Robert Ernest Williams was born in Ballarat in 1855 and died at Melbonre in 1943. He was Town Clerk of the city of Ballarat, a member of the Ballarat School of Mines Council from 14 April 1899 to 26 March 1920.r.e. williams, robert ernest williams, major-general williams, ballarat school of mines council

This Prayerbook, published in London, England c1899, was given to Mr Welden by a Missionary in New Guinea. Pauline Wright, granddaughter of Mr Welden, donated this PrayerbookA black ,hard covered, book of Common Prayer with Hymns Ancient and Modern for The Church of England. Includes Table of Moveable Feasts 1899 - 1949 and a Table for Easter -Day up till 2199. Pages are gold lined'Gold Cross' on front;;Common Prayer -/ hymns A&M, on spine; Front page - The BOOK/Of/ COMMON PRAYER/ AND/ ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS/AND OTHER RITES AND CEREMONIES OF THE CHURCH/ ACCORDING TO THE USE OF / THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND/ OXFORD/ PRINTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS/ LONDON : HENRY FROWDE /church of england, rites, prayerbook. oxford press london, frowde henry, printers, religious ceremonies, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, missionaries, new guinea, moorabbin, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, hart horace

2 Buff coloured cards to Connelly , Tatchell & Dunlop acknowledging receipt of letters from Thos. F. Morkham, Secretary for Lands, dated 1898 and 1899. Official stamps on the front -with - Minister of Lands and survey Victoriabusiness, legal, connelly & tatchell

Hand carved by pocket knife by Mr. Ott of Wandin and presented to Mr. Coghlan - Station Master on his transfer from Wandin in 1914.Hand carved with pocket knife, made from wood.walking-sticks

Items souvenired, collected by Horace Eli Hambly No 794 AIF. Refer 2325.2 for his service history..1) Tin, metal, gold colour with hinged lid, ornate on lid with "Princess Mary Centre", "Christmas 1914" - gift tin to troops. .2) Badge, metal, brass, "Letters 'L.H'" with lugs & pin. .3) Same as .2). .4) Badge, metal, round centre has letters "RSA" in white & red. "Returned Soldiers Assoc. Victoria"..4) "1904"numismatics-badges, societies-service clubs

Postcard. Birthday Wishes. Verse. I'm sending a wish for you birthday. A wish and a hope and a prayer, A wish that the day may be joyous and gay, Unclouded by sorrow or care, A hope that the year that is coming, will find you b oth steadfast and true, And a prayer that its strongest temptation, May never be stronger than you. Rear. From Fanny,1914.

This photograph was printed from a glass negative held in the Society's picture collection. The original glass negative is part of a set donated to the Society by Ian McKenzie, a professional photographer in Kew. Patriotic gathering, ca. 1914-ca. 1918. A civic hall used for a patriotic gathering; during or after World War I. Around the walls of the crowded hall are banners representing some of the allied nations fighting in the war, including France, Britain, Japan and Belgium. Two soldiers, both in military uniform can be seen at the front left of the photograph. first world war (1914-18), world war 1, glass negatives

This book of poetry by E. J. Brady was originally published by the Bulletin Newspaper Company (Sydney) in 1899,Later it was reprinted by Thomas C. Lothian (Melbourne) in 1909, and by the Standard Publishing Company (Melbourne) in 1913.] E. J. Brady was an Australian poet. He was born at Carcoar, New South Wales, and was educated both in the United States and Sydney. He worked as a wharf clerk, a farmer, and journalist, and edited both rural and city newspapers This book is culturally important as Edwin James Brady represented the Bulletin school of the 1890s. The Bulletin was very popular with rural bush workers and selectors and became known as ‘the bushman’s bible’. It encouraged contributions of poetry, short stories and cartoons from its readerswho included miners, shearers and timber-workers from all over Australia. Some of this content was high quality and many of Australia’s important writers had their start with The Bulletin which became know as the ‘Bulletin School’ of literature.A small 155 pp fabric covered brown book with a very faded picture of a boat sailing toward a sunset on the front cover.poetry literature brady-edwin-james the-ways-of-the-waters

khaki cloth epaulet with 3 pips and shoulder badge "Australia" als 2 medal ribbons 1914-18 service medal and Victory Medalmedal, badge, medallion, insignia

Edward Maxwell Vosti. 5885 Royal Australian Navy. Information is limited. He was born in 1902. His enlistment in the Navy appears to be from 25.10.1916 to 27.4.1920.Medals, court mounted, set of (2) re E.M Vosti. 1 War Medal 1914-1919. 2 Victory Medal, replica not engraved.1. "5885 E.M.VOSTI BOY - 1 R.A.N."medals, history, navy

Justus Angwin No 2916 enlisted in the 6th reinforcements 38th Batt AIF on 25.7.1916 age 21 years 11 months. He was still serving in the Citizens Military Forces at enlistment which he had done 3 years. Embarked for England 16.12.1916, embarked for France 25.8.1917,12.10.1917 sprained muscle to Thigh classed as WIA, 6.8.1918 WIA 2nd occasion GSW right wrist severe, hospital 4.11.1918 with Papillomatis, discharged from the AIF 25.4.1919.Medals, court mounted, set of 2, re J ANGWIN 1. War Medal 1914-19 2. Victory Medal replica not engraved2916 PTE J ANGWIN 38 BN AIFmedals, military, history, passchendaele barracks trust

Jack Yarrow enlisted on 13.7.15 in the 8th reinforcements 21st Batt AIF. He transferred to the 60th Batt on 26.2.16. Hospital with Influenza on 15.3.16. KIA 25.9.17. See also item no 1884. Harris and Yarrow were brothrs in law killed one day apart.Medal set, court mounted, set of (2) re Jack Yarrow. 1. British War Medal 1914-19. 2. Victory Medal. "3648 Pte J Yarrow 60 Bn AIF"numismatics-medals-military, metalcraft

James Douglas No 2669 enlisted 8.8.16 in the 6th reinforcements to the 60th Batt AIF aged 39 years 8 months. Embarked for England 2.10.16, hospital 5.2.17 with Tonsilitis, WIA 9.8.18 GSW right Thigh severe, returned to Australia 8.11.18 with Debility, discharged from the AIF 29.1.19. Medals, court mounted, set of (2) RE J. Douglas. 1. War medal 1914 -19. (Replica, not engraved) 2. Victory Medal. "2669 T- Sgt. J Douglas 60 BN A.I.F"numastics - medals - military, metalcraft

Walter Doody No 2195 enlisted on 6.7.15 in the 3rd reinforcements to the 31st Batt AIF aged 18 years 6 months, embarked for England 18.2.16, transfered to the 47th Batt 2.4.16, Reported missing 15.11.16 then classed as DOW's same day. Medals, Court Mounted, set of (2) Re W. Doody 1. War Medal 1914 -19 (Replica not engraved) 2. Victory Medal."2195 PTE. W. Doody 47 BN A.I.F"numismatics - medals - military, metalcraft

Samuel Rosenthal. Refer 620 for service history also1019.Medals, court mounted, set of (2) re S Rosenthal. 1) War Medal 1914-1919. Replica not engraved. 2) Victory Medal."Lieut S Rosenthal AIF"medals, military, history

The Birds of Australia is a 12 volume work, in a total of 14 books. The books were used as an ornithological handbook. They contain scientific text as well as over 600 hand-coloured lithographed plates by J.G. Keulemans, H. Grönvold, Roland Green, H. Goodchild and G.E. Lodge. The work was written, sponsored and organised by Gregory M. Matthews, F.R.S.C. Erc. who was a wealthy Australian and an amateur ornithologist. His titles included – -Fellow of the Linnean and Zoological Societies of London -Member of the British Ornithologists’ Union -Corresponding Fellow of the American Ornithologists’ Union The volumes in our collection were originally donated to the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute and Free Library by William Lindsay. THE LINDSAYS (quoted from the book Of Many Things – A History of Warrnambool Shire by C.E. Sayers) The Lindsays were amongst the most prominent families in the Shire of Warrnambool, as pastoralists, sportsmen, municipal councillors, community leaders. The first of the family William arrived in Melbourne in 1841 and started business as a livestock agent. The gold rushes sent him to the central Victoria diggings dealing in cattle. This was a business that boomed in the early 1850s, and he prospered. In 1859 he took over the Quamby run near Woolsthrope from Paul de Castella, the Yarra Valley Swiss vigneron who had brought the leasehold and improvements in 1853 from George Youl, who had pioneered the run. Quamby was originally 25,000 acres. It was heavily timbered, rough country, much of it swampy, a characteristic of the district. Lindsay used it to fatten cattle which gave large returns with the booming gold diggings towns paying high prices for beef. In 1862 purchases at auction made Quamby a freehold. In the next six years a further 20,000 acres of Crown land were brought at auction to make the run one of the largest in the south-west district. The great profits from his cattle trading enabled Lindsay to make improvements to the holding, and to Union which was added in 1864. Much of the thick timber was cleared and the worst of the swamps drained. Union was 15,000 acres of freehold when Kennedy sold it to Lindsay. It was heavily timbered, mostly blackwood, with large belts of wattle and honeysuckle. Much of the heavy native was ringbarked and cleared; much more was swept away by bushfire. It was expensive work, but Lindsay’s bank passbook was heavy with credit, and he did not spare money to make both Quamby and Union heavily developed stock runs. He was as lavish in social living; the bluestone Quamby homestead was one of the most hospitable in the district when William Lindsay was host there; its paddocks carried high quality thoroughbreds: its stables housed steeplechasers and flat racers which won many races on Warrnambool and other courses; its coach houses were filled with carriages which took his guests to the great racing carnivals of the district. After William Lindsay died in 1897, in his eighty-fifth year, his two sons, William and James, managed Union and Quamby as a joint venture. This partnership ended in 1906 when William took over Union and James kept Quamby. The following year 10,000 acres of Union were subdivided and sold in lots of 100 acres to 700 acres for dairying and general farming. It was well improved country, much of it alluvial flats. By then many of the paddocks were sheltered with blue gum belts, and they carried good pastures. The three Lindsays, father and two sons, gave many years of service to the Shire, and to many charitable, sporting, social and community organisations in the Warrnambool district. William Lindsay senior, was a Shire councillor for 15 years, and President several times. James Lindsay followed his father as a north riding councillor. He served nineteen years, from 1887 until his death in March 1908. He was President four times. Jimmy Lindsay was one of the most popular men in the south-west of Victoria. He was a fine sportsman: horse breeder, owner and a dashing amateur rider. He lived lavishly and played hard. For many years he guarded a herd of kangaroos, as many as 100 head, at Quamby. Descendants of the Lindsay kangaroos are still in the district. James Lindsay’s wife, Margaret Esther was a daughter of Samuel Shaw Parker, the first engineer of the Shire. Nell Lindsay, a daughter, lives in the Bluestone Quamby homestead. Only a little more than 60 acres of the original run still belongs to the property. William Lindsay junior succeeded his brother as a Shire councillor. He served for 25 years from 1908 until his death in 1934. So, the Lindsays, father and two sons, served as Shite councillors for an unbroken period of sixth-five years. William Lindsay junior had a life-long interest in horse racing, as breeder, owner and enthusiastic amateur steeplechase rider. He was elected a member of the Warrnambool racing club in 1901 and was president of the club for thirty-two years. He raced and rode horses for the love of the sport. He won the Villiers and Heytesbury Hunt Cup in the 1870s on his own horse, Ventura. In the year he died his horse Flavedo won the Warrnambool Grand Annual steeplechase. It was a sensational race. All of the contestants fell, or lost their riders. When Flavedo baulked at a jump, its jockey R. Sweetman, remounted and completed the course to win the race. All of the Lindsays were passionately fond of the thoroughbred horse. Nell Lindsay talking to the author in the drawing room of Quamby homestead - with many memories for her of its lavish years – said of a brother that he was put on a horse when he was two years old and never got off. William Lindsay junior made Union into a fine, high-producing property, breeding cattle and horses. He added to the bluestone house that David Kennedy started, established plantations of pines and gums, and made an attractive garden. WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first meeting room in November1854 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historic Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. THE PATTISON COLLECTION This book is also part of the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library, as the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute was then called. When the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. The Birds of Australia by Gregory M. Matthews is now considered a rare and valuable scientific and historic work on its own. These 12 volumes were donated in 1934 to The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute and were included as part of the Pattison Collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Birds of Australia Vol 3 Author: Gregory M Mathews Publisher: Witherby & Co 326 HIGH HOLBORN LONDON Date: 1913-1914 Label on spine cover with typed text RA 598.2994 MAT Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library that reads “Presented by W. Lindsay Esq. ‘Union’ Woolsthrope” Accession Number: 15234 Date Received: 3-34 “W. Lindsay” embossed in gold on front cover, bottom right of book flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, the birds of australia, gregory m. matthews, witherby & co., h.f. & g. witherby, w lindsay, william lindsay, quamby woolsthorpe, union woolsthorpe, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool art gallery, joseph archibald, warrnambool mechanics’ institute and free library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, the birds of australia vol 3, quamby station, union station, woolsthrope

Medals Full Set -.G. L. TYE - RSL Badge British War Medal, Victory Medal,1914-15 Star (now with PIC496)medals, ww1, army

Post card print of a painting called ' Emden, beached and done for, 9th November 1914 ' by Arthur Burgess. Produced y the Australian War Memorial.postcard, photograph, world war 1, emden, world war 1, arthur burgess

Most of the area is now Thornton Crescent, Mitcham, a factory area. When erecting the present 'buildings', which are all single level, certain strategies were employed to ensure safety.Black and white aerial photograph of Mitcham showing the reservoir, Australian Tesselated Tiles with the clay pit at the rear, and Monarch Tiles (1914-16) in the foreground.mitcham reservoir, australian tesselated tile co. pty ltd, monarch terra cotta pty ltd

Colour photograph showing 4 people holding Takasuka rd sign. 3 men 1 woman. Bucket Australian Rice 1914-2014.photo, group, mixed group

This brand of starch was first manufactured in 1914, during the First World War, and continued to cover the other wars and military conflicts that followed. It was a time when Australian made was important due to the limited supplies coming from England and Europe. This was a period when the demand for "home grown" produce was at its peak. This was in a time when by necessity not by the "Buy Australian" campaign (of later years) which was the major factor for the demand of goods. It was in a time when starch was used in formal clothing to put a "crisp" or fresh new appearance for clothes. The important social more of "clothes make the person" was in vogue. This is a sample box provided by the manufacturer as an advertising and promotional method of prospective customers becoming aware of the product. This type of promotional avenue brought results and ensured that this type of advertising and inducement by manufacturers would be ingrained as a lasting avenue through to the 2nd Millennium This box which once contained starch powder is very significant to a rural semi isolated region because it clearly demonstrates that the social mores of the city were also entrenched into the rural population. The fashion of the day, even in remote areas, especially rural, were still a requirement to be maintained on certain special occasions. Cleanliness and stiff "upper lip" persona were just as important in the rural sector as in city and Government circles. Institutions such as hospitals, Government Offices and the legal personnel were bound by the fashion of the starch appearance (no dirt sticks to a personage with the "starch" look). Appearances, especially the first ones, were the judgmental image that remained in the uppermost regions of the viewer.This box with white writing and a "formally clad" man on a navy blue background held Australian grown maize based starch powder(1 LB gross). The package is made from 200 gsm thick cardboard. As production was made during the two World Wars 1914 to 1945 the promotion was heavily focused on Australian made and Australian grown maize.The front(has "Sample" on top) the rest inscriptions are the same on each cover both and back, "DANDY" below this a figure outlined in white on a navy blue background "hat and tails" outfit. Next to the sketch in smaller lettering" STRONGER THAN OTHER STARCHES. LESS REQUIRED". Below the figure "GLOSS" and below this in larger print "STARCH". Below this and in smaller print "CONTENTS. NETT WEIGHT 14 1/2 ozs" Below this and in smaller print "MANUFACTURED BY MAIZE PRODUCTS PTY LTD FOOTSCRAY VICTORIA" On one side of the box and in large white print on royal blue background"PURITY, STRENGTH AND UNIFORMITY." On the other side are the manufacturers directions. On the left side "FOR RAW STARCH" Underneath and in smaller print,"Dissolve in warm water a quantity to give the required thickness. Add bluing if required Stir before each using. On the right side "FOR BOILING STARCH" underneath this in small print"Mix well in small quantity of cold water to creamy consistency. Add boiling water, and stir constantly while cooking. Allow to cool, and add blueing if required. Underneath these two sets of instructions is "Make your consistency thinner than if using another kind of Starch"household starch, household cleaning, domestic laundering.

Photograph mounted on stiff cardboard showing a group of adults and children attending a working bee to clear a site for the Mt Dandenong State School which opened on April 23rd 1901 following the relocation of a building from Ringwood to the site. The original school operated from a rented building from 1897 that was opposite the present school site. NB: The attendees looked fairly well dressed for a working bee.Handwritten on back of photo: Working bee clearing site for Mt Dandenong State School years about 1899 - 1900 AD.mt dandenong school, working bee