Invitation by the Government of Victoria to Cr & Mrs J H Curnow to a Reception in the Exhibition Building on Friday, 31st July 1925 for the American Naval Visit. Cream coloured Invitation mounted on card. It has scrolls and lamps at each side with ribbon. Behind each lamp are flags, one American and the other with a star on it. Centre top is an emblem with the Southern Cross with a kangaroo above it and a lady on each side. The printing is sepia colour.document, invitations, official celebrations, invitation, american naval visit, cr & mrs j h curnow, united states fleet

A series of sixty one articles written by Leighton Rawlings and published in the Bendigo Weekly between 2000 and 2003. Each article details a collectable item and its history. Each article includes a photograph. The articles are stored in a white vinyl covered two ring A5 folder. Index below. Collectors” Corner Number Article Name Date 1. Miner’s Food Tins 21/2/2003 2. Bendigo Girls High School Jubilee Magazine 28/03/2003 3. Bendigo’s Juvenile & Industrial Exhibition 28/02/2003 4. Bendigo’s 59TH Grand Spring Show Program 7/03/2003 5. Bendigo’s Mayfair Distributors 9/08/2002 6. Celebration of Bendigo’s 1951 Gold Centenary 31/01/2003 7. Souvenir of American Naval Visit to Bendigo 6/09/2002 8. Back Seat Driver’s Licence 4/04/2003 9. Antique Shearing Documents 19/07/2002 10. Angus Mackay’s Top Hat and Exquisite Hat Case 2/08/2002 11. Early Morse Code Key Set 9/02/2001 12. Antique Produce Weighing Scales 16/02/2001 13. Bendigo Aerated Water Containers 14. Bendigo’s “Poppet Head” Bottle 14/12/2001 15. 1901 Federal Parliament Medallion 18/05/2001 16. Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medallion 1/06/2001 17. Prince of Wales Visit to Eaglehawk 8/06/2001 18. The Beehive Store Sales Docket 15/06/2001 19. Australia’s First Newspaper 22/06/2001 20. Australia’s First Newspaper 29/06/2001 21. Bendigo City Jubilee Ball 6/07/2001 22. Bendigo’s Busy Red Emporium 1 3/07/2001 23. “Saintly” Memorabillia (sic) of a Bygone Era 20/07/2002 24. Historical Bendigo Lodge Certificate 28/09/2001 25. Bendigo Agricultural Show 19/10/2001 26. Victorian Railway’s Smoke Social Invitation 5/10/2001 27. Early Award Medallions 6/03/1998 28. Home Delivery Grocer 26/10/2001 29. Swimming Proficiency Medallion 9/11/2001 30. 1950’s Road Travel Ticket Collection 27/07/2001 31. Glover’s Soft Drink Bottle 3/08/2001 32. Antique Leggo’s Bottles 10/08/2001 33. Collectable Documents 17/08/2001 34. Broadcast Listener’s Licence 31/08/2001 35. Antique Board Game 7/09/2001 36. Century Old Memorabilia Returns to Sacred Heart Cathedral 30/11/2001 37. California Hill Methodist Church Memorabilia 21/12/2001 38. Goldfield Wax Matched Tin Box 4/01/2002 39. Memorabilia of a Bendigo Lodge Member Nov 2001 40. Eaglehawk General Store Memorabilia Nov 2001 41. Bendigo’s Rescue Home Memorabilia 18/01/2002 42. Automobile Parts House Memorabilia 11/01/2002 43. Antique Insurance Certificates 1/02/2002 44. The Universal Self Instructor 8/02/2002 45. Automobile Parts House Memorabilia – Part 2 15/02/2002 46. Miner’s Hard Hat 1/03/2002 47. Antique Bendigo Medicine Bottle 8/03/2002 48. British Prime Ministers Visit Memorabilia 22/03/02 49. Bendigo’s Sun Newspaper 28/3/2002 50. Bendigo Grocer’s Memorabilia 5/04/2002 51. The Universal Self Instructor 52. Gold Mining Company Documents 31/05/2002 53. Bendigo Motoring Memorabilia 17/05/2002 54. Bendigo Carriage to Motoring Memorabilia 24/05/2002 55. Bendigo Easter Fair and Grand National Show Medals 13/09/2002 56. Official Trades Union Directory 1949 27/09/2002 57. The 1889 Pickles & Sons Challenge Cup 4/10/2002 58. Chico Roll goes “Gold” 21/12/2001 59. What’s It Worth by Ken Arnold. Money Box 28/09/2001 60. What’s It Worth by Ken Arnold. Bottle 5/10/2001 61. What’s It Worth by Ken Arnold. Jar 10/01/2003collectables, leighton rawlings

On 29 August 1908 Melbourne gaped in wonder as 16 white-hulled battleships of the United States Atlantic Fleet, carrying 14,000 naval personnel, steamed into Port Phillip Bay. The ‘Great White Fleet’ was circumnavigating the globe on a tour launched by President Theodore Roosevelt. The cruise was a display of naval power and practical exercise, testing the battle-readiness of the US Navy and demonstrating its ability to patrol and protect the west coast and American interests in the Pacific including Australia.An original unframed photograph of the United States Altantic Fleet entering Port Phillip Bay in 1908 and a copy framed and mounted under glass.Port Phillip Bay 1908; United States Atlantic Fleetthe great white fleet, us atlantic fleet, 1908, port phillip bay

On Saturday 29 August 1908, over 100 years ago, 16 American battleships along with 5 various escorts entered Port Phillips Bay. Thousands flocked with excitement along the coast and to Port Melbourne to see the white painted ships and their sailors disembarked. The Fleet’s Mission, ordered by President Theodore Roosevelt, was to make friendly courtesy visits to countries while obviously displaying new U.S. naval power. Invited by Alfred Deakin to the young federation, who was feeling isolated and vulnerable after the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, the visit was a first step in the shaping of the relationship between the US and Australia. And also an impetus to create the Australian Navy in 1911.A photograph of an original photograph depicting the Queenscliff fishing fleet out welcoming the incoming American fleet on Saturday 29 August 1908.Queenscliff fishing boats welcoming the American Fleetthe americcan fleet, the great white fleet, theodore roosevelt, alfred duncan, australian navy 1911

“Yarram Park” Willaura Visited by American Seamen. Gentleman is Mr William Jennings Kinsella. The Great White Fleet was the popular nickname for the group of United States Navy battleships which completed a journey around the globe from December 16, 1907 to February 22, 1909 by order of President Theodore Roosevelt. Its mission was to make friendly courtesy visits to numerous countries while displaying new U.S. naval power to the world. One goal was to deter a threatened war with Japan since tensions were high in 1907. It familiarized the 14,500 officers and men with the logistical and planning needs for extended fleet action far from home. Hulls were painted a stark white, giving the armada its nickname. It consisted of 16 battleships divided into two squadrons, along with various small escorts.[1][2] Roosevelt sought to demonstrate growing American military power and blue-water navy capability.willaura simmons

“Yarram Park” Willaura Hunting Trip with American Seamen. Gentleman at top center back is William Jennings Kinsella. The Great White Fleet was the popular nickname for the group of United States Navy battleships which completed a journey around the globe from December 16, 1907 to February 22, 1909 by order of President Theodore Roosevelt. Its mission was to make friendly courtesy visits to numerous countries while displaying new U.S. naval power to the world. One goal was to deter a threatened war with Japan since tensions were high in 1907. It familiarized the 14,500 officers and men with the logistical and planning needs for extended fleet action far from home. Hulls were painted a stark white, giving the armada its nickname. It consisted of 16 battleships divided into two squadrons, along with various small escorts.[1][2] Roosevelt sought to demonstrate growing American military power and blue-water navy capability.willaura simmons