This document is a speech titled "Empire Day 1933. A message to the children at Olinda School from their member". It is signed G H Knox. It was written by Sir George Hodges Knox and read to the children at Olinda School as part of the Empire Day celebrations in 1933. Sir George Hodges Knox (1885-1960) was a veteran of WW1 and was elected to the Ferntree Gully Shire Council in 1922. He held this post until 1927.The City Of Knox is named after him. He won the Victorian Legislative Assembly seat for Upper Yarra in 1927 for the Nationalist Party. He became Speaker for the Victorian Parliament in 1942 and remained there until 1947. Between 1945 and his death in 1960 he held the seat of Scoresby. He was knighted in 1945. The celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday on May 24 was renamed Empire Day in 1903 after her death in 1901. Empire Day was observed in state schools from 1905 with a program of addresses, pageants and patriotic songs, with children swearing allegiance to King and Empire with a loyal declaration. The last celebration of Empire Day in Australia took place in 1958. Five sheets of unlined paper that appear to have been torn from a writing pad with a speech handwritten in thick, black fountain pen commemorating Empire Day.olinda school, sir george hodges knox, empire day, speech, city of knox, knox, olinda, school, celebration

The Hamilton-Smith collection was donated by the children of Grace Mary Hamilton-Smith nee Ellwood (1911-2004) and John Hamilton-Smith (1909-1984) who settled in Wodonga in the 1940s. The Ellwood family had lived in north-east Victoria since the late 1800s. Grace’s mother, Rosina Ellwood nee Smale, was the first teacher at Baranduda in 1888, and a foundation member of the C.W.A. Rosina and her husband Mark retired to Wodonga in 1934. Grace and John married at St. David’s Church, Albury in 1941. John was a grazier, and actively involved in Agricultural Societies. The collection contains significant items which reflect the local history of Wodonga, including handmade needlework, books, photographs, a wedding dress, maps, and material relating to the world wars. The celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday on May 24 was renamed Empire Day in 1903 after her death in 1901. It was celebrated throughout the British Empire, including in Australia, with fireworks and bonfires in the evening. The last celebration of Empire Day in Australia took place in 1958, when the name of the celebration was changed to Commonwealth Day.This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history. An Empire Day cardboard bookmark featuring an illustrated crown, and Australian flag and Union Jack flag design. Gold trim lines the border of the bookmark. hamilton-smith, hamilton-smith collection, ellwood, wodonga, empire day, british empire, commonwealth

The September 5, 1912 issue of Table Talk celebrated "Wattle Day" where new plantings are made of the national flower and featured images from both Melbourne as well as the first excursion to Hurstbridge. Those from Hurstbridge were photographed by notable WW1 photographer, J.E. Barnes. Also digitised and accessible via National Library of Australia Trove website - (1912, September 5). Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic. : 1885 - 1939), p. 23. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page17413107 See an article on reflections about Wattle Day on page 29 - SOME REFLECTIONS UPON WATTLE DAY. (1912, September 5). Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic. : 1885 - 1939), p. 29. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146180986 The inaugural Hurstbridge Wattle Day Festival was held Saturday, September 1, 1912 when a specially commissioned train brought 1,000 visitors to the district to enjoy the splendour of the wattle in bloom. “Melbourne’s first “Wattle Day” Campaign, the day when Australia’s national flower was to be all pervading in the streets of the metropolis, and sold in sprigs and bunches by hundred of lady volunteers, for purposes of charity, was not blessed with happy climatic conditions on Monday [2 Sep 1912]” - WATTLE DAY. (1912, September 7). Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918, 1935), p. 39. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198116738 “In connection with Wattle Day celebrations a special train conveyed a thousand people to Hurst's-Bridge last Saturday afternoon [1 Sep 1912]. Lengthy reports of the excursion appeared in the daily papers last Monday. - WATTLE DAY. (1912, September 6). Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 - 1917), p. 2 (MORNING.). Retrieved July 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60656027 See a review of the excursion to Hurst’s-Bridge - HURST'S-BRIDGE EXCURSION. (1912, September 2). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 9. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196255907 The excursion to Hurst’s-Bridge was considered such a success that the Railway department arranged to run another special train to the station on Saturday, October 5, 1912 - HURST'S-BRIDGE EXCURSION. (1912, October 2). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved July 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203325447Inaugural Hurstbridge Wattle Day Festival held 1 September 1912d3-class steam locomotive, hurstbridge wattle festival, special train, tait train, tourism, wattle day campaign, wattle day festival, david smyth collection

Captain Charles Ferguson was born in Scotland in 1813. He was the Master of the "Rajah" from 1838 to 1850 on voyages from England to Australia and vice versa. He became the First Chief Harbour Master for the port of Melbourne in 1852 after being the first Harbour Master and Water Police Officer in Geelong for 12 months. On the 5th of April 1841, the Rajah sailed with James Donovan M.D. as Surgeon Superintendent, and the Rajah sailed from Woolwich with 180 female convicts. The Rajah arrived on the 19th of July in Hobart, with 179 females (one died during the voyage) and 10 children. Miss Kezia Elizabeth Hayter was the matron on board. On page 28 of the "Sailing directions for Port Phillip, in the colony of Victoria including the ports of Melbourne and Geelong", a mention is made of the Mariner's Hospital and Floating Church soon to be established. There were discussions to built the hospital in Williamstown but instead the Government decided to build it in Melbourne. The Harbour Master and a commiittee decided to use the water police hulk, Emily, left unsold in 1856, to create a floating church: the Bethel was open in July 1857 with Reverend Kerr Johnston as Chaplain. Latrobe wrote a letter to Captain Cole in 1869, a few months after learning his death : "To Captain George Ward Cole † [from a draft in another’s hand] Clapham House, Lewes, Sussex, January 28th, 1869. My dear Captain Cole, Last mail will have taken out the sad intelligence of the death of our excellent old friend, Captain Ferguson. This will have been a terrible blow to his children and to his friends in the colony, who may have held reason to expect his early return to his home, with a not unreasonable prospect of ultimate restoration to health and activity. In the course of last October I went up to town with one of my children, mainly with the purpose of finding my way to Pinner, where he and Mrs. Ferguson were staying with an intimate friend. I found him in excellent health and spirits, and enjoying the prospect of a speeding resumption of the service to which he had devoted his best days, and upon the furtherance of which his entire energy was still directed. A week or two later Captain and Mrs. Ferguson went to Dover for change of air, and being still under the impression received from the advisers by whom they had been guided during their residence at a hydropathic establishment at Matlock, felt encouraged to plan almost immediate return to the colony by the Jerusalem early in December. However, certain misgivings in the mind of a medical gentleman, then in England, under whose care Captain Ferguson had at one time placed himself in Williamtown, led them to consider it judicious before departure to take the advice of some surgeon of eminence in London. Accordingly they came up to town at the close of November. The first London practitioners they consulted shook their heads, and advised consultation with Sir Wm. Ferguson. The result was that amputation, without loss of time, was pronounced necessary. The rest is soon told. He received the painful intelligence with calmness and full resignation to God's will, and underwent the operation at King's College Hospital with exemplary firmness and Courage on the 28th of November. Perfect success seemingly attended it, and there seemed, humanly speaking, to be every prospect of a prompt cure and early convalescence; everything seemed in his favour. A few days later, however, all was clouded by symptoms of hospital fever (pyoe æm ia). This resisted all control, and finally carried him off on the 27th of December, just one month after the operation. He had lived a Christian life, and his death was the peaceful and resigned death of a Christian. It was a melancholy satisfaction to me to be able to join a few friends in following his remains to their resting place in one of the outlying London cemeteries on the last day of the year. You know Mrs Ferguson well, and will be prepared to hear me say that her whole conduct and demeanour throughout this period of suspense and bitter trial has been worthy of her high character and steadfast principle. Come what will, and happen what may, I have the fullest conviction that neither the widow nor the children will be forsaken, however doubtful and clouded the future may appear, in consequence of the irreparable loss which, they have sustained. And now, dear Captain Cole, it is possible that you may already have heard all this from other sources, but I have dictated it to you under strong impulse, for I feel assured that there is no member of the community in which you live who will more sincerely deplore the loss of Captain Ferguson on private grounds; at the same time that there is no one who, from long acquaintance with his official character and services, will be in a better position to estimate their real value or the loss which the colony has sustained. The circumstances in which Captain Ferguson's family are left not only demands the utmost display of sympathy and interest on the part of friends, but may call for decided and prompt action; therefore I cannot rest satisfied without discharging what I consider my duty, and seeking to strengthen your hands as far as I may in bringing the character of his long services before the existing colonial authorities. Of his private career previous to his entering the service of the Colonial Government in 1851 nothing need be said. Captain Ferguson was appointed as the Harbour Master at Geelong in April, 1851 – a few months before the separation of the colony from New South Wales. He there did excellent service in a variety of ways calculated to advance the interests of the port, and to introduce www.latrobesociety.org.au 27 order, where, from circumstances, but little order had hitherto prevailed. His was the first appointment of this class in that locality. The separation of the colony from New South Wales took place in the month of July following. Shortly after, the late Captain Bunbury resigned the Harbour Mastership of Port Phillip. Captain Ferguson was at once (February, 1852) appointed to succeed him, and from that time performed all duties of Chief Harbour Master of the colony. The previous year (May 1851) the first gold discoveries in New South Wales had taken place, and in the month of August those of our colony followed. At the time of Captain Ferguson’s taking charge of the Port of Melbourne their influence had begun to be fully felt, and in no department more seriously than in that of the Harbour Master. This is no place for statistical details, but they must bear me out in reminding you of a few facts connected with our late friend’s career. At the time of separation that department comprised only 30 individuals of all ranks, and when he took charge the number was much reduced. There were at that time, according to the returns, no fewer than 54 vessels, registering 26,785 tons, in Hobson’s Bay alone. The crews on arrival numbered 1,235 men. Of this number only 463 remained on board, 500 having deserted, and the rest having been discharged by arrangement or pure necessity. For the first six months after Captain Ferguson’s assumption of office as Harbour Master the duties of Police Magistrate and Chief of the Water Police were superadded, and how much labour they involved may be surmised from the fact that from 1st of April to the 31st July, 1852, four months only, no less than 236 marine cases were brought before the bench at Williamstown - sometimes as many as 30 in a day. A year later (March 1853) the returns show that the number of vessels in the harbour in Hobson’s Bay alone were 91, tonnage 43,754; and passing on to the still later returns of May, 1853, two years after Captain Ferguson’s assumption of office, we find from the records that the number of ships in port had increased to 129; tonnage, 63,292; crew on board on arrival, 2872, and at the date of report, 1628; the amount of desertions at that time having, however, proportionally diminished, in consequence of the abatement of the gold fever, caused by the non-success attendant upon the labours of thousands at the goldfields. The above numbers take no account of the large number of vessels and amount of tonnage lying at the wharves at Melbourne or elsewhere. From these figures alone it may be judged what must have been a struggle in which the Chief Harbour Master was engaged from the very outset to secure order, and answer the innumerable calls on every branch of his department, at the same time that there was for many months an almost complete impossibility of securing subordinate agency, such as boatmen, pilots, and police, at any price. But I may bear witness to the untiring diligence, energy, and self-devotion with which Captain Ferguson grappled with the difficulties of his position, and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles which stood in his way. Ashore and afloat he was always ready, showing the same directness of purpose, intelligence, and forgetfulness of self. He shunned no responsibility, and turned his hand from no work, whether within or beyond the ordinary scope of his duty, which the hard necessity of the times forced the Government to bring under his notice. Already in 1852, when the overflowing of our gaol and stockade rendered the adoption of other methods of restraint absolutely necessary, and addition to the existing buildings could not be thought of, it was Captain Ferguson who first suggested the employment of hulks; and it was with his personal assistance and supervision, and under his unflagging energy, that the three first of these – the Success, the President, and the Sacramento – were purchased, fitted up, and made available for the purpose in view, and the rules and regulations for the employment and safety of the men afloat and ashore prescribed and carried out. He carried the same energy into every branch of his department, and his influence was soon apparent. His subordinates of every class became actuated by his spirit. As time moved on, the range of his duties, both ordinary and extraordinary, increased. In the formation of the quarantine station at the heads, in the management if not the erection of lighthouses, sailing directions, port and wharf regulations, buoys, signal stations, www.latrobesociety.org.au 28 steam dredging &c., he was the main and most active agent. The whole pilot establishment and regulations, men, and vessels, were under his charge; and when I left the colony in May, 1854, the entire range of ports outside Port Phillip Heads from Point Lonsdale to Portland, as well as that of Geelong had felt the influence of his intelligent supervision and care. The entire department of Chief Harbour Master, which I have numbered at the period of separation about thirty individuals, then numbered 230. The character of Captain Ferguson’s unbroken service during the fourteen years which have elapsed since I left the colony must be well known to the Government and the people he has served so long and so faithfully. I confine myself to recalling to mind those earlier, and what must have been the hardest and most difficult, period – none can know how difficult but those who were in that fierce struggle for the maintenance of order under so many disadvantages; and on this subject I have spoken advisedly and with reason, for I may truly say he worked under my own eye. I had sincere regard for the man, and just pride in the qualities of his heart, head, and hand. Whatever mistakes may have been made by the Government of the colony in those hard and difficult times (and I am quite ready to admit that there were many, especially if the past is to be judged by the light of the present), I never have hesitated in believing that, in appointing Captain Ferguson to the office he has so long filled, it was the right man in the right place. I shall be heartily rejoiced to find that the Government and inhabitants of the colony admit that this has been the case, and to learn that they have not forgotten the strong claims of one who has served them so long and so faithfully, and who, removed by God’s providence, so to say, in the maturity of his powers, has left a widow and young family behind him. I have done, I leave you to make use of this communication, or any portion of it, which you may think judicious and called for. There may be among Ferguson’s friends those who may not be sorry to be reminded of facts. By-the-bye, I may mention as a proof how completely Captain Ferguson’s mind was engrossed by devotion to his public duty, that while in Dover, only ten days before the operation, he took an opportunity to drag himself up into the lantern of the S. Foreland Lighthouse, and made a most careful scrutiny of the whole apparatus and arrangement, with a view of the adoption of any hint for the perfection of those under his charge in the colony. And now, goodbye. I trust this will find you in good health, and in comparative vigour. Believe me ever, dear Captain Cole, Yours very truly, C. J. La Trobe"The attempt for a floating church was made as early as 1853 following similar examples in London like the Seamen's Hospital. Captain Ferguson was instrumental in the foundation of the Bethel Church.Digital copies of the 37 pages ; 22 cm.1854, hobsons bay, geelong, melbourne, williamstown, sandridge, mariner's hospital, floating church, seamen's hospital, captain charles ferguson (1813-1868), kezia elizabeth hayter (1818-1885), rajah quilt, prison hulks, water police, harbour master, harbor master, gaols

Photo - see pdf file for further information. Number Brief Description RSC1 PCC 1041 at the gates of Preston Workshops on a test run without it’s trolley retriever RSC2 PCC 1041 in Glenhuntly Road on Route 67 en route to Carnegie crossing the Railway Gates at Glenhuntly Station RSC3 W2 482 stored at Malvern Depot with Olympic Park on the Destination RSC4 Cable Car Set 64 in Swanston St outside Princess Bridge Station in Bound with open top Double Deck Bus, Trak Motors ? Departing from Flinders St Station RSC5 W3 669 in St George Rd at Sumner St en route to Preston Workshops for scrapping RSC6 Cable Car in Lygon St en route to Carlton RSC7 PCC 1041 turning from St Georges Rd into Miller St to enter Preston Workshops RSC8 Flinders St Station with cable cars RSC9 PCC 1041 in strife on it’s maiden day in service. Trams on route 88 delayed in Queens Parade Clifton Hill RSC10 Flinders St at William St with Cable Cars RSC11 L 104 on the fan of the new shed at Malvern Depot on a TMSV tour RSC12 Cable Set 1 after it’s restoration at Preston Workshops on the fan near the front gate RSC13 X1 466 at a suburban terminus of the Footscray System RSC14 X2 680 at Point Ormond Terminus RSC15 An ex Launceston Tram at the outside terminus of the Penny Royal Complex Tramway in Launceston RSC16 Q 148 at Preston Workshops awaiting disposal RSC17 Elizabeth St with Cable Cars RSC18 Elizabeth and Bourke St corner outside the GPO with cable cars RSC19 Collins St with Cable Cars RSC20 A photo taken from the observation deck of the ICI building showing a view of Parliament house with a w class tram in Nicholson St RSC21 Auburn Horse car with a posed photo of all the tramwaymen employed RSC22 Cheltenham Double Deck Horsecar with a full load of passengers RSC23 City of Northcote cable trailer 3 at a terminus RSC24 City of Northcote Cable cars passing in High St Northcote RSC25 St Kilda Rd at Princes Bridge with Cable Cars RSC26 Flinders St with Cable Cars RSC27 Cable Cars RSC28 Bourke St looking towards Elizabeth St from Queen St RSC29 Cable cars in Bourke St at Elizabeth St looking East RSC30 Cable cars in Elizabeth St at the terminus at Flinders St RSC31 Cable cars in Bourke St at Swanston St looking west RSC32 Cable cars in Swanston St at Flinders St looking North RSC33 Cable cars in Collins St near Russell St RSC34 Cable cars in Elizabeth St at Bourke St RSC35 Cable cars in Collins St at Elizabeth St RSC36 Cable Cars in Swanston St at Flinders St RSC37 Cable cars in Collins St RSC38 Cable Cars RSC39 Cable cars in St Kilda Rd near Princes Bridge RSC40 Cable cars in Collins St East of Swanston St RSC41 Cable cars in Spring St outside Parliament house RSC42 K 92 in M&MTB Chocolate and cream livery but with a P&MTT Destination box on Route 14 RSC43 Thornbury depot viewed from Miller St and St Georges rd. Two W2 class cars are laying over between the peaks RSC44 Z3 201 in Met Livery passes D1 3510 in new M Tram livery. A Staff member in uniform stands in the doorway. Dandenong Rd RSC45 D1 3530 advertising Heinekin Super Golf on Route 55 in Royal Park RSC46 D1 3504 in M Tram livery on the reserved track in Matthews Ave near Essendon Airport showing Route 81 Travancore . I suspect it is a private enthusiasts charter due to the Malvern W class run number in the rear windscreen RSC47 D1 3504 on Route 64 in Dandenong Rd in M Tram Livery RSC48 D1 3504 in M Tram Livery at Airport West Terminus RSC49 D1 3504 in M Tram Livery in Union Rd outside the Showgrounds RSC50 D1 3504 at West Maribyrnong Terminus in M Tram Livery RSC51 D1 3503 in M Tram Livery in Malvern Depot RSC52 SW6 960 and VR 53 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC53 Hawthorn Tramways Trust 32 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC54 VR 53 & B 2042 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC55 VR 53 & C 3016 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC56 NMEL&T Co 13 usually V214 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC57 NMEL&T Co 13 usually V214 at Preston Workshops for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC58 Hawthorn Tramways Trust Lettering on HTT 32 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC59 Hawthorn Tramways Trust 32 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC60 Hawthorn Tramways Trust 32in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC61 Hawthorn Tramways Trust 32 in Harbour Esplanade for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC62 NMEL&T Co 13 usually V214 at Preston Workshops for the NMEL&T Co Centenary RSC63 W2 516 and another on route 59 wait to shunt at Essendon Airdrome Terminus as W2 571 on route 49 departs. This was the last day of operation. RSC64 Australia’s First Electric Tram at Box Hill with Tramwaymen including H J Hilton who is in the centre RSC65 W2 484 en route to St Kilda Junction and another wait for passengers after a race meeting at Caulfield Racecourse RSC66 X1 463 on the Footscray system en route to Russell St RSC67 Geelong 35 on Chilwell Route, Formerly HTT 13, M&MTB 119, then Bendigo 1 and Ballarat 37 RSC68 P&MTT 4 on Opening Day of the system in Glenferrie Rd RSC69 Bendigo 6 in McCrae St near the Depot end route to North Bendigo RSC70 P&MTT 4 in Glenferrie on opening day of the System RSC71 Scrubber 3 stripped and awaiting scrapping at Preston Workshops RSC72 Scrubber 4 at South Melbourne Depot RSC73 Q 191 & 139 at Preston Workshops awaiting scrapping RSC74 Rail Grinder 3 at Preston Workshops as purchased from Sydney RSC75 Y 469 waits to shunt at Wattle Park Terminus as Y1 613 departs on driver training duties RSC76 VR 53 on the outside roads at Essendon Depot RSC77 W5 796 with three doors and square windows running out of Brunswick Depot in Cameron St, with a supplementary destination board showing “City via Swanston St” RSC78 W2 258 on the wheel grinder road at Brunswick depot RSC79 X2 676 on a TMSV tour, W5 817 & 836 & VR 53 on the open roads at Essendon Depot RSC80 PCC 1041 on test, passes W71035 in High St Preston RSC81 D1 class production number 7 as delivered on test in Matthews Ave RSC82 W2 383 on route 5 turning from the reserved track in Dandenong Rd into St Kilda Rd at St Kilda Junction RSC83 Z3 204 as advertising tram for Vodaphone Grand Prix running into Malvern Depot new shed RSC84 Z1 4 on test in St Georges Rd RSC85 PCC 1041 on Route 96 in Burke St near Exhibition St RSC86 Z1 3 without numbers on test turning from Miller St in St Georges Rd RSC87 Track components stored in Coldblo Rd at Malvern Depot with Z class cars adjacent RSC88 D1 3501 in M Tram Livery on Route 55 in Peel St at Franklin St RSC89 C 3001 in Yarra Trams Livery Porto 018 & D13502 in M Tram Livery on Display in Harbourside Esplanade RSC90 D1 class tram production number 7, in as delivered condition on test in Matthews Ave RSC91 D1 3503 inside Malvern Depot RSC92 SW6 955 and W6 974 in St Kilda at City Rd at Dusk RSC93 Freight Car 19 at Preston Workshops in green Livery RSC94 Rail Grinder 3 in green Livery at South Melb Per Way Yard RSC95 A SW6 class car on route 50 shunting at Elizabeth St Terminus at night, taken from Flinders St Station RSC96 W2 588 & 435 in St Kilda Rd at Batman Ave RSC97 Y1 613 in service at Wattle Park Terminus RSC98 W2 588 in Wellington Parade en-route to the City with a Grand Final Load of passengers followed closely by 384 RSC99 W2 558 on a MCG Footy Special entering the Simpson St sidings RSC100 W3 657 & an L Class in the new shed at Malvern Depot RSC101 Y1 613 in St Kilda Rd on an enthusiasts tour in St Kilda Rd south of St Kilda jun RSC102 Y1 613 on an enthusiasts tour in Clarendon St with the two extra tracks on the Viaduct under construction RSC103 W6 976 on the fan of the new shed at Malvern Depot RSC104 W7 1024 as an advertising car for Bank of NSW at the route 1 terminus at South Melb Beach RSC105 PCC 980 on route 96 in Nicholson St near North Fitzroy Depot RSC106 SW6 890 with dash canopy lighting in Market St on the opening day of William St Services RSC107 W2 444 with big numbers heads a line of footy specials in Simpson St Sidings RSC108 Cable Cars in Elizabeth St RSC109 NMEL&T co 2 with a trailer outside the power station in Mount Alexander Rd RSC110 Alf Twentyman’s cable car set in his Northcote backyard RSC111 Cable Cars in Queens Parade Clifton Hill RSC112 Cable cars in Collins St outside the Townhall RSC113 PCC 1041 at Carnegie terminus RSC114 Cable cars in Elizabeth St RSC115 Cable cars in Collins St near Swanston St RSC116 HTT 19 turns from Riversdale Rd into Camberwell Rd at Camberwell Junction RSC117 W1 419 official builders photo of first car of the class RSC118 Cable car with a full load of passengers RSC119 W1 422 illuminated for the visit of T.R.H. The Duke and Duchess of York RSC120 PCC 1041 in strife on it’s maiden day in service. Trams on route 88 delayed in Queens Parade Clifton Hill RSC121 Bendigo birney in Finn St near North Bendigo terminus RSC122 SW6 in St Kilda Rd at Domain Rd at night RSC123 All 3 of Alf Twentyman’s cable cars in his Northcote backyard RSC124 Cable trailer 256 being unloaded into the shed at Bylands RSC125 Cable grip car 1 being removed from the Melbourne Museum RSC126 Alf Twentyman's cable cars in his Northcote Backyard RSC127 Alf Twentyman's cable cars in his Northcote Backyard RSC128 Alf Twentyman's cable cars in his Northcote Backyard RSC129 Alf Twentyman's cable cars in his Northcote Backyard RSC130 W class car in Swanston St at Collins St RSC131 Y1 469, L & W3 on the run out of Glenhuntly Depot on a tour RSC132 W7 1024 as an advertising tram for Bank of NSW at Clifton Hill RSC133 W2 496 on a footy special in Simpson St Sidings RSC134 W2 as originally converted to a test car at Preston Workshops RSC135 W3 667 in Brunswick Depot with Ellen Butland at the controls RSC136 W3 669 on it’s final run at Victoria Prd & Brunswick St RSC137 W2 571 in Wellington Prd at Clarendon St with a Footy Final load of Passengers RSC138 Y1 613 shunts at Spencer St Terminus as X217 waits on Australia Day Pageant RSC139 PCC 1041 on Rt 96 in Burke St outside the Southern Cross Hotel RSC140 890 with accident damage on the outside roads at Preston Workshops c1978 RSC141 535 on Rt 4 at the old St Kilda Jun c1967 RSC142 1041 on Rt 88 turns from Bourke St into Spring St 1973 RSC143 102 on a tour at Albert Park Beach Terminus Feb 1972 RSC144 833, 835 & 834 in the shed at Malvern Depot c1976 RSC145 281 in Wellington Parade on a football very crowded special c1974 RSC146 464 Ballarat Rd 1960 RSC147 181 Explosives Fty - at Footscray Station - July 1960 RSC148 181 Williamstown Road 1960 RSC149 Cable car set at Alf Twentyman’s c1970 RSC150 X 217 at Malvern Depot c1970 RSC151 X1 465 and T181 Footscray Football ground in Barkly St. c1960 RSC152 Scrubber 5 at South Melbourne depot c1960 RSC153 X1 465 Footscray to Russell St, c1960 RSC154 X1 467 Leeds St Footscray 1960 RSC155 PMTT 4 Glenferrie Road, 1910 RSC156 S 164 at Malvern Depot c1970 RSC157 T178 Footscray c1960 RSC158 Cleaner No. 7 at South Melbourne depot c1960 RSC159 Two Y classes at Princes Bridge / Batman Ave mid 1950s RSC160 Swanston St – Nu color vue slide – M142 Demonstrates the work of Ron Scholten in photography, collection and/or production of duplicate slidesAssembled album in a black presentation folder of 160 colour slides, 8 slide sleeves, collected or produced by Ron Scholten. Many are TMSV or Windsor Publications slides. All photographs have been scanned and placed on the Museum's G drive. A list of all photographs with details has been compiled. melbourne, tramways, trams, cable trams

This photograph depicts two members of the Beechworth Band at a 'Liedertafel' concert in the main hall at the Burke Museum in 1999. The concert related to an exhibition titled, 'From the Liedertafel to the Skating Rink: Entertainment in Beechworth 1852 - early 1900s', which celebrated the rich and diverse entertainments that were a part of Beechworth life in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. 'Liedertafel' is a German tradition that accompanied European settlers to Australia. It refers to a friendly society of men united by an enthusiasm for singing. The Beechworth Liedertafel was established 14 March 1894 at the London Tavern, Camp Street, Beechworth, by president, Mr. A.A. Billson, and a visiting conductor, Mr. H. Fielder. The Beechworth Brass Band was formed by Mr. H. Vandenberg in 1887. Marching bands, choirs, processions, circus acts, theatrical performances, races, fancy dress and roller skating carnivals, were among the vibrant and diverse entertainments offered in Beechworth during the gold rush period. Race meetings were revived with a gala atmosphere at Baarmutha on New Year's Day and Easter Monday in the early 1880s. 'Spiller's Skating Rink', which premiered at St. Georges Hall in August 1869, was accompanied by the 'Beechworth Fire and Drum band'. In 1888, Beechworth had two skating rinks in operation, the Columbia Elite at Oddfellow's Hall, and the Beechworth Skating Rink, corner Camp and Last Streets, Beechworth. Vandenberg's Beechworth Brass Band was reported to have provided musical entertainment for patrons at both venues.This photograph of the Beechworth Band playing at the Burke Museum is historically significant for the information it conveys about an exhibition at the Burke Museum between September and November 1999. The use of the contemporary Beechworth Band in a 'Liedertafel' performance provides insight into curatorial approaches at the turn of the twenty-first century and improves our understanding of how exhibitions use objects in the Burke Museum's Collection to tell stories about the past in the present. The story of Liedertafel's and Beechworth Brass Band is historically and socially significant for understanding the role played by German immigrants in building Victorian communities. In settler communities, cultural associations centred on artistic, recreational and sporting activities not only provided a popular means of entertainment, but fostered social cohesion among settlers from diverse ethnic backgrounds.Rectangular colour photograph printed on matte photographic paper. Obverse (On keyboard): Technics / Reverse: 7028 / Label: Liedertafel / exh. / Beechworth / Band / 1999/2000 /liedertafel, beechworth band, burke museum, from the liedertafel to the skating rink, entertainment in beechworth 1852 - early 1900s, gold rush, immigration, beechworth's german heritage, london tavern beechworth, beechworth's first brick tavern, spiller's skating rink, vandenberg's beechworth brass band, protestantism, teetotallism, skating carnivals, beechworth german association, yma's, beechworth skating rink, progress societies, billson's brewery, german-australians, roller skating history

Mr Harry Mason was born in Stanley, Victoria, on the 23rd of July 1925, attending the primary school in Stanley and high school in Beechworth on the mail truck. His family initially moved to the area during the initial Gold Rush period. He moved to Beechworth in 1960. For seven years after school, he worked in the local orchard full time before becoming the local gravedigger, responsible for digging the graves of Beechworth residents and Asylum for 23 years. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involved recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth-century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke.Mr Harry Mason's account of his life in Beechworth and the local area during the 20th century is historically and socially significant to the cultural heritage of the region. He details important historical events and hardships in the region's history that had a lasting local, regional and national impact, including Australia during war time, economic struggles, and women's societal roles in a rural area. Mr Mason also discusses agricultural and gravedigging practices of the time as well as what it was like growing up in rural Australia. This first-hand account is imperative to our understanding of life during the last century. This oral history account is socially and historically significant as it is a part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth-century Beechworth.' While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the 20th century, many of which will have now been lost if they had not been preserved.This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white strip and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up 40 minutes of recordings on each side.Mr Harry Madon /listen to what they say, beechworth, oral history, burke museum, harry mason, stanley, orchard, jennifer williams, asylum

Taken in 1924, the photograph depicts ten young men and three male children all in formal attire on the day of the Beechworth Concert Party. They are standing in front of Bill Howes' home on Loch St, adjacent to the old swimming bath.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper mounted on board.Obverse: W. Howes / Beechworth Concert Party / 1924 / Taken at Bill Howes home in Loch St. / (Last house, next to old swimming bath) / Back row. / Ted Warden. / Bill Howes. / B. Shallard. / Jerry Burns. / J. Heatherly. / K. Prowse. / E. Smith / Front row. / P. Burdew. / A. Foster. / J. Warden. / Squidgy Smith / A. Shallard. / G. Foster / Reverse: 1997.2518 / A03063 / 79.19.3 / entertainment album, beechworth concert party, beechworth, 1900s, loch st, concert party

The blacksmith leg vise is also called the "solid box vise" and is one of the most important tools in the blacksmith's shop. It firmly holds hot iron while it is hammered, chiseled, or twisted. These are the only vises that are designed to take this kind of use day in and day out. A small 30-pound blacksmith's vise can survive pounding that would wreck a much heavier cast iron bench model. Three things make a blacksmith's vice special. One is that they are forgings, not cast iron or ductile iron. The second is the leg that provides support to the floor or from a sunken post. The last is the hinge, while not a perfect way to construct a vice the pin joint is durable and can take a considerable beating. If sheared it is easy to replace. These things all combine into a tool that can take decades of heavy use and abuse. Most in use is one to two hundred years old.Some of these vises were made by specialists such as Atwood of Stourbridge England, Steel City and Columbian in the U.S. and others were made in anvil manufacturing plants such as "Mousehole Forge" and "Peter Wright" in England and "Fisher-Norris" and others in North America. The design of these vises right down to the last chamfer seems to have been perfected in the 1600s and remained more or less the same until the 20th century. The bodies are forged wrought iron or mild steel and they have hard steel surfaces welded into the jaws. The jaws have little or very shallow serrations which are generally worn off.Around the turn of the 20th Century during the hey-day of the blacksmith shop in North America, these tools were considered so standard a commodity that they were sold without reference to the manufacturer. Very few were even marked with the maker's name. Size is best defined by weight as there is some variation in jaw size from manufacturer to manufacturer. They were sold by the pound and are still best judged by the pound.A vintage tool used in a Blacksmiths shop during the early 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Regarded as a significant into social history of the time.Leg Vice attached with screws to bench via a block of wood. Has large metal pole which practically reaches the floor. Also has a metal device to either tighten or slacken vice.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Hollis Brothers were first recorded trading from 11 Weaman Row in 1840 but appear to have started trading a little earlier. The firm later became Isaac Hollis & Sons and claimed establishment from 1814. Richard & William Hollis were recorded trading in Bath Street Birmingham from 1814 to 1818 so it may be that the Hollis brothers were descended from them. The brothers were Isaac Hollis (1815) and Frederick Hollis (birth date unknown), but Frederick died 20 December 1839. Isaac was recorded in the 1841 census living in Weaman Row. He was a 25-year-old gun and pistol maker, married to Emma 1821. They had two children, Isaac (1837), and Henry (1839). After Frederick died, Isaac carried on trading under the name of Hollis Brothers until 1845 when he re-named the business Hollis Brothers & Co who traded up to 1848. In 1844 Isaac entered into a short term partnership with William Tranter at 10 & 11 Weaman Row, presumably to complete a particular contract or supply certain parts, this partnership lasted until 1849. In 1848 Isaac took in Isaac Brentnall Sheath as a partner, and the firm of Hollis & Sheath was established, expanding into 10 Weaman Row. Hollis & Sheath were licensed makers of percussion breech-loading guns. in 1861 the firm changed its name to Isaac Hollis & Sons on the departure of Isaac Brentnall Sheath. Isaac Sheath died in July 1875 By about 1870 Isaac Hollis and Henry Hollis had taken over the day to day running of the business. Isaac Hollis was responsible for the overall management and the marketing of the firm's products. Henry was responsible for manufacturing. The firm became volume producers of inexpensive trade guns and sporting guns for the South African and the British colonies. In 1870 the firm opened a shop at 44a Cannon Street in London; in 1871 this moved to 83 Cheapside. Isaac Hollis Jnr died October 1875 in Birmingham aged 37. He was never married and in 1876/1877 Henry registered a limited liability company, Isaac Hollis & Sons Ltd, but by 1879 they were again trading as Isaac Hollis & Sons. From 1879 the London shop was at 6 Great Winchester Street. From 1932 to 1933 the London business traded as Hollis, Bentley & Playfair Hollis, Bentley & Playfair finally closed in Birmingham in 1953.The shotgun is not in pristine condition and is not very significant historically or valuable, although made by a well known and respected manufacturer of firearms there are many better examples of Issac Hollis and Sons shotguns in collections and for sale. This particular example is of a standard pattern for utilitarian use of which many were made.Shotgun, double barrel, 12 gauge, with cleaning rod. Right barrel has been cut shorter and has sharp edges on the muzzle. Metal stock extension, cleaning rod comprising 3 pieces that screw together. Gun is stored in a black painted, wooden case with hinged lid. Inscribed "I. HOLLIS & SONS", SN 84245. "I. HOLLIS & SONS". SN on stock “84245”. Badge on both sides “Crown [symbol] / BV”. “Crown [symbol] / NP”, “12G inside Diamond [symbol]”, “NITRO PROOF”, “STEEL 84245” Paper note included with gun, written in felt tip pen “ENTERPRISE”. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shotgun, double barrel shotgun, isaac hollis and son, birmingham, i hollis and sons, gun makers, sporting firearm, south african firearm market, rifles for british government, hollis, bentlely and playfair

Photograph shows the ship FIJI where she met her demise, in Wreck Bay, on the shipwreck coast of South West Victoria. The three-masted iron barque Fiji had been built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1875 by Harland and Wolfe for a Liverpool based shipping company. The ship departed Hamburg on 22nd May 1891 bound for Melbourne, under the command of Captain William Vickers with a crew of 25. The ship’s manifest shows that she was loaded with a cargo of 260 cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, spirits (whisky, schnapps, gin, brandy), sailcloth, tobacco, coiled fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos (Sweet Hapsburg), concertinas and other musical instruments, artists supplies including brushes, porcelain, furniture, china, and general cargo including candles. There were also toys in anticipation for Christmas, including wooden rocking horses, miniature ships, dolls with china limbs and rubber balls. On September 5th, one hundred days out from Hamburg in squally and boisterous south west winds the Cape Otway light was sighted on a bearing differing from Captain Vickers’ calculation of his position. At about 2:30am, Sunday 6th September 1891 land was reported 4-5 miles off the port bow. The captain tried to put the ship on the other tack, but she would not respond. He then tried to turn her the other way but just as the manoeuvre was being completed the Fiji struck rock only 300 yards (274 metres) from shore. The place is known as Wreck Bay, Moonlight Head. Blue lights were burned and rockets fired whilst an effort was made to lower boats but all capsized or swamped and smashed to pieces. Two of the younger crewmen volunteered to swim for the shore, taking a line. One, a Russian named Daniel Carkland, drowned after he was swept away when the line broke. The other, 17 year old able seaman Julius Gebauhr, a German, reached shore safely on his second attempt but without the line, which he had cut lose with his sheath-knife when it become tangled in kelp. He rested on the beach a while then climbed the steep cliffs in search of help. At about 10am on the Sunday morning a party of land selectors - including F. J. Stansmore, Leslie Dickson (or Dixon) and Mott - found Gebauhr. They were near Ryans Den, on their travels on horseback from Princetown towards Moonlight Head, and about 5km from the wreck. Gebauhr was lying in the scrub in a poor state, bleeding and dressed only in singlet, socks and a belt with his sheath-knife, ready for all emergencies. At first they were concerned about his wild and shaggy looking state and what seemed to be gibberish speech, taking him to be an escaped lunatic. They were reassured after he threw his knife away and realised that he was speaking half-English, half-German. They gave him food and brandy and some clothing and were then able to gain information about the wreck. Some of the men took him to Rivernook, a nearby guest house owned by John Evans, where he was cared for. Stansmore and Dickson rode off to try and summon help. Others went down to the site of the wreck. Messages for rescuing the rest of the crew were sent both to Port Campbell for the rocket rescue crew and to Warrnambool for the lifeboat. The S.S. Casino sailed from Portland towards the scene. After travelling the 25 miles to the scene, half of the Port Campbell rocket crew and equipment arrived and set up the rocket tripod on the beach below the cliffs. By this time the crew of the Fiji had been clinging to the jib-boom for almost 15 hours, calling frantically for help. Mr Tregear from the Rocket Crew fired the line. The light line broke and the rocket was carried away. A second line was successfully fired across the ship and made fast. The anxious sailors then attempted to come ashore along the line but, with as many as five at a time, the line sagged considerably and some were washed off. Others, nearly exhausted, had to then make their way through masses of seaweed and were often smothered by waves. Only 14 of the 24 who had remained on the ship made it to shore. Many onlookers on the beach took it in turns to go into the surf and drag half-drowned seamen to safety. These rescuers included Bill (William James) Robe, Edwin Vinge, Hugh Cameron, Fenelon Mott, Arthur Wilkinson and Peter Carmody. (Peter Carmody was also involved in the rescue of men from the Newfield.) Arthur Wilkinson, a 29 year old land selector, swam out to the aid of one of the ship’s crewmen, a carpenter named John Plunken. Plunken was attempting to swim from the Fiji to the shore. Two or three times both men almost reached the shore but were washed back to the wreck. A line was thrown to them and they were both hauled aboard. It was thought that Wilkinson struck his head on the anchor before s they were brought up. He remained unconscious. The carpenter survived this ordeal but Wilkinson later died and his body was washed up the next day. It was 26 year old Bill Robe who hauled out the last man, the captain, who had become tangled in the kelp. The wreck of the Fiji was smashed apart within 20 minutes of the captain being brought ashore, and it settled in about 6m of water. Of the 26 men on the Fiji, 11 in total lost their lives. The remains of 7 bodies were washed onto the beach and their coffins were made from timbers from the wrecked Fiji. They were buried on the cliff top above the wreck. The survivors were warmed by fires on the beach then taken to Rivernook and cared for over the next few days. Funds were raised by local communities soon after the wreck in aid of the sufferers of the Fiji disaster. Captain Vickers was severely reprimanded for his mishandling of the ship. His Masters Certificate was suspended for 12 months. At the time there was also a great deal of public criticism at the slow and disorganised rescue attempt to save those on board. The important canvas ‘breech buoy’ or ‘bucket chair’ and the heavy line from the Rocket Rescue was in the half of the rocket outfit that didn’t make it in time for the rescue: they had been delayed at the Gellibrand River ferry. Communications to Warrnambool were down so the call for help didn’t get through on time and the two or three boats that had been notified of the wreck failed to reach it in time. Much looting occurred of the cargo that washed up on the shore, with nearly every visitor leaving the beach with bulky pockets. One looter was caught with a small load of red and white rubber balls, which were duly confiscated and he was ‘detained’ for 14 days. Essence of peppermint mysteriously turned up in many settlers homes. Sailcloth was salvaged and used for horse rugs and tent flies. Soon after the wreck “Fiji tobacco” was being advertised around Victoria. A Customs officer, trying to prevent some of the looting, was assaulted by looters and thrown over a steep cliff. He managed to cling to a bush lower down until rescued. In 1894 some coiled fencing wire was salvaged from the wreck. Hundreds of coils are still strewn over the site of the wreck, encrusted and solidified. The hull is broken but the vessel’s iron ribs can be seen along with some of the cargo of concrete and pig iron. Captain Vickers presented Bill Robe with his silver-cased pocket watch, the only possession that he still had, as a token for having saved his life and the lives of some of the crew. (The pocket watch came with 2 winding keys, one to wind it and one to change the hands.) Years later Bill passed the watch to his brother-in-law Gib (Gilbert) Hulands as payment of a debt and it has been passed down the family to Gilbert Hulands’ grandson, John Hulands. Seaman Julius Gebauhr later gave his knife, in its hand crafted leather sheath, to F. J. Stansmore for caring for him when he came ashore. The knife handle had a personal inscription on it. A marble headstone on the 200m high cliffs overlooking Wreck Beach, west of Moonlight Head, paying tribute to the men who lost their lives when Fiji ran aground. The scene of the wreck is marked by the anchor from the Fiji, erected by Warrnambool skin divers in 1967. Amongst the artefacts salvaged from the Fiji are china miniature animals, limbs from small china dolls, rubber balls, a slate pencil, a glass bottle, sample of rope from the distress rocket and a candlestick holder. These items are now part of the Fiji collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, along with Captain Vickers’ pocket watch and Julius Gebauhr’s sheath knife. Flagstaff Hill’s Fiji collection is of historical significance at a State level because of its association with the wreck Fiji, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S259. The Fiji is archaeologically significant as the wreck of a typical 19th century international sailing ship with cargo. It is educationally and recreationally significant as one of Victoria's most spectacular historic shipwreck dive sites with structural features and remains of the cargo evident. It also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The Fiji collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history. Black and White Photograph of the ship "Fiji" taken from Wreck Creek. warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, pocket watch, fob watch fiji, william vickers, william robe, bill robe, gebauhr, stansmore, carmody, wreck bay, moonlight head, fiji shipwreck 1891, port campbell rocket crew, wreck bay victoria

This photograph is of the square-rigged schooner "Alma Doepel". Details added to the back of the photograph incorrectly describe the vessel as "Amy Doepel / ketch / Amy Doepel". The rigging on the vessel dates the photograph to sometime between 1931-1933. The location is yet to be determined. Frederick Doepel was a shipping agent in Bellinger Valley, NSW. He employed an experienced shipwright to build Alma Doepel, which was made from local timber. He named the ship “Alma Doepel” after his baby daughter Alma. The ship was registered in Sydney and launched 19th October 1903, and her first sea voyage was in December. She traded in timber Port Macquarie/Bellinger River and New Zealand. “Alma Doepel” was purchased by Henry Jones & Co., Hobart jam makers, in partnership with Harry Heather, her new captain, in 1916. The ship was then registered in Hobart. She carried jam and timber to the mainland, particularly Melbourne, and brought back cargo for Tasmania. She even carried the piles for the building of Portland Harbour. When Harry Heather passed away in 1937 he was succeeded by Eric Droscoll. Before the square-rigged "Alma Doepel" left for Tasmania on March 8th 1937 she was fitted with a new set of sails, becoming a fore-and-aft rigged schooner. She had been the last 'top sail' schooner in Bass Strait trade! "Alma Doepel" continued her coastal trading until 1942, when she was requisitioned by the Army. In January 1943 she was left in Melbourne by her crew and the Army took her over, taking her to Sydney in February, 1943. She was relaunched by the Army in 1944 minus two of her masts and her small 1936 engine, and was fitted with three large bus engines. In March 1945 she headed for the war zone, delivering cargo up and down the coast of New Guinea, at one time carrying over 400 troops. In 1946 she returned to Hobart where the Army re-converted her back for Bass Strait trading and returned her. In January 1947 Eric Driscoll took “Alma Doepel” to the eastern Tasmanian coastal port of St. Helens, trading cargo of local mountain ash timber to Melbourne on the mainland until 1959. She was then stripped down to her hull with only a single mast and two engines, and fitted with wooden bins on rails in her hold. From 1961 to 1975 she carried limestone to a factory to make carbide. Michael Wood and David Boykett, two of the governors of "Sail and Adventure", then bought her for the price of her two Gardiner engines and in 1976 they brought her to Melbourne. An Alma Doepel Supporters Club was formed to support the ship’s major restoration to a topsail schooner. In 1987 she was overhauled in Adelaide, with the support of Elders IXL and she returned to Sydney to lead the Parade of Sail on Bicentenary Day, 25th January 1988. She returned to Melbourne in February and began sail training voyages in Port Phillip Bay, operating from an office on Station Pier. The Alma Doepel Voyagers Club was started. Trainees joined the crew in sailing the ship over nine or ten days of instruction in sailing and seamanship. These trips plus chartered trips and fund raisers continued until early 1999, when she was no longer in a condition to operate; she needed a lot of attention. She lay idle in Victoria Dock for quite some time. In April 2001 “Alma Doepel” was taken to Port Macquarie’s Lady Nelson Wharf where she became a museum ship maintained by volunteers. In 2008 she had time in dry-dock and after sea-trials headed off to Victoria Harbour, Docklands, in Melbourne, where she is currently being restored with the help of The Supporters.This phot graph is significant for its connection with the Bass Strait trade, being the last top-sail schooner to brade across the strait. The photograph is also significant in its representation of the the sailing ships that traded around Australia in the 1930s.Photograph of "Alma Doepel " a wooden, 3 masted, square rigged sailing schooner built in Sydney, launched in 10/10/1903. Photograph is sepia coloured, mounted on card, inscription on the back. Information also provided with photograph. Photograph (marked incorrectly on back) "Amy Doepel / ketch / Amy Doepel". Sticker with "91" in pencil. Information provided (dated incorrectly) "1943, Sydney, New South Wales"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, maritime museum, maritime village, photograph, alma doepel, frederick doepel, henry jones and co, harry heather, eric droscoll, alma doepel supporters club, elders ixl, parade of sail, bicentenary day, alma doepel voyagers club, last top sail schooner in bass strait trade, square-rigged, fore-and-aft rigged

The rope was part of the distress rocket used during the time that the sailing ship Fiji was in distress, before it became a wreck. The three-masted iron barque Fiji had been built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1875 by Harland and Wolfe for a Liverpool based shipping company. The ship departed Hamburg on 22nd May 1891 bound for Melbourne, under the command of Captain William Vickers with a crew of 25. The ship’s manifest shows that she was loaded with a cargo of 260 cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, spirits (whisky, schnapps, gin, brandy), sailcloth, tobacco, coiled fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos (Sweet Hapsburg), concertinas and other musical instruments, artists supplies including brushes, porcelain, furniture, china, and general cargo including candles. There were also toys in anticipation for Christmas, including wooden rocking horses, miniature ships, dolls with china limbs and rubber balls. On September 5th, one hundred days out from Hamburg in squally and boisterous south west winds the Cape Otway light was sighted on a bearing differing from Captain Vickers’ calculation of his position. At about 2:30am, Sunday 6th September 1891 land was reported 4-5 miles off the port bow. The captain tried to put the ship on the other tack, but she would not respond. He then tried to turn her the other way but just as the manoeuvre was being completed the Fiji struck rock only 300 yards (274 metres) from shore. The place is known as Wreck Bay, Moonlight Head. Blue lights were burned and distress rockets fired whilst an effort was made to lower boats but all capsized or swamped and smashed to pieces. Two of the younger crewmen volunteered to swim for the shore, taking a line. One, a Russian named Daniel Cartland, drowned after he was swept away when the line broke. The other, 17 year old able seaman Julius Gebauhr, a German, reached shore safely on his second attempt but without the line, which he had cut lose with his sheath-knife when it become tangled in kelp. He rested on the beach a while then climbed the steep cliffs in search of help. At about 10am on the Sunday morning a party of land selectors - including F. J. Stansmore, Leslie Dickson (or Dixon) and Mott - found Gebauhr. They were near Ryan's Den, on their travels on horseback from Princetown towards Moonlight Head, and about 5km from the wreck. Gebauhr was lying in the scrub in a poor state, bleeding and dressed only in singlet, socks and a belt with his sheath-knife, ready for all emergencies. At first they were concerned about his wild and shaggy looking state and what seemed to be gibberish speech, taking him to be an escaped lunatic. They were reassured after he threw his knife away and realised that he was speaking half-English, half-German. They gave him food and brandy and some clothing and were then able to gain information about the wreck. Some of the men took him to River nook, a nearby guest house owned by John Evans, where he was cared for. Stansmore and Dickson rode off to try and summon help. Others went down to the site of the wreck. Messages for rescuing the rest of the crew were sent both to Port Campbell for the rocket rescue crew and to Warrnambool for the lifeboat. The S.S. Casino sailed from Portland towards the scene. After travelling the 25 miles to the scene, half of the Port Campbell rocket crew and equipment arrived and set up the rocket tripod on the beach below the cliffs. By this time the crew of the Fiji had been clinging to the jib-boom for almost 15 hours, calling frantically for help. Mr Tregear from the Rocket Crew fired the line. The light line broke and the rocket was carried away. A second line was successfully fired across the ship and made fast. The anxious sailors then attempted to come ashore along the line but, with as many as five at a time, the line sagged considerably and some were washed off. Others, nearly exhausted, had to then make their way through masses of seaweed and were often smothered by waves. Only 14 of the 24 who had remained on the ship made it to shore. Many onlookers on the beach took it in turns to go into the surf and drag half-drowned seamen to safety. These rescuers included Bill (William James) Robe, Edwin Vinge, Hugh Cameron, Fenelon Mott, Arthur Wilkinson and Peter Carmody. (Peter Carmody was also involved in the rescue of men from the Newfield.) Arthur Wilkinson, a 29 year old land selector, swam out to the aid of one of the ship’s crewmen, a carpenter named John Plunken. Plunken was attempting to swim from the Fiji to the shore. Two or three times both men almost reached the shore but were washed back to the wreck. A line was thrown to them and they were both hauled aboard. It was thought that Wilkinson struck his head on the anchor before s they were brought up. He remained unconscious. The carpenter survived this ordeal but Wilkinson later died and his body was washed up the next day. It was 26 year old Bill Robe who hauled out the last man, the captain, who had become tangled in the kelp. The wreck of the Fiji was smashed apart within 20 minutes of the last man being brought ashore, and it settled in about 6m of water. Of the 26 men on the Fiji, 11 in total lost their lives. The remains of 7 bodies were washed onto the beach and their coffins were made from timbers from the wrecked Fiji. They were buried on the cliff top above the wreck. The survivors were warmed by fires on the beach then taken to River nook and cared for over the next few days. Funds were raised by local communities soon after the wreck in aid of the sufferers of the Fiji disaster. Captain Vickers was severely reprimanded for his mishandling of the ship. His Masters Certificate was suspended for 12 months. At the time there was also a great deal of public criticism at the slow and disorganised rescue attempt to save those on board. The important canvas ‘breech buoy’ or ‘bucket chair’ and the heavy line from the Rocket Rescue was in the half of the rocket outfit that didn’t make it in time for the rescue: they had been delayed at the Gellibrand River ferry. Communications to Warrnambool were down so the call for help didn’t get through on time and the two or three boats that had been notified of the wreck failed to reach it in time. Much looting occurred of the cargo that washed up on the shore, with nearly every visitor leaving the beach with bulky pockets. One looter was caught with a small load of red and white rubber balls, which were duly confiscated and he was ‘detained’ for 14 days. Essence of peppermint mysteriously turned up in many settlers homes. Sailcloth was salvaged and used for horse rugs and tent flies. Soon after the wreck “Fiji tobacco” was being advertised around Victoria. A Customs officer, trying to prevent some of the looting, was assaulted by looters and thrown over a steep cliff. He managed to cling to a bush lower down until rescued. In 1894 some coiled fencing wire was salvaged from the wreck. Hundreds of coils are still strewn over the site of the wreck, encrusted and solidified. The hull is broken but the vessel’s iron ribs can be seen along with some of the cargo of concrete and pig iron. Captain Vickers presented Bill Robe with his silver-cased pocket watch, the only possession that he still had, as a token for having saved his life and the lives of some of the crew. (The pocket watch came with 2 winding keys, one to wind it and one to change the hands.) Years later Bill passed the watch to his brother-in-law Gib (Gilbert) Hulands as payment of a debt and it has been passed down the family to Gilbert Hulands’ grandson, John Hulands. Seaman Julius Gebauhr later gave his knife, in its hand crafted leather sheath, to F. J. Stansmore for caring for him when he came ashore. The knife handle had a personal inscription on it. A marble headstone on the 200m high cliffs overlooking Wreck Beach, west of Moonlight Head, paying tribute to the men who lost their lives when Fiji ran aground. The scene of the wreck is marked by the anchor from the Fiji, erected by Warrnambool skin divers in 1967.This rope is part of the collection of artefacts from the wreck of the Fiji. Flagstaff Hill’s Fiji collection is of historical significance at a State level because of its association with the wreck Fiji, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S259. The Fiji is archaeologically significant as the wreck of a typical 19th century international sailing ship with cargo. It is educationally and recreationally significant as one of Victoria's most spectacular historic shipwreck dive sites with structural features and remains of the cargo evident. It also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes).Rope, plaited, brown in colour, cut straight at one end, and the other end is separated into 3 pieces, from distress rockets used during the wreck of the sailing ship Fiji. Rope was in envelope printed with an address, and a description, and there was a display card with further details on it. Printed on the envelope: "Shire of Hampden / PO Box 84, Camperdown 3260" Hand written "rope of wreck of Fiji / 7cm / Mr Wm "Boyce" Display card with rope includes words "Piece of Rope from the Fiji distress rockets and was donated to Flagstaff Hill by a private donor in 1989"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, rope, the fiji, william boyce, distress signal, rocket rescue, life saving equipment

These two photographs of a contingent from the Army Survey Regiment lowering the Australian flag were taken on Australia Day in Kerang, Victoria on the 26th of January 1996. Most units of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) provide contingents to regional towns in their local area to assist in commemoration ceremonies on days of national significance, such as Australia Day, ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day. This was most likely one of the last occasions before the closure of the Army Survey Regiment. The use of an improvised flagpole is unknown.These two photographs of a contingent from the Army Survey Regiment lowering the Australian flag, were taken on Australia Day in Kerang, Victoria on the 26th of January 1996. The photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The colour photographs were scanned at 300 dpi. .1) and .2) - Photo, colour, contingent of unidentified Army Svy Regt personnel. There are no annotations.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr, kerang shire, australia day

This photograph of a flag raising ceremony by a contingent from the Army Survey Regiment was taken on Australia Day on the 26th of January 1996. It is not known where this ceremony took place, however it could have been in the grounds of Fortuna Villa. Most units of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) provide contingents to regional towns in their local area to assist in commemoration ceremonies on days of national significance, such as Australia Day, ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day. This was most likely one of the last flag raising ceremonies before the closure of the Army Survey Regiment. This photograph of a flag raising ceremony by a contingent from the Army Survey Regiment was taken on Australia Day on the 26th of January 1996. The photograph was printed on photographic paper and is part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The black & white photograph was scanned at 300 dpi. .1) and .2) - Photo, black & white, 1996. contingent of unidentified Army Svy Regt personnel L to R: SPR James Commons, SGT Doug Willis, SPR Mick Bullock, SPR Kim Baker, SPR Russ BrodieThe occasion and personnel were annotated on the back of the photos. ‘Flag Raising Ceremony Jan 26 1996. IC – Sgt DJQ Willis Party Spr KVG Baker Spr RJ Brodie Spr MJ Bullock Spr JM Commons L – R Spr Commons, Sgt Willis, Spr Bullock, Spr Baker, SPR Brodie. Had been done for 5 years’royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr

This program is most likely about 1950 - 51 before George Lansell is Knighted. Program, paper one page with ornate edging around, all print in blue. At the Top "Returned Soldiers Sailors Airmen's Imperial League of Australia Bendigo Sub - Branch", followed by "Anzac" - "In Memoriam" - "Day". The program covers, Hymns, Opening Address by the Mayor of Bendigo, Guest Speakers Address, Recessional, Last Post, Reveille, National Anthem."Commemoration Ceremony Upper Reserve April 25th" "Presided over by the President Bendigo Sub Branch Col G.V. Lansell V.D - M.L.C"brsl, smirsl, program

When the SMI was opened in Nov 1921 the Bendigo RSL Sub - Branch had occupancy from that day on. The Building became a Museum opened to the public in 1998 by the RSL. The origins of this project goes back to 2011 with a letter to the City of Greater Bendigo of the possibility of an upgrade to the SMI from the Bendigo District RSL Sub - Branch Inc. Some renovations had already taken place and some structural work. After initial talks a sub - committee of 3 persons from the RSL was elected to work with the Council along with other bodies who would be involved. Plans eventuated by 2015 and were put to the RSL for approval. From there the fund raising began from the State/Federal Govt's, RSL, the Public and Council itself. This was achieved and finally in Sept 2016 the SMI/Museum was packed up completely and the Renovations began in 2017. Souvenir program, card yellow colour folding, front page is in gold and black writing with an image of the Dome on the SMI followed by in gold, "Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Revitalisation Project" then in gold, "Souvenir Program", in the centre has details re time, date, place. At the bottom are the logo's of the Federal & State Governments, RSL and City of Greater Bendigo Page 2 is titled "About the Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute" with a photo showing the "Hustlers Royal Reserve Mine No 2" which was on the site where the SMI now stands. Page 3 has details of the program, music, Official welcome, speakers, ribbon cutting, the ODE, Last Post, National Anthem, close of formalities and light refreshments. Page 4 has a photo of the original souvenir pamphlet used at the original opening on November 15th 1921, 97 years to the day. at the bottom, "Thankyou section to all those involved in the project""Official opening of the Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Revitalisation and Military Museum 10am Thursday November 15, 2018, Lansell gardens, Pall, Mall Bendigo"brsl, smirsl, program

Many organisations organised functions to celebrate the Service given by their employees during WW1.8 page programme from Melbourne Council to Volunteers for WW1. White cardboard bound in one hole by brown string. Writing on cover in gold and red. Rising Sun Emblem on one side and Commonwealth Emblem on other side. Invite from Melbourne Lord Mayor to Volunteers who served abroad at the front. Pages 2,3,6,7, blank. Page 5 has the programme for the day, page 6 has a place for autographs with a picture of Town Hall at bottom. Last page (back) has an honour roll for those that served and died.Message on front "Smoke Social given by Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Councillor The Hon J.C. Aikman MLC - to - The Officers of the Melb City Council who volunteered for Active Service abroard in the Great War 1914-1918". "Town Hall 16th April 1920". melbourne city council, commemorations, ww1

Each plaque has 4 names on being the winning team for that year. The plaques start 1971 and the last 1981. The Bendigo RSL Sub Branch conducted a Diggers Day Bowls as far back as 1953.Trophy, brown wood rectangular base shape with 3 pillars on top of metallic construction, all are round shape, 2 have a depiction of a bird on top with outstretched wings, the centre shorter one has a depiction of a man playing bowls. The base has a central plaque with a wreath around engraved in the middle. On the left of the base are 10 x small plaques engraved with names on, 1 x small plaque on the right of the base.On centre plaque, "Presented by R.H. Trethewey MLA - Perpetual Trophy - Diggers Day Tournament". Example plaque, "1977 - H. Tobin - W. Smith - P. Weymouth - J. Cruse"brsl, smirsl, diggers day, bowls

The program details the opening of the Soldiers Memorial Institute conducted by his Excellency the Earl of Stradbroke Govenor of Victoria on Tuesday 21st of November 1921. Contains information and photos of Office Bearers of the Returned Soldiers Association, Diggers Business Association and Memorial Hall Concert night. Advertisements for local Business sponsors appear on the last 3 pages. The Bendigo RSL Sub - Branch took occupancy of the building on the day as Tenants and remains so till now. Refer Cat No’s 8222 and 8224 for the original “Indenture” re the use of the Soldiers Memorial Institute by the Bendigo R.S.S.I.L.A (RSL) signed on 22.4.1920 by the Mayor, Councillors, RSL and witnesses. .1) Souvenir program all paper blue covers with window inset published for the opening of the "Soldiers Memorial Institute" in Pall Mall Bendigo Victoria. .2) Same as above but has grey covers.brsl, smirsl, pamphlet

This clock was originally in the front Office of the Soldiers Memorial Institute Bendigo on the mantlepiece of the fireplace. Original donor or date of being placed is unknown. It was last used in 2005 by Jack Barnes OAM who wound it every day he was in the Office, he was Secretary for 43 years of the BRSL. After the renovations to the SMI in 2016 - 18 it was placed on the mantlepiece of the fireplace in what is now called "The Building and RSL History Room"Mantle Piece Clock, timber frame, hinged glass cover over the face is missing, numbers are 1 - 12 on clock face, rear door to the mechanism, a pendulum weight is taped to the inside, no wind up key.On Clock face, "Gilbert". Around clock face, "Made in Winsted Conn United States of America"brsl, smirsl, mantle

The Bendigo Womens Auxiliary was actually formed in 1936 and went through until 2002. Due the Soldiers Memorial Institute becoming a Museum and the formation of the Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Inc the Auxiliary decided to cease fund raising. Their last meeting was held on 26.8.2002. During their time at SMI the Ladies conducted weddings, functions and other fund raisers to support the Bendigo RSL. At the RSL Annual Dinner each year which the ladies catered for they would present the RSL with a cheque. The Auxiliary were awarded 6 Life Memberships and two Certificates of Merit with gold badge.Charter, small brown section timber frame with details on white background. Top has the RSL badge with flags either side followed by the wording establishing the Auxiliary. Main wording is in gold colour.Main wording, " Victorian Branch hereby establishes and constitutes the Bendigo Womens Auxiliary" "Dated at Melb the 25th Day of May 1994" "Bruce Ruxton State President" "......... State Secretary"brsl, smirsl, charter, auxiliary, wabrsl

This book was given in 1847 to E. Callender by an unknown person (‘C.E –‘). There is a reference in the Warrnambool Examiner newspaper to an Adam Callander, a Port Fairy baker whose wife Alice committed suicide in 1870 and, more importantly, a reference to a Miss Callender arriving as a ship passenger to Warrnambool in July 1854. There is a record of Eliza Callender marrying Peter McFarlane in 1858. The book may have been a New Years’ Day present or a birthday present or a presentation to someone leaving England to migrate to Australia. This book is kept because of its inscription and its early date (1847 – some months before Warrnambool was founded). Further research may reveal the extent of the book’s significance. This is hard cover book of 320 pages. The cover is dark brown with embossed scrolls on the front cover and gold lettering on the spine. The book has eight chapters, including a biography of the author, Matthew Henry, and two black and white sketches. On the first page is the stamp of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. The inscription is handwritten in black ink. The cover is slightly stained.‘To E. Callender with kind love from C.E- (the last letter is not clear – it could be an ‘E’ or a ‘D’ or merely a decorative flourish) ‘1st January 1847’ e. callender, warrnambool, work of the english puritans divine

Richard Osburne (1825-1895) came to Warrnambool in 1847, a pioneer resident in the new settlement. In 1851, with John Wilkinson, he founded Warrnambool’s first newspaper, the Warrnambool Examiner, and issued it weekly for some months until he left the town for the goldfields. Returning in 1853 he resumed publication of the Examiner and continued it, intermittently in its last few years, until 1880. He was acknowledged in his day as the Father of the Warrnambool Press and was a dominant figure in Warrnambool’s early history. In 1882 he went to live in Melbourne, returning to publish his ‘History of Warrnambool’ in 1887.This book is highly significant as it is an original copy of one of the most important books written on Warrnambool’s history by one of Warrnambool’s most important early settlers (published 1887). Original copies are extremely rare now. The book was given to D.B. Sellars by his first cousin, John Murray, who was Warrnambool’s Parliamentary representative for over 30 years and Premier of Victoria from 1909 to 1912. John Murray’s signature is in the book and this is an important addition. The provenance therefore is of the highest significance. No details are available on the recipient of the book or the donor of the book to the Historical Society. This is an original copy of Richard Osburne’s book on the history of Warrnambool from 1847 to 1886. It is a hard cover buff-coloured book of 284 pages with additional Melbourne and Warrnambool advertisements at the book. There is one fold-up insert (four of the original missing) There are a Preface and Notes from the Author ('To the public in general’ and ‘To my personal friends in the Warrnambool district’)Inside front cover: Mr D.B. Sellars from John Murray (in pencil – Premier of Victoria 1909-1912, 1st cousin of D.B.Sellars, Uncle David) Donated to the Historical Society of Warrnambool in memory of Miss Clemintine MacDonald of Maffra, who died April 1979, aged 91 years. Given by Mrs M.Allen (niece) 72 Grange Road, Sandringham, 3191, 22-7-80 john murray, richard osburne, history of warrnambool

Frederick Perkin Stevens was a prominent in business and community matters. He also presented the peal of three German bells in 1881 as a memorial to his and Jane’s son.. These windows are among the earliest stained glass windows in Christ Church and because of their position make a strong visual impact in the church. Further, Frederick later married Emma Bews, sister-in-law of the Reverend Peter Tuelen Beamish, first Vicar of the Parish of Warrnambool (for a period of 45 years 1850-1895,), thus consolidating his association with the church. Three lancet stained-glass windows, east wall, main nave, above the High Altar. Presented by Frederick Perkins STEVENS in memory of his wife Jane (nee RULE), born abt 1821, died 1868. The windows from left to right depict the Baptism, Crucifixion and Ascension of Jesus. Transversing the lower section is a depiction of the Last Supper. Running across the bottom of the windows is the inscription. Left window: IN MEMORIAM JANÆ VXORIS CARISSIMA REDEMPTORI SVO IN GREMIVM COMMISIT SE ILLAM INTER BEATOS CITIVS Centre: OVAM DISIDERIO SVMMO ANNOS XLVIII NATUM FREDERICUS STEVENS CONJVX VIDVVS QVI REVISVRVM SPAM LÆTAM AMPLECTITVR Right: SEPTIMO ANTE KAL SEXT A.D. MDCCCLXVIII PAVLISPER INTER VIVOS MORATVS HANC FANESTRAM POSVIT This may be translated as: "This window was erected in memory of Jane, his beloved wife, whom at the age of 40 years on the 26th day of July, 1868, with deepest grief and love he committed to the bosom of her Redeemer, by her bereaved husband, Francis Stevens, who tarrying a little while among the living, embraces the hope of meeting her speedily, if it may be, among the blessed."

This old footbidge is situated close to the shack that Gordon Ford built on the Yarra at Laughing Waters Road. Bernie Bragg also used to live there for a period of time. Gordon Ford and photographer Sue Winslow were married in 1965. They set up home in an old log cabin on the property Gordon had purchased in 1954 on Laughing Waters Road. Situated between the Yarra River and Overbank Road, Gordon had built a small mud-brick shack on the river and a pontoon. Over the decades the shack has been locally referred to as “the love shack”, the “rooting shack” or simply “Gordon’s shack”. Gordon and Sue commissioned local builder Graeme Rose to do a wattle and daub renovation and extension to the old log cabin on the north side of Laughing Waters Road. The work had only just been completed in 1965 when a bushfire swept through the area and destroyed the cabin. Gordon and Sue relocated to his property, Fulling, in Pitt Street, Eltham. In 1970 work started on a new house at the Laughing Waters property. Originally known as the Banana House, it is now known as Boomerang. Designed by Alistair Knox, the mud-brick house includes iron window grilles made by Matcham Skipper that puncture the curved mud walls. The grilles were made from ‘off-pressings’ from the Sidchrome tool works in Heidelberg. Gordon, Sue and family moved into the house in 1972. Their marriage fell apart and Sue moved to Sydney with the children around the same time Gordon commenced building Birrarung just below Boomerang on the Laughing Waters Road block. After the Fords moved out, Boomerang it was rented out to various share households of students, musicians, artists and environmentalists for twenty-four years. Gordon Ford sold Birrarung and Boomerang to Melbourne Water in 1999. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was developed as a partnership between Parks Victoria and Nillumbik Shire Council. Boomerang was deemed unfit for habitation so was used as a day studio only. By 2001 Boomerang was in a poor state of repair and by 2002 the last artist in residence was to use the house as a studio. Nillumbik Shire Council had been granted funds from the Melbourne Community Fund to restore both Boomerang and Birrarung but it was apparent in early 2003 that the funds would be insufficient to restore both houses. Boomerang was infested with termites which presented a risk to any occupants and so the decision was made to close Boomerang and concentrate funding on Birrarung. Boomerang was fenced off for safety and to prevent intrusion and remains ‘caged’ today (2023). However, it is readily apparent the property has been occupied by squatters over the years. By 2023 it was clear that the squatters had abandoned the property and sections of the roof structure have given away in some areas and collapsed internally. For a more in-depth description and history of the property and that of Gordon and Sue Ford, see Jane Woollard's book, "Laughing Waters Road; Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham" published 2016.fay bridge collection, bernie's hut, birrarung, footbridge, gordon ford, gordon's shack, laughing waters road, love shack, yarra river

Installed by the Queenstown Cemetery Trust December 2009 The discovery of gold in Smyth's Creek in 1854 and subsequent gold rush to the Caledonia diggings led to the establishment of Queenstown (present day St Andrews). The first recorded burial was July 31st, 1861 and it was officially declared a Cemetery Reserve in 1866. Many graves are unmarked and unrecorded including many Chinese and other itinerant miners. The cemetery was closed for new burials in 1851. The last recorded burial was in 1981 in an existing family grave.jim connor collection, 2023-03-08, queenstown cemetery, smiths gully road, st andrews