Slide photograph of children at Harelands being helped with their homework by a legatee. Harelands was a residence run by Melbourne Legacy to take care of children whose fathers were deceased servicemen, and who may have been left orphans, or whose mother may have been unable to care for them herself, or they needed to stay in Melbourne for education. Harelands generally looked after children up to the age of 14. Harelands was built in the Queen Anne style and is now heritage listed. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of children being cared for at Harelands.Colour slide of the children in Harelands doing homework, in a brown cardboard mount.residences, harelands, study

Slide photograph of three children at a desk in Harelands being helped with their homework by a legatee. The legatee is possibly Legatee Mellor who was involved with the Residences for many years. Harelands was a residence run by Melbourne Legacy to take care of children whose fathers were deceased servicemen, and who may have been left orphans, or whose mother may have been unable to care for them herself, or they needed to stay in Melbourne for education. Harelands generally looked after children up to the age of 14. Harelands was built in the Queen Anne style and is now heritage listed. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of children being cared for at Harelands.Colour slide of the children in Harelands doing homework with a legatee, in a brown cardboard mount.residences, harelands, study

A photo of children at Harelands in the 1960s in the dining room doing their homework, helped by Legatees. Harelands was a residence run by Melbourne Legacy to take care of children whose fathers were deceased servicemen, and who may have been left orphans, or whose mother may have been unable to care for them herself, or they needed to stay in Melbourne for education. Harelands generally looked after children up to the age of 14. Harelands was built in the Queen Anne style and is now heritage listed.A record of the residence called Harelands.Black and white photo of children and two legatees in the Harelands dining room.Handwritten caption: 'Homework in the dining room after dinner. One of the men is Legatee Mellor. The boy in the front table is Harold King.'harelands, residences

Button distributed to and worn by Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) members. The ANF has been campaigning for more funding and qualified nurses to improve the quality of aged care for the past several decades, and continues to do so. The Royal Australian Nursing Federation became the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) in 1989, and then became the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation in 2013, suggesting this badge is from the 1990s or early 2000s.Circular blue, green and white plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with 'Proud to be an Aged Care nurse' and the ANF [Australian Nursing Federation] logo.nursing, nurses, unionism, aged care, lobbying, funding, badges, buttons, pins, trade unions, labour history, staffing, workforce, patient care, australian nursing federation

This is an example of Melbourne Legacy promotional material that was issued to inform the public on the work of Legacy. It includes the story of Legacy and what Legacy does. It was issued for the East Gippsland Group of Junior Legacy in Bairnsdale and is very similar to one at 01449 for Melbourne Legacy so the date is assumed to be the approximately same year.An example of promotional material issued by Legacy in 1966.Brochure x 4 pages to promote Legacy in 1966(?) with a black and white photo of a mother and two children surrounded by light blue on the cover.legacy promotion, fundraising

This is an example of Melbourne Legacy promotional material that was issued to inform the public on the work of Legacy in 1970. It includes 'The Story of Legacy' and 'What Legacy does' and 'The Legacy Badge'. An example of promotional material issued by Legacy in 1970.Brochure x 6 pages to promote Legacy in 1970 with a black and white photo of a mother and two children on the cover and black and white photos inside.legacy promotion, fundraising

A document written in 1976 by Legatee Frank Meldrum containing his account of the start of Legacy. He was responding to a request for information about the history of Legacy that the archive committee was collating. He mentions several key members by name and what they achieved. As with other similar accounts he mentions the original objective was to see diggers placed in employment. When two years later the focus changed to the families 'thanks to Frank Doolan Legacy found its SOUL'. Many other accounts have also used the term 'soul' when referring to Frank's suggestion. It seems many Legatees had been quietly helping families of their comrades; Frank 'said he was helping a widow with two children of an old army mate. It was discovered that several of the Board were doing the same. Stan Savige had taken over the care of his widowed sister and her two boys, whose father had died at Passchendale. I had a widow with two little ones whose father was one of my best mates at Anzac. He died of flu virus after returning to Australia. I think eleven members of the Board or Committees were already giving similar service. Frank's proposal caught on immediately. Legacy had found its Soul!' 'Harold Peters started his Lit and Debating Class and I was asked by Stan to find a PT instructor', Frank Meldrum asked for the 'Billy' Williams to helped, and a cobber from Anzac, Louis Vavjanezki, to take on boxing and wrestling classes. 'All committees carried their own expenses amongst themselves - nothing was charged to JLC. Hugh Brain started the Education Committee and was given a donation, I think of $1000 (a heck of a lot in those days) by the Ballieu Bros.' He also mentions 'For the first 5-10 years practically all administrative costs were borne by the members.' 'Stan Savige was, of course a tremendous driving force in all the work for the Juniors. He put on a Christmas Camp at Balnarring on his own property and was Camp Commandant and Camp Cook.' Legatee Keith Mitchell helped Frank Meldrum in doing a dental examination of all children in the classes and then Frank did the necessary treatments in his rooms. When it was known they were treating over 400 children and their mums, Syd Birrell then got the board to co-opt two more dentists into the Club and form a Dental Clinic. Syd Birrell also started a Legal Committee to provide free legal advice. 'Committees quietly vied with each other to give better services to the Juniors and their mums. It was an atmosphere that was unbelievably happy - SERVCE WITHOUT SELF'. He mentions picnics, including one at Grimwade house - photos are at 01382 - where legatees were dressed up. The first demonstration was held in the 'Playhouse, just over Princes Bridge and was a great success.' Aaron Beattie and Mrs Gilles were mentioned. The notation H33 in red pen shows that it was part of the archive project that was trying to capture the history of Legacy. A summary of the first fifty years of Legacy written by a key founding member.White foolscap paper with black type x 6 pages of Frank Meldrum's account of Legacy's history dated 6 March 1976.Handwritten H33 in red pen and 'from Meldrum' in blue pen on first page. Stamped 'COPY ONLY' in purple ink.history, founding legatee, frank meldrum

This is an example of Melbourne Legacy promotional material that was issued to inform the public on the work of Legacy. Some of the text includes sections on How is Legacy special?; Legacy and the young; Legacy and the Aged. "Legacy and the young. Legacy is committed to the nurturing of its young members, known as Junior Legatees. Legacy helps to make sure stye get the education their fathers would have wished for them and to ensure their families enjoy a normal lifestyle. In addition to the 3,000 Junior Legatees throughout Australia, Legacy also cares for the handicapped dependants of its "family". Recreational outings and educational programs are arranged on a monthly basis. These activities aim to develop self-dependence and once a year, a two-week holiday camp is held - a highlight of the year - and lifelong friendship are often made. / For all its young members, healthy outdoor activities are arranged, financial aid, counselling, tutoring and guidance are given to ensure they are able to make the most of the opportunities open to them. Legacy and the Aged. Nowadays, the Australian population has a large proportion of elderly. The majority of Legacy widows had husbands who served in the World Wars. And so Legacy's emphasis has shifted to the needs of the ageing widows. . . Legacy widows meet for a wide range of activities, including cards, crafts, indoor bowls and theatre excursions. . . This represents a valuable social network and complements the volunteer care given by Legatees." Was in a folder with marketing material from the 1990s to 2009, see items 01240 to 01258. The collection shows the types of marketing materials that were produced and the celebrities that were helping Legacy.An example of promotional material issued by Legacy in the 1990s. It was in a collection of marketing material from the 1990s to 2000s.Colour brochure promoting Legacy folded into 8 pages.legacy promotion, fundraising

This document was put together in 1956 when Legacy was about to approach the public for donations for the first time. It shows a lot of detail about the things Legacy was doing for the children and widows in their care. Also suggestions of how a story could be portrayed to the media and possible photographs that could be taken. It was in a folder of documents about the history of Legacy which appears to have been mostly compiled by Legatee Cyril Smith as he has many hand written notes on miscellaneous pieces of paper (some are envelopes addressed to him). Some notes were typed up into a summary of the History of Legacy. Also documents relating to the first time Legacy approached the public for donations in September 1956, including newspaper articles that were reprinted, a schedule of information that was approved to be released to the press, and a list of potential donors that was circulated to Legatees in the hope they could contact the ones they knew personally or professionally. The call for public donations was partially due to the purchase of the Dureau building and the need to modify the building for Legacy's needs. The documents from this folder have been added in seperate records (see 01262 to 01281). The folder was part of an attempt to capture history of Legacy, generally from the 1950s.The documents provide an insight into the working of Legacy, especially in the 1950s. Legatee Cyril Smith and others were detailing their experiences and knowledge for the future.Six large pages of a table of regular Legacy events titled 'Schedule of place etc. which might provide suitable publicity material for Legacy's Appeal for funds for the establishment of it's new headquarters 1956'.fundraising, history

Draft Minutes of a meeting held on 30/01/1974. The Steering Committee (Legatees Quale, Chair, Berg, Rodgers and Trebilcock) had been formed to look into the issue of what to do with Blamey House, Stanhope and Harelands in light of the issues raised in a report by the Residences Review Sub-Committee (Cat.No.01674) in 1972. The Steering Committee favoured the demolition of Blamey House to build units to accommodate senior students and ultimately widows, and the eventual sale of Harelands with a transfer of residents to Stanhope. Further investigations were to be made and the next meeting was set for 14 February 1974.Part of the history of Melbourne Legacy's involvement with residential care for children.3 foolscap sheets, black type on white carbon copy. Two holes punched for filing. 'L/H.C.G.Rodgers' in blue biro on the back.residences, review, blamey house, stanhope, harelands

A press release from Melbourne Legacy in 1975 which relates a story of how Legacy works. The information was intended to be used by press and magazines etc. The title 'Ambition achieved with a little help from her friends', and is about an 18 year old whose parents died within 12 months of each other. She was doing Matriculation (similar to VCE), and faced a problem with continuing her education until Legacy heard of her situation. Legacy provided free dental care, granted her an allowance, paid her matriculation exam fees. After she matriculated her career path was a Diploma course in Foods and Food Services and Legacy paid for her first year course fees and continued her allowance. Based on her remarkable results Legacy continued supporting her course fees until she graduated a happy, well-adjusted, successful girl in a well known test kitchen. It illustrates Legacy's ability to help ambitious young legatees to succeed and achieve their ambitions.A record of how Legacy promoted their work in the 1970s.Yellow foolscap page x 2 with black type of a press release in 1975.Title 'Ambition achieved with a little help from her friends'press release, case studies

A press release from Melbourne Legacy in 1975 which relates a story of how Legacy works. The information was intended to be used by press and magazines etc. The title 'Rising prices worrying you?' and makes the point that the average cost of a family is rising, and now Legacy is a family of 107,000 people. Throughout Australia Legacy was supporting 80,000 widows and 27,000 children of deceased ex-servicemen who died in or since, the two World Wars, and the conflicts in Korea, Malaya and Vietnam. 'Legacy counsels these families in their daily life, that costs nothing for Legacy members give freely of their time' 'What does cost money, and plenty, is providing the tangible things these fatherless families need. Help with education up to an including tertiary studies. Firewood and other forms of heating in the colder climates. Maintenance of residences where country children can live, with all provided, when they have to come to the city for reasons of welfare, study or employment. Housing projects to care for aged widows, in both city and country areas. Subsidising nursing home beds for the infirm. An impressive list? In the calendar year of 1974 if cost Legacy in Australia almost $2.5 million and with rising prices, the coming year is going to cost considerably more. This is where Legacy seeks your help.' Note that in the 1970s inflation and cost of living was rising quickly.A record of how Legacy promoted their work in the 1970s.Pink foolscap page x 2 with black type of a press release in 1975.Rising prices worrying you?'press release, case studies

Navy blue book with a blue dust jacket, published about the history of Legacy, including photographs of activities and early members. Incudes a newspaper article stuck on the rear flyleafs about singer Dame Gracie Fields.non-fictionhistory, mark lyons, 50th anniversary

A brochure promoting Legacy in the 1990's. Some of the text includes sections on How is Legacy special?; Legacy and the young; Legacy and the Aged. "Legacy and the young. Legacy is committed to the nurturing of its young members, known as Junior Legatees. Legacy helps to make sure stye get the education their fathers would have wished for them and to ensure their families enjoy a normal lifestyle. In addition to the 3,000 Junior Legatees throughout Australia, Legacy also cares for the handicapped dependants of its "family". Recreational outings and educational programs are arranged on a monthly basis. These activities aim to develop self-dependence and once a year, a two-week holiday camp is held - a highlight of the year - and lifelong friendship are often made. / For all its young members, healthy outdoor activities are arranged, financial aid, counselling, tutoring and guidance are given to ensure they are able to make the most of the opportunities open to them. Legacy and the Aged. Nowadays, the Australian population has a large proportion of elderly. The majority of Legacy widows had husbands who served in the World Wars. And so Legacy's emphasis has shifted to the needs of the ageing widows. . . Legacy widows meet for a wide range of activities, including cards, crafts, indoor bowls and theatre excursions. . . This represents a valuable social network and complements the volunteer care given by Legatees."A brochure that promotes Legacy in the 1990's.Colour brochure "Legacy does more than sell badges", folded into 4 sections.legacy promotion, fundraising

This report highlights the ongoing need to review and if necessary update and change policies and priorities if need be. The report explains that to provide recommendations and suggestions three working parties were established with two Legatees in charge of each group. In group1, 47 Legatees were involved, group 2&3, 59 Legatees involved in each group. Each group had a budget to work to and designated areas of Legacy activities to investigate and report on e.g. group1 would report on Accommodation, Housing, Handicapped Dependants, Firewood - refer to appendix A. Reports and suggestions are made in appendix B. Some recommendations suggest that Legacy and Legatees do not cease providing services but refer suitable applicants on to similar activities with other organisations if the need arises. This was due to declining numbers of Legatees to supervise, and those under the care of Legacy to paricipate. Due to declining numbers of Legatees and the number of families requiring help in certain areas, the report shows that Legacy needs to alter the way in which it delivers some of the services to Widows and families but still maintain the services that Legacy has provided previously. White A4 paper with black type, 5 pages about the Rationalisation TaskforceNotations in blue biro on some pages. First page, last paragraph highlighted in green. Page two Appendix B, paragraphs d Widows,b Pensions, Welfare highlighted in pink.review, procedures, review committee

Photos from a book compiled about the Legacy children's residence called Stanhope. The photos shows three rooms of Stanhope, the study room and two bedrooms. They may be copies printed from slides (see 02520-02522). The photo of the study room is surrounded by the names: Denise Attewell, Susan Knowles, June S., Jill Baker, Colleen, Jacky and Sandra. One bedroom photo is captioned 'Packing for the holidays' and has the names: Lynn Hall, Jacky Mooney? and Jane Reed. The other photo has the names: June S, Glenyce Ring and Jennifer Biggs. Stanhope was supervised by Matron Dorothy (Dorrie) Vines from the time it opened in 1946 until she retired in December 1966. It is likely she compiled this notebook as she is referred to as 'self' in one photo. Individual pages of photos or newspaper clippings have been added separately. Items 01817 to 01836. Blamey House (purchased 1947) , Stanhope (purchased 1945) and Harelands (purchased 1950) were residences run by Melbourne Legacy to take care of children whose fathers were servicemen, and who may have been left orphans, or whose mother may have been unable to care for them herself, or they needed to stay in Melbourne for further education. A newspaper clipping at 01823 mentions the routine of the house including that the girls sleep in large airy bedrooms which they look after themselves. They generally do their own washing and ironing. There is a well equiped sewing room where they can make their own clothes. There is a radio and television and piano though between 7 and 9pm is quiet study time. A legacy member attended for dinner most evenings and the girls do their own washing up. They can cook in the kitchen if they wish. There is staff of an assistant matron, a cook and two housemaids. Girls have picnics and outings arranged and three or four times a year they have informal dances at Stanhope. Harelands accommodated boys and girls under the age of 14, Blamey House looked after boys over 14, and Stanhope looked after girls over 14. The children were cared for until they were old enough to become independent. An example of the interior of Stanhope residence and a glimpse into the life of the girls that lived there.Black and white photo x 3 of the interior rooms of Stanhope in 1962.Handwritten caption in blue fountain pen of the girls' names.residences, stanhope, study

Tape has not been viewed. From the label it appears to be a tape about the work that Legacy do and could be used to promote Legacy. The date is not known.A record that Legacy produced recordings for promotional purposes.A VHS recording about the work of Legacy for promotion purposes.Cover, adhesive label, 'Legacy caring since 1923', Legacy symbol. Adhesive label Red&yellow patern with blue Legacy symbol. 'Legacy caring since 1923'. Adhesive label, 'The Story of Legacy' legacy promotion, legacy appeal

Copy of a document from an original source, handwritten and partly typed. Details the 104 Rules that applied to the Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Company grip men for cable tram operations. Gives rules for their personal behaviour, duties, operations, management of passengers, shunting, use of the gong, not converse with passengers, what to do if a flock of sheep on the line, use of the grip, stop and starting of the tram (known as a train), care of the rope, end of the shift duties and knowledge of the Rules and Regulations.Yields information about the rules that Melbourne cable tram grip men operated by.Set of two blue foolscap handwritten sheets consisting of five sheets each (Rules 1 to 76) and one typed sheet (Rules 77 to 104) titled Melbourne Tramway & Omnibus Co - abstracts of Rules for Gripmentramways, trams, cable trams, grip men, rules, mtoco

Issued to Service Personal whilst on active service to render first aid if required.Unopened rectangle packet covered in off-white cotton (or similar) containing a bandage and gauze pad. The front of the package is printed with an inscription identifying it as a 'First Field Dressing' along with a list of contents and instructions for use in blue writing. Text crossed with diagonal red arrow from bottom right hand side pointing to top left corner. FIRST FIELD DRESSING Tear apart the uncemented corner as indicated by the arrow and remove the paper. Take the folded ends of the bandage in each hand, and, keeping the bandage taut, apply the gauze pad to the wound and fix the bandage. In case of head wounds when respirators have to be worn, care should be taken to adjust the pad so that it does not interfere with the fit of the face piece. DO NOT HANDLE THE GAUZE OR WOUND Johnson & Johnson Pty. Ltd. Sydney July, 1942 ww11, bandage, gauze, dressing, wound

Black and white photographs - 2 copiesTyped below photograph, "Boiler explosion at Ringwood station 20/6/1894. Heard in Box Hill". Article from newspapers:- Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 21 Official enquiry. The Board of Enquiry appointed by the Railway Commissioners to enquire into the causes of the boiler explosion which shattered the locomotive at Ringwood on Saturday night, assembled at the Railway department on Wednesday to commence its deliberations, The board consisted of Mr R. Fulton, engineer, C. W. McLean; engineer to the Marine Board, and Mr Mephan Ferguson, iron-founder. There is some difficulty at the outset about the constitution of the board; It was suggested that the Apt of Parliament contemplated that boards of experts, after the manner of the present one, needed, to have their appointments confirmed by the Governor-in-Council. The point, however, was not considered sufficiently important to prevent the board from proceeding with evidence. Robert Greyford, stationmaster at Ringwood, was the first witness. He said he saw the explosion on Saturday night at about twenty minutes to 8. There was a rush to the engine to see what had happened, and the driver and fireman were both found on the platform of the engine. The driver seemed badly hurt, but the fireman, to all appearances, was not so badly injured. They were both attended to and sent up to Melbourne by the last suburban train. Witness had a look at the engine and found the dome and all the plates round the boiler blown clean, away. The springs were also blown clean away. The Chairman (Mr Fulton) : Did you measure the distance ? Witness: Yes; one of the plates was 209 yards away. A piece from the top of the boiler 15 pounds in weight he found driven into the hard beaten track 410 yards away. Several pieces of boiler plate were found scattered at various distances. The buildings roundabout were injured. The Chairman; Did you notice anything peculiar about either of the driver or the fireman ? — No ; nothing wrong, with either of them. If the engine was blowing off at all, it must have been very light. In your opinion, were they perfectly sober ? — Perfectly. In approaching the station, is there a down or an up grade? — A very slight down grade. How is the road from Healesville ? — Up and down all the way. It is down, grade for about 200 yards coming into Ringwood station. They shut off ; steam about a quarter of a mile away, and come in at a good pace. They generally put on 15 pounds of steam while they are in the station. Mr Ferguson : Had the driver the usual load on ? — Yes ; about the usual load. Witness added that he had known the driver personally for about 10 years, and he had always been a careful, steady, sober man. He did not know the fireman so well. John Palmer, porter at Ringwood station, also saw the explosion. He was attending to the train on its arrival. He was knocked down by the force of the explosion. When he got up he saw the engine driver being carried into the office covered in blood. He noticed nothing peculiar about the driver and fireman, nor about the engine. Mr McLean : How far were you from the engine when you were knocked down ? — From ten to fifteen yards. William Paul, the guard of the train to which the injured locomotive Was attached, said he was looking at the engine at the very moment the explosion occurred. It seemed to come from exactly under the dome. The force of it took him off his feet. He was about 15 yards from the tender. When he rose he tried to reach the engine, but could not do so on account of the steam and coal dust. He called out to know whether any of the passengers were injured, and got no response, so that he concluded they were all right. All the lamps but about half dozen were extinguished by the force of the explosion, although the glass was not broken. He could testify most distinctly that the driver and fireman were both sober. The driver was a man who never drank. The steam started to blow off about a minute and a half before the explosion took place. The last place at which the engine took water was Healesville. The Chairman : Do yon know anything of the quality of the water there ? Is it creek water ? — Yes ; it comes from the Graceburn River. You never heard of its quality ?— No. How long have you known this engine on the road— About 13 months. Hew long have you known the driver on this line ? — About six weeks. I have known the fireman several years. The driver was a strict teetotaller, and I never saw the fireman take anything to drink in his life. Mr T. H, Woodroffe, chief mechanical engineer of the Victorian Railways, produced a report he had written to the secretary, about this explosion. The document gave facts concerning the engine and the explosion. It stated that the rapture seemed to have occurred at the rim of the plates adjoining the fire box. The engine was built at the Phoenix Foundry, Ballarat, in 1883. It was repaired at various times, the last time being in July of last year when it was sent to the Port Melbourne shops, and was then tested to a cold water pressure of 195 and found all right. It was the custom to overhaul all locomotives about every five years. The Chairman : There were no very heavy repairs in July, 1893; were there? — Not to the boilers. The shop manager's report says that the plug and safety tap holes were repaired, five new copper studs put in firebox, ash-pan door repaired, tender cleaned and overhauled, and studs re-rivetted, and boiler tested to pressure of 195, cold water. Mr Woodroffe read the report of the repairs effected to the boiler in December, 1888. That would be the time the plate was put in the boiler. On that occasion three new plates were put in the bottom and the boiler tested up to 195. The Chairman: Do you keep a record of the water used ?— Yes, the water in this case, I think, came from the Maroondah scheme. Mr Woodroffe said boilers were examined front time to time in the running sheds. In his opinion every possible care had been taken to keep the engine in proper care. There might, however, be lessons learnt from this. The Chairman: No doubt. From his examination of the plates [the] witness did not think the state of them could have been detected from the outside. There were no signs of leakage or sweating or anything of that sort. The next witness- was Walter Stinton, workshop manager at Newport and he said that the injured engine had been repeatedly repaired under his charge. He gave a technical account of the repairs effected on various occasions. The testing of locomotives was under his special notice. They had a high pressure pipe running; round the works, and a pump set at 2001b. When the boiler was pumped full of water the pressure when applied up to 1951b. The board appointed by the department to inquire into the Ringwood locomotive boiler explosion sat again at Spencer street on 25th inst. Mr R. Fulton presided and the other members of the board were. Mr Mephan Ferguson and Mr C. W. McLean. Charles Grubb, foreman of the boiler-makers at the Newport workshops, said he had inspected the pieces of plate that had been blown out of the engine, and after examining them, pointed out to the Chief Mechanical Engineer the portion where the plate had started to burst. It was under the lap, on the right hand side of the boiler. The grooving might be accounted for by bad water. During the past twenty years he had examined all the boilers that came into the Williamstown workshops, and while some were hardly marked at all, others were very badly eaten away. The practice was to cut out the defective portions. In this case the boiler was repaired in a similar manner. The Chairman : Can you suggest any other way of repairing so as to prevent accident ? — No, unless by taking out a plate on one side from the joint, and carrying it further up so as to avoid the joints meeting, or by taking out the plate altogether. What would.be the cost .of putting in a new " plate I—Perhaps about double the price; but I wouldn't recommend that course. It would be putting a new plate against plates that have been in use ten years or so and that would not be advisable. I think the present system better. I consider the present system of repairing the best. This is the first we have had so bad like that, to my knowledge. You attributed this to bad water. Is there no other probable cause ? — Well; unless the iron be bad. This was Lowmoor iron. I think this accident was caused by the eating away of plates. This one was the worst I have seen, for the short time it had been running. We use three classes of iron — Lowmoor, Monkbridge and Bowling. By Mr Woodroffe (Chief Mechanical Engineer) ; There are engines still running that were repaired at the same time as this one, in 1888, and. in the same way. These are engines 339 and 333. They have been recently examined and are in splendid order. What in your experience, is the age of a boiler on the Victorian railways? — From 17 to 20 years our earlier boilers stood. The later boilers don't stand so well. How is that? — There is difference in construction, and the material is lighter. The old boilers had thicker plates. Have you been asked in any way to curtail boiler affairs? — No, sir; nor in any way. You have never hesitated to carry out any necessary repairs? — Never. Our orders have been to exercise every care in examining, repairing and renewing boilers. Witness said that his practice was when an engine came into the workshop to find out how long she had been running. If over five years, he informed the workshop manager, and they thought it necessary the tubes were taken nut. If everything was in good order witness reported to the manager. The cost of taking out the tubes and putting them in again was about L20. Mr Woodroffe : Have you ever hesitated to repair a boiler on the score of expense ? — No, never. Mr McLean : Hew do yon ascertain whether a boiler requires repairs?— I keep a record of every boiler examined. From every boiler that comes in I have the dome covers taken off, and when it is practical I get inside. l can almost tell from the top of a boiler what the bottom is like. If there is any doubt about it I have the tubes taken out. If I have suspicion of defective plate I cause to have bored a triangle in the plate at the point where there is the most wear. There is a travelling inspector who visits all the running sheds of the colony except Port Melbourne and tests the boilers. He reports to us and we note what he points out. Alfred Thompson, locomotive inspector of the eastern section, said he knew this engine, 297R. He read a list of her repairs. He heard of the accident on Saturday night and went up to Ringwood. The Chairman : Did you ever notice anything peculiar about the engine? — No, I considered her A1 and would not have hesitated to have put on 140lb pressure owing to the repairs she had undergone. Witness considered that the explosion was caused by the expansion and contraction of the plates ; and, no doubt, the plate had been eaten away through bad water. The other side of the boiler showed: signs of corrosion: By Mr Woodroffe ; Is every care taken with the boilers ? — Yes, every possible care is taken for the safety of boilers, Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 7 EXPLOSION OF A LOCOMOTIVE BOILER, NARROW ESACPE FROM FATALITIES. THE DAMAGED ENGINE. [See drawing of loco – saved in “Railways” folder] The explosion of a locomotive boiler at Ringwood on Saturday evening, formed the subject of much discussion in railway circles on Monday. The Minister arrived at the office at an unusually early hour and immediately entered into a consultation with the acting chairman, Mr Kibble, and Mr Commissioner Murray. As the result of the interview it was resolved to ask three gentlemen of acknowledged engineering experience to sib as a board with the . object of inquiring into the cause of the accident and furnishing a report. Mr Richardson and the Commissioners are tally seized of the importance of having a searching investigation into the accident, and, with Mr Murray, the former went to Ringwood to inspect the scene of the disaster. They will he accompanied by Mr Woodroffe. During the morning no official report had come to hand from the driver or fireman of the engine in reference to the accident, but that is thought to be due to the circumstance that they have not sufficiently recovered to be able to give a circumstantial account of what occurred. The engine was one of the old R's, and, Mr Kibble pronounced them to be about the best class of engines used. So far nothing can be said as to the probable cause of the accident, as the broken plating of the engine has not been submitted to the inspection of experts. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 27 January 1894, page 7 STATEMENT BY THE FIREMAN. This morning Thomas Miles, fireman on the engine the boiler of which exploded on Saturday night, is suffering from an injury to the spine, as well as a very severe shaking to the system. He states that he was fireman on the engine attached to the train which left Healesville on Saturday evening, at ten minutes to 8. Everything went all right until Ringwood was reached, when, .just as the train was about to continue its journey, a load explosion took place and Miles remembers nothing more until he was picked np on the platform ; and found himself suffering from a pain in the back, and an injury to his arm. He cannot think of any reason which could have caused the explosion, as there was plenty of water in the boiler, and everything seemed working all right. Mr R. Fulton, consulting engineer, of Queen street; Mr McLean, a member of the Marine Board ; and Mr Mephan Ferguson, engineer, have consented to act as a board to inquire into the cause of the engine boiler explosion at Ringwood on Saturday evening. The board has been appointed under section 117 of Act 1135, which provides that the Governor-in-Council may direct the taking of a such a step. Mr1 Fulton will act as chairman of the board, which met for the first time at the railway offices, Spencer street, this forenoon. Before separating the members of the Board paid a visit to the Prince's Bridge locomotive sheds in company with Mr Woodroffe, the chief mechanical engineer, for the purpose of inspecting the shattered boiler. It has been stated that the explosion is known to have been caused by a flaw in a plate which was put on the boiler about four years ago, but enquiries have tailed to elicit anything in support of that view. The engineers connected with the department are not inclined to say anything on the subject. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 14 April 1894, page 20 The Ringwood Boiler Explosion, The Minister of Railways has received the supplementary report of the board appointed by him to investigate the circumstances connected with the explosion of a locomotive boiler at Ringwood. In their first report the board did not attach blame to anyone. Mr Richardson felt satisfied that the responsibility of having the engines properly inspected and overhauled periodically could be fixed if the inquiry were extended. He therefore referred the matter again to the Board, who took further evidence. In the report now furnished, the Board hold Loco. Inspector Thompson blameable, but point out as a mitigating circumstance that he had not received "written instructions" respecting inspections and overhauls. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 7 July 1894, page 32 The Ringwood Boiler Explosion. The Minister of Railways takes exception to the tone of a paragraph appearing in a morning contemporary respecting the Ringwood boiler explosion. It makes it appear that Mr Richardson has referred the report of the board which considered the facts connected with the explosion to the Crown solicitor simply because he differed from the finding of the board. The Minister explains that when he received the report he found that the responsibility for having boilers properly inspected and overhauled had not been clearly fixed. He personally obtained farther evidence on that point, and arrived at a conclusion, from which the commissioners differed. As he did not like to take upon himself the responsibility of deciding upon the effect of the evidence, he submitted the matter to the Crown Solicitor, but that officer did not furnish him with the information sought. He has, therefore, referred the question to the Attorney-General, together with the draft of a regulation respecting boiler inspections and overhauls in the future. Mr Richardson says that his whole aim is to have the responsibility positively fixed. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Saturday 28 April 1894, page 23 The Minister of Railways has completed his consideration of the supplementary report received by him from the Ringwood Boiler Explosion Board. The report, it will be remembered, held Loco-Inspector Thompson blameable for the non-inspection of the boiler, but considered there was extenuating circumstances. There was a certain amount of doubt as to the absolute instructions given for overhauling engines periodically. Mr. Richardson is sending the report on to the Commissioners with instructions that the responsibility respecting inspection of boilers shall be made clear for the future.

This is a simple household labour-saving device. The box was fitted to the end of the table and knife polish was sprinkled on the cloth inside. The knife was then placed in the centre of the box and clamped in tightly. The knife was then pulled backwards and forwards several times (three seconds was the suggested time) and the object was then deemed to be polished. All households had cutlery of some sort and many had good silver pieces that were meant to be kept in a sparkling polished condition. This cleaner would have assisted those in a household assigned to the care of the cutlery. These would have included the women of the household, the children or domestic employees. This item is retained as an interesting example of a household labour-saving device from 100 years ago. This is a circular wooden box with an extra piece at one end of the base and a sliding top lid with a wooden knob. The lid lifts up and the inside of the box and the lid is covered with rough cloth. Some of this cloth has rotted away. The top of the lid has a printed label pasted on. This is torn and soiled. ‘Patent The Magic Knife and Fork Cleaner’ ‘I am handy and useful where’r I am used, To clean knives and forks brightly I never refuse, In mansion or cottage to both I do go, So buy me, and try me, my worth you will know.’ household devices, history of warrnambool