The Mount Beauty Workmen's Club was established in 1946. Formerly known as the Kiewa Hydro Workmen's Club.Social history of Mount Beauty during the construction of the Hydro Scheme and its aftermath.Plastic spiral bound A4 folder with numerous plastic sleeves./ The folder contains club rules, some auditor's reports and financial statements and misc correspondence - mostly from 1990s./ Inside there are two rule booklets one red and one grey.On the top front cover of the red rules booklet is written 'Peart. A.L'.workmen's club, community club, west peak hotel, mt beauty, secv, kiewa hydro electric scheme

Mary was born on 6th May 1939 and describe dairy farming in the Kiewa Valley throughout the years to c2020A handwritten family history of dairying in the Kiewa Valley consisting of 8 pages written with blue biro. A memoir by Mary Cardwell nee Creamer 'My early days of dairying in Kiewa Valley.'All pages are torn at the top.mary cardwell, dairy farming, kiewa valley, women

Students study the Bogong High Plains noting geology, history, vegetation and evolution / changes.Environmental studies includes the effect of people, horses, skiing, infrastructure etc.Typed and hand written notes on the Bogong High Plains for students observing the vegetation. It includes geology and early history.bogong high plains, grazing, vegetation

1st Tawonga Girl Guides during the 1970s. (Refer to filing cabinet in the Back Room of the Auditorium for history).1st Tawonga Girl Guides group in the Kiewa Valley. Popular movement for girls and well supported in the Kiewa Valley. Joy O'Connor nee Riordon lives in the Kiewa Valley.Blue shirt with collar and long sleeves "Girl Guide" steel gold clover-shaped badge on collar. Left sleeve 3 cloth badges sewn on one is "Be Prepared/Girl Guides and on left shoulder cloth badge "1st Tawonga / Barree Region. Left front - one large cloth badge. Right sleeve - 5 cloth badges sewn on - all "Girl / Guides". Right front - one steel badge of gold clover on blue background. "Joy Riordan" written on taggirl guides, tawonga, joy riordon, barree region

The Anglican Church at Kiewa. The first stone was laid on the 29th Oct. 1924. In 1879, the Yackandandah rector commenced services on Sundays in private homes in the Kiewa Valley. In 1911 Anglicans met in the Kiewa Methodist Church to elect a committee to organise financial offers and so it eventually became a vestry.The town Kiewa is in the Kiewa Valley. The church served other communities in the Valley. The book records the local populations and their commitment to religion. Cream cardboard cover with a black and white photo of the church on the front cover. It has 4 pages printed on both sides held by 2 staples. Inside there are a few black and white photos. Dated 19741. "Written by E. Temple" handwritten on the front cover 2. "C. Roper" on the front cover and inside the front cover "Clare Roper" Also, "Esther Temple" 's signature on the cover page.st mark's church, kiewa, anglican church, esther teple, thomas mitchell

This book was used as a text book at Camberwell Grammar School by Jack Roper whose family lived and farmed at Mt Yorke Station, Tawonga. At the time there wasn't a local High School, the closest one being in Albury. Historical: Students studied History. Country students boarded in Melbourne for their education. Provenance: Jack Roper had a private school education. His family still live and farm in the Kiewa Valley. Comparative to his descendants' education.Blue book with embossed hard cover including cloud like patterns in a rectangular shape around the title.Inside cover - hand written: Jack Roper / Camberwell G.S. / Jack Rooper / Mt Yorke Station / Tawonga/ Via Yackandandah Also handwritten notations: Marathon 490; 130 to 136 History; 4 chapter after holidays 18 to 24; !V chapter. Also smudged ink stain.education. history. greece. jack roper. mt yorke station. tawonga. camberwell grammar school.

Educational: handwriting of the time. Also Maths, Dictation. Everil Fisher's family lived at Mongans Bridge in the Kiewa ValleyHistorical: comparison of book work, hand writing, dictation and maths in 1912 to current times. Provenance: Everil Fisher's family lived at Mongans Bridge. Her family donated many significant items to KVHS showing an interest in history.Plain black hard covered exercise book with handwriting, mathematical, and dictation exercises. Pages are blue lined. Cotton thread spine binding. Inside front cover: Everil Fisher / Mongans Bridge / Via Dederang Exercises dated Jan. 24th 1912 to 29th Oct. 1912 Corrections and comments in red. Written work in greyish ink.education. handwriting. mathematics. dictation. everil fisher. mongans bridge

The pamphlet is about the history of the Anglican Church in Dederang.Historical: Dederang is a small community in the Kiewa Valley. Good interpretation for religion and community in Dederang and the Kiewa Valley.A foolscap sized sheet of white paper folded in half length-wise and turned side ways. Front page has title written in biro at top, a free hand sketch in biro of a church and words below. (biro may have been used over poor photocopy). Inside: A history of the church typed in black Back of book is blank.The Anglican church of Saint Andrew / Dederang / church sketch / Dedicated Septuagesima 1973 - all in biro In pencil hand written: one copy given to Wilma Oct. 1989anglican church. dederang. st andrew. religion. community

The book is an abbreviated history of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.This book summarises the stages of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme from its conception in 1911 through to 1961. The newspaper cutting gives additional information about Rocky Valley Dam.Yellow cardboard book with front cover of black writing and sketch of power lines and spillway in the mountains. 2 staples are covered along the spine with tape. There are 22 pages. 2 copies Inside one copy there is a newspaper cutting entitled "Main Dam in Kiewa Scheme Finished" and later published pages of 1. Floras of Bogong 2. Geology of Kiewa Area 3. Fauna and 4. 'Brief history of the Kiewa Scheme. An abbreviated History of the SchemeOn the newspaper cutting hand written "Burnett 1959 Later than May."kiewa hydro electric scheme. mt beauty. dederang. bogong. mckay creek power station. west kiewa power station. clover power station. secv. rocky valley dam. flora. fauna. geology.

A.L.P.S. began an ongoing project to record the contribution made by women to life in the Kiewa Valley.An original history of the Kiewa Valley focusing on women from various backgrounds.A soft covered book with clear plastic cover of 81 pages with a blue cover, black written heading including A.L.P.S. Inc. logo and red plastic 'spiral' spine."Val Woinarski" & phone number inside on the first page.community group in the kiewa valley; alps

Corrector fluid was used to cover typing mistakes before retyping over it upon drying. Correction fluid became available sold with a brush and was drier and therefore quicker to use. Computers then followed with 'delete' keys to correct mistakes. History of Gestetner Company.Jan worked as a typist in the S.E.C. offices and would have used corrector fluid when typing reports etc..Small bottle with no neck and with black bakelite lid. Inside there is a bright pink liquid of 'Corrector fluid'. Cardboard box containing the bottle is lined with cardboard and is red with white writing on the top and white with black writing on the bottom. Each side of the box is written the Brand name and Directions each side in different languages. Embossed on bottle AA517 on base Embossed on bottle UC or UG on basecorrector fluid bottle; gestetner company

Alex McCullough was a resident of Mt Beauty for many years and wrote a book on the History of Mt Beauty. Mt Beauty was constructed by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria to house employees working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.Mt Beauty's history is unique as it was built as a construction town in the late 1940s. The information contained in the folder is a written history of the town's development. Alex, 1916 - 2011, worked as a foreman on Clover Dam. He served in WWII, was involved in the community (Mt Beauty & District Progress Association & Mt Beauty Neighbourhood Centre), achieved many awards, served as Shire Councillor and Mayor, was involved with tennis and golf committees. His obituary is online ref. legacy.com White plastic folder with more than 20 clear plastic sleeves containing information on various organisations in Mt Beauty. Assembled by Alex McCullough. There is an index of the organisations in the first sleeve.Attached to the front cover: 'Early History Mount Beauty'mt beauty & district progress association, mount beauty history, alex mcculloch

This booklet was written by the Rev. H Clark of Terang in 1947 and gives the details of the life and work of the Rev. William Hamilton who came to Kilnoorat in 1847 and was the pioneer Presbyterian minister in the Western District.This is an important little biography of a a pioneering Presbyterian minister in the Western District.This a soft covered booklet of eight pages. It has a grey cover with black print and a photograph of a bearded gentleman reading a book. This book has been stapled but the staples are removed.The Pioneer of Presbyterianism in the Western District. Rev. William Hamilton.presbyterianism history

This Agers Telegraphic Primer or skeleton telegram guide contains a list of 19000 words which could be used by a business firm to send telegrams overseas in code form. The book once belonged to the Warrnambool firm Cramond and Dickson on the corner of Liebig and Timor Streets which opened a branch of their drapery business in London in 1868. By an agreement with the Reuters Telegram Company in 1899, the code word “sferalcea “ was used for the transmission of telegrams between the two shops. Messages of a general kind were set out at the back of the book: eg: the code word septicity stood for the message, “answer must be here not later than today twelve noon.” The selected words which were used by Cramond and Dickson’s have hand written entries beside the code word. These code books were used to save money and also to improve security.This book has significance on a number of levels. It has local historical significance, is well provenanced. It belonged to one of Warrnambool’s earliest and longest running businesses. The book itself, belonged to the era of early telegraphic communication and as such has wider historical significance.Black soft leather cover with gold lettering, pink inside front and back covers. 312 pages. Up to page 200 the book has words with spaces beside each word to make entries. The back section contains lists of words. Some loose pages and notes contained within the book. Typed page inside front cover from Reuters Telegram Company Limited. Ager’s Telegraphic Primer or skeleton telegram code: consisting of 19000 good telegraphic English words with appendix. Purple stamp inside front cover: Dr Ager 1 Foulden Road Stoke Newingtonwarrnambool, warrnambool history, cramond & dickson, agers telegraphic primer, agers telegraphic primer, reuters telegram company

This booklet, written by member Rita Williams, gives information on the history of the first decade of the South Western Embroiderers Guild, Warrnambool. The guild was formed in 1974 with an initial membership of 36. In the first ten years the guild members were active, making contact with other embroiderers, holding exhibitions, making a patchwork quilt for the bed at the Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottage at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and making an embroidered mural of Warrnambool presented to the Warrnambool Regional Performing Arts Centre in 1983. This mural features over 80 local buildings, Norfolk Island pines and small figures and other objects. The Embroiderers Guild continues to prosper today. This booklet is of interest as it contains the early history of the South Western Embroiderers Guild, a significant organization in Warrnambool. This is a booklet of 24 pages with a cover in brown and cream tonings featuring an image of the Warrnambool Coat of Arms and a tapestry. The pages contain a sketch and printed material. The booklet was stapled but the staples have been removed.R.Isaacsouth western embroiderers guild, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

The following extract written by Karen Tyers Warrnambool Family history group explains the journey and background of the Warrnambool Pioneer Board. Warrnambool is fortunate to have a photographic record of some of its pioneers. They are commemorated on the Pioneers’ Board. The Pioneers’ Board with its elaborate frame measures approximately 2 metres by 3 metres and holds 204 photographs of Warrnambool’s early pioneers. In 1907 Edward Vidler, secretary of the Warrnambool & District Progress League and Chamber of Commerce and Industry, invited descendants of those who arrived in Warrnambool before 1860 to send photographs of their pioneer ancestors to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Warrnambool’s foundation in 1847. A charge of £1 for each photograph was set. Lillian Foyle of Foyle’s photographic studio, was engaged to colour the photographs and undertake the associated artwork. By December 1907 the honour board was on exhibition in Bernard’s Gallery, Melbourne. Unfortunately Vidler left Warrnambool in 1907 with the honour board expenses unpaid. The Progress League refused to take responsibility for the debt and the honour board remained with Foyle’s Studio for 17 years. In 1922 subscriptions were called for and £43 16s 6d was acknowledged. After a final determined effort was made in 1924, the £100 debt was collected and Charles Foyle, Lillian’s brother, accepted settlement of the debt. On 2 May 1924 the honour board was moved from Foyle’s Studio to the Art Gallery. For many years the honour board was in the entrance passage to the public library. After the library was demolished in 1975 the pictures were removed to the Art Gallery where it was restored by the Director of the Art Gallery, Jack Welsh. The board was later stored in an empty front room at Murweh and the dismantled frame stored in an outbuilding. By 1982 the honour board was in the foyer of the City Council offices. During the renovations of the interior of the council offices in 1997 the honour board was moved to the library where it remained until moved to HeritageWorks in March 2014. For a full list of names go to http://www.warrnamboolhistory.org.au/warrnambool-history/pioneers-board/ The Warrnambool pioneer Board is one of those rare items which can claim significance on most if not all of the primary and comparative significance criteria. As a collection of early pioneers in the district it provides a valuable resource for historians and researchers. It gives light to a social scene in the district much of which can be verified from diaries and other items held by the historical society and also available on websites such as Trove. It has relevance to this day with many family historians enquiring of people included on the board. The collation of the board is a story of great interest in itself. While there are images of 204 men on the board the only reference to a woman is Lillian Foyle the artist who was responsible for much of the artistic work on the board. It compares well in size and quality with a number of montages, and collations of images from around the state of Victoria. It is by no means a complete list of pioneers of the district but there are many well- known ones included. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and as such presents a cross section of our earliest settlers in the district from 1840's to 1860’s.Cardboard folder with black and grey mottled cover with 3 metal studs along spine and white paper label with the word negative printed in black on front cover. Inside is a printed index of pioneers with reference relating to board number and negative number. There are three loose strips of negatives and 20 pages with pockets to hold strips of negatives. Up to page 13 have negatives strips inserted. There are 15 large and one small print of some of the pioneers from the board.This negative album was prepared by John A Welsh MBE JP Dip M Eng Director Warrnambool Art Gallery 1/7/1975 to 11/12/1977.There are a number of grey lead notations possibly corrections against some of the names in the index.warrnambool, warrnambool pioneer board, jack welsh, warrnambool art gallery, pioneers of warrnambool, foyles photography, lillian foyle, bernard framers, w mcaree,

This card is one that was given to those who were designated to hold the tassels of the pall at a funeral conducted by Beattie and Phillips of Warrnambool. A pall was a cloth used to cover a casket or coffin at a funeral. The pall often had four or more tassels on the edges and these people, usually men, would hold the tassels when the coffin was being carried into the church and out of the church. The pall was removed before burial. It was also in some services unfolded and folded in a ceremonial manner when it was placed on the coffin and when it was removed. Other men would have been designated as pallbearers to carry the coffin to and from the church. The firm of Beattie and Phillips was commenced in Warrnambool in the 1860s, by Christopher Beattie and Henry Phillips, initially in Koroit Street and after 1928 in Fairy Street. James Beattie, the son of Christopher, was the proprietor from 1896 to 1945 when James Leahy took over but traded for some years as Beattie and Phillips. The business was sold in 2000 and an undertaking business still operates from the same premises. The other two cards relate to part of the main mourning party who would have been allocated seats in the funeral vehicles These are very interesting cards as it is a great example of funeral practices 70 to 80 years ago. The practices may in many cases be the same today but cards such as these are no longer in use. It is also important as items connected with Beattie and Phillips, one of the two best-known undertaking businesses in Warrnambool’s history.This are three small buff-coloured lightweight cards given to those at funerals who were designated p[laces or parts in the service. (.1)to hold the tassel ends of the pall covering the coffin, .2 Seating in second coach .3 Seating in third coach The card has black printed material on both sides and a band of black across the top right hand corner. There is a small crease on the card and it is a little smudged. .1Side One: ‘Supporter of the Pall, Front Tassel-Right, Beattie & Phillips, Undertakers, Warrnambool, (J.C. Beattie), Phone 165 Day and Night, over’ Side Two: ‘Kindly show this card to Funeral Director when pall is being used and keep as a Memento’. .2 Second Coach Beattie & Phillips Undertakers Warrnambool . 'Phone 165 Day and night. On back 183 written in pencil .3 Third Coach Beattie and Phillips Undertakers Warrnambool. 'Phone 165 Day and night. On back 183 written in pencil warrnambool, beattie & phillips, james beattie warrnambool, james leahy warrnambool, warrnambool undertakers

The Australian Comforts Fund was formed during the first World War and was an amalgamation of various organisations which were sending items of comfort such as toiletries, clothing and food to Australian troops who were fighting overseas. It ceased its work and was dissolved in 1920 at the ceasation of the war but was started again to continue the same work in 1939.In Australia it rivalled the work of the red Cross and many of the volunteers involved were women. As well as making and providing items themselves there was major fundraising to purchase further items. Over the course of the war they provided over 1.5 million hampers. This certificate was presented to Mrs Steward for valuable services rendered to the Australian Comforts Fund during World War 1939-1945. The Australian Comforts fund was wound up in June 1946.This certificate recognises the work of one of our residents to a fund which was Australia wide and would have been one of numerous certificates presented around the country. The Australian Comforts fund was an organisation with which numerous people would have been affiliated and which also assisted many soldiers over the years. Cream certificate with black text, highlighted with red. The name Mrs Steward has been written in in blue ink. In comes enclosed in a dark grey soft card folder.Mrs Steward. Signed Valerie Heinze, Lady mayoress of Melbourne. Thomas S Neu*tefold, Hermen W *ohn, On front of grey folder "Mrs Steward Warrnambool.warrnambool, warrnambool history, australian comforts fund, mrs steward warrnambool

This post card has been sent from a military camp in England by Private George Hall to his niece Myra. Private Hall was a farmer from Purnim who enlisted in August 1915 (14th Battalion, 15 Reinforcement Group). He was aged 30 at the time. He left Australia in 1916 and transferred to 3 Field Artillery Brigade. He returned to Australia in 1919. The card gives no details of Private Hall’s activities at the time but indicates that he had sent several post cards to members of his family. This post card is of interest as an example of the many beautiful embroidered post cards that were sent by Australian soldiers to family members during World War One. The cards were usually made in France and sent from there but in this case was sent from England. The card is also of interest because it is a personal message sent from a local soldier from Purnim during World War One This is a post card from World War One. It has a written message on the back from Private George Hall to his niece Myra and it has a piece of embroidery on the front of the card. This depicts a black cat with the British colours of red, white and blue around its collar and other ornaments – a white horseshoe, a Union Jack, a white pedestal and red, green and white greenery. The words ‘Good Luck’ are stitched in yellow. The stitching is on white silk which is somewhat stained. There is a crimped border in lightweight cardboard around the embroidery. The message on the back is written in pencil.‘Dear Myra, Just this P.C. to let you see I have not forgotten you. Hope you are quite well. I have sent you & Dorry a lot of P. cards from England. I hope you get them all right. Your poor old Uncle George, 4821, 40 Bat. Worgret Camp, Wareham, Dorset. Wishing you all a very Merry Xmas & Happy New Year XXXX Nov. 24th -11-16.private george hall, world war one, world war one embroidered postcards, history of warrnambool

The business of Kitchen and Sons began in 1856 when John Kitchen began to make tallow candles in their backyard in Emerald Hill but had to move two years later due to it being an offensive trade. Bad luck plagued them again after two years when fire destroyed their premises. However after rebuilding , the expanded and moved to Footscray ten years later. Over the next 30years the business expanded further employing upwards of 300 people and became one of the leading manufacturers of soaps, candles and associated products in Australia and New Zealand. They were makers of long standing brands such as Velvet soap and Solvol and by the mid 1920's were employing about 1400 people. It was around this time that they merged with the Lever Co of Sydney and after absorption of other soap companies over the next 40 years , the company became known as Lever & Kitchen in 1962. This box contained gift soaps and probably belongs to the period prior to 1924. Miss C M Trigg of Wangoom was the owner. A common item with links to a district family.White card box with overlapping lid which is covered in white paper with green and red text. A red banner across right bottom corner. Light grey floral pattern as background.Miss C M Trigg Wangoom written in black ink on left corner. Made by J Kitchen & Sons Pty Ltd.warrnambool, warrnambool history, wangoom, c m trigg wangoom

This is a book of 384 pages plus 30 pages containing information on other books for sale. The cover is red with gold printing and a gold image of a Royal Palace. The pages contain printed text and black and white illustrations.non-fictionA biography of Queen Victoria queen victoria, her life and reign

This book has nine volumes with six of them containing three separate books inside the cover. The volumes have red hard covers with gold printing on the spines. There is an embossed image of a soldier on the front covers and embossed shields on the spines. The pages contain printed matter, maps and photographs.non-fictionA four volume set written about the history of World War 1. world war one, james low of warrnambool

This book has a brown leather cover which is heavily embossed with brown and gold patterns and gold lettering, The spine is torn at the top and the cover is worn at the edges.The pages are gilt-edged and contain printed text and black and white sketches, illustrations, maps and diagrams. non-fictionAn encyclopaedia and business guide (late 19th century)19th century australia, 19th century encyclopaedia, 19th century business guide

The book has black leather covers which are heavily embossed with an Australian Coat of Arms and featuring gold printing, scroll work and patterns. The title of the book is on the spine which also has gold patterns. The cover is torn at the top left hand corner. The inside cover is water damaged. The gilt edged pages contain printed text, black and white and tinted illustrations and coloured maps. There is a narrow ribbon book mark , a pressed leaf and a cut out card flower inserted in the pages.non-fictionA history of Australasia written in late 18oo'saustralasian history, alice gamble, a history of australasia 1870, warrnambool

This is a programme of 16 pages. The cover has a colour image of a seascape and a ship and black printing. The pages contain printed text, black and white sketches and photographs and advertisements. The pages have been stapled but the staples have been removed.non-fictionThis is a programme of the opera performance of the Wreck of the Loch Ard wreck of the loch ard, warrnambool theatre company

This door plate was found at 28 Spence Street, Warrnambool by the builder Ray Hollingsworth, when he was renovating the building for the Warrnambool Presbyterian Church in June 2019. He realized that the inscription had been placed there by Leslie O'Callaghan, probably when he left the premises in 1942 after boarding there for some years. Leslie O'Callaghan (1918-2014) was born in Balmoral and left there at the age of 13 with a scholarship to study at Warrnambool Technical School. He became an industrial chemist, working at the Kraft Walker Cheese Factory in Allansford (Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory). His experimental work in cheese cultures over a 45 year period was regarded as cutting edge work in the Victorian dairying industry. Known as 'Mr History', Leslie O'Callaghan was also an important Warrnambool historian, serving as president of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society for 35 years. In later life Les wrote about his time in 28 Spence Street, noting the lay-out of the early building and other boarders at the time. He never mentioned the interesting memento of his time there that he left on the back of a door plate. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society Archives Centre is called 'Les O'Callaghan History House'This door plate with its inscription was found 77 years after the inscription was written. It is of considerable interest because the writer of the inscription was well-known in Warrnambool as a bacteriologist and an historian. He left his own personal historical message and by sheer chance it was found years later. (All the old door plates at the time of the renovation were thrown out and it was fortunate that the builder happened to see the writing on one of them and to recognize who the writer was.)This is a cream-coloured ceramic door plate. It is rectangular-shaped with curved edges at the top and bottom. It has been painted white and has two holes at the top and bottom for the insertion of screws for a5taching the plate to the door. The inside of the plate has handwriting in black pencilLeslie Alexander O'Callaghan lived here for some years 1939-1942 AD. His occupation was as assistant bacteriologist for Kraft-Walker Cheese Coy. at Allansford. Born at Balmoral, 40 miles NORTH of Hamilton, Victorialeslie o'callaghan warrnambool, kraft walker cheese company allansford, 28 spence street warrnambool

This is one of a series of plaques which commemorated some of the winners of the Grand Annual Steeplechase which is held each year in Warrnambool. It is the longest race at a public course in Australia.The first Grand Annual was held in 1872 as the Warrnambool Handicap Steeplechase. This series of plaques were painted by local artist Leslie Lamey and were originally in the members enclosure at the Warrnambool Racecourse. Why Fail won the Grand Annual in 1935 with jockey H Perrett . These items relate to a significant part of Warrnambool's sporting and social history. Primary Significance Criteria Painted white rectangular tin plaque with rolled edges with painting of jockey's silks and cap. The jockey silks have mustard yellow sleeves and cap with green front and back.Why Fail in black texta written on the back of plaque.warrnambool, grand annual steeplechase, horse why fail, jockey h perrett 1935

The Hollywood film stars pasted on to one side of this paper are of no historical interest to our Society. The four paper items attached to the other side relate to the pioneer aviator, Basil Watson. He flew the first aeroplane to come to Warrnambool in January 1917. Watson flew from Point Cook to Warrnambool in one hour 55 minutes, an Australian cross-country flying record at the time. He had built his own aeroplane which was 18 feet long with a wing span of 26 feet and it had a 7 cylinder 50 H.P. rotary Gnome engine. In Warrnambool he amazed the crowds with his dare-devil aerial acrobatics, looping the loop 14 times over the Warrnambool Racecourse. Watson also brought several letters with him, making him the bearer of the first aerial mail to Warrnambool. Sadly Basil Watson died when his plane crashed at Point Cook in March 1917, just two months after his record-breaking flight to Warrnambool. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society has in its collection the small galvanized bucket seat which came from Watson’s plane and the original first air letter written by the Mayor of Melbourne to the Mayor of Warrnambool. These four items are of considerable historical interest as they are souvenirs issued at the time of Basil Watson’s aviation exploits in the early 1900s and Watson is of great importance in the aviation history of Warrnambool.This is a piece of paper (possibly from a scrapbook) with one torn edge. Pasted on to the paper on one side are newspaper photographs of early Hollywood female film stars. On the other side are four items relating to the pioneer aviator, Basil Watson – an airmail post card, a newspaper black and white photograph, a souvenir black and white photograph and a card with an illustration of an early aeroplane (pictured upside down). ‘The Aerial Postman Basil Watson’ ‘Official Souvenir Australian Aerial Mail’ basil watson, pioneer aviator, aviation in warrnambool’s history, history of warrnambool

This letter book has letters, invoices, sketch maps and plans and dates from 1908 to 1910. It came from the office of John William Crawley Junior, an engineer, architect and surveyor in private practice in Warrnambool and also the official engineer of the Shire of Warrnambool from 1895 to 1935. His father, brother and son were also engineers and worked in that capacity or as the Shire Secretary for the Shire of Warrnambool, with the Crawley family members recording a total of 132 years of service to the Shire. The letter book was passed on to John Crawley’s son, Rolf, Engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool from 1935 to 1968. The letter book then came into the possession of Michael Hand who took over the private surveying business of Rolf Crawley in Warrnambool and the Warrnambool and District Historical Society has acquired the letter book, one of several Crawley ledgers, from the Michael Hand estate. This letter book is of considerable significance as it contains maps, plans, sketches and written information on the work of John William Crawley, the engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool for 40 years. This is a black-covered letter book with copies of letters and field maps and plans and an alphabetical listing at the front. Some of the letters are invoices for work carried out. The leather section of the front cover has been almost completely torn away and the binding is mended with adhesive tape. There are some torn pages. The front page has a signature and a mauve stamp. ‘Letter Book’ ‘J.Wm. Crawley (Private)’ ‘ Rolf L. Crawley, Civil Engineer, Drainage and Water Supply Engineer, Licensed Surveyor, Registered Architect, Warrnambool’ ‘4’ rolf crawley, warrnambool, john william crawley, junior, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This book, written by Graeme Bennett, gives information on the Bennett family history and the history of the Stawell Woollen Mills. The Bennett family was associated with the textile industry for more than 200 years. The book gives information on John Edward Bennett (1862-1928) who, in 1909 became the first manager of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill. This mill opened in 1910 and closed in 2000 and was a dominant business, known throughout Australia for its woollen blankets. John Bennett was a highly-successful manager at the Warrnambool Woollen Mill from 1909 until his death in 1928. His son, who was the assistant manager at the mill, left in 1926 to take over the Stawell Woollen Mill.This book is of considerable interest as it contains valuable information on the author’s grandfather, John Edward Bennett, important in Warrnambool’s history as the first manager of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill, a prominent business in Warrnambool for 90 years.This is a soft cover book of 384 pages. The front cover has a mottled cream and black background with black lettering and a colour photograph of a painting of the Stawell Woollen Mill. The back cover and spine have the same mottled pattern with black lettering. The book has 22 chapters and several colour and black and white photographs. john e bennett, warrnambool woollen mill, stawell woollen mill