William John Taylor (1853-1921) was born in Little Eltham and lived his whole life in the town. He served as a Councillor for the Shire of Eltham 1890-191, which included one term as Shire President. He was a Justice of Peace and also a member of the Rechabite Lodge. He had a family of four daughters and one son. This photograph was taken in April 1915 when he was 62 years old. This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book ,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, shire president, councillors, shire of eltham, w.j. taylor, william john taylor

This file contains two major sets of items A typed genealogical family listing (incomplete) for Alice Muriel Stepto (nee Wood) covering a period 1857 to 1978 Stepto photographs – back to back mounted photographs of the infant Alice Muriel Wood, all undated. Two by Elliot and Co. in approximately 1889 (guess estimate). Two by MendelsJohn and Co. Queens Walk Melbourne in approximately 1890 (guess estimate)wood alice muriel, stepto alice muriel, wood frederick george, blackwall alice, elliot and company, mendelsjohn, stepto edward brolon, stepto alyce muriel, wood alyce muriel, blackwell alyce

This object relates to Fred Harold STRONG. He was born on 1/04/1890 in Chewton, VIC. Fred Harold served in the AIF (6844) enlisting on, 12/09/1916 in Chewton, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 1 TUN COY as a Army Non-Commissioned Sapper (SPR) on 03/08/1920. Fred Harold STRONG was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Caroline STRONG.No. A101217"To the Women of Australia"souvenirs, ballarat rsl, ballarat, badges, women, home front, wwii, second world war, world war two

Jeannie Green from Wandin married Willie Richardson (son of the original settler Jabez Richardson) in 1898. They built a home in the Kalorama Valley and named it "Mt Calvin". Jeanie had three children - Reuben born 1890, William born 1901 and Jean born 1910. Jeanie suffered ill health and required assistance with cooking and cleaning. The family left the area in search of a warmer climate for Jeanie.Black and white studio portrait of a young Jeannie Green wearing a high necked dress.Jeanie Green (Mrs J W Richardson) born 1871 died 1916. Mother of Reuben, William, Jean.jeannie green, jeanie green, willie richardson, john willie richardson, rueben richardson, william richardson, jean richardson, mt calvin

The Downing family lived in Linton for two periods - the first, from about 1902 to 1907, and the second from about 1908 to 1910. Thomas Frederick Downing, born 1865, worked from 1890 as a fireman with the Victorian Railways. Five of the seven Downing children became teachers. The house in the photograph, in Grant Street, Linton, was afterwards lived in by Linton doctor and local identity Dr James Blair Donaldson Snr.Sepia photograph of three young girls and a boy standing in the gateway at front of a house."Downing family house on hill behind Dr Donaldson's Mr Downing engine driver".downing family, thomas frederick downing, frederick (fred) downing, gladys downing, lillian downing, doris downing, house in grant street

This is a portrait of Dr James Kerr. Dr James Kerr practised medicine in Orbost from 1889 -1928. He was the first doctor to settle in Orbost. He served the Orbost community for 40 years travelling everywhere on horseback. He married Hilda Constance Temple in Orbost on November 30, 1893. On April 29th 1931, three glass windows were dedicated to "Dr James Kerr. Beloved Physician of Orbost" in St James Church of England , Orbost. ( Ref Orbost Hospital, History, Personalities and Stories by Margaret Hollands) Dr James Kerr was the first doctor to settle in Orbost. He was an integral part of the Orbost community for over 40 years.A black / white photograph of a man with glasses wearing a suit, hat and gloves, sitting on a chair, with one hand resting on his thigh. He has a bushy moustache. The portrait is oval shaped with a white background. kerr-james orbost-hospital medical-doctor

In 1868, Walter Sheldrick, a Warrnambool butcher, established a company to operate the Warrnambool New Brewery (at the corner of Timor and Fairy Streets). The company was wound up but the brewery continued to operate as Sheldrick and Co., with Walter Sheldrick and Thomas Price as principal partners. Sheldrick died in 1893 but the brewery continued with various partners in the business. In 1894 the brewery was sold to James W. McGee and Co. and this firm operated the brewery until its demise in 1922 when it was bought out by the Ballarat, Melbourne Co-Operative and Carlton and United Breweries and closed. This demijohn is of interest as it came from the Warrnambool New Brewery (closed 1922). This brewery, known as Sheldrick’s was a prominent business in Warrnambool for over 50 years. This is a circular-shaped stone jar enclosed in a wicker case with handles. The jar has a circular yellow top with no stopper. ‘James W. McGee & Co Wmbool’warrnambool new brewery (sheldrick & co.), james w. mcgee & co, warrnambool

Lloyd Charles Brind, born 7/09/1882, entered Ballarat College 6/02/1893. This book was donated back to the school by Mr McCallum, July 1964 and added to the Ballarat College Library. This may be Mr R A McCallum, parent of school during the 1960s and father of Keith (1964), Stuart (1967) and Peter (1974). At some stage it has been stamped with the Tam O'Shanter Ballarat Book Club stamp. It also has a handwritten signature on the title page and half-title page 'N. V. Warol" ?Marled brown calf-bound book with gold border and school crest on front cover, six compartments to spine with gold patterning to five and title in 2nd compartment; book plates inside front coverBook plate inside front cover: school crest / Languages / Fourth form / Second prize / Awarded to / L Brind / Christmas 1896lloyd-charles-brind, book prizes, mccallum

George Sutherland Mackay came to Warrnambool in 1891 and in 1893 joined his practice with that of James Fletcher and the firm became known as Mackay and Fletcher later changed to Mackay and Taylor. G S Mackay served for a long time on the Warrnambool City Council including 4 terms as Mayor. He was also an active member of the Presbyterian Church and worked to establish the Warrnambool Agricultural High School. He built the offices which still stand at 131 Kepler Street. He died in 1926. The firm celebrated its centenary in 1993.A commonly used office item which is well linked to both a long established business in Warrnambool and G. S. Mackay who contributed greatly to the community of Warrnambool and district. Cast iron painted black with rounded rectangular base. Circular seal and shaped handle which moves down 45 degrees. Trimmed with worn gold paint. Excelsior in gold on the front. The oval seal reads G. S. Mackay Warrnambool solicitor.warrnambool, g s mackay, mackay & taylor, mackay solicitor, company seal

Vivienne Young was a teacher at Orbost Secondary College. She is well known as an artist particularly in the medium of felting. She moved from a farm in Wairewa to live in Orbost and is still involved as a felt artist taking her skills regularly to Mongolia working with women there to re-vitalise the felting skills of local women. The Orbost Butter and Produce Co Ltd was registered on June 1st 1893. The site of the factory was purchased at a cost of five pounds from Mr James Cameron. (See In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall)The Orbost Butter and Produce Co. Ltd was registered on June 1st 1893 and was an important source of income to the Orbost district.A pen and ink drawing of the Orbost Butter Factory in Lochiel Street on the corner of Browning street as it was before 1911 when it became the bean factory. It is outlined in black and shaded in brown tones. orbost-butter-factory young-vivienne

After serving in Malta and India, he became Assistant Adjutant General at Home District in 1893. After the outbreak of the Second Boer War he was appointed Colonel commandant of the City of London Volunteers who proceeded to South Africa. This corps included infantry, mounted infantry and artillery. They were in South Africa from January 1900 until October 1900, returning to England. The corps was disbanded in December 1900. MacKinnon was awarded with the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath and Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cardsmalta, india, assistantadjutant general, second boer war, city of london volunteers, colonel, south africa

1. The Bendigo Gas Company formed in 1859, established the Bendigo Gas Works and became an incorporated company in 1860. It produced coal gas for the community until it was liquidated and delisted as a company in 1959. 2. The Colonial Gas Association was incorporated in 1888, selling shares for 5pounds and 10 pounds. It was originally formed in London with the aim of raising investment capital for the construction and maintenance of gas works across the cities and towns of Australia and New Zealand. Its original name was the Australasian Gas Association and this changed to the Colonial Gas Association in 1893.The Bendigo Gas Company notice of annual general meeting of shareholders for the years 1947 to 1952. The meeting to be held at the company registered office at 49 Pall Mall, Bendigo. Directors: Rex F. Hyett (Chairman), J.S. Wilson, H.N. Butt, S. Proud, F. Levy. Manager and secretary W. Pain. Also, The Colonial Gas Association Limited notice of annual meeting for the years from 1949 to 1953 to be held at 360 Collins Street, Melbourne. Directors: C.F. Broadhead (Chairman and managing director), James M MacFarlane, Robert Weir, Gerald L. Patterson.bendigo gas comany, the colonial gas association, shareholders

This object relates to Jack WILLIAMS. He was born on 1/01/1893 in Ballarat, VIC. Jack served in the Army (92) enlisting on, 24/08/1914 in Ballarat, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 8 Battalion as a Army Non-Commissioned Private (PTE) on 20/11/1918. Jack WILLIAMS was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Mr & Mrs Williams, 907 Urquhart St. Jack Williams was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.first world war (ww1), 1914 - 1918, medals, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to Jack WILLIAMS. He was born on 1/01/1893 in Ballarat, VIC. Jack served in the Army (92) enlisting on, 24/08/1914 in Ballarat, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 8 Battalion as a Army Non-Commissioned Private (PTE) on 20/11/1918. Jack WILLIAMS was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Mr & Mrs Williams, 907 Urquhart St. Jack Williams was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.first world war (ww1), 1914 - 1918, medals, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to Jack WILLIAMS. He was born on 1/01/1893 in Ballarat, VIC. Jack served in the Army (92) enlisting on, 24/08/1914 in Ballarat, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 8 Battalion as a Army Non-Commissioned Private (PTE) on 20/11/1918. Jack WILLIAMS was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Mr & Mrs Williams, 907 Urquhart St. Jack Williams was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.Note inside reads:- "Enlisted with 8th Battalion in 1914 at start of World War 1 & was on ship coming home on leave in 1918 when armestice was signed. Was a runner, used to run messages to the fighting line. 8th Batt was Ballarat's own & red& white (patpersonal items, ballarat rsl, ballarat

George and Anne Evans settled in Sunbury in 1836 after migrating to Van Diemens Land from Plymouth in 1825. He took upland along the Jacksons Creek and built his Emu Bottom Homestead. He married Anne, who was forty years younger than him on 11 May 1843 and they had six children. He and his wife Anne are buried in Melbourne General Cemetery in Compartment 'H'.George died on 26 August 1876 and Anne died on 12 January 1893. George Evans was a one of the first Europeans to take up land in the the area that was originally known as Buttlejork ( Batterjork) in the area now known as Sunbury. A black and white photograph with a cream border of the headstone of George and Anne Evans.evans, george., evans, anne., emu bottom, headstones

Tennysons Hotel Sackville Street Port Fairy Patrick Tennyson leased the Farmers Inn in 1882 and applied to change the name to Tennysons Hotel. In 1885 he bought the freehold in the Great Land Sale for 780 pounds.12 shillings and 8 pence and then carried out extensive renovations. The double storied addition was added in 1893. The hotel continued under various licensees until it burned down in 1977 under the name "Fishermen's Arms". This photograph was taken during the licencee W J Wright; the single story was the Farmers InnBlack and white photograph of facade of Hearn’s hotel with two advertising signs for beerhotel, sackville street, tennysons hotel, farmers inn, fishermen’s arms, inn, w.j.wright, patrick tennyson

This album contains photographs of many local and beach scenes such as view over Warrnambool, Botanic Gardens, Hopkins River and Bridge, Warrnambool railway station, Proudfoots, Thunder Point, Christ Church and the War Memorial. There are a couple of photographs of groups of people picnicking on the main beach. The newspaper cutting showing firemen dousing the last of the flames of the fire has onlookers including four children in the foreground. The Ozone Coffee Palace was built in 1890-1891 and burnt down February23, 1929. It was one of the largest fires in Warrnambool It was designed by Mr J McLeod. It was grand in design and decoration. The term Coffee Palace was used to describe temperance hotels which were built during the 1880’s -1890’s. They typically were multi-purpose and had a large number of rooms for ballrooms and leisure activities. Coffee palaces were aimed at families in coastal areas and inner city locations. Examples of some are The Windsor Hotel Melbourne, Ozone, Queenscliff and Kilbreda Convent in Mentone. This album has social and historical significance as it shows a collection of local scenes which is a record of familiar scenes such as the gardens, Hopkins River and beach scenes. The groups of people are unknown but the images provide a snapshot of customs and costumes of the early 1920’s.Khaki coloured soft card tied with a dark green cord which has broken and has been replaced with yellow string. There is an embossing of a lion/dragon on front cover with ribbons. 20 pages with photographs glued to most. A cutting relating to the fire at the Ozone mansions is inside the front cover.warrnambool history, early warrnambool photographs, ozone coffee palace

The Ozone Coffee Palace was built in 1890-1891. It was designed by Mr J McLeod. It was grand in design and decoration. The term Coffee Palace was used to describe temperance hotels which were built during the 1880’s -1890’s. They typically were multi-purpose and had a large number of rooms for ballrooms and leisure activities. Coffee palaces were aimed at families in coastal areas and inner city locations. Examples of some are The Windsor Hotel Melbourne, Ozone, Queenscliff and Kilbreda Convent in Mentone. The bottom part of the advertisement is a testimonial written by Brassey and Sybil De V Brassey, Lord Brassey being Governor of Victoria around 1895. Their visit to Warrnambool and their stay at the Ozone sparked a much needed interest in the Ozone. In 1896 the price to stay at the Ozone was two pounds two shillings and it remain in business for several years but in 1910 it closed after losing money for many years. It remained closed until it was bought by Mr Howard Lawson in 1920. It continued to struggle financially. It was burnt down in February 1929. When the Ozone was built in1891 it was the largest building in Warrnambool. It occupied a prominent position on the corner of Koroit and Kepler Streets. The grand architectural style in which it was built, was used for a number of similar buildings throughout the state. The fire which destroyed the building was one of the largest in the town.Large photograph glued to the top of the card with text in various styles underneath. Photo is sepia and card is cream. The bottom part of the piece has broken away. Jordan in bottom LH corner of photograph. “L.N. Moore 2 Landcox St Nth Brighton” written in pencil on back. warrnambool, ozone coffee palace warrnambool, mansions hotel, hotel warrnambool, ozone fire 1929

This book was written at the same time as the replica of the PS Curlip was being built in Orbost. The great grandson of Samuel Richardson is Gil Richardson who lives in Bete Bolong just outside Orbost. Gil and Heather Richards presented the author, May Leatch with a box of old diaries written by Sam Richardson and Sam's sons, Alan and Frank. Using these as the basis of the story, May wrote the full story of the Curlip and the Richardson family.This book about a local icon and a local family was written in Orbost by a local historian.A green and grey covered book titled, CURLIP The life and times of a Snowy River Paddle Steamer and the family who built her. On the front cover is a black and white photograph of the PS Curlip taken shortly after its launch in 1890. On the back cover is a black and white photograph of phragmites on the Snowy River floodplain. The book traces the history of the Richardson family from Godalming, Surrey, England to Orbost, East Gippsland, Victoria in Australia. It contains b/w photographs, diary extracts and newspaper extracts. The book was written by May Leatch.p.s.curlip paddle-steamers orbost richardson-family richardson-samuel

The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest. Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS. Tom Sheehy, past President of CMHS, was an Historian and Author of 'Battlers tamed a Sandbelt'.A4 paper printed both sides x1. Issue 4 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in October 2007 Dr G Whitehead’s talk on October 28 has been cancelled because the official ‘Re-opening of Joyce Park’ will be at 2pm that day and large crowds are expected. More volunteers at Box Cottage will also be needed that day. The excerpt from the CMHS Newsletter of March 1963 by Tom Sheehy, President, continues with ‘Higinbotham and the reshaping political scene of 1890’s’ CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / OCTOBER 2007 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, sheehy tom, whitehead dr graham, lawson bob, bent tommy, higinbotham george, deakin alfred, box cottage museum, joyce park ormond

An unstrung, DWG & Co. flat-top tennis racquet, presented as a trophy, with ribbon collar, leather crown protector, and unique wood mosaic inlay along length of shaft and handle. Manufacturer's details impressed across throat on reverse. Silver plaque nailed to throat on obverse, featuring the engraved inscription: TOURNAMENT/SHARON SPRINGS/JULY 15TH 1885/SINGLES/WON BY/VALENTINE/G. HALL. Valentine Hall went on to win the Men's Doubles in 1888 and 1890 at the U.S. Tennis Championships. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Leather, Ribbontennis

Object. Green Velvet & Silk Decorative Chocolate Box Late Victorian Era Circa 1890. Gold Metal Edged Decoration On Each Corner & Gold Metal Clasp. The Centre of the Lid is Decorated with a Large White Moulded Piece of Celluloid Over Heavy Cardboard. The Celluloid Decoration depicts a Classical Scene either Roman or Grecian; 2 Ladies, 1 Reclining & 1 Standing, With A Peacock & A Swan Around A Pond Containing Lotus Flowers Or Water Lilies in Foreground. The Side of the Box were Silk & 3 Beads in Each of the Corners.J.S. Fry & Sonsdomestic equipment, containers, green velvet chocolate box

Page from a photo album book with adhesive surface and clear plastic sheet cover - on cardboard sheet - containing three photographs of Melbourne Trams. 1 - W3 668 at Brunswick Depot - June 1977 - Neil Mackintosh photo. 2 - W3 665 ditto 3 - Photo of cable trams reversing at the Moreland Hotel 1890, with horse tram No. 4 on the left hand side of the photo. In the background is a sign - Patterson? and Son, Auctioneers. See Reg Item 2861 for a framed photo of the image 3. Not known who assembled the album.trams, tramways, brunswick depot, w3 class, moreland, cable trams, horse trams, tram 668, tram 665, tram 4

The Langley family (see inscription ).Photo show a group of four men, three women and a boy. Some are seated and some are standing. All are wearing hats. They are in a bushy area with many trees behind them. A gate can be seen in the background."The Langley family, Arthur L. Charles (Sen) b.1853 Dad,Alice Maria (Freeman) b.1855 (Mum), Walter, Lucy & friends. Halls Gap late 1890's. Lucy m 1907 C/E to Thomas Waldron, Bellfield, Halls Gap by John William Davison (Vicar of Stawell)." written on back in blue pen.people, langley

This brass rail holder fixture would have been used to hold the end of a rail in place. There is no information as to where the fitting or rail would have been placed on the ship; sailing ships had many brass fittings. It was recovered from the wreck of the La Bella, which lies at the bottom of the Warrnambool Harbour. Some 15 ships are believed to have been wrecked in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the sea floor; the La Bella and the Edinburgh Castle. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. The story of the final voyage of the La Bella is summarised as follows … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, the company being one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. She was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October, 1905, the twelve year old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia . She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. . Bad weather en route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a north-westerly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with sea water and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25 year old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days an unidentified body of a young person was washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later, when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan, after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy), Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked, but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy, she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. As well as this letter, Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a photograph of the wrecked La Bella, a brass rail holder and a postcard of William Ferrier with four of the survivors. This original congratulatory letter sent to William Ferrier by the Prime Minister and Government of Australia demonstrates the importance attached to his efforts for Victoria and to Australia. The letter is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The letter to William Ferrier from the Australian Government acknowledges the bravery of ordinary Australians who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. The letter is significant to the history of Warrnambool as it honours William Ferrier, a local fisherman whose descendants continue to live in the area. It highlights the way of life of people who lived in coastal towns in 19th century Victoria and the effects of shipwrecks upon them. The letter connects to the postcard of William Ferrier with four of the five rescued crew, the photograph of the wreck of the La Bella and the artefact from the wreck, the rail holder. This item is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella” . the “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Brass rail holder from the wreck "La Bella". This rail holder would have been used as a fitting for the end of a rail. It is made up of two parts and looks a little like a goblet in shape. The top is a hollow spherical shape with a circular hole cut out on one side, into which the end of a round rail would fit. There are two gouge marks close to each other on one side of the hole, about one centimetre apart, at 1 and 2 o’clock position. The sphere has a hollow pipe-like stem with a screw thread turned into the outside of the lower section and the bottom of the stem has been flared out after having the base fitted. The base is round and has a mound in the centre. The edge has four evenly spaced fixture holes around its edge. The metal shows signs of pitting and has mild encrustation. The fitting of the base is loose, allowing it to swivel in a complete circle. The top of the sphere is rough and has a dent in it. Underneath the base there is verdigris; some has flaked off and reveals a bright golden colour underneath. rail holder, brass rail holder, la bella, lady bay, norway, 1893, new zealand, captain mylius, william ferrier, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village

The pilot is more than likely Flt Lieut. Jim Nixon with his Spad aircraft during WW1. James Harold Claude Nixon was born 12/12/1890 and before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force was an auctioneer at Delegate. After training at Aldershot for the Royal Flying Corps he was granted an Aviators Certificate (No. 4607) by the Royal Aero Club. ( more reading in "From White Knowle to Pumpkin Point" by Peter Nixon)The Nixon family was a prominent family in the history of Orbost and its surrounds.A black / white photograph of a man in uniform standing next to a small fighter plane (a biplane). There are two copies and a letter from Peter Nixon with this photograph.handwritten on back - "Since writing that letter of grief, found now that I am going out to fly the Spad Scout which photo you see here. I am going across tomorrow morning so will not be long to know what ariel (sic) warfare is like now. I am in the best of health & happy as a lark. This is all I have to say with lots of love from your son Jim"nixon-james-pilot-ww1

This is a 1923 booklet containing information on the Telephone Exchanges and the lists of subscribers in the areas of Geelong, Camperdown, Casterton, Hamilton, Mortlake, Portland and Warrnambool. Telephones were in use in Victoria as early as the 1870s with the first Telephone Exchange facility established in Melbourne in 1880. In 1890 the first Telephone Exchange in Warrnambool was established with 35 subscribers. In 1912 the first automatic Telephone Exchange for public use was established in Geelong. This was the second established in the British Empire. This booklet is of considerable importance as it lists all the telephone subscribers in the Warrnambool area in 1923. It is a great research tool as it gives not only the addresses of the subscribers but also in many instances their occupations and business names and in the areas around Warrnambool the names of the properties at that time. This is a soft-cover booklet of 104 pages. It has a dark grey cover with printed information on both sides. It was published in 1923. The pages are stapled together and contain lists of Telephone Exchanges, information on the distances from one Exchange to another in the area and the rates of charges for telephone trunk lines. It also has a list of subscribers in the Camperdown, Geelong, Hamilton and Warrnambool areas. The front cover has a small piece missing at the right hand side edge. There are some rubbing and dirt marks on the cover.Front Cover: ‘Victoria Country Telephone Exchanges, List of Subscribers And Other Information’warrnambool telephone exchange, 1923 telephone book, warrnambool