Gary Partington with car rally trophy, and friends, 1961. Includes Peter Leaford, Bruce Kofoed, Keith Richards and Ken Carlon.Digital copy of black and white photographHand written captiongary partington

Receipt for purchase of 12 handkerchiefs, value pounds 2/3/1 from Treadway's, Smith Street Collingwood 9/5/1948?Printed in black and red, both sidesHand-written receipttreadways, black family

Receipt for purchase of four singlets and suspenders value pound 1/9/3 from Solway Clothing Company 15/1/1952.Printed on one side in red and black on white paperHand-written receipt.solway clothing compay, black family

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council (the GLC or Greater London Council), where he organized many amazing concerts in most of the 150 parks, in and around the London district. He was also responsible for some of London’s major concerts at Kenwood, the Crystal Palace and Holland Park. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Blue pen written on paper - perhaps this is a press release - written about the lengths that Frank Wright, although ill and in hospital earlier in the week, went to, to honour his commitment to be a part of the jury to judge the World Music Contest at Kerkrade.Hand written documentfrank wright, kerkrade, world music contest, adjudicator, bands

Stefanie and William Rietman were the children of August and Frieda Rietmann. Stefanie became a school teacher and designed and made resin jewellery, Later she established a Native grass garden in Joyce park, Ormond, William joined August's business and after his death continued the development of Rietman's Landscaping and pottery firm . His son Ray also continued the family business in Bay Road Highett and the Carrum. August Rietman 1877-1951 and his wife Frieda 1878-1942 leased the Cottage in 1917 and raised 2 children Stefanie 1918-2006, and William 1920– 1997. August was a Monumental Mason / Potter / Sculptor and he was employed at Corbens Ltd Clifton Hill, to make the War Memorials for many towns post WW1. August purchased the property 1935,and established a pressed concrete business using the cottage as a workshop and storeroom After August died in 1951, William, his son, continued to work in the business from the site until the land was sold to Lewis Co. Ltd Timber Merchants in 1970. Rietman's Landscaping Ltd moved to Bay Road Highett 1953 and later to Carrum. The Rietman family is an example of the diverse nationalities that lived and worked productively in Moorabbin Shire 1871–1933 , the City of Moorabbin 1934-1994 and continues today in the Cities of Glen Eira, Kingston, Bayside, and Monash. August, a sculptor and stone mason, was employed by Corben Pty Ltd Clifton Hill to carve WW1 Memorials before establishing his own successful masonry business in the Box Cottage during the latter 1920s. After becoming interested in pressed cement casting, he took on apprentices (1930s Depression) and among his products were garden furniture, pots and also street lamp standards, some of which were installed in St Kilda Road. After August’s death in 1951, his family continued the business ‘Rietman’s Landscaping Ltd.’, at Highett and Carrum.Photographs x 2 Black & White, of Stefanie Amilie Rietman, and William Henry Rietman c 1920 at Ormond AustraliaHand written namesrietmann august, rietman august, rietmann frieda, rietman frieda, stonnington city town hall, war memorials, world war 1 1914-1918, rietman stefanie, rennick stefanie, francis stefanie, rietman william, rietman ray, mountford paul, malvern city town hall, box cottage museum ormond, box william, box elizabeth, joyce park ormond, rietman's landscaping pty ltd, bay road highett, macrobertson pty ltd, coleraine soldier memorial 1921, resin jewellery, australian native grasses, schools, education, craftwork, pottery, ceramics, ormond state school

August Rietmann (1877-1951) of Lustdorf ,Switzerland, married Maria Frieda Oesschlager (2/2/1878- 22/7/1942) of Baden Baden, Germany on 6/8/1910 In August 8th 1915 August and his wife Frieda migrated to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia sailing on the Steam Ship ‘Osterley’ from Marseilles to Melbourne They leased Box Cottage, Ormond in 1917 and raised two children, Stefanie (1918 -2006) and William (1920- 1997). 1935 August purchased the property and the family used the Cottage during the day and slept in the Front House. August was a monumental mason, potter and sculptor, and was employed at Corbens Ltd Clifton Hill, to carve war memorials in Victoria post WW1 c 1915-1922. During the 1920's August set up his own business in pressed cement making pot plants, columns,paving slabs and lampstands. He continued to carve headstones and figures and took contract work for Artists eg Paul Mountford. He built a workshop in the Barn and used the Cottage for plaster moulding. His son William joined the business and and the family continued to use the site after August died in 1951. Rietmann Landscaping Ltd moved to Bay Road Highett in 1953 and later to Carrum. The land, containing the Box Cottage, was sold to Lewis Timber Pty Ltd in 1970 and Mr Lewis proposed that Moorabbin City Council should preserve the heritage Cottage. In 1984 the Cottage was dismantled and reconstructed in the adjacent Joyce Park. The Rietman family is an example of the diverse nationalities that lived and worked productively in Moorabbin Shire 1871–1933 , the City of Moorabbin 1934-1994 and continues today in the Cities of Glen Eira, Kingston, Bayside, and Monash. August, a sculptor and stone mason, was employed by Corben Pty Ltd Clifton Hill to carve WW1 Memorials before establishing his own successful masonry business in the Box Cottage during the latter 1920s. After becoming interested in pressed cement casting, he took on apprentices (1930s Depression) and among his products were garden furniture, pots and also street lamp standards, some of which were installed in St Kilda Road. After August’s death in 1951, his family continued the business ‘Rietman’s Landscaping Ltd.’, at Highett and Carrum.Photographs x 2 Black & White, of August and Frieda Rietmann World War 11 Registration 1939; Photograph x1 Black & White of the Rietmann Memorial at Cheltenham new Cemetery c1990Hand written informationrietmann august, rietman august, rietmann frieda, rietman frieda, stonnington city town hall, war memorials, world war 1 1914-1918, rietman stefanie, rennick stefanie, francis stefanie, rietman william, rietman ray, mountford paul, malvern city town hall, box cottage museum ormond, box william, box elizabeth, joyce park ormond, rietman's landscaping pty ltd, bay road highett, macrobertson pty ltd, coleraine soldier memorial 1921, box cottage ormond

Black material mounted on cardboard depicting soldiers, aircraft, villages & villagers in motion. Middle depicting people swimming in river. Bottom is peaceful scene with figures in black with colourful dress. All embroided.Hand made panel.embroidered panel

Various colour photos of Wimmera Flour Mill at time it was being demolished. Note roof being dismantled. Rail line in foreground. Willaim Frayne founded the Wimmera Flour Mill on a site in Taylor Street (beside the railway line) Stawell 1876. When Willian Frayne dies 1899 his son George took over the mill. The mill continued to be a propriety company until early 1966, when it was sold to the Victorian Mill Owners. The sale was forced because of the lack of export markets. A factor which affected most country mills. The Victorian Oat Growers Pool took over on July 1st, 1967. Trading under the name of Wimmera Flower Mill as a subsidiary company. Later years it sold clipped and graded seed, oats, stockfeed for poultry, pigs and dairy cattle and all types of crushed grain. The original Frayne homestead still stands behind where the Mill stood facing Frayne Street. In 2007 during our "Collection Review" the four smaller colour photos, which were donated by Mr. Mick Walsh, 52 Patrick St Stawell were very similar to the bigger photo in the file 139.6e.139-6 a-d & e Coloured photographs showing various views of the Wimmera Flour Mill or Grain Handling Corporation building in progress of being demolished. There is a red brick building with a tiled roof in these coloured photos. The rail line is shown in foreground of 139-6 e. Our records on the data base show 139-6e to be a black & white photo but the same photo in the office folder is an enlarged colour photograph. Grain Handing Corporation stawell industry

Town Talk tobacco tin with home made crossHand written psalm

Printed "How to Vote" or notice sheet titled "Tramway Union Elections - Thursday Nov. 20, 1952, Work and Vote for the Endorsed Candidates" giving a list of candidates for the various positions, with messages with photos from Dr. Evatt, Federal Labor Leader and John Cain, State Labor Party, appealing to Union Members to vote for men who supported Labor Principles and practices. Has supporting statements and photos for Vice President J. C. McDonald, Vice President Frank Cooney, President J. R. Brown and Treasurer Alec Watson. Has a statement of "What a State Labor Government Could Mean to You and Your Union". Made by the Tramway Labor Party Group, and printed by Industrial Print Carlton with their logo.hand written informationtrams, tramways, unions, alp, labor party, elections

895.1 - Printed card, inviting Mr. R. Wearne to a WW2 or WWII Memorial Service at Malvern Depot on 16/6/1946. Arranged by The Employees of Malvern Tram Depot" and signed by F. H. Dye, Depot Delegate. 895.1 - Printed sheet, folded on off white paper, three sides, with a border on the front page, "Order of Service", Malvern Tramway Men and the Second World War, Unveiling Ceremony. Honouring the memory of two soldier's from Malvern Depot, J. Giggins (killed 1941) and W. E. Armstrong (who died as a PWO in 1943).hand written informationtrams, tramways, world war 2, malvern depot

This bolster sham is one of several linen and clothing items that were made and belonged to Mrs. Eliza Towns and donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. Eliza was born Eliza Gould in 1857 in South Melbourne (Emerald Hill) and in 1879 married Charles Towns. In the early 1880's they moved to Nhill in western Victoria and remained there for the rest of their married life. Charles was a jeweller and later became an accountant and for many years was involved with the Shire Council, the local show committee (A & P Society), the Hospital Committee and the Board of the local newspaper (the Nhill Free Press). They had three children and lived a life that would be regarded as comfortably "middle class". Eliza probably had a treadle sewing machine and would have made many of her own clothes and household linens - adding her own handmade embroidered or crocheted decorative trim. Most beds during the late 19th and early 20th century had a feather, hair or spring mattress covered by a blanket and topped with an under sheet, an upper sheet, several blankets and a bedspread. A flat bolster could be placed either under the pillows or on top of the pillows with a decorative sham. Washing pillows and quilts by hand would have been a very onerous task (involving heating water and handwashing in a tub or using a copper) and so it became the practise of many housewives to cover the pillows and bolsters with an outer slip (or sham) of washable material which could be easily removed and washed when needed. If the bolster was kept under the pillows it wouldn't need to be very decorative but many shams or slips that were "on show" were often highly decorated with embroidery, pintucks, ribbons or lace. This bolster sham is machine made and quite plain with the exception of some pintucking and eyelet lace on each end which suggests that it would mostly be hidden under the top pillows with just the decorative edges on display.This item is an example of the needlework skills of women in the early 20th century - combining machine stitching with hand embroidery to personalise and embellish a practical domestic object. It is also significant as an example of an early 20th century innovation that helped make the working lives of housewives a little bit easier.A long white cotton rectangular bolster sham, machine sewn, with seven ties and two buttons (plus one missing button) to enable it to be folded over lengthwise and closed. It has two pull string ties near each end to enclose a bolster and is finished with a decorative edge of pintucks and handmade eyelet lace and embroidery.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, eliza towns, sham, bedding, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, household textiles, sewing, bolster sham, housework, pillow sham, charles towns, nhill, haberdashery, needlework, manchester, handmade, household linen

This piece of fabric in the design of the Republic of Vietnam’s flag was cut from a roll carried by Military Assistance Command Vietnam operatives when they went around the villages, compounds and outposts. As part of the ‘Hearts and Minds’ program, they would cut off sections and hand them out to anyone who wanted a bit. Some pieces became flags, some head scarves, some were even used to wrap babies. Pieces showed up everywhere. Collected by Sub-Lieutenant A C Perry, Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnam (RAN HFV) 1969 -1970. RAN HFV ) served with the 135th Assault Helicopter Company of the US Army. The Americans named this combined unit the 'experimental military unit' (EMU). Framed fabric piece, yellow with three red stripes, representing the South Vietnam flag plus 3 helicopter unit patches mounted on right hand side SOUTH VIETNAM FLAG/ HELICOPTER UNIT/ SHOULDER PATCHES/ FROM VIETNAM WAR/ KINDLEY ON LOAN FROM/ ANDY PERRY (SS US)/ ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVYsouth vietnam flag, helicopter patches, arvn, perry, 135th, 135thahc, emu, ranhfv, navy helicopter, andy perry, hearts and minds

The Kiewa Valley has promoted itself as a tourist hot spot since the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme concluded. Mt Beauty began as a construction town and was to be sold off but tourism became promising so the SECV handed the town over to the Bright Shire, houses were sold and businesses commenced. From the early 1960s the town promoted itself and Falls Creek as a tourist destination. The Kiewa Valley Accommodation group combined with the local advertisers to publish this brochure.This brochure promotes tourism all year round promoting the local businesses enabling them to succeed. As tourism is the main industry in Mt Beauty and Falls Creek since the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme finished, this advertising is important. It is interesting to note the businesses - their type, their location and the comparison with those in the area now.19 black and white pages including maps and advertisements. Cover is a 'washed' color of a hut in the bush. The title is in black across the top and at the bottom right hand corner. The front cover is in 'landscape' format but the rest of the book is 'portrait'.mt beauty; falls creek; kiewa valley; tourism; north east victoria

Items relating to Alan Telford VX146055 2nd AIF. Refer 357.3 also 331.8, 332.2, 358.3, 360.4P..1) Photocopied photograph, barge journey from Cairns to New Britain. Page 1. .2) Photocopied photograph, barge journey from Cairns to New Britain. Page 2. .3) Photocopied photograph, barge journey from Cairns to New Britain. Page3..1) Hand written "VX146055 A Telford" .3) Hand written "VX146055 A Telford"documents, barge journey

Newspaper clipping from The Courier, 10/11/1971 advising that no more work on the removal of tram tracks in Sturt St. will be undertaken by the Country Roads Board until early next year (1972). Quotes CRB Divisional Engineer (E.T.Oppy), saying that requests had been received from Council and shop keepers that Christmas shopping not be interrupted by roadworks. Mentions the period over which works were to be undertaken to remove the tram tracks (8 years), hope to do it in a shorter period of time, wet weather interfering with progress and agreements being negotiated by the Councils in Ballarat, Bendigo, the CRB and the SEC.Hand stamped in black ink "10 Nov. 1971" on right hand edge.trams, tramways, sec, country roads board, track removal, dismantling

Yields information about the introduction of bogie trams into Ballarat late 1945 and the street scene with the Ballarat Town Hall in the background.Black and white photo print of Ballarat No. 15 and No. 24, soon after the arrival of the bogie trams in Ballarat, late 1945 with the Town Hall, Sturt St, in the Background. Has two ladies sitting on a seat near the tram, the stop pole, a trammie walking in front of the war memorial. No. 15 has the destination of Mt Pleasant. 4291.1 - Cropped image of the original photograph. Added 28/11/2013. From Donation of Ron Scholten. In box 71. See also Reg Item 3805.In top left hand corner "34)" and "SECV" in bottom right hand corner.tramways, trams, bogie trams, town hall, sturt st, tram 15, tram 24

Yields information about the closure of the SEC Ballarat system in particular the changes made to Bridge St.Newspaper clipping pasted onto a single sheet of paper with two Punch holes on the left hand side with one hole through the photograph within the cutting. Clipping from The Courier, Ballarat, Monday, 23/8/1971 (newspaper date, with page 10), with a photo and associated caption of Council employees painting out parking lines in Bridge St. in preparation for a bus stop. Has a single truck tram in the photo heading along Bridge St. for the city. Caption notes that the work was being done in preparation for the bus service introduction. Photograph taken either Saturday afternoon after shops closed or on Sunday as street has very few cars in it. See Reg item 3767 for print of photograph. 1069.2 - copy of cutting, image added 10/9/2013, from a donation by Dave Macartney.In red ink in upper central right hand corner, "21/8/71"trams, tramways, closure, bus changeover, bridge st, bus stops

This saw is used for cutting curved edges of timber. It could have been used in the home or for commercial building purposes. The hand-held saw has largely now been replaced by electrically-operated machines. This item has no known local provenance but it is an interesting example of a hand-held tool of the past.This is a hand saw with a thin serrated metal blade. The blade is affixed to the bottom end of a wooden frame with two upright pieces and a cross piece affixed to the upper part of the frame. The top part of the frame has a piece of plaited rope stretched across. The top part of the frame has two wooden handles. The blade is somewhat rusted and the wooden parts and the rope are stained. vintage tools, history of warrnambool

Cash's first began manufacturing name tags, woven badges and woven labels in Australia in 1913, and since then countless Cash's labels have been sewn onto school and club jumpers. The Boy Scouts commissioned this point paper design featuring a boy, puma and snake. It is inspired by imagery from Kipling’s Jungle Book.Point paper design featuring boy, puma and snake. Corresponding clothing label attachedtextile design, design

This book was purchased by a World War One Australian solder on the Western Front.Small brown covered booklet containing 10 postcards. Maubeuge embossed light brown on darker brown on front right hand side top of cover. Maubeuge embossed light brown on darker brown on front right hand side top of cover. "Cartes Vues Detachables" on LHS bottom corner of front cover, Nels on RHS bottom corner (in a circle border of dark brown). Verso: Back cover; "Cartes Vuews Exiger la marque" printed in a circular style on centre back with Nels in a brown bordered circle inside it. maubeuge, cartes vues, postcard, nels, la sambre, place d'armes, monument, monument carnot, les remparts, porte de mons, l'eglise, caserne joyeuse, calsse d'epargne, cercie militaire, la mairie, maubeuge, cartes vues, postcard, nels, la sambre, place d'armes, monument, monument carnot, les remparts, porte de mons, l'eglise, caserne joyeuse, calsse d'epargne, cercie militaire, la mairie

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Sarah spent six months in New Zealand in 1910. William and Sarah's family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Hand-coloured postcard in which the picture is framed by a border of a leaf and vine pattern. The picture is of the lower arms of a woman from the left hand side of the card and a man from the right hand side of the card shaking hands in the middle. Behind and below the hands is a small map of New Zealand in a golden circle. New Zealand fern is positioned from the circle up behind the arms to the top of the card on both sides and above the hands is a depiction of a ship sailing on the sea.The postcard contains a message to Frank Wright from his mother who is visiting New Zealand.frank wright, sarah wright, new zealand, postcard

The original small, pioneer cottage was built in the late 1840s to early1850s, by an unknown pioneer. It was located on part of a 30 Acre allotment that was originally part of Dendy’s Special Survey granted in 1841. The doors and window sashes, (made of red deal joinery timber), as well as the brass locks and fittings, are from the original cottage, and were imported from England. The fire-place bricks are from the original cottage, and are sun-dried, (not kiln fired), and are hand-made. Convict marks can be seen on two bricks. There is a small display of external cladding shingles from the original pioneer cottage. These shingles were hand-split, and most likely made from locally collected timber The nails included in this display were used to fasten the shingles on the original cottage, and are also hand-made. The cottage was occupied by William Box and family from 1865 until 1914 when it was sold to William Reitman who resided there until 1950. The enamel nameplate, “Colonial”, on the wall of the cottage, was the name chosen for the original pioneer cottage by Mr William Reitman, when he purchased the property in around 1915, for 1200 Pounds approximately. In 1974 Mr Lewis, a timber specialist, found the dilapidated building on property he had recently purchased in Jasper Rd and suggested it be reconstructed and relocated. Moorabbin Council agreed and the cottage was rebuilt just about 250 metres from its original site. The cost of the rebuild was met by 'Victoria's 150th Committee, plus a small grant from the City of Moorabbin, and Mr Laurie Lewis donated much of the timber for the reconstruction. The re-constructed cottage plan has followed faithfully the original dimensions, and plan of the original pioneer cottage, and as many original items from that cottage’s long occupation have been incorporated. The photographs in Album 1 record the progress of the reconstruction from February 1984 to the First Public Open Day November 18th 1984Mrs H Deam and Mr A. Smith, CMHS members, photographed the progress of the 'Reconstruction' from February 1984 to November 1984. Although 'Box Cottage' is a re-construction, it is an unique museum that, being located in the midst of a modern community in Ormond Victoria, can educate and demonstrate many aspects of the early settler’s way of life in Victoria. As such, it is an invaluable resource for students and all kinds of visitors. A laminated , photocopy of the ‘Plan of Box Cottage c 1865 ‘ Hand drawn layout of 2 houses with shrubs, trees, plants, wells, gardens on the Box Cottage site c1930 as recalled by Stefanie Rietman Rennick. brighton, moorabbin, cottages, pioneers, ormond, colonial, mckinnon, dendy henry, box william, box elizabeth, reitman william, convicts lewis timber co. ltd., deam h, museums, box alonzo, smith a,

Belaying Pin: A belaying pin is a solid metal or wooden object used on traditionally rigged sailing vessels to secure lines of running sale rigging. Largely replaced on most modern vessels by cleats, but are still used, particularly on square-rigged ships. A belaying pin is composed of a round handle and cylindrical shaft. The shaft is inserted into a hole in various strategically located wooden pin rails that line the extension of a ship's side above the level of the deck and the surrounding the base of masts, or free-standing, called (fife rails) up to the base of the pins handle. A line is then led under and behind the base of the pin then round the top in a figure-8 pattern for at least four turns. The excess line is coiled and stored neatly by taking a bight from the upper part of the final strand, looping it over and round beneath the coil, then twisting it once or more before slipping the twisted end over the top of the belaying pin to secure the coil in place. The subject item seems to have been hand made possibly by a crew member to while away his time at sea given the item is hand carved and rather personalised in appearance. History of the Loch Ard: The Loch Ard got its name from ”Loch Ard” a loch which lies to the west of Aberfoyle, and the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold its position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Loch Ard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Loch Ard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Loch Ard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Loch Ard Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition in. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artifact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we are able to interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. The collections historically significance is that it is associated unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. Wooden belaying pin with leaf design on the handle (hand made).Has the words Loch Ard faintly inscribed on handle (Artifact Rego No LA/32)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, wooden belaying pin

Pincers metal hand forgedflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village