original role as ‘diffusers of useful knowledge’. Most are still available for community purposes, as venues for meetings, socials, civic occasions etc, while others are employed as museums, shops and theatres. Most buildings are on Crown land, and managed by a delegated committee of management, who are responsible for raising revenue to maintain aging buildings. Many of those which were originally established on private land, such as Melton, have since reverted back to the Crown, and municipal Councils. The most common Mechanics Institute building form is the simple weatherboard gable building with iron roofs, notable for their ‘honest simplicity’ rather than as ‘monuments of the ancients’. At the other extreme there are some magnificent two storeyed brick and stucco structures with elaborate ornamentation (as was apparently envisaged by some in Melton in 1905-10)". The future of Melton Mechanic Institute Gazette articlelocal architecture

30cm x 21cm black and white photograph of the building at 19 Sydney Street which was occupied by The Advertiser Office. Purchased from the State Library of Victoria. There is two men standing outside of the office which is a light coloured single story building with advertising in the windows and a smal ramp out the front of the building connecting the footpath and the road.Written on the back: Photo purchased from SLV July 2006 1894 19 Sydney Streetnewspapers

9cm x 13cm black and white photograph of The Advertiser Office at 19 Sydney Street. There is a light coloured building with a small bay window advertising signs for a lecture is posted out the front of the office and printed on the top of the door is "Printing Office". 5 men are standing out the front of the office for the photograph. There are 3 photographs in total each slightly cropped or enlarged.newspapers, newspaper office

non-fictionIn the course researching the opening of Masonic temples in Victoria, James Nicolas noticed that many non-Masonic buildings in the 19th century were opened with Masonic ceremonies. They were primarily historic buildings, including Mechanics Institutes, Town Halls, bridges, schools, hospitals and churches. They Masonic aspect was frequently a key part of the opening ceremony. Nicolas looks at the history including the opposition, including newspapers and the strident opposition of the Catholic Church. Nicolas also explores the apparent expunging of Freemasonry from contemporary histories of the openings of these buildings.freemasonry, historic buildings

So many attacks on the Stoddart statues over the years. "Lock Them Away" by Andrew Eales, City Council Reporter, Courier, Wednesday 10th July 2022, page 1 & 2.Importance of the statues to the Ballarat community. and the costs involved.pp.1-2 of the Courier newspaper in colour.john garner collection, garner, dr, vandalism, statues, courier, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens

1. "Two Charged." pp. 1-2, April 16, 2002. 2. "Council steps up security." pp.1-2, April 18, 2002. 3. "Sentenced." pp.1-2, October 23, 2002. Statue vandalism had become a matter of serious concern3 articles in colourNonejohn garner collection, garner, dr, vandalism, statues, protection, sentence, ballarat botanical gardens, council, ballarat, gardens, courier

Photo of FBBG members at the Centenary in 1984. Centenary of Stoddart Statues, Courier, Friday 25th May, 1984, page 10. History of the FBBGLaminated yellow page of the Courier newspaper, May 25, 1984, p.10. left bottom corner missing.None.john garner collection, garner, dr, stoddart, statues, centenary, courier, fbbg, mayor, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens

George Seddon, Gardener and Foreman, Ballarat Botanical Gardens. Carole Townsend, daughter of George Seddon at opening of the "Faces in the Street: Portraits of Ballarat Lives" exhibition at the Gold Museum. Courier newspaper. Also Royal Visit of Queen Elizabeth to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, 1954. Also snow in the gardens, November 1949 at 7.30am, matron and nursing sisters from the Ballarat Base Hospital.Firsthand account of a Gardener and Foreman of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens for 25 years, c.1952-1977.All visibleAll visiblejohn garner collection, garner, dr, seddon, gardener, ballarat, ballarat botanical gardens, interview, townsend, courier, newspaper, gardens, foreman, tom beaumont, keel house, quarantine, begonias, statues, ballarat city council, changes in the ballarat botanical gardens over time., queen elizabeth, mayor, 1954, snow, nurses

A letter of request in the Ballarat Courier newspaper for information about Thomas Toop from his great niece, Mrs Norah Jones of Southampton, England.Toop's grand-niece gives details about Toop's family and correspondence from Mrs Jones' family.Newspaper article darkened with ageLarge red dot stuck on the bottom of article with 1 in biro. Written on the left hand side in blue biro on small piece of newspaper attached to the article, Tom Toop died in 1957.john garner collection, garner, dr, toop, courier, newspaper, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens, thomas toop, curator

The unveiling of the William Wallace Statue in 1889; biography of William Wallace; biography of sculptor, Percival Ball.The Unveiling of the William Wallace Statue demonstrates the importance and loyalty to Scottish heritage of Ballarat people in the nineteenth century. 01Small coloured photograph of the Wallace Statue. Ref: The National Trust for Scotland. Newspaper Articles: 02 Ballarat Courier 12/9/1997, "Celebration of Battle's Anniversary". 03 Chambers Encyclopedia, Vol.X., 1892, "Wallace, Sir William", 04 The Ballarat Courier, 24/5/1889, 05 The Ballarat Star,24/5/1889, 06 Ballarat Star, 25/5/1889, 07 The Ballarat Star, 25/5/1889, "The Statue of Sir William Wallace" "Unveiling Ceremony" 08 "William Wallace", Wikipedia, 2011, 09 Percival Ball, Sculptor, Wikipedia, 2011. 010 Ball, Percival, Australian Dictionary of Biography,2006-2011.Ballarat Courier newspaper article, 12/9/1997 in blue biro, top left corner. Chambers Encyclopedia, Vol X, in black biro. Research by R. D. Mosman, April, 1997, FBBG logo. Courier Newspaper article, 24/5/1889 in black biro, research by R.D.Mosman, April, 1997. Photocopies taken by the Clark Centre 19/2/2002. Transcription of articles by John Garner. william wallace, percival ball, unveiling of wiliam wallace statue, statues in the ballarat botanical gardens, statue of a scottish hero, john garner collection, garner, dr, ballarat botanical gardens, gardens, ballarat, statues, wallace

Courier newspaper, 15 September 1981 - State president of the Country Women's Association, Mrs H. Rinaldi unveils a plaque beneath a tree in the Botanic Gardens, commemorating the royal wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer, now Princess Diana.The Royal couple were much admired throughout the Commonwealth in 1981 and Ballarat has always been proud of the number of Royal visitors hosted by this city.Yellowed newspaper with caption, right hand side of paper.In pencil, right top corner, 15.9.81john garner collection, garner, dr, tulip tree, wedding tree, prince charles, lady diana spencer, princess diana, cwa, wedding, ballarat botanical gardens, gardens, ballarat, courier, royal wedding, alf hancock

Ballarat Horticultural Society, Double Diamond Jubilee, Courier newspaper, Saturday October 20, 1979, page 33The Horticultural Society was one of the oldest societies in Ballarat and some of the longstanding and eminent members played an important role in the establishment and development of the Ballarat Botanic Gardens and other public gardens especially in Ballarat. 1 sheet with large photograph in black and white, top half of page, 2 Certificates of Merit, bottom half of page with print left hand side and middle of the page. Folded page.Printing in black biro on the left hand side of the page concerning John Ross and Andrew Anderson.john garner collection, garner, dr, horticultural society, courier, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens, jubilee, society, double diamond jubilee, gardening, roy mosman, henry shaw, john ross, t.b.toop, geo longley, blue gums, pollarding scheme, trees in victoria park, test gardens, roses, gladioli, public gardens

Tom (Mr Begonia) Beaumont, death July 14, 1989, Courier newspaper. A cream-shaded begonia and a lawn at the Botanic Gardens bear the name of Ballarat's best known gardener, Tom Beaumont, who died at the weekend. Mr Beaumont retired in 1978 after 54 years on the staff of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, including more than 30 years as superintendent.Tom Beaumont played an important role as a Begonia Specialist who contributed significantly to Ballarat's iconic Begonia Festivals and the maintenance and development of the Ballarat Botanic Gardens.Two yellowed newspaper sections. A brief article in one extract, which is folded and Death Notices for Tom Beaumont on the other.None.john garner collection, garner, dr, beaumont, begonia, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens, tom beaumont, superintendent, curator, blackmore's, begonia festival, tom toop, tom beaumont lawn

History of Ballarat's Botanical Gardens. Why the Tree? Courier newspaper, 3 December 2007The article indicates the importance of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens to the people of Ballarat.1 sheet of newsprint with a yellow background on a white sheet, folded twice. Left margin, written in black biro "Courier 3/12/07john garner collection, garner, dr, history, courier, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens, trees, exhibitions, ballarat fine art gallery.

The centre piece of the Ex-PoW memorial is Peter Blizzard's work in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. Obituary written by Gordon Morrison, Director, Ballarat Art Gallery.The Ex-PoW Memorial is a significant landmark in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and many visitors come to pay their respects.Newspaper Article from the The Ballarat Courier with three coloured photographs. No precise date given; sometime in 2009.None.peter blizzard sculptor, peter blizzard obituary. pre-eminent australian sculptors, peter blizzard biography. blizzard's work in the ballarat botanical gardens, stone gardens journey. ex-pow memorial., blizzard, sculptor, john garner collection, garner, dr, ballarat botanical gardens, gardens, ballarat

Floral Clock, Ballarat Courier, 5th March 1954, ceremony to hand over to city of Ballarat.The Floral Clock in the photograph predated the clock in the Gardens today and the site may have changed. Although the photograph makes this hard to decipher.One page of a black and white photocopy of a newspaper page, with a blurred photograph of the clock, top of the page and a small caption to the right of the photo.None.john garner collection, garner, dr, clock, floral clock, 1954, ceremony, courier, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens

J.Russell Thomson made his fortune from gold mining and was one of Ballarat's great benefactors.While J.Russell Thomson left a generous bequest to be spent on statues in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, it is claimed that he played an active role in the events of the Eureka Stockade.A narrow wide piece of newsprint with a coloured photograph with caption, left hand side, folded and dog-eared right hand side.None. Very likely cut out of the Ballarat Courier newspaper, c2010.doctor john garner, ballarat botanical gardens, gold mining, benefactor, statues, eureka stockade, grave restoration, friends of the ballarat botanical gardens, trustees, scottish miner., gardens, ballarat, thomson, courier, john garner collection

Both articles were written to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Ballarat Botanical GardensThe Ballarat Botanical Gardens provide "a microcosm of the world's flora" according to the Professor de Kretser, Governor of Victoria, whereas the Stoddart statues are testament to the generous benefactors who saw to the adornment of the Gardens. A newspaper clipping with a coloured picture on each side, print on the right and left side of pages 1&2 respectively.Written in blue biro at top of p.1 Courier 27/9/2007john garner, doctor, john garner collection, ballarat botanical gardens, friends of ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat courier newspaper, 150th anninversary of the ballarat botanical gardens, governor of victoria, new caledonia pine tree, stoddart statues greeting cards, professor david de kretser, gardens, ballarat

This leaflet gives a chronology of Gordon's life and a photograph of him. And printed on the other side, besides the aerial view of the cottage is a paragraph about the two years he spent in the cottage, 1867-1868 three short extracts of his poetry.Documents available and newspaper extracts make it clear that some Ballarat Citizens were proud of their city's association with this poet. 1 yellow leaflet printed on both sides in blue, with a photo of Gordon on the right side of p.1 and an aerial view of the Cottage off-centre on p.2. Originally folded twice.Noneadam lindsay gordon, adam lindsay gordon cottage, john garner, doctor, ballarat botanic gardens, craig's hotel, australian poet, friends of ballarat botanical gardens, john garner collection, poet, gardens, ballarat