Auction of the Best Estate, Middleborough Road, Blackburn North, 28 home sites. Auctioneer Frank Fisher & Co.frank fisher co., best estate, blackburn north, middleborough road, blackburn

Advertisement for sale of land at Best Estate, Blackburn North. Part of the original land holdings of R. de Stoop and R. Best of British Fur Co.sale of land at Best Estate, Blackburn North. Part of the original land holdings of R. de Stoop and R. Best of British Fur Co.land subdivision, best estate, blackburn north, chapman street, middleborough road, joseph street, nestor grove, vivian street, de stoop, roger, best, richard, british fur company

Tait collection: item 43 of 62 This is a document giving details of the Letters of Administration of John Moloney, a farmer from Bushfield, who died in July 1897. He died intestate but had real estate to the value of £510 and personal estate to the value of £142. The beneficiary was his wife, Mary Ann Moloney. The lawyer involved in drawing up this document was William Ardlie, one of the best-known lawyers in Warrnambool in the 19th and 20th centuries. He commenced his business in the 1860s and continued on until the 1930s when he was well in his eighties, making him at the time the oldest practising lawyer in Australasia. The document seemed to have been passed down by successive lawyers occupying the Kepler Street legal premises and located there in 2014.This document is of some interest as it gives details of the Letters of Administration of John Moloney, a 19th century farmer from Bushfield and it also concerns the lawyer, William Ardlie, a prominent Warrnambool lawyer at that time. It will be useful for researchers.This is a piece of cream-coloured thin parchment paper folded in two. It has handwritten material on two pages (black ink) containing details of the Letters of Administration following the death of John Moloney of Bushfield in 1897. A seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is attached with green ribbon and there is one red stamp of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. The document is somewhat dirty but quite legible. The numbers ‘255’ and ‘14’ are written in blue pencil on the back page. In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria In the Probate Jurisdiction In the Estate of John Moloney late of Bushfield in the Colony of Victoria Farmer deceased Intestatejohn moloney, warrnambool, william ardlie, bushfield, tait collection

News Release from the Office of the Minister for Housing, dated August19, 1999 in reference to Support for Long Gully Redevelopment Report - Henderson. The key recommendations of the final report of the Bendigo's Long Gully Estate Redevelopment Advisory Committee have been endorsed by the Minister for Housing, Ann Henderson. There was to be construction of new public and private housing which reflected the current local community needs.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - support for long gully redevelopment report - henderson, office of the minister for housing, ann henderson, ron best mlc, anne stanford

View looking north along Main Road, Eltham from near present day Dudley Street. On the immediate left is the railway station. The large weatherboard building on the bend (opposite present-day Arthur Street) with signs for General Store, Refreshments and Summer Drinks painted on the side is Luther and Ada Haley’s General Store and Bakery, built 1902. This was the first building in what is now Eltham’s present shopping town centre. Haley previously ran the General Store and Bakery on the corner of Main Road and York Street until his lease expired and the premises were bought by Mrs Sarah Burgoyne in 1902. The store later was known as Staff's Store. Followed by the saleyards, entrance to station, slaughter yard and William J Capewell’s butcher shop. Contained within the saleyards facing the street, a small shelter with the name H.H. Clark upon it. Horace Harold Clark was the son of Eltham State School’s first Head Teacher, David George Clark. As well as being a farmer, he was an Estate Agent and conducted auction sales, presumably from this shelter. On the eastern (right) side of Main Street is Haley’s Paddock, which was used on occasions for community picnics. Capable of holding 10,000 people, with ample shade and hilly surroundings it was an ideal place for any community gathering such as the State Schools’ Picnic in 1904. A worker from the bakery store is standing in the gateway at the rear of the store observing the photographer. People in the ‘Sunday Best’ are milling in front of the bakery or strolling down the centre of Main Road. The picture was most likely taken on a Sunday. With the opening of the railway to Eltham in 1902, Melbourne residents would regularly enjoy a Sunday excursion journey on the train to Eltham for a day’s outing to the countryside or beyond to Hurstbridge from 1912 when the railway was extended. Picture dated as c.1910 based on similar picture published in the Weekly Times, Feb. 1912. Cross Ref: 609 (looking south), 612, 611 (later stage), 613.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image (4 x 5 inch negative missing - scanned from print) Printbaker, eltham, eltham railway station, general store, haley's paddock, luther haley, luther haley general store, main road, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, sign, summer drinks, butcher, railway station, w.j. capewell, eltham town centre, hot water, m.m. clark, eltham sale yards, eltham slaughter yard, staffs general store

Copied from brochure "Wattle Valley Estate" 7 minutes from the bridge. The new bridge designed by Sir John Monash over the Diamond Creek near Hurst's home of 'Mia Mia' at Hurstbridge. The Wattle Valley Estate was first advertised in August 1925 as weekend building allotments by the Greater Melbourne Land and Development Company. Advertised from £28.10.0 or £60 per block. In August 1926, 30 picked allotments of 60x150 feet were put up for auction Saturday August 14, 1926 with frontages to Valley View Road and Fawkner Crescent advertised in the “Heart of the Glorious Wattle Country” and “Within 15 Minutes of the Newly Electrified Railway Station”. The Advertiser on August 13, 1926 in an article promoting the auction stated “the estate is regarded as one of the best in the district, and will be sold practically without reserve.” It is noted that an advertisement running in The Argus February 22, 1951 offered the remaining 16 blocks for sale at £12.10.0 or £200 the lot. By March 7, the remaining blocks were advertised at £17.10.0 The Wattle Valley Estate took over 20 years to sell and then people could not build on them This image was also used in a brochure advertising the "Wattle Valley Estate", which forms part of the Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection (Cross Reference Photo No.(s): 1056, 1057)This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, hurstbridge, bridge, diamond creek (creek), monash bridge, wattle valley estate

Copied from brochure "Wattle Valley Estate". The new bridge designed by Sir John Monash over the Diamond Creek near Hurst's original home "Mia Mia" seen in the distance. Reprinted from brochure advertising "Wattle Valley Estate" 7 minutes from bridge. The Wattle Valley Estate was first advertised in August 1925 as weekend building allotments by the Greater Melbourne Land and Development Company. Advertised from £28.10.0 or £60 per block. In August 1926, 30 picked allotments of 60x150 feet were put up for auction Saturday August 14, 1926 with frontages to Valley View Road and Fawkner Crescent advertised in the “Heart of the Glorious Wattle Country” and “Within 15 Minutes of the Newly Electrified Railway Station”. The Advertiser on August 13, 1926 in an article promoting the auction stated “the estate is regarded as one of the best in the district, and will be sold practically without reserve.” It is noted that an advertisement running in The Argus February 22, 1951 offered the remaining 16 blocks for sale at £12.10.0 or £200 the lot. By March 7, the remaining blocks were advertised at £17.10.0 The Wattle Valley Estate took over 20 years to sell and then people could not build on them This image was also used in a brochure advertising the "Wattle Valley Estate", which forms part of the Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection (Cross Reference Photo No.(s): 1056, 1057). Also cross reference SEPP_1028 / 29 for other views of Mia Mia. Part of a slide show presentation "Bridges & Waterways of the Shire" by Russell Yeoman to the 13 September 1989 Society meeting. The presentation included slides of historic photos from the Shire of Eltham Pioneers collections as well as several recent views. This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, hurstbridge, mia mia, bridge, diamond creek (creek), monash bridge, wattle valley estate

Picnickers enjoying a Sunday outing near the Wattle Valley Estate at Hurstbridge. Copied from brochure "Wattle Valley Estate". It is believed the picture is taken at the northwest corner of the intersection of Wattletree Road and Hurstbridge-Arthurs Creek Road looking southeast towards the township (most likely where the house is located on the property of what is today No. 2 Wattletree Road)- https://goo.gl/maps/VDorwCe1rJJUapjE6 According to a comment by Jean Verso (via @nillumbikcouncil FB page 3 Jan 2020) - "This view is from Wattle Tree Road with Haleys Gully Road to the right and across the creek to William Gray's nursery at Allwood. The building to the far left looks like Dorset House. The building on the left in the middle distance is still there today and has been used for storage and as a stable/tack room for a number of years." The Wattle Valley Estate was first advertised in August 1925 as weekend building allotments by the Greater Melbourne Land and Development Company. Advertised from £28.10.0 or £60 per block. In August 1926, 30 picked allotments of 60x150 feet were put up for auction Saturday August 14, 1926 with frontages to Valley View Road and Fawkner Crescent advertised in the “Heart of the Glorious Wattle Country” and “Within 15 Minutes of the Newly Electrified Railway Station”. The Advertiser on August 13, 1926 in an article promoting the auction stated “the estate is regarded as one of the best in the district, and will be sold practically without reserve.” It is noted that an advertisement running in The Argus February 22, 1951 offered the remaining 16 blocks for sale at £12.10.0 or £200 the lot. By March 7, the remaining blocks were advertised at £17.10.0 The Wattle Valley Estate took over 20 years to sell and then people could not build on them Cross Ref EDHS_02665 Rose Series Postcard P. 4341, "View at Hurstbridge, Vic." Also, other images from sales brochure SEPP_1055 / 1056This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg1925, dorset house, fawkner crescent, haleys gully road, hurstbridge, hurstbridge-arthurs creek road, picnic, postcards, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, valley view road, wattle valley estate, wattletree road, exhibition yprl 2019-12

N. J. Tillings Timber Factory was part of the Brougham Street, Light industrial area, Eltham. Brick bulidings includes signage: Wakefield Pr... (printer?) No 17 Building C. This is one of 7 B/W 8x10 inch photos with notes on obverse by Dick Crichton. Accompanying letter from Florence Chrichton 2013 : "Originally sent to Shire of Eltham Engineer, Mr. McDonald. [These photographs were part of their campaign to the Shire of Eltham in 1975] claiming that the zoning regulations were being breached by the occupants of various factories in the nearby light industrial zone [Brougham Street, Eltham] - to the detriment of those living in adjoining residential zones, and that, despite .. earlier objections and complaints, nothing was done about it."1 black and white photograph printed with white borderInscribed on back: "Photo taken from corner Bolton and Brougham Streets showing undeveloped light industrial land used as storage (of portable toilets!). In the best tradition of Robin Boyd's 'Great Australian Ugliness.' Infringement of zoning regulations." industrial estate, brougham street, eltham, portable tiolets, 1975, bolton street, dick crichton, n.j. tillings, timber factory, shire of eltham

Rose Series Postcard P. 4341 “View at Hurstbridge, Vic.” Picnickers enjoying a Sunday outing near the Wattle Valley Estate at Hurstbridge. Copied from brochure "Wattle Valley Estate". It is believed the picture is taken at the northwest corner of the intersection of Wattletree Road and Hurstbridge-Arthurs Creek Road looking southeast towards the township (most likely where the house is located on the property of what is today No. 2 Wattletree Road)- https://goo.gl/maps/VDorwCe1rJJUapjE6 According to a comment by Jean Verso (via @nillumbikcouncil FB page 3 Jan 2020) - "This view is from Wattle Tree Road with Haleys Gully Road to the right and across the creek to William Gray's nursery at Allwood. The building to the far left looks like Dorset House. The building on the left in the middle distance is still there today and has been used for storage and as a stable/tack room for a number of years." The Wattle Valley Estate was first advertised in August 1925 as weekend building allotments by the Greater Melbourne Land and Development Company. Advertised from £28.10.0 or £60 per block. In August 1926, 30 picked allotments of 60x150 feet were put up for auction Saturday August 14, 1926 with frontages to Valley View Road and Fawkner Crescent advertised in the “Heart of the Glorious Wattle Country” and “Within 15 Minutes of the Newly Electrified Railway Station”. The Advertiser on August 13, 1926 in an article promoting the auction stated “the estate is regarded as one of the best in the district, and will be sold practically without reserve.” It is noted that an advertisement running in The Argus February 22, 1951 offered the remaining 16 blocks for sale at £12.10.0 or £200 the lot. By March 7, the remaining blocks were advertised at £17.10.0 The Wattle Valley Estate took over 20 years to sell and then people could not build on them Cross Ref SEPP_1057, “Popular Picnicing at Hurstbridge” rcopied from Wattle Valley estate sales brochure.Digital file only Postcards scanned from the collection of Michael Aitken on loan to EDHS, 13 Feb 20181925, dorset house, exhibition yprl 2019-12, fawkner crescent, haleys gully road, hurstbridge, hurstbridge-arthurs creek road, michael aitken collection, picnic, postcards, rose stereograph company, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, valley view road, wattle valley estate, wattletree road

Arched Bridge (Monash Bridge) The Rose Series P. 4036 Reproduced in a brochure advertising the "Wattle Valley Estate" 7 minutes from the bridge. The new bridge designed by Sir John Monash over the Diamond Creek near Hurst's original home "Mia Mia" seen in the distance. The Wattle Valley Estate was first advertised in August 1925 as weekend building allotments by the Greater Melbourne Land and Development Company. Advertised from £28.10.0 or £60 per block. In August 1926, 30 picked allotments of 60x150 feet were put up for auction Saturday August 14, 1926 with frontages to Valley View Road and Fawkner Crescent advertised in the “Heart of the Glorious Wattle Country” and “Within 15 Minutes of the Newly Electrified Railway Station”. The Advertiser on August 13, 1926 in an article promoting the auction stated “the estate is regarded as one of the best in the district, and will be sold practically without reserve.” It is noted that an advertisement running in The Argus February 22, 1951 offered the remaining 16 blocks for sale at £12.10.0 or £200 the lot. By March 7, the remaining blocks were advertised at £17.10.0 The Wattle Valley Estate took over 20 years to sell and then people could not build on them.Digital file only Postcards scanned from the collection of Michael Aitken on loan to EDHS, 13 Feb 2018michael aitken collection, postcards, hurstbridge, monash bridge, bridge, diamond creek (creek), mia mia, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, wattle valley estate

Book. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 189 page hardcover biography of Edward Granville Theodore, State and Federal politician, Union organiser, Premier of Queensland, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer in the Scullin Government. Forward by E. G. Whitlam. Illustrated with B & W photos. Published in 1971 by Alpha Books, Sydney and printed by the Griffin Press, Adelaide. Catalogue sticker ''2167 YOU'' on spine. Handwritten in biro on flyleaf ''For A. H. Chisholm Esq with kind regards and best wishes and the hope this book recalls interesting events, John Theodore 4.11.71''. Also a newspaper cutting (3-4-74) pasted on flyleaf relating to the estate of Mr N. B. Theodore. SBN 35553 064 2.Irwin Youngbooks, collections, biography, alec h chisholm collection, edward granville theodore, irwin young, n.b.theodore, e.g.whitlam, biography, politics

Handwritten notes and typed copy of same, on Lansell's Big 180 Mine. Notes mention Sill of Shaft, Depth of Shaft, working 1871 to 1906. Notes include geographical features met in mining and best yields for Sept. and Dec. 1885 and March, June & Sept 1886. Notes taken from M. D. and Bendigo Advertiser. Albert Richardson Collection. document, gold, lansell's big 180 mine, lansell's big 180 mine, notes on lansell's big 180 mine, m d, bendigo advertiser, lansell's estate.

Documents. Connelly, Tatchell & Dunlop Legal Papers. 1 - 1886 - Letter from Brown G Harp--? 2 - 1886 - Letter from Morrow Thomas, General Mercantile, Auctioneer, Stock Station & Estate Salesman, Inglewood. 3 - 1886 - Letter from Bennett, Attenborough, Wilks & Nunn, Melbourne. 4 - 1886 - Post Office Telegraph re McClean. 5 - 1886 - Letter from Office of Titles - Gibbs Rich - Registrar of Titles. 6 - 1886 - Letter from Bennett, Attenborough, Wilks & Nunn re Brierley Dr. 7 - 1886 - Letter from Scott Henry, Cooma Via Tatura re Scott David, Deceased. 8 - 1886 - Letter from Merrifield G, Solicitor, Castlemaine re Best & North Beehive Co. 9 - 1886 - Letter from Bennett, Attenborough, Wilks & Nunn re Budd H H. 10 - 1886 - Postcard from Inspector of Accounts, to Bennett, Attenborough, Wilks & Connelly, Sandhurst.cottage, miners, connelly, tatchell & dunlop, brown g harp?, morrow t, bennett attenborough wilks & nunn, mcclean, gibbs r, brierley dr, scott h, scott d, merrifield g, best & north beehive co, budd h h

Nathan Frederick Spielvogel (1874-1956), teacher, writer and historian, was born on 10 May 1874 at Ballarat, Victoria. as well as his stories he published a number of Books about the history of Ballarat. Spielvogel taught at Orbost for at least a year and this book reflects that time. Spielvogel was a teacher, writer and historian. As a country schoolteacher, he traveled widely in the eastern Australian outback and also made a journey to London. Spielvogel gained distinction as one of the only Australian Jewish writers of his time. Many of his early books were best-sellers. He has an association with the history of Orbost having spent a year as a teacher at Orbost. The book also has an association with J.W. Bird an early auctioneer and estate agent in Orbost.A small 124 pp book with a pink, white and red cover with an illustration of a fisherman at a river. It is titled "The Gumsucker at Home" by N. F. Spielvogel.inside cover - J. W. Birdspielvogel-nathan the-gumsucker-at-home australian-literature

This majestic peacock embodies the technical achievement, skill and ingenuity of artisans during the 19th century. It is now known as the 'Loch Ard Peacock' and was designed and modelled in 1873 by Paul Comolera (1818-1897) and fired in one piece at the Minton factory at Stoke-on-Trent in the United Kingdom in 1875. The peacock has been portrayed in symbolic motifs and has figured heavily in folktales and fables since antiquity, and many cultures around the world see it as a symbol of beauty, rebirth and power. Wealthy Victorians loved majolica, and the large peacock would have been the ultimate home accessory as a conservatory ornament – combining their desire for nature, the exotic and vibrant colours. The peacock model was listed in catalogues by Minton & Co. for a retail price of 35 guineas or sold as a pair for 90 guineas. Minton & Co. was founded in 1793 by Thomas Minton (1765–1836) and became a famous pottery and porcelain manufacturer. Comolera was a French artist and sculptor, renowned for dramatic naturalistic forms and life-size renditions of birds and animals that won him admiration in public and artistic circles. He was employed by Minton & Co. from 1873 to 1880, and the life-sized peacock became his best-known work. Comolera kept a live peacock loaned from the nearby Duke of Sutherland's Trentham Hall Estate in his studio to create a life-size model of fine buff earthenware model, which was then hand painted in brilliantly coloured green and blue glazes to mimic the peafowl’s dazzling plumage. There are no surviving production records, but according to documents in the Minton Archive, nine peacocks were made by Comolera. However, today, some historians now believe that twelve were fired at the Minton factory; research is ongoing. These peacocks were so admired that Minton & Co. used them as exhibition showpieces at International Exhibitions in London, Paris, and the United States of America, ensuring the company had a worldwide reputation. So, when Melbourne hosted an International Exposition in 1880, Minton & Co. sent out ceramics and tiles, and in particular, this peacock was intended to be part of their exhibit in the British Court in the Exhibition Building, built in the Carlton Gardens. The early dispatch date (1878) indicates that the company may have intended to exhibit their wares, including the peacock, at the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition, but the company did not take up this option. The ship that Minton & Co. used to bring the peacock and their other wares to the Australian colonies was the ill-fated Loch Ard, which sunk after striking Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell, Victoria, in calm foggy weather in June 1878 on the final leg of the ship's journey to Melbourne. The loss of 52 lives made it one of Victoria’s worst shipwrecks. Therefore, this peacock never made it to the grand exposition in Melbourne, as Minton & Co. had planned. Charles McGillivray dragged this peacock, still in its original packing case, onto the beach in the gorge just two days after the Loch Ard went down. The peacock was rescued unscathed apart from a chip on its beak (only repaired in 1988). After a disagreement with a Melbourne Customs Officer, Joseph Daish, McGillivray stopped his salvage operations, leaving the peacock on the beach. The second salvagers were James Miller and Thomas Keys. Miller was a member of the firm Howarth, Miller and Matthews, Geelong, who had brought the salvage rights to the Loch Ard wreck on 10 June. When Miller and Keys arrived at the wreck site, a storm had washed many of the salvaged goods, including this peacoc,k back into the sea. The two men found the peacock in its case ‘bobbing along in the water’ and pulled it back to the beach. To ensure the peacock wasn't washed out to sea again, Miller and Keys hauled the packing case containing the peacock up the gorge's cliff face to the top, ready to be transported. In an interview in 1928, Keys claimed that at the time of the rescue, the head had broken from the body. This account was proven to be true in 1988, following the birds' display in Brisbane. This peacock began its life in Australia, not in the grandeur of an International Exhibition as intended, but in the hallway of a simple domestic house in Geelong. It appears Minton & Co. did not attempt to buy this peacock back. Florence Miller, daughter of James Miller (Loch Ard salvage rights holder), later remarked that the only item of real value rescued from the wreck had been the peacock and that this had been kept by her father in the family home at Malvern for many years and became a treasured family possession. As such, this 'Loch Ard peacock' was almost forgotten and mistaken with other Minton peacocks around the world. Miss Florence Miller tried to sell the peacock due to financial difficulties in the 1930s but was unsuccessful. While attempting to sell her Loch Ard relic, it was displayed in the window of the old Argus newspaper office, which was at 76 Collins Street, Melbourne; the Argus had relocated to the corner of Elizabeth and La Trobe Streets in 1926. Between 1935 and 1939, the old Argus building was occupied by the Joshua N. McClelland Print Room, which sold not only paintings and prints but also antiques and authentic replicas, as well as hosting exhibitions. Miss Florence Miller loaned her peacock for display at the Victorian Historical Exhibition held in the National Gallery on 1st June 1935, the 57th anniversary of the Loch Ard wreck. As a result, the peacock attracted public attention in books, newspapers and magazine articles that told the story of its survival from a shipwreck. Miss Florence Miller was keen to sell the peacock, even writing overseas to Captain Blain on November 30th, 1938, about the possibility of a sale, but this became no longer possible due to the outbreak of war. Recent information points to the Loch Ard peacock being owned by John S R Heath before its sale to Frank Ridley-Lee in May 1941. Research is ongoing, but it seems likely that John Samuel Robert Heath, a leading Melbourne dentist with a practice in Collins Street, and his wife, a dental mechanic, had purchased Miss Miller’s Loch Ard peacock before its sale in 1941. They were lovers of fine arts, music, wine and food. The peacock in the window of the old Argus building could have attracted their attention as they had already purchased the old stone Presbyterian Church on Warrigal Road, Oakleigh, in 1933 and had converted its interior. The home, renamed The Studio, even included Melbourne’s first all-electric kitchen. The peacock was perfect for display in the Studio’s entrance. A magazine article published after the conversion was completed included photographs of the interior. The picture of the ‘portico’ had a caption below that stated, “Some of her [Mrs Heath’s] finest pottery was salvaged from the Loch Ard Wreck”. In 2025, Heath’s two remaining sons remember running around in the entrance with the peacock standing there, oblivious to its value. Heath was an accomplished artist, studying under Max Meldrum. He painted and exhibited his works at The Studio and in a public exhibition, and he was a finalist eight times in the coveted Archibald Prize portrait competition, including the submission of his self-portrait that is now part of his grandson’s collection. The next owner of the Loch Ard Peacock was Frank Ridley-Lee. He displayed it at his home in Ivanhoe after buying it at an auction in May 1941. The peacock remained in the hands of the Ridley-Lee family until it was offered for sale by auction in 1975 as part of an art collection belonging to Mrs Ridley-Lee's estate. The peacock was not sold at this time, as the reserve price of $4500 was not met. This news was passed on to the board of the newly created Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Urgent efforts were made to collect the necessary money through fundraising by the Warrnambool City Council and public donations. The Fletcher Jones Company and the Victorian Government contributed half the cost. On 9 September 1975, the Loch Ard peacock was purchased by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, and it found a new home at the maritime museum. Since then, it has only left Warrnambool twice. Firstly, in 1980, at the centenary celebrations of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, and secondly, in 1988, the peacock was given pride of place at the entrance to the Victorian Pavilion at the Brisbane World Expo, acknowledging that this Minton Majolica peacock is the most significant shipwreck object in Australia. The Minton majolica peacock is considered of historical social and aesthetic significance to Victoria and is one of only a few 'objects' registered on the Victorian Heritage Register (H 2132), as it is a most notable and rare object associated with the Minton factory of the 1870s and works by the celebrated sculptor Paul Comolera along with the wreck of the Loch Ard on the Victorian coastline. This Minton peacock is historically significant for its rarity; it was one of only 9-12 known to exist. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is also of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register Ref (S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's early social and historical themes. The collection is historically significant is that it is associated, unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. The peacock, resplendent in polychrome glaze, stands perched on a rocky plinth decorated with vines, leaves, flowers, blackberries and wild mushrooms. The peacock’s breast is cobalt blue; the wings and legs are in naturalistic colours. The tail is a mass of feathers coloured in green, ochre blue and brown — a fantastic display of artistry and Minton expertise. Inscribed at the base :P Comolera, and a Minton & Co. design number: 2045.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, loch ard, loch ard gorge, peacock, paul comolera, victorian heritage register, minton peacock, minton & co., stoke upon trent, bird figures, mintons, ceramics, international expositions, majolica, naturalistic, staffordshire, john samuel robert heath, peacock statue, loch ard peacock, majorca peacock

SS0261 is the covering letter from Beth Little, dated 31/3/1969, which states: "Please fined enclosed the photographs I took of Landy's 80 yr. old home which was moved just before last Christmas to another site on their estate...it was built by some people by the name of Patterson and originally included the Byways Estate and other land which extended up to about Lillis Crt. The land known as Byways Estate was sold off to a Mr Best by a later owner so far as I can find out.." Written on back of photographs: SS0261a:From about where the feed shed was. SS0261b:Looking up driveway towards the east. Landys home (formerly Patersons). Byways estate area (East Ringwood) SS0261c:Eastern side of house (officially the front). SS0261d:Stable and feed shed now demolished. Wooden tank on right-hand side. SS0261e:Southern side. Well to left of far end of house wall

Development of Coolooli Estate with property titles and leaflets for the sale of "Byways" homestead, 4 Byways Drive, Ringwood East. Also the house at 9 Walhalla Drive, Ringwood East. Correspondence between David Best and Richard Carter re the estate. Coolooli subdivision includes lots fronting Isabel Avenue, Byways Drive, Coolooli Court, Walhalla Drive and Cleland Street. Property Titleholders include: George Blood William Chelman Thurgood Frederick Deine Laurie Arthur Wigley Charles Patterson Mary Aphra Patterson John Douse Langley August DiGilio Kenneth Ross Landy Mervyn MacPherson Brewer Richard Blennenhassett Best Jessie May Cleland John Brian Little Robert William Campbell Lynette Marie Campbell Lorraine Ruby Campbell David Charles Nicholls Barbara Janette Nicholls Ian Finlay Packer Nellie Packer

A supplement to celebrate 150 since the establishment of the Port Phillip Colony (Victoria).40 page newspaper published to celebrate the Sesquicentenary of Ballarat. Articles include: 1838-the pastoral period begins; First White Settlers arrive (Anderson, Winter, Yuille, Kirkland, Learmonth); Learmonths - Pioneer Settlers; The Rush to Ballarat; Last of the Aborigines; Eureka Affair Gains New Importance; Mining-After the rush; SMB - First Technical School; Clubs Play their Part; Ballarat Yuilles had Wealthy Ancestors; Town, Country Share a Close Relationship; Many Sides to Metals Industry; True Victorian City; Five Severe Recessions; Financiers to the Fore; Ready for War; City Rich in Sport Facilities; Visitors to most exciting place; No Place for a Nervous Lady; Theatres Provide Welcome Diversion for Mines; Might Achievers Among famous Citizens; Life Seemed Different After the War; Ballarat School of Mines Eastern Station Hotel; Memorial (Her Majesty's) Last of Many Theatres; Art Gallery at its Best; Pilgrimage to Yuille Cairn at Sebastopol Images include: Jelbart tractor; Sunshine Harvester; Bailey's Mansion; Pennyweight Hotel; Bridge Mall; Blue Riband Mine, Black Hill, Burrumbeet Shooting party; A wendouree rowing club; Motor Cycle Racing; Women bowlers, Queen Elizabeth; Gong Gong Methodist Church; Arbour day at Waterloo Farm, Smythes Rd; Gold panners (1890s); Ballarat Cricket Team (1902); William Peart; D'Angri's store; Sturt St Advertisements include: Rehfisch and Co.; UFS Dispensaries; Deutscher Mower Sales and Service; Haymes Paint; Cincotta's; Abraham's Sportscene; McK's; McKay Macleod; St John of God Hospital; Benjamins Real Estate; Ballarat Water Board; Cornell's Pharmacy; Laminex Industries; Coltman Mitre 10; Lal Lal Iron Mine; Heinz Bros; Crockers; Frank ford travel; S.J. Weir; Ludbrook Plumbing Service; Mars; Robert Sim Building Supplies, Frank Day; Sectrol Systems; Thornton Richardsballarat, anniversary, sydney abraham, cincotta, eureka, ballarat school of mines, mining, ballarat club, lal lal iron mine, ballarat rangers, victorian rifles, 3rd battalion victorian rifles, ballarat militia, white flat, celia scott, adelphi theatre, victoria theatre, montezuma theatre, charlie napier, juliamatthews, royal theatre, dick richards, henry sutton, eleanor lucus, martin hosking, newington estate, saleyards, g. gay & co, ballarat books, old benev' alleviated distress on goldfields

The Pitman Benjamin Prize for Engineering Sustainability is awarded to the Civil Engineering student whose thesis best promotes sustainable engineering. It is awarded in memory of a Heather Pitman, the first woman to graduate in Engineering at Ballarat. The Pitman Benjamin Prize for Engineering Sustainability is sponsored by Benjamin Real Estate, and was first awarded in 2006. Heather was the first female graduate from Ballarat College of Advanced Education and obtained outstanding results. Throughout her career she worked predominantly in local government and for much of that time with the Shire of Ballarat, then the City of Ballarat. During that time she worked as a civil engineer and in planning. Heather was a trail blazer in many respects and was one of the first women to be employed into an engineering position at that time. It was not easy, and she applied for about 200 jobs before being employed by the Shire of Greensborough, north of Melbourne. In 2002 Heather Pitman was Land Development Engineer with the City of Ballarat. The following year she was the City of Ballarat's Manager, Building & Assets. Award sponsor Terry Benjamin was a great mentor of Heather’s sponsoring the award in her memory when she died suddenly at the age of 48. Honour Board, gold lettering University of Ballarat. Black lettering The Pitman Benjamin Prize for Engineering Sustainability. The Pitman Benjamin Prize for Engineering Sustainability has been awarded to: * 2006 - Nathan Whittle; * 2007 - Christopher Quinn; * 2008 - Vinoch Ravi; * 2009 - Troy Vanberkel; * 2010 - Nil; * 2011 - Craig Furniss; * 2012 - Joshua Handreck; * 2013 - Matthew Willis (not on board 10/6/2014); * 2013 - Daniel Camilleri (not on board 10/6/2014);pitman benjamin, nathan whittle, christopher quinn, vinodh ravi, troy vanberkel, craig furniss, joshua handreck, prize, engineering, sustainability, heather pitman, stuart benjamin, benjamin real estate

This douche, with the manufacturers object description of "heisswasserspulungen" which translates as healing water douche, came from the Edward Rowden White Estate. The heisswasserpular designed by Dr Walzer-Frank was used as a vaginal douche by attaching a rubber hose to the glass connector which was then inserted into the vagina. Acquired from Dr Harold Attwood, the Curator of the Medical History Unit, University of Melbourne, 2 April 1996. In a letter to Geoff Bishop ... " I think they are best held in your collection rather than here." (see accession file)Transferred from the collection of the Medical Unit (Brownless Medical Museum) University of Melbourne, from the Sir Edward Rowden White Estate. Sir Edward (1884-1958) was a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Regional Council of RCOG and was the first Chairman of the Arthur Wilson Foundation, and created (with his brother) the EA Rowden White and Edward R White Foundation for Medical Research at the Royal Women's Hospital in 1955. Black bakelite bulb with glass douche nozzle and irrigator connections at each end. Stored in original box. Handwritten in blue pencil on side of box: "Vaginal Douche".vaginal irrigation

Sitting on a prime piece of real estate, over time there have been discussions on the best use of the site. Whilst there is no longer any suggestion of selling the site, it's ongoing development is still being discussed. Serious consideration was given to selling the St. Kilda Rd property to developers and changing sites. No indication is given for the rejection of this proposal, possibly in Board minutes of the time. This provides an insight into the pressures in the 1970s to sell the current site. A black foolscrap folder containing typed minutes of meetings of the Investigation Committee which was set up to investigate proposals which had been suggested regarding a future land policy. The meetings were held between 1970 and 1973. On front label: "MINITUES -/INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE/P.I.P." handwritten deaf children australia, dca, victorian school for deaf children, vsdc, st. kilda rd, the bluestone building

A group of five men dressed in hats and overcoats look at caged cockatoos. Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer: On 25 June 1934, new Victorian Governor, His Excellency Lord Huntingfield and his wife Lady Huntingfield made an official visit to the Melbourne Zoological Gardens in order to grant his patronage to the Royal Zoological and Acclimatisation Society. The zoo director, Mr. Andrew Wilkie, introduced them to the cockatoos in the flight aviary. The Argus newspaper reported the visit in the following morning’s issue: "Birds' Greeting To Governor. Visit to Zoological Gardens. "A Very Important Society." "Cheery shouts of "Hullo!" and requests for drinks greeted His Excellency the Governor (Lord Huntingfield) on one of his official visits yesterday morning. Lady Huntingfield, who accompanied him, was asked loudly for a kiss. They were inspecting the huge cockatoo aviary at the Zoological Gardens after Lord Huntingfield had granted his patronage to the Royal Zoological and Acclimatisation Society. Both obviously enjoyed the democratic experience. It was explained to them that most of the cockatoos had been presented by residents of flats, whose neighbours objected to the noise of the birds, while others were protected birds which had been surrendered. Lord Huntingfield recalled that he had taken two Australian cockatoos to England when he left Australia in his youth. One, a galah, had lived in England for many years." In 1929, the Zoo built a commodious new flight aviary at the cost of several thousand pounds and Zoo director, Mr Andrew Wilkie, sent out an appeal published in newspapers Australia-wide for donations of parrots from all states. Many of the parrot species he wanted were protected and a special permit needed for their capture, however Mr Wilkie guaranteed he would obtain authority from the Fisheries and Game Department and that the cost of transit would be borne by the Zoo. The wanted birds were "Parrots - Black-tailed, Rock Pebbler, King, Superb, Grass (all kinds), Swamp or Ground, Mallee or Ringneck" and "Cockatoo[s] - Black, Pink or Major Mitchell, Gang-Gang". The Zoo asked that the birds be sent in boxes large enough to prevent overcrowding, contain food and water and the Zoo notified on the type and number of birds in transit. All boxes were to be addressed to 'The Zoo, Melbourne'. A letter from a reader appeared in the Weekly Times newspaper's popular "Camp-fire Circle" page for "Young Australians", 11 May 1929: "Dear Pal, I am much interested in your page, especially the nature notes. I have a pet parrot, but I don’t like to see it shut up in a cage, so I am giving it to the Melbourne Zoo. It can whistle 'Pretty Joey' and 'What's the Matter with Father' and is just learning to whistle for the dog... Wishing you and the Camp-fire Circle success." - Murray Holmes (Gorae, Vic.) The fate of this talented parrot is unknown, however in 1932, this young naturist, T Murray Holmes, 1912-1947, collected for the first time a type specimen, blue star sun orchid from Gorae (near Portland, Victoria), and it was named in his honour, Thelymitra holmesii. Murray was described by orchid collector W H Nicholls as "a youthful and energetic orchidologist, who added much to our knowledge of the orchids of south-western Victoria." Murray Holmes enlisted in the army in 1941 and fought in the Middle East before being sent to Java. In 1942 he was captured by the Japanese and became a prisoner of war for three years, working on the notorious Thai-Burma railway. Murray's health was undermined though ill treatment and starvation and he returned to Australia after the war, broken and sick. He died aged 35 in 1947. He was intensely interested in the flora and fauna of the Gorae area to the end. Murray's parents received over 200 tributes of respect for their son - too many to answer personally so they put a notice in the Portland Guardian thanking "all kind friends and relatives for letters, cards, floral tributes and personal expressions of sympathy received in their recent sad bereavement - the lamented death of their loved son, Murray." Andrew Arthur Wellesley Wilkie, 1853-1948, was Director of the Melbourne Zoo from 1923 to 1936 and was associated with the zoo for 70 years. He first worked as a horticultural assistant to Government botanist Baron Ferdinand von Mueller at the Botanical Gardens at the age of 13, along with his older brother David. One of Andrew’s jobs was to capture moths for the National Herbarium. In 1857, a group of prominent Melburnians assembled at St. Patrick’s Hall to form the Zoological Society of Victoria, with the aim of introducing animals and plants from overseas. It was conceived, “For the purposes of science and for that of affording the public the advantages of studying the habits of the animal creation in properly arranged zoological gardens.” The Victorian Government granted 32 acres (13 hectares) of land to the Zoological Society at the southern end of Richmond Paddock on the opposite bank to the Botanical Gardens. (This is where AAMI Stadium and Collingwood Football Club now stand.) In 1861, the Zoological Society of Victoria was renamed The Acclimatisation Society of Victoria. Unfortunately the Yarra River frontage was damp, swampy and subject to flooding, so the animals were briefly housed at the Botanical Gardens until in 1862, the City of Melbourne donated 55 acres (22 hectares) of land at Royal Park for the fledgling zoo. Baron von Mueller secured employment at Royal Park for Andrew and David and they helped to lay out the gardens, plant trees and take care of a collection of deer, pheasants, hares and partridges. Initially the zoo was used for the acclimatisation of animals recovering from the long voyage to Australia and for breeding them for sport. In 1872, the zoo bought two lions, a leopard and a cheetah that had been seized from circus showmen Keith and Phillips when they were unable to pay the bill of butcher Mr T K Bennet of Bourke Street. The first zoo director, Mr. Albert Le Souef, negotiated with captains of ships to buy animals at overseas ports they visited and soon a multitude of exotic species arrived, including a ten-year-old Indian elephant in 1878. In 1923, after being head keeper for some years, Andrew was appointed director of the zoo. By 1933, the zoo had 110 different species of animals, 200 species of birds and 72 species of reptiles under Andrew’s care. He had personally planted all but six trees and laid out the garden beds. As director he lobbied authorities for funds to build more humane enclosures for the animals. In June 1928, Table Talk magazine wrote of Andrew Wilkie: “Up at the Zoo there is a humble gentleman who is a lion among the lions, who knows the proper specific to employ when the boa constrictor has chilblains, and who is a friend and confidant of Queenie the elephant. His fount of zoological lore has never been plumbed. It is bottomless, like his good fellowship and geniality. Every day he may be seen somewhere in the grounds of that growing sanctuary for the strange and arresting fauna and creeping things of the world, and I assure you as one who is privy to his passion that that area and its inhabitants are rarely out of his thoughts.” Andrew retired from the zoo in 1936 at the age of 83 and in 1948 died at his home in Brunswick aged 94. He and his wife Josephine had six children. The Victorian Acclimatisation Society was founded in 1861 by Edward Wilson, 1813-1878, then owner and editor of The Argus newspaper. He said that Australian indigenous animals were practically useless, providing only “a little sport and an occasional meal”. The Society believed that Australia’s plants and animals were vastly inferior to those in Europe. They wanted to introduce and acclimatise to Victoria “all innoxious animals, birds, fishes, insects and vegetables, whether useful or ornamental” for sport and for the table, and to spread indigenous animals and plants from the colony around the world. Their motto was “if it lives, we want it”. The Society was primarily responsible for introducing sparrows, starlings, sambar and hog deer, ostriches, brown trout, blackberries, and carp to the Murray River. They released the European songbirds, thrush and blackbird to quell the homesickness of British settlers. The Society also sent Australian animals like platypus, echidnas, kangaroos and koalas to Europe for scientific and novelty purposes. Thomas Austin, a wealthy sheep farmer of Barwon Park, Winchelsea (property now owned by the National Trust) was a member and in 1859 he introduced hares, blackbirds, thrushes and partridges onto his property. He is probably best known for introducing 24 breeding rabbits onto his estate as game for shooting parties. Thomas quipped, “The introduction of a few rabbits could do little harm and might provide a touch of home, in addition to a spot of hunting." In 2022, genomic data confirmed that Australia’s feral rabbit population is entirely descended from these rabbits. Biological control has brought the rabbit population down from an estimated high of 10 billion rabbits in the 1920s to approximately 200 million today, inhabiting 70% of Australian landmass (5.3 million square kilometres). In 1872, the Acclimatisation Society was renamed The Zoological and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria and they focused on importing exotic animals for display purposes to the zoo. In 1937, the Royal Acclimatisation Society of Victoria was recreated as the Zoological Board of Victoria with a focus on research of native animals threatened with extinction. In an editorial for The Argus newspaper, 16 March 1856, Edward Wilson lamented: "...this country has been shamelessly stolen from the blacks. Had they been like the New Zealanders or the North American Indians, we should have bought their land, and supplied them with the means of living when we took it... In less than twenty years we have nearly swept them off the face of the earth. We have shot them down like dogs. In the guise of friendship we have issued corrosion sublimate in their damper, and consigned whole tribes to the agonies of an excruciating death. We have made them drunkards, and infected them with disease which has rotted the bones of their adults, and made such few children as are born amongst them a sorrow and a torture from the very instant of their birth. We have made them outcasts on their own land, and are rapidly consigning them to entire annihilation. There are but a few of them left, comparatively. This is what we would do for that few. We would feed and clothe every one of them.” [Note: this last sentence is italicized in the original newspaper article text]. Lord Huntingfield, (William Charles Arcedeckne Vanneck) 1883-1969, Governor of Victoria 1934-1939, was a British Conservative Party politician and the first ever Australian-born Governor of an Australian state (although he was always considered British). He was patron of the Royal Zoological and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria and was acting Governor-General for six months during the absence of Lord Gowie in 1938. Lady Huntingfield (née Margaret Eleanor Crosby) 1884-1943, his American-born wife showed great interest in social welfare and the advancement of women and children. She was president of the City Newsboys Society and Patroness of the Girls Friendly Society. In 1937, rose breeder Alister Clark named a yellow hybrid tea rose for her. In 1940, the City of Melbourne opened the Lady Huntingfield Free Kindergarten in North Melbourne, now the Lady Huntingfield Early Learning and Family Services Centre. Lady Huntingfield died in London in 1943 after her house was bombed during a German airstrike. The Lady Huntingfield Memorial Scholarship was established after the City of Melbourne raised £1000 in a public appeal conducted in her memory for students undertaking a Social Work degree at the University of Melbourne. It is awarded annually to this day. The Queen Victoria Hospital named a bed in her honour. References: Prominent Personalities ANDREW WILKIE (1928, June 7). Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic. : 1885 - 1939), p. 15. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146562949 BIRDS' GREETING TO GOVERNOR (1934, June 26). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 6. Retrieved August 19, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10950051 Zoo Appealing For Parrots And Cockatoos To Fill Aviary For Children’s Instruction (1929, April 11). The Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954; 1956), p. 31. Retrieved August 23, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article275757361 LETTERS FROM READERS (1929, May 11). Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), p. 50. Retrieved October 6, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223183144 Correspondence. (1929, April 18). Corryong Courier (Vic. : 1894 - 1945), p. 6. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article269039262 'Edward Wilson (journalist)', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Wilson_(journalist) 'Thomas Austin (pastoralist)', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Austin_(pastoralist) 'The Acclimatisation Society was driven by misguided ideals about 'fixing nature' in Australia', ABC News, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-04/acclimatisation-society-introduced-species-history-listen/101588262? utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=safari Touching Canine Devotion. (1942, September 21). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), p. 1 (EVENING). Retrieved October 6, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64381989 OBITUARY (1947, August 11). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), p. 2 (EVENING). Retrieved August 26, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64412155 Family Notices (1947, September 11). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), p. 2 (EVENING). Retrieved October 10, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64412476 'Thelymitra holmesii', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelymitra_holmesii THE ABORIGINES. (1856, March 16). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 4. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4833244Photographer notations on slide: "Vice Regal visit to zoo B42".zoos, governors, 1930-1939, cockatoos

Photographer notations on slide: "Vice Regal visit to zoo B42" Published: The Age, Tuesday 26 June 1934, page 11. Published title: VICE-ROYALTY GREETS THE KING OF THE BEASTS AT THE ZOO. Published caption: “Lord Huntingfield experienced a pleasant “induction ceremony” as Patron of the Royal Zoological and Acclimatisation Society yesterday, when he made a tour of the Zoological Gardens. The picture shows the Governor, accompanied by Lady Huntingfield, inspecting the King of the Beasts, who is submitting to a little playful treatment from the Director of the Gardens, Mr. Wilkie, while the Director whispers in his ear that a distinguished visitor has come to see him.” Trove article identifier: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204818472 Description: A man wearing a hat and suit strokes a caged lion, observed by a man in a hat, scarf and overcoat who is leaning on a walking stick, and a woman in a hat and coat, holding a handbag. They stand behind a protective rail. Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer: Andrew Arthur Wellesley Wilkie, 1853-1948, was Director of the Melbourne Zoo from 1923 to 1936 and was associated with the zoo for 70 years. He first worked as a horticultural assistant to Government botanist Baron Ferdinand von Mueller at the Botanical Gardens at the age of 13, along with his older brother David. One of Andrew’s jobs was to capture moths for the National Herbarium. In 1857, a group of prominent Melburnians assembled at St. Patrick’s Hall to form the Zoological Society of Victoria, with the aim of introducing animals and plants from overseas. It was conceived, “For the purposes of science and for that of affording the public the advantages of studying the habits of the animal creation in properly arranged zoological gardens.” The Victorian Government granted 32 acres (13 hectares) of land to the Zoological Society at the southern end of Richmond Paddock on the opposite bank to the Botanical Gardens. (This is where AAMI Stadium and Collingwood Football Club now stand.) In 1861, the Zoological Society of Victoria was renamed The Acclimatisation Society of Victoria. Unfortunately the Yarra River frontage was damp, swampy and subject to flooding, so the animals were briefly housed at the Botanical Gardens until in 1862, the City of Melbourne donated 55 acres (22 hectares) of land at Royal Park for the fledgling zoo. Baron von Mueller secured employment at Royal Park for Andrew and David and they helped to lay out the gardens, plant trees and take care of a collection of deer, pheasants, hares and partridges. Initially the zoo was used for the acclimatisation of animals recovering from the long voyage to Australia and for breeding them for sport. In 1872, the zoo bought two lions, a leopard and a cheetah that had been seized from circus showmen Keith and Phillips when they were unable to pay the bill of butcher Mr T K Bennet of Bourke Street. The first zoo director, Mr. Albert Le Souef, negotiated with captains of ships to buy animals at overseas ports they visited and soon a multitude of exotic species arrived, including a ten-year-old Indian elephant in 1878. In 1923, after being head keeper for some years, Andrew was appointed director of the zoo. By 1933, the zoo had 110 different species of animals, 200 species of birds and 72 species of reptiles under Andrew’s care. He had personally planted all but six trees and laid out the garden beds. As director he lobbied authorities for funds to build more humane enclosures for the animals. In June 1928, Table Talk magazine wrote of Andrew Wilkie: “Up at the Zoo there is a humble gentleman who is a lion among the lions, who knows the proper specific to employ when the boa constrictor has chilblains, and who is a friend and confidant of Queenie the elephant. His fount of zoological lore has never been plumbed. It is bottomless, like his good fellowship and geniality. Every day he may be seen somewhere in the grounds of that growing sanctuary for the strange and arresting fauna and creeping things of the world, and I assure you as one who is privy to his passion that that area and its inhabitants are rarely out of his thoughts.” Andrew retired from the zoo in 1936 at the age of 83 and in 1948 died at his home in Brunswick aged 94. He and his wife Josephine had six children. Roy, aged 28 in 1934, was a former Wirth’s circus lion who had been left at the zoo at 10 years of age. Andrew visited Roy every day on his rounds and the pair formed a close and affectionate bond. Wireless Weekly magazine in February 1933 reported, “Roy was delighted to see Mr Wilkie, and in a docile manner, approached the bars of his cage and had his head vigorously rubbed by the director, who daily carries out this act of kindness.” As reported in The Herald on 27 October 1936, “Mr Wilkie has also found the old lion docile. He has not shown the animal any particular favouritism, but the lion has shown him a faithfulness that none of the keepers can claim. When Mr Wilkie approaches the bars the lion rolls over and lets the director stroke him and pull his tail. He gets very excited if Mr Wilkie passes without climbing over the protecting rail for a little game.” A 1930 newsreel film shows Andrew stroking Roy’s mane through the bars and the blissed out big cat lying on his back while lifting his chin for a rub. Another newsreel film from the time shows Andrew stroking a lioness and playfully pulling her tail. The Victorian Acclimatisation Society was founded in 1861 by Edward Wilson, 1813-1878, then owner and editor of The Argus newspaper. He said that Australian indigenous animals were practically useless, providing only “a little sport and an occasional meal”. The Society believed that Australia’s plants and animals were vastly inferior to those in Europe. They wanted to introduce and acclimatise to Victoria “all innoxious animals, birds, fishes, insects and vegetables, whether useful or ornamental” for sport and for the table, and to spread indigenous animals and plants from the colony around the world. Their motto was “if it lives, we want it”. The Society was primarily responsible for introducing sparrows, starlings, sambar and hog deer, ostriches, brown trout, blackberries, and carp to the Murray River. They released the European songbirds, thrush and blackbird to quell the homesickness of British settlers. The Society also sent Australian animals like platypus, echidnas, kangaroos and koalas to Europe for scientific and novelty purposes. Thomas Austin, a wealthy sheep farmer of Barwon Park, Winchelsea (property now owned by the National Trust) was a member and in 1859 he introduced hares, blackbirds, thrushes and partridges onto his property. He is probably best known for introducing 24 breeding rabbits onto his estate as game for shooting parties. Thomas quipped, “The introduction of a few rabbits could do little harm and might provide a touch of home, in addition to a spot of hunting." In 2022, genomic data confirmed that Australia’s feral rabbit population is entirely descended from these rabbits. Biological control has brought the rabbit population down from an estimated high of 10 billion rabbits in the 1920s to approximately 200 million today, inhabiting 70% of Australian landmass (5.3 million square kilometres). In 1872, the Acclimatisation Society was renamed The Zoological and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria and they focused on importing exotic animals for display purposes to the zoo. In 1937, the Royal Acclimatisation Society of Victoria was recreated as the Zoological Board of Victoria with a focus on research of native animals threatened with extinction. In an editorial for The Argus newspaper, 16 March 1856, Edward Wilson lamented: "…this country has been shamelessly stolen from the blacks. Had they been like the New Zealanders or the North American Indians, we should have bought their land, and supplied them with the means of living when we took it... In less than twenty years we have nearly swept them off the face of the earth. We have shot them down like dogs. In the guise of friendship we have issued corrosion sublimate in their damper, and consigned whole tribes to the agonies of an excruciating death. We have made them drunkards, and infected them with disease which has rotted the bones of their adults, and made such few children as are born amongst them a sorrow and a torture from the very instant of their birth. We have made them outcasts on their own land, and are rapidly consigning them to entire annihilation. There are but a few of them left, comparatively. This is what we would do for that few. We would feed and clothe every one of them.” [Note: this last sentence is italicized in the original newspaper article text]. Lord Huntingfield, (William Charles Arcedeckne Vanneck) 1883-1969, Governor of Victoria 1934-1939, was a British Conservative Party politician and the first ever Australian-born Governor of an Australian state (although he was always considered British). He was patron of the Royal Zoological and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria and was acting Governor-General for six months during the absence of Lord Gowie in 1938. Lady Huntingfield (née Margaret Eleanor Crosby) 1884-1943, his American-born wife showed great interest in social welfare and the advancement of women and children. She was president of the City Newsboys Society and Patroness of the Girls Friendly Society. In 1937, rose breeder Alister Clark named a yellow hybrid tea rose for her. In 1940, the City of Melbourne opened the Lady Huntingfield Free Kindergarten in North Melbourne, now the Lady Huntingfield Early Learning and Family Services Centre. Lady Huntingfield died in London in 1943 after her house was bombed during a German airstrike. The Lady Huntingfield Memorial Scholarship was established after the City of Melbourne raised £1000 in a public appeal conducted in her memory for students undertaking a Social Work degree at the University of Melbourne. It is awarded annually to this day. The Queen Victoria Hospital named a bed in her honour. References: VICE-ROYALTY GREETS THE KING OF BEASTS AT THE ZOO. (1934, June 26). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved August 18, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204818472 Prominent Personalities ANDREW WILKIE (1928, June 7). Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic. : 1885 - 1939), p. 15. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146562949 'Thomas Austin (pastoralist)', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Austin_(pastoralist) 'Edward Wilson (journalist)', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Wilson_(journalist) THE WOMAN'S WORLD (1934, June 26). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 14. Retrieved August 19, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243164806 MR. WILKIE CAN PULL THE OLD LION'S TAIL (1936, October 27). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved August 18, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article248551307 Director Of Zoo Will Retire Tomorrow--With White Kitten (1936, December 30). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved August 18, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244655203 LIGHT CAR CLUB IN CARICATURE (1931, August 25). The Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954; 1956), p. 24. Retrieved August 19, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article276250310 'The Acclimatisation Society was driven by misguided ideals about 'fixing nature' in Australia', ABC News, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-04/acclimatisation-society-introduced-species-history-listen/101588262?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=safari 'Dr Andrew Wilkie Director Of Melbourne Zoo, With Lion (1930) Video', Pond5 Inc., https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/item/155691351-dr-andrew-wilkie-director-melbourne-zoo-lion-1930 'Kodak Cinegraph Compilation No 12', ACMI Collection, YouTube.com [Zoo footage at 8.33 minutes, Mr Wilkie at 11.04 minutes], https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZZqgSNsP0k THE ABORIGINES. (1856, March 16). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 4. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4833244Photographer notations on slide: "Vice Regal visit to zoo B42".1930-1939, melbourne zoo, animals, hunting, wildlife, royal park, gardens