The program includes list of items to be recited and short biography of writers: Roderic Quinn, John Buchan, J M Barrie, Hillaire Belloc, A A Milne, John Masefield, John Drinkwater, Rudyard Kipling.Fifth and final tour of Alexander Watson considered to be the leading British Elocutionist with 25 years' experience. The program was directed by E J Gravestock presented in Melbourne by Frank Talbot. Two Matinee recitals were held at the Athenaeum Theatre on 24th and 27th May at 2.30pm.Program: Regarding the details of the recital to be given by Alexander Watson commencing Saturday 21 May 1927. Program is on beige paper with dark brown print; 8 pagesPrice 3d (three pence)athenaeum theatre, alexander watson, elecution, recital, theatre program

A cream programme with red lines and black printing on the front cover and the words, ' Programme. E. J. Gravestock presents Alexander Watson The Distinguished English Elocutionist fifth and final Australian tour.' Price 3d. Inside the programme is a list of the works that Watson used to obtain his selections from . These include works of J. M. Barrie, John Buchan, Shakespeare, Dickens and Kippling among others. On the back cover of the programme are the words 'Alexander Watson an Appreciation by David Williamson Editor of the 'Daily Mail Year Book, London.' It follows with an outline of Watson's work history and is dated February 25, 1927.event, entertainment, elocutionist, lydia chancellor, collection, entertainment, elocution, elocutionist, people, performing arts, event, programme, program

Letter to Mr. Alex J Hamilton from Frank S Wright requesting elocution lessons for the son of Mr. W Baldwin of Castlemaine. Envelope addressed to Alex J Hamilton, Elocutionist, Bendigo. Envelope has two ink drawings on the front 1. A comical man in a top hat 2. A bearded man in a battered hat. The envelope has a red 1d stamp in the top right hand corner.alexander john hamilton, letter, castlemaine

This booklet contains details of the programmes for the Warrnambool Musical and Elocutionary Competitions in 1938, the fifth annual competition of its kind. The competitions were held over five days and attracted a great number of participants with the prizewinners receiving monetary prizes donated by local businesses and businessmen. The competitions included a spelling bee and an operatic aria competition with the latter offering a prize of £10. The adjudicator for the elocution competitions was John Howlett Ross (1857-1953) a Melbourne-born journalist and a noted elocutionist at that time. From 1924 to the early 1950s John Howlett Ross was a well-known A.B.C. radio broadcaster. Today the Warrnambool Eisteddfod conducts similar competitions annually. This program is of interest as an example of the popularity of music and elocution competitions in places such as Warrnambool in the first half of the 20th century. Also the local advertisements in the booklet are of considerable help to researchers today. This is a booklet of 20 pages with a white cover with green and red printing and a black and white photograph on the back cover. The pages contain many advertisements and printed information. The booklet was stapled but the staples have been removed.music and elocution in warrnambool, john howlett ross, journalist and elocutionist, history of warrnambool

Quamby was built in 1898. From 1900/1903-1924 it was the home of Andrew Sherar and family. From 1924-1960s it operated as Mosgiel Hospital under the direction of Matron Elizabeth Anderson. Until Box Hill Hospital opened most Surrey Hills children were born at Mosgiel or at Nethercourt Hospital in Wilson Street or later in Union Road when Matron Tank moved her hospital here. Mosgiel Hospital was demolished c 1975 after it was sold by Box Hill Hospital. It was replaced by units. Andrew Sherar was conductor of the Wyclif Church choir for many years and was a member of the Melbourne Liedertafel. Isie Sherar was organist at Wyclif Church and also taught piano in Union Road. Connie Sherar was in the Wyclif choir and married Ernest Swan, an elocutionist and orator. Dorothy Sherar was a pianist and accompanist. Elsie Sherar was also in the Wyclif choir and was a soloist; she later moved to Templestowe. Ken Sherar was a boy soprano at St Paul's Cathedral; he later moved to Queensland.Black and white photo looking south down Vincent Street from 'Quamby', located at 293 Mont Albert Road, Surrey Hills. In the centre foreground is a timber house with 2 chimneys and a tiled hip roof. It has a return veranda and is fenced on 2 sides by paling fences and picket fences on the other two. In the background are many more houses. A road lined with power poles runs from the right foreground to the middle distance.quamby, vincent street, edwardian style, topography, andrew sherar, isie sherar, connie sherar, dorothy sherar, ken sherar, elsie wappet

This photograph shows three generations of the Russell family in Orbost. On the left is John Russell with his son Bill Russell and his wife Ede and their son Ian. John Russell Senior was a blacksmith, wheelwright, farmer and chairman of the Orbost Butter Factory, makers of Sunny South Butter (today part of Murray Goulburn Co Ltd). Bill was born at Orbost in 1893, the youngest son of John and Elizabeth Maud (nee Clarke). Upon his father’s retirement he took over the homestead part of the holding, 1,000 acres of river flats and hill land. He was involved in dairying and was also a successful beef cattle breeder and maize grower. He was elected to the Orbost Shire Council in 1929 and shortly afterwards was President for 18 months (from May 1930 to August 1931). He served a further term as President in 1934-35. He represented the South riding. He was chairman of the Bean Board and a well-known horse and show judge and a member of the Royal Agricultural Society. He was an elocutionist of some note and a member of the committee of management of the Orbost Hospital. He was also a prominent member and Past Master of the Masonic Lodge and a Justice of the Peace. He served as president of the Orbost Golf Club and assisted with the preparation and layout of the present Orbost Golf course. This item is associated with the Russell family, early settlers in the Orbost district.A black / white photograph of a family. A lady is in the middle with a man on each side and a young boy in front. They are standing outside a house in the garden.on back - "3 generations, Johnny Russell, Ede & Bill Russell & Ian Russell"russell-family-orbost

John Robson was born at Newcastle, Northumberland, England, the son of Mathew Robson and Hannah Sproat. Hesailed to Australia on the "Arabian", landing at Port Phillip in 1854. Obituary DEATH OF MR. JOHN ROBSON ANOTHER PIONEER GONE. AN EXTREMELY VERSATILE MAN. General regret was expressed at the death yesterday morning at Miss Garnett's private hospital, of Mr John Robson, musician and and elocutonist and one of Ballarat's oldest, best known and most respected citizens. Mr Robson had been sitting for a few weeks, and his medical adviser, diagnosed his complaint as appendicitis, which afflicted, him in such a severe form that an operation was deemed to be absolutely necessary. He was removed to Miss Garnett's private hospital, and about a week ago he was operated upon. Mr Robson, being a man of robust constitution, stood the shock of the operation well, and he was making good headway towards recovery when the spell of hot weather set in, and caused exhaustion. Heart failure followed, and exhaustion the attention of his medical adviser, and the careful nursing he received, the end came peacefully at the time stated above. Mr John Robson was born at Newcastle, Northumberland, England, in , and he was therefore 72 years of age. Mr Robson's father, who was a contractor, had much to do with the building of the City of Newcastle. After passing through minor schools, Mr John Robson entered the academy of Professor Ross, and soon rose to a foremost position in the classes. When his studies were completed he was apprenticed to an architect and for a time studied the technique of this important branch of his father's calling. His adaptability for the work was great, and hopes were entertained that he would rise to a high position in the profession. Then came glowing reports of the wonderful Australian gold discoveries. Mr Robson’s father decided to migrate to these parts, and he sent a son to prepare the way. Believing that tools and timber might not be procured in Australia. Mr Robson, senr, constructed a portable wooden residence, which was shipped in pieces on the White Star liner Arabian which brought the family over. In 1854 Mr John Robson, who was then nearly 17 years of age, landed at Port Phillip, and with the other members of the family came on to Ballarat, which place he made his home to the end. When he first reached Ballarat, Mr Robson joined in the search for gold, but not being strong enough for this rough work, he turned his attention to carpentering. This he did not care much about, and in 1858 he was appointed a teacher in St. Paul's Day School, Ballarat, but in the following year he relinquished this position and became exchange clerk in the local branch of the National Bank. Being adapted to this quickly made himself acquainted with the details of a banker’s profession, and his rise was rapid. In the year 1871, about 12 years after he joined the bank, he was appointed manager, and for four years occupied that position with conspicuous success. He was connected with the National Bank for eighteen years, and in 1875 he entered business on his own account. With his brother, Mr Wm. Robson, he erected red-gum sawmills at Gunbower, on the River Murray. Subsequently he was offered the management of the Australian and European Bank in mills. In 1886, he accepted the position and held it until the bank was absorbed by the Commercial Bank of Australia. For a time he lived privately, still, how ever, holding his interest in the saw mills. In 1886, he accepted, the position of manager of the Ballarat branch of the Mercantile Bank of Australia. This bank was closed in 1892, and Mr Robson retired, altogether from commercial circles. In the meantime his brother died, and the saw-mills were sold. Mr Robson held a very important position in music, in fact he for many years was looked upon as the leading musician in Ballarat, he being master of quite a variety of instruments. In 1864. he was appointed conductor of the old Harmonic Society in this city, and subsequently conductor of the Ballarat Liedertafel. Under his leadership this society attained a high state of efficiency, which has since been well-maintained. Many years ago Mr Robson formed an operatic company from amongst Ballarat residents, and such beautiful operas as “Lucrezia Borgia' "Lucia di Lammermoor," “Ernani,' La Sonnambula,” and others were successfully rendered. As an elocutionist, Mr Robson attained much prominence, he being recognised as one of the most capable teachers in Ballarat. He was president of the one-time Ballarat Shakespearian Dramatic Club, which under his direction, from time to time produced Shakespeare’s masterpieces. In this, too, he took the chief characters, the roles of Macbeth, Othello, Hamlet, and Shylock, all being powerfully represented by him. For some years prior to his demise Mr Robson, acted as a teacher of music, and elocution, and many of his pupils, competed with great success at the Ballarat and other competitions. Some years ago he acted as adjudicator at the South street competitions, when he gave every satisfaction, and his services were frequently secured to judge at competitions in other parts of the State and in other states of the Commonwealth. At the Ballarat band contests every year, he was a conspicuous figure, and he always acted as leader of the massed bands, by whom his appearance was always enthusiastically greeted. In his younger days he took a keen interest in several forms of sport, was a successful oarsman, one of the best amateur boxers of his weight and as a billiard player was able to hold his own with professionals. 'Mr Robson was an earnest adherent of the Church of England, and in social and other organisations he from time to time held important positions. As a Anglican churchman, he was widely respected, being the official principal and lay Canon of the Cathedral, a member of the Bishops Council, and a prominent member of St. Paul's Church, Ballarat East. He was also a prominent member of the Masonic order. and was a Past Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Victoria, an office which he filled with the greatest credit. He was also a member of the Old Colonists' Association and the Mechanics' Institute, was at one time vice-president of the Art Gallery was once a member of the School of Mines Council, and was many years ago made a Justice of the Pence. On many occasions he was asked to stand for Parliament, as a representative of Ballarat and on one occasion he consented to do so, but subsequently retired without going to the poll in favor of the late Mr Daniel Brophy. He was also often pressed to stand for both the Ballarat East and City Councils, but he declined to allow himself to be nominated. Mr Robson was an active gentleman, and a brilliant conversationalist. His courtesy, high mental and moral endowments, and warm open-heartedness, made him a most interesting and congenial companion. During his long residence in Ballarat, which city he declined to sever his connected with, he was well known and much courted, and was looked up on as one of the most prominent citizens, and his loss will be very severely felt. Some years ago a portrait of Mr Robson, in full Masonic regalia, was painted by he late Mr Stanton Bowman, and was presented by Mr Robson to the citizens, and it was hung in the City Hall, where it is always admired by visitors. The late Mr John Robson never married, and with his brother, James, lived for many years in Eureka street, Ballarat. The two brothers were nearly always together, and as they walked the streets with arms linked, they were frequently referred to as the Siamese twins. The only Australian relative of the late Mr John Robson is his brother. Mr James Robson, who hardly left the bedside during John's illness, and to him the blow has been a very severe one. In his bereavement he will have the heartfelt sympathy not only of the whole of the residents of Ballarat, but of people in all parts of the State. When the news of Mr Robson’s death became known the flags were flown at half-mast at the City and Town Halls, and the Old Colonists’ Hall, out of respect to the memory of the deceased. The interment will take place at the Old Cemetery this afternoon. The cortege will leave “Rothbury," Eureka street, Mr Robson’s late residence, at 3 o'clock, for St. Paul’s Church, where there will be a short service conducted by the vicar, the Rev T. A. Colebrook. (Ballarat Star, January 1910)Photographic portrait of John Robson, member of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat.john robson, old colonists' association of ballarat, old colonists' club