This photo was taken in 1985. Alf Watson, a descendent of settlers of the district - the Smiths and the Yungs whose children attended this school, is standing to the right of the building. The history of Happy Valley State School 1863 The school opened as Lucky Woman's in 1863. The school was located in the Linton area, a small mining township. The first head teacher was Thomas Lea. 89 students had enrolled. 1883 The name of the school changed to Happy Valley. The brick school building was built in this period. 1920s Enrolment declined in the 1920s to around 10 students. 1932 Enrolment continued to decline and the school was closed. 1933 The school reopened briefly under head teacher Selina McFarlane. 1936 It closed again at some stage before reopening in 1936 under head teacher Maxwell Brown. The school was closed finally in 1936. 1940 The building was sold. 150 years: Happy Valley State School Learn about the history of Happy Valley State School, one of Victoria’s oldest public schools. Key information Address: Ballarat, 3350 Opened: 1 February 1860 Closed: 31 December 1940 School type: Primary School number: 376 Other names: Lucky Woman's Common School, Lucky Woman's State School Search for more school profiles The history of Happy Valley State School 1863 The school opened as Lucky Woman's in 1863. The school was located in the Linton area, a small mining township. The first head teacher was Thomas Lea. 89 students had enrolled. 1883 The name of the school changed to Happy Valley. The brick school building was built in this period. 1920s Enrolment declined in the 1920s to around 10 students. 1932 Enrolment continued to decline and the school was closed. 1933 The school reopened briefly under head teacher Selina McFarlane. 1936 It closed again at some stage before reopening in 1936 under head teacher Maxwell Brown. The school was closed finally in 1936. 1940 The building was sold. Can you help us find records for this school? The Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) only hold historical correspondence records for this closed school. If you have any, or if you know of any, please let us know by emailing [email protected] Updated 19 May 2022.1 Happy Valley State School photographed in June 1985. Alf Watson observing the building. .2 View from the back and side of the Happy Valley State School.1 Verso: Grandma Watson's school Happy Valley June 1985 (Grandma nearly 97 years) Alf in bacckground. Edith Emma Watson b Yung. Alf - son of Edith and John Richard Watson. .2 Verso: School where Grandma Watson eudcated. Happy Valley. June 1985happy valley state school, lucky womans, lucky woman's common school, lucky woman's state school

The beginning of standardised weights and measures began In Victoria when the Melbourne Observatory received sets of standard weights and measures, which had been tested in Britain against the then British Imperial standards. These included the primary standard yard and pound for the Colony of Victoria. Other standards of weights and measure held by shires and the administrative body's within the colony could then be compared to these primary standards. A Weights and Measures Act was passed in Victoria in 1862, establishing local inspectors throughout the colony. By the 1870s each local council and shire in Victoria held a set of standards that were used to test scales, weights and dry measures used by wholesalers, factories and shops. Every ten years the councils’ standards would themselves need to be rechecked against the Victorian Standards. The checking was done by the Victorian Customs Department in the 19th century, but with the transfer of responsibility for customs to the Federal Government in 1901, weights and measures function was retained by the Victorian Government and was shifted to the Melbourne Observatory. In 1904, a new building was erected at the south end of the Great Melbourne Telescope House, where the standard weights and measures and testing equipment was installed. This room had a large whirling apparatus for testing air meters and became known as the Whirling Room. When the Melbourne Observatory closed in 1944, the Weights and Measures Branch was formed to continue and this branch remained at the Observatory site unit until 1995. J & M Ewan History: J&M Ewan was a Melbourne firm that began by selling retail furniture and wholesale ironmongery. They had substantial warehouses situated at the intersection of 81-83 Elizabeth and Little Collins Streets, the business was established by James M Ewan in 1852. Shortly afterwards he went into partnership with William Kerr Thomson and Samuel Renwick. When Ewan died in 1868 his partners carried on and expanded the business under his name J & M Ewan. The business was expanded to provide a retail shop, counting-house and private offices. Wholesale warehouses adjoined these premises at 4, 6 and 10 Little Collins Street, West. This company provided and sold a large and varied amount of imported goods into the colony that consisted of agriculture equipment, building materials, mining items as well as steam engines, tools of all types and marble fireplaces. They also supplied the Bronze measuring containers in the Flagstaff Hill collection and the probability is that these containers were obtained by the local Melbourne authority that monitored weights and measures in the mid to late 19th century. The company grew to employ over 150 people in Melbourne and opened offices at 27 Lombard St London as well as in New Zealand and Fiji. The company also serviced the Mauritius islands and the pacific area with their steamship the Suva and a brig the Shannon, the company ceased trading in 1993. Robert Bate History: Robert Brettell Bate (1782-1847) was born in Stourbridge, England, one of four sons of Overs Bate, a mercer (a dealer in textile fabrics, especially silks, velvet's, and other fine materials)and banker. Bate moved to London, and in 1813 was noticed for his scientific instrument making ability through the authority of the “Clockmakers Company”. Sometime in the year 1813 it was discovered that one Robert Brettell Bate, regarded as a foreigner in London had opened a premises in the Poultry selling area of London. He was a Mathematical Instrument maker selling sundials and other various instruments of the clock making. In 1824, Bate, in preparation for his work on standards and weights, leased larger premises at 20 and 21 Poultry, London, at a rental of four hundred pounds per annum. It was there that Bate produced quality metrological instruments, which afforded him the recognition as one of one of the finest and principal English metrological instrument-makers of the nineteenth century. English standards at this time were generally in a muddle, with local standards varying from shire to shire. On 17 June 1824, an Act of Parliament was passed making a universal range of weights, measures, and lengths for the United Kingdom, and Bate was given the job of crafting many of the metrological artifacts. He was under instruction from the renown physicist Henry Kater F.R.S. (1777-1835) to make standards and to have them deposited in the principal cities throughout the United Kingdom and colonies. Bate experimented with tin-copper alloys to find the best combination for these items and by October 1824, he had provided Kater with prototypes to test troy and avoirdupois pounds, and samples with which to divide the troy into grams. Bate also cast the standard for the bushel, and by February 1825, had provided all the standards required of him by the Exchequer, Guildhalls of Edinburgh, and Dublin. In 1824, he also made a troy pound standard weight for the United States, which was certified for its accuracy by Kater and deposited with the US Mint in 1827. Kater, in his address to the Royal Society of London, acknowledged Bate's outstanding experimentation and craftsmanship in producing standards of weights, measures, and lengths. An example of a dry Bronze measuring container made specifically for J & M Ewan by possibly the most important makers of measurement artefacts that gives us today a snapshot of how imperial weights and measures were used and how a standard of measurement for merchants was developed in the Australian colonies based on the Imperial British measurement system. The container has social significance as an item retailed by J & M Ewan and used in Victoria by the authorities who were given legal responsibility to ensure that wholesalers and retailers of dry goods sold in Victoria were correct. The container was a legal standard measure so was also used to test merchants containers to ensure that their distribution of dry goods to a customer was correct.Maker Possibly Robert Brettell Blake or De Grave, Short & Co Ltd both of LondonContainer bronze round shape for measuring dry quantities has brass handles & is a 'half-bushel' measurement"IMPERIAL STANDARD HALF BUSHEL" engraved around the top of the container. VICTORIA engraved under "J & M Ewan & Co London and Melbourne" engraved around the bottom of the container.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, standard measure, bronze, peck measurement, j & m ewan, victorian standard dry measurement, bronze container, victorian standards, melbourne observatory, robert brettell bate

In early 1900, three Emmett brothers, with support from George Mason, set about following up a report of gold in the area. Confirmation of gold led to a gold rush in June 1900. Traffic from Ararat and Willaura passed Mason's Farm and it was on Mason's land that the first settlement, Ladysmith, sprang up.Road leading to Mt William goldfield 1900. George Mason's farmhouse on right hand side of road.access routes, roads, mining, ladysmith

Horton's Reward Claim. This group of miners also worked another area called 'The Heather Bell" approx. 200 yards further up the gully. About half a pennyweight to the dish is obtained from the wash near the creek. They are panning off 3 dwts per day off one man's ground. This claim is about the best fitted up on the field. It is worked with a sluice box with iron ripples and feeder to match. The latter is a great advantage as there is a great fall below the claim for the tailings.Photo shows seven men working a goldfield using shovels and picks.mining, mount william, people

Background on Bridle Path up Stony Creek Gorge Pre 1840 C. B. Hall, squatter on Mokepilly Run 1841-1842, first European to discover the Fyans Creek valley, the entrance of which became known as Hall's Gap. He later recorded that he followed a number of tracks which he assumed had been made by the Aboriginies and described one as "leading up a wild romantic glen and over on to the source of the Glenelg River". This could well have been the route taken up Stony Creek gorge by the first timber-cutters in this part of the Grampians to the saddle between the Wonderland and Mt. Difficult ranges known as Valley Gap 1850s/60s Timber cutters and shingle splitters were reported to be moving into the eastern side of the Grampians and by the mid 1860s there were a number of families connected to the supplying of timber to Pleasant Creek living in the "Hall's Gap ranges". John Wakeham, the first store owner in Pleasant Creek in 1854, established a timer-mill in upper Stony Creek Gorge in the late 1850s. Wakeham is credited for the clearing and levelling of the first bridle-path up the gorge. 1870s By the mid 1870s the track had been extended over Valley Gap to the Victoria Forest (the upper region of the Victoria Valley). McKeon's bullock team was known to have hauled red gum from the Valley to Stawell in the late 1870s and the 1880s. 1880s In 1887 an article in the Pleasant Creek news describes the Stony Creek Gorge track as "being a ledge alongside the mountain range, formed in the early days with the aid of earth and timber, along which the bullock teams used to travel to Horsham and plains of the Wimmera beyond." 1890s Gold was discovered in the catchment area of Stony Creek and by the end of the 1890s a new track was built from "near the junction of Fyan's and Stony Creeks, up the gorge to the diggings settlement. The mining Department had paid L300 for its construction and, when completed, the track was "three miles and 30 chains in length, the side cuttings at the narrowest part being 10 feet between" and "the watercourses which cross the track at various points" having been "filled up with rocks rolled down the sides of the hills, and consequently there can be no damage caused by bushfires which destroyed the former wooden bridges erected on the old track to Wakeham's saw-mill, the remains of which are still to be seen at the side of the diggings" The article goes on to further describe the track as one which "can with ease travel with a two horse conveyance either up or down" and that the workmen engaged in the construction of the track would be attending "a ball that night at McKeon's farm near the mouth of the gap to celebrate the successful completion of the undertaking". 1900s At what time the bridle path was extended beyond Valley Gap to the Wartook basin on the Mt. Difficult Range has not yet been determined. However, it is known that, by the turn of the century, people were travelling between Halls Gap and the caretakers' residence at Wartook Reservoir along what was now known as the "Bluff Road. Wartook's embankment had been constructed in 1887 and at that time there was already a track from Rosebrook Station homestead (near the present day Wartook Pottery) to the reservoir. Philip Rose owned both Rosebrook and Wartook Stations from the mid 1840s to the late 1850s and had regularly leased the Wartook basin to Cobb & Co. to rest horses there. 1920s Following the war of 1914-1918, tourism really took off in the Grampians, and Halls Gap rapidly grew. People would travel as far as they could on the many tracks then hike to the many lookouts being discovered by local tour guides. This led to the need for access across the range so that horse riders and the increasing number of vehicles could travel between Horsham and Halls Gap. To this end, the Bluff Road was improved and extended on 1929 and at its opening in March, 1930, by Lady Somers it was renamed the Mt. Victory Road.Map of Mt Victory Road and othersaccess routes, mt victory rd, bridle path, roads

Whroo Historic Reserve contains a number of interesting features relating to the former township and gold workings.Record of the Society's history of activities - Spring 1994 excursionRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100-4shire of eltham historical society, activities, whroo, balaclava hill, balaclava mine, gold mining, whroo historic reserve

Whroo Historic Reserve contains a number of interesting features relating to the former township and gold workings.Record of the Society's history of activities - Spring 1994 excursionRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100-4shire of eltham historical society, activities, whroo, balaclava hill, balaclava mine, gold mining, whroo historic reserve

Historically(1920 to 1927), this ledger not only details the legible hand writing of this era but also the day to day commercial activity in the Kiewa Valley region. The neatness and the diligence of those who were required to pen the information into this ledger was a requirement by all who were involved in commercial trade be it in the city or in the rural area. Emphasis on neatness was ingrained in students at a young age. This era was well before general commercial stock computer based inventories. Generally all students of commerce required an accuracy in writing and arithmetic. Neatness and order were a "selection criteria" requirementThis item clearly identifies the Kiewa Valley as having a substantial financial hub to accommodate the various commercial enterprises within a rural environment Circa 1880's. Although Kiewa Valley had mining, agriculture, cattle and sheep it was also composed of a mixed society, encompassing all levels of society at that period. It identifies some the commercial activities(newsagency) undertaken by specific families farming in the Kiewa Valley and relates their history in the period of 1920 to 1927This ledger has a very thick cover of strong compressed cardboard. It has a cloth covering (Glued on) and is a faded blue colour. The corners of the opening side of the cover are reinforced by suede cloth,in a triangular shape, and enclose both the front and inside portions of the the ledger. The spin is reinforced by a suede section to provide increased strength and protection. The inside cover (both front and back) has an orange and brown bubbles and specks pattern. The grammage of the lined sheets (blue) is approximately 120g/m. The first twelve pages are indented and alphabetically marked with alternating red and black letters (two letters per page except for the last page which has three letters). The remaining pages are numbered in black print at the top outside edge of each page. There are 742 page numbers. Each page has thirty two blue horizontal lines and one double red line (second from top) Each page has thirteen vertical lines starting from the top horizontal double red lines and ending at the bottom of the page. These lines segregate the page into blocks for the date, the transaction and financial input. There are three double vertical red lines which designate the amount of money of each transaction (in pounds shillings,and pence).Located on the top section of the spin (in gold print on red background) "LEDGER" This is framed within a golden printed pattern of straight and squiggly lines.ledger, book keeping, 1920s commercial transactions, local kiewa valley commercial history

Historically this ledger not only details the legible hand writing of this era but also the day to day commercial activity in this region(first entry in 1895).The neatness and the diligence of those who were required to pen the information was a requirement by all who were in commercial trade. Emphasis on neatness was ingrained in students at a young age. This era was well before general typewriters and computers. Generally all students of commerce required an accuracy in writing and arithmetic. Neatness and order were a selection requirement. This ledger belonged to a general store, which was a forerunner to supermarkets and specialty stores. The shop provided everything from food, postage stamps, nails, tobacco, boots and Epsom salts. The general store provided nearly every product required to exist in a remote rural area of Australia in the 1800's.This item clearly identifies the Kiewa Valley as having a substantial financial hub to accommodate the various commercial enterprises within a rural environment Circa 1880's. Although Kiewa Valley had mining, agriculture, cattle and sheep it was also composed of a mixed society, encompassing all levels of society at that period. It identifies some the commercial activities(newsagency/general store) undertaken by specific families farming in the Kiewa Valley and relates their history in the pioneer period of the late 1800's. Some of those pioneers still have descendants living on the same home sites provided by the 1847 Land Act.This ledger has a very thick cover of strong compressed cardboard. Originally it had a cloth covering both front and back(Glued on) but due to wear and tear it is only attached to the back cover) and is a faded blue colour. The corners of the opening side of the cover are reinforced by suede cloth,in a triangular shape, and enclose both the front and inside portions of the the ledger. The spine is reinforced by a suede section to provide increased strength and protection. The inside cover (both front and back) has an orange bubbles with red and blue sinuous lines forming shapes in a haphazardous pattern. The grammage of the lined sheets (blue) is approximately 120g/m. Originally the first seven of twelve pages were indented and alphabetically marked with black letters (one letter per page) however this ledger had been modified to cover only the initials of customers and the pages of unused letters were glued to the previous page. The remaining pages are numbered in black print at the top outside edge of each page. There are 890 page numbers. Each page has thirty seven blue horizontal lines and one double red line ( top). Each page has thirteen vertical lines starting from the top horizontal double red lines and ending at the bottom of the page. These lines segregate the page into blocks for the date, the transaction and financial input. There are three double vertical red lines which designate the amount of money of each transaction (in pounds, shillings,and pence).On the suede spine in gold lettering and on a red (port coloured) background "LEDGER"grocery shop, haberdashery, general store

This sign is a part of the "human" factor required for remote and difficult, large impact (both labour and other resources) projects. It is one of the "human" factors which was clearly used in the big 1930's to the 1970's "landscape redevelopment" schemes which started in the early 1900's and is highly regarded as lifting the Australian psyche of only primary producers to an industrial level, equal to any in the world.This "Wet Canteen" sign was installed at the entrance of the Bogong "workers" village "provision's hut" detailing the operational times for the SEC Victorian staff and construction workers, involved in the building of the Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme to obtain alcoholic beverages. This facility lasted for over the extensive period (1938 to 1961) of the "Schemes" building phase. This large project was the forerunner when industrial legislation provided for the welfare of workers living in the Bogong Village. The provision of facilities such as a "wet canteen" was of the utmost importance not only to ensure that the long running project was both successful, production wise, but also that its employees were not only physically but also mentally healthy. This sign details that all aspects required for a fit and productive labour force were in place, in this remote and demanding work environment. The majority of heavy equipment and machinery used was either made in England or Europe. A section of the specialised workforce came from local and European expertise in dam construction and water management in alpine terrain. The majority of labour came from migrants and some specialists recruited from England and Europe. At this point in time, the quality of the machines used came from England, Europe and the USA and could not be matched from anywhere else in the developed world. With a specialised workforce came the responsibility of providing all the "comforts of home" including alcoholic beverages. On site accommodation for the workforce is still a requirement for some mining areas but high market returns have produced fly in/out labour.This anodised metal sign has been "block" stenciled on. Black lettering and numbers with the main headings underlined with a red and a yellow line(emphasising the headings)In black stenciled type "BOGONG WET CANTEEN" underneath this "TRADING HOURS" Below this "MONDAY TO THURSDAY 5.15 PM TO 5.50 PM, 7.00 PM TO 9.00 PM" "FRIDAYS SHORT WEEKEND 4.30 PM TO 5.20 PM 7.00 PM TO 9.00 PM" Below this "FRIDAYS LONG WEEKEND 10.00AM TO 11.30 AM" Below this "SATURDAYS PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 4.30 PM TO 5.30 PM 7.00 PM TO 8.30 PM" bELOW THIS "CANTEEN WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS, GOOD FRIDAY AND UNTIL 4.00 PM ON ANZAC DAY"saucer, plate, secv, state electricity commission of victoria, canteen, bogong mess hall, recreational amenities, socialisation of sec vic kiewa hydro scheme labour force

ELTHAM HERITAGE TOUR The Society excursion on 24th May 1992 was arranged by David Bick, leader of the team carrying out the Shire's heritage study. David selected a number of sites or buildings identified in the study, some of them lesser known components of the Shire's heritage. The tour commenced at the Eltham Shire Office at 10.00 am. Travel was by private car and mini-bus with stops at about twelve locations for commentary by David.It included a short walk in Hurstbridge and lunch at Kinglake. Highlights of the tour included: - 10 am Leave from Shire Offices - 3 Important Trees - A Physical Link to Eltham's First Settlers - Toorak Mansion Gates - A Surviving Farm House - An Intact Circa 1900 Main Street - First Settlers - Gold Miners, and Timber-getters - An Early Hotel - A Pioneering Homestead - Changing Eltham Shire - 20th Century - 4 pm Afternoon Tea and Finish Tour Extract from ELTHAM CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR (Newsletter No. 85, July 1992, by Bettina Woodburn) "At St Andrews we noted the old and new schools, the Anglican Church, the Hall, the Bakery and the pub – still a popular watering and eating place. Climbing towards Panton Hill the soil was not rich and supported only scarce growth. Perfunctory prospecting and mining had taken place in this area, though not with the diligence applied at Research. Again we saw the ingredients of a settlement, this one organised by Government, the Hotel, the Store, the School. Down from Memorial Park the School grounds had original tree planting and the School Bell dedicated to Maud Rattray who died in 1922. There is a new Hall and opposite in the grounds of the Church and Sunday School a modest Memorial Cross of granite with inscriptions and in memory of four 'fallen comrades'. This small section of the main road retained the small village atmosphere; although the population had increased there had been little alteration."Record of the Society's history and activities and highlighting various aspects of the Heritage Study undertaken by David Bick used to create the future heritage overlay for the Shire of Eltham and later Nillumbik Shire.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100 5095shire of eltham historical society, activities, heritage tour, st andrews

Whroo Historic Reserve contains a number of interesting features relating to the former township and gold workings.Record of the Society's history of activities - Spring 1994 excursionRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 4 stripsKodak Gold 100-4shire of eltham historical society, activities, whroo, balaclava hill, balaclava mine, gold mining, whroo historic reserve

Miners' picks were commonly used in the nineteenth and early twentieth century for extracting gold from underground mine tunnels.Found in the Harrietville area. Similar to those used in the nearby Kiewa Valley where prospecting for gold was also an occupation.Formerly KV 071. Handmade - of steel with a wooden handle. It was used to break up rock and ore, making it easier to extract valuable minerals. The pointed end of the pickaxe was used to chip away at rock, while the flat end was used to strike the rock for breaking it apart. This one has a long handle.gold mining, miners' pick

In the early 1990s the KVHS applied for a grant to create the Mt Beauty Heritage Centre / Discovery Centre. This involved employing consultants and further research.This collection includes a lot of detail of the Kiewa Valley area.1. Bogong - The Alpine Discovery Centre 2. Heritage Centre - black folder 3. Heritage Centre - manila folder 4. High Country Heritage Centre - 1991 - green spiral folder 5. Six Heritage Centre - Matt Viney & Associates - white spiral folders 6. Landscape Consultants - Susan Campbell & son - red spiral folder 7. Plant List - Upper Kiewa Valley Water Supply Catchment 8. Geological Survey of Vic., Plates, Bulletin No. 44 - in battered paper 'bag' with front cover list of contents - 15 plates 9. Geological Survey - A3 photo copies of pages 106-117 10. Geological Survey of Vic. - Report of Progress No VII 1884 - bound book 11. Geological Survey of Vic. Bulletin 56 - includes nth east Vic. 1958 - bound book with green cloth spine 12. Department of Mines Report Vic. 1906 - booklet held with two staples 13. Royal Society of Vic book - The Geology of the Kiewa Area 1961 14. Miscellaneous papers - Geological Survey, Reports of Fossil Specimens and maps of local area 15. Gold - Appendix K and Appendix 111, Part C - photocopied pages from Vic Mining Registrars Report 1888 - manila foldermt beauty heritage centre, mt beauty discovery centre, geological surveys

These long handled "Blacksmith" tongs were used in the late 1800's to mid 1900's by a blacksmith(or others) within the Kiewa Valley. During these times blacksmiths would regularly visit "remote" rural properties and work on any "hard to manufacture" items. A few properties had either stockmen,farm hands, or owners able to do "minor" blacksmith work. The ability to undertake blacksmith functions was sometimes "by necessity" handled by a local "jack of all trades" person. During this period however demand for rural based blacksmiths was very high. The rural store, however was usually very small and many "off" the shelf rural appliances and apparatus available in the larger rural towns were not available to the semi remote rural areas.This long handled shaped nipper tongs is very significant to the Kiewa Valley because it represents one of the essential mores relating to isolated rural regions as was the Kiewa Valley at this period in time (1800's to mid 1900's). This "ingrained " more was the ability to achieve anything that was required to maintain a living standard or survival in a remote grazing, mining and farming region. The remoteness was due to the small population, poor transport routes and flood prone roads winding through the lower lying flat plains of the Kiewa Valley. Any blacksmith work whilst grazing Cattle on the Bogong High Plains or any part of the Kiewa Valley, had to be done in situ. The part of the "culture" of this regions was that of "self help" either from within the family or from a friendly neighbour.Long handled blacksmith's tongs. The handles are rusted and painted orange. The nippers have one central fixing and are flat edged.tools, blacksmith, horses, trades

These long handled "V" shaped tongs were used late 1800's to mid 1900's by a blacksmith within the Kiewa Valley. During these times blacksmiths would regularly visit "remote" rural properties and work on any "hard to manufacture" items. A few properties had either stockmen,farm hands, or owners able to do "minor" blacksmith work. The ability to undertake blacksmith functions was sometimes "by necessity" handled by a local "jack of all trades" person. During this period however demand for rural based blacksmiths was very high. The rural store, however was usually very small and many "off" the shelf rural appliances and apparatus available in the larger rural towns were not available to the semi remote rural areas.This long handled "V" shaped nipper tongs is very significant to the Kiewa Valley because it represents one of the essential mores relating to isolated rural regions as was the Kiewa Valley at this period in time. This "ingrained " more was the ability to achieve anything that was required to maintain a living standard or survival in a remote grazing, mining and farming region. The remoteness was due to the small population, poor transport routes and flood prone roads and lower flat plains of the Kiewa Valley. Any blacksmith work whilst grazing Cattle on the Bogong Plains had to be done in situ.Long handled tongs with "V" shaped ends on the nippers (used by blacksmiths)I.T.O.C.tools, blacksmith, horses, wrought iron tools

This item was in use before electricity and was manufactured after the flat stove irons.The weight of the iron base, is heavy, helping in smoothing out crinkly material being ironed. This item permitted ironing of clothes to be separate and away from heating stoves. It permitted greater flexibility for ironing clothes and permitted more control (consistency) of the temperature of the iron.Historically and significantly this item enforces the relative isolation of the Kiewa Valley and period when and where this domestic item was in use(manufactured circa 1950). A rural setting with mining, beef , milk and tobacco production in the early 1900s. Even though the community was in a rural setting, the standards of dress was the same as in the bigger towns and cities. Social and religious mores and values demanded that the personal appearance be clean and crisp no matter where a person was living or working. Heavy laborious work was considered by some religions as virtuous, therefore the heavy and tiring work of ironing during this period had its rewards. Rural areas where the last to be connected to electricity and therefore this item was a domestic necessity far into the 1950's.This iron has a steel base and a metal body coated with green coloured enamel. The wooden hand grip is painted dark green. The kerosene (spirit) container is a chrome metal cylinder with a flat bottom and top. The top has a small filler/air plug is located on the top side. There are two control knobs located next to and under the metal cylinder. The close to the cylinder is a lock which locks the top lid of the iron and the other knob controls the airflow to the heater rodOn the base of the handle "PEERMAN" and below this P/46, C.I. Thomas & Son Pty Ltd household, ironing, domestic kerosene, dry cleaning

The machinery in this photo shows a Tournapull C earth moving machine, one of many during this period Circa 1950 - 1960s when hydro electricity powered turbines were being constructed in both the Victoria and New South Wales Alps. This was Australia's answer to a non polluting supply of electricity for a fast growing city population. It was at this time that air pollution from coal powered furnaces was becoming more and more under attack by health authorities.This item is part of a visual account of the construction of dams and hydro electricity facilities during the early 1950s. It was the beginning of the environmental push not to allow the degrading of Australian Alpine regions. Air pollution of the major cities and the increase in power demands of both industries and population within them required an alternative pollution free alternative electricity supply. These for runners of Hydro electricity generators required both large supplies of machinery and human resources. This construction phase within the region brought not only tradesmen but also unskilled workers to an area which had mainly had farming and mining activities. It was the catalyst for the creation of the smaller towns/villages e.g. Bogong Village, Mount Beauty and Bright.Black and white photograph on Kodak Xtralite II paper.(gloss)paper marking on back Kodak Xtralite II papermining, hydro electricity, victorian alps, construction camps, earth moving machines, secv

This product was introduced in an era where the "silky smooth" look was in vogue. From the 1920s on, American and British film stars set the tone of how clean cut (hero type) masculine look attracts the opposite sex faster and in greater quantities than the "unkempt" or natural maintained look. This look was bold and "polished" and had the intended projection that the hair matched the character of "I look after myself and have a high opinion of physical appearances". As fashion goes this slick and well maintained look has circled many times, in and out of history and in Australia in the 1950s this was a prime example. The liberation of the stereo type of both sexes occurred in the 1960s when the freedom loving "hippie culture" had a marked affect upon the city inhabitants but not so strong among rural males. Sexism was still rife in that time frame.This jar of Brylcreem was a part of the (masculine) rural scene for a longer period than that found in the larger towns and cities. The long held "men are men" and "women are women" distinction between the sexes lingered on more in rural areas because of the perceived physical differences, mainly "strength" and perceived tasks such as "men only" activities (heavy farm/mining/construction). The jar of Brylcreem maintained the respectable male look for those special occasions when males "dressed" up and looked clean physically and well behaved (to show respect to the women folk)This glass jar with a glued on,red background, label detailing the product Brylcreem (a men's) hairdressing ointment is empty of its original product. It has been contoured on each side to allow for a man's fingers to comfortably and firmly grip the jar. This form would allow even "greased up" hands to maintain control. The glass thickness is far greater than needed and also added the extra stability to the standing jar. The shape of the jar is a latent attempt to emulate the physique of a fit young man (small waist, expanded and muscled mid rift and large shoulders). The jar does not distract from viewing its contents (clear glass). It has a black gloss screw (on/off) lid made from mild grade steel. The jar holds approximately 200 grams of a thick molasses textured product. On the front red Label; in large white letters "BRYLCREEM" underneath this is in smaller silver print "THE PERFECT HAIRDRESSING" underneath this is a banner type motif with a crown at the top and a black letter "B"in the centre. Below this and in much smaller print are printed in black script "BEECHAM (AUSTRALIA) PTY. LTD. MELBOURNE VICTORIA M A Imen's deportment, toiletries, men's hair styles, physical appearances

Review in Heidelberg Historian (Newsletter of Heidelberg Historical Society) No 80 October 1980 "This substantial and significant history is one of the really essential books which all members interested in the history of Heidelberg and district should have, for, as indicated in this work, the Diamond Valley and Heidelberg were linked together in a municipal, economic and geographical sense throughout their history and still have strong links. This work of 191 pages, with numerous illustrations, covers the entire period of the history of the Shire area, from Greensborough to Hurstbridge (to 1979). Starting with a geographical setting, Miss Edwards traces the early development of the historic district from Hume & Hovell to the first explorers and settlers with some discussion on the meeting of John Batman with the aborigines here. Details of the early residents follow with numerous portraits, including the Beales of St Helena and the Ryries of Yering. In part 2, the account continues of the later settlers and squatters like Henry Foley and C. S. Haley. The gold discoveries on the Plenty and at the Diamond Creek and Queenstown area then follow with the development of the townships of Hurstbridge and Diamond Creek, with details of the mines and miners of the last century until its decline in the 1870's." "During the writing of the book, 40 tapes were made by the authoress Dianne Edwards of local residents reminiscences".. Diamond Valley News February 6, 1979This book was published by the former Shire of Diamond Valley in 1979. It remains one of the key local history titles particularly for the Diamond Creek and Greensborough areas.Paperback; xiv, 194 p. : ill., ports. ; 29 cm.ISBN 0959542205diamond valley, greensborough, hurstbridge, john batman, st helena, henry foley, queenstown, diamond creek, gold mining

This history of the Victorian town of St. Andrews (formerly Queenstown) and its surroundings was written to celebrate the 140th anniversary of St Andrews Primary School. Describes the displacement of the Aboriginal inhabitants of the area, European settlement and the Gold Rushes and the Caledonia diggings. Discusses establishment of the school, church and cemetery and various other notable events. The school in 1998 and speculations on the future by primary school pupils. Contents: Introduction The First People Mining- What a rush! The School The Church Queenstown Cemetery The Hotels The Police Paddocks The Families Queenstown in the early twentieth century The Queenstown Bush Fire Brigade The 1st Queenstown Scout troop Queenstown, the 1940s and 1950s The Characters Odds and Sods St Andrews - The Present Times The Future St Andres Primary School in 1998This book is significant in that it documents the history of the St Andrews community from the indigenous presence through its foundation during the Victorian Gold Rush through to local bushfires and predictions of the future by local primary schools students in 1998. It remains the only significant secondary source publication written specifically on this rural community.158 p. : ill., ports ISBN 0646353756st andrews, queenstown

Hotels described include: Evelyn Arms Hotel or Tunnel Camp Hotel or Half-Way House, the Diamond Reef Hotel, the Loyal Diamond Lodge Hotel and the Royal Mail Hotel all located in Diamond Creek during a rapid population growth in Diamond Creek in the 1860s.This small publication discusses the history of local hotels in the Diamond Creek area during a significant period of development in the 1860s when mining took place in the local area. The history of hotels connects to the wider history and important social and civic link to the community at that time. [10] p. includes text and very poor photocopy reproductions of historical photographs. Perfect bound with plastic front cover only.EDHS Property stamp on front coverdiamond creek, hotels, pubs, bars, 1860s

Nillumbik Now and Then takes the reader on a journey from when the Aboriginal people were this area's sole inhabitnats, to the present day. Nillumbik's history - told in this collection of 96 stories, which are nearly all based on sites - mirrors those of the wider Australian community. It includes tales of the Wurundjeri people, a former convict, farmers, a bushranger, gold-mining, soldiers, artists, intellectuals, environmentalists and sportspeople. Each story is illustrated with a photograph. As a journalist with the former Diamond Valley News, Marguerite Marshall wrote a series of articles on local places of historic interest, later published as the small book "Eltham Shire - Historic Buildings and Places". Many years later an expanded version was published under the title "Nillumbik Now and Then". This is a much larger version of "Nillumbik Now and Then", including significant rewriting and many additional articles. The new publication was made possible by financial support from the Victorian Public Records Office, Bendigo Bank and Nillumbik Shire Council. EDHS and other historical societies in Nillumbik assisted with content for many of the stories. The book was launched at the Eltham Library on Wednesday 19th November 2008. Source: EDHS Newsletter No 183, November 2009 The front cover art depicts The former house of naturalist and artist Neil Douglas at Bend of Islands, photographer Marguerite Marshall. This collection of almost 130 photos and stories about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. Paperback; x, 198 p. : ill., ports. ; 30 cm.Signed by the authornillumbik shire, houses, buildings, weller's hotel, landmarks, bend of islands

Four male gold miners pose for the camera on their mine site on top of a hill. It appears they are using the underground hard-rock method of mining to extract gold encased in rock. There is a rope winch near by and a pile of rubble on top of the mine shaft. In the background is a developed unknown rural town. "H & J Friend Victoria Stores" is written on the side of a building.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book, "Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, other areas, gold mining, gold miners, h & j friend, winch

Map of the township of Ringwood with subdivisions between Maroondah Highway and Mt. Dandenong Road. the area applied for on lease No.8210 by E.G.Browne.Mining District of Castlemaine, County of Mornington, Parish of Ringwood T Area 58(A) 2 (R)15(P) Acres, Roods, Perches.Buff coloured sheet foolscap with black printing showing map of the township of Ringwood between Maroondah Highway and Mt. Dandenong Road. Mining District of Castlemaine, County of Mornington, Parish of Ringwood T Area 58(A) 2 (R)15(P) Acres, Roods, Perches +Additional Keywords: Browne E.G.

Share certificate issued by New Gippsland Boulder Mine - operating at Errinundra and receipt for Herbert, Eric W. Receipt is for amount of four pounds - signed by Bird, W. Prospectus was printed in 1934 at office of Snowy River Mail - 4 page booklet. Gold, copper and silver were the target minerals.The crusher from the Boulder Mine is now at the Slab Hut in Orbost. The first Gippsland Boulder Co.,was at Boulder Creek – 13 miles north of Club Terrace, within 2 miles of Errinundra River. The company registered in January 1898 and commenced crushing in September with a 10-head battery. In the first nine months’ yields totalled 1,418 oz from 972 tons.There was a tramway between the mine workings and the battery.The crusher from the Boulder Mine is now at the Slab Hut in Orbost. This document is a reference for gold mining and exploration in the Far East Gippsland area. The Herbert family has reside in Orbost since the late 19th century.Copy of New Gippsland Boulder Mine share certificate and receipt. Framed in small black wooden frame.certificate-share-new-gippsland-boulder-mine mineralogy mining boulder-creek

This book is a register of land holders with miners' rights. The correspondence is associated with applications for miners' rights on privately owned land and business sites. They include application fotrms and objections to registrations. The areas referred to are Combienbar, Goongerah, Club Terrace, Wombat Creek and Dundong. One of the privileges under the Mines Act, conferred by the holding of a miner's right until 1935 was that of residence on up to one acre on a gold-fields area. Those occupying a residence area were "deemed in law to be possessed ... of such ... parcels ... and the property therein".This is a useful research tool.A large, heavy book with a grey cloth cover and red spine. The end papers are marbled. The inside pages are ruled in grey with red ruled columns. Entries are hand-written. There are copies of correspondence inside. Details given are the registration number and date, the name of the person, the number of the miner's right and its date, a description of the allotment and any remarks or references to other volumes. Any changes of ownership are shown. The book is mostly unused.register-mining miners-rights