861 John Benn Locomotive - in active service - Emerald Station Built in 1886 by Société Anonyme Usines Métallurgiques du Hainaut - Locomotives Couillet for the West Melbourne site of the Metropolitan Gas Company, as a four-wheel tank locomotive similar to 986 and named “John Benn”. The West Melbourne gas works sourced its coal from Maitland, New South Wales, and the coal was brought by ship to a wharf adjacent to the West Melbourne gas plant. John Benn and Carbon were used to haul the coal over a 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) gauge railway from the wharf to the gasworks, a distance of about 450 metres (500 yards). It was withdrawn from service in the 1930s and stored until sold privately in 1962. It was rebuilt by its new owners in the style of an American locomotive of the 1880s and was used for some years at Walhalla. It currently has the name “J.C. Rees” and is used in active service for the 861 Footplate Experience. Wheels: 2-4-2ST Builder: Couillet Build Date: 1886 Construction No.: 861 Empty Weight: Unknown Weight on Drivers: Unknown Driver Diameter: Unknown Tractive Effort: Unknown Boiler Pressure: Unknown Cylinders: Unknown Fuel: Coal Gauge: 30 inchesHistoric - Industrial railways - Metropolitan Gas Company Ltd, Melbourne Steam LocomotiveDecauville Steam Locomotive 861 John Reespuffing billy, narrow gauge, industrial narrow gauge railway, metropolitan gas company, decauville 43, steam locomotive, john rees, john benn, 861 locomotive, couillet, 861

vaporizing kerosene gas lamps of this type were used by track gangers to facilitate night works. Historic - Victorian Railways - Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Ganger's Lamp made of metal, brass and glass V.R ( and Arrow symbol ) AL 14puffing billy, victorian railways, ganger's lamp

Fire Fighting Extingusher Tank Old style firefighting extinguisher, for use on very small firesHistoric - Railways Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Fire Fighting Extingusher TankMetal Fire Fighting Extingusher Tank with rubber hosepuffing billy, fire fighting extingusher tank

This hand operated drill was used to drill holes in the rails so that with fishplates (metal joiners) the rails could be bolted together to form a continuous length.Historic - Railways Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Hand Operated Rail Drill Hand Operated Rail Drill made of cast Metalpuffing billy, hand operated rail drill

Large Gangers Trolly Turntable Many trollys were too heavy to physically lift off the track, so a turntable was needed. A railway gangers trolly was required to be "off tracked" at its working location, so that it would be clear for trains to operate. A special track at right angles to the running line was usually provided. When all the work was completed and after all the trains had cleared, the trolly was then "on tracked" so that it could proceed to its next location. These turntables were also in use at the Works Depot location. They were provided at designated locations, and in some cases the trolly carried a turntable on board. To allow for more than one trolly to be taken off the line, a longer version was available for use. The turntable would be placed on the rails and the trolly driven onto it. The turntable would then be rotated 90 degrees by human power and the trolly pushed off on to a prepared set of rails on the side of the line. The turntable would then be removed from the track allowing trains to run through that section. The gang could then get on with the work required near that location.Historic - Railway Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Ganger's Trolley TurntableLarge Gangers Trolly Turntable made of wood with wrought iron fittingspuffing billy, gangers trolley turntable, trolly, trolley

Gangers Shed Desk A desk used in the Gang Shed for office work and other associated functions. Historic - Victorian Railways Permanent Way and Works - Gangers Shed Desk Gangers Shed Desk made of wood with wrought iron fittingspuffing billy, gangers shed desk, victorian railways

Ganger's Fire Beater This was used to beat the flames of a fire. They were used by track Gangers when burning off the trackside vegetation, to ensure the fires were kept under control. the canvis was dampened with water before useHistoric - Railways Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Ganger's Fire Fighting Mop Ganger's Fire Beater made of timber handle with canvas strips attached puffing billy, fire beater

Rail Turning Bar Rail is heavy, sometimes as much as 120 lbs per yard. To assist in being able to move rail, a special turning bar was developed. Usually a long handle, on one end various features in the head allow rail to be moved Historic - Railway Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Rail Turning BarRail Turning Bar made from cast wrought iron puffing billy, rail turning bar

Ratchet Spanner This spanner is used on track work. Being a ratchet spanner, it allows movement in one direction, with a reverse movement to keep the tool in the same position, but it does not allow the item being tightened to rotate with the spanner in the reverse direction. This allows for longer handles and therefore gives more force to the item that is being tightened or released.Historic - Railway Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Ratchet SpannerRatchet Spanner made of cast wrought iron puffing billy, ratchet spanner

During early farming in Australia (before motorised whipper snippers) the hand held sickle was used to cut long grass, in this case in or around railway tracks. The inside of the blade's curve was sharp, so that the user can either draw or swing it against the base of the grass, catching the stems in the curve and slicing them at the same time. Historic - Railway Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Grass SlasherWrought iron sickle with extended with wooden handle.puffing billy, extended sickle, farm tool, reaping hook, curved blade, grass cutting

Railway Track Tool Rail is heavy, sometimes as much as 120lbs per yard. To assist in being able to move rail, a special bar was developed. Using the handle as a lever, one section clamps onto the rail, allowing it to be moved. Historic - Railway Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Railway Track ToolRailway Track Tool made of forged ironpuffing billy, railway track tool

Watering Can A watering can, with a large spout. Its former use is currently no known, but may have been used for oil, chemicals or even sand.Historic - Railway Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Watering CanWatering Can with a large spout made of tin puffing billy, watering can

NRT1 - Ruston & Hornsby Diesel Locomotive Built in 1951 to a gauge of 3', this Ruston diesel locomotive or rail tractor operated on the State Electricity Commission of Victoria’s Kiewa scheme. Some years later, it was regauged to 2'6" and was operated by the Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of Works. NRT1 is a Ruston & Hornsby diesel locomotive, built in England in 1951 to a gauge of 3 feet, and was initially employed by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. It was later re-gauged to 2' 6" and ended it's working life in 1977 when it was transferred to Puffing Billy. In 1977, it was taken to the P.B.P.S. Steam Museum and stored until 1978 when it was taken to the Emerald Carriage Workshops. Later in 1983 it was returned to service as NRT1 following the V.R. classification procedure as a narrow-gauge rail tractor, but it had number plates installed and was painted Hawthorn green. It will eventually be painted the red of V.R. rail tractors with the number & class painted on in black. This type of locomotive was popular in many industrial locations, with their unique clutch-less 3 speed gearbox meaning the driver could control them whilst walking alongside, a bonus when shunting. Adjustable tie rods meant that as the axles moved on the springs, they followed the radius of the drive chains, reducing the chances of chain snatch LOCOMOTIVE DETAILS NRT class No. originally constructed : No. in service : 1 No. stored: Wheel arrangement : 0-4-0DM Roadworthy weight : 9T 3cwt. Maximum axle load : 4T 15cwt. Tractive effort (85%) : Length overall: 15' 6" Height overall: 10' Driving wheel diameter: 18" Date of manufacture: 1950 Manufacturer : Ruston Hornsby Place of manufacture: Lincoln, England Locomotive type : Diesel Mechanical Manufacturers classification : 48 DL Historic - Industrial narrow Gauge Railway - Ruston & Hornsby diesel locomotive used by State Electricity Commission of Victoria - NRT1 - Ruston & Hornsby Diesel Locomotive NRT1 - Ruston & Hornsby Diesel Locomotive made of steel NRT1 ruston & hornsby diesel locomotive, nrt1 diesel locomotive, nrt1, puffing billy

Metal Horse drawn scoop from Hermon’s nursery at Menzies Creek. The Land on which the Menzies Creek railway station and Museum are built on was once apart of James Hermon's & his son William Hermon's property on which Horse drawn scoops of this type would have been used. Historic - industrial Farm equipment used on the farm of James Hermon & his son William Hermon on which the museum is built Horse drawn scoop from Hermon’s nursery made of Metal West Footscray Engineering Works Pty Ltdpuffing billy, menzies creek, scoop, hermon

Nevada silver (electroplated nickel silver) sugar shovel by Daniel & Arter Ltd. Fiddleback pattern. Shovel shaped bowl with etched floral design.nevada silver, daniel & arter ltd, sugar shovel

This is a soft mud sand-stock moulded or semi-dry pressed brick bearing the 5 Olympic rings with the words "GLEN 1956 IRIS" across the bottom.5 Olympic Rings "GLEN 1956 IRIS"olympics 1956, glen iris brick works

Hand operated washing machine. Works on same principal as our model on display. Made of a metal drum with supporting metal legs. It includes a metal handle with an agitator. A piece of wood is bolted to the side of the washing machine for mounting a hand wringer. Such a machine was ideal for homes that did not have electricity.

Silver coloured metal petrol iron with removable top plate and cylindrical tank. Metal handle with blue painted wooden top attached and metal plaque with maker's details and insignia between screws on bottom section of handle.Plaque shows: (on left hand side) "All British / PUMPLESS IRON / Manufactured by / HANDI WORKS / Brisbane" INSIGNIA / "H" / in shield. (on right side) P/No. ? / D/S No. ? / Reg No. ? / FOR BEST RESULTS USE SHELLITEclothes iron, petrol

This book contains a collection of poems written by American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. His original works include the poems "Paul Revere's Ride", "The Song of Hiawatha", and "Evangeline". He was also the first American to completely translate Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, and was one of the fireside poets from New England. Ruyton Girls' School has a long tradition of awarding prizes to students at annual "Speech Night" events. Speech Night at Ruyton is an extraordinary occasion. It is a time when we gather to celebrate both the year just lived and the contribution of our Year 12 girls to the life of our School. It is a night of stirring student speeches, acknowledgement of student endeavour and excellence and awe-inspiring performances by School choirs and ensembles. The record has strong historic significance as it was awarded to a former notable student, Helen Gordon (maiden name Cole). Helen started at Little Ruyton in Prep 1940 and finished Year 12 in 1952 as School Captain, Bromby Captain, Form Captain for Matric, Tennis Captain, Hockey Captain, Swimming Vice Captain, and an award for Best All-Round Girl. She also played baseball for Victoria. After finishing school, Helen went on to graduate from the University of Melbourne as a physiotherapist in 1956. Her first position at age 19 involved setting up clinics with the Victorian Health Department Poliomyelitis Rural division. Helen’s strong ties to Ruyton continued when she held the position of President of the Old Ruytonians’ Association from the start of 1966 to the end of 1967. In 2019, Helen received an Order of Australia Medal for service to community health as a physiotherapist. She was also the recipient of the 2022 Victorian Senior Achiever Award at Parliament House. Helen passed away in July 2023 at age 88. The record's significance is further enhanced by its strong provenance, having been produced by Ruyton Girls' School and donated to the Archives by a familial connection.Navy leather hardcover bound book with gold detailing on front cover and spine. 886 pages.Front Cover: R / RECTE ET FIDE LITER / RUYTON / Spine: LONGFELLOW'S / POETICAL / WORKS / OXFORD / Inside Cover: R / RECTE ET FIDE LITER / RUYTON / PRIZE / AWARDED TO / Helen Cole / FOR / Latin / Vc / H. Daniell. / 18th Dec. 1950 / Katie Alsop Memorial Prize /ruyton girls' school, school, students, prize, speech night, poetry, lord tennyson, queen victoria, senior school, high school, ruyton, old ruytonians' association

This book contains a collection of literary works written by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely esteemed as the foremost writer in the English language and the world's premier dramatist. Often hailed as England's national poet, his surviving works comprise around 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three lengthy narrative poems, and a handful of other verses, some of which are of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are staged more frequently than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential figure in English literature, with his works persistently reinterpreted and reimagined. Ruyton Girls' School has a long tradition of awarding prizes to students at annual "Speech Night" events. Speech Night at Ruyton is an extraordinary occasion. It is a time when we gather to celebrate both the year just lived and the contribution of our Year 12 girls to the life of our School. It is a night of stirring student speeches, acknowledgement of student endeavour and excellence and awe-inspiring performances by School choirs and ensembles. The record has strong historic significance as it was awarded to a former notable student, Helen Gordon (maiden name Cole). Helen started at Little Ruyton in Prep 1940 and finished Year 12 in 1952 as School Captain, Bromby Captain, Form Captain for Matric, Tennis Captain, Hockey Captain, Swimming Vice Captain, and an award for Best All-Round Girl. She also played baseball for Victoria. After finishing school, Helen went on to graduate from the University of Melbourne as a physiotherapist in 1956. Her first position at age 19 involved setting up clinics with the Victorian Health Department Poliomyelitis Rural division. Helen’s strong ties to Ruyton continued when she held the position of President of the Old Ruytonians’ Association from the start of 1966 to the end of 1967. In 2019, Helen received an Order of Australia Medal for service to community health as a physiotherapist. She was also the recipient of the 2022 Victorian Senior Achiever Award at Parliament House. This historic significance is further enhanced by Ruyton's bygone "Shakespeare Night" tradition. A celebration of ‘culture’, and a chance to enjoy some ‘fun and games, cakes and ale’, were the motivation behind Ruyton’s annual Shakespeare Night party, led by longstanding Principal Miss Hilda Daniell. In her book, "The History of Ruyton 1878-1956", she describes how the yearly tradition began in 1915, just two years after she took over the role of Principal. That first Shakespeare Night, the senior girls and other guests gathered in the School’s chrysanthemum-filled dining room for music, games and supper. Such fun was had that the festivities became an annual event and was one of the coveted privileges of being one of Ruyton’s older girls. The Night was always held as close and possible to April 23rd, which is the date of William Shakespeare’s death, and the approximate date of his birth. Senior girls and some staff and parents would be invited to a party in the School. There, Shakespearean songs were sung, his poetry recited, and scenes from his plays were acted. Sometimes a competition was held to see who could recognise the largest number of quotations. In other years all the attendees would dress as Shakespearean characters. In a nod to a minor character from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, Senior teacher Miss Dorothy Derham famously came disguised as a lion one time, and no one knew who it was until she dramatically removed her mask at the end of the evening. Whatever the programme, the Night always drew to a close with a delicious supper that included a spectacular birthday cake especially in honour of the Bard. (Accompanying it may have been the ‘ale’ of Miss Daniell’s description, though of course it was presumably of the ginger rather than the alcoholic variety.) The evening was complete when ‘God Save the King’ and ‘Auld Lang Syne’ were sung. Shakespeare Night was held almost without interruption from 1915 to at least the mid 1950s. Only in 1919, with the threat of Spanish Flu, did the Night get cancelled. Later, fear of Japanese invasion in the Second World War years, and the consequent black-out restrictions, turned the ‘Night’ into an afternoon event. Thankfully, Miss Daniell notes, "from 1944 the programmes could be given as usual", though as we now know, it was a School tradition that eventually faded away. The record's significance is also supported by its strong provenance, having been produced by Ruyton Girls' School and donated to the Archives by a familial connection.Navy leather hardcover bound book with gold detailing on front cover and spine. 1,164 pages.Front Cover: R / RECTE ET FIDE LITER / RUYTON / Spine: SHAKESPEARE'S / COMPLETE / WORKS / OXFORD / Inside Cover: R / RECTE ET FIDE LITER / RUYTON / PRIZE / AWARDED TO / Helen Cole / FOR / Latin / VB / H. Daniell. / 9th Dec. 1949 / Katie Alsop Memorial Prize /ruyton girls' school, school, students, prize, speech night, poetry, lord tennyson, queen victoria, senior school, high school, ruyton, old ruytonians' association

Wilson – Hec or Harold – Darlington Road in Background. The building in background could be the Cyanide works.stawell

John Sherlock Willaton was born 1.8.1897 in Sebastopol near Ballarat. In 1916 aged 18 years 8 months he enlisted in the 1st AIF and embarked overseas with the blessing of his employer even though he had not completed his apprenticeship. He was wounded in action with a bullet wound to the right foot. His family moved from Ballarat to Sunshine in 1917 and when he was discharged in 1918 he joined the Sunshine Harvester Works as a Fitter and Turner. He was promoted to Sub Foreman of the Bolt Shop toolroom where one of his main responsibilities was training apprentices and he remained in that position until his retirement on the 4.8.1961.Contains original signatures of 112 workmates at Massey-Ferguson (Australia) Ltd of John S. Willaton. It is an original document and the only copy in existence.Farewell signatures of 112 workmates on the retirement on 4-8-1961 of JOHN S. WILLATON from Massey-Ferguson (Australia) Ltd, after working more than 43 years. The document contains 3 pages of signatures bound in a fawn coloured cardboard folder. The 3 pages are bound to the folder with a black ribbon tape and the folder has a green coloured tape on the back edge.112 signatures of John S. Willaton's workmates.willaton john s., farewell card, retirement, massey ferguson, h. v. mckay, workmate signatures, mckay

Light tan colored cardboard document folded into four sections. Contains Factory Rules for employees of the H. V. McKay Sunshine Harvester Works in Sunshine Victoria - May 1926.factory rules, h. v. mckay, sunshine harvester works, mckay, may 1926

Blue faced, white cardboard document folded into three sections. Contains Factory Rules for employees of the H. V. McKay Sunshine Harvester Works in Sunshine Victoria - January 1913.factory rules, h. v. mckay, h. v. mckay's, sunshine harvester works, mckay, january 1913

This Smithy is a replica of the building in which the first H. V. McKay harvester was built at Drummartin in northern Victoria in 1884. The original Smithy was moved from Drummartin to Sunshine Victoria where it remained for many years outside the H. V. McKay manufacturing plant. With the construction of the standard gauge railway line the road outside the Smithy was demolished, and the original Smithy was taken to the Melbourne Museum.The original Smithy is now in a fragile state and is no longer on public display at the Melbourne Museum. The site where the original Smithy stood in Sunshine was no longer available so the replica Smithy was erected a few hundred metres away, in the South East corner of Barclay Reserve on King Edward Ave, Albion 3020.The replica Smithy permits the public to view a full sized model of the building which eventually led to the formation of the H. V. McKay Sunshine Harvester Works. This firm grew to being considered the main manufacturing plant in the southern hemisphere, and also led to the local area being renamed in 1907 from Braybrook Junction to Sunshine.Brown wooden building with bark roof. This building is a FULL SIZED REPLICA of the original SMITHY that was used by H. V. McKay.THE SUNSHINE HARVESTER WORKS 1884smithy, h. v. mckay, sunshine harvester works, drummartin, replica, massey harris, massey ferguson

The image compilation provides a historical record of old landmarks in the Sunshine area, and also provides images of what the sites look like in recent times.A4 size display book containing older pictures of landmarks in the SUNSHINE locality, plus recent images of the same sites. Images range from the 19th Century to 2010.sunshine hospital, civic halls, churches, fire brigade, schools, hotels, harvester works, kororoit creek, swimming pools, sportes grounds, john darling flour mill, explosives and munitions factories

These three factories clustered together and close to Albion Station provided manufacturing type of employment for several decades. All the factories have now disappeared and have been replaced by retail or service businesses. Spalding has been replaced by a Bunnings Hardware store, while the main retail outlet on the Nettlefolds site is Harvey Norman. Ironically part of the Phoenix Fireworks site is now occupied by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, as well as other small businesses including a smash repair business, and a tyre retailer.The photograph provides a historical record of some of the types of manufacturing industries that existed in Sunshine, before retail or service industries began to replace them. Many of the younger generation do not know that fireworks, screws, or some sports items were manufactured in Sunshine not so long ago, and where the factories existed.The image depicted in this photographic copy is believed to be from circa late 1920's to early 1930's, and shows the NETTLEFOLDS, SPALDING, and the PHOENIX FIREWORKS factories. These factories were located in North Sunshine on the north side of Ballarat Road near Albion Station. Nettlefolds and Spalding are on the corner of Ballarat Road and McIntyre Road, with Nettlefolds being on the west side of McIntyre Road and Spalding on the east. Phoenix Fireworks factory is composed of small huts, and is situated on the north side of Phoenix Street at the rear of the Spalding factory. The photograph also shows a row of residential houses on Garnet Street which is on the east side of the Phoenix factory. Ballarat Road is still an undivided road and on the south side is a plantation of trees that once stretched from near Albion Station to Anderson Road. Other roads visible are Suffolk Road and Westmoreland Road.Nettlefolds Screw Worksnettlefolds, spalding, phoenix fireworks, screw works, ballarat road, mcintyre road, phoenix street, garnet street, westmoreland road, suffolk road.