Thomas H Fagan of Walbundrie NSW served in 105 General Transport Company during WWII. Following service in Syria and Egypt the unit sailed for home but was diverted to Java, Dutch East Indies where they became part of Blackforce. The Japanese following up their success in Singapore overran Jave and Blackforce went into captivity. Fagan spent a short time at Changi then nearly three years on the Burma Railway. He lost a leg to tropical ulcers but survived the war return to Australia at the end of hostilities.A document worthy of preservation and public access.World War diary typed by the diarist from notes kept at great risk throughout his imprisonment by the Japanese 1942-1945. Transcribed 2018 by Albury historian Jan Hunter and published by Albury & District Historical Society as Booklet No 31 in limited hard copy for district Libraries and Schools.diary, prisoner of war, burma, railway, changi

The trowel and mallet set was purchased by Mr Swanson, the builder of the Maryborough (Victoria) Railway Station prior to the planned ceremony for the laying of the foundation stone. Duncan Gillies. the Victorian Premier, was to lay the foundation stone, but his government was defeated in the week before the scheduled ceremony. The trowel and mallet set was never used. This set was held by the Maryborough Borough (later City) Council and lay unidentified for almost 120 years until a receipt from the jeweller was discovered. The set was donated to the Maryborough Midlands Historical Society in 2010.Ceremonial trowel and mallet set in brown leather covered presentation case with blue satin lining. Trowel has silver blade with cream handle possibly bone. Mallet cream, possibly bone. H. NEWMAN/Jeweller/MELBOURNE

Class Leader of the R Class Steam Locomotive, designed by the Victorian Railways and manufactured in Glasgow, Scotland by the North British Locomotive Company. One of 70 Locomotives constructed from 1951 to 1954, becoming the last steam mainline express passenger locomotive on the Victorian Railways. The first 4-6-4 wheel arrangement used by the V.R. Replica Builder's Plate for Steam Locomotive R700 Key TagLocomotive R700 North British Locomotive Company Ltd. Glasgow 1950 No. 26994builder's plate, victorian railways, steam locomotive, r class, north british locomotive company

The travel pass was used by Victorian Railways to ascertain that the bearer was indeed a blind person and entitled to free travel. This example was numbered 1741 and was issued in the name of Mr N.L. Walker. It outlines that the pass is used by a blind person for free travel on suburban journeys and half price fares on country or intersystem journeys.1 rectangular travel pass with red cloth cover and black textvictorian railways, association for the blind

Update on activities for the year including : retirement of Principal F.C. Douglas and upcoming retirement of Matron Dunell affording opportunity to align management of these services under a single person, annual camping trip to Goulburn, and the Railway Hotel in Windsor raised over $11,000 to again win first place amongst hotel fundraisers.1 volume of text and illustrationsroyal victorian institute for the blind, corporation records

Articles in annual report include: purchase of a ski lodge with RVIB Ski Club (an independent body) managing the lodge, appointment of new principal P.J. Evans and Matron H McLaren, Sri Lankan association for the blind received older TBMs that were still working but being replaced, National Association for the Blind in Bombay also received TBMs and 3000 tapettes and the Railway Hotel in Windsor topped the hotel fundraising list.1 volume of text and illustrationsroyal victorian institute for the blind, corporation records

Cast iron numberplate (white on black background) mounted on wood, with a braille and a written nameplate which reads: "Presented by the Victorian Railways Commission to the R.V.I.B. School for Blind Railway Club. This number plate came from steam locomotive class A2 number 932, which hauled the 'Sydney Limited', the 'Overland' and mainline passenger trains during its 48 years of service that ended in 1961." Cast iron numberplate on wood royal victorian institute for the blind, rvib school

A black and white map of Victoria showing the railway lines where mail is transported and the individual towns listed next to the dot that provides location of such. Underneath is written "Map of Victoria showing the localities beyond the suburbs of Melbourne to which library books are sent to blind members. Books are carried over the railways FREE there is no charge to the readers." Through the work of Tilly Aston, braille postage was provided free by the Victorian Railways which greatly assisted the Braille Library in reaching members who resided outside of Melbourne. This map was produced to show the extent of the work by the Victorian Association of Braille Writers and the need for reading materials across the state.Paper of Victorian railway lines mounted in framevictorian association of braille writers, marketing

Book

'There are also a number of framed portraits, including those of...Dr. John Wilkinson, a doctor who started a practise in Bright in the late 1880's and helped develop the tourist potential of the Mount Buffalo Plateau. " (Pg 84, Historica, 2011) Dr John .F. Wilkinson was a significant figure in the pioneering of tourism at Mt Buffalo. A Doctor and resident of Bright, he and W.A. Staker were the founder members of the Bright Alpine Club formed in 1887 to promote the natural attractions of the Buffalo plateau. " They form the Alpine Club and charge a membership fee for guiding people up the mountain (led by official guides Bill Weston and Edward Carlisle). this is matched by a grant from the local shire council.... They advertise in the Argus and promote the Australian Alps, Bright district as "The Switzerland of Victoria'. Mt Buffalo, with the railways nearby, is the most accessible snowfield and becomes 'the cradle of skiing in Victoria'." (Pg 179 Historica . 2011) The initial funds raised by the Alpine club funded the Staker's walking track, the first easily accessible route up the mountain. . They engaged the services of early Victorian photographer Nicholas Caire, whose scenic photographs helped to promote the beauty of the mountain. The efforts of these gentlemen culminated in securing 2.800 acres for the one of the first National Parks in Victoria, 1898. Listed in Draft Inventory of significant Items. Framed sepia photograph. Grey mount in wooden frame. Portrait of Dr.J.F Wilkinson. Brass name plaque at base of frame. Hand finished / highlighted in places." DR J.F.WILKINSON"

Original Victorian Railways teapot, part of the silver service at Mt Buffalo Chalet. Part of Victorian Railways silver service. When the Victorian railways took over management of the Chalet from 1 October 1924, they ran their dining room and café in similar fashion to the dining cars on their trains and refreshment rooms on their stations, using the same ceramic hotel-ware and electro plated nickel silverware (EPNS), all made to order items that are clearly identified by the distinctive 'VR' monogram. The Chalet retains a good selection of the diverse range of EPNS item formerly used in the dining room..- which in all their variety and function help to interpret the dining room protocols of the 'tourist house' and the service provided by the Victorian Railways refreshment and Services Branch. Many of the items were manufactured by Stoke & Sons of Melbourne (est. 1856.)' (Pg. 103. Historica) Possibly once graced the chrome display cabinet.Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection items. Appendix A.3.Tableware. (Pg 166 Historica).Large electroplated teapot with "VR" engraved on one side. Handle features holes at base either end of join. Lid features a circular knob and scroll handle at front with a wooden insert. Teapot has flat wide circular base."EPNSSRS / MADE IN AUSTRALIA / STOKES & SONS / MELBOURNE / BOOMERANG PLATE / WARRANTED / HARD SOLDERED / 745 / VICTORIAN RAILWAYS"

Published by the Victorian Railways around 1929. "Over the years the VR Advertising Division published a number of booklets promoting Mount Buffalos winter sports and the restorative powers of its scenery in summer and winter." (Pg 119. Historica) This booklet provides a brief history of the Chalet and features excerpt from a speech by Dr Wilkinson. The beautiful graphic illustrates a tale of the Manfield brothers communicating nightly by fires to family in the valley. The artist is possibly James Northfield or Percy Trompf, whose lithographic posters and promotional material for the Railways were iconic of the time and promoting tourism in Australia was an important National enterprise. Listed in Draft Inventory of Significant Collection Items . Appendix A.3. Promotional material.. (Pg 168. Historica)."The Romance of Mt Buffalo" a brief history of the chalet from an address given by Dr. J.F. Wilkininson in Feb 1929. The booklet has a coloured cover depicting the Gorge at night with a man standing with two camp fires. x 2.Yes

"Melton has a long and celebrated history of horse breeding and racing. Draught horses were a crucial aspect of life in the early days of European settlement, and were heavily depended upon for both transport and agricultural labour. Peppercorn trees at the corner of Station and Brooklyn roads have been associated with a horse trough installed there to provide a drink to workhorses carting produce to the chaff mills and railway station south of Melton.20 Breeders, trainers and harness drivers in the area later became such an influential force in the equine industry that this came to be a defining aspect of the district’s identity and reputation.Pioneer of the Victorian horse racing industry and early Rockbank squatter William Cross Yuille was one of the earliest importers of stud racehorses in the district in the 1850s. A leading sports editor and writer, Yuille established bloodstock auctioning agency W. C. Yuille & Co. and was involved in the compilation of the first Australian Stud Book, which ensures the integrity of thoroughbred breeding in Australia. According to early Melton chronicler Alexander Cameron, horse races were first organised in the area by Rockbank farmer William Keating. Keating owned racehorses of his own, and many brought horses from Melbourne for the events, which ‘drew large gatherings’.22 Melton Racing Club meetings were held on the Exford Estate with the permission of H. W. Staughton, who built a small wooden grandstand in 1882. Other early races and sports meetings are said to have been held in the vicinity of the current-day Melton golf course.23 An 1884 article reported that Melton’s ‘race programme … equals any put forth by country towns of far greater size’. Ernest Clarke was another important figure in the early horse racing industry in Melton. He established the Melton Stud in 1902, which bred numerous successful racehorses. Perhaps most notably The Welkin, one of the most famous stallions in Australian horse racing in the early twentieth century. The Welkin sired Gloaming, bred by Clarke at the Melton stud in 1915 and one of Australia’s greatest champion racehorses. During a long and prestigious career in both Australia and New Zealand, Gloaming achieved a triumphant 57 wins out of 67 starts and won a record amount of prize money. Ken Cox purchased the Stockwell Stud in Diggers Rest in 1957 and developed it into one of the largest and most renowned thoroughbred breeders in Australia. With its top-class facilities, international design standards and scientific methods, Stockwell became ‘the flagship of the Victorian breeding industry’.26 As well as racing studs, numerous trotting tracks were established on the flat plains around Melton in the 1960s.27 Other studs to play a leading role in the development of Melton as thoroughbred country were Cornwall Park and Merrywood at Toolern Vale, St John’s Lane Stud at Diggers Rest and Birchwood, Teppo Park and Dreelburn in the far north-east of the shire, near Sunbury. By 1985, thoroughbred horse breeding was such big business in Melton that the shire council adopted the slogan ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, which was used throughout its promotional material.29 But the slogan contained deeper meaning and was not just about Melton’s great equine industry and thoroughbred champions, the council explained: ‘“Thoroughbred Country” should be seen as a new concept of Melton, as a place where people can achieve the “Thoroughbred” ideal, excellence in all aspects of life’. The aim of the council in promoting ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, was ‘to instil in present and future residents the feeling that this is a place that is better than others. A place to be proud of’. In 1988, Melton’s champion reinsman Gavin Lang won his 176th race of the season, claiming the national harness racing record for the most wins in a single season.The following year, the first Melton Plate was held at Moonee Valley Racecourse, cementing the district’s importance in the harness racing industry. The inaugural winner was Victorys Phil, owned by local Danny Mullan. By the 1990s, Melton had earned the title of the ‘Home of Harness Racing in Victoria’. State-of-the-art, world-class harness racing facility and entertainment complex Tabcorp Park opened in Melton in 2009. In 2011, the Shire of Melton was home to over 140 registered trainers and over 1,200 horses. The municipality’s continuing leadership and influence in the industry today is a testament to the skills, talents and leadership of the local community over its history".Shire of Melton pamphlet of a map and information of the equine industry in Meltoncouncil

A magazine featuring articles and news items from the Australian Railway Historical Society's Victorian Division. Each issue is in the same format and includes a coloured photograph on the cover.non-fictionNewsrail is a monthly railway magazine covering the railways and tramways of Victoria. This publication was launched in January 1973 by the Australian Railway Historical Society's Victorian Division. It replaced the Divisional Diary magazine which had been published since November 1957. It includes features on both rural and metropolitan railways and contains articles and photographic presentations. Our collection includes all issues from January until December 1974. This featured item from January 1974 includes an article and photograph of the Northeast Railway Centenary celebration train, R707, to Wodonga. The magazine is still in publication in 2023.locomotive r707, newsrail magazine, wodonga railway centenary

A magazine featuring articles, illustrations and images related to the development of the Victorian Railways and events taking place at the time of publication.A publication by the Australian Railway Historical Association. Victorian Division from November 1957 until December 1972. In 1973 it was superseded by the Newsrail Magazine which remains in publication. Some articles related to the Tasmanian rail network were also included.victorian railways, railways tasmania, railways history

3 Volumes of information to Victorian Railways Goods Rates under a range of categories. They have blue board covers and had cloth binding. Print on the cover and throughout the books is in black ink. Much of the information is in tabulated format.These 3 volumes were issued by the Victorian Railways to all railway stations outlining changes made to goods and freight rates to operate in Victoria as of 14th February 1966. They were significant publications as they itemised the first rates after the introduction of decimal currency to Australia.victorian railways, victorian railway rates

A blue covered document published on white paper outlining changes to rates on Victorian Railwaysnon-fictionThis is a manual issued by the Victorian Railways to all railway stations to outline changes made to passenger and freight rates to operate in Victoria as of 14th February 1966. These changes were significant as it itemised the first rates after the introduction of decimal currency to Australia.victorian railways, victorian railways -- rules and practice., public transport victoria, victorian railways fares and rates

A small booklet with a brown cover and a foreword section outlining the purpose of the publication. This copy has been covered in brown paper to protect the covered. The title has then been handwritten on the paper by the owner.fictionThis booklet was prepared by the executive committee of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen in order to assist its members to become proficient in the Rules and Regulations, Engine Working, Westinghouse Brake, and other subjects, which were essential for the proper performance of their daily duties, and to especially assist those who were preparing for examination for Driver's Certificate. It included a foreword written by W. C. H. COLLINS, General Secretary.vline safety, vline training, railways victoria, railway unions

2 booklets documenting Union regulations for railway employees, the 1979 publication on green paper and the 1987 publication on buff coloured paper. Both have staple binding on the spine.fictionThese handbooks document changes in industrial awards put in place to regulate the work conditions and safety in the railways. The 1979 Information Handbook was issued by the Central Council of Combined Railway Unions. The 1987 publication by the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen outlined the Locomotive Operating Grades Award as implemented by the Victorian State Transport Authority.vline safety, vline training, railways victoria, australian federated union of locomotive enginemen

This booklet is a small paperback of 27 pages including some images explaining the background of the Victorian Division of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen.fictionThis booklet was produced by the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen in 1975. On that date the Victorian Division of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen was 114 years old, making it the oldest continuous railway union in the world. It was formed as the Locomotive Engine Drivers' Association in 1861- just 7 years after the first railway, Flinders Street, Melbourne to Sandridge (now Port Melbourne) was officially opened. This booklet also marked the occasion of the first major renovations to the Union's premises and facilities since the building was completed in December 1914.australian federated union of locomotive enginemen, afule, railway unions

The Grindley Hotel Ware Co Ltd was located in Stoke-on-Trent, England with its business name being registered in May 1908. The product name "Duraline" came into use c1933. From 1932 ware was marked with the month and year of manufacture. Thus the numbers 5-54 underneath this item indicate that it was manufactured in May 1954. Mr. Loftus Henry Moran, born in Winchelsea, Victoria, was well-known in the tea trade, originally working with Griffiths Bros Ltd. He started his own business, Loftus Moran Pty Ltd in 1909. Loftus Moran's company imported chinaware from Britain and sold it into the Australian market. They specialised in supplying to hotels, businesses and institutions.This item is representative of chinaware used throughout hospitality venues and public institutions throughout Australia.A white ceramic bowl bearing a red emblem of Victorian Railways. The mark of the maker Grindley Hotel Ware and the Victorian supplier, Loftus & Moran Pty, Ltd is underneath the bowl.On front: Victorian Railways On Back: "DURALINE" /SUPER VITRIFIED/ GRINDLEY HOTELWARE CO./ ENGLAND LOFTUS MORAN PTY. LTD. / MELBOURNE 5 - 54duraline, victorian railways, grindley hotel ware

The Wodonga line and train station opened in November 1873 when the section of the line from Wangaratta was completed. The expansion of the railways to the northeast of Victoria occurred after the Victorian Government took over the railways in 1867 and the trains serviced large towns such as Seymour, Wangaratta and Wodonga, as well as smaller towns along the way. The north- east train line to Wodonga remained a significant factor in the development of Wodonga as a rural city in the 20th century. The Past Officers Certificate has local significance as it was presented to Wodonga resident, Lachlan McEachern, who was President of the Wodonga Sub-Branch of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Railways Union, and there are other items that belonged to Mr Eachern in the collection of the Wodonga Historical Society. It also has wider significance as an example of a Past Officers certificate dated to the 1920s, as other examples in the collection of Museums Victoria are later and are dated to the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Dark brown wooden frame with a lighter brown wood and gold inner border on a Past Officers Certificate from the Victorian Branch of the Australian Railways Union, presented to L. McEachern in 1926, in recognition of services rendered as President of the Wodonga Sub-Branch. The certificate is a colour lithograph with black and white photolithograph images and a red embossed seal. The inscription on the certificate is surrounded by two Corinthian columns and a background illustration of a signal gantry at Flinders St Station. The signatures of the State President and State Secretary are faded. At the bottom of the certificate, there are black and white images of a suburban electric passenger train, "Unity Hall" which is the building where the Australian Railway Union offices were located and a steam train."AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS UNION" "A.R.U" "AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS / UNION / VICTORIAN BRANCH" "Presented to / L.McEachern / In Recognition / of Services Rendered / As President / of the Wodonga Sub-Branch /Year 1926" "State President / State Secretary"australian railways union, a.r.u., a.r. u. victorian branch, wodonga sub-branch, victorian railways, v.r., past officers certificate, flinders st station, railway unions, trade unions

The hand forged iron alloy wedge belonged to the railways carpenter, Lachlan McEachern, who became the President of the Wodonga Sub-Branch of the Victorian branch of the Australian Railways Union. He was presented with a framed Past Officers Certificate by the Australian Railways Union in recognition of services rendered in 1926. The certificate is also in the collection of the Wodonga Historical Society. The Wodonga train station opened in November 1873 when the section of the train line from Wangaratta to Wodonga was completed. The expansion of the railways to the northeast of Victoria occurred after the Victorian Government took over the railways in 1867 and the trains serviced large towns such as Seymour, Wangaratta and Wodonga, as well as smaller towns along the way. The hand forged iron alloy wedge has local and state significance due to its use by a Victorian Railways carpenter, Lachlan McEachern, in Wodonga. The local significance is also strong due to the prominence of the McEachern family in the Albury-Wodonga area.Hand forged iron wedge with a cracked flange/rim at the top, red-brown rust and some dirt on the surface.hand forged wedge, hand made tools, victorian railways, v.r., railways carpenter, wodonga, lachlan mceachern, iron alloy tools, mceachern family

These types of metal and glass railway signalling lamps were used for communication, safety and lighting by train guards, shunters and signalmen, as well as station staff in the late 1880s to the early 1900s. They were hand operated and used fuel such as kerosene.The three railway signalling lamps have local significance as a set donated by a resident of Wodonga who worked for the Victorian Railways, as well as national significance as examples of the communication and safety equipment used by the railways in Australia in the late 19th century and early 20th century.Set of three painted black metal and glass railway signal lamps used for various purposes during train journeys. The largest signal lamp has circular blue and red glass filters and a turning mechanism on the top under the handle. "A y" on a small copper plate on one side of the largest signal lamp - Lamp 1.railway lamps, signalling lamp, train signal lamps

Metal and glass railway signalling lamps were used for communication, safety and lighting by train guards, shunters and signalmen, as well as station staff in the late 1880s to the early 1900s. They were hand operated and used fuel such as kerosene.The railway signal lamp has local significance as part of a set of three lamps donated by a resident of Wodonga who worked for the Victorian Railways. It also has national significance as an example of communication and safety equipment used by the railways in Australia in the late 19th century and early 20th century.Exterior casing of a black painted metal railway signal lamp with circular blue and red glass filters and a turning mechanism on the top under a circular handle. Small copper plate with the letters "A y" stamped on it, on one side of the lamp. "A y"railway lamps, signalling lamp, train signal lamps

Metal and glass railway signalling lamps were used for communication, safety and lighting by train guards, shunters and signalmen, as well as station staff in the late 1880s to the early 1900s. They were hand operated and used fuel such as kerosene.The railway signal lamp has local significance as part of a set of three lamps donated by a resident of Wodonga who worked for the Victorian Railways. It also has national significance as an example of communication and safety equipment used by the railways in Australia in the late 19th century and early 20th century.Black painted metal signal lamp with a circular metal cover over a clear glass disk at the front and an elongated oval shaped handle at the back. The circular metal cover has a vertical slit in it. There is an inscription on the top of the lamp with the date 1917 and the company name "Eli Griffiths & Sons, Birmingham"."ELI GRIFFITHS & SONS / 1917 / BIRMINGHAM"railway lamps, signalling lamp, train signal lamps, railway equipment

These types of metal and glass railway signal lamps were used for communication, safety and lighting by train guards, shunters and signalmen, as well as station staff in the late 1880s to the early 1900s. They were hand operated and used fuel such as kerosene.The railway signal lamp has local significance as part of a set of three lamps donated by a resident of Wodonga who worked for the Victorian Railways. It also has national significance as an example of communication and safety equipment used by the railways in Australia in the late 19th century and early 20th century.Black painted metal signal lamp with a clear glass lens secured at the front and one thin elongated oval shaped handle showing at the back. The metal appears to be tin plated iron under the black paint layer. There is an oval plate with an embossed inscription on the proper left side of the lamp that is partly covered by the door at the front which holds the clear glass lens. The inscription includes the date 1901."...NARIPPINGILLE STOVE / CO LTD 1901 / PATENT...S & / ...NUFACTURERS / RMINGHAM" on an oval shaped plate on the proper left side, which is partly covered by the door with the clear glass lens.railways wodonga, victorian railways

The set of seven imperial weights were used in the Post Office in Wodonga. The first Post Office in Wodonga opened on the 6th June 1856, and a second Post Office was built in 1874 on the corner of Sydney Road which became High St. and South St. In 1878 there were three staff at the Wodonga Post Office, including the Postmaster/Telegraph Manager and two Office-Keepers/Messengers. The mail service in 1878 included delivery four times a day from the Railway Station to the Post Office in Wodonga, and to and from the Wodonga Post Office to Albury twice a day.The set of seven imperial weights has local and state significance as it was used in the Wodonga Post Office in North East Victoria before decimal currency was introduced in Australia in 1966. The weights also have national significance as examples of the equipment used in post offices in Australia pre 1966.Set of seven cast iron and lead weights with imperial measurements '4 oz, 8oz, 1 lb, 2 lb, 3 lb, 4 lb, and 7 lb' The exterior circular black painted cast iron encases the heavy inner grey lead component, which is visible from the underside. "4 oz.", "8 / oz.", 1 lb.", "1 lb.", "2 lb.", "3 lb.", 4 lb.", MERCURY / 7 LB." on the top of the weights in raised numbers and letters.wodonga post office, post office, victoria post offices, wodonga, north eastern victoria post offices, victorian mail service

The two glass water containers/bottles are thought to have been used in railway passenger trains in the c. 1900s. The Wodonga train line and train station opened in November 1873 when the section of the line from Wangaratta to Wodonga was completed. The expansion of Victorian Railways to the northeast of Victoria occurred after the Victorian Government took over the railways in 1867 and the trains serviced large towns such as Seymour, Wangaratta and Wodonga, as well as smaller towns along the way.The two glass water containers/bottles have historic significance as examples of the equipment used in passenger trains in Australia in the c. 1900s.Two clear glass water containers/bottles with a narrow neck and flaring body, which were used in railway passenger trains c. 1900s. The slightly taller water container/bottle has a metal chain around the neck." c / NSW / TD" on the base of the taller water container.railways water containers, passenger train water containers, passenger trains water bottles, glass water bottles, railway equipment