Copy photograph of a newspaper photograph at the time of the entry into service of the X class tramcar 217. Photographed at Malvern Depot by The Argus newspaper. The tram is on display at the Melbourne Tram Museum's Hawthorn Depot.Yields information about X class tram at the time of its introduction into service.Copy photograph Birney X class 217, copy by Keith Kings.In ink on the rear " MMTB X217, "Pay as you enter tramcar imported complete from USA as an experiment" Copy from "Argus" 22/9/23 in C. Craig Collection. 1sec f16, 15-7-71, and K S Kings stamp with number 95-28trams, tramways, x class, new trams, tram 217

Newspaper titled: "Melbourne Olympic City", containing on page 7, an advertisement for the State Savings Bank of Victoria. Ad features an unidentified tram in front of the Elizabeth St head office. Printed and published by I.F. Brander, 75 Waverley Road, East Malvern, for The Argus & Australasian Ltd, at the Reg Office, 365 Elizabeth St Melbournetrams, tramways, w class, elizabeth st

24 photographs relating to Carnegie plus 1 slide: 1/Two photographs, one of Koornang Road c.1920’s and one of flower shop rear of library, date unknown. 2/One photograph of Carnegie Post Office c. undated. 3/Two photographs Koornang Road, Carnegie and phone boxes, Carnegie, dated 1914. 4/Two photographs (the same) of an RSL Ball dated 15/08/1937. 5/17 black and white negative photos – reprinted, date unknown, of Carnegie Library, shop front opening Koornang Road. 6/Slide showing Koornang Road, Carnegie looking South. 7/6 photocopied postcards from Valentines Real Photo Series, in album owned by Mrs. Zoe Mason, collected and returned to Pam Speedy (daughter) 12 Wattle Grove, East Malvern, 15/03/1999. Photocopied pages from 1923 Sands and McDougalls included with some prints to give an idea of architecture and other retail trade. 8/Two photocopied prints of Carnegie Flood. 1946 – Koornang Road, shows shopkeepers in street at that time. 9/Two photographs of brick wall advertising the "Argus" newpaper, which closed in 1957. Photos taken in 2011 when building was exposed prior to rebuilding on site.koornang road, rosstown road, carnegie, shepparson street, carnegie library, carnegie post office, mcallister b., glen huntly, glenhuntly, phone boxes, memorial hall, bamfield m., tranmere avenue, carnegie railway station, stations, libraries, post offices, memorial hall carnegie, progress hall, carnegie community singing, social clubs, chadstone progress, newspapers, temminghoff robert, carnegie chamber of commerce, caulfield city council, rob’s chocolate box, rosstown, ross william murray, rosstown railway, elsternwick, oakleigh, city of caulfield, glen huntly road, glenhuntly road, grange road, carnegie primary school, primary schools, murrumbeena, neerim road, dandenong road, koornang park, lord reserve, rosanna street reserve, packer oval reserve, caulfield swim centre, holywood grove, mile end road, mcpherson avenue, munster avenue, rosstown hotel, leila road, methodist church, toolambool street, carnegie theatre, carnegie estate agency – sims and broadbent, woorayl street, estate agents, cowie j. mrs., confectioner, woodhouse e., stationer, mckay jno. a., mckay jonathon, small goods, perry w. b., chemists, kinsman e. h., newsagents, jones a. w., mckee wm., furniture stores, neil geo. m., grocer, truganini road, brick

Possible dates: b. 12/10/1868, d. 14/10/1947. Married Alfred Coates in 1888. Alfred Coates was Home Missionary in Diamond Creek from 1910 to 1913 and in Bacchus Marsh on 18/3/191, according to the Argus, p. 19, 18/3/1916.B & W studio portrait of Sister Bessie (Emma Elizabeth Coates nee Dau) dressed in the clothing of a Methodist Missionary sister.dau, emma elizabeth, sister bessie, home missionary, methodist central mission

Possible dates: b. 12/10/1868, d. 14/10/1947. Husband, Alfred Coates was Home Missionary in Diamond Creek from 1910 to 1913 and in Bacchus Marsh on 18/3/191, according to the Argus, p. 19, 18/3/1916.B & W studio portrait of Sister Bessie (Emma Elizabeth Dau - married Alfred Coates in 1888) as a young woman.dau, emma elizabeth, sister bessie, methodist central mission, home missionary, alfred coates

Possible dates: b. 12/10/1868, d. 14/10/1947. Husband, Alfred Coates was Home Missionary in Diamond Creek from 1910 to 1913 and in Bacchus Marsh on 18/3/191, according to the Argus, p. 19, 18/3/1916.B & W studio portrait of a seated Sister Bessie (Emma Elizabeth Coates, nee Dau) dressed in her Home Missionary uniform.dau, emma elizabeth, sister bessie

Possible dates: b. 12/10/1868, d. 14/10/1947. Husband, Alfred Coates was Home Missionary in Diamond Creek from 1910 to 1913 and in Bacchus Marsh on 18/3/191, according to the Argus, p. 19, 18/3/1916.B & W studio portrait of a seated Sister Bessie (Emma Elizabeth Coates nee Dau) dressed in her Home Missionary uniform.dau, emma elizabeth, sister bessie, methodist central mission, alfred coates, home missionary

Possible dates: b. 12/10/1868, d. 14/10/1947. Husband, Alfred Coates was Home Missionary in Diamond Creek from 1910 to 1913 and in Bacchus Marsh on 18/3/191, according to the Argus, p. 19, 18/3/1916.B & W waist length studio portrait of Sister Bessie (Emma Elizabeth Coates nee Dau) dressed in her Home Missionary uniform.dau, emma elizabeth, sister bessie, methodist central mission, home missionary, alfred coates

Possible dates: b. 12/10/1868, d. 14/10/1947. Husband, Alfred Coates was Home Missionary in Diamond Creek from 1910 to 1913 and in Bacchus Marsh on 18/3/191, according to the Argus, p. 19, 18/3/1916.B & W waist length studio portrait of Sister Bessie (Emma Elizabeth Coates nee Dau) dressed in her Home Missionary uniform.Verso: "Presented to the Junior Department of the Carlton Methodist Mission by: Ruby Farrell, Marjorie P. Saynor, Ruth I. Lane, Daphne Blanthorne, Thelma Jessop, Margaret McCutcheon, Elva Taylor, Phylis McCrohan, Dulcie Bolton, Eileen Colk, Teacher Junior (Supt.) Eva Reed, Sister Louie, 2 Thessalonians 1. 11,12 1927dau, emma elizabeth, sister bessie, methodist central mission, home missionary, alfred coates

Nicholson street church, Brunswick circuit. Contains: Foundation stone ceremony invitation of the new church on Saturday, 3 September, 1932 at 3pm; Memorial scroll with names of the officials, members of congregation, Sunday school scholars who availed themselves of the opportunity of signing the scroll; The Brunswick Methodist newsletter, August, September, October 1932); The Spectator Aug 31, 1932; The Argus 3 Sept, 1933.Square glass jar with a glass topping containing papers.nicholson street methodist church brunswick, time capsule

Miss Jane Elizabeth (Jean) Pearson is second from the left. From c1927 - c1950 Miss Pearson had the cake and confectionery shop at 147 Union Road. It was later a milk bar, next to Henry Jamieson’s radio and electrical shop. Miss Pearson sold Farey’s cakes which were very popular and in a trellised-off section also served morning and afternoon teas. Her sisters often helped. Silversticks, white knights, licorice straps were among a wide selection of sweets to be bought for 1d. – or even ½d. Jean was one of a large family born to John William Pearson and Agnes Yeaman. Jean was born at Riddell's Creek in c1884. She died in 1966. She had 3 brothers and a total of 6 sisters. Lillias Irene and Grace Stewart died in infancy or childhood, so the other sisters in the photo were (not necessarily in order): Ethel Agnes born in 1885, who married James Charles Robertson; Catherine Myra born in 1887, unmarried; May Dempster born 1891, unmarried; and Stella Christie born 1897, who married Cecil Hunt Aston in 1928. Jean was in business as a confectioner at 3 High Street, Malvern in 1927; in Union Road 1941-1949 and resided (presumably in retirement) at 37 Mayston Street, Hawthorn in 1954. At the later address May and Catherine are also listed variously in 1954 and 1963. (Ref: electoral rolls). The Hawthorn address was the 'family home' - address of John William Pearson who died in 1944, appointing Jean as his executrix. (Ref: Trove - The Argus 19 July 1944) Black & white copy of a group of 5 smiling older women with a strong family resemblance against a weatherboard background.147 union road, (miss) jean pearson, surrey hills, milk bar, shops, confectionary shop, cake shop, tea rooms, (miss) jane elizabeth pearson, (miss) ethel agnes pearson, (mrs) ethel agnes robertson, (miss) catherine myra pearson, (miss) may dempster pearson, (miss) stella christie pearson, (mrs) stella christie aston, (mr) john william pearson, (miss) agnes yeaman, (mrs) agnes pearson

This majestic peacock embodies the technical achievement, skill and ingenuity of artisans during the 19th century. It is now known as the 'Loch Ard Peacock' and was designed and modelled in 1873 by Paul Comolera (1818-1897) and fired in one piece at the Minton factory at Stoke-on-Trent in the United Kingdom in 1875. The peacock has been portrayed in symbolic motifs and has figured heavily in folktales and fables since antiquity, and many cultures around the world see it as a symbol of beauty, rebirth and power. Wealthy Victorians loved majolica, and the large peacock would have been the ultimate home accessory as a conservatory ornament – combining their desire for nature, the exotic and vibrant colours. The peacock model was listed in catalogues by Minton & Co. for a retail price of 35 guineas or sold as a pair for 90 guineas. Minton & Co. was founded in 1793 by Thomas Minton (1765–1836) and became a famous pottery and porcelain manufacturer. Comolera was a French artist and sculptor, renowned for dramatic naturalistic forms and life-size renditions of birds and animals that won him admiration in public and artistic circles. He was employed by Minton & Co. from 1873 to 1880, and the life-sized peacock became his best-known work. Comolera kept a live peacock loaned from the nearby Duke of Sutherland's Trentham Hall Estate in his studio to create a life-size model of fine buff earthenware model, which was then hand painted in brilliantly coloured green and blue glazes to mimic the peafowl’s dazzling plumage. There are no surviving production records, but according to documents in the Minton Archive, nine peacocks were made by Comolera. However, today, some historians now believe that twelve were fired at the Minton factory; research is ongoing. These peacocks were so admired that Minton & Co. used them as exhibition showpieces at International Exhibitions in London, Paris, and the United States of America, ensuring the company had a worldwide reputation. So, when Melbourne hosted an International Exposition in 1880, Minton & Co. sent out ceramics and tiles, and in particular, this peacock was intended to be part of their exhibit in the British Court in the Exhibition Building, built in the Carlton Gardens. The early dispatch date (1878) indicates that the company may have intended to exhibit their wares, including the peacock, at the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition, but the company did not take up this option. The ship that Minton & Co. used to bring the peacock and their other wares to the Australian colonies was the ill-fated Loch Ard, which sunk after striking Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell, Victoria, in calm foggy weather in June 1878 on the final leg of the ship's journey to Melbourne. The loss of 52 lives made it one of Victoria’s worst shipwrecks. Therefore, this peacock never made it to the grand exposition in Melbourne, as Minton & Co. had planned. Charles McGillivray dragged this peacock, still in its original packing case, onto the beach in the gorge just two days after the Loch Ard went down. The peacock was rescued unscathed apart from a chip on its beak (only repaired in 1988). After a disagreement with a Melbourne Customs Officer, Joseph Daish, McGillivray stopped his salvage operations, leaving the peacock on the beach. The second salvagers were James Miller and Thomas Keys. Miller was a member of the firm Howarth, Miller and Matthews, Geelong, who had brought the salvage rights to the Loch Ard wreck on 10 June. When Miller and Keys arrived at the wreck site, a storm had washed many of the salvaged goods, including this peacoc,k back into the sea. The two men found the peacock in its case ‘bobbing along in the water’ and pulled it back to the beach. To ensure the peacock wasn't washed out to sea again, Miller and Keys hauled the packing case containing the peacock up the gorge's cliff face to the top, ready to be transported. In an interview in 1928, Keys claimed that at the time of the rescue, the head had broken from the body. This account was proven to be true in 1988, following the birds' display in Brisbane. This peacock began its life in Australia, not in the grandeur of an International Exhibition as intended, but in the hallway of a simple domestic house in Geelong. It appears Minton & Co. did not attempt to buy this peacock back. Florence Miller, daughter of James Miller (Loch Ard salvage rights holder), later remarked that the only item of real value rescued from the wreck had been the peacock and that this had been kept by her father in the family home at Malvern for many years and became a treasured family possession. As such, this 'Loch Ard peacock' was almost forgotten and mistaken with other Minton peacocks around the world. Miss Florence Miller tried to sell the peacock due to financial difficulties in the 1930s but was unsuccessful. While attempting to sell her Loch Ard relic, it was displayed in the window of the old Argus newspaper office, which was at 76 Collins Street, Melbourne; the Argus had relocated to the corner of Elizabeth and La Trobe Streets in 1926. Between 1935 and 1939, the old Argus building was occupied by the Joshua N. McClelland Print Room, which sold not only paintings and prints but also antiques and authentic replicas, as well as hosting exhibitions. Miss Florence Miller loaned her peacock for display at the Victorian Historical Exhibition held in the National Gallery on 1st June 1935, the 57th anniversary of the Loch Ard wreck. As a result, the peacock attracted public attention in books, newspapers and magazine articles that told the story of its survival from a shipwreck. Miss Florence Miller was keen to sell the peacock, even writing overseas to Captain Blain on November 30th, 1938, about the possibility of a sale, but this became no longer possible due to the outbreak of war. Recent information points to the Loch Ard peacock being owned by John S R Heath before its sale to Frank Ridley-Lee in May 1941. Research is ongoing, but it seems likely that John Samuel Robert Heath, a leading Melbourne dentist with a practice in Collins Street, and his wife, a dental mechanic, had purchased Miss Miller’s Loch Ard peacock before its sale in 1941. They were lovers of fine arts, music, wine and food. The peacock in the window of the old Argus building could have attracted their attention as they had already purchased the old stone Presbyterian Church on Warrigal Road, Oakleigh, in 1933 and had converted its interior. The home, renamed The Studio, even included Melbourne’s first all-electric kitchen. The peacock was perfect for display in the Studio’s entrance. A magazine article published after the conversion was completed included photographs of the interior. The picture of the ‘portico’ had a caption below that stated, “Some of her [Mrs Heath’s] finest pottery was salvaged from the Loch Ard Wreck”. In 2025, Heath’s two remaining sons remember running around in the entrance with the peacock standing there, oblivious to its value. Heath was an accomplished artist, studying under Max Meldrum. He painted and exhibited his works at The Studio and in a public exhibition, and he was a finalist eight times in the coveted Archibald Prize portrait competition, including the submission of his self-portrait that is now part of his grandson’s collection. The next owner of the Loch Ard Peacock was Frank Ridley-Lee. He displayed it at his home in Ivanhoe after buying it at an auction in May 1941. The peacock remained in the hands of the Ridley-Lee family until it was offered for sale by auction in 1975 as part of an art collection belonging to Mrs Ridley-Lee's estate. The peacock was not sold at this time, as the reserve price of $4500 was not met. This news was passed on to the board of the newly created Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Urgent efforts were made to collect the necessary money through fundraising by the Warrnambool City Council and public donations. The Fletcher Jones Company and the Victorian Government contributed half the cost. On 9 September 1975, the Loch Ard peacock was purchased by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, and it found a new home at the maritime museum. Since then, it has only left Warrnambool twice. Firstly, in 1980, at the centenary celebrations of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, and secondly, in 1988, the peacock was given pride of place at the entrance to the Victorian Pavilion at the Brisbane World Expo, acknowledging that this Minton Majolica peacock is the most significant shipwreck object in Australia. The Minton majolica peacock is considered of historical social and aesthetic significance to Victoria and is one of only a few 'objects' registered on the Victorian Heritage Register (H 2132), as it is a most notable and rare object associated with the Minton factory of the 1870s and works by the celebrated sculptor Paul Comolera along with the wreck of the Loch Ard on the Victorian coastline. This Minton peacock is historically significant for its rarity; it was one of only 9-12 known to exist. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is also of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register Ref (S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's early social and historical themes. The collection is historically significant is that it is associated, unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. The peacock, resplendent in polychrome glaze, stands perched on a rocky plinth decorated with vines, leaves, flowers, blackberries and wild mushrooms. The peacock’s breast is cobalt blue; the wings and legs are in naturalistic colours. The tail is a mass of feathers coloured in green, ochre blue and brown — a fantastic display of artistry and Minton expertise. Inscribed at the base :P Comolera, and a Minton & Co. design number: 2045.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, loch ard, loch ard gorge, peacock, paul comolera, victorian heritage register, minton peacock, minton & co., stoke upon trent, bird figures, mintons, ceramics, international expositions, majolica, naturalistic, staffordshire, john samuel robert heath, peacock statue, loch ard peacock, majorca peacock