These three programmes are advertising brochures for the entertainment of R.G. Bachelder’s Anglo-American Christy Minstrels. R.G. Bachelder was an American minstrel performer and showman. He and his company toured Australia in the 1870s and 1880s and for a time his partner was Horace Bent, regarded at the time as Australia’s greatest comedian. The three programmes date from the early 1880s, with the date of Programme One being 1882. The three programmes appear to feature only males with the man attractions being the African- American comedians, Sam Keenan and Alf Moynham and the singer, Beaumont Read. The latter was an American singer and songwriter and is regarded in some circles as the greatest male alto singer ever to appear on the Australian stage. He settled in Australia for a time. Other performers included W. Ball, C.S. Fredericks and T. Bergin.These three programmes are of considerable significance because they are original advertising brochures for Bachelder’s Anglo-American Christy Minstrels, a prominent entertainment company touring Australia in the second half of the 19th century. The items are also of significance because one of them is the brochure for a local Warrnambool concert held in the month of August in the Orderly Room in Kepler Street, Warrnambool This concert was a benefit for the famous alto singer Beaumont Read and was listed as the last performance of the company so it probably can be dated 1883. These are three original programmes for Bachelder’s Anglo-American Christy Minstrels. They date from the early 1880s. Programme One is a yellow sheet with black print and an ornamental border, Programme Two is a faded white sheet with black print and Programme Three is a white/cream sheet with black print and an ornamental border. The three items are somewhat tattered. r.g.bachelder, beaumont read, entertainment in warrnambool, 19th century entertainment in australia

Black and white photograph - Grade 7 & 8, 1937"Attached to photograph" Back Row - L to R: Don Sorrenson, Bruce Williamson, Gus Horne, Jeff Lang, Ken Paternoster, Alan Mayers, ?, ?. 2nd Row -- L to R: Joyce Fraser, Josie Roberts, Vivienne Martin, Winnie Wilkins, Beulah Crouch, ?, Joyce Read, Fay Paternoster, Joyce Sanders, Betty Washusen. 3rd Row - L to R: Mary Stevenson, Elsie Beaumont, Hazel Payne, Dianne Holloway, Elsie Dawson, Helen Russell, Betty Baner, Nancy Izard, Maryb Beilby. Front Row - L to R: Ken Ansell, Frank Beaumont, Stan Beal, Peter McDonald, Rodney Dickson, Ray Minahan, Ron Mathews, Ian Jackson. Teacher:

Silver plaque with black writing mounted on board inside black frame, and silver plaque with black writing. Both list the companies that financially supported the Newcastle office for Vision Australia (formerly the Royal Blind Society of New South Wales). The first plaque reads: Vision Australia Blindness and low vision services Vision Australia is proudly supported in the Hunter by: Ian Paul Prime Television Hunter Readymixed Concrete Pty Ltd Port Waratah Coal Services Limited Blue Illusion - Hamilton Newcastle Permanent Building Society Australian Hotels Association Sandalyn Wilderness Estate AmpControl Colleen Praniess Lidbury Retirement & Financial Services Passmores Business College Maitland Black & White Committee Belmont 16ft Sailing Club Cessnock Supporters Club The Boulevard on Beaumont Sydney Junction Hotel Gallipoli Legion Club VDB Chartered Accountants Salvation Army - McIntosh Trust The second plaque reads: Royal Blind Society vision to share This Client Service Centre was made possible thanks to generous support from Ian Paul as well as the following organisations Prime Television Newcastle Knights Hunter Water Western Suburbs (Newcastle) Leagues Club Management Advisors Corporation Drayton Building & Construction The Plan Centre Hunter Land2 images of plaques displayed at the Newcastle officeVision Australia Blindness and low vision services Vision Australia is proudly supported in the Hunter by: Ian Paul Prime Television Hunter Readymixed Concrete Pty Ltd Port Waratah Coal Services Limited Blue Illusion - Hamilton Newcastle Permanent Building Society Australian Hotels Association Sandalyn Wilderness Estate AmpControl Colleen Praniess Lidbury Retirement & Financial Services Passmores Business College Maitland Black & White Committee Belmont 16ft Sailing Club Cessnock Supporters Club The Boulevard on Beaumont Sydney Junction Hotel Gallipoli Legion Club VDB Chartered Accountants Salvation Army - McIntosh Trust Royal Blind Society vision to share This Client Service Centre was made possible thanks to generous support from Ian Paul as well as the following organisations Prime Television Newcastle Knights Hunter Water Western Suburbs (Newcastle) Leagues Club Management Advisors Corporation Drayton Building & Construction The Plan Centre Hunter Landvision australia, royal blind society of nsw, plaques