Associated with BDR. Joseph Moore grouped framed certificatesPhotocopy of original dispatch notice for Military Medal to No 1272 BDR J. Moore, 13th F.A.B.No 1272, BDR. J. Moore, 13th F.A.B./ On 24th April, 1918 whilst the 51st Battery was/ in acrion N.E. of Cordie it was subjected to a very heavy hostile/ bombardment of H.E. and gas shells. This N.C.O.'s duries as a/ specialist required the maintenance of communications between the/ Battery an C.P. The line was frequently cut and required several/ trips, all of which took some considerable time. The whole area/ was very heavily shelled as was the vicinity of the C.P. and this/ N.C.O.'s tasks were performed under heavy shell fire ar great/ personel risk. Throughout the periods Bdr. Moore displayed great/ coolness and total disregard of personal danger thus setting a/ splendid examplemedal, 1918, military, moore, joseph, world, war, 1, corbie, 51st, battery, 4th, district

Wooden ammunition box with rope and timber carry handles. 2 u shaped metal closing clips secured by a split pin. The wood lid is hinged with 2 webbing strips. The inside has yellow felt padding and provision for wood dividers (missing)upper side of box has "S8" embossed. No other markingsbox, australian, military, army, ammunition, 1958

Tin construction, with sections for eight glass panels (1 missing, 1 incomplete. Perforated tin panels top and base. steel wire bracket for holding or hanging on top. Steel wire sliding latches on top and base as well as one side, when both are unlatched all sides are hinged and lantern can be folded up for storage. Contains a candle (not original), 2 stamped tin labels.1) Use 1/2 candles only. 2) E.A. Harper & Sons/1916/Redfern N.S.W.lantern, , e, world, war, a, harper, son s, 1916, renfern n s w, candle, folding, one

This reproduction of the first R.S.L. Badge is a Limited Edition released as a commemorative badge cira 1980-1990The First R.S.L. Badge/ This specially crafted lapel badge is a/limited edition replica of the very first/ R.S.L. badge which decorated our soldiers/ and sailors returning from WW1/ This badge was worn with Pride from/ 1919-1926 by the founding members of/ the R.S.L., as they Returned Home to a Victorious Australia./ Right side of paper: Oceanic Life is proud to present this commemorative Badge to you, as a small/ token of our continuing commitment to/ the Men and Women who have served/ their country. Reverse Sise left: Symbol of Oceanic Life Ltd./ Right side: The Returned & Services League/ Commemorative Lapel Badge/ Circ 1919-1926badge, r s l, commemorative, circa, 1980 1990

The Hygeienic Cafe was conducted by Mrs. H. Bartlett in the late 1930's. It was popular with farmers who patronised it on market days. Many wedding receptions were held in this cafe It was sited near Blane's Newsagency in Murray St.One of very few peices of china from this popular Colac cafe remaining in existance. Cafe closed during WW2This milk jug is made of vitrified English china. Colour- White with blue markings.Elaborate H/B with banner and name beneath lined rim and handle.No 357 (Society No.) and makers markings on base.hygeienic cafe china milk jug

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2002. School sports: the Bendigo Senior Secondary College athletes of 'Z' team in 1941. ? Kent, G. Salathiel, Cardwell McQuillan (teacher), West ?, Ron Warren, Gavin Semmens, Alf Morris, Mr. J. Muntz (teacher), Bill Simmie, Eric Paynter, Reg Schleiger (captain), Jeff Shelton, Bob Smith, Lionel Murray, Jack Meagher, Robert Taylor. Mr. Schleiger won the 100 and 200 yards and broad jump championship events, and his high jump record stood for 20 years. Last Saturday 's Bendigo the way we were photo was incorrectly dated 1926 rather than 1936. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Typed (in red) copy of an account of the life and work of Matthew Flinders. Contains the names of ships and people.document, captain matthew flinders r.n., john flinders, doningnton free school, horbling grammer, h. h. s. alert, scipio, captain bligh, providence, bellerophan, reliance, george bass, governor john hunter, tom thumb, william martin, francis, william kent, norfolk, venus, sir joseph banks, h. m. s. investigator, fram, xenophan, annette chappell, samuel flinders, sailing-master thistle, norfolk, le geograpphie, captain nocholas baudin, lady nelson, lt john murray, mr f m linley, mart, master aken, porpoise, bridgewater, coato, hope, roua, francis, cumberland, john elder, 'a voyage to australia', 'a voyage to terra australis', ann flinders

Chu Chin Chow, Bendigo Operatic Society, opening 10th November, 1961 for six nights. Bendigo Operatic Society. President: Mr J McK. Cannon, Vice-President: Mr C Bubb, Secretary: Mr G Dart, Subscription Secretary: Mrs J Cannon, Treasurer: Mr RB Ralph, Committee: Mrs W Brown, Mrs J Smyth, Mrs W E Wright, Messes O Hamilton & M Welch, Messrs A Annison, B Thomas & L Spencely. President's Message Since its formation in 1952, the Bendigo Operatic Society has presented 23 well-known Musical Comedies, Pantomimes, and a Revue. . . Notes and photographs on Robert Watson, Sawn Beckwith, Valerie McCracken, Leonard Carr, Max O'Loghen, Carol McKenzie, Fred Trewarne, Max Beckwith, Olive Hamilton, John Stephens, Charles Phillips, Ferd Lorenz, Victor White, Peter Houston, Reg Boromeo, Joan Heard, Patricia Lyon, Miss M Welch, Mrs P House. Musical Numbers. . . Synopsis of Scenes. . . Bendigo Concert Orchestra Violins - Miss A McNair (Leader), Mesdames A Bolton, A Faulds, C Messer, F Robbins, J Weldon, Dr, J Borema, Messrs R Charlett, Dr Gault, Messrs C Gill, J Jordan, I Lacey, O Turner. Violas - Mr E Jarrett, Mr S McNeill, Mrs J Pinder. Cello - Mrs C Bubb, Miss L Slade, Mrs J Borema, Mr A Rutland. Bass - Mr C Hargreaves, Mr T French. Flutes - Mr C Bubb, Master D Bubb. Oboe - Mrs S Willis. Clarinets - Mr J McKay, Mr R Holyoake. Bassoon - Mr S Anderson. Trumpet - Mr B Armstrong, N Pearce. Trombone - Mr A Martin, Mr E Washington. Horn - Mr R Perry. Tympani - Mr J Allen. Bendigo Operatic Society presents by permission of Samuel French (Aust.) Ltd. Chu Chin Chow a Norman Lee Production. Told by Oscar Asche. Set to music by Fredric Norton. Dramatic Personnel - Robert Watson, Max Beckwith, Fred Trewarne, Leonard Carr, John Stephens, Charles Phillips, Ferd Lorenz, Peter Houston, Reg Boromeo, Victor White, Dawn Beckwith, Carol McKenzie, Valerie McCracken, Olive Hamilton, Joan Heard, Patricia Lyon. Ladies of the Ensemble - Kath Alexander, Bernice Boromeo, Joan Crane, Edna Faderson, Edith Glen, Wendy Griffiths, Joan Head, Emily Houston, Shirley Levers, Pat Lyon, Pat McCracken, Margery Reed, Ellen Stephens, Norma Trewarne. Gentlemen of the Ensemble - Alfred Annison, Ian Beckwith, Denis Cremin, Roy Cronin, Gerald Gleeson, Peter Houston, Ferd Lorenz, Keith Millar, Kenneth Nicholls, Robert Nicholls, Eric Pollock, Daryl Walker, Victor White. Ballet - Joan Harding, Shirley Harding, Jean McClellan, Kaye Miller, Carol O'Sullivan, Rosalie Panozza, Bronwen Townsend, Marion Weigard, Shirley Williams, Annette Wilson, Bill Arthur, Peter Houston. Musical Director: Mr Max O'Loghlen, Society Pianist: Mrs P House, Stage Manager: Mr Murray McGrath, Ballet Mistress and Asst. Stage Manager: Miss M Welch, Wardrobe Committee: Miss M Welch, Mrs P Lyons, Mrs N Lindrea, Mrs M Jarvis, Mrs A Annison, Mrs S Richardson. Publicity: Mrs J Smyth and Mr B Thomas. Scenery & Art Work: Messrs. N Cronin & A Watkins. Make-up: Mesdames E Wright & Miss S Cannon. House Manager: Mr B Searle. In Retrospect In mid 1952, a distinguished man arrived in Bendigo and interested several citizens, including Dr. P Goodman, the President of the Musical Advancement Society, in the formation of a Company for the production of Musical Comedy. The meeting was called at the home of Mr Fred Bush, and a group of enthusiasts made the acquaintance of Mr Norman Lee, our producer and sequently the M.A.S. and several leading citizens, sponsored the first production, by subscribing funds for initial expenses. From such humble beginning, our present Society originated. Mr Cyril Cyril Warne was appointed Musical Director, Mrs Phyllis House, Pianist, and Miss Madge Welch, Ballet Mistress. During the Season of ''Chu Chin Chow,'' the Society will stage its 100th performance - indeed an outstanding feat in such a brief history. Looking back it is interesting to recall the 23 shows which are included, and the productions are- (listing of productions included in program). Next Productions. . . Acknowledgements: 3BO, Bendigo Advertiser, Mr N Cronin, Mesdames C Neilson & T Lambert for Art Work, Messrs L Spencely, D Cremin & J Cannon for Scenery & Carpentry. Miss M Welch for use of Studio, Make-up Staff, Back Stage Staff, Front of House Management Usherettes and Programme Sellers. Advertisements: Martin Washington, Photographers, Bendigo. Hanro. Markings on front cover in black pen, Capital Theatre.Cambridge Press, Bendigoprogram, theatre, music advancement society of bendig, chu chin chow, bendigo operatic society, 10th november, 1961. president: mr j mck. cannon, vice-president: mr c bubb, secretary: mr g dart, subscription secretary: mrs j cannon, treasurer: mr rb ralph, committee: mrs w brown, mrs j smyth, mrs w e wright, messes o hamilton & m welch, messrs a annison, b thomas & l spencely. president's message formation1952, bendigo operatic society has presented 23 musical comedies, pantomimes, and a revue. . . notes and photographs robert watson, sawn beckwith, valerie mccracken, leonard carr, max o'loghen, carol mckenzie, fred trewarne, max beckwith, olive hamilton, john stephens, charles phillips, ferd lorenz, victor white, peter houston, reg boromeo, joan heard, patricia lyon, miss m welch, mrs p house. musical numbers. . . synopsis of scenes. . . bendigo concert orchestra violins - miss a mcnair (leader), mesdames a bolton, a faulds, c messer, f robbins, j weldon, dr, j borema, messrs r charlett, dr gault, messrs c gill, j jordan, i lacey, o turner. violas - mr e jarrett, mr s mcneill, mrs j pinder. cello - mrs c bubb, miss l slade, mrs j borema, mr a rutland. bass - mr c hargreaves, mr t french. flutes - mr c bubb, master d bubb. oboe - mrs s willis. clarinets - mr j mckay, mr r holyoake. bassoon - mr s anderson. trumpet - mr b armstrong, n pearce. trombone - mr a martin, mr e washington. horn - mr r perry. tympani - mr j allen. samuel french (aust.) ltd. chu chin chow a norman lee production. told by oscar asche. set to music by fredric norton. dramatic personnel - robert watson, max beckwith, fred trewarne, leonard carr, john stephens, charles phillips, ferd lorenz, peter houston, reg boromeo, victor white, dawn beckwith, carol mckenzie, valerie mccracken, olive hamilton, joan heard, patricia lyon. ladies of the ensemble - kath alexander, bernice boromeo, joan crane, edna faderson, edith glen, wendy griffiths, joan head, emily houston, shirley levers, pat lyon, pat mccracken, margery reed, ellen stephens, norma trewarne. gentlemen of the ensemble - alfred annison, ian beckwith, denis cremin, roy cronin, gerald gleeson, peter houston, ferd lorenz, keith millar, kenneth nicholls, robert nicholls, eric pollock, daryl walker, victor white. ballet - joan harding, shirley harding, jean mcclellan, kaye miller, carol o'sullivan, rosalie panozza, bronwen townsend, marion weigard, shirley williams, annette wilson, bill arthur, peter houston. musical director: mr max o'loghlen, society pianist: mrs p house, stage manager: mr murray mcgrath, ballet mistress and asst. stage manager: miss m welch, wardrobe committee: miss m welch, mrs p lyons, mrs n lindrea, mrs m jarvis, mrs a annison, mrs s richardson. publicity: mrs j smyth and mr b thomas. scenery & art work: messrs. n cronin & a watkins. make-up: mesdames e wright & miss s cannon. house manager: mr b searle. in mid 1952, arrived in bendigo dr. p goodman, the president of musical advancement society, formation of a company musical comedy. mr fred bush, mr norman lee, m.a.s.. society originated. mr cyril cyril warne musical director, mrs phyllis house, pianist, miss madge welch, ballet mistress. during the season of ''chu chin chow, '' the society will stage its 100th performance. recall the 23 shows. acknowledgements: 3bo, bendigo advertiser, mr n cronin, mesdames c neilson & t lambert messrs l spencely, d cremin & j cannon for scenery & carpentry. miss m welch.. advertisements: martin washington. hanro. capital theatre. chu chin chow, bendigo operatic society, 10th november, 1961. president: mr j mck. cannon, vice-president: mr c bubb, secretary: mr g dart, subscription secretary: mrs j cannon, treasurer: mr rb ralph, committee: mrs w brown, mrs j smyth, mrs w e wright, messes o hamilton & m welch, messrs a annison, b thomas & l spencely. president's message formation1952, bendigo operatic society has presented 23 musical comedies, pantomimes, and a revue. . . notes and photographs robert watson, sawn beckwith, valerie mccracken, leonard carr, max o'loghen, carol mckenzie, fred trewarne, max beckwith, olive hamilton, john stephens, charles phillips, ferd lorenz, victor white, peter houston, reg boromeo, joan heard, patricia lyon, miss m welch, mrs p house. musical numbers. . . synopsis of scenes. . . bendigo concert orchestra violins - miss a mcnair (leader), mesdames a bolton, a faulds, c messer, f robbins, j weldon, dr, j borema, messrs r charlett, dr gault, messrs c gill, j jordan, i lacey, o turner. violas - mr e jarrett, mr s mcneill, mrs j pinder. cello - mrs c bubb, miss l slade, mrs j borema, mr a rutland. bass - mr c hargreaves, mr t french. flutes - mr c bubb, master d bubb. oboe - mrs s willis. clarinets - mr j mckay, mr r holyoake. bassoon - mr s anderson. trumpet - mr b armstrong, n pearce. trombone - mr a martin, mr e washington. horn - mr r perry. tympani - mr j allen. samuel french (aust.) ltd. chu chin chow a norman lee production. told by oscar asche. set to music by fredric norton. dramatic personnel - robert watson, max beckwith, fred trewarne, leonard carr, john stephens, charles phillips, ferd lorenz, peter houston, reg boromeo, victor white, dawn beckwith, carol mckenzie, valerie mccracken, olive hamilton, joan heard, patricia lyon. ladies of the ensemble - kath alexander, bernice boromeo, joan crane, edna faderson, edith glen, wendy griffiths, joan head, emily houston, shirley levers, pat lyon, pat mccracken, margery reed, ellen stephens, norma trewarne. gentlemen of the ensemble - alfred annison, ian beckwith, denis cremin, roy cronin, gerald gleeson, peter houston, ferd lorenz, keith millar, kenneth nicholls, robert nicholls, eric pollock, daryl walker, victor white. ballet - joan harding, shirley harding, jean mcclellan, kaye miller, carol o'sullivan, rosalie panozza, bronwen townsend, marion weigard, shirley williams, annette wilson, bill arthur, peter houston. musical director: mr max o'loghlen, society pianist: mrs p house, stage manager: mr murray mcgrath, ballet mistress and asst. stage manager: miss m welch, wardrobe committee: miss m welch, mrs p lyons, mrs n lindrea, mrs m jarvis, mrs a annison, mrs s richardson. publicity: mrs j smyth and mr b thomas. scenery & art work: messrs. n cronin & a watkins. make-up: mesdames e wright & miss s cannon. house manager: mr b searle. in mid 1952, arrived in bendigo dr. p goodman, the president of musical advancement society, formation of a company musical comedy. mr fred bush, mr norman lee, m.a.s.. society originated. mr cyril cyril warne musical director, mrs phyllis house, pianist, miss madge welch, ballet mistress. during the season of ''chu chin chow, '' the society will stage its 100th performance. recall the 23 shows. acknowledgements: 3bo, bendigo advertiser, mr n cronin, mesdames c neilson & t lambert messrs l spencely, d cremin & j cannon for scenery & carpentry. miss m welch.. advertisements: martin washington. hanro. capital theatre.

Contract of sale dated 19th September, 1957 between Mrs. M. D. Murray - Mrs. J. F. McDonald (vendors) and Mr. J. N. Taafe (purchaser). Solicitor for vendor: H. E. Every view Street, Bendigo. Solicitor for purchaser: Hogan & Hogan, Bull Street, Bendigo. Property: 240 Queen Street, Bendigo being part of Crown allotment 9 section 138C City of Bendigo, Parish of Sandhurst described in certificate of title volume 3041 folio 154 together with the dwelling house and all other erections thereon. Price: 1,175 pounds. Attached: statement pursuant to section 34 of the estate agents act 1956 and authority and conditions for public auction.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

8091.264a Photograph: Five men in CFA Tops with racing bikes, Fire truck behing. On Rear of Photo: 15/3 PH/WG Murray to Moyne charity ride L to R John Flood, Barry Cole, Bob Ellis, Dirk Vetch, Rod Roberts. Stick on label on rear: Editorial PMT Order Pub Date 5/4 Size Width 36:6 Depth 14.5 Section National, Page 2, Description Bike Riders. Special instructions/percentage S/S Order W Date 4/4 8091.264b Newspaper Article Bendigo Advertiser 5/4/1994recreations, sports, cycling, bendigo advertiser

Balance Sheet dated ending 30th September 1862. Sheet contains the names of a number of the members of the Court. Signed by the Auditors John Rae and Joseph King Smith. Dated October 6th. Names are: William Fincher, George McMillan, Joseph Mason, William Mason, Henry Catlin, William Clifford, Thomas Wills, John Rae, John Glinnon, John Wotton, Joseph K Smith, Henry Shalders, Thomas Pile, John Eady, Thomas Connell, Carl Mueller, Charles Kelynack, John Martin, George Nicholson, O C Hillman, Charles Spier, Chas I Murray, Jas Bryant, William Hosking, Saml D Arthur, Richard Rowe, Joseph Herz, Carl Ulbrick, Fritz Abraham, Hugh Brown, W H Bridgman, Thos Wm Butt, George Cook, J W Chapple, John Fincher, James Fincher, H R Hyde, Mackay H, Wilton H, Holl I S, De Gruchy H, Brockley, Busst, Dr Story, Waller,societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, william fincher, george mcmillan, joseph mason, william mason, henry catlin, william clifford, thomas wills, john rae, john glinnon, john wotton, joseph k smith, henry shalders, thomas pile, john eady, thomas connell, carl mueller, charles kelynack, john martin, george nicholson, o c hillman, charles spier, chas i murray, jas bryant, william hosking, saml d arthur, richard rowe, joseph herz, carl ulbrick, fritz abraham, hugh brown, w h bridgman, thos wm butt, george cook, j w chapple, john fincher, james fincher, h r hyde, bendigo united district, mackay h, wilton h, holl, i s, de gruchy h, brockley, busst, dr story, waller

Letter written on blue, watermarked, folded paper with printed letterhead and Ancient Order of Foresters crest. The Auditors congratulate the Court on the increase of new members during the last quarter. There was no increase of Funds. Sick Pay amounted to £36.9.6. They also thank the Secretary. Signed by Joseph French, Charles? S. Smith and Geo? Jas. Murray, Auditors. Letter dated Oct 2nd 1865.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, court king of the forest, joseph french, charles s smith, geo? jas murray

Original photo held by Ron BEDFORD (Ballarat) and scan taken 24.05.2011Black and white photo of Port Melbourne YMCA football team 1946, VFA sub-district (under 20). Players are identified on the photo."Lorraine Studios" stamp on rear in red. 159 Bay St Port Melbourne. Phone MX2763sport - australian rules football, s bigg, k jordan, k fennessy, b watts, mustan, r murray, w murray, m maher, a sortell, c seddon, r ralph, r marasceau, v thompson, lavery, j woods, t williams, foote, b balitho, i bedford, a foote, n fehr, r bedford, r newman, l saw, a freeman

It is made from polished fiddleback, Blackwood and sassafras, and studded with ornamental metalwork.This item is aesthetically significant, as it is an example of Arts and Crafts movement, 1880's Hand made Picture Frame, made by Local Korumburra, Carpenter and Builder Mr. Dan Jarvis. As a Builder, this item was made as a hobby item which showed his Excellent skills with minute craftsmanship. It was selected, and featured as item 233, in Murray Walkers catalog, Colonial Crafts of Victoria, published in 1978, for the Exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, November 1978 to January 1979.

Photocopy of The Bendigo Mining Registry or True Investors guide to all the Bendigo Mines in 1851 and up to 1883. Contains an original poem, Index, names and addresses of Legal Managers, names of Companies and Mining Managers, and reference page to a description of every mine in Bendigo, with length, size, depth, machinery, dividends, capital, number of shares, paid-up, and historical and scientific sketches - past and present - of the main situations. Twelve Lines of Reefs. The Gold Problem Scare Solved. Success of Deep Sinking. E - W & N. S. Parallelograms.document, gold, bendigo mines 1851 - 1883, the bendigo mining registry, r a murray, hay kirkwood, wm welch, district survey office, geological survey of victoria

Double Headed Rail from Ravenswood Station Siding which was dismantled circa 1987 the two rails were stored for a time at Maldon before being donated to Puffing Billy Museum Bearing makers marks of Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield, North East Derbyshire, England from 1872 - 1883 Double-headed rail In late 1830s Britain, railway lines had a vast range of different patterns. One of the earliest lines to use double-headed rail was the London and Birmingham Railway, which had offered a prize for the best design. This rail was supported by chairs and the head and foot of the rail had the same profile. The supposed advantage was that, when the head became worn, the rail could be turned over and re-used. In practice, this form of recycling was not very successful as the chair caused dents in the lower surface, and double-headed rail evolved into bullhead rail in which the head was more substantial than the foot. Info from Wikipedia - Rail Profile https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_profile The first records of double headed rail being used In Victoria by Victorian Railways was in 1859, the rails, chairs, oak and trenails were imported from UK. After the 1870’s the Victorian Railways went over to using flat bottom rails, but they still needed replacement double headed rail for lines already laid and this continued up to at least 1883 Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield England from 1872 - 1883 Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway The Melbourne, Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway Company received parliamentary assent in February 1853 to build Victoria's first inland railway from Melbourne to Williamstown, and Melbourne to Bendigo and Echuca. Construction commenced in January 1854 with work on a pier at Williamstown but lack of funds slowed progress, eventually prompting the company to sell out to the government. The 100-mile (162 km) section to Bendigo opened in October 1862. Its cost of £35,000 per mile made it the most expensive railway ever built in Australia. In 1864, the line was extended to Echuca, tapping into the booming Murray-Darling paddlesteamer trade. info from Museums Victoria - Victorian Railways https://museumsvictoria.com.au/railways/theme.aspx?lvl=3&IRN=450&gall=456 1863 Ravenswood Station open on the 1st Feb 1863 Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Ravenswood Siding When the Victorian Railways were established in 1856 they adopted one of the popular British permanent way standards - heavy 80lb (36.3kg) double-headed rail held up right in cast iron chairs attached to transverse timber sleepers by wooden pegs called trenails. The Ravenswood Railway siding was constructed in 1862 with 12 feet wrought iron double-head rail held in cast iron chairs with Ransom and May patent compressed keys. Trenails held the chairs to the sleepers and the joints were secured in joint chairs. Joints were subsequently joined using fish plates. It formed part of the Melbourne to Echuca rail line, initially known as the Melbourne, Mt Alexander and Murray River Railway. George Christian Derbyshire, the first Engineer-in-Chair of the Victorian Railways was responsible for the design and construction of the works. No new lines were built in Victoria using double-headed rail after 1870. The siding was disconnected from the main line in 1988. The Ravenswood Railway Siding demonstrates the original 1856 philosophy of the Victorian Railways to adopt British permanent way technology. The siding demonstrates significant aspects in the development of permanent way technology in England and Victoria over the period from the 1830's to the 1880's. The chairs in the Ravenswood siding are physical evidence of early railway technology rendered obsolete 120 years ago, namely joint chairs at rail joints and trenails to secure the chairs to the sleepers. The double-headed rail demonstrates an important stage in the evolution of British rail technology in the 1830s. The old fish plates, square headed bolts and square nuts demonstrate the success of fishing the rail joins. The Ravenswood siding demonstrates the earliest form of rail joint technology developed in England, and existing in Australia, the joint chair. In part of the siding the sequence of joint and intermediate chairs is consistent with the 1856 specifications, that sequence is rare with the joints secured in joint chairs. The survival of chairs in this sequence is rare and almost certainly demonstrates that they remained in continuous use at the same location from 1862 to 1988. This remnant of the Ravenswood siding has survived 126 years. The siding has proved to be the most significant of extant remnant double-headed sidings in Victoria, containing a rare combination of early permanent way technologies. Construction dates 1862, Info from Ravenswood Railway Siding Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/4693/download-report The remaining section of this siding is significant at the State and National levels in that it demonstrates the use of chaired rail by the Victorian Railways Department for the Trunk Lines and, more particularly, the following stages in the evolution of this long obsolete method of permanent way construction: a) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs at regular intervals inferring that the original wrought iron rail lengths were 12 feet, as is known through documentary sources to have been the case. The survival of chairs in this sequence is unique and almost certainly demonstrates that they have remained in continuous use at the same location and in the same sequence from 1862 to 1988 . b) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs designed for use with trenails. c) The use of later intermediate chairs designed for use with steel pins and the use of fished joints with steel double head chaired rail, representing a second method of constructing the permanent way using chaired rail technology. info from Ravenswood Siding - Melbourne/Echuca Railway Line - Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/70103/download-report Addition to Citation for Melbourne to EchucaRailway Line 1/10/1990 Double Head Rail The surviving lengths of double head rail with chairs on this railway compare with one surviving similar remnant on the Geelong to Ballarat railway and are representative of permanent way construction techniques applied exclusively to the two trunk railways of the 1860's. In this respect they are rare survivors and may be unique at the national level and of technical importance at the international level to the extent that they enhance contemporary understanding of early railway building technology. Surviving lengths of chaired double head rail survive at Kyneton, Ravenswood and Bendigo on this railway and include a number of different types of cast iron intermediate and joint chairs with hardwood keys and metal pins. The Ravenswood siding is of special significance for the diversity of chair types and for the sequence of chairs recalling rail lengths known to be associated with construction of the line in 1862. Construction of the Railway Tenders closed on 24 March 1858 with no less than 133 tenders being received. A contract was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937 to commence work on 1 June 1858 and complete the line by 31 July 1861. Cornish and Bruce made quick early progress with the Melbourne to Sunbury section being officially opened on 13 January 1859. The line was officially opened to Bendigo (Sandhurst) on 20 October 1862 by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Barkly. A great banquet was held for 800 guests and this was followed by a grand ball. The extension of the line to Echuca was a relatively simple matter as that part of the line was across plain country without any significant engineering challenges. Tenders were called for the work in 1863 and the work was completed in 1864 by contractors Collier and Barry Apart from the line contractors, other firms directly involved were J Shire law and Co (sleepers), R Fulton, Langlands Brothers and Co, William Crossley (water supply), B Moreland, Langlands Brothers and Co (platelayers lorries), E Chambers (iron pins, traversers), Miller and McQuinstan (luggage vans and steam engines) and various contractors for building works. Info from Engineers Australia Engineering Heritage Victoria Nomination for Recognition under the Engineering Heritage Australia Heritage Recognition Program for the Goldfields Railways - Melbourne , Bendigo & Echuca Railway Page 25 - .2.9.2 Statement from National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Listing number B5323 for Mt Alexander/Murray Valley Rail Line: Page 69 - Theme 3 https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/portal/system/files/engineering-heritage-australia/nomination-title/Melbourne_%20Bendigo_Echuca%20Railway%20Nomination.pdf The Melbourne, Mount Alexander and Murray River Railway Company was a railway company in Victoria, Australia. It was established on 8 February 1853 to build a railway from Melbourne to Echuca on the Victorian-NSW border and a branch railway to Williamstown. The company struggled to make any progress and on 23 May 1856, the colonial Government took over the Company and it became part of the newly established Department of Railways, part of the Board of Land and Works. The Department of Railways became Victorian Railways in 1859. Construction of the Bendigo line commenced in 1858, but this private consortium also met with financial difficulties when it was unable to raise sufficient funds, and was bought out by the Victorian colonial government. The design work was then taken over by Captain Andrew Clarke, R. E., Surveyor-General of Victoria, with bridge designs completed by Bryson and O'Hara The contract for the first stage of the line from Footscray to Sandhurst (now Bendigo), was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937.2s.2d ($6.714 million) with work commencing on 1 June 1858. Completion of the permanent way was to be by 31 July 1861 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne,_Mount_Alexander_and_Murray_River_Railway_Company Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Victorian Railways : report of the Board of Land and Works November 1862 GP V 1862/63 no. 21 (2.8 MB) https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1862-63No21.pdfHistoric - Victorian Railways - Double Headed rail Ravenswood Railway Station and Siding Victorian Heritage Database Reports Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1100 Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1786 National Trust VHR H1100 Mount Alexander and Murray River Rail way Line National Trust2 rail lengths of Double Headed Rail made of Iron makers marks : Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel and 20 joint chairs with metal rail pins Makers mark Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel (possible date 187? very hard to read ) puffing billy, double headed rail, wilson & cammell - dronfield - steel works, ravenswood station siding, melbourne to echuca rail line, initially known as the melbourne, mt alexander and murray river railway.