Boy with a Thorn Though the classical bronze that the figure was modeled has become known as Lo Spinario, both Stuart Rattle and Kevin O’Neill referred to it as The Boy with a Thorn. Information from the late Stuart Rattle and John Graham, the late Kevin O’Neill’s partner. The statue was bought by Kevin O’Neill from a South Yarra antique dealer in the 1980s. She had bought it in Europe. Stuart believed that it was cast in Berlin by Moritz Geiss who had pioneered the popular process of zinc casting of classical statues. Schinkel, the architect of early 19th Century Prussian public buildings used the process extensively. I assume that the decorations that can be seen in Berlin currently are copies of those copies, given the comprehensive destruction of the city in 1945. Unless there is a date stamped on the statue, and there might well be, there is no firm indication of its age, although Stuart and Kevin believed it was “turn of the century”. It was given to Stuart by John Graham after the death of Kevin O’Neill. Prior to its installation at Musk Farm, it was “by the dam” at Marnarnie, O’Neill’s property at Mt Macedon. It became a much photographed focal point in the sunken garden at Musk Farm. The statue is a gift from the Rattle family to The Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens who intend to give it, in turn, to Hepburn Shire to be placed in the Botanic Gardens. Both the family and the Friends see it as a memorial to Stuart’s tireless work to raise funds for the Gardens and to raise the profile of the Gardens so that their considerable significance could be more broadly acknowledged. The CMP notes that statuary has been a feature of most botanic gardens (and a notable feature of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens) and James Lowe, the head of Parks for the Shire has also commented that it is an area that could well be developed in the Gardens. This comes from his attendance at meetings of the BGANZ, the “peak professional body” for the development and maintenance of registered botanic gardens in Aus and NZ. Given the lack of funds that the Shire has been able to allocate to the Gardens, a donation of this calibre is a welcome addition to the cultural asset that the Gardens represent. A very large number of residents of the Shire are members of the Friends, have visited Musk Farm and are appreciative of the Gardens. There is a current feeling that the Gardens are undergoing a dynamic revival as a result of the success of the Café and also because of the extraordinary improvement and enhancement of the amenity that has been undertaken over the past two years by the Friends. The installation of the Boy with the Thorn is another move forward for the Gardens. The statue is cast zinc. It is sometimes referred to a white bronze. As can be seen in the photographs, it is in very good condition with no damage or apparent degeneration of the metal. The Smithsonian Institution has a lengthy document relating to the deterioration and repair of similar casts in the US where urban pollution has taken its toll but for the most part it deals with inappropriate repair rather than maintenance protocols. One of the properties of zinc that is appreciated in Australia is its ability to withstand the elements and given that the artwork has been either on Mt Macedon or at Musk for the last 30 years or more, its relocation to Wombat Hill seems to be an appropriate one. The Friends are prepared to organise and pay for the relocation of the statue. The issue of security from the point of view of theft, malicious damage and environmental impact will need to be addressed. The Ballarat Botanical Gardens have recently reinstalled statuary which has been damaged and which had been removed from the Gardens on account of this. They have used Rockworks Ballarat and Wilson’s Memorials to make plinths, secure artworks with steel pins and to provide especially robust fixings to ensure the safety of the various sculptures. The CMP (2007) makes a number of recommendations regarding security in the Gardens ranging from the installation of lighting to the locking of the gates overnight and the repair/reinstatement of appropriate fencing – not done as yet to my knowledge. Paul Bangay has also agreed to act as a consultant in the process of installing the Boy. John Graham estimates its value at $20,000 The preferred location for the work would be at the entrance to the Fernery from the lawn. The paths form an intersection at that point that could be modified to fit the statue. But this is currently a suggested location only. The statue is a gift from the Rattle family to The Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens who have gifted it to the Hepburn Shire to be placed in the Botanic Gardens. Both the family and the Friends of the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens Daylesford see it as a memorial to Stuart’s tireless work to raise funds for the Gardens and to raise the profile of the Gardens so that their considerable significance could be more broadly acknowledged. Lo Spinario (Boy with a thorn) c. 1900 copy after the Greco-Roman Hellenistic antique bronze in Rome. c. 1900 copy after the Greco-Roman Hellenistic antique bronze in Rome (Palazzo dei Conservatori, Musei Capitolini, Rome) Manufacturer M. Geiss, Berlin Nonedaylesford, wombat hill botanical gardens, stuart rattle, kevin o'neill, john graham, boy with a thorn, lo spinario, classical sculpture, zinc, classical nude, hepburn shire, public art, sculpture, art

This came as part of a large collection of photos from Eric Boardman. Originally catalogued by R Waters on 12.02.1988. There are 3 copies of the original in black & white 20.5 cm x 25.5 cm format. According to information in the supplementary file from Bob Cahill who is the grandson of JF Cahill and son of Malachi Cahill, the identification of the photo is as follows: L to R (standing): James, John Francis (father), John, Malachi; L to R (seated): Mary / Margaret nee Ryan (mother), Polly (Mary), Michael (Mick) and ? (not specified) Margaret. NB/ Nora (Annie) who ran the Ball Court Hotel is missing from the photo. Other details: John Francis Cahill was a blacksmith & bootmaker and thought to be English; he married Mary or Margaret Ryan prior to coming to Sunbury. He built the Ball Court Hotel in 1854. (See 'Bulla Bulla'.) Nora (Annie) married a McGrath; Margaret married a Breen; James did not marry; Mary (Polly) married Justin Ford, Shire President in 1917. Malachi (born in 1878) married Mary Jane English. She was aged forty at the time of marriage & was originally from Ballarat. She worked at 'The Hill'. Malachi was a railway worker & died travelling on a train. There is also information about the Bulla Cahill family in the supplementary file.Mounted black & white photograph of the family of John Francis Cahill. It portrays 5 males and 3 females seated formally in front of a building. The photo is in sepia tonings mounted on a grey mount."Cahill Family" written in blue biro on the centre front of the mount below the photo; "Eric Boardman" handwritten in red pencil on the back of the mount.pioneers, cahill family, cahill, john francis, mary, ryan, john, malachi, polly, michael, ball court hotel, boardman, eric, ford, justin, matson & frazer, george evans collection

By around circa 1850 Braybrook was already well established, and during the gold rush period also became a staging point for prospectors on their way to the diggings. Local government for the area began on 28th May 1860 when the BRAYBROOK ROAD BOARD DISTRICT was proclaimed, however this authority was soon superseded on 23rd January 1871 when the SHIRE OF BRAYBROOK came into existence. The Shire of Braybrook continued as the local government authority for the district until the CITY OF SUNSHINE was proclaimed in 1951. This Honour Board was unveiled on Monday 18th March 1940 at 8:30 p.m., and was hung in the Council Chamber, at the Shire of Braybrook Hall, Sunshine.The Honour Board is a historical record of the people who served as heads of local government in the district from 1860 to 1950.Large brown stained wooden structure comprised of two board sections positioned side by side to make one display board. Contains in gold coloured lettering the names of people who served as CHAIRMEN of the BRAYBROOK ROAD DISTRICT and as PRESIDENTS of the SHIRE OF BRAYBROOK during the years 1860 to 1950.braybrook road district, shire of braybrook, chairmen, presidents, 28 may 1860, 23 january 1871, 1950, sunshine., braybrook road district, shire of braybrook, chairmen, presidents, 28 may 1860, 23 january 1871, 1950, sunshine.

From around circa 1850 Braybrook was already well established and became a staging point for prospectors on their way to the diggings. Local government for this rural area to the west of Melbourne came when the BRAYBROOK ROAD DISTRICT was proclaimed on 28 May 1860. This authority was superseded on 23 January 1871 with the formation of the SHIRE OF BRAYBROOK. The Shire of Braybrook existed for about 80 years during which time it experienced significant industrial growth. The Shire of Braybrook ceased to exist in 1951 when the CITY OF SUNSHINE was formed.The Coat of Arms informs the observer that the Shire of Braybrook was initially a rural area with its images of a cow, sheep, and hay. The reference to industry however probably does not indicate adequately the large growth in industrial activity that occurred within the Shire. Circular board of Masonite painted by A. H. Walker which is a true depiction of the Coat of Arms for the Shire of Braybrook. It is mainly blue, yellow and red coloured with black writing, and has images of a cow, sheep, and hay, and also indicates a reference to industry.Shire of Braybrook Victoria / Dieu Et Mon Droit / By Industry / A. H. Walkercoat of arms, shire of braybrook, a. h. walker, plaque, sunshine

Corporal Hugh Terence O'Reilly VX108560 was born in Temora, NSW on 25 September 1916. He later lived in Hampshire Road, Sunshine, Victoria, and enlisted at Sunshine with the Australian Army on 29 July 1942. He served in New Guinea, and at the time of discharge on 8 November 1945 was posted with the 22 Australian Infantry Battalion. Additional service number recorded is V37790. In civilian life Hugh Terence O'Reilly was employed in the manufacture of fibrous plaster boards.The significance is that the Shire of Braybrook, and perhaps other councils, recognised their citizens who served in the Australian Armed Forces during World War 2, by presenting them with Certificates in appreciation of their military service.Yellowish background. Grey scale diagrammatic image of warships, tank, and aeroplanes at the top. Vertical posts with swords and wreaths along the sides. At the bottom a diagrammatic image containing in colour the Union Jack and the Australian flag, the Shire of Braybrook Coat of Arms, the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces insignia, and a red coloured circular seal.Presented to Hugh T. O'Reilly. The President, Councillors and Ratepayers of the Shire of Braybrook desire you to accept this Certificate in appreciation of your services with the Australian Armed Forces, and extend to you the grateful thanks of this Municipality for your noble effort for King and Country. Given under the Seal of President, Councillors and Ratepayers of the Shire of Braybrook, this second day of August, 1946. J. R. Parsons - President, 'illegible' - Shire Secretary

brown, matron, war, medallion, shire, ripon,

IT IS ON PERMANENT LOAN FROM HEPBURN SHIRE COUNCIL.CR. ARTHUR LEAN J.P. ELECTED TO COUNCIL SEPT. 4TH 1935. MAYOR AUGUST 20TH 1938-39. PRESIDENT OF CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS 1939.PHOTOGRAPH OF CR. ARTHUR LEAN J.P. - FRAMED.BOROUGH OF CLUNES ELECTED COUNCILLOR SEPT. 4TH 1935 MAYOR AUGUST 20TH 1938-39. ALSO PRESIDENT OF CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS 1939. HORNBY STUDIO BALLARAT.local history, photography, photographs, councillors & officers

IT IS ON PERMANENT LOAN FROM HEPBURN SHIRE COUNCIL.CR. WILLIAM BARKELL ELECTED TO CLUNES BOROUOGH COUNCIL 29/9/1915 AND WAS MAYOR 1925-26; 1931-32. PHOTOGRAPH ORIGINALLY HUNG IN THE CLUNES TOWN HALL DURING HIS TERM AS MAYOR.FRAMED PHOTO OF WILLIAM BARKELL J.P.CLUNES BOROUGH COUNCIL WILLIAM BARKELL J.P. ELECTED COUNCILLOR 29.9.1915. MAYOR 1925-26; 1931-32. HORNBY STUDIO BALLARAT.local history, photography, photographs, councillors & officers

IT IS ON PERMAMENT LOAN FROM HEPBURN SHIRE CR. S. OWENS J.P. WAS ELECTED TO THE CLUNES BOROUGH COUNCIL IN 1926 AND SERVED AS MAYOR 1933-34. THE PHOTOGRAPH ORIGINALLY HUNG IN THE CLUNES TOWN HALL DURING HIS TERM OF OFFICE.FRAMED PHOTOGRAPH OF CR. SAMUEL OWENS, J.P.CLUNES BOROUGH COUNCIL SAMUEL OWENS, J.P. ELECTED COUNCILLOR 2.12.1926 MAYOR 1933-34 HORNBY STUDIOS. BALLARAT.local history, photography, photographs, councillors & officers

IT IS ON PERMAMENT LOAN FROM HEPBURN SHIRE THIS PICTURE WAS PAINTED FROM THE HILLSIDE, ACROSS THE CREEK FROM DONALD CAMERSON'S HOMESTEAD. 'THE CLUNES' NAMED AFTER HIS HOME IN SCOTLAND. DONALD CAMERON WAS AT CLUNES FROM 1839-1855, WHEN HE AND HIS FAMILY RETURNED TO SCOTLAND..1 FRAMED WATERCOLOUR OF THE CAMERON HOMESTEAD. .2 FRAMED PICTURE OF CAMERON HOMESTEAD (COPY OF ORIGINAL?) .3 PHOTOGRAPHED COPIES OF CAMERON HOMESTEAD (2) BLACK AND WHITE .4 COLOURED COPIES OF CAMERON HOMESTEAD (2)local history, illustration, watercolour, cameron of clunes

IT IS ON PERMAMENT LOAN FROM HEPBURN SHIRE COUNCIL. CR. W.C. FOULKES WAS ELECTED TO THE CLUNES BOROUGH COUNCIL IN 1925, AND SERVED AS MAYOR IN THE ABOVE MENTION YEARS. THE PHOTOGRAPH ORIGINALLY HUNG IN CLUNES TOWN HALL DURING HIS TERM AS MAYOR.PHOTOGRAPH OF CR. WILLIAM C. FOULKES-J.P. - FRAMEDCLUNES BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTED COUNCILLOR-1925 MAYOR 1928-29-32-33-1940-41, 41-42, 46-47, 1951-52, 52-53, 1960-61, 61-62, 62-63, 63-64, 64-65. RETIRED IN 1965. HORNBY STUDIO BALLARATlocal history, photography, photographs, councillors & officers

IT IS ON PERMAMENT LOAN FROM HEPBURN SHIRE COUNCIL. CR. W. BIRCH WAS ELECTED TO CLUNES BOROUGH COUNCIL JANUARY 9TH. 1935 AND ELECTED MAYOR 1937 - 1938. PHOTOGRAPH ORIGINAL HUNG IN CLUNES TOWN HALL DURING HIS TERM AS MAYOR.PHOTOGRAPH OF CR. WILLIAM L. BIRCH. FRAMEDCLUNES BOROUGH COUNCIL. WILLIAM L. BIRCH. ELECTED COUNCILLOR 9.1.35 MAYOR 1937-1938local history, photography, photographs, councillors & officers

IT IS ON PERMANENT LOAN FROM HEPBURN SHIRE COUNCIL.CR. W. J. CHAMPION WAS ELECTED COUNCILLOR TO CLUNES BOROUGH COUNCIL IN 1914 AND WAS MAYOR 1926-27. THE PHOTOGRAPH ORIGINALLY HUNG IN THE CLUNES TOWN HALL DURING HIS TERM AS MAYOR.PHOTOGRAPH OF CR. WILLIAM J. CHAMPION - FRAMED.CLUNES BOROUGH COUNCIL WILLIAM J. CHAMPION. ELECTED COUNCILLOR 12.10.1914. MAYOR 1926-27. HORNBY STUDIOS BALLARATlocal history, photography, photographs, councillors & officers

IT IS ON PERMANENT LOAN FROM HEPBURN SHIRE COUNCIL. CR. A. S. MACKENZIE WAS ELECTED TO THE CLUNES BOROUGH COUNCIL IN 1918 AND WAS MAYOR 1924-25; 1930-31. THE PHOTOGRAPH ORIGINALLY HUNG IN CLUNES TOWN HALL DURING HIS TERM AS MAYOR.PHOTOGRAPH OF CR. ANDREW S. MACKENZIE - FRAMED.CLUNES BOROUGH COUNCIL ANDREW S. MACKENZIE. ELECTED COUNCILLOR 1918, MAYOR 1924-25; 1930-31 HORNBY STUDIO BALLARAT.local history, photography, photographs, councillors & officers

IT IS ON PERMANENT LOAN FROM HEPBURN SHIRE COUNCIL. CR. C.W. BLACKMORE WAS ELECTED TO THE CLUNES BOROUGH COUNCIL ON 7-5-1952 AND SERVED AS MAYOR 1954-55; 1958-59 AND 1959-60. THE PHOTOGRAPH ORIGINAL HUNG IN THE CLUNES TOWN HALL DURING HIS TERM AS MAYOR.FRAMED PHOTOGRAPH OF CR. CHARLES W BLACKMORECLUNES BOROUGH COUNCIL CHARLES W. BLACKMORE ELECTED 7-5-1952 MAYOR 1954-55 1958-59 1959-60. CON TARANS STUDIO BALLARATlocal history, photography, photographs, councillors & officers

IT IS ON PERMANENT LOAN FROM HEPBURN SHIRE COUNCIL. CR. W. RICHARDS WAS ELECTED TO THE CLUNES BOROUGH COUNCIL ON JULY 17TH. 1895 AND SERVED UNTIL 1918. HE WAS MAYOR IN 1900 AND 1910. THE PHOTOGRAPH ORIGINALLY HUNG IN THE CLUNES TOWN HALL DURING HIS TERMS AS MAYOR.FRAMED PHOTOGRAPH OF CR. WILLIAM RICHARDSCLUNES BOROUGH COUNCIL WILLIAM RICHARDS COUNCILLOR JULY 17 1895 TO 1918 MAYOR 1900 & 1910 PHOTO HORNBY BALLARAT.local history, photography, photographs, councillors & officers

IT IS ON PERMAMENT LOAN FROM HEPBURN SHIRE PAINTING BY WILLIAM TIBBITS, CIRCA 1870. HE WAS A WELL KNOWN FIGURE TO BE SEEN RIDING HIS BICYCLE FROM ONE GOLDFIELD TO ANOTHER WHERE HE PAITED MANY OF HIS FAMOUS PAINTINGS.OWNERSHIP TRANSFERRED FROM SHIRE OF TALBOT AND CLUNES TO HEPBURN SHIRE COUNCILWATERCOLOUR PAINTING OF CLUNES TOWN HALL BY ARTIST WILLIAM TIBBITS - FRAMEDTOWN HALL CLUNES BALLARAT 1874local history, illustration, watercolour, hepburn shire

IT IS ON PERMAMENT LOAN FROM HEPBURN SHIRE, PAINTING BY WILLIAM TIBBITS, CIRCA 1870. HE WAS A WELL KNOWN FIGURE TO BE SEEN RIDING HIS BICYCLE FROM GOLD FIELD TO ANOTHER WHERE HE PAINTED MANY OF HIS FAMOUS PAINTINFS.WATERCOLOUR PAINTING OF NEW NORTH CLUNES MINE. ARTIST WILLIAM TIBBITS - FRAMEDTHE NEW NORTH CLUNES, Q.M.C. CLUNES. DRAWN BY W. TIBBITS 22 NEIL ST. BALLARAT.local history, illustration, watercolour, hepburn shire

Digital images of emus on Tower Hill near Koroit, Victoriakoroit, moyne shire, volcano, maar, game reserve, tower hill, tower hill, emu, wildlife, native, bird, flightless