This collection of approximately 20 letters between Melbourne men Ben Morris and Harry Bruin, covering a period of several months in 1919, consists of original letters handwritten by Morris and carbon copies of Bruin’s replies. Love letters between men from this period are extremely rare in an Australian context, and globally. They were seized by police from Bruin’s home in Harcourt Street, Auburn in October 1919. The police were investigating a report that Bruin and Morris were conducting an intimate affair. The relationship came to light when the mother of one of Morris’ friends, having failed in her attempt to blackmail Bruin, went to the police. Blackmail was an ever-present danger to homosexual men at that time. Homosexual sex was against the law and even gossip alone could ruin reputations, careers and social standing. In refusing the demands of his attempted blackmailer, Bruin took an enormous risk. However, Morris and Bruin were lucky that their letters contained no descriptions of sex acts. It was not illegal to express love for a person of the same sex and when the matter came before the court, the police had no choice but to let the matter drop without laying charges. Letters like these are rare as potentially incriminating correspondence between men was usually destroyed by the writers or the recipients, to prevent it falling into the hands of the authorities, blackmailers, or disapproving third parties. These letters survived only because they were seized by the authorities for the purpose of prosecution. Morris and Bruin’s letters are also important because, together with the statements taken from the two men and others involved in the case by police prosecutors, they provide insight into the development of the liaison over an extended period. The emotional letters provide rare evidence of a deep romantic affection between two men in their own words. Quoted from "A History of LGBTIQ+ Victoria in 100 Places and Objects" by Graham Willett, Angela Bailey, Timothy W. Jones and Sarah Rood.

There is a brief biography of Adam Lindsay Gordon, Australian poet and details about his Cottage which is now in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.Adam Lindsay Gordon was seen by some people in Ballarat as a notable person during his brief time in that city as well as being known for his poetry.1 page of dot points with a brief addendum and a print-out with a small black and white picture of the Adam Lindsay Craft Cottage in the top lefthand corner and two columns of print. Overleaf, are two of Gordon's poems.Nonejohn garner, doctor john garner, ballarat botanical gardens, friends of ballarat botanical gardens, crafts council of ballarat, craft cottage, adam lindsay gordon, adam lindsay gordon cottage, australian poet, poetry, john garner collection, gardens, ballarat

Robert Fortune introduced 190 species of Chinese plants to Britain and the West.This article gives a brief background to some of the plants originally from China, that can be seen in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.2 pages of print in columns. The first page has three pictures of plants on the lefthand side with a floral background. The second page has a floral backround on the righthand side.Nonejohn garner, doctor john garner, ballarat botanical gardens, friends of ballarat botanical gardens, robert fortune, china, wisteria sinensis, azaleas, reeves collection, john reeves., john garner collection, gardens, ballarat

A brief though useful chronology of Victoria ParkVictoria Park has featured in the history of Ballarat since 1861.1 page of large print in point form with a bullet for each point.Nonevictoria park, ballarat council, mining companies, arbor day, trees, clegg and nicholls, guilfoyle, f.w.niven, pinus radiata, friends of ballarat botanical gardens, john garner, doctor john garner, john garner collection, gardens, ballarat

Ballarat Botanical Gardens Fernery. Brief for Landscape Design.john garner collection, ballarat botanical gardens, fernery, design, landscape, gardens, ballarat

Brief notes on Camberwell Grammar School and the historic homes it has acquired as the school grows.canterbury, camberwell grammar school, roystead, tara, highton, kingussie, norge, mont albert road, independent schools

Brief note on the Canterbury Grammar School c 1902-1912canterbury, canterbury grammar school, canterbury road, independent schools, students, teachers, principals

Notes of events and features of the Canterbury Presbyterian Church and congregation given to the Canterbury History Group on the occasion of our visit to the church, 24 September 2007.canterbury, canterbury road, canterbury presbyterian church, churches, clergy, church furniture, monuments and memorials, stained glass

Brief notes taken on the recollections of Evelyn Tracey taken at a meeting of the Canterbury History Group July 1987.canterbury, canterbury gardens, canterbury primary school, hancock> mrs, malone> patrick, world war 1914-1918

Brief information sheet of some of the schools in the Canterbury area in the 1900'scanterbury, molesworth street, primary schools, independent schools, carisbrooke ladies' college, merton, st. duthus' school

Brief article from the education page of the Progress Leader promoting Siena College. Includes a black and white photograph of students at the front of the college taken in 1941.canterbury, siena college, riversdale road, colleges, students

Profiles of 191 members of the North Balwyn RSL Sub-Branch. Includes colour photographs and index of names. 197 pagesnon-fictionThis book gives photographs and brief profiles of the RSL members commemorated on the Wall of Remembrance at the North Balwyn RSL Memorial Hall, which was started in the 1990's. This book celebrates its members both past and present and their commitment to the Australian defence forces in times of war and peace.north balwyn, north balwyn rsl sub-branch, veterans, biographies, plaques, war memorials, world war 1914-1918, world war 1939-1945

Origin of the Stoddart statues and the unveiling ceremony in 1884,p.1. Brief notes on each statue and cleaning method used,p.2. Other features of the Gardens and biographies of notable contributors.Ballarat Art Gallery founded at the same time (1884) and special area for statues was omitted as a result of Stoddart's gift.12 white A4 pages printed on one side, photocopy of typed notes. Copy of pp.1&2. Author, J.A. Chisolm and top left hand corner of page 1, 354/5/1, JAC:djw 1983john garner collection, garner, dr, talking notes, friends of the ballarat botanical gardens, fbbg, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, gardens

Ballarat Base Hospital - History - 150 yearsAn informative brief history of the Ballarat Hospital over time. Doctor John Garner, as a medical doctor had strong associations with the Hospital over many years.2 A3 pages. First page has two black and white photographs of Ballarat Hospital, one large and one smaller with captions, left hand side of page. Second page, one sepia photograph with caption, right hand side of page.Nonejohn garner collection, garner, dr, ballarat base hospital, hospital, 150 years, history, ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat, ballarat hospital buildings, the queen victoria woman's ward

Mayor W.Collard Smith records a brief obituary to F.M.Claxton in his report.The Obituary is evidence of the esteem in which Claxton was held in the "Municipal life" of Ballarat.one page, half of it printed.The word Obituary is highlighted in green texta and at the bottom of the page in blue biro is written john garner, doctor, ballarat botanical gardens, frederick moses claxton, claxton memorial fountain, lake wendouree, obituary, claxton, john garner collection, gardens, ballarat

It is interesting to read of Veitch's description and views of Ballarat in 1891-1893 and other places and gardens visited in Australia.These pages selected from James Veitch's work add to an understanding of the development of Ballarat's Gardens and history.11 pages selected and a brief note on City of Ballarat notepaper.Note in the righthand margin of the 3rd page and some underlining of the 4th page. With this extract, there is a note in biro Philip Clingin, the Town Clerk to Roy Mosman, member of the Friends' History Group.john garner, doctor, john garner collection, james herbert veitch, traveller's notes, royal exotic nursery chelsea, ballarat botanical gardens, melbourne botanic gardens, geelong gardens, broken hill, botanist

This is a brief though reasonably comprehensive account of Adam Lindsay Gordon's life; with brief mention of the time, he spent in Ballarat. Adam Lindsay Gordon was a well-known Australian poet who lived in Ballarat for a brief time and whose work was revered by Ballaratians.1 yellow sheet of paper with small print in 2 columns and a sketch in black of Gordon's Cottage in the Ballarat Botanical GardensNonejohn garner, doctor, john garner collection, adam lindsay gordon, australian poet, ballarat botanical gardens, adam lindsay gordon cottage, the y men's club of ballarat, craft cottage, livery stables, craig's hotel., friends of ballarat botanical gardens, gardens, ballarat