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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Pocket Knife, before 1878
Found on board the "Loch Ard" . 'Loch Ard" left Gravesend, England on 2nd March 1878, under the command of Captain Gibb, bound for Melbourne loaded with passengers and cargo. On June 1st 1878, almost at the end of her journey, she ran into a rocky reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: an apprentice, Tom Pearce and a young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost all of her family in the tragedy. The wreck of Loch Ard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island and much of the cargo has been salvaged. Some was washed up into what is now known as Loch Ard Gorge following the shipwreck. Amongst artefacts salvaged from the Loch Ard is the now famous Minton Peacock Statue which was destined for the Melbourne International Exhibition to be held in 1880 HISTORY OF THE LOCH ARD The LOCH ARD belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many ships from England to Australia. Built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the LOCH ARD was a three-masted square rigged iron sailing ship. The ship measured 262ft 7" (79.87m) in length, 38ft (11.58m) in width, 23ft (7m) in depth and had a gross tonnage of 1693 tons. The LOCH ARD's main mast measured a massive 150ft (45.7m) in height. LOCH ARD made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its final voyage. LOCH ARD left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of Captain Gibbs, a newly married, 29 year old. She was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers and a load of cargo. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. On board were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionary, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were items included that intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. At 3am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land and the passengers were becoming excited as they prepared to view their new homeland in the early morning. But LOCH ARD was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4am the fog lifted. A man aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and LOCH ARD's bow swung back. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold its position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time LOCH ARD was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind the ship. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves broke over the ship and the top deck was loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of LOCH ARD and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael had raced onto deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached LOCH ARD Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland, this time by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the LOCH ARD disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost all of her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the LOCH ARD tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of LOCH ARD still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some was washed up into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton porcelain peacock - one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today, the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artefact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. The "Loch Ard" is registered on the National Shipwreck database and is protected as an Historic "Shipwreck. It is one of Australia's and Victoria's most tragic and most famous shipwrecks. The quantity of luxury and commercial items carried as cargo show the type and quality of goods passengers migrating to Australia at that time were bringing with them Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. Small pocket knife salvaged from the wreck of the Loch Ard. It has a dark brown cover on one side. Reverse side is only partly there. Both blades are missingflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, pocket knife, knife, tool -
Bendigo Military Museum
Badge - BADGE COLLECTION, C.WW2
Items in the collection re Ian McLeod RWAFF, refer Cat No 2262.2 for service details. Badges, metal mounted on cardboard from Allied countries16 in total. Main ones are; .1) Skull and cross bones "FOR GLORY". .2) Rising Sun badge Australian .3) Rhodesian Regiment .4) Lion with Rhodesie. .5) North Humberland Fusiliers. .6) Western Light Horse. .7) S.A.A.F. SALM, Crown, Wings. .8) R.A..A.C. with bird .9) R.A.F. Crown and Wreath .10) Rhodesia lion and eagle .11) Missing .12) NZ onward. crown and wreath .13) Southern Rhodesia volunteers. Lion .14) Rhodesia - crown, dagger, snake\ .15) The Kings Royal Rifle Corp - crown and cross .16) Royal Engineers. crown and wreath .17) "CMP" Letter only .18) Missingbadges, allied, collection -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPH AND LEGEND, Pre war - 1941-42
The two cyclists were taken prisoner in North Africa. The prisoners gave the photo to Colin Odlum and the result was that the photo came back to Australia and given to William (Billy) Bird who loaned the photo to the Cycling Club in Bendigo. Colin Odlum VX45898 2/23 Batt AIF. KIA 12.7.42. Refer 127.56, 128.2, 137.3P. Bettie Bird refer 136.2, Billy Bird 1601. .1) Photo, B & W of two Italian men on Racing Bikes with building in the background. .2) Original newspaper article re Italian POW's and Colin Odlum on a black background. .1) On the rear faded writing re the two cyclists "POW's"documents, historical notes, photography, photographs, military history -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - BOOK, ARMY CUSTOMS, McCarran Bird Pty Limited, 1.2.1965
Item issued to Murray Stanley Metherall. Refer 590.2Red cover with gold lettering, issued to Officers re Military customs.Gold stamped lettering "Customs of the Army", Australian coat of arms, book, army customs -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Photograph Fire Prevention Victorian Alps, Burning, Circa 1950
This photograph, in late 1950s, shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub to reduce the level of available fuel against any possible summer bush fires. The Alpine regions accumulate high levels of potential fuel (undergrowth and small shrubs) which if not reduced has the potential of breaking into a dangerous bush fire. The men in this photograph are not wearing any protective clothing. Their visibility to other firefighters is severely reduced by smoke. This photo is a snap shot in time when Occupational Health and Safety Legislation was in its infancy stage.This photograph details the fire prevention activities in the Victorian Alps under the management of the SEC Victoria. The level of undergrowth within the Australian bush needs to be kept under control to avoid the possibility of lightning strikes (during summer storms) igniting dry forests resulting in a major bush fire. Controlled fires within alpine regions are required not only to reduce the level of dry undergrowth but also to provide those various plant species requiring fire for regenerate. This method was used by the original inhabitants (Aborigines) as limited scrub fires were used to flush game and bird population for eating with the side benefit to those plants requiring the fire for regeneration.This black and white photograph shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub. The photograph is on 200gsm paper but it is not photographic paper. It can be assumed that the photo is not the original but a copy. alpine fire prevention, sec fire prevention -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Photograph Fire Prevention Victorian Alps, Burning, Circa 1950
This photograph, from the 1950s, shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub to reduce the level of available fuel against any possible summer bush fires.The Alpine regions accumulate high levels of potential fuel (undergrowth and small shrubs) which if not reduced has the potential of breaking into a dangerous bush fire. The men in this photograph are not wearing any protective clothing. Their visibility to other firefighters is severely reduced by smoke. This photo is a snap shot in time when Occupational Health and Safety Legislation was in its infancy stage.This photograph details the fire prevention activities in the Victorian Alps under the management of the SEC Victoria. The level of undergrowth within the Australian bush needs to be under control to avoid the possibility of lightning strikes (during summer storms) igniting dry forests resulting in a major bush fire. Controlled fires within alpine regions are required not only to reduce the level of dry undergrowth but also to provide those various plant species requiring fire for regenerate. This method was used by the original inhabitants (Aborigines) as limited scrub fires were used to flush game and bird population for eating with the side benefit to those plants requiring that fire for regeneration.This black and white photograph shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub. The photograph is on 200gsm paper but it is not photographic paper. It can be assumed that the photo is not the original but a copy produced by the SEC Vic. See also KVHS 0413 and KVHS 0414 for other similar photos.kiewa valley tourism, victorian alps, alternate energy supplies, alpine population growth -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Photograph Fire Prevention Victorian Alps, Burning, Circa 1950
This photograph, in late 1950s, shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub to reduce the level of available fuel against any possible summer bush fires. The Alpine regions accumulate high levels of potential fuel (undergrowth and small shrubs) which if not reduced has the potential of breaking into a dangerous bush fire. The men in this photograph are not wearing any protective clothing. Their visibility to other firefighters is severely reduced by smoke. This photo is a snap shot in time when Occupational Health and Safety Legislation was in its infancy stage.This photograph details the fire prevention activities in the Victorian Alps under the management of the SEC Victoria. The level of undergrowth within the Australian bush needs to be kept under control to avoid the possibility of lightning strikes (during summer storms) igniting dry forests resulting in a major bush fire. Controlled fires within alpine regions are required not only to reduce the level of dry undergrowth but also to provide those various plant species requiring fire for regenerate. This method was used by the original inhabitants (Aborigines) as limited scrub fires were used to flush game and bird population for food, with a side benefit to those plants requiring the fire for regeneration.This black and white photograph shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub. The photograph is on 200gsm paper but it is not photographic paper. It can be assumed that the photo is not the original but a copy. See also KVHS 0413 and KVHS 0415 for other similar photos.kiewa valley tourism, victorian alps, alternate energy supplies, alpine population growth -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Hat Pin
Historically this item could be a valuable antique worn originally by a wealthy upper class woman. The fine hand painted pictures with gold boarders and porcelain body suggests the item was bought either in Europe or Britain and brought into Australia in the late 19 th to early 20 th century by a wealthy landed gentryThis item is a reflection of both the fashion mode of the 1800s to mid 1900s when long hair needed to be controlled by hair pins rather than later manufactured hair sprays. It is also an example of society's mores of tidiness and quasi religious beliefs of covering the hair and head when outdoorsHead of pin is six sided, domed top made of porcelain. Two sides have hand painted pictures of grapes, two sides with flower arrangement , two sides detailing cypress tree tips of branch, top has flowers and leaves with hidden small birdshat pin, porcelain hat accessory, millinery clothing -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Magazine - Nature, Joseph Swanson Wilkinson, Wild Life Australian Nature Magazine, January 1949
This magazine was part of the Bogong School's library and represents an important aspect of the school's curriculum.Bogong School was noted for having a great interest in nature and conservation. 48 page soft covered magazine. Cover with limited colour including orange, black, white and brown with green. Inside pages in black, brown and grey pictures with black print on off white pages. Page 41 is in cartoon form. 'Registered at G.P.O. Melbourne for transmission by post as a periodical'. written in black in tiny print across the top. 1st line: 'Wild Life' in orange with white outline. 2nd line: 'Australian Nature Magazine' in white underneath title. All across top. 3rd written line: 'January, 1949 Through Wildflower Land 1/-' underneath picture of Kangaroo Paw. in black Underneath this writing follows: 4th line: 'Vol.11 No. 1 The Truth About Borers : : Beautiful Bird Pictures' in black Underneath 1/- is 'Monthly' Background behind black writing is orange same as title.bogong primary school. bogong. wild life. nature. -
Bendigo Military Museum
Plaque - PLAQUES, NAVAL
2. ALBATROSS - Commissioned 23 Jan 1929. Sold 1946.Plaques - wood, plaster. 1. Plaster Insignia painted in blue, green and gold with Kings Crown, Anchor WRAN. 2. Plaster Insignia painted in navy, blue, cream, gold with Kings Crown, bird. ALBATROSS RAN. 3. Plaster Insignia painted in blue and gold. Kings crown, anchor RAN.1. W.R.A.N.S. 2. "ALBATROSS EVER WATCHFUL", 3. "ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY" .plaques, ran -
Bendigo Military Museum
Card - CARD, CHRISTMAS, est 1942
Henry Victor Evans No 418655 RAAF. Refer Cat No 1760.4.Paper or cardboard Christmas card issued by RAAF. Centre has a bird with outstretched wings with crown above stamped in blue ink. "Royal Australian Air Force No 4 Initial Training School Victor Harbour" Inside "Mr Evans/Best Wishes/from Lyle Cootes"cards, military, numismatics, raaf, xmas -
Bendigo Military Museum
Badge - FEMALE RELATIVE BADGE, 1940-45
The badges were first issued in 1940 to the nearest female relative of a soldier on Active Service. Each star on the bar represents one person. This badge was issued to Billy Birds Mother. William (Billy) Bird No VX113169 2/14 Batt AIF. Refer 1601. William Bird was born on the 15th of April 1924, enlisted in the AIF on the 19th of October 1942 when he was 18 years of age. He was discharged from the 2/14 Australian Infantry Battalion on the 21st of August 1946. Female Relative Badge. The Badge has a Map of Australia in the centre surrounded by two sets of laurel leaves.It is topped by a Crown. The Bar is suspended beneath the medallion by rings with one five pointed star on the bar."To the Women of Australia" The rear of the Badge has "Issued By Commonwealth of Australia A182120" numismatics-badges, female relative -
Bendigo Military Museum
Badge - RISING SUN BADGE, 1939-45
Item belonged to Billy Bird No VX113169 2/14 Batt AIF. Refer Cat No 1601 for his service details. Rising Sun Badge, pressed blackened brass, depicts a rising sun with crown centre and scroll under."Australian Commonwealth Military Forces"numismatics-badges-military, metalcraft, rising sun -
Bendigo Military Museum
Card - CARD, CLOTHING RATION, Commonwealth of Australia, 1948
Issued to Billy Bird VX113169 2/14 Batt AIF. Refer Cat No 1601 for his service details.Red printed clothing ration cards, numbered 11-56. Dated 1948.Stamped in red: "A 562695" Handwritten: "W Bird 121 Creek St Bendigo"ration, clothing -
Bendigo Military Museum
Currency - COINS PENNY, 1912, 1927
The coins were used to play "Two Up" in the islands WW11. They belonged to Billy Bird No VX113169 2/14 Batt AIF. Refer Cat No 1601.Pair of Australian Pennies, with King George on one side and Brittania the other. .1) Dated "1912" .2) Dated "1927"coins, monetary, gambling., penny, two up -
Conservation Volunteers
Tern Watch ANZ Bank promotional T shirt 1988 For five summers from 1987 to 1992 ATCV volunteers were landed on Rigby Island in Victoria’s Gippsland Lakes to “baby-sit” Little Terns, 1988
For five summers from 1987 to 1992 ATCV volunteers were landed on Rigby Island in Victoria’s Gippsland Lakes to “baby-sit” Little Terns (Sterna Albifrons) which breed in Asia and visit Australia in the Northern winter. By the mid 1980s the visiting population had dwindled dangerously due to predation and its very slow rate of reproduction. Conservation volunteers patrolled from dawn to dusk on a rotating 4 hour shift, educating visitors why they should stay away from the birds, and kept watch for pests. Terry Peacock’s logistics were heroic In support of the volunteers’ vigil: a boat, bunks, tents, tools, and a kitchen were bussed from Bendigo to Lakes Entrance. There were no outside funds at first, and only sale of promotional T-shirts together with small grants from the ANZ Bank and from Yellow Pages kept things going. Volunteers paid their own way to and from Bairnsdale railway station. Park Ranger and former ATCV employee Robert Brouwers with Helen Schneider (UK naturalist) and Tim Cox ‘maroon’ Tern Watch volunteers at Rigby Island in the Gippsland Lakes Vic > In 2010 the status of the Little Tern populations in Australia was assessed under the ECBP Act and the determination was that, while the Gippsland Lakes population will continue to benefit from conservation action, they are no longer a threatened species. White T shirt with ANZ in large blue letters with Tern Watch 1988 belowtern watch, atcv -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Souvenir Cloth
Royal blue "Souvenir of Palestine" embroidered silk cloth with orange fringing. Embroidered with birds, flowers, a crown and a shield in gold and pink threads. Dated 1942, WW2."Australian Commonwealth Military Forces Souvenir of Palestine 1942"of, 1942, souvenir, cloth, ww2, embroidered, silk, palestine -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Souvenir Handkerchief
Cloth handkerchief sent to family in Australia by Noel Louis Blundell, a 2nd AIF serviceman in Syria during World War 2. The handkerchief is maroon in colour and made from a square piece of silk-like cloth. The edges of the cloth have been cut in decorative pattern. The cloth has been decorated with a paint like material on one side which is gold in colour and contains some golden glitter particles.The handkerchief is inscribed around the perimeter with the following words "MEMORY OF SYRIA" and "SOUVENIR D'SYRIE". In one corner of the square there is a bird (dove?) holding a flag as it is flying over another inscription "SOUVENIR D'SYRIE". Above the flag are 17 stars. The flag is of unknown origin at this stage. souvenir, ww2, world war 2, handkerchief, syria, blundell, noel blundell -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Souvenir Cloth, WW1
A souvenir cloth from Egypt, WW1. It is a red silk square cloth with brightly coloured silk embroidery. In the centre are the flags of Belgium, Russia, France, Australia and Britain. There are also embroidered date palms, a sphinx, pyramids and a bird carrying a letter."God save the King Souvenir of Egypt"ww1, egypt, souvenir, embroidered cloth -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Framed Letter - Bogong State School 1946, 6 May 1946
Bogong State School was awarded First Prize in its Class for 'the Project Book'. The school received a cheque for the purchase of library books or approved equipment.Bogong is a town established by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The project "displays some most artistic work in illustrating birds of the district" confirming that the principal at the time had a very good reputation especially with his knowledge of the surrounding bush and wild life.Dark wooden frame, glass cover, cardboard back not attached to the frame. 2 rings screwed at the top on the sides of the frame with string attached to each. Paper yellowed letter titled "Australian American Association" dated 6 May 1946 addressed to the Principal Bogong State School.bogong state school; australian american association; -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Book, Geoffrey Dutton, A Rare Bird - Penguin Books in Australia 1946-1996, 1996
... A Rare Bird - Penguin Books in Australia 1946-1996.... Road Ringwood North melbourne Book A Rare Bird - Penguin Books ...Soft cover book with orange coloured spine featuring Penguin Books logos.'I had always a wish that one day I could be published by Penguin Books' - Elizabeth Jolley -
Orbost & District Historical Society
dining chair, from about 1906 until the 1930s
This item is an example of domestic furniture created to reflect an Australiana type design with Australian motifs.Australiana lyre bird wood dining chair. Lyre bird carving on head rest. Wood turned structuressRID 254chair dining-chair furniture-domestic -
Orbost & District Historical Society
plate, Powell, Bishop & Stonier, December 6 1880
Belonged to Mary Gilbert who was a passionate local historian. She was awarded a British Empire medal in recognition of her work for education and the community. Mary Isabelle Gilbert was born in 1905 in Orbost, Australia. She was born to John Gilbert and Annie Cameron Gilbert, and had seven sisters and one brother. Four siblings died at a young age. .She was a teacher historian loved and respected by her family and the wider community.This item is an example of late 19th century English porcelain.Hand-painted Conway plate with illustrations of birds, sunsets, butterflies and sailing ships. Cream background.Back - British coat of arms. 3 logos.plate domestic crockery porcelain conway gilbert-mary -
Red Cliffs Military Museum
Satchell (leather), (estimated); World War 2
This item of meorabilia was made by J.G.Murphy while he was hospitalised in the Middle East during the 2nd World War. He later became President of the Red Cliffs RSL and a Life Member of the League for service rendered.Brown leather satchell,embossed with Australian flora and forna, front, back and under flap, there is a carry handle on the top. The front features two Kookaburra like birds, under the flap is a Kangaroo and butterfly and folliage on the back. The seams and handle are hand sewn with 2.5mm leather lacing, and there are press studs to hold the flap closed. There are two internal pockets, stitched with fine cotton thread and the stitching is only visable from the inside. satchell leather, embossed leather, native flora, native fauna, past rsl president, j g murphy, hand made leather work, middle east hospital craft, past presidents, life members, rsl, middle east -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Australaisn Bittern, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
The Australaisn Bittern is a partly nocturnal bird who resides in costal and sub-coastal locations in south-west mainland Australia, south east Australia and Tasmania. They can be found in wetlands, swamps and among reeds. These birds are mostly brown and yellow in colour and with short legs and a stocky body. The "woomph" sound made by the Bittern late at night is thought to have been the origin of the traditional Aboriginal myth of the Bunyip. The Bunyip, like the Australasian Bittern, was believed to reside in reedy swamps. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.The Australaisn Bittern is a stocky bird with mainly yellow and brown colouring. This colouring makes the bird difficult to see in the dense, reedy vegetation it resides amongst in shallow freshwater wetlands. When threatened, the Australaisn Bittern will raise its bill skyward in a pose which helps it camouflage. This specimen has streaked yellow-brown feathers, a yellow bill and legs which are a yellow-green colour. It stands on a wooden platform.taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, bunyip, myths, australaisn bittern, bittern -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Musk Duck, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
This particular Musk Duck is a female specimen. This is ascertained through the lack of a large bulbous lobe of skin hanging under the bill. This particular duck has a much smaller lobe on the underside of its bill which is only visible when close. The name Musk Duck comes from the strong musk odour produced from a gland on the rump of the bird. These ducks are found only in Australia, in south-western and south-eastern mainland and in Tasmania. They prefer to reside in locations which have deep water and plenty of aquatic vegetation. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.A large duck with a sooty-brown plumage and paler brown colouring on the stomach and areas of the neck. This bird stands with its head turned to look over its right shoulder. The eyes are made of brown coloured glass. The legs on the Musk Duck are positioned towards the far back of the stocky body and the feet are webbed. This enables the duck to swim but provides a clumsy gait. The bill of this Musk Duck is dark grey and the tail feathers are positioned in a fan-shape.Paper tag reading "9a Musk Duck. See Catalogue, page, 39."taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, duck, musk duck, aquatic, biziura lobata -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Musk Duck, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
This particular Musk Duck is a male specimen. This is ascertained through the inclusion of a large bulbous lobe of skin hanging under the bill. The name Musk Duck comes from the strong musk odour produced from a gland on the rump of the bird. These ducks are found only in Australia, in south-western and south-eastern mainland and in Tasmania. They prefer to reside in locations which have deep water and plenty of aquatic vegetation. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.A male Musk Duck with a wide, heavy body covered in dark grey-brown plumage. This specimen has a broad and triangular shaped bill with a large lobe hanging from beneath the bill which helps identify this particular duck as male. The duck has glass eyes which are a dark brown colour. The legs on the Musk Duck are positioned towards the far back of the stocky body and the feet are webbed. This enables the duck to swim but provides a clumsy gait."8a Musk Duck. See Catalogue, page, 39."taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, duck, musk duck, aquatic, biziura lobata -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Pacific Gull, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
This gull specimen is a young Herring Gull (Larus argentatus). It is a large gull and one of the most well known of the gulls. This particular species can be found in Northern Europe, Western Europe, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltic States. Juvenile and first-winter Herring Gulls are a brown colour with some darker streaks with a bark bill and dark eyes. These colours identifies this particular specimen as a juvenile bird. These birds are commonly seen near the seaside and are omnivores who scavenge from garbage dumps, landfill sites and sewage outflows. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is a juvenile Herring Gull with pale cream and brown coloured plumage. It has a dark bill and dark legs with webbed toes. The eyes are small and are made of glass. They are a pale brown and black colour. The feathers on on the lower back and tail are a darker brown colour compared to the pale plumage on the rest of the bird.Paper Tag: "2yd variega[ted]... Catelogu[e]..." Paper Tag: "Larus argentatus" Metal Tag: "1511"taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, gull, pacific gull -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Common Gull, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
This specimen is a Black-Headed Gull in the adult winter plumage. This plumage is mostly white and grey with a small dark mark on the sides of the head. During the summer months, the plumage on the head of the bird turns a black colour which is called a hood. This species can be found over much of Europe, except Spain, Italy and Greece. It also resides in northeastern Canada, Northeast America and in some of the Caribbean Islands. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.A pale grey and white coloured Gull standing on a wooden platform. The bill and legs are a pale yellow colour and the toes are webbed. The small eyes are made from glass and black in colour. The specimen has a darker spot of plumage behind the eyes and darker feathers in its tail. Paper tag 1: "28a Black-headed Gull- Catalogue, Page, 43." Paper tag 2: Larus Ridibundustaxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, gull, black-headed gull, common gull -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Nankeen Night Heron, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
Nankeen Night Herons reside in Australia wherever there is permanent water. They can often be found in wetlands, shallow river margins, floodplains and parks and gardens. These birds spend the day time roosting in groups among dense foliage and emerge during the night. An adult Nankeen Night Heron is identified by the black cap on its head and a pale breast. This particular specimen has these signs which enable it to be identified as adult. The large eyes of the Nankeen Night Heron are a bright yellow colour which are adapted to night vision. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.The Nankeen Night Heron has a stocky body and is standing tall on a wooden pedestal and looking towards the upper right. This adult specimen has yellow and black glass eyes and a long pale grey bill. Plumage on the head is black which turns a pale cinnamon on the nape of the neck. The wings are placed along the back of the body and are a light brown. The torso is a pale buff colour. This specimen has nuptial plums which look like they come out of the back of the birds head. These plums are long white feathers which appear during the breeding season.taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, nankeen night heron, heron, nocturnal