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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Container - Medicine Glass, W T & Co. (Whitall Tatum), late 1880's
This medicine glass was previously owned by Sybilla Margaret Kucks (1904-1978), daughter of Henry and Julia Kucks, and granddaughter of William and Sibilia Kucks. Sibilla was born in Warrnambool and lived there until 1917 when she moved to Armadale, Victoria, with her family. The medicine glass was among her effects left to her nephew William when she passed away and has been looked after by his wife Eva and treasured as a memento of their Warrnambool heritage. Mrs Sibilla Kucks sold sweets and fancy cakes in her Liebig Street shop from 1873 until the 1880s. She operated one of Warrnambool’s earliest dedicated confectionery shops at a time when sweets were more commonly found in a fruiterer’s shop. Her window display would have been full of brightly coloured sweets in shiny glass jars tempting passers-by. Sibilla (née Leyendecker) married Johann Wilhelm Kucks in New York, USA in 1856. Both were originally from Prussia. They sailed to Australia on the Ocean Rover and arrived in Melbourne June 10th, 1858. Seventeen days later their second child, William Jnr., was born. Warrnambool’s population was around 2,000 in 1859 when Sibilla and Johann (known as “William”) settled here. William was employed as a tailor by Cramond & Dickson. In 1859 the couple bought George Fergusson’s bakery in Timor Street and opened it as “W. Kucks Baker”. Along with fancy breads and biscuits, he advertised baked dinners to order. William supplied bread to the Warrnambool Hospital until the 1880s. In 1873 William built a row of four shops at 140-146 Liebig Street, one of which became Sibilla’s confectionery shop, and another was the new home to W. Kucks Baker. In 1877 William constructed a building in Liebig Street for the Warrnambool Steam Packet Company, which has since been incorporated into the Warrnambool Art Gallery. Its western wall shows to older construction and design. William and Sibilla had five other children. By 1896 their sons William Jnr. and Henry operated the business as “Messrs Kucks Bros., Bakers & Confectioners”. They employed six staff and used three carts for deliveries over a thirty-mile radius. They catered for clubs and functions including the Exhibitors’ Picnic Luncheon for the Warrnambool Industrial and Arts Exhibition (1896-7). In 1907 Messrs Kucks Bros. baked a monster Pyramid Cake for a local bazaar. It contained coins of various sizes and weighed 84lbs (38kg). Everyone buying a slice hoped to be lucky enough to end up with a coin! William Kucks Jnr. also became licensee of Terang’s ”Wheatsheaf Hotel”, its name and logo connecting it to the family’s bakery in Warrnambool. William (1825-1911) and Sibilla (1833-1910) Kucks and three of their seven children are buried at the Warrnambool Cemetery in a family grave. John Sambell migrated from England and established his chemist and dentist business in Warrnambool around 1890 in his premises in Fairy Street. The business later included his son Herbert. The maker, Whitall Tatum & Co, is clearly marked on the base of the bottle. The company was a a well known maker of prescription bottles. He used the brand "W. T. & Co. from Mid-1870's until the late 1880's, moulded into his glassware. This medicine glass is significant as one of very few remaining items from the history of John Sambell, chemist and dentist, Warrnambool. It is also significant as an example of medical equipment that has a design still used today. It is also significant for its association with William and Sibilla Kucks, a colonial family in Warrnambool that was greatly involved in the community and commerce of early days in Warrnambool.Medicine glass, (measuring glass or dose cup), clear glass, round. The antique chemist measuring glass is wide at the top and tapers to a narrow base. The glass has side seams and an uneven base. The glass has imperfections ans bubbles. The base is uneven. The measuring scale lines have been scored into the glass and the measurements and other inscriptions have been moulded into the glass. Glass is from J. Sambell, chemist and dentist in Warrnambool. On the back there is a measuring scale in tablespoons and teaspoons. There is also an inscription of the maker on the base. The glass was made in the late 1880's by Whitall Tatum & Co., America.Embossed within a round border "J. SAMBELL / CHEMIST / AND / DENTIST / WARRNAMBOOL" The scale on the back has "TABLE" "1" and "2", and "TEA" "8", "4", "2" and "1" The base has "W.T. & CO." around the edge.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, medicine glass, measuring glass, dose cup, medicine dispensing, medicine measurement, sambell pharmacy warrnambool, sambell chemist and dentist, warrnambool chemist, history of warrnambool, early 20th century chemist, john sambell, medical equipment, warrnambool medical services, kucks family in warrnambool, william and sibilla kucks descendant, mrs kucks' confectionery, william kucks baker, warrnambool dentist, herbert sambell, whitall tatum & co, w. t. & co., warrnambool steam packet, warrnambool art gallery -
Bendigo Military Museum
Memorabilia - HONOR to the AIF BADGE, C. 1918
Commemoration badge 25.4 1918Medallion, metal, silver colour, round with section at top with ring in, front has central depiction portrait of an AIF Soldier, rear has a central rectangular section with 3 x place names.On front face, “ HONOR to the AIF”, on rear around edge, “ANZAC Day 1918”, centre has “ Gallipoli , France, Palestine”medallions, honor to the aif, anzac day 1918 -
Essendon Football Club
VFL premiership medal in display box, 1901 (medal)
Medal was awarded to Bill Griffith as a member of the victorious Essendon premiership team in 1901; put into presentation case by Jack Griffith, Bill's sonCircular gold 1901 VFL premiership medal. Engraved "VFL" logo has been cut out in centre of circle leaving a thin border; "Essendon F. C." engraved on top part of border, "Premiers 1901" engraved on bottom part of border. Reverse has"Griffiths" [sic] engraved on top part of border. Medal has small loop at top which has a small metal ring through it; royal blue silk ribbon (not original) has been passed through ring. Medal is in a black leather case with clear plastic top, lined with grey suede, with a metal lock at front. Gold metal panel has been attached to bottom edge of case top with "Donated by Jack Griffith" in black letters. Two more gold metal plaques have been attached to glass from the inside with grey plastic tape; top plaque has "1901 premiership medallion" in black text, and bottom plaque has " "Griffith, William (Ess.) - 1899-1913" with details of his career in black text. Black and white photocopied photo of Griffith has been attached to bottom of case next to the medal. Key to the lock is also in the case.Engraved "VFL" logo has been cut out in centre of circle leaving a thin border; "Essendon F. C." engraved on top part of border, "Premiers 1901" engraved on bottom part of border. Reverse has"Griffiths" [sic] engraved on top part of border.griffith, bill; essendon football club, vfl premierships, premiership medals -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - BTPS Depot steel frame, mid 1972
Black and white photograph of the steel frame for the new Ballarat Tramway Preservation Society tram depot in Ballarat mid-1972. Trees are yet to be fully removed. See also items 4654, 3819 and 2203 for similar photographs. Has a bus in Gillies St in the background. Photographer and date unknown.Yields information about the construction of the BTPS depot, mid 1972.Black and white photograph on plain paper.Has number "6612" in ink on the rear.trams, tramways, btps, depot, construction, gardens -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Postcard, R.E.M Series Melbourne, "Ryrie St., Geelong", c1912
Postcard produced by REM Melbourne, printed in Saxony of a view of Ryrie St Geelong looking west. Has tram No. 7 in the view, a horse drawn cart and a large crowd looking on - opening day or a test tram? In the view are E Gurr Real Estate, Allans, and the Geelong Town Hall.Yields information about Ryrie St Geelong c1912.Colour Postcard divided back, unused.Has the Ken Magor stamp on the rear.tramways, trams, geelong, ryrie st, tram 7 -
Heathcote McIvor Historical Society
Napkin Ring, 1901
Silver napkin Ring, has inscribed on face "Presented by the Heathcote Orchestra 1-7-01 and on reverse RJGHas inscription on face and reverse also silver marks for Birmingham England William Davenport -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Postcard, Rose Stereograph Co, "Swanston Street Melbourne", late 1940s
Rose Series postcard No. P 3276 titled "Swanston Street Melbourne", looking south from just north of Bourke Street. Has four W2 class trams in the view and a double decker bus waiting to cross. Yields information about the intersection of Bourke and Swanston Sts.Postcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear.Has "K J Magor" stamp on rear.trams, tramways, w2 class, swanston st, bourke st, buses, mmtb buses, td5c class, leyland -
Friends of Westgarthtown
Barrel lid
Round wooden chopping board made up of four individual planks of wood. Wood has possibly been reused for this purpose.Reser (?) (…) printed on wood. Ink has worn away and difficult to decipher.domestic items, food preparation, reser, chopping board, round, wooden -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Functional object - Tramcar component, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), Bell cord - for a grip car bell, 1920s
Written on the handle in pencil "The dear old "PM" cable trams passed away March 13, 1937" - a souvenir from one of the last trams to Port Melbourne. Both the South Melbourne and Port Melbourne cable lines closed on this date. The South Melbourne line was converted to electric traction; the Port Melbourne line was replaced by a bus service. See item 5556 for another bell cord from the same event.Has a close association with the closure of the Port Melbourne cable tram line.Bell cord - for a grip car bell - consisting of a wooden turned handle fitted with a screw at the bottom, a length of sash cord and a cast iron end to which the rope has been glued or fastened into.On the wooden handle a note has been written in pencil.trams, tramways, cable trams, grip trams, bell, port melbourne, last trams, closure. -
Federation University Historical Collection
Document - Chart, Port Jackson, Reference to City Properties, 1930s
This chart was compiled using information compiled by Gray & Co Auctioneers of 135 Pitt Street, Sydney and contains information relating to the streets of Port Jackson with the property numbers and dates of sale until 1930, the dimensions of the properties and the purchase prices. It was most likely part of the School of Mines Ballarat collection.This dirty cream chart is of the streets of Port Jackson with the property numbers and dates of sale until 1930, the dimensions of the properties and the purchase prices. Some property numbers have been added by hand. It has timber ends, top and bottom.Some information has been added by handport jackson, reference to city properties, chart, gray & co auctioneers, sydney, kenneth craigie sydney, property information -
Bendigo Military Museum
Weapon - CARTRIDGE JAPANESE, 1940's
Item souveniered by Billy Bird No VX113169 2/14 Batt AIF. Refer Cat No1601 for service details..1) Projectile, steel with brass screwed nose cap inert. .2) Brass shell case to suit above, the neck has three splits. From Japanese artillery.Base has Japanese writings plus "S4/18 stamped"arms, ammunition, japanese -
Heidelberg Golf Club
Administrative record - Minute Book, Heidelberg Golf Club, Ladies'/Associates' Committee Minutes: Book L/A 1: 1947-1955, 1947-1955
Handwritten and typed minutes of the Associates' Committee of Heidelberg Golf Club 1947-1955. June 1947 - November 1952 minutes are typed and pasted into book; March 1953 - November 1955 are handwritten in book.Volume 2 of a complete set of Associates' minutes from the foundation of HGC to the present day.Cardboard bound minute book with dark red cover and damaged spine. 286 pages in total: p1-245 handwritten; p246-286 has typed minutes pasted in.Original label has dates "1947-1955" and "Book 34".committee minutes, women's golf, associates, ladies' golf -
City of Kingston
Book - Minute book
The Sons of Temperance was founded in New York in 1842 and brought to New South Wales by the Baptist minister, Dr William Hobbs, a short time later. Division, or local branches, grew quickly so that in October 1864, a provisional Grand Division was formed with a commitment to spread the word on temperance throughout the country, and the advantages gained by joining a temperance benefit society. It was reported that by 1869, in New South Wales, there was a National Division, two Grand Divisions, and one hundred and seven Divisions, with a total membership of 5970. While a distinct part of the temperance movement, the Sons of Temperance was also a 'friendly society'. Friendly societies were fraternal organisations established to assist members and their families cope with unemployment, sickness and death. No government unemployment or hospital benefits were available to individuals when the societies were initially formed. In each society, members contributed financially to a common fund which could be drawn upon in times of need. In 1868, members of the Church of Christ, Cheltenham, initiated a meeting to form a Division of the Sons of Temperance, which was subsequently called Star of Moorabbin Division, No 29. The meeting was held at the Cheltenham Temperance Hall on 30 September, with office bearers appointed and the larger membership acknowledged.This minute book records the minutes of the meetings of the Star of Moorabbin Division of the Sons of Temperance. It also records the first office holders. Additional members and some financial information is also recorded.Hard covered book, lined in brown fabric with red leather corners and spine used as a minute book for the Sons of Temperance, Star of Moorabbin Division. Inside pages are unlined, although a red margin has been printed. Additionally, the fly sheet of the book has printed text, which has been completed in handwriting.Handwritten in blue ink on the inside of the front cover: J.W. Hall G.S. / Brighton Cottage / Freeman Street / North Carlton The fly sheet has printed text which has been crossed out with handwritten edits: Star of Moorabbin Division / No 29 / Instituted: September 30th 1868friendly societies, societies, temperance, cheltenham, moorabbin -
Dutch Australian Heritage Centre Victoria
Carnival Hat (Karnavalsmuts)
Carnival is an important annual event in the Southern Provinces of The Netherlands with each village often having its own Carnival Club and traditions. The Dutch People from the Southern Provinces continued in many cases this tradition and formed their regional Carnavals Clubs in Australia. Each Carnaval Club has a Council of Eleven with its own colourful uniform, including a hat. There is a variety of hats for the various roles within the committee and club.For people from the Southern Provinces of the Netherlands Carnival is an important cultural event.Decorative hat made of a silky material in green, orange, purple and cream, finished off with wavelike band and brown koala at front of hat (see picture - also see items 6351 and 6353).Has the name "Tony" on the inside -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
S.E.C.V. Transmission Cables x3
The State Electricity Commission of Victoria constructed the Kiewa Hydro Electric scheme from the 1930's to 1960's during which time power cables were made to carry power from the Power stations to the switch yards and beyond to the towns and houses.These sample power cables indicate the types of power lines used in the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and the amount of voltage that they carry.3 transmission cables of different width used for transmitting different amounts of power on different size power lines.The thinnest cable consists of a centre piece of wire covered by a layer of twisted wires. The middle sized cable has 4 layers of twisted wires around the centre piece and the thickest cable has 5 layers of twisted wires around the centre piece.The thickest cable has a plastic strip with 330.000 Volt Cable inscribed on it.state electricity commission of victoria. power lines. cables. kiewa hydro electric scheme. electricity. -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Postcard, Rose Stereograph Co, "St Kilda Road, Melbourne Vic", c late 1950s
Postcard - Black and White - Rose Series P4311, titled "St Kilda Road, Melbourne Vic" - looking south with the Shrine of Remembrance and Prince Henry Hospital in the background. Has a number of trams in the view. Possibly taken from the clock tower at Flinders St station. On the rear - has a divided back, and "A Real Photograph" " & Produced in Australia" and the Rose logo and address details.On the rear has the stamp of Graeme S Breydon - see image i2.trams, tramways, melbourne, st kilda rd, shrine of remembrance -
Dutch Australian Heritage Centre Victoria
Prince Hat of Carnavals Club
Carnaval is an important annual event in the Southern Provinces of The Netherlands, with each village often having its own Carnavals Club and traditions. The Dutch People coming from the Southern Provinces continued in many cases this tradition and formed their regional Carnavals Clubs in Australia. Each Carnalvals Club has its own colourful uniforms, including a hat. There are potentially three types of hats: A Formal Hat for official events, a Work Hat for use during normal club nights and for those members lucky enough to be for a year chosen as the "Prince" of the club, a Prince Hat.For people from the Southern Provinces of the Netherlands, Carnavall is an important cultural event.Decorative hat from silky type silver, gold, blue and aqua material, finished of with bells at front of hat (see picture - also see items 6351 and 6352).has a 6 on the insideprince carnaval limburg brabant dutch migration -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Newspaper, The Courier Ballarat, "No trams for at lease a decade", Aug. 2002
Yields information about the view of the City of Ballarat Mayor about the proposal for a Ballarat Tourist based tramway in 2002.Newspaper clipping from the Courier, Thursday 1 August 2002, with the title ""No trams for at lease a decade", reporting on comments made by Mayor David Vendy about the possibility of trams in Ballarat, at least 10 years and following up on the Tuesday night meeting at the Town Hall with the consultants and residents. Has a photo of David Vendy on BTM Tram 13 (has the signs inside) superimposed on Sturt St with the Town Hall and Myers store in the background. Article written by Andrew Molloy. Item has the date, source and page written in ink.ballarat revival, btm, city tramway, town hall -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Sheet Music, Miss Eliza Mahala. Greenough, Pacific Electric Railway Co, "The Pacific Electric Trolley Waltz", 1956
Sheet music printed on folded quarto paper titled "The Pacific Electric Trolley Waltz". Music by Miss Eliza Mahala. Greenough, originally issued by the Pacific Electric Railway Co. Los Angeles California. Reprinted by the Electric Railroaders Association Inc in 1956. Has an image of the Mt Lowe Incline track on the front cover. Peter Waugh of the Ballarat Tramway Museum has recorded the music in a midi file: see \documents\htd580-pacific-electric-waltz-music.midiHas AETA stamp on front cover with the letters "4J13"trams, tramways, music, pacific electric railway, electric railroaders association. -
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - MESS DRESS, ARMY, 1. 1950. 2. 1951. 3, 4, 5 unknown
Medal bar. War Medal 1939 - 45 Australian Service Medal Korea Medal 1939 - 45 Star Pacific Star Korea UN Medal.1. This is a black woollen jacket. It has 4 front pockets. It has Sgt's stripes on arm (Gold). It has RA Inf buttons. On the collars are another pattern RA Inf button - Kings Crown. Shiled design surrounded with oak leaves. Crossed rifles in centre of shield. It has six ribbons - see below. 2. Trousers - black wool. red stripe on legs. Fly is held shut with buttons, black. Two side pockets - One rear pocket. 3. Shirt - off white - civilian. 4. Belt - black wool, brass buckle. 5. Tie - black, purple liner.Jacket - Inside has written - 3/2729 J.D. Powell. Trousers - Jorgenson R/5.ww2, postwar ww2, uniform, passchendaele barracks trust -
Orbost & District Historical Society
magazines, Croajingolong 1971, 1971
This is the twenty-fourth issue of the annual magazine of Orbost High School. The name Croajingolong derives from the Australian Aboriginal Krauatungalung words galung, meaning "belonging to" and kraua, meaning "east". 2219.1 belonged to Mary Gilbert, a former teacher at the school. 2219.2 belonged to Peter Traill.This magazine is a useful reference tool.Three copies of Croajingolong 1971. The magazine is in landscape format and has a white cover with a free form shape filled with mosaic type patterns in black and white. 2219.2 has Peter Trailll written in blue pen on the front cover.croajingolong orbost-high-school -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Poster, Scholl, advertising Scholl corn pads, late 1970's
Poster advertising Scholl corn pads for feet. Has number "0877C" in bottom right hand corner, presumably the date of the poster. Used in Melbourne trams.Has a name like "Jaure" in bottom right hand corner in ink.trams, tramways, advertisements, posters -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Black & White - Tram 43 Sturt St Ballarat, Keith Kings, 11/3/1961
Shows trams at the City terminus. Has the National Mutual building in the background.Yields information about Ballarat tram No. 43 and the location. Tram in the process of being fitted with dash canopy lighting.Black and White photograph of SEC Ballarat tram No. 43 Sturt St at Lydiard St 11/3/1961. Photo by Keith Kings On rear has the photographers file number J(u)(13) and photo information.ballarat, sturt st, tram 43, trams, tramwas -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), Sep. 1979
Black and White Photograph of Z3 class tram 116 at Preston workshops most likely at the time of entering service or just before Sept. 1979. Has the MMTB Preston Workshops office building in the background.On the rear of the photograph has in pencil "116 - Preston - MMTB".trams, tramways, preston workshops, z3 class, new trams, tram 116 -
Mont De Lancey
Furniture - Organ, Wilcox and White, 1885
There is a brass plaque that states: THIS PLAQUE IS IN MEMORY OF DORA CHAPMAN daughter of William and Estelle Chapman CALLED HOME WHILE PLAYING THE ORGAN ON THE OCCASION OF THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SILVAN CHURCH. SEPTEMBER, 27TH 1936 DORA WAS A SISTER TO MR ERNEST CHAPMAN On another plaque it states: THIS ORGAN WAS A WEDDING PRESENT TO ERN AND BERYL CHAPMAN AND WAS DONATED TO MONT DE LANCEY IN THE YEAR 1994 BY MAVIS, BOB, LES AND ALBERT CHAPMAN The organ was a present from Mr Ernest Chapman and his bride on the occasion of their wedding on October 26th 1927. The organ was made in Meriden Connecticut USA by Wilcox and White in 1885. A date inside the organ indicates that it was last tuned June 16th 1900. A highly decorated, delicate ornate carved wooden pump organ with a round mirror set back into the front panel. It has a sheet music rest or shelf with an opening lid to store sheet music inside the cupboard. There are two side shelves with five knobs on each at the front. It has a keyboard with thirteen stops below. Next to the key stops above the keyboard is gold lettering with 'Wilcox & White Meriden. Connecticut. USA.There are two brass patterned pump foot pedals below: the left one has 'WILCOX' stamped on it, the right pedal has '& WHITE' stamped on it and the metal is damaged from use. There are two carved levers underneath the keyboard: the left one has a sticker saying "Grand Organ", the right one's sticker says, "Knee Swell". There is no stool.The brass covered left foot pump pedal has 'WHITE' stamped on it, the right pedal has '......' stamped on it. There are two carved levers underneath the keyboard: the left one has a sticker saying 'Grand Organ', the right one's sticker says, 'Knee Swell'. The manufacturer : WILCOX AND WHITE is printed in gold letters on ......The thirteen 'stops' all have different musical terms printed in a sticker. e.g...............parlour organs, cabinet organs, harmoniums, pump organs -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Compass
Compass used by Australian Army personnel during the Vietnam conflict. This compass has a circular alloy metal body with a hingeing lid of the same material painted in drab jungle green.The compass lid has the following stamping: "ENGINEER", "DIRECTIONAL COMPASS" -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Photograph of the mudflats on Churchill Island, Unknown
Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the mid-nineteenth century to the last decade.Black and white photograph of mudflats with a tree and a line of rocks in the centre of the frame. Photograph has been printed on a type of card and has a matte finish applied.Catalogue number written in pencil on reverse.churchill island, photograph -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Photograph of the shoreline at Churchill Island, Unknown
Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the mid-nineteenth century to the last decade.Black and white photograph of bushland at Churchill Island leading downhill to the shoreline. Photograph has been printed on a type of card and has a matte finish applied.Catalogue number written in pencil on reverse.churchill island, photograph -
Beechworth RSL Sub-Branch
Weapon - Case Flare Cartridge 38mm
The remains of a 38mm Flare Cartridge that has been cut height with the idea of creating trench art38mm nickel flare cartridge case that has been cut down in size. The percussion cap on the bottom of the cartridge indicates that it has been fired. Unfinished trench art Engraving: AMM / LOT 0RM58LLH1H001 /flare, percussion cap, cartridge case -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Bottle, circa 1885 - 1891
This bottle was one of the items salvaged from the wreck of the Fiji in 1891. Joseph Bosisto began manufacturing Eucalyptus Oil in Australia from 1854. This bottle is marked ‘J. BOSISTO”, which probably dates it from 1885 when the company J. Bosisto & Co. was formed. The marking on the bottom of the bottle “GERMAN/B_ _ E” could mean that the bottle was imported by J. Bosisto from Germany. In the early years bottles were imported from overseas countries including England and Germany. In 1872 the Melbourne Bottle Works was established to supply the bottles locally and more cheaply but had difficulty keeping up with the supply. From 1865 Australian-made Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Oil began to be exported to England then later to Germany and other countries. Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Oil won many prizes at exhibitions between 1854 – 1891. The three-masted iron barque Fiji had been built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1875 by Harland and Wolfe for a Liverpool based shipping company. The ship departed Hamburg on 22nd May 1891 bound for Melbourne, under the command of Captain William Vickers with a crew of 25. The ship’s manifest shows that she was loaded with a cargo of 260 cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, spirits (whisky, schnapps, gin, brandy), sailcloth, tobacco, coiled fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos (Sweet Hapsburg), concertinas and other musical instruments, artists supplies including brushes, porcelain, furniture, china, and general cargo including candles. There were also toys in anticipation for Christmas, including wooden rocking horses, miniature ships, dolls with china limbs and rubber balls. On September 5th, one hundred days out from Hamburg in squally and boisterous south west winds the Cape Otway light was sighted on a bearing differing from Captain Vickers’ calculation of his position. At about 2:30am, Sunday 6th September 1891 land was reported 4-5 miles off the port bow. The captain tried to put the ship on the other tack, but she would not respond. He then tried to turn her the other way but just as the manoeuvre was being completed the Fiji struck rock only 300 yards (274 metres) from shore. The place is known as Wreck Bay, Moonlight Head. Blue lights were burned and rockets fired whilst an effort was made to lower boats but all capsized or swamped and smashed to pieces. Two of the younger crewmen volunteered to swim for the shore, taking a line. One, a Russian named Daniel Carkland, drowned after he was swept away when the line broke. The other, 17 year old able seaman Julius Gebauhr, a German, reached shore safely on his second attempt but without the line, which he had cut lose with his sheath-knife when it become tangled in kelp. He rested on the beach a while then climbed the steep cliffs in search of help. At about 10am on the Sunday morning a party of land selectors - including F. J. Stansmore, Leslie Dickson (or Dixon) and Mott - found Gebauhr. They were near Ryans Den, on their travels on horseback from Princetown towards Moonlight Head, and about 5km from the wreck. Gebauhr was lying in the scrub in a poor state, bleeding and dressed only in singlet, socks and a belt with his sheath-knife, ready for all emergencies. At first they were concerned about his wild and shaggy looking state and what seemed to be gibberish speech, taking him to be an escaped lunatic. They were reassured after he threw his knife away and realised that he was speaking half-English, half-German. They gave him food and brandy and some clothing and were then able to gain information about the wreck. Some of the men took him to Rivernook, a nearby guest house owned by John Evans, where he was cared for. Stansmore and Dickson rode off to try and summon help. Others went down to the site of the wreck. Messages for rescuing the rest of the crew were sent both to Port Campbell for the rocket rescue crew and to Warrnambool for the lifeboat. The S.S. Casino sailed from Portland towards the scene. After travelling the 25 miles to the scene, half of the Port Campbell rocket crew and equipment arrived and set up the rocket tripod on the beach below the cliffs. By this time the crew of the Fiji had been clinging to the jib-boom for almost 15 hours, calling frantically for help. Mr Tregear from the Rocket Crew fired the line. The light line broke and the rocket was carried away. A second line was successfully fired across the ship and made fast. The anxious sailors then attempted to come ashore along the line but, with as many as five at a time, the line sagged considerably and some were washed off. Others, nearly exhausted, had to then make their way through masses of seaweed and were often smothered by waves. Only 14 of the 24 who had remained on the ship made it to shore. Many onlookers on the beach took it in turns to go into the surf and drag half-drowned seamen to safety. These rescuers included Bill (William James) Robe, Edwin Vinge, Hugh Cameron, Fenelon Mott, Arthur Wilkinson and Peter Carmody. (Peter Carmody was also involved in the rescue of men from the Newfield.) Arthur Wilkinson, a 29 year old land selector, swam out to the aid of one of the ship’s crewmen, a carpenter named John Plunken. Plunken was attempting to swim from the Fiji to the shore. Two or three times both men almost reached the shore but were washed back to the wreck. A line was thrown to them and they were both hauled aboard. It was thought that Wilkinson struck his head on the anchor before s they were brought up. He remained unconscious. The carpenter survived this ordeal but Wilkinson later died and his body was washed up the next day. It was 26 year old Bill Robe who hauled out the last man, the captain, who had become tangled in the kelp. The wreck of the Fiji was smashed apart within 20 minutes of the last man being brought ashore, and it settled in about 6m of water. Of the 26 men on the Fiji, 11 in total lost their lives. The remains of 7 bodies were washed onto the beach and their coffins were made from timbers from the wrecked Fiji. They were buried on the cliff top above the wreck. The survivors were warmed by fires on the beach then taken to Rivernook and cared for over the next few days. Funds were raised by local communities soon after the wreck in aid of the sufferers of the Fiji disaster. Captain Vickers was severely reprimanded for his mishandling of the ship. His Masters Certificate was suspended for 12 months. At the time there was also a great deal of public criticism at the slow and disorganised rescue attempt to save those on board. The important canvas ‘breech buoy’ or ‘bucket chair’ and the heavy line from the Rocket Rescue was in the half of the rocket outfit that didn’t make it in time for the rescue: they had been delayed at the Gellibrand River ferry. Communications to Warrnambool were down so the call for help didn’t get through on time and the two or three boats that had been notified of the wreck failed to reach it in time. Much looting occurred of the cargo that washed up on the shore, with nearly every visitor leaving the beach with bulky pockets. One looter was caught with a small load of red and white rubber balls, which were duly confiscated and he was ‘detained’ for 14 days. Essence of peppermint mysteriously turned up in many settlers homes. Sailcloth was salvaged and used for horse rugs and tent flies. Soon after the wreck “Fiji tobacco” was being advertised around Victoria. A Customs officer, trying to prevent some of the looting, was assaulted by looters and thrown over a steep cliff. He managed to cling to a bush lower down until rescued. In 1894 some coiled fencing wire was salvaged from the wreck. Hundreds of coils are still strewn over the site of the wreck, encrusted and solidified. The hull is broken but the vessel’s iron ribs can be seen along with some of the cargo of concrete and pig iron. Captain Vickers presented Bill Robe with his silver-cased pocket watch, the only possession that he still had, as a token for having saved his life and the lives of some of the crew. (The pocket watch came with 2 winding keys, one to wind it and one to change the hands.) Years later Bill passed the watch to his brother-in-law Gib (Gilbert) Hulands as payment of a debt and it has been passed down the family to Gilbert Hulands’ grandson, John Hulands. Seaman Julius Gebauhr later gave his knife, in its hand crafted leather sheath, to F. J. Stansmore for caring for him when he came ashore. The knife handle had a personal inscription on it. A marble headstone on the 200m high cliffs overlooking Wreck Beach, west of Moonlight Head, paying tribute to the men who lost their lives when Fiji ran aground. The scene of the wreck is marked by the anchor from the Fiji, erected by Warrnambool skin divers in 1967. Amongst the artefacts salvaged from the Fiji are china miniature animals, limbs from small china dolls, rubber balls, this glass bottle, sample of rope from the distress rocket and a candlestick holder. These items are now part of the Fiji collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, along with Captain Vickers’ pocket watch and Julius Gebauhr’s sheath knife. The glass bottle is registered as “Artefact Reg No Fiji/1”. Flagstaff Hill’s Fiji collection is of historical significance at a State level because of its association with the wreck Fiji, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S259. It also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The Fiji collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history. Clear glass oval medical bottle with rounded corners and flattened sides on front and back surfaces. Opening of bottle has a lip around it and could have been sealed with a stopper. There is a chip in the lip. One face of the bottle has a rectangular border with a name embossed vertically on it, “J. BOSISTO / RICHMOND”. The oval base of the bottle also has letters embossed on it “GE_ _AN” “B _ _ _ _ _”. There is also a large chip out of the base. The sides of the bottle have a vertical joining line. The bottle was recovered from the wreck of the Fiji.Flat side of bottle has rectangular border with “J BOSISTO / RICHMOND” embossed in the centre. The base of the bottle has “G E . . A N/B . . . . . .” embossed on it. Other letters have been removed with the chip. (probable wording was ‘GERMAN/BOTTLE)warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, fiji, 1891, glass bottle, medicine bottle, bosistos, j bosistos, german bottle