The Rabbit Canning Factory was established on land that was part of the Rupertswood estate, near the present site of Sunbury Secondary College. Tins of rabbit meat produced at the factory were sold on the local and overseas markets. .The venture to can rabbit meat was seen as a lucrative move to try and manage the multitude of rabbits that had been introduced into Australia in the early days of European settlement.A digital coloured photograph of a coloured label that was used on tins of rabbit meat.Rupertswood Rabbit Canning Factory Sunburyrabbits, labels, rabbit canning factory, sunbury

A black and white image of a person closing of a rabbit burrow in Victoria . vermin, rabbit, rabbit burrows

Australian Rabbit Trap made of spring steelAustralian Rabbit Trap made of spring steel with chain farm implements, rabbits, traps

Aluminium jelly mould rabbit shaped, made just in time for Easter by Swan circa 1950sVintage aluminium jelly mould, rabbit shaped with folding hooks.Swan BrandPat. No. 353327 Made in Englandjelly mould, easter cooking

Black and white copy of original photograph showing a cart loaded up with dead rabbits.hoffman, rabbit, skins/meat, business

The story behind the coat is that it was created in the early 1920s by F.J.Ellimor,Brunswick furriers, at the request of Mr Walter Tepper. Walter Tepper lived on a property, "Woodlands" at Kewell, near Murtoa. He trapped the rabbits and took the pelts to Melbourne where he commissioned the furrier to make the coat for his soon to be fiancé, Ida. Walter Tepper is buried in the Murtoa cemetery. Walter's granddaughter Carol Michalicek's (nee Schultz) donated the coat to the Murtoa Museum.It is significant as it is a fine example of the use of rabbit skins to create a fashionable coat. It remains in very good condition, 95 years since its creation. The coat has a link to the Tepper family who have resided in the district for over 100 years. This dark brown rabbit fur coat is well tailored, with quality inner lining and a dark, even-dyed coat. There is so much detail in the design of the coat, including a gorgeous heart shaped pocket. It would have taken quite a few rabbits pelts to make the long full-length coat, as an average rabbit skin provides about 9 inch². walter and ida tepper, rabbit skin coat, kewell

This toy rabbit was part of the cargo from the Fiji and amongst the articles salvaged from the wreck. The three-masted iron barque Fiji had been built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1875 by Harland and Wolfe for a Liverpool based shipping company. The ship departed Hamburg on 22nd May 1891 bound for Melbourne, under the command of Captain William Vickers with a crew of 25. The ship’s manifest shows that she was loaded with a cargo of 260 cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, spirits (whisky, schnapps, gin, brandy), sailcloth, tobacco, coiled fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos (Sweet Hapsburg), concertinas and other musical instruments, artists supplies including brushes, porcelain, furniture, china, and general cargo including candles. There were also toys in anticipation for Christmas, including wooden rocking horses, miniature ships, dolls with china limbs and rubber balls. On September 5th, one hundred days out from Hamburg in squally and boisterous south west winds the Cape Otway light was sighted on a bearing differing from Captain Vickers’ calculation of his position. At about 2:30am, Sunday 6th September 1891 land was reported 4-5 miles off the port bow. The captain tried to put the ship on the other tack, but she would not respond. He then tried to turn her the other way but just as the manoeuvre was being completed the Fiji struck rock only 300 yards (274 metres) from shore. The place is known as Wreck Bay, Moonlight Head. Blue lights were burned and rockets fired whilst an effort was made to lower boats but all capsized or swamped and smashed to pieces. Two of the younger crewmen volunteered to swim for the shore, taking a line. One, a Russian named Daniel Carkland, drowned after he was swept away when the line broke. The other, 17 year old able seaman Julius Gebauhr, a German, reached shore safely on his second attempt but without the line, which he had cut lose with his sheath-knife when it become tangled in kelp. He rested on the beach a while then climbed the steep cliffs in search of help. At about 10am on the Sunday morning a party of land selectors - including F. J. Stansmore, Leslie Dickson (or Dixon) and Mott - found Gebauhr. They were near Ryans Den, on their travels on horseback from Princetown towards Moonlight Head, and about 5km from the wreck. Gebauhr was lying in the scrub in a poor state, bleeding and dressed only in singlet, socks and a belt with his sheath-knife, ready for all emergencies. At first they were concerned about his wild and shaggy looking state and what seemed to be gibberish speech, taking him to be an escaped lunatic. They were reassured after he threw his knife away and realised that he was speaking half-English, half-German. They gave him food and brandy and some clothing and were then able to gain information about the wreck. Some of the men took him to Rivernook, a nearby guest house owned by John Evans, where he was cared for. Stansmore and Dickson rode off to try and summon help. Others went down to the site of the wreck. Messages for rescuing the rest of the crew were sent both to Port Campbell for the rocket rescue crew and to Warrnambool for the lifeboat. The S.S. Casino sailed from Portland towards the scene. After travelling the 25 miles to the scene, half of the Port Campbell rocket crew and equipment arrived and set up the rocket tripod on the beach below the cliffs. By this time the crew of the Fiji had been clinging to the jib-boom for almost 15 hours, calling frantically for help. Mr Tregear from the Rocket Crew fired the line. The light line broke and the rocket was carried away. A second line was successfully fired across the ship and made fast. The anxious sailors then attempted to come ashore along the line but, with as many as five at a time, the line sagged considerably and some were washed off. Others, nearly exhausted, had to then make their way through masses of seaweed and were often smothered by waves. Only 14 of the 24 who had remained on the ship made it to shore. Many onlookers on the beach took it in turns to go into the surf and drag half-drowned seamen to safety. These rescuers included Bill (William James) Robe, Edwin Vinge, Hugh Cameron, Fenelon Mott, Arthur Wilkinson and Peter Carmody. (Peter Carmody was also involved in the rescue of men from the Newfield.) Arthur Wilkinson, a 29 year old land selector, swam out to the aid of one of the ship’s crewmen, a carpenter named John Plunken. Plunken was attempting to swim from the Fiji to the shore. Two or three times both men almost reached the shore but were washed back to the wreck. A line was thrown to them and they were both hauled aboard. It was thought that Wilkinson struck his head on the anchor before s they were brought up. He remained unconscious. The carpenter survived this ordeal but Wilkinson later died and his body was washed up the next day. It was 26 year old Bill Robe who hauled out the last man, the captain, who had become tangled in the kelp. The wreck of the Fiji was smashed apart within 20 minutes of the captain being brought ashore, and it settled in about 6m of water. Of the 26 men on the Fiji, 11 in total lost their lives. The remains of 7 bodies were washed onto the beach and their coffins were made from timbers from the wrecked Fiji. They were buried on the cliff top above the wreck. The survivors were warmed by fires on the beach then taken to Rivernook and cared for over the next few days. Funds were raised by local communities soon after the wreck in aid of the sufferers of the Fiji disaster. Captain Vickers was severely reprimanded for his mishandling of the ship. His Masters Certificate was suspended for 12 months. At the time there was also a great deal of public criticism at the slow and disorganised rescue attempt to save those on board. The important canvas ‘breech buoy’ or ‘bucket chair’ and the heavy line from the Rocket Rescue was in the half of the rocket outfit that didn’t make it in time for the rescue: they had been delayed at the Gellibrand River ferry. Communications to Warrnambool were down so the call for help didn’t get through on time and the two or three boats that had been notified of the wreck failed to reach it in time. Much looting occurred of the cargo that washed up on the shore, with nearly every visitor leaving the beach with bulky pockets. One looter was caught with a small load of red and white rubber balls, which were duly confiscated and he was ‘detained’ for 14 days. Essence of peppermint mysteriously turned up in many settlers homes. Sailcloth was salvaged and used for horse rugs and tent flies. Soon after the wreck “Fiji tobacco” was being advertised around Victoria. A Customs officer, trying to prevent some of the looting, was assaulted by looters and thrown over a steep cliff. He managed to cling to a bush lower down until rescued. In 1894 some coiled fencing wire was salvaged from the wreck. Hundreds of coils are still strewn over the site of the wreck, encrusted and solidified. The hull is broken but the vessel’s iron ribs can be seen along with some of the cargo of concrete and pig iron. Captain Vickers presented Bill Robe with his silver-cased pocket watch, the only possession that he still had, as a token for having saved his life and the lives of some of the crew. (The pocket watch came with 2 winding keys, one to wind it and one to change the hands.) Years later Bill passed the watch to his brother-in-law Gib (Gilbert) Hulands as payment of a debt and it has been passed down the family to Gilbert Hulands’ grandson, John Hulands. Seaman Julius Gebauhr later gave his knife, in its hand crafted leather sheath, to F. J. Stansmore for caring for him when he came ashore. The knife handle had a personal inscription on it. A marble headstone on the 200m high cliffs overlooking Wreck Beach, west of Moonlight Head, paying tribute to the men who lost their lives when Fiji ran aground. The scene of the wreck is marked by the anchor from the Fiji, erected by Warrnambool skin divers in 1967. Amongst the artefacts salvaged from the Fiji are bisque (or china) toys, (including miniature animals, limbs from small bisque dolls), rubber balls, a slate pencil, a glass bottle, sample of rope from the distress rocket and a candlestick holder. These items are now part of the Fiji collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, along with Captain Vickers’ pocket watch and Julius Gebauhr’s sheath knife This toy rabbit is classified as Fiji 4 on the SWR Flagstaff Hill’s Fiji collection is of historical significance at a State level because of its association with the wreck Fiji, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S259. The Fiji is archaeologically significant as the wreck of a typical 19th century international sailing ship with cargo. It is educationally and recreationally significant as one of Victoria's most spectacular historic shipwreck dive sites with structural features and remains of the cargo evident. It also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The Fiji collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history. China toy rabbit salvaged from the wreck of the Fiji. The rabbit is in a lying pose. This solid, moulded toy is made of bisque (sometimes described as bisque or porcelain) and the material is an orange-sandy colour with darker orange markings. The surface is slightly pitted.1891, china, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, porcelain, moonlight head, wreck bay, cargo, bisque, toys, miniature animals, rabbit

Book published by the CSIRO, no longer in print.'Colonisation of Australia by the Rabbit', CSIROanimal breeding, csiro division of wildlife and ecology

Mary Wormald died in 1867. Isaac Wormald died on 18 November 1868 aged 37 "leaving a widow and 2 children to lament their loss."Gravesite with Rabbit Burrow, Tower Hill Cemeterytower hill cemetery, rabbit burrow

The front cover has a drawing depicting Brer Rabbit riding on the back of a fox that is wearing a saddle. Behind them is a line of different animals chasing Brer Rabbit and the Fox.fictionWalt Disney's Brer Rabbit Rides the Fox as told by Marion Palmer. The story was adapted from the original Uncle Remus story by Joel Chandler Harris.walt disney, brer rabbit, fox, fiction, uncle remus, joel chandler harris, marion palmer

Used by child internee at Camp 3. Hand sewn.Handsewn, cotton lined, rabbit skin cap with chin strap (red and black). Fastening - Hooks and eyes (2)childs' cap, hoefer family, camp 3, tatura, ww2, children, headwear, rabbit skin

Black and white photograph of Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew free surfing at the 1977 Stubbies Contest held at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast.

From the album of WWI soldier William West (1268) of the 29 Infantry Battalion, 5th Pioneers Battalion. This collection of postcards, photographs and clippings were sent between William and his family and loved ones during the years he was on active service. See also 207 and 220. Postcard with a cartoon of a dog and rabbit chasing a boy"The rabbit: "what a nervous little boy! Aint he scared of me!!"album, photo album, newspaper clippings, postcard, wwi, boy, dog, rabbit, running, chasing

Animal rights group PETA objected to Banyule Council's plan to bait rabbits using Pindone.News clipping, black text, colour image. rabbits, peta, banyule city council

Professional surfers from Australia Mark Richards (centre) and Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew (right) scrutinize judges tally sheets, possibly at Bells Beach in Victoria.Rare photograph featuring MR and 'Rabbit' two of the world's most competitive surfers during the seventies read what appears to be a judges tally sheet.Black and white photograph with chemical discolouration across top.mr, mark richards, 'rabbit', wayne bartholomew,

The Grinton Collection. Life after 1919, a rabbit catch. Refer Cat No. 1280 for Jack Grintons service details.Photograph - Framed. Photograph - black and white photograph on paper depicting a collection of culled rabbits on the ground below a backboard and wheels of a horse drawn buggy. Frame - Timber, light varnish finish, Perspex front, cardboard backing."Group 6: Life after 1919". " J. Rabbits." framed accesssories, camera on the somme, ww1, 38th bn, grinton

The Great Australian Rabbit Trapping Game A small match box sized game, the type that some would remember from their own childhood, except a plastic variety. This one was produced by the Sheldon Drug Company and inside the box, apart from the game mechanism, is an advertisement for a medicinal product sold by the company. The Sheldon Drug Company was established in 1904 and based in Sydney. The company manufactured products including cosmetics, soaps and other ointment-type items.Red cardboard box containing a game. The game is called 'Trapping Rabbits'. Lid of box has instructions for playing the game. Inside the box is a small metal oblong container with a narrow metal entry way. There are also two jumping bean 'rabbits'. Inside the box is also an advertisement for Dr. Sheldon's Digestive Tabules. The game was obtainable from Sheldon Drug Company Ltd. Sydney. Underside of box has ad for 'Dr. Sheldon's Magnetic Liniment'. Front - The Great Australian Game / Trapping Rabbits Back - Dr Sheldon's Magnetic Linimentleisure, game, games, toys, children, advertising, sheldon, sheldon drug, rabbits, glenelg shire council, portland

Mohair sample from pure bred English Angora Rabbit, from the Aztec Angora Rabbit Stud.Mohair sample from pure bred English Angora Rabbit, from the Aztec Angora Rabbit Stud.wool - superfine, clutterbuck, mrs deb - aztec angora rabbit stud gibbs

rabbit

Rabbits were brought to Australia on the First Fleet as a source of food. However the plague of rabbits appears to have originated with the release of 24 wild rabbits by Thomas Austin for hunting purposes in October 1859, on his property, Barwon Park, near Winchelsea, Victoria. This a typical Rabbit trap used by residents of Moorabbin Shire c1930Austral Box Steel Rabbit trap 20thCAUSTRAL

The cartoon strip 'Mad as Rabbits,' in serial form from 'The Sun' newspaper Nov. 3rd 1962 - Nov. 14th 1962. Are in a brown paper envelope sent to Mrs. Lydia Chancellor, 68 Panton St., Golden Square, Victoria, Australia.Mad as Rabbits from 'Sun.'entertainment, comic strip, lydia chancellor collection, collection, cartoon, comics, newspapers, amusements, recreations, art work, drawing, entertainment, comic strip

Norman Gaylor was a professional rabbit catching who at one stage lived in North Sunshine.Collection of rabbit traps & netsrabbit traps & club, &, nets

Account of Wing Commander F. F. E. Yeo-Thomas' work in organising the Resistance in France during World War 2268 p. pbk.f. f. e. yeo-thomas, world war 2

non-fictionBiography of Australian rabbit exporter.jack mccraith, rabbits, rabbit meat industry

In 'Rabbit Progress', Peter Waples-Crowe presents the ever-multiplying rabbit as a symbol of European colonisation, and highlights the absurdity of the unintended consequences of the introduction of these extremely prolific creatures, which was catastrophic for the natural environment. Recognised as a critical agricultural threat, a rabbit-proof fence was constructed at the turn of the 20th century to keep Western Australian pastoral areas free of the devastation caused by crop damage and soil erosion. Later, drastic biological measures, including the use of myxomatosis in the 1950s and Rabbit Haemorrhage Disease (RHD) in the 1990s, were used in a semi-successful attempt to control burgeoning rabbit numbers. The long-lasting effects of the original folly are the constant dangers posed by the wild rabbit population to Australia’s ecology. In contrast, the didgeridoo player featured in the artwork represents traditional Aboriginal culture in harmony with the land. Artist Bio Peter Waples-Crowe is a Ngarigo queer visual and performance artist living in Melbourne. He creates bold, colourful work that explores the representation of Aboriginal people in popular culture, often referencing the dingo as a totemic figure and an analogy for indigenous peoples. Peter has been a multiple finalist for prestigious awards such as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards and the Victorian Indigenous Art award. Together with Vincent Li, a Melbourne-based menswear designer, Waples-Crowe has created the MIRRIGANG collection, where feelings of struggling with identity, dislocation and conflict are conveyed through collaged textile, digital prints, embroidery and hand-painted artwork.

In a black frame there is a coloured photograph of four sailors in uniform carrying items of goodies on their shopping trip in Hong Kong. Bottom left hand under the photograph reads Voyagers To Vietnam Collection. Bottom right side under the photograph reads Copyright Cliff RaatzVoyagers To Vietnam Collection. Copyright Cliff Raatzphotograph, cerberus collection, voyages to vietnam collection