Prince Charlie was the second last member of the Liwira Gundidj clan, of the Djargurd Wurrung, still living on Country. He died in 1882 at Framlingham Mission just months before his companion Wombeetch Puyuun (Camperdown George).Black and white photograph of Prince Charlie, an Aboriginal manFront top: J. JORDAN, Liebig Street, WARRNAMBOOL; front bottom: Prince Charlie, Camperdowncdhs, djargurd wurrung, djargurdwurrung, prince charley, cdhsfirstnations

Orbost Aero Club began in 1969 with Basil Dowie as Chair, David Nixon as Secretary/Treasurer. The group went into recess from 1977-1991 closing in 1997. The mid 1960s were boom years in flying training in Australia and the number of Aero Clubs grew rapidly. The Club played a significant role in the establishment of the small airport at Marlo and in the ongoing operation and development of the airport over the years particularly for patient transfer by aerial ambulance. The Orbost Aero Club Club played a significant role in the establishment of the small airport at Marlo and in the ongoing operation and development of the airport over the yearsA round Three Nuns Tobacco tin with a petty cash book inside. The tin - 2406.16 - has a red tape label - Petty Cash. The lid has a black circle on an orange background with white and orange print. The book - 2406.17 has a grey vinyl cover It is rectangular with rounded corners, cut to fit inside the tin. It contains hand-writteen records of costs.On top of tin lid - labelling tape - PETTY CASH On book cover in black print - PETTY CASH above black line Three Nuns Tobacco in white ORBOST None Nicer in orange AERO J & F Bell Glasgow in white CLUB On rim of lid - 2 oz Insert coin under lid and twistorbost-aero-club three-nuns-tobacco-tin

The first weekly number of The Girl's Own Paper appeared on 3 January 1880. As with its male counterpart The Boy's Own Paper, the magazine was published by the Religious Tract Society (which subsequently became Lutterworth Press). In October 1929, the title became The Girl's Own Paper and Woman's Magazine but in 1930 the Woman's Magazine became a separate publication. In December 1947 the name was changed to The Girl's Own Paper and Heiress. By 1951 it was called Heiress incorporating the Girl's Own Paper. In 1956 Heiress closed down, and the name "Girl's Own Paper" ceased to exist. J. Hossack was probably James Hossack. The Hossacks were staunch Presbyterians.The Girl's Own Paper was an important and positive influence on generations of girls and women, and a vital outlet for women's writing and ideas, for more than three-quarters of a century.A black/white magazine with a masthead at the top of the front cover. The masthead is based on the sculpture The Spirit of Love and Truth by Joseph Edwards. There are black / white illustrations of young ladies and dogs on the cover. It contains, stories, educational articles, poetry, music and a serial.on front - "J. Hossack, Orbost"magazine literature-children's girl's-own-paper

This envelope would have been made for the organising committee of the 1937 Back To Orbost celebration.This item was part of of a significant event held in Orbost. A small, white rectangular envelope. In the top left hand corner in dark brown is an illustration of maize, vegetables,a boomerang and the Snowy River Bridge enclosed in an oval frame. Inside the boomerang is "BACK TO ORBOST. 1937". Below is " 27 / 2 /39 to 6 / 3 /3" and below this is "Cr J. Perry President - M.W. Cowell secretary" printed in an ornate text..orbost-back-to-1937 envelope stationery

This licence is for James Massey Herbert.A small certificate in black / white print. It is a "Licence for Driver of a Motor Car + Cycle" for Jas M. Herbert. It is numbered 49232.licence-driving herbert-jas document

Saunders General Store was opened in 1900, overlapping part of the Mensland and Coultons stores. It was called "The ―Melbourne Store" which referred to it being a branch of their Melbourne store.The shop was burnt down in the early 1930‘s. Arthur Scott Saunders was born in 1864 and died 3-12-1913 (49) in Orbost. He was the son of Thomas Frederick Saunders and Lucy Beard Scott. He was a Storekeeper at Orbost, a member of the early Show Committees, a Rechabite in 1893, and was a member of the Board of Guardians of the Church of England from 1894 to 1913 where he served as secretary and treasurer of the Board. He was married to Agnes Louisa Stuart Morris. She sold the business in 1919 to Mr J. H. V. Dale and left Orbost with her two daughters for East Malvern in April 1927. ( more info. on the Saunders family in In Times Gone By by Deborah Hall; Orbost & District Historical Society Newsletter by John Phillips) Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex. This item is an example of a hand-written account from an Orbost business of the early 20th century. It is a useful research tool.A white paper account with red lines, hand-written black print. There is a yellow duty stamp and a green receipt from A.S. Saunders, Drapers, Grocer and Ironmonger, to R.P. Cameron.account saunders-family cameron-r.p. book-keeping

Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is an example of the book-keeping of an Orbost business in the early 20th century and is a useful research tool.A white paper account with black print and red lines hand-written from J. Lamont, tailor and mercer to Mr R. Cameron. It has a yellow duty stamp.lamont-j-tailor-mercer-orbost cameron-robert-pullar

Orbost and East Gippsland Agricultural, Pastoral & Horticultural Society held their annual show in the Mechanics' Institute hall in Orrbost on November 16, 1894. First Prize in Class F Section C was awarded to Elsie Price for "six buttonholes (children under 14)". At this time C.N. Henderson was President and Lauchlan Ross was Secretary. The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904, on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella. Ref: In Times Gone By-Deborah Hall Prior to the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show these smaller shows were held in the Mechanics' Institute hall. Elsie Price, 1886-1897, was the daughter of David J and Mary Faithfull.This item is associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century.A original rectangular white paper certificate. Text is inside a border- all print is black. Details are handwritten.On back - many names. On front -"Mrs Price"award agricultural-show public-event

This item is an example of the book-keeping of an early 20th century Orbost business. It bis a useful research item.A white paper account with red lines and black print. It is from J.S. Tomlinson, Newsagent and Stationer to Mr Cameron.book-keeping tomlinson-j.s.account

John Russell Senior was a blacksmith, wheelwright, farmer and later chairman of the Orbost Butter Factory, makers of Sunny South Butter (today part of Murray Goulburn Co Ltd). His blacksmith business was in Nicholson Street, Orbost. Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is an example of the book-keeping of an early 20th century Orbost business and is a useful research tool.A white paper account with red lines and black print. Details are hand-written in blue ink. It is from J. Russell to R. P. Cameron.account-book-keeping russell-john blacksmith cameron-r.p.

The photograph shows three trucks hauling logs of 120 feet, 116 feet and 118 feet long. Said to be the longest logs ever taken from East Gippsland forests, three special vehicles were needed to transport three giants, the longest measuring 120 feet, from the McKenzie River to Traralgon. Mr. J. De Piazza, of Orbost, was in charge of the transport of the logs. This photograph shows the logs passing through Bairnsdale.Orbost has historically been based on the timber industry, but that industry has declined considerably over the last 20 years. The number of locals involved in the timber industry has declined and many of the mills have closed. This item reflects a time when that industry was a significant contributor to the economy of the district.A black / white photograph of three trucks hauling logs of various lengths.on front - "120 ft; 118 ft; 116 ft" on back -" J. De Piazza, 23 Boundary Rd, Orbost, 1942"timber-industry-orbost

This photograph shows Mr John Scouller, the manager, on the left with His assistant, Fred ?. Mr Scouller was the manager of the Orbost Butter Factory for 30 years and was succeeded by Mr Stafford after his retirement. The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st, 1892.The first shipment to England went rank and was only good for axle grease on wagons and carts.The milk was brought to the factory by horse and dray.Most people would take the whey home for their pigs,which were abundant on the farms in the Orbost district. First directors – James Nixon (chairman), James Cameron, Carl H. Grove, Harry Richardson, David Rhys Morris, Lachlan Ross. The factory opened 11th January, 1893 with John Scouller as the manager. The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st 1893 and was an important source of income to the Orbost district.A black / white photograph of two men standing near machinery inside the Orbost Butter Factory.on back - " Orbost. m. Gilbert. J. Scouller, Fred?????. Donated by Colin Perry"orbost-butter-factory scouller-john dairying

The photograph shows the coach owned by Mr Tom Malinn of Sardine Creek. It is in front of the Orbost Club Hotel in Nicholson Street, Orbost. On lst Juy 1926, Tom Malin took over the horse drawn coach run from Orbost to Delegate. After a few years he obtained an International 2-3 ton truck. On his first trip to Bendoc he did not carry mail, but brought Miss Cunning, the first lady head teacher and collected ballot boxes. On his next trip (March 1930) he made history as the first mailman on this route to deliver mail in a motor vehicle. (info. Bendoc History) Tom and Sophie Malinn farmed at Martin’s Creek. Sophie (nee Jensen) married Tom Malinn in 1926. Sophie’s family had run the historic “Danebo Hotel” at Martin’s Creek for many years, and in 1931, Tom and Sophie began farming at Martin’s Creek, initially cropping maize and beans. The first hotel built in Orbost was the Club in 1885, an old wooden place on the corner built for J. A. Petersen of the Mitchell Hotel Bairnsdale, now known as the Victoria Hotel. Tom Maguire, a step­son of the late Mr. Petersen, carried on the club Hotel Orbost for 5 or 6 years. The property then came into the possession of Alfred Cooper, a Yorkshireman who purchased the freehold about 1890, pulled the building down and erected the present structure.This is a pictorial history horse-drawn transport used widely in Orbost until the late 1920sA black / white photograph of a horse-drawn buggy with four men on the buggy and two mmen standing beside it, It is in front of the Orbost Club Hotel in Nicholson Street, Orbost..on back - "Tom Malinn on coach run"malinn-tom club-hotel-orbost transport-orbost

This photograph was taken at a combined denominational Sunday School picnic in 1905. The group was at the Orbost Show. Back Row: Miss A. winchester; Mr A. Royce; Miss M. Pardew; Miss D. Pleydell; Mr a. Pardew; Mr G, Ford Next Row: Mrs J. Pleydell; Mrs Hossack; Mrs Kant; Mrs J. Cameron; Mrs Stirling; Mrs H. Ross; Mrs Draffin; Mr Hossack; Mr Winchester Next Row; Mrs Shortell; Mrs Shortell; Mr Battley; Miss C. Pleydell; Miss J. Munro; Mr D. Munro; Mrs Scharlemann Front Row: Mr A. Munro; Mr Kent; Miss M. Hildyard; Mrs BattleyFor many years the people of Orbost enjoyed the fellowship of the church and the children, in particular, were socially and spiritually involved. This item is reminiscent of that time.A black / white photograph of a group of ladies and gentlemen sitting outside on tiered seats. The ladies are wearing hats and the men , in suits, are holding their hats. The photograph is on a cream buff card.on front - list of namesreligion sunday-schools churches-orbost orbost-show-1905

This is a photograph of the Saunders Family at Orbost 1888-89. It is Arthur and Agnes Saunders with their children, Beatrice, Cyril, Hilda and Vera. Arthur Scott Saunders was born 1864 in Orbost and died 3.12.1913 in Orbost where he is buried. He was the son of Son of Thomas Frederick Saunders and Lucy Beard Scott. He was a storekeeper at Orbost, a member of the early Show Committees, a Rechabite in 1893, and was a member of the Board of Guardians of the Church of England from 1894 to 1913 where he served as secretary and treasurer of the Board. His wife was Agnes Louisa Stuart Morriss who was born in 1862 and died 26-11-1938 at East Malvern and is buried in . Orbost cemetery. She sold the business in 1919 to Mr J. H, V. Dale. She left Orbost with her two daughters for East Malvern in April 1927. Saunders General Store was opened in 1900, overlapping part of the present Mensland and Coultons. The ―Melbourne Store‖ refers to it being a branch of their Melbourne store. The shop was burnt down in the early 1930‘s. ( info. from Saunders Family Newsletter by John Phillips)This is a pictorial record of a prominent early Orbost family and is a useful research item.A black / white photograph of a family group with the parents seated and their children standing around them. In the background is a wooden fence. It is on a beige coloured buff card.on front - "Saunders family at Orbost" on back - " Saunders family at orbost, 1888 - 1889"saunders-orbost

There is no information associated with this photograph.This item is a pictorial record of prominent Orbost citizens.A very faded black / white photograph of seven men sitting and eight men standing behind them. All are wearing a lodge sash and apron. It is on a grey and red buff card.on front - "Regan J. Nixon Sheffield Herbert Mundy Wener Mundy J.Russell Olney GDP J Drew Dr Kerr Mundy ' front bottom - "C. Mason Photography Bairnsdale"m.i.o.o.f

This photo shows people at the running of the Orbost Cup in 1890s. The Orbost Race Club was founded in 1890. Many early members were: George Morgan, James Cowell, J. Farquhar, J. Cameron, L. Herbert, S. J. Lynn, Arch. Rodwell, J. Ashby, A. W. McLeod, W. Middleton, W. Archer, J. Pleydell and J. Drew. The races were conducted on a course laid out in a paddock of Mr James Cowell at Jarrahmond. (info. from Newsletter HISTORY OF ORBOST) This item is associated with horse racing in early Orbost.A black / white photograph of a large group of men, women and children at an outing in a bush setting with a large flat area. They appear to be watching an event. Many of the women are holding opened large umbrellas. It is on a grey buff card.horse-racing-orbost orbost-race-club

This photograph is of Mr J.W. Lynn riding over the jumps. In the background ids the first motor car in Orbost - 19132. The first meeting to form an Agricultural society in Orbost was convened by the then Orbost Progress Association and held in the Mechanics Hall on Saturday, 10th October 1891. Its first show was held on 3rd March 1904...on a site alongside the Bonang Road where the present Golf Club stands. It is currently held at the Recreation Reserve at Newmerella. (Ref: In Times Gone By-Deborah Hall) Equestrian events have always been an integral part of the show. This item is associated with the Orbost Agricultural Society 's Annual Show which has been a major event in Orbost for over a century. Agricultural shows are an important part of cultural life in small country towns and the Orbost Show is an integral part of Orbost 's agricultural history. Horse riding as a recreational and sporting activity has always played a significant role in the social history of Orbost.A faded black /white photograph of a rider and horse jumping over a fence. People are watching. It appears to be a male rider.on front at bottom - " 1912 Orbost Show" on back - "1st motor car - G. Nixon, Orbost Show J. W. Lynn riding over jumps"equestrian orbost-show recreation

This photograph is of Orbost Shire Councillor Joseph Armstrong who represented East Riding 1918. He was president twice.This item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. 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.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a man in a suit. There is also a framed copy.on back - "Cr J. Armstrong J.P."armstrong-joseph orbost-shire-council

This is a photograph of Councillor J. Walker who represented East Riding on the Orbost Shire council from 1915 - 1926.This item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. 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.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a moustached man in a suit.on back - "Cr J. Walker, East Riding 1915-1926"walker-j. orbost-shire-council

In the late 19th century in the Orbost area roads were just bush tracks which generally were unsuitable for any type of vehicular traffic so were traversed mainly by horseback. As the settlement grew, a weekly mail service from Cunninghame (Lakes Entrance) was estab-lished. The settlers had to carry the mail for three months and each took a turn as mailman during that time. The first coach was driven by Mr Alex Hall. Eventually a daily mail service was set up and many drivers included B. Sutherland, W. Middleton, Jonson Bros., J. Mitchell, F. Newport, J. Geddes, A. Coulson, Bert Cessor, H. Weekes and A. Barthile. (info. from Newletter August 2007) This photograph is one of A. Coulson’s Coach crossing the Sand Bar at Lake Tyers.This is a pictorial record of very early transport in East Gippsland.A very faded small postcard / photograph of a horse and cart crossing a beach.on front in black writing - " Crossing at Lake Tyers" on back - "A Coulson"lake-tyers transport coulson-coaches

This is the Dalgety bridge across the Snowy River. It is a steel construction.The first bridge over the river was constructed in 1888. There was a punt across the river before the bridge was built . Dalgety is a small service centre, located on the Snowy River approximately 235 km from Orbost. It was an early consideration for the site of Australia,s capital city. The Dalgety Bridge over the Snowy River has been an important item of infrastructure in the history of New South Wales for over 110 years. It was designed by noted bridge engineer J. A. McDonald,and was a technically sophisticated bridge structure for its time. This is a pictorial record of a significant structure on the Snowy River.A small black / white photograph of a large bridge over a river.bridge-dalgety-snowy-river

Elastoplast was the first plaster to incorporate a gauze pad, which made it suitable for dressing wounds. Elastoplast dressings were devised in 1928 by employees at T. J. Smith & Nephew, a firm which was originally founded in 1856 as a small dispensing chemist’s in Hull. The original Elastoplast was an adhesive material, Smith & Nephew alerted doctors to their invention in the British Medical Journal in 1929, and Elastoplast was on display at the 1931 London Medical Exhibition.A small rectangular tin with removable lid. The exterior is red with white and black text: "Elastoplast, FIRST AID DRESSINGS. Gauze pad medicated with Domiphen Bromide BPC (for sterilising) 0.1% The logo S & N in white print is inside a white dotted circle towards the bottom of the lid.tin elastoplast medical first-aid

This certificate was presented to Donald David Thomson , sleeper hewer, aged 42 years for rescuing S.C. Curtis, aged 52, G. Wylie, aged 54, J. Dalgleish, aged 5 from flood waters at White gulch on the Snowy River on January 8, 1934. (The certificate reads as White's Gulch but should be Watt's gulch.) Although damage estimated at 500,000 pounds was caused by the unprecedented floods along the Snowy River, no lives were lost because of the courageous actions of men like Donald Thomson.A framed copy of a printed and hand-written certificate from the Royal Humane Society of Australia awarded to Donald David Thomson for rescuing victims of the floodwaters in Orbost January 1934. It is dated 6.3.1934.Printed at top of certificate: THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY / OF AUSTRALASIA. Has names of Society patrons and committee as well as names and ages of those rescued. award certificate royal-humane-society flood snowy-river 1934 thomson-david

Stanley J. Reed was an Orbost Shire Councillor from 1950-1993. He represented North Riding.A black and white photograph of Councillor Stan J. Reed in a black wooden frame.Cr Stan J. Reed Orbost Shire Councillor-Represented North Riding 1950-1993 Shire President: Four terms 1954-55 , 1955-56 1972-73 & 1973-74 municipal orbost-shire-council reed-stan government

Used as a vegetable dish and donated by Alice Slatter.White oval-shaped china dish with lid. Lid has handle. Bottom has broken handles. Raised base. dish china domestic-storage meakin-j&g

It is believed that the photograph on the obverse side of the postcard was taken in 1918. Depicted are ten Australian male soldiers. Their names are transcribed in pencil on the reverse side of the postcard. Each soldier is dressed in a formal military uniform. It is believed that these soldiers were part of The Australian Imperial Force during World War I. This can be inferred by the chevron rank insignia visible on the uniforms of nine of ten men. The placement of this insignia on the sleeves of their right arms suggests that they were either Warrant Officers or Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO). Specifically, the number of chevron stripes - here, nine men have three - are believed to signify a Corporal rank. The men pictured on this postcard are also wearing 'Rising Sun' collar badges on their coats. Australia, unlike most other Commonwealth countries, did not adopt metal regimental badges during the First World War. All units were issued with the Australian Army General Service Badge, better known as the 'Rising Sun’ badge. This insignia is almost always identified with the Australian Imperial Force. Another characteristic of the Australian Imperial Force uniform are the rectangular colour patches worn by all men on this postcard. In March 1915, a new scheme of unit identification was devised to replace the wearing of unit titles. This consisted of cloth colour patches on the upper arms of a soldier’s tunic. The black and white nature of the record means that we cannot establish which battalion these soldiers were part of. However, one of the handwritten signatures on the reverse side of the postcard reads "W.A. Griggs". This was the signature of Sergeant William Archibald Griggs. Further research shows that Griggs was part of the 5th Australian Division Signals Company. Therefore, it is believed these soldiers were part of the ANZAC Signal Companies. The main role of the Signal Companies during World War I was the laying and maintenance of telephone cables and switchboards, used to connect various units in their area. Furthermore, the man standing in the back row, third from the left side, has an Overseas Service chevron patch on his coat. In January 1918, the Australian Imperial Force approved the wearing of the overseas service chevrons which had been adopted by the British Army. These were embroidered or woven inverted chevrons worn above the cuff on the right arm. Due to a shortage of supply, some men had chevrons privately made. For each year of war service, a blue chevron was awarded, and those men who had embarked in 1914 received a red chevron to indicate that year’s service; however, the black and white nature of the postcard makes it difficult to determine what colours are on this man's patch.The record is historically significant due to its connection to World War I. This conflict is integral to Australian culture as it was the single greatest loss of life and the greatest repatriation of casualties in the country's history. Australia’s involvement in the First World War began when the Australian government established the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in August 1914. Immediately, men were recruited to serve the British Empire in the Middle East and on the Western Front. The first significant Australian action of the war was the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force’s (ANMEF) landing on Rabaul on 11 September 1914. The ANMEF took possession of German New Guinea at Toma on 17 September 1914 and of the neighbouring islands of the Bismarck Archipelago in October 1914. On 25 April 1915, members of the AIF landed on Gallipoli in Turkey with troops from New Zealand, Britain, and France. This specific event holds very strong significance within Australian history. The record has strong research potential. This is due to the ongoing public and scholarly interest in war, history, and especially the ANZAC legend, which is commemorated annually on 25 April, known as ANZAC Day.Black and white rectangular postcard printed on paper.Obverse: Oh 'Serg!' / Reverse: CARTE POSTALE / 6537 / Correspondance / Adresse / w.a. Grigg / J. Fain / Ruckling / R.J Farrar / (?) / Clarke / L (?) / GFFisher / R. M. Forrest / With Compliments / Sgt's Mess / November 1918 /military album, army, aif, uniform, military, wwi, world war i, rising sun badge, william archibald griggs, anzac, signal companies, postcard, patches, chevron

This photograph was captured sometime between an estimated 1940s-1950s. It depicts the Beechworth Benevolent Asylum (later the Ovens and Murray Hospital for the Aged) which was built in 1862. It is located on an elevated site in Beechworth, Victoria because it was believed the height was beneficial to the health of the patients at the Benevolent. Later wings were added to the original building between 1867 and 1890. The building was constructed in an unusual Flemish Gothic Revival style which contrasts with the classical style of the Mayday Hills Hospital in close proximity to the Benevolent. The Hospital was designed in Italianate Revival architecture. The appearance of buildings like the Mayday Hills Hospital and the Ovens Benevolent Asylum are representative of the importance of Beechworth as a town shortly after the goldrush. During the 1850s and 1860s, administration buildings were erected alongside churches, shops and structures of justice. This marks a movement away from the "chaotic" structure of life on the goldfields and towards a more civilised and cultural lifestyle. This social phenomenon is also witnessed in Melbourne with the creation of buildings like the State Library and the University of Melbourne. The Beechworth Benevolent Asylum was renamed the Ovens Benevolent Home in 1935. The Asylum had been set up to provide accommodation and care for permanently injured gold miners, and for women and children who were penniless, homeless, or whose parents were guests of the state. In 1954 it was renamed as The Ovens and Murray Home (as pictured in this photograph). The purpose of this building was to provide a refuge for the poor and destitute, homeless older men, deserted women and children along with providing care for the mentally ill. These buildings were built at the government's expense and are of great historical and architectural significance.This photograph depicts the Ovens and Murray Home (previously the Ovens Benevolent Home) during the 1940s or 1950s. Since this building is of great historic and architectural significance, photographs like this are especially valuable in reconstructing the use history and any changes/additions to the building over a period of time. This building is important for what it can reveal about society in Beechworth and also architectural styles. This building is made in the Flemish Gothic Revival style which is quite unusual for the 1860s. It is important as an early example of a building constructed for a specific purpose, in the case of this particular building: caring for the aged/destitute. This building is important for research into the civic development of Beechworth as an early Gold Rush town located in Victoria's North-East. During this period, Beechworth was developing as the main center of administration in this region which made it a very influential and quickly developed town. Photographs like this one which depict a building during one period in history can reveal important information for the use and alterations of a building and for preferences in architectural style. It can also be studied for what it reveals about society in Beechworth and compared and contrasted to similar institutions across Australia and with additional photographs in the Burke Museum collection.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on gloss photographic paperObverse: OVENS & MURRAY HOME / Reverse: KODAK PAPER / 727 / J. Collins BMM 8689.1 /mayday hills, beechworth benevolent asylum, ovens benevolent home, asylum, refuge, poor and destitute, goldrush, flemish gothic revival, architecture

This photograph was captured sometime between an estimated 1940s-1950s. It depicts the Beechworth Benevolent Asylum (later the Ovens and Murray Hospital for the Aged) which was built in 1862. It is located on an elevated site in Beechworth, Victoria because it was believed the height was beneficial to the health of the patients at the Benevolent. Later wings were added to the original building between 1867 and 1890. The building was constructed in an unusual Flemish Gothic Revival style which contrasts with the classical style of the Mayday Hills Hospital in close proximity to the Benevolent. The Hospital was designed in Italianate Revival architecture. The appearance of buildings like the Mayday Hills Hospital and the Ovens Benevolent Asylum are representative of the importance of Beechworth as a town shortly after the goldrush. During the 1850s and 1860s, administration buildings were erected alongside churches, shops and structures of justice. This marks a movement away from the "chaotic" structure of life on the goldfields and towards a more civilised and cultural lifestyle. This social phenomenon is also witnessed in Melbourne with the creation of buildings like the State Library and the University of Melbourne. The Beechworth Benevolent Asylum was renamed the Ovens Benevolent Home in 1935. The Asylum had been set up to provide accommodation and care for permanently injured gold miners, and for women and children who were penniless, homeless, or whose parents were guests of the state. In 1954 it was renamed as The Ovens and Murray Home (as pictured in this photograph). The purpose of this building was to provide a refuge for the poor and destitute, homeless older men, deserted women and children along with providing care for the mentally ill. These buildings were built at the government's expense and are of great historical and architectural significance.This photograph depicts the Ovens and Murray Home (previously the Ovens Benevolent Home) during the 1940s or 1950s. Since this building is of great historic and architectural significance, photographs like this are especially valuable in reconstructing the use history and any changes/additions to the building over a period of time. This building is important for what it can reveal about society in Beechworth and also architectural styles. This building is made in the Flemish Gothic Revival style which is quite unusual for the 1860s. It is important as an early example of a building constructed for a specific purpose, in the case of this particular building: caring for the aged/destitute. This building is important for research into the civic development of Beechworth as an early Gold Rush town located in Victoria's North-East. During this period, Beechworth was developing as the main center of administration in this region which made it a very influential and quickly developed town. Photographs like this one which depict a building during one period in history can reveal important information for the use and alterations of a building and for preferences in architectural style. It can also be studied for what it reveals about society in Beechworth and compared and contrasted to similar institutions across Australia and with additional photographs in the Burke Museum collection.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on gloss photographic paperBack of photograph. Handwriting: "For John Beckingsale"mayday hills, beechworth benevolent asylum, ovens benevolent home, destitute, gold town, beechworth, victoria, north-east vic

Photographed in the early 1900s, this black and white photograph depicts 25 members of the Mayday Hills Hospital Staff. Six men sit in front of the group (Mr Imhose stands fourth from the left in front row), upon the ground and behind them, in bright white clothing, sit eight female nurses upon a long bench (one of these nurses is identified on the rear as Miss A.J. Ross). Behind these women stand 10 men. The men are all wearing dark clothing and several have 'Kepi' style hats. The staff photograph was captured by Frazer and Vallance Photographers Melbourne. This image was originally combined with 1997.2491 but these images have since been torn apart and catalogued separately. Beechworth's Mayday Hills was chosen as the site of Victoria's newest asylum, at the time, due to the landscape and altitude. The hilltop atmosphere and the native fauna, it was argued, would assist in the cure of the patients kept at the hospital (Wood 1985, 122). The positioning of the hospital had a beneficial effect on the rural town. A pamphlet published by James Ingram and Son (1849) reveal that famous landmarks in Beechworth which included the Post Office, Gaol, Courthouse and Asylum "demonstrate the appreciation of Beechworth by the Government not only as as important district center, but also as a site unrivaled as a sanitarium". There were other locations in contention at the time, but ultimately Beechworth was chosen (Craig 2000, 33). Prior to the creation of the Asylum in Beechworth, those charged with having mental illnesses or, as it was termed, "insanity" were unable to be properly cared for in the Gaol (which is where they were often sent). John Buckley Castieau wrote, in 1861 for the Ovens and Murray Advertiser, that the Gaol was unable to properly care for those classified then as "insane" but that they would endeavor to treat them above the other inmates (which he notes is not always the case in other establishments). Castieau wrote this in favour of supporting the building of the Mayday Hills Hospital in Beechworth. It was stated that at the time the Mayday Hills Hospital was built, there were 83 prisoners kept in the Gaol who were to be rehoused to the Hospital on the grounds of "insanity". The classification as someone as "insane", in this period of time is a reflection on the inability to cure and understand illnesses of the mind during the mid to late 1800s. Opening on the 24th of October 1867, the Mayday Hills Hospital was originally named the "Ovens Lunatic Asylum", a title which is very much a product of its time. Whilst controversial, changes to the name is part of the history of the Hospital and can provide much insight into the understanding of mental illness throughout history and the use/disuse of this term provides information into the reception/changing opinions of mental illness in society. The Hospital would later become known as the "Mayday Hills Asylum" and/or "Mayday Hills Hospital" with the latter being the most commonly used title. An article in the Ovens and Murray Advertiser notes that on the 7th of March 1865, the foundation stone of the Hospital was laid (it would officially open in 1867) and that it was such a moment of accomplishment and joy for Beechworth that a letter to the editor even suggested that there should be a holiday dedicated to the day the foundation stone as laid. This reveals an extent to which the townspeople of early Beechworth valued the construction of the Hospital in their town. It provided the town with a sense of prestige and honour.At first glance, the remains of the Mayday Hills Hospital in Beechworth, Victoria, inspire tragedy, trauma and beauty. The buildings themselves, with their Italianate style Renaissance architecture designed by J.J. Clark (Craig 2000, 49 & Smith 2016, 203) reflect a bygone period of European and Australian history. The gardens provide a sense of tranquility and beauty. The experience of those within these walls remains a valuable area of study to provide a more complete understanding. This particular hospital is considered the fourth of its like and one of three identified as the largest of their kind. The Mayday Hills Hospital is a sister to the Kew and Ararat Asylums in Melbourne which are both located in relative proximity. Understanding the role of the Mayday Hills Hospital in Beechworth history is integral to understanding the development of the goldfields town, but also for providing important information as to the history of caring for, and the reception of, mental illnesses in Australian and wider European history. Mayday Hills provides a case study which can be researched through oral history, an analysis of the grounds/buildings and through images like this postcard which portray the structure in a highly deliberate manner. Images like this depict the strong façade of the Hospital and provide a glimpse into the tranquility of the gardens. This has been done deliberately to provide a sense of comfort and healing about the building to those looking from the outside. Further research into the importance of the Hospital in Beechworth and it's connection to the town will be supported through images like these kept in the Mayday Hills photo album in the collection of the Burke Museum.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on photographic paper mounted on cardHandwriting reads: "Mental Hospital / Beechworth / Miss A. J. Ross / about 82 in 1944".mental asylum, beechworth, mayday hills, mayday hills hospital, victoria, mental health, history of mental illness, treatment of metal illness, asylum, hospital for mentally unwell, miss a.j. ross, nurse, staff, doctors