Barry Pope left Melbourne at the intentions of travelling around Australia, met a local girl in Beechworth and decided to stay. He worked firstly in logging operations at the mill in Stanley, had some bartending jobs at Beechworth hotels, then got a job as a kitchen-hand at the Mayday Hill Hospital. Taking up new opportunities to advance his career and earning potential, he trained as a prison officer, working for several months at Pentridge Prison and Fairlea Women's Prison in Melbourne. He then returned to Beechworth to work in the prison system. In his story Mr Pope discusses many aspects of prison life for both prisoners and prison officers, from the food and daily routine, attitudes to discipline and rehabilitation, industries and opportunities available to prisoners and how prisoners were viewed in society after their period in prison was finished. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involved recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke.Barry Pope's account of his career is historically and socially significant as it details practices within the prison industry in the Twentieth Century as well as the operations of regional hospitals. This oral history account is socially and historically significant as it is a part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth-century Beechworth.' While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the 20th century, many of which will have now been lost if they had not been preserved.This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white strip and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up 40 minutes of recordings on each side.Barry Pope /beechworth, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, stanley mill, logging, hotel wentworth, oral history, hospital garden, mayday hill hospital, met hospital, social welfare department, loyola, lyolla, pentridge prison, fairlea women's prison, prison officer training, drug crimes, prison daily life, prison farm, prison wood workshop, prison industry, prison escapes, beechworth prison, prison suicides, prison violence, prisoner attitudes to crime, mental health, isolation cells, walking dog scheme, guide dogs, prison concerts, prison plays, george smee, prison food, prison officer accommodation

This image appears to show nurses at what is now the Mayday Hills Mental Asylum arriving for work in approximately 1900. These individuals are part of a long history of nursing in Beechworth. Three medical or social welfare facilities opened in the mid-1800s as part of a push by the township to become a regional centre for Government services. These were the Ovens District Hospital (opened in 1857), the Ovens Benevolent Asylum (opened in 1863), and the Beechworth Mental Hospital (opened in 1867 and renamed Mayday Hills Hospital at Centenary celebrations in 1967). It was recognised that the unsettled living conditions, poverty and relative isolation of the Goldfields environment could produce 'mental disturbances' which required local treatment facilities as services in Melbourne were too far away. Carole Woods' publication 'A Titan's Field' describes activities undertaken by patients at Beechworth Mental Hospital as including monthly balls and occasional concerts as well as work to make the facility self-supporting such as farm work and making clothes. She mentions a report in 1870 that the approximately 300 patients were clean and neat with 'no-one in restraint or seclusion' but that by 1905 the organisation had 623 patients which placed strain on building infrastructure such as heating and water supplies, leading to high turnover of nurses and other issues. A program of building works to extend and improve facilities followed over subsequent decades. Lantern slides, sometimes called 'magic lantern' slides, are glass plates on which an image has been secured for the purpose of projection. Glass slides were etched or hand-painted for this purpose from the Eighteenth Century but the process became more popular and accessible to the public with the development of photographic-emulsion slides used with a 'Magic Lantern' device in the mid-Nineteenth Century. Photographic lantern slides comprise a double-negative emulsion layer (forming a positive image) between thin glass plates that are bound together. A number of processes existed to form and bind the emulsion layer to the base plate, including the albumen, wet plate collodion, gelatine dry plate and Woodburytype techniques. Lantern slides and magic lantern technologies are seen as foundational precursors to the development of modern photography and film-making techniques This glass slide is significant because it provides insight into Beechworth's social and medical amenities in the early Twentieth Century, around the time of Australia's Federation into one nation. It is also an example of an early photographic and film-making technology in use in regional Victoria in the time period.Thin translucent sheet of glass with a rectangular image printed on the front and framed in a black backing. It is held together by metals strips to secure the edges of the slide.Obverse: i /burke museum, beechworth, lantern slide, slide, glass slide, plate, burke museum collection, photograph, monochrome, magic lantern, indigo shire, north-east victoria, nineteenth century, 1900s, twentieth century, emulsion slides, nursing, nurses, mental hospitals, lunatic asylums, asylums, social services, social welfare, insane asylums, mental health, infrastructure

This image appears to show nurses at what is now the Mayday Hills Mental Asylum in approximately 1900. These individuals are part of a long history of nursing in Beechworth. Three medical or social welfare facilities opened in the mid-1800s as part of a push by the township to become a regional centre for Government services. These were the Ovens District Hospital (opened in 1857), the Ovens Benevolent Asylum (opened in 1863), and the Beechworth Mental Hospital (opened in 1867 and renamed Mayday Hills Hospital at Centenary celebrations in 1967). It was recognised that the unsettled living conditions, poverty and relative isolation of the Goldfields environment could produce 'mental disturbances' which required local treatment facilities as services in Melbourne were too far away. Carole Woods' publication 'A Titan's Field' describes activities undertaken by patients at Beechworth Mental Hospital as including monthly balls and occasional concerts as well as work to make the facility self-supporting such as farm work and making clothes. She mentions a report in 1870 that the approximately 300 patients were clean and neat with 'no-one in restraint or seclusion' but that by 1905 the organisation had 623 patients which placed strain on building infrastructure such as heating and water supplies, leading to high turnover of nurses and other issues. A program of building works to extend and improve facilities followed over subsequent decades. Lantern slides, sometimes called 'magic lantern' slides, are glass plates on which an image has been secured for the purpose of projection. Glass slides were etched or hand-painted for this purpose from the Eighteenth Century but the process became more popular and accessible to the public with the development of photographic-emulsion slides used with a 'Magic Lantern' device in the mid-Nineteenth Century. Photographic lantern slides comprise a double-negative emulsion layer (forming a positive image) between thin glass plates that are bound together. A number of processes existed to form and bind the emulsion layer to the base plate, including the albumen, wet plate collodion, gelatine dry plate and Woodburytype techniques. Lantern slides and magic lantern technologies are seen as foundational precursors to the development of modern photography and film-making techniques.This glass slide is significant because it provides insight into Beechworth's social and medical amenities in the early Twentieth Century, around the time of Australia's Federation into one nation. It is also an example of an early photographic and film-making technology in use in regional Victoria in the time period.Thin translucent sheet of glass with a circular image printed on the front and framed in a black backing. It is held together by metals strips to secure the edges of the slide.burke museum, beechworth, lantern slide, slide, glass slide, plate, burke museum collection, photograph, monochrome, magic lantern, indigo shire, north-east victoria, nineteenth century, 1900s, twentieth century, emulsion slides, nursing, nurses, mental hospitals, lunatic asylums, asylums, social services, social welfare, insane asylums, mental health, infrastructure

Carving of a large male head made by a patient of Mayday Hills Asylum. The sculpture has been roughly hewn from a single piece of wood.Mayday Hills Asylum was one of the three largest psychiatric hospitals in Victoria, and played an important role in the treatment of mental health illnesses from its establishment in 1867 to its closure in 1995. As part of prescribed treatment, many patients participated in craft activities were they were able to create an array of objects. A limb of a tree roughly carved into the shape of the man's face featuring heavy eyebrows, moustache and beard.beechworth, burke museum, mayday hills asylum, carving, wooden sculpture

Carving of a small female head made by a patient of Mayday Hills Asylum. The sculpture as been roughly hewn from a tree limb with multiple branches.Mayday Hills Asylum was one of the three largest psychiatric hospitals in Victoria, and played an important role in the treatment of mental health illnesses from its establishment in 1867 to its closure in 1995. As part of prescribed treatment, many patients participated in craft activities were they were able to create an array of objects. A limb of a tree roughly carved into the shape of a face, featuring a wide nose, protruding eyes, and flat mouth. On a limb section that extends above the head is a carving of a small totem-like face. Two small limb sections protruding from the back. Pen lines and figures on nose and ears.beechworth, burke museum, mayday hills asylum, sculpture, wood carving

Carving of a small female head made by a patient of Mayday Hills Asylum. A grid has been drawn across the top with Romanian letters written within the cells.Mayday Hills Asylum was one of the three largest psychiatric hospitals in Victoria, and played an important role in the treatment of mental health illnesses from its establishment in 1867 to its closure in 1995. As part of prescribed treatment, many patients participated in craft activities were they were able to create an array of objects. A limb of a tree roughly carved into the shape of a woman's face, featuring a thick hair style, slanted eyes, delicate mouth, and long neck. Pen notations on top of sculpture.beechworth, burke museum, mayday hills asylum, sculpture, wood carving

Centenary issue of the Open Door Magazine that was produced by both staff and patients. The title reflects Mayday Hills "open door" approach to patient care.Mayday Hills Asylum was one of the three largest psychiatric hospitals in Victoria, and played an important role in the treatment of mental health illnesses from its establishment in 1867 to its closure in 1995. As part of prescribed treatment, many patients participated in craft activities were they were able to create an array of objects. 13-page A4 paper magazine with 4 copper staples.CENTENARY ISSUE / 1867 / The New Open Door / 1967 [The Australian National Coat of Arms]beechworth, burke museum, mayday hills, magazine, centenary

Child-size rocking horse made and sold by a patient of Mayday Hills Asylum. Purchased in 1978 and used by a family for generations.Mayday Hills Asylum was one of the three largest psychiatric hospitals in Victoria, and played an important role in the treatment of mental health illnesses from its establishment in 1867 to its closure in 1995. As part of prescribed treatment, many patients participated in craft activities were they were able to create an array of objects. A small wooden rocking horse painted in green, white and brown, with carpet lining on seat.beechworth, burke museum, mayday hills asylum, rocking horse, children's toys

A knitted handbag made by patients of Mayday Hills Asylum.Mayday Hills Asylum was one of the three largest psychiatric hospitals in Victoria, and played an important role in the treatment of mental health illnesses from its establishment in 1867 to its closure in 1995. As part of prescribed treatment, many patients participated in craft activities were they were able to create an array of objects. A blue and white knitted handbag with cane handles, made by a patient of Mayday Hills.beechworth, burke museum, mayday hills asylum, knitting, handbag, bag, craft, fibre art

Knitted handbag made by patient of Mayday Hills Asylum.Mayday Hills Asylum was one of the three largest psychiatric hospitals in Victoria, and played an important role in the treatment of mental health illnesses from its establishment in 1867 to its closure in 1995. As part of prescribed treatment, many patients participated in craft activities were they were able to create an array of objects. A pink knitted fabric handbag in moss stitch with plastic handles.beechworth, burke museum, mayday hills asylum, knitting, handbag, bag, fibre art, craft

This jug was presented as a trophy to the Newmerella football team in 1909. The jug was donated by Carl Dreverman & Co. Carl Dreverman & Co. was an Ironmongers in Nicholson Street, Orbost. Established in 1900 at first as Dreverman and Reynolds, Carl Dreverman took over the store which still exists today in Orbost as Orbost Hardware. The official Newmerella Football Club was probably started in 1913. Simon Gargan was the founder of the Newmerella Football Club.Prior to that teams played socially. This cup was presented to the Newmerella team which defeated an Orbost team.Football clubs in Orbost and district, through their many changes, have always been an important social fabric of the community. Sport is often regarded as an important part of life in rural Australia, contributing to community identity, sense of place, social interaction and good health.A silver plated pear shaped jug presented as a trophy. It has ornate floral decorations on the handle and a hinged lid. It has a circular base. It was possibly designed as a wine jug.W&H inside a pennant On front - Football Season 1909 Presented by CARL DREVERNAN & CO. Walker & Hall ORBOST V. NEWMERELLA won by Newmerella Sheffield England 1594 Patent 79759silver-plate trophy newmerella-football-club dreverman football

This badge was found underneath a house in Marlo Road. The Orbost football club players were known as the Busters and wore green and gold guernseys. An Orbost football team has participated in the East Gippsland League since the early 20th century. In 2003 in response to a dwindling population, the Snowy Rovers and Orbost Football Clubs were driven to merge into the Orbost Snowy Rovers. Football Club through its many changes has always been an important social fabric of the Orbost community. Sport is often regarded as an important part of life in rural Australia, contributing to community identity, sense of place, social interaction and good healthAn oval shaped metal badge / pin with celluloid ribbons of green and yellow. There is a raised football in the centre.Orbost F.C. Patron 1950

The official Newmerella Football Club was probably started in 1913. Simon Gargan was the founder of the Newmerella Football Club.Prior to that teams played socially in Orbost and district. This item probably belonged to A. WaitFootball clubs, through their many changes, have always been an important social fabric of the community. Sport is often regarded as an important part of life in rural Australia, contributing to community identity, sense of place, social interaction and good health. A red cardboard shield - shaped ticket with "NEWMERELLA FOOTBALL CLUB member's ticket 1956" on it. It has two blue coloured cord ties.Newmerella Football Club Season 1956 Member's Ticket. N.G. Heinko Pres; G.C. Collis, Hon Sec"newmerella-football-club recreation

This is an invitation to the Orbost Football Club's Grand Final Dinner, held at the Mechanics' Institute Hall on Monday 12th October, 1953. The Orbost football club players were known as the Busters and wore green and gold guernseys. An Orbost football team has participated in the East Gippsland League since the early 20th century. In 2003 in response to a dwindling population, the Snowy Rovers and Orbost Football Clubs were driven to merge into the Orbost Snowy RoversFootball clubs, through their many changes, have always been an important social fabric of the community. Sport is often regarded as an important part of life in rural Australia, contributing to community identity, sense of place, social interaction and good health. A cardboard invitation in the shape of an oval football. On a pale blue background in brown print is "Premiership and Grand Final Dinner". It was held in the Mechanics Hall on Monday 12th October 1953. at 7.30 p.m. At the bottom is "W.G.Weston President" and "Lee Allen Secretary"football sport orbost-football-club

There were several small private hospitals in Orbost in the early 20th century. Babies were born at these private hospitals and mostly only a midwife attended as the doctor could be away on horseback treating another patient. As the new Orbost and District Hospital ( officially opened June 30th, 1930) developed and its facilities grew private hospitals closed. By the 1930's in Victoria there was an increase in the demand for beds in public hospitals by those who found private hospital costs prohibitive and wanted the higher standard of care provided in public hospital . This meant that many small private hospitals closed. Maldon Hospital in Orbost was one of several which could not compete with the new Orbost public hospital.A small white paper account with black print from Maldon Private Hospital to Mrs Lovell. It has a yellow tax stamp. orbost-health maldon-private-hospital

Before official competition began in 1894, scratch matches were held in the Old Station paddock. The Orbost football club players were known as the Busters and wore green and gold guernseys. An Orbost football team has participated in the East Gippsland League since the early 20th century. In 2003 in response to a dwindling population, the Snowy Rovers and Orbost Football Clubs were driven to merge into the Orbost Snowy RoversFootball clubs, through their many changes, have always been an important social fabric of the community. Sport is often regarded as an important part of life in rural Australia, contributing to community identity, sense of place, social interaction and good health.A large black / white photograph on a cream coloured buff card. It shows three rows of men, one seated, dressed in football uniforms. The photograph has been taken outdoors.There are three copies.on front - "Orbost Team 1906" There is a list of names.sport orbost-football recreation

This was an invitation to the Premiership and Grand Final Dinner. The invitation belonged to Mrs R. Smith, 20 Raymond Street, Orbost, 3888. Roma Smith (nee Cameron) was the daughter of Harry Purchase Cameron and Lilian Gladys (nee Harding. Roma married Ronald Richard SMITH in 1944 Harry's father, James Cameron, came to Bellagoogan on Majors Creek in 1882. Bellagoogan was on Majors Creek near Orbost and was the site of the first race course. Like many others at the time, the Camerons bred race horses.Harry died in 1964 aged 75.Orbost Football Club through its many changes has always been an important social fabric of the Orbost community. Sport is often regarded as an important part of life in rural Australia, contributing to community identity, sense of place, social interaction and good health.A cardboard invitation in the shape of a football. It has a menu inside and a program for the evening. on the back is a list of the team players for both teams.invitation orbost-football-club recreation sport

This bassinet was used for new born babies at the first Orbost Hospital. It would have been used before 1961 as in August 1961, the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Orbost Hospital bought ten new chrome plated cribs for the hospital nursery. These new cribs were on wheels and could easily be taken to the wards. (ref. Orbost Hospital History, Personalities and Stories by Margaret Hollands)The Orbost Hospital was completed by the end of October 1929 after more than twenty years of agitation and preparation. Orbost is an isolated town and the importance of the medical service in the community is immense. This crib is a reminder of its early history.A very rusty wire baby's bassinet. it is oval shaped and has four connected legs. It could be hand made.bassinet health orbost-hospital medical, bassinet health orbost-hospital medical

This cap would have been worn by a student nurse in her third year of training as in the first year her cap had no arrows. Prior to the transfer of nursing education to the university sector, nurses were trained in a course of instruction in hospital nursing schools that awarded a certificate in general nursing. These courses were generally for a three-year period, and nurses were paid employees of the parent hospital. In Melbourne after WW11 because individual hospitals couldn't get enough nursing students a school of nursing was established - The Royal Melbourne and Associated Hospitals School of Nursing.A white cotton cap which draws up at the back with string to form a frill. It was pinned on the hair. The cap has two red arrows on the rim.H.D. MURRELL 5485health nursing uniform

This cap was probably worn by a student nurse in her first year. A white cotton cap worn as part of a student nurse's uniform. It has one button at the back and has a turned up frontnursing uniforms health nurse's-cap

Two starched white linen cuffs which are part of a nurse's uniform. Each has a small hole at either end. They would be attached with buttons which have shanksL.E.Trembathcuffs nursing nurse's uniform health

A grey uniform denoted three years of training.A short-sleeved grey cotton nurse's uniform (.1). It has cuffed short sleeves, a collar and buttons at the top. The belt (.2) is a paler grey ribbed cotton.On the uniform inside the back of the neck : G.A. THOMPSON S 559 On the belt : L. WARD S 533nursing health uniform nurse's-uniform

A light blue linen long-sleeved nurse's uniform. It has a collar with a pocket on the top left and pockets below the waist on both sides. It is a button through uniform.health uniform nursing nurse's-uniform

Miss Ethel Lynn nursed in England for a time in her later life. She did private nursing at Orbost Hospital until she had a fall and broke her hip -1950's.The Lynn family is well-known in the Orbost area. Ethel Lynn is believed to have been working at Bairnsdale in 1924. Two white linen collars to be worn on a nurse's uniform. A white linen belt to be worn with a nurse's uniform.E. LYNNnursing health lynn-ethel uniform-nursing

Vegemite hit the market in 1923 but failed to sell. In 1928 the company renamed its spread Parwill to compete against the top-selling British import, Marmite but Parwill flopped too. In 1922 the Fred Walker Company hired a chemist, Percy Callister, to develop a useful food from vitamin-rich used yeast being dumped by breweries. Using enzymes to split open the yeast cells, Callister extracted the contents and blended them with vegetables and salt into a sticky black paste with a sharp taste. They tried the Vegemite name again and gave the product away with Walker cheese products and a couple of cars as prizes before Australians finally fell for it. In 1939 Vegemite was officially endorsed by the British Medical Association as a good source of Vitamin B and was included in Australian Army rations during World War II. Buyers were now assured of the nutritional value of Vegemite, which has been a market leader ever since. The Fred Walker Company became the Kraft Walker Cheese Co. Pty Ltd in 1926 and Kraft Foods Limited in 1950. (from Powerhouse Museum) This type of jar was used to package Vegemite between 1935 and 1945. Vegemite has been an 'Australian icon' since World War II when it was recognised as one of the world's highest food sources of vitamin B. It was sent to war with the troops and rationed at home. The marketing strategy that put Vegemite in 9 out of every 10 Australian homes in the 1940s, 50s and 60s emphasised the value of Vegemite to children's health. A cylindrical Vegemite jar made of white opal glass. It has a threaded rim and two mould seams. On the base - AGM Vegemite V879

Brothers Davis and Lowell Chamberlain, along with their sister Izanna, established what became known as the Chamberlain Medicine Company in 1873. The Des Moines, Iowa-based company eventually stretched to Australia, Canada and South Africa. Chamberlains Colic and Diarrhea Remedy used alcohol, ether, and chloroform to soothe upset stomachs. The company also sold a cough remedy, liniment, pain relief balm and lotion. Chamberlain’s Colic, Cholera and Diarrhea Remedy was one of many thousands of patent medicines that made incredible, and often false, claims about their effectiveness, and became tremendously profitable. Eventually government regulations were put in place to prevent medicine manufacturers from making unfounded claims about their products.This item is an example of a typical "over the counter" patented medicine commonly used by families. It reflect the changes in public health, medical practice and research over the last century.Small green tinted medicine bottle. Writing on front. Cork is attached with wire handle.Front-Chamberlain's Colic & diarrhea Remedy Side- Sydney NSW Side Chamberlain's Ltd Bottom-1185bottle chamberlain's medicine remedies

Castor oil is a vegetable oil obtained by pressing the seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis). The common name "castor oil", from which the plant gets its name, probably comes from its use as a replacement for castoreum, a perfume base. Castor oil was a common remedy for various ailments in the early 20th century.These bottles reflect the developments in health care during the first half of the 20th century. There is also an aesthetic element, the shapes, colour and textures of the bottles are visually appealing. Two castor oil bottles. Both tall and blue. 246.2 has a label. Both have screw tops and both still have castor oil in them.246.2 front - medallion label - Groves McVitty & Co Pty Ltd castor oil. 246.1 front Burnsides Castor oil. Bottom -J443castor-oil bottle groves-mcvitty burnside medicine glass

Beecham’s Pills became one of the most popular ‘over the counter’ patent medicines after their introduction in the 1840s. Developed by Thomas Beecham, Beecham’s Pills were a standard family medicine for many generations. (Ref sciencemuseum.org)This item reflects changes in public health medical practice and research over the last century. Beecham pills were a commonly purchased home remedy.Small, round wooden container for Beecham's Pills. Still has original label and two pills inside.medicine beecham pharmacy

This item reflects the changes in Victorian medical practice and public health over the century. The container is of a type common in the early 20th century. Very small brown pill bottle with spiral neck. There is no lid.Underneath "RI" Sides Tabloid 542595 Sw & Cobottle tabloid glass medicine pharmacy

This item reflects the changes in public health, medical practice and research over the last century.Small narrow wooden tube with lid holding a vial for mountain oil medicine. Original label.medicine mountain-oil quackery