Hand theatre made "trench art", utilising used artillery brass shell casings, of various calibres, hand made with such "tools" as were available at the time. They have been decoratively trimmed at the mouth of each with a "scalloped" pattern, the shallowest casing mounted on small arms casings as "feet" and the large casing inverted engraved and embossed with a depiction of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces "Rising Sun" badge.This "Dinner Gong" and "Striker" are significant Historically and Socially, as it is believed to be the only example of a dinner gong and striker made in theatre as contemporary "trench art" by serving members of this group. Around the top of the main part of the Gong are stamped the initials of the Australian members of the Royal Flying Corps at the time, it is of possible National historical significance, as they were such a small group at best, and a highly vulnerable group, quite likely to not survive the conflict. This group and their desendants went on to be a part of the formation of the Australian Flying Corps, the beginings of the Royal Australian Air Force. It relates to the embrionic stages of a part of the now Australian Defence Force.A commemorative Dinner Gong construted from Artillery Shell Casings of various sizes. The largest cut short at the bottom, mounted on rifle or machine gun casings cut short as 'feet'. A slightly smaller diameter inverted as the 'gong' with decorative engravings depicting, a Rising Sun emblem on a decorated back ground, 'AFC' (Australian Flying Corps) crowned wings, on the same decorated back ground. The open ends of these larger casings is 'scalloped' and decorated beautifully, while the closed ends have a 'pie crust effect around the flanged edge. There is a biforcated mount at the top to hold the 'striker' made from white metal ballastered rod with a wooden eliptical knob. On the top around the striker mount are stamped the initials of those believed to be the first Australian Aviators in the then AFC.

A piece of equipment for the storage and carriage of extra ammunition. Made up of a shoulder strap with nine closeable leather pouches, each able to carry ten rounds of ammunition. Although in their day they were purely functional, they are still worn by flag and Guidon escorts in Royal Australian Armourd Corp Units to this day in recognition of the ties to their forebears. The only difference is they are now coloured black.

The picture was framed by business, Leighton House, paint and art merchants at 346 Little Collins Street, Melbourne. It was made to order, number 6777. The business was also called The Leighton Gallery of Art and was owned by W & G Dean Pty Ltd. The phone number on the label "MU 8291" indicates that the picture was framed circa the 1960s or earlier, during the time that Melbourne was using 6-0digit alpha-numeric numbers. Below the picture is an excerpt of a hymn "The Head that Once was Crowned with Thorns" by Thomas Kelly: The head that once was crowned with thorns Is crowned with glory now; A royal diadem adorns The mighty Victor's brow. The Cross He bore is life and heath, Though shame and death to Him; His people's hope, his people's wealth, Their everlasting theme. This picture was part of the original furnishings of the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History: for more, see our Reg. No. 611, Set of Pews) The Missions to Seamen, an Anglican charity, has served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. It symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centr4es in over 200 ports world-wide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria the orgainsation began in Williamstown in 1857. It was as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’. Its location was an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981 and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This picture is significant through its association with the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen Church in Williamstown, Melbourne, established in 1857. The items in our collection from the Missions to Seamen in Williamstown, Victoria, have historical and social significance. They show that people of the 1800s and 1900s cared about the seafarers’ religious, moral, and social welfare, no matter what the religion, social status or nationality. It had its origins in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The first Australian branch was started in 1856 by the Rev. Kerr Johnston, a Church of England clergyman, and operated from a hulk moored in Hobson’s Bay; later the Mission occupied buildings in Williamstown and Port Melbourne. Picture, print of "The Cross of Glory", rectangular, framed print on matt. It depicts Jesus Christ on a cross with an angel on each side, at his feet. He is wearing priestly robes and a gold crown on top of thorns on his head. In the background there is a rainbow and clouds. The text below the picture includes "From the picture by T. Noyes Lewis". Lines from a hymn are also printed below the picture. The back of the picture has pencilled numbers in three places plus a printed label with the framer's details. "From the picture by T. Noyes Lewis". Backing paper has pencil "6777" in two places. Label has bencil "677-" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, the cross of glory, print, t. noyes lewis, leighton house, home decoration, religioius picture, church furnishing, w & g dean pty ltd, leighton gallery of art, religion, religious service, sailors rest, bethel sailors’ church, bethel floating church, ladies harbour light guild, missions to seamen victoria, mission to seafarers, flying angles club, st nicholas mission to seamen church williamstown, mission to seamen williamstown, st nicholas seamen’s church flagstaff hill, 139 nelson place williamstown

This photograph shows ladies at a patriotic carnival selling goods to help troops during WW1. The Australian Red Cross Society (ARCS) was formed just after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, originally as a branch of the British Red Cross. It came into being as a branch of the British Red Cross Society on August 13th 1914 to succour the wounded in the First World War.This is a contemporary record of a significant event in Orbost. It reflects the involvement of Orbost, a small town, in the efforts of the Australian Red Cross Society to provide comforts to soldiers during World war 1.A black / white photograph / postcard of four ladies in uniforms (nurses?) standing on both sides of a cart.on back - "Patriotic Carnival - 1914-1918"

This is a deposit book to the Commercial Bank of Australia Limited and is stamped by the Orbost Branch. It was used by the Orbost Rifle Club. The Orbost Rifle Club existed in the early 20th century. (There are records from 1900). It folded in the late 1970's.The Orbost Rifle Club was an active group for over seventy years. It no longer exists.A small thin book with a mottled tortoise shell like cover and light blue binder. accounts deposit-book-commercial-bank orbost-rifle-club

Newspaper clippings and correspondence from Australian Defence League and Austraslian Military Forces to Cr. J.K. McCaskill, Borough of Ringwood, regarding speakers and attendance at inaugural local ADF branch, January, 1939. Photocopy of Cr. J.K. McCaskill's Certificate of Authority under War Damage Commission National Security Regulations. Newspaper clipping regarding Austerity War Loan Rally, Ringwood Town Hall, November, 1942. Photocopy of a souvenir - United Service of Thanksgiving (cover only) held in Ringwood Town Hall on 9th May 1945. Ladies are cordially invited to attend, and the formation of a Ladies' Emergency Section will be discussed. Speakers: W.J. Hutchinson, M.H.R., Mrs Weber, M.L.A., Capt. Brock, 24th Batt., Lt. Col. Knox, M.L.A., Mrs Colliver (Red Cross); Hon. N.J. Makin, Minister for Navy and Munitions; T.R.G. Williams, Mayor, Chairman, Ringwood War Loan Committee (1942).

This money box is a copy of the Commonwealth Savings Bank of Australia's Martin Place, Sydney Branch Building, the money boxes were produced c 1970's, (earlier money boxes were in the shape of a cash register or till.) When you filled the money box you returned it to the bank, the would put the contents into your savings account and issue you with a new tin.box, commonwealth, money, tin, bank, saving

Embroidered cloths like this were sent home as souvenirs. Individual names were embroidered on the cloth.This is a square yellow silk cloth with pink fringing. It has an embroidered blue rising sun, under which are the words Australian Imperial Forces. On the lower edge of the cloth are the embroidered words ‘From Sergeant Frank McDonald’ It is also embellished with embroidered flowers.embroidered cloth, sergeant frank mcdonald

A WW1 era Australian Light Horse pack saddle. The saddle has large panniers mounted on either side and metal fittings for attaching devices such as additional carriers or weapons, made of leather and is complete. The saddle is displayed on a steel frame.

The Certificate relates to The Bendigo RSL/Bendigo District RSL being 100 years old on 28th September 2016. The certificate talks about the Objects of the League and changes over the years. The League itself was formed in 1916. Refer Cat No’s 8000.2, 8019, 8020, 8073P. This item is on display in the Foyer entrance to the Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Inc Havilah Road.Framed Certificate, frame is light brown timber, certificate has a white overlay, the certificate is white background with all print in black, there is a faint background section of the RSL Badge in colour on the left hand side, bottom RH side is a red seal. Certificate is signed and dated.Main heading is, “The Returned & Services League of Australia”. Signed by the National President of the RSL, “Greg Melick AO - 13 April 2021”brsl, smirsl, bdrslinc, certificate, 100 years

This item is situated in the Gardens of the Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Inc Havilah Road. Refer photo .1) for the details re manufacture and history/use..1) Plaque on metal stand, black with white text re details of a 500 Lb Bomb. .2) Weapon, 500 lb General Purpose Aerial Bomb, cylindrical shape, nose cone tapers to a point, tail tapers to near point with 4 fins attached. bdrslinc, smirsl, brsl, 500, bomb

The photos are the presentation by Alan Holmes President of Bendigo RSL to Cliff Clohesy in February 1997. Clifford Clohesy served on the Committee Bendigo RSL 1989 to 1991, 1993 to 1996, he was President the years 1993 to 1996. Cliff was a hard worker in the two RSL Appeals each year. One of his achievements was the building of 22 Single person units in Kangaroo Flat finished in 1997. Alan William Holmes served on the Committee 1993 to 2001. He was President the years 1997 to 2001. Two of the later years was the change over from Bendigo RSL to Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Inc. He was the Organizer of events for the "Australia Remembers" 50 years after the end of WW2 in Bendigo. It was Alans proposal to turn the SMI into a Museum in 1996 with the first Museum Sub Committee being formed in May 1997 and the opening in February 1998. Now the Bendigo Military Museum. He stayed heavily involved until 2003. He was the organizer and conducted the Sandakan Memorial Service from 1999 to 2012. From there as much as possible Alan visited veterans in Nursing homes and a Wing of "BUPA" was named "Holmes Wing". In 2003 Alan was awarded a "Centenary Medal for his Voluntary Service to Veterans.Two colour photographs. .1) Shows two men standing, one has a certificate in his hand. .2) Shows the other man with the Certificate he has been awarded.brsl, smirsl, certificate, state

The photographs relate to entertainment held at a Bendigo RSL Sub Branch Annual Dinner at the Soldiers Memorial Institute building Main Hall. The year is not known exactly but it is between 1997 - 1999. The man in the "Bombay Bloomers" (shorts) is Jacky Paynting.The three photos show two men on a stage in a building with a white Cross behind them and a piano on the right. An Australian flag is over head. One man has a guitar and slouch hat on. The other has a pair of Army "Bombay Bloomer shorts on and Army shirt and slouch hat.brsl, smirsl, annual, dinner