"Artie", which began as a cartoon character in the shape of a rat, eventually became the official mascot of the Rheumatism and Arthritis Association (RAAV). In this photo, the Friends of Artie auxiliary group are depicted at their monthly coffee shop, which was held at the Hawthorn Town Hall. A cropped version of this photo appears on page 13 of the Vol 1 No 2, April 1984 issue of RAAV's quarterly newsletter, News Review. It is captioned: "Friends of Artie, from left, Margaret Cleve, Eileen Erving, Kathy Payne, Phoebe Cum-mings, Dot Mortensen and Maureen Meyers, at their monthly coffee shop." Due to the photo having been cropped, 'The Rheumatism and Arthritis Association' sign on the wall isn't visible in the published photo. According to the article accompanying the photo, the monthly coffee shop catered to the craft market and raised about $100 a month for RAAV. The article also provides a brief history of the creation of Artie, which was initially a cartoon character created by Helen Semmler, daughter of Cliff Semmler, an executive member of RAAV. The character, a research rat, became so popular that it was eventually turned into a mascot, with a costume created for RAAV member, Dot Mortensen. Dot brought the character to life with appearances as Artie at many RAAV events.B&W photo of a small group of women sitting on one side of a long table. On the table, there are some plastic containers with lids and a small tray of sandwiches, some jugs of milk and sugar bowls, a couple of cups, and two books. On the wall behind them is a small sign with the handwritten words, 'The Rheumatism and Arthritis Association of Victoria'. To one side of the sign, there is a stained glass window and, below that, a radiator with a tea towel draped across the top.[In blue ink] Maureen Meyers Dot Mortensen Kathy Payne Phobe Cummings Eileen Erving Margaret Cleve [on a yellow sticky note, in black ink] folder AFV photos 1987 & not dated - file "friends of artie”rheumatism and arthritis association of victoria, raav, artie, research rat, cartoon, mascot, costume, friends of artie, auxiliary group, margaret cleve, eileen erving, kathy payne, phoebe cummings, dot mortensen, maureen meyers coffee shop, fundraising, hawthorn town hall, helen semmler, cliff semmler, executive member, news review, 1984

Lorraine Bins (or Binns), Raffle Co-ordinator at the Rheumatism and Arthritis Association of Victoria (RAAV), and Artie, RAAV's official mascot, are making a presentation on stage during an unidentified event. (NB: Please refer to the "Notes" section regarding the inscription on the verso, which appears to be incorrect in part.) B&W photo of a woman and a person dressed in a rat costume, standing on a stage. Behind them is a painted backdrop depicting a large garden enclosed by white Roman balustrades. There is an accordion and an accordion case on the stage floor. In the foreground, a group of four musicians are standing on the floor below the stage. They are holding their instruments. One of the musicians is holding his hat in one hand.[In pencil] 1980 - Box Hill Group party at Action House Lorraine Bins (CEO) & 'Artie'. [Date stamp] 23 OCT 1980rheumatism and arthritis association of victoria, raav, lorraine binns, lorraine bins, raffle co-ordinator, artie, research rat, mascot, costume, presentation, 1980s

On the 18th of September, 1980, the Box Hill Self-Help Group held a New Members Meeting at Action House, the headquarters of the Rheumatism and Arthritis Association of Victoria (RAAV). In this photo, Lorraine Binns (RAAV's Raffle Co-ordinator) and Artie (RAAV's official mascot), inform members about a raffle. Artie is holding a large piece of cardboard promoting the major prize, which is a holiday to Malaysia. A similar photo appears on page 3 of the Vol 19, December 1980 issue of RAAV's quarterly newsletter, News Review. The photo accompanies a brief article titled, "NOTE OF THANKS", in which Lorraine and Artie thank the members for their ongoing support of RAAV, and wish them good luck in the raffle. The photo is captioned: "Lorraine and Artie at Action House. Photo courtesy of Elsmaree Baxter.”B&W photo of a woman and a mascot dressed in a rat costume standing in the corner of a room. There is a gas wall heater on the wall beside them, and a small window behind them. The mascot is holding a large piece of cardboard: on one half, there is a poster depicting a beach scene with a tall palm tree, and the text, "Beautiful MALAYSIA"; the other half contains the text, "BUY A TICKET FOR RAAV". There is a small table and chair in front of the wall heater. In the foreground, there are several people seated on chairs.[In black ink] Lorraine Binns and Artie at Box Hill Group's party at Action House, 1980 [Date stamp] 23 OCT 1980rheumatism and arthritis association of victoria, raav, lorraine binns, raffle co-ordinator, artie, research rat, cartoon, mascot, costume, new members, meeting, raffle, major prize, holiday, malaysia, elsmaree baxter, photographer, 1980

On the 18th of September, 1980, the Box Hill Self-Help Group held a New Members Meeting at Action House, the headquarters of the Rheumatism and Arthritis Association of Victoria (RAAV). In this photo, a small group of people in evening dress pose for a photo with Artie, the RAAV mascot. A similar photo appears on page 5 of the Vol 19, December 1980 issue of RAAV's quarterly newsletter, News Review. The photo accompanies a brief article titled "A MEETING WITH LAUGHS!", written by A G Meyers. The article states that the Box Hill Evening Group met at Action House on the 18th of September for a New Members Meeting. RAAV President, Dr Les Koadlow, was the guest speaker. The Raffle Co-ordinator, Lorraine Binns, gave a short talk about the raffle and Eileen Ervine, President of the Op Shop, entertained everyone by presenting a fashion parade. Titled, "The Bridal Party", the models wore clothes from the RAAV op shop. According to the article, the photo was taken by Dr Elsmaree Baxter.B&W photo of a small group of people, dressed in evening wear. They are gathered around a small table. Among them is a person dressed in a rat costume. Most of the people are standing behind a small table, while a few others are seated around the table. One woman, who is sitting, has one leg up on the table. Everyone is smiling or laughing. There is a gas wall heater on the wall behind them, with two small windows on either side.[In black ink] Ken CHegwidden, Maureen Meyers, Eileen Ervine, Artie & Joan Chegwidden at Box Hill Group's party at Action House, 1980 [Date stamp] 23 OCT 1980rheumatism and arthritis association of victoria, raav, ken chegwidden, maureen meyers, eileen ervine, joan chegwidden artie, research rat, cartoon, mascot, costume, new members, meeting, op shop, bridal party, elsmaree baxter, photographer, 1980

On the 3rd of December, 1981, a Self Help Groups Annual Luncheon was held at the Palm Lake Motel in Albert Park. A fashion parade was held as part of the event. In this photo, the Rheumatism and Arthritis Associaton of Victoria's mascot, Artie the Research Rat, continues to hand out a 'Thank You' gift of a potted plant to each the five models. The three models on the left are Lorraine Cummings, Irene Tresize, and Pauline Schulzeff.Black and white photo of six women standing on a low on a stage. One of the women is using a walking stick. A mascot (someone dressed in a rat costume) is standing on the floor below the stage, obscuring the view of two of the women on the stage.arthritis foundation of victoria, afv, self help groups, annual luncheon, fashion parade, fundraising, fundraiser, lorraine cummings, irene tresize, pauline schulzeff, palm lake motel, albert park, 1981

On the 3rd of December, 1981, a Self Help Groups Annual Luncheon was held at the Palm Lake Motel in Albert Park. A fashion parade was held as part of the event. In this photo, the Rheumatism and Arthritis Associaton of Victoria's mascot, Artie the Research Rat, begins to hand out a 'Thank You' gift of a potted plant to each the five models. They are Lorraine Cummings, Irene Tresize, Pauline Schulzeff, Dorothy Home, and one other (unidentified).Black and white photo of six women standing on a low on a stage and a mascot (a person wearing a rat costume) standing on the floor next to the stage. One of the women is using a walking stick. There is a small gap between the first three women and the next two women on stage. The sixth woman is standing further along the stage. The mascot is handing a gift to one of the women in the group of two, obscuring the view of the sixth woman, at the far end of the stage.[Handwritten in black ink] Groups Annual Luncheon, Palm Lake Motel, 1981 [Handwritten in pencil, in the top right corner] Elsemariearthritis foundation of victoria, afv, self help groups, annual luncheon, fashion parade, fundraising, fundraiser, lorraine cummings, irene tresize, pauline schulzeff, dorothy homer, palm lake motel, albert park, 1981

non-fictionThe Siege of Tobruk lasted for 241 days in 1941. Tobruk was the only harbour between Bengazi and Alexandria and became crucial in preventing Rommel's sweep to the Nile. Tobruk was captured in 1941 and became a beleagured fortress until its garrison was relieved in November 1941. Churchill and his War Cabinet had declared that "Tobruk must be held to the death". The Australians under Major General Morshead fought like tigers . Nazi propaganda radio broadcasts spoke contemptuously of the Tobruk defenders as ‘rats’. In defiance, the soldiers proudly adopted this nickname and have been known by it ever since. During the siege, they designed their own medals, in the shape of a rat, made from the scrap metal of a downed German aeroplane. Anthony Heckstalk-Smith who was himself a Flotilla Officer the "A" Lighters which provided supplies to the garrison, researched evidence from officers of all units involved - Australian, South African, German and British to write this controversial story of men in battle.world war 11, rats of tobruk, tobruk, siege of tobruk, arthur lock

A rufous bettong is about the size of a rabbit, with body length ranging from 30cm to 38cm among species. All bettongs have long tails, roughly equal to body length. Body weight ranges from 1.2 kg in the smallest species (Northern Bettong) to 2.8kg in the Rufous Bettong, the largest of the group. Males tend to be slightly larger than females. Bettongs have furry coats, ranging in colour from grey to ginger and brown. The bettong is endemic to Australia, and is an important part of Australia's Indigenous biodiversity. There are five living species of bettong; Eastern Bettong, Burrowing Bettong, Brush-tailed Bettong, Northern Bettong, Rufous Bettong. The bettong is a member of the Potoroidae family along with the endangered Potoroos, and the extinct Desert Rat-Kangaroos. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from either the Trustees of the Australian Museum or from the amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880 and mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee around the same time. When all Taxidermy mounts were completed, they were quickly put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.Average sized rufous bettong with large clawed hind legs, small clawed fore legs, and a long tail that is roughly the length of its body and covered lightly in fur. The pelage of the bettong is fine and soft with the body fur cream and pale ochre in colouring with specks of brown while the underbelly is a solid cream colour. The head is small with a short muzzle and two small rounded ears, and features two round dark brown eyes made from clay.On mounting board: BMM5893/burke museum, taxidermy, taxidermy mount, bettong, rat kangaroo, bettongia, fauna, animal, animalia, potoroidae, reynell eveleigh johns, rufous bettong, rufous rat-kangaroo