Twenty three invitations for the Ballarat School of Mines Conversazione celebrating the opening of the new class room by the Minister of Education C. Carty Salmon. The inivitations are made out to: * Mr Eyres and Lady * Mr R.W. Baxter and Lady * Mr and Mrs Blayney * Mr J.Y. McDonald and Lady * Mr and Mrs Foster * Mr and Mrs Elston * Mr Cornell and Lady * President of the Amalgamated Miners Association and Lady * Mr and Mrs Aicher * Cr and Mrs Pearse * Mrs Irwin * Mr and Mrs Aikins * Dr Hardy and Lady * Mr Sutherland and Lady * Mr Ross and Lady * Mr and Mrs Webb * Mr and Mrs Treloar * Dr Vale * Mrs Bendelack * Chairman Stock Exchange and Lady * Cr and Mrs Elsworth * Mr Middleton and Lady * Chairman Water Commission and Lady * Cr and Mrs Shoppeeballarat school of mines, new classrooms, c. carty salmon, buildings

The Chinese Imperial Commissioner, Hwang How Cheng, visited Australia at the request of the Chinese Emperor for the purpose of establishing Chinese consulates in the Commonwealth. He visited Ballarat at the request of Ballarat’s Chinese community. The newspaper reported that it was hoped the Commissioner would visit the Ballarat School of Mines “where the knowledge he would get would probably be of the utmost usefulness in the development of the great resources of China.” The Commissioner was accompanied by interpreter Ah Ket (Melbourne barrister and solicitor), and met by members of Ballarat’s Chinese community, including Dr Wong Chock Son. Apparently the Chinese Commissioner wanted to visit SMB because of its international fame relating to education in mining. From the SMB Letter book (Cat. No. 436) comes the following which suggests the Commissioner was based in Adelaide) '17th November 1906 His Excellency, Hwang How Cheng Chinese Commission Adelaide May it please your Excellency By this post I have the pleasure in forwarding for your Excellency's kind acceptance (and one for Mr. When) copies of the photograph taken of your recent visit to the School of Mines. I trust they will serve a pleasing memento of what, I hope, was a pleasant visit to our Golden City. Yours Faithfully Fredk Martell Director' The visit was reported in the Ballarat Star in 14 November 1906:- The Chinese Imperial Commissioner, Hwang Hon Cheng, who recently arrived in Victoria on behalf of the Chinese Government, paid a visit to Ballarat last evening, and was entertained by his fellow countrymen at a dinner at the Bow Leong rooms, Main street. The commissioner, who came up by the express, was accompanied by his secretary and Mr Ah Ket, the well-known Chinese barrister, of Melbourne; but some disappointment was expressed by the fact that he did not wear his official robes, being attired in the more sombre European dress. Mr W. D. M’Kee presided at the dinner, on the invitation of the Bow Leong Society, and in addition to representative Chinese residents, three were also present the mayor of the city (Cr. J. J. Brokenshire), Crs. R. Pearse, G. Crocker (City), J. R. Elsworth, A. Mackenzie, J. A. M’Neil, A. Levy, G. Bunting, F. Penhalluriack (Town), Col. Williams, Mr. J. Gent, Messrs. F. J. Martell (director of the School of Mines), A. W. Hager (president of the Orphan Asylum), A. Kenny (superintendent), R. G. Fitzgerald (clerk of courts at Ballarat East), J. Trethowan, A. A. Buley, Serg Dalton, and others. Apologies were received from the mayor of the town Revs. J. West Lau, Dr Cairns, Hon. J. Y. M’Donald, L. Lederman, C. C. Shoppee and others. The gathering was a very cordial one, and the hospitality of the Chinese was greatly appreciated. After the loyal toasts, “The King” and “The Emperor of China,” had been honoured, the chairman extended a hearty welcome on behalf of the society and others to the commissioner. Mr M’Kee said he was privileged to speak in behalf of the Chinese. There was a warm feeling of friendship between them and himself, and his services were always at their command. If he were in China he would desire that a similar compliment would be extended to him. They were all pleased the Emperor of China had sent the commissioner to establish consulates in Australia with a view of the empire understanding the feelings of Australasia better than they did at present. He hoped the commissioner would have opportunity of visiting some of their industries, as they desired him to gain all the scientific and practical knowledge of those industries that he could. The toast of “The Commissioner” was proposed by Col. Williams who expressed pleasure at the visit of a gentleman of education and attainments to look into the condition of the scions of China in Australia. He hoped the commissioner would carry away a correct impression. In Australia they had nothing to conceal; they hoped to be understood. (Applause.) No intelligent man had the temerity to condescend to patronise China, one of the richest countries in the world, with a civilisation dating back thousands of years. In the matter of population alone it was equal to one-third of the world. They heard a lot about the “awakening of China.” They hoped it would be humane, just, and considerate if it had power. He hoped the commissioner would be satisfied with what he saw. The law of filial relation to the children was strictly observed in China, and he did not know whether it would not be a good thing if they had a little more of that religion here. It would be a fair thing to tell the commissioner that while he might inquire into the labour laws, the basis of these laws was not a desire to oppress but to enable every man to obtain the same conditions they expected from their own people. If he gained that impression he felt they would be fairly treated. (Applause.) Mayor Brokenshire supported the toast. They had, he said, in the Chinese a most law-abiding people. Their behaviour was an example to the British citizens. They were quiet, inoffensive men, and they toiled hard, even on Sundays. (Laughter.) Mr Ah Ket; That is what the government does with the railway employees. (Laughter.) The Commissioner replied through Mr Ah Ket, who in a graceful speech acknowledged the toast. The commissioner had, he said been delighted with what he had seen of the country – he believed it to be one of the finest in the world – and he greatly appreciated the hospitality extended to him. (Applause.) The Chairman proposed the toast of “The health of Mr Ah Ket,” and paid a tribute to his ability. It was satisfactory to see that he had risen to such a position, and it might be that in the future he would be asked to occupy a position on the bench. (Applause.) Mr Ah Ket, in response, said he had not come prepared to make a speech. He had come to Ballarat to have a quiet evening with his friends, and as soon as he arrived he had been whirled away in a motor car to a place where he found an aggregation of East and West. He was pleased to see them commingled at the festive board. That suggested the idea that East and West could meet together without friction. Misunderstandings arose only because men were superficial. If they threw off outer garments they would know each other better. He looked forward to the time when nations would understand each other. It was by an interchange of visits that such things could be accomplished, and nations would then live at peace with each other. (Applause.) Other toasts were also honored. Twelve men pose for a photograph on the stairs of a building at the Ballarat School of Mines. Back row left to right: A.D. Gilchrist (Prof. of Engineering), B. Whittington (Mathematics, Physics), Thomas S. Hart (Prof. of Geology and Mining), J.M. Sutherland (Electrical Engineering) Front row left to right: Dr Wong Chock Son (Ballarat), Fred. J. Martell, Alfred Mica Smith, Ah Ket esq (Melbourne Barrister), His Excellency Hwang How Cheng (Chinese Commissioner), Wen Esq (Secretary), Alderman Grase (mayor of Brisbane), Grase Esq (Ballarat).ballarat school of mines, alfred mica smith, fred martell, j m sutherland, a d gilchrist, b whittington, thomas hart, wong chock son, ah ket, hwang how cheng, chinese, chinese commissioner, international, new classrooms, administration building, a building

Text from card: 'On the night of 24th April 1918, the Australians made a daring and clever counter attack in the darkness, recaptured Villers-Bretonneux, stopped the German advance and saved Armiens. This, and the Battle of Hamei, were only a prelude to the smashing advance which commenced on 8th August.' Contains illustrations of 'Australians Advancing from Villers-Bretonneux, August 8th 1918' from an original painted by AIF War Artist Captain Will Longstaff; 'Capture of Hamei Village, July 14th 1918, by Australians assisted by a Detachment of Americans' by War Artist A Pearse. Both paintings were made for the Australian Comforts Fund. The Australian Comforts Fund was an umbrella organisation for voluntary bodies set up on 24 August 1916, after the outbreak of World War I. It was dissolved on 16 April 1920 but was re-established in 1940, during World War II and dissolved again in 1946. Card made in England by Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd, publishers to the King and Queen. Oblong sheet folded in half to create 4 pages, all printed in colour and including illustrations and very full documentation.'Graham Clarendon Hyde 14 Btn AIF' 'Given to Historical Society of St Kilda by Mr G Hyde N Zealand August 1980'aif, world war i, wwi, australian comforts fund, 14th battalion aif, villers-bretonneux, battle of hamei

Black and white group photograph, mounted on grey cardboardOn mount below photograph: "Front Row (left to right). - Miss E. Stringer (Rutherglen), Miss S.A. Browne (South Corowa), Mr. P.F. Ewers (Rutherglen), Mr. S.D. Pitt, Pres. C.D.T.A. (Howlong), Mr. A. McKean, M.A. (Corowa), Mrs. McKean, Miss A. Thomas (Rutherglen). Middle Row. - Mrs. L. Pearse (Corowa), Miss M. Mason (Gt. Southern, Vic.), Miss E. Lette (Corowa), Miss V.S. Russell (Rutherglen), Miss F. Malcolm (Corowa). Back Row. - Mr. R. Wade (Hopefield), Mr. F.R. Oulton (Rutherglen), Mr. A. Boorman (Balldale), Mr. R.O. Smith (Hon. Sec. C.D.T.A., Corowa), Mr. T.S. Barling (South Corowa), Mr. C. Kennedy (Oaklands), Mr. W. McLoghlin (Wahgunyah), Mr. J. Noonan (Rutherglen), Mr. W. Thompson (Gt. Southern), Mr. O.A. Broderick, Hon. Sec. Albury D.T.A. (Bungowannah). teachers, corowa district teachers association, stringer, browne, ewers, pitt, thomas, mckean, pearse, mason, lette, russell, malcolm, wade, oulton, boorman, smith, barling, kennedy, mcloghlin, noonan, thompson, broderick

One copy of Bendigo Sub-branch R.S.S.A.I.L.A. Annual Victory Ball held at the Town Hall, Bendigo on August 15th, 1950. Guests of Honour were The Hon. Sir Norman Martin and Lady Martin. Card is cream with gold print on the front and a gold RLS badge. Other printing is blue. The inside of the tri-fold has a Dance Program of 28 dances and a space for Autographs. The other side has the Debutantes: Lesley Cornwell, June Beck, Genny Allan, Thea Abe, Margaret Phillips, Patrica Hall, June Tebb, Lexie Munro, Janet Neyland, Norma Sheard, Norma Richards and Vicky McCaw. Trained by Mr & Mrs G Hudson. Chaperone: Mrs F. Jackson. Flower Girl: Barbara Abe. Partners: Des Pearse, William Thomas, Junior Allan, Alf Whitely, Norman Goodwin, Frank Richards, Max Farnell, Allan Farnell, Allan Holmes,Lachlan Neyland, Frank Metcalf, Graeme Seddon and Kevin Murphy. President Bendigo Branch R.S.L.: Col G V Lansell. Chairman Ball Committee Mr F E Jackson. Hon. Sec. Ball Committee: Mr J W Swatton. MC: Mr R Wright. Printed by Hocking & Sloan Print.Hocking & Sloan Printevent, social, victory ball, r.s.l. bendigo collection - annual victory ball 1950, the hon sir norman martin, lady martin, lesley cornwell, june beck, genny allan, thea abe, margaret phillips, patrica hall, june tebb, lexie munro, janet neyland, norma sheard, norma richards, vicky mccaw, mr & mrs g hudson, mrs f jackson, barbara abe, hocking & sloan print, des pearse, william thomas, junior allan, alf whitely, norman goodwin, frank richards, max farnell, allan farnell, allan holmes, lachlan neyland, frank metcalf, graeme seddon, kevin murphy, col g v lansell, mr f e jackson, mr j w swatton, mr r wright