Monochrome photographic work of the Portland Town Council. One large photograph of Cr James Long the Mayor surrounded by nine smaller photographs of the rest of the Town Council. The images are mounted into great board and each photograph is bordered in gold. There are also floral images in blue painted around the photographs. It is framed in a dark painted wooden frame with a gold floral border.PORTLAND / MUNICIPAL COUNCIL / Cr James Long - Mayor - 1906-07. / Cr Hanlon Ex Mayor / Cr French / Cr Wilshire / Cr Woods / Cr Couch / Mr T.E.C. Henry - Town Clerk / Cr Craike / Dr Davis / Cr Wilson Bottom left - Richards & Co Ballaratportland town council, councillors, municipal life, municipal council, portland, 1900s

This bellows was used at the Warrnambool Racecourse by Master Farrier, Brian Chapman (1931-2017), during the 1970s but its history before then is still being investigated. The bellows have continued to be used from 1978 at Flagstaff Hill's blacksmith's workshop. Even today, in 2021, this same bellows are used by a volunteer blacksmith as he demonstrate the skills and tells of the importance of the blacksmith trade to colonial Australia. This 1860s double-action bellows is a typical form of blacksmith's or shipsmith's bellows. The end is forge-fitted with an iron nozzle or tube, called a tuyere or Tue iron, which concentrates the air to fan the fire or furnace. Tuyeres were traditionally made of cow horn. The double-action design of this bellows efficiently moves air both in and out of the chambers in the one movement of the long handle. The bellows was manufactured by John C. Onions of Birmingham, England, between 1862 and 1875. The stamp with the text, Gold Medal 1862, was also used on the business’ advertising. In 1875 the company was registered and began using the name John C. Onions Limited. JOHN C. ONIONS - John C. (Collingwood) Onions (1841-1904) was the son of a bellows maker of the same name. Onions (born 1841) and his wife Helen married in 1867 and they named one of their children John Collingwood Onions (1868-1913), as was the family tradition. He was well known as a Birmingham manufacturer of patented bellows and other forge-related equipment. He sold to the wholesale and retail markets for both local and overseas customers, including the British colonies. An 1862 advertisement points out that John C. Onions was a “Bellows manufacturer and contractor to Her Majesty’s Honourable Board of Ordinance” and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the French [Napoleon Bonaparte]”. The advertisement includes a sketched portrait of the Emperor Napoleon III, and an Imperial Autograph Letter dated May 23, 1854, from Napoleon, Palace of the Tulleries to Mr J C Onions of Bradford Street, Birmingham. In 1863 the company registered a patent on portable forges. In 1871 there were eight employees. John C. Onions Limited became a registered company in 1875. In 1876 an advertisements included that the company were smiths for hearths and tools in general and showed a row of six medallions including one with “Napoleon III, Emperor” and his portrait, and another “ _ _ _ 1862 MEDAL”. Their advertising motto was “For Excellence of Quality”. In 1885 the company merged with William Allday and Sons to become Allday and Onions. This mid-19th century bellows has local historical significance as it were once used by blacksmiths at the Warrnambool Racecourse in the annual racing event that continues today. This bellows is significant as a working example of equipment used in the 1800 and 1900s in the trace of blacksmiths and other metal working smiths. The bellows is technologically significant as it shows the progress from simple bellows to the double-action bellows, a time saving and efficient improvement. The manufacturer John C. Onions is historically significant as a family business that began in the 1600s and continued up until the 1980s.Bellows; large, oval, mechanical double-action smith’s bellows, manually operated, in working condition. The paddles of wood that form the top, middle sections and base of the bellows have flexible leather pieces attached firmly between them, forming airtight double lungs. Cut-outs in the panels allow the bellows to fill with air then force it out. A long handle is connected to pump the bellows and control the quantity and force of the air. The blasts of air are forced through the metal nozzle or tuyere at the end of the bellows and into the forge’s fire. Inscriptions are impressed into the wood on the upper paddle or board of the bellows. There are three circular stamps containing text. Text impressed in the wooden upper paddle of the bellows has been assumed to read “JOHN C. ONIONS, PATENTEES & MANUFACTURERS, BIRMINGHAM””?” “EXTRA” “AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE OF QUALITY”, made from the following readable text :- “JOHN C ONIONS“ “PATENT - - - & MAN - - - - - - - - -“, “BIR - - - - HAM“, “ _ ERA - - - - “- XTRA-“, “- - - - - - - FOR EXCELL-“ “OF - - - - ITY” Text in the stamp “ - - ECE - - “, “ - - - - - / 1862 / MEDAL”, “- ITY” flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, john collingwood onions, john c onions, allday and onions, bellows, smith’s bellows, 19th century bellows, double-action bellows, double-acting bellows, double lung bellows, double chamber bellows, blacksmith tools, blacksmith trade, blacksmith craft, blacksmith equipment, forging equipment, john c onions patented double-action bellows, brian chapman, warrnambool racecourse, blacksmith, shipsmith, iron smith, mechanical bellows

Mr. F. Davis received word that Private Alf Elliott who enlisted at Carisbrook 18 months ago, had been severely wounded in France, a bone in the leg being broken. (Maryborough Advertiser, 25 May 1917) Photograph of an Australian World War One Soldier, Alf Elliott. em22, carisbrook, alf elliott, world war one

In memoriam card in memory of Private Evan Nolan beloved son of Mr & Mrs J Nolan of Carboor - died from wounds received in France September 20 1918 aged 21 yearsGrey folded cardboard with flag and wreath contained in grey borderIn Memoriam For His Countrypte evan nolan, carboor, ww1

This soda syphon used for making carbonated drinks is a French bottle made about the beginning of the 20th century. This bottle is of considerable antiquarian interest but unfortunately has no known local significance. It may, however, be the one given to the Historical Society by Mr and Mrs S. Lindsay of Koroit Street, Warrnambool. It will be useful for display. This is a French soda syphon made of clear glass in a double bulbous shape. It is covered with wire mesh and has a pewter spout. The pewter is somewhat corroded and there is one small bend in the wire mesh. There is a small glass tube inside the bottle and a there is a crack in the glass on the top sphere. On pewter spout: ‘Veritable Seltzogene D. Fevre Paris’. Label pasted on: ‘80’ soda syphon, veritable seltzogene de fevre,, paris, warrnambool

The design for the Memorial plaque was chosen from 800 entries in 1918. Mr E.C.Preston of Liverpool was the winner. The prize was 200 pounds. The plaque was to be, As a solace for bereavement and as a memento. The first plaques arrived in Australia during 1922. They were to become commonly known as the Death penny or the Dead mans penny. Francis Charles Wicks, No 2246 enlisted in 14th Reinforcements 28th Batt AIF on 24.7.15 age 33 years 10 months. Embarked for Eygpt 1.10.15, embarked for France 16.3.16, was reported Missing in Action on 29.7.1916 and was then reported Killed in Action the same day in France, confirmed by Court of Inquiry 4.1.17. Refer 2059, his brother James Henry Wicks Regt No 4626.Circular cast bronze plaque with raised relief of Britannia and a lion with two small seals. Around the outside in raised relief is the wording typical to all plaques. A rectangular section on the right is for individual names of those lost in the British Commonwealth during the Great WarAround the left side and top of the plaque, “HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR” On the right hand side in the rectangular section, “FRANCIS CHARLES WICKS”memorial plaque, 2246, f c wicks, 28th batt aif

W.J.C.Harder, No 2096 enlisted 27.6.1916 age 19 years in the 3rd reinforcements 38th Bn AIF, embarked for England 25.8.1916, embark for France 20.12.1916, WIA 14.4.1917 GSW to back, rejoin unit 24.4.1917, transfer to 10th L.T.Mortar Battery 15.6.1917, hospital 3 days with diarrhoea then later 4 days with Debility, transfer back to 38th Bn 29.8.1917 and a month later detached to 10 L.T.M.Battery again, killed accidentally 24.2.1918. A report stated that on 24.2.1918 at 2 pm he was No 3 on a gun in the Warneton sector when a premature explosion in the barrel on the 26th shell killed him instantly. The letter/card to Mr J Pierce is the Father of George Frederick Pierce DCM. Refer Cat No 4136P for his service details, award and death. Part of the collection of William (Bill) Thomason, refer Cat No 4236P for more items..1) Single one sided card with black edge. On the front are two flags at the top in colour. .2) Envelope with black edging, postage stamped and a red one penny stamp, address hand written in black..1) No 2096, Gunner William James Carl Harder accidentally killed in Action France February 24th 1918. .2) On the front in ink “Mr Pierce Sebastion”sympathy, cards, military.

The letter from the immigration and Labour Bureau revolves around J.W.Pierce getting his sons wife passage to Australia. The son is also J.W.Pierce No 261 21st Batt AIF who was in France. His wife’s name was Hazel whom he married in late 1916. James returned home in 1919, there is no records in his service documents as to his wife getting passage to Australia. This is George Frederick Pierces brother. George won the DCM. Refer Cat No 4136P for his service details, award and death. Part of the collection of William (Bill) Thomason, refer Cat No 4136P for more items.Letter on official letterhead, yellowed colour, printed in black, ref No 16/581, entries typed in black. At th top is a coat of Arms with “Department of Lands and Survey" around the top.“For Mr J.W. Pierce Sebastion Via Bendigo, 29th November 1916”letters, immigration, military

"Joseph George Adelaide Williams". Enlisted No 37 in 38th Battalion, age 26 years 3 months. Embarked for England 20/6/1916. Transfer to A.A. VET CORP 25/10/1916 as Shoeing Smith. Embarked for France. Appointed CPL 1/7/1917. Appointed Sgt 6/12/1918. Discharged 31/8/1919. Refer also Cat No 9749PPhoto of Sgt Joe G.A. Williams taken after his return from WW2. In full uniform looking at camera. Photo on a white oval cut out surrounded by thick cardboard frame.On back written in pencil - name "JOE WILLIAMS" and "To Mr & Mrs Hay and Family," and "This was taken since he came back".photograph, ww1, joseph george adelaide williams, baxter mc

Items in the collection relating to C.J.C. McQuie MM, refer Cat No 9680P for his service details. .1) .2) Dated 5.9.19, appears to be McQuie's hand writing. .3) Has 3 letter signature unclear, talks about leaving for Ostend at 10.15pm. .4) Dated 8.9.19, to McQuie's Father, talks about leaving for Amsterdam, having a good time. .5) Dated 15.9.19, to Mr McQuie, talks about having a good time. .6) On the rear has a full page description of the Catacombs. .7) Dated 22.9.19, to McQuie's Father. .8) Dated 26.9.19. .9) Dated 20.9.19, to McQuie's father, talks about visiting Rome, Naples, Mt Vesuviuos and Pompei, leaving for Paris. .10) Dated 26.9.19. .11) dated 17.9.19, to Lieut F.J.Terry Paris France, from is unclear. Ten postcards different views, different tones, all dated over 2019. .1).2) Sepia tone, views over Southampton, text on rear in black. .3) Sepia tone, Bomb damage scene Dunkirk, text on rear in black. .4) Sepia tone, view of Rotterdam, text on rear in black. .5) B&W, view of Venice, text on rear in black pen, has two green stamps. .6) B&W Plan of the Catacombs of Callistus with description on rear. .7) Colour enhanced, scene over a river, text in black, two red stamps on. .8) B&W, Water garden in Versailles, text on rear in black. .9) B&W, view over Rome, text on rear in black, one red stamp on. .10) B&W, water scene Versailles, text on rear in black. .11) Sepia water fall scene, text on rear in black, one stamp in red..1) On rear, "5.7.19, Crossed this in error". .2) "5.7.19". .3) "Sept 3/19 Dunkirk". .5) "Venice 15.9.19". .6) "16.9.19". 7) On front in red "BOPPARD"postcards, photos, mcquie