The article covers the Bendigo RSL's efforts to have a Memorial Monument erected to Honor Ex Servicemen and Women in Campaigns WW2 onwards. It would be a 3.5 Metre Granite structure. $16,000 had been raised at this point, another $4,000 was needed. It would be placed in front of the Soldiers Memorial Institute Building in Pall Mall Bendigo. Ernie Jackman was the Bendigo RSL Appeals Officer and Chairman of the Memorial Committee. Refer Cat No 8133.2P for his RSL work. Refer Cat No 8245.2Article from a newspaper, all black print, photo at the top showing a boy and a man looking over a model of a monument followed by the article.On the top in red ink, "10.7.1992"brsl, smirsl, article, monument

The Poppy Appeal is conducted yearly leading up to Remembrance Day November 11th. This Appeal and the following 5 Appeals through to 2008 were all conducted from the Soldiers Memorial Institute in the old kitchen which was demolished as part of the Restorations during 2016 - 18.Certificate, frame is timber black colour, certificate in colour has white background with ornate edge with RSL Logo at the top followed by "Returned & Service's League of Australia (Victorian Branch) Inc".Under is the detail of the award, signed and dated with Red Seal in RH Corner."Awarded to Bendigo RSL - Sub Branch - Top seller 2003 Poppy Appeal Country area - 31st January 2004"brsl, smirsl, poppy appeal

This sign was situated outside the Soldiers Memorial Institute building in Pall Mall Bendigo. It was in the centre space of the Portico. It was taken down approximately 1999 - 2000 due to damage. It was then put in storage and when the Renovations were completed to the SMI in 2018 it was then placed in what is now the Building/RSL/history room of the Bendigo Military Museum SMI.Sign, timber rectangular shape construction, illuminated face on both sides, faces are yellow background with red text "RSL BENDIGO", illumination is via one globe, at the top are two eyelets for holding in place.brsl, smirsl, sign, rsl bendigo

“A Century of Service. The Events, People and Places that shaped The RSL in Bendigo 1915 - 2015 “, By "Murray Poustie". The Author served on the Committee of the Bendigo District RSL from 2003 - 2009. He was Treasurer for 4 years. He also served on a number of Sub Committees, House and Finance, Welfare, Commemorative (Chair of) and the Memorial Walls. He is also Returning Officer and a Sub Branch Historian. Murray was made a Life Member 2019. Within the subjects, brsl, smirsl, a large amount of the information supplied re people, events, life membership, committee, dates/times were from this book. Soft cover book. Cover- cardboard ,red, blue and white print on front, spine and back. Background illustration, blue colour tones. The Memorial Hall, Pall Mall C1924 with image of a soldier on front. The Memorial Hall 2014 with 2 x RSL badges in colour on back. Inside cover- end papers- illustrated collage of images in colour. 239 pages. Paper, cut, plain, white. Illustrated block and white photographs, graphs and certificates smirsl, brsl, century, service

These four tins were used to make the ANZAC Day rum and coffee at the Soldiers Memorial Institute Hall to be served after the Dawn Service. (Bendigo RSL Sub - Branch) It was brewed on the electric stoves in the old kitchen on the side of the building. It was made from Chicory Essence coffee, milk and a small amount of water, a bottle of Rum was added to each when near ready. These were used for many, many years up until about 2006 when new containers were used. The old kitchen was removed in the Renovations to SMI in 2016 - 2018 as it was not part of the original building..1) - .4) Kerosene tins, metals, open at one end.brsl, smirsl, rum, coffee

This item was most likely presented to the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch at the Soldiers Memorial Institute. Given the style of the photograph it is possibly mid 1950"s.Photograph colour enhanced portrait of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in a light yellow colour carboard backing. Text in black above and below the photograph."Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth", "Presented by Bendigo RSL Womens Auxiliary"brsl, smirsl, her majesty, auxiliary, wabrsl

.2 & .3) these are issued to next of kin of soldiers who never returned from the Great War. Refer Cat No’s 1794, 1791.2, 1792P. Walter was from Bendigo Victoria and enlisted in NZ..1) Certificate re the award of "Mention in Despatches" to Lce-Cpl W Peake in a gilded wood frame. .2) Memorial Scroll re W Peake. Parchment paper with Coat of Arms at the top, the text is standard for all Scrolls with space at the bottom for individual names. Mounted in a wood frame with a section at the bottom for more details. .3) Memorial letter from the King on cream coloured paper, red coat of arms at the top, text is standard for all these letters. Mounted in a wood frame. .1) "New Zealand Force, No 6/1688 Lce-Cpl W Peake, 1st Bn Canterbury R" .2) "Cpl Walter Peake Canterbury Inf Regt N.Z.E.F". "Died of Wounds 1.6.1917" .3) " Buckingham Palace, George I"documents - certificates, letters, military history, memorial scroll, mention in dispatches

The letters are all related to William John Turner being recommended for a "Life Membership" of the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch. .1) Appears to be a final one although not officially signed. .2) .3) These are possibly earlier versions of .1) Cat No 8029 is a framed copy. Cat No 8030 is TURNERS Life Membership and his volunteer/committee work with the Sub Branch as well as his WW1 service history..1) Letter, paper with the letter head of the "Returned Sailors, Soldiers & Airman's Imperial League of Australia" Bendigo Sub Branch, all type/print in black signed in blue pen. .2) Letter paper typed in black and dated. .3) Letter paper typed in black and dated..1) "Bendigo Sub Branch 13th May 1954" - "Re: TURNER W.J" .2) "Memorial Hall Pall Mall Bendigo May 1954" .3) Same as .2)brsl, smirsl, letter, recommendation

John Kerr Barnes. Life Membership is a nomination by the Sub - Branch. Jack as known was first elected to the Committee of the Bendigo Sub - Branch in 1955 and held that position until he was elected to the position of Secretary in 1964 and held that till he retired in 2005 (43 years) the entire time he did this from the Soldiers Memorial Institute which was the HQ of the Bendigo Sub Branch. He then became a Museum guide at the Soldiers Memorial Institute until his death in 2011. He was also involved in fund raising particularly the stall they had at the Bendigo Show and the Melbourne Cup sweep the Branch had. He was also awarded a Life Membership with Gold badge 1988, Meritorious Service Medal 1989 (Highest award in the RSL), RSL Licensed Sub - Branch Hall of Fame 2002, State certificate of Appreciation 2006. He is the highest awarded member of the Bendigo Branch. Jack initially enlisted as V25001 in the CMF then transferred to the AIF as VX116316 at age 19 years on 25.2.1941. At discharge from the Army on 12.6.1946 he held the rank of Pte in 2/1st Australian Motor Ambulance Convoy W/shops.Certificate framed, frame is timber light brown colour, certificate is yellow colour with gold RSL logo at the top followed by details of the award of "Life Membership" of the National Branch of the RSL Australia, all print in black, signed and red seal at RH side bottom."Life Membership has been awarded to Mr J.K. Barnes - Bendigo Sub Branch (Vic)" "Dated at Canberra - eleventh - September 1969" Signed "A.J. Lee" National President. Signed "A.G. Kiyl" (?) National Secretary.brsl, smirsl, life member

Bendigo's Cenotaph by Dacre Smyth 1988. Bendigo's War Memorial in the city centre is a half size replica of the famous Cenotaph in London. Some 4-1/2 metres high, the Bendigo RSL President described it as the best country Memorial in Australia during its rededication just before ANZAC Day 1988 following its extensive refurbishment. It had first been dedicated in June 1957 and it is normally flood lit at night. It is not known for sure when the painting was donated to the Bendigo RSL but it was hanging in the Foyer years before the Soldiers Memorial Institute became a Museum in 1998. Frame - Light timber, gold trim, no glass. Original coloured oil painting of the Cenotaph, Bendigo in foreground with Charing Cross buildings & fountain in the background. Label black print on gold bottom centre: "Bendigo's Cenotaph" Rear of painting hand written in black felt pen & black ink: "History of the Cenotaph by Dacre Smyth, 1988" cenotaph, bendigo, painting, brsl, smirsl

This item was hung in the Gallery of Honour, foyer of the Soldiers Memorial Institute since 11.11.1929. Commissioned by Drum Major WM DARWIN to comrades & citizens of his native city, Bendigo. After closure of the SMI for renovations 2016 - 18 the item was placed in what is now called the "Building and RSL History Room" William Darwin No 780 enlisted on 18.8.1914 age 22 years in G Coy 7th BN AIF. Embark for Eygpt 19.10.1914, Hospital 15.3.1915 - 3.5.1915, embark for Gallipoli 5.4.1915, promoted to Act/Sgt 28.8.1915, on 28.9.1915 he was buried in an explosion and dug out 3/4 hours later, was unconcious for 2/3 days and had a leg wound. In amongst this he appears to have got Typhoid and never comes out of Hospital till 13.3.1916. He is returned to Australia and discharged medically unfit classed "Shell Shock".Rectangular dark brown ornate frame with glass, displaying a luminous painting. Pictured are 2 torches, a cross, a ship & a battlefield scene.“AIF. Bendigo Mourns Its Dead. Lest We Forget”brsl, smirsl, honors

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

The mine was the “Hustlers Royal Reserve Mine No 2” and was closed in 1912. The Soldiers Memorial Institute was erected on the mine site and opened on 15.11.1921 and occupied by the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch/Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Inc since then. The mine shaft capped sits about centre of the building.Two gloss coloured prints on fibre board backing. Top photo tinted of Alexander Fountain, Charing Cross and Pall Mall Bendigo. Gold mine poppet head and buildings on left hand side. 53464 VJ printed on R.H.S. bottom. Bottom photo black and white of Panorama of Pall Mall., Bendigo, Vic. Soldiers Memorial on left hand side occupying old gold mine site.“The Southern Cross Series 10399. Copyright on bottom L.H.S. Panorama of Pall Mall, Bendigo on R.H.S. bottom”brsl, smirsl, hustlers

Bendigo Town Hall - The Bendigo Choral Society - Eighth Grand Concert, 8th July 1919. (Net proceeds for Soldiers' Memorial Institute.) Artists: Miss Winnie Mayberry, Dorothy Penfold, A.R.C.M., Myrtle Knight, Mr. John Danks. Conductor: Mr. W C Frazier, A.R.C.O. Pianiste: Miss Muriel Hyett, L.A.B. Admission- 2/2 Reserved. 1/1 Ordinary. Subscribers may book at flights on and after 3rd July without extra fee. Holders of 2/2 tickets may also book without fee. Holders of 1/1 tickets may book paying the difference, 1/1. Patron: His Worship the Mayor Cr. Ambrose Dunston. President: Mr. H M Leggo. Vice-Presidents; Sir John Quick, Cr W Beebe, Mr. Oscar Flight, Mr. E S Cahill, Mr. D Berriman, Mr. A L Bolton, Mr. G E Bolton, Dr W J Long, Dr O Penfold, Mr. J G Oliphant, Mr. Alf E Wallis, Mr. A Whitehead, Mr. W Watts. From the performing Members: Mr. E H Collett, Mr. A W McGibboney. Conductor: Mr. W C Frazier, A.R.C.O. Sub-Conductor: Mr. E A Miller. Pianiste: Miss Muriel Hyett, L.A.B. Treasurer: Mr. W H Dolphin. Librarians: Mr. R J Druid and G L McCoy. Auditors: Mr. H T Bayton & Mr. D H Holden. Committee Office Bearers with Mesdames T Scott & Chisholm & Misses Colgan, Gail Field & Wheaton & Messrs. Sleeman, Jeffery, McClure, Brown, F J Walter & Frank Wittscheibe. Programme. 'Gloria' 12th Mass, 'Allegro Moto Vivace', 'My Heart is Weary', 150th Psalm, 'Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind', 'Land of Hope and Glory', 'Resting Place', 'Vesta', 'Hungarian Rhapsody', 'Eri tu' (Un Ballo in Maschera), 'O, Little Snowflake', 'Ave Maria', 'The Hunting Song', 'God Bless Our Splendid Men.' The Bendigo Choral Society. Has for its primary object, the desire of giving all those interested in this beneficial branch of Musical Culture, the opportunity of learning by becoming members, and hearing by becoming subscribers, the fine Choral works of the great composers. We feel that the splendid qualities of our gifted conductor, Mr. W C Frazier, are becoming more and more known to the public of Bendigo, and it is the constant Endeavour of . . . .Bolton Bros. Printers Bendigoprogram, theatre, the bendigo choral society

The Bendigo East Primary School was opened in 1915. In 1916 it was decided to plant an ANZAC Avenue of trees and this was completed on 16 June 1916. The plaques were placed after WW1. The school was closed in 1998 and the plaques were relocated to the nearby White Hills Secondary College in Napier Street on this board. In the early 2000's the Honour Board was donated to what is now called the Bendigo Military Museum. One hundred years after planting, later in 2016 the trees were removed in controversial circumstances. On the board 8 never returned, there is 1 x "DCM" winner, 1 x "MC" winner and 1 x "MM" winner. There are 3 x Wright Brothers of which 2 never returned. The plaque states that the soldiers attended the school which is obvious they could not have due to the opening date. The following Heritage report suggests that the names were of individual soldiers who lived in the area. EXTRACT FROM HERITAGE COUNCIL VICTORIA 2016 SUBMISSIONS HEARING “The Bendigo East School (‘the school’) was officially opened by Mr Frank Tate, Director of Education, on 7 April 1916. Approximately two months later, on 16 June 1916, Arbor Day was celebrated at the school with the planting of an ‘Anzac Avenue’ along a path from the front gate on Strickland Road (‘the pathway’) to commemorate the landing of soldiers at Gallipoli. The school’s ‘Anzac Avenue’ was one of an estimated 37 known to have been planted by school children throughout Victoria during mid-1916 as part of a program led by the Education Department, which included a recommendation to schools on 18 May 1916 that commemorative avenues be planted (‘the 1916 plantings recommendation’). At around this time, avenues of honour were also planted across Victoria to commemorate fallen WWI soldiers (‘the wider commemorative plantings phenomenon’). There were other commemorative plantings at the Place away from the pathway (‘the other commemorative plantings’). Anzac Day was celebrated at the Place in the years subsequent to 1916 and on 11 December 1920 the school’s ‘Anzac Avenue’ was officially opened. Embossed copper plates, mounted on wood, were fixed in front of the trees in memory of individual soldiers from the district who had seen active service in WWI. There is evidence that as many as 32 plaques may have been made and affixed (‘the name plaques’). Plaques were removed from their locations at some stage before 1964, mounted on a board and displayed in the school building. These are now located and displayed at Bendigo Sub - Branch of the Returned Services League.” EAST BENDIGO HONOUR BOARD – COPPER PLAQUES (27 PLAQUES in total). 1. 2441 CPL G.V. LE KIM 60th BATT. M.M. (George Vincent LEE-KIM, born in Bendigo, Awarded Military Medal. RTA. NOK Father’s Address: C/- Strickland Rd, Bendigo). 2. 3821 PTE. E.B. HEM 20TH BATT. (Edward Bert Hem born in Bendigo. RTA. NOK Mother’s address: White Hills Post Office). 3. 3513 PTE. C.A. FOLEY 57th BATT. (Charles Albert Foley born in Bendigo. RTA. NOK Father’s address: Wilkie Street, Bendigo). 4. 5241 PTE. G. E. WRIGHT 6th BATT. † (George Edwin Wright born in Bendigo. KIA 8/12/1916. NOK Father’s address: 55 Charleston Rd. Bendigo).   5. 2663 L.CPL. N. E. DAVIS 60th BATT. (Norman Edward Davis born in Footscray. RTA. NOK Mother’s address: 193 Strickland Rd. Bendigo). 6. PTE. A. MOOG 16-6th BATT. † (5143 Adolph Moog born in Bendigo. Died of wounds received in action 8/12/1916, NOK Father’s address: Municipal Yards, Bendigo.) 7. 6515 SGT. W.A. BIRCHMORE DCM 11TH BATT. FIELD ARTILLERY (William Albert Birchmore born in Bendigo. Awarded DCM. RTA. NOK Mother’s address: Butler Street, California Gully) 8. 3924 PTE. J.P. NEWMAN 5TH BATT. † (392 (NAA) James Pausey Newman. Born in Bendigo. KIA 25/7/1916. NOK Father’s address Strickland Road, Bendigo) 9. 4865 PTE. H. T. NUGENT 5TH PIONEER BATT. † (also 4765 Hector Thomas Nugent born in Bendigo. KIA 26/11/1916. NOK Mother’s address: 55 Charleston Rd Bendigo). 10. 835 PTE. C.J. WRIGHT 7TH BATT. † (825(NAA) Charles Julian Wright. Born in Bendigo. KIA at Gallipoli 25/4/1915 NOK Father’s address 55 Charleston Rd Bendigo) 11. 5242 PTE. T.S. WRIGHT M.M. 6TH BATT. (Thomas Stanley Wright born in Bendigo. RTA. NOK Father’s address: 55 Charleston Road, Bendigo). 12. 13111 PTE. R.I. LEE 5TH FIELD AMBCE (19111 Robert Irwin Lee. Born in Kilcunda, Vic. RTA. NOK Wife’s address C/- Barnard Street, Bendigo)   13. 3731 DRIVER T.S. BROWN 5TH BATT.† (Thomas Sheridan Brown born in Bendigo. Died in the Field in France of Heart Failure. NOK Father’s address: Mundy Street, Bendigo). 14. 60999 PTE. J. SPENCE 5th BATT. (John Spence born in Bendigo. RTA. NOK Father’s address: 99 Talbot St, Brunswick) 15. 5127 PTE. S.A. LOY 7TH BATT. (Samuel Arthur John Loy. Born in White Hills, Bendigo. RTA Medical discharge. NOK Wife’s address C/- Hargreaves St Bendigo.) 16. 1649 PTE. A.M. HUTCHINSON 60TH BATT. (Alexander Morton Hutchison. (Note different spelling) born in Bendigo. RTA. NOK Mother’s address Wilkie Street, Bendigo). 17. 3035 PTE. R.J. FLACK 10TH – 7TH BATTs. † (Robert John Flack born in Bendigo. KIA France 17/8/1916. NOK Father’s address: Strickland Road, Bendigo). 18. 4558 PTE. J.J. O’BRIEN 60TH BATT.† (John James O’Brien born in Glenalbyn, Vic. KIA 28/9/1917. NOK Father’s address 68 Strickland Rd. Bendigo). 19. 5233 CPL. G. WHITTING MOTOR TRANSPT. COY. (George Whitting born in White Hills, Bendigo. RTA. NOK Mother’s address: 46 Baxter Street, Bendigo). 20. 5203 PTE. A.J. TATTERSALL 6TH BATTALION (Arthur James Tattersall born in Mandurang, Vic. RTA. NOK Wife’s address “Thornwell”, Bendigo East PO.)   21. 2ND LIEUT. K.G. EMONSON M.C. 38th BATT. (Keith Glanfield Emonson born in Sydney NSW. RTA – Medical discharge/ GSW head. NOK Father’s address: Strickland Road, Bendigo). 22. LIEUT. A.J. HAMPSON RAILWAY UNIT (Alfred John Hampson R/N 2300. Born in Bendigo. RTA. NOK wife’s address: 76 Addison St. Elwood, Vic). 23. 216 SIGNLR R.P. BROWN 38TH BATT † (Raymond Patrick Brown, born in Bendigo. KIA 28 May 1917. NOK. Mother’s address: 138 Mundy Street, Bendigo). 24. 15118 STAFF SGT. A. EMONSON 3RD L. H. F. AMBULANCE (Harry Allen Phipps Emonson born in Sydney NSW. RTA. NOK Father’s address Strickland Road, Bendigo, Vic). 25. 1724 CPL. L.J. CHAPPLE 5TH BATT. (Leslie John Chapple born in Bendigo. RTA. NOK Father’s address: Nolan Street, Bendigo) 26. 4557 PTE. E. O’BRIEN 60TH BATT. (Edward Charles O’ Brien, RTA. (NOK Father’s address: Strickland Rd, Bendigo). 27. 3557 SIGNLER F. H. LYALL 5TH BATT. (Francis Hubert Lyall born in Bendigo. RTA. NOK Father’s address: Strickland Rd, Bendigo). Honour Board, Bendigo East Primary School, timber backing with a white timber edging. At the top is a silver Rising Sun Badge with the dates in white "1914 & 1919". There are 27 bronze plaques, each has the Soldiers Regt Number, Name, Rank and Unit, for those that did not return there is a Cross added, if the Soldier won an award it is also added. At the bottom left hand corner is a brass plaque with details. Refer Aquisition for details. On the brass plaque, “These plaques were placed on the Avenue of trees at the school entrance on 20 December 1920. They were a memorial to those who enlisted from the Bendigo East School in the 1914 - 18 War. Mr R. J. Lee a Returned Soldier was Principal at this time”memorials-honour boards, military history-service records, metalcraft-bronze, east bendigo