Transcript: Athenaeum building celebrates 170 years Australian Broadcasting Corporation Broadcast: 11/11/2009 Reporter: Lisa Whitehead Tomorrow marks the 170th birthday of one of the nation's historic cultural landmarks. Melbourne’s Athenaeum building has, in one form or other, provided education and entertainment for the Victorian colony as it became a city; and along the way, documented its growth. Transcript KERRY O’BRIEN, PRESENTER: Tomorrow marks the 170th birthday of one of the nation's historic cultural landmarks. Melbourne's Athenaeum building has, in one form or another, provided education and entertainment. For the Victorian colonies it became a city and along the way documented its growth. The building's original library and theatre still draw devotees and as Lisa Whitehead reports, a loyal band of volunteers. KEVIN QUIGLEY, ATHENAEUM PRESIDENT: There's nothing like us that has been here from day one, four years after the boat pushed ashore, here we are. It's a thread that runs through the life of Melbourne. LISA WHITEHEAD, REPORTER: In the heart of Melbourne's CBD, the Athenaeum is a celebrity in disguise, the oldest cultural icon in the city, but barely noticed. MARJORIE DALVEAN, VOLUNTEER HISTORIAN: People of Melbourne walk past this area and they have no idea what it is. RAY LAWLER, PLAYWRIGHT: It seemed to me to be a place that absolutely, or breathes Melbourne, I suppose, culture. LISA WHITEHEAD: Just four years after Melbourne was founded, the colony built a Mechanic's Institution, one of the first in the world, a place where the working class could meet and learn. KEVIN QUIGLEY: People think of it as Wild West sort of place where these hearty types drank and rushed about, but Melbourne was freely settled. It was a city of people who wanted to better themselves - entrepreneurs. And the Mechanic's Institution was that innovative idea that had grown up in Edinburgh and London about providing an opportunity for education for the working people. LISA WHITEHEAD: Mark Twain lectured there. Later, other buildings were added and a theatre to host classic plays. And it adopted its more bourgeois friendly title of the Athenaeum. Crucially from the start there was the library, the first to offer affordable lending to the working man. And it still attracts devotees. Former University lecturer Margaret Bowman, 89, comes in every Wednesday, along with her dog to join an enthusiastic band of volunteers sorting through the archives. MARGARET BOWMAN, FORMER UNIVERSITY LECTURER: Doing research is something that I find actually I enjoy more than anything. Every old lady needs to have a project and now I've got a project. MARJORIE DALVEAN: Margaret, Christine has just found out that Alfred Deakin was a member here from 1874 to 1877. This place is not flashy, we've never been flashy. But book lovers walk in here and they know this is the place for them. ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE: Old times and old names. The Athenaeum theatre in Melbourne for more than 40 years has been one of the city's best known cinemas. LISA WHITEHEAD: In the 20th century, the theatre surrendered to the new craze of talking pictures, and one particular fan was famous Australian playwright Ray Lawler. At 13, he dropped out of school to work in a Footscray factory and two years later his first trip to the glamorous Athenaeum cinema hinted at the education he was missing. RAY LAWLER: It just had a style about it which I responded to, I think. I was looking for something and this seemed to be part of it. Ray Lawler went on to write "Summer of the Seventeenth Doll" and found literary fame overseas. About a century after it had started as an educational place for the working man, Ray Lawler had, in effect, become an Athenaeum graduate. RAL LAWLER: If they had been looking for the sort of person that they were hoping to encourage along the way, I suppose I would have been somebody that might have fitted the mould, you know. LISA WHITEHEAD: In time, the cinema was returned to its theatrical roots. FRANK THRING, 1977: It has a great resemblance to the Theatre Royal in Hobart which Larry Olivier has called the best theatre he's ever worked in. And it's almost identical. It is the true Victorian playhouse. The horseshoe shaped thing: stalls, dress circle and gallery. And you're close to the audience and they're close to you. Marvellous feeling. LISA WHITEHEAD: Today, it's still a theatre. But time has brought compromises. The once vaunted art gallery has now covered its windows and become a comedy club and performance space. TV and suburban life have eaten away at the library membership. It offers an online service now, and a recent federal government grant will pay for the upkeep of its gracious interior, including the 1930s elevator Ray Lawler used to ride. For him, it's money well spent on history quietly made and discreetly observed. RAY LAWLER: It's the lack of awareness, I think, that people don't know what they've got here. They've really got the whole history of Melbourne almost. KEVIN QUIGLEY: It was a similar organisation in Sydney but we are the only one that's got a continual lineage on the same spot. We started here and we're still here and we'll be here for another 100 years. KERRY O'BRIEN: Lisa Whitehead on a great Melbourne landmark. © 2010 ABC | Privacy Policy Beginning as the Melbourne Mechanics' Institution in 1839, the Melbourne Athenaeum has a long history that reflects the cultural and social development of Melbourne. It continues to be managed as a not-for-profit organisation by a volunteer board, with a subscription library (maintained since 1839) and a leased theatre.Video broadcast ABC 7:30 Report for 11/11/2009. "Tomorrow marks the 170th birthday of one of the nation's historic cultural landmarks. Melbourne’s Athenaeum building has, in one form or other, provided education and entertainment for the Victorian colony as it became a city; and along the way, documented its growth."athenaeum, australian broadcasting corporation, kerry o’brien, kevin quigley, lisa whitehead, marjorie dalvean, ray lawler, margaret bowman, frank thring.

This event - horse racing - was held to raise funds for the Orbost District Hospital and the Trustees of Marlo Reserve funds. It was used by F.E. Richardson of Bete Bolong at the Marlo picnic Races on Boxing Day 1925. It cost one shilling. Frank Richardson was the son of Mark Richardson, son of pioneer, Samuel Richardson.This program is significant in that it is a souvenir of a local event which no longer takes place. A small folded card program for the Marlo Picnic Races on Boxing Day 1925. Text is in black print. This Official Program cost 1s (one shilling)recreation horse-racing marlo-picnic-races

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. Page 132 of Photograph Album with two photographs (one landscape, one portrait) of "Maysbury".Handwritten: "Maysbury" Maysbury Street/Avenue [top right] / 1972 Neg 47 [under top photo] / 132 [bottom right]trevor hart, windows, victorian, 1880's, maysbury, maysbury mansions, flats, decorative brackets, double storey, italianate, cast iron stair balustrading, cast iron balustrading, bay window, protruding rooms, bluestone fence, elsternwick, maysbury avenue, mansion, victorian style, arches, entrances

Men in St Kilda Baths. Freshwater cubicle on the right.two black and white photographs (one original, one copy), unmounted, good conditionThe cubicle on the right is a fresh water shower

Celluloid heads on springs - one a clown with open mouth, one a solder with bugle. Incomplete.toys, general

Antoinetta Covino-Beehre A triptych of three framed artworks. One features a kangaroo, one Pinocchio and another a lyrebird.kangaroo, lyrebird, animals, pinocchio, fauna, antoinetta covino-beehre, available

These trophies were presented to Ray (Roo) Smith for the Best and Fairest player in the Port Fairy Football Club for the years 1956 -572 Two silver cups - one large, one small both on plinthes (EPNS)PFFC Best & Fairest 1956 Ray Smith - Port Fairy- PFFC Best & Fairest 1957 Ray Smithlocal history, trophies & awards, sports

The pair of identity discus belonged to CRP Howe who served in the reserve services. Pair of stainless steel identity discs, one round, one octagonal, both engraved. Engraved - AUST / 6144504 / HOWE / A POS / NRidentity discs, stainless steel

Sarah Coventry Pty. Ltd. was a North American jewellery company that was established in 1949 by the Stuart family as part of Emmons Jewelry, Inc. It began operations in England and Australia in 1968, and in Australia it moved from Carlton in Melbourne to Wodonga in 1969. The premises were originally on High St. in Wodonga, but a new warehouse was built in Melbourne Rd. later in 1969. It was a direct selling jewellery business using a party-plan model similar to Tupperware and Avon. The sales reps or 'Hostesses' were provided with jewellery samples in demonstration kits, which they displayed at jewellery parties in their homes. The designs for jewellery such as brooches, necklaces, earrings, chokers and bracelets were purchased from freelance designers and jewellery manufacturers rather than in-house designers. In 1979 Sarah Coventry Pty. Ltd. in Wodonga was bought by three Australian businessmen, including Wodonga local Jim Sawyer, and continued to sell jewellery under the name "Sargem Pty. Ltd”, for several more years in the 1980s. As part of the Sarah Coventry collection, the brooch-pendant has local significance with the decentralised commercial development of regional centres such as Wodonga in NE Victoria, as well as national and international significance from the perspective of social and economic developments for women after World War II. The direct selling party-plan business model Sarah Coventry was based on is also considered the first of its kind for jewellery.Gold toned metal brooch-pendant with a cameo of one pink and one red rose."© SARAH COV" thought to be first used in 1953 on the lower edge of the back surface.sarah coventry, jewellery, wodonga, costume jewellery, vintage fashion jewellery, brooch-pendant, brooch, pendant

Empire Fella won the Bendigo Pacing Cup on the 5 January 1990, followed by Rowleyalla and Rufus Young Blood. Empire Fella owned by FA Sewell & SS Payne, was trained and driven by PL Ward. Empire Fella raced from 1986 (3yo) through to 1992 (9yo). Career: 35 wins 23 seconds 19 thirds 181 starts.Two colour photographs, one small one large in a brown, black, gold frame. At the top: Bendigo Harness Racing 5-1-90/ National Mutual Bendigo Pacing Cup At the bottom: Left corner: Distance 2700 metres/ Mile rate 2.01.4 / Greg Matthews Photos - Stawell Centre: Empire Fella (Besta Fella - Dancing Princess) / Rowleyalla 2nd / Rufus Young Blood 3rd Right corner: Owned by- FA Sewell & SS Payne/ Trained and driven by PL Wardbendigo harness racing club, horses, race, winner, bendigo trotting club, pacing cup, driver, trainer, owner, 1990, empire fella, fa sewell, ss payne, rowleyalla, rufus young blood, p ward, peter ward

Aim First won the Bendigo Pacing Cup on the 4 January 1991, followed by Carden Court and Jocks Regret. Aim First owned by Mr B Devcic, was trained by B Devcic and driven by Gavin Lang. Aim First raced from 1986 (2yo) through to 1996 (12yo). Career: 38 wins 34 seconds 34 thirds 229 starts.Two colour photographs, one small one large in a brown, black, gold frame. At the top: Bendigo Harness Racing 4-1-91/ National Mutual Bendigo Pacing Cup/ C8 or better At the bottom: Left corner: Distance 2700 metres/ Mile rate 2.05.2 / Greg Matthews Photos - Stawell Centre: Aim First (Young Dancer - Brahn Beauty) / Carden Court 2nd / Jocks Regret 3rd Right corner: Owned by- Mr B Devcic/ Trained by B Devcic / Driven by Gavin Langbendigo harness racing club, horses, race, winner, bendigo trotting club, pacing cup, driver, trainer, owner, 1991, aim first, b devcic, gavin lang, carden court, jocks regret, boris devcic, g lang

Lord Muckalee won the Bendigo Pacing Cup on the 24 January 1992. Awarded First Place after Disqualification of Defoe Lord Muckalee owned by JR & Est GS Monk, was trained and driven by GJ Morgan. Lord Muckalee raced from 1989 (2yo) through to 1995 (8yo). Career: 21 wins 15 seconds 7 thirds 76 starts. Two colour photographs, one small one large in a brown, black, gold frame. At the top: Bendigo Harness Racing 24-1-92/ Bendigo Southern Cross Television Bendigo Pacing Cup At the bottom: Left corner: Distance 2700 metres/ Mile rate 2.03.4 / Greg Matthews Photos - Stawell Centre: Lord Muckalee (Muckalee Strike - Saint Mary Redcliffe) / Awarded First Place after Disqualification of Defoe Right corner: Owned by- JR & Est GS Monk/ Trained and driven by GJ Morganbendigo harness racing club, horses, race, winner, bendigo trotting club, pacing cup, driver, trainer, owner, 1992, lord muckalee, gj morgan, jr & est gs monk, defoe, graeme morgan

The Unicorn won the Bendigo Pacing Cup on the 29 January 1993, followed by Bowral Boy and Guitar Magic. The Unicorn owned by PW Anderson, R Broomhall, KR Loughnan, P Pike, SL Dove & CF O'Dwyer, was trained and driven by Stephen Dove. The Unicorn raced from 1989 (2yo) through to 1995 (8yo). Career: 29 wins 18 seconds 14 thirds 94 starts.Two colour photographs, one small one large in a brown, black, gold frame. At the top: Bendigo Harness Racing 29-1-93/ 1993 Southern Cross Bendigo Pacing Cup / C9 or Better At the bottom: Left corner: Distance 2700 metres/ Mile rate 2.03.6/ Last Half 57.5 / Greg Matthews Photos - Stawell Centre: The Unicorn (Vance Hanover - Significant) / Bowral Boy 2nd / Guitar Magic 3rd Right corner: Owned by- PW Anderson, R Broomhall, KR Loughnan, P Pike, SL Dove & CF O'Dwyer/ Trained and driven by Stephen Dovebendigo harness racing club, horses, race, winner, bendigo trotting club, pacing cup, driver, trainer, owner, 1993, the unicorn, stephen dove, pw anderson, r broomhall, kr loughnan, p pike, sl dove, cf o'dwyer, bowral boy, guitar magic, s dove, carl o'dwyer

Dark Paul won the Bendigo Pacing Cup on the 21 January 1994, followed by Cougar and Aston Bow. Dark Paul owned by MJ Hanlan, was trained by AD Peace and driven by Mark Peace. Dark Paul raced from 1990 (2yo) through to 1995 (7yo). Career: 35 wins 22 seconds 5 thirds 90 starts.Two colour photographs, one small one large in a brown, black, gold frame. At the top: Bendigo Harness Racing 21-1-94/ 1994 SCN TV Bendigo Pacing Cup / C9 or Better At the bottom: Left corner: Distance 2700 metres/ Mile rate 2.03.7 / Greg Matthews Photos - Stawell Centre: Dark Paul (Paulsboro - Intrepid Pearl) / Cougar 2nd / Aston Bow 3rd Right corner: Owned by- MJ Hanlan/ Trained by AD Peace / Driven by Mark Peacebendigo harness racing club, horses, race, winner, bendigo trotting club, pacing cup, driver, trainer, owner, 1994, dark paul, ad peace, mark peace, mj hanlan, cougar, aston bow

Knight Rainbow won the Bendigo Pacing Cup on the 20 January 1995, followed by Magic Fella and Its Nero's Fiddle. Knight Rainbow owned by Mr C Price, was trained by NR Alexander and driven by Chris Alford. Knight Rainbow raced from 1992 (2yo) through to 1997 (7yo). Career: 22 wins 8 seconds 8 thirds 85 starts.Two colour photographs, one small one large in a brown, black, gold frame. At the top: Bendigo Harness Racing 20-1-95/ Jetport Security Parking Ten Victoria Bendigo Pacing Cup / C9 or Better At the bottom: Left corner: Distance 2700 metres/ Mile rate 2.01.2 / Greg Matthews Photos - Stawell Centre: Knight Rainbow (Tuapeka Knight - Tina Scott) / Magic Fella 2nd / Its Nero's Fiddle 3rd Right corner: Owned by- Mr C Price/ Trained by NR Alexander / Driven by Chris Alfordbendigo harness racing club, horses, race, winner, bendigo trotting club, pacing cup, driver, trainer, owner, 1995, knight rainbow, nr alexander, chris alford, mr c price, magic fella, its nero's fiddle, ca alford

Brabham won the Bendigo Pacing Cup on the 26 January 1996, followed by Jamyan Prince and Ricky Dean. Brabham owned by Runvs Syndicate, Manager RW Death, was trained and driven by Mark Purdon. Brabham raced from 1994 (3yo) through to 2000 (9yo). Career: 20 wins 19 seconds 9 thirds 79 starts.Two colour photographs, one small one large in a brown, black, gold frame. At the top: Bendigo Harness Racing 26-1-96/ Ten Victoria Bendigo Pacing Cup / C9 or Better At the bottom: Left corner: Distance 2400 metres/ Mile rate 2.00.5 / Greg Matthews Photos - Stawell Centre: Brabham (New York Motoring - Armbro Speed) / Jamyan Prince 2nd / Ricky Dean 3rd Right corner: Owned by- Runvs Syndicate - Manager RW Death/ Trained and driven by Mark Purdonbendigo harness racing club, horses, race, winner, bendigo trotting club, pacing cup, driver, trainer, owner, 1996, brabham, mark purdon, runvs syndicate, jamyan prince, ricky dean, m purdon

Anvil's Star won the Bendigo Pacing Cup on the 24 January 1997, followed by Desperate Comment and No Equal. Anvil's Star owned by RM Cameron & K Kotzikas, was trained by RM Cameron and driven by Ricky May. Anvil's Star raced from 1995 (3yo) through to 2001 (9yo). Career: 17 wins 22 seconds 11 thirds 116 starts.Two colour photographs, one small one large in a brown, black, gold frame. At the top: Bendigo Harness Racing 24-1-97/ Gerard K House Pty Ltd Bendigo Pacing Cup / C9 or Better At the bottom: Left corner: Distance 2400 metres/ Mile rate 1.59.3 / Greg Matthews Photos - Stawell Centre: Anvils Star (Vance Hanover - Venetian Star) / Desperate Comment 2nd / No Equal 3rd Right corner: Owned by- RM Cameron & K Kotzikas/ Trained by RM Cameron / Driven by Ricky Maybendigo harness racing club, horses, race, winner, bendigo trotting club, pacing cup, driver, trainer, owner, 1997, anvils star, rm cameron, ricky may, k kotzikas, desperate comment, no equal, robert cameron, r may, r cameron

Captain Rufus won the Bendigo Pacing Cup on the 23 January 1998, followed by Skipper Trust and Low Bronze. Captain Rufus owned by A Gannell, H Manolitis, KR Hyslop & GJ Carey, was trained and driven by Ted Demmler. Captain Rufus raced from 1996 (3yo) through to 2001 (8yo). Career: 17 wins 13 seconds 18 thirds 85 starts.Two colour photographs, one small one large in a brown, black, gold frame. At the top: Bendigo Harness Racing 23-1-98/ The Sulky Shop Bendigo Pacing Cup At the bottom: Left corner: Distance 2385 metres/ Mile rate 2.00.1 / Greg Matthews Photos - Stawell Centre: Captain Rufus (Sokys Atom - Hurricane Mark) / Skipper Trust 2nd / Low Bronze 3rd Right corner: Owned by- A Gannell, H Manolitis, KR Hyslop & GJ Carey/ Trained and driven by Ted Demmlerbendigo harness racing club, horses, race, winner, bendigo trotting club, pacing cup, driver, trainer, owner, 1998, captain rufus, ted demmler, a gannell, h manolitis, kr hyslop, gj carey, skipper trust, low bronze, te demmler, t demmler

Black and white photograph (2 images- one of house and garden, and one of driveway to house.)Written on back of photograph of house: " 'Glamorgan', Warrandyte Road, Ringwood. Capt. Miles' home. c1935."

Wooden artefacts from the Sepik River region in Papua New Guinea. Different tribes living along the river produce magnificent wood carvings, clay pottery and other art and craft. Kundu is the Papuan general name used for drum. It is an hour glass shaped drum made of wood with a snake's skin as membrane. A handle is placed on the narrowest part of the drum. Often, the kundu is decorated with animal figures on its edges. - donated by John Nelson TAYLOR QX25010,2900269,3108420 who served in the AIF 19/1/1941 to 7/12/1945 - Regular Army Special Reserve 30/1/1952 to 29/1/1955 and the CMF 1/8/1959 to 2/1/1960. Rank on final discharge - Trooper 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. John was deployed overseas to New Guinea from 17/10/1943 to 23/2/1945 and 5/5/1945 to 26/10/1945 and served in Korea and Japan from 5/3/1953 to 6/4/1954. A member of the Wangaratta RSL he passed away in January, 2021.Wooden artefacts from the Sepik River region in Papua New Guinea. The Sepik area is well known for its sculpture masks shields and other artifacts. Many tribes use drums in rituals. Two decorative wooden face masks, one wooden Drum and one wooden Crocodilepapua new guinea, artefacts, wood, ww2

Bottles of milk were bought at a local store. The measurement of liquid was in pints and money in pence pre 1966. Bottles were returned to the manufacturer who reused the bottle. To encourage the return of bottles, collectors were given 7 pence per bottle. TB was tested in the milk at this time and the milk was pasteurised. History of the Kiewa Company.Historical: Dairy farmers lived in the Kiewa Valley and sent their milk to the Kiewa Factory to be pasteurised and TB tested. The bottles and tops changed colour & design regularly. Aesthetic: Display showing variations of shape, embossing, and stencil.Narrow necked clear glass bottle used to carry one imperial pint of milk. Embossed on bottom near base and on base. Blue stencilled writing / print on opposite sides of the bottle.Side: Embossed: Inside embossed circle is '6' above '19'. and underneath this: One Imperial pint. Base: Embossed: Common Seal - 'A' with 'G' and 'M' inside the A and in the middle 'ISM 229' and below that '2' Stencil on side: 'Kiewa' signature and underneath printed 'Pasturised / And TB Tested Milk' / 'Use' (written) and then printed 'Kiewa Butter / Cream and / Ice cream Mix' Stencil on the opposite side: '7d Deposit On / This Bottle'kiewa, dairy, milk, butter, cream, ice-cream, farmers

One of two sets of stereographs donated by the O'Beirne family along with a stereoscope for viewing (Stereoscope is Registration no. 2014-51).Long line of soldiers marching along a street in Coburg Victoria. Street surface appears to be dirt with tram lines running through the centre. Spectators standing on one side of the street. Horsedrawn vehicles travelling in opposite direction of troops."12,924. THE FAREWELL PARADE OF THE AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. The Troops / Passing through Coburg, Victoria."stereographs, australian expeditionary force

This is one of four surf oars now on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. The oars were once owned by the Warrnambool surf Live Saving Club. They are painted in the original club colours of brown and white. The Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1930, and the elected President was Mr Fletcher Jones (later Sir Fletcher Jones). It is one of the oldest lifesaving clubs on the Victorian Coast. The donor was a member of the surf boat crew that won the 1952 Victorian Surf Boat Championships; the crew comprised Geoff Scott, Ron Blackney, Wes McLaren, Jim Tibb, and Stan Stephens. This oar is significant for its connection with the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club and as an example of equipment used for saving lives at sea in the local Warrnambool community. Oar, one of four oars. Timber handles with flat blades painted in the original club colours of brown and white. The oars originated from the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, surf boat oar, original oar, warrnambool surf life saving club, wslc, oar, brown and white, wslc colours, rowing oar, lifesaving

This is one of four surf oars now on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. The oars were once owned by the Warrnambool surf Live Saving Club. They are painted in the original club colours of brown and white. The Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1930, and the elected President was Mr Fletcher Jones (later Sir Fletcher Jones). It is one of the oldest lifesaving clubs on the Victorian Coast. The donor was a member of the surf boat crew that won the 1952 Victorian Surf Boat Championships; the crew comprised Geoff Scott, Ron Blackney, Wes McLaren, Jim Tibb, and Stan Stephens. This oar is significant for its connection with the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club and as an example of equipment used for saving lives at sea in the local Warrnambool community. Oar, one of four oars. Timber handles with flat blades painted in the original club colours of brown and white. The oars originated from the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club, .flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, surf boat oar, original oar, warrnambool surf life saving club, wslc, oar, brown and white, wslc colours, rowing oar, lifesaving

This is one of four surf oars now on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. The oars were once owned by the Warrnambool surf Live Saving Club. They are painted in the original club colours of brown and white. The Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1930, and the elected President was Mr Fletcher Jones (later Sir Fletcher Jones). It is one of the oldest lifesaving clubs on the Victorian Coast. The donor was a member of the surf boat crew that won the 1952 Victorian Surf Boat Championships; the crew comprised Geoff Scott, Ron Blackney, Wes McLaren, Jim Tibb, and Stan Stephens. This oar is significant for its connection with the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club and as an example of equipment used for saving lives at sea in the local Warrnambool community. Oar, one of four oars. Timber handles with flat blades painted in the original club colours of brown and white. The oars originated from the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, surf boat oar, original oar, warrnambool surf life saving club, wslc, oar, brown and white, wslc colours, rowing oar, lifesaving