Pastoral runs in the Stawell area were selected in the 1840s, but it was the gold found by a shepherd in the district in May 1853 that provided the real reason for the foundation of a township. By August 1854, 5,000 people were seeking their fortune at the Pleasant Creek goldfield. By 1857 the fabulously rich deep alluvial leads to Commercial Street and Deep Lead had been discovered and rushes of eager gold seekers brought 20,000 people to the fields.Black and white photograph of the central Victorian town of Stawell (formerly known as Pleasant Creek). .stawell, pleasant creek

Following the founding meeting of the Mayo Tenants Defence Association in Castlebar, County Mayo on 26 October 1878 the demand for The Land of Ireland for the people of Ireland was reported in the Connaught Telegraph 2 November 1878. The first of many "monster meetings" of tenant farmers was held in Irishtown near Claremorris on 20 April 1879, with an estimated turnout of 15,000 to 20,000 people. This meeting was addressed by James Daly (who presided), John O'Connor Power, John Ferguson, Thomas Brennan, and J. J. Louden. The Connaught Telegraph's report of the meeting in its edition of 26 April 1879 began: Since the days of O'Connell a larger public demonstration has not been witnessed than that of Sunday last. About 1 o'clock the monster procession started from Claremorris, headed by several thousand men on foot – the men of each district wearing a laural leaf or green ribbon in hat or coat to distinguish the several contingents. At 11 o'clock a monster contingent of tenant-farmers on horseback drew up in front of Hughes's hotel, showing discipline and order that a cavalry regiment might feel proud of. They were led on in sections, each having a marshal who kept his troops well in hand. Messrs. P.W. Nally, J.W. Nally, H. French, and M. Griffin, wearing green and gold sashes, led on their different sections, who rode two deep, occupying, at least, over an Irish mile of the road. Next followed a train of carriages, brakes, cares, etc. led on by Mr. Martin Hughes, the spirited hotel proprietor, driving a pair of rare black ponies to a phæton, taking Messrs. J.J. Louden and J. Daly. Next came Messrs. O'Connor, J. Ferguson, and Thomas Brennan in a covered carriage, followed by at least 500 vehicles from the neighbouring towns. On passing through Ballindine the sight was truly imposing, the endless train directing its course to Irishtown – a neat little hamlet on the boundaries of Mayo, Roscommon, and Galway. Evolving out of this a number of local land league organisations were set up to work against the excessive rents being demanded by landlords all over Ireland, but especially in Mayo and surrounding counties. From 1874 agricultural prices in Europe had dropped, followed by some bad harvests due to wet weather during the Long Depression. The effect by 1878 was that many Irish farmers were unable to pay the rents that they had agreed, particularly in the poorer and wetter parts of Connacht. The localised 1879 Famine added to the misery. Unlike other parts of Europe the Irish land tenure system was inflexible in times of hardship. (Wikipedia) The Irish National Land League was founded at the Imperial Hotel in Castlebar, the County town of Mayo, on 21 October 1879. At that meeting Charles Stewart Parnell was elected president of the league. Andrew Kettle, Michael Davitt, and Thomas Brennan were appointed as honorary secretaries. This united practically all the different strands of land agitation and tenant rights movements under a single organisation. Michael Davitt Founder of the Land League The two aims of the Land League, as stated in the resolutions adopted in the meeting, were: ...first, to bring out a reduction of rack-rents; second, to facilitate the obtaining of the ownership of the soil by the occupiers. That the object of the League can be best attained by promoting organisation among the tenant-farmers; by defending those who may be threatened with eviction for refusing to pay unjust rents; by facilitating the working of the Bright clauses of the Irish Land Act during the winter; and by obtaining such reforms in the laws relating to land as will enable every tenant to become owner of his holding by paying a fair rent for a limited number of years. (Wikipedia)Image of a man with a moustache. He is T. Brennan.ballarat irish, brennan, thomas brennan, irish land act, rent

Presented to Miss Beverley Ritchie - Belle of the Ball in 1954Blue Sash with gold fringe and gold medallionNO. 31 R.S.L. DISTRICT/ BOARD BELLE 1954/ PRESENTED BY THE SUN NEWS-PICTORIALsash, belle of ball, no. 31 r.s.l.district, numurkah

Gold embossed wooden frame with a Victorian Arts print (fairy)fairy, print, gold frame

Camera used by the Humphries family in the 1960'sRectangular box shape Kodak Instamatic camera 133. Front: silver & black colouring, with a rotating lens for daylight & night/flash, square lens, shutter button Back: black colouring with clear plastic window to show film cartridge (Name: HUMPHRIES) Right-hand side: hand strap Black vinyl zippered case for the camera, includes Kodacolor Film Cartridge Gold 200 Size 110Instamatic 133 Camera, Kodak (Made in England)

Ladies gold high-heeled sandals with woven strap across toes and narrow straps around ankle area. Gold colour is quite worn. Stored in a shoe box.Raphael Santi shoes, footwear, ladies, high-heels, sandals

Ladies orange-coloured suede shoes with pale-orange "fur" and apricot-coloured ribbon on toe area. opening of shoe has gold trim. Stored in Betta shoe-boxMade by Betta 6shoes, footwear, ladies, orange suede

Ladies shoes, gold fabric, medium heels, strap around the ankle, toes covered. Gold fabric has diamond shaped design Briolettesshoes, footwear, ladies, gold fabric

Ladies handbag, suede, taupe colour, gold metal hinge and round gold metal lock. strap handle made of taupe leather, Suede lining Inside bag: Reptilehandbag, ladies,

Ladies red vinyl handbag with gold chain decoration ladies, handbag, red, vinyl

Sepia photo of a person in a horse & cart. Photo is outlined by a cream (& gold decoration) mounting board, inside a wooden frame with glass.(see photo) Front: 150th Anniversary Celebrations 31-3-1985 Back: Re-enactment of the arrival of first settlers to the district. Staged by the Numurkah Historical Society during Victoria's 150th Anniversary Celebrations 1985horse, cart, first settlers, victoria's 150th celebrations, re-enactment

Red and black coloured tin steam locomotive, with gold lining. Two small and three large tin wheels on either side. Wind-up key on one side. Wind-up mechanism doesn't workGold printed number: 659 on both sidestoys, children, presents, tin, locomotive, train

Blue-green coloured tin steam locomotive with red, gold & black trim and features painted on all sides. Funnel at the front of the locomotive. One small & two large wheels on each side connected by a piston, Driver painted in the cabin, both sides. Cabin contains space for 3 x Size D batteries - entry via back of cabin "door" Batteries run a small motor attached to the back wheels. Jockey wheels are underneath.Western painted on both sides of the cabintoys, children, tin, locomotive, train, presents

Red & black painted tin steam locomotive. Gold trim & details painted over the top. Funnel missing. 3D driver sitting in the cabin. Door at the back of the cabin for batteries. Batteries run a small motor driving the back wheels. Jockey wheel underneath. one small and one large wheel on each side. Piston on each side Western painted on each side of the cabin toys, children, tin, locomotive, train, presents

Toy Rocking Horse: Rocker painted green, horse painted white with black tail & mane, red & gold saddle, red bridle toys, presents, children, rocking horse

Celluloid doll with pink dress (discoloured) & cream knitted bonnet. Gold bracelet on her wrist. Blue eyes open and shut when upright/lying down. Legs and arms straighten or bend into sitting position toys, children, doll, presents, celluloid

6 x Little Golden Books (Cardboard covers, with gold spine)See photos for titlesbooks, reading, children, little golden books

Black metal sewing machine with gold trim on wooden base. Wooden base has a compartment for cotton, needles, etc. Swing machine has handle on the wheel for operating. Arched Wooden Cover.Singer Singer Manufacturing Co Manufactured in Great Britainsewing, sewing machine, hand-operated, hobby

School uniform items worn by Gundrill children in the 1970's - attending Numurkah Secondary CollegeOld 1950/60's brown suitcase with 1970's Numurkah Secondary College uniforms inside: 1 x Blue Cap with NSC logo on front, 1 x Grey Straw Hat with blue & gold banding and NSC logo on front, 2 x Grey V-neck Jumpers with blue & gold banding on neck and sleeves, 1 x Grey Blazer with NSC logo on breast pocket, 1 x Grey Pleated Tunic, 1 x Blue & White Check Dress, 1 x Blue Elastic Necktie with light blue & gold diagonal stripes, 1 x Blue T-Shirt with large white NSC logo on the front, 1 X Blue Windcheater with large gold NSC logo on the frontNSC logo on some items (see above) "Gundrill" embroidered on the inside of most items of clothingnumurkah secondary college, uniforms, school, gundrill, clothes, suitcase

The book was given to Steve Visser in 1976 by Hilda Morrison. It was Hilda's aunt's book (Aunt Millie), gifted to her aunt in 1902 (Aunt Millie was a Corbett)Green hard-covered book with gold and black floral embossing on front (border and in the middle) Pages are yellowed with age but in good condition See photos above Note: Printed in 1867. Given as a gift in 1902book, flowers, 1800's hilda morrison

This pennyfarthing was restored by council workers in the Numurkah Shire in 1970's. Unknown history beforehandRed framed penny-farthing bicycle - gold painted metal seat, small wheel at back with large one at front. Has copper handle bar with wooden knobs at ends

Wooden Honour Roll with 2 decorative Columns down each side and a curved top. Names are listed in gold paint in the centreBaulkamaugh Roll of Honour - Great War (See photo) Written gold "BAULKAMAUGH/ROLL OF HONOR/The Great World War/For Freedom/1914-1919/FOWLER W.E./*BETTS S./THORNTON T.*/COLLIE G./CRIGHTON R./ SUTTCLIFFE.E/CRIGHTON.WILL SUTCLIFFE.W/CRIGHTON.WALT MOSS.W.L/IVORY.H.HW FAIRLESS.N/IVORY.W.E COOK.T/*SIZER.A.J POOLE.S/*SIZER.A.A SUTCLIFFE.A/HOOPER.W SIZER.L/*FRITH.L SIZER.W/*HEATON.G *GIBSON.W/FOWLER.J.C BOLLARD.E/PAYNE.C MACKENZIE.H/PAYNE.J CLARKSON.A/BETTS.W.F/*Fallen/Pro aris et focis/ LEST.WE.FORGET". On metal plaque at bottom "MANUFACTURED BY/W.WOODHEAD

Black painted metal Jones treadle sewing machine. Decoratively painted in gold. Sits in a wooden cabinet with a door at the front and shelf insidesee photossewing, sewing machine, jones, treadle

Black metal Singer Sewing Machine with gold floral design placed in a wooden box, has a matching curved wooden lid. Has grey electric cord and black plug attached. Has accessories in a green cardboard box, labelled with SINGER (attachments, needles)see photossewing machine, sewing, electric, singer, sewing accessories

Singer portable electric sewing machine - black with some gold decorative work. Is placed in a wooden base. Has red-cloth covered electric cord and black plug. Has an arched wooden carry lid. Also has a black metal elbow control piece that inserts into the side of the machine.see photossewing, sewing machine, singer, electric

Small black metal hand operated sewing machine, with gold decorations. No wooden base.see photosewing, sewing machine, hand-operated

Small hand-operated black painted metal sewing machine with gold decoration. Placed on a wooden base. Has rectangular wooden lid. Made by Frister & Rossmannsee photossewing, sewing machine, hand-operated, frister & rossmann

Hand-operated portable sewing machine painted black metal, with wooden base, gold floral decorations. Made by Wertheimsee photosewing, sewing machine, hand-operated, wertheim