Thomas Briggs was a pioneer of the Tawonga District. He worked on his parent's farm, selling goods, droving pigs and travelling to Yackandandah and Bright. He worked with pick and shovel on the Tawonga to Bright Road in 1902. He took up 320 acres of wild forest in Tawonga at 10 cents per acre per year for 20 years. He built a slab and shingle hut and a boundary fence. In 1886 he married Annie Maria Platt parenting 5 sons and 2 daughters until Annie died in 1953, aged 86 years.Thomas Briggs was a pioneer living in the Kiewa Valley with his parents and then with wife and family. This article is a history of his life from 1862 until 1887. See KVHS 0850 for information on the dray used to make the Tawonga Gap road - owned by John Briggs.Newspaper article Page 34 Border Morning Mail, Saturday, March 5, 1988 - Thomas Briggs Born 3rd Nov. 1862 who lived with his family at Upper Gundowring. His travels in the area including the Tawonga Gap and its construction in 1902 and his taking up of land in Tawonga in 1880. The article finishes in 1887 when he married Annie Maria Platt. The Thos Briggs story continues next week.thomas briggs; tawonga; kiewa valley; annie platt

The Bright-Tawonga Road was built in 1896, connecting the Ovens and Kiewa valleys. The article gives an description of the event.The Bright - Tawonga road connected Tawonga to the larger town of Bright and the closest railway service. This road provided the Upper Kiewa Valley with access to larger markets, alternative transport and increased facilities not available in the Kiewa Valley in the early, pre SEC days. It describes how roads were built in 1896 with little machinery. The KVHS has in its collection the dray used to help build the road. One page article from the 'Shire News' dated 19th March 1996bright-tawonga road, road works, kiewa valley, ovens valley, dray

A postcard in a series produced by the Rose Stereograph Company in Victoria, Australia as a souvenir of Marysville.A black and white photograph of the view of the surrounding hills from Nichol's Lookout which is on the Marysville-Wood's Point road near Marysville in Victoria. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton.POST CARD The "Rose" Series/ De Luxe A Real Photograph/ Produced in Australia Published by the Rose Stereograph Co.,/ Armadale, Victoria. "The Falls"/ Marysville/ Monday Dear Mrs Wilson. Just a line to let you know/ I'm here by Dr's advice. He advised me/ to get extended leave. I'm suffering from/ blood pressure so have to go slow-no/ walking-Ugh-a bitter pill to swallow/ in these glorious surroundings. However/ I'm feeling much better and hope on my/ return (Saturday) to be able to resume duty/ I trust you and yours are well, Your loving/ friend A Butler. Quite/ an imposing/ hotel now/ stands at/ Keppel's/ Corner./ A.B.nicol's lookout, lookout, marysville, victoria, p. 2324, rose series postcard, postcard, souvenir, yarra track, mining, wood's point

A postcard in a series produced by the Rose Stereograph Company in Victoria, Australia as a souvenir of Marysville.A black and white photograph of the Wood's Point Road in Marysville , Victoria. This is now known as the Marysville-Wood's Point Road. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton.POST CARD REAL PHOTO THE "ROSE" SERIES DE LUXE PRODUCED IN AUSTRALIA Published by "The Rose Stereographer"/ Sydney and Melbourne.wood's point road, marysville-wood's point road, marysville, victoria, p. 10201, rose series postcard, postcard, souvenir, yarra track, mining, wood's point, warburton

An early black and white photograph of the old ford in Marysville, Victoria.An early photograph of the bridge at the end of the main street in Marysville which is near the Buxton-Marysville Road and the Marysville-Wood's Point Road intersection. The Marysville-Buxton Road joins the Maroondah Highway which leads to Alexandra. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. This photograph was published by the Valentine Publishing Co Pty. Ltd as a souvenir of Marysville.marysville, victoria, valentine publishing co, souvenir, buxton-marysville road, marysville-wood's point road, maroondah highway, alexandra, yarra track, mining

photographed outside the Birregurra Railway Station 5 coaches and horses preparing for the trip to Lornebiregurra railway station, horses and dray, horse drawn coaches

This letter was sent by a customer D. Menzies at Skipton to the Mortlake Mill, detailing an unusual payment method for the processing of his wheat into flour. David Menzies was a Scots farmer who lived in Skipton c. 1860's on a bend in the Mount Emu Creek. He helped establish the local school and a lane in the township bears his name. The letter illustrates the nature of commerce and the difficulties of communication and life generally in the country at the time. The bluestone Mortlake Mill built in 1856, has been a prominent landmark in Mortlake for over 150 years. It played a significant role in the commercial life of the town and was initially a wind-mill to process district grain for sale. The goldrush at Ararat 100 km. away led to a temporarily increased population and demand for foodstuffs. In 1857 the Mill was sold to Aikman, Hamilton and Geddes who converted it to steampower and later built the prominent chimney, which is on the Heritage Register as part of the National Estate. D. Menzies at Skipton lived at least 85 km away - his wheat which urgently needed milling, faced a slow and arduous journey by bullock dray. After the demise of the Ararat goldfields and the decline in population (as well as the district soils proving unsuitable for sustained wheat cultivation), the operation of the Mill declined too and the proprietors increased their involvement in other activities - supply of building materials, timber felling and sawmills. Despite the apparent difficulties of conducting business in the 1850's, it is notable that commerce thrived at that time in country districts, as an examination of Mill accounts and records show.Handwritten letter dated 1864 (water-stained)Skipton March 7 1864 [to] Messrs. Hamilton & Co. Mortlake. Dear Gentlemen, I was in hope of hearing from you before now that you had commenced working the Mill, & that I could have sent you the enclosed money [for a] load of wheat for Gristing. Please receive the enclosed 2 halves of 2 [two] 5 [pound sign] notes forwarded to your account. the other halves will be sent on receipt of your stating you having received those notes sent. As I am out of flour be so good as say how soon I may send a load of wheat. In haste I am Gentlemen Yours truly D. Menziesmortlake mill grain wheat hamilton geddes aikman laang dixie menzies skipton

An early colour tinted photograph of the intersection of the Buxton Marysville Road and the Marysville-Wood's Point Road.An early photograph of the Buxton Marysville Road and the Marysville-Wood's Point Road intersection. The Marysville-Buxton Road joins the Maroondah Highway which leads to Alexandra. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. On the right of the photograph can be seen 'The Crossways Hotel' which is circa 1920 and one of the oldest buildings still standing in Marysville. 'The Crossways Hotel' survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, through the efforts of the owner using buckets of water from the nearby Steavenson River. In the background can be seen the Poontawan Guest House which later became the Marysville Chalet Guest House which was on the site of the original Steavenson's Hotel. That guest house no longer exists and the Christ Church stands on the land where the guest house once stood. This photograph was published by the Valentine Publishing Co Pty. Ltd as a souvenir of Marysville.marysville, victoria, marysville chalet guest house, crossways hotel, christ church marysville, poontawan guest house, steavenson's hotel, valentine publishing co, souvenir, yarra track, wood's point road, mining, buxton-marysville road, marysville-wood's point road, maroondah highway, alexandra

An early black and white photograph of the old ford in Marysville, Victoria.An early photograph of the bridge at the end of the main street in Marysville which is near the Buxton-Marysville Road and the Marysville-Wood's Point Road intersection. The Marysville-Buxton Road joins the Maroondah Highway which leads to Alexandra. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. This photograph was published by the Valentine Publishing Co Pty. Ltd as a souvenir of Marysville.marysville, victoria, valentine publishing co, souvenir, buxton-marysville road, marysville-wood's point road, maroondah highway, alexandra, yarra track, mining

An early colour tinted photograph of the old ford in Marysville, Victoria. This photograph was published by the Valentine Publishing Co Pty. Ltd. as a souvenir of Marysville.An early photograph of the bridge at the end of the main street in Marysville which is near the Buxton-Marysville Road and the Marysville-Wood's Point Road intersection. The Marysville-Buxton Road joins the Maroondah Highway which leads to Alexandra. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. This photograph was published by the Valentine Publishing Co Pty. Ltd as a souvenir of Marysville.marysville, victoria, valentine publishing co, souvenir, buxton-marysville road, marysville-wood's point road, maroondah highway, alexandra, yarra track, mining

An early colour tinted photograph of Nicholl's Look-out near Marysville in Victoria. This photograph was published by the Valentine Publishing Co Pty. Ltd. as a souvenir of Marysville.An early colour tinted photograph of Nicholl's Look-out near Marysville in Victoria. This lookout is situated on the Marysville-Wood's Point Road. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. This photograph was published by the Valentine Publishing Co Pty. Ltd. as a souvenir of Marysville.marysville, victoria, valentine publishing co, souvenir, nicholl's look-out, mining, yarra track

An early black and white photograph of Nicholl's Look-out near Marysville in Victoria.An early black and white photograph of Nicholl's Look-out near Marysville in Victoria. This lookout is situated on the Marysville-Wood's Point Road. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. This photograph was published by the Valentine Publishing Co Pty. Ltd. as a souvenir of Marysville.marysville, victoria, valentine publishing co, souvenir, nicholl's look-out, mining, yarra track

An early black and white photograph of the view from Jock's Lookout of Marysville in Victoria. An early black and white photograph of the view from Jock's Lookout of Marysville in Victoria. Jock's Lookout is situated on the Marysville-Wood's Point Road. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. This postcard was published by the Valentine Publishing Co. Pty. Ltd. as a souvenir of Marysville.VALENTINE'S/ POST CARD/ A GENUINE PHOTOGRAPHjock's lookout, marysville, victoria, postcard, valentine publishing co, souvenir, marysville-wood's point road, yarra track, mining, warburton

An early black and white photograph of the view from Jock's Lookout of Marysville in Victoria.An early black and white photograph of the view from Jock's Lookout of Marysville in Victoria. Jock's Lookout is situated on the Marysville-Wood's Point Road. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. This postcard was published by the Valentine Publishing Co. Pty. Ltd. as a souvenir of Marysville.VALENTINE'S/ POST CARD/ A GENUINE PHOTOGRAPHjock's lookout, marysville, victoria, postcard, valentine publishing co, souvenir, marysville-wood's point road, yarra track, mining, warburton

An early black and white photograph of the view of Marysville in Victoria taken from Nicholl's Lookout.An early black and white photograph of the view of Marysville in Victoria taken from Nicholl's Lookout. This lookout is situated on the Marysville-Wood's Point Road. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. This postcard was published by the Valentine Publishing Co Pty. Ltd. as a souvenir of Marysville.VALENTINE'S/ POST CARD/ A GENUINE PHOTOGRAPHmarysville, nicholl's lookout, victoria, postcard, valentine publishing co, souvenir

An early black and white photograph of the view of Marysville taken from Nicholl's Lookout.An early black and white photograph of the view of Marysville taken from Nicholl's Lookout. Nicholl's Lookout is situated on the Marysville-Wood's Point Road. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. This photograph was produced by Murray Views in Gympie, Queensland as a souvenir of Marysville. nicholl's lookout, marysville, victoria, photograph, murray views, souvenir, marysville-wood's point road, yarra track, mining, warburton

An early colour photograph of the view of Marysville in Victoria taken from Nicholl's Lookout.An early colour photograph of the view of Marysville in Victoria taken from Nicholl's Lookout. Nicholl's Lookout is situated on the Marysville-Wood's Point Road. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. This postcard was produced by Nucolorvue Productions in Elwood, Victoria as a souvenir of Marysville.POST CARD NUCOLORVUE PRODUCTIONS, ELWOOD, VICTORIAnicholl's lookout, marysville, victoria, nucolorvue productions, postcard, souvenir, marysville-wood's point road, yarra track, mining, warburton

A black and white photograph of bullock teams at the Log Dump at on the Wood's Point Road.A black and white photograph of bullock teams at the Dump at on the Wood's Point Road. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. This postcard was produced by the Marysville Historical Society as a souvenir of Marysville.YESTERYEAR POSTCARDS AFFIX/ STAMP/ HERE BULLOCK TEAMS AT THE DUMP,/ WOODS POINT ROAD. C Marysville Historical Society, 1993marysville, bullock teams, woods point road, victoria, marysville historical society, postcard, souvenir, yesteryear postcards, marysville-wood's point road, yarra track, healesville, mining, timber mills, warburton

A colour photograph of the view of the mountains surrounding Marysville in Victoria from Nicholl's Lookout.A colour photograph of the view of the mountains surrounding Marysville in Victoria from Nicholl's Lookout. The mountains surrounding Marysville are known as the Mystic Mountains and Nicoll's Lookout is on the Marysville-Wood's Point Road. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. This postcard was produced by Nucolorvue Productions in Elwood, Victoria as a souvenir of Marysville.This postcard was produced by Nucolorvue Productions Pty. Ltd. as a souvenir of Marysville.NICHOLS LOOKOUT/ Marysville Victoria NU-COLOR-VUE/ AUSTRALIA'S NATIONAL POSTCARD COMPANY AFFIX/ STAMP/ HERE/ 17MA019/ NCV 9603 POSTCODE COPYRIGHT/ Nucolorvue Productions Pty. Ltd.,/ Telephone: (03) 560-1788/ Made in Australiamarysville, mystic mountains, nicholl's lookout, victoria, nucolorvue productions, postcard, souvenir, marysville-wood's point road, yarra track, healesville, mining, warburton

A colour photograph of the view of the mountains surrounding Marysville in Victoria from Nicholl's Lookout.A colour photograph of the view of the mountains surrounding Marysville in Victoria from Nicholl's Lookout. The mountains surrounding Marysville are known as the Mystic Mountains and Nicoll's Lookout is on the Marysville-Wood's Point Road. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. This postcard was produced by Nucolorvue Productions in Elwood, Victoria as a souvenir of Marysville.This postcard was produced by Nucolorvue Productions Pty. Ltd. as a souvenir of Marysville.NICHOLS LOOKOUT/ Marysville Victoria NU-COLOR-VUE/ AUSTRALIA'S NATIONAL POSTCARD COMPANY AFFIX/ STAMP/ HERE/ 17MA019/ NCV 9603 POSTCODE COPYRIGHT/ Nucolorvue Productions Pty. Ltd.,/ Telephone: (03) 560-1788/ Made in Australiamarysville, mystic mountains, nicholl's lookout, victoria, nucolorvue productions, postcard, souvenir, marysville-wood's point road, yarra track, healesville, mining, warburton

An early black and white bi-focal image of men and packhorses on the Marysville-Wood's Point Road in Marysville in Victoria.An early black and white bi-focal image of men and packhorses on the Marysville-Wood's Point Road in Marysville in Victoria. This is now known as the Marysville-Wood's Point Road. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton.Packhorses on Wood'spoint Road/ Marysville/ Victoriapackhorses, wood's point road, marysville-wood's point road, marysville, victoria, yarra track, healesville, wood's point goldfields, warburton

An early black and white photograph of the ceremonial re-opening of the Marysville-Wood's Point Road in 1924.An early black and white photograph of the ceremonial re-opening of the Marysville-Wood's Point Road in 1924. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton.F.J. Barton Family Collectionmarysville-wood's point road, marysville, wood's point goldfields, healesville, yarra track, warburton

An early black and white photograph of the ceremonial re-opening of the Marysville-Wood's Point Road in 1924.An early black and white photograph of the ceremonial re-opening of the Marysville-Wood's Point Road in 1924. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton.F.J. Barton Family Collectionmarysville-wood's point road, marysville, wood's point goldfields, healesville, yarra track, warburton

An early black and white photograph of the ceremonial re-opening of the Marysville-Wood's Point Road in 1924.An early black and white photograph of the ceremonial re-opening of the Marysville-Wood's Point Road in 1924. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton.F.J. Barton Family Collectionmarysville-wood's point road, marysville, wood's point goldfields, healesville, yarra track, warburton

An early black and white photograph which was taken after the ceremonial re-opening of the Marysville-Wood's Point Road in 1924. The date of 1923 on the photograph is incorrect.An early black and white photograph which was taken after the ceremonial re-opening of the Marysville-Wood's Point Road in 1924. The date of 1923 on the photograph is incorrect. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton.Official Opening of/ MARYSVILLE to WOODSPOINT RD/ 5th Feb, 1923marysville-wood's point road, marysville, wood's point goldfields, healesville, yarra track, warburton, the argus

Digital copy of colour photographfred mitchell collection, 1956, dray, mernda

The early settlers of Victoria depended on horse drawn vehicles to farm, make roads and railways, deliver produce and transport people. Horse harnesses were an important requisite for all drivers and could be found wherever there were working horses. Horse Harnesses have played an essential role in different cultures throughout history. Simple, utilitarian horse harnesses made of leather straps and iron rings were being used in early China before AD 500 as well as ancient Greece and Rome, allowing horses to pull chariots and ploughs. The Greeks and Romans were the first to use a "horse collar" which distributed the weight of the harness evenly across the horse's chest rather than relying on a "throat harness" that could damage a horse's throat or choke them. During the medieval period, European horse harnesses became more elaborate and decorative. Variations of different horse harnesses were also found in Native American and Middle Eastern cultures. Horse Harnesses usually have four basic components which include - 1. Communication - the bridle, bit and reins allows the driver to communicate instructions and commands to the horse, guiding its movement and direction. 2. Draft - the collar, hame straps, hames, traces and chains enables the horse to draw and pull the load efficiently by distributing the weight and transferring the pulling force to the vehicle. 3. Stopping - the breeching band, pole straps and breast strap helps to control or stabilise the horse and vehicle when moving downhill or stopping. 4. Support - the back pad, backband, belly band and back saddle keep the harness in the correct position and proper alignment. This show harness was used by Mr. Andy Bourke when showing his Clydesdales at shows or demonstrations. Although a more modern example with decorative embellishments, it still has many essential components traditionally found in an everyday working horse harness. The original purpose of the "housen" for example, was to run rain or drizzle off the horse's neck when they had to work in wet conditions - it was laid flat for this purpose on the top of the collar. Nowadays it is purely for show and is often used to advertise a business or stud. Horse brasses and fly terrets were fastened to various parts of a horse's harness. In the early days they probably began as amulets to ward off evil and to bring good luck and continued to be used as a festive decoration. The heyday of horse brasses was between the years 1851 and 1900. Horse brasses are fastened to various parts of the harness with many of their designs being symbolic. The ornamentation on this harness (although not authentic horse brasses) are based on the horse brasses that were popular in the 19th century. This horse harness is a significant example of the equipment that was needed wherever heavy horses were being used - particularly in the early years of Victoria's settlement by white settlers. Harnesses such as this example were used with stage coaches, drays, farming equipment, delivery carts and personal transportation.A leather and metal horse harness used when showing a Clydesdale (or other breed of heavy horse). It is made up of a number of components. 1. Decorative leather cart saddle with two large cloth pads underneath (which have a scalloped leather and stud border), a raised leather pommel and a silver and red coloured metal back strap holder across the top. It has two symmetrical sets of ornamentation (silver hearts and circles) in the front and a wide strap or girth (with a maker's stamp reading "R. Mitchell Saddler") and buckle which attaches the saddle to the horse. 2. Pair of steel hames which are gently curved (to fit on a horse collar) and are topped with steel knobs. They have several steel rings and lugs (to hold straps and chains) and a "Made in England Warranted Steel" stamp. 3. Breeching harness which consists of a number of leather straps, chains and metal rings including a wide padded leather strap with a scalloped edge that sits on the back of the horse and a thick leather strap that goes around the hind quarters of a horse which is joined to the back strap with four shorter vertical straps and buckles. These straps feature silver and red patent leather trim and silver heart shaped ornamentation. The strap also features the maker's stamp of "R. Mitchell". 4. Decorative leather bridle with blinkers featuring the same silver and red patent leather trim on the cheek piece, brow band and throatlatch. It has a stainless steel "Liverpool Driving Bit" with a curb chain, a variety of decorative silver ornaments (rosettes, diamonds plus a heart and two circles) on each end of the forehead band, dropper and strap as well as a silver metal bell (sometimes known as a "fly terret" or "swinger") that sits on the headpiece of the bridle. 5. Leather "violin shaped" dropper (or hanger) with two silver rosette shaped ornaments and a stainless steel clip on the top 6. Stainless steel "Liverpool Driving Bit" with a straight mouthpiece which is ribbed on one side. It has three rein spots (spaces) and a curb chain. 7. Leather arch shaped "Housen" covered in black and red patent leather and decorated with silver studs (some spelling out F H) and bordered with a red fringe. It has a leather strap at the back and two leather loops on the front. 8. Leather padded backband (Australian style "Stallion Draught Roller") decorated with two groups of nine metal "horse brasses" or harness ornaments displaying horseshoe, starburst and horse head designs on blue, red and white striped webbing. The backband has three notched straps at each end, a buckle near the centre and the initial B stamped in two places underneath. 9. Bellyband made of leather and red, white and blue striped webbing. It has a set of three buckles at each end (which correspond with the notched straps of the backband). 10. Wide, thick leather strap which has a buckle and notches at each end. It also has the maker's stamp of "R. Mitchell Saddler". 11.One pair of long leather traces - each with a buckle and notched loop at one end, decorated with a small silver diamond shaped harness ornament. 12. Length of stainless steel heavy duty chain with two swivel connectors.Saddle - "R.MITCHELL / SADDLER" Hames - "MADE IN ENGLAND / WARRANTED / STEEL" "MADE IN ENGLAND / WARRANTED / unclear" Breeching Straps - "R. MITCHELL / MAKER / R. MITCHELL MAKER" Housen - "F H" Backband "B / B' Wide leather strap - "R. MITCHELL / SADDLER"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, harness, horse harness, show harness, clydesdale horses, andy bourke, horse drawn cart, housen, bridle, hames, breeching straps, dropper, bit, liverpool bit, backband, harness ornamentation, bellyband, back saddle, fly terret

Pheasant Creek General Store and Post OfficeEarly photograph showing store and post office with owner passing mail to man with horse, while a man on dray talks to man with a dog.Photograph of Pheasant Creek General Store and Post Office taken c.1935post office, store, pheasant creek

This leather marking tool is rolled along leather to mark the spacing of stitches for smooth, even results. Early settlers and pioneers had to be self reliant and made and repaired their own equipment eg Saddles, reins, as well as wallets, pouches and bags. A leather working marking tool with a steel wheel and shaft and a carved wooden handle. craftwork, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, leather, tools, saddles, wallets, personal effects, horses, drays,