Cornelius Westh was presented with this award for attempting to rescue John James who was buried by a fall of earth in the Imperial Mine Hiscocks on 23 June 1891Record of an attempted mine rescue in the late 19th century by a prominent local citizenColoured, framed copy of an award presented to Cornelius Westh by the Royal Humane Society of AustralasiaGift of Christine Westh to Buninyong and District Historical Society February 1995mining, hiscocks, rescue, award, westh

On the 20th November 1952 SEC linesmen Stewart Aicken, Donald Odames and Desmond Veraker were working on the corner of Gisborne Road and Masons Lane in Bacchus Marsh. Veraker was in the air in a harness working on power lines when he was electrocuted. Aicken and Odames were on the ground and attempted to rescue him and revive him. Sadly Vereker died from his injuries. Aicken and Odames were later given bravery awards by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia for their actions.Royal Humane Society of Australasia certificate presented to Stewart Aicken to recognise the bravery of his actions on the 20th November 1952 in attempting to rescue fellow linesman Desmond Vereker from electrocution. It was awarded to him to accompany a bronze medal also awarded to Aicken for this act of bravery. The certificate and bronze medal are housed in a frame. Underneath the bronze medal is a black and white photograph of Aicken receiving the award from the Governor of Victoria Sir Dallas Brooks in 1953. Also in the photograph is an unidentified man and woman. The unidentified man is probably Donald Odames who was with Aicken on the 20th November 1952 and was also recognised for his bravery by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia.awards, accidents

Thomas Kennedy aged 14 was awarded this medal in 1892 for the bravery he showed in rescuing members of his family from the flooded Werribee River on the 3rd August 1891. The Bacchus Marsh Express newspaper on for 30 July 1892, page 2, reported the awards ceremony with this description, 'Bronze medals of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia were awarded at the Melbourne Town Hall on Monday evening as follows: Thomas Kennedy, of Maddingley, near Bacchus Marsh, aged 14 years, for the risk he incurred in procuring assistance to rescue his father, mother, four brothers and sisters from being drowned during the flood of the Werribee River, on the 3rd August, 1891. He at daybreak swam across a strong current, and procured a boat, then rode a horse attached by a chain to the boat, and was returning thus to the house when he was washed off the horse, and with much difficulty rescued'. Bronze medal with ribbon.Obverse: Virtute Paratum; Reverse: Awarded to Thomas Kennedy 3rd Aug 1891, Royal Humane Society of Australasia, INSTD. A.D. 1874medals, awards, floods 1891

Illuminated scroll document awarded to Joseph Davies by the Royal Humane Society of Australia for rescuing John Allan from the effects of an explosion in the Goldfields Consolidated Gold Mine at Bendigo on July 16th., 1909' Document is written in copperplate script on parchment coloured paper enclosed in a black outer covering. Written in gold on outer black covering 'The Royal Humane Society of Australasia'Royal Humane Society of Australasiaperson, mining, joseph davies, joseph davies, joseph davies, john allan, diamond hill, royal humane society of australasia

This certificate was presented to Donald David Thomson , sleeper hewer, aged 42 years for rescuing S.C. Curtis, aged 52, G. Wylie, aged 54, J. Dalgleish, aged 5 from flood waters at White gulch on the Snowy River on January 8, 1934. (The certificate reads as White's Gulch but should be Watt's gulch.) Although damage estimated at 500,000 pounds was caused by the unprecedented floods along the Snowy River, no lives were lost because of the courageous actions of men like Donald Thomson.A framed copy of a printed and hand-written certificate from the Royal Humane Society of Australia awarded to Donald David Thomson for rescuing victims of the floodwaters in Orbost January 1934. It is dated 6.3.1934.Printed at top of certificate: THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY / OF AUSTRALASIA. Has names of Society patrons and committee as well as names and ages of those rescued. award certificate royal-humane-society flood snowy-river 1934 thomson-david

A Royal Humane Society of Australasia silver medal for bravery was awarded to Mrs Isadore Susannah Smith who, although blind, went to the aid of her husband, Arthur who was also blind, when he fell against a gas fire on July 2nd, 1967. Mrs Smith suffered second degree burns to her hands and wrists when she removed his burning pieces of clothing. On the front shows a woman in Ancient Greek clothing standing at left placing wreath on head of young man kneeling at right below Southern Cross; around edge is ' Virtute Paratum' and on the back is at centre within olive wreath 'Awarded to Isadore Smith 2.7.67'around edge is , Royal humane society of Australasia Instd. A.D. 1874. 1 silver coloured medallion and ribbon bar with ivory, brown and yellow striped ribbon. Women in ancient Greek clothing with 'Virtute Paratum' on front. Back is inscribed with 'Isadore Smith 2.6.67' inside a wreath.medals, isadore smith

The Bronze Medal and Certificate of Merit of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia were awarded to James Patten for the bravery he displayed on 18th April 1890, and presented to him on 21st May 1890. The Royal Humane Society of Australasia was founded in 1874 with the aim to recognise those who risked their lives to save others and to assist those whose acts of bravery caused them or their surviving dependants to be disadvantaged in some way. Details of the incident were published in the Argus, Saturday 19 April 1890, page 11 - "FATAL BOATING ACCIDENT, (BY TELEGRAPH FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.), WARRNAMBOOL, FRIDAY A fatal boating disaster occurred in Lady Bay this morning, the victim being Joseph Lowe, licensee of the Bay View Hotel, South Warrnambool. The deceased, in company with two lads named James Ferrier and James Patten, went out in a small dingy to shoot musk ducks. The water was perfectly smooth, and the party were tempted to proceed as far as the mouth of the Hopkins River. In their eagerness they neglected to keep clear of the breakers, and were presently carried in on the crest of a large wave, and the boat cap sized within a cable's length of the shore, precipitating the occupants into the water. Patten and Lowe stuck to the overturned boat, Ferrier striking out for the shore, which he reached in an exhausted state. In the meantime his companions had been washed off the boat, and were struggling in the breakers. Lowe was unable to swim, and Patten kept him afloat, at the same time making gallant attempts to get him ashore, but finally had to leave him to his fate. Ferrier, seeing Lowe's danger, undressed and swam out, but became exhausted. Ferrier and Patten were both found in a fainting condition by persons who saw the catastrophe from the jetty, and ran along the beach to render assistance. Attempts were subsequently made to rescue Lowe's body, which could be seen washing abort in the surf. These proved unsuccessful, and no hope is now entertained of recovering it. Lowe was a smart young man, 28 years of age, and unmarried. He was formerly bar-man at the Commercial Hotel here, having been engaged in Melbourne ..." This medal recognises the bravery of James Patten, a local citizen who risked his life to save the life of his friend Joseph Lowe whilst at sea and was recognised for this act by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia.Medal awarded to James Patten by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia for his bravery on18 April 1890 and presented to him on 21 May 1890. Bronze medal in hard black rectangular case. Lid and base have centre hinge and brass spring button catch. Case is padded and lined with blue silk and has a fitted hook. The round medal has a bronze bar with pin closure, dark blue, braided ribbon with brass swivel mount. The case has a gold embossed rectangular border on the lid and base. Embossed inscription on lid. The obverse shows a woman on the left in long robe placing a wreath on the head of a kneeling man at right, with the five stars of the Southern Cross constellation above his head. A motto is inscribed around the edge. The reverse has inscriptions around the edge, a wreath of two overlapping olive branches, and engraved text.OBVERSE: Embossed around "VIRTUTE PARATUM" REVERSE: Embossed on the medal around the edge "ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY OF AUSTRALASIA INSTD. A.D. 1874", in the centre "AWARDED TO" Engraved in the centre "James Patten/ 18th April / 1890" CASE LID: "PRESENTED BY / THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY / OF AUSTRALASIA / TO / JAS. PATTEN. / 21ST MAY 1890."flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, bronze medal 1890, royal humane society of australasia, james patten, medal, australian award medal, commemorative medal, numismatics, life saving, lifesaving, rescue, bravery, drowning, joseph lowe, james ferrier, lady bay, hopkins river, boating accident, certificate of merit, north eastern bight

Bronze Medal. Ribbon navy blue edged with silver & gold central strip. Observe (face or main design) the female figure represents Australasia placing a wreath on the head of a kneeling figure, under the Southern Cross. The Latin motto translates as "Bravery Rewarded". Reverse: the name of the awardee is inscribed inside a wreath of laurel and eucalyptus.Awarded to DJ Griffin 16-2-1983bravery awards, ash wednesday, bushfires, cockatoo victoria, dorothy joan griffin,

The Bronze Medal and Certificate of Merit of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia were awarded to James Patten for the bravery he displayed on 18th April 1890, and presented to him on 21st May 1890. The Royal Humane Society of Australasia was founded in 1874 with the aim to recognise those who risked their lives to save others and to assist those whose acts of bravery caused them or their surviving dependants to be disadvantaged in some way. The producers of the certificate were Fergusson & Mitchell, a Melbourne organisation established by 1858 that was an engraver, lithographer and printer. Details of the incident were published in the Argus, Saturday 19 April 1890, page 11 - "FATAL BOATING ACCIDENT, (BY TELEGRAPH FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.), WARRNAMBOOL, FRIDAY A fatal boating disaster occurred in Lady Bay this morning, the victim being Joseph Lowe, licensee of the Bay View Hotel, South Warrnambool. The deceased, in company with two lads named James Ferrier and James Patten, went out in a small dingy to shoot musk ducks. The water was perfectly smooth, and the party were tempted to proceed as far as the mouth of the Hopkins River. In their eagerness they neglected to keep clear of the breakers, and were presently carried in on the crest of a large wave, and the boat cap sized within a cable's length of the shore, precipitating the occupants into the water. Patten and Lowe stuck to the overturned boat, Ferrier striking out for the shore, which he reached in an exhausted state. In the meantime his companions had been washed off the boat, and were struggling in the breakers. Lowe was unable to swim, and Patten kept him afloat, at the same time making gallant attempts to get him ashore, but finally had to leave him to his fate. Ferrier, seeing Lowe's danger, undressed and swam out, but became exhausted. Ferrier and Patten were both found in a fainting condition by persons who saw the catastrophe from the jetty, and ran along the beach to render assistance. Attempts were subsequently made to rescue Lowe's body, which could be seen washing abort in the surf. These proved unsuccessful, and no hope is now entertained of recovering it. Lowe was a smart young man, 28 years of age, and unmarried. He was formerly bar-man at the Commercial Hotel here, having been engaged in Melbourne...." The bronze medal and accompanying certificate of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia recognise the bravery of James Patten, a Warrnambool citizen who risked his life in the attempt to save the life of his friend Joseph Lowe.Certificate, cream paper, rectangular, decorative border and headings, printed and handwritten in pen and ink. Letterhead of The Royal Humane Society of Australasia. Awarded on 21st May 1890 to James Patten of Warrnambool. for his bravery on 18th April 1890.Print and writing includes - "The Royal Humane Society of Australia under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen and their excellencies, the Governors of all the Australian Colonies and Fiji. At a general court of directors holden at the Offices of the Society Melbourne on the 21st day of May 1890, it was resolves that the courage and humanity displayed by James Patten, aged 20 years, labourer Warrnambool in attempting to rescue Joseph Lowe from drowning in the North Eastern bight of Lady Bay 18th April 1890. Call for the admiration of this court and justly, entitles him to the Bronze Medal of this society which is hereby awarded." Signatures [Secretary] and [President]flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, bronze medal 1890, royal humane society of australasia, james patten, medal, australian award medal, commemorative medal, numismatics, life saving, lifesaving, rescue, bravery, drowning, joseph lowe, james ferrier, lady bay, hopkins river, boating accident, certificate of merit, lithograph, north eastern bight

A3 colour photocopies of certificates of "courage and humanity" awarded to Charles McCarthy for rescuing people at Railway Pier, Sandridge. .01 from the Victorian Humane Society 1877 .02 from the Royal Humane Society of Australasia 1883piers and wharves - railway pier, awards and presentations, charles mccarthy, victorian humane association, the royal humane society of australasia

Cornelius Westh was presented with this award for attempting to rescue John James who was buried by a fall of earth in the Imperial Mine Hiscocks on 23 June 1891Record of an attempted mine rescue in the late 19th century by a prominent local citizenFramed colour photograph of Royal Humane Society medal awarded to Cornelius Westh by the Royal Humane Society of AustralasiaGift from Westh family to Buninyong and District Historical Society February 1995mining, hiscocks, rescue, award, westh

Royal Humane Society Certificates and Medals are not given lightly and these items have been treasured by the family since presentation in the 1940's. Donated to the Museum for safekeeping/display in July 2011Royal Humane Society certificate and medal presented to Thomas Warren - fisherman aged 43 from Queenscliff, in helping to rescue four men from drowning from the wreck of the yacht Merlan on the outer reef at Point Lonsdale on 16/01/1949Includes letters, telegrams of congratulationsroyal humane society of australasia, thomas warren, merlan, rescue

This item is a Certificate of Merit awarded to Leslie Arthur Tinker for bravery in risking his life in going to the rescue of passengers on the motor launch "Nestor " on the Hopkins River at Warrnambool On January 09 1921. Leslie Arthur Tinker was 31 years of age at the time of this rescue of passengers from the launch"Nestor". Les Tinker was the third son of Jessie and Frank Tinker. He was caretaker at the Town Hall for many years and lived on site. He was married to Elsie Moore and they had one son Donald born 1928. The sinking of the Nestor claimed 10 lives in Warrnambool that day and was a tragedy for Warrnambool. Two long remaining survivors were Janet Glass Dickson who died in 2011 at 97 years of age and A Mr Jim Russell who was still living in Warrnambool in 2011 at the age of 94.This certificate has strong historical and social significance with strong links to one of Warrnambool's larger families. The event itself was a tragedy for Warrnambool with ten people losing their lives. The award comes from The Royal Humane Society of Australasia and as such is a national recognition. Cream parchment certificate with black text. The text sits within a border with coats of Arms at the top The certificate sits on a paper lined brown leather scroll with gold lettering on the outside. The Royal Humane Society of Australasia in gold lettering on the outside.awarded to leslie Arthur Tinker16th June 1921 Nestor jan 9, 1921 Mason Firth and McCutcheon on the bottom of the certificate. Signed by George Lush and Thomas Brentnall. warrnambool, leslie tinker, royal humane society, nestor rescue, nestor warrnambool, certificate of merit tinker

Two copies of information regarding the bronze medallion awarded for 'swimming exercises with reference to saving Life from drowning' and two blank copies of the swimming award certificate awarded by the RHSV. Letterhead is 'The Royal Humane Society of Australasia, instituted 1874'. 'Fergusson & Mitchell' printed underneath letterhead. Text reads: This is to certify that at a competitive examination held at ........(blank) was adjudged to be the most proficient in theoeretical knowledge of the Society's directions for saving life from drowning, sunstroke, snakebite, etc' Document is from late 1800's.

In August 1873, four of the crew were killed and the other four injured when the Pilot schooner Rip was overwelmed in heavy seas at the Heads. The tragedy and heroism of the crew, inspired the people of Melbourne and a public apeal raised funds to support the affected families as well as the formation of what is now the Royal Humane Society of Australasia to provide public recognition to acts of bravery.Official Seal Press of No. 2 Coy 'RIP' 1860 - 1889 seal press, rip, pilot boats

This certificate acknowledges 21 years of service given by James Patten, one of the original 1859 Lifeboat Warrnambool as a boatman and bowman. At the time, all retiring Volunteer lifeboatmen were honoured with this award. It was made as a lithograph that was created by F. W. Strahle at the request of the Department of Lands & Survey, Melbourne, Victoria. During his time of service, James Patten was awarded a medal and certificate by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia for his bravery. Patten and his friend Joseph Lowe, who couldn't swim, were with their friend James Ferrier in a boat on the Hopkins River, Warrnambool, when their boat capsized. Ferrier made it to shore, and Patten tried unsuccessfully to hold onto Lowe and bring him to shore. The event occurred on 18th April 1890. The images on the Certificate show a collage of rescue events performed by the lifesavers; a shipwreck rescue in progress, lifeboat conveying five boatmen using two oars each, and a bowman standing at the bow, a linesman wearing a life jacket and holding a rescue line, a lifesaver ring with images of three sailing ships inside it, a shipwreck near shore, a woman and girl in shallow water, a rescue using a breeches buoy on the lifeline, two rescuers walking towards the survivor, rescue crew wearing waterproof clothing, a rocket machine with a pulley to bring the survivor in a breaches buoy to shore, and a rescue crew member holding a flare. Volunteers at the time received a small payment, or 'retainer'', for their practices and a payment of gratitude for the rescues they attended. Across the years between 1856 to 1979 the combined service in Victoria saved 260 lives. Amazingly, some of the volunteers could not even swim.This certificate shows the State and Local Government's appreciation for the years of service spent by in the endeavour to save lives in peril in and on the local waters in the early 20th Century. The lithographed design depicts the many skills and services performed by the lifesavers of the era.Certificate of Service, unframed, awarded to James Patten on 23rd August 1907, recognising his 21 years of service with the original Warrnambool Life Boat Service as a Boatman and Bowman. Certificate is on rectangular, cream paper, lithographed design, printed and handwritten. Letterhead with the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom and a French motto. Images depict lifesaving crew, lifeboat, rescue equipment and a rescue in progress. The border is waves inside of frame of looped rope. Signatures of Commissioner of Public Works, Secretary of Public Works, and Engineer in charge of Ports and Harbours, Melbourne. Printed from a lithograph produced by F.W. Strahle on 23rd June 1907.MOTTO: "Dieu Droit Et Mon, Ni Soit Qui Mal y" TREXT: "Certificate granted to James Patten as a mark of appreciation of his esteemed services of 21 years as Boatman and Bowman connected with the Departmental Life-Boat service at Warrnambool - dated the 23rd day of August 1907." SIGNATURES: [Commissioner of Public Works], [Secretary of Public Works], [Engineer in charge of Ports and Harbours Melbourne] "Lithographed at the Dept of Lands & Survey - Melb/ by F.W. Strahle, 23.6.07"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, james patten, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue, bravery, drowning, joseph lowe, james ferrier, hopkins river, boat accident, certificate of service, 1890, 1907, bowman, boatman, departmental life-boat service, life-boat service, lifeboat service, august 1907, commissioner of public works, public works, ports and harbours melbourne, lands & survey melbourne, f w strahle, lithograph, 1856-1979, 260 lives saved, victorian volunteers, lifeboatmen, retired lifeboatmen