"A perpetual spring in the adjacent creek provided a steady supply of fresh water to the site on which the homestead is built. Although we can not be certain of the identity of the builder, the first stage of ‘The Willows’ homestead appears to have been constructed in the mid 1850s. The house is situated on Crown Allotment No.1 (No Section), Parish of Kororoit, an allotment of 5 acres 3 roods 4 perches. Although it had surveyed the land, the Crown did not offer it for sale until 22nd November 1861, at which time it was purchased by Charles March Williams. (Although the property is directly opposite and immediately adjacent to the Township of Melton, and was sold as ‘Suburban Allotment 33’, it was situated within the Shire of Braybrook rather than the Shire of Melton until 1917.) Considerable improvements had taken place on the land prior to the Crown sale. When CM Williams purchased the allotment in November 1861 he paid £23.5.0 for the land itself, and valued the improvements at £400. Even allowing for some exaggeration by Williams, this is an extremely high valuation for improvements, and must have included a house. Some local research has claimed that in 1858 Williams had taken over the interest of a Mr Parkinson in the property, and that Parkinson built the house upon taking possession of the land c.1855. It was definitely built by 1861, when a map shows a square building on the site marked as ‘House’. The property is important in the district for its association with the establishment of the pound. The district pound had been established in 1854, when George Scarborough of Mount Cottrell (Mt Cottrell Road, south of Greigs Road) was appointed pound-keeper. Scarborough resigned in 1857. The pound was moved to Melton following agitation from local farmers and Charles March Williams appointed pound-keeper on 26th April 1858. Williams, the son of a doctor, had been born in London. Reminiscences of local residents of the time, as recorded in the Express newspaper, note Williams’ success in breeding horses on the property. Sales of up to 60 guineas were noted. Whether this was from Williams’s own stock or from unclaimed pound stock is not made clear. Williams appeared before a government inquiry in 1860 and advocated registration of all stock brands in the State. Williams died in 1862 leaving a widow, Catherine, and five living children aged 15 years to five months. At the time of his death Williams had entered negotiations with one Matthew Devenish and had a mortgage of £100 on allotments 1 and 2, Parish of Kororoit. Catherine Williams was appointed pound-keeper on 2 September 1863, with her eldest son Charles as her assistant. Her tenure was short for on 22nd March 1864 George Minns senior paid Matthew Devenish £135 for allotments 1 and 2 Parish of Kororoit (considerably less than Williams had claimed the property was worth in 1861) and on the same day paid William Tullidge £45 for the adjoining allotments 3 and 4. In April 1867, James Ebden Minns, the newly married son of George senior became the owner of The Willows property having entered into a mortgage arrangement with his father to the extent of £200. At the time George Minns was residing in Kaarimba having left Melton in 1867 for a short trip to England and upon his return having taken up a selection in the Kaarimba district with his son Frederick who had a hotel licence there. James paid out the mortgage on 2-1-1873. James Minns was appointed pound-keeper in 1872; in 1885 the pound was moved elsewhere and Minns purchased the old pound site and added it to his farm. The Willows residence underwent a major change about this time. A two room extension, similar in style but with a lower elevation was added to the original rear of the house with a chimney matching the distinctive originals. Window arrangements did not match the original but became a feature of the façade when the new addition became the front of the building. Six buttresses were attached to the east and west walls of the old building, two to the south wall and the whole rendered with mortar to give the appearance of dressed stonework around the windows. Galvanized iron was placed over the shingles and a verandah added on three sides. By 1876 The Willows was the homestead for a thriving mixed farm of 340 acres of which 156 was rented from a H. Ruck. In October of that year the Australasian travelling reporter visited and reported on the property. In common with the nearly every other property in the district the farm had ‘recently’ (generally within the last two years) abandoned cultivation of crops, and turned over completely to cattle pasture. Butter making was the principal occupation of the farm, which had about 50 head of cattle, a large proportion of which were milking cows. The reporter also noted that a ‘large number of pigs are kept upon this farm and are found to be very profitable stock’. Their manure was used in an orchard and garden in which ‘large quantities of lucerne and prairie grass are grown for the use of stock when ordinary feed is scarce’. Two bores attached to deep brick lined wells supplied water for the house in addition to the farm. A commodious timber barn and necessary sheds had also been constructed. Access to the property was improved following the construction of the bluestone ford across the creek c.1887, when the recreation ground came into use. Prior to this date it may have been that the crossing referred to as ‘Mr Minns bridge’ was used. This appears to have been a flimsy structure and has but two references in Council reports in the Melton Express in the 1880’s. It is believed that in the late 1890’s a timber building was added near the rear of the building to house a kitchen, ablutions and laundry rooms and rooms for seasonal workers. This was attached to the house by means of a trellised walkway using the original front entry to the house (long since the back door). A photograph of this building appears in a local history of Melton. This was demolished in recent decades during the period when the house was tenanted (after the Minns family had left). James Minns son, George, took over the property following his marriage to Alice Walsh in 1903. James and Caroline moved into a house on the former JH Games property at the eastern end of Henry Street. George held the position of Shire Secretary for Melton for 40 years. He was a most prominent member of the community being Secretary to, among others, the Melton Coursing Club, the Shooting Club and the Cemetery Trust. He also rode with the hunting parties who sported across the Plains and were entertained at Mount Kororoit. George and Alice had one son, Norman who followed his father into local government and became Secretary of the Shire of Werribee completing a record term in this position. George retired to Werribee in 1951, where he died in 1965. The National Trust records note that James Ebden Minns and his sons were ‘leading men of the district, Justices of the Peace, and Shire Councillors’. It claims that Sir Thomas Bent was a frequent visitor. The Willows passed into the hands of George’s grandson, Bruce Minns and the property was let for a number of years. In the 1960s it became vacant and was subject to vandalism. Major structural problems arose with the part demolition of the roof, the loss of windows and doors and holes dug into and under the floorboards. The outbuildings were particularly targeted. Following widespread public support, the Shire of Melton purchased the house, with 3.75 acres of land, in 1972. In 1975 the Shire of Melton and the Melton and District Historical Society were successful in nominating the building for National Trust classification, and then the Australian Heritage Commission’s Register of the National Estate. The AHC particularly noted its ‘townscape importance’. It was envisaged that the farmhouse would form ‘a picturesque centrepiece to Melton’s planned … historical park, along with Dunvegan bluestone cottage … and similar structures as they become available.’ In a time of great Melton’s ‘satellite city’ development the Council spelt out its broader vision in its submission to the AHC: ‘Melton is destined to become, by the end of the present century, a city of between 75,000 and 100,000 people. Significant relics of the past, such as ‘The Willows’, regrettably will be rare in that situation. It is essential that sufficient tangible links with Melton’s pioneering days remain to promote in the new community a sense of history and continuity’. Under the direction of ‘The Willows’ Restoration Committee and consultant architect John Hitch, all outbuildings, with the exception of the garage and toilet, were demolished and the dwelling house restored. Finances were provided by the Shire of Melton and the National Estate Grants Program, and considerable amount of voluntary labour was provided by the local community. The orchard was removed, and remaining wooden buildings were relocated to provide an open vista for visitors to the Park. The property was furnished with donations from district families keen to preserve this example of pioneer life in the area. The Willows became the headquarters of the Melton and District Historical Society". Invitation to the family reunion at the Willowslocal identities, pioneer families

Hand book of the destructive pests of Victoria, with notes on the methods to be adopted to check and extirpate them. Prepared by order of the Victorian Department of Agriculture.Purple cloth-covered hard cover book. 153 pp. including appendices. Indexed. Illustrated. Good condition.Inside flyleaf 'M. Figgins/Kilmore'.insects, victoria, figgins

Button to commemorate a membership of 47,000 nurses in the Victorian Branch of the Australian Nursing Federation. In the May 2009 issue of the Branch newsletter, On the Record, the milestone was noted in Lisa Fitzpatrick's 'Secretary's report' (p. 3). In a short paragraph, Fitzpatrick notes that "whilst it is wonderful to celebrate [reaching 47,000 members], ANF will continue to encourage those nurses who are not members to join their union and professional body to ensure that we continue to protect and enhance nursing and midwifery in Victoria". As of 2019, the Branch now has a membership of over 81,000.Circular blue, white and yellow plastic badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back. Badge printed with 'Congratulations and thank you', '47,000 members 31.03.2009', 'Australian Nursing Federation (Victorian Branch)' and logo, and [Victorian Branch Secretary] Lisa [Fitzpatrick, 2001-current] and [Federal Assistant Secretary] Yvonne [Chaperon, 2007-2014]'.nursing, workforce, nurses, unionism, badges, buttons, pins, trade unions, labour history, australian nursing federation, victoria, union membership

This item was found in an ANMF Federal Office archive box. It was taped into a picture frame, broken when found. The note was written on the title page of a book. The title page was separated from the book, and the book was not with the item. We believe the item came to the ANMF Federal office via the ANF Tasmanian Branch. A conference presentation was done in July 2017 about the subject of the note, Nurse Alexander.Original handwritten note by Florence Nightingale, addressed to Nurse Alexander upon her departure from England to work in Tasmania, Australia.Hand written note by Florence Nightingale to Nurse Alexander, upon her departure from England to work as a nurse in Tasmania, written in pencil on the title page of a medical textbook."Offered Nurse Alexander on her going to Tasmania. And may she have the knowledge and humility to be making continued progress. And may she remember that a nurse who is not always advancing is going back. Forward not backward in all ways. Florence Nightingale. Feb 18 1883."nursing, history

Note: the Wilberforce House was purchased by Hull Corporation in 1903 and opened to the public as a museum in 1906.Dark timber gothic bookcase, possibly cut down from a larger piece of furniture.

John Lenton noted: "To a Preacher, probably an Assistant, in the North." Not in Telford.Letter 1761 December 14, London to "Dear Brother" from John Wesley. Holograph, signed.Back of mount: pencil note JG Williams Baker Street.john wesley

In E.H. Sugden's "Catalogue of Wesleyana". In Telford V: 30 Letter 1766 November 15, London to Mr George Merryweather, Yarm, Yorkshire, from John Wesley. Holograph, signed.Note on verso: "On inoculation"john wesley, george merryweather

Beige, linen note holder, embroidered with blue blue flowers with yellow centres and green leaves and the word "Notes" above the flowers. The holder is edged with narrow blue bias binding and a loop for hanging. It also has a 1 cm wide cardboard strip as a stiffener across the top, stitched into place.holders, note accessories

Typed notes on the life of Legatee Stan Savige's business. It says: "In 1923 (then Mr S G Savige) he was appointed selling agent for the Geelong R. S. & S. Woollen Mills, establishing his sub-agents in all the capital cities of Australia where the products of the mill were sold. He continued in this capacity until the time of his death. The business is still carried on under the name of S.G. Savige Pty Ltd." With an added note from Frank Doolan dated 1/1/1958, that the attached pages include a copy of Legatee Schofield's speech at the first Annual Meeting of Geelong Legacy following Stan's death. He says it quotes a few slabs verbatim from Stan's speech of 4/11/1939. That speech titled 'Legacy and Sister Clubs' is also in the archive. It was sent to Frank Doolan as part of an early archive project.A record of a speech at Geelong Legacy that honours Stan Savige.Note on white foolscap paper with some biographical details of Legatee Savige and a hand written note saying the attached was Legatee Schofield's speech about Savige.stan savige, geelong legacy

A suggested speech to be used when a President of Melbourne Legacy attends the inauguration of a widows' club. It includes the installation of the Widows' Club first president. It was written in 1984 and used at the opening of at least three widows' clubs, in Sale, Beaumaris and Camberwell. Was in a binder of documents that is passed from an outgoing President to the incoming President. It is primarily from the 1930s to 1990s. Most documents are being catalogued separately.A record of part of a ceremony used to start a new Widows' Club.Yellow A4 paper x 1 page with black type of a speech to open a Widows' Club used in 1984.Handwritten note on bottom 'Ceremony proposed by L/Trebilcock. Used by JCD. First used at Sale, March 84; then Beaumaris 25/6/84; Camberwell 28/10/84.'widows, widows clubs

Proof sheet of photos taken at Legacy House. Images 1 to 3 are two widows sitting on a sofa talking to a legatee. Images 4 to 8 is a widow sitting across from a Legatee at a desk taken to show how Legacy provides advice to widows. Image 9 and 12 are of a Legatee handing over a key to the widows' club president on the opening of the new Widows Club rooms. Images 10 and 11 are groups of widows enjoying the new club rooms. Legacy House was remodelled in 1980. One of the ladies is possibly Valerie Rae. The other ladies are not known. Date is not known but possibly in the 1980s. Was donated with three other photos after Valerie Rae passed away. The note with the photos was dated 2014 and it said she died in 2009.A record of activities that Legacy provided for widows.Black and white photo proof sheet x 12 photos of widows at Legacy House.Handwritten in black texta image numbers 1 to 12 and '2208'widows, widows clubs

Murray Comrie Collection. Shire of Bet Bet Proclaimed Sept 20, 1864 Re-defined Feb 10, 1891 Tarnagulla Borough united Oct 1915 Dunolly Borough united Nov 1, 1921 Re subdivision from 5 to 3 ridings Oct 1952Monochrome photograph of a group of men assembled in rows for a photograph. Accompanied by a handwritten note (catalogued separately as a Research Note) with subjects' names. Names of subjects from accompanying note (handwriting difficult to decipher) are believed to be: Left to Right Back/3rd row: Cr J. Grogan, A. Whitehead, G. Barman, J.B. Reid, I.R. Stevens (?), KAG Lowe (Shire Sec), Mr A Rescott (Maryborough Advertiser) Middle row: Crs N.K. Conera (Pres. Elect), D.E. Wood, A. Brownbill, J.P. Mason, D. Clark, K.R. Culleton (Shire Engineer). Front/1st row: Crs G. Fotheringham, J. Fremantle (1951-52), A. Green, J. Hickey. Note also states: 'Secretary Lowe passed away Sept 7, 1952' and 'Fotheringham House, Glenferrie' (location where photograph taken?)tarnagulla, council, bet bet shire, local government, councillors, mayor, shire, engineer, maryborough advertiser, reid, grogan, whitehead, barman, stevens, lowe, rescott, conera, wood, brownbill, mason, clark, culleton, fotheringham, fremantle, green, hickey

Murray Comrie Collection. Shire of Bet Bet Proclaimed Sept 20, 1864 Re-defined Feb 10, 1891 Tarnagulla Borough united Oct 1915 Dunolly Borough united Nov 1, 1921 Re subdivision from 5 to 3 ridings Oct 1952Monochrome photograph of a group of men assembled in rows for a photograph. Accompanied by a handwritten note (catalogued separately as a Research Note) with three of the subjects' names. Text from accompanying note (handwriting difficult to decipher): With compliments A. Green (Pres) 3 I know: Geo F., J.B. Reid Don Calder tarnagulla, council, bet bet shire, local government, councillors, mayor, shire, reid, calder

Murray Comrie Collection. Subjects are posed in front of a building known locally as Victoria Hotel, now the Tarnagulla Public Hall.. Monochrome photograph of soldiers in uniform assembled in front of Victoria Hotel, in the main street of Tarnagulla. The men in uniform are all returned soldiers from the Tarnagulla district. They were drawn together to form the Guard of Honour on the occasion of the unveiling of the nearby War Memorial. Accompanied by a note that gives the following names: (Left to Right) Back Row: 1. _________ 2. George Graham 3. _____________ 4. Bob Clark 5. Joe Harwood Middle Row: 1. W. Kilgour 2. Perc. Ison 3. Lew Allen 4. Sam Patterson 5. Harry Bool 6. Bob Abbott 7. Will Smith Front Row: 1. Arthur Whimpey 2. Sgt ___ Graham 3. Les Radnell 4. Dave Roper 5. Fred Jackson 6. Bill James (David Gordon notes: This is not William James. He had been KIA by the time of the photograph.) tarnagulla, war, military, service, soldiers, veterans, ww1, first world war, graham, clark, harwood, kilgour, ison, allen, patterson, bool, whimpey, radnell, roper, jackson, james, abbott, smith

Murray Comrie Collection.Monochrome photograph of soldiers in uniform. Subjects are residents of Tarnagulla and other towns in surrounding district. All subjects served in First World War, dating the image to circa 1914-1918. Accompanied by a note that gives the following names: (Left to Right) Back Row: 1. Jim Browbill (Simpson's Creek) 2. Geo. Whyte (Tarnagulla) 3. Ken Bramley (Arnold's Bridge) 4. Geo. Riordan (Arnold's Bridge) Third Row from front: 1. Harold Spedding 2. Hewie Spedding (Laanecoorie) 3. Jack Graham (Murphy's Creek) 4. Syd Akers (Tarnagulla) 5. Geo. Corrie (Tarnagulla) Second row from front: 1. Geo. Clark (Llanelly) 2. Allan Mitchell (Llanelly) 3. Sergt. Anderson (Laanecoorie) 4. Jack Mitchell (Llanelly) 5. Will Kilgour (Tarnagulla) Front Row: 1. Fred Jackson (Tarnagulla) Same image as THA-2019.0203, which is an original print.tarnagulla, llanelly, laanecoorie, arnold, arnold's bridge, simpson's creek, murphy's creek, war, military, service, soldiers, veterans, ww1, first world war, kilgour, jackson, clark, mitchell, anderson, spedding, graham, akers, corrie, brownbill, whyte, bramley, riordan

Murray Comrie Collection.Monochrome photograph of soldiers in uniform posed in a military camp. Subjects are residents of Tarnagulla and other towns in surrounding district. All subjects served in First World War, dating the image to circa 1914-1918. Accompanied by a note that gives the following names: (Left to Right) Back Row: 1. ______________ 2. _______________ 3. Bert Whimpey 4. Bill Langan 5. Will Kilgour 6. Claude Whimpey 7. _______________ 8. ________________ Front Row: 1. Perce Ison 2. Arthur Whimpey 3. Syd Akers 4. Dave Roper tarnagulla, war, military, service, soldiers, veterans, ww1, first world war, kilgour, whimpey, langan, ison, akers, roper