Information related to the establishment of the Ballarat School of Mines, the first of its kind in Australia. Federation University Australia was established on 1 January 2014. Formerly known as the University of Ballarat, its enabling legislation was the University of Ballarat Amendment (Federation University Australia) Act 2013. Although formally created as a University in 1994, the University of Ballarat has a lineage back to 1870 with the establishment of the School of Mines Ballarat, making it the third institution of higher learning to be established in Australia and the first to be established in regional Australia. On 1 January 1994, Ballarat University College became the University of Ballarat and in 1998 the University merged with three TAFE Institutes to become a dual sector institution with multiple campuses. On 1 January 2014, the University of Ballarat amalgamated with the Monash University Gippsland Campus to form Federation University Australia. The Gippsland Campus also had a long lineage dating back to 1928 with the establishment of the Yallourn Technical School which became a predecessor institution to the Gippsland College of Advanced Education formed in 1968. In 1990, it was renamed the Monash University College and in 1993 became the Gippsland Campus of Monash University. In 2016, Federation University Australia announced plans to take possession, over a two-year period, of Monash’s Berwick Campus in the south-east corridor of Melbourne. Federation University Australia, or FedUni, is headquartered in Ballarat and offers programs in Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training to regional Victoria and beyond. The University’s commitment to educational and social equity, teaching excellence, research distinction, environmental sustainability and regional capacity building has enabled it to develop in a way that draws on its proud heritage to inform its future. Its regional character sets a framework for the University’s priorities but does not constrain it from serving wider community interests, nationally and internationally. The name Federation University Australia was chosen to convey the scope and capacity of an expanded regional university with a federated network of campuses.Copy of a letter signed by James Baker outlining that he had been appointed Collector to the proposed Ballarat School of Mines, and requested co-operation and pecuniary assistance torwards the establishment and maintenance of the new school. School of Mines for the COlony of Victoria Ballarat, 1870 Sir,- Having been appointed to the Trustees of this proposed Institutin, I have the honor to request your co-operatoin and pecuniary assistance towards its establishment and maintenance. Your attention is respectfully requested to the appended outline of the Institution, with the names of gentlemen who have accepted provisional offices. The object sought to be obtained is the cobinatin of the highest scientific with the most practical training for all men engaghed in the enterprise of mining in its various branches, whether so engaged as mining managers, engineers, surveyors, mechanists, working miners, directors or promoters of companies. Hitherto, in this Colony, no means of scientific educatin, in this most important occupation has been provided. The result has been an enormous waste of captial, time, and labor. Indeed, it may be fairly stated that the persent depression in the mining market and the distrust of mining property as an inverstment may in great part be traced to the numerous failures of enterprises either ignorantly entered upon or unscientifically, pursued. The scientific education of those engaged in mining pursuits would, it is believed, not merely render gold mining a safe and generally more productive speculation, but would bring into profitable prominence and activity many branches of mining now wholly neglected, or distrustfully, and consequently unsuccessfully, pursued. The Government has so far recognised the attempt to estalish this, so much wanted, Institution as to grant a ease, at a nominal lease, of the old Court-house in Lydiard street : and steps are being taken to put the building in repair and adapt it to the requirement so fhte proposed School. You will see from the appended Outline that L600 at least much be subscribed before the School can be opened. Towards thos sum several public bodies and private persons have given subscriptions; either as Life Governors, Annual Governors, or Donors, by whose liberality the Institution may be not only opened, but permanently maintained in the highest state of efficiency. I trust therefore that you will pardon my earnestly requesting your assistance, which many be effectually rendered by your returning to me one of the enclised forms, signed by you either as a Life Governoe (L50), and Annual Governor (L3 3s), or simply as a Donor of any sum which you may see fit to give. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient Servant, James Baker, Collector to School of Mines.ballarat school of mines, ballarat school of mines establishment, balalrat school of mines collector, james baker

Hand written letter to The Secretary from ? Grattan, Flat 14, 449 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3004, enclosing a paper which might interest the Society. It had been sent to the person by their solicitors. As the writer was disposing of papers, the papers were sent to the Society as they had no interests in the district. The writer's father had owned a Station between Shepparton and Benalla which was acquired for closer settlement. Letter has a dark blue monogram at the top with a bird standing on a block and in one leg holding a lance. The wings are raised. Underneath is: Pro patria vivere et mori.document, letter from grattan

Wattler is in full bloom at the Horticultural College. These girl students had a pleasant task gathering the golden glory.wattler, blooms, horticultural college, mabs younger, female students

Article in 'Eastern Times' - Local historical writer Jean Uhl relates that there was a toll gate called 'Ballyshanassy' and that the Nunawading Road Board once had a court case versus Cotter about this gate. Another discovery was that Nunawading had a tobacco plantation, family members of John Jacob Meyer who married a Miss Schwartz and settled in Hawthorn in 1852 used to work on this plantation.Article in 'Eastern Times' - Local historical writer Jean Uhl relates that there was a toll gate called 'Ballyshanassy' and that the Nunawading Road Board once had a court case versus Cotter about this gate.agriculture, toll gates, uhl, jean, nunawading road board, meyer, john jacob, schwartz (miss), tobacco farming

Ten page typed copy titled The Flooded Mine - John M'Caviston's Wonderful Escape by G. Mackay. The shift boss, John M'Caviston went to let water in the old workings of Latham and Watson's mine run more freely. He used the pick and removed a boulder. No sooner had he done this, the water burst in on him with a tremendous roar, blew his candle out and pushed him away. He escaped and warned the men as he ran. He then remembered four men at the bottom level and he went down to warn them. He descended the ladder and found them gone. He tried to get back up the ladder but could not. He went to a place where the floor had been built up. On the surface they thought he had been lost, but they started pumping and also baling. When the water level had dropped, men went down and on reaching the level one of them, Richard Williams, thought he heard a noise, and called out 'Jack'. They had found him alive.document, gold, hustlers reef mine, hustlers reef mine, john m'caviston's wonderful escape, the flooded mine, g mackay, hustlers reef company, latham & watson's mine, mr r jackson, hustlers reef mine, john m'caviston, j hooper, t o'connor, j derby, stanlake, cahill, richard williams, walter chapman

The person or business that used this ledger in Warrnambool is unknown. It contains accounts for sale of goods (one person per page) from 1878 to 1883.This ledger is of some interest because of the local 19th century Warrnambool names it contains but unfortunately the business name is unknown.This is a 19th century ledger of 888 pages. It has a hardboard cover that is tattered. It once had a red-coloured spine. The pages contain handwritten information in ink. warrnambool business ledger

Photograph taken by Herald & Weekly Times, showing Malcolm McFee, Robert Bruce, Robert Eddy at work. Chicory was first grown on Phillip island in 1870. It was used in coffee essence and for medicinal purposes.Chicory being picked by hand after the chicory had been loosened in the ground by Tractor and rip blade through a row of the crop. this was on Audrey McFee's farm.local history, photography, photographs, slides, film, chicory industry, black & white photograph, audrey mcfee, chicory, phillip island

Copy of Original photograph of group of men sitting in doorway of Railway Motor Garage, Tatura. Cars for hire. Phone 89. Also in sign. Later Groom and Beckwith. c 1920'sCopy of Original sepia photograph of six Tatura men resting outside the Railway garage early 1920's. Some had bicycles. original L0333on back: A midday gathering of Tatura workers, Groom and Beckwith Garage. Early 1920's.

Obituary for Frances Powell who had helped to establish the Mitcham Repertory Group. She also organised the Walk Against Want for Community Aid Abroad.Obituary for Frances Powell who had helped to establish the Mitcham Repertory Group. powell, frances, mitcham repertory group, community aid abroad

Obituary - Ellen McCulloch had a great interest in native birds and wrote several books and pamphlets. She was a member of the Bird Observers Club of Australia (photo)Obituary - Ellen McCulloch had a great interest in native birds and wrote several books and pamphlets. mcculloch, ellen, birds, bird observers club of australia