This chair is believed to have come from the homestead of Dr. Daniel Curdie (1810-1884) who arrived in Australia in 1839. He established a property called Tandarook ten miles south of Camperdown. At first he combined farming with a medical practice as he was the only doctor in the coastal regions between Geelong and Portland. After 1850 he concentrated on farming and exploratory tours of the region. The chair may have been used for some or all of his ten children.This chair is of considerable significance firstly because of its rustic nature and age, being a hand made item and secondly because of its association with Dr. Daniel Curdie, one of the important pioneers of the Western District.This is a hand made wooden chair with two struts at the back and four struts supporting the legs. The seat is also wooden. Wooden pegs in some places have been replaced by screws.rustic furniture, childs highchair, dr. daniel curdie

William Fleming Hopkins was born in the Maryborough District in 1864. He graduated from Adelaide University, B.A.. Returning to Victoria he did three years of teaching at Portland and Scotch College. Admitted to Melbourne University, graduating M.B. and B.S. in 1891 and secured the appointment of Medical Officer and Manager of the Stawell Hospital. Doctor Hopkins joined the Victorian Rangers Medical Staff in 1892 with the rank of Captain. He served with them until his appointment as Medical Officer to the First Victorian Contingent under the command of Captain McLeish. Captain Hopkins exhibited courage and coolness under heavy fire attending to the wounded at Rensburg. He died of enteric fever (typhoid) at Naauwpoort, in the Orange Free state, 27 March 1900 Digital portrait from "In Memory of the Gallant Officers and Men of Victoria in Transvaal War, 1899-1900".william fleming hopkins, maryborough district, portland, scotch college, melbourne university, medical officer, stawell hospital, victorian rangers medical staff, first victorian contingent, renburg, enteris fever, naauwpoort, orange free state

TROVE : The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924) Wednesday 20 October 1920 p 7 Article 'A LITTLE DOCTOR FOR DYSPEPTICS If you want quick relief from the pains and distress of indigestion, dyspepsia, food fermentation and acidity, just take two or three little tablets of Bisurated Magnesia after eating or whenever pain is felt. Bisurnted Magnesia tablets are absolutely harmless, and enable the dyspeptic to enjoy a good- old-fashioned meal with out fear of pain or distress to follow. That’s why Bisurated Magnesia is called “The Little Doctor for Dyspeptics.” . Go to the nearest chemist and get a packet of Bisurated Magnesia tablets to-day; he sells them in handy flasks at small cost, and with every one is included a. binding guarantee of satisfaction or refund of money. Thus, unless this “Little Doctor” gives you the benefit you desire, you pay him nothing. Bisurated Magnesia is also obtainable in powder form. Beware of substitutes. Look for the maker’s name—Bismag. Ltd., which appears on every .genuine package'. Advertisement in 'The Illustrated London News' 22 July, 1916, page 117. '96 out of 100 dyspeptics have Acid stomachs'. BISMAG LTD, 212-214 Great Portland St., London W. Round clear glass bottle with wide neck and text embossed on side and base. 'BISATURATED MAGNESIA BISMAG LTD LONDON' on side. 'B' over 'I' on base.bisaturated magnesia, bismag, magnesia