A very large group of people gather for a formal photograph at Yan Yean Reservoir for the New Years Day District annual Picnic. Family names in photo include Stutchbery, Jeffries and Young. All these families were associated with Yarrambat. Families from Diamond Creek would also attend.Digital image onlypicnic, jeffries, stuchbery, yan yean reservoir, new year

merbein township, sandbar, new year

This booklet relates the life of Basil Watson. It tells in detail his early life, background, his home built aeroplane, his display flights and his tragic death and the story since. This year marks 100 years since one of Australia’s pioneering aviators, Basil Watson arrived in Warrnambool and delivered the first airmail to the town. Basil Watson was born in Bendigo in 1894. His interest in aviation which began at a young age, took him to England at the commencement of WW1 where he worked at Brookland in aviation workshops and as a test pilot. Despite crashing and suffering injuries he was not deterred. He returned to Australia and by 1916 Basil had built his own plane. He soon took to the air performing tricks and barnstorming to the delight of onlookers. His connection to Warrnambool lies with his delivery of the first airmail to the town, an event which was filled with much excitement. Basil Watson, pioneer aviator landed his 50hp home built aeroplane on the racecourse on Saturday January 27th 1917, after a flight from Point Cook. The trip of 166 miles took just under two hours, and set a record non-stop cross country flight for Australia. Watson was heartily welcomed by the Mayor, to whom he delivered three letters, the first aerial post to Warrnambool. One of the letters, from the Mayor of Melbourne Sir David Hennessy to the Mayor of Warrnambool is now in the W&DHS collection: I have much pleasure in sending you greetings by aeroplane piloted by my friend, Mr Basil Watson. I hope when the cruel war is over and victory crowns our efforts, we, over the Commonwealth, will be able to fly from one State to the other. With best wishes for the New Year. Yours truly, DV Hennessy. Basil Watson was unfortunately killed two months after his historic visit to Warrnambool. While participating in an air show at Point Cook, the plane he way flying that day crashed into the sea. This booklet tells the story of an interesting part of Warrnambool and Australia's aviation history. It has special significance as it enlightens two significant items in our local collection, namely the letter which he delivered and the seat from his aircraft.A small 29 page booklet with blue and white photograph of Basil Watson in his aeroplane. It contains a number of black and white and some colour photographs. Introduction from the author, "This small booklet recognises the short career of Basil Watson. He came to my attention when researching the French aviator Maurice Guillaux who carried the first official air mail in Australia, Melbourne to Sydney in two and a half days 16/18 July 1914..... Tom Lockley 1 June 2017. Handwritten inside front cover,"These items may be of interest to add to your material about Basil Watson. Its a pity that the 100 year anniversary of his flight was not more widely recognised but thank you for mounting some of his records. Tom Hockley."warrnambool, basil watson, first airmail flight, aviation career of basil watson

Black and white negative by Wal Jack of L 102 (Darling Road 4D) and W2 481 (South Melb and St Kilda Beach 2A) in Swanston St at Franklin St, c1939 on a hot day. L102 has an auxiliary board advertising New Year Fireworks. In the background are buildings for E. P. Keogh, McMillan, Ray Neon, Eclipse Motors and Norton Cross Motors. Eclipse Motors was at 400 Swanston St.trams, tramways, l class, route 4d, w2 class, route 2a, tram 102, tram 481

Magazine, published by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Victoria "Met Lines" (Metlines) - A4, printed on white gloss paper, with the MTA logo or symbol. Issued under the name of L. A. Strouse as Chairman. Continues from Reg Item 1058 "Met Lines" - printed in an A3 version, Now a monthly version printed in an A4 size. Major tram and bus items listed. Tramway and bus names only listed, not railway. .1 - Vol 1 No. 5 - August 1985 - 20 pages - announcement of trams for Hong Kong, Minister Tom Roper, tram posters, an article on the work of the TMSV with photos. Retired tramway employees association, Minister visiting Brunswick depot, Melbourne Brighton Bus Lines joins the Met - has photos of staff. .2 - Vol 1 No. 6 - September 1985 - 20 pages - tram emergency crew - derailment of 34 at Russell and Burke and Emergency crew at work and in front of truck, Joe Saccasan foreman at South Melbourne and artist, Doncaster Bus depot, The Met Transporter at the Royal Melbourne show. .3 - Vol 1 No. 7 - October 1985- 20 pages - front page Emery Worldwide courier Elizabeth Sciberra with driver John Edwards, competition to detail a photo of cable tram conductor with very large safety pins (for the bell punch tickets), Hong Kong Kowloon-Canton KCRC inspection tour of Preston Workshops, new tram track construction, Essendon depot Soccer Club premiers winners, Malvern Depot photos and story, Norm Cross and making of Malcolm, Conductor training at Hawthorn depot, photo of enthusiast Paul Jordan, Bus and Coach Society of Victoria article with photos of MMTB Double Decker 244 and a Thornycroft bus No. 14. Article on MMTB uniforms - cable trams, PMTT with photos. .4 - Vol 1 No. 8 - November 1985 - 20 pages - front page cable sketches of cable trams - Met Annual Report, Personnel management, 100 years of Melbourne's tram - many photographs, history timeline for trams, Marketing new posters (See Reg Item 585), tram tours, the Outer Circle Railway - bike path, Essendon depot to be redeveloped, lunch at Hawthorn Training School, tram wheel grinding - James Hajjar. .5 - Vol No. 9 - December 1985 - 20 pages - MTCO Conductor competition - Ray Marsh, Met Posters, Footscray Bus Depot, Scrubber trams, calendar, tram centenary celebrations a success, old Bourke St head office plaque unveiling by Tom Roper and Keith Kings of TMSV, Eric Hobday MMTB Relieving Depot Master remembers the cable trams last day, Alan Jennings retirement, lists personnel movements within The Met. For next year 1986 - see Reg Item 1086trams, tramways, mta, the met, cable trams, conductors, bell punch, hong kong, tram track, malcolm, training, hawthorn, bscv, buses, uniforms, pmtt, mmtb, annual reports, personnel, 100 years of electric trams, posters, outer circle railway, footscray depot, scrubber tram, tmsv, posters, melbourne brighton bus, brunswick depot, r10 vehicle, emergency, derailments, tram 8w, tram 11w, tram 34

Set of 12 Posters - printed on paper with an adhesive backing for: .1 - Tram Diversions - Bourke St - Moomba Mile footrace 28/2/1986 .2 - Moomba Festival Float Parade - gives diversions and alterations - for 10/3/1986 .3 - Anzac Day - 25/4/1986 .4 - Royal Show Parade - 14/9/1986 .5 - North Altona to City Service - Show Day 25/9/1986 .6 - Eastern Freeway - ditto .7 - Doncaster Routes - ditto .8 - William St Shuttle - not operating on nominated days during the Christmas New Year period .9 - LaTrobe St services - ditto .10 - Eastern Freeway - ditto .11 - Doncaster Routes - ditto .12 - North Altona to City Service All issued by Metropolitan Transittrams, tramways, moomba, showgrounds, royal show, anzac day, operations, latrobe st, william st, doncaster, buses, north altona

Light grey card folder manufactured by the Roneo Printing Works of Rumford England with the file title "Fire Switches, glued to the top of the folder on the inside back cover. Contains many memos from the MMTB Traffic Managers, Depot Managers about the arrangements for the visit of the Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York in April 1927. Also contains memo re cable tram arrangements for this event from Port Melbourne depot, arrangements for Christmas holidays and other holidays from about 1924 to 1944, including a map of the procession and printed programs by the Government Printer. Documents either typed or hand written. Other documents include (Sample only): Camberwell extra for December 1944 Shopping Week Memos re traffic arrangements and shunting of trams for the 8 hour day procession Tables for Cable car operations from Port Melbourne depot 5/7/1925 Handwritten car timetables Costs associated with the royal visit Proposed service arrangements for Coburg Lines Christmas and New Year 1929 Cuttings regarding shopping hours for 1929-1930 Football posters - special trams - 1931 and 1932 All Night services - destination rolls to specific bogie trams Memos regarding cancelling of leave in Dec. 1941 Memos regarding services to Fisherman's bend and factory hours - 1941 - 42 Holiday loading returns for Southern System - 1941 Memo re timing of trams from city terminus account 3KZ Christmas Eve Choral festivaltrams, tramways, mmtb, port melbourne depot, notices and information, cable trams, holiday arrangements, royal visit, timetables, world war 2, football, all night services

From the 30th to the 1st day of Tet (Lunar New Year), the VC have shamelessly violated the truce that they themselves proposed. The have attacked a number of town in Central Vietnam and in the Highlands. On the nights of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of Tet, they have taken advantage to infiltrate into the capital, Saigon - and into Gia Dinh and Cho Lon. They have also attacked in the provinces of the 3rd and the 4th Tactical Zones to destroy infrastructure and public utilities. However, thanks to the rapid reaction of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, they have been completely and humiliatingly defeated. (1968) On the reverse side reads: Herewith are the casualty rates of us and the enemy: Period: 30-01-68 - Our causalities 282 killed and wounded. Enemy 2,338 killed on the spot, 182 captured. Period 1-02-68 - Our soldiers: 203 killed and wounded. Enemy 2,617 killed, 198 captured. Period 2-02-68 to 12 midday: Our soldiers 211 killed and wounded. enemy 2,112 killed, 119 captured. Summary: Our casualties: 706, Enemy casualties 7,561. Enemy weapons captured: 144 crew-served weapon; 2,253 individual weapons.TONG KET TINH HINH CHIEN SU TRON 3 NGAY - VUA QUA TREN TOAN QUOC - A Summary of the war situation in the country over the past days: On one side there is information in Vietnamese and on the reverse side the information is in a table format.pamphlet, psycological warfare, propaganda, nva/vc, viet cong, 7th battalion, 1st battalion, the royal australian regiment, terry michael collie, 2790361, lunar new year, central vietnam, saigon, gia dinh, cho lon

Allanvale Home Station. Part of a collection of Photographs by Mr. O.G. Armstrong as commissioned by the Shire of Stawell for the Inter-colonial and Paris Exhibition in Melbourne in 1866. Allanvale was taken up about 1841 by John Allen, who was the son of George Allan of Allanvale, near Launceston in Van Diemen's Land. He selected 80,000 acres between present day Stawell and Ararat. The property was gradually reduced in size, with the first split occurring in the 1840s with the annexation of Concongella Selection due to a land dispute. J.S. Davidson was the occupier of Allanvale at the time this photograph was taken. The homestead pictured here was destroyed by fire at the end of the First World War and replaced by a new building around 1923. The present owners of Allanvale are the Kilpatrick family A note on the Allan family. On the 15th of March 1845, John Allen's 26 year old wife died at the birth of their third child, a daughter, who also died several weeks later. Elizabeth Allen had been a dear friend of Mrs Horatio Wills of neighbouring Lexington station. Eliza and her daughter were buried side by side in the garden of Lexington homestead. She was said to have been the first white woman to have died in the district. Homestead and stables on left with people on verandah and orchard in foreground.stawell great western

The Tibetan astrological calendar is a lunisolar calendar composed of either 12 or 13 lunar months, each beginning and ending with a new moon. A thirteenth month is added every two or three years, so that an average Tibetan year is equal to the solar year. The Tibetan astrological calendar has roots in the Indian calendar system and has been in use for over a thousand years.The Tibetan calendar is an important tool for determining auspicious dates and times and for making predictions about future events. The calendar is an essential aspect of Tibetan identity and culture and continues to be used and revered to this day. This ornate copper disk represents the traditional Tibetan astrological calendar (called Phukpa) based on a 60-year cycle where each year is associated with an animal and an element. The central figure is surrounded by eight trigrams (known as Parkhas), featuring one of the four seasons and four cardinal directions. The middle circle depicts 12 zodiac animals: the mouse, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. astrological calendars (almanacs), amulets

President's overview of the year including: activities taking place in the new 2 storey building at 12 Thanet Street, continued success of the St Leeor Nursing Home and the hostel at 2 Derril Avenue, popularity of Day Activity Centre, return of Ian Westerland after the completion of his Social Work degree, changes in Queensland office, appeal for volunteers and opportunities for speaking engagements, and profile of Phyllis Gration.1 volume with text and illustrationsannual reports, lady nell seeing eye dog school, phyllis gration

These items are from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. Veruschka von Lehndorff, known simply as Veruschka, was a German aristocrat and fashion model. In 1969 The Australian Ski Year Book included the following report on her visit to Falls Creek. "George Shirling and Michael Blackwell pulled off quite a coup for Ko-Ki when they played host to the world's top model, Veruschka, Countess von Lehndorff, last July. Veruschka, all blonde six feet of her, and her photographer-manager, Franco Rubartelli, chose Falls Creek as the location for a series of photographs featuring new-season's ski wear. The model, whose reputed fee is $800 to $1,000 a day for advertising shots was on assignment for Vogue International, and the article was to appear during the early part of the Northern Winter. Veruschka and her manager spent 10 days at Falls Creek, during which they photographed $8,000 worth of the best high-fashion ski wear and experimental ski equipment, especially air freighted from the USA". In this photo she is riding on the snowmobile from Koki Alpine Lodge. The Koki smiling face logo can be seen on the front of the vehicle.This item is significant because Veruschka's visit to Falls Creek brought it international attention.A colour photo of Veruschka riding the Koki Snowmobile at Falls Creek.koki alpine lodge, george shirling, veruschka

In 1855 the local Presbyterians were granted land in Myers Street. The first building they erected was a large church hall for use as a day school, Sunday school and temporary accommodation for church services. It was opened on 14th May 1855 as a Denominational School. New educational regulations were introduced in 1864 and were quite specific about standards. Children were required to attend at least 50 days each half year. Thomas H Smith, Inspector of Schools in the Sandhurst district examined the students in attendance and twice a year, over the period of the register. March 1864 to Match 1868. Sandhurst Common School, Examination Register Index 1864 - 1868. Published by Bendigo Area, Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies in 2002. Light blue card cover. Bound spine.education, schools

Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First came out to Victoria on the S.S. Almora, the same ship on which Eliza Richardson and her family arrived on New Years Day 1875. Evidently C.W.G.G.1st. must have retained fond memories of a young fourteen-year-old girl named Elizabeth Richardson who travelled from Scotland with her mother and family (her father had arrived earlier) because three years later at Kyneton they were married. It was December 26th, 1860, and Elizabeth was just seventeen. As the bridegroom’s age is written as 24 years on the wedding certificate, he certainly must have been more than eighteen when he sailed on the "Almora" in 1856. The newly married couple went to live at Taradale, Victoria, and they made a good life for themselves in that town which had then a thriving gold mine. They lived in a large two-storied house in Survey Paddock, and it was there that four daughters - Susan Emily (1861-1906), Elizabeth Constance (1863-1945), Amelia Amy (1865 -1952, Ada Mary Maude (1867-1901), and one son Newenham Edward Eustace (1869-1945) named after his Irish Grandfather, were born. On his wedding certificate C.W.G. Graydon, is described as a foreman. His father-in-law, Robert Richardson was employed as a timekeeper on the Melbourne to Bendigo Railway works, and he and his family lived first in Prahran, then Kyneton, and then Taradale. Perhaps Charles Graydon worked on the railway with him. In Taradale however, he worked for a gold mining company in a surveying capacity. C.W.G.G.1st was to become Shire President of the Shire of Metcalfe. That particular year the Graydon Family entertained the visiting English cricket Eleven at their home in Taradale. He was certainly regarded as an important man in the district when he was requested by a great number of the residents to nominate for the Legislative Assembly election. About 1876 the Graydons left Taradale, and went to live at Sandhurst, now Bendigo, at Barkly Place East. The Richardsons had also left Taradale to go into the grocery business in the same town. Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First became a legal manager of mines, and a well-known and popular resident. Sad to say he became ill with a lung infection, and on June 4th. 1885 he died, and was buried at Sandhurst, now Bendigo Cemetery, Back Creek Rd. Eliza Richardson's brother was Mr. James Richardson, the well-known grocer, of Pall Mall and Golden-square, who died at his residence, "Balgownie," Short Street, on Thursday 22 Jan 1914. James Richardson was a native of Scotland. He was born at Glasgow in1849 and was only eight years of age when his parents sailed for Australia in the ship Balmoral. The family arrived in Melbourne in 1857 and went to Taradale, where Mr. Richardson, senior., acted as inspector of works during the construction of the Taradale Viaduct. James Richardson, who had commenced his education in Glasgow, attended school at Taradale until the family removed to Bendigo at the time the railway was being built from Bendigo to Echuca. The contractors for this work engaged Mr. Richardson, as their timekeeper. When he left school James Richardson applied himself to learn the grocery business, and he gained a thorough knowledge of it with different employers at Bendigo, Taradale, and Daylesford. In 1872 he opened a grocery store on his own account in High-Street, Bendigo, but within a few months he had the great misfortune to be burnt out. The fire originated in an adjoining building early one morning and both places were burnt to the ground. In spite of his loss, Mr. Richardson was not discouraged, for he soon made another start. His trade improved and he extended his business, opening the Eclipse Cash Store at Golden Square. A little later another branch was opened at the Oddfellows' Hall, and subsequently this business was transferred to the Eureka Cash Store, in Pall Mall, which was the head depot. In addition to the retail trade, Mr. Richardson had, for many years carried on an extensive wholesale business with the Northern District and had made a specialty of fodder seeds. James was a man of probity and sincerity in business, and as a citizen he was highly esteemed and respected. He was a prominent member of the Bendigo Caledonian Society in the earlier days of his citizenship. He was a staunch member of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the board of management. In the Easter Fair procession, Mr. Richardson's display was always a prominent and attractive one. Mr. Richardson was a member of the Masonic Order and was a life member of the Bendigo Art Gallery and the old Mechanics Institute. He was married at Daylesford in 1871. Mr James Richardson was interred in the Presbyterian section of the Bendigo Cemetery.DVD A selection of Graydon and Richardson family photographs taken by Bendigo photographers, and family history notesphotograph, person, graydon and richardson families.

The letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth recognised the significance of William’s brave and courageous lifesaving act to the people of Australia; “They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The story of that brave rescue 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 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 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 has 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 the 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 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. 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 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 letter 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. Letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament commending him on his bravery. The printed letterhead includes a coat of arms in the top centre and the official address. The letter is very neatly hand written in black pen and includes 4 signatures of Members of Parliament. The rectangular paper is cream coloured with some yellow/brown discolouring. It has the letterhead on the right hand side of it and the written letter begins below the letterhead. The paper has been folded so that the right side becomes the cover page of the letter. The writing is continued onto the inside right hand page of the folded paper and the writing ends here. There is more recent writing on the bottom right hand corner of the back page. The paper has been officially folded in half a total 3 times and there is heavy discolouration on the sections that form the front and back of the folded letter. There is a 4th fold line that is less pronounced that the other folds and would make the paper the size to fit into a pocket. At several fold creases the paper has worn through. The edges of the paper have minor tears. The printed coat of arms is that of the House of Representatives. Underneath is printed “The Parliament of the Commonwealth, / Parliament House / Melbourne”. The hand written, letter is dated “14th November, 1905” and addressed to “Mr. William Ferrier / South Warrnambool” The letter begins “The Speaker, the Prime Minister and Members of the Ministry and its supporters, the Leader and Members of the Opposition, the Leader and Members of the Labour Party, being all the Members of the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament of Australia” … It continues “desire to express to you their appreciation of your bravery in skulling out to the wreck of the “La Bella” at Warrnambool on Saturday, 11th November, 1905, and recovering therefrom two of the crew who were in imminent danger of their lives. They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The letter is “Signed on behalf of the Members – Speaker (Frederick Holder ), Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Joseph Cook ), Prime Minister (Alfred Deakin), Leader of the Labour Party ( J.C. Watson)” On the back of the letter is blue ink handwriting “OWNER / G. FERRIER / TO. BE. PHOTOGRAPHED / 27-4-76”la bella, william ferrier, bill ferrier, lady bay, 1905, 10th november 1905, 11th november 1905, parliament of the commonwealth, prime minister, australian government, new zealand, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village

A 'Sailors & Soldiers Christmas Fund' created by Princess Mary had overwhelming response and so it was decided to give every person 'wearing the King's uniform on Christmas Day 1914' the brass tin along with a Christmas card and a picture of the princess, and items such as pipe, lighter, tobacco, and 20 cigarettes. Non-smokers and boys received a bullet pencil and a packet of sweets. Indian troops often received sweets and spices, and nurses received chocolates. Many of the items were sent separately from the boxes because of lack of space. Not all the tins could be sent out by Christmas and so those sent in January 1915 contained a New Year card. Shortage of brass meant that many did not received their tins until summer 1916, however by January 1919 some still did not receive them. After using up the contents many service people then used the tins to store small items. The brass tin, bullet pencil, and medals belonged to Pte George Nutting of the 2nd London regiment, and regimental number 2080/230442. After World War 1 George Nutting sailed for Melbourne on June 1, 1922 aboard the S.S. Borda. He then lived at several addresses in the Sunshine/Albion area including Dawson St, 32 King Edward Ave, and 15 Kamarooka St. At one stage he was involved in a window cleaning and gardening business, and both he and his wife Janet were very good dancers. George Nutting was also involved in the loyal Sunshine Lodge and was presented with a Past Grand's Collar in 1943. He lived at 15 Kamarooka St until he passed away on March 20th 1979 at the age of 85. The above information was sourced from http://www.kinnethmont.co.uk/1914-1918_files/xmas-box-1914.htm (accessed 1/3/2014), and from http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/items/1329146/tin-princess-mary-s-Christmas-gift-1914 (accessed 1/3/2014), and from research work done by Eva and Marie of S&DHS.The Tin and Medals provide a visible historical record of the Christmas gift, and the awards that the average WW1 British service person received about 100 years ago. The bullet pencil may indicate that Pte G. Nutting was probably a non-smoker, at least around circa 1914.Brass rectangular box with an embossed and hinged lid. The lid features the profile of Princess Mary with an 'M' on each side, and the names of Britain's allies in 1914. The pencil fits into the brass bullet casing to give the appearance of a bullet. The WW1 British medals are: 1. 1914 - 1915 Star, 2. British War Medal 1914 - 1918 (Silver), 3. Allied Victory Medal.TIN: Imperium Brittanicum, Christmas 1914, Belgium, France, Servia, Japan, Russia, Monte Negro. MEDALS: 2080 Pte G. Nutting 2 - Lond.R g. nutting, princess mary tin, christmas 1914, bullet pencil, british ww1 medals, 1914 - 1915 star, british war medal 1914 - 1918, allied victory medal