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Ballarat Tramway Museum
Newspaper, The Courier Ballarat, "Tram Derailed At Hospital", 2/10/1951 12:00:00 AM
Yields information about a minor derailment in Ballarat and the delays to services.Small newspaper clipping from The Courier, titled "Tram Derailed At Hospital" regarding derailment of a tram at South side of Sturt St and Drummond St Sth of Sebastopol bound tram. Dated 2/10/51. Record updated and images added 20/8/2013."2/10/51"trams, tramways, ballarat trams, derailments, accidents -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, Bob Lilburn, 17/01/1969 12:00:00 AM
Black and white photograph of Ballarat tram No. 37 at the Mt Pleasant terminus. Tram has destination of "Gardens via Drummond Nth.", roof advertisement for the SEC "Everything's under control in my all electric kitchen". Shop on the left hand side of the photo has Robur Tea company, Coca Cola and Women's Weekly advertisements. High Res image added 8/5/2019 from Peter Lambert. 2nd print - dates the photo as 17-1-1969 a photo by Bob Lilburn.On rear of 2nd image - "2nd Ballarat 37, Mt Pleasant, Ex Bendigo 1, Ex Geelong 35" and "ex MMTB 119, 17-1-69"trams, tramways, mt pleasant, barkly st, tram 37 -
Bendigo Military Museum
Badge - MEDALS, RIBBON, BADGE WW2, 1) Stokes and Sons, Post WW2
STANLEY BAYLISS, VX138816 enlisted on 7 May 1943 and discharged on 26 March 1946. On discharge he was listed as being posted as a Private to 2/108 General Transport Company..1) 1940 RSSIL Badge. .2) Ribbons set of 2, Pacific Star & 39 - 45 Star. .3) Australia Service Medal 1939 - 1945 with ribbon. .4) War Medal 1939 - 1945 with ribbon. .5) Pacific Star with ribbon..2) “37779”Stamped on reverse .3) & .4) “ VX138816 S BAYLISS” on rim .5) “VX138816 S BAYLISS” on rearbadges, membership, medals -
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - UNIFORM, ARMY, c. 1953
The Battle Dress is a 1953 model, style used for many years. The uniform was issued to William Gamaliel Bartlett, Regt No’s 35052 (VX25300) enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 11.6.1940 age 21 years, 2/9th Field Ambulance, taken POW Malaya, discharged from AIF on 12.11.1945 with the rank of Pte. He later enlisted in the CMF on 20.7.1959, unit OCTU 3 TRG GRP and was discharged in 1974 with the rank of WO 2 after 15 years 32 days. The ribbons on the uniform, five are for WW2 service and one is a long service award. .1) Jacket - Serge, khaki, maroon lanyard, service ribbons, "ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL CORPS" on both upper sleeves and WO 2 rank patches. .2) Trousers - serge, khaki .3) Tie - cotton, light khakifield ambulance, wwii, battle dress -
Bendigo Military Museum
Award - MEDALS, RIBBON, Post WW1
John Holley No 1311 enlisted on 11.3.16 in D Coy 39th Batt AIF aged 24 years. Embarked for England 27.5.16. Transferred to the 8th Batt 15.9.16. Hospital with PUO 14.12.16. Hospital on 20.4.17 with sore feet. KIA France 16.4.18. PUO (Pyrexia unknown origin) Refer 2132.2P. .2) One star on a ribbon represented one son/husband lost in the War. John Holley had a younger brother Arthur who enlisted in WW11. Refer 2134..1) Medals, court mounted, set of (2) re J Holley. 1. War Medal 1914-19. 2. Victory Medal. .2) Mothers and Widows Ribbon, black length of ribbon with Rising Sun centre, under is "For Australia", at the top is a polished metal piece with a floral emblem, at the bottom is same metal piece with one brass 7 pronged star. Rear of the top plate is engraved with a number. .3) Small brownish coloured box that housed .2). ..1) "1311 Pte J Holley 8 BN A.I.F" .2) "32962"medals, military, history -
Bendigo Military Museum
Administrative record - LICENCE & DEMOBILIZATION BOOK WW2, 1) 27.7.47, .2) 20.4.48
Stewart William ELLERTON enlisted on 11.4.46 aged 20 in the 2nd AIF until 30.6.47 then the INTERIM ARMY from 1.7.47 until 20.4.48..1) Drivers Licence, folding, brown canvas cover, No.314849 re VX502085 SIG MN ELLERTON Stewart William. .2) Demobilisation Procedure book, brown cardboard covers AAB87 No.514298 re VX502085 ELLERTON A.H.Q Signals Stewart William.administrative record, licence, drivers, demobilization -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPHS, MILITARY, 1950’s to 1961
The photos are part of a large collection relating to Francis William (Dinky) DEAN BEM, VX93960 2nd AIF, 3742 1 RAR, 1943 - 1975. Refer Cat No 124.2 for his service history. (.1) Frank Dean first in front on the left. (.2) “”””””””” rear row 2nd from the right. (.3). “”””””””” first on the left. (.5) “””””””””” front row third from right. (.6 .7.9) Each of these group photos have either several Korean or Malayan soldiers in. The photos are possibly the Platoons of either A or D Coy’s 1 RAR. (.8) Frank Dean, front row 2nd from the left. This group is possibly the Officers and senior NCO’s of A or D Coy’s 1 RAR. All photos are B & W. (.1) Large group of soldiers on parade with .303 rifles on the march. (.2) group of 7 soldiers , 5 standing 2 sitting. (.3) Group of 5 soldiers standing with a sign “D Coy Sgt’s”. (.4) Group of soldiers at a dinner in a Nissan hut all standing. (.5) Group of 18 soldiers, 1 row standing, 1 sitting in front of a RAAF plane. (.6) Group photo of 24 in 3 rows. (.7) Group photo of 22 in 3 rows. (.8) group photo of 14 in 2 rows. (.9) group photo of 26 in 3 rows.photography, military -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, List of Members of Intermediate Legacy Club when it Ceased Operations on 20/2/1974. ILC4
A list of the 40 final members of the Intermediate Legacy Club when it ceased operating in 1974. Background: The ILC was formed in 1929 (or 1930 according to the newsletter article). The idea of the club sprang from those boys who had outgrown the Junior Legacy Club. In the early days it fielded a lacrosse team and it was this that mainly held the members together. Enthusiasm wained after a few years as it lacked a solid objective. The answer came from one of its members and in 1938 they founded the Don Esses Club. This was a club for the children of incapacitated ex-servicemen which met every Thursday night at 7.30 run by the ILC members. The name came from the signallers' code Disabled Servicemen's Sons. During the second world war 80% of the members of the ILC enlisted in the services. Leaving only 8 members that could not join due to ill health or reserved occupations. They continued the Don Esses and whatever aid they could to Legacy. ILC members had always helped Legacy where possible including being camp leaders or camp staff, with the annual demonstrations, and coffee stalls at the ANZAC dawn service. Post second world war some ILC members were nominated into Legacy, others drifted away in civil occupations. It was found difficult to recruit new blood into the ILC and eventually membership waned when the boys from the Don Esses clubs found other youth activities to join. The ILC ceased to meet regularly in the mid fifties. However a strong comradeship still existed between members and they would meet in one anothers homes. Members were always ready to help the senior Legacy Club in any way in their power and still helped at Christmas parties and summer camps. ILC was a service rendering organisation and was self governing. Non-sectarian and non-political, the members were ex-junior legatees over 18 years of age. After serving in World War 2 members were eligible to become members of Legacy. Was in a folder of material collated about the ILC by an early archive committee. Names on the list were: HA Ackerley, JW Alsope (dec), KG Bartils, JWL Belsey, E Brown (dec), JW Bush, J Coade, R Cumming, J Ferguson, CC Fisher, WJ Gilmore (dec), EJD Graham (dec), RE Harding, KA Hatherly, AT Henderson, KT Herron, JW Hocking, Frank C Holliday, JA Holloway, Fred Hollingsworth, HA Hollingsworth, C Jorgensen, C Julian (dec), KS King, G Lake, AV Lawson (dec), JV Lawson, Jimmy M MacGregor, CL MacMillan, A McNaughton (dec), W McNaughton, HG Metcalfe, WG Needham (dec), JE Pilbeam, RC Rickards, RHW Rimmer (dec), Norman A Smith, JM Suggett, GE Todd, BF Wood.An important list of the final members of the Intermediate Legacy Club. The ILC was active from 1930 to 1974.White foolscap paper with black type of a list of 40 members of the ILC in 1974.Handwritten in red pen 'ILC4' which was part of the an early archive numbering system.ilc, membership, junior legatee -
Federation University Historical Collection
March Cards, Once Upon a Time - music for brass band instruments, Early to mid 1900s
Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born on 2 August 1901. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Small cards of sheet music, scored for all the instruments in a brass band for the music entitled 'Once upon a time'. Most likely arranged and scored by Frank Wright. As in the style of the early part of the 1900's, the music was hand written, then copied. The instruments included are - 1). Soprano cornet, 2). Repiano cornet, 3). 2nd & 3rd cornets, 4). Solo & 1st horns, 5). 2nd horn, 6). Euphonium, 7). 1st & 2nd Baritones, 8). 1st & 2nd trombones, 9).Bass trombone, 10). E flat Bass, 11). B flat Bass and 12). Drums etc.frank wright, brass bands, march cards, once upon a time, sheet music -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, Ron Hann, Jan. 1963
Yields information about the Ballarat tramway / railway level crossing and the street scene with a railcar using the level crossing.Black and white print on heavy matt photographic paper of No. 26, northbound, at the Ballarat Railway Station gates, Lydiard St Nth waiting for a 280HP railcar to clear the level crossing, with a number of other motor vehicles in the photo. In the background is the signal box and Victoria House. 2nd copy - laser print - with date etc on rear - added 22/2/2010, copy from Ron Hann. Printed on Fujifilm, Fujicolour Crystal Archive for Frontier"On rear in pencil "26 Ballarat Station 1963" 2nd copy has label "Reference 6/113/6 Photo by Ron Hann" and another label "Ballarat 01.63"tramways, trams, railway station, level crossings, lydiard st nth, railways, tram 26 -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Photograph, Lt. Col Baldwin receiving Freedom of Ringwood City from the Mayor, Cr. B.J. Hubbard - 27 March, 1965. ( 2 photographs)
Typed on back of one photograph, 'Lt. Col Baldwin receiving the key and the certificate of Freedom from the Mayor. Town Clerk, F. Dwerryhouse seated at back. The unit paraded on the reserve at the back of the Town Hall. 27 Mar. 1965'. Written on back of another picture, "Mayor Ben Hubbard handing "Freedom of City" to Capt.. 3rd Div. Engineers'. Last photograph states below it, 'Freedom of the City' on back of same picture, '27th Mar. 65. Mayor (Cr. B.J. Hubbard presenting scroll of Freedom of City to Royal Australian Engineers'. Typed below 11172-2: 1965 Mayor Cr. B. Hubbard presenting scroll qwith Major General His Honour Norman A. Vickery & Major Gen R. J. H. Risson, and handwritten on the reverse: "This is the Scroll presented to the Royal Australian Engineers 3rd Division on 27 March (1965) granting them the freedom of the City of Ringwood. From Left the Mayor of Ringwood (Cr Benjamin Hubbard), The Commander 3rd Division (Major General His Honour Judge Norman A. Vickery) and Major General RJH Risson who represented the Colonel Commandant, Royal Australian Engineers" -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - BOOKS, PAY & DEMOBILIZATION, 1939 - 45
Items issued to Lawrence Vernon Andrews VX 114736 2nd AIF. Refer Catalogue No4228 for his service history..1) Demoiblization Procedure booklet AAB. 87 No 266377, brown coloured covers, paper pages, black printing with entries in black pen. .2) Soldiers Pay Book No 242572, brownish coloured covers, paper pages, Black printing entries in black pen..1) Front cover, “VX114736 Pte Andrews, Lawrence Vernon, C/- Ireland Bros , Poowong South Gipps Victoria”, “1485”. .2) Front cover, “VX114736 ANDREWS LAWRENCE VERNON”, Stamped, “CANCELLED” twicedemobilization, pay books, 2nd aif -
Bendigo Military Museum
Memorabilia - MEMORIAL PLAQUE AND IDENTITY DISCS, 1, post WW1. .2, WW1
Memorial Plaque commonly called "Dead Man's Penny' or 'Death Penny' for L.W.Telford KIA 5.4.17. Issued to wives,families of those who never returned from the Great War. Refer 157.2 for service history, 156, 159P. .1) Memorial Plaque, bronze, round with Brittania, lion and seals with space for individual name. .2) Set of dog tags - 2 official tags (1 circular, 1 octagonal), plus 1 unofficial aluminium identity tag..1) LEONARD WILLIAM TELFORD .2) Circular tag - "RC 4937 12 MGC AIF L.W.TELFORD .2)Aluminium obverse "4937 L.W.TELFORD 46th Battn AIF RC"; Verso - coat of Arms and 'VICT'plaques, memorial, identity discs -
Bendigo Military Museum
Container - BOX AND CARDS, Post 1945
Leslie Raymond Hughes VX88615 2nd AIF. Refer Cat No 540 (medals) for his service details..1) Cream coloured cardboard box base. .2) Lid of .1) with address on brown paper pasted on surface. .3) Folded white tissue paper. .4) Folded instructions for wearing of medals .5) Small cream coloured card sent with medals .6) Small yellow coloured card sent with medals .7) Yellow coloured polishing cloth. .8) Plastic bag for polishing cloth.2) "3/6/55" written in pencil inside lid. "Mr L R HUGHES 5 Berkely street Castlemaine, Victoria" "VX88615" written inside.containers, boxes, medals -
Bendigo Military Museum
Administrative record - BOOKS, 1) 7.12.45, .2) 22.6.40 - 12.12.45
Alfred Robert Maskell VX25221, 4th Anti Tank Regt 2nd AIF. Refer 2485 for medals and service history also 1076, 1100.2, 2489P..1) Demobilization Procedure book, "AAB87" No 436230 re VX25221 Maskell Alfred Robert, brown covers, 29 pages. .2) Record of Service book, "AAB83" Re VX25221 GNR Maskell A.R, brown covers, 40 pages..1) "V.T.227"records, military -
Bendigo Military Museum
Equipment - MESS KIT
Part of equipment issued to all soldiers on front line to be used for both serving food and drink. Belongs to Captain Brian Clerehan VX 91862 who enlisted 29/3/43 and was discharged 17/7/46 from 2nd New Guinea Infantry Batt.1. Light brown canvas carry bag for two metal bowls. Fold out piece with metal stud to open/close and metal hooks on back to attach to kit. 2. Silver metal bowl approx .6 litre capacity with metal folding handles - oval in shape. 3. Silver metal bowl approx 0.5 litre capacity with metal folding handles and oval in shape. Small folding ring attached to bottom. Smaller bowl sits inside bigger bowl sitting in canvas container.2. Has engraved between handles "D^D" & "VD".mess kit, equipment, ww2 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Slide - Set of 2, Keith Caldwell, 2/11/1978 12:00:00 AM
Set of two Agfa colour slide, blue and white plastic mount, photo by Keith Caldwell Oct. 2/11/1978 of trams the Burwood Highway section of the Burwood line .1 - Z15 inbound with the Burwood Teachers College and High School in the background. A Don smallgoods van is on the east bound road. .2 - Z15 outbound at the Gillard tram stop on the highway. Has destination of East Burwood - Middleborough Road, route 75. A tram stop shelter is alongside..2 has "2.11.78" in red ink.trams, tramways, burwood highway, route 75, east burwood, tram shelters, tram 15 -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
Photo
2nd Corp. Donald James Holloway - 9/2nd Div. Signal Corps.picture, ww1, army -
Bendigo Military Museum
Award - MEDALS WW2, Post 1945
The medals belonged to David Thomas BRUCE VX42855, enlisted 13.6.1940 age 27 years and posted to the 2/23rd Battalian AIF. Embarked for the Middle East 8.4.1941, embarked for Australia 31.1.1943, transferred to 2/1st Australian Docks Operating Coy RAE. Discharged from the 2nd AIF on 1.3.1944.Medal set, miniatures, brass plate mounted re B.D. THOMAS. 1. 1939-45 Star. 2. Africa Star with clasp “8”. 3. Pacific Star. 4. Defence Medal. 5. British War Medal 1939-45. 6. Australian Service medal 1939-45.medals, military, history -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photographs - Black and White, Landscape, and Two children by Paul Gerard
2 black and white photographic images mounted onto cardboard, by 2nd year photography student Paul Gerard .1) Landscape .2) Two children, boy and girl sitting on a chairphotography student, paul gerard, black and white photography, portrait photography, landscape photography -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, Ballarat 19 Sturt St, late 1950's or early 1960
Black and White photograph, of Ballarat No. 19, late 1950's or early 1960 in the City Loop in Sturt St. Has the median strip in the background. Tram has a roof advertisement for Castrol motor oil. Printed on Fuji-colour paper. 2nd copy added 6/1/15."TMSV Sales" stamp on rear. On rear of 2nd copy - P&M & MM J76 = BALL 19 = Bend 7.tramways, trams, sturt st, city loop, tram 19 -
Bendigo Military Museum
Award - MEDAL SET, Post WW1
Carl Ernest Moller No 1242 enlisted in D Coy 37th Batt AIF on 15.2.16 age 41 years 9 months. Embarked for overseas 3.6.16. In a short time he transferred beginning on 15.9.16 through the 5th, 6th Batt's and finally 59th Batt on 8.10.16. Hospital 20.11.16 with Influenza & Diarrhoea. Hospital 14.12.16 with Trench feet. WIA 26.9.17 GSW to left Thigh & right ear. WIA 29.9.18 2nd occasion. DOW's 30.9.18. All medals were forwarded in small boxes as per .2).1) Medal set, court mounted, set of (2) re C.E Moller 1. War medal 1914-19. 2. Victory Medal. .2) Cardboard lid from medal box. .3) Envelope. .4) Envelope..1) "1242 Pte C.E Moller 59 Bn AIF" medals, military, containers -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - BOOKS, RAAF, Queen City Printers Pty Ltd, 1942
W. C. ATKINSON RAAF No. 147081.1. Book - Heavy khaki coloured cardboard covers with black tape on left side and tied together with black shoe laces. 235 pages of cream paper. 2. Book - Grey, black, green, cream print on light cardboard cover. 64 pages, cream paper.1. RAAF 21324 FITTERS 11.A, Carpenter Riggers, Flight Riggers, Course Notes, Engineering School. Issue 4, 1942. 2. German Monoplanes, Aircraft Identification. Part Two 2nd Ed. 2/-.books, raaf, aircraft identification, course notes fitters -
Bendigo Military Museum
Administrative record - RECORDS OF SERVICE, 1) 3.7.1945, .2) Est 9.11.45
K.W. Allen VX109839 2nd AIF. Refer 2192.4 medals and Service history also 2193, 2195P..1) "Record of Service Book AAB83" re VX109839 CFN Allen K.W. Brown covered cardboard, black printing, individual details hand written in ink. .2) "Demobilization Procedure Book AAB87 No 343215" re VX109839 CFN Allen, Kingsley William. Brown covered, black printing, individual details hand written in ink.records, service, military -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, Ron Hann, Jan. 1963
Yields information about the Quarry Hill terminus and roof advertisements on the tramcar.Black and white print on heavy matt photographic paper of Bendigo 18 at Quarry Hill terminus with the driver walking back to the tramcar. The tram has a White Horse Whiskey advertisement on the front dash panel, and two electric cooking roof advertisements. 2nd copy - laser print - with date etc on rear - added 22/2/2010, copy from Ron Hann. Printed on Fujifilm, Fujicolour Crystal Archive for Frontier"On rear in pencil "18 Quarry Hill 1963" 2nd copy has label "Reference 6/214/28" Photo by Ron Hann" and another label "Bendigo Quarry Hill 01.63"tramways, trams, bendigo, quarry hill, tram 18 -
Bendigo Military Museum
Plaque - PLAQUES, MACHINE GUN BATTALIONS
Plaque - wood, metal. 1. Wood with green, black, yellow painted triangle, metal engraved 2/1 M. G. Batt 2. Wood with green, black, yellow painted triangle, metal engraved 2/1 M. G. Batt1. 2/1 M G Batt 2. 2/3 M G Battplaque, machine gun battalion, 2/1, 2/3 -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Photograph - Black and white print, Bert Daly
(1) Group photograph of Staff/Admin Staff? (2) Group photograph of 5 women and 2 men. (1) On reverse, "Bert Daly-front row 2nd left." (2) Identified by R. Hamley Garden Instructor on reverse but handwriting hard to read: "Facing photo Judith ?A?geen, Kitty Comben, Bert Daly, Kerry Wilson, Norma Baring?, Alison Rowie? seated Rosemary Hamley." staff, bert daly, women, men, kitty comben, kerry wilson, norma baring, alison rowie, rosemary hamley, garden instructor -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Negative - Set of 2, Geoff Grant, 2/04/1955 12:00:00 AM
Negative No. 265 and colour print made by colour laser printer (stored in folder ) of a head on shot of No. 39 in front of the Geelong depot, by Geoff Grant on 2/4/1955 while on an Australian Electric Traction Association tour. Other trams in view are 1 and 17. .1 - Copy large format print from Lloyd Rogers collection via Robert Green 2/2014. Added 4-4-2019 - 2 copies added. Original negative scanned at hi res 18/5/2020 and image updated.On small copy ex Robert Green in ink "Geelong car shed, 2-4-1955, ARHS Neg" On large print in pencil "Geelong 2-4-1955"trams, tramways, geelong, aeta, depot, tram 39 tram 1 tram 17 -
Bendigo Military Museum
Accessory - BUSH HAT, BANDAGES & NECK CLOTH, 2) - .4) 11.1944
Andrew John BALSILLIE MBE, JP. Jack as he was known enlisted in the Australian Army near the end of WWII No 31224 age 16 years. He then served in Malaya 1959 - 1961then Vietnam with the rank of Captain with 1st Aust Task Force HQ Light Aid Detachment (LAD) 7.5.1969 - 7.11.1969, HQ Aust Force Vietnam Army component 8.11.1969 - 7.5.1970. He retired with the rank of Major in 1985 after 40 years plus. He was awarded an MBE in 1969 for his services to the Australian War Memorial. Elected to Committee Bendigo RSL 1988 - 1993 with Snr Vice President 1989 - 1993, re-elected 1999 - 2000. Re-elected again in 2002 as Snr Vice President. He was elected to Bendigo City Council 1990 - 1993 serving as Mayor in 1993. .1) Bush hat, floppy, khaki canvas, belonged to Major J BALSILLIE. .2) - .4) Gauze wound dressing in brown cotton pack, 2 rolls per pack. .5) Neck cloth, green cotton..1) Inside hat: Maj J Balsillie. .2) - .4) Labelled: First Field Dressings.headwear, medical dressings -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Hume and Hovell passed here at Seymour 28 Oct 1824, Spring Excursion, Hume and Hovell's 1824 expedition (Part 2), 26 October 1997, 26/10/1997
[article by Diana Bassett-Smith in EDHS Newsletter No. 117, November 1997:] MONUMENT HUNTING THE HUME AND HOVELL WAY - Sunday October 26 1997 dawned bright and very warm. Some twenty-five members, complete with picnic baskets, met outside the Eltham Library awaiting the Cobb and Co. large coach which would be taking us on the second leg of our travels along the route of the early explorers Hume and Hovell. Stephen West was our very good driver for the day. He would be guided around the circuitous route by Russell Yeoman who had made a detailed study, not only of the intended route, but of the story of these two explorers. During the trip Russell regaled us with poetry, quotations from the Journals and the History of the Shire of Seymour, "The New Crossing Place" by Martindale, 1982, (now Mitchell Shire due to the recent amalgamations). We headed towards the Hume Highway via Greensborough and Cooper Street and proceeded north to our first stop, noting on the way Monument Hill in the distance which is near Kilmore and, according to Russell, well worth the effort to visit as the view across the valley is magnificent. Past Sunday Creek Valley, Mt Piper and Mt Disappointment, all traversed and noted and named by them. We passed through Tallarook, then onto Seymour where we took photos of the monument telling us that Hume and Hovell had passed through on the 28th of October 1824. We also deviated down Hume and Hovell Road viewing deer and emu farming and the Bellbourie property now a sanctuary. Leaving Seymour behind we travelled up the Avenel Road to the Avenel monument, pyramidal in design of four reducing square blocks with a sharply pointed peak, erected in 1924 in memory of the 1824 exploration. The day was warming up and the countryside showing the dryness of the current drought. A parallel note had been made in their journal too of 1824 of the drought appearance of the country they were traversing. At Seven Creeks, Euroa we stopped for some minutes to check the monument placed 20th November 1924 to commemorate their passage on the 29th December 1824. More photos. Russell had pointed out the abrupt termination of the distant ranges which is noted in their journal. The next monument is beside the road at the entrance to Honey Suckle Creek Caravan Park, Violet Town. The squarish shaped monument some eight feet high is topped with a simple steel cross, and was to mark the date of 28th December 1824 and built for the 20th November 1924. By now it was 12.20 and nearly lunchtime as we drove along the Warranbayne Road to Roach's Road, monument hunting without success. Though there is a large, what appears to be an old timber sign which was hard to read, maybe this was the lost monument. In many of the paddocks hay had been cut and baled or was being cut, what a contrast to the rugged country they had passed through which was smoky from the fires of the natives burning off. By 1.00 pm we were at Benalla and pulled up beside the park where abundant beds of roses filled the air with their scent and the smell of barbecued food twitched the nostrils whilst the cheerful sounds of other picnickers could be heard throughout the park. We left the bus and collected up our picnics, dispersed to the various tables and enjoyed the shade from the various European trees. 2.00 pm and we were on the road again driving along the Benalla, Mansfield, Yea road. The Swanpool monument states that they passed four miles south and returned three miles north. Then we stopped at the Barjarg monument which notes that they camped near this spot. It is again a pyramidal monument and this time topped with a steel arrow indicating their route of the 29th November 1824. Half an hour later we came to another monument, again with a steel arrow marker on top and the plaque dated the 2nd of 12th 1824. Erected on the 12th of 12th 1924. "They blazed the way that we might inherit the land." Another square based and needle topped monument appeared at Yarck near Yea and this plaque records the date of 3 December 1824. Near McGuigans Road Russell related that the expedition had lost a dog but it had found them next day, the dog was apparently torn by a kangaroo. A short while later Russell reminded us here of the problems they encountered in crossing the Goulburn River near Molesworth where banks were high, water deep and wide. "Good coat of grass but quite dry due to drought". At Yea we stopped for afternoon tea and raided the last of our picnics and looked at the monument to their journey of 1824, situated at a corner of the gardens near the bowling green. No photo – we were out of film. We returned home via Kinglake West and Whittlesea past the Yan Yean Reservoir, not full. 5.00 pm back at Eltham we emptied out of the bus and everyone, including Joan Cole, collected their things, Joan also had the major souvenir of the day, a large carp she had picked up from the river bank, her cat was in for a great feast. The day was made so interesting by the informed commentary which Russell provided. His background knowledge of the route and nature of the journey could only have come from many hours of reading and driving the area. Thank you to Russell and to everyone who made the day so informative and pleasurable. Colour photographactivities, hume and hovell, monument, seymour