Richard Bennett was the first born child of Richard Bennett and Ann Isabella Kirk in February 1828 in London England. His father was a silk weaver. His family came to Sydney in 1833 but then returned to England in 1837. Richard came out himself in 1843 when he undertook a training course on the care of sheep. He first visited Belfast in January 1846 and described it as being" The centre of a large squatting district". In 1853 he married Elizabeth Nicholson Watson at St Johns Church of England Belfast Victoria. They had 11 children, 6 registered in Victoria and the other 5 born in New South Wales. Richard's aunt (or sister some sources say) Isabella married into "Belfast Royalty" by marrying Lloyd Rutledge in 1852 and they built 'Cooinda' in 1855 and lived there. However, Lloyd apparently fell down the steps drunk one night in 1858 and broke his neck. Richard's brother Ryder Bennett was Rutledge's accountant. (William or Lloyd?) Richard's sister Matilda married James Mylne knight. Richard Bennett worked on a number of properties in the district as well as heading to New South Wales in 1858 -1870 then he returned to the Port Fairy Area. He established the River Shaw Wool Scouring establishment at Yambuk in 1876 but by 1879 he had moved his business to the banks of the Merri River Dennington. He retired in 1887 and lived the rest of his life in Warrnambool. He died on 11th September 1904. Richard Bennett wrote many letters to the local newspapers regarding the early history of the district in 1984 these letters were published under the title "Richard Bennett's Early Days of Port Fairy" A book named "Richard Bennett's Early Days of Port Fairy" was edited by Jan Crichett using his letters Early settler noted for his letters regarding the Early Days of Port FairyBlack and white portrait of gentleman with a squared collarpionner, bennett, richard, dennington., early days of port fairy, river shaw wool scouring

viii, 208 p., [17] p. of plates : ill., maps (lining-papers), ports ; 25 cm.non-fiction The diary of Sarah Midgley -- Letters -- The diary of Richard Skilbeck -- Afterword -- Richard Skilbeck's obituary.midgley, sarah, 1831-1893 -- diaries, skilbeck, richard, 1838-1924 -- diaries, frontier and pioneer life -- victoria, koroit (vic.) -- history -- sources, book

374 pages : illustrations, portraits ; 30 cm. Includes bibliographical references and indexnon-fictionA narrative of the pioneering women of Warrnambool and surrounding districts during the 1840’s-1910. Includes photographs, illustrations, paintings, bibliography, index.history &​ archaeology., society &​ social sciences., women -- victoria -- warrnambool -- biography., warrnambool (vic.) -- biography., warrnambool (vic.) -- history., australian, aboriginal australian, women pioneers, women aboriginal australian -- victoria, book

8vo; pp. x, 285; frontispiece, numerous b/w illustrations, plans and maps two of which are folding, index, appendices including "List of Purchasers at original land sale", "First Election List", "Subscription lists for both First Church of England and First Presbyterian Church", original blue cloth, title in gilt on spinenon-fictionAboriginal resistance to settlement, Native Police Force, G.A. Robinsons proposal to re-settle Flinders Island people and extracts fom his 1841 expedition report. Contents I. The early navigators and explorers II. Sealers and whalers and tales of the sea III. The Hentys and Victoria's first permanent settlement IV. Early incidents and personalities V. Under government control Vi. Social life and activities VII. The story of the press VIII. Business, professions and industry IX. Hotels and roads X. Sport XI. Environs of Portland XII. Miscellaneous historical items.robinson, george augustus, 1791-1866., government policy - initial period and protectionism - 1788-1850., government policy - state and territory - victoria., law enforcement - police - native police., race relations - violent - massacres, murders, poisonings etc. - to 1900., sport., pioneers -- victoria -- portland., portland (w vic sj54-11), portland (vic.) -- history., book

xv, 619 pages ; 23 cm.1 v 225x160: indexnon-fictionSweeping history of public and private life in Melbourne's Establishment during the mid-to late 19th century. Contains extensive biographical entries, a bibliography, an index, and appendices which include lists of landowners in 1879 and club members.elite (social sciences) -- australia -- victoria -- history., upper class -- australia -- victoria -- history., elite (social sciences), manners and customs., upper class., victoria -- social life and customs., victoria., upper classes history, victoria, elite (social sciences) -- virginia -- history., upper classes -- victoria -- history., social classes -- victoria -- history -- 19th century., upper class -- victoria -- history -- 19th century., upper classes -- victoria -- history -- 19th century., elite (social sciences) -- victoria -- history -- 19th century., upper class -- victoria., elite (social sciences) -- victoria., upper class -- victoria -- history., elite (social sciences) -- victoria -- history., upper classes -- history., pioneers and pioneer life -- victoria., victoria -- social conditions -- 1834-1900., victoria -- social conditions -- history., victoria -- history -- 1851-1900., victoria -- social life and customs -- 1834-1900., social class, elites, social customs, history, book

152 pages : illustrations (some colour), maps ; 22 x 31 cm. Includes bibliographical references (pages 146-150) and index.This is the story of the sea baths in Victoria from earliest settlement in 1837. Their development and growth followed the prosperity of Victorian society for nearly a hundred years.baths, sea -- history., bathing beaches -- australia -- victoria -- history., public baths -- australia -- victoria -- history., public baths., sea., bathing beaches -- australia., public baths -- victoria -- 19th century., public baths -- victoria -- 20th century., sea -- australia -- victoria -- history., book

xix, 327 p. : ill., map, ports. ; 24 cm. Includes indexnon-fictionTime Gentlemen Please! : A History of Western District Inns 1840-1915 An historical record of the public houses, which flourished in Belfast and Western District during the timeframe, complete with licensees.bars (drinking establishments) -- victoria -- western district, victoria -- social life and customs -- 1901-1945, victoria -- social life and customs -- 1834-1900, book

vi, 207 pages : colour illustrations, maps. ; 21 x 30 cm. Includes bibliographic references. non-fictionThis title explores the complex relationships between the people and the place of Yambuk; the value of local knowledge and tells the stories of the Yambuk Lake, wetlands, rivers and catchment. Historic records and photographs are combined with the recollections of more than 20 people who know the lake.baxter, annie maria, 1816-1905., water quality management -- victoria -- yambuk lake., settlement and contacts - settlers., animals - fish - eels., gunditjmara /​ gurndidy /​ dhaurwurd-wurrung people (s20) (vic sj54-11), yambuk (vic.) -- social conditions., yambuk (vic.) -- history., yambuk lake (vic.), yambuk (w vic sj54-11), deen maar /​ lady julia percy island (w vic sj54-11), eumeralla (w vic sj54-11), peek wurrung people, book

224 pages, 19 pages of plates : illustrations (chiefly colour), colour facsimiles, colour portraits ; 27 cm.non-fiction“Abalone Pioneers is the Australian story of the divers, deckhands, researchers and processors who established and developed the zone's abalone industry. The book chronicles the amateur fisherman of the 1950s and the hazy crazy tribe of ‘scruffy longhairs’, who were attracted by the hedonistic lifestyle and fantastic profits in the 1960s, to the professional enterprise of today. It charts the development of the Victorian Western Abalone Divers Association and it role managing and protecting the Victorian Western Zone’s resources, and explores the successful diver-led commercial processors. Illustrated with over 100 historical photographs and featuring over 50 interviews, Abalone Pioneers is an exuberant and fascinating account of the establishment of one of Australia’s valuable but little-known fisheries.”--Back cover.western abalone divers association (victoria) -- history., divers -- victoria, western -- biography., abalone fisheries -- victoria, western -- history., abalone industry -- victoria, fishers -- victoria, abalones., fisheries -- victoria., sports &​ active outdoor recreation., local history., abalones -- victoria, western., abalone industry -- australia., deep diving., fisheries -- australia -- victoria., victoria, victoria., australian, book

368 pages, unnumbered and folded leaves of plates : illustrations (some colour), maps, portraits, plans ; 19 cmnon-fictionThe history of Warrnambool, capital of the western ports of Victoria, from 1847 (when the first government land sales took place) up to the end of 1886 / by Richard Osburne Other Authors, Fraser, Malcolm, 1930-2015, (author of introduction, etc.) Tylee Memorial Collectionvictoria. warrnambool, 1847-1886. facsimiles, government policy - initial period and protectionism., settlement and contacts - 19th century., mining industry - gold., race relations - violent - massacres, religions - christianity - missions., warrnambool (vic.) -- history., framlingham / purnim (w vic sj54-11), demography - census data, book

xxi, 283 p. : ill., facsims., map, ports. ; 23 cm. Includes index and bibliographical references: p. 264-273.non-fiction'I'm your half-brother and I'm here to stay. This is my home.' With these words Wilmot Abraham sought refuge with his white relations. 'Did you ever read your history?': Mrs. Mary Clarke remembers p. 1 'An old hand': Jim Cain p. 12 'I'm your half-brother, and I'm here to stay': Wilmot Abraham p. 36 The Three Pompeys The Written Record p. 48 Banjo Clarke's Stories p. 62 'Why did they take them away?': Lizzie and Henry McCrae p. 74 In Defence of Framlingham: Collin Hood p. 79 Double Dispossession: King David p. 107 James Dawson's Informants p. 137 'Why are we kept prisoners here?': Ernest and Maggie Mobourne p. 148 'The old ones, they wouldn't tell us nothing': Mrs. Connie Hart's memories p. 181 'Breaking the cycle is the hard thing to do': Geoff Rose, a stolen child p. 200 Epilogue: James Dawson, Camperdown George and the Obelisk p. 220 The Hood Family p. 238 The Mobourne Letters p. 241 Abbreviations p. 252 Notes p. 252 Bibliography p. 264 Index p. 274 western district (vic.) -- colonization., aboriginal australians -- victoria -- western district -- history., aboriginal australians -- victoria -- western district -- interviews, race relations - racial discrimination., child welfare - child / parent separation - stolen generations., history - biographies - indigenous., book

School children celebrating Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Celebration 1887 at Yambuck two children in front dressed in army uniformSepia Photograph of Weatherboard building with children posed in front celebrating Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Celebration 1887"Queens Jubilee Celebration 21.6.1887 Yambuck"events, civil, celebration, queens jubilee, yambuk, queen victoria, school children, school

SE view from St Johns Tower 1973Black and white photograph of aerial view Caledonian & Victoria Hotels centre. Reardon theatre far leftst john's tower, tower, st johns, town, aerial, caledonian, victoria, hotel

The land for this building was granted to the Benevolent Society by James Atkinson in 1850. Tenders were being called for a new "Benevolent Asylum" in 1855, the foundation stone having been laid and by 1856 the first part of the Hospital was completed. This photo taken in 1860 shows the very first building made from local bluestone. The hospital is thought to be the first such building in VictoriaBlack and white photograph of Bluestone 2 story building with verandah and paling fencehospital, institution

In 1858 Hugh Wallace , undertaker and cabinet maker, moved from the Assembly Rooms at the corner of Gipps street, and opened his new Bank Hotel in Sackville street, next door to the grand Bank of Australasia. The hotel seems to have been the favourite meeting place for many of the sporting organisations of the time , including the Football, Rowing, Athletic and Gymnastics clubs . The second licensee was Thomas Pearson, who came to Belfast in 1855, working first for the Harbour master Capt. John Mills , then as the first Assistant Lighthouse keeper when it was built in 1859 . He was promoted to Lighthouse keeper 2 years later. The hotel continued in business with a further 8 licensees until it closed in 1918. Since which it has housed a diverse number of businesses, collecting a veranda along the way. It is still in use in Sackville street today. Quite a few of the Licensees of Belfast seem to have also had an interest in the Funeral business. Possibly, it was a good commercial undertaking, the same people providing them with a living selling spirituous liquor, and when they died of the effects , paid again for their burial. Image of a hotel that no longer exists in this formBlack and white photograph of Two story hotel with multi panel window two men and a boy posing on footpathhotel, building, hugh wallace, bank of australasia, thomas pearson, sackville street

This card was probably used as an advertisement. (The Stag built 1848-1853.Land was purchased from Atkinson to build a licensed premises, it later became a boarding house also a boarding school now is used mainly as accommodation and also a Restaurant )Black and white photograph of a drawing of Seacombe House as Port Fairy College with large descriptionPort Fairy College (Boys and Girls) G.W.Ratten Headmaster. I qualified success in all kinds of examinations. Ninety five per cent passes obtained. Over 100 pupils already passed. Commercial classes a speciality. All the educational advantages combined with the pleasures of the seaside, bathing, shelling, beaches & c. Perfect climate. The Sanatorium of Victoria. Delicate pupils especially cared forhotel, stag, seacombe, inn, boarding school, sackville street, cox street

In 1844 a carpenter called David McLaws secured the lease on the land on the south west corner of James and Bank Streets. He later converted this to freehold by which time he had erected the Caledonian Inn. This building has been continually licensed since that time , and is believed to be the longest continual license held in Victoria. The dormer windows in the part of the building facing James street hide the fact that there is only a skeleton of rooms that were meant to be built there. They were unfinished because the labourers left town when gold was discovered at Ballarat in 1853. An advertisement for the time says “There were four parlours, a bagatelle room, eight bedrooms, a detached kitchen, stable and kitchen garden”. Well known hotel Thought to be the oldest continuously licenced hotel in VictoriaBlack and white photograph of 2 story building with dormer windows on corner hotel, building, james street, bank street, david mclaws

In 1844 a carpenter called David McLaws secured the lease on the land on the south west corner of James and Bank Streets. He later converted this to freehold by which time he had erected the Caledonian Inn. This building has been continually licensed since that time , and is believed to be the longest continual license held in Victoria. The dormer windows in the part of the building facing James street hide the fact that there is only a skeleton of rooms that were meant to be built there. They were unfinished because the labourers left town when gold was discovered at Ballarat in 1853. An advertisement for the time says “There were four parlours, a bagatelle room, eight bedrooms, a detached kitchen, stable and kitchen garden”. Well known Hotel thought to be the longest continuous licenced hotel in VictoriaBlack and white photographhotel, bank street, port fairy, james street, building

Built in 1856 The Star of the West was to be the first of many "Stars" throughout Victoria but John Walwyn Taylor died in 1860 at the age of 40 years having built only one. Cobb and Co had a livery stables Photograph with added features such as a red and white striped verandah The Star of the West Hotelhotel, port fairy, bank street, sackville street, star of the west, john walwyn taylor, cobb and co

Thomas and Margaret Maria Bermingham came to Australia from County Kildare in 1854. By 1856 Thomas was doing business as a Shoemaker in a three roomed dwelling with workshop and garden in Bank street. The stone hotel building was erected in 1867, and named Bermingham’s Victoria Hotel where he conducted the business with his wife. Thomas Bermingham died suddenly in 1874 only 48 years old. His wife continued to run the hotel until 1901. It was not unusual for women to run hotels at this time, although they had to be widowed To be granted a license.. John Maloney took up the license but the hotel closed in 1909. The building still stands and has been renovated Photograph of a building in Bank Street possibly the late 1800'sBlack and white photograph of weatherboard building with two multi panel windows 2 females and 2 males on footpathhotel, building, bermingham, bank street, john maloney

Nathanial Billing was born in Brightwell Oxfordshire England on 5th May 1821. He emigrated to Australia on the ship 'Ballarat' in 1853 on arrival in Victoria he entered Government service and worked in the Warrnambool and Belfast districts until 1857. He then left the Public Service and commenced private practice. In 1850 Nathaniel and Henrietta Heybourne were married on July 17 at Hillingdon Parish, Middlesex, England. In Belfast Victoria he designed St Johns Church of England, the Bank of Australasia, and worked on St Patricks Catholic church from plans by English architect Hansom. He died on January 29 1910 in St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. Architect of 3 significant public buildings in Belfast/Port FairyBlack and white portrait of gentleman with black full beard and striped cravatpioneer, settler, portrait, people, architect, st johns church of england,, st patricks catholic church, bank of australasia, nathanial billing

Victoria (580 tons) was the first warship to be built in England for a British colony. Designed by the British naval architect Oliver Lang she was launched in London on 30 June 1855 by Lady Constance Talbot. Arrived in Australia 1856. Out of service 1882 and broken up in 1895 Visited Port Fairy 1859, 1862 and 1873 (twice) Black & white photographvictoria, war ship, ship, navy, lady constance talbot

Victoria (580 tons) was the first warship to be built in England for a British colony. Designed by the British naval architect Oliver Lang she was launched in London on 30 June 1855 by Lady Constance Talbot. Arrived in Australia 1856. Out of service 1882 and broken up in 1895 Visited Port Fairy 1859, 1862 and 1873 (twice) First warship to be built in England for a British colony. Black & white photographwarship, hmvs victoria

Built in 1895 in Dunbarton 411 tons Coastal steamer between NSW & Victoria 1902-1935 Used in Port Fairy 1925 SPHENE built by Scotts Bowling, Yard No 115 Engines by Muir & Houston, Glasgow Last Name: DELLIE (1935) Propulsion: steam compound C2cy 1-screw 65nhp Launched: Saturday, 02/11/1895 Built: 1895 Ship Type: Coaster Tonnage: 411grt, 159nrt Length: 142.5 feet Breadth: 25.1 feet Draught: 10.7 feet depth Owner History: William Robertson, Glasgow 1902 B Byrnes Ltd, Sydney NSW 1918 Roy G Cowlishaw, Sydney 1919 Australian Steamships Pty Ltd (mng Howard Smith Ltd), Sydney 1935 A Auland, Sydney 1937 Aulco Pty Ltd, Sydney Status: Wrecked - 24/08/1941 Remarks: ON 105964 Completed: November 1895 Struck reef near Danger Point NSW and beached south of Tweed Heads (Hobart for BrisbaneBlack and white photographship, steamer, ss sphene

Black and white photograph of craggy outcrops with turbulent seas washing into a bayThe Rose Series p. 1133 the Crags near Port Fairy Victoriabeach, sea, seascape, rocks

Black and white photograph of a rocky outcrop with two large holes through, sandy dune and sea in backgroundThe Rose Series p. 1132 The Crags near Port Fairy Victoriabeach, sea, seascape, rocks

Cr J Ritchie came from Scotland at Hobart in 1833 having been 9 months on the outward journey. he took up land at South Esk and remained there for 6 years.later on advice of the Henry brothers he came to Victoria and after a preliminary inspection of the land charted the brig “William” and with all of his possessions, including 2000 sheep and two servants he arrived in Portland Bay in January 1840 and as he already held a squatting licence No 230 became a settler in the district. he moved along the coast toward Goose Lagoon but due to a drought the water had dried up and forced him to move further eastward to the Upeer Hopkins but the lack of any but brackish water he was forced to return to Aringa. Aringa comprised of 26,000 acres between the Shaw and Moyne Rivers, 640 acres became freehold at one pound and acre with the right to take up leasehold at a low rate according to the number of stock. At Aringa he designed and built his first home part of which still stands today. He married Sarah Elizabeth Davis in 1852 at Weerongurt Station (Mr John Cox’s property). Mrs Ritchie died in 1920. he was elected Shire of Belfast President for the periods of 1866-67 and 1869-70 John had originally chosen to practice law as his vocation in Scotland but abandoned law for the open air life and died at the age of 86 years in 1887 elected Shire of Belfast President for the periods of 1866-67 and 1869-70Black and white portrait photograph Cr J Ritchie 1866-67 1869-70belfast, president, council, portrait, government, shire, municipal, local-government

The curved path through the Botanical Gardens at Port Fairy. The Port Fairy Botanical Gardens were formed in 1856 making it one of the earliest gardens in Victoria. The first curator was James Prior, he was paid fifty-two pounds per annum. He was an outstanding curator having been apprenticed to the trade in England at the age of 12, his brother Edward in later years was the Curator of the Koroit Gardens. Prior retired in 1903. During the years of his curatorship Port Fairy was said to have the best gardens outside the city of Melbourne, he was constantly in touch with Baron Von Mueller and later Guilfoyle of the Royal Botanical Gardens of Melbourne. In the early years plants from all over the world were planted here with varying rates of success many of them sent by Baron Von Mueller. In the 1930’ and 40’s the gardens were still very beautiful, and the curator was Roy Manuell. The beautiful iron gates at the entrance were destroyed in the 1946 floods and were replaced in 1989 using some of the material from the original gates. From the 1950’s on the gardens went into a state of decline, much being taken up by the caravan park until in 1986, after a public meeting ‘Friends of the Gardens’ was founded when the entrance section was restored. Black & white panoramic landscape of the paths and garden beds of the Botanical GardensPort Fairy Gardens W. Scottbotanical, garden, paths, trees

One of the large cannons located in Port Fairy in reply to the threat from foreign invaders. Originally located in the fort on Battery Hill they migrated to various destinations around the town. One of the two originally located at King George Square found its way to the gardens where it occupied several locations before resting at the car entrance to the Gardens - possibly when the Avenue of Honour was planted in Bourne Avenue. A great favorite with the kids of the town, both have now been returned to their original location where they are currently having their carriages refurbished. The Port Fairy Botanical Gardens were formed in 1856 making it one of the earliest gardens in Victoria. The first curator was James Prior, he was paid fifty-two pounds per annum. He was an outstanding curator having been apprenticed to the trade in England at the age of 12, his brother Edward in later years was the Curator of the Koroit Gardens. Prior retired in 1903. During the years of his curatorship Port Fairy was said to have the best gardens outside the city of Melbourne, he was constantly in touch with Baron Von Mueller and later Guilfoyle of the Royal Botanical Gardens of Melbourne. In the early years plants from all over the world were planted here with varying rates of success many of them sent by Baron Von Mueller. In the 1930’ and 40’s the gardens were still very beautiful, and the curator was Roy Manuell. The beautiful iron gates at the entrance were destroyed in the 1946 floods and were replaced in 1989 using some of the material from the original gates. From the 1950’s on the gardens went into a state of decline, much being taken up by the caravan park until in 1986, after a public meeting ‘Friends of the Gardens’ was founded when the entrance section was restored. Black & white photograph of the Large cannon situated in the Botanical GardensBotanical Gardens Port Fairybotanical, garden, cannon

Entrance to Port Fairy Botanical Gardens. The Port Fairy Botanical Gardens were formed in 1856 making it one of the earliest gardens in Victoria. The first curator was James Prior, he was paid fifty-two pounds per annum. He was an outstanding curator having been apprenticed to the trade in England at the age of 12, his brother Edward in later years was the Curator of the Koroit Gardens. Prior retired in 1903. During the years of his curatorship Port Fairy was said to have the best gardens outside the city of Melbourne, he was constantly in touch with Baron Von Mueller and later Guilfoyle of the Royal Botanical Gardens of Melbourne. In the early years plants from all over the world were planted here with varying rates of success many of them sent by Baron Von Mueller. In the 1930’ and 40’s the gardens were still very beautiful, and the curator was Roy Manuell. The beautiful iron gates at the entrance were destroyed in the 1946 floods and were replaced in 1989 using some of the material from the original gates. From the 1950’s on the gardens went into a state of decline, much being taken up by the caravan park until in 1986, after a public meeting ‘Friends of the Gardens’ was founded when the entrance section was restored. Sepia landscape of the gates to the Botanical Gardens (taken on a slant)Post card - correspondence-Addressbotanical, garden, park, griffith street, gates