Assay is a process of metallurgy and chemical analysis used to determine proportions of precious metals in ores and other metallurgy substances such as silver or gold. The process helps identify pollutants present within a sample and can indicate a high level of pollution in a mining site. Stoneware crucibles are used in the fire assay process due to their ability to withstand high temperatures. Fire assay is a three step process where by samples from the mine are ground in a find powder and then mixed with dry powder chemicals. This mixture is heated in a crucible to extreme temperatures (crucible fusion) until all of the powers fuse into a glass like slag. Once this reaction is complete, the contents are poured into a mold and cooled. In step three (known as cupellation) the mixture is separated in a fire assay cupel and once this is complete the cupel with reveal a small bead of precious metals. Established by George Guthrie in 1857 (about 5km north of its current site) and then again seven years later in 1864 after it initially closed, Bendigo Pottery remains one of the most influential and longest running potteries in Australia. Over the years the Pottery has contributed to the growth and development of the district through both its products including building products, table ware and decorative and commemorative war as well as artistically, being responsible for training and supporting many potters locally. It has partnered with the City on various tourism promotions and the Civic Collection holds a number of important items within its collection.Two stoneware vessels of differing dimensions (0287.1 & .2). Unglazed and porous, showing extensive signs of use. Stamped and marked on the outside. 0287.2 has a shaped pouring lip. Six smaller items, coins, buttons (0287.3,.4,.5,.6,.7,.8) were found with the crucibles but their relationship to the assay items is unknown.0287.1; Large crucible; Bendigo Pottery / E. 0287.2; Small crucible: Pottery / C Icity of greater bendigo commerce, city of greater bendigo mining, making a nation exhibition

The Bendigo School of Mines was opened in 1873 following the first report of the Technological Commission in 1869 which recommended the establishment of schools of design and science to meet the scientific and technical needs of the mining industry on the local gold fields. Initially mining, chemistry, geology, metallurgy and art were taught while a separate school of design was established in c. 1870 but incorporated into the School of Mines around 1883 when it was renamed as the School of Mines and Industry. In 1904 The Mechanics Institute was liquidated and its assets and buildings acquired by the School of Mines. Around 1907 a Junior Technical School commenced to operate at the School of Mines and Industry but ceased operating in 1961 with that function being transferred to the White Hills and Kangaroo Flat Technical Schools.Obverse; Ornate relief design made up of a coat of arms with mining icons in each quarter flanked by flags on either side. Per varios usus artem experientia fecit written in scroll underneath. Translation: Practice has brought skill through different exercises. (Manilius) Reverse; Outer wheel Bendigo School of Mines and Industries. Inner; 1873 /Jubilee /1923Obverse; Per varios usus artem experientia fecit Reverse; Outer wheel Bendigo School of Mines and Industries. Inner; 1873 /Jubilee /1923city of greater bendigo education, bendigo school of mines

Chalice crafted by students of School of Mines Ballarat (SMB) now Federation University as a gift for Fr Keane on his ordination as a priest.The chalice is used to hold sacramental wine during the Eucharist and this was hand crafted by metalwork students at Ballarat School of Mines as a gift for the priest.handcrafted gold plated chalice, inner cup silver lined.

This specimen was recovered from Broken Hill, NSW. It was given the name Mangan Hedenbergite in 1819 by Jöns Jakob Berzelius in honor of Mr. Anders Ludvig of Hedenberg who was the first to define hedenbergite as a mineral. Hedenbergite, belongs in the pyroxene group having a monoclinic crystal system. The mineral is extremely rarely found as a pure substance. Mangan Hedenbergite is a manganese bearing variety of Hedenbergite. Manganese is the world’s fourth most used mineral after iron, aluminium, and copper primarily because it has no satisfactory substitute in its major applications. Globally, the steel industry is the primary user of manganese metal, utilizing it as an alloy to enhance the strength and workability of steel and in the manufacture of tin cans. Manganese is a key component of certain widely used aluminium alloys and, in oxide form, dry cell batteries used in electric vehicles. These batteries are in high demand. Another potential use for manganese may as an additive to help coat and protect a car’s engine. Manganese is also used for non-metallurgical purposes such as plant fertilizers, animal feed, and colorants for bricks. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A hand-sized mineral specimen in shades of silver and blackmanganese, open cut mine, manganese ore processing, bell bay, tasmania, northern territory, steel industry, zinc-carbon batteries, alkaline batteries, tin cans

Silver plated tea service presented to Henry Muncey by his colleagues at the The New Chum Mine on his marriage to Eliza Brooks in 1898. The service consists of a silver coffee pot, a silver tea pot, silver sugar bowl and silver creamer. All items are decoratively engraved with scroll work, floral emblems and punch work. The coffee pot is engraved with the words " Presented to H Muncey by employees New Chum Railway GMC on his marriage 3.2.98".A lozenge with the letters EP with a reclined S in a diamond. William Mammatt & Sons Sheffield.henry muncey, new chum gold mine, eliza brooks, 1898, marriage

A cut glass and embossed sterling silver serving dish (known as an epergne) presented to Mrs. Mary Williams at a banquet held at Knuckey's California Gully Hotel in October 1889. The banquet was held to honour Mr. Richard Williams, who had been the Mine Manager of the Johnson's Reef Gold Mines for the past 24 years. Mrs. Mary Williams (nee Thomas) was born in St. Austell, Cornwall in 1830. She migrated to Australia with her husband in two children in 1857, arriving on the 21st December on the 'Shakespeare'. The family lived in California Gully. Richard Williams was a mine manager, firstly for George Lansell and then for thirty seven years at the Johnson's Reef Gold Mines. Mary received the epergne at a presentation banquet for her husband in October 1889. She received the accolade as 'she was a kind and charitable lady, a genuine wife and a good mother'. Transcript of address presented to Mr. R. Williams, Mine Manager, Johnson’s Reef Gold Mines, Bendigo at a banquet held at Knuckey’s California Gully Hotel, California Gully, Bendigo. Description of presentation of epergne to Mrs. Mary Williams at the same function. “To Richard Williams, Esq., J.P., Fenton Gove, California Gully. Dear Sir, We, the undersigned, on behalf of the employees of the Johnson's Reef Gold Mines Company, California Gully, Bendigo, desire to place on record the very high esteem which we have always entertained for you in your responsible position of General Manager of the above company for the past 24 years. During the whole of that time the relations which have existed between you and those under your supervision have been of the harmonious kind. You were ever ready to appreciate and acknowledge our efforts in carrying out your orders, thus making it a pleasure for us to possess your confidence and to give satisfaction to our employers. We trust that you may long continue to maintain the position which you now occupy, feeling assured that in the future, as in the past, you will render faithful service to the company whom your instructions represent, and that we, by our efforts in following your instructions may succeed in retaining the good feeling which has hitherto existed between us. In presenting you with this small token of our esteem, we sincerely trust that Mrs. Willliams and yourself may be long spared amongst us to continue in the good works in which you are so thoroughly appreciated by those with whom you are intimately connected. With every feeling of respect to yourself and family, we subscribe ourselves, George Roberts, Andrew Leahy, Robt. Thomas, Geo. Smith, John Holt, Henry Tonkin, and 220 others. The chairman then presented Mr. Williams with a very handsome diamond locket, manufactured at the establishment of Mr. J. Moody. The large gathering of employees that night showed a genuine feeling of gratitude for past kindness, and was a means of keeping up the kindly feelings which always ought to exist between employers and employees. Much what is said with regard to there being no gratitude among workmen was false, as gratitude will be shown where fair play is given, which could always be relied on from a large-hearted man like Mr. Williams, was received with loud applause”. ‘Banquet to a Mining Manager’ Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 - 1918), Tuesday 29 October 1889, page 3 The epergne comprises of a silver and mirrored glass base, a decorative silver centrepiece, a cut glass bowl with a conical base, and a small silver plaque. The silver centrepiece features two twining palm trees with a stag deer at the base. Epergne is from the Tui Mitchell Collection. Separate shield shaped silver coloured plaque.Presented to Mrs. R Williams By Her Friends As a slight token of esteem California Gully. October 28/89epergne, tui mitchell collection, richard williams, mary williams, california gully, knuckey's california gully hotel, johnson's reef gold mines