Born in 1911, Cecil Alan Sonsee lived at Springmount near Creswick, and taught natural history at the Ballarat Teachers' College for 30 years. His teaching career stretched over a 48 year period. He spent six years as a student teacher before reaching the position of first class teacher. He had the distinction of never attending a teachers' college, but spending half his teaching career training students to become teachers. At the time of his retirement Mr Sonsee said during his years at the college, "the training had changed from a one year course to a two year course, followed by a three year course, and now a four year course was offered." He recalled "in the early days all country schools had eight grades and a child finished with a merit certificate. Today [1976], children went to high schools from sixth grade and most of the country schools had disappeared.' Alan Sonsee spent 10 years on a television program on BTV6 answering questions sent by viewers regarding aspects of plant and animal live. Mr Sonsee was a life member of both Creswick and Ballarat Field naturalists Clubs. Alan Sonsee died in 1985.1) Foolscap Department of Victoria Ballarat newsletter titled Education 'Regional Views'. The newsletter depicts an image of Alan Sonsee and outlines his career at the time of his retirement on 20 July 1976. The author of the newsletter is unknown. .2) newspaper article on the retirement of Alan Sonsee dated 25 August 1976 (probably from the Ballarat Courier).1) Mr "Nature Man" Retires After a quiet celebration, Mr C.A. Sonsee, a well-known staff member at Ballarat State College, retired from the Victorian Education Department on 20th July, 1976. Alan was the longest serving primary teacher seconded to the State College (Formerly the Ballarat teachers' College), probably the best known and certainly one of the most highly respected educationalists in this region. Leaving Ballarat high School in 1927, he spent the following years teaching at Smeaton, Willowvale, Lawrence (originally called Jerusalem) and Kooroocheang primary schools. However, during the last twenty-nine years, his fame and his influence spread further and further afield. From 1947 to 1976, under a number of principals, Alan endeared himself to thousands of students undergoing their tertiary preparation for teaching. And thousands is the word! Hundreds and hundreds of practising teachers of all ages came to this great teacher again and again for assistance in understanding natural phenomena, a broad field in which he is an acknowledged expert. What undoubtedly made him so accessible to the young and the no-so-young alike was his ready willingness to share with them is rich experience. The warmth of his nature, his kindliness, his dry humour enriched and enlivened the gifts he lavished liberally on all who needed help. Nor did he spare himself in the process. During his ling period of service to teachers, students and some two generations or so of school children, Field Naturalists also, within and well beyond Ballarat, profited from his participation and guidance. A car trip from Ballarat to Lancefield was made unforgettable by Alan's running and lively commentary; the time spent with him viewing and fossicking in an aboriginal flint area is still vivid, thouhg many moons have waxed and waned since then. And who can ever forget his palcid, home;y handling of "Mr nature Man" programmes on BTV 6 for over ten years? his name became a hose-hold word over an existence viewing area in Western Victoria - as his mail bag showed. Mr T. Turner was closely associated with C.A.S. for some twenty-three years as colleague and college principal. Recently tome said, "Alan was highly esteemed by staff and students, When I saw him lecturing I would be struck by the depth and breadth of his knowledge, and by the smooth, almost deceptively simple way he shared what he knew with others. I remember, too, his consideration for the views and the feelings of others; for the tolerance and range of his understanding of human nature. But, above all else, I remember him as a friend." All who know him in any way at all will want to say, "Thanks you, Alan, for everything you did for us. Thank you, Alan for what you are."alan sonsee, ballarat teachers' college, ballarat state college, education, teaching, ballarat field naturalists, creswick field naturalists, aborigines, lancefield flint, smeaton primary school, willowvale primary school, lawrence primary school, jerusalum primary school, kooroocheang primary school, nature studies, mr nature man

This beautifully bound book was awarded to A. Tunbridge in 1884 for his prowess in French studies during the fifth form. At some stage the book has been donated to Mentone Girls High School and added to their library collection before being donted to Ballarat Clarendon College. A leather bound book with Ballarat College crest and borders embossed in gold on front cover. Page edges have gold-leaf. There is a bookplate fixed to inside front cover. Binding has been re-inforced with tape inside front and back covers.Circular Ballarat College crest on front cover with 'E studiis - Claritudo venit around outer edge; Minerva Head in centre with 'Ballarat College' printed around it. Printed book plate inside the front cover 'BC crest / French / First prize / Fifth form / Awarded to / A. Tunbridge / Christas, 1884. Title page has been stamped 'Mentone Girls High School Library 2922' Handwritten on second page 'Donated by E. Payne'book, a tunbridge, prize, 1884, alexander pope, christmas 1884

One of four carvers' chairs supplied by Old Collegians Association in 1925 for the newly erected Memorial Hall. In the 1970s these chairs were in use at the end of each table in MacFarland Dining Hall. Student chairs were similar shape but without crest or arms. Significant example of the generosity and involvement of the Old Collegians towards the establishment of the school post World War 1. The OC's supplied three carvers chairs, four dining tables and 40 regular chairs for the memorial Hall, also then known as the memorial Dining Hall. refer Mein's history p.85. Solid wood chair with arms and high back restInitials 'BC" carved at top of back restchair, ballarat-college, memorial-hall, 1925, old-collegians-association

This copy of Homeri Ilias Tome I & II published in 1839 and belonged to Reverend William Henderson, founder of Ballarat College. Collected by K C Hofmaier (1963) by purchase of a library at Gembrook (Vic) which contained a number of books from the old Ballarat Latin Language Library, including school text books and theological works formerly the property of the founder of Ballarat College, Rev William HendersonHigh social significance due to connection with founder of the school Rev William HendersonMarbled card cover with calf binding and corners; raised bands on spine with six compartments; gold lettering on red-dyed title compartment; very worn; black and white illustrations at head of each chapter; Handwritten inscription on title page: W Hendersonwilliam-henderson, ballarat-college, keith-hofmaier, 1839,

This book was awarded to James Thomas Hargreaves for first prize for arithmetic in the sixth form in 1889. James enrolled in Ballarat College in 1889 at the age of 17. In the original resister the parent/guardian listed is sister, Miss Eliza Hargreaves with the address being P.O Wallace. The register also notes that the previous school was Matriculation Class, High School.Presbyterian educators placed great value on a classical education matched with diligence in study. Book prizes were highly regarded and academic success admired. In the school’s early years prizes were ordered direct from London and had the school crest embossed in gold on the front or back cover. Many of the prizes given in early years were returned to the school to equip the Weatherly Library when it opened in 1936.Bound in black calf with marble edging. Six raised bands on spine with gold decoration; gold writing on second compartment with red calf; College crest embossed on front cover; black and white frontise piece, end papers marbled, slight foxing on pages, 437 p.Book plate inside front cover: college crest/ Arithmetic/ Sixth Form,/ First Prize./ Awarded to/ Jas Hargreaves/ Christmas, 1889.james-thomas-hargreaves, book-prize, arithmetic, 1889, ballarat-college, eliza-hargreaves, matriculation-class-high-school.

School of Mines Ballarat was a predecessor of Federation UniversityLetter from Cumming, Smith and Co. to School of Mines Ballarat with Letterhead cummings smith & co., school of mines ballarat, letterhead, high class manure

Collection of exercise books used by E J (Jack) Barker when he attended Footscray Technical School. He studied Diplomas in Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering - three year course - 1942-1944. Prior to this he had attended Williamstown North State School then Williamstown High School. He changed to Footscray Technical School as he was less interested in the academic subjects and more interested in technical subjects. He chose Engineering as it gave access to Diploma Courses and tertiary studies. This enabled him to enter the University of Melbourne and do a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering - 1945, 1946, and 1947. In 1948 he did a Diploma in Education at Melbourne University. From this path he was able to follow a career in teaching and his first appointment was at the School of Mines in Ballarat, (SMB) 1949. He became the first Vice Principal of SMB in 1960 and then Principal in 1964 to 1976. From 1976 to his retirement in 1987, he was the Foundation Director of Ballarat College of Advanced Education (BCAE). The Library building at Mount Helen Campus is named after him.Lined and Graph exercise books. 1942 - 12 books 1943 - 11 books 1944 - 14 booksBooks labeled with subject name. e j barker, jack barker, footscray technical school, melbourne university, williamstown north state school, williamstown high school, engineering, diploma of mechanical engineering, diploma of electrical engineering, school of mines ballarat, smb, diploma in education, vice principal, principal, foundation director, ballarat college of advanced education, bcae, bachelor of mechanical engineering, library, mount helen campus

The Davey Paxman Experimental Steam Engine was purchased as the result of a bequest from Thomas Bath. The 'substantial sum' was used to build an Engineering Laboratory. The Ballarat School of Mines Council minutes of 08 November 1901 record: - Plans for [the] proposed building were submitted ... and ... it was resolved that a temporary building for an Engineering Laboratory be put up.' This laboratory, as an existing building, is first mentioned in the Ballarat School of Mines President's Annual Report of 1901, presented on 28 February 1902, reporting 'the erection of a building 67ft long by 33 ft wide' This report also lists all the equipment that would be accommodated in the Engineering Laboratory, including the experimental steam engine and boiler. The experimental Davey-Paxman steam engine arrived in Ballarat towards the end of 1902. The Engineering Laboratory was opened on 14 August 1903 by His Excellency Sir Sydenham Clarke. This engineering laboratory remained in use till about 1945. By 1944 preparations were under way at the Ballarat School of Mines to expand existing facilities, to be ready for the influx of returned soldiers. A new Heat Engines laboratory was built, this time of brick construction, replacing the previous corrugated-iron shed. In the early stages the steam engine was used to drive an overhead transmission shaft for machinery in the adjacent workshop. Later the steam engine was moved to a space that became the Heat Thermodynamics Laboratory. At the end of 1969 the engine was relocated to the Thermodynamics Laboratory at the then Ballarat Institute of Advanced Education (BIAE) Mt Helen Campus. It was donated to Sovereign Hill in 2006. According to the research of Rohan Lamb in 2001 around five experimental steam engines were made by Davey Paxman, and three of these had similar configuration to the Ballarat School of Mines Steam Engine, however, each of these was also unique with different valve arrangements. The list, which was on a scrap of paper in a folio held in the Essex Archives, confirmed that one was sent to India. The Ballarat steam engine can be dated to late 1901 to early 1902. Zig Plavina was responsible for moving the steam engine to Mount Helen, and worked on it as a technician for many years. He observed the following: * The condenser is driven by the low pressure engine. * The following arrangements are possible: i) the high pressure engine alone, exhausting to atmosphere. Condenser not used, crankshaft flanges not coupled. ii) crankshafts coupled, mains pressure (120 psi) steam supplied to high pressure engine, partially expanded steam delivered to low pressure engine (Tandem operation). Choice available re exhaust steam: either to the condenser or to atmosphere. iii) crankshafts not coupled, reduced pressure steam supplied to low pressure engine. Exhaust steam - either to the condenser or to atmosphere. * Valve arrangement - a choice of Pickering cut-off or throttle governor. On low pressure engine - throttle governor only.Black and white photograph of the Davey Paxman Experimental Steam Engine. On the brake is returned serviceman Norman WIlliam Ludbrook (Diploma Electrical Engineering, 1952). Far right is Roy E. Mawby (Diploma Electrical Engineering, 1950)steam engine, model steam engine, davey paxman, electrical engineering, laboratory, scientific instrument, norman ludbrook, norman william ludbrook, roay mawby, roy e. mawby

James Albert Rintoule entered Ballarat College 1888; son of Robert Rintoule of Nhill and previously educated at Nhill State School to the 5th Form. James was a significant sportsman winning medals for high jump 9n 1890 and 1891 as well as hurdles. He continued his sports after leaving the school, winning the 1893 Albion Football Club Best Place Player. James' great nephew and niece James (1962) and Helen (1967) also attended the school. Such ornate medals reveal the significant place of sports in the school culture at the end of the 19th century. Gold plated ring with gold 6-point star within ring; ornate engraving on ring back and front; star inscribed both back and front; long gold link chain attached to top of medal.Star face: 1st / HURDLE RACE / WON BY / J RINTOULE / 1891 Star verso: BALLARAT / crest / COLLEGEjames-rintoule, ballarat-college, 1891, medal, hurdle-race

James Albert Rintoule entered Ballarat College 1888; son of Robert Rintoule of Nhill and previously educated at Nhill State School to the 5th Form. James was a significant sportsman winning medals for high jump in 1888 and 1891 as well as hurdles in 1891. He continued his sports after leaving the school, winning the 1893 Albion Football Club Best Place Player. James' great nephew and niece James (1962) and Helen (1967) also attended the school. Such elaborate rewards for athletic events demonstrates the significance of sports in the school's culture at the end of the 19th century. Gold shield medal on fine gold link chain; engraved border around face and verso of shiled; inscribed on face and verso.Face: J Rintoule / 1st HIGH JUMP / UPPER 15 / 1888 Verso: Ballarat College crestballarat-college, james-rintoule, high-jump, 1888, medal

Sandra Deveson attended Clarendon Presbyterian Ladies College 1955 - 1960. She was a Prefect for Walker 1960, Vice Captain 1st Tennis '58-'60, and member of the netball team 1960; In 1959 an inaugural inter-school tennis competition was played. Clarendon defeated High School and Queens but were defeated by Mary's Mount (see The Touchstone December 1959 p, 36) Sandra returned to the school as a teacher and Walker House Mistress 1968-1973, 1975, 1985-1997 and 1999. Medium silver cup with double handles and silver stem on melamine base; engraving on face of cup. Engraved on face: Clarendon P.L.C. / For improvement / in Tennis 1958 / Senior / Sandra Devesonsandra-deveson, sports, clarendon-presbyterian-ladies-college, tennis

Trophy base only; going by the inscribed dates it appears to relate to an Inter-school Relay Race conducted at the annual Sports Day between High School, CEGGS (Church of England Girls Grammar School) and CPLC.. The Touchstone school magazine confirms further CPLC wins in 1946, 1948-51, 1953 - 1958 No further mention in 1959 - 1962. In 1951 The Touchstone mentions that CPLC were the first winners of a new cup presented by CEGGS. In 1960 the Ballarat Girls' School Association re-formed after 10 years. This may suggest that the Inter-school Relay Race event was absorbed into general inter-school athletic events form that date onwards. Round wooden trophy based with gold lettering inscribed around sidesCPLC 1936 -1939, CEGGS 1940-1941, CPLC 1942, CEGGS 1943, CPLC 1944-1945clarendon-presbyterian-ladies-college, sports-day, relay, inter-school, trophy

John Stanley Coltman attended Ballarat College 1913 - 1920; Son of W F Coltman of 208 Clarendon St, Brother of W Lawrie, Owen H & Gwenda. A high achieving student John went on to become Dux of College 1919, School Captain 1920, Captain of cricket 1920, tennis 1918, 1919, 1920, football 1919, 1920, athletics 1919 1920, Stroke of first crew 1919 and 1920. The Coltman Demonstration Room, part of the MacKinnon Wing First Floor, was named in honour of John (1919py) and Owen Coltman (1917). This book was donated back to the school library in 1985. A blackleather bound book with Ballarat College crest embossed in gold on front cover; gold lettering on spine; bookplate fixed to inside of front cover; library plate to right side of end pages;Bookplate: Ballarat College / Awarded to / J S Coltman / Form VIa / Special Prize for service as Prefect (Captain of School) / Pres. by Principal / A S Polson B A / Principal / Christmas 1919ballarat college, john-s-coltman, 1918

John Stanley Coltman attended Ballarat College 1913 - 1920; Son of W F Coltman of 208 Clarendon St, Brother of W Lawrie, Owen H & Gwenda. A high achieving student John went on to become Dux of College 1919, School Captain 1920, Captain of cricket 1920, tennis 1918, 1919, 1920, football 1919, 1920, athletics 1919 1920, Stroke of first crew 1919 and 1920. The Coltman Demonstration Room, part of the MacKinnon Wing First Floor, was named in honour of John (1919py) and Owen Coltman (1917). This book was donated back to the school library in 1985. Dark green leather bound set with Ballarat College crest and borders embossed in gold on front cover; gold lettering on spine; marbled endpages and page edges; bookplate fixed to inside of front cover; library plate to right side of end pages;Bookplate: Ballarat College / Awarded to / J S Coltman / Form VIa / Prize for Dux of College / "Snow" prize / A S M Polson B A / Principal / Christmas 1919ballarat college, john-s-coltman, 1919, dux