The Chinese Imperial Commissioner, Hwang How Cheng, visited Australia at the request of the Chinese Emperor for the purpose of establishing Chinese consulates in the Commonwealth. He visited Ballarat at the request of Ballarat’s Chinese community. The newspaper reported that it was hoped the Commissioner would visit the Ballarat School of Mines “where the knowledge he would get would probably be of the utmost usefulness in the development of the great resources of China.” The Commissioner was accompanied by interpreter Ah Ket (Melbourne barrister and solicitor), and met by members of Ballarat’s Chinese community, including Dr Wong Chock Son. Apparently the Chinese Commissioner wanted to visit SMB because of its international fame relating to education in mining. From the SMB Letter book (Cat. No. 436) comes the following which suggests the Commissioner was based in Adelaide) '17th November 1906 His Excellency, Hwang How Cheng Chinese Commission Adelaide May it please your Excellency By this post I have the pleasure in forwarding for your Excellency's kind acceptance (and one for Mr. When) copies of the photograph taken of your recent visit to the School of Mines. I trust they will serve a pleasing memento of what, I hope, was a pleasant visit to our Golden City. Yours Faithfully Fredk Martell Director' The visit was reported in the Ballarat Star in 14 November 1906:- The Chinese Imperial Commissioner, Hwang Hon Cheng, who recently arrived in Victoria on behalf of the Chinese Government, paid a visit to Ballarat last evening, and was entertained by his fellow countrymen at a dinner at the Bow Leong rooms, Main street. The commissioner, who came up by the express, was accompanied by his secretary and Mr Ah Ket, the well-known Chinese barrister, of Melbourne; but some disappointment was expressed by the fact that he did not wear his official robes, being attired in the more sombre European dress. Mr W. D. M’Kee presided at the dinner, on the invitation of the Bow Leong Society, and in addition to representative Chinese residents, three were also present the mayor of the city (Cr. J. J. Brokenshire), Crs. R. Pearse, G. Crocker (City), J. R. Elsworth, A. Mackenzie, J. A. M’Neil, A. Levy, G. Bunting, F. Penhalluriack (Town), Col. Williams, Mr. J. Gent, Messrs. F. J. Martell (director of the School of Mines), A. W. Hager (president of the Orphan Asylum), A. Kenny (superintendent), R. G. Fitzgerald (clerk of courts at Ballarat East), J. Trethowan, A. A. Buley, Serg Dalton, and others. Apologies were received from the mayor of the town Revs. J. West Lau, Dr Cairns, Hon. J. Y. M’Donald, L. Lederman, C. C. Shoppee and others. The gathering was a very cordial one, and the hospitality of the Chinese was greatly appreciated. After the loyal toasts, “The King” and “The Emperor of China,” had been honoured, the chairman extended a hearty welcome on behalf of the society and others to the commissioner. Mr M’Kee said he was privileged to speak in behalf of the Chinese. There was a warm feeling of friendship between them and himself, and his services were always at their command. If he were in China he would desire that a similar compliment would be extended to him. They were all pleased the Emperor of China had sent the commissioner to establish consulates in Australia with a view of the empire understanding the feelings of Australasia better than they did at present. He hoped the commissioner would have opportunity of visiting some of their industries, as they desired him to gain all the scientific and practical knowledge of those industries that he could. The toast of “The Commissioner” was proposed by Col. Williams who expressed pleasure at the visit of a gentleman of education and attainments to look into the condition of the scions of China in Australia. He hoped the commissioner would carry away a correct impression. In Australia they had nothing to conceal; they hoped to be understood. (Applause.) No intelligent man had the temerity to condescend to patronise China, one of the richest countries in the world, with a civilisation dating back thousands of years. In the matter of population alone it was equal to one-third of the world. They heard a lot about the “awakening of China.” They hoped it would be humane, just, and considerate if it had power. He hoped the commissioner would be satisfied with what he saw. The law of filial relation to the children was strictly observed in China, and he did not know whether it would not be a good thing if they had a little more of that religion here. It would be a fair thing to tell the commissioner that while he might inquire into the labour laws, the basis of these laws was not a desire to oppress but to enable every man to obtain the same conditions they expected from their own people. If he gained that impression he felt they would be fairly treated. (Applause.) Mayor Brokenshire supported the toast. They had, he said, in the Chinese a most law-abiding people. Their behaviour was an example to the British citizens. They were quiet, inoffensive men, and they toiled hard, even on Sundays. (Laughter.) Mr Ah Ket; That is what the government does with the railway employees. (Laughter.) The Commissioner replied through Mr Ah Ket, who in a graceful speech acknowledged the toast. The commissioner had, he said been delighted with what he had seen of the country – he believed it to be one of the finest in the world – and he greatly appreciated the hospitality extended to him. (Applause.) The Chairman proposed the toast of “The health of Mr Ah Ket,” and paid a tribute to his ability. It was satisfactory to see that he had risen to such a position, and it might be that in the future he would be asked to occupy a position on the bench. (Applause.) Mr Ah Ket, in response, said he had not come prepared to make a speech. He had come to Ballarat to have a quiet evening with his friends, and as soon as he arrived he had been whirled away in a motor car to a place where he found an aggregation of East and West. He was pleased to see them commingled at the festive board. That suggested the idea that East and West could meet together without friction. Misunderstandings arose only because men were superficial. If they threw off outer garments they would know each other better. He looked forward to the time when nations would understand each other. It was by an interchange of visits that such things could be accomplished, and nations would then live at peace with each other. (Applause.) Other toasts were also honored. Twelve men pose for a photograph on the stairs of a building at the Ballarat School of Mines. Back row left to right: A.D. Gilchrist (Prof. of Engineering), B. Whittington (Mathematics, Physics), Thomas S. Hart (Prof. of Geology and Mining), J.M. Sutherland (Electrical Engineering) Front row left to right: Dr Wong Chock Son (Ballarat), Fred. J. Martell, Alfred Mica Smith, Ah Ket esq (Melbourne Barrister), His Excellency Hwang How Cheng (Chinese Commissioner), Wen Esq (Secretary), Alderman Grase (mayor of Brisbane), Grase Esq (Ballarat).ballarat school of mines, alfred mica smith, fred martell, j m sutherland, a d gilchrist, b whittington, thomas hart, wong chock son, ah ket, hwang how cheng, chinese, chinese commissioner, international, new classrooms, administration building, a building

Locomotive Head Board - Commissioners Inspection Train Tin head board with gold, black and red vinyl. Climax, Puffing Billy, Commissioners Inspection Train, commissioners special, head board When Made - 1989 Historic - Puffing Billy Railway Locomotive Head Board - use on the Climax Locomotive - Commissioners Inspection TrainLocomotive Head Board - Commissioners Inspection Train Tin head board with gold, black and red vinyl. Emerald Tourist Railway Board Commissioners Inspection Train Belgrave Victoriaclimax, puffing billy, commissioners inspection train, commissioners special, head board

As the Yarra became unsuitable as a source of water, several attempts were made to find alternative sources for the growing population of Melbourne. It was not until 1891 that the efforts to sewer Melbourne came to fruition with the setting up of the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW), now known as Melbourne Water. From 1891 until 1992, it was the responsibility of the MMBW to safeguard public health by providing a sewerage system and a safe water supply system. In 1992, The MMBW merged with a number of smaller urban water authorities to form Melbourne Water. Born on the 5th of August,1926, Margaret Gwen Hardy was the very first Commissioner of the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) and was appointed in 1975, a major victory for women at the time. This was the first time in the 84 year history of the organisation. Hardy had also been a Lilydale Councillor and went on to become the first female Shire President. Along with her work commitments as part of the Board, Hardy was the wife of Dr. Bill and had three children, two sons and a daughter. Next door to her home in Mt Evelyn was her husband’s surgery, where Hardy also worked part-time as a Manager. Hardy was also involved with the Lilydale High School Mother’s Club, she was the President of the Mt. Evelyn Environment Protection and Progress Association, on the Advisory Council of Monbulk High School and was the Secretary of the Lilydale Citizens Advisory Service at the time. This staff newsletter highlights the historically significant achievement of Cr. Gwen Hardy becoming the first female commissioner to work at the Board in 84 years. This captured achievement highlights women's career advancement at the MMBW and within the Victorian public service, whilst having historic and social associations with the many women's rights movements in the 1970s.comissioner, melbourne water, mmbw, melbourne metropolitan board of works, woman, staff, newsletter

His Excellency, Hwang Hon Cheng, from Peking, China, visited Australia from 1906 -1907 as Chinese Commissioner in response to an urgent petition from well respected Chinese business leaders, The 1906 Petition was sent to the Chinese Ambassador in Britain requesting the appointment of a Chinese Consular Representative in Australia to ease the escalating Discrimination and address the Immigration Restrictions in Australia. Hwang Hon Cheng visited Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne , Adelaide and Hobart and after reviewing his recommendations Britain agreed to the appointment of the first Chinese Consul-General to Australia. In 1908 Mr Leong Lan Fun, Taotal of Swatow was appointed Consul-General for the Commonwealth with his headquarters in Melbourne. Animosity, suspicion and misunderstanding had existed between Chinese and European settlers since the Gold Rush of 1850’s. Language, customs, frugality and mostly their ability to obtain profit from crops seen as uneconomical by Europeans eg parsley, garlic and salad vegetables. Many of the Chinese workers did not purchase land instead their main aim was to obtain enough money for their family and return to China. There were a few still managing market gardens around East Bentleigh until the 1950’s, by which time they were highly regarded by the general community. A large photograph of His Excellency the Chinese Commissioner , Hwang Hong Cheng, in a wooden frame c1906His Excellency the Chinese Commissioner / Hwang Hong Cheng, moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, brighton, gold rush, chinese immigration, chinese market gardeners, markets, cheltenham, cabinet makers, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, , hwang hon cheng, leong lan fun, peking china, melbourne

This badge is a State of Victoria Girl guides badge. It was designed in 1926, was drawn by Dorothea Holtz. and came into use in 1927 The same badge is still in use today. It is likely that this badge belonged to a local district guide leader.WE have as yet been unable to confirm local provenance of this item but it has social and historic significance belonging to a long established movement in the Girl Guides..Metal diamond shaped badge with crown at the top. The blue diamond has four large stars and one small star representing the Southern Cross . The small crown is coloured red and gold. There is a pin clip on the reverse.Stokes and Sons Melbournegirl guides, victorian girl guides badge

Colour photograph (one of three)eltham, eltham living and learning centre, living and learning centre, pavilion, box hill tafe, don cordell

Colour photograph (one of three)eltham, eltham living and learning centre, living and learning centre, pavilion, box hill tafe, don cordell

Colour photograph (one of three)eltham, eltham living and learning centre, living and learning centre, pavilion, box hill tafe, don cordell

Stawell Guide Megan Croft Receiving B P Certificate Award 1988stawell

index, ill, maps, p.248.non-fiction"Ron Fitch was born in 1910 into a railway family. He began his career as a 16-year-old engineering cadet and completed it, 46 years later, having worked at various times for two state railways and the Commonwealth, as Commissioner of South Australian Railways. In this book Fitch gives a vivid account not only of his career but of the camaraderie of the greater railway community, often experienced in the most trying of conditions. Fitch gives an account of laying track and the remarkable breed of men who do so, of advances in line-building techniques, of derailments and floods and washaways, of wrangles over attempts to implement standard gauge, of the politics of railways. In 2002 when 92 Fitch earned recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records when his thesis on South Australian railways made him the World's oldest recipient of a PhD."--Jacket.fitch, r. j. (ronald john), 1910-, railroad engineers -- australia -- .biography

index, ill, maps, p.213.non-fiction A political, economic and social biography of the South Australian Government Railways Chief Mechanical Engineer W.A. Webb.locomotives - australia - drawings - biography, steam engines - australia - design - biography

This certificate was issued to the First Warrnambool Scout Troop in January 1914 for gaining third prize in Fire Lighting and Billy Boiling at the First Australasian Rally of the Boy Scouts Association held in Melbourne. The Warrnambool Troop was founded by Evan Jones, a local stonemason and the Rev. Norman Crawford, the curate at Christ Church Warrnambool. The exact date is not known but it would have been some time between 1907 and 1913. Today there are two scouting troops for boys in Warrnambool, the Warrnambool Tooram Troop and the Warrnambool Norfolk Troop. This certificate is of considerable interest as it is a very early memento of the Boy Scout movement in Warrnambool.This is a certificate mounted on cardboard. The certificate is white with a black scroll edging. It has an image of a Boy Scout with black printing and handwriting in black ink (now fading). The certificate is somewhat stainedBoy Scouts Association First Australasian Rally Certificatescouting in warrnambool, scouting 1914, evan jones, warrnambool

This is a licence for a driver of a motor cycle in Victoria. The licence was issued in March 1916 to William Wines of Warrnambool. The licence was valid for one year. The form used was actually one for a motor car but the word 'cycle' was added in handwritten ink. This licence is of considerable interest as 1916 is an early date for the ownership of a motor cycle in WarrnamboolThis is a sheet of paper providing a motor cycle licence. The paper has the Victorian Coat of Arms, black printing and handwritten information in black ink. The paper is a little crumpled and stained. The paper has been torn and stuck together with adhesive tape on the back. early 20th century motor cycling, wines family warrnambool

embossing block with Melbourne Harbor Trust Commissioners "The Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners" PWO 2993.5

Copy of original photograph of first commissioners of Rodney Irrigation Trust. Approx 1889Black and white photograph of first Rodney Trust Irrigation Commissioners. Names on backBack left to right - J.A, Sec. Walter Scott(Engineer), Coms. S. Lancaster, W. Bray, John Morrissy, M. Kavanaugh, C.W. Wilson, Gerald Byrne. Front Row - Coms. John McKenzie, Thomas Hogan, M. Cussen(First Chairman), M. Winter, John Stewart, R. Teese. 1st Commissioners of Rodney Irrigation Trust, 1889.rodney irrigation trust, tatura, irrigation

At the 1978 Festival of Kew, a number of organisations, including the City of Kew, the Kew Historical Society, Trinity Boys Grammar School and local Girl Guides participated in a re-enactment of the expedition of the party of Charles Grimes in surveying the Yarra River as far as Kew in February 1803. The location for the event was Yarra Bend Park near the Studley Park Boat House. The event was organised by the Kew Historical Society. The re-enactment was captured by a number of amateur photographers as well as by a photographer from the local Progress Press.Local communities select events to commemorate according to their shared history and values. Commemorations of colonial exploration were popular with local historical groups such as the Kew Historical Society in the twentieth century. In re-enacting events such as the Grimes survey of the Yarra, students from a local school were encouraged to take on specific roles, including play-acting individuals involved in the survey party as well as members of the local Wurundjeri People. The photographs, taken by amateur and professional photographers, represent a period in time when the dominant values were those shared by the descendants of European settlers in Victoria. Original colour photographic positive of the District Commissioner and girl guides at the Charles Grimes re-enactment.Annotated on reverse: "DIST. COMMISSIONER / GIRL GUIDES AT FESTIVAL"kew historical society, trinity grammar school, kew girl guides, city of kew, yarra river, charles grimes, collins expedition, wurundjeri people, yarra bend park, colonial surveys, historic re-enactments, festival of kew, kew festival

Commissioners' tour of (railway) inspection from 21st to 25th October 1956. Pinaroo to Galah / Benetook to Morkalla / Yelta to Bet Bet / Carisbrook to Campbell foolscap document, stapled / dated 25.10.1956.Commissioners' tour of (railway) inspectionclubs and associations, history, bendigo historical society, commissioners' tour of (railway) inspection

This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Lithograph showing the Commissioner's tent at Forest Creek lower centre "Commissioner's Tent & Officers' Quarters, Forest Creek" lower left side "Drawn By D. Tulloch" lower right side "Engraved by Thomas Ham" art, artwork, ham, thomas ham, david tulloch, forest creek, government camp, goldfield commissioner, tents, gold mining, flag

This photograph was taken in 1994 and depicts four Commissioners of the newly formed Shire of Indigo. The Commissioners were appointed on 18 November 1994 and served until the the election of Indigo Shire Councillor's on 15 March, 1997. The United Shire of Beechworth was established in 1871 following the merger of two entities: the Borough of Beechworth, established in 1856, and the Shire of Beechworth, which was created as the union of the Stanley and Wooragee Road Districts in 1865. This photograph is historically significant for its depiction of newly elected Indigo Shire Commissioners, who replaced the former United of Beechworth Shire Council. The only local government entity remaining in Victoria styled as a 'United Shire' at its dissolution in November 1994, the amalgamation of the United Shire of Beechworth, along with parts of the Shires of Chiltern, Rutherglen and Yackandandah into the Shire of Indigo, was part of an extensive restructuring of Victoria's Local Government Areas in the 1990s. The Victorian Governments restructuring of LGA's in the 1990s constituted a major transition in Victoria's systems of local governance. The reforms dissolved over two hundred councils and sacked sixteen hundred elected councillors. The Shire of Indigo was one of seventy-eight new councils that were subsequently created through amalgamations.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on photographic paper mounted on board.Reverse (original): Transcribed to DB / From left to right: Commissioner Kevin Gleeson ~ / Chairman of Commissioners, Mr Frank Burfitt ~ / Chief Executive Officer, Commissioner Kevin Crow, ~ / Commissioner Henry Brewer. / Commissioners were appointed to the Indigo Shire / on 18th November, 1994 and served until the / election of councillors on 15th March, 1997. / indigo shire council, shire councillors, indigo shire commissioners, governance, local government, beechworth, local representatives 1994-1997, lga restructuring, indigo shire amalgamation, victorian government, regional and rural governance, beechworth shire, yackandandah shire, chiltern shire, rutherglen shire