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Sunshine and District Historical Society Incorporated
Souvenir Programme (1944), DIAMOND JUBILEE celebration of the SUNSHINE HARVESTER, 1944
As a youth while working on his father's farm, Hugh Victor McKay became tired of the labour involved in winnowing wheat by hand. In 1884 he built the first machine in the world which did the winnowing in conjunction with the reaping. On Monday 21st August 1944, which coincided with the birthday of the late H. V. McKay, more than 2000 employees and friends of H. V. McKay Massey Harris Pty Ltd were entertained at the Melbourne Town Hall, in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of the Sunshine Harvester Works.The event was planned to "turn it on for the boys' in a manner befitting the occasion." The compere was Eric Pearce (of later TV newsreader fame) and the entertainment was provided by leading performers of song (W.M.Laird and Mary Miller), of music (John Robertson, W.M.King, and the Sunshine Brass Band), and of humour (Charles Sherman). The accompanists for some of the performances were Betty Miller and Eric Fox. Two films depicting the activities of the Sunshine Works were shown, and the managing director Mr C. N. McKay, was presented with a book by Mr Fred Bult who had 50 years service with the company. The book contained more than 1000 signatures from invited employees who had completed more than 10 years of service, Supper was provided in the Lower Hall, and the MC for dancing to the Synco-Harvesters Dance Band in the Main Hall was James Patrick. The committee which organised the function were Messrs. L.W. King (Chairman), G. Baker, J. Downing, R. Stewart, F. J. Lee, V. Armstrong, F. Fields, J. Aird, G. Wilson, J. G. McKay, T. N. McArthur, and R. Webb, with secretaries Messrs. G. Shaw and D. J. McKay. The above information was compiled from the Souvenir Programme, and from The Argus of Tuesday 22 August 1944 which can be viewed at http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11357700, and from the Sunshine Advocate of Friday 30 June 1944.The Souvenir Programme provides a historical record of how the Diamond Jubilee was celebrated, as well as the type of entertainment and the names of the entertainers and other people involved. It also lists the types of dances such as the 'Fox Trot' and the 'Pride of Erin' that were normal entertainment in 1944. The Souvenir Programme is also significant in what it does not tell us. There is absolutely no indication of what would be considered to be a supper for an event like this in 1944, especially in the Melbourne Town Hall. From a historical point of view it would be interesting to know.Beige coloured cardboard document which is folded in two, and has brown coloured printing on three of the four sides. The document provides a detailed list of the entertainment and the presentations held in the Melbourne Town Hall, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Sunshine Harvester Works.1884 1944 / SOUVENIR PROGRAMME / DIAMOND JUBILEE of the SUNSHINE HARVESTER / MELBOURNE TOWN HALL / Monday 21st Aug.sunshine harvester, diamond jubilee, h. v. mckay, massey harris pty ltd, 21 august 1944, 1884, 1944, melbourne town hall, sunshine harvester works, sunshine harvester, diamond jubilee, h. v. mckay, massey harris pty ltd, 21 august 1944, 1884, 1944, melbourne town hall, sunshine harvester works -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, Surrey Hills Post Office
The post office opened at this location in 1912. It was demolished in 2000. Post office history in the area: Until 1883 when the railway came through to Surrey Hills, this was essentially a rural community of scattered farms. Land subdivisions soon occurred along the railway line and limited postal services followed soon after, although a ‘permanent’ home for the post office was two decades away. George Sim Junior is acknowledged as our first postmaster; he opened a post office on 1 October 1884 in his father’s general store at 619-621 Canterbury Road, a few doors down from the Surrey Hills Hotel on the corner of Union Road. Over the next 20 years, the Surrey Hills Post Office moved several times into temporary, shared accommodation – in 1889 into Woodhead’s Corner Store at 364 Canterbury Road; then in 1895 to No 376, Hansen’s Exchange Building, part of Hansen’s Terrace (demolished) and in 1901 to 109 Union Road, on the corner of Windsor Crescent. Following Federation in 1901, the new Commonwealth Government established the Postmaster-General's Department to provide postal services to the nation. Many of the post offices constructed in the following years reflected a growing sense of Australian pride and nationalism. It was 1914 when building commenced on the ‘purpose-built’ post office at 609 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills. Described as “a polychromatic Federation Freestyle building”, it served as the local post office for nearly 85 years until sold by the Commonwealth Government in c1999, after which the post office moved to the current, less prominent site at 100 Union Road. For nearly 10 years under private ownership, the building was successfully adapted for use as the base for two businesses, Gargoyles and Dragons and later the Surrey Sculpture Studio, and fortuitously the historic integrity of the building was maintained. However although renovated in the 1990's, structurally sound and of historic significance, it was not protected under local or commonwealth heritage legislation and was demolished soon after sale. This is an early image of a demolished building which should have been protected. In 1991, when the City of Camberwell conducted a heritage study, (which still informs the basis of the City of Boroondara’s heritage guidelines for this part of the municipality,) the post office was owned by the Commonwealth Government. As such, it could not be considered for heritage listing by the local authorities. Some years later, the Commonwealth and Australia Post rather belatedly recognized not only that post offices have heritage and social value, but also that the architecture of post offices as community buildings is important. A heritage management scheme was developed for the buildings they own or control under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999. Unfortunately, the Surrey Hills Post Office had been sold and demolished before this was finally enacted in 2004. Black and white image, perhaps from a post card, of Surrey Hills post office at 609 Canterbury Road. The building is flanked by a picket fence. There is a woman, a dog and a man in front of the entrance. The man is in uniform - possibly a postal employee.post offices, canterbury road, businesses, surrey hills post office, surrey sculture studio, gargoyles and dragons -
Federation University Art Collection
Painting - acrylic on canvas, Collier, John, 'Port Phillip Colonial GMC, Clunes' by John Collier, 2008
John COLLIER (1937- 2012) John Collier was born at Ballarat in 1937. He received a Diploma of Mining and a Diploma of Civil Engineering at the Ballarat School of Mines (SMB), later graduating from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining). Early in his career he received a Diploma of Accountancy from the Australian Society of Accountants. Collier believes his experience at SMB had a profound influence on his life, especially what he learnt in Geology, Engineering, Chemistry, etc., all of which he found beneficial to his later working life and he is proud of that association. Through his experience in the world-wide mining industry John Collier has made a major impact on the mining industry. He has been exploration leader for a large number of worldwide discoveries and farm-ins both major and minor. He has experience in every facet of the mining industry, and his record in identifying diamond opportunities include Australian (Argyle), Canada (Diabik), Zimbabwe, and the Brazil Pipe (Collier Falls). His success in diamond exploration may be unparalleled. John Collier also has significant success with lead-zinc, iron ore, coal, copper, gold-silver, petroleum, heavy minerals, nickel, uranium, industrial minerals, rare earths, and tin. In 2006 John Collier was made a Legend in Mining by the Australian Mining Industry. Over his last 10 years, he had become a passionate painter, holding several successful solo exhibitions. His naive style featured beautiful and unexpected colour combinations. Many of his most lauded paintings depicted mining scenes, harking back to his Ballarat days. This work and subject matter was painted for the artist's alma mater, the Ballarat School of Mines (now Federation University Australia). This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Colourful acrylic on canvas painting depicting the Port Phillip Gold Mining Company, Clunes.art, artwork, john collier, port phillip cold mine, clunes, clunes, available, alumni, mining -
Melton City Libraries
Newspaper, Historic Homestead Vandalised, 1990
Edna Barrie describes the Darlingsford property. C.E. Barrrie Land developers bought the property from my husband’s brother. It was one big farm and they were a big family. When the father died he left it to be cut up for the family. The youngest son had to reach age 21 before the property could be divided and portioned out to the mother and children, but it was deferred until Jim returned from the war. Eventually it was cut up into two parts, we were married by then and so was Edgar. Part of the land included the block on the other side of Ferris road, which became the quarry, Edgar’s section was on the Toolern Creek end, he was the last one married and lived in the old bluestone house until 1974. The developers bought this section but they could not get permits due to the state of the old bridge due to the cost. Barries had built the bridge across the creek [1926]. It took the big loads of hay and the family kept it maintained. Once the Barries had gone it did not get any upkeep. The developers found the cost of replacing the bridge and developing site with sewerage and drainage power before they sell. The rural land itself is not worth much as the developer has to complete the subdivision before any blocks can be sold. The developer from Sydney had a man living in the house, who let it go the rack and ruin. He managed to buy from the developer 25 acres with the bluestone house. Bernard Coburn had it for a while but is was well out of our hands by then. There were various people who have bought into and tried to develop and have given up. There was a project sometime ago to save the buildings from ruin but nothing has happened as yet, they are six or seven years to late. The buildings continue to deteriorate and were badly damaged vandals and fire. The Shire bought all the rest of it from the developer, where the tip is now, that was also part of Edgars land. Article about a fire at Darlingsford Estate featured in the Telegraphlocal architecture, local identities, emergency services -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Codling Collection 01 - Woodland Grove, Wodonga
Miss Olive Codling was a Foundation Member and a Life Member of the Wodonga Historical Society. Many of her prize-winning photos are held in the Society Collection. She also held a range of roles and committee positions in a wide range of Wodonga community organisations. These included the Horticultural Society, the Wodonga Arts Council, the Wodonga Camera Club and the Wodonga Lapidary Club. Woodland Grove is located in the triangular reserve at the corner of High and Hovell Streets, Wodonga. ‘Woodland Grove". It was named in honour of John Woodland at the same time as the opening of the band rotunda in September 1920. John Woodland, Wodonga Shire’s first president, was born in Kent, England, in 1829 and came to Sydney with his parents in 1839. He arrived in the Wodonga district about 1853, where he created a successful carrier's business. He first lived on the Old Barnawartha Estate and a few years later purchased land at Green Hills, Wodonga West, where he farmed and also ran a hotel. The hotel licence was relinquished to give attention to duties as secretary and clerk of works to Wodonga Shire, which was then the Wodonga Riding of the Shire of Yackandandah. He was a main agitator for the separation of Wodonga district from Yackandandah Shire. This was successful in 1876, and he became the first president of Wodonga Shire. He held this post for two years, then taking on the role of shire secretary in 1878 until 1913. He concurrently undertook the role of clerk of works (engineer) from 1896 to 1907. As clerk of works he prepared the plans and specifications for, and supervised the construction of the big bridges on the Albury road and at Bonegilla and other important works. In his mid 70s, he proffered his resignation on a number of occasions but it was not accepted. Despite physical weakness and impaired vision, John continued his duties to the end, with the help of his daughter Rose Murphy. Rose became shire secretary for 20 years after her father’s death in 1913.This photo collection is significant as it documents the naming of a public area in Wodonga to honour an original and long-serving member of the Wodonga Shire Council.A black and white photo of Woodland Grove in High Street, Wodonga. It includes the rotunda, the water tower and the soldier's memorial. There is a post and wire fence in the foreground as well as several trees and rose bushes. Beneath the photo: "WOODLAND GROVE / Rotunda - Water Tower - Memorial"high st wodonga, woodland grove, john woodland -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Mac's Hotel, Wodonga, c1870s
“Mac's Hotel" in Wodonga West, one of Wodonga's earliest hotels, was owned by William Christie McFarlane who arrived in Melbourne in December 1854 from Stirling, Scotland. He spent his first three years mining for gold at Beechworth. For the next three years he was the manager of the King’s Hotel at Wooragee, which was owned by his father-in-law, Charles David King. In 1860 he bought 180 acres of land at Wodonga, eventually extending his holdings to 1,000 acres on which he farmed. He called his property “Abbey Craig” after his home in Scotland. In time he owned several properties in Wodonga, a small vineyard and 'Mac's Hotel'. Mac’s Hotel was a popular meeting place for teamsters and other travellers on the Sydney Road. It opened in the early 1860s and the license was at times in the name of W. C. McFarlane and at other times held by his wife, Mary McFarlane. William had several positions during his life in Wodonga including serving as Postmaster and conducting a Commission and Insurance Agency business. He was appointed Secretary to the first Wodonga Building Society. W. C. McFarlane also filled the position of Sheriff’s Officer, Registrar of Births and Deaths and Marriages, and Justice of the Peace. W. C. McFarlane served as a member of the Wodonga Shire Council for several years including three terms as Shire President: 1889-90, 1890-1891 and 1894-95. He passed away in Wodonga in December 1906. After his death, the license of Mac’s Hotel continued to be held by Mary McFarlane until her death in November 1910. The license was not renewed and the hotel was taken over as a residence by their son, Walter McFarlane. Unfortunately, on 25 January 1913, Walter was assisting neighbours fighting grass fires about 3 miles away when his own home was completely destroyed by fire, bringing to an end the long history of the popular hostelry, Mac’s Hotel.This image is significant because it documents an early business in Wodonga conducted by a prominent Wodonga resident.Black and white image of people standing, on horseback and in coach outside Mac' Hotel, West Wodongamac's hotel, hotels wodonga -
Wooragee Landcare Group
Photograph, 3rd April 2004
This photograph depicts fox behaviour specialist Camille Veselsky demonstrating the use of a fox bait trap at an event conducted as part of an awareness campaign highlighting damage done to farm and domestic animals and native wildlife in April 2004. Camille Veselsky is a specialist in fox behaviour who worked for the Hume Rural lands Protection Board on pest animal control for 27 years. This date is suggested by the photograph's position in the 2004-2005 Wooragee Landcare Group Coordinator's Report folder. A note accompanying the item suggests an alternative date of 24th June 2004, however. This event raised awareness about the impacts of foxes in rural areas and provided practical training in techniques to control their populations. Flyers contained in the parent folder suggest that baiting may have been agreed as a method of fox control as the event depicted was followed by a two week baiting campaign a fortnight later. Pictured in this photograph, left to right: unknown, unknown, Quentin Mansfield, Graeme Missen, unknown, Helmut Wiemann, presenter Camille Veselsky, Ursula Wiemann, unknowns. A note accompanying the items suggests the photograph may have been taken by Karen Bowley or Maree Missen. In the folder, the photograph is accompanied by a printed label stating: 'Sensible precautions must be taken when handling FOXOFF.' Regional areas like Wooragee are susceptible to fox attacks due to the availability of food such as rubbish, scraps, native wildlife and livestock. Foxes can have a huge impact on native wildlife and domestic life as they are known to chew through irrigation systems, dig-up and defecate in gardens, raid rubbish bins and harass other domestic animals. Ground-dwelling native species are particularly susceptible to predation by foxes, which when combined with loss of habitat can endanger these species. Affected species include Speckled Warblers, Plovers, Diamond Firetails, Spotted Quail-Thrushes, Turquoise Parrots, Dunnarts, Bandicoots, Phascogales, skinks, geckos and legless lizards. This photograph is significant as an example of awareness raising and threat control programs undertaken by Wooragee Landcare Group in the 2000s in Indigo Shire. Landscape coloured photograph printed on gloss paper. Reverse: WAN NA 0ANA2N0 NNN+ 3 8743 / [PRINTED] 24 / [HANDWRITTEN] (No. 1 1) / 257 [PRINTED}wooragee landcare, wooragee, north-east victoria, indigo shire, landcare movement, 2004, fox control, pest control, native animal protection, farming, farm life, foxes, vermin, baiting, traps, speckled warbler, plovers, diamond firetails, spotted quail-thrush, turquoise parrot, dunnarts, bandicoots, phascogales, skinks, geckos, legless lizard, chickens, ducks, guinea-pigs, camille veselsky, quentin mansfield, graeme missen, helmut wiemann, ursula wiemann, karen bowley, maree missen -
Wooragee Landcare Group
Photograph, 3rd April 2004
This photograph depicts fox behaviour specialist Camille Veselsky demonstrating the use of a fox bait trap at an event conducted as part of an awareness campaign highlighting damage done to farm and domestic animals and native wildlife in April 2004. Camille Veselsky is a specialist in fox behaviour who worked for the Hume Rural lands Protection Board on pest animal control for 27 years. This date is suggested by the photograph's position in the 2004-2005 Wooragee Landcare Group Coordinator's Report folder. A note accompanying the item suggests an alternative date of February 2004, however. This event raised awareness about the impacts of foxes in rural areas and provided practical training in techniques to control their populations. Flyers contained in the parent folder suggest that baiting may have been agreed as a method of fox control as the event depicted was followed by a two week baiting campaign a fortnight later. Pictured in the photograph, left to right: unknown, Quentin Mansfield; four unknown people; Mary Prowse; two unknown people; Helmut Wiemann; unknown person. In the folder, the photograph is accompanied by a printed label stating: 'Train foxes to take free feeds before using the 1080. Small traces of fish oil can help attract foxes to the bait station.' Regional areas like Wooragee are susceptible to fox attacks due to the availability of food such as rubbish, scraps, native wildlife and livestock. Foxes can have a huge impact on native wildlife and domestic life as they are known to chew through irrigation systems, dig-up and defecate in gardens, raid rubbish bins and harass other domestic animals. Ground-dwelling native species are particularly susceptible to predation by foxes, which when combined with loss of habitat can endanger these species. Affected species include Speckled Warblers, Plovers, Diamond Firetails, Spotted Quail-Thrushes, Turquoise Parrots, Dunnarts, Bandicoots, Phascogales, skinks, geckos and legless lizards. This photograph is significant as an example of awareness raising and threat control programs undertaken by Wooragee Landcare Group in the 2000s in Indigo Shire.Landscape coloured photograph printed on gloss paper. Reverse: 25 / 2 [HANDWRITTEN] WAN NA 0ANA2N0 NNN+ 1 8743 / [PRINTED] (No.12) / 258wooragee, wooragee landcare group, indigo shire, north-east victoria, fox, foxes, pest control, vermin, conservation, baiting, trapping, farming, wildlife, speckled warblers, plovers, diamond firetails, spotted quail-thrush, turquoise parrot, dunnarts, bandicoots, phascogales, skinks, geckos, legless lizards, camille veselsky -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Marguerite Marshall, Sutherland Home for Children, Diamond Creek, 27 September 2007
The Sutherland Homes for Children on Yan Yean Road, Diamond Creek cared for thousands of children from when it was opened in 1912. The site closed for this purpose in 1991 and was sold and later developed for commercial and office purposes. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p107 The Sutherland Homes for Children at 14 Yan Yean Road, Diamond Creek, cared for thousands of children since they opened in 1912, after beginning at La Trobe Street, Melbourne in 1908. In 1994 Sutherland Homes (then called Sutherland Child, Youth and Family Services) amalgamated with Berry Street Child and Family Welfare. Together as Berry Street Victoria, they formed Victoria’s largest independent provider of support and accommodation services for children, young people and families in crisis.1 However with the move from institutional to community care, the Diamond Creek site had not been used since 1991 and was sold to private purchasers in 1999. More than 2000 former residents, staff, neighbours and friends attended a farewell in February, 2000.2 The Sutherland Homes red-brick and stuccoed building in Diamond Creek (a rare design in the Eltham Shire), was opened in 1929 by Lord Somers, the Governor of Victoria. Destitute children lived in dormitories bathed in natural light through large windows. However in 1958 as the cottage–parent system replaced the dormitory system, the first of eight residential cottages accommodating ten to 12 children was built. The site also included Special School 3660 and a farm, and the children were able to form relationships with people outside Sutherland, by staying with holiday hosts. Children were originally placed at Sutherland because of extreme poverty, or because single parents could not cope. However later, most placements occurred due to family violence, abuse or neglect. The property was originally bought from the Crown in 1869 by Timothy Mahony. Later owner, Augusta Meglin, ran a 40-acre (16ha) farm there. In 1909 she bequeathed this, including the house, orchards, vegetable gardens, vineyards and the balance of her income to The Sutherland Homes for Neglected Children. Sutherland Homes’ founder, Selina Sutherland, was known as ‘New Zealand’s Florence Nightingale’. In 1888 she became Victoria’s first licensed ‘child rescuer’3 and was to rescue around 3000 waifs from Victoria’s streets and slums.4 Born in Scotland in 1839, Sutherland joined her sister, who had emigrated with her husband to New Zealand. Sutherland trained as a nurse and led the establishment of a public hospital at Masterton. In 1881, while holidaying in Melbourne, Sutherland was so touched by seeing young people living under Princes Bridge, that this determined her future work. Meanwhile Sutherland instigated the Melbourne District Nursing Society, (now Royal District Nursing Service). She also led the founding of The Victorian Neglected Children’s Aid Society (now Oz Child) and the Presbyterian Neglected Children’s Aid Society (now Kildonan). From 1894 Miss Sutherland was Melbourne’s best known woman and cut a distinctive figure, wearing an alpine hat with a prominent feather. In 1906 Prime Minister Alfred Deakin named her Melbourne’s most successful philanthropic worker. However she was to face some difficult times. That year she suffered severely from an injured shoulder and dizzy turns and was pressured to resign as Superintendent of The Victorian Neglected Children’s Aid Society. In 1908 the committee of management offered her 12 months leave with pay. Sutherland declined – but soon after, was dismissed. However she continued her work from Latrobe Street, Melbourne, with the help of Sister Ellen Sanderson and several committee members. Sutherland attempted to register her new organisation but the Victorian Neglected Children’s Aid Society objected to the government, alleging that Sutherland, because of increasing infirmity, was unable to satisfactorily carry out such duties. They accused her of cruelty and of intoxication. However the charges were not proven, so The Sutherland Homes for Neglected Children was registered.5 Sadly, in 1909 Sutherland died, the day she was to move the children to the ‘country property’ at Diamond Creek. At her death she owned less than £10. Today Berry Street recognises Sutherland’s enormous contribution to child welfare with a memorial and an annual Selina Sutherland Award, presented to an outstanding volunteer.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, diamond creek, sutherland home for children -
Glen Eira Historical Society
Drawing - St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, Caulfield
... Farms ...Two copies of a sixteen page booklet titled First Fifty Years, detailing a brief history, researched by John Watson, of St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, Balaclava Road Caulfield, between 1910-1960. The booklet includes several images, including two photographs, one of the interior of the church, the other of the interior of the main hall. There is also a set of six portrait photographs of the ministers of St. Stephen’s from 1913-1960. There is also a photograph of the front view of the first church and a sketch by Haddon and Henderson architects of the design for the present, 1960, church dated to the early-mid 1920s. There is a list of names of office-bearers for the year 1960. That list has been photocopied and is included in the file. Finally, there are two pages of handwritten notes, undated and unattributed, of information about St. Stephen’s derived from the First Fifty Years booklet.caulfield, st. stephen’s presbyterian church, presbyterian church, balaclava road, caulfield west, oulton street, watson john, kerry gordon f.g. rev., currie george, kinross george, haddon robert, thomson william rev., pollard mr., hunter c. hay m.a. rev., burns hugh m.m.a.b.d. rev., tamagno f. rev., simpson w.l. rev., goddard s.a.m.a.b.d. rev., robinson e.b. rev., adamson j. mr., jamieson r.f. mr., fraser w. mr., tannahill a.s. mr., mcilroy r. mr., smith f.b. mr., josephs a. mr., mac callum d. mr., darby g. mr., watson t.c. mr., attwood w.b. mr., wells organisation, land subdivisions, clergy residences, churches, settlements, community services, sunday schools, religious structures and establishments, architectural features, stained glass, paintings, farms, religious groups, ministers, monuments and memorials, clubs and associations, sporting clubs, p.w.m.u., presbyterian women’s missionary union, p.f.a., p.b.a., p.g.a., men’s brotherhood, soldier’s welfare association, youth executive, women’s league, dramatic club, halls, committees of management, building construction, fundraising events, business and finance, festivals and celebrations, religious ceremonies, architects, choirs, christian religion -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph - Lantern Slide, c1900
This image appears to show nurses at what is now the Mayday Hills Mental Asylum arriving for work in approximately 1900. These individuals are part of a long history of nursing in Beechworth. Three medical or social welfare facilities opened in the mid-1800s as part of a push by the township to become a regional centre for Government services. These were the Ovens District Hospital (opened in 1857), the Ovens Benevolent Asylum (opened in 1863), and the Beechworth Mental Hospital (opened in 1867 and renamed Mayday Hills Hospital at Centenary celebrations in 1967). It was recognised that the unsettled living conditions, poverty and relative isolation of the Goldfields environment could produce 'mental disturbances' which required local treatment facilities as services in Melbourne were too far away. Carole Woods' publication 'A Titan's Field' describes activities undertaken by patients at Beechworth Mental Hospital as including monthly balls and occasional concerts as well as work to make the facility self-supporting such as farm work and making clothes. She mentions a report in 1870 that the approximately 300 patients were clean and neat with 'no-one in restraint or seclusion' but that by 1905 the organisation had 623 patients which placed strain on building infrastructure such as heating and water supplies, leading to high turnover of nurses and other issues. A program of building works to extend and improve facilities followed over subsequent decades. Lantern slides, sometimes called 'magic lantern' slides, are glass plates on which an image has been secured for the purpose of projection. Glass slides were etched or hand-painted for this purpose from the Eighteenth Century but the process became more popular and accessible to the public with the development of photographic-emulsion slides used with a 'Magic Lantern' device in the mid-Nineteenth Century. Photographic lantern slides comprise a double-negative emulsion layer (forming a positive image) between thin glass plates that are bound together. A number of processes existed to form and bind the emulsion layer to the base plate, including the albumen, wet plate collodion, gelatine dry plate and Woodburytype techniques. Lantern slides and magic lantern technologies are seen as foundational precursors to the development of modern photography and film-making techniques This glass slide is significant because it provides insight into Beechworth's social and medical amenities in the early Twentieth Century, around the time of Australia's Federation into one nation. It is also an example of an early photographic and film-making technology in use in regional Victoria in the time period.Thin translucent sheet of glass with a rectangular image printed on the front and framed in a black backing. It is held together by metals strips to secure the edges of the slide.Obverse: i /burke museum, beechworth, lantern slide, slide, glass slide, plate, burke museum collection, photograph, monochrome, magic lantern, indigo shire, north-east victoria, nineteenth century, 1900s, twentieth century, emulsion slides, nursing, nurses, mental hospitals, lunatic asylums, asylums, social services, social welfare, insane asylums, mental health, infrastructure -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph - Lantern Slide, c1900
This image appears to show nurses at what is now the Mayday Hills Mental Asylum in approximately 1900. These individuals are part of a long history of nursing in Beechworth. Three medical or social welfare facilities opened in the mid-1800s as part of a push by the township to become a regional centre for Government services. These were the Ovens District Hospital (opened in 1857), the Ovens Benevolent Asylum (opened in 1863), and the Beechworth Mental Hospital (opened in 1867 and renamed Mayday Hills Hospital at Centenary celebrations in 1967). It was recognised that the unsettled living conditions, poverty and relative isolation of the Goldfields environment could produce 'mental disturbances' which required local treatment facilities as services in Melbourne were too far away. Carole Woods' publication 'A Titan's Field' describes activities undertaken by patients at Beechworth Mental Hospital as including monthly balls and occasional concerts as well as work to make the facility self-supporting such as farm work and making clothes. She mentions a report in 1870 that the approximately 300 patients were clean and neat with 'no-one in restraint or seclusion' but that by 1905 the organisation had 623 patients which placed strain on building infrastructure such as heating and water supplies, leading to high turnover of nurses and other issues. A program of building works to extend and improve facilities followed over subsequent decades. Lantern slides, sometimes called 'magic lantern' slides, are glass plates on which an image has been secured for the purpose of projection. Glass slides were etched or hand-painted for this purpose from the Eighteenth Century but the process became more popular and accessible to the public with the development of photographic-emulsion slides used with a 'Magic Lantern' device in the mid-Nineteenth Century. Photographic lantern slides comprise a double-negative emulsion layer (forming a positive image) between thin glass plates that are bound together. A number of processes existed to form and bind the emulsion layer to the base plate, including the albumen, wet plate collodion, gelatine dry plate and Woodburytype techniques. Lantern slides and magic lantern technologies are seen as foundational precursors to the development of modern photography and film-making techniques.This glass slide is significant because it provides insight into Beechworth's social and medical amenities in the early Twentieth Century, around the time of Australia's Federation into one nation. It is also an example of an early photographic and film-making technology in use in regional Victoria in the time period.Thin translucent sheet of glass with a circular image printed on the front and framed in a black backing. It is held together by metals strips to secure the edges of the slide.burke museum, beechworth, lantern slide, slide, glass slide, plate, burke museum collection, photograph, monochrome, magic lantern, indigo shire, north-east victoria, nineteenth century, 1900s, twentieth century, emulsion slides, nursing, nurses, mental hospitals, lunatic asylums, asylums, social services, social welfare, insane asylums, mental health, infrastructure -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Negative - Photograph, Harry Gilham, Orford family graves, Eltham Cemetery, Victoria, Sep 2009
One of Eltham's earliest settlers was James Orford. Born 1804 in Bedfordshire, the son of George, a carpenter and Lydia Barret, he and wife Sarah Amelia nee Moull (1807) arrived as Assisted Immigrants aboard the ship, ‘Orestes’, November 28, 1839 accompanied by their children, George (14), Mary Ann (11), and James (2). Originally settling in New South Wales, daughter Sarah Amelia was born at Braidwood in 1843 and son, Thomas Henry at Pambula in 1847. James was a carpenter who is known to have built the original gates to Eltham Cemetery. He died in 1869. Around 1890, his son Thomas Henry Orford was living in Pitt Street. Following the death of his wife Helen in 1899, Thomas was appointed by Joseph Panton to look after ‘Panton Park’, a 429-acre bushland property at the fork of Reynolds and Laughing Waters Roads, extending down to the Yarra River. His work entailed ringbarking the manna gums on the property to clear the land for pasture. Thomas lived in a slab hut with his son Ernie, who helped with the work. When Gordon Lyon purchased Panton Park in 1908, Thomas then worked for Lyon at both Panton Park and at ‘Banyule’, Lyon's stud farm at Heidelberg. In 1915 Lyon gave Thomas six acres of land in Reynolds Road with a two-roomed cottage. Thomas died in 1944 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with his wife and his parents. Another of James Orford's sons was James Matthias Orford. He tried to grow food on land at the end of Laughing Waters Road, but without success. Reputedly the Wurundjeri taught him to swim. He was once imprisoned; when his friend Constable Lawlor invited him to inspect the new bluestone lock-up, Lawlor locked him in and wouldn't release him until he was promised two gallons of beer! ORFORD In Memory Of James 1804 -1869 Sarah Amelia 1807 - 1897 Their son Thomas Henry 1847 - 1944 His wife Helen Amelia 1854 - 1899Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak GC 400-9eltham cemetery, gravestones, helen amelia orford, james orford, sarah amelia orford, thomas henry orford, cemetery gates -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Peter Pidgeon, Orford family graves, Eltham Cemetery, Victoria, 5 April 2021
One of Eltham's earliest settlers was James Orford. Born 1804 in Bedfordshire, the son of George, a carpenter and Lydia Barret, he and wife Sarah Amelia nee Moull (1807) arrived as Assisted Immigrants aboard the ship, ‘Orestes’, November 28, 1839 accompanied by their children, George (14), Mary Ann (11), and James (2). Originally settling in New South Wales, daughter Sarah Amelia was born at Braidwood in 1843 and son, Thomas Henry at Pambula in 1847. James was a carpenter who is known to have built the original gates to Eltham Cemetery. He died in 1869. Around 1890, his son Thomas Henry Orford was living in Pitt Street. Following the death of his wife Helen in 1899, Thomas was appointed by Joseph Panton to look after ‘Panton Park’, a 429-acre bushland property at the fork of Reynolds and Laughing Waters Roads, extending down to the Yarra River. His work entailed ringbarking the manna gums on the property to clear the land for pasture. Thomas lived in a slab hut with his son Ernie, who helped with the work. When Gordon Lyon purchased Panton Park in 1908, Thomas then worked for Lyon at both Panton Park and at ‘Banyule’, Lyon's stud farm at Heidelberg. In 1915 Lyon gave Thomas six acres of land in Reynolds Road with a two-roomed cottage. Thomas died in 1944 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with his wife and his parents. Another of James Orford's sons was James Matthias Orford. He tried to grow food on land at the end of Laughing Waters Road, but without success. Reputedly the Wurundjeri taught him to swim. He was once imprisoned; when his friend Constable Lawlor invited him to inspect the new bluestone lock-up, Lawlor locked him in and wouldn't release him until he was promised two gallons of beer! ORFORD In Memory Of James 1804 -1869 Sarah Amelia 1807 - 1897 Their son Thomas Henry 1847 - 1944 His wife Helen Amelia 1854 - 1899Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, helen amelia orford, james orford, sarah amelia orford, thomas henry orford -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Newspaper clipping, "The lap of luxury; Blending into Eltham environ", Property Age, The Age, Wednesday 24 June 1998, p5, June 1998
Both of the architects involved in the 2.4-hectare Kinloch Gardens parkland development in Arthur Street, Eltham, are now living on the estate. The project was conceived by Eltham architect Ian Jelbart, whose family has owned the land for more than 100 years, and fellow architect Graeme Gunn, who in the 1960s was one of the creators of the Merchants Builders concept that set new trends in Melbourne housing. The $5 million project is based around two of the original buildings, on what was once a 100-hectare farm owned by the Jelbart family. Ian Jelbart always intended to continue living in the original homestead building, and now Graeme Gunn has moved into the big residence that once was the barn. Kinloch Gardens is designed to combine the more manageable land sizes increasingly demanded by buyers with ample "internal space, flexible floorplans, privacy and individuality of designs. Individual houses are placed on small separate allotments around an area of private parkland. The aim is to ensure total privacy, offer virtually unlimited views and parkland vistas, and remain aesthetically compatible with the local environment. Homes in four basic designs over either two or three levels are being sold off the plan, with prices ranging from the high $200,000s to the high $300,000s. Two have already been sold. Indication of land-only values The prices being asked for some vacant blocks offered for private sale provides an enlightening comparison of the relative "land only" values for homes sites in various areas. A 751 sq metre block on a new residential estate in Bentleigh/Carnegie is offered at $235,000, equivalent to $312/square metre; while in Merrett Drive, Williamstown, a 561 sq metre allotment offered for $169,000 carries a rate of $301/sq metre. In Barnsbury Road, Balwyn, the $450,000 price tag on a 584 sq metre allotment equates to $770 sq metre; and in York Street, Richmond, a 198 sq metre postage stamp is priced at $230,000 or $1162/sq metre. - Rex BookerDigital file only; created from scan undertaken by EDHS of item on loanarthur street, eltham, graeme gunn, houses, ian jelbart, jelbart property, kinloch gardens, rob maclellan, robert marshall, woodridge estate -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Container - Box for seeds, ca. 1880s
This seed box was made for Hiram Sibley for his seed house business. He sold seeds priced by the weight or the space they took up e.g. bushel. This box allowed for seeds to be divided by type, size or even date. The box was strong and easy to cart and store. It was also a handy item to 'recycle' as a storage container for other items. The Sibley seed box is a desirable collectors' item. A large variety of sizes and shapes are still available today in various stages of condition. Hiram Sibley developed seeds that were strong and the plants that grew from these seeds produced many seeds. Varieties of Sibley seeds and plants are still advertised for sale in modern times. HIRAM SIBLEY (1807-1888) - Hiram Sibley was born in America. He had a natural mechanical ability and became skilled in many trades. He and his partner Don Watson opened a sawmill then a machine shop and foundry. He became involved with Alfred Vale and Samuel Morse and their work on the telegraph. Eventually he became the first president of the Western Union Telegraph Company. Later, after leaving Western Union in the early 1860s, Sibley bought and sold railroads, manufactured sold, ran timber mills, and became involved in farming and seed supply. In this area he used his skills to engineer seeds that were stronger and develop plants that produced more seeds. The production of seeds became his main business. He bought land cheaply and improved to soil so that he could produce seed and grain, and graze herds of cattle. He became the owner of 14 large farms. Hiram Sibley earned the reputation "as the most extensive farmer and seedsman in this country". The business of Hiram Sibley & Co. was conducted his warehouse in Rochester and his seed house in Chicago. One department of the business sold farming equipment, another department imported ornamental plants from overseas countries Sibley went on to invest a large amount of money in a bank, and to be financially involved in the community by making large donations to public services such as a library and a school of music. At one point he was the richest man in Monroe county.This box is significant for its historic connection with Hiram Sibley, who is famous for many reasons, among which is his very profitable business of seed engineering to improve the production of crops. This box also represents the value of containers used for selling products in the 1880s, being re-used for other useful purposes. The box is an example of goods imported for use in Australia. The text and images of the box are an example of 1880s advertisingBox, wooden, with two brass hinges joining lid to base. Base has two wooden partitions, divided into three unequal sized compartments. Lid's underside has label with drawings of buildings and produce, text with maker's name and description of vegetables. Front edge of box has stencilled text and diagrams. Outside lid, and the other three sides, have no inscriptions. Made by Hiram Sibley & Co., USA. (Box is currently used to store quoits 1436.2 and cones of cotton thread 1436.3.)Marked "HIRAM SIBLEY & CO / SEEDS", "WAREHOUSE - "ROCHESTER N.Y. ", "SEED HOUSE - CHICARGO, ILL.", "SEEDS BY WEIGHT & MEASURE", "PUT UP BY / HIRAM SIBLEY & CO. / ROCHESTER, N.Y. AND CHICARGO, ILL."flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, hiram sibley & co, rochester n.y., seeds, wooden seed box, seed box, seedsmen, arable farming, chicargo illinois, seed house, seed engineering, seed distribution, seeds by weight and measure -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Photograph - Map of Dendy's Special Survey, 1852 Map of Henry Dendy's Special Survey of 1841, 19th Century
A Map drawn in 1852 that shows the 5,120 acres that formed Dendy's Special Survey of 1841. In 1840 Henry Dendy, a farmer in Surrey, England acquired a "Special Survey" from the Commissioners for Land and Emigration which gave Dendy the right to choose land in Port Phillip for the "bargain basement" price of only £1 per acre for 5120 acres, (an area of 8 square miles). The Special Survey also included the right to "the shipment of a worker for every £20 spent on land, whose free passage was paid by the Crown, equalling a total of 100 workers ". Accordingly Dendy sold his English holdings and paid the required £5120 and arrived in Melbourne in February 1841. However by this time land in the new colony was selling for £5 - £40 per acre. Because Henry Dendy possessed the order from the Colonial Office in London he was able to successfully oppose Governor LaTrobe's attempts to alter the price of the land. Dendy appointed Jonathan Were, (an entrepreneur, who had arrived in 1839), as his Manager and who later became a partner. Together, Dendy and Were decided on an area 5 miles south from Melbourne, bounded by North Road, East Boundary Road, South Road and to the west by Port Phillip Bay. Were and Dendy pitched their tents in the area now known as ' Park St, Brighton' and sank a well near the corner of 'St Andrew's St and Wells St'. By 1845 J.B Were and Company had bought almost half of Dendy's land and Were built himself "Moorabbin House" in Were St Brighton made from stone, quarried from local cliffs. It was still standing in 1924. Legend records Moorabbin is named after the Aboriginal word for ' Mother's Milk ' The soil is very fertile and well supplied with water especially in the area called 'East Brighton' - now known as Bentleigh and East Bentleigh - By 1850 the area had developed with numerous market gardens, dairy farms, fruit gardens and vineyards supplying food for the growing population of Melbourne.This Map shows the birth of the Brighton and Moorabbin area. On 18th January1859 Brighton was proclaimed a Municipality and a Borough by October 1863. Meanwhile, following a Petition, the area of East and South Brighton, incorporating Mordialloc, Cheltenham, Mentone, Sandringham and Oakleigh separated from Brighton to form the Moorabbin District Roads Board becoming the first Local Government Authority. Col. William Mair was elected as the first Chairman of the Moorabbin Roads Board. Moorabbin Shire 1871 developed further and was declared a City in1934. The City of Moorabbin was the largest Municipality in Melbourne before the Amalgamation of Councils in 1994 when it was divided in the south to City of Kingston and in the north to City of Glen Eira A Photo-lithographed 1852 Map showing the 5,120 acres that formed Dendy's Special Survey of 1841. Henry Dendy & Jonathan Were chose an area 5 miles south from Melbourne, bounded by North Road, East Boundary Road, South Road and to the west by Port Phillip Bay. Moorabbin County of Bourke / Photo-Lithographed at the department of Lands and Survey. /Melbourne. / Price 1/- brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, dendy henry, bent thomas, were jonathan, special survey -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, 'Hillsboro' or "Hillsborough' - 6a Thistle Street, Surrey Hills, pre-1890
The photo was found behind a mantelpiece in the house at 6A Thistle Street while it was being renovated. It is thought to be of the first owner, Mrs Rachel Sweetnam (nee Lewis) and her husband, Thomas Edward Sweetnam. They were married on 24 September 1884 at St John's Church, Camberwell. REF: THE ARGUS 4 Oct 1884 Thomas second eldest surviving son of Matthew Sweetnam married to Rachel (Ray) third eldest daughter of Captain T.D. Lewis, Culm Haven, Camberwell. Thomas was active in land sales and variously described as a land agent, real estate agent and auctioneer. The property - Hillsboro or Hillsborough - was originally a house on a farm of 10 acres owned by her. It became 6A Thistle Street. According to the Alan Holt property register Rachel Sweetnam owned the property prior to 1890 and a family tree on Ancestry.com has that it was owned by her in c1886. It is likely that it was an investment rather than a family residence. Thomas Sweetnam was President of the Boroondara Shire 1888/89 and a councillor from 1886-1891. During his time as Shire councillor in 1887 he was charged with assaulting Charles A. Chandler, a window blind manufacturer, in response to an ‘insulting note’ left at Sweetnam’s house. Sweetnam was fined two guineas and 31 shillings. Sweetnam was also President of the Camberwell Gun Club from around 1890 – 91. In 1893 he relocated to Ferntree Gully, where he contested for the municipality’s North Riding council seat. Multiple references can be found on Trove. Note that the gentleman in this photo does bear a resemblance to Thomas Sweetman, President of Boroondara Shire in 1888-1889 found in the City of Boroondara Library Service mayoral portrait collection. No known photo of Rachel Sweetnam. Other property owners or residents are: 1890 Selina Gaylor 1900 Stephen Pullen 1910 William Murray (draftsman) 1920 George C Hughes 1930 Arthur Leslie Austin (tram driver) 1980 Mrs Lillian Evelyn Austin Sold in 1983 for $87,000. The house is still extant (January 2025). Note that we also have material / photos regarding George Hughes and family.This photo is one of the earliest photos of residences of Surrey Hills.Black and white photo of a woman and man in a buggy behind which is a simple house with a verandah at one end, surrounded by eucalypt trees.hillsboro, house names, thistle street, horse-drawn vehicle, clothing and dress, hillsborough, rachel sweetnam, rachel lewis, thomas sweetnam, selina gaylor, stephen pullen, william murray, george hughes, arthur austin, lillian austin -
University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus Archives
Photograph - Black and white and colour slides, colour negative, Miscellaneous Horticulture, 1947-1985
57 slides and 1 negative. (1) "1947 Rolling the surface," in front of the newly constructed Administration Building. (2) "5-5-60 Same tree 7 months later-New Growth." (3) Men standing around a large horticultural machine. (4) "Lawns Housing Com" Aug "66?" (5) "Flemington Racecourse." (6) "Mustard-Cover Crop. 1960." (7) Tree climbing. (8) "Grafting-scions. BHC." (11) "Mildura-Soil Probe Oct 67." (12) Virus tested stock trees & layout Flemings Apr 70." (13) "Best's Winery Mar 75." (15, 16) Best's single student and group. (17) "Ploughing-Diagram to show incomplete cover of trash? Farm Practices." (18) "Spraying Hand Equipment for Insect Control in and around Buildings USA Yearbook 1952." (19) "Pasture Harrows." (20) "Mould Board Plough-Tractor." (21) "Disc Harrows-Offset-Tractor." (22) Tyne Cultivator-for Tractor." (23) See B91.258." (24) Burnley College libary. (25) "Irrigation-Delver Tatura 12/59." (26) "Tatura 12/59 Delver Ferguson T." (27) "Wilson's Prom? date." (28) "Wilson's Promontary Nov 1960 lunch." (29) "W. Prom." (30) Camp 1957 Wilson's Promontary." (31)" Longeronong Field Day 1964 Machinery Combination (Small)." (32, 33) "Longeronong Field Day 1964 Machinery Cultivating." (34-36) Photographs of plants in book. (35) Alnus? (37) "Meterosideros excelsa." (38) "Rhipsalidopsis rosea." (39) "Protea neriifolia." (40) Banksias-Species." Insects: (41) "Lacewing larva." (42) "Mites Aug 75." (43) "Yellow Mite, Red Spider (Arachnida)." (44) "Jassid-Life Cycle 9/51." (45) "Grape Fruit Crop (Florida) Destroyed by Fruit Fly. Animals without backbones." (46) "Jassid-Vegetable 9/51." (47) "Field Day 57 (Fruit Fly-Enlarged)." (48) "Field Day 57 (Fruit Fly-Stages)." (49) Insect Life Cycle. (50) "Comatibility (sic) Chart." for Insecticides & Fungicides. (51) "Insecticides-Toxicity." (52) "Life Cycle of the Leather Jacket." (53) "Grasshopper-Head Dissected Mouth Parts." (54) "Types of Antennae." (55) "Spider Mites USA Yearbook 1952." (56) "Cultivator." (57) "Organic Phosphates." (58) Negative Isopogon anemonifolius.administration building, lawns, flemington racecourse, mustard-cover crop, tree climbing, grafting, mildura, soil probe, pests, machinery, excursions, tatura, library, wilsons promontory, plants, alnus, zygocactus, schlumbergia, feijoa, acca sellowiana, protea neriifolia, banksia, isopogon anemonifolius -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Peter Pidgeon, Graves of Thomas Sweeney and family, Eltham Cemetery, Victoria, 5 April 2021
Irish-born Thomas Sweeney is regarded as the first settler in Eltham. He was transported to Sydney in 1823 after being convicted of arson. He was granted his freedom in 1838 and married Margaret Meehan in the same year. They moved to Melbourne and in 1842 Thomas purchased 110 acres beside the Yarra River in the vicinity of present-day Sweeneys Lane. He called the property ‘Culla Hill’ and built a small slab hut (reputedly with Wurundjeri help; Margaret is said to have run an informal hospital for them in return). This was followed in 1846 by more substantial buildings consisting of a three-roomed Irish-style ‘longhouse’ and a barn made of stone and handmade bricks, with doors large enough to accommodate a fully loaded wagon. When the gold rush came, Thomas prospered by selling meat and potatoes to the prospectors, enabling him to purchase a further 308 acres in 1856. He promoted the construction of a bridge over the Plenty River and the establishment of a school at Eltham. Roman Catholic Church services were held at Culla Hill in the early years. When he died in 1867, he was regarded as a respected member of the community. Thomas and Margaret are buried in Eltham Cemetery with many of their descendants. Their first son John continued to farm Culla Hill until his death in 1909. Culla Hill passed out of the Sweeneys' possession in 1939. The house and barn remain today, though lesser outbuildings have gone. The facade of the house is much the same as it was in the 1840s. Sacred To the memory of Thomas Sweeney Who died Sep 6th 1867 Aged 65 years May his soul res in peace Also his wife Margaret Died Oct 3rd 1884 aged 73 years And their daughters Annie Died Aug 22nd 1860 aged 21 years Johanna Died Aug 19th 1872 aged 22 years Margaret Died 7th Sep 1913 aged 72 years R.I.P. Also In Memory Of John Sweeney Died 24th May 1909 Aged 65 years Also of his wife Ellen Died 8th March 1910 Aged 64 years R.I.P Also In Memory Of Caroline Infant daughter of John & Ellen SweeneyBorn Digitalannie sweeney, eltham cemetery, gravestones, johanna sweeney, john murray, margaret sweeney, mary ellen drain, mary murray, thomas drain, thomas sweeney -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Uniform, Service Dress WW1, c 1914
Sir Murray William James Bourchier (1881-1937), grazier, soldier and politician, was born on 4 April 1881 at Pootilla, Bungaree, Victoria, eldest son of Edward Bourchier, Geelong-born farmer, and his wife Francis (Fanny), née Cope. In 1878 Edward and his three brothers had taken up four adjoining selections on the Murray River near Tocumwal. Within a few years their properties had expanded considerably: Edward's, near Strathmerton, was called Woodland Park; the other three were known collectively as Boomagong. After a private education in Melbourne, Murray returned to Woodland Park. From 1909 until the outbreak of World War I he commanded a troop of light horse at Numurkah, attending annual camps and courses. Bourchier's military service was distinguished. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1914 and sailed as a lieutenant in the 4th Light Horse Regiment, serving seven months on Gallipoli. After the Sinai campaign in 1916-17, during which he was promoted lieutenant-colonel commanding his regiment, he made the crucial final assault on Beersheba. On 31 October 1917 he led his men, many of them from his own district, at full gallop over two miles into Turkish entrenchments and on for a further two miles (3.2 km) into Beersheba to capture vital wells before the Turks could destroy them. Lacking sabres, the regiment used bayonets held in their hands as shock weapons. For this exploit he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and earned the sobriquet 'Bourchier of Beersheba'. Eleven months later, after fighting north through Palestine, he commanded a joint force of the 4th and 12th Light Horse regiments (Bourchier Force) in the final advance on Damascus; on entering the city the 4th captured 12,000 Turks and set about relieving their sufferings. Bourchier was three times mentioned in dispatches. He was appointed C.M.G. in June 1919 and his A.I.F. appointment ended in October. In 1921 he was promoted colonel, commanding the 5th Cavalry Brigade, and in 1931 brigadier, in charge of the 2nd Cavalry Division. He returned to Strathmerton but later farmed a property at Katandra, which he named Kuneitra. - Source: Australian Dictionary of BiographyService dress of General Sir Murray Bourchier, complete with jacket, trousers, shirt, tie, boots (high rise),Sam Browne belt, peaked cap, medal ribbons, badges of rank, medal ribbons -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Uniform, Mess Kit, c 1914
Sir Murray William James Bourchier (1881-1937), grazier, soldier and politician, was born on 4 April 1881 at Pootilla, Bungaree, Victoria, eldest son of Edward Bourchier, Geelong-born farmer, and his wife Francis (Fanny), née Cope. In 1878 Edward and his three brothers had taken up four adjoining selections on the Murray River near Tocumwal. Within a few years their properties had expanded considerably: Edward's, near Strathmerton, was called Woodland Park; the other three were known collectively as Boomagong. After a private education in Melbourne, Murray returned to Woodland Park. From 1909 until the outbreak of World War I he commanded a troop of light horse at Numurkah, attending annual camps and courses. Bourchier's military service was distinguished. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1914 and sailed as a lieutenant in the 4th Light Horse Regiment, serving seven months on Gallipoli. After the Sinai campaign in 1916-17, during which he was promoted lieutenant-colonel commanding his regiment, he made the crucial final assault on Beersheba. On 31 October 1917 he led his men, many of them from his own district, at full gallop over two miles into Turkish entrenchments and on for a further two miles (3.2 km) into Beersheba to capture vital wells before the Turks could destroy them. Lacking sabres, the regiment used bayonets held in their hands as shock weapons. For this exploit he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and earned the sobriquet 'Bourchier of Beersheba'. Eleven months later, after fighting north through Palestine, he commanded a joint force of the 4th and 12th Light Horse regiments (Bourchier Force) in the final advance on Damascus; on entering the city the 4th captured 12,000 Turks and set about relieving their sufferings. Bourchier was three times mentioned in dispatches. He was appointed C.M.G. in June 1919 and his A.I.F. appointment ended in October. In 1921 he was promoted colonel, commanding the 5th Cavalry Brigade, and in 1931 brigadier, in charge of the 2nd Cavalry Division. He returned to Strathmerton but later farmed a property at Katandra, which he named Kuneitra. Source: Australian Dictionary of BiographyMess kit of General Sir Murray Bourchier complete with peaked cap, jacket, cummerbund, shirt, tie, waistcoat, trousers, shoes, AMF lapel badges & badges of rank -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book - Bible, George Eyre and Andrew Spottiswoode, The Holy Bible, 1834
The printers of this Bible, George Eyre and Andrew Spotswood, were appointed printers to the King's Most Excellent Majesty. Copies of this Bible were only sold to subscribes of the British and Foreign Bible Society, which was instituted in 1804. This Bible was published for use in Church readings. In the words of the donor, Betty Stone, "This Bible, published in London in 1834, is the Chamberlain family Bible which was brought out by Joshua and Susan Chamberlain from Thriplow, Cambridgeshire, England when they migrated with their family to Australia. In the Bible, on page 969, the birth dates of Joshua and Susan's family of two sons and six daughters are recorded on two pages and also on an inserted loose page. Written by Joshua Chamberlain, the exact time each child was born has been included in each entry. There are also a few other entries and death dates recorded in different handwriting. Joshua Chamberlain (baptized 24 August 1804 Thriplow) and Susan Ellis {baptized 24 July 1808 lckleton, Cambridgeshire) were married 25 October 1828 at the parish church of St. George or All Saints,Thriplow. Joshua and Susan (nee Ellis) Chamberlain and family left their home in the rural village ofThriplow in October 1854 and arrived in Australia as assisted migrants per SS Shand January 1855. After Joshua Chamberlain had fulfilled his contract to work on a property at Woodford for a year or so, he purchased a small farm of approximately twenty acres at Wangoom, situated adjacent to the Warrnambool racecourse. Here, the family settled in their cottage with their personal and household possessions, including the family Bible, which they had brought from Thriplow. Joshua Chamberlain died October 1871; after the death of her husband Susan continued to live in her own home for some years before she eventually moved -with her possessions which of course included this Bible - to her daughter Sarah and son-in-law Lees Lees' home where she died on 13 November 1900 aged 94 years. (Note: For additional information please refer to Betty Stone’s book “Pioneers and Places - A History of three Warrnambool Pioneering Families” ie. Chamberlain, Dale and Lees Families)This item is associated with families of Chamberlain, Dale and Lees. These families are listed in the "Pioneers' Register" for Warrnambool Township and Shire, 1835-1900, published by A.I.G.S. Warrnambool Branch.Book, Bible, with thick, embossed front cover and deep binding. This Chamberlain Family Bible has some handwritten notes included on some pages. The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, Translated out of the original Tongues - by HIs Majesty's Special Command. Appointed to be read in churches. Printed by George Eyre and Andrew Spottiswoode Published by the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1834. Part of the 'Chamberlain, Dale and Lees Collection'Page 969 lists family history of Joshua and Susan Chamberlain and family, on two pages plus an inserted page, noting the exact time of birth for each of eight children.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, chamberlain, dale, lees, stone, betty stone, warrnambool pioneers, holy bible, 1834 bible, chamberlain family bible, church bible, family history, george eyre and, andrew spottiswoode, british and foreign bible society, religious book -
National Wool Museum
Textile - Blanket, Eagley Mill, 1955-59
This blanket was owned by the Rosenberg family from the late 1950s onwards. It was the donor Denise’s blanket. Born May 1958, her late mother Elfie kept it safe for many decades after Denise had outgrown it. Elfie returned the blanket to Denise 20 years ago, in its current near new condition. Jacques Rosenberg and Elfie née Naparstek, Denise’s parents, met in Melbourne in the Summer of 1950. They both survived being young and Jewish in Europe during the Second World War. Jacques grew up in France and Elfie in Germany, she was a child of the Kindertransport. They married in 1952 and by 1958 had a son and two daughters. Denise, the youngest daughter, donated the blanket on behalf of the Rosenberg family to the National Wool Museum in 2021. The Kindertransport was a program designed to facilitate the immigration of Jewish children from Nazi Germany before the outbreak of the Second World War. The United Kingdom took in nearly 10,000 predominantly Jewish children from Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland. The children were placed in British foster homes, hostels, schools and farms. Tragically, these children were often the only members of their families to survive the tragedies that were to unfold in Europe. Fortunately, Elfie’s parents did survive World War Two by sneaking out of Germany and into the south of France. After Elfie and her sister Serry were Kindertransported, they met up with Salma and Risla Naparstek in Paris in 1947 before migrating to Australia. This blanket originates from the Eagley Mill. They manufactured woollen, worsted and knitwear products from their mill located in Collingwood. Part of Foy & Gibson, the mill had frontages measuring almost two miles within the area bounded by Little Oxford, Wellington, Stanley and Peel Streets in Collingwood. This was the largest manufacturing plant for wool in the Southern Hemisphere at the time. It was also one of the oldest. The first machines for knitting men’s socks were installed in 1896. The site ultimately went into receivership while under new ownership in 1968 and is now high-end real estate. More information about the Mill can be read via Unimelb digitised collection. https://digitised-collections.unimelb.edu.au/bitstream/handle/11343/21262/269411_UDS2010852-85.pdf?sequence=18&isAllowed=y 38”x45” (965 x 1145mm) cream wool blanket. The blanket has white stitching around its edge. Embroidered in the centre of the blanket is a koala eating leaves with accompanying flowers on either side of the marsupial. In the bottom right corner of the blanket a small square label from the Eagley Mills is stitched. This label includes the images of a Sphinx head, a pyramid and a baby’s crib.Eagley / ALL / WOOL / 38”x45” / AWARDED THE CERTIFICATE OF / THE ROYAL INSTITUTE OF / PUBLIC HEALTH & HYGIENE LONDONkindertransport, eagley mill, blanket -
Monbulk Historical Society
Ben Simcox
Bennie Simcox first came to the Monbulk area about 1860, following the first important gold discovery at the end of 1858. As the gold rush was short lived Simcox returned to Collingwood but later came back to Monbulk, built himself a hut to live in and become its first known permanent resident. The hut was burnt in the 1913 fires. Monbulk was thrown open to selection in 1894, and that's when the first farmers including Bennie Simcox went into Monbulk. It was a big, timbered country in those days. Once Ben had cleared some of his land he started to grow raspberries on it. He would be up before daylight ready to start picking. Ben also picked for a local family, the Camms to help make ends meet. When Ben Simcox was virtually at the retired stage, he wanted to develop his bit of the gully as a tourist attraction, As his nephew Fred Gay who owned the 10 acres below Ben wanted to farm, he was happy to swap his treed block with Ben. At a time when most settlers were clearing their properties, Ben Simcox, by contrast, cultivated the native plants and planted most of the large trees seen on the property today. And so Nathania Springs was developed as a tourist resort, and a mini-botanical garden. He diverted the natural water supply to form ornamental garden pools stocked with trout and tame native black fish. There were many visitors came to the Dandenongs, Some arriving in motor cars others in converted furniture vans lined with seats or charabancs with the long extended chassis and the open canvas roofs. Identities such as Billy Hughes, Madame Melba would often come to look through Nathania Springs. Bennie sold Nathania Springs to Councillor Ferdinand Thomas Le Juge, a boarding house proprietor and later the town baker in 1909 then in about 1921 Ben’s nephew Fred and his wife and family continued to open Nathania Springs to the public. It was not unusual in around 1924-25 for up to a thousand people a day to arrive at Nathania Springs to go through the gardens. At sixpence a time, that was a lot of money in those days. This photo is part of a collection of historic and social significance of the early settlement of Monbulk. Copies of photographs can be purchased from the Monbulk Historical Society.simcox, nathania springs, monbulk, 1860, berries -
Melton City Libraries
Photograph, Schutt and Barrie Pty Ltd Chaff Cutting Mills, Unknown
Mary nee Barrie Robinson (1907 –1999) writes c1980 about her father Charles Ernest Barrie of Darlingsford Melton (1871 – 1931) Extract copied from her handwritten story - My father was born in Ballarat in 1871. … commenced his working life with a team of bullocks and a chaffcutter in the St Arnaud district, a work the he became most success at and would continue in to the end of his life. He eventually became the owner of a chaff mill at Melton station with an access line to the railway. [1900] The Schutt & Barrie partnership Dad later became involved in a Chaff mill at West Footscray run by John Ralph Schutt who when he met Dad was a very sick man and had begged Dad to come into the business and help him. That began a very happy association, the business was put on its feet. An empty quarry across Geelong Road opposite the mill was purchased, the chaffcutters were set up in the quarry and that was the start of a very busy and prosperous period. A branch line was run into the mill. Dad spent some afternoons at the mill going by train, and spending some hours there at night, at the same time running the farm with full time help. Two full 8 horse teams were used to work the land, which meant early rising for the horses to be fed and harnessed ready for the men to commence the days work. Charlie Lowe and Murdock Davey were two of the men who worked for Dad in those years. The firm purchased a mill at Parwan and Dad spent a lot of time and energy getting it running to their satisfaction. Monday was the day he spent time there also round the district of Parwan and Balliang. He came to know many of the their names were well known in our household for many years. [1920] Later a flour mill was built beside the Chaff mill at West Footscray but it never thrived like the mill. The chaff mill had many loyal and good men employed there and there was never any trouble between men and management. Willie Walters and Miss Renyolds were some I remember, other names me, Joyce would be able to name them. [Sister of Mary born 1920] Schutt and Barrie Pty Ltd Chaff Cutting Mills Melton South sitelocal architecture, local identities, agriculture -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Functional object - Haeusler Collection Mid-Century 'Miranda's Dream Cigarettes' Tobacco Tin, Dodo Designs
The Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection provides invaluable insight into life in late nineteenth and early twentieth century north east Victoria. The collection comprises manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family on their farm in Wodonga, and a set of glass negatives which offer a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community. The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s. This tobacco tin is one of the many objects in the Haeusler Collection that provides insight into life in early to mid-twentieth century Wodonga, and Australia more broadly. Smoking in the first half of the twentieth century was incredibly common in Australia and other western countries. In 1945, more than three out of every four men and one in every four women were regular smokers. While rates of smoking decreased over the next two decades due to observations and research regarding the links between smoking and illness, an increase in tobacco use was documented after the advent of television as people were bombarded with advertisements for cigarettes. These advertisements, much like the image on the Haeusler Collection 'Miranda's Dream Cigarettes' Tobacco Tin, depicted smoking as sophisticated and glamorous, distracting consumers from the serious health risks associated with smoking. Orientalist depictions of Middle East were common in tobacco advertising in the West in the first half of the twentieth century, an attempt to associate cigarettes with the supposed sensuality and mystery of the Orient. There have been significant changes in both legislation and popular perceptions of smoking in Australian society since the manufacture and consumption of 'Miranda's Dream Cigarettes'. In 1992 the Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act was introduced, making it illegal in Australia to publish or broadcast messages that encourage people to start or continue smoking. In 2011 the Australian government also introduced plain packaging laws to reduce the appeal and promotion of tobacco products, and make health warnings more effective. This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history. A tobacco tin with a coloured illustration of a woman in stylish 1920s-1930s dress sitting in an armchair smoking a cigarette, while watching an Orientalist scene featuring a belly dancer and a snake charmer wearing a turban. Branding on the lid of tin: "Miranda's Dream Cigarettes"cigarettes, tobacco, smoking, cigarette tin, haeusler, haeusler collection, wodonga -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Negative - Haeusler Glass Negatives Collection - Harry Schuster blade shearing
The Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection provides invaluable insight into life in late nineteenth and early twentieth century north east Victoria. The collection comprises manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family on their farm in Wodonga, and a set of glass negatives which offer a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community. The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s. The Schuster family were also of German migrant background. Johannes Edward Schuster was born in Hoyles Plains, South Australia and with his wife Johanna and young family moved to Victoria circa 1882. He took up farming land in Wodonga West. The St John’s Lutheran Church Sunday school hall was erected from part of the proceeds of the sale of some 41 acres of land at Wodonga West, which had been bequeathed to the Wodonga congregation by the late Johannes Edward Schuster. This land was the original home site of the Schuster family on arrival from South Australia. Shearing - Although the first mechanised sheep shearing machine was created by James Higham, from Melbourne in 1868, the use of blade shears were more common well into the early 20th century. Pastoralists on smaller holdings continued to either shear their own sheep or employ blade shearers rather than outlay the cost of machines. In large sheds, professional shearers worked as they travelled the country. They would earn around 17 to 20 shillings per day in the early days of the wool industry. However mechanisation continued and by 1915 most sheep shearing sheds in Australia contained sheep shearing machines. The original machines were powered by steam and later combustion engines were used. This digital image was produced from one of the glass negatives that form part of the collection, probably taken by Louis Haeusler (b.1887) with the photographic equipment in the Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection.This item is unique and has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history.Digital image created from the Haeusler Glass negative collection. Harry Schuster shearing sheep using blade shears. wodonga pioneers, haeusler family, glass negatives, dry plate photography, blade shearing, schuster family -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Film - Video (DVD), Frank Stokes, Stokes Family, 1950-1977
Various family scenes taken from outside the family home on the southeast corner of the intersection of Nyora Road and Pitt Street with Eucalyptus Road. Also, scenes of the Stokes Orchard and equipment used, construction of water reservoir at the end of Nyora Road near Reynolds Road and Diosma Road as well as early stages of the Stokes Orchard housing development. Frank Stokes worked as a qualified accountant at Kennons leather factory in Burnley, while living at 1 Thomas Street, Mitcham. He suffered from migraines and wanted to go back to the land (he had previously worked on farms and orchards since coming to Australia in 1926 both in WA and Vic.). He first travelled to the district by train in July 1942 to find land with the intention to establish an orchard. By chance he met Arthur Bird of Bird Orchard (bounded by Pitt Street, Eucalyptus Road and Wattle Grove) and they got talking over their common interest. Arthur put Frank up for the night and pointed out the land, 158 acres- Taylor Estate- £900, part of Crown Allotment 15, Section 5, Parish of Nillumbik (CA15) somewhat diagonally opposite Bird Orchard. He applied through the Riverina Agency to purchase the land who in turn had to get permission from Canberra to sell as there was a new government regulation banning land sales except for immediate production. He obtained a loan on his Mitcham house of £600 @ 5% and paid £450 deposit with quarterly payments of £15 over 5 years. The title to the property was issued May 15, 1946. He was helped and advised by Arthur Bird who farmed the neighbouring orchard. Early 1943 he took possession and would catch the train out to Eltham on Fridays after work and began building a hut for shelter and to lock up tools. He was able to pay a neighbour (Hawkins) to help with clearing and fencing 25 acres and with a horse and single furrowed plow, planted approximately 2,500 fruit trees - cherries, peaches, plums, almonds, pears, apricots and lemons as well as a few apples and oranges; a massive job. A huge problem was hares and rabbits eating all the new buds off the tiny trees. As well as laying poison he painted the trees with a mixture of cow manure and lime. Often working by moonlight. It was extremely difficult to get wire and wire netting because of the war but after much effort he obtained a permit from the Agricultural Department for supplies in March 1944. In February 1945 he applied for a permit to build a “packing shed” as no house building allowed. It was to be 33 feet x 21 feet and cost £312. Constructed mostly from second-hand materials, which was hard to obtain, especially iron for roofing. Frank finished work at Kennons October 31, 1945, and in March 1946 he sold the Mitcham house for £1230 plus £170 for furniture. The family of five then moved into a very unfinished at Eltham, which was a struggle to weatherproof. Eventually rooms were divided off and lined with hessian bags and whitewashed. Their income was firewood (cut and sold), selling rockery stones and cut sweet bursaria. (It was discovered during the 1940s that Bursaria contained the sunscreen compound Aesculin. The RAAF utilised this compound from Bursaria during WW2 for pilots and gunners.) The orchard’s first fruit sale was a 1/2 case of Le Vanq peaches in December 1947 - 8 shillings. In 1956 plans for house were drawn and Glen Iris bricks purchased (1956 Olympic Rings variant). The building of the house commenced in 1957 - 12 feet of original packing shed removed – and was completed in 1959. Water was connected from newly built pressure storage on the property at the end of 1959 and the electricity connection for the first time at 3pm on April 29, 1960. In the mid-1970s the Shire of Eltham divided the orchard up into numerous rate-able parcel lots, which became unaffordable for Frank. Consequently, Stokes Orchard was turned into a housing development by Macquarie Builders and marketed as the Stokes Orchard Estate in two stages; Stage 1 encompassing Scarlet Ash Court, Ironbark Close and Peppermint Grove bounded by Nyora and Eucalyptus roads c.1976 and Stage 2 encompassing Stokes Place, Orchard Way, The Crest and The Lookout bound by Nyora and Diosma roads c.1979. The development of Orchard Way, The Crest and The Lookout did not proceed as planned due to the lack of the sewer along Diosma Road and so many of the proposed lots were incorporated into five-acre parcels instead. With the arrival of the sewer along Diosma Road many years later, most of these five-acre parcels have since been subdivided many times.Representative of the orchard growing areas of ElthamMP4 00:24:39; 426MB Digital file only - Digitised by EDHS from a DVD copy on loan from Beryl Bradbury (nee Stokes), daughter of Frank Stokes. 24 min duration compilation of home movie Super 8mm film shot by Frank Stokes brother-in-law.beryl bradbury (nee stokes) collection, frank stokes, nyora road, stokes orchard, stokes orchard estate, stokes place, video recording -
National Wool Museum
Tool - Stencil, c.2018
The story of 90 years of wool classing between father & son begins in 1936, when a young boy by the name of Stanley James Hucker walked through the doors of the Gordon Technical School in Geelong. Born in 1921, Stanley was 15 years of age when he began his 3-year course in Wool Classing. 30 years later, Stanley’s second son Denis completed the same 3-year wool classing course. Beginning in 1966, Denis attended the same Gordon Technical School and walked the same halls as his father before him. Stanley finished his course in 1938. He went back to the family farm in Lake Bolac for a brief period before enrolling in the Second World War. At the completion of the war, Stanley returned home and married before gaining a soldier settler allotment, north of Willaura. This enabled Stan to use his wool classing knowledge. He ran between 1,500 and 2,000 sheep for many years, while his wool classer stencil also allowed him to go out and class at various sheds around the area. He held his stencil from 1938 until he retired at the age of 60 in 1981. On retirement, his second son Denis was working in the district, managing a local property while also leasing land himself. Upon his father’s retirement, Denis had the opportunity to lease his father’s farm, an opportunity he could not refuse. Denis had finished his wool classing course at the Gordon Technical School in 1968, graduating dux of his class. He began working with a local contractor and started classing wool in his team. Denis gained a great deal of experience working as part of this team in big sheds of up to 8 stands servicing between 10 & 20,000 sheep. It was not all smooth sailing for Denis however, and he soon learnt an important lesson. Class wool the way you’re taught, don’t listen to the owner standing over your shoulder. At a clip of Corriedales near Casterton, Denis was pushing too many fleeces into the line of fine wool. This resulted in a notice from the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) “mixing counts too much, submit three clips for inspection”. Denis was able to submit 3 clips with no further complaints, however, this proved a valuable lesson he would never forget over his long career classing wool. In the early 1980s, when Denis was leasing two properties including his father’s, things were going well until drought struck. February 1983 was the date of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and saw Melbourne have three days over 40 °C for only the second time on record. This period saw Denis give away farming, turning towards contracting work instead. After the difficult times of the early 1980s, the next two decades were a good time for the sheep industry. 15 micron wool was selling for prices between 4 to 5,000 cents per kilo, double what you’d expect for the same wool in 2022. In 1995 a single bale of wool sold for a million dollars. This was a good time for Denis too. His contracting work saw him employing local shearers and shed staff. His team was involved with the shearing and classing of more than 130,000 sheep. After 20 years of contracting, it was time for Denis to transition into the next phase of his life. He gave up independent contracting, preferring instead to return to being a member of someone else’s team. In 2018, having completed 50 years of wool classing, it was time to call it a day and retire completely. At the annual Gordon Wool School Old Students Association dinner held in 2018, Denis was presented with his 50 years as a registered wool classer stencil awarded by the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). This is a rare honour achieved by few. As of February 2020, a total of 430 wool classers had achieved this 50-year milestone. For Denis however, his proudest achievement is achieving 90 years of wool classing with his father. The National Wool Museum is proud to share the collection of objects gained from 90 years in the wool classing industry by Stanley and Denis. This ranges from Stanley’s first stencil and Wool Sample book, started when he first attended the Gordon in 1936. The collection concludes 90 years later with Denis’ 50 years of wool classing Stencil. The collection contains many more objects, all telling the story of these 90 years, and the hard work invested by this dedicated father and son duo. Thin sheet of orange plastic with letters and numbers moulded to produce a consistent pattern for the surface below through the application of ink. This wool classing stencil once belonged to Denis Hucker. The top number is Denis’ Wool Classing Stencil Number. On the next line is the emblem of the Australian Wool Exchange, followed by an image of Australia, and finally the letters AW. The final line reads 50 years, indicating Denis’ experience in the profession of wool classing. This stencil is reserved for wool classers who have held their stencil and been actively classing wool in Australia for more than 50 years. Wool classers sort, classify, and grade wool into various lines so that it can be sold at best market price. They also manage and supervise wool-handling teams. The stencil is used in the final step of preparing a bale of wool for sale. It is branded across the front of a wool bale to indicate the quality of the wool, with the classers number used as a seal of approval. Accompanying the stencil are two sheets of white A4 paper with printing in gold and black ink. The first sheet was presented by the Australian Council of Wool Exporters & Processors to Denis Hucker for achieving 50 years of wool classing. Surrounded by a thin gold boarder, the page is made up of black text with gold headings. In the top right corner, an image of a sheep with an outline of Australia is found. The second piece of paper was presented by the Australian Wool Exchange to Denis Hucker for achieving 50 years of wool classing. Two thirds of the page is made up of a gold stencil which reads “50 years”. Accompanying the stencil is black text. Moulded letters, numbers, emblem, and imagery. “950326 / (emblem AWEX) (Image Australia) AW / 50 Years” A4 Paper. Printed. See Multimedia A4 Paper. Printed See Multimedia wool classing, stencil, 90 years wool classing between father & son