Anne Clarke was born in Devon around 1814 and arrived in Portland in 1854 aboard the "Francis Henty". She opened Portland's first "Ladies School" which she operated until 1891. Many young ladies from the Western District passed through the school, and in some cases, two generations of girls. It is thought that before coming to Australia, Anne taught at a school for the daughters of clergymen at Cowan Bridge, Lancashire, aptly named the Clergy Daughters' School. It was attended by the Bronte sisters and is said to have inspired the Lowood School in Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre". Anne Clarke never married and died in Portland in 1892.Photographic print of a rephotographed photograph. Image of single storey building, front view, verandah, wooden shingle roof. A number of girls of various ages and some adults, standing on verandah. Annie Clarke's ladies school, 52 Gawler Street.anne clarke, seminary for young ladies, gawler street, portland

Owned by James and Ada Brimblecomber, Heywood. later owned by Merle Lewis, Mt. Gambier.Black and white photographic image of a large house (Burswood) with vines growing up the right side of the building, and an enclosed front verandah with white steps leading up to it on the left.Front: "Burswood": The old home of the Henty'sburswood, western district, henty, squattocracy

Handwritten 10 page essay, by an unknown author. Written in fountain pen on lined foolscap paper. Writing on one side of paper only.

Western Aranda artist, Gerhard Inkamala. Born in 1917, Gerhard was the nephew of Albert Namatjira and grew up being inspired by his artwork and the surrounding landscapes. He became a skilled artist and during the 1940s was one of the founders of the famous Hermannsburg School of Art. In the 1950s Gerhard and his brother Adolf were included in a group exhibition in Alice Springs at the home of Rex Battarbee who was the Warrnambool-born art teacher of Albert Namatjira. He died in 1977.A landscape scene showing the Australian outback. Trees and shrubs in the foreground with rocky hills in the background. The foreground is an ochre/orange colour and the hills and rocks in the background are a blue/grey colour. The sky is clear and blue. Signed bottom right. The work is mounted on cream mountboard and framed in a white timber frame under glass.'Gerhard Inkamala' signed bottom right hand side of the painting.

Casterton & District Historical Society Inc.Painting, oil on canvas showing a 'bird's-eye' view' of the township of Casterton in the late 19th century. It shows the Glenelg River, the bridge, main street and rolling landscape of the Western District.casterton, oil painting, landscape

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip visited Hamilton on February 26 1954. It was the first time a reigning monarch had visited regional Victoria. More than 13000 children were said to have listened to a speech by the Queen in Melville OvalFlag, Royal visit to Hamilton, 1954, blue, red and gold print and coat of arms, attached to wooden stick. Pennant style.royal visit, hamilton, western district, queen elizabeth ii, prince phillip, post war

From the Victorian Heritage Register: The foundation stone of the original Portland Town Hall was laid by William Learmonth on 21st September, 1863 following a competition and subsequent public controversy over the permitted entry of architect John Barrow. The conservative classical design of municipal surveyor Alexander Ross was preferred and this axially planned design with central council chamber and side offices fronted by a fine axed pedimented gable entablature of basalt and Tuscan Doric pilasters was completed by 24th may 1864. The old Town Hall is one of a distinguished group of public buildings in Portland and an interesting example of conservative classical architecture of the first years of settlement in western Victoria. The basalt structure was partially erected of stone from the Portland stockade and has significant historical associations with local Government administration in the district. The Town Hall is the most impressive work of Alexander Ross, a surveyor architect whose career remains largely undocumented. The old Town Hall at Portland has been discreetly extended at the rear to provide additional meeting room accommodation. The premises are no longer used for local government administration.A4 sized certificate demonstrating Portland Town Hall's special significance to the state of Victoria & inclusion on the Historic Building Register. Singed by Robert Maclellan, Minister for planning & Historic Buildings Council Chairperson. Red seal attached, bottom right.portland town hall, history house, heritage register, historic buildings, certificate

Formerly from the Bower Bird Museum collection in Heywood. Wallacedale is in western Victorian 28km sw of Hamilton. It was created by draining the Condah Swamp. After WWII the population declined and in the 1970s the school closed.Four page cardboard programme for the Wallacedale Racing Club's Picnic Meeting on April 18, 1914. Printing in black. Pages held together with sellotape.wallacedale, condah, condah swamp

Commemorative glass. Royal Victorian Bowl Association Far Western District Bowling Association Goodwill Tour 1999 (listing participating Bowling clubs)

William Rosevear was born around 1848 and in 1869, he married Margaret Morrison. He was a bootmaker at Condah for forty years. William enjoyed cricket and football and was a longtime goal umpire for the Condah football team.China mug with handle. White with hand-painted floral arrangement on each side, gold line on rim and base and touches on handle.Front: William Rosevear 1859 (gold copperplate, on side)rosevear, western district families, domestic item

Football record 'The Western' official organ of Western District Football League, for Sat. 28 JUN 1952. White, black print. 16 pages

Black cloth cover. Black writing on cover. Black writing on spine.non-fiction

Publication 'The Western District Centenary Souvenir' printed and published by Terang 'Express'. Contains images of Western District towns c1934 and history of the area and various advertisements from Western District business.