Life’s a Dish was a tourism campaign created by the City of Greater Bendigo in conjunction with Bendigo Pottery to encourage food tourism within the City. Seven restaurants and cafes whose menus featured local ingredients were chosen to participate with their businesses promoted on ceramic dinner plates. Customers were encouraged to purchase all seven plates and were then eligible for the eighth ‘Connoisseur Master Plate’ free. The limited edition plates were made by Bendigo Pottery and artist Sue James was employed to work with each resturant on a design, hand painting each plate. Plates were priced at $25.00 each and were also available at the Visitor Centre. This is the second Life's a Dish series and artist Faye Brady was the painter of the first series, of which we currently have no examples. The first Life's a Dish series launched in 2006 featured Balgownie Estate, Bazzani Italiano, The Bridge, Gallery Cafe, Georgie's Cellar Restaurant, GPO, Goldmines Restaurant and Bar, Let's Get Saucy, The Puddler, Quills, Raffaelles and Whirrakee. Established by George Guthrie in 1857 (about 5km north of its current site) and then again seven years later in 1864 after it initially closed, Bendigo Pottery remains one of the most influential and longest running potteries in Australia. Over the years the Pottery has contributed to the growth and development of the district through both its products including building products, table ware and decorative and commemorative war as well as artistically, being responsible for training and supporting many potters locally. It has partnered with the City on various tourism promotions and the Civic Collection holds a number of important items within its collection.Set of eight dinner plates each featuring a hand drawn design which encompass the restaurants defining features. Restaurants include Domaine Asmara (0407.2), Gallery Cafe (0407.7), Hotel Shamrock (0407.5), La Piazza (0407.3), Malayan Orchid (0407.6), Quills (0407.1)and Twenty 2 (0407.4). The eighth plate features the words 'Life's a Dish - Connoisseur' / 'Bendigo & Region' (0407.8)bendigo pottery, city of greater bendigo tourism, sue james

"The Mechanics Institute movement flourished in Victoria from 1839 to 1950. It was based on the development of Mechanics’ Institutes in Scotland and England from the 1820s, which were intended to educate and enlighten the working classes. The term ‘mechanic’ in those days meant an artisan, craftsman or working man, especially those who had moved from rural areas to work in new city factories during the Industrial Revolution. The early Institutes were usually equipped with a reading room, a library and a lecture room. Although enjoying mixed success in Britain, they contributed to the development of public education and library services. The movement was adopted more enthusiastically in the colonies. It began slowly in Victoria but its expansion after the gold rushes population influx was rapid, especially in rural areas. Every suburb and town wanted to have a Mechanics’ Institute. During the 1850s approximately forty Institutes were established, with even greater growth in the period 1860 to 1900. By 1900 there were 400 Institutes in Victoria. The establishment of a Mechanics’ Institute was often a great achievement for a local community, requiring organising committees to raise substantial funds for a building site (where this had not been granted by the Government), and the building. Once built, the committee then had to purchase books, provide a caretaker or librarian, and finance the ongoing use of and improvements to the building. ‘The history of many Institutes is a story of tremendous community effort, and often, financial difficulties’. In addition to being monuments to local enterprise and community life, the Mechanics’ Institutes played a vital role as an intellectual forum, and in contributing to an informed and participatory democracy in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They provided journals and other reading matter on local, state, national and international issues, and hosted of lectures and held debates about wider issues such as Federation, colonial nationalism, defence, female suffrage, the price of land and labour. With the development of the school and technical education in the latter part of the nineteenth century, the need for community technical and adult education declined. As a result of the introduction of government library grants in 1867, many Mechanics’ Institutes incorporated a free library in their buildings to finance collection of their books. By 1884-85, there were 257 free libraries in Victoria. However, government support and library grants dropped off in the 1890s depression. Entertainment took on a greater role in the 1890s, with the introduction of moving pictures, billiards rooms, games rooms (chess), concerts and dances. The First World War had a devastating impact on many rural communities, and some Mechanics’ Institutes were no longer viable. On the other hand the early twentieth century was also a time of agricultural development, and many country towns were growing in this period. The 1930s depression further limited growth of many libraries and reduced grants substantially. In response many Mechanics’ Institutes were renamed, for example as memorial halls, in order to retain and attract more patrons (eg at nearby Sunbury). The diminishing role for Mechanics’ Institutes and the preference for larger and better appointed halls (with supper rooms, cloak rooms etc) resulted in demolition of some small Institutes. The advent of cars, radios, and television also provided other opportunities for recreation, learning and entertainment. The greater role of municipalities in providing library services also eroded the need for free libraries. While over 500 Mechanics’ Institutes or halls are extant, very few of these retain their original role as ‘diffusers of useful knowledge’. Most are still available for community purposes, as venues for meetings, socials, civic occasions etc, while others are employed as museums, shops and theatres. Most buildings are on Crown land, and managed by a delegated committee of management, who are responsible for raising revenue to maintain aging buildings. Many of those which were originally established on private land, such as Melton, have since reverted back to the Crown, and municipal Councils. The most common Mechanics Institute building form is the simple weatherboard gable building with iron roofs, notable for their ‘honest simplicity’ rather than as ‘monuments of the ancients’. At the other extreme there are some magnificent two storeyed brick and stucco structures with elaborate ornamentation (as was apparently envisaged by some in Melton in 1905-10)". The future of Melton Mechanic Institute Gazette articlelocal architecture

Donald Clark Collection.A homemade novelty 'Free Pass' booklet created by Jim Caldwell of the Golden Age Hotel, Tarnagulla. Inside contains typed 'Ten Commandments' written by Jim Caldwell.

The Koori Mural was designed by artist Megan Evans in consultation with a committee from the Aborigines Advancement League consisting of the late Lin Onus, the late Molly Dyer, the late Ron Johnson and the late Elizabeth Hoffman. It was painted by Evans and renowned Aboriginal artist Ray Thomas along with Ian Johnson, Millie Yarram, Les Griggs, Elaine Trott and a number of volunteers. The mural has considerable historical and cultural significance and refers to the experiences of the the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, from early colonial history to the more recent struggle for social justice. In 2014 the mural was replicated onto a vinyl banner and installed at its current site. The Northcote Koori Mural was originally located on Council land in High Street, Northcote, opposite the Northcote Town Hall. A huge, free-standing wall was built specifically to accommodate the mural which was painted on site. The land on which the mural was housed was later sold, however, and the mural was relocated to the Aborigines Advancement League in St. Georges Road, Thornbury. Conservation work in 2014 and original panels decommissioned and vinyl banner hung in its place (with Total Outdoor Media). In 2015 solar lights were installed along with landscaping to the front of the mural and a plaque depicting the history on the mural.

A programme for a 'Gown of the Year' Gala parade in 1958 presented by the Mannequins' Association of Victoria at the Menzies Hotel. The association were members of the modelling profession. They organised the gala and gave their services free so that all proceeds may go to Junior Legacy Victoria. Every frock in the parade is an individual creation of Melbourne's top couturiers. Afterwards the gowns were put on display for the public at Melbourne Town Hall and entry charge of 2/- was contributed to Legacy.A record that Legacy used gala performances for fundraising events. Printed programme of The Gown of the Year gala in 1958 in aid of Legacy, with black and white photos and advertising inside. The cover has 'to assist Melbourne Legacy'. A card cover and paper pages, plus a decorative red braid in the side. fundraising, gala performance

A programme for a 'Gown of the Year' Gala parade presented by the Mannequins' Association of Victoria at the Menzies Hotel. The association were members of the modelling profession. They organised the gala and gave their services free so that all proceeds may to Junior Legacy Victoria. Every frock in the parade is an individual creation of Melbourne's top couturiers. Afterwards the gowns were put on display for the public at Melbourne Town Hall and entry charge of 2/- was contributed to Legacy.A record that Legacy used gala performances for fundraising events. Printed programme of The Gown of the Year gala in 1955 in aid of Legacy, with black and white photos and advertising inside. The cover has the Legacy emblem and 'to assist Junior Legacy, Melbourne'. A card cover and paper pages, plus a decorative red braid in the side. It is 24 pages long.fundraising, gala performance

A photo of L/ Stan Savige with Miss Enez Domec-Carre and Mrs Gilles some of the senior girls. It was at an annual demonstration in the late 1940s or early 1950s as it was published in the newsletter with the news of Legatee Savige dying in 1954. The senior girls are all in their gymnastics outfits with Legacy logo. These were provided free of charge to Junior Legatees attending the weekly classes run by Legacy. Mrs Gillies was the first instructress of Girls' Classes. Throughout the year Melbourne Legacy provided classes for Junior Legatees such as dancing, gymnastics and Eurythmics. The Demonstration was an annual event to showcase their skills. Melbourne Legacy conducted Annual Demonstrations / Parades from 1928 through to the 1980's, usually held at Melbourne Town Hall or Olympic Pool Stadium. The beautiful costumes were made by members of the Junior Legacy Mothers' Club and the Melbourne Legacy Wives' Association. Miss Enez Domec-Carre was the supervisor of girls classes and instrumental in the Annual Demonstration for many years. She joined Melbourne Legacy in 1932 and became the chief instructor of girls' physical education until she retired aged 65 in 1970.A record of that Legatee Stan Savige attended Annual Demonstrations and that Legacy provided classes for junior legatees and the skills learned were displayed in the Annual Demonstration.Black and white photo of L/ Stan Savige, Enez, Mrs Gillies and junior legatees at an Annual Demonstration.annual demonstration, junior legatee, enez domec carre, gillies

In 1960 the format of newsletters to widows was changing. The editor sent a notice to widows asking for their suggestions. The first newsletter in the new format (30/9/60) contains his editorial expressing disappointment that he had received no replies. There is also a letter stored with the newsletters from a widow sending her observation that the editor had sounded rejected and sends her best wishes. There is also a list of meeting dates for 1960 from 29/3/60. There were so many widows that the meetings were spread over three groups - yellow, green and red - each meeting on a different Wednesday of the month at the Melbourne Town Hall. On the free Wednesday there was a card party for anyone to attend (fee 1/-). There is a letter for October and November 1960, each of 4 pages, with details of meetings and activities such as the Christmas party. In November there were calls for nominations for the committee members in 1962. Committee comprised of a President, 2 Vice presidents, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Assistant Secretary and 14 members of the committee. The first edition in the new format was in 1960, previously there had been a quarterly magazine but the distribution was limited, they changed to a 4 page newsletter format to reach more of the widows. The newsletter was priced at 2c a copy. The price of theatre tickets was $3. Various pages of interest have been added to show different news items. Other editions haven't been scanned.Brings to life the activities provided for the widows and the work of Melbourne Legacy in the 1960s.Black typed newsletter x 3 editions from 1960 and associated notices from 1960. 1960 editions: 30 Sep ; 30 Oct ; 30 Novnewsletter, activities

Copies of newsletters to Legacy widows in 1960s. There were usually 4 editions per year (February, May, July and November - plus two special one pages editions in October and November 1961). Newsletters include a notice from the Senior Widows Club coordinator F R G Strickland and information about events and meetings. The editor was Mrs B E Shephard. There were so many widows that the meetings were spread over three groups - yellow, green and red - each meeting on a different Wednesday of the month at Legacy House. On the free Wednesday a Card party was open to all widows and their friends to play cards (entry fee of 1/-). Some months all groups met on the same day and the meeting had to be held at the Melbourne Town Hall to accomodate the numbers. November's meeting as a picnic in the Botanical Gardens and January the widows met in Fitzroy Gardens. In November there were calls for nominations for the committee members for the following year. Committee comprised of a President, 2 Vice presidents, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Assistant Secretary and 14 members of the committee. The first edition in the new format was in 1960, previously there had been a quarterly magazine but the distribution was limited, they changed to a 4 page newsletter format to reach more of the widows. The newsletter was priced at 1D a copy. Various pages of interest have been added to show different news items. Not all editions have been scanned.Brings to life the activities provided for the widows and the work of Melbourne Legacy in the 1960s.Black typed newsletter x 10 editions from 1961 and 1962. 1961 editions: 28 Feb ; 31 May ; 21 Jul ; 10 Oct ; 30 Nov 1962 editions: 23 Feb ; 11 May ; 20 Jul ; 30 Novnewsletter, activities

A programme for a 'Gown of the Year' Gala parade in 1964 presented by the Mannequins and Models Guild of Australia at the Menzies Hotel. The association were members of the modelling profession. They organised the gala and gave their services free so that all proceeds may go to Melbourne Legacy. Every frock in the parade is an individual creation of Melbourne's top couturiers. Usually afterwards the gowns were put on display for the public at Melbourne Town Hall and the entry charge was contributed to Legacy.A record that Legacy used gala performances for fundraising events. Printed programme of The Gown of the Year gala in 1964 in aid of Legacy, with black and white photos and advertising inside. fundraising, gala performance

A photo from a newsletter from September 1953. The photo shows the Footscray boys receiving certificates and badges from the President of Legacy, Legatee S Nevile. The article says the group offers boys the chance of forming lasting friendships with other Junior Legatees, and evening of healthful exercise, games, basketball, etc under the guidance of a fully qualified and capable physical education instructor. Gymnasium kit and free milk are provided for each boy and during the year other interests are available, such as picture nights, pie nights, Christmas parties and outing to Luna Park etc. The Footscray Class was in the Drill Hall, at the corner of Barkly and Gordon Streets Footscray at 7.30 on Friday nights. Individual photos being catalogued to record detail about each one.The newsletter outlining news of Junior Legatee activities with mentions of boys by name.Black and white photo of the Footscray boys with the president in a newsletter in September 1953.junior legatees, boys classes

Hardcover book which is the first of a series describing the life of a Chinese family from 1908 to the present day (1945). 206 pages. Book plate pasted to rear cover, indicating prior ownership: 'Griffiths Booksellers and Stationers Geelong.' Stamps inside book: 'This belongs to W. J. Griffiths Circulating Library'.fictionChinese culture and history novel. The first in a series of novels describing the life of a Chinese family from 1908 to present day.robert payne, chinese culture, chinese history, fiction

Hardcover book, 224 pages. Cover has a colour image of a man and a woman standing near a tree.fictionRomance novel.rethea creese, romance, fiction

Hardcover book, 287 pages. Front cover of book has a colour image of a woman wearing a brown suit standing at the top of a set of stairs leading to the front door of a building.fictionStory about 3 women running a guest house.joan kennedy, fiction

Hardcover book, 192 pages. Front cover of book has a colour image of a man and a woman at a door. The man is wearing a brown hat and overcoat. The woman has blonde hair and is wearing a green skirt and jacket.fictionRomance novel.mairi o'nair, romance, fiction

Photocopy of a program of a free concert of organ music in the St Kilda Town Hall by guest organist Sergio De Pieri on 26 June 1966. Second in a series of free concerts presented by the City of St Kilda and arranged by the City Organist R. (Reginald) E.V. Church. Black and white photocopy on a single page of A4 paper.st kilda town hall, r.e.v. church, sergio de pieri

Poster for St Kilda Musicale at St Kilda Town Hall on 28 October 1973, featuring the Southern Command Army Band. Part of a program of light music presented by the City of St Kilda to the public for free.Buff coloured card printed in black on one sidest kilda musicales, city of st kilda, southern command army band

Poster for St Kilda Musicale at St Kilda Town Hall on 20 July 1975, featuring the Victorian Naval Band. Part of a program of light music presented by the City of St Kilda to the public for free.Buff coloured card printed in blue on one sidest kilda musicales, city of st kilda, victorian naval band

Program for St Kilda Musicale at St Kilda Town Hall on 24 September 1972, featuring organist John Atwell and vocalist Geraldine Dee. Part of a program of light music presented by the City of St Kilda to the public for free.White paper, discoloured with age, printed in black on one sidest kilda musicales, city of st kilda, john atwell, geraldine dee

Poster for St Kilda Musicale at St Kilda Town Hall on 18 August 1974, featuring the National Boys' Choir. Part of a program of light music presented by the City of St Kilda to the public for free.Buff coloured card printed in black on one sidest kilda musicales, city of st kilda, national boys' choir

Scan of a receipt from the Skipton Mechanics' Institute and Free Library Receipt. The receipt relates to the hire of the hall to show 'Gem Pictures'.theatre, film, entertainment, gem, rash, gem pictures, skipton mechanics' institute and free library, receipt

The Temperance Society was formed in 1857 and in 1862 the foundation stone was laid for a public drinking fountain and reading room in View Street, Bendigo. In 1864, building additions saw the inclusion of a free library. The fountain, made of Buckeye Creek granite, featured 4 or more taps with drinking cups attached by chain. In 1895 further extensions on the site resulted in the current façade, leaving no room for the fountain. In 1896 the fountain was moved to its current site in Rosalind Park between the sound shell and the school.Newspaper detailing the history of Bendigo's oldest fountains.fountains, temperance hall, malcolm fraser, d buchan

The word Planisphere (Latin planisphaerium) was originally used in the second century by Claudius Ptolemy to describe the representation of a spherical Earth by a map drawn in the plane. This usage continued into the Renaissance: for example Gerardus Mercator described his 1569 world map as a Planisphere. The word describes the representation of the star-filled celestial sphere on the plane. The first star chart to have the name "Planisphere" was made in 1624 by Jacob Bartsch. Bartsch was the son-in-law of Johannes Kepler, discoverer of Kepler's laws of planetary motion. A significant item of celestial mapping used by marine navigators This particular item was made and used in the first quarter to half of the 20th centuryPlanisphere of northern hemisphere, with canvas bag. Planisphere consists of a circular star chart attached at its centre to an opaque circular overlay that has a clear elliptical window or hole so that only a portion of the sky map will be visible in the window or hole area at any given time. The chart and overlay are mounted so that they are free to rotate about a common pivot point at their centres. The star chart contains the brightest stars, constellations and (possibly) deep-sky objects visible from a particular latitude on Earth. The night sky that one sees from the Earth depends on whether the observer is in the northern or southern hemispheres and the latitude. A Planisphere window is designed for a particular latitude and will be accurate enough for a certain band either side of that. Planisphere makers will usually offer them in a number of versions for different latitudes. Planispheres only show the stars visible from the observer's latitude; stars below the horizon are not included. A complete twenty-four-hour time cycle is marked on the rim of the overlay. A full twelve months of calendar dates are marked on the rim of the starchart. The window is marked to show the direction of the eastern and western horizons. The disc and overlay are adjusted so that the observer's local time of day on the overlay corresponds to that day's date on the star chart disc. The portion of the star chart visible in the window then represents (with a distortion because it is a flat surface representing a spherical volume) the distribution of stars in the sky at that moment for the Planispheres designed location. Users hold the Planisphere above their head with the eastern and western horizons correctly aligned to match the chart to actual star positions. "Made in Germany for GEORGE PHILIP & SONS Ltd. Geographical and Educational Depot, 32 Fleet Street, London" Canvas bag has "Capt. H (Howard) Tyler from Captain H. F. Woolf" "Tyler 22 ? St East Brighton" also "13 Halls St Flinders"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, planisphere, star map, marine navigation, maps, george philip & sons

Eight issues of "MMTB News" - The Magazine of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board. Two copies of each issue. All issues printed with an off-white gloss paper cover with the rest of the magazine white glass paper. 1722.1 - Vol. 2, No. 1 - 16 pages, January 1965, with a photo of the Board meeting in the Board room of the MMTB, notes or articles on traffic congestion, a short history of public street transport in Melbourne, TMSV tour of 7/2/1965 with PCC 980, and" Some Views on Public Transport". 1722.2 - Vol. 2, No. 2 - 16 pages, February 1965, with a photo of Dusseldorf 3 section tramcar on the front cover, notes on the costs of concessions, press visit to the Carlton Power control supervisory centre, "Melbourne - 1985", Mark VI buses, tool safety, "Staggered Working Hours", hydro-foil on Sydney Harbour, "Traffic Congestion". 1722.3 - Vol. 2, No. 3 - 12 pages, March - April 1965, with a photo of W7 1012 and bus 751 on the front cover, notes or articles on "New Trams for Melbourne", retirement of D.H. Eakin, "Traffic Congestion", "Tramway buses at the Gippsland Fires", The Australian Good Neighbour movement. 1722.4 - Vol. 2, No. 4 - 16 pages, May - June 1965, with a photo of L 101 at West Maribyrnong terminus during an Association of Railway Enthusiasts tour (photo Robert Wilson), notes or articles; "A Motorist Speaks Up for Trams", "Tramways Hospital a Major Benefit", parking in the central city, tramway ambulance, "Radio Control is Human Nerve Centre", staff shortages, retirement of Mr. Stan Bowen, the ARE Tram Tour, and Port Melbourne Tramways Social Angling Club. 1722.5 - Vol. 2, No. 5 - 16 pages, July 1965, with a photo of the Doncaster Bus depot on the front cover, articles or notes; Freeways, Public Transport, Decimal conversion, Doncaster Bus depot, Melbourne in twenty years, Engineering Department - Bus branch, visit of Mr Ken Hall and Frank Kirby overseas to study new trams. 1722.6 - Vol. 2, No. 6 - 20 pages, August September 1965 with a photo of W6 921 being lowered at Preston Depot, with notes or articles; an abridged version of an address by R. J. Risson to the Constitutional Club in Melbourne, lost items on trams, Bus Engineering, and social or sporting club news. 1722.7 - Vol. 2, No. 7 - 16 pages, October - November 1965 with a photo of PCC 980 on the front cover, notes or articles on; free travel for USA City shoppers, safety, Stores Department printing section, Ballarat's Tramways Diamond Jubilee - TMSV tour to Ballarat on 15/8/1965 including two photos, PCC 980, Christmas functions, retirement of Arthur Wisdom and Bill Wallis. (Reference photos Reg. Item - 1877). See btm2819i9 for image of the article re the TMSV Tour to Ballarat. 1722.8 - Vol. 2, No. 8 - 16 pages, December 1965 with a photo of cable car set No. 1 on the front cover with notes or articles; Children's art show, "Quest for New Tram", "The Development of Melbourne's Trams" and sporting or social club news. Has a Christmas message from Chairman, Mr. Risson with photograph.trams, tramways, mmtb, carlton control, buses, pcc 980, ballarat, new trams, are, tmsv