Receipt for 80/-/- issued by Sandhurst and Northern District Executors and Agency Company Limited. Dated March 2nd. 1905. received from Connelly, Tatchell & Dunlop. Attached letter details discharge of mortgage re Andrew's Estate & Butcher. Green one penny stamp at the left of the document .business, legal, connelly & tatchell

Postcard with title RAIL SPLITTERS printed on the front showing three men and a boy at a large, sawn tree. They all have implements used for cutting and sawing. There is a long gun leaning on the front of the felled tree. The postcard was written by Fred Dorey and sent to his sister Mary.in 1905.POSTCARD MT. DANDENONG SERIES Handwritten in black ink on back: Miss M Dorey 35 Smith Street Fitzroy Mt Dandenong 22.10.05 Dear Mary Write & let us know if you know this photo. Mrs Grant is getting a big boarding house up and Mrs Keys is going put up a new house hoping you are well I remain Your truly Fred fred dorey, mary dorey, tree, rail splitters, wood chop

Yields information about the corner of the Victoria St terminus at the Orphanage and the relationship to the tramway.Digital Image of the Ballarat Orphan Asylum and Victoria St looking west with a tram at the terminus and the tramway overhead poles. Titled "Ballarat Orphan Asylum and Victoria St" From the Facebook group of old time photographs of yesterday. Probably taken soon after the tramway opened in 1905.trams, tramways, victoria st, orphanage, esco, postcards, tram 1 ?

On Boxing Day 1905, Mr Dudley Le Souef, the director of Melbourne Zoological Gardens, offered the grounds for a picnic. The seamen of the fifteen ships anchored in the harbour were invited. In the centre wearing a white cap is Mr Charles A. Holmes, Honorary Lay Reader of the Mission and behind him is Ethel Godfrey. The following day in the Age we could read: "Yesterday the scene of festivities was the Zoological Gardens, where a number of seamen from fifteen of the ships in the harbor had a sailors' picnic. The director of the gardens, Mr. Dudley Le Souef, kindly, allowed the picnickers the free use of the picnic ground, and also provided them with milk and hot water. A lengthy programme of sports was gone through, and those who were not inclined for athletics spent their time in strolling round examining the zoo logical inmates of the gardens. It was noticeable that the large carnivora were the favorites with the English sailors, whilst foreign seamen were immensely attracted by the kangaroos, wallabies and other Australian marsupials. After tea Mr. Le Souef delivered an interesting illustrated lecture entitled Sea Birds and Their Homes. In carrying out the two days' arrangements Mr. Goldsmith was energetically assisted by voluntary helpers, both ladies and gentlemen, and also received many contributions. " The Age, Wednesday 27 December 1905, page 5.Small monochrome outdoor photograph, very clearly focussed, depicting three men delivering or collecting teacups, and two ladies watching on in backgroundMr Holmes distributing cups Zoo Miss Godfrey Centrezoo, boxing day, mr dudley le souef, ethel augusta godfrey, mr c.a. holmes, picnic, 1905, charles arthur holmes

James Rogers was born in Wallaroo, South Australia, but came to Sailor's Gully, Eaglehawk with his family as an infant. He was converted in a Salvation Army meeting at Bendigo. He became a member of the Primitive Methodist Church at Eaglehawk. He was stationed at: 1888 Murtoa; 1889 Hamilton; 1892 Melbourne, Collingwood; 1892 Beaconsfield; 1894 Penguin; 1900 Castlemaine; 1905 Dimboola; 1909 Geelong, Yarra St.; 1913 Kilcunda & Powlett River; 1917 Kyabram; 1920 North Melbourne; 1923 Brighton; 1928 Prahran; 1932 Supernumerary Hawthorn. Gaol Chaplain 1909 - 1912; Hospital Chaplain 1935 - 1936Died 2nd September 1937 Agnes Rogers (nee Caldwell) was born in 1867, married James Rogers in 1892 and died in 1951.B & W studio portrait of Rev James Rogers and Mrs Agnes Rogers (nee Caldwell)james rogers, agnes rogers, agnes caldwell, methodist, primitive methodist, eaglehawk, minister

Letter Resignation from Matron Eagleton, 13th June 1912Early Matron of Ballarat Base HospitalPhotocopy of lettermatron, eagleton, letter

Bought in Fiji in 1912. The anklets were a means of saving money.Indian ankle ornaments made from Silver coins.anklets

POSTCARD SENT FROM GEO, HALL, 24TH. FEBRUARY 1912POSTCARD SENT TO TOT FROM NHILL,PORT ADELAIDE RAILWAY STATION.local history, photography, photographs, trembath, perry

Alan Leslie Morris (1905 - 1937) Born Launceston 22 May 1905. Accepted for ministerial training 1926. Minister at King Island, Ferntree Gully, Shepparton, Alexandra. Married Ella Eliza Polkinghorne at Wesley Church Melbourne in 1937. Died on 6 October 1937 of complications following surgery for appendicitis.B & W head and shoulders studio portrait of the Rev. Alan Leslie Morris."The late Rev. A. L. Morris, L.Th. Beloved Minister Alexandra Died 6th October, 1937"alan leslie morris, methodist, minister, alexandra, ella eliza polkinghorne

Quarry opened and tramline built after 1905 by Coate Brothers, contractors for Entrance works.Colour photograph taken at the abandoned Mississippi Creek Quarry showing natural vegetation encroaching the site. Lakes Entrance Victoriatransport, quarry

This ledger was used by the Shire of Orbost from 1898 to 1912. The item was donated to Orbost & District Historical society from P.R.O.V. as a Place of Deposit (POD) item for safe keeping by a local history group or museum. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council. Orbost was at first included in the Bairnsdale Shire from 1882 and was later part of the Tambo Shire. Because of travelling distances the Croajingalong Shire was created in 1892 (name changed to Orbost Shire 17.2.1893 with James Cameron as the first Shire President. In 1994 it amalgamated to become part of East Gippsland Shire Council. This item contains handwritten accounting records of the Shire of Orbost. The Orbost Shire local government no longer exists as it was absorbed by the East Gippsland Shire Council.A black, hard cover ledger with light brown leather binding. It is titled "TREASURER'S CASH BOOK" and contains hand-written records.orbost-shire-council ledger-accounts

These reports outline the advances in education in Victoria each year. Includes comparative statistics on results for each school. An official record of education in Victoria, covering both city and rural schools.Bound copies of "Education Report of the Minister of Public Instruction for the years 1913-1914 [to] 1924-1925". 2 volumes. Black binding with gold lettering on spine.On spine. Vol.1: "C.T.S./ EDUCATION/ REPORT/ 1910-11/1912-13". Vol.2: "C.T.S./ EDUCATION/ REPORT/ 1913-14/1924-25"education, victoria, education reports, collingwood technical school, cts, nmit,

Photograph - black and white. Written on the back of photo - H.H.Morgan. Auckland, N.Z. 27/06/55. Bendigo Tramways ___ ___ 1905/1906. Names - Back row - Moncrieff, J.Woods, Bellicina, J.Moncrieff, A.Partridge ??, D.Thomas, Wall, E.Pollard. Next row - James C.Campbell, T.Blake, W.James, G.Closie, J.O'Toole, G.Irvine??, T.Lynch, J.F.O'Halloran. 3rd row from back - W.Waldron, G.Cork, F.Parkinsons, W.Mead, B.A.Irvine, J.Parkinson, Polkinghome, J.F,Kenny. 4th row from back - P.Hayes, A.Holl, R.Strode??, H.H.Morgan, A.E.Ross, J.Johnstone, W.Downs??. Front row - T.Laliff??, T.Lynch Snr, G.Horton, J.Teague, P.Thomas. Information received from handwritten sheet, part of 'Basil Miller Tramway Collection.' 74.466 etc.Kalma, Pall Mall, Bendigo.organization, public utility, bendigo tramways., bendigo tramways. group conductors and drivers.

There is a single record with the RAN for a John Kidd, who commenced service in 1909 and left in 1912. Kidd was born in 1885 in Sydney and his mother lived in Queenscliff. He served on the HMAS Parramatta from 1911-1912. There is no evidence of him having served on the HMAS Melbourne. Kidd served from 1911-1912 on the HMAS Parramatta, the first ship launched for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).A wooden box with mortise and tenon joins, brass fittings, circular handles, silver hinges and a name plate on the front. The box has a lift out section creating compartments. On the inside lid of the box is a postcard of the HMAS Melbourne surrounded by small rope decoration. A number of keepsakes are inside including a fidd for splicing ropes, a Capstan Wills tobacco tin, 3 postcards, a "Bengall Imperial" cut throat razor (T.R. Cadman & Sons, Sheffield England), black and white bakelite buttons with embossed crown and anchor and brass shank (either for war time or junior officers), gold naval buttons with embossed naval anchor and 2 piece shank (from a coat and cuffs), a bullet casing (Webley '45), a petty officers cloth badge (crossed anchors with a Crown), 4 shells, a good conduct badge (black with gold embroidery) and a red/brown vulcanized asbestos fibre fireproof dog- tag with rope attached."John Kidd" on front of box. "20171" stamped on edge of box. Tobacco tin: "Medium/"Capstan"/Registered/Ready Rubbed Fine Cut Tobacco/-1 oz net weight when packed/W.D. & H.O. Wills/(Australia) Ltd., Sydney. Postcard: Main Street, Samarai. Postcard: Sydney from Lavender Bay Kerry (Copyright) Sydney. Postcard: "Docks showing cathedral, Bristol BL 193. Copyright Lilywhite (1932) Ltd, Sowerby Bridge". Buttons: "AUSTRALIA/Y6-298", "Buttons Ltd B'HAM mark trade" "AUSTRALIA Stokes & Son Melbourne". Bullet casing "WEB WRA 45". Dog-Tag may read "L/Ford" written in ink?ditty box, john kidd, dog-tag, wwi identification tag, lilywhite ltd, w.d & h.o wills, stokes & son melbourne, naval buttons, hmas melbourne

Handwritten note within Reg. Item 2488, page 99, written by H.P. James, from memory, of the names of the Superintendents of Tramways from 1905 to 1934, Tram Depot Superintendents until the SEC took over in 1934 and the arrangements as well. At the lower section of the notes are dates on the various positions held by H.P. James himself from 1905 to 1934. Includes the names of S.H. Smith, J. Jinks, G. Lowe, R. Nankervis, H. W. Collett, G. V. Lowe, H.P. James, A.V. Mawby, R. Wilton, C.H. Cosgrove, H. Foy, C.Hodgson, T. Thomas and the years that were in that position. Item has not been numbered.Written notes in pencil.trams, tramways, esco, officers, superintendents, sec

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of W. A. Watt - head and shoulders. Mr Watt was a Member of Federal Parliament from 1914 to 1929, temporary Prime Minister for 16 months, speaker of the house and Treasurer. Premier of Victoria from 1912 to 1914. He lived on Phillip Island for 6 years as a young boy.local history, photography, photographs, w a watt, black & white photograph, prime ministers, phillip island, early associates

1924 photo of Albert Victor RENOWDEN in his first year as the Chairman of Trustees of The Necropolis, Springvale. Renowden was Mayor of the Town of Port Melbourne in 1907/08 and Councillor from 1904 to 1912. Refer Port People for further details. Also President of the Port Melbourne Football Club1908.albert victor renowden

Black and white group photograph of 16 young men. Mounted on cardboardOn back of photo: "Second row - third from right | Henry (Harry) Clarkson | Resident Rutherglen 1900(?) to 1926" "Methodist Church Young Men's Group | Approx. 1905"henry clarkson, harry clarkson, methodist church, young mens group

Alice McGREGOR Born: 1908; unknown parents. Possibly adopted by the Salter family? Electoral Roll 1936: Highland Terrace Kangaroo Flat. Alice Mary Salter and William Robert Salter living together; presumed to be sister and brother. William Robert Salter was killed in a MVA in Bendigo in 1937 aged 26. In Victoria in 1938, Alice Mary Salter married James Thomas McGregor (born Victoria 1917, died Victoria 1983, buried Fawkner Cemetery) Lived: 1968; 22 Wade Street Golden Square Alice McGregor Died: 1999 aged 91 at Anne Caudle Centre, Bendigo Buried: Kangaroo Flat Cemetery See additional research. Postcard Album of Alice McGregor contained 86 post cards.Postcard Album of Alice McGregor containing 86 post cards. See 1400 Colour photo of Eglise de Notre Dame, Montreal, Canada showing the front with 2 towers. A Statue on a plinth at RHS Addressed to Miss A Stapleton, Arcade, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia Sender - Master Clarence Honey, 59 Church St, Montreal, Canada Stamp date Aug 2, 1905 postcard, collector, alice mcgregor

Alice McGREGOR Born: 1908; unknown parents. Possibly adopted by the Salter family? Electoral Roll 1936: Highland Terrace Kangaroo Flat. Alice Mary Salter and William Robert Salter living together; presumed to be sister and brother. William Robert Salter was killed in a MVA in Bendigo in 1937 aged 26. In Victoria in 1938, Alice Mary Salter married James Thomas McGregor (born Victoria 1917, died Victoria 1983, buried Fawkner Cemetery) Lived: 1968; 22 Wade Street Golden Square Alice McGregor Died: 1999 aged 91 at Anne Caudle Centre, Bendigo Buried: Kangaroo Flat Cemetery See additional research. Postcard Album of Alice McGregor contained 86 post cards.Postcard Album of Alice McGregor containing 86 post cards. See 1400 Colour photo of the City Hall, Montreal, Canada. kground Addressed to Miss A. Stapleton, Arcade, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia Sender - Edythe Andrews, 184 Hutchison St, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Date stamp Aug 30, 1905 postcard, collector, alice mcgregor

Pyramid hill a Durham Ox. Victorians mounted Rifles stones from the Boer War in South Africa 1899 -1903 to presentation of medals 1905" compiled by margret Williamson Cindy Parker and Lisa Pickersgill while soft cover photo of memorial hall and centotaph on cover. 128 PPbooks, military history

Electric tram towing ex-Ballarat double decked horse drawn on Charing Cross. Written on reverse side: copied ex 'the Bendigonian' 19/09/1905. Rubber stamped on reverse at top right corner: K. S. King's collection and number S-A 777 written in pen.person, individual, basil miller

Elizabeth is wearing Salvation Army choker. THOMAS MATHEWSON AND CO. (1905, December 21). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 6. Retrieved December 3, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19425832 PANEL 1875-1920 Panels began to be produced around 1875, and were particularly suited, because of their larger size, for capturing family, or even larger, groups. They measured 8.5 by 6.5 inches (22 cm x 16.5 cm). - Frost, Lenore; Dating Family Photos 1850-1920; Valiant Press Pty. Ltd., Berwick, Victoria 1991marg ball collection, shillinglaw family photo album 3, 1897-1918, 1905, elizabeth docherty (nee shillinglaw 1861-1942), john docherty, salvation army, thomas mathewson & co photographers brisbane

12.5cm x 20cm black and white photograph looking south on Sydney Street. Can be seen is original building which are now demolished. Also can be seen is: Morrissey Butchers, J.Loft Railway Hotel, Bullivant, some unidentified building and the Red Lion Hotel. Also in the picture are horse drawn vehicles and people walking on the footpaths, and power poles. One copy of the image is mounted on archival board.Written on the back of the mounting: 104/1.22 20486/1-22 Looking South Sydney St Kilmore Shops now demolished on left From right Morrissey Butchers, J. Loft Railway Hotel, Bullivant ?, ?, ?, Red Lion Hotel. R.J. Fagg. 17 Link Avenue, Kilmore 3601 Written on the back of one copy: 104/1.22 22 200486/1 22 P.C. Sydney Str. looking south 1912 Kilmore Historical Societyshopfronts, storefronts, retail stores

The letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth recognised the significance of William’s brave and courageous lifesaving act to the people of Australia; “They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The story of that brave rescue follows on below … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, The company was one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. She was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the Pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October 1905, the twelve-year-old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia. She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. Bad weather en route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a north-westerly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with seawater and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on the shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11 pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11 pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2 am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise, the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning, Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25-year-old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days, an unidentified body of a young person has washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues, he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor-General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy), Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with the manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy, she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ. As well as this letter, Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a photograph of the wrecked La Bella, a brass rail holder and a postcard of William Ferrier with four of the survivors. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. This original congratulatory letter sent to William Ferrier by the Prime Minister and Government of Australia demonstrates the importance attached to his efforts for Victoria and to Australia. The letter is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The letter to William Ferrier from the Australian Government acknowledges the bravery of ordinary Australians who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. The letter is significant to the history of Warrnambool as it honours William Ferrier, a local fisherman whose descendants continue to live in the area. It highlights the way of life of people who lived in coastal towns in 19th century Victoria and the effects of shipwrecks upon them. The letter connects to the postcard of William Ferrier with four of the five rescued crew, the photograph of the wreck of the La Bella and the artefact from the wreck, the rail holder. This letter is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella”. The “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament commending him on his bravery. The printed letterhead includes a coat of arms in the top centre and the official address. The letter is very neatly hand written in black pen and includes 4 signatures of Members of Parliament. The rectangular paper is cream coloured with some yellow/brown discolouring. It has the letterhead on the right hand side of it and the written letter begins below the letterhead. The paper has been folded so that the right side becomes the cover page of the letter. The writing is continued onto the inside right hand page of the folded paper and the writing ends here. There is more recent writing on the bottom right hand corner of the back page. The paper has been officially folded in half a total 3 times and there is heavy discolouration on the sections that form the front and back of the folded letter. There is a 4th fold line that is less pronounced that the other folds and would make the paper the size to fit into a pocket. At several fold creases the paper has worn through. The edges of the paper have minor tears. The printed coat of arms is that of the House of Representatives. Underneath is printed “The Parliament of the Commonwealth, / Parliament House / Melbourne”. The hand written, letter is dated “14th November, 1905” and addressed to “Mr. William Ferrier / South Warrnambool” The letter begins “The Speaker, the Prime Minister and Members of the Ministry and its supporters, the Leader and Members of the Opposition, the Leader and Members of the Labour Party, being all the Members of the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament of Australia” … It continues “desire to express to you their appreciation of your bravery in skulling out to the wreck of the “La Bella” at Warrnambool on Saturday, 11th November, 1905, and recovering therefrom two of the crew who were in imminent danger of their lives. They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The letter is “Signed on behalf of the Members – Speaker (Frederick Holder ), Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Joseph Cook ), Prime Minister (Alfred Deakin), Leader of the Labour Party ( J.C. Watson)” On the back of the letter is blue ink handwriting “OWNER / G. FERRIER / TO. BE. PHOTOGRAPHED / 27-4-76”la bella, william ferrier, bill ferrier, lady bay, 1905, 10th november 1905, 11th november 1905, parliament of the commonwealth, prime minister, australian government, new zealand, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village