Newspaper articles (2) 'Colac Herald' 3rd and 6th October 1969, describing a dedication of carpet and communion cushions by Nan Saunders in honour of her deceased husband, George Cook Saunders. Article (a): 'Carpet, Cushions to be dedicated' 'Mr Saunders, a descendant of explorer Captain James Cook, was a prominent Colac citizen until his death 18 months ago' The dedication to be performed at the Colac Wesley Church. Article (b) 'His Life was a life worth living', minister's tribute to late Mr. G.C. Saunders. George Saunders lived in 'Tintin Glen', Panton Street Golden Square, before he relocated to Colac. See plans of 'Tintin Glen', designed by William Beebe, in BHS Collection.lydia chancellor, george cook saunders

Program A4 folded, for dedication service, Colac Methodist Church, for George Cook Saunders. Written on front 'Memorial Dedication Service 5th October 1969'. Inside 'Nan Saunders to present the memorial'. n Program is pale yellow paper with black text.person, bendigo, george cook saunders

Balance Sheet dated ending 30th September 1862. Sheet contains the names of a number of the members of the Court. Signed by the Auditors John Rae and Joseph King Smith. Dated October 6th. Names are: William Fincher, George McMillan, Joseph Mason, William Mason, Henry Catlin, William Clifford, Thomas Wills, John Rae, John Glinnon, John Wotton, Joseph K Smith, Henry Shalders, Thomas Pile, John Eady, Thomas Connell, Carl Mueller, Charles Kelynack, John Martin, George Nicholson, O C Hillman, Charles Spier, Chas I Murray, Jas Bryant, William Hosking, Saml D Arthur, Richard Rowe, Joseph Herz, Carl Ulbrick, Fritz Abraham, Hugh Brown, W H Bridgman, Thos Wm Butt, George Cook, J W Chapple, John Fincher, James Fincher, H R Hyde, Mackay H, Wilton H, Holl I S, De Gruchy H, Brockley, Busst, Dr Story, Waller,societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, william fincher, george mcmillan, joseph mason, william mason, henry catlin, william clifford, thomas wills, john rae, john glinnon, john wotton, joseph k smith, henry shalders, thomas pile, john eady, thomas connell, carl mueller, charles kelynack, john martin, george nicholson, o c hillman, charles spier, chas i murray, jas bryant, william hosking, saml d arthur, richard rowe, joseph herz, carl ulbrick, fritz abraham, hugh brown, w h bridgman, thos wm butt, george cook, j w chapple, john fincher, james fincher, h r hyde, bendigo united district, mackay h, wilton h, holl, i s, de gruchy h, brockley, busst, dr story, waller

BHS CollectionSepia tone photo of Bendigo tramways tram no. 2 taken in front of Bendigo Cemetery in Carpenter Street, showing driver and conductor. Mounted on a green tinted backing card. Dated on back '11th March 1907 -Conductor Dan McCormick, Motorman Geo(rge) Cook. Stamp on back, 'Cyril White, photographer, Mundy St, Bendigo.Cyril Whitebasil miller, dan mc cormick, george cook, bendigo tramways, bendigo cemetery

Vic Wheatland began work at Luke and Singer in 1957 and continued there until1994. He describes the K. G. Luke Companywheatland vic, luke and singer, luke kenneth george, cook amy

Hilary Bennet Mason (born 25/12/1911 in North Melbourne; died 16/3/2008) married Olive Marjory Muridge (B 20/7/1915; D 26/9/2001) on 30 September 1940. They has one daughter, born in 1947. Hilary had a number of occupations in his lifetime. His daughter referred to him as a tram conductor. The family lived at 7 Charles Street, Surrey Hills from c1960, having purchased it from William Stanton (Stan) Philp, a baker, and his wife Eileen. The title originally extended over 2 plots. The Philps sub-divided the land and built a new house for themselves at No 9. No 7 Charles Street had a well under the kitchen window; the house was extended in 1971/72; it was sold after Hilary Mason died in 2011. [REF: Personal communication from the donor; Alan Holt property register and online research.] The handwritten timeline refers to the area having been "called Irish Town as Catholic's were in the majority." Most of the writing is that of Hilary Mason, although some blanks have been filled in by another (unknown) hand. There is also an entry by John Whitford, who moved into a new home on the corner of Charles and Arthur Streets in 1982. The last entry is dated June 1996, when Hilary Mason would have been c 85 years old. Comment in relation to this catalogue entry: "One of the occupation that Mr Mason had was a Radio shop in Bridge Road, Richmond, called Mason's Radio. I worked for Mason's Radio in January 1963 to December 1964. Mr. Mason was a true gentleman, very kind and treated me like a son. Regards M.Zammit." (Maurice Zammit email; 9 March 2025)This is a unique piece of social history reflecting the closeness of this small suburban street.A standard lined exercise book, brand is HEADLINE, which contains a mixture of handwritten entries and pasted in and loose ephemeral items. These include house advertising flyers, newspaper clippings of a general nature and death notices, tickets, etc. The handwritten notes mostly pertain to a timeline of residents and their comings and goings to and from Charles Street in Surrey Hills, but also include some reflections on social history. Memories of other residents of the street are recorded. There are also some personal diary notes.Front cover: "begun october 1987 / History of / Charles street / Surrey Hills / History of Charles st. 1989 / 1996 / 1995 / 1993 1991 1990 / History 1987" in biro and marking pen in blue, red, brown and green. Back cover: "History / of / Surrey / Hills [1987 /1990 /1993 / 1995 / 1996] / History of / Charles street / Surrey Hills 1991" handwritten in black, blue, green, red and pink biro and marking pen.charles street, edna holzer, jack wright, john whitford, diana whitford, amanda whitford, melissa whitford, june kavanagh, aub sherlock, hilary bennet mason, olive marjory mason, noni hallier, elvis greenwood, bob peacock, ken warren, chris holford, enid holford, keith ellis, gina ellis, nita jacobsen, christine craig, peter craig, gary austin, deb austin, ian pearson, chris jacobsen, jack titansaw, peter burton, william (bill) philp, george cook, lee burton, mary pearson, bill sloan, carmel sloan, fielding's foundary, antonio panzera, annunziata panzera, nancy panzera, dr eric allan, merelyn maher, charles lyons, doug sloan, coral meehan, peter haase, steve creati

The Wesleyan Church, Denham Street in Lower Hawthorn, as the area was then called, was opened on 2 May 1886. The building was designed by Geelong architect William Henry Cleverdon and was built of brick in the Gothic style. Its dimensions were 55 x 33 ft and the façade incorporated a rose window and spire 50 ft high. A wooden vestry was placed to the rear. The building and the organ were seriously damaged by fire on 1 April 1970, started by a painter's blowtorch. The church was not rebuilt. The organ was built in 1900 by E. Cornwall Cook, of Barrington Place, Burwood Road, Hawthorn. It was opened on 8 August 1901 by George Peake. The Swell strings may have been added (or substituted for earlier material) by Frederick Taylor, whose workshop was nearby in Burwood Road. At some stage the colourfully decorated façade pipes were repainted in a gold finish. The organ was badly damaged in the 1970 fire and the metal pipes were sent to Hill, Norman & Beard who melted them down for scrap.B & W photograph of the interior of the Denham St. Methodist Church, Hawthorn. Mounted on card.denham street methodist church, organ, hall, e. cornwall cook, george peake, norman & bead, frederick taylor

Auctions of Crown land were introduced in the Colony of Victoria from 1851 to encourage settlers to occupy and work the land. Many squatters purchased land at auction at the upset (minimum) price of £1 per acre. In some areas where demand was high, such as the goldfields, the price realised at auction was much more. Land was put up for sale in the study area on the Burrumbeep run in May 1855, on the Lexington run in 1857, and on the Gorrinn run in 1858. (http://www.ararat.vic.gov.au/library/document/thermatics.pdf, accessed 27 January 2015) For 70 years or more, Yalla-y-Poora, Burrumbeep, Edgarley, Mount William and Narrapumelap ranked in the leading wool producers in Victoria. 1 Stud owners at Yalla-y-Poora, Eurambeen, Burrumbeep and Challicum crossed merino sheep with sheep descended from John Macarthur's Camden Park in New South Wales. (http://www.ararat.vic.gov.au/library/document/thermatics.pdf, accessed 27 January 2015) In what was to become the Ararat Mining Division, gold was discovered in May 1854 on the Burrumbeep run at a place that became known as Pinky Point on the Mount William goldfield. By 21 June 1854, between 600 and 1,000 people had arrived. (http://www.ararat.vic.gov.au/library/document/thermatics.pdf, accessed 27 January 2015)\ Town allotment plan for Burrumbeep. Merrymbuela, Borung, Lexington and Langi Logan are neighbouring areas. The plan includes the Burrumbeep Pre-Emptive Right (Roger and Wright); licensed land holders including Stephen Young, John Carroll, William Walsh, Thomas Purcell, Martha M. Bond, Colin Johnson, John Charles Webb, Henry Withycombe, William Henry Barbridge, John Wall, Thomas Flatelly, William Jenkinson, Elisia Radford, V. Radford, Denis Byrne, George Cook. Land holders included Andrew Maloney, Richard Wingfield Harrocks, W. Sporton, Terence Lynch, F. S. Falkiner, A. Millman, H. Morris, George Upham, J. McCLure, S. Fletcher, W. Parker, Thomas Myers, William wright, W.C. Winter, C. Wordman, Oliver A. Winter This plan is associated with former Ballarat School of Mines student Richard Squire (1875-6) Gift of the Squire FamilyVerso written in pencil - Plan of Burrembeep Ararat Burrembeep Araratburrumbeep, corrinn, langi logan, merrymbuela, lexington, ararat, roger & wright, cook, rogers, upham, george upham, ross, parsans, morris, johnson, withycoombe, colin johnson, falkiner, dsporton, john carroll, donald gordon, denis bryne, maurice dooley, martha bond, william harricks, \william wingfield harricks, william l.c. harricks, michael houlihan, thomas purcell, martin ryan, michael cody, fletcher, mccaw, w. parker, j.m. clow, elisia radford, thomas radford, thomas myers, barbridge, e. wilde, j. wall, flatelly, g. wardman, w.c. winter, david ball, jenkinson, ballarat school of mines, richard squire, squire

Small booklet: Sixteen Explorers of Australia. A portrait of Captain Cook on the front page. It was published in March 1965 by the Bank of New South Wales. The booklet has 17 pages. Contents: Preface - Abel Tasman - James Cook - George Bass - Matthew Flinders - Gregory Blaxland - John Oxley - Phillip Parker King - Charles Sturt - Thomas Livingstone Mitchell - Edward John Eyre - Ludwig Leichardt - Augustus Charles Gregory - Edmund Kennedy - Robert O'Hara Burke - John McDouall Stuart - John Forrest.books, biography, explorers of australia

Booklet. 17 page booklet giving one-page stories of exploration of Australia with drawings and maps. Explorers are Abel Tasman, James Cook, George Bass, Matthew Flinders, Gregory Blaxland, John Oxley, Phillip Parker King, Charles Sturt, Thomas Mitchell, Edward Eyre, Ludwig Leichhardt, Augustus Charles Gregory, Edmund Kennedy, Robert O'Hara Burke, John McDouall Stuart, John Forrest. Published by the Bank of NSW and printed by Sydney Allen Printers P/L, Rydalmere, NSW.Bank of NSWhistory, australian, australian explorers, history.

Melton State School Photograph Junior Classes May 3rd 1917 Thomas Lang was the Head Teacher from 1896 - 1917 Back row: William Kilpatrick Bill D Whiting John Flynn Archibald MacDonald Arch Edward Radford Ted John Radford Jack Keith Beardemore Second Back Row: Percival Cook George Nixon Frederick Myers Bill ? Coburn Jim Coburn Bill ? Coburn [Arthur 06 Geo, William 06 Frdk Thomas 06 F James F] Second Front Row: Rita Wilson Mary Coburn Frdk Ivy Prickett - Winifred Barrie Marie Jongebloed Mary Phyllis Pearcey E. Waller Front Row: Kenneth Beaty John Parker Margaret McDonald Mary Kilpatrick Greta Jongebloed .. Norman Minns Francis Shelly Juniors classes with headmaster Thomas Lang. education, local identities

Lake Bolac State School students in 1921. Back: Laurie park, Eileen Graham, Maisie Lindonh, Nell O'Rorke, Sheila Murray, Lillian Murray, Emily Wileman, Beryl Peters, June Wileman, Alma Eastick, Chris McKenzie, Innes Geddes, Eunice Wills. 2nd Row: Eddie Kinnersley, Ivan Scott, Colin Graham, Marg. Graham, Dulcie Gange, Del Veale, Joy Gange, Faith Murray, Lorna Peters, Edna Cordy, Enonie Park, Mabel Cordy, Greta Sandford, Lin Cameron, Bert Peters. 3rd Row: Claude Balkin, Graham Murray, Mav Peters, Dave Geddes, Ewan Murray, Wal Dear, Len Park, Arthur Knoght, Frank Graham, Leo Balkin, Alan McCrow, Ray Gale, George Wileman, Joe Cook, Hurtle Eastick, Frank Eastick. Front Row: Horrie Peters, Harold Peters, Alex Scott, Jim Peters, Fred Dear, Bill Kinnersley, Dave Pitkethly, Neil Graham (Rusty), Don Graham, Lou Duncan.lake bolac state school no 854, students of 1921: balkin, cameron, cook, cordy, dear, duncan, eastick, gale, gange, geddes, graham, kinnersly, knight, lindon, mccrow, mckenzie, murray, o'rorke, park, peters, pitkethly, sandford, scott, veale, wileman, wills

.1 SEPIA PHOTOGRAPH OF A GROUP OF CHILDREN, GRADES 3 AND 4, AT CLUNES STATE SCHOOL NO. 1552 IN 1924 .2 LIST OF CHILDREN IN PHOTOGRAPH.2 Clunes State School Grace III & IV Photo - 1924; Back Row; Bob Brock, Russell Hancock, Harry Rogers, Charlie Cook, George Morland, Don Girvan, Harry Lucy, Steve Purcell. Second Row; Muriel Williams, Carrie Spark, Mavis Jenkin, May Webb, Janey Williams, Pearl Stevenson, Alice Steart. Third Row; Jessica Carter, Jean Rodda, Ann Adam, Amy Harden, Beryl Coutts, Brenda Fetridge, Ethel Woods, Fourth Row kneeling; Jim Rowe, George Toole, Bill Jones, George Roadly, Billy Nelson, Doug Roberts, Billy Richards Front Row on Ground; Charlie Morgan, Gordon Smith, Ken Robinson, Horace Annear (names read from left to right)local history, photography, photographs, clunes state school 1924

Black and white photograph of men dressed in naval uniforms posed in two rows (one kneeling, one standing) at the base of a cliff. A further row of people are posed at top of cliff. Bottom third of framed work includes names of those in the image.Front: Portland Naval Cadets Corination Day King George V 22-6-1911 Front Row Standing (L to R): G.P.C. Fitzpatrick, William Redfern, James Kean, Benjamin Lear, William Dusting, Thomas Hardie. Front Row Kneeling (L to R): Edward Peters, Percy Dawkins, Leonard Tonkin, Hugh Keiller, Frank Edwards, William Alexander, Harry Goldsmith, George Jarrett, Roy Taylor, Roy Laidlaw, Thomas Herbertson, Dudly Brown, Sydney Pitts, Leslie Adams, William Patterson, jack Edwards, Norman Dusting, Eric Dusting, Noel Henry, William Mallett, Stanley Dusting, Herbert De La Cour, Joseph Cleghorn, Murry Douglas, Clarence Patterson. Back Row Standing (L to R): John Spikin, Charles Fredericks, Roy Campbell, Charles Gibbs, Bruce Douglas, Herbert Arkill, Archie Mathes, Murry Parker, Frank Edwards, Benjamin Davis, Osbourne Cruse, Oliver Westlake, Edward Pitts, Robert Edrich, James O'Brien, Edward Cook, William Paterson, Thomas Cook, George Lanagan, Frank Wilson, Ralph Taylor, Edward Jennings, George Parker. Presented by Harry Goldsmith. Back: To my boyhood friend Noel Henry to be hung wherever he thinks fit. Harry Goldsmith 16/7/66.gpc fitzpatrick, william redfern, james kean, benjamin lear, william dusting, thomas hardie

This Day or Night telescope, made by John Dollond, was designed for use in a range of lighting conditions, as its name suggests. Telescopes are optical instruments that make distant objects appear larger and closer, thereby extending the range of what the human eye can observe. The development of the telescope was gradual, shaped by a series of important advances in optical science. In 1608, the Dutch spectacle-maker Hans Lippershey discovered that when two lenses were held apart in a particular way, distant objects appeared closer. He applied for a patent for this invention, creating the first documented telescope. In 1668, Isaac Newton produced the first successful reflecting telescope, using a two-inch concave spherical mirror. This marked a major step forward, demonstrating that mirrors could overcome some of the limitations of lenses and greatly improve magnification. Further progress followed in the eighteenth century. In 1729, Chester Moor Hall developed the achromatic lens by combining two types of glass with different refractive properties. This reduced colour distortion and produced a sharper image, although some edge distortion remained. That same year, the Scottish instrument maker James Short developed parabolic and elliptical mirrors that were better suited to reflecting telescopes because they reduced optical distortion. Building on these advances, John Dollond improved the achromatic objective lens by placing a concave flint-glass lens between two convex crown-glass lenses, considerably enhancing image quality. Maker’s information. John Dollond (1707–1761), of London, was a maker of optical, scientific and astronomical instruments best known for developing the achromatic refracting telescope. He also introduced a practical heliometer, a telescope fitted with a divided lens that could be used to measure the Sun’s diameter and the angular distance between celestial bodies. The son of Huguenot refugees, Dollond first learned the family trade of silk weaving before turning his attention to optics and astronomy, in which he became highly skilled. In 1753, Dollond patented his improved lenses, the same year he had introduced the heliometer. In 1761, John Dollond was appointed as optician to George III and the Duke of York. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in May 1761, but died suddenly later that year in November. His share of the patent then passed to his eldest son, Peter. In later disputes between Peter Dollond and rival London opticians who challenged the patent, Peter consistently argued that, whatever earlier precedents may have existed, his father had independently developed a practical method for producing achromatic lenses through his command of Newtonian optics. By successfully defending the patent, the Dollond firm became one of the leading manufacturers of optical instruments. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the name ‘Dollond’ was at times used almost generically to mean ‘telescope,’ reflecting the firm’s reputation. Genuine Dollond telescopes were regarded as among the finest available. Peter Dollond (1731–1820) was the driving force behind the family business. He had founded a small optical business in 1750 on Vine Street, Halton Garden, with his father's guidance. The success of the business led to his father joining him in partnership in 1752. In 1959, J Dollond and Son opened a shop on The Strand, London. Dollonds appear to have produced both reflecting and refracting telescopes, and they possessed the technical skill to manufacture significant numbers of lenses largely free from chromatic aberration. In 1766, Peter went into partnership with his younger brother, John, and they traded under the name P and J Dollond. They supplied optical instruments for Captain Cook and George Hadley, an English lawyer and Meteorologist. In 1769, Captain Cook travelled with a Dollond telescope on the voyage to observe the Transit of Venus. Other notable customers included Thomas Jefferson and Admiral Lord Nelson. In 1781, Peter Dollond made bifocal spectacles. In 1804, young John Dollond passed away. The following year, Peter Dollond went into partnership with his nephew, George Huggins, and Huggins legally changed his surname to Dollond, and the firm remained P and J Dollond. In the early 20th century, the company sold film cameras. The firm remained in the hands of Dollond family members until 1927, when Dollond & Co. merged with James Aitchison & Co. to form Dollond & Aitchison, the well-known high street chain of opticians, which continued making and selling prescription spectacles. Now fully part of Boots Opticians, the company no longer manufactures instruments and operates exclusively as a retail business. The telescope in the collection is an excellent example of one of Dollond’s early library telescopes. Its association with one of eighteenth-century England’s leading innovators in optical development gives it considerable historical significance and makes it an important object within the collection. John Dollond’s experiments in optics advanced the understanding of the divergent properties of lenses and made a lasting contribution to the development of practical optical science. His work helped lay the foundation for major improvements in the design and performance of optical instruments. In his own time, Dollond was celebrated as the “Father of practical optics” and received widespread recognition for his achievements in the field. Dollond telescopes were associated with the renowned mariners, Captain James Cook and Admiral Lord Nelson Telescope: Dollond's Telescope, Day or Night model navigational instrument. Telescope is mounted on wooden tripod stand that has folding legs. Brass telescope with leather sheath over barrel, adjustable angle fitting with brass wing nuts that join the legs to the top frame, which is then joined to the telescope pole by an adjustable screw fitting. Manufactured by Dollond, London. Inscription reads "Dollond London, Day or Night" and "DOLLOND LONDON"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, warrnambool, optical instrument, achromatic telescope, heliometer, light refraction, instrument maker, lens, transit of venus, astronomical telescope, concave lens, scientific instrument, navigation, navigational instrument, astronomy, dollond, dollond london, john dollond, peter dollond, dollond telescope, day or night telescope, floor-standing telescope, library telescope, hans lippershey, isaac newton, chester moor hall, james short, captain cook, thomas jefferson, admiral lord nelson, dollond & co, aitchison & co, dollond & aitchison, boots opticians, george iii, duke of york, george huggins, george dollond, p and j dollond, j dollond and son, spectacles, cameras

The letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth recognised the significance of William’s brave and courageous lifesaving act to the people of Australia; “They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The story of that brave rescue follows on below … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, The company was one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. She was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the Pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October 1905, the twelve-year-old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia. She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. Bad weather en route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a north-westerly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with seawater and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on the shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11 pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11 pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2 am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise, the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning, Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25-year-old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days, an unidentified body of a young person has washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues, he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor-General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy), Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with the manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy, she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ. As well as this letter, Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a photograph of the wrecked La Bella, a brass rail holder and a postcard of William Ferrier with four of the survivors. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. This original congratulatory letter sent to William Ferrier by the Prime Minister and Government of Australia demonstrates the importance attached to his efforts for Victoria and to Australia. The letter is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The letter to William Ferrier from the Australian Government acknowledges the bravery of ordinary Australians who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. The letter is significant to the history of Warrnambool as it honours William Ferrier, a local fisherman whose descendants continue to live in the area. It highlights the way of life of people who lived in coastal towns in 19th century Victoria and the effects of shipwrecks upon them. The letter connects to the postcard of William Ferrier with four of the five rescued crew, the photograph of the wreck of the La Bella and the artefact from the wreck, the rail holder. This letter is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella”. The “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament commending him on his bravery. The printed letterhead includes a coat of arms in the top centre and the official address. The letter is very neatly hand written in black pen and includes 4 signatures of Members of Parliament. The rectangular paper is cream coloured with some yellow/brown discolouring. It has the letterhead on the right hand side of it and the written letter begins below the letterhead. The paper has been folded so that the right side becomes the cover page of the letter. The writing is continued onto the inside right hand page of the folded paper and the writing ends here. There is more recent writing on the bottom right hand corner of the back page. The paper has been officially folded in half a total 3 times and there is heavy discolouration on the sections that form the front and back of the folded letter. There is a 4th fold line that is less pronounced that the other folds and would make the paper the size to fit into a pocket. At several fold creases the paper has worn through. The edges of the paper have minor tears. The printed coat of arms is that of the House of Representatives. Underneath is printed “The Parliament of the Commonwealth, / Parliament House / Melbourne”. The hand written, letter is dated “14th November, 1905” and addressed to “Mr. William Ferrier / South Warrnambool” The letter begins “The Speaker, the Prime Minister and Members of the Ministry and its supporters, the Leader and Members of the Opposition, the Leader and Members of the Labour Party, being all the Members of the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament of Australia” … It continues “desire to express to you their appreciation of your bravery in skulling out to the wreck of the “La Bella” at Warrnambool on Saturday, 11th November, 1905, and recovering therefrom two of the crew who were in imminent danger of their lives. They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The letter is “Signed on behalf of the Members – Speaker (Frederick Holder ), Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Joseph Cook ), Prime Minister (Alfred Deakin), Leader of the Labour Party ( J.C. Watson)” On the back of the letter is blue ink handwriting “OWNER / G. FERRIER / TO. BE. PHOTOGRAPHED / 27-4-76”la bella, william ferrier, bill ferrier, lady bay, 1905, 10th november 1905, 11th november 1905, parliament of the commonwealth, prime minister, australian government, new zealand, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village

This brass rail holder fixture would have been used to hold the end of a rail in place. There is no information as to where the fitting or rail would have been placed on the ship; sailing ships had many brass fittings. It was recovered from the wreck of the La Bella, which lies at the bottom of the Warrnambool Harbour. Some 15 ships are believed to have been wrecked in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the sea floor; the La Bella and the Edinburgh Castle. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. The story of the final voyage of the La Bella is summarised as follows … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, the company being one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. She was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October, 1905, the twelve year old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia . She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. . Bad weather en route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a north-westerly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with sea water and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25 year old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days an unidentified body of a young person was washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later, when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan, after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy), Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked, but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy, she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. As well as this letter, Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a photograph of the wrecked La Bella, a brass rail holder and a postcard of William Ferrier with four of the survivors. This original congratulatory letter sent to William Ferrier by the Prime Minister and Government of Australia demonstrates the importance attached to his efforts for Victoria and to Australia. The letter is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The letter to William Ferrier from the Australian Government acknowledges the bravery of ordinary Australians who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. The letter is significant to the history of Warrnambool as it honours William Ferrier, a local fisherman whose descendants continue to live in the area. It highlights the way of life of people who lived in coastal towns in 19th century Victoria and the effects of shipwrecks upon them. The letter connects to the postcard of William Ferrier with four of the five rescued crew, the photograph of the wreck of the La Bella and the artefact from the wreck, the rail holder. This item is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella” . the “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Brass rail holder from the wreck "La Bella". This rail holder would have been used as a fitting for the end of a rail. It is made up of two parts and looks a little like a goblet in shape. The top is a hollow spherical shape with a circular hole cut out on one side, into which the end of a round rail would fit. There are two gouge marks close to each other on one side of the hole, about one centimetre apart, at 1 and 2 o’clock position. The sphere has a hollow pipe-like stem with a screw thread turned into the outside of the lower section and the bottom of the stem has been flared out after having the base fitted. The base is round and has a mound in the centre. The edge has four evenly spaced fixture holes around its edge. The metal shows signs of pitting and has mild encrustation. The fitting of the base is loose, allowing it to swivel in a complete circle. The top of the sphere is rough and has a dent in it. Underneath the base there is verdigris; some has flaked off and reveals a bright golden colour underneath. rail holder, brass rail holder, la bella, lady bay, norway, 1893, new zealand, captain mylius, william ferrier, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village

This painting of the “La Bella” is associated with Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the wreck of the “La Bella”. It was painted around the 1980s by maritime artist Philip J. Gray. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. The Kosnar Picture Framing and Mirrors Shop identified the "GRAY 3135, Y04/111" as their job number for the framing and said that the label "ANOTHER KOSNAR FEATURE" was last used before about 1990. About artist Philip J. Gray “Philip is one of Australia’s leading maritime artists and his meticulous research and social commentary paintings of ships, such as, the Loch Ard and Schomberg form an important part of Warrnambool’s Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum.” [Dr Marion Manifold, Artist and Art Historian, 2014] Philip James Gray was born in London but has lived most of his life in Australia. He graduated from a London school of art as an illustrator, specialising in technical and scientific illustration as well as other commercial and applied art. He was also a student for a time of Fyffe Christie - British figurative artist, mural painter and humanitarian – who had a great influence on his career. Philip has always worked as a professional artist and illustrator. Many publications on maritime history have featured his work. His paintings have been released and sold all over the world as limited edition prints. The State Library of Victoria’s ‘Latrobe Collection’ holds two of his paintings. His street painting of ‘The Ashes Contest’ decorates the brick wall of Old Bakery Laneway in Sunbury and a Sunbury café owner commissioned him to paint the ‘Sunbury Pop Festival’ as a remembrance of local history. Philip has been an active member of the Sunbury Art Society in Victoria for several years, serving on the committee for some of that time and being involved in exhibitions. He enjoys helping new artists and sharing his skills and experience. About the “La Bella” The wreck of the La Bella lies at the bottom of the Warrnambool Harbour in Lady Bay. Some 15 ships are believed to have been wrecked there but only two have been discovered on the sea floor; the La Bella and the Edinburgh Castle. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. The story of the final voyage of the La Bella is summarised as follows … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, the company being one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. La Bella was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October 1905 the twelve year old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia . She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. Bad weather en-route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a north-westerly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with sea water and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25 year old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days an unidentified body of a young person was washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later, when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan, after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy). Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked, but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ.This painting of the La Bella by Philip J. Gray is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The painting connects with other objects and artefacts associated with the wreck of the La Bella. This painting is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella” . the “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Large framed painting of the three masted barquentine "La Bella" fully rigged. Painted by Phillip J Gray. A fine printed line squares off the painting. Beneath painting and line is a gold plate with black copper plate designating "La Bella" is encased in glass, surrounded by a silver-metal frame. Yellow and brown paper label is adhered to back of painting. Picture framed by Kosnar in Melbourne."The La Bella" on gold plaque Logo of "K" inside a brown square. "GRAY 3135, Y04/111", "ANOTHER KOSNAR FEATURE" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, painting, la bella, artist phillip j gray, maritime painting, lady bay warrnambool

Thirteen pages of memorabilia used at the Teachers' College 40 year Reunion in 1989 and 25th Reunion in 1974. It includes photographs, newspaper clippings and lettersBallarat Courier in Retrospect 1989 Ballarat Courier in Retrospect 40 Years ago reunion, teachers college ballarat, 40 years, photograph, clippings, m.j. page, j.m. dunn, m.e. blaby, g.j.white, m.l. collins, d.g. prowse, f.l. english, w,j, cook, f.j. barnett, t.m. dowling, v.m. tyson, m.b. court, s. freckleton, n.g. heinrich, n. miller, m. godfrey, m. eveston, r.l. witney, e.m. gearing, j.m. clarke, n.m. george, d.h. evans, k.b. richardson, w.p. hall, w.p. baker, peter fryar, laurence peter fryar, j.m. addinsall, m.j. reynolds, margaret reynolds, v.j. kelly, p.j. hudson, a.i. mcintosh, t.w.h. turner, w.f. ford, l.s. mcrae, l.a. campbell, j.m. pentney, b.j heron, j.h. gervasoni, john hogan gervasoni, m. miller, e.n. tippett, j.w. blackie, r.m. preece, g.n fithall, m. mcewin, i.p. ryan, l.i. irving, p. aldred, b.c. webb, v.m. ward, a.m. panther, j.h. dunn, m.m. gallagher, e.b. hughes, r.h.lam. stowell, d.j. collins, i.g. mcmahon, b.m. thorpe, a.e. white

Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historic Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value The Discovery of Australia A Critical, Documentery and Historic Investigation Concerning the Priority of Discovery in Australasia by Europeans before the arrival of Lieut. James Cook, in the "Endeavour," in the year 1770 Author: George Collingridge Publisher: Hayes Brothers Date: 1895Label on spine cover with typed text RA 994.01 COL Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, the discovery of australia, george collingridge

Hard cover book,The Rambler & The Idler Author: Dr. Samuel Johnson, Mr. Town, John Hawkesworth Publisher: William P Nimmo, 14 King William St, The Strand, London. W1. Date: 1876 Further Information: The flyleaf reads The Rambler and the Idler. By Samuel Johnson. The Adventurer. By John Hawkesworth. The Connoisseur. By (Mr. Town Pen Name) Green Cloth hardcover with a green spine and lettering in black texter. The spine has a Library label with an inscription.non-fictionThis single 1876 volume combines four of the most influential weekly and semi weekly periodical essay series of the mid-18th century. Despite the phrasing of the era, these are not fiction stories or novels. They are periodical essays brief, single-topic pieces written to critique, educate, and entertain 18th-century readers. The collection covers three themes: morality and human nature, with a focus on reflections relating to the disappointments of life, the inevitability of death, managing one's passions, and the search for true happiness, featuring mainly in The Rambler; social satire and manners, with lighthearted and witty take downs of London high society, modern trends, vanity, and standard eccentric characters of the town; and literary criticism, with essays that analyse contemporary poetry and the theatre, along with the evolving English language.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, the rambler and the idler, john hawkesworth., mr. town, samuel johnson

George Box 1808-1867 an 'agricultural labourer', of Sussex England, married Mary Cripps in 1831 and with 3 three of their 4 four sons and 3 three of their 4 four daughters left Liverpool in the Sailing Ship 'Atlanta' in March 1856 to begin a new life in Melbourne, Victoria , Australia. George and son Henry paid their own fares while sons , Francis and John, were 'assisted passengers'. Their baby daughter Cecilia Lydia died a few days into the voyage.. Caroline Box, the eldest daughter, remained in England working as a cook until she joined the family in Australia in 1863. William Box 1834-1902, the eldest son of George Box, married Elizabeth Avis 1833- 1914 and they resided in Box Cottage 1865 -1914 where they established a market garden and raised 13 children. William and Elizabeth had emigrated in 1854 so George and sons probably worked on their market garden before setting up in Tucker Road and Patterson Road. Sadly Mary drowned in a water hole only 4 months after their arrival in Brighton. Mary suffered from headaches and had occasional fits and the coroner found she passed out and died while trying to ease the pain with cold water from a waterhole. It is supposed that Elizabeth helped him raise the children while he established his market garden. George died from Tetanus following an infected broken leg caused by falling from his dray in 1867. George and Mary were both buried in the Brighton Cemetery. Box Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . George Box was the father of William Box who with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841 Inscribed in Album : “ The early photos in this album were found by Mr (Laurie) Lewis when he was demolishing the Old Box Cottage. He gave them to Mrs Avis Box Eldridge who in turn gave them to me. They were not identified. I believe they rightly belong in the Cottage. I have attempted to identify them and present them in a way they can be preserved as a historical record of the era.” A B Leigh A black and white photograph of George Box taken in Tunbridge Wells, England c1855Photo at base ; TUNBRIDGE WELLS Album inside cover ; Donated to / Moorabbin / Historical Society / by / Avis Box Leigh box george, box mary, box william, box elizabeth, box alonzo, box mary louisa, dendy henry, were j b, dendy's special survey 1841, brighton, moorabbin, bentleigh, mckinnon, ormond, market gardeners, dairy farms, early settlers, pioneers, jasper road, gurr jabez, gurr eliza, pay henry, pay anna, ward willam, box henry, ward elizabeth emma, box john, sheldrake martha, rushall eleanor, box caroline, tetanus