Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First came out to Victoria on the S.S. Almora, the same ship on which Eliza Richardson and her family arrived on New Years Day 1875. Evidently C.W.G.G.1st. must have retained fond memories of a young fourteen-year-old girl named Elizabeth Richardson who travelled from Scotland with her mother and family (her father had arrived earlier) because three years later at Kyneton they were married. It was December 26th 1860, and Elizabeth was just seventeen. As the bridegroom’s age is written as 24 years on the wedding certificate, he certainly must have been more than eighteen when he sailed on the "Almora" in 1856. The newly married couple went to live at Taradale, Victoria, and they made a good life for themselves in that town which had then a thriving gold mine. They lived in a large two-storied house in Survey Paddock, and it was there that four daughters - Susan Emily (1861-1906), Elizabeth Constance (1863-1945), Amelia Amy (1865 -1952, Ada Mary Maude (1867-1901), and one son Newenham Edward Eustace (1869-1945) named after his Irish Grandfather, were born. On his wedding certificate C.W.G. Graydon, is described as a foreman. His father-in-law, Robert Richardson was employed as a time-keeper on the Melbourne to Bendigo Railway works, and he and his family lived first in Prahran, then Kyneton, and then Taradale. Perhaps Charles Graydon worked on the railway with him. In Taradale however, he worked for a gold mining company in a surveying capacity. C.W.G.G.1st was to become Shire President of the Shire of Metcalfe. That particular year the Graydon Family entertained the visiting English cricket Eleven at their home in Taradale. He was certainly regarded as an important man in the district when he was requested by a great number of the residents to nominate for the Legislative Assembly election. About 1876 the Graydons left Taradale, and went to live at Sandhurst, now Bendigo, at Barkly Place East. The Richardsons had also left Taradale to go into the grocery business in the same town. Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First became a legal manager of mines, and a well-known and popular resident. Sad to say he became ill with a lung infection, and on June 4th. 1885 he died, and was buried at Sandhurst, now Bendigo Cemetery, Back Creek Rd. Eliza Richardson's brother was Mr. James Richardson, the well-known grocer, of Pall Mall and Golden-square, who died at his residence, "Balgownie," Short street, on Thursday 22 Jan 1914. James Richardson was a native of Scotland. He was born at Glasgow in1849 and was only eight years of age when his parents sailed for Australia in the ship Balmoral. The family arrived in Melbourne in 1857 and went to Taradale, where Mr. Richardson, senr., acted as inspector of works during the construction of the Taradale Viaduct. James Richardson, who had commenced his educationin Glasgow, attended school at Taradale until the family removed to Bendigo at the time the railway was being built from Bendigo to Echuca. The contractors for this work engaged Mr Richardson, senr., as their timekeeper. When he left school James Richardson applied himself to learn the grocery business, and he gained a thorough knowledge of it with different employers at Bendigo, Taradale, and Daylesford. In 1872 he opened a grocery store on his own account in High-Street, Bendigo, but within a few months he had the great misfortune to be burnt out. The fire originated in an adjoining building early one morning and both places were burnt to the ground. In spite of his loss, Mr. Richardson was not discouraged, for he soon made another start. His trade improved and he extended his business, opening the Eclipse Cash Store at Golden Square. A little later another branch was opened at the Oddfellows' Hall, and subsequently this business was transferred to the Eureka Cash Store, in Pall Mall, which was the head depot. In addition to the retail trade, Mr. Richardson had, for many years carried on an extensive wholesale business with the Northern District, and had made a specialty of fodder seeds. James was a man of probity and sincerity in business, and as a citizen he was highly esteemed and respected. He was a prominent member of the Bendigo Caledonian Society in the earlier days of his citizenship. He was a staunch member of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the board of management. In the Easter Fair procession, Mr Richardson's display was always a prominent and attractive one. Mr. Richardson was a member of the Masonic Order, and was a life member of the Bendigo Art Gallery and the old Mechanics Institute. He was married at Daylesford in 1871. Mr James Richardson was interred in the Presbyterian section of the Bendigo Cemetery.Seventeen black and white Graydon and Richardson family photographs taken by Bendigo photographers. All photos unnamed. Mounted as Cartes de Visite. Photographers - The Studio - Chuck, , M. Bent, F. de Kock and Co., N. White, Bartlett Bros., Chevalier.graydon, richardson, carte de visite

Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First came out to Victoria on the S.S. Almora, the same ship on which Eliza Richardson and her family arrived on New Years Day 1875. Evidently C.W.G.G.1st. must have retained fond memories of a young fourteen-year-old girl named Elizabeth Richardson who travelled from Scotland with her mother and family (her father had arrived earlier) because three years later at Kyneton they were married. It was December 26th 1860, and Elizabeth was just seventeen. As the bridegroom’s age is written as 24 years on the wedding certificate, he certainly must have been more than eighteen when he sailed on the "Almora" in 1856. The newly married couple went to live at Taradale, Victoria, and they made a good life for themselves in that town which had then a thriving gold mine. They lived in a large two-storied house in Survey Paddock, and it was there that four daughters - Susan Emily (1861-1906), Elizabeth Constance (1863-1945), Amelia Amy (1865 -1952, Ada Mary Maude (1867-1901), and one son Newenham Edward Eustace (1869-1945) named after his Irish Grandfather, were born. On his wedding certificate C.W.G. Graydon, is described as a foreman. His father-in-law, Robert Richardson was employed as a time-keeper on the Melbourne to Bendigo Railway works, and he and his family lived first in Prahran, then Kyneton, and then Taradale. Perhaps Charles Graydon worked on the railway with him. In Taradale however, he worked for a gold mining company in a surveying capacity. C.W.G.G.1st was to become Shire President of the Shire of Metcalfe. That particular year the Graydon Family entertained the visiting English cricket Eleven at their home in Taradale. He was certainly regarded as an important man in the district when he was requested by a great number of the residents to nominate for the Legislative Assembly election. About 1876 the Graydons left Taradale, and went to live at Sandhurst, now Bendigo, at Barkly Place East. The Richardsons had also left Taradale to go into the grocery business in the same town. Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First became a legal manager of mines, and a well-known and popular resident. Sad to say he became ill with a lung infection, and on June 4th. 1885 he died, and was buried at Sandhurst, now Bendigo Cemetery, Back Creek Rd. Eliza Richardson's brother was Mr. James Richardson, the well-known grocer, of Pall Mall and Golden-square, who died at his residence, "Balgownie," Short street, on Thursday 22 Jan 1914. James Richardson was a native of Scotland. He was born at Glasgow in1849 and was only eight years of age when his parents sailed for Australia in the ship Balmoral. The family arrived in Melbourne in 1857 and went to Taradale, where Mr. Richardson, senr., acted as inspector of works during the construction of the Taradale Viaduct. James Richardson, who had commenced his educationin Glasgow, attended school at Taradale until the family removed to Bendigo at the time the railway was being built from Bendigo to Echuca. The contractors for this work engaged Mr Richardson, senr., as their timekeeper. When he left school James Richardson applied himself to learn the grocery business, and he gained a thorough knowledge of it with different employers at Bendigo, Taradale, and Daylesford. In 1872 he opened a grocery store on his own account in High-Street, Bendigo, but within a few months he had the great misfortune to be burnt out. The fire originated in an adjoining building early one morning and both places were burnt to the ground. In spite of his loss, Mr. Richardson was not discouraged, for he soon made another start. His trade improved and he extended his business, opening the Eclipse Cash Store at Golden Square. A little later another branch was opened at the Oddfellows' Hall, and subsequently this business was transferred to the Eureka Cash Store, in Pall Mall, which was the head depot. In addition to the retail trade, Mr. Richardson had, for many years carried on an extensive wholesale business with the Northern District, and had made a specialty of fodder seeds. James was a man of probity and sincerity in business, and as a citizen he was highly esteemed and respected. He was a prominent member of the Bendigo Caledonian Society in the earlier days of his citizenship. He was a staunch member of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the board of management. In the Easter Fair procession, Mr Richardson's display was always a prominent and attractive one. Mr. Richardson was a member of the Masonic Order, and was a life member of the Bendigo Art Gallery and the old Mechanics Institute. He was married at Daylesford in 1871. Mr James Richardson was interred in the Presbyterian section of the Bendigo Cemetery.A selection of Graydon and Richardson family photographs taken by Bendigo photograpers. all photos unnamed.photograph, person, graydon and richardson families.

Built c.1868, St Andrew’s Anglican Church is Nillumbik Shire’s oldest timber church and is historically, socially, and spiritually significant to the Shire of Nillumbik. The church is historically significant because it may have given its name 'St Andrews' to the town (another suggestion is that the name came from the local hotel), it is also historically significant as one of only four buildings that remain from the Caledonian goldfields era of Queenstown (now St Andrews) and one of only a handful of buildings that survived the 1960s bushfires. The church is historically, socially, and spiritually significant because it has played an important part in community life for more than 150 years; a proposal to move the church in 1984 met with strenuous opposition. Much of the fires on Black Saturday 2009 were the north of the town. The town itself remained intact - as did this heritage building. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Local significance Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p69 The St Andrews Anglican Church and former St Andrews Primary School, are two reminders of the district’s early days, when it was founded on gold. St Andrews, then called Queenstown, was the earliest goldfield in the Caledonia Diggings.1 It was the Upper Diamond Gold Mining and Administrative Centre, with 3000 miners. Queenstown was also the seat of the Court of Petty Sessions. The church and school then stood close to European and Chinese stores, three hotels, a brewery and a quartz mill.2 In 1861, Queenstown was officially proclaimed a township. From 1865, the name Queenstown was interchangeable with St Andrews, until 1952, when the town was officially named St Andrews. As gold declined from the early 1880s, Queenstown changed dramatically into a settlement of small farms. St Andrew’s Anglican Church, built in 1868, is the Shire’s oldest timber church and possibly gave its name to the township.3 The small timber church was opened on November 1, 1869, by the Dean of Melbourne. Anniversary tea meetings helped raise funds, and in 1889, a three-bedroom parsonage was built alongside. In 1910, the vicar, the Rev Selwyn Chase (and friend of the Scouting Movement’s founder, Baden Powell), established the 1st Queenstown Scout Troop, only two years after Scouting began in Australia. The church was important to the lives of many local residents who were baptised, married and had funeral services there. But by the 1950s the population had decreased and so did the weekly attendances. Around the mid-1960s the church closed, then fell into disrepair. So in the mid 1980s it was sold to the Education Department and was under threat of relocation or demolition. However this caused such opposition from locals,4 that instead, the Anglican church leased it as part of the Panton Hill parish5 and it was reconsecrated in 1987. Queenstown’s first school was held in a tent after transferring from Andersons Creek, Warrandyte.6 From 1858 a church school, Caledonia Diggings, stood west of the main road, a quarter of a mile (0.4km) before Buttermans Track. In 1882 the school was moved from a leased building, owned by headmaster Robert Harris, into a larger building on the corner of the School and the Heidelberg-Kinglake Roads. It had been moved from Smiths Gully and included a teacher’s three-roomed residence.7 In 1887 the school was replaced by the Queenstown State School No 128, although it was also called Caledonia Diggings until 1891. In 1956 it was renamed St Andrews. Still standing, this building is now used as the St Andrews Community Centre and the residence is leased for private use. The original timber-lined room remains alongside the extensions, and is distinctive with its high ceiling and tall small-paned windows. In 1984 a new school was built 500 metres west of the old school. Many residents have contributed much to St Andrews but one family that has done so for several generations is the Harris family. Robert Harris was an active member of the St Andrew’s Anglican Church, and worked hard at improving the town’s amenities until his death in 1887. He was a signatory to the successful 1863 petition to the Chief Commissioner of Police, against the proposed removal of the Court of Petty Sessions and police station at the Caledonia Diggings. The police station stayed in the town until 1917. Harris was Head Teacher of Queenstown State School from 1864 to 1874, then of the Smiths Gully school until it closed in 1882, and he continued teaching at Panton Hill until his death. His son, Robert Charles Harris, was editor and printer of the local newspaper, The Evelyn Observer, from 1873 until 1915. Robert’s son, William Shelley Harris, served in the Boer War and in World War One. In 1928 he became Kinglake National Park’s first park ranger. Robert’s daughter Elizabeth, taught needlework at Queenstown State School, and later ran the post office in Kinglake.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, st andrews, st andrews anglican church

The c1860 St Andrews Hotel, with the c1930 additions, and the Canary Island Palm, and the surrounding site to the title boundaries are historically, socially and aesthetically significant to the Shire of Nillumbik. The St Andrews Hotel is historically significant because it may have given its name 'St Andrews' to the town (another suggestion is that the name came from St Andrews church) and for its connection to Ewen Hugh Cameron (1831-1915) the prosperous local farmer, member of the Eltham Roads Board/Shire Council and local MP. It is also significant as the oldest hotel building in the former Shire of Eltham, as one of the few surviving buildings connected with the Caledonian goldfields era and as one of a handful of early structures to have survived the 1960s bushfires; the additions and alterations to the hotel reflect its long life. The hotel is socially significant because it has served as an important meeting place for more than 160 years. The Canary Island Palm is historically significant as a rare example of exotic tree planting in this rural area. The tree is aesthetically and historically significant as a local landmark and for its contribution to the streetscape and landscape value. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p71 Built around 1860, St Andrews Hotel has changed little since it first welcomed thirsty gold diggers from the Caledonia Goldfields. The timber building, with gabled roof, beamed ceilings and a massive fireplace, is Nillumbik Shire’s oldest hotel and has always been an important community centre, particularly in its early days. Fortunately, the hotel and the near-by Canary Island Palm Tree, which is quite rare in this area, survived the 1960s bushfires, along with a few other early buildings. St Andrews (formerly Queenstown) was founded on gold, as were Panton Hill (formerly Kingstown), Research and Diamond Creek, from the mid-1850s to the 1860s. But by the early 20th century common use changed the name Queenstown to St Andrews, possibly after this hotel or after the church or the mining district.1 The Caledonia Diggings were probably named by Scottish settlers after the Roman name for Scotland, despite this land bearing little similarity to their homeland.2 Queenstown, which was proclaimed as a township in 1861, was the gold-mining centre on the Upper Diamond and in the 1850s had up to 600 European inhabitants and a small camp of Chinese on the flats along the creek. Queenstown was the administrative centre of the Upper Diamond with three hotels, a brewery and a slaughterhouse.3 It is unclear which hotel was the district’s first, as distinct from the earliest unlicensed grog shops, some of which operated in tents. John Corke Knell was one of eight unlicensed storekeepers supplying drink to miners at Caledonia in 1857, named by Sgt. McNamara of the Caledonia Police Station.4 In February 1859, Knell apparently bought most of the present hotel’s site at the first township land sales. As he was a local storekeeper, he might have first established a store there.5 Knell and his wife Eliza were early licensees of the St Andrews Hotel. The hotel had eight bedrooms – including three for public use – and the dining-room seated 30 people. It is thought they named the hotel St Andrews after Eliza’s hometown of St Andrews in Scotland. St Andrews Hotel was an important local centre in several ways. In the same building the Knells also operated a post office and general store. In 1867 Mrs Knell was appointed Deputy Registrar of Births and Deaths for Queenstown. The hotel was also used to hold inquests into people’s deaths when the police residence became too small.6 The hotel also became a fashionable destination at Christmas for parties from Melbourne. In 1868, possibly following her husband’s death, Mrs Knell applied for a temporary licence, which was then transferred to Robert Smith after their marriage in 1869. But then, possibly after Robert’s death, Mrs Smith operated the hotel until 1892. This contradicts a report in The Evelyn Observer 1882 that JC Knells of the St Andrews Hotel was granted a publican’s licence in the Queenstown Police Court. At that time he was supposed to have been dead for around 14 years! Although Mrs Smith was a respected citizen, known for her geniality and as an ideal hostess, she had a minor brush with the law when she was fined ten shillings for not lighting a lamp outside her licensed premises.7 From 1892 several publicans owned the hotel including W Atkins, from 1895. In 1909 the licensee was apparently Mrs Smith’s son, Walter Knell, who held the licence until at least the 1920s. Not surprisingly, this old hotel has attracted romantic stories. Mrs Smith is said to be seen roaming the pub in her nightdress – even though she was buried in the Queenstown Cemetery in 1911.8 A musical The Hero of Queenstown, set in the hotel, was written and produced by local actor Reg Evans in the 1970s.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, st andrews hotel

The Nillumbik Cemetery is of historical, architectural, aesthetic and social significance at a Regional level (North-east Melbourne). The memorial arch is of State significance. Nillumbik Cemetery, which was established in 1867, is of historical and social significance for its association with the early history of Diamond Creek and as a record of the pioneering families of the district. Significant graves include those of the famous writer Alan Marshall, author of 'I Can Jump Puddles', footballer Gordon Coventry, and William Ellis, notable early settler and benefactor. The 1897 Tudor/Gothic revival memorial arch, bequeathed by William Ellis, is a rare design in ornamental gateways and is relatively large for the size of the cemetery. It is unique in Victoria as a cemetery gateway arch. The burial ground has associated structures, such as the hexagonal timber sexton's office, post and wire fence and picket hand gate along Main Street, all probably built in the early twentieth century. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Trust of Australia (Victoria) - Regional significance Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p83 Entering Nillumbik Cemetery through an ornamental gateway and shaded by the Monterey Cypress hedge helps one leave the busy world outside and contemplate yesterday’s Diamond Creek. The gateway, classified by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), and inscribed with ‘JANVA VITAE’ (gate of life), was a gift from a distinguished pioneer, William Ellis. Ellis, who was an original trustee of the Nillumbik Cemetery representing the Primitive Methodists and a successful farmer, bequeathed £100 to build the red-brick and carved stone gateway in 1887. In 1867 surveyor Edward Bage had set aside two acres (0.8ha) now 35 Main Street, for this cemetery, in what was then called the village of Nillumbik. Several earlier burials on private lands in the district might have been exhumed and re-interred in the new cemetery. The first burials in the cemetery are thought to be of ‘a Chinaman who hanged himself from a tree behind the Church of England’ and ‘another man who was drowned in a water-hole behind the same church’.1 The 1000 or so graves in the cemetery are grouped into five denominational sections: two Anglican and one each for the Methodist (the largest), Catholic and Presbyterian Churches. It is believed that several unmarked graves are of Aborigines and Chinese miners.2 Perhaps the most famous person buried in the cemetery was author Alan Marshall, who died in 1984 and wrote, among other books, I Can Jump Puddles. Surprisingly his grave is particularly modest consisting of only a grassed plot with a tiny boulder and a simple bronze plaque. It lies about halfway down the main path, at the west and third row back. The first European, interred at the cemetery on July 9, 1869, was Hannah, aged 13 years eight months, daughter of local orchardist John Lawrey and wife Honor.3 Each grave has a story which reflects a rich history. Phillip Cummings, who died in 1884, provided the barn for Diamond Creek’s first school, run by the Primitive Methodist Church. The barn stood at the corner of Phipps Crescent and the main road.4 Former Eltham Shire councillor George Stebbings, who died in 1896, built several prominent buildings in the district, including Shillinglaw Cottage in Eltham.5 The grave of miner James Joseph Whyte, who died in 1908, is a reminder of Diamond Creek’s gold mining history. At age 51, Whyte died from a rock fall in the Diamond Mine, Diamond Creek. Diamond Creek’s first butcher, Patrick Ryan, became President of the Shire of Heidelberg and Chairman of the Eltham Hurstbridge Railway Trust. A former gold miner, he was grandfather of local historian Reverend Jock Ryan. He was buried in an unmarked grave halfway down the central path. His son John Lawrence, who is buried elsewhere, had been a Mayor of the City of Heidelberg. George Martin Pizzey gave a hall, for what was to become The St John’s Anglican Church in Diamond Creek. He was a Crimean War veteran, mason and leather goods manufacturer in Melbourne, who died in 1915. The two world wars took a heavy toll of locals with 54 personnel buried here, two thirds of whom served in World War One. A sporting pioneer was Greensborough District Cricket Club founder, Andrew Webb, who was buried in 1971. Politician Roy Mountford Vale (Monte), who died in 1977, was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Greensborough, and a founding councillor and president of the Diamond Valley Shire. Modern-day residents are also remembered in this cemetery. The tragic Ash Wednesday bushfires took their toll on the district: William Marsden of Panton Hill CFA died, aged 39, fighting bushfires at Upper Beaconsfield in 1983.6 Several graves tell of those who held distinguished positions overseas, including William Constable, who died in 1989. Constable was artistic director of a ballet company, art director of more than 30 films for London-based film productions, and was awarded best Film Art Director at the Moscow Film Festival in 1960.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, diamond creek, memorial arch, gateway, nillumbik cemetery, william ellis

About Ion L Idriess Ion Llewellyn Idriess was born in Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales on 20th September 1889 and passed away on 6th June 1979 in Mona Vale, Sydney, New South Wales at the age 89. After Idriess finished school he worked in the assay office of Broken Hill Proprietary mine. Both Idriess and his mother had typhoid fever when Ion was about 15 years old and it caused his mother’s death. After spending time with his Grandmother in Sydney he found work on a paddle-steamer and had a relapse of the fever. He then went into the western district of New South Wales where he worked in many different itinerant jobs, including rabbit poisoner, boundary rider, drover, sandalwood harvester, shearer, dingo shooter and opal miner. While opal mining at Lightning Ridge he wrote short stories, about life on the opal fields, for the Bulletin using the name “Gouger”. Idriess then moved to North Queensland in search of gold, tin and sandalwood. He travelled over a great deal of the Cape York Peninsula spending a lot of this travel time with local indigenous people; thus began his lifelong interest in their customs. He then spent time on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. In 1914 Idriess travelled to Townsville and enlisted in the 5th Light Horse as a trooper. He became a specialist in sniping and was a spotter for the noted sniper Billy Sing. He saw service in Palestine, Sinai and Turkey. Idriess was wounded at Beersheba and after fighting the Battle of Gaza he was invalided home in March 1918. After recovering from his wounds Idriess again travelled to Cape York Peninsula where he worked with pearlers and missionaries in the Torres Strait Islands. He then went gold mining in Papua New Guinea, buffalo shooting in the Northern Territory of Australia and then exploring in Central and Western Australia. LITERARY WORKS OF IDRIESS In 1928 Idriess settled in Sydney and published the first of his 47 books. In 1931 - “Lasseter’s Last Ride”, became his first best seller. In the years 1932 and 1940 he published three books in each year. “The Cattle King” (1936) and “Flynn of the Inland” (1932) have gone through reprinting forty to fifty times. His last book was published in 1969. Idriess’ books where in general non-fiction and were written in a colourful and immediate story style, taken from life experiences gained during his travels. Idriess was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to literature in 1968. Warrnambool Public Library The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr. R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items has become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850’s to the late 1950’s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr. R. Pattison SIGNIFICANCE The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, and to reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance. Lasseters Last Ride First published in 1931 Author: Ion Idriess Publisher: Angus & Robertson Label on spine with typed text R.A. 994.03 IDR warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, lasseters last ride, ion idriess, indigenous people

The Sulieman Pasha is possibly named after the most important Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Suleiman One, or Suleiman the Magnificent, when the Ottoman Empire was at its peak. Or potentially a number of Ottoman governors, statesmen and military commanders with the same name after, however the spelling is slightly different to the mine name. No Turkish connection was found relating to the formation of the company, and remains unconfirmed. The mine operated from two shafts; No. 1 near the corner of Humffray and Mair streets, and also near where the Welcome Nugget (2217 ounces) was found years earlier; and the controversial No. 2 shaft several blocks south bordering the northern side of the main highway through Ballarat. The company produced 62 666 ounces of gold, the twelfth highest quartz reef gold production for any mine on the Ballarat goldfield. Some crushing figure examples are January-June 1881: 3674 tonnes 1085 ounces; January-June 1885: 2949 tonnes 1281 ounces; July-December 1885: 4459 tonnes 1119 ounces; January-June 1887: 1869 tonnes 730 ounces; July-December 1892: 1450 tonnes 771 ounces; July-December 1896: 4365 tonnes 1372 ounces. Like many mines in the area, gold grades were low. John Watson was noted as mine manager in the 1880s, and John Williams 1890s. The company was re-organised twice increasing the number of shares from 4000 to 24 000, and increasing the capital available. The Sulieman Pasha Company was formed in 1878. David Fitzpatrick was given the honour of turning the first sod of both the No.1 and later No. 2 shafts. The first dividend was given to shareholders in July 1881. The company obtained a prospecting vote (government grant) to start, and was very proud to be the first Victorian gold mining company to pay the funds back to the government. The event was marked by a lavish banquet laid out for ministers and government officials by the company. Leases were purchased to the south in 1885 to the Llanberris Mine boundary, after poor results began accumulating from the small No. 1 shaft. To take advantage of this new land the company planned to sink a second shaft. Initially this was to take place on government land, but the uproar from nearby residents caused the company to purchase land along the Main Road (now Western Highway), and the old Yarrowee Hotel which had occupied the site since the alluvial digger days of the 1850's was demolished. The area had since those days become heavily occupied with a number of shops, houses, a post office, church and two schools in the immediate area. The thought of an underground mine next door drew considerable opposition. The company (before the days of public relations departments) wrote 'most people would have thought that progress as vital as mining would be supported by tradesmen whose business rely on the mining industry. It seems when it comes to mining they are bereft of their senses, and considering the low ebb of mining in Ballarat East, the action of our opponents are unaccountable. (Sarcastically) There are certain engineering difficulties in moving the quartz reefs to a new location, but if we could to appease our opponents we would'. The company also wanted to take over 4 acres of the St Paul's school oval for machinery, but accused the St Paul's Church of wanting extortionate amounts of money upfront, and on a yearly basis for the privilege. It stated the church could not be opposed to mining when several years earlier it had formed its own company to mine the land, only for shareholders to lose their money. In 1886, the company approached the Minister for Mines, and attended heated public meetings on the matter. The local residents, shop owners, and church submitted a 60 person petition to the local council and government authorities. They stated the shaft contravened the mining statutes, which stating no mining could take place within 150 yards of a public building or church. A speech by a resident stated 'mining always comes with glorious pictures of the great benefits which would accrue all parties concerned if their request is granted, but if property is destroyed or depreciated in value, no-one then comes forward and compensates them'. The No. 2 shaft was approved including taking over part of the school oval. In 1888, workers at the company's No. 2 shaft went on strike to try and bring their wages in line with other mines in the district (the No. 1 shaft was operated by tributers). William Madden (26) was killed from a fall of earth underground the same year, while a year later his father John Madden (70) was similarly killed in the Madame Berry Mine elsewhere in the district. In 1897 as the amount of gold being found fell away, it came to light part of the deal to purchase the Yarrowee Hotel site was a 5% royalty on gold found. Shareholders could not understand why they were paying a royalty to the former owners of the property. The mine closed in 1898 due to a lack of gold. In 1902 a boy (age unknown) called Charles Lee was killed from a fractured skull while working to dismantle the Sulieman Pasha plant. The fuss over the No. 2 shaft had a sequel. On the company winding up, the land was purchased by J.S. Trethowan who built a house next to the shaft. In 1907, the shaft caved-in creating a sinkhole immediately at the back of the house. A Mr Chamberlain heard a deep rumbling sound at 5am, and looked out the window to see his fowl house and thirteen chickens disappear down an expanding hole. He then went back to bed, and called the police later in the day. The shaft was 1050 feet deep, and the hole at the surface that developed was 20 feet by 17 feet across, and 20 feet depth. In 1930 it is reported a syndicate had been formed to clean out the old shaft, and re-open the mine. It is assumed this was the No. 1 shaft but no more was found. (https://www.mindat.org/loc-304239.html, accessed 07/08/2019) A transverse section plan of the Sulieman Pasha Mine.sulieman pasha company, plan, mining, united black hill mine, victoria united mine, victoria street, britannia united mine, last chance mine, llanberris mine, ottoman empire, john watson, john williams, david fitzpatrick

This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually, the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up a home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower areas of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as a Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service because he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until he died in 1969. About Ion L Idriess Ion Llewellyn Idriess was born in Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales on 20th September 1889 and passed away on 6th June 1979 in Mona Vale, Sydney, New South Wales at the age of 89. After Idriess finished school he worked in the assay office of Broken Hill Proprietary mine. Both Idriess and his mother had typhoid fever when Ion was about 15 years old and it caused his mother’s death. After spending time with his Grandmother in Sydney he found work on a paddle steamer and had a relapse of the fever. He then went into the western district of New South Wales where he worked in many different itinerant jobs, including rabbit poisoner, boundary rider, drover, sandalwood harvester, shearer, dingo shooter and opal miner. While opal mining at Lightning Ridge he wrote short stories, about life on the opal fields, for the Bulletin using the name “Gouger”. Idriess then moved to North Queensland in search of gold, tin and sandalwood. He travelled over a great deal of the Cape York Peninsula spending a lot of this travel time with local indigenous people; thus began his lifelong interest in their customs. He then spent time on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. In 1914 Idriess travelled to Townsville and enlisted in the 5th Light Horse as a trooper. He became a specialist in sniping and was a spotter for the noted sniper Billy Sing. He saw service in Palestine, Sinai and Turkey. Idriess was wounded at Beersheba and after fighting the Battle of Gaza he was invalided home in March 1918. After recovering from his wounds Idriess again travelled to Cape York Peninsula where he worked with pearlers and missionaries in the Torres Strait Islands. He then went gold mining in Papua New Guinea, buffalo shooting in the Northern Territory of Australia and then exploring in Central and Western Australia. LITERARY WORKS OF IDRIESS In 1928 Idriess settled in Sydney and published the first of his 47 books. In 1931 - “Lasseter’s Last Ride”, became his first best seller. In the years 1932,d 1940 he published three books each year. “The Cattle King” (1936) and “Flynn of the Inland” (1932) have gone through reprinting forty to fifty times. His last book was published in 1969. Idriess’ were where in general non-fiction and were written in a colourful and immediate story style, taken from life experiences gained during his travels. Idriess was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to literature in 1968.The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. About Ion L Idriess Ion Llewellyn Idriess was born in Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales on 20th September 1889 and passed away on 6th June 1979 in Mona Vale, Sydney, New South Wales at the age 89. After Idriess finished school he worked in the assay office of Broken Hill Proprietary mine. Both Idriess and his mother had typhoid fever when Ion was about 15 years old and it caused his mother’s death. After spending time with his Grandmother in Sydney he found work on a paddle-steamer and had a relapse of the fever. He then went into the western district of New South Wales where he worked in many different itinerant jobs, including rabbit poisoner, boundary rider, drover, sandalwood harvester, shearer, dingo shooter and opal miner. While opal mining at Lightning Ridge he wrote short stories, about life on the opal fields, for the Bulletin using the name “Gouger”. Idriess then moved to North Queensland in search of gold, tin and sandalwood. He travelled over a great deal of the Cape York Peninsula spending a lot of this travel time with local indigenous people; thus began his lifelong interest in their customs. He then spent time on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. In 1914 Idriess travelled to Townsville and enlisted in the 5th Light Horse as a trooper. He became a specialist in sniping and was a spotter for the noted sniper Billy Sing. He saw service in Palestine, Sinai and Turkey. Idriess was wounded at Beersheba and after fighting the Battle of Gaza he was invalided home in March 1918. After recovering from his wounds Idriess again travelled to Cape York Peninsula where he worked with pearlers and missionaries in the Torres Strait Islands. He then went gold mining in Papua New Guinea, buffalo shooting in the Northern Territory of Australia and then exploring in Central and Western Australia. LITERARY WORKS OF IDRIESS In 1928 Idriess settled in Sydney and published the first of his 47 books. In 1931 - “Lasseter’s Last Ride”, became his first best seller. In the years 1932 and 1940 he published three books in each year. “The Cattle King” (1936) and “Flynn of the Inland” (1932) have gone through reprinting forty to fifty times. His last book was published in 1969. Idriess’ books where in general non-fiction and were written in a colourful and immediate story style, taken from life experiences gained during his travels. Idriess was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to literature in 1968. Man Tracks with the Mounted Police in Australian Wilds Author: Ion Idriess Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1935Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 364.1 IDR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service and a stamp from Warrnambool Public Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, man tracks, ion idriess, historical book

This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. About Ion L Idriess Ion Llewellyn Idriess was born in Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales on 20th September 1889 and passed away on 6th June 1979 in Mona Vale, Sydney, New South Wales at the age 89. After Idriess finished school he worked in the assay office of Broken Hill Proprietary mine. Both Idriess and his mother had typhoid fever when Ion was about 15 years old and it caused his mother’s death. After spending time with his Grandmother in Sydney he found work on a paddle-steamer and had a relapse of the fever. He then went into the western district of New South Wales where he worked in many different itinerant jobs, including rabbit poisoner, boundary rider, drover, sandalwood harvester, shearer, dingo shooter and opal miner. While opal mining at Lightning Ridge he wrote short stories, about life on the opal fields, for the Bulletin using the name “Gouger”. Idriess then moved to North Queensland in search of gold, tin and sandalwood. He travelled over a great deal of the Cape York Peninsula spending a lot of this travel time with local indigenous people; thus began his lifelong interest in their customs. He then spent time on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. In 1914 Idriess travelled to Townsville and enlisted in the 5th Light Horse as a trooper. He became a specialist in sniping and was a spotter for the noted sniper Billy Sing. He saw service in Palestine, Sinai and Turkey. Idriess was wounded at Beersheba and after fighting the Battle of Gaza he was invalided home in March 1918. After recovering from his wounds Idriess again travelled to Cape York Peninsula where he worked with pearlers and missionaries in the Torres Strait Islands. He then went gold mining in Papua New Guinea, buffalo shooting in the Northern Territory of Australia and then exploring in Central and Western Australia. LITERARY WORKS OF IDRIESS In 1928 Idriess settled in Sydney and published the first of his 47 books. In 1931 - “Lasseter’s Last Ride”, became his first best seller. In the years 1932 and 1940 he published three books in each year. “The Cattle King” (1936) and “Flynn of the Inland” (1932) have gone through reprinting forty to fifty times. His last book was published in 1969. Idriess’ books where in general non-fiction and were written in a colourful and immediate story style, taken from life experiences gained during his travels. Idriess was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to literature in 1968. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. Drums of Mer Author: Ion L Idriess Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1933Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 919.4 IDR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road

This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. About Ion L Idriess Ion Llewellyn Idriess was born in Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales on 20th September 1889 and passed away on 6th June 1979 in Mona Vale, Sydney, New South Wales at the age 89. After Idriess finished school he worked in the assay office of Broken Hill Proprietary mine. Both Idriess and his mother had typhoid fever when Ion was about 15 years old and it caused his mother’s death. After spending time with his Grandmother in Sydney he found work on a paddle-steamer and had a relapse of the fever. He then went into the western district of New South Wales where he worked in many different itinerant jobs, including rabbit poisoner, boundary rider, drover, sandalwood harvester, shearer, dingo shooter and opal miner. While opal mining at Lightning Ridge he wrote short stories, about life on the opal fields, for the Bulletin using the name “Gouger”. Idriess then moved to North Queensland in search of gold, tin and sandalwood. He travelled over a great deal of the Cape York Peninsula spending a lot of this travel time with local indigenous people; thus began his lifelong interest in their customs. He then spent time on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. In 1914 Idriess travelled to Townsville and enlisted in the 5th Light Horse as a trooper. He became a specialist in sniping and was a spotter for the noted sniper Billy Sing. He saw service in Palestine, Sinai and Turkey. Idriess was wounded at Beersheba and after fighting the Battle of Gaza he was invalided home in March 1918. After recovering from his wounds Idriess again travelled to Cape York Peninsula where he worked with pearlers and missionaries in the Torres Strait Islands. He then went gold mining in Papua New Guinea, buffalo shooting in the Northern Territory of Australia and then exploring in Central and Western Australia. LITERARY WORKS OF IDRIESS In 1928 Idriess settled in Sydney and published the first of his 47 books. In 1931 - “Lasseter’s Last Ride”, became his first best seller. In the years 1932 and 1940 he published three books in each year. “The Cattle King” (1936) and “Flynn of the Inland” (1932) have gone through reprinting forty to fifty times. His last book was published in 1969. Idriess’ books where in general non-fiction and were written in a colourful and immediate story style, taken from life experiences gained during his travels. Idriess was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to literature in 1968. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. About Ion L Idriess Ion Llewellyn Idriess was born in Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales on 20th September 1889 and passed away on 6th June 1979 in Mona Vale, Sydney, New South Wales at the age 89. After Idriess finished school he worked in the assay office of Broken Hill Proprietary mine. Both Idriess and his mother had typhoid fever when Ion was about 15 years old and it caused his mother’s death. After spending time with his Grandmother in Sydney he found work on a paddle-steamer and had a relapse of the fever. He then went into the western district of New South Wales where he worked in many different itinerant jobs, including rabbit poisoner, boundary rider, drover, sandalwood harvester, shearer, dingo shooter and opal miner. While opal mining at Lightning Ridge he wrote short stories, about life on the opal fields, for the Bulletin using the name “Gouger”. Idriess then moved to North Queensland in search of gold, tin and sandalwood. He travelled over a great deal of the Cape York Peninsula spending a lot of this travel time with local indigenous people; thus began his lifelong interest in their customs. He then spent time on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. In 1914 Idriess travelled to Townsville and enlisted in the 5th Light Horse as a trooper. He became a specialist in sniping and was a spotter for the noted sniper Billy Sing. He saw service in Palestine, Sinai and Turkey. Idriess was wounded at Beersheba and after fighting the Battle of Gaza he was invalided home in March 1918. After recovering from his wounds Idriess again travelled to Cape York Peninsula where he worked with pearlers and missionaries in the Torres Strait Islands. He then went gold mining in Papua New Guinea, buffalo shooting in the Northern Territory of Australia and then exploring in Central and Western Australia. LITERARY WORKS OF IDRIESS In 1928 Idriess settled in Sydney and published the first of his 47 books. In 1931 - “Lasseter’s Last Ride”, became his first best seller. In the years 1932 and 1940 he published three books in each year. “The Cattle King” (1936) and “Flynn of the Inland” (1932) have gone through reprinting forty to fifty times. His last book was published in 1969. Idriess’ books where in general non-fiction and were written in a colourful and immediate story style, taken from life experiences gained during his travels. Idriess was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to literature in 1968. Lasseters Last Ride An Epic of Central Australian Gold Discovery First Published 1931 Author: Ion Idriess Publisher: John Murray Date: 1950Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 919.4 IDR Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, ion idriess, lasseters last ride

This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1942 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. About Ion L Idriess Ion Llewellyn Idriess was born in Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales on 20th September 1889 and passed away on 6th June 1979 in Mona Vale, Sydney, New South Wales at the age 89. After Idriess finished school he worked in the assay office of Broken Hill Proprietary mine. Both Idriess and his mother had typhoid fever when Ion was about 15 years old and it caused his mother’s death. After spending time with his Grandmother in Sydney he found work on a paddle-steamer and had a relapse of the fever. He then went into the western district of New South Wales where he worked in many different itinerant jobs, including rabbit poisoner, boundary rider, drover, sandalwood harvester, shearer, dingo shooter and opal miner. While opal mining at Lightning Ridge he wrote short stories, about life on the opal fields, for the Bulletin using the name “Gouger”. Idriess then moved to North Queensland in search of gold, tin and sandalwood. He travelled over a great deal of the Cape York Peninsula spending a lot of this travel time with local indigenous people; thus began his lifelong interest in their customs. He then spent time on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. In 1914 Idriess travelled to Townsville and enlisted in the 5th Light Horse as a trooper. He became a specialist in sniping and was a spotter for the noted sniper Billy Sing. He saw service in Palestine, Sinai and Turkey. Idriess was wounded at Beersheba and after fighting the Battle of Gaza he was invalided home in March 1918. After recovering from his wounds Idriess again travelled to Cape York Peninsula where he worked with pearlers and missionaries in the Torres Strait Islands. He then went gold mining in Papua New Guinea, buffalo shooting in the Northern Territory of Australia and then exploring in Central and Western Australia. LITERARY WORKS OF IDRIESS In 1928 Idriess settled in Sydney and published the first of his 47 books. In 1931 - “Lasseter’s Last Ride”, became his first best seller. In the years 1932 and 1940 he published three books in each year. “The Cattle King” (1936) and “Flynn of the Inland” (1932) have gone through reprinting forty to fifty times. His last book was published in 1969. Idriess’ books where in general non-fiction and were written in a colourful and immediate story style, taken from life experiences gained during his travels. Idriess was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to literature in 1968. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. About Ion L Idriess Ion Llewellyn Idriess was born in Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales on 20th September 1889 and passed away on 6th June 1979 in Mona Vale, Sydney, New South Wales at the age 89. After Idriess finished school he worked in the assay office of Broken Hill Proprietary mine. Both Idriess and his mother had typhoid fever when Ion was about 15 years old and it caused his mother’s death. After spending time with his Grandmother in Sydney he found work on a paddle-steamer and had a relapse of the fever. He then went into the western district of New South Wales where he worked in many different itinerant jobs, including rabbit poisoner, boundary rider, drover, sandalwood harvester, shearer, dingo shooter and opal miner. While opal mining at Lightning Ridge he wrote short stories, about life on the opal fields, for the Bulletin using the name “Gouger”. Idriess then moved to North Queensland in search of gold, tin and sandalwood. He travelled over a great deal of the Cape York Peninsula spending a lot of this travel time with local indigenous people; thus began his lifelong interest in their customs. He then spent time on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. In 1914 Idriess travelled to Townsville and enlisted in the 5th Light Horse as a trooper. He became a specialist in sniping and was a spotter for the noted sniper Billy Sing. He saw service in Palestine, Sinai and Turkey. Idriess was wounded at Beersheba and after fighting the Battle of Gaza he was invalided home in March 1918. After recovering from his wounds Idriess again travelled to Cape York Peninsula where he worked with pearlers and missionaries in the Torres Strait Islands. He then went gold mining in Papua New Guinea, buffalo shooting in the Northern Territory of Australia and then exploring in Central and Western Australia. LITERARY WORKS OF IDRIESS In 1928 Idriess settled in Sydney and published the first of his 47 books. In 1931 - “Lasseter’s Last Ride”, became his first best seller. In the years 1932 and 1940 he published three books in each year. “The Cattle King” (1936) and “Flynn of the Inland” (1932) have gone through reprinting forty to fifty times. His last book was published in 1969. Idriess’ books where in general non-fiction and were written in a colourful and immediate story style, taken from life experiences gained during his travels. Idriess was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to literature in 1968. Fortunes in Minerals Author: Ion Idriess Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1954 Label on spine with typed text PAT 549 IDR Inside front cover has a sticker that reads Corangamite Regional Library Service warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, ion idriess, fortunes in minerals

The building was designed by Charles Maplestone of Heidelberg, son-in-law to Anthony Beale of St Helena. Maplestone was a prominent architect who came out to Australia with his family in 1852. The foundation stone was laid by Mrs Isabella Maplestone on 11th November 1867. The bricklayers for the church were George Stebbing, H Limmer, H Spicer and a Mr Timm while Thomas Day was the stonemason. Another three years were to pass before sufficient money could be raised for its completion. It was opened by Bishop Perry on 1st November, 1870. The church bell which hung under a tree for 50 years until it was incorporated in the parish hall was brought out from England and presented by Charles Orme. In 1916, the estate of George Martin Pizzey left sufficient money to build the red brick hall, which still stands today (2023) though in January 1969 the hall and bell tower were badly damaged by bushfire. Coincidentally the former home of benefactor, George Pizzey was destroyed in the same fire. Of particular significance are the interior and exterior of the church, the Sunday school and hall with emphasis on pre-World War I fabric (excluding the 1990s additions) and the three coloured glass windows currently suspended in the 1990s entry foyer. In 2011 further alterations were made to the front of the Church. The church is historically significant because it was the oldest public building in the former Diamond Valley Shire, is amongst the oldest buildings in the Shire of Nillumbik and is associated with the early settlement of the Diamond Creek district. The church is historically, socially and spiritually significant because it has been a place of worship for over 150 years and continues to be, an important meeting place in the Shire. The church is aesthetically significant for the three stained glass windows executed by the noted stained glass manufacturers, Ferguson & Urie, as well as the supporting coloured glass windows in the church. The Sunday school & parish hall is architecturally significant because the hall is a well executed and preserved example of the work of noted church architects, North & Williams. It is historically significant because it is connected with local parishioner and Melbourne industrialist, George Pizzey, who bequeathed funds for its construction. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. National Estate Ntionl Trust of Australia (Victoria) Local significance Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p85 St John’s Anglican Church stands like a beacon on the hill on Main Street, Diamond Creek. Today the church has a large congregation, but its early years were marked by a small congregation struggling to find enough money to survive. It was gold in Diamond Creek that resulted in the building of this National Trust registered property.1 This church is far removed from William Wilson’s humble barn (later the Bowling Green) where the first Anglican church services were conducted – probably the first in the district.2 In the mid 19th century services were infrequent as the Rev Francis Hales, travelling on horseback, also conducted services elsewhere, including at Heidelberg, Coburg, Kinglake, Arthurs Creek, St Andrews and Kangaroo Ground. In 1860 Diamond Creek came under the jurisdiction of the Eltham Parish. Until the mid 1860s the Diamond Creek settlement included only about 20 families who were struggling farmers. But this changed when gold was found in 1862. Then the township grew to 200 families, including miners, civil administration workers and shopkeepers. The resulting growth of Church of England adherents prompted them to petition the Government in 1866 for land to build a church. The area chosen, on which the original building still stands, was at the centre of the proposed township. Today church leaders believe that this conspicuous location is one of the reasons for its exceptional growth. Prominent architect Charles Maplestone designed the building as he did the Presbyterian Church at Kangaroo Ground. St John’s, which is still intact, was built in the Gothic Revival style with the traditional rectangular plan of a central nave and sanctuary at the end. It is typical of small churches built in Victoria at that time, with polychromatic hand-made bricks, a porch, diagonal buttresses and a slate roof.3 The church was officially opened by Lord Bishop Perry on November 1, 1870. But during the next 40 years, due to the varying fortunes of gold mining, the church struggled to remain viable. In 1909 it separated from the Eltham Parish to form a parish with Greensborough. Life became more difficult with the privations of World War One. Then disaster struck in 1915 when fire destroyed the Diamond Creek Gold Mine, wiping out the major livelihood of most parishioners. However the church’s morale was lifted in 1916, when it received a bequest to build the red brick hall, from late parishioner and prominent leather manufacturer, George Pizzey. As prosperity grew, in 1924 the congregation separated from Greensborough, but they rejoined in the 1930s Depression. In the 1950s the wider population soared, impacting on St John’s, and it became a separate parish, becoming responsible for six churches at St Andrews, Hazel Glen, Hurstbridge, St Helena and Yarrambat. As parishioner numbers outgrew the building, extensions were added in 1989 and then in 1993, blending in well with the original building. Church members have made a huge contribution to the local community. John Ryan was a Heidelberg Shire Councillor for 25 years from 1931, Mayor in 1939 and headed several local sporting and other organisations. His son Jock became a clergyman and a local historian heading the Nillumbik Historical Society. Another parishioner, Dr Ted Cordner, came to Diamond Creek in 1920. One of his sons Donald, who was a local doctor, won the Brownlow Medal, was President of the Melbourne Cricket Club and President of the Melbourne Grammar School Council. Roy ‘Monty’ Vale was a state Liberal MP and was related to May Vale, a member of the Heidelberg School of Artists.4 In the early 21st century St John’s Anglican Church is one of the fastest growing congregations in Melbourne. References: St Johns Anglican Church complex, Sunday School and Parish Hall 61 Main Street DIAMOND CREEK, NILLUMBIK SHIRE. (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/64023 Diamond Creek, VIC. – St John’s Anglican (2023, June 7). Retrieved from https://www.churchhistories.net.au/church-catalog/diamond-creek-vic-st-johns-anglican This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, st john's anglican church, diamond creek

The tent model mentioned in the letters was displayed in the Ballarat School of Mines Museum. During the 1960s it was transferred to the Ballarat Historical Society. Two handwritten letters on paper with black mourning edge written by Walter M. Hitchcock to the Ballarat School of Mines, and another written by Walter's brother George M. Hitchcock.Letter transcription follow: Letter from Walter M. Hitchcock regarding the death of James Oddie and early gold mining at Ballarat, 1910 and 1911 48 The Memorial Hall Farringdon St London Dec1/10 The Secretary Ballarat Museum Dear Sir, I am just now sending you this line, i anticipation of further correspondence later on, simply to forward you a Post Card of the 1st mining tent erected 1851 on the site of he then newly proclaimed Township of Ballarat, which, as the sole survivor of the party who built the original, I have had the pleasure in making, and have decided to present it to your museum, Sir Jno Lasenor out Agent General for Victoria came to a Bazaar recently held in London. where I had it on view in the museum from 3 days, - and desired I would allow its [ ? ] exhibited in the first large window of the beautiful new building of the Victoria Agency situate in the Strand. It is there for the past few days and he may wish it to remain a week or two longer, I know of no other exhibition of it to delay it being packed and shipped to my relatives in Geelong (Mr [?] Bright of Hitchock's Firm) who may wish to show it in one of their windows before forwarding it to your museum - I have had an itemised pane glass case made for it with drop down end and [?} it stands on a plateau of moss, to represent grass 32 x 13 x 13 high and chimney 14 1/2 - the case is made 34 x 26 x 20 high inside - I shall have it very carefully packed - tent emptied tools, beds, &c &c in separate packing and insured for 50 pounds - I will send you full details later on. I hope and believe your President will accept it in due time Meantime believe me to be very truly Cat Walter Hitchcock G.F.B. 48 The Memorial Hall Farringdon St London March 15th 1911 The Secretary Ballarat School of Mines Dear Sir, Thanks for your letter received last week – I have unaccountably mislaid it, so cannot address you personally, shall no doubt find it among office papers. The model is being fetched today from Victorian Agent General’s (Sir John [Lavernor?] office window in the Strand where many thousands, he tells me, have stopped in passing to see it (their first peep of Ballaarat). It will be on view at Blackheath (Kent) for a week, then packed and shipped without further delay. I shall enclose in the glass case (which is 26 x 34 x 16 in high) some spare minced moss and gas (smoke) in case in transit the plateau suffers by shaking (though it is well glued down). All the tools, mining appliances, cradle, windlass, &c will be separately packed enclosed – which you can easily place in respective positions. HRH Prince of Wales has graciously accepted a photo of it – and in my letter to him when sending it for his acceptance I said – as he would probably ere long visit Australia as did his grandfather and father, which ought to (and certainly will) include at least a day or two in seeing your beautiful City, and also something of your mines &c instead of the hurried visit of his father (2 hours) when he, as Duke of York, unveiled a statue to the memory of those slain in the sad Boer War, which now is admitted by almost everybody to have been a big political mistake, - though in the future with England’s present wise policy towards that country it will prove for Africa’s welfare. It may interest you to know that when I ascertained that Geelong was not to be visited by the Royal Pair – I went up to St James’s Palace by appointed time the Duke’s private Secy Sir Arthur Bigge – taking with me a specially illustrated paper issued in Melb. showing many pictures of the beauties and industries of Geelong – Sir Arthur was impressed but said all the arrangements for the Royal stay in Victoria (10 days) were made locally, by Lord Hopetoun and collegues and committee, and were practically closed – which meant that only a brief trip to Ballarat to uncover the memorial was intended outside Melbourne. Perhaps if we were Melbourne residents we should have succumbed to the prevailing spirit of selfishness – forgetting (or trying to forget) that there are many beauty spots in Victoria and centres of great interest - Ballarat, Geelong, Bendigo, &c that ought to have been visited instead of Melbourne only. Finding Sir Arthur favorably impressed about Geelong I thanked him and returned to City work again. I at once called to Geelong whose mayor and friends had been twice unsuccessful in trying for the Melbourne functions programme being altered to include a visit to Geelong and lovely spots in the Western District, reporting my interview with Sir A B and his favourable reception of my representations, but that any alteration to the programme of engagements during the Royal visit must be made locally and by the local authorities. This had the desired success for on receipt of my message the Geelong mayor and colleagues again reopened the question and went to Melbourne, resulting in a concession (but what an altogether inadequate one) and they graciously ? consented to the train, on its way with the Duke and Duchess to your city, to stop at the Geelong stn (15 minutes) and so it came about that by a hasty local effort, 3,000 school children, and not a few of the leading people including the Mayor &c were gathered to welcome them in Geelong. The National anthem being sung, an Address read and presented and kindly replied to. Now Ballarat should doubtless has influence. See to it when our P. Of Wales visits Victoria – an unselfish ¬ programme is fixed up – and HRH afforded ample opportunity of visiting leisurely your city, Geelong, Bendigo and other centres of beauty and importance. The Prince himself will be the gainer by such an equitable and enlightened programme, - and come back with all the more favourable views of the marvellous development ever since our family first settled in Geelong in 1850. A far preferable result of such a visit than night after night having Melbourne Banquets and the visiting of its undoubted attractions - whilst all the rest of the State remained unvisited. Such an official mistake must not be made again. I will write you again, stating name of steamer of which the model is shipped and date of departure – it is firmly built on a backing of 3/8 in oak tall uprights so through the 7/8 in plateau and am entrusting the packing be very careful. I expressed firm – so that except possibly any breakage in glass case – it should reach you in due time all right. The top of case will be screwed so that it can be readily removed temporarily to enable my [ ? ] firm to show it in one of their windows. Believe me Yours very truly Captn Walter M. Hitchcock My brother will deliver it on my a/c – all carriage paid. Mt very kind regards to my friend since 1850 Jas Oddie. University of Ballarat Historical Collection Cat. No. 8133.3 & .4 Letter from Walter M. Hitchcock regarding the death of James Oddie and early gold mining at Ballarat, 1911 48 The Memorial Hall Farringdon St London April 20th 1911 My Dear Sir, It is with no ordinary feeling of regret that I received the tidings of the death of my good friend, your fellow citizen for many years, Mr James Oddie. Living at Geelong from March 1850 I came to know him there as carrying on a foundry business in Ashby. With the discovery of gold at Ballarat started off almost of the working people, as well as of all other classes of the male population. Mr Oddie arrived in Ballarat I believe on or about September 1st 1851. My three comrades and I arrived October 1st 1851 – among the many thousands soon gathered within a mile or so of Golden Point – my friend Oddie and I often met. I returning to Geelong after a year mining – my friend on the other hand remaining at Ballarat ever since – a marvellous record, and I am sure his life has been one of unique value to your City in many ways, - his age (87) naturally prepared me for his call home – and only two mails before the news came I received from him on of his kindly chatty letters in which amongst other things – he referred with pleasure to having received from me two 10 x 12 photos – one being of my model and that he was arranging to have it placed in a shop window in your city. I am interested in the fact of your having known each of my three comrades of 1851/52. It was J.M. Garrett and I who got permission to conduct public Sunday morning service in their large Marquee – used all the week for issue of Licenses in the absence of any church buildings, and it being on wet Sundays impossible to have services as usual under the trees – Ballarat then was more like a Gentleman’s Park – than bush country – but the axe soon did its work – and all were felled for our cooking, and hencewith to make our kindling etc. Shafting of holes not being at first done because too shallow – our deepest (at Eureka) was only 115 ft. Bendigo I hear had now mines of 4,000 ft in depth (deeper than our tin or coal mines here). I fortunately have, in excellent state of preservation, my last of 12 licenses dated October 1 1852 and have recently purchased here a Miner’s Right dated 1864, to that when explaining on matters re Gold Licensing I can show sample of each. With kind regards Believe me Yours sincerely Walter M. Hitchcock Geelong June 20/11 Dear Sir, By rail to day through Messrs Bannister I send the model of miner’s tent packed in a case 50 donated by my brother Captain Walter M. Hitchcock of London. This model was made by my brother and represents the tent he worked in on the Ballarat Gold Fields in the year 1851 or 2. In a separate parcel a few extras omitted from the case. Please send me receipts in duplicate, one for my brother, the other for the Customs, Geelong, as being donated to your institution, after some little correspondence it was admitted [??] any payment for duty. You probably have my brother’s address and would like to acknowledge its arrival, direct. I hope it is in good order. I did not open it for show in Geelong, as there would be less risk of breakage on repacking. With kind remembrances. I am Yours Faithfully Geo. M. Hitchcock. A Mr G. F. B. Sharick who is living near my home called in to see my model – he said he knew FM [Fred Martell] and was lately at Ballaratballarat school of mines, frederick martell, fred martell, james oddie, walter m hitchcock, walter hitchcock, f m garratt, george hitchcock, hitchcock, golden point, gold discovery, j m garrett, gold license, j.m. garrett, t.m. hall, george m. hitchcock, f.m. garratt, walter m. hitchcock

This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council his huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower areas of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. THE NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Pattison. Eventually, the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. Ion Llewellyn Idriess was born in Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales on 20th September 1889 and passed away on 6th June 1979 in Mona Vale, Sydney, New South Wales at the age 89. After Idriess finished school he worked in the assay office of Broken Hill Proprietary mine. Both Idriess and his mother had typhoid fever when Ion was about 15 years old and it caused his mother’s death. After spending time with his Grandmother in Sydney he found work on a paddle-steamer and had a relapse of the fever. He then went into the western district of New South Wales where he worked in many different itinerant jobs, including rabbit poisoner, boundary rider, drover, sandalwood harvester, shearer, dingo shooter and opal miner. While opal mining at Lightning Ridge he wrote short stories, about life on the opal fields, for the Bulletin using the name “Gouger”. Idriess then moved to North Queensland in search of gold, tin and sandalwood. He travelled over a great deal of the Cape York Peninsula spending a lot of this travel time with local indigenous people; thus began his lifelong interest in their customs. He then spent time on cattle stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. In 1914 Idriess travelled to Townsville and enlisted in the 5th Light Horse as a trooper. He became a specialist in sniping and was a spotter for the noted sniper Billy Sing. He saw service in Palestine, Sinai and Turkey. Idriess was wounded at Beersheba and after fighting the Battle of Gaza he was invalided home in March 1918. After recovering from his wounds Idriess again travelled to the Cape York Peninsula where he worked with pearlers and missionaries in the Torres Strait Islands. He then went gold mining in Papua New Guinea, buffalo shooting in the Northern Territory of Australia and then exploring in Central and Western Australia. LITERARY WORKS OF IDRIESS In 1928 Idriess settled in Sydney and published the first of his 47 books. In 1931 - “Lasseter’s Last Ride”, became his first best seller. In the years 1932 and 1940, he published three books in each year. “The Cattle King” (1936) and “Flynn of the Inland” (1932) have gone through reprinting forty to fifty times. His last book was published in 1969. Idriess’ books were in general non-fiction and were written in a colourful and immediate story style, taken from life experiences gained during his travels. Idriess was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to literature in 1968. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and it's Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century, there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items has become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850’s to the late 1950s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr R. Pattison. WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853, a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November 1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half-yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fundraising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however, it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former courthouse in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much - loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historical books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historical Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed artworks and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. Over The Range Author: Ion L Idriess Publisher: Angus & Robertson Date: 1937 The label on spine cover with typed text PAT 919.53 IDR Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Library Flyleaf has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute The top of the text block has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Library flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, over the range, ion l idriess

Seems that Tom pays Ned's wages. Numerous bores were sunk , some were opened out and driven in the direction of the reef. Numerous Cross cuts were also made from the main tunnel.Unless otherwise stated the letters are from Dad (Richard Squire) to Tom, Hazel & Kiddies all. .1) Handwritten two page letter from Richard Squire to 'Tom & Hazel & little men' with information regarding the Leigh River Tunnel at Mount Mercer, dated 6/8/28. .2) Handwritten three page letter with information regarding mining operations dated 27.6.29. .3) Handwritten three page letter from Richard Squire to 'Tom & Hazel & Flock' with queries regarding the health of one of their children, other personal information and information regarding mining operations dated 18/7/29. .4) Handwritten one page letter from Richard Squire to 'Tom' dated 20/7/29, regarding the enclosed handwritten receipt with stamp for Call of two shares costing 8 pounds 7 shillings and 2 pence in Leigh River Tunnel Syndicate from Richard Squire dated 13th July 1927. .5) Handwritten two page letter from Richard Squire to 'Tom & Hazel & Pinchers' regarding his health, other personal information and information about the four page report of position of work at 'Leigh River Tunnel' enclosed. The letter is dated 29/11/29 and the report dated Nov 28th 29. .6) Handwritten two page letter with personal information and a suggestion that Tom learn to swim dated 13th Jan 30. .7) Handwritten two page report by Richard Squire regarding Leigh River Tunnel Syndicate plus a one page 'Rough Section' drawing of the tunnel dated 29th April 1930. .8) Typed one page report by Richard Squire regarding Leigh River Tunnel Syndicate and the findings of a new shaft dated 9th December 30. .9) Handwritten one page letter by Richard Squire to 'Tom' regarding mining operations and four handwritten receipts for payment of Calls from Richard Squire and Mr H McLeod and Mr E McLeod with stamps. .10) Handwritten two page letter regarding a meeting he had with the Secretary for Mines, Mr Whitehead dated 22 Feb 1931. .11) Handwritten two page letter regarding the difficulties in financing the mining operation occasioned by the interference of the government department dated 12th Mar 31. .12) Handwritten one page letter regarding the delay in the submission of his letter to the Gold Committee and with details of plans he had sent to Tom separately, dated 1st April 31. .13) Handwritten two page letter by Richard Squire to 'Tom' regarding personal matters including his health and also information regarding Tunnel work, dated May 11th 31. .14) Handwritten two page letter regarding the mine work, how his new employee, Ned, was going and also his health, dated Thur 21st May 31. .15) Handwritten two page letter regarding the Tunnel progress and financial matters dated Tue 26th May. .16) Handwritten three page letter regarding the Tunnel progress dated Thur June 11th. .17) Handwritten two page letter regarding the Tunnel progress, an issue relating to Ned's taxation assessment and his own health, dated 28th June 31. .18) Handwritten three page letter with detailed information on the Tunnel progress and information regarding his health, dated Thur July 23rd. .19) Handwritten two page letter regarding the Tunnel progress and some personal greetings, dated Thur July 30th 31. .20) Handwritten two page letter regarding the Tunnel progress, an agreement with Messrs Read & Peers? and a renaming of a Prospect as Lawaluk instead of Mount Mercer, dated Sun 2nd Aug 31. .21) Handwritten three page letter regarding the Tunnel progress, the lease agreement on Mr Read's property at Mount Mercer which he had been unable to pay and a parsley root remedy which a Ballarat Chinese herbalist had prescribed for his catarrh and had been effective, dated Thur 13th Aug 31. .22) Handwritten two page letter regarding the efficacy of the parsley (root) water in healing his catarrh and detailed progress report on the Tunnel which showed a little gold in the uncovered 'wash', dated Mon 24th Aug. .23) Handwritten three page letter regarding the progress of the Tunnel and one of the bores sunk also mentions his health, dated Mon Sept 7th. .24) Handwritten three page letter regarding the Tunnel progress in detail and an account of his illness, dated Thur 24th Sept. .25) Handwritten two page letter regarding the Tunnel progress in detail and his health which had been poor, dated Thur Oct 8th 31. .26) Handwritten four page letter regarding the Tunnel progress in detail, dated Thur Oct 22. .27) Handwritten four page letter regarding a detailed report of the Tunnel progress including the news of some show of gold and other personal matters including advising Tom not to drive there when he would have to drive home in the dark because of the accidents caused by 'Boosy Drivers', dated Thur Nov 19th 31. .28) Handwritten two page letter regarding the continued promising Tunnel progress, dated Thur Nov 26th. .29) Handwritten two page letter regarding Tunnel progress and personal matters relating to the coming Christmas visit, dated Thur Dec 3rd 1931. .30) Handwritten two page letter regarding Tunnel progress and personal matters regarding the impending visit by the family, dated Sun Dec 6th 31. .31) Handwritten two page letter regarding his health and the treatment proscribed by a Chinese herbalist and also some information about his expenses, dated Sunday 25/1/32. .32) Handwritten four page letter regarding Tunnel progress including a small diagram and further information on his health, dated Thur 25th Feb 32. .33) Handwritten three page letter regarding Tunnel progress and some personal and family information, dated Mon 21st 32. .34) Handwritten one page letter regarding some personal matters and information about the Tunnel progress, dated Thus 31st Mar. .35) Handwritten two page letter regarding detailed information about the Tunnel as well as a one page diagram of the Drives being excavated, dated Sun night 3rd April. .36). Handwritten three page letter from his home in Prahran regarding a mixture of personal matters and matters relating to the Tunnel, dated 18/4/32. .37) Handwritten one page letter regarding enclosed three shares which were to be placed as he was very short of funds, dated 19-4-32. .38) Handwritten two page letter from his home in Prahran regarding work carried out by Ned at the Tunnel and family matters, dated 6/5/32. .39) Handwritten one page letter from his home in Prahran regarding work carried out by Ned at the Tunnel, dated 10/5/32 plus an attached one page letter written by Ned (E. Woodlook) to 'Mr Squire' regarding regarding Tunnel progress, dated Saturday. .40) Handwritten two page letter from his home in Prahran regarding Tunnel progress and some personal matters, dated 27/5/32 plus an attached one page letter written by Ned to 'Mr Squire' regarding Tunnel progress and with the information that the rats were bad in Richard's hut, dated Friday. .41) Handwritten two page letter from his home in Prahran regarding Tunnel progress, dated 3/6/32 plus a two page letter written by E.Woodlock to 'Mr Squire' regarding Tunnel progress as well as person matters regarding his health, dated Friday (27th May 32 written in pencil by Richard). .42) Handwritten three page letter from his home in Prahran regarding tunnel progress and financial matters, also detailed information about the Madison's Tunnel, dated 8/6/32, plus a one page letter from E. Woodlock (Ned) to 'Mr Squire' regarding Tunnel progress dated Saturday (4 June, 32). .43) Handwritten three page letter from his home Prahran regarding a sketch he had made of Madison's Tunnel and the Mercer Shaft (not present) and the similarity of other mines with barely Payable gold, dated 13/6/32. plus a one page letter from E. Woodlock to 'Mr Squire' regarding Tunnel progress dated Saturday. .44) Handwritten one page letter by Richard Squire to 'Tom' from his home in Prahran with some personal information as well as the hope to return to Mt Mercer as he felt he was now well, not dated, plus a two page letter from E. Woodlock to 'Mr Squire' regarding duty stamps sent and Tunnel progress dated Saturday. .45) Handwritten two page letter from his home in Prahran regarding the progress of the Tunnel, dated 21/6/32, plus a one page letter from E. Woodlock regarding the progress of the Tunnel work, dated Monday (20/6/32). .46) Handwritten three page letter from his home in Prahran regarding the price of gold and the effect that mining Payable gold in the Madison Tunnel could have, dated 27/6/32. .47) Handwritten three page letter by Richard Squire to Tom, Hazel & Kiddies all' from his home in Prahran regarding his thoughts on the Madison Tunnel at Piggoreet, dated Mon 4th July 32, plus two one page letters by E Woodlock to 'Mr Squire' regarding the Tunnel work and more personal things, dated Wednesday (June 29th 32) and Saturday (July 2nd). .48) Handwritten two page letter from his home in Prahran regarding his intention to return to the diggings in a small car procured for his use and his intention to re-peg the Leigh River Lease in another name, dated Sun 17/7/32, plus a two page and a one page letter by E Woodlock to 'Mr Squire' regarding progress at the Tunnel dated Thursday (7th July) and Tuesday (12th July 32). .49) Handwritten one page letter by E Woodlock to Mr Squire detailing the tunnel work and other work related details dated Saturday (16th July 32), plus a one page letter by 'Dad' (Richard Squire) to 'Tom, Hazel & Kiddies all' regarding the letter sent by Ned (E Woodlock) and the ongoing work. He also talks about the health of Mam, his wife, dated 19th July 32. .50) Handwritten one page letter regarding the work at the tunnel and with the information that he was to finally return to the mine, dated 22/7/32, plus a one page letter by E Woodlock to Mr Squire about the ongoing work, dated Wednesday (20th July). .51) Handwritten two page letter written from Mt Mercer, regarding the works in the Mt Mercer Tunnel (mentioning South Cockloft). He also details that the drive from town (Melbourne) took 4 gallons of petrol, dated Thur 28th July 32. .52) Handwritten 3 page letter detailing the work carried on at the tunnels and with the information that underground gas had halted work temporarily. He was keen that Tom should visit one weekend soon, dated Sat 6th Aug 1932. .53) Handwritten four page letter detailing the work and new bore holes near Madisons Tunnel. The No 1 tunnel work had to be suspended due to continued gas filling the diggings every time the barometric pressure dropped. On the last page was a rough sketch of the area which was being worked, dated 19th Aug 32. .54) Handwritten two page letter regarding Tom's proposed visit to the site and some plans that he should bring with him. He also spoke of a pup that he was housing till Tom came, dated 21/8/32. .55) Handwritten one page letter encouraging Tom to bring skid chains for his vehicle as the road was muddy when he came on the weekend. He gave a brief account of the work and of the pup's progress, dated 25/8/32 .56) Handwritten three page letter regarding the weather and the relief he felt at knowing Tom and his companions had arrived safely home. He also thanked Tom for the cheques for Ned and detailed a little of the work at the tunnel and the need for more explosives as well as the fact that they had had to put a lock on the door of the hut to stop intruders, dated Sun Sept 4th 32. .57) Handwritten one page letter regarding the ongoing work at the tunnel, dated Thur Sept 8/32. .58) Handwritten two page letter written from Prahran, regarding his trip home, work at the tunnel and with information about the enclosed receipts, dated 16/9/32. Also included was a one page letter from E Woodlock to Mr Squire regarding the work at the tunnel, dated Wednesday. .59) Handwritten one page letter from Dad (Richard Squire) to 'Tom, Hazel & Kiddies all' written from Mt Mercer, regarding the work at the tunnel and the effect that 2 inches of rain had on the work, dated Wed Sept 20th 32. .60) Handwritten two page letter regarding the work at the tunnel and with the information that Mr Read who owned the property where the tunnel was located, had a serious accident in Melbourne, dated Thur 29th Sept 30 (this 1930 date is a mistake as the information contained in this letter follows on from his previous letter dated 20th Sept 32). .61) Handwritten one page letter regarding the work at the tunnel with the encouraging information that flecks of gold were found in about half a dish (mining pan), dated Thur Sept 22nd. .62) Handwritten two page letter regarding the progress at the tunnel and the difficulties of the work and thanks for Ned's cheque. Also mentioned was the information that Mr Read had a fractured pelvis and would be in hospital for two months, so Mrs Read with her father was looking after the shearing, dated Thur 6th Oct. .63) Handwritten two page letter with a third page of a diagram of a cross section of the Leigh River Tunnel, including the new tunnel and Madisons tunnel, with detailed description of the work in the tunnel, dated Sat 8th Oct. .64) Handwritten two page letter written from Prahran, giving detailed information of the tunnel and the expected outcome of the work. He also commented that he was to visit Mr Read in hospital, dated 14/10/32. .65) Handwritten two page letter written from Mt Mercer, giving information about the work in the tunnel and his visit to Mr Read, dated Wed 19th Oct. Enclosed also was a one page letter from E Woodlock to Mr Squire giving an account of his work in the tunnel, dated Thursday. .66) Handwritten one page letter regarding the work in the tunnel, dated Sun Oct 23/32. .67) Handwritten two page letter from Dad & Jim (Richard Squire) to 'Tom, Hazel & Kiddies all' regarding the receipt of Ned's wages cheque and the insurance of Ned's person as well as a detailed description of the tunnel and its relationship to Madisons Tunnel. He also gives some indication of his health, dated Tue Nov 1st 32. .68) Handwritten on page letter written from Prahran, giving a small amount of information about the tunnel work as well as his visit to see Mr Read and some personal information, undated. Enclosed also is a one page letter by E Woodlock to Mr Squire about the work in the tunnel, dated Thursday. .69) Handwritten one page letter with little information, dated 11/11/32. Also enclosed is a one page letter from E Woodlock to Mr Squire about the work in the tunnel, dated Thursday. .70) Handwritten three page letter with detailed information about the tunnel work and an aside about Jim's help and the he suffered from "Imaginitis imagines he sees a speck of gold in every bit of gravel met", dated 10/11/32. .71) Handwritten two page letter with detailed information on the work as their tunnel crossed with the old Madison Tunnel, dated Thur 17th Nov. .72) Handwritten three page letter detailing information on an application for a 500 acre lease which was posted at the Grenville Post Office and how it would impact on their lease. The upshot was that their leases would need to be re-pegged and the fee to publish a Notice of Application on their Leigh River claim was necessary to pay and he wondered if one of their investors would pay the 10 pounds necessary to secure the claim. He also spoke of perhaps forming a Company to put a plant on their Mt Mercer shaft as he felt that the gold would be of a payable quantity, dated Sunday 20th Nov, Also included was a note written by Ned (Edward Woodlock) who had copied the Notice of Application. .73) Handwritten two page letter detailing information found in Madison's Tunnel as it related to their own tunnels, particularly No 2 tunnel and how far he felt he would need to tunnel to reach an improvement in the 'wash', dated Thur 24th Nov. .74) Handwritten one page letter thanking him for the cheque the investor, Mr Wilkinson had provided for the Notice of Application for the Mt Mercer old Lease of 828 acres. He also gave some information about how it was originally farm labourers who only worked this lease and only when they had no other work. He also gave some personal information about Mam's birthday, dated Mon Nov 28th 32. .75) Handwritten two page letter by Dad (Richard Squire) to 'Tom, Hazel & Kiddies 3' written from Prahran, telling them that they had received Ned Cheque and that that Jim and He had come home. He also detailed an incident that Jim had had with a tyre blowout whilst on his way to get explosives and post the Notice of Application in the Warden's Office in Ballarat. The stub axle had bent and Jim had to ride a bike to get a new one and after changing the inner tube of the tyre they were able to drive back to Melbourne and were in the process on having the tyre re-treaded, dated 6/12/32. .76) Handwritten one page letter explaining how he and Mam had contracted colds and that his kidneys had some of their of trouble. He hoped to return to Mt Mercer on the weekend, dated 18th Jan 33. Also included was a handwritten two page letter by E Woodlock to Mr Squire giving information about the tunnel work, an injury to his hand and the fact that he had only 3 picks that were any good. He also asked for some vegetables, tomatoes and bacon when Richard returned, dated Saturday. .77) Handwritten one page letter written from Mt Mercer, giving information about the tunnel work, now 97'6" in and how he had expected to have already come upon the Madison's gold bearing gravel wash, dated Wed 25th Jan 33. .78) Handwritten two page letter with detailed information about how the tunnel had cut across a second Madison's tunnel and the prospects in this tunnel looked more promising. He also stated that he had not been well the last few days, dated Frid 27th 33 .79) Handwritten one page letter with information about the shotty gold found and the tunnel work and that he would test the value of the wash where the gold was found, dated Mon 30th Jan. .80) Handwritten short note of one page giving sketchy information about the tunnel work, dated Tue 31st Jan 33. .81) Handwritten two page letter giving information about his dealings with the Secretary for Mines relating to the fact that because the application for lease was identical to the old lease, they therefore should not need to pay for a full survey costing 7 pounds, just an inspection. He also detailed the workings and asks for more parsley roots to be sent to him, dated Thur Feb 9th 33. .82) Handwritten one page letter stating that he had received Ned's cheque and information about the workings, the coarse gold found and the fact they were going home for fresh food, dated Tue 14th 33. .83) Handwritten two page letter giving detailed information on the progress of the tunnelling as well as the information that Len and Max had come to visit the site and that Len had brought with him Keating, who he detested and pondered the reason for his bringing the man. As they were leaving Max "told Ned he thought they were going down to Ice Mam". Richard was worried about paying the 7 pounds ten shillings for the Department of Mines survey and was loath to put in another 20 pounds for another share of the mine to pay for it. He gave his thanks for a parcel of parsley he'd received , dated Tue 21st Feb 33. .84) Handwritten two page letter written saying that he had received Ned's cheque (for wages) and giving detailed information on the progress and for the need to timber the drive and have the bottom stoped up. He had no timber or laths left and was concerned about the cost necessary to satisfy the Mines Department. He mentions the possibility of insolvency. Fine gold had been found but not like the Madison's tunnel, dated Tue 28th Feb 33. .85) Handwritten two page letter written giving detailed information of the progress in the tunnel and with the expectation that they would soon meet the same wash which was in Madison's Tunnel. He also personal information about his health. the parsley roots received and the apples which Jim had "burgled", dated Sun 5th Mar 33. .86) Handwritten four page letter by with a very detailed account of the progress of the tunnelling and the reason why the expected intersection with the Madison wash did not occur, but with the hope that this intersection would soon occur, then they would be able to meet expenses. He also talked about not being able to pay for the lease but had the hope they they would not be too rigid in their case. He added some personal information about Jim not having the makings of a miner, catching rabbits "for the pot" and the fact that Mr Read was so much better that he was able to ride his horse, dated Sat 11th Mar 33. .87) Handwritten one page letter written from Prahran, acknowledging the receipt of Ned's cheque, a note about the work at the tunnel and some personal information, dated 21/3/33. .88) Handwritten one page letter written from Mt Mercer, saying that there was little change in the tunnel but that he was would open a cross cut north, dated Thur 23 March 33. .89) Handwritten note of a half page telling them that he had cross cut the tunnel, dated Sat 25th Mar. .90) Handwritten one page letter with progress of the tunnelling and where it is in relation to Madison's Tunnel, dated Thur 30th Mar 33. .91) Handwritten three page letter with the first part of the letter talking about the personal and financial worries he and his family had with travelling and mining expenses as well as Ned's wages which could not have been managed without Judy's little car, Jim's help and the payment of Ned's wages by Tom. He went on to give detailed information of the tunnelling and then talked about a letter received by the Department of Mines regarding the non payment of the lease and that a Notice of Abandonment would be published if not paid. Lastly he talked about the struggle he had had with this process and that it was only because of Tom's help that he had been able to continue this far, dated Sun 2/4/33. .92) A one page letter with information about the progress as well as the information that he had not heard from the Mines Department regarding the lease, and the the 1000 sq ft Miners Right Claim was secure, dated Thur 6th April. .93) A three page letter with detailed information about the work in the tunnel and also detailed explanation of the leases he has pegged and repegged. He also thanked Tom for paying the balance which was owed to the Department and informed Tom that he was going home, dated Tues 11th April 33. .94) A four page letter written from Prahran, thanking Tom for Ned's cheque and with information about the work still being carried on by Ned. He also talked about the pegging of the Mt Mercer claim and the cost of the advertisement and application and survey fees to secure the site as well as his opinion of the probable value of the gold from this site. He also stated that he really needed more investment from those who had initially invested with him or from new investors, dated 17/4/33. Included was a one page letter from Edward Woodlock (Ned) to Mr Squire regarding the work he was carrying out at the tunnel, dated Saturday. .95) A three page letterwritten from Mt Mercer, regarding the work in the tunnel and the quality of the gold found and the direction they will take. He also stated that he was posting letters to the original investors to see if they would contribute to the cost of the lease and also talked about another man who had a Notice of Application posted at Grenville for the water rights for a 25 miles long area and a dam. His Capital is 300 pounds and the supposition is that he wants to 'unwater' the leads, dated Frid 20th April. .96) A one page letter regarding the continued work in the tunnel and how his suppositions seemed to be correct, dated Thur 27th April 33. .97) A three page letter thanking Tom for Ned's cheque of 6 pounds 7 shillings and 6 pence. He also gave detailed information about the tunneling and the type of ground found and his next intentions. He also gave further information about the Notice of Application at Grenville which was posted by B Ryan, Agent for Western Deep Leads Coy Limited for 6000 acres, dated Sun 30th April 33. As well is a note detailing the information copied from the Notice. .98) A two page handwritten letter detailing the work being carried out as well as a complaint that he had not heard from the men he had written to, dated Thur 4th May 33. .99) A one page handwritten letter regarding the tunnel work and informing Tom that the gold found is shotty, dated Sat 6th May 33. .100) A four page handwritten letter written from Prahran, detailing the tunnel work and informing that the gold prospects were better in no.1 cross cut south and there was also payable fair gold where they were currently working, if worked in bulk. He also talked about the possibility of new investors as the old ones had not responded to his letter and the necessity of securing the leases, dated 11th May 1933. .101) A one page handwritten letter by E. Woodlock (Ned) to Mr Squire regarding the work going on, dated Thursday. .102) A six page handwritten letter written from Prahran historically detailing the acquisition of the two leases at Mt Mercer, 35 years earlier, with M C Donnely/Donney and Jas Clements, including Madisons. He goes on to clarify Tom's suggestion regarding the Leases and the Companies to be floated, then details the the shafts, bores, tunnels and Deep Leads held in the leases and then goes on to say what his next steps would be, dated 13th May 33. .103) A two page letter written from Mt Mercer detailing the continued work in the tunnel with the added information that because of the incline it was taking two men to push the truck up the tunnel. Richard also told of the need to take more parsley water for his condition, dated Thur 18th 33. .104) A three page letter with a very detailed description of the work in the tunnel. Richard also told that he had run out of metal rails and was having to use timber as a substitute. He was also to re-peg the North and South Leases in the morning, dated Sun 21st May 33. .105) A two page letter detailing the work in the tunnel and saying that there was a hundred feet of rail locked in by a fall in the No.2 Tunnel and he was hoping to get them out to replace the wooden rails as they made for heavy work on the inclines. He also said that he had a letter from the Department telling him to communicate with the Surveyor in Ballarat, dated Wed 24th May. .106) A three page letter acknowledging Ned's cheque as well as information about the work in the tunnel, including that he had been able to retrieve 45 feet of rail and would get more when needed. He said he was pleased that Tom and Mr Wilkinson were making a trip on Saturday to see him. He talked of the weather and the fact that the bread was a week old, so to bring enough to last till the Monday. Among other things he also spoke of Tom revising the Plans and also having a Share book printed and the name was to be the Ballarat Deep Leads Extension for which there could possibly be 3 Companies, dated Sun 28th May. .107) A one page letter with information about the work in the tunnel and also a weather update and the best way to come, dated Wed 31 May 33. .108) A two page letter written from Prahran, explaining a visit to the Leigh River Shaft to get whim rope, whip wheels and sundry items. He shifted some equipment and built a new forge and was to fix and mount a windlass and rope to enable Ned to get the truck up the incline of the tunnel. He also spoke of the work being undertake by Ned then when on to more personal correspondence about a birthday present for one of Tom's boys, dated 9/6/33. .109) A two page letter acknowledging receipt of the 'Prospectus of the Ballarat Deep Leads Extension Syndicate' and 'Share Certificate'. The No.1 Lease was in Ned's name and the No.2 Lease was in Jim's name to avoid inquisitive interest. Jim logged a Notice of Application and paid the fees. Richard acknowledged receipt of Ned's cheque and asked for 5 pounds as his finances were 'rather tight', dated 14/6/33. Included was a 1 page letter from Ned to Mr Squire regarding the work in the mine, dated Saturday. .110) A one page letter written from Mt Mercer giving information about what was happening in the new x cut N near the mouth of the tunnel, dated Friday 16/6/33. .111) A one page letter telling about the work and that he had fixed an old shed of Mr Reads for the forge. Mr Read and Mr Cameron visited and Richard was hopeful that Mr Cameron, the owner of the land in the North Lease would be easy as regards an agreement, dated June 22/33. .112) A two page letter which talked about his health, the mine, the local J.P. who had lost his eye in a shearing accident and the surveyors visit, He also spoke about contacting the Gold Mines Ltd and the Berry Leads Company, dated Tue 27th 33. Also included was a letter to the Mines Department and a receipt from the Mines Department for the sum of 7 pounds 10 shillings as well as the Lease Applications from the newspaper dated June 13th 1933. .113) A two page letter complaining of the charge made by the Mines Department for a Surveyors Inspection. He also wrote of trying to set up a float for the mine which he would do when he returned home.He also explained the current findings at the mine, dated Sun 2nd July 1933. .114) A one page note written from Prahran informing Tom that he had not yet heard from Gold Mines Ltd and also that there was a hitch with the lease on the house, but this was to hopefully be fixed the following day. He also spoke of Tom's trip home (completed in tow), dated 18/7/33. .115) A two page letter recounting some of the difficulties they were having with the new owners of the house they leased in Prahran. He also spoke of the fact that the Mines Department had requested another 10 pounds although they had not yet completed the survey on either mine, dated 21/7/1933. Also included was a one page letter from E. Woodlock (Ned) to Mr Squire about the workings, dated Tuesday and a letter from the Gold Mines of Australia Limited saying that the information he had supplied was now with their engineers, dated 20th July, 1933. .116) A three page letter written from Armidale saying that Mam (his wife) was fretting with the move to this house. He also told of the rejection by the Gold Mines of Australia Limited of his proposal to invest in his Mt Merser Mine, stating that he believed that Jim Clements who had been the manager when the mine had previously been opened, had most likely "thrown all the cold water he could" on the proposal. He spoke at length about how this man had run the mine into the ground and his own involvement with the winding up of the company. He went on to say that he would approach Ryall to see if he was interested in investing, dated 28/7/33. Included was the letter from Gold Mines of Australia Limited, dated 26th July, 1933. .117) A two page letter written from Prahran telling of the move to another house where Mam was quite settled. He also wrote of the work Ned was carrying out at the mine as well as personal and family news. He wrote that as he had not heard from Ryall, he would visit him the following day, dated 6/8/33. Also included was a two page letter from E Woodlock to Mr Squire giving detailed information of the progress at the tunnel, as well as asking for a new pair of boots as the ground was so wet his were letting in the water, dated Thursday. .118) A two page letter explaining about a letter he received from Mr Cameron who believed he had found gold as well as some personal information and his health, dated 8/8/33. Also included was a one page letter from Neil W Cameron to R B Squire telling about some specks of gold he'd found in a post hole, dated July 31st 33. Thirdly was a one page letter from Ned to Mr Squire explaining the work he was doing in the tunnel, dated Saturday. .119) A one page note saying that he did not like the enclosed 2 copies of the typed Agreement of the Leigh River Gold Mining Company with William Ryall, but asked Tom's advice. dated 9/8/33. .120) A two page letter dealing mainly about the work going on at the new house and the settling in process. He also wrote about the proposed Agreement with Ryall, dated 11/8/33. Also included was a one page letter from Mr Ryall to R B Squire from which part of the left hand side had been severed, dated 10th August 1933. .121) A one page note from R B Squire to W Ryall dated 14/8/33, with attached one page of information and figures. Also attached a one page letter from R B Squire to W Ryall asking if Ryall would be interested viewing the plans for an alluvial mining proposition, dated 27/7/33. .122) A three page letter mainly about the visit to Ryall and a Mr Cundy about the proposed agreement with his concerns about the language and terms of the agreement, dated Sun 21st 33. Also included was a letter from Ned to Mr Squire about the continued work in the tunnel and the fact that two of the pick heads had cracked and would have to be fixed, dated Thursday. .123) A two page letter dealing with a meeting had with Ryall and others in a private office regarding the interest in investing in the mining proposition, dated 23/8/33. .124) A four page letter dealing mainly with the work at the tunnel and exploratory diggings at the spot Mr Cameron had written about as well as the damage done to the car on the way to the workings, dated 29/8/33. .125) A one page letter telling of a proposed meeting with Mr Taylor and a Mr Bowler, who may turn out to be Alan Bowler who he knew, regarding the Mr Mercer Float scheduled for the following day, dated 30/8/33. .126) A five page letter explaining the content of the meeting held with Mr Bowler, who represented an English consortium which was interested in the Mt Mercer site. He explained the terms that the consortium would offer if they went ahead, This included 25 % shares in the mine but no money, which he bemoaned because of the shortness of their cash reserves. He went on to detail the 4 distinct deposits of wash in this field, which he believed were unique in the Ballarat district. He also stated that he had not heard from Mr Ryall. He closed by talking about the water levels in the mine, dated 1/9/33. .127) A two page letter saying that he had written an 11 page report on the Mt Mercer field for the English consortium as well as a private letter for the chairman.He also reported that he had been to see Ryall. Neither party knew that he was talking to the other. added was some personal information, dated 6/9/33. .128) A one page letter telling of a meeting with Mr Bowler and Mr Tayler who carefully went through his report. It was then being typed. He believed he had two strong supporters, dated 7/9/33. Also included was a 2 page note from A Bowler to R B Squire asking him to bring the report into the office the following day to be perused and typed, dated Sept 6th 33. .129) A two page letter with personal encouragement for one of the children. The letter then goes on with more information about the meeting with Mr Tayler and Bowler and his impressions of their interest. He also talked about the one of the experts who was to examine the site and also about the report which was now typed and a copy sent to Tom, dated 8/9/33. .130) A one page letter keeping him informed of progress. The expert was away but would be briefed on his return. He also thanked Tom for a cheque, which was used to get the car 'Liz' back in order for the trip to be made with the experts at a later date. He informed Tom of his intention to return to Mt Mercer, dated 13/9/33. .131) A one page letter written from Mt Mercer telling of the trip from Melbourne and the weather. He spoke of what was happening in the tunnel and that he had not yet heard from any of the interested parties, dated Tue 19th Sept. .132) A five page letter written from Prahran with detailed information about the tunnels, the washes and the shows. He also detailed his meeting with Bryant 38 years ago at the No 1 at Carisbrook and how he had given him assistance at that time and subsequently as well as giving his version of a potted history of Bryant, dated 29/9/33. .133) A two page letter with information about the arrival of the chairman of the English group and that Ned had shown Mr Kermode around the site, dated 6/10/33. Also included was a cutting from the Age about the arrival of Mr F W Baker, representing a large English financial group interested in Victorian deep lead propositions, dated Oct 6th. As well were two, one page letters from Ned (E Woodlock) to Tom, regarding the work in the tunnels, the bad air and the hopes of a successful float, dated Tuesday and Wednesday. .134) A one page letter thanking them for the gift of eggs and parsley. He also talked about a letter from Bowler regarding the business of the experts and that their leases would be seen in due course, dated 10/10/33. Included was a one page letter from A Bowler to P B Squires saying that Mt Mercer site was receiving attention but that no decision had as yet been made, dated Oct 9th 1933. .135) A three page letter written from Prahran giving information about Richards visit and conversation with Mr Ryall, who indicated that no decision had as yet been made regarding his proposal. He also included some personal information about members of the family, dated 18/10/33. Included was a one page letter from Ned (E Woodlock) to Tom with information about the tunnelling progress in no.2 tunnel and the bad air that drove them out for a time, dated Saturday. .136) A one page letter containing a brief update on the state of affairs , dated 20/10/33. Included was a one page letter from Ned to Mr Squire with an information on the progress at the tunnel and with the information that his hands were cracked so badly that he was wearing two socks on each hand, dated Saturday. .137) A one page letter which family news and a paragraph about the figures in his calculations, dated 21/10/33. On the back side was a letter from E Squire (his wife) to Tom, Hazel & boys again with family and personal information, dated 22nd 10/33. .138) A three page letter with the disappointing news that the English consortium would not take up the option on the Mt Mercer lease and gave his opinion that it was self interest that stopped it going ahead. He then gave two options as to the way forward, dated 24/10/33. Also included was a typed one page letter from W C Tayler to R B Squire informing him of a letter stating that the proposal had been turned down, dated 23rd October 1933. .139) A three page letter informing of further developments with Mr Tayler who asked for the plans to be left at the office till the following week as there was another company who may yet be interested to take up the option, dated 27/10/33. .140) A one page letter asking for 9 copies of the old agreement to be typed for the 3 Syndicate members, Rice, Cameron and McNaughton, dated 5/11/33. .141) A three page letter regarding the decision by the Syndicate to reopen the LRG shaft and the practical issues of timber acquisition and probable costs. He then went on to talk about Mam's indisposition and treatment by the herbalist, Goon, dated 8/11/33. Also included was a newspaper clipping from the Age entitled 'Inquiries for properties at Ballarat'. .142) A three page letter giving all the news regarding the agreements, the costs and the way forward. He also spoke of his wife's improvement and other personal information, dated 11/11/33. .143) A two page letter written from Mt Mercer regarding the difficulties in obtaining the timbers and tanks needed to reopen the shaft and the state of all the existing fittings and what would be needed to get the site operational again. His agreement with Mr Read had duly been signed, dated Thurs 16th 33. .144) A two page letter with further information about the progress with acquiring and repairing the shaft site, dated Mon Nov 20th 33. .145) A three page letter informing that the timber for the whim & shaft were being delivered and the area had been cleared out for the poppet heads. The top of the shaft had been cleared ready for re-framing and other work had been carried out. Liz, the car had broken down and Jim was in the process of fixing her. He concluded with information about his and his wife's health, dated Sun 26th Nov 33. .146) A four page letter with news of Mam's health, the problems associated with fixing the car and the floods which stopped Jim from going to Ballarat and washed away the Gary Bridge which affected the mail and had halted work at the shaft, as well as delaying the second delivery of timber, dated Sun Dec 3rd. .147) richard squire, william ryall, jim clements, gold mines of australia limited, e woodlock, ned woodlock, neil w cameron, alan bowler, mr cundy, don mcnaughton, mr rice

Quarter leather bound scrap book with pasted in invoices which were sent to the Ballarat School of Mines.Ballarat School of Mines Invoice Scrapbook, with many invoices made out to the Ballarat School of Mines stuck into the book (most folded over). * 01/12/1875 - 31/12/1875 - Annual account of all sums of Money for subscriptions to the Ballarat School of Mines * 31/12/1875 - Charles J. Evans - printer * 1875 - William Gooch - for Argus newspaper * 13/01/1876 - M.D. Hamilton - salary payment * 14/01/1876 - receipt for two shillings and sixpence from M.D. Hamilton * 31/1/1876 - account to R.J. Vale * 1/2/1876 - Caxton printing works - account to James Curtis * 4/12/1876 - Ballarat Gas company - receipt from J.W.Robertson * 29/1/1876 - Permewan Hunt and company - account to Hon. W.H.Barnard *28/1/1876 - Osborn, Cushing and company - account to Hon. W.H.Barnard * 7/10/1875 - Geo. H. Bliss and company - account to Hon.N.H. Barnard * 31/12/1875 - I. Longstaff - Druggist * 1875 - A. M. Leirnan * 9/12/1876 - Petty cash - M. Hamilton * 15/12/1875 - reimbursement to W.D. Barnard * 31/1/1876 - "Ballarat Star" newspaper account - Rob Wreford * 12/4/1876 - Geelong Gas company - receipt for 2 pounds and ten shillings - A.B. Langlands * 27/1/1876 - Geelong Gas company - account to School of Mines * 1/2/1876 - Cornell and King - Chemists - account to School of Mines * 10/2/1876 - Salary payment slip to M.D. Hamilton for 8 pounds 6 shillings and 8 pence * January 1876 - Stansfield and Robson, Importers - account to School of Mines * January 1876 - Stansfield and Robson - School of Mines - Dr. A.M.Leisman - account * 31/1/1876 - Charles J. Evans - account to School of Mines * 31/1/1876 - Proprietors of the Evening Post - account to School of Mines * 10/2/1876 - Petty cash receipt from W. Barnard * 1/2/1876 - Bateman, Clark and Company - account to School of Mines * 8/3/1876 - Salary payment to M.D. Hamilton from School of Mines Ballarat *1/3/1876 - William Johnson - Chemist - account to School of Mines Ballarat * 28/2/1876 - Cornell and King - Chemists - account to School of Mines Ballarat * 2/1876 - Hugh Gray and Son - Instrument makers - account from School of Mines * 28/2/1876 - J. Longstaff - druggist * 11/3/1876 - Fidelity Guarantee of Alfred B.Burne for 100 pounds from Victoria Life Insurance Co. *10/3/1876 - Petty cash slip from W.H. Barnard * 4/3/1876 - account from Alfred B. Burne * 15/3/1876 - personal expenses account from I.W. Jonan * 27/3/1876 - account from John Victor * 25/3/1876 - account from C.W. Thomas * 27/3/1876 - account from W. Schmidt - Lecturer * 25/3/1876 - account from Joseph Flude * 29/6/1876 - account from J. Thomas * 30/6/1876 - receipt from W.M. Barnard * 1/4/1876 - receipt from Joseph Flude * 1/3/1876 - account from William Blomeley, Iron and Brass Founder * 31/3/1876 - account from A.H. King, Iron Merchant * 31/3/1876 - account from W.M. Gooch, Newsagent * 13/4/1876 - salary payment to M.D. Hamilton * 12/4/1876 - Petty cash receipt * 13/4/1876 - List of subscriptions received from Alfred B. Burne (collector) (John P. Hanson, Comm. Bank of Aust., T.A. Wanliss, Andrew Cant, B. Hepburn, R. Lewis, Sovereign Hill Mining Co., Buninyong Shire Council, Union Bank Aust. Francis Taylor) * 15/2/1876 - account from Battersea Works London * 2/5/1876 - account from Charles J. Evans Lithographic Printer etc. * 11/5/1876 - salary slip to M.D. Hamilton * 30/4/1876 - subscriptions received from Alfred B. Bruce (M.P. Whiteside, S. Steele, J. Usher, Charles Walker, W.H. Bougghen, W.V. Jenkins, A.M. Gransfield, Hon. Henry Cuthbert, Aust. Bank, Borough Council, Thomas Bath, Rev. William Henderson, James Smith, S. Hamburger) * 30/4/1876 - account from The Ballarat Star Newspaper * 7/6/1876 - account from Ballarat Gas Company * 11/5/1876 - petty cash account from M.J. Barnard * 9/5/1876 - receipt from M.D. Hamilton * 6/5/1876 - account from M.D. Barnard * 4/1876 - account from W.M. Gooch - News and Advertising agents * 22/4/1876 - account from Broadbent Bros and Co. - Railway Carriers etc * 1/6/1876 - account from Bateman, Clark, and Co. * 31/5/1876 - account from J. Longstaff - Druggist * 16/2/1876 account from A.M. Leiman * 6/1876 - account from R.T. Vale - Newsagent * 31/5/1876 - receipt from Sir Redmond Barry for one shilling * 1/6/1876 - account from F.W. Niven - Stationer etc. * 31/5/1876 - account to The Ballarat Star and The Miner newspapers * 31/5/1876 - account from Stansfield and Robson, Importers * 31/5/1876 - account from The Evening Post * 8/6/1876 - Salary slip fro M.D. Hamilton * 1/6/1876 - account to J. McHutchison, Bookbinder * 1/6/1876 - account from A.H. King - Iron Merchant * 1/6/1876 - account from Cornell and King - Chemists * 31/5/1876 - account from W.M. Gooch - Advertising agent * 8/6/1876 - petty cash receipt from M.D. Barnard * 31/5/1876 - List of subscriptions from Alfred B. Bruce (T.J. Kerr, Jacob Showman, J.L. Thompson, W.J. Clarke, R.C. Baih, L. Ballhausen, James Coghlan, Parade Gold mining Co., A. Williams, Sung Hung Fat, A. Dimmock Esq.M.D., Bank Victoria, Reform Co., Gilbert, James Ward, James Stewart, Ian Kwong Yick 7/6/1876 - account to Alfred White - Custom House Agent 30/6/1876 - receipt from John Victor for twelve pounds 10 shillings 29/7/1876 - receipt from A.M. Barnard 26/6/1876 - receipt from Joseph Flude 4/6/1876 - receipt from E.S. Schmidt 22/6/1876 - receipt from John W. Tail 19/6/1876 - receipt from Jonathan Butterworth 3/7/1876 - receipt from Joseph Hurde 1/7/1876 - account from Henry Richards Caselli - Architect and Building Surveyor 30/6/1876 - account from J. Scovell - Cabinet Maker 14/7/1876 - account from H.R. Caselli - Architect and Building Surveyor 20/7/1876 - payslip to M.D. Hamilton 1/7/1876 - account from Henry Brind - Chemist 6/1876 - account from W.M. Gooch - News and Advertising Agent 21/7/1876 - account from W.D. Hamilton 26/6/1876 - account from Parkinson and co. - City Nightmen and van proprietors 19/7/1876 - petty cash receipt from M.D.Barnard 30/6/1876 - account of subscriptions received - J.A. Anderson, A. Anderson, John Osborne, J. Noble Wilson, Bateman and Clarke, National bank of Aust., James Lory, F. Atkins 27/7/1876 - account from H. Hunt - Builder 26/7/1876 - account to G. Leitch and co. 1/8/1876 - receipt to The National Insurance Co. of Aust., Ltd. 1/8/1876 - receipt from Victoria Fire and Marine Insurance Company 1/8/1876 - account to The Victoria Lime and Cement Co. 1/8/1876 - receipt from Ballarat Gas Company 1/8/1876 - account from Charles J. Evans, Printer 1/8/1876 - account from Cornell and King - Druggists and Chemists 8/8/1876 account from Cornell and King - Druggists and Chemists 5/6/1876 to 22/9/1876 - account to A.N. Lennan 11/8/1876 - receipt from W.D. Hamilton 16/9/1876 - receipt from Geelong Gas Company 7/8/1876 - account to the Geelong Gas Company 1/8/1876 - account to Bateman, Clark and Co. 31/7/1876 - account from The Ballarat Star and of The Miner 10/8/1876 - salary slip to M.D. Hamilton 1/7/1876 to 31/7/1876 - list of subscriptions from Alfred B. Burne - P. Channey, P. Pakenhagen, John Price, Ballarat Gas Co., L.E. Brann, A.H. King, M. O"Ferrall, John Foord 19/7/1876 to 10/8/1876 - Petty cash receipt from M.N. Barnard 7/ 1876 - account to W. M. Gooch - General News and Advertising agent 1/7/1876 - account to Stansfield and Robson - Importers in Oils, colours, window glass, etc. 17/8/1876 - account to Lermes Lamurk 4/8/1876 - account to James Allen "Camperdown Chronicle" general printing office from W.H. Barnard 6/9/1876 - account to Henry Masham 1/9/1876 - account to A.H. King - Iron Merchant, Furnishing and General Ironmonger 22/9/1876 - travelling expenses account from R.D. Ellery 25/9/1876 - receipt from M. Schmidt 15/9/1876 - receipt from M.D. Hamilton 1/9/1876 - account to James Curtis - Caxton Printing Works 25/8/1876 - account from William McCulloch and Co., General Carriers 18/8/1876 - account to G. Leitch and Co. 14/9/1876 - payment slip to M.D. Hamilton 10/8/1876 - petty cash account from M.H. Barnard 25/9/1876 - receipt from John Victor 25/9/1876? - receipt from M.H.Barnard 6/10/1876 - receipt from Joseph Fude 12/10/1876 - receipt from M.D. Hamilton 30/9/1876 - receipt from Joseph Fude 1/10/1876 - account to A.M. Lennan 12/10/1876 - salary slip to M.D. Hamilton 30/9/1876 - account from Ballarat Star Newspaper Office 12/10/1876 - petty cash account - M.H. Barnard 30/9/1876 - account to J. McHutchison - Bookbinder 1/8/1876 - account from Ballarat Gas Company 1/11/1876 - receipt from Ballarat Gas Company 1/11/1876 - account to Charles J. Evans - Lithographic Printer 1/11/1876 - account from Cornell and King - Chemists 9/1876 - account from W.M. Gooch - General news and advertising agent 10/1876 - account from J. and J. McDonald - Plumbers and gas fitters 13/10/1876 to 9/11/1876 - petty cash statement from M.H. Barnard 14/11/1876 - receipt from M.D. Hamilton 11/9/1876 - account from A.M. Lennan 9/11/1876 - Salary slip to M.D. Hamilton 12/10/1876 - Expenses account received by M.H. Barnard 1/11/1876 - account from J. Longstaff - Druggist 10/1876 - account from Parkinson and Co. - City Nightmen and van proprietors 6/12/1876 - account from Emanuel Steinfield, Importer of Furniture etc. 13/11/1876 - account The Geelong Gas Company 31/11/1876 - account from The Ballarat Star Newspaper office 28/11/1876 - account from R.T. Vale - bookseller, stationer and news agent 28/11/1876 - acount from John Slater and co. 1/12/1876 - account from J. Doig and co., Tinsmiths, Gasfitters etc. 14/12/1876 - Salary slip to M.D. Hamilton 14/12/1876 - receipt from M.D. Hamilton for one pound one shilling and ninepence 1/11/1876 to 31/12/1876 - petty cash statement 15/12/1876 - statement of travelling expenses for A.B. Barnes 23/12/1876 - receipt from John Victor 21/2/1877 - receipt from C.M.Thomas 23/12/1876 - receipt from Joseph Flude 29/12/1876 - receipt from Lecturer - S.Schmidt 30/12/1876 - receipt from Joseph Flude 1876 - receipt from Joseph Flude 12/1/1877 - statement of refund to W.H. Barnard 11/1/1877 - Salary slip to M.D.Hamilton 8/1/1877 - petty cash statement 18/1/1877 - receipt for Ballarat Gas company 2/1/1877 - account from Eyres Brothers - Furnishing and general ironmongers 19/12/1876 - statement from W.H. Barnard - registrar 1/1/1877 - account from Bateman, Clark and company 11/121876 - account from Parkinson and co. - City nightmen 31/12/1876 - account from Ballarat Star Newspaper office 25/1/1877 - account from J. McHutchison, Bookbinder 3/2/1877 - account from J. McHutchison, Bookbinder 1/2/1877 - account from Cornell and King - Chemists 1/2/1877 - account from Stansfield J. Robson - Importers in oils, colours, window glass etc. 1/2/1877 - account from Charles J. Evans - Bookbinder etc. 12/12/1876 - account from W. Gooch - General news and advertising agent 2/1/1877 - account from proprietors of the Evening Post 14/2/1877 - account from John F.Paten - Printer, Publisher and Bookseller "Avoca Mail" 2/2/1877 - account from T. Longstaff - wholesale and retail druggist 8/81877 - salary slip for M.D. Hamilton 21/1/1877 - account from Ballarat Star Newspaper office 9/2/1877 - account for petty cash from W.H. Barnard 7/2/1877 - account from S.C. Steele - Ballarat Fine Art Gallery 13/2/1877 account from R.T. Vale - Bookseller, Stationer and News Agent 8/2/1877 - account from Joseph Flude 13/1/1877 - account from William Johnson, Chemist 9/1877 - account to J. Flude from William Johnson, Chemist, 3 accounts 2/11/1876 to 23/1/1877 - account from A.N. Leiman 1/3/1877 - account from Bateman, Clark and company 8/3/1877 - salaray payment to M.D. Hamilton 8/3/1877 - salary payment to J. Ashley 9/3/1877 - statement from Post Office Ballarat (one shilling - for the first years rent of telegraph line on school premises) 1/2/1877 - statement from Mining and commercial stationer - J.W. Niven Dec.1876 to 15/2/1877 - account from R.T. Vale - Bookseller, Stationer, and News agent 1/1877 - statement from C.W. Thomas 8/3/1877 - petty cash account from W.H. Barnard 9/3/1877 - account from R. Gibbings - Livery and Letting Stables and carriage repository 28/2/1877 - account from Charles J. Evans - Stationer, Lithographic printer etc. 9/3/1877 - receipt from M.D. Hamilton 31/3/1877 - account from Ballarat Star and The Miner 2/1877 - receipt from Joseph Flude 8/3/1877 - receipt from F.J. Ashley 28/3/1877 salary statement from John Victor 28/4/1877 - salary statement from John A. Sharp 28/3/1877 - receipt from Joseph Flude 26/3/1877 - receipt from T.Schmidt - Lecturer 12/3/1877 - receipt from C.H. Walker 6/4/1877 - account from Mr. Ellery 27/4/1877 - account from A. M. Leiman 31/3/1877 - account from W.M. Gooch, General news and advertising agent 6/3/1877 - statement from London Remittances 12/4/1877 - salary payment to M.D. Hamilton 1877 - receipt from W.H. Barnard 1/4/1877 - account from Parkinson and company, City nightmen and van proprietors 5/4/1877 - account from William McCulloch and company, General carriers 11/4/1877 - account from S. Steele, Draper 31/3/1877 - account from Charles J. Evans, Stationer etc. 1/4/1877 - account from James Curtis - Caxton Printing Works 4/1877 - receipt from W.H. Barnard 8/3/1877 to 12/4/1877 - petty cash receipt from W.H.Barnard 12/4/1877 - receipt from C. Flude 31/3/1877 - receipt for Sir Redmond Barry for 13 pounds 10 shillings 1/1877 - receipt from Alphonse Ausaldie 1/3/1877 - 30/4/1877 - account from Joseph Flude 9/5/1877 - account from Henry Costin - Machinery Merchant 31/1/1877 to 3/5/1877 - Ballarat Gas Company 13/6/1877 - receipt to Ballarat Gas Company 9/5/1877 - salary slip to M.D. Hamilton 11/5/1877 - account for stationary from C. Flude, Registrar 23/3/1877 - account from Edmund Donelly 1/5/1877 - account from Charles J. Evans, Stationer etc. 9/4/1877 - account from W.M. Gooch, News and advertising agent 30/4/1877 - account from The Ballarat Star and The Miner 13/4/1877 - account from T. Longstaff, wholesale and retail druggist 30/4/1877 - account from Echuca railway station 1/5/1877 - account from Cornell and King, Chemists 11/5/1877 - salaray slip for C. Flude 11/5/1877 - petty cash account to the Registrar, W.H. Barnard 2/5/1877 - account from William McCulloch and co.,general carriers 5/1877 - account from William Willis and co. Locksmiths etc. 1/5/1877 - account from Joseph Flude 6/6/1877 - account from Henry Morham 31/5/1877 - account from Charles J. Evans, Stationer and Printer etc. 14/6/1877 - salary payment to M.D. Hamilton 15/6/1877 - salary payment to C. Flude 15/6/1877 - receipt from M.D. Hamilton 1/6/1877 - account from James Curtis, Caxton Printing Works 31/1/1877 - Ballarat Gas company account 23/8/1877 - receipt from Ballarat Gas company 15/6/1877 - receipt from The National Insurance Company of Aust., Ballarat Branch 1/6/1877 - account from The Ballarat Courier 3/1877 - receipt from L.M. Cook 1/6/1877 - account from J.McHutchison, Bookbinder 10/5/1877 to 14/6/1877 - petty cash account 17/5/1877 - account from William McCulloch and co., general carriers 15/6/1877 - account from T. Longstaff, Wholesale and retail Druggist 1/5/1877 - account from H. Hunt, Builder 4/1877 - receipt from John Victor 3/7/1877 - receipt from J.Alex Sharp 15/6/1877 - receipt from Sir Redmond Barry to Revenue and Pay Office 26/6/1877 - receipt from M. Shaw, Lecturer 25/6/1877 - receipt from Joseph Flude 23/6/1877 - receipt from S.Schmidt 6/1877 - account from W.M. Gooch, general news and advertising agent for Argus newspapers 6/1877 - account from the Proprietors of the Evening Post 21/6/1877 - account from John F. Paten, "Avoca Mail" and general printing office 14/6/1877 - account from Ballarat Star and The Miner Newspaper office 30/6/1877 - account from Ballarat Star Newspaper office 2/7/1877 - account from R.T. Vale, News Agent 19/6/1877 account for railway fare and personal expenses 23/5/1877 - account from William Johnson, Chemist 1/7/1877 - account from Henry Brind, Chemist and Family Pharmacist 2/7/1877 - account from Cornell and King, Druggists and Chemists 12/7/1877 - salary slip to M.D. Hamilton 14/7/1877 - salary slip to C. Flude 14/6/1877 - 12/7/1877 petty cash account from W.H. Barnard 16/6/1877 - account from William McMulloch and Co., general carriers 1/7/187 - account from Parkinson and Co., City Nightmen and Van Proprietors 1/6/1877 to 30/6/1877 - account from Joseph Flude 1/8/1877 - receipt to Victoria Fire and Marine Insurance Company 21/7/1877 - account to Brush and Drummond, Importers and Manufacturing Jewellers 11/7/1877 - account from Charles J. Evans, Printer etc. 31/7/1877 - account from The Ballarat Star Newspaper Office 1/8/1877 - account from James Curtis, Caxton Printing Works 7/71877 - account from W.M. Gooch, Advertising Agent 7/1877 - account from Hugh Gray and Son, Mechanists and Philosophical Instrument Makers 13/8/1877 - account from Ballarat Gas Company redmond barry, joseph flude, hall of commerce, george crocker, ballarat star, the miner, bank of new zealand, daniel brophy, james curtis, caxton printing works, mcdonald plumbers and gas fitters, mcvitty and co, j. mchutchison, bookbinder, niven, john warrington rogers, henry bland, rivett henry bland, telegraphy, ellery, r.t. vale, richard vale, w. johnson analytical chemist st kilda, judge warrington rogers, art gallery of ballarat, henry richards caselli, h. hunt, ballarat school of mines botanical gardens, henry caselli, charles flude, ballarat star news, john armstrong

Taken in approximately 1930, this photograph depicts the ruins of Rosehill Dairy. A woman stands beside the ruins, observing them solemnly. The owner of this once prominent dairy, John Brewer, was born in Cornwall, England in 1832. After coming to Australia in 1849, Brewer worked in various forms of livestock transportation. Upon hearing of the vast discovery of gold in Victoria's north-east, he engaged in mining in the Ovens Goldfield district before starting his own dairy on Wooragee road (now Old Wooragee road). The Wooragee Valley, approximately five kilometres north of Beechworth, was used extensively during the nineteenth century to build farming practices in the area, possessing eighteen farms by 1860. Brewer enjoyed a prosperous career in the dairy industry, personally delivering milk to the residents of Beechworth. He died on the thirteenth of August 1915, a few weeks shy of his eighty-third birthday. As this photograph is dated approximately fifteen years later, it can be assumed that the dairy fell into neglect following his death. This photograph is historically significant as it provides insight the development of the dairy industry in Beechworth in the second half of the nineteenth century.Black and white square photograph printed on matte photographic paper Reverse: 1997.2912 / John Brewers / Rosehill / Dairy / top of the 'rising sun' /john brewer, 1930 beechworth, rosehill dairy, dairy industry beechworh, dairy factories beechworth, dairying, dairy farm beechworth, wooragee road, wooragee valley, old wooragee road, dairy farm ruins

Believed to have been taken sometime between 1858 and 1908, featuring a man with moustache, dressed in hat and long riding coat, seated on a bob-tailed horse, is stopped in the middle of a wide dirt road in Beechworth. He is outside a row of businesses, including R.McKenzie & Sons Grain Store and Mackenzie Family Store (Wholesale & Retail Est. 1855), along a sloping hill. Behind the main rider are a parked horse and laden two-wheeled cart backed up directly outside the grain store's verandah, and another man is driving a horse and four-wheeled wagon forward towards them. At the bottom of the hill is a bridge (Newtown Bridge) with forked road on the far side, leading to a number of houses on both sides of another hill. This image is looking down Bridge Street, Newtown, Beechworth and across to Ford Street (left) and High Street (right). Road-making was a focus of town development during the 1850s, and the wide streets were created on the instructions of the surveyor-general to be between sixty-six and ninety-nine feet wide to give the town a pleasing aspect.This photograph is important in showing the development and expansion of the various businesses and buildings in Bridge Street of Newtown, Beechworth. Black and white rectangular photograph printed on paperReverse: 6980/ PH 118/ 1998.00059/beechworth, new town, newtown, newtown beechworth, local business, mackenzie family store, mackenzie's family store, mackenzie, grain store, bridge, ford steet, high street, colonial australia, australian gold rushes, mining technology, beechworth historic district, indigo gold trail, migration, indigo shire, mckenzie and sons grainstore, mckenzie family store, mckenzie, newtown bridge

Taken in the 1990s, this photograph depicts a line of historically restored shopfronts on Ford Street, Beechworth, with Beechworth Bazaar in the foreground and George Gammon's Chemist and Druggist adjacent to it.This photograph is of social significance to the Beechworth community in depicting the Street of Shops, the creation of curator, Roy Harvey, which opened in 1979 at Burke Museum. According to the Indigo Shire Council webpage for Burke Museum, this addition 'began a new period of collecting with Roy Harvey calling to the community for donations. The response resulted in an influx of material adding to the town history/ development and local identities collections. The Shops and their contents reflect another period in museology.' This photograph evokes the historic shopfronts of Beechworth Bazaar and George Gammon's Chemist and Druggist from the Street of Shops, which were established during the mid-1850s on the back of gold mining wealth. The expansion of banks within Beechworth also stimulated the local economy.Colour rectangular photograph printed on gloss photographic paper.Obverse: BEECHWORTH BAZAAR est. 1855/ CHINA GLASSWARE SILVERPLATE EARTHENWARE/ ?ESTER HO?E/ R.?ALL. ? LT.LITTLEWOO?/ SINGLEMAN & RIEDLE GEORGE GAMMON/ MEDICAL GALVANISM/ CUPPING/ TEETH EXTRACTED/ CHEMIST & DRUGGIST Reverse: 3. 3055 burke museum, beechworth, beechworth bazaar, 19th-century victorian history, beechworth historic shops, burke museum, promoting settlement, marketing and retailing, living in country towns, making regional centres, preserving traditions and commemorating, victorian gold rush towns, beechworth pioneers, 1850s beechworth

Taken in the 1990’s, the photograph depicts an exhibition in Beechworth featuring a series of shop fronts or a streetscape inspired by the 1850s gold rush to Beechworth. Gold was discovered in the Beechworth area in 1852, leading to a significant rush to the area as diggers and hopeful migrants alike hoped to strike it rich. This gold rush to Beechworth, which was part of a larger and prolonged gold rush to the Victorian colony in the 1850’s, led to significant communal, social, and economic shifts in the area and the colony.This photograph contains historical and social significance, connecting with several themes such as gold mining, making regional centres, and marking significant phases of development for Victoria’s towns. The gold rush of the 1850’s was a significant historical phase for the Victorian colony that led to widespread social, economic, and communal changes as the population of the colony nearly tripled in size. The rush to Beechworth after the discovery of gold in 1852 was one of the earliest gold finds. The photograph depicts an interpretation of store fronts in Beechworth during the 1850’s following the gold rush, providing an example of the historical interpretation of the Beechworth gold rush in the 1990’s. The photograph also demonstrates the enduring importance of Beechworth’s gold rush history to the local community, who continued to demonstrate an interest in the Beechworth gold rush. Colour rectangular photograph printed on photographic paper.Obverse: DANCING EVERY NIGHT 8 P.M-6 A.M/ GOLD DIGGERS ARMS HOTEL/ STAR (illegible)/ SALOON/ EST. 1853/ BEECHWORTH GOLD (illegible)/ J. DAVIDSON/ LICENSE/ BANK OF VICTORIA/ GOLD BUYING OFFICE/ EST. 1856 (illegible) Reverse: 3306 gold rush, beechworth, exhibition, victorian colony, shops, store fronts, streetscape, saloon, gold buyer, hotel, store, bank of victoria, j. davidson

This photograph was taken in 1999 at 'The Harvest' exhibition at the Burke Museum for members of Baking Industry Victoria. The grain mill, manufactured by B.M. Purshouse in Wolverhampton, England, was of special interest.This photograph is of primary social significance to the Beechworth community because it depicts a 19th-century grain mill, manufactured by B.M. Purshouse in Wolverhampton, England, which was probably used at flour mills in the Ovens District, such as that at Tarrawingee, which opened in 1866. The purchase of agricultural machinery such as the grain mill accompanied the expansion of agriculture, including grain growing, in the Ovens District following the gold mining prosperity of the 1850s. This photograph may be of interest to researchers who wish to observe an image of the Purshouse grain mill.Colour rectangular photograph printed on matte AGFA photographic paper.Obverse: THE HARVEST / THE HARVEST Reverse: 2854beechworth, burke museum, promoting settlement, living in country towns, making regional centres, preserving traditions and commemorating, farming and agriculture, exhibitions, burke museum exhibitions, building local economies, transforming land, victorian agricultural history, marketing and promoting agricultural products, the harvest exhibition, harvests, victorian gold rush towns, grain mill, bm purshouse, crops and grain, baking industry victoria

Taken in the 1990's, this photograph depicts a row of shop fronts in the 'Street of Shops' exhibition in the Burke Museum in Beechworth. This exhibition was created and opened in 1979 and was intended to reflect and imitate a historic peirod in the town's past. The time period decpicted is that of the Gold Rush which swept through many Victorian towns from the 1850's onwards. For the town of Beechworth, the gold rush began in 1852, when gold was discovered in Spring Creek, drawing in many new residents seeking to make a fortune and transforming a once remote town into a bustling centre brimming with hope and opportunity. By 1857, the town contained over 200,000 residents and with this, the need for more amenities and intsitutions arose. Multiple churches, banks, schools, shops, hospitals and other essential buildings appearing over the years. The wealth acquired through the gold rush is largely responsible for the vast development of the town and many of its significant buildings which still remain to this day. This photograph also highlights the significance of this type of exhibition, providing a new mode of experiencing and learning about the past. The street depicts the many supporting trades and industries that arose from the mass migration during the gold rush. The creation of the Street of Shops in 1979 was envisioned by Roy Harvey who was the curator at the time, with the intention of recreating an authentic feel to the environment while collecting from the community to accurately portray the multiculturalism that is ingrainded in many towns and communities of Victoria. This photograph contains historical significance as it relates to and portrays an especially important period of time within Beechworth and Victoria's history. The gold rush phenomena ushered in a wave of hope and prosperity for citizens and immigrants alike. It provided many with the opportunity to strike it rich, while the town prospered and grew in many ways. This widespread development that accompanied the gold rush occured throughout Victoria and holds great historical importance when recording the social, economic and communal developments that occured throughout the time period which gave way to the beloved towns and communities we know today. Beechworth itself is acknowledged as Victoria's best-preserved gold mining town and deserves recognition of its significance. it also showcases the great significance of social develpment and globalization that occured throughout the state during this period. Coloured rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper and unmounted. Obverse: Dancing every night 8pm-6am [mirror] / Gold Diggers Arms Hotel façade / Star / Beechworth Gold / J. Davidson / Saloon Reverse: 3306 beechworth, burke museum, street of shops, gold rush, indigo shire gold rush, 1850s beechworth, burke museum exhibitions, saloon, gold buyer, hotel, historical streetscape, gold rush immigration

Galena Chalcopyrite is the earth's primary ore of lead and is mined from a large number of deposits in many countries. It is also an important source of silver. Galena Chalcopyrite is one of the most abundant and widely distributed sulfide minerals across the world. The mineral is found in igneous and metamorphic rocks in medium- to low-temperature hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen was recovered from the mines in Broken Hill, New South Wales. The mines in Broken Hill were first established after Charles Rasp discovered a large amount of silver-lead-zinc ore-body in the area in 1883. BHP (Broken Hill Proprietary) mining company was then established in 1885 and quickly became the lead in Australia's mining industry after they began excavating and exporting the country's largest amount of lead, silver, and zinc. This feat generated over $100 billion in wealth for the company.Galena Chalcopyrite is signifiant as it represents the catalyst for the rise of Australia's most influential mining companies - BHP. The mineral was one of the first to be mined in the country and after being made into lead, was used for a variety of things such as paint, batteries, ammunition, and plumbing materials before it was known to be harmful to humans. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study. A grey, solid hand-sized lead sulfide mineral with a silver metallic luster.burke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, galena, galena chalcopyrite, chalcopyrite, broken hill, bhp, bhp mining, broken hill mine, mine, australia mine, lead, lead mine

This particular specimen was recovered from the Lal Lal Coal and Iron Mine in Victoria, 19km from Ballarat. Brown Coal was discovered here in 1857, just alongside the Geelong to Ballarat Railway line. This discovery of lignite (brown coal) was the first in Victoria, which would bring important benefits to the region and state, both of which had previously been reliant on coal imports. In the 1860s, iron ore was found just 5km from Lal Lal, and the area was converted into an Iron Ore Mine. The Lal Lal Iron Mining Company took over operations in 1874, who then peaked iron production in 1884. This mine continued operations until June 1884, when the blast furnace was extinguished and never recommenced. The blast furnace at Lal Lal is considered one of the most important and highly significant sites ion early industrial history in Australia, as it is the only remaining best furnace from the nineteenth century in the Southern Hemisphere. The furnace ruins are 17 metres high, and are clearly visible today on Iron Mine Road, Lal Lal, near the Bungal Dam. This specimen of Lignite (brown coal) is significant, as it was mined from the area where brown coal was first discovered in Victoria, leading to an important and controversial future of the mining and use of brown coal in this State. The Victorian Heritage Database has listed the Lal Lal Coal Mine with local significance, with their Statement of Significance stating: "The Lal Lal coal mine is historically significant as the site of the first discovery of lignite (brown coal) in Victoria, and one that promised important benefits to regional and state industries that were reliant on coal imports at the time. The significance of the stie is reduced by the poor state of preservation of the coal mining and processing fabric". This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A hand-sized light-weight, soft and combustable sedimentary rock specimen, that is dark brown in colour. The specimen has jagged edges, as though parts of the rock have crumbled away. Brown coal, or Lignite, is formed naturally from compressed peat, and is typically found in natural basins. The stages to the formation of coal ('coalification') begin with plant material and wood, which will decay if it is not subjected to deep burial or heating, and turn into Peat. Peat, when sufficiently compressed naturally, will turn into Brown Coal (Lignite), and finally into Black Coal (sub-bituminous, bituminous and anthracite). Each successive stage has a higher energy content and lower water content. It is brownish-black in colour. Brown Coal has a high moisture content, between 50 and 75 percent, and a low carbon content. Some Brown Coals may be stratified, with layers of plant matter, which means little coalification has occurred beyond the peat natural processing stage. When Brown Coal is submerged in dilute nitric acid or boiling potassium hydroxide solution, it reacts to produce a reddish solution, of which higher-ranked coals do not. When brown coal is pulverised and burned in boilers, the steam is used to drive turbines, which generates electricity. It is the lowest rank of coal, as when burned, it creates a relatively low heat content, which in turn does not create a great output of steam. burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geological, geological specimen, mineralogy, brown coal, brown coal specimen, lignite, lal lal, lal lal coal mine, lal lal iron mine, ballarat, blast furnace

This specimen originated from Mount Lyell on the west coast of Tasmania, where a large group of open cut and underground copper-silver-gold mines began operating in 1883. Between 1893-1994, the Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Company were responsible for operations. The Mt Lyell copper-gold mines produce some excellent crystallised specimens of chalcopyrite and other minerals. The deposits are generally considered to be of Cambrian volcanic origin, but there are indications of Devonian granitic influence on the ores, plus local remobilisation during Devonian deformation. Over 120 million tonnes of ore was produced from several workings, including the main Prince Lyell mine and the North Lyell mine, which was also of great importance. The Mount Lyell mines have a long history of human and environmental disasters, including the 1912 North Lyell fire that killed 42 miners, and two separate incidents in 2013 in which three people lost their lives. The environmental impacts from this complex of mines are extensive, with waste tailings and heavy metal contamination flowing directly into the King and Queen River catchments. In 1954, the eminent Australian historian, Geoffrey Blainey, published 'The Peaks of Lyell' which delves into the history of the 1912 North Mount Lyell Disaster.Chalcopyrite does not contain the most copper in its structure relative to other minerals, but it is the most important copper ore since it can be found in many localities and occurs in a variety of ore types. The brassy-yellow colours in Chalcopyrite mean it is often confused with pyrites and gold, leading to use of the term, "fool's gold." Chalcopyrite has been the primary ore of copper since smelting began five thousand years ago. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.This hand sized solid mineral specimen has shades of brass-yellow with spots of iridescent green-black tarnish. Chalcopyrite is a copper iron sulphide mineral and a major ore of copper common in sulphide veins and disseminated in igneous rocks. Chalcopyrite has a hardness of 3.5-4 on the Mohs Scale. It is a member of the tetragonal crystal system and has metallic lustre and opaque transparency.burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geology, geological specimen, chalcopyrite, copper pyrites, copper mining, tasmanian geology, mount lyell, mount lyell mines, fools gold, mohs scale, crystals, minerals, historical geological collection, victorian geological survey, a.r.c selwyn, gold rush, van diemans land

This specimen is from Broken Hill, NSW. Galena is a natural mineral form of lead sulphide and is often found associated with sphalerite, calcite, and fluorite. Galena is an important lead ore mineral, and, in some regions, it is also an important mineral associated with silver ore. Sphalerite is a sulphide mineral that is the main ore of zinc. Rhodonite is an uncommon mineral once used as an ore of manganese in India, however today the scarcity and fragility of the crystals mean it is primarily used as lapidary materials or mineral specimens. In 1883, Charles Rasp who was a boundary rider at the time, discovered what he thought were deposits of tin but were in fact samples of silver and lead. He and six others went on to set up the first mining company in Broken Hill (BHP). The ore body became the largest and richest of its kind in the world mining ore worth more than 42,000 pounds in its first year. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study. Galena contains lead and silver, Sphalerite contains zinc. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A hand-sized piece of Sphalerite and Galena with Rhodonite crystalsburke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, galena, rhodonite, sphalerite, silver ore, manganese, lead sulphide, lead ore, zinc ore, lapidary, mineral specimen, broken hill, nsw

Coorongite is a dark, rubber-like, highly resilient structureless algal deposit. In the Coorong district of South Australia it occurs in moderate quantities associated with the coastal swamps and sand dunes which extend for a considerable distance east of the mouth of the Murray. This particular specimen was recovered from the south of the Coorong River, South Australia. A type of sediment rich in organic matter, Coorongite is the unlithified end-member of the sapropelic coal series. The members of the sapropelic coal series can be ranked in order as sapropel (the unlithified form), sapropelic-lignite, and sapropelic-coal (the lithified forms) based on increasing carbon content and decreasing volatile content. Sapropel (Coorongite) is an unlithified dark, pulpy, fine organic mud containing concentrations of algae and miospores that are more or less identifiable. Coorongite is typically found as an algae like substance, that can be found in irregular size pieces. Coorongite was believed to be dried up oil due to its rubber-like texture. The Coorongite is also soft to the point where it can be cut into with a knife or it can be broken and torn by hand. Otherwise known as 'Kurangk', the Coorong River is home to the Ngarrindjeri people, which acts as both a place for gathering food and a spiritual place. In 1852 the first sight of Coorongite was found along the Coorong River. The finders mistook the Coorongite for dried up oil, which lead to the belief that there were oil reserves under the Coorong River. Between the 1860s and the 1930s the Coorong River became a place where mining oil and Coorongite became precedent. Nowadays, the local council and the South Australian Government are working together with the Ngarrindjeri people to sustain and preserve the Coorong River and the culture that is with it. Soon after gold was discovered in 1851, Victoria’s Governor La Trobe wrote to the Colonial Office in London, urging ‘the propriety of selecting and appointing as Mineral Surveyor for this Colony a gentleman possessed of the requisite qualifications and acquaintance with geological science and phenomena’. Alfred Selwyn was appointed geological surveyor in Australia in 1852 which began the Geological Survey of Victoria. Selwyn went on to collect geological samples and catalogue thousands of specimens around Australia. In 1853-69 the Geological Survey issued under Selwyn's direction sixty-one geological maps and numerous reports; they were of such high standard that a writer in the Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London bracketed the survey with that of the United States of America as the best in the world. During his years spent in Australia, Selwyn collected numerous significant geological specimens, examples of which are held in collections such as the Burke Museum.Coorongite is considered to be a mineral with a unique texture, where it can be both hard and soft. Coorongite can also be considered to be a rare mineral, as it is only located along the Coorong River and due to the mining of it, has left very few sources. It was believed at one point that Coorongite could be used to replace oil. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.Three solid varyingly hand-sized pieces of wooden appearing organic matter derived from the river in the Coorong District in South Australia. A rubber-like, highly resilient structureless algal deposit.Specimen 245 page 69 / in Descriptive Register / "Elcestic Bitumen, / Coorangite" South of / Coorung River, South Australia . / C. WIllman / 15/4/21burke museum, beechwoth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geological, geological specimen, mineraology, coorong, coorong river, kurangk, ngarrindjeri, south australia, coorongite, coorongite specimen

This rectangle black and white photograph shows a bush scene with part of a suspension rope and wooden plank bridge visible in the middle of the image. It is likely this suspension bridge was used by the Tannery workers to move between the town and the Ovens Tannery located South-West of Beechworth due to its secluded bush location, the bridge likely spanned the gorge across Spring creek. The tannery itself was located alongside Gimlet Creek, about three kilometres from town, down what is now known as Malakoff and Old Tannery Road but which at the time was remote and accessed through bushland. The Ovens tannery was stablished in 1858 by Matthew Dodd and Hallahan and later Matthew and his brother Thomas Dodd in 1866 who developed it over the years. According to Doyle, 'we have little information about its early operations except the tannery itself comprised four small buildings' by 1870 ‘a small village with gardens of vines and fruit trees surrounded the tannery’ (Woods, 121), and by 1887 the Tannery employed fifteen men. The Ovens tannery was among several new businesses establishing themselves such as a foundry that brought industrial manufacturing alongside the developing township and which strengthened the economic stability of Beechworth after the receding mining surge. According to Woods (p. 121) in the 1860’s the government spent considerable sums to establish several public buildings such as the Benevolent Asylum, the Hospital and Insane Asylum to support those in need of care in the area directly after the Indigo gold rush which had left Beechworth, a fairly remote regional and newly formed township (Gold was first discovered in Beechworth in 1852) with a number of infirm and destitute people in its wake and which due to the support and establishment of these facilities ‘made Beechworth a significant social welfare centre in Victoria’ (Woods, p. 121). The tannery provided employment and connected the regional centre with other parts of Victoria and the wider colonial outposts and would have been a welcome opportunity for those seeking work after gold was no longer a source of income.A good example of the ingenuity of regional settlers to achieve what would have been a difficult and remote construction of a bridge as a means of access. This bridge is evidence of planning and forethought and shows dedication to establishing a life in a remote landscape.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on paperreverse: / 2983 / / BMM2983 /black and white photograph, bush, suspension bridge, rope bridge, tannery, spring creek, ovens tannery, bushland, gimlet creek, matthew dodd, beechworth