A Mechanics Institute in Bacchus Marsh dates from sometime in the 1850s. The foundation stone for this hall dates from 1858. The hall was located on the corner of Young Street and Bennett Street on land donated by James Young. In 1883 a new and larger Mechanics Institute Hall was built in Main Street. The old hall was purchased by Thomas Anderson and for some years was a private residence. It was later bought by the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) and became a Lodge for that order. In its later years it was known locally as 'The Buff's Hall'. It was eventually demolished in the late 20th century. Built in Young Street on land owned by James Young, a prominent citizen of Bacchus Marsh, this Hall was the venue for the commencement of the political campaign of Alfred Deakin, and later for the campaign of Peter Lalor, a leader of the Eureka Rebellion.Small sepia 'carte de viste' style unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Housed in the Jeremeas Family Album which contains photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by the photographers Stevenson and McNicoll. The photo is of a single-storey brick building. The front has a gabled entrance with a central doorway and two windows, one on either side of the door. A plaque has been inset in the gable above the door. The hip roof is shingled. Three windows run along the side of the building. A picket fence on very uneven footage runs along the front. The entrance gateway has two steps up to the entry and is decorated with an ornate lantern supported by a slim metal framework. Another lantern is fixed to the left of the front door.Printed On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME. On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun. Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE. stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district, mechanics institutes, halls, bacchus marsh mechanics institute

A Mechanics Institute in Bacchus Marsh dates from sometime in the 1850s. The first Mechanics Institute Hall was erected in 1858 in Young Street.(Victorian Collections no.659.) In 1883 a new and larger Mechanics Institute Hall was built in Main Street. The new hall cost 2,000 pounds to construct. It was opened by Sir William Clarke on 21 November 1883. The Mechanics Institute Library and rooms at the front of the hall were removed when the building was renovated in 1971. The building still stands and is used as a public hall.Small black and white 'carte de viste' style unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Housed in the Jeremeas Family Album which contains photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by the photographers Stevenson and McNicoll. The photo is of a substantial brick building under construction. Scaffolding support poles line the front and also can be seen on the top and back of the building. On the rooftop stand three workmen, with a further seven men standing at the front. Three men lean or stand casually at the front in casual poses. Four men stand in a line in another group on the roadway, perhaps indicating that they are master craftsmen. One of these men holds a tool of his trade, a hod, a v-shaped trough on a pole used for carrying bricks. Six boys can be seen, four in a rather jaunty pose. In an indication of its public significance, the four front windows and door are arched and have decorative stone work in the side panels. A picket fence marks the boundary of the adjacent block.Printed On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME. On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun. Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE. stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district, mechanics institutes, halls, bacchus marsh mechanics institute

Public lectures were a common activity in Bacchus Marsh in the early 1900s. These were usually held in the Mechanics Institute Hall in Main Street, or in the Australian Natives Association (ANA) Hall also in Main Street Bacchus Marsh. This ticket is a typical example of the elaborate design used for invitations at this time. This lecture was promoted as an 'illustrated lecture'. In this instance it was according to contemporary newspaper reporting a lecture which included a series of 'lantern views'. These were pictures—paintings, prints, or photographs—on transparent plates (usually made of glass), and were then projected for viewing through an image projector commonly called a 'magic lantern'. Printed ticket on card. Rectangular shape.public lectures, bacchus marsh mechanics institute, mechanics institutes, ephemera bacchus marsh

This four roomed cottage with a detached kitchen was built for a Mr Elam, c. 1867. Occupants of this house among others have been Sir George Farmer, Christopher Crisp, Joseph Voysey, E. Simpson, J.R. Crook and H. Condon. It is located in Young Street and is opposite the site where the original Bacchus Marsh Mechanics Institute stood until about 1995.Small sepia unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Housed in the album, 'Photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by Stevenson and McNicoll'. The photograph is of a neat Georgian-style, double-fronted cottage. The hip roof and verandah are roofed with wooden shingles. Two tall chimneys stand, one at either side of the cottage, while a smaller chimney can be seen at the rear. The front verandah is decorated with carved barge boards. A white picket fence runs along the front, the entry posts featuring a carved globe-shaped finial. Standing inside the front fence is a smartly dressed gentleman, leaning on the fence. This is possibly Mr Joseph Voysey, Head Master of Bacchus Marsh Primary School 1879-1888, who purchased this cottage in 1882, the year before this photo was taken. Two women, one with a dog at her feet, stand on the footpath with a young girl holding a doll. This cottage still stands in Young Street, Bacchus Marsh.On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME. On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun. Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE houses bacchus marsh, stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district

MABEL nee ABRAHAM ROGERS 1920 - 2004 Publications: The First One Hundred Years 1870-1970 Melton State School No 430 Co Author with Edna Barrie The Mechanics [Melton] 1985 Mabel Abraham was daughter of Herbert G Abraham, Butcher of High Street Melton. She attended Melton State School from 1928 qualifying for her Merit certificate in December 1928 and continued her education at Melbourne Girls High School [soon after known as MacRobertson Girls High School] She studied piano and elocution as a school girl. Mabel was associated with many activities in the Melton community. She was a natural writer and interested in research and was committed to documenting and preserving Meltons History. Mabel produced, wrote and acted for the “ Melton Amateurs” theatrical group established in 1950. The group performed Revues, Pantomimes, one and three act plays, Musical Comedy and Melodramas. In 1960 it lapsed for a time and from 1967 onwards more shows were successfully produced by Mabel. A creative producer and writer, audiences at the Melton Mechanics Institute enjoyed the performances of Gilbert and Sullivan and excerpts from the many Musicals of the era. She skilfully wrote scripts interweaving with songs and topical local dialogue successfully drawing out the talents of all the cast members. Mabel was a member of the C.W.A. holding position of Secretary. She was a member of the Melton and District Historical Society at its inception in 1968 and was a Member of The Willows Committee of Management. She was supporter of the first historical display and the Mechanics Hall and the Historical Society Annual Art and Craft shows from 1974 until 1982. In 1961 she was involved with Melton Development Association and in 1969 with the establishment of the first “Carols by Candlelight” held in Melton. Mabel was a member Anglican Church and Committee. She was a member of the Melton Mechanics Institute and made a Trustee and Life Member in 1965. She was a member of Victoria 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee. She was Guide Leader, member of the Red Cross and School Committee. In November 1982 she was a recipient of the Annual Rotary Community Service Award for outstanding service to the Community of Melton over a prolonged time. Mabel married Eric Rogers in August 1944 the wedding reception was held at the Melton Mechanics Hall. Their are children John, Ron, Francis and Judy. The family lived in High Street Melton between the Mechanics Institute and earliest Shire Hall eastern end. Eric was grader operator on the district roads. In their latter years Mabel and Eric lived in Bacchus Marsh. Eric died in Bacchus Marsh in July 2007. Country Women's Association Melton Branch lyrics from Mabel Roger's handwritten noteslocal identities, local significant groups

This image is one of a series of photographs taken by Melbourne based photographers Stevenson and McNicoll who visited Bacchus Marsh and its nearby districts between September and November 1883. The photo is of a brick residence, built in 1865-66 as a house and surgery for Dr. Rae, a medical practitioner in Bacchus Marsh 1863-1874. Dr. Rae was influential in community affairs as a Justice of the Peace, a member of the Board of Advice of Bacchus Marsh Common School and a President of the Mechanics’ Institute. After ill health forced him to resign his practice, he built the Bungalow in 1880, where he lived until his death. The house was later purchased by William Anderson (c.1880) who named it “Dunglass”. The people in this photograph are probably members of the Anderson family. The house is now used as an Adult Education Centre. The house is of significance as the embodiment of the importance to the community of its influential figures, such as Dr. Rae, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Small sepia 'carte de viste' style unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Housed in the Jeremeas Family Album which contains photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by the photographers Stevenson and McNicoll. The photo is of a double-fronted brick Classical nineteenth century house with a high hip roof. Two brick chimneys are visible. The left hand bay is set forward, with the central section of the house being set back. A concave return verandah supported by decorative columns runs along the front and side of the house, leading to a separate entry door off the side verandah. On the window set in this door, the word ‘SURGERY’ can be discerned, indicating that this is the entrance to be used by patients. The building features buff-coloured stone quoins and architraves. A white picket fence runs along the front. Ranged along the footpath in front of the fence stands a group of eight young women and girls. A flat stone acts as a bridge over a deep drainage culvert running parallel to the street.Printed On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME. On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun. Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE. stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district, doctors, houses bacchus marsh

James Young was a prominent businessman, land owner and public figure in the early colonial period of Bacchus Marsh. After his death in 1871 land remaining from his estate in Bacchus Marsh was sold at auction in 1873. The sale of his estate included the substantial stone residence in Bennett Street which later became known as 'Stone Villa'. The sale of his land in 1873 was conducted by local auctioneer James Crook. 29 allotments were advertised for sale, although the plan for the sale indicated 30 allotments. The sale notice in the Bacchus Marsh Express of 11 October 1873 noted that the allotments were " in the very centre and heart of the most populous and business portion of the township, at the same time being the only remaining portion of the business block available for purchase by public sale, which fact intending purchasers should not lose sight of, as the opportunity cannot occur again". The designation of a new street, 'Bennett Street', shown on the plan, is also indicated in the advertising, "In reference to the main street frontages, opposite the Border Flour Mills. The Auctioneer would also direct attention to the plan, showing the formation of a new thorough fare (Bennett street) leading from Young street into Gell street, thus opening up the township on the high, more healthy, and commanding position so much to be desired for private dwellings".An important cartographic document which indicates an early major subdivision of land in the inner urban area of the Bacchus Marsh township. This subdivision lead to the continuing residential and commercial development of the township of Bacchus Marsh in the later part of the 19th century. The location of two well known demolished public structures, the Free Gardeners Hall in Gell Street, and the Old Mechanics Institute Hall (aka the Buffs Hall), on the corner of Young and Bennett Streets, are also shown on this map.A single page paper map showing 30 blocks of land for sale around 1873 in the vicinity of Bennett Street and Lerderderg Street. Described in contemorary sources as a 'lithographed copy'. No scale is indicated. The map is pasted into a bound volume containing 76 maps or plans in total. High resolution digital image stored on BMDHS computer network. land sales bacchus marsh, bacchus marsh victoria maps, james young 1816-1871, bacchus marsh roads and streets, bennett street bacchus marsh

This image shows part of a street procession moving along Main Street Bacchus Marsh. The location is in front of the Mechanics Institute building. Two connected tricycles can be seen in the foreground. The Bacchus Marsh Express on 9 April 1904 described an ANA Sports day procession which included "two tricycles which were used for an ingenious travesty of a motor car". The same report also described two characters mounted on horses who were dressed as 'Beefeaters'. Beefeaters, are officially known as Yeomen Warders. They are the ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London in England. They originated in 1485 and the ceremonial style of dress most associated with them resembles that worn by the man on horseback in this image. The two Bacchus Marsh 'Beefeaters identified by the Express in 1904 were C. Fagg and P.A. McFarlane giving a clue to the identity of the man on horseback in this image. The style of people's clothing in the picture suggests it is from around the 1890s or 1900s, and the presence of the Tricycle suggests it could be 1904. The event associated with the street parade is not known for certain. But from descriptions in the Bacchus Marsh Express in the 1900s it appears it is part of the Bacchus Marsh branch of the Australian Natives Association (A.N.A,) annual sports festival which was held over the Easter period. One digital file acquired from State Library of Victoria. One print copy for BMDHS collection reproduced from digital file. BMDHS Location: Photo Album - Entertainment and Recreation parades and processions, events and activities, bacchus marsh and district images held by state library of victoria