Six black and white photographs in a brown wooden frame which has a metal inset. Top left is of 100 ft long vines. Note a figure is in centre. Top middle is of mahogany gums at Upper Combienbar. Top right is Big Tiger Snake Creek- panning for gold. Bottom left photo is of Bemm River. Bottom middle photo is Thunderbolt's Lookout and the bottom right photo is big timber. photographs combienbar bemm-river thunderbolt's-lookout mahogany-gums

These spikes are from the old Snowy River bridge (the second) constructed in 1922 alongside the previous suspension bridge. Its building was a combined effort of the Victorian Railways and the Country Roads Board at a cost of 35,000 pounds. It was replaced in 1976 by the present bridge after several major floods.These items are from a significant piece of infrastructure built in Orbost in the early 20th century. This bridge no longer exists.Twenty-four iron spikes of four different lengths. They are probably hand-made and have round shafts and heads. They are very rusty.snowy-river-bridge bridge-spikes bridge orbost

This dress was worn by Beatrice Coulson on her marriage to Archie Henry Robinson on 17.3.1945 at the Methodist church in Orbost.The wedding gown is provenanced and in good original condition and is of historic significance as an object directly related to the Robinson and Coulson families.A hand-made long magnolia slipper satin wedding frock with a high draped neck and full flared skirt. It has a train at the back. It has long sleeves , covered buttons on the back, shirring on the front and a decoration of white flower shapes on the front.coulson-beatrice robinson-archie wedding-dress costume

A light blue linen long-sleeved nurse's uniform. It has a collar with a pocket on the top left and pockets below the waist on both sides. It is a button through uniform.health uniform nursing nurse's-uniform

No historical information, but used to weigh sovereigns and half sovereigns to make sure that they are the correct weight and therefore genuine.This item is an example of an item no longer in common use as sovereigns were once unique in that it had no denomination, or currency value printed on the coin. Its value was tied to the value of gold.A brass sovereign and half-sovereign balance and its cardboard case. The case is principally red and pulls apart in the middle.On a label on the box: IMPROVED SOVEREIGN BALANCE To weigh and gauge Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns. Warranted b......with steel. On the balance: SOVEREIGN WARRANTED and SOVEREIGN 1/2 also a crown image.sovereign-balance money-coins

A long round piece of hand-crocheted lace. It is a white/ cream colour and may have been an edging for a round tablecloth.lace handcraft

This domestic appliance is typical of the period when food processing was done at home. It would have been before the time of mass food processing factoriesBlack metal grain grinder. Top slides off to collect the ground grain. Opening at top to pour in grain. The back has holes to screw or nail to bench. There is a long grinding arm of metal with a wooden handle.Underneath -3 Under storer - T&C Clark & Co - Wolverhampton Bottom of handle - Clark & Cogrinder food-preparation domestic clark-t&c

Glass bottles were refillable until the 1960s, creating a demand for their collection and onsale back to beverage manufacturers via ‘bottle merchants’.This bottle is an example of a beer bottle commonly used in the late -early 20th century.MBVC brown beer bottle. A narrow bottle with a long neck.MB. Manufacturers Bottle company of Victoria CVbottle glass

This bottles is aesthetically pleasing and reflects an earlier stage of development in glass manufacturing.Very long, thin, green tinged bottle with spiralling glass neck. Contained salad oil.bottle glass container

Used as a dress basket. From the estate of Elsie Cook, long term librarian in Orbost. Daughter of John Cook, early settler at Brodribb.Rectangular shaped woven basket.basket cook container

In 1902 a badge was urgently sought for the Australian contingents raised after Federation for Service in South Africa during Boer War. Probably the most widely-accepted version of the origin of this badge is that which attributes the selection of its design to a British Officer, Major General Sir Edward Hutton, KCB, KCMG, the newly appointed commander-in-chief of the Australian Forces. He had earlier recieved as a gift from Brigadier General Joseph Gordon, a military acquaintance of long standing, a "Trophy of Arms" comprising mounted cut and thrust swords and triangular Martini Henri bayonets arranged in a semicircle around a brass crown. To Major General Hutton the shield was symbolic of the co-ordination of the Naval and Military Forces of the Commonwealth. The rising sun badge has been worn by Australian soldiers since 1902. Thus it is a symbol that links soldiers across several generations, and across many conflicts and peace-keeping missions. Its symbolism is at once warlike and hopeful, as it incorporates an array of bayonets to create the form of the rising sun. At the centre sits a crown, symbol of a soldier's allegiance to the Australian nation and the British monarch. Small bronze coloured rising sun badge from a slouch hat. Military badge, general service 'Rising Sun' hat badge, Australian Imperial Force, Stamped oxidised copper alloy sun design in semi-circle around a crown, with the words 'AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES' below. The back has two hooks for attaching the badge to a hat. This is the simple design of 1902 that incorporates an array of stylised bayonets to form a representation of the rising sun. Australian Commonwealth Military Forcesbadge military numismatics rising-sun

Parrying shields have long been used within Aboriginal communities not only for protection, but as a symbolic implement used in rituals. Aboriginal men using very basic tools made them. They were designed to be mainly used in battle but were also used in ceremonies. Many shields have traditional designs or fluting on them whilst others are just smooth. The necessary tools and equipment for hunting, fishing and warfare were one of the very few items that Aboriginals carried with them from place to place. Most were used for a multiplicity of purposes. Because many were made from raw natural materials, such as wood, generally only partial remains are found today. This is a good example of a wooden Indigenous artefact from Eastern Australia.An Aboriginal shield of roughly carved wood. Has a square shaped hollowed out hand grip.

A long and large handmade knobkerrie club of very dark, smooth with. It has a long handle and a large ball like club on one end.knobkerrie aboriginal hunting fishing club

Carob is a warm-climate tree that grows up to 50 feet in height. Its long, reddish pods contain seeds used as medicine and food.A long brown flat carob (locust) bean seed.bean carob

Inspected by Joanna Freslov, archaeologist 2.6,2008. Possibly African spear - unknown origin.A carved wooden spear with a long metal blade.spear weapon hunting

Inspected by Joanna Freslov, archaeologist 2.6.2008 - possibly Melanesian origin.A long, thick, handmade wooden club with carved rings at one end and club ball at other,club weapon hunting

A small glass paper weight consisting of a round glass dome with a scooped out centre which has a long coiled wire prong.paperweight commerce-equipment stationery

Possibly used within the Gilbert family, Orbost.We have mostly dispensed with ink bottles and quills. This item is an example of early stationery equipment commonly used in households for correspondence, creative writing and household accounting reecords.A wooden box with several small compartments, two porcelain ink well. A long space at the front is for holding pens. A small sliding door can move on top of the ink wells.The words PENS COPY RED BLACK are written into the front of the section which hold the ink wells. on front of box Ro No 347854ink-stand pen-and-ink

Taken during World War I on the Western Front, this photograph depicts four soldiers dressed in full uniform and kit walking through muddy trenches on wooden duckboards.On the Western Front, the war was fought by soldiers in trenches. Trenches were long, narrow ditches dug into the ground where soldiers lived. They were very muddy, uncomfortable and the toilets overflowed. These conditions caused some soldiers to develop medical problems such as trench foot. There were many lines of German trenches on one side and many lines of Allied trenches on the other. In the middle was no man's land, which soldiers crossed to attack the other side. 'Duckboards' (or 'trench gratings') were first used at Ploegsteert Wood, Ypres in December 1914. They were used throughout the First World War being usually placed at the bottom of the trenches to cover the sump-pits, the drainage holes which were made at intervals along one side of the trench. This made it easier to pump out the pits when necessary. The raised edges of the boards in theory helped protect men's feet from accumulated water; walking along them (especially at night and in the wet) was something of an art as it was easy to lose one's footing and slip or trip on the fequently misaligned sections.Sepia rectangular reproduced photograph on matte photographic paperReverse: 6528/ (A copyright and reproduction notice from the Australian War Museum, printed in blue ink)/burke museum, military album, trench warfare, duckboards, soldiers, ww1, wwi, world war 1, world war i, western front

A bettong is about the size of a rabbit, with body length ranging from 30cm to 38cm among species. All bettongs have long tails, roughly equal to body length. Body weight ranges from 1.2 kg in the smallest species (Northern Bettong) to 2.8kg in the Rufous Bettong, the largest of the group. Males tend to be slightly larger than females. Bettongs have furry coats, ranging in colour from grey to ginger and brown. The bettong is endemic to Australia, and is an important part of Australia's Indigenous biodiversity. There are five living species of bettong; Eastern Bettong, Burrowing Bettong, Brush-tailed Bettong, Northern Bettong, Rufous Bettong. The bettong is a member of the Potoroidae family along with the endangered Potoroos, and the extinct Desert Rat-Kangaroos. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from either the Trustees of the Australian Museum or from the amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880 and mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee around the same time. When all Taxidermy mounts were completed, they were quickly put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.Average sized bettong with large clawed hind legs, small clawed fore legs, and a long tail that is roughly the length of its body and covered lightly in fur. The pelage of the bettong is fine and soft with the body fur cream and pale ochre in colouring with specks of brown while the underbelly is a solid cream colour. The head is small with a short muzzle and two small rounded ears, and features two round dark brown eyes made from clay.On mounting board: BMM5893/burke museum, taxidermy, taxidermy mount, bettong, rat kangaroo, bettongia, fauna, animal, animalia, potoroidae, reynell eveleigh johns

After gold was discovered to be deposited "for miles along Woolshed Valley" in the early 1850s, the Woolshed became a major site of mining activity in the north-east . This region was divided into large claims of 80 yards long, one of which was the one depicted in this photograph, called 'Big Johnson's Claim'. Claims such as this utilised a range of technology, including water wheels, steam engines, sluices and toms, most of which would not arrive until after 1856 when this photograph was taken. The Woolshed initially became prosperous in 1855, and labourers, such as the ones depicted in this photograph, engaged in sinking work for 7 pounds a week, whilst other mining labourers could earn up to nine. The search for gold is ingrained into the history of Victoria and therefore, images like this one which portray an open cut sluicing site can reveal important information for society and technology for the date when the photograph was taken. This image is of important historical significance for its ability to convey information about the operations of mining claims, particularly of the Woolshed Valley area that this photograph documents. This image is important for current research into the history of Woolshed, which was a major site of mining significance and operations. Therefore, this image has the capacity to be beneficial for research into society and the motivations of those living and working in this region during this period and therefore, has social significance. The Beechworth Burke Museum has additional images relating to gold sluicing and the Woolshed area which can be analysed and studied alongside images like this one. A black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: 7791 / page 34. / 52% / Big Johnstone / Claim on Woolshed Goldfields / 1856 / Note canvas [illegible] building / Burke Museum /woolshed, mining, claims, mining claims, big johnson, gold

The name bandicoot is taken from the term ‘pandi-kokku’ which means ‘pig-rat’ in Teluga, an Indian language. The bandicoot is endemic to Australia, and is a nocturnal marsupial. When first discovered, the bandicoot was originally mistaken for a type of rodent. This confusion can still occur among people today who don’t know the difference. However, the bandicoot actually descends from the marsupial lineage. Its most distinguishing features are the pointed snout, big ears, long hairless tail, round black eyes, and plump body. The hair colour is brown or tan, sometimes mixed with black or white markings. The hind limbs tend to be longer than the front limbs, and two of the toes are fused together, similar to the kangaroo. They play an important ecological role – turning over soil, which increases the rate of leaf litter decomposition, soil production and nutrient cycling. They're also critical in dispersing fungi spores, so losing bandicoots (and bettongs) from ecosystems has cascading effects on plant diversity, species composition and structure of forests and woodlands. Due to its immense diversity, the bandicoot has a large range of different body sizes. It typically varies between 12 and 31 inches in length, while the tail adds another four to 12 inches. This makes it on average about the size of a house cat. Males may be up to twice as large as females, but otherwise the sexes are similar in appearance. The main difference exhibited by the female is the rear-facing pouch with six to 10 teats to protect and feed the young. The bandicoot is one of the few marsupials to have a developed placenta. However, this placenta is small and lacks certain features, thus separating it from most other placental mammals. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.Small sized bandicoot with a pointy snout, small rounded eyes made of glass, a thin tail, small rounded ears, and sharp clawed legs. The fur in colouring is golden brown with streaks of dark brown, and is of medium length and fine.On wooden mount: BMM5896/ On Catalogue Tag (attached to left foreleg): Bandicoot Mou(...)/ Catalogue, Page. 45/ burke museum, taxidermy, taxidermy mount, fauna, animal, animalia, reynell eveleigh johns, bandicoot, marsupial, peramelemorphia

The Red-Necked Grebe is a medium sized bird with a long neck and pointed bill. During the non-breeding months, this bird has grey, white and brown plumage. During the breeding seasons, the Red-necked Grebe has a rusty red coloured fore-neck and breast with a black bill and white cheeks. This species can be located in freshwater lakes of the northern hemisphere. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.A Red-Necked Grebe of medium size stylised in a standing position with the face positioned forward. The bird stands on a wooden pedestal with two tags around its legs. One tag is paper and documents cataloguing information and the second is metal and lists the number 4403. This Red-Necked Grebe has pale feathers of white, grey and browns typical of this species in the non-breeding months. The face is positioned towards the front and the small eyes are made from dark glass.On metal tag 4403. On paper tag "32. Red-Necked Grebe.Catalogue, page, 43"taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, red-necked grebe

The Great Crested Grebe is the largest bird in the Grebe family. It has a long neck with a black crown and orange/black "fans" on the sides of the face. This bird can be found in all Australian states and territories and typically resides in open bodies of fresh water. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.A Great Crested Grebe in a tall position standing on a wooden pedestal. It has a long neck and bill with coloured plumage. The crest is black with orange and black cheek "fans" on the sides of the face. The eyes are made of glass and are a red/black colour. On paper tag: "[Austra]lian... [G]rebe... [pa]ge, 42" taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, great crested grebe

The Red-Necked Grebe is a medium sized bird with a long neck and pointed bill. During the non-breeding months, this bird has grey, white and brown plumage. During the breeding seasons, the Red-necked Grebe has a rusty red coloured fore-neck and breast with a black bill and white cheeks. This species can be located in freshwater lakes of the northern hemisphere. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.A Red-Necked Grebe of medium size stylised in a standing position with the face positioned forward. The bird stands on a wooden pedestal with two tags around its legs. One tag is paper and documents cataloguing information and the second is metal and lists the number 4492. This Red-Necked Grebe has pale feathers of white, grey and browns typical of this species in the non-breeding months. The face is positioned towards the front and the small eyes are made from dark glass.Paper tag: 32a Red-necked Grebe Catalogue, Page, 43. Metal tag: 4492taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, red-necked grebe

Taken between circa 1920 - 1950 this photograph depicts a man dressed in dark trousers, a white long sleeved shirt and broad-brimmed workers hat digging around in the Three Mile Mine at Barramutha. The mine was an important gold resource and was typically mined using a method known as hydraulic sluicing whereby high powered water jets are used to dislodge rock or move sediment. The remaining water sediment slurry is directed through sluice boxes to remove the gold. The Beechworth mining district was one of six mining districts established by the governor-in-council on 4th of January 1858 under the provisions of An Act for Amending the Laws Relating to the Goldfields (21 Vic no. 32). This photograph shows historic and research value into the historical methods of hydraulic sluicing in the Beechworth mining disctrict. It also shows the evolution of the mining methods and has potential for understanding future engineering endeavors in the context of victorian mine goldfields. Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: 7597.3/ Copied from original on loan from Webb (QLD)/ Donated Nov 2009/ Barnawatha Three Mile Mine 1920-1950/ Owned by Plain Bros then Parkinsons/ Managed by John Weir, Peter Jenson, Jack Cox/ Slicing. three mile creek, three mile goldfields, three mile beechworth, goldfields, #beechworth, hydraulic mining, hydraulic sluice, burke museum

Taken between circa 1920 - 1930 this photograph depicts a Hydraulic water jet in the foreground and a man dressed in dark trousers, a white long sleeved shirt and broad-brimmed workers hat digging around in the Three Mile Mine at Barramutha. The mine was an important gold resource and was typically mined using a method known as hydraulic sluicing whereby high powered water jets are used to dislodge rock or move sediment. The remaining water sediment slurry is directed through sluice boxes to remove the gold. The Beechworth mining district was one of six mining districts established by the governor-in-council on 4th of January 1858 under the provisions of An Act for Amending the Laws Relating to the Goldfields (21 Vic no. 32).This photograph shows cultural and research value into the historical methods of hydraulic sluicing in the Beechworth mining disctrict. It also shows the evolution of the mining methods and has potential for understanding future engineering endeavors in the context of victorian mine goldfields.Black and White rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper. Reverse: Copied from original on loan from Webb (QLD)/ Donated Nov 2009/ Barnawatha Three Mile Mine c1920-1950/ Owned by Plain Bros then Parkinsons/ Managed by John Weir, Peter Jenson, Jack Cox/ Slicing. three mile creek, three mile goldfields, three mile beechworth, goldfields, #beechworth, hydraulic mining, hydraulic sluice, burke museum

An Australasian Darter is a waterbird with a distinctive long straight neck and a sharp bill. This feature has resulted in this bird sometimes being called the "snakebird" . This specimen is a slim bird with pale grey to white colouring. This colouring identifies this particular specimen as female. The Australasian Darter is commonly located around waterways in freshwater or brackish wetlands more than 0.5m deep. The Darter will perch on fallen trees and branches near the water and holds its wings out to the sides in an effort to dry them. The Noongar people of southwestern Australia called this bird "mimal". It has also been called the New Holland darter or the New Holland devil-bird. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.An Australasian Darter with a large, slim body and grey to white colouring. This specimen has a long snake-like neck and webbed feet. It has large powerful wings positioned flat against the rear of its body. The eyes are made of glass and are a pale yellow colour which is similar in colour to the long and sharp bill.Paper label: "154 New Holland Darter"taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, darter, bird, australasian darter

This postcard depicts the set-up of an abandoned gold mine. This includes a water wheel and other mining implements next to a creek. The postcard inscription indicates that this image is of the remains of the Wallaby Reef battery and water wheel. Wallaby Reef was discovered in 1864, and a prospecting claim established a four head battery and water wheel. Quartz was mined there, with gold also discovered at this location at a later date. By 1878 the mine was no longer resulting in rich deposits, this resulted in the miners moving their search for gold closer to the river where they were able to access more gold. This was in approximately 1879. In 1882 a rich deposit was found. In 1908 the battery was closed, and the mine finished. This photo was taken in 1920 and shows the deterioration of the site since its closure. Gold mining was crucial to the development of the Beechworth area. It has strong research and historical value because the clarity of the photo shows all the minute details of the mining equipment. The text on the back also indicates the mine is the Wallaby Mine, which was used for 45 years to find gold and quartz. Therefore, due to the location being quickly abandoned, this site is a rich location for historical study on gold mining during the 1900s. It can provide important information on the types of tools utilised and the impact of the mining on the environment.Black and white postcard photograph on card.8169 Be / Also near Wallaby Reef Workings / Relics of Rechabite Reef (locality) workings. / Shaft in bed of creek. Wheel used to drive sheadd (?) / stamp battery too I believe near B'worth 1920?beechworth, mining, gold mining, quartz mining, wallaby reef mine, mine battery head

This photograph, taken by Courtney’s Thelma Studios in Wangaratta, depicts Sergeant Arthur Loftus Maule Steele standing in the regalia of the Masonic Lodge. Before his death, Steele was a long term member of the St John’s Lodge of Masons where he was a Past Master and held office of treasurer for over thirty years. He was also a dedicated member of the Church of England and was an Electoral Inspector for Wangaratta. Steele was Sergeant of Police in Wangaratta for much of his life. He was one of 17 children born to Captain Robert Ball Steele and Mary Babington in Tours, France, in 1839. His parents were travelling at the time and soon after settled in Donegal, Ireland. At the age of 12, Steele was sent to the Military Academy of Dublin where he passed his examinations and prepared to enter the British Army. Steele met a bother of Robert O’Hara Burke and was advised to travel to Australia and join as a police cadet. Steele took the advice and travelled to Australia, arriving in Melbourne at the age of 17. He spend some time in a variety of employment including working as a clerk for the White Star Line. He entered the Victorian Police force in 1856. By 1864, Steele married Ruth Ingram Ballinger at Snowy Creek and worked at Omeo until being promoted to the mining centre of Beechworth, taking charge of the Yackandandah Station. Steele and Ballinger had ten children. Steele is well known in Victorian history for a variety of reasons, the most famous being the role he played in capturing Edward “Ned” Kelly at Glenrowan on the 28th June 1880. He also arrested Frank Neville (for the murder of a local resident Mr Nicholls) and Patrick Sheehan (first person to be executed in the Beechworth Gaol 1865 for the murder of James Kennedy at Rowdy Flat Yackandandah). He later worked on the case of Bridget Mepham (charged with the murder of her sister) at Wangaratta and retired from the Police force on the 1st of August 1896. In this retirement, Steele was a keen horticulturalist who enjoyed observing the habits and growth of new varieties cared for in his conservatory. Steele passed away in February 1914. This image has the potential to support current research on Sergeant Steele, the Masonic Lodge and photography during the c.1890s. Sergeant Steele is a well-researched member of the Victorian Police force and is known primarily for his involvement with the Kelly Gang. Therefore, depictions of Steele through photography can help to provide essential information about Steele outside of the Police force. This image has the capacity to inform about Steele’s involvement with the Masonic Lodge in Wangaratta. Therefore, it is important for what it can reveal regarding historic and social aspects. The Burke Museum is home to a large collection of Kelly centred photographs. The study of these photographs in connection to those in other museums have the ability to further current understanding on important figures and events in this historic occasion.Black and White rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper and mounted on an oval boardObverse: Courtney's Thelma Studios/ Wangaratta Reverse: 2747portrait, ned kelly, uniform, policeman, wangarratta, sergeant, steele, 1880, photograph, oval, black and white, sergeant steele, arthur loftus maule steele, arthur steele, wangaratta, beechworth