Big Gun auctioneer Bernard Price makes the mistake of his life when he knocks the first pen of Boondangies down to O'Day at a minimal price, thinking him to be a kid "buying a few for mother". O'Day promptly takes up the option of the whole draft of 4000 head of top class stores. His telegram to this effect leads MacLough to believe his new manager will ruin him.The album and images are significant because they document literature written by a prominent member of the Wodonga community. The presentation of this precis was supported by several significant district families and individuals.Ringer's River Album Coloured photo Plate 6des martin, many a mile, ringer's river, northeast victoria stories

A press release from Melbourne Legacy in 1975 which relates a story of how Legacy works. The information was intended to be used by press and magazines etc. The title 'Rising prices worrying you?' and makes the point that the average cost of a family is rising, and now Legacy is a family of 107,000 people. Throughout Australia Legacy was supporting 80,000 widows and 27,000 children of deceased ex-servicemen who died in or since, the two World Wars, and the conflicts in Korea, Malaya and Vietnam. 'Legacy counsels these families in their daily life, that costs nothing for Legacy members give freely of their time' 'What does cost money, and plenty, is providing the tangible things these fatherless families need. Help with education up to an including tertiary studies. Firewood and other forms of heating in the colder climates. Maintenance of residences where country children can live, with all provided, when they have to come to the city for reasons of welfare, study or employment. Housing projects to care for aged widows, in both city and country areas. Subsidising nursing home beds for the infirm. An impressive list? In the calendar year of 1974 if cost Legacy in Australia almost $2.5 million and with rising prices, the coming year is going to cost considerably more. This is where Legacy seeks your help.' Note that in the 1970s inflation and cost of living was rising quickly.A record of how Legacy promoted their work in the 1970s.Pink foolscap page x 2 with black type of a press release in 1975.Rising prices worrying you?'press release, case studies

A portrait of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh that has been owned by Legacy for many years. It was previously hung alongside a painting of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, but has been moved to storage in the archive. Extremely similar to a portrait of Price Philip that is owned by the City of Melbourne. It had been painted in 1956 just before Price Philip opened the Olympic games in Melbourne. Perhaps this was a draft or copy of the City of Melbourne portrait. Prince Philip was an honorary member of Legacy after a visit to Sydney Legacy in 1954.Oil painting of Prince Philip in a gilded wooden frame.Author signature in bottom right, 'Dargie'.portrait, prince philip

This piece of music is the varsoviana dance piece from the Giacomo Meyerbeer opera, ‘L’Etoile Du Nord’ arranged by Camille Michel. The varsoviana was a slow graceful dance originating in Poland in 1850 and appearing in Australia in 1856. ‘L’Etoile Du Nord’ was a comic opera in three acts composed by Giacomo Meyerbeer in 1854. Meyerbeer was the most successful stage composer of the 19th century but his works are rarely performed today. Camille Michel was an editor, composer, author and arranger working from the 1840s to the 1880s. The varsoviana music arrangement probably dates from the late 1850s or 1860s. It is not clear who ‘Minnie Henty’ was but it is most likely that she was Minnie Adair who married George Henty, the son of Stephen and Jane Henty, pioneer settlers in Western VictoriaThis sheet music is most important mainly because of the ‘Minnie Henty’ signature. The Henty family members, founders of the first permanent Victorian settlement at Portland, were influential in the history of the Warrnambool area because of their connections with surrounding properties and with coastal shipping. The music also has social significance as an example of music popular in 19th century drawing rooms.This is a two-page piece of sheet music (cover and two pages of music notation) with the material printed in black on cream paper. The back cover is blank and the front cover has the title and names of the composer and the arranger with ornate scrolls around the printing. The edges and fold of the pages are much tattered and torn in some places. There is also a Warrnambool and District Historical Society stamp on the front cover and the signature of Minnie Henty. Front Cover: ‘Minnie Henty’ ‘Varsoviana sur L’Etoile Du Nord de G. Meyerbeer pour le piano par Camille Michel, Ent.Sta.Hall., Price 1s/-, London, Cramer, Beale & Co., 201,Regent Street & 67, Conduit Street and at 167, North Street, Brighton.’ henty family, giacomo meyerbeer, camille michel

Included in the Maggs Family Collection4 pages three of music . Words and music by Dulcie Maggs .2 original copies and one later photocopy. One copy of Arthur H. Stockwell Ltd. "Elms Court", Ilfracombe ,N.Devon Made in England. Price 2/- Net.

Bi-fold advertisement for sale of residential allotments - New Lincoln Estate, New Street, Ringwood, with summary of local facilities and services, locality plan, layout of sub-division, and price list. Also an advertisement from Ringwood Mail dated 12 July 1951. Subdivision includes New Street, Heywood Street, Barkly Street, Keith Grove, Maurice Avenue, Inez Avenue, Catherine Street, Neville Street, Neale Grove (later Heather Grove), and Sylvia Grove. Agent - Ringwood Real Estate Co., Station Entrance, Ringwood. (Phone) WU 6661, WU 6662.Accompanying handwritten sales notes researched in 2024 by Richard Carter - Carter Real Estate ... "Maurice Ashkanasy KC CMG owned the rectangular estate located between New, Barkly, Heywood Streets and Sylvia Grove in South-West Ringwood. It was given the name "The New Lincoln Estate". It was first advertised around July 1951 as "48 superb allotments", through Ringwood Real Estate (Station Entrance). A sub-divisional plan from CE Carter showed 152 blocks with 60-foot frontages and varying between 110 and 150 feet in length. Later, in 1954 house and land packages were offered through William White in Elsternwick - "Three modern bedrooms, large lounge-dining-room, kitchen with dinette, nicely equipped bathroom - £2,685 to £2,762, deposit £300". The roads were created and named after family members - Neale (later Heather) Grove - after Maurice's son Neal Mark Ashkanasy. The street was later re-named Heather Grove after Maurice's wife, Heather Helen Ashkanasy (Epstein), who passed away in 1999, aged 95. Neville Street - after Marice's other son, Aaron Solomon Neville Ashkanasy known as Neville. Catherine Street and Inez Street - after Heather's mother Catherine Inez Epstein. Maurice Avenue - after Maurice Ashkanasy, vendor. Keith Grove - after Keith Epstein. ..."

Watchmaker History: James McCabe was born in 1748. He was the son of Patrick McCabe, a notable watchmaker from Lurgan in County Armagh, Ireland. James McCabe immigrated to London in 1775 and established his business in Bells Building, Fleet Street, on 2nd April 1781. He was made an Honorary Freeman of the Clockmakers Company. The House of McCabe was renowned for the sheer variety of its designs, and the creativity and prestige of its manufacture were celebrated and revered by owners worldwide. These pieces remain highly collectable today and fetch increasingly higher prices at auction houses worldwide. Watch association with the Loch Ard: The watch was saved from the sea when discovered on the body of Mrs Rebecca Carmichael from Dublin and handed to Eva Carmichael, the only family member to survive the fatal wreck of the Loch Ard on 1st June 1878. Eva gifted the watch to her husband, Thomas Achilles Townsend when they married in 1884; his name is engraved on the rear movement cover. The watch was held by the family until 2011 when they decided to bring the watch, to Australia for auction. At this time the watch was in the possession of Eva Carmichael's grandson, Robert Townsend. Given its connection with the Loch Ard shipwreck, it was purchased at auction by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village on 25th October 2011 to add to its Loch Ard collection and is currently referred to as the Carmichael watch. It is now on display alongside the Minton Peacock, which also survived the Loch Ard shipwreck, and other artefacts from the collection. James McCabe was originally a Belfast watchmaker who had moved his business to London. At the time James McCabe was much esteemed for producing fine watches and clocks, especially for export to India. Only the best watches were inscribed “James McCabe” and many with highly decorated cases were intended for the Indian market. Contemporary newspaper accounts of the watch's discovery echoed a Carmichael family tradition that the watch had been intended as a gift from the City of Dublin to King George IV to mark his planned visit to the city in 1821, however, there is no evidence to support this theory. Dr Evory Carmichael, according to some accounts, bought this watch from a nobleman for about £100 at some point and so it travelled with him on his final fateful journey to Australia. Today we can only guess at the actions of Mrs Carmichael in the chaos and darkness of the pre-dawn shipwreck. Perhaps the two items that were found on her body, the watch and a locket, were items that reminded her of those she held most dear, her husband and her family. When Mrs Carmichael's body was washed ashore the watch was found secreted in the waistband of her dress. In its own right the watch is of artistic and monetary value and is a rare and beautiful object depicting watch making in the early 19th century. It is a historically significant object in it’s own right and there is additional importance, surviving a significant event in the maritime history of Victoria. The wreck of the Loch Ard, Victoria's greatest maritime disaster has also been declared an event of National Significance because of its strong connection to Australia's immigration and maritime history. The watch, together with the Loch Ard Peacock, make up the two most significant shipwreck artefacts in Australia. Both of these items are of great social significance to not only local people but the wider Australian community. Funding for the watches purchase came from six local trusts and one anonymous citizen and is now on permanent display. Both these artefacts symbolise and helps to interpret the stories of survival along the Shipwreck Coast. Fob Watch, known as the "Carmichael Watch" or the "Loch Ard Watch". 1814 fob pocket watch belonging to the Carmichael family, recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard. Fob watch (or pocket watch)and winding key, made by James McCabe and Son, of Cornhill, London. The watch is in excellent condition and its design is decorative and intricate. The gold face is covered by glass. The gold rear cover is hinged over a silver inner cover that includes the winding hole. The watch has a knob with a swinging ring from which it can be hung. The dial of the gold watch face is textured and has raised Arabic numerals and every minute is marked around the perimeter by a dot, with the 5-minute dots slightly larger. The numerals and dots are a different coloured gold than the rest of the face. The centre of the face has a wavy pattern fanning out to the base of the numerals. The hour and minute hands are of a dark colour. The stems of the hands are a wavy shape and finish with spade shaped tips; the tip of the hour hand is larger than that of the minute hand. The hour hand reaches to the base of the numerals and the minute hand is long enough to rest between the minute dots. The back of the watch is decorated with a detailed design on a textured gold background. The design is embossed in coloured metals; gold, silver, greenish-gold and pink. In the centre is a dove resting on leaves of a pot plant that sits on a silver circular base. Another dove is flying above it, and their beaks touch together. On the right of the base of the pot plant is a dog resting on its hind legs, body facing away from the plant and head twisted around to look at the birds. On the sides of this design and meeting at the base are sprigs of leaves and buds. Around this central design is a rope-like border. Around the perimeter of the case is a border of leaves and budding stems. The inside of this cover has embossed hallmarks, numbers and etched markings indicating that the watch is 18 carat gold, made by James McCabe, assayed in London in 1814 and the case may have been made by Daniel Willmott, case maker. The silver inner workings cover has a full name beautifully engraved on it. There is a winding hole that accesses a square-ended lever for the key to fit over. The handle of the watch is a twisted gold knob with a hollow ‘D’-shaped swinging ring attached to the end of it. This knob also has a hallmark.On the silver inner workings cover “Thomas Achilles Townshend” is engraved, underscored by a thin, delicately decorated line. On the gold handle is the logo of a crown with “18”’ next to it. Inside the gold rear case is stamped “DW’. Under that is etched “JAN 77 II”. Underneath this are 3 logos; a logo “leopard, crowned”’, a logo “ crown on top of 18”, and a logo “T”. Under these 3 symbols is part of a stamp that could possibly be “IMC”. Under this is “ ’ 5 9 4 ”. Other numbers, symbols and letters are etched into this case including “15001”, “2/5/19”. Others are difficult to read.warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, shipwreck artefact, carmichael, townshend, townsend, carmichael watch, loch ard watch, pocket watch, loch ard, 1st june 1878, james mccabe, thomas walker, robert townshend, loch ard gorge, great ocean road, victoria., memorial headstone

Black and white copy of original photograph of a group of 8 adults and 5 children standing in front of a building."1946 Newport / William John Ferguson / Margaret Fitzpatrick (nee Ferguson) / Joe Fitzpatrick / William Bentley Ferguson / Geraldine Price / Darrell Fitzpatrick / Maureen Fitzpatrick / Norah Neenan (Bending) / Mrs Spinks (Apron) neighbour / Mic"william john ferguson, margaret fitzpatrick (nee ferguson), joe fitzpatrick, william bentley ferguson, geraldine price, darrell fitzpatrick, maureen fitzpatrick, norah neenan, mrs spinks, mic

This docket from the firm of Wilson and Anderson, auctioneers, gives details of the sale of 10 bullocks on behalf of C.E. Tilley of ‘Aringa’, Port Fairy. The total profit for Mr Tilley was £217-10-0. Wilson and Anderson were stock and station agents operating in the early 20th century from the Royal Chambers in Kepler Street in Warrnambool. C.E. Tilley was a member of the Tilley family, with Joseph Tilley running the property of ‘Aringa’ in the early 20th century. Joseph Tilley was also the owner at the time of the Penshurst Hotel. This docket is of some importance as it is an original one and gives details of a 1916 sale of cattle with the names Wilson and Anderson and Tilley of some local interest. It gives us the prices for bullocks in 1916 and the type of account form used at the timeThis is an original docket of 1916. It is a printed one from the firm of Wilson and Anderson with printed red lines for entering the details of the sale. The client’s name and sale details are handwritten in black ink. joseph tilley, wilson and anderson, penshurst hotel, aringa’

Shire of Ripon ledger used to record payments for animals released or purchased from the pound. It records fees and/or prices along with people's names. Foolscap half bound tan calf bound ledger. Marbled end papers. Label Arnold & Jackson glued to inside front cover.B10084 10/8/10cash balance accounts book, pound, ledgers, handwriting, family history beaufort, shire of ripon

Black and white photograph of weatherboard house surrounded by a picket fence. (2 copies- 1 large, 1 small). Typed notes detailing history of cottage.Typed notes contain the following: "Cottage and Lot 15, Sec.C, Township of Ringwood - comprising 1 acre - were acquired from the Crown by John Price on 17th July, 1888, for £30. Subsequently, a 4-roomed weatherboard cottage was built on Lot 15. On 21st May, 1901, the two allotments and the house were transferred to Lewis Findlay East for £85, and on 13th March, 1942, were sold to R. Barr and L. Beaumont for £650 with two additional rooms and some other improvements including reticulated water supply. Lewis Findlay EAST and his family occupied the cottage until 1910. It is believed that before the cottage was purchased by East, it was occupied for a period by McCubbin the artist. Lewis Findlay East was a member of an Australian Rifle Team which went to Bisley, England, in 1901, and won the Kalapore Cup. He was an officer of the Department of Customs, and later became Secretary of the Commonwealth Marine Branch, receiving the I.S.O. His son, Lewis Ronald East, became Chairman of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission in 1936, and received C.B.E.".

Warrandyte artist, Clara Southern, features on the Artists Trail. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p189 Since early in the 20th century this district has attracted artists and other creative people. So much so, that Eltham has been compared to the Left Bank in Paris, New York’s Greenwich Village and London’s Bloomsbury. That is until the 1970s when Eltham rapidly expanded into a suburb. However many artists still flourish not only in Montsalvat, Dunmoochin and the Bend of Islands but elsewhere in Nillumbik. Some artists who have worked or lived in Nillumbik are well-known nationally and internationally. Artists are attracted to the hilly district’s subtle colours, unique light and the Yarra River and Diamond Creek. The railway’s extension to Eltham in 1902 brought artists to paint for the day or to camp. Then many settled in Eltham, perhaps also because the poor quality land, far from the city, was cheap. Following World War Two they found they could build houses and studios cheaply by making their own mud-bricks. The flexible material, with its warm tones blending into the bush, also satisfied their aesthetic sensibilities. As early as 1900, Will Longstaff, known for his painting The Ghosts of Menin Gate at the National War Memorial in Canberra, lived at Stanhope in Peter Street, Eltham, later to become the home of intellectuals Clem and Nina Christensen. Members of Australia’s first significant art movement, the Heidelberg School of Artists, painted in Eltham, Warrandyte and Diamond Creek. Walter Withers lived at the corner of Bolton and Brougham Street, Eltham and taught Sir Hans Heysen, who for a short while stayed with the Withers family. In Warrandyte were Clara Southern, whom Frederick McCubbin taught at the National Gallery School and Penleigh Boyd, who is represented in all Australian state galleries and the National Collection in Canberra. May Vale, daughter of politician William, lived in Diamond Creek. With Jane Price they feature on the Heidelberg School Artists Trail, part of which runs through Nillumbik. The trail includes signs each displaying a reproduction of a painting by an artist and located near where the artist lived or painted. In Nillumbik the trail includes parts of Warrandyte, Eltham in the Alistair Knox Park, Main Road shopping precinct and Wingrove Park, the Research walking track on Main Road and the Diamond Creek Reserve. In 1916 artist William ‘Jock’ Frater lived at the corner of Arthur and Bible Streets, Eltham. Before then, Frater, with other artists including Percy Leason (who moved to Eltham in the mid 1920s) painted in Eltham on weekends. They camped near Bible and Pitt Streets and along the Diamond Creek where the Eltham Retirement Centre now stands.4 In 1921, painter Peter Newbury (father to painter David Newbury, who was born in Eltham) moved to Cromwell Street, Eltham. Max Meldrum, the first Australian painter to formulate a consistent theory of art largely based on tone,5 taught local artists Alan Martin, Clarice Beckett, Peter Glass and Justus Jörgensen. Meldrum visited Eltham then rented a house there for 18 months opposite Wingrove Park. In 1934, artist and architect Justus Jörgensen and his doctor wife Lil and friends built Montsalvat, the artists’ colony. Montsalvat has played an important part in attracting artists to Eltham and its mud-brick, pisé, stone and recycled building materials has had a major influence on Eltham’s built environment. Jörgensen’s students who also helped him build Monstalvat included Arthur Munday, Lesley Sinclair, Helen Lempriere, Joe Hannan, Helen, Sonia and jeweller/sculptor, Matcham Skipper. Among artists who visited Montsalvat were Clifton Pugh and Angry Penguins’ artists Albert Tucker and Arthur Boyd. Some who painted after World War Two were Alan Martin of Eltham and Warrandyte artists Frank Crozier and Harry De Hartog6, one of Melbourne’s first painters influenced by Cubism.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, clara southern, main road, research (vic), heidelberg school artists trail

A vintage 1903 hardcover children’s book with the title Chatterbox printed with white lettering at the top of the front cover, which has a green coloured background with an illustration in a large circle showing a girl winding a handle on a wishing well in a garden. The publisher details are printed at the bottom, with Price Three Shillings printed in red letters at the very top. The covers have broken away from the cotton bound spine. The faded light tan coloured back cover has an advertisement for EPPS'S (Breakfast) COCOA. with details of its efficacy and use for good health. The manufacturer details are added at the bottom. Inside the front cover are advertisements for Bird's Custard Powder and Robinson's Patent barley "in powder form". The frontispiece coloured illustration inside depicts a young girl dressed in wintry clothes carrying a lidded cane basket walking along a road on a windy autumn day. The title of the picture is 'Going with the Gale'. The title page has the title plus Edited by J. Erskine Clarke, M.A and publisher details with a black lined illustration of children, a woman with children at her knee reading and flowers. There are further coloured plates in the collection. The book contains plenty of puzzles, poetry, and stories for children. Pp. 412. At the back is an added supplement of Wells, Gardner, Darton & Co's Popular Books. Pp.34.fictionA vintage 1903 Chatterbox collection of puzzles, poetry and stories for children with black lined illustrations and coloured plates throughout. children's books, books, children's stories, adventure stories

Poster - A3 colour printed on gloss paper, titled "Travelling together this weekend", advertising The Met's Group Get.A.Bout ticket for group or family daily travel. Gives prices for single and zones 1+2+3 and contact phone number. Note - no sample held in the collection at the time of entrytrams, tramways, tickets, the met, travel cards

Building moved from Esplanade Lakes Entrance 1970 c. Floor plan in binderColour photograph of family residence of Frank and Wendy Price of Ninety Mile Beach Caravan Park Lake Tyers Beach Victoriaboats and boating, tourism, caravan parks

The Partington family farmed the property known as Willis Vale in the early 20th century. In this article Faye Fort (nee Partington) recalls life in Greensborough.Historical reference to the property 'Willis Vale' and its eventual destruction. Describes family relationships within the Partington family.3 page history of the Partington family's life at 'Willis Vale' homestead in Greensborough during the early 20th Century. Includes black &white photos. Includes Partington family photoswillis vale, faye fort, sarah price, plenty river, greensborough, partington family, whatmough family, william james partington, annie may partington, gary partington, cordner family, methodist church

Men are wearing three piece suits, variety of collars and ties. Sarahs dress has short bodice, folds at waistline extending up to shoulder cape over full sleeve, ribbons at neckline tiny bonnet with stiffened upright ribbons on top.A sepia toned photograph of Sarah Grant and sons Edward, Walter and George Price believed to be taken after the death of her husband and father George. Taken in photographic studio Bairnsdale Victoria. Plus another photo of Sarah Grant genealogy, fashion, families

This is a ticket for admission to the Warrnambool Family History Group Seminar held at the Hammond Centre, Christ Church, Warrnambool on Saturday 16th May 2015. The Warrnambool Family History Group was established in 1980 for those interested in genealogy and family history. It holds a seminar each year, both as a fund-raising exercise and as a means of disseminating information on the latest developments in researching and recording family history. This ticket was issued to W.F.H.G. member, Barbara McLeod.This ticket is of minor interest as an example of the activities of the Warrnambool Family History GroupThis is a small buff-coloured ticket for admission to the Warrnambool Family History Group Seminar in 2015. It has black printed material on one side with the ticket number recorded in black biro. ‘Warrnambool Family History Group, Admission Ticket, Family History Seminar, Saturday, 16th May 2015, Hammond Centre, Christ Church, Ticket no 5, Price $25 ($20 for members)’warrnambool family history group, hammond centre, christ church, warrnambool

Archir Harker was married to Ruby Wilson and mentioned in the "Wielands of Heathmont "book. From Greg Coker: In August 2023, RDHS asked Greg Coker to scan a set of negatives. He was able to work out, through various notes, that the pictures were taken by J A Harker of 9 Grange St, Mont Albert in the mid 50s to the mid 60s. Most of the film was 9cm X 6cm B&W negatives. All pictures have been cropped and where appropriate, put through a light filter. They have been scanned at 1600ppi resulting in ~3meg B&W shots (~5meg for the half dozen colour shots). The Harkers certainly liked their hiking – they were ahead of their time. Images scanned from R&K Developing and Printing Services packet of negatives, undated. After scanning in 2023 by Greg Coker, the negatives were disposed and just the packet retained. Some photos may be duplicated in other VC Harker/Weiland family records if the original prints were donated. Greg's comments: Early 60s – Original Negatives. Sea side holiday and valley views The date is best guess. Mrs Harker looks around the same age as the 1958 set. There is a prominent lighthouse in shot – that may help identify where the holiday was. I suspect the valley may be near it. Reverse of packet includes Printing and Developing Price List

. He had a bullock team and the colourful language to match his calling .Myrtle Olive Grant is the daughter of George Price Grant and Alice Howlett Black and white photograph of George Price Grant seated fourth surviving child of George and Sarah Grant with friend Jim Cope Victoria. 1880 Also a black and white photograph of George Price Grant of Metung with his dog. And a black and white photo of baby Myrtle Olive Grant genealogy, families

This majestic peacock embodies the technical achievement, skill and ingenuity of artisans during the 19th century. It is now known as the 'Loch Ard Peacock' and was designed and modelled in 1873 by Paul Comolera (1818-1897) and fired in one piece at the Minton factory at Stoke-on-Trent in the United Kingdom in 1875. The peacock has been portrayed in symbolic motifs and has figured heavily in folktales and fables since antiquity, and many cultures around the world see it as a symbol of beauty, rebirth and power. Wealthy Victorians loved majolica, and the large peacock would have been the ultimate home accessory as a conservatory ornament – combining their desire for nature, the exotic and vibrant colours. The peacock model was listed in catalogues by Minton & Co. for a retail price of 35 guineas or sold as a pair for 90 guineas. Minton & Co. was founded in 1793 by Thomas Minton (1765–1836) and became a famous pottery and porcelain manufacturer. Comolera was a French artist and sculptor, renowned for dramatic naturalistic forms and life-size renditions of birds and animals that won him admiration in public and artistic circles. He was employed by Minton & Co. from 1873 to 1880, and the life-sized peacock became his best-known work. Comolera kept a live peacock loaned from the nearby Duke of Sutherland's Trentham Hall Estate in his studio to create a life-size model of fine buff earthenware model, which was then hand painted in brilliantly coloured green and blue glazes to mimic the peafowl’s dazzling plumage. There are no surviving production records, but according to documents in the Minton Archive, nine peacocks were made by Comolera. However, today, some historians now believe that twelve were fired at the Minton factory; research is ongoing. These peacocks were so admired that Minton & Co. used them as exhibition showpieces at International Exhibitions in London, Paris, and the United States of America, ensuring the company had a worldwide reputation. So, when Melbourne hosted an International Exposition in 1880, Minton & Co. sent out ceramics and tiles, and in particular, this peacock was intended to be part of their exhibit in the British Court in the Exhibition Building, built in the Carlton Gardens. The early dispatch date (1878) indicates that the company may have intended to exhibit their wares, including the peacock, at the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition, but the company did not take up this option. The ship that Minton & Co. used to bring the peacock and their other wares to the Australian colonies was the ill-fated Loch Ard, which sunk after striking Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell, Victoria, in calm foggy weather in June 1878 on the final leg of the ship's journey to Melbourne. The loss of 52 lives made it one of Victoria’s worst shipwrecks. Therefore, this peacock never made it to the grand exposition in Melbourne, as Minton & Co. had planned. Charles McGillivray dragged this peacock, still in its original packing case, onto the beach in the gorge just two days after the Loch Ard went down. The peacock was rescued unscathed apart from a chip on its beak (only repaired in 1988). After a disagreement with a Melbourne Customs Officer, Joseph Daish, McGillivray stopped his salvage operations, leaving the peacock on the beach. The second salvagers were James Miller and Thomas Keys. Miller was a member of the firm Howarth, Miller and Matthews, Geelong, who had brought the salvage rights to the Loch Ard wreck on 10 June. When Miller and Keys arrived at the wreck site, a storm had washed many of the salvaged goods, including this peacoc,k back into the sea. The two men found the peacock in its case ‘bobbing along in the water’ and pulled it back to the beach. To ensure the peacock wasn't washed out to sea again, Miller and Keys hauled the packing case containing the peacock up the gorge's cliff face to the top, ready to be transported. In an interview in 1928, Keys claimed that at the time of the rescue, the head had broken from the body. This account was proven to be true in 1988, following the birds' display in Brisbane. This peacock began its life in Australia, not in the grandeur of an International Exhibition as intended, but in the hallway of a simple domestic house in Geelong. It appears Minton & Co. did not attempt to buy this peacock back. Florence Miller, daughter of James Miller (Loch Ard salvage rights holder), later remarked that the only item of real value rescued from the wreck had been the peacock and that this had been kept by her father in the family home at Malvern for many years and became a treasured family possession. As such, this 'Loch Ard peacock' was almost forgotten and mistaken with other Minton peacocks around the world. Miss Florence Miller tried to sell the peacock due to financial difficulties in the 1930s but was unsuccessful. While attempting to sell her Loch Ard relic, it was displayed in the window of the old Argus newspaper office, which was at 76 Collins Street, Melbourne; the Argus had relocated to the corner of Elizabeth and La Trobe Streets in 1926. Between 1935 and 1939, the old Argus building was occupied by the Joshua N. McClelland Print Room, which sold not only paintings and prints but also antiques and authentic replicas, as well as hosting exhibitions. Miss Florence Miller loaned her peacock for display at the Victorian Historical Exhibition held in the National Gallery on 1st June 1935, the 57th anniversary of the Loch Ard wreck. As a result, the peacock attracted public attention in books, newspapers and magazine articles that told the story of its survival from a shipwreck. Miss Florence Miller was keen to sell the peacock, even writing overseas to Captain Blain on November 30th, 1938, about the possibility of a sale, but this became no longer possible due to the outbreak of war. Recent information points to the Loch Ard peacock being owned by John S R Heath before its sale to Frank Ridley-Lee in May 1941. Research is ongoing, but it seems likely that John Samuel Robert Heath, a leading Melbourne dentist with a practice in Collins Street, and his wife, a dental mechanic, had purchased Miss Miller’s Loch Ard peacock before its sale in 1941. They were lovers of fine arts, music, wine and food. The peacock in the window of the old Argus building could have attracted their attention as they had already purchased the old stone Presbyterian Church on Warrigal Road, Oakleigh, in 1933 and had converted its interior. The home, renamed The Studio, even included Melbourne’s first all-electric kitchen. The peacock was perfect for display in the Studio’s entrance. A magazine article published after the conversion was completed included photographs of the interior. The picture of the ‘portico’ had a caption below that stated, “Some of her [Mrs Heath’s] finest pottery was salvaged from the Loch Ard Wreck”. In 2025, Heath’s two remaining sons remember running around in the entrance with the peacock standing there, oblivious to its value. Heath was an accomplished artist, studying under Max Meldrum. He painted and exhibited his works at The Studio and in a public exhibition, and he was a finalist eight times in the coveted Archibald Prize portrait competition, including the submission of his self-portrait that is now part of his grandson’s collection. The next owner of the Loch Ard Peacock was Frank Ridley-Lee. He displayed it at his home in Ivanhoe after buying it at an auction in May 1941. The peacock remained in the hands of the Ridley-Lee family until it was offered for sale by auction in 1975 as part of an art collection belonging to Mrs Ridley-Lee's estate. The peacock was not sold at this time, as the reserve price of $4500 was not met. This news was passed on to the board of the newly created Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Urgent efforts were made to collect the necessary money through fundraising by the Warrnambool City Council and public donations. The Fletcher Jones Company and the Victorian Government contributed half the cost. On 9 September 1975, the Loch Ard peacock was purchased by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, and it found a new home at the maritime museum. Since then, it has only left Warrnambool twice. Firstly, in 1980, at the centenary celebrations of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, and secondly, in 1988, the peacock was given pride of place at the entrance to the Victorian Pavilion at the Brisbane World Expo, acknowledging that this Minton Majolica peacock is the most significant shipwreck object in Australia. The Minton majolica peacock is considered of historical social and aesthetic significance to Victoria and is one of only a few 'objects' registered on the Victorian Heritage Register (H 2132), as it is a most notable and rare object associated with the Minton factory of the 1870s and works by the celebrated sculptor Paul Comolera along with the wreck of the Loch Ard on the Victorian coastline. This Minton peacock is historically significant for its rarity; it was one of only 9-12 known to exist. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is also of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register Ref (S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's early social and historical themes. The collection is historically significant is that it is associated, unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. The peacock, resplendent in polychrome glaze, stands perched on a rocky plinth decorated with vines, leaves, flowers, blackberries and wild mushrooms. The peacock’s breast is cobalt blue; the wings and legs are in naturalistic colours. The tail is a mass of feathers coloured in green, ochre blue and brown — a fantastic display of artistry and Minton expertise. Inscribed at the base :P Comolera, and a Minton & Co. design number: 2045.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, loch ard, loch ard gorge, peacock, paul comolera, victorian heritage register, minton peacock, minton & co., stoke upon trent, bird figures, mintons, ceramics, international expositions, majolica, naturalistic, staffordshire, john samuel robert heath

This Miner’s Right was issued post the rush of the 1850s-60s but is testament to the ongoing interest in gold although the great rush had dwindled. Local papers continued to report on findings and hopes of success, including syndicates and explorations across the south-west district of Victoria and Otways. The Warrnambool correspondent of the “Hamilton Spectator”, 31/1/1878, p4 attest to the price of a good season of potatoes comparing “favourably with the unsteady returns of any precarious gold-bearing quartz reefs in the colony.” A James Collins (1842-1918) is listed in the Pioneers’ Register, Warrnambool, Township and Shire 1839-1900, Volume One, A.I.G.S Warrnambool Branch, 2004, p137. As are numerous other Collins pioneer families of the district. This item is significant in that it illustrates that people associated with the region were interested in taking their chances in prospecting for gold similar to many others. A lure that is still present for some today. Although the southwest region found it's source of wealth in other industries from whaling and fishing, wool and other agricultural pursuits. This is a top to bottom upright image of a Miner’s Right. It is a buff coloured document printed in black ink. It was issued in “BALLARAT” and rubber stamped twice in red ink. The issue to “James Collins”, is dated “23rd August 1889” to “22nd August 1890”. The signature of the authority could be Bennet. All handwriting is script style in black ink. Looking from the front the lefthand side has a serrated edge. The back is printed in black ink and there are no “particulars of registration”. The Miner’s Right is from “Series J, Book No. 3, ticket “No. 15”. A “Colony of Victoria” coat of arms is displayed at the top of the document. An insignia runs along the lefthand side of the license featuring coat of arms with a kangaroo and emu, then a miner’s pick and shovel, two crossed Union Jack flags sit behind a monogram “VR” with a hanging set of scales supported by a sword. "By Authority Robt. S. Brain, Government Printer.""Series J. Book No. 3 Five Shillings. No. 15. Colony of Victoria. Miner's Right"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, james collins, australian goldfields, miner's rights, the history of ballarat, gold rush

The wooden pricing stamps are part of the 'Mann' collection at the Wodonga Historical Society and were used in the J. Mann & Sons General Store in Wodonga High Street, prior to the introduction of the decimal currency in Australia in 1966. J. Mann and Sons was first established as a farm produce store in 1921. The range of products was extended in the 1930s and included groceries and hardware, as well as the first petrol bowser in Wodonga outside the store. After WWII, the premises were extended and the range of products continued to increase. In the 1960s the Mann Family opened a new supermarket in Wodonga, in addition to the hardware business, providing steel, plumbing and industrial supplies, and they employed over 100 people at one stage. With changes in the retail industry, the Mann Family sold the main hardware business to Bunnings and the steel and rural produce business to the Kelly brothers in 2006.The collection of wooden pre-decimal pricing stamps have local significance due to their use in the J. Mann & Sons General Store in High St, Wodonga pre-1966, and their association with the prominent Mann family in Wodonga. They also have national and international significance as examples of the use of the pre-decimal currency system in commerce/local businesses.Six wooden pre-decimal pricing stamps from the J. Mann & Sons General Store, Wodonga which are part of a large collection of wooden pricing stamps. The pre-decimal prices are printed in black on a circular white background at one end and at the other end, the embossed/raised price is used for the stamp. The letter 'd' in some of the prices stands for pence and comes from the Latin 'denarius.Pre-decimal prices.mann, general store, high street, wodonga, commerce, local business, pricing stamps, pre-decimal currency, j. mann & sons