Showing 7 items
matching colonial attitudes
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The Beechworth Burke Museum
Postcard, R & B Hall, c.1930
... colonial attitudes... hills mayday hills hospital mental hospital colonial attitudes ...This postcard was published by R. & B. Hall in Beechworth and printed in Saxony, circa 1930. Saxony is a landlocked state of Germany which borders the states of Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Bavaria and the countries of Poland and the Czech Republic. This particular postcard is embossed with a pattern which surrounds the middle image in the center of the card. This image depicts Asylum Avenue which leads to the Mayday Hills Asylum in Beechworth, Victoria. What makes this scene particularly interesting is the appearance of snow which is rare in Beechworth. The road depicted on the postcard has track marks made by a car with thin wheels. Beechworth's Mayday Hills was chosen as the site of Victoria's newest asylum, at the time, due to the landscape and altitude. The hilltop atmosphere and the native fauna, it was argued, would assist in the cure of the patients kept at the hospital (Wood 1985, 122). The positioning of the hospital had a beneficial effect on the rural town. A pamphlet published by James Ingram and Son (1849) reveal that famous landmarks in Beechworth which included the Post Office, Gaol, Courthouse and Asylum "demonstrate the appreciation of Beechworth by the Government not only as as important district center, but also as a site unrivaled as a sanitarium". There were other locations in contention at the time, but ultimately Beechworth was chosen (Craig 2000, 33). Prior to the creation of the Asylum in Beechworth, those charged with having mental illnesses or, as it was termed, "insanity" were unable to be properly cared for in the Gaol (which is where they were often sent). John Buckley Castieau wrote, in 1861 for the Ovens and Murray Advertiser, that the Gaol was unable to properly care for those classified then as "insane" but that they would endeavor to treat them above the other inmates (which he notes is not always the case in other establishments). Castieau wrote this in favour of supporting the building of the Mayday Hills Hospital in Beechworth. It was stated that at the time the Mayday Hills Hospital was built, there were 83 prisoners kept in the Gaol who were to be rehoused to the Hospital on the grounds of "insanity". The classification as someone as "insane", in this period of time is a reflection on the inability to cure and understand illnesses of the mind during the mid to late 1800s. Beechworth's Mayday Hills was chosen as the site of Victoria's newest asylum, at the time, due to the landscape and altitude. Opening on the 24th of October 1867, the Mayday Hills Hospital was originally named the "Ovens Lunatic Asylum", a title which is very much a product of its time. Whilst controversial, changes to the name is part of the history of the Hospital and can provide much insight into the understanding of mental illness throughout history and the use/disuse of this term provides information into the reception/changing opinions of mental illness in society. The Hospital would later become known as the "Mayday Hills Asylum" and/or "Mayday Hills Hospital" with the latter being the most commonly used title. An article in the Ovens and Murray Advertiser notes that on the 7th of March 1865, the foundation stone of the Hospital was laid (it would officially open in 1867) and that it was such a moment of accomplishment and joy for Beechworth that a letter to the editor even suggested that there should be a holiday dedicated to the day the foundation stone as laid. This reveals an extent to which the townspeople of early Beechworth valued the construction of the Hospital in their town. It provided the town with a sense of prestige and honour.At first glance, the remains of the Mayday Hills Hospital in Beechworth, Victoria, inspire tragedy, trauma and beauty. The buildings themselves, with their Italianate style Renaissance architecture designed by J.J. Clark (Craig 2000, 49 & Smith 2016, 203) reflect a bygone period of European and Australian history. The gardens provide a sense of tranquility and beauty. The experience of those within these walls remains a valuable area of study to provide a more complete understanding. This particular hospital is considered the fourth of its like and one of three identified as the largest of their kind. The Mayday Hills Hospital is a sister to the Kew and Ararat Asylums in Melbourne which are both located in relative proximity. Understanding the role of the Mayday Hills Hospital in Beechworth history is integral to understanding the development of the goldfields town, but also for providing important information as to the history of caring for, and the reception of, mental illnesses in Australian and wider European history. Mayday Hills provides a case study which can be researched through oral history, an analysis of the grounds/buildings and through images like this postcard which portray the structure in a highly deliberate manner. Images like this depict the strong façade of the Hospital and provide a glimpse into the tranquility of the gardens. This has been done deliberately to provide a sense of comfort and healing about the building to those looking from the outside. Further research into the importance of the Hospital in Beechworth and it's connection to the town will be supported through images like these kept in the Mayday Hills photo album in the collection of the Burke Museum.Pale coloured rectangular postcard printed on matte embossed card.Obverse: Snow Scene; Asylum Avenue, Beechworth. / Reverse: POST CARD / ADDRESS ONLY / Published by R. & B. Hall, Beechworth. / Printed in Saxony. / 3447 [crossed out] / 1997.2492 / AFFIX STAMP /asylum, asylum avenue, beechworth, snow north-east vic, victoria, snow scene, mayday hills, mayday hills hospital, mental hospital, colonial attitudes, mental health, history, town development, postcard -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Book - Non Fiction History, Honour Roll - South Africa 1899 - 1902 Albury-Wodonga and District Residents Who Served In The Boer War, reprinted 03/2008
Historical information of soldiers from the Albury-Wodonga district who fought in the Boer War in South Africa 1899 - 1902. In 1996 the then curator for the 8/13 VMR Museum, the Hon Colonel John Neale, commissioned the author to research a group of returned servicemen and women from the Boer War and had lived within 100 km radius of the Albury/Wodonga townships.The Boer War was the second war in South Africa and was the result of heavy taxes and non voting rights of the local white Boer population. Colonial forces including the Australian Light Horse contingent where called upon by England to overthrow the rebellion. This War was the first engagement of Australian troops fighting on foreign soil.This Honour Roll details the pay rates, the battle highlights, weapons used and maps covering the first Australian contingent of soldiers who fought in the Transvaal (Boer War).. Listed are the names of those soldiers who lived within 100klms of Albury and Wodonga.The soldiers are listed by Location, Rank, Initial,Name and Unit. The significance of both the War and those who served in it is two fold. Firstly it demonstrates that the tie between the Colonial outreaches of England's Empire to "the Motherland" were extremely strong at this point in time. This union remained strong up until the middle of World War II when England could not help Australia to defend itself against possible invasion by Japan. The alliance between Australia and the United States of America replaced the British/Australian pact. Secondly the attitude of, and the high degree of horsemanship of those from the Albury and Wodonga area. The degree of adaptability, by these servicemen, to suit the environment in which they fought provided the first real insight into the Australian psyche "of those living and surviving on the harsh Australian outback"This book has a bright red soft cover and is bound with bright yellow tape. There is a drawing of two Australian soldiers on the front, one on horsebackAuthor's complimentary inscription "To Mount Beauty Museum with compliments" signed Ian R Docking history, boer war, ex-servicemen and women, albury and wodonga -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Artwork, other - Wall decoration, Vera Giles, late 19th to early 20th century
During the Victorian era, the period (1837-1901) in which Queen Victoria ruled England. The queen’s influence was felt throughout the world, including in the United States and Australia where Victorian values shaped society and style, especially in home décor. This period’s distinct style presents an eclectic mix of highly ornamented furniture, wallpaper, and knick-knacks. Particularly in terms of furniture, and the characteristic floral patterns and rich, contrasting colours, wall hanging that enjoyed the height of its popularity during the Victorian era were of the spiritual type with an either embroidered or punched paper religious motto or bible quote. Mottoes were commonly hung high up on the wall or in an area of prominence, to remind the viewer of their important message, such as "Home sweet Home “He Leadeth Me” and “Honesty, Industry, and Sobriety.” Short and pithy, they embodied the ideals of Victorian society. Technological advances contributed to the boom of religious mottoes whereas before the Industrial Revolution home décor of this sort was handmade and therefore minimal, now consumers could purchase and fill their homes with all sorts of mass-produced ephemera goods similar to the subject item. Many of these mass-produced period pieces still exist today, often in their original frames, ceramic, or paper formats. Flagstaff maritime museum has many examples of mottoes on display that serve to reflect the period in which values of home, faith, and Christianity were very prominent in everyday Victorian society. For more information on the Giles collection see Acquisition section this document: An item that reflects the social values and attitudes of the late Victorian era that was used to promote good Christian and moral values in many households. These items of decoration were very popular at this time and the subject item is significant as it gives a snapshot into the social norms of past generations. The Giles family collection is of additional social significance at a local level, because it not only illustrates the level of material support the Warrnambool community gave to Flagstaff Hill during it’s establishment. But the Giles collection also gives us an additional view into what domestic life was like in early colonial times prior to Federation.Wall decoration, framed handmade embroidered tapestry with the woven inscription, Frame has velvet cover. This item is part of the Giles CollectionHome Sweet Home, in gothic scriptflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, soft furnishing, wall decoration, home sweet home, wall hanging, handmade wall hanging, giles collection, henry giles, tower hill, cooramook, warrnambool breakwater, mailor’s flat, wangoom, 19th century handcraft, mrs vera giles -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Australian National University Press, Australia in peace and war, 1978
AUSTRALIA IN PEACE AND WAR is the first work to trace the development of Australia’s external relations from their colonial origins to the present. It shows how successive Australian governments have seen the world, what their attitudes have been, their actions and (much more often) their reactions. This important and controversial book details the successes and failures of Australian foreign policy over two centuries. It shows how geographical aspects of the world's largest island, anchored off the south-east corner of Asia, have increasingly impinged on perceptions and attitudes historically derived from Europe. It pleads for recognition that Australia can adapt the best of its European traditions in coming to terms with and helping to shape its Asia-Pacific environment.Index, bib, p.578.non-fictionAUSTRALIA IN PEACE AND WAR is the first work to trace the development of Australia’s external relations from their colonial origins to the present. It shows how successive Australian governments have seen the world, what their attitudes have been, their actions and (much more often) their reactions. This important and controversial book details the successes and failures of Australian foreign policy over two centuries. It shows how geographical aspects of the world's largest island, anchored off the south-east corner of Asia, have increasingly impinged on perceptions and attitudes historically derived from Europe. It pleads for recognition that Australia can adapt the best of its European traditions in coming to terms with and helping to shape its Asia-Pacific environment. australia - foreign relations, australia - history - military -
Robin Boyd Foundation
Document - Manuscript, Robin Boyd, America in Australia
A critique of the adaption of American culture in Australian popular culture, where only the worst or silliest things from the US are adopted. Boyd suggests the colonial, unambitious and rigid brand of masculinity that characterises the "Aussie myth" hinders the development of an imaginative and creative social climate that manifests in a superficial appropriation of American culture. Boyd is not critical of US culture itself, in fact he has a great appreciation of US culture. He suggests that the Australian brand of Americanisation is only a superficial commercial exploitation of the American dream. It concludes with Boyd rallying for the development of a unique Australian originality with increasing connections to Asia.Typewritten, pencil edits (pages 22a and 22b added after page 22), quarto, 24 pagesamericanisation, american culture, australian culture, masculinity, cultural myths, australian values, social attitudes, ussr, asia, california, sidney nolan, alan moorehead, patrick white, donald horne, john anderson, robin boyd, manuscript -
Koorie Heritage Trust
Book, Broome, Richard, Arriving, 1984
Tells the story of immigrants, from settlement at Port Phillip to date. It also describes the interaction with the Aboriginal people who were already here it spans 50,00 years. First chapter of each volume is an overview of traditional life at the time of contact concentrating on Aboriginal economic life altering/?managing of environment, with discussions of original population estimates and extent of decimation due to; disease in colonial times - smallpox, V.D., Aboriginal and white attitudes, friendships/?violent conflict, continued depopulation, missions/?reserves - 19th/?20th cent. incldg Lake Tyers, contemporary Aboriginal identity, welfare/?land rights programs.v-xiv; 258 P.; : ill. (some col.). ; maps; figs.; notes; index; 26 cm.Tells the story of immigrants, from settlement at Port Phillip to date. It also describes the interaction with the Aboriginal people who were already here it spans 50,00 years. First chapter of each volume is an overview of traditional life at the time of contact concentrating on Aboriginal economic life altering/?managing of environment, with discussions of original population estimates and extent of decimation due to; disease in colonial times - smallpox, V.D., Aboriginal and white attitudes, friendships/?violent conflict, continued depopulation, missions/?reserves - 19th/?20th cent. incldg Lake Tyers, contemporary Aboriginal identity, welfare/?land rights programs.social identity - aboriginality. | religions - christianity - missions. | settlement and contacts - colonisation - 1788-1850. | daily life. | demography - population dynamics. | government policy - integration. | government policy - state and territory - victoria. | health - infectious diseases - smallpox. | land rights. | socioeconomic conditions - living conditions. | race relations - violent - massacres, murders, poisonings etc. - to 1900. | race relations - racism - stereotyping. | reproduction. | technology. | bung yarnda /? lake tyers (e vic gippsland sj55-07) victoria. | victoria -- history. -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Book, Sydney University Press, Aborigines in Colonial Victoria 1835-86, 1979
General account of pre-contact Aborigines; white colonisation and violent conflict; racial attitudes of early settlers; native police; government policy; mission work; foundation of reserves; Coranderrk.Sydney : Sydney University Press, 1979 viii,227p., 12p. of plates : maps ; 22cm. non-fictionGeneral account of pre-contact Aborigines; white colonisation and violent conflict; racial attitudes of early settlers; native police; government policy; mission work; foundation of reserves; Coranderrk.aboriginal australians -- victoria -- treatment -- history., aboriginal and torres straight islander