The Bendigo Operatic Society first appeared with a short piece as part of another concert in July 1898. This was followed by a performance of "Patience" in Oct. 1898 The "Chocolate Soldier is an operetta composed in 1908 by Oscar Straus. It is based on George Bernard Shaw's 1894 play, "Arms and the Man".Souvenir program for the Bendigo Operatic Society presentation of "The Chocolate Soldier" commencing on 18th March 1964 at the Capital Theatre, View Street, Bendigo. Eight-page program with photos of the stars of the show, director, Conductor etc. chocolate soldier, capital theatre

Framed advertising poster for The Chocolate Soldier at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne Saturday 17 February 1912

Bendigo Operatic Society ''The Chocolate Soldier'' Capital Theatre View St. Bendigo for Four Nights Commencing March 18th 1964. Producer: Beatrice Oakley - Musical Director: Max O'Loghlen - Asst. Producer: Miss M. Welch - Society Pianist: Mrs. Gwen Grose. Cast in Order of Appearance: Margaret Rule as Nadina (Daughter of Colonel Popoff) - Patricia McCracken as Aurelia (Her Mother) - Mary Speedy as Mascha (Her Cousin) - Harry Brewer as Lieutenant Bumerli (The Chocolate Soldier) - Fred Trewarne as Colonel Kasimir Popoff (Of the Bulgarian Army) - Brian thomas as Captain Massakroff (Of the Bulgarian Army) - Joan Crane as Katinka (Popoff's Maid) - Peter Houston as Stephan (Popoffs Manservant) - Leonard Carr as Majoe alexius Spiradoff (Of the Bulgarian Army).program, theatre, bendigo operatic society

Document. Gertrude Perry Collection. Eighteen programmes from Musical Productions staged by The Bendigo Operatic Society dating 1953 - 1963. Some of which featured Gertrude Perry. 'Floradora' program inside typed sheet with a poem with Floradora 1954 Verses composed by G Perry for song 'Tact'. 2 small black cards with white writing on them. Floradora program signed by Norman Lee producer of the show. Other plays: The Chocolate Soldier; Merry Widow; Floradora; The Maid Of the Mountains; Wildflower; The Arcadians; Katinka (2 copies); Dick Whittington and His Cat; No! No! Nanette; The Desert Song; You're in love; The Student Prince (2 copies); Rose Marie; Viktoria and Her Hussar; Show Boat; The New Moon:entertainment, theatre, musical, gertrude perry collection, the chocolate soldier, the merry widow, floradora, the maid of the mountains, wildflower, the arcadians, katinka (2), dick whittington and his cat, no! no! nanette, the desert song, you're in love, the student prince (2)

Colour photograph of Gus Gervasoni wearing his World War Two Service medals. gus gervasoni, aif, world war two, chocco, chocolate soldier, conscript, service medals

Old Tick was the neighbour of Gus, Bess and Jack Gervasoni in Stanley St, Daylesford. As a toddler Jack Gervasoni would sit on his knee for hours watching his pocket watch - leading to the name 'Tick', and later 'Old Tick'. Annie Wheldon was Tick's daughter and gave many items currently on display at the Daylesford Museum.Black and white photograp of the photograph on the occassion of Gus Gervasoni being shipped out for compulsory service during World War two. He is the one in uniform, with furrowed brow. Left to right: Gus Gervasoni, his father George Gervasoni, ? , (Possibly Old Tick [Wheldon]. Front row left to right: Kevin or Roger Lock, Jack Gervasoni (son of Gus), Ken Lock. gus gervasoni, aif, world war two, chocco, chocolate soldier, conscript, george gervasoni, john hogan gervasoni, ken lock

Gis Gervasono served in Northern Australia and was in Darwin for the bombing.Black and white photograph of Gus Gervasoni in AIF Uniform. This photograph was taken before his World War 2 departure. gus gervasoni, aif, world war two, chocco, chocolate soldier, conscript

Gis Gervasono served in Northern Australia and was in Darwin for the bombing.Black and white photograph of Gus Gervasoni in AIF Uniform, and his son and wife. This photograph was taken before his World War 2 departure. gus gervasoni, aif, world war two, chocco, chocolate soldier, conscript, john hogan gervasoni, elizabeth gervasoni, george gervasoni, elizabeth hogan

Bev Wild donation May 8th 2012. Bendigo Operatic Society Theatre programs commencing with .1 'The Chocolate Soldier' 1953, . 2, 'Floradora' 1954, . 3 'The Maid of the Mountains' 1954, . 4 Sinbad the Sailor', 1955, .5 'Dick Whittington and His Cat' 1956, . 6 'The Desert Song' 1957, .7 'No No Nanette' 1957, .8 'Jack and the Beanstalks' 1958, . 9 'You're in Love' 1958, .10 'The Student Prince' 1958, [duplicate] .11 'Rose Marie 1960,[duplicate], . 12 'Chu Chin Chow' 1961, .13 'South Pacific' 1962, .14 'Oliver' 1973, .15 'Fiddler on the Roof' 1975.bendigo, clubs, operatic society

See Cat 5109P1-3. Three page letters written in ink. The paper has the Australian Comforts Fund letterhead in red ink (RSL, Salvation Army & YMCA) - addressed to "My darling Marjorie" signed "From your loving boyfrien Ted". He mentions - Anniversary of the day the Japs "chased us out of Rabaul" air raids. He is in Victoria at time of writing. 4-5. Two page letter written in ink to "My Darling from "Love and kisses" Yours Ted. The letter is written from Goodnight, via Tooleybuc NSW 29 - 9 -1942. He mentioned farming, Bendigo and an electric iron surprise. 6 - 8. Three page letters on Comforts Fund letterhead paper. Written at 107 Con Depot, Ballarat. To "My Darling Marjorie" from "Love and Kisses" Yours Only Ted. He mentions weather, chocolate soldiers, Americans, Guadalcanal, here in Ballarat.ww2, romance, ballarat, americans

Private Willson was part of the First Contingent - Mounted Infantry Unit sent to South Africa. He joined the Victorian Mounted Rifles only a few weeks prior to this. During an attack in force by the Boers, at Hobkirk's Farm near Rensburg, he was struck by a ball in the eye and died instantly. He was known to be a brave man and good soldier. He was 23 years old. The back cover of the booklet shows a reduced facsimile of the Queen's Chocolate Box received by the late Private A H Willson.Digital portrait from "In Memory of the Gallant Officers and Men of Victoria in Transvaal War, 1899-1900".albert herbert willson, private, first contingent, mounted infantry, victorian mounted rifles, rensburg, south africa, hobkirk's farm, boers

1922 August Rietmann was commissioned to sculpt a bust of Sir MacPherson Robertson 1859-1945, confectionery maker, ( famous for Freddo Frogs and Cherry Ripe chocolate bar). The Bust was installed at Mac Robertson Girls High School for which he had donated funds for the building. 'MacRob' also funded the bridge over the Yarra River and the herbarium in the Botanical Gardens that all bear his name. August Rietmann (1877-1951) of Lustdorf ,Switzerland, married Maria Frieda Oesschlager (2/2/1878- 22/7/1942) of Baden Baden, Germany on 6/8/1910 In August 8th 1915 August and his wife Frieda migrated to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia sailing on the Steam Ship ‘Osterley’ from Marseilles to Melbourne They leased Box Cottage, Ormond in 1917 and raised two children, Stefanie (1918 -2006) and William (1920- 1997). 1935 August purchased the property and the family used the Cottage during the day and slept in the Front House. August was a monumental mason, potter and sculptor, and was employed at Corbens Ltd Clifton Hill, to carve war memorials in Victoria post WW1 c 1915-1922. During the 1920's August set up his own business in pressed cement making pot plants, columns,paving slabs and lampstands. He continued to carve headstones and figures and took contract work for Artists eg Paul Mountford. He built a workshop in the Barn and used the Cottage for plaster moulding. His son William joined the business and and the family continued to use the site after August died in 1951. Rietmann Landscaping Ltd moved to Bay Road Highett in 1953 and later to Carrum. The land, containing the Box Cottage, was sold to Lewis Timber Pty Ltd in 1970 and Mr Lewis proposed that Moorabbin City Council should preserve the heritage Cottage. In 1984 the Cottage was dismantled and reconstructed in the adjacent Joyce Park. The Rietman family is an example of the diverse nationalities that lived and worked productively in Moorabbin Shire 1871–1933 , the City of Moorabbin 1934-1994 and continues today in the Cities of Glen Eira, Kingston, Bayside, and Monash. August, a sculptor and stone mason, was employed by Corben Pty Ltd Clifton Hill to carve WW1 Memorials before establishing his own successful masonry business in the Box Cottage during the latter 1920s. After becoming interested in pressed cement casting, he took on apprentices (1930s Depression) and among his products were garden furniture, pots and also street lamp standards, some of which were installed in St Kilda Road. After August’s death in 1951, his family continued the business ‘Rietman’s Landscaping Ltd.’, at Highett and Carrum.Photograph x 1 Black & White Sculptured bust of Sir MacPherson Robertson c 1922; b) Letter, printed , typed from Sir MacPherson Robertson to August Rietmann (Richman) with payment for the Bust - £65-5-0 - ; c) Envelope, printed, typed addressed to Mr Rietmann { Richman) at Corbens Ltd.; d) reverse of envelope printed a) 1922; b) printed letter MacRobertson Pty Ltd ; c) printed envelope MacRobertson Ltdmacrobertson chocolate ltd., macrobertson girls high school, fitzroy town hall, rietmann august, rietman august, rietmann frieda, rietman frieda, stonnington city town hall, war memorials, world war 1 1914-1918, rietman stefanie, rennick stefanie, francis stefanie, rietman william, rietman ray, mountford paul, malvern city town hall, box cottage museum ormond, box william, box elizabeth, joyce park ormond, rietman's landscaping pty ltd, bay road highett, macrobertson pty ltd, coleraine soldier memorial 1921, box cottage ormond, freddo frog chocolate, cherry ripe chocolate bar, cadbury schweppes ltd., robertson sir macpherson 1859-1945, confectionery, chocolate

The International Committee of the Red Cross was formed in 1862. Initially its purpose was to try and find ways of overcoming the inadequacy of army medical services so as to alleviate the suffering of those wounded in armed conflict. Over time it has extended its work to include many forms of humanitarian aid in times of peace and war. The Australian Red Cross Society (ARCS) was formed just after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, originally as a branch of the British Red Cross. It is especially remembered in the provision of “comforts” for soldiers overseas. Enormous sums of money were raised, and thousands of women volunteers contributed their time by making vast quantities of clothing: socks, vests, mittens, mufflers, pyjamas and a variety of linen. Items were sent to headquarters located in the state capitals, often using government houses as depots, where, after being sorted and packed by yet more volunteers, they were sent to Britain or the front. The effect of this work for the recipients was to bring comfort in its truest sense, for a seemingly trivial gift of a bar of chocolate of a pair of dry socks could bring the most profound relief for a soldier on the Western Front. From the date of its inception until the armistice the ARCS dispatched 395,695 food parcels and 36,339 clothing parcels Between 1914 and 1918 more than £3,500,00 was collected and spent on Red Cross services to the Australian Forces and Empire Forces. During WW1 and WW2 Red Cross raised funds selling buttons.Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire held fundraising events for the support of Red Cross Victoria and made cakes and knitted socks, gloves and scarves for distribution to serving men and women Metal buttons with printing on themRed Crossred cross, fund raising buttons, wwi, wwii, french red cross, british red cross, market gardeners, early settlers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenham, caulfield repatriation hospital

The International Committee of the Red Cross was formed in 1862. Initially its purpose was to try and find ways of overcoming the inadequacy of army medical services so as to alleviate the suffering of those wounded in armed conflict. Over time it has extended its work to include many forms of humanitarian aid in times of peace and war. The Australian Red Cross Society (ARCS) was formed just after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, originally as a branch of the British Red Cross. It is especially remembered in the provision of “comforts” for soldiers overseas. Enormous sums of money were raised, and thousands of women volunteers contributed their time by making vast quantities of clothing: socks, vests, mittens, mufflers, pyjamas and a variety of linen. Items were sent to headquarters located in the state capitals, often using government houses as depots, where, after being sorted and packed by yet more volunteers, they were sent to Britain or the front. The effect of this work for the recipients was to bring comfort in its truest sense, for a seemingly trivial gift of a bar of chocolate of a pair of dry socks could bring the most profound relief for a soldier on the Western Front. From the date of its inception until the armistice the ARCS dispatched 395,695 food parcels and 36,339 clothing parcels Between 1914 and 1918 more than £3,500,00 was collected and spent on Red Cross services to the Australian Forces and Empire Forces. During WW1 and WW2 Red Cross raised funds selling buttons.This Carnival was an example of the support given to Red Cross by market gardeners, early settler families and schools in Moorabbin ShireDandenong Red Cross Carnival 1917red cross, dandenong, springvale, chelsea, dingley, keysborough

Rectangular brass / tin box issued to allied servicemen Christmas 1914, organised by Princess Mary (daughter of King George V). the tin was presented to all the troops at War for Christmas containing a photo of King George and Queen Mary, a Christmas card tobacco or chocolate. Initially to seamen at sea and soldiers at the front but widened as many thought they missed out. Funding the Christmas boxes were organised by public donation.Tin lid impressed with a female head in profile encircled with a wreath, and two "M". The tin is dated Christmas 1914. Around the edges the names of the allied countries are noted including France, Russia and Japanchristmas box, christmas 1914

A 'Sailors & Soldiers Christmas Fund' created by Princess Mary had overwhelming response and so it was decided to give every person 'wearing the King's uniform on Christmas Day 1914' the brass tin along with a Christmas card and a picture of the princess, and items such as pipe, lighter, tobacco, and 20 cigarettes. Non-smokers and boys received a bullet pencil and a packet of sweets. Indian troops often received sweets and spices, and nurses received chocolates. Many of the items were sent separately from the boxes because of lack of space. Not all the tins could be sent out by Christmas and so those sent in January 1915 contained a New Year card. Shortage of brass meant that many did not received their tins until summer 1916, however by January 1919 some still did not receive them. After using up the contents many service people then used the tins to store small items. The brass tin, bullet pencil, and medals belonged to Pte George Nutting of the 2nd London regiment, and regimental number 2080/230442. After World War 1 George Nutting sailed for Melbourne on June 1, 1922 aboard the S.S. Borda. He then lived at several addresses in the Sunshine/Albion area including Dawson St, 32 King Edward Ave, and 15 Kamarooka St. At one stage he was involved in a window cleaning and gardening business, and both he and his wife Janet were very good dancers. George Nutting was also involved in the loyal Sunshine Lodge and was presented with a Past Grand's Collar in 1943. He lived at 15 Kamarooka St until he passed away on March 20th 1979 at the age of 85. The above information was sourced from http://www.kinnethmont.co.uk/1914-1918_files/xmas-box-1914.htm (accessed 1/3/2014), and from http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/items/1329146/tin-princess-mary-s-Christmas-gift-1914 (accessed 1/3/2014), and from research work done by Eva and Marie of S&DHS.The Tin and Medals provide a visible historical record of the Christmas gift, and the awards that the average WW1 British service person received about 100 years ago. The bullet pencil may indicate that Pte G. Nutting was probably a non-smoker, at least around circa 1914.Brass rectangular box with an embossed and hinged lid. The lid features the profile of Princess Mary with an 'M' on each side, and the names of Britain's allies in 1914. The pencil fits into the brass bullet casing to give the appearance of a bullet. The WW1 British medals are: 1. 1914 - 1915 Star, 2. British War Medal 1914 - 1918 (Silver), 3. Allied Victory Medal.TIN: Imperium Brittanicum, Christmas 1914, Belgium, France, Servia, Japan, Russia, Monte Negro. MEDALS: 2080 Pte G. Nutting 2 - Lond.R g. nutting, princess mary tin, christmas 1914, bullet pencil, british ww1 medals, 1914 - 1915 star, british war medal 1914 - 1918, allied victory medal

These Items are from a display at Dandenong RSL and appear to be from the 1970's11 items issued as part of a soldier's ration pack: 1- Paper packet 50g Potato with onion Powder, AFFSE 002815 11x13.5cm 2- Paper packet Biscuits Cereal Arnott's Biscuits Pty Ltd 56g. 12x5cm 3- Paper packet Survival Biscuit Arnott-Brockhoff-Guest 42 g 12x5cm 4- Paper packet Biscuits Shortbread Arnott-Brockhoff-Guest 85g. 14x7cm 5- Butter Concentrate for hot climates. 6oz. 75mm in diameter x 50mm high. 6- Plum Jam in metal tube (cap missing). 1oz. Tongala Milk Products Pty. Ltd. VIC Australia 7- Plum Jam in metal tube with black plastic cap. 1oz. Tongala Mild Products Pty. Ltd. VIC Australia 8- Chocolate Ration. 50g Pkd.065 Australian Army. Cadbury Confectionary Claremont. Tasmania 9- Scouring Pad. Redi Brite Industries Pty. Ltd. QLD. Australia. Pkd 5/85 10- Sugar. In a strip of four sachets. 11- Can openerration pack, survival biscuits, sugar sachet