The soldier in the photo is Charles Alfred KEDGE No.38512. Born in Bendigo, he enlisted on 8.11.16 aged 21 in the FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE Reinforcement 32. Embarked for England 26.11.17, embarked for France 17.7.18, KIA 16.8.18 at Tincourt, France. The photo was most likely taken in Croydon, South London at the home of Stephen Tully, the elder man sitting in the photo. Betty Tully is in front of him, Eileen in the white dress. The lady in the black dress is Annie Parker. The photo was taken prior to Kedge embarking for France. Refer to Ct. No.4056 for other item.Photo, sepia tone, showing a soldier standing behind a man & woman seated and two girls sitting on grass.On rear in pen: “CHARLIE KEDGE, Stephen Tully, Annie Parker, Betty Tully, Eileen Tully”photograph, artillery, kia

.1) On rear: 10 days furlough to England. I left the trenches on the 22nd Dec and arrived in England on the 27th and left again on the 6th Jan for the Somme. I had a Bon Time. This fits in with James Archibald TODD No 2418 AIF. By his records this was 1917 - 1918 leave. Refer Cat No 1340P for his service details. .2) On rear: France 2.6.18. Kindest Regards to all from Jim. .3) On rear: Le Mart France, Dear -- this is some of my mates, I am on this -- with love to all, Jim. The 3 photos all relate to James Archibald TODD No 2418 AIF. Refer Reg No 1217 for his brother Charles, KIA. .1) Photo postcard, sepia, showing 4 soldiers, 2 sitting & 2 standing. Handwriting on rear in purple pencil. .2) Photo postcard, sepia, showing a group of 17 soldiers dressed for entertainment. Handwriting on rear in blue ink. .3) Photo, sepia, showing a large group of uniformed men with trees in the background. 3 dogs are in the front row. Handwriting on rear in black pen..2) Printed in white underneath the photo: “ANZAC COVES - PIERROT TROUPE DIRECT FROM THE FIRING LINE”photographs, france, todd

Allan Kenneth NAISMITH DCM, VX4838, 2/7th Bn. Refer Cat No 1421 for his service history.Photo, sepia tone showing Allan Kenneth Naismith DCM standing in uniform with a well dressed lady in hat and banquet of flowers.On rear in pencil: Allan Kenneth Naismith, wife Pearl Daphne, married during the war.photograph, dcm

Photo, black / white of 2/1 Corps FD SUY COY RAE. Taken in Sarafand, Middle East, 5.1941. All members in summer dress, head gear, shirts with rolled up sleeves & shorts. Mounted with green border with tan wooden frame, glass front, white cardboard backing & silver wire hanging strap at rear.photograph, 2/1st, middle east, rae

Item re Frederick Gardner DAVEY DFC No 410533 RAAF. Refer Reg No 3536P for his service details..1) Photo, full length, black / white, of a man in RAAF uniform. Buildings in the background. .2) Photo, full length, black / white, of 2 men in RAAF uniform. Buildings in the background. .3) Photo, full length, black / white, of 7 men in RAAF uniform, seated on the ground. Buildings in the background..1) Handwritten in pencil: Fred in grey flannel battle dress.photography, raaf

.1) & .2) Copies of original photos - see Reg No 3899.3P. Item re Frederick Gardner DAVEY DFC No 410533 RAAF. Refer Reg No 3536P for his service details..1) Black / white photo of 2 men dressed in RAAF uniform standing in front of a building. .2) Black / white photo of 3 men dressed in RAAF uniform standing in front of a building..1) Handwritten in blue ink: Mrs J Davey Pres, Strathdale CWA. Fred on right in battle dress. Ted Forman (Navigator) on left). My husband Fred was a Flying Officer 410533 who won the DFC for 35 trips over occupied territory., photography, raaf

.1) Photo is of Douglas George PHILLIPS MC No 3449. Refer Reg No 1213 for his service details. .2) Elvie & Madge Phillips were the sisters of Douglas George PHILLIPS MC. .3) Letter from Elvie to Jack. He is John William PHILLIPS No 110, who enlisted 10.8.14 aged 19 years in A Coy 14 BN AIF. He embarked for overseas 22.12.1914. He was WIA in the arm & it was written by relatives that it was held together by guinea pig services. He was also gassed. John is the brother of Douglas George PHILLIPS MC..1) Post card photo, black / white, portrait of an officer with MC ribbon on uniform,, no head wear, clear background. .2) Post card photo, colour, showing 2 young girls, 1 sitting & 1 standing. .3) Post card photo, black / white, showing 2 young girls in white dresses standing in a garden..1) Handwritten on front bottom RH corner: “Your loving brother Doug Dec 1918” .2) On rear in black pen: “Elvie Phillips - Madge Phillips.Collectors for the Belgium Relief Fund” .3) On rear in black pen: “Extensive letter from Elvie Phillips, 585 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo to her brother Jack, dated April 13th 1915”photographs, postcard, mc

Decorative brown wooden frame, glass front, cardboard backing. Black & white photo of unknown soldier with Union Jack flag in background Soldier dressed in peaked cap, jacket with waist belt trousers, puttees & boots, photo mounted with brown border.On front RHS, LHS back & bottom white sticker: "No 59" Rear at bottom in biro: "Henry Bice Maiden Gully"passchendaele barracks trust, photographs, framed

Colour, group portrait photo of Officers of 38th Infantry Battalion in dress blues. Attached white label includes the Officer's names. Handwritten label in black ink on front:, “38th Inf Bn Offrs Centenary Dinner 30 Aug 1958” Handwritten names in pencil on rear: Officer's names.photography-photographs, military history, passchendaele barracks trust, 38th bn

Photo relates to Beryl Grimshaw (Morrel) Ron Morrell, Cat No,s 306, 315, 316, 304P, 305P, 312.Heavy glass frame with thick timber backboard (smaller than glass) joined together with 4 metal screws. Beige mount. Hand tinted photo, 3/4 length portrait of female in a nurse's uniform, blue dress, white apron, sleeves, collar & veil. Red cross on apron bib & veil. Blue armband.photography - photographs, frame accessories, trades - carpentery

Black and white photograph of hockey players on White Flat Oval. Some boys are dressed as girls. ballarat school of mines, white flat, hockey, sport

Four student teachers pose in costume outside a brick building with bluestone foundations .ballarat technical art school, pre-service teachers, costume, dress-up

Doctor “Weary” Dunlop as he was known was an Australian Doctor well known for his work as a POW of the Japanese.Brown & gold ornate timber frame. Photographic print of a painting, 3/4 length portrait of SIR EDWARD (WEARY) DUNLOP dressed in a lounge suit. Australian flag draped, bunch of flowers, book on table in the background. Signature in gold print bottom R corner.photography-photographs, frame accessories, doctor, weary dunlop

Alexander Norman Cummin (Sandy) No 18 enlisted in the AIF in the 38th Batt HQ on 22.2.1916 age 19 years 4 months. Embark for England 20.6.1916, embark for France 22.11.1916, WIA 11.8.1918 Shell wounds (unclear), rejoin unit 23.9.1918, hospital while on leave 1.12.1918 with Bronchitis, return too Australia 24.12.1918 with Influenza, discharged from the AIF 21.3.1919 medically unfit.Portrait black & white of soldier standing. Australian soldier has no head dress, name Sandy. ALEXANDER NORMAN CUMMIN.On photo itself is a small number 4072. The bottom RHS has T L FULLER AMESBURY. The rear: Larkhill Camp Amesbury Salisbury Plain England. To Mr Harvey with love and best wishes Sandy 29.8.16. Sailed June 20/16documents - postcards, photography-photographs, military history - army

Items relating to the collection re Alexander Norman Cummin No 18, 38th Batt AIF, his brother Harold Nesbit Cummin No 1239 Camel Corp. Refer 2535P (Alexander) 2530.3P (Harold) for their service details. .6) Graves photo. On the left, Sydney Graham Issell. He had 4 years pre war service in Senior cadets and Citizens Forces reaching the rank of Sgt. Enlisted on 8.2.1916 No 912 with the rank of Cpl, C Coy 38th Batt age 21 years 11 months. Embark for England 20.6.1916, promoted L/Sgt, embark for France 22.11.1916, hospital 13.5.1917 (NYD) rejoin unit 19.5.1917, WIA 29.5.1917 GSW chest then restated GSW Back, severe, rejoin unit 12.3.1918, KIA 1.8.1918. On the right, Harold James Fraser. He had 5 years pre war service in the Cadets and Citizens Forces. Enlisted on 27.10.1916 No 2802 6th reinforcements 38th Batt age 22 years. Embark for England 16.12.1916, moves through 10th, 14th Training Batt’s then 66th Batt on 28.4.1917, promoted Sgt and alloted No 2802A, embark for France 25.8.1917 as reinforcement 38th Batt, awarded the Military medal (MM)) 12.10.1917 East of Eypres, KIA 1.8.1918. Both were buried at Vaire Wood near Corbie. .1) 2 Australian soldiers in fatigues with what looks like a cooking apparatus, with letters below DROW EC (stylised). .2) 1/2 length portrait of an Australian soldier. .3) Casual portrait of a soldier sitting in fatigues, probably Sandy. Boots look muddy, scrub in background. .4) Portrait of 2 soldiers (allied) fully armed & wearing helmets. .5) Portrait of a soldier (allied) fully armed & dangerous. .6) Black & white photo of 2 graves with white crosses. Soldiers left cross: No 912 SGT SG ISSELL 38 BN AIF, Soldier right cross: No 2802 SGT HJ FRASER 38 BN AIF. .7) Black & white photo showing 2 Australian soldiers casually dressed in the ruins of an old factory. .8) Black & white mini photo showing building ruins & what appears to be derelict boilers. .9) Black & white mini photo showing what appears to be a WWI German soldier kamerading (surrendering). This is probably posing in captured enemy clothing. 10.) Black & white mini photo showing camels at rest. .11) Black & white mini photo showing a blown up British pattern tank MK1 on sandy terrain. A track has detached & curled up over the front of the tank. .1) verso: “Me & Sandy Port De Nieppe May 1917” .2) verso: “Taken in Liverpool, England while on <> leave Jan 1918. To Mother Father & all at home with love from Sandy”photography-photographs, military history - army, 38th

Black and yellow soft cover. Front cover has photograph of two men facing each other with a women standing between them (head and shoulders). Back cover has photograph of Japanese man in ceremonial dress. Author BOB WURTH Pages 336Written on title page "Donated by Bgo Y Mens Club"books, military history

This item is in a collection of 11 items donated by Stan Hutson. The majority relate to Frederick Arthur William Hutson No 3539 57th Bn AIF. Refer Cat No 922 for his service history. As this photo relates to pre WW1 taken at the Bendigo Race Course it will relate to Fredericks brother, Herbert Spencer Hutson No 3540 57th Bn. Herbert had pre war service in the 67th Militia Bn in Bendigo. Herb enlisted also in the 8th Reo’s 21st Bn and also transferred to the 57th Bn same day as his brother. Pre World War I Militia Unit. Taken at Bendigo Race Course stand. Black and white portrait of irregularly dressed soldier and one white dog. They are both seated and standing. Various head dress. Their rifles are Martini - Henry single shot. There appears to be a Chaplain in the group. Group size approx. 100 soldiers. In the grand stand behind them are various pieces of kit. They are probably Bendigo's 67 Infantry in front of the Bendigo Race Course stand. The frame is varnished timber circa 1912 - 1914.“W.R.Robinson photo Bendigo” The original ticket on the front is wrong as to place of photo taken.photography-photographs/frame accessories, military-army

A colour photograph of a sculpture in Bruno's Art & Sculptures Garden in Marysville in Victoria.A colour photograph of a sculpture in Bruno's Art & Sculptures Garden in Marysville in Victoria. Bruno's Sculptures Garden is one of Marysville's popular attractions. There is a sculpture garden as well as a gallery of artworks. Both the garden and gallery were destroyed during the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. Some of the sculptures were totally destroyed though a few did survive the fires. Bruno made the decision to re-sculpt the lost sculptures and re-built his gallery and re-open his garden to visitors to Marysville.bruno torfs, gardens-design, marysville, victoria, sculpture, australia, sculpture garden, sculptors, bruno's art and sculptures garden, 2009 black saturday bushfires, photograph

Grace Watson married Arthur Cowley at Holy Trinity Anglican Church Murtoa on May 22nd, 1954. Alice Watson, her sister was bridesmaid. Alice was a dressmaker in Murtoa, Victoria and made both their dresses as well as the dresses of the two flower girls, nieces Helen Cox and Alison Watson.Coloured photograph of a bridesmaid in 1954Front of folder: Alice Watson bridesmaid for Grace and Arthur Cowley's Wedding May 22nd 1954wedding photograph 1954, bridesmaid 1954, alice watson

Colour photograph of Joyce Esther Brennan, nee Anderson, a WW2 RAAF communications servicewoman. J E Brennan (service number 90032) was a Flight Sergeant attached to the RAAF Headquarters, Melbourne at the time of her discharge. J E Brennan's family also donated a doll dressed in WW2 women's uniform see item 00062.

Elaine Donnellon, the donor of the photograph is the daughter of Shelia's sister Matilda. Thomas Coughlan and Shelia Whelan were married 03-09-1947. Not highly significant but typical of a mid 20th century portrait taken in a photographer's studio. The style of the wedding finery is representitive of the fashion of the period.Studio Portrait on original mount. Thomas Coughlan bridegroom, dark double-breasted suit,orange-blossom buttonhole. Shelia Whelan bride, embossed satin bridal gown with train and leg-o-mutton sleeves,a lace insert at the neckline, finished with a dainty locket. An embroidered full lengh veil and ruched head-dress with orange-blossom is complimented by a floral trailer-bouquet and horseshoes. Portrait backdrop, curtain and chair. Bottom right-hand corner, hand written, "Mendilnohy/Melb."studio portrait, 1947, thomas coughlan, shelia whelan, orange blossom, embossed satin, wedding gown, double breasted suit, veil, trailer, bouquet

The pair of photographs of Mr Henry and Mrs Mary Jane Giles was made by the International Art Company, the price was 30 shillings and the choice of frame was Rosewood. It is part of the Giles Collection, which also includes a photograph of the couple's daughter Christina Giles, who died in 1899 aged seven years. There are many 19th century items of furniture, linen and crockery donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village by, Vera and Aurelin Giles. The items are associated with Warrnambool and the Giles Family history. Items donated by the family have come to be known as the “Giles Collection”. Many items in the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage were donated by Vera and Aurelin Giles and mostly came from the home of Vera’s parents-in-law, Henry Giles and his wife Mary Jane (nee Freckleton) who married in 1880 and whose photos are on display in the parlour. Henry was born at Tower Hill in 1858, and was a labourer on the construction of the Warrnambool Breakwater before leaving in 1895 for around seven years to build bridges in NSW. Mary Jane was born in 1860 at Cooramook and she attended Mailor’s Flat State School and where she eventually was to become a student teacher. After which she became a governess at “Injemiara” where her grandfather, Francis Freckleton, had once owned land. Henry and Mary’s family consisted of six, some of the children were born at Mailor’s Flat and later some children at Wangoom. They lived with their parents at Wangoom and Purnim west, and this is where Henry died in 1933 and Mary Jane in 1940.This photograph is locally significant due to its association with a local pioneering family. The Giles family collection is of social significance at a local level, because it not only illustrates the level of material support the Warrnambool community gave to Flagstaff Hill during it’s establishment. But the Giles collection also gives us today a snapshot into what domestic life was like in early colonial times prior to Federation. The photograph itself is of added significance as we can see the faces of the family whose lives the collection represents . This photograph is a portrait mounted in an oval rosewood frame, one of a pair. This photograph is Henry Giles, dressed formally and showing a moustache and side-burns. The couple in the pair of photographs is Mr and Mrs Giles of Woodford, Victoria. The photographic studio was the International Art Company. It is part of the Giles Collection.Inscription on back of frame "International Art Company 30/-" "Rosewood"warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, photograph late 1800s, oval wooden frame, portrait, mrs mary jane giles of woodford victoria, giles collection, henry giles, tower hill, cooramook, warrnambool breakwater, mailor’s flat, wangoom, 19th century personal effects, mary giles, christine giles

This photograph shows the crew of the first HMAS Warrnambool (J202) marching east along Timor Street in Warrnambool, just opposite the Post Office on the corner of Gillies Street. People are watching the parade from the footpath and two boys, dressed in their ‘best’ clothes, are marching alongside the crew. The HMAS Warrnambool was one of 60 Bathurst class corvette vessels built during World War II for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as armed minesweepers. The namesake of the City of Warrnambool, Victoria, was launched in Sydney in 1941. The HMAS Warrnambool began service with patrols off Bass Strait in 1941. In December the ship docked in the Warrnambool harbour at Lady Bay. The crew came ashore and performed a march for the city. The Mayor, Cr. John R Astbury presented them with a plaque of the City of Warrnambool’s Coat of Arms and the Warrnambool Patriotic Fund gave them a gift of 110 books for the crew’s library. The Warrnambool served in Darwin during the time it was bombed, it was involved in several rescues and carried troops to New Guinea, it carried out escort and patrol duties on Australia's east coast, then at Fremantle and back to Darwin. The ship was at Timor when the Japanese surrendered in 1945. It performed mine clearance work around the Solomon Islands and New Guinea after the war. In 1947 the HMAS Warrnambool was at the Great Barrier Reef, off the Queensland coast, to clear the defensive British mines previously laid to protect Australia’s boarders. The ship hit a mine near Cockburn Reef, exploded and sank shortly afterwards. One of the 70 or so men on board was killed and three died later. The rescued men were transferred by boats to the nearby HMAS Swan II, which took the survivors to Cairns. The four deceased were Victorian seamen. In May 1948 the Royal Australian Navy divers recovered a number of items from the wreck, including the ship’s bell and the City of Warrnambool plaque. In 1949 the RAN returned the plaque to the Warrnambool City Council, and donated the ship’s bell to the Australian War Memorial. Further objects were recovered in 1972-75 by Southern Cross Diving and Salvage. A memorial plaque was erected in Warrnambool on September 13, 1995 in honour of all who served on HMAS Warrnambool. NOTE: (1)- HMAS Warrnambool II (FCPB204 was built in 1980 in Cairns, with a compliment of 22 personnel. It was decommissioned in 2005. (2)- SS Warrnambool, a steam and sail ship, was built in 1892 in London and broken up in 1926. [A more detailed history can be found in our Collection Record 3477.]This photograph is significant for its association with the lifesaving rescue of the crew and the sinking Royal Australian Navy vessel, HMAS Warrnambool (J202). The HMAS Warrnambool played a nationally significant role in overturning Australia’s Immigration Restriction Act 1901 (colloquially known as the White Australia policy). The ship rescued, and brought to Australia, Samuel and Annie Jacob and their family after they evacuated Dutch East India. The family was threatened with deportation and made the first successful appeal to High Court regarding that Act. The HMAS Warrnambool has - Local significance for being the namesake of the City of Warrnambool - Local significance, having docked in Warrnambool Harbour - Local significance, the crew having paraded in Timor Street, Warrnambool - State significance for its first patrol being in Bass Strait. - National significance, being present in Timor at the Japanese surrender - National significance, shown by the significance of the ship’s bell being curated as Military Heritage and Technology at the Australian War Memorial. - National significance as part of Australia’s defence force history, being one of only four Bathurst class corvettes lost while in Australian service, the only Bathurst class corvette lost after World War II, the only RAN vessel to be sunk by a mine, and associated with the last four Navy deaths of WWIIPhotograph of the crew of HMAS Warrnambool J202. This black and white image shows the crew marching east along Timor Street in Warrnambool. People are watching from the footpath and two formally dressed boys are marching alongside the sailors. Inscription on the reverse.(PRIVATE details - See Notes)flagstaff hill, maritime village, maritime museum, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, mort's dock & engineering co ltd, h.m.a.s. warrnambool, hmas warrnambool, hmas warrnambool i, hmas warrnambool j202, hmas swan ii, j202, world war ii, bathurst class corvette, royal australian navy, ran, sydney built ship, bass strait patrol, sea mine patrol, mine sweeper, mine clearance, navy divers, great barrier reef, cockburn reef, southern cross diving and salvage, warrnambool city council, cr j r astbury, mayor j r astbury, warrnambool patriotic fund, seal, coat of arms, dedicatory plaque, hmas warrnambool 1941, shipwreck by sea mine 1947, sinking ship, sunk ship, marching, parade, timor street warrnambool, minesweeper

This photograph of a deep sea diver on board a vessel is connected to T. Ward. It was possibly part of E.G. Ward's Collection of diving equipment. The photograph was produced in the local town of Timboon. This photograph of an early 1900s diving suit shows part of the history of diving. It is connected to local history through the inscriptions on the back of the photograph; the printer and the name. The south west coast has hundreds of shipwrecks that have been discovered and explored by many divers. Their discoveries have led to us interpreting and understanding more about our history; ship building, exports, immigration, navigation and much more.Black and white photograph, portrait orientation, of a diver dressed in full diving gear standing on board a sailing vessel at sea. Inscriptions on reverse.Handwritten in black pen "T. WARD" Stamped in black ink "REPRODUCED BY" above rectangular stamp. Text within stamp "[K. TREGEA / CALLOWAY ST / TIMBOON VIC"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, photograph, diving gear, diving suit, deep sea diving, deep sea diver, diver, south west victoria, diving photograph, t ward, k tregea, timboon, marine technology, life saving

Photograph; black and White group photograph of the Volunteer Corps and Band in dress uniform with white pith helmets, the the band members wearing caps. Band instruments are in the foreground on the ground. There is a hut on the right with the word GENERAL painted on the door. There is a road and some buildings on the left, another road on the right with tall posts, and hills in the background. One of the instruments is a Rope Tensioned Bass Drum. 3488.1 is unmounted, and has two stamps on the back 3488.2 is a copy of a mounted photograph, with impressed inscriptions below Painted on the building "GENERAL" (3488.1) Stamp, purple ink; "Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village" (3488.2) Impressed below the copy and photographed with the copy: Coat of Arms in centre [Lion and Unicorn], pulse impressed script on the left and impressed text on the right.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, photograph, volunteer corps band

The postcard shows a photograph of William Ferrier, the 25-year-old Warrnambool fisherman from South Warrnambool whose rescue of two sailors from the wrecked La Bella made him an overnight National hero, quoted as “one of the most heroic rescues in Victoria’s shipwreck history”. The La Bella was wrecked on 10th November 1905 and the photograph was taken on the next day. In the photograph, William Ferrier is seated in the centre, with four of the five survivors beside him: (from left to right) Leonard Robertson, R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. The photograph was taken by Foyle Photography Studio in Warrnambool, originally owned by James Charles Foyle. He previously had a photographic studio in Melbourne 1882 1887, then opened “Foyle’s Photo Card Studios” in Liebig St, Warrnambool. James Foyle died on 13th July 1905 and his son and daughter, Charles and Lilian Foyle continued on with the business until 1945. This photograph was most likely taken by either Charles or Lilian Foyle. The story of William Ferrier’s brave act follows on below … 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 was 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 northwesterly 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 seawater and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on the 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 11 pm 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 11 pm 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 2 am 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 had 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. As well as this postcard, Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a photograph of the wrecked La Bella, a brass rail holder and the letter from the Prime Minister and other Members of Parliament that was sent to William Ferrier to commend him for his bravery. 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. This postcard 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 photograph of William Ferrier and four of the five survivors demonstrates the bravery of ordinary Australians who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. The postcard is significant to the history of Warrnambool as it portrays 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 postcard connects to the congratulatory letter which was sent to William Ferrier by the Prime Minister and Government of Australia and demonstrates the importance they attached to his efforts for Victoria and to Australia. The postcard is also an example of the photography of Foyle Photographers who were in the town of Warrnambool from the late 1800’s. Charles and Lillian Foyle took over the business when their father James died in 1905. Lillian Foyle is significant as the first woman photographer in Warrnambool. It is not known whether Charles of Lillian took this photograph. This postcard 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. Sepia photograph of William (Bill) Ferrier (seated in the middle), heroic rescuer of two crew members of the La Bella, wrecked at Warrnambool. The photograph is a postcard and shows five men dressed formally in suits and hats. Printed below the photograph are the name and place of the photographer, a royal crest and the details of two patrons of the photographer. Also below the photograph are some handwritten words in black pen. On the back of the postcard is a handwritten message in the same writing as the front.Printed on the front of the card is “Foyle, WARRNAMBOOL” “PATRONS: / HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CORNWALL & YORK. / HIS EXCELLENCY LORD BRAS_ EY, R.O.B.” Handwritten on the front of the card is “Bill Ferrier / rescuer / Oh my hero _ _ _ “ Handwritten on the back of the card is a message. “La Bella” Wrecked off W.Bool Breakwater Nov. 1906 (_ _ _ _ show night) Payne Noake Rosenholme Robertson and Capt Mylius (saved) (moonlight bright) Watson (_ _ _ _ boy) Richwoud [possibly Richmond] drowned” and signed “Desdewoua [possibly Desdemona] Slogos”la bella, foyle, william ferrier, bill ferrier, lady bay, 1905, 10th november 1905, 11th november 1905, parliament of the commonwealth, royal humane society medal, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village

Postcard donated by Mrs D Motton given to Kevin Findlay, Lang Lang.Coloured postcard taken from San Remo looking across to Newhaven, Phillip Island. Photograph showing two trees either side with lady in long dress and umbrella near the shoreline.Newhaven from San Remo, Phillip Island.views newhaven, newhaven phillip island, coastal views, mrs d motton, kevin findlay