Gold and stained wood

Gold and ebonised wood

The photograph printed on this postcard comes from the collection of the Mitchell Library in Sydney. It is sepia in tone and depicts seven men standing and sitting around a mine shaft in the Beechworth region. The photograph has been dated to approximately 1872. This period in history post-dates the Victorian gold rushes which occurred 1852-1853 in Ballarat, Bendigo and Beechworth. During this period, in the 1870s, the surface alluvial gold had been discovered and removed from location. Therefore, in order to reach the deeper and less accessible alluvial gold, diggers began to dig shafts into the earth. These shafts sunk below the ground level by 20 to 30 feet and required timber structures around the entrance and winches to bring the paydirt to the top. The top of this wooden structure is visible behind the man standing in the upper right of the image. This type of mining was highly dangerous as mines often caved in which injured the minors and often resulted in death. Thus, following this period, in the early 1900s, miners opted instead for hydrolic slucing which cut away the earth without the devastating consequences of a mine cave in. This particular group of miners appear to have been unable to afford a horse (then worth around 50 pounds) which were generally used at mines like this to help pull buckets attached to ropes up and down the mine. Instead, this group brought the buckets up and down by windlass. The windlass was a wooden structure mounted over the mining shaft and fitted with a hand-cranked winch which enabled the bucket attached to the rope to be brought up and down.Gold was first discovered in Beechworth in Spring and Reid's Creek in the summer of 1852-1853. At its popularity, this region had approximately 8000 people on the gold fields searching for gold on the banks of these creeks. These periods did not require the use of heavy machinery or the digging of deep mining shafts like the one depicted in this image. Therefore, this image has important connotations for the technologies associated with mining during the approximated 1870s when gold was harder to access. This is a later period in gold history which does not fit into the "gold rush" period. Instead, it occurred after the surface gold had disappeared and therefore, is essential for researchers who are investigating the mining techniques and structures used to reach the alluvial gold which was located deeper under ground in the 1870s. This period predates the use of big heavy machinery used to mine in the 1900s which include dredges. Images such as this one can also impart essential information as to the wardrobe and fashion of men during this period. It also imparts knowledge about the landscape of Beechworth which is useful for people researching the environment and impact of gold mining in the north-east region of Victoria. In addition, since this image is a postcard reproduction of an early Australian image which may date to approximately 1990 it can impart knowledge as to the interests of people during this time period when there may have been an increase into Australian history.A sepia tone facsimile of an early Australian photograph (circa 1872) printed as a postcard.Obverse: BEECHWORTH / Victoria, Australia / Reverse: GM 2 3275 / CORRESPONDENCE / AUSTRALIAN / YESTERYEAR / CARDS / ADDRESS / Published by George Symons (057) 65 3240 / THE MINEHEAD C. 1872 / The easily gleaned gold of the early fields did / not last very long. In order to reach less / accessible alluvial gold diggers began sinking shafts as much as twenty to thirty feet down / and the mines required timbering and winches / to bring the paydirt to the top. / This syndicate has been unable to afford the / luxury of a horse (about 50 pounds) and so everything / must go up and down by windlass and rawhide / bucket. / Photo: Mitchell Library, Sydney / A sepia tone facsimile of / an early Australian photographmining album, gold mine, beechworth, burke museum, mine shaft, postcard, australian yesteryear cards, george symons, the minehead, gold fields, alluvial gold, early australia, c.1872, 1872, gold diggers, north east victoria

An embroidered black and gold Navy badge. It has a black background. In the centre there is a black kangaroo with three red stripes on a gold background. Written in gold around the kangaroo is Royal Australian navy. At the botton of the badge on gold background with black writing is Helicopter Flight Vietnam.cloth badge, ran, helicopter, cerberus collection

The first Seafarers Service was held on 23 October 1905 in the St Paul's Cathedral in London to celebrate the Centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson on 21 October 1805. Reverend Alfred Gurney Goldsmith launched the first Seafarers Service two years later and the first service was held on Sunday 10 November 1907. National and house flags are used during the annual Seafarers Service. Eastern and Australian Steam Ship Company, a small line which played a strong part in Australian maritime history, providing links from Australia (in particular Queensland) and New Zealand to South-east Asia from 1873 to 1983.The service continue to reflect the full range of the maritime activities in Australia. Representatives come from the Royal and Merchant Navies, the commercial world, shipping companies, mission and philanthropic societies, veterans’ associations, labour unions, youth and leisure organisations, but anyone is welcome to attend.Large green flag with crest of a gold lion rampant holding a gold fouled anchor on a red stripe.E & A written in black penflag, seafarers service, shipping company, e&a, eastern and australian, house flag

Dark blue silk hatband with gold embroidered School crest and green and gold stripe along the length.SInt Lucernae Ardentes

Cardboard cut out emblem of the Northern District School of Nursing. Red white and gold with gold lettering

Margaret Amess was the youngest child of Samuel and Jane Amess, who first purchased Churchill Island in 1872. Margaret Amess was renowned for her china painting.Tea cup with gold border at rim and gold handle. Hand painted with three swallows by Margaret Amess."M.A./1909"tea cup, margaret amess, churchill island

In the 2016 Queens Birthday Honours list Pat GRAINGER was awarded the Order of Australia which was presented on the 19 October 2016.Small round gold medal on a blue & gold double ribbon bow awarded to Patricia Ann GRAINGER.pat grainger, awards and presentations

Small gold crucible, bowl shape, used for smelting, assaying and refining gold. No maker's mark on base.gold mines, mining equipment, gold crucible

The sash was awarded to G. Lunardelli as the winner of the Senior 20 mile Road Championship for GWCC. Lunardelli came out from Trieste, Italy after World War 11 and worked for the Geelong Water Board. Lunardelli subsequently ceased full time cycling in order to make a living.This award indicates the important influence that immigrants had on the popularity and depth of cycling at the time in the Geelong region. Cycling was and continues to be very popular in Europe.Burgundy satin sash with gold tassel finish at one end. It has faded gold embossed inscriptions on it."Geelong West Cycling Club/1952 Senior 20 Mile Unpaced/Road Championship/ Won by G. LUNARDELLI/Time 56mins5 2/5 seconds"sash; geelong west cycling club; lunardelli; 1952; road championship;

B065.1 Gold metal oval badge on oblong bar pin. B065.2 Gold metal oval badge"World Centenary CE 1881-1981" On back: "To commemorate The Australian Celebration of World Centenary of Christian Endeavour Brisbane 7 - 14th Jan. 1982" "Celebrate for Christ and the church"christian endeavour