This item has been identified by David Nixon as the workbook of George Henry Douglas Russell (Doug) of Bete Bolong. He was the second son of John and Elizabeth Russell. John Russell wasblacksmith in Orbost. His family were Jack, Doug, Dave and Billy. Doug was in WW! where he was a Veterinary Sergeant. After the war he came bach to Orbost and his father gave him the farm at Bete Bolong to work. This farm is on the corner of Birkins Lane and Buchan Road (presently owned By Ginger and Helen Johnstone). He started farming tgere in 1920 and married Hilda Raymond in 1922. The slatted barn and house still exist. David Nixon, the donor, married a daughter of Doug and Hilda Russell and worked the farm from 1947-1973. He found the diary at the farm. This item is a valuable record of agricultural practices in the Orbost district during the 1920's.An exercise book with a worn black cover and a faded red spine. It contains hand-written records of farm accounts. russell- bete-bolong diary-farming agriculture

TRACK OF THE YEARS. The Story of St.Arnaud by Yvonne S Palmer had aroused local interest when this book was presented in 1955.The fortunes of this prosperous community, whose origins go back to the excitement of of the New Bendigo gold-rush, gleaned from an unusual wealth of reminiscences,diaries, letters, newspapers and photograph albums, are now placed permanently on record in this fascinating narrative. Contents: The New Bendigo Goldrush, Pastoral Settlement, The Aborigines of the Eastern Wimmera, A Permanent Goldrush, The Township Surveyed, Councils at Work 1861- 1870, Local Government in the District. 1861-1870. Sons of the Antipodes, Diggers in Townsmen, Daughters and Wives, Companies and Miners, Mining Settlements, Increasing Needs, Not by Bread Alone, The beginning of Farming, The Changing Countryside, A New St.Arnaud has Come, Deep Sinking and Dividends, Fewer farmers- Larger farms, Pride but not Complacency.Track of The Years by Yvonne S. Palmer. The Story of St.Arnaud. Hardcover book, blue cover with black and white photograph on the dustcover.Includes photographs and maps.308 pages, 1st Edition.1st Edition Published by Melbourne University Press in 1955. 308 pages.

Portion of loosely -bound thirty-four double sided cream coloured page farm diary anonymous donor received 2011. Charlton, Barrakee, Buckrabanyule districts. Record segments date from period 1886-1894. Temperature, rainfall, farm-life both domestic and agricultural recorded. Prices of animal stock, grain and machinery. Property names mentioned include New Guniea, Maylands, The diary begins on 4.1.1886 on 10.2.1886 he was sworn in as one of Her Majesties Volunteers to serve for a period of three years , gave a cheque for three pounds 13 shillings for the purchase of a new rifle 27.2.1886 'Received my new rifle today with bayonet , belt and pouch , No 9153 . 17.5.1886 entry states he went to the Presbyterian team meeting at Charlton and enjoyed himself very muchheritage

Of further importance is that William George Hogg served in the same unit as William Lionel Schwerkolt in the First World War in France. William Schwerkolt died on 9 November 1916 and the action and his death is recorded in George Hogg war diary.Black and white copy of Hogg Family taken on Christmas Day 1918 immediately after William Hogg's return from The Great War 1914-18 to the family Farm House, 'Rosebank', Toolern Vale via Melton. All are now buried in the Melton Cemetery.|George Cox a member of the W.H.S is Grandson of William George Cox.|Of importance is that William Hogg was in same unit as unit as William Lionel Schwerkolt in France.|Cross Ref: ND3736hogg, george, william george, tolhurst, elizabeth, catherine, thomas, ethel, elsie, jack, toolern vale, cox, schwerkolt, william, world war 1914 -1918

The Australian Historical Records Society existed in Ballarat between 1896 and 1906. They were one of Australia's first historical societies, and were in the position to still be able to talk to early pioneers. They invited such pioneers to either submit letters or memoirs, or to address the Society's meetings, where their reminiscences were taken down in shorthand and later typed up. The Society also attempted to preserve memorabilia from Ballarat's early days, but on the disbanding of the group in 1906, materials were stored at the Ballarat Town Hall and were later lost. It is not known how the papers made their way to the then Ballarat Municipal Library, but they have been part of the Library's collection for many years.Excerpt of George Russell's Manuscript Diary copied by William Lewis. George Russell, from Scotland joined his brother Philip in 1831 in Tasmania, and farmed there for five years under his supervision. He then followed John Batman's exploratory lead to Port Phillip in March 1836. George Russell later established Golf Hill Station at Shelford. These memoirs describe first visits by Europeans to Lal Lal falls (which weren't running) and Mt Buninyong. These records must have been sought out by the AHRS as Russell had died before the Society was established.