Showing 39 items
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Federation University Historical Collection
Poster, Aboriginal Dreamtime Trails Tours, Ballarat
Poster advertising a tour in Ballarat called "Dreamtime Trails Tours". Booking made by ringing number advertised. The tour was by bus.Poster on thick white card, with dark blue, orange and grey text and designdreamtime, tour, trails -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Electronic Resource, Healesville High School Students et al, Healesville High School : Dreamtime Stories, 2013
In August 2013, Kiwa Digital, in conjunction with the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages brought the KIWA SLAM™ to the Ngulu (Language) Class of Healesville High school. Under the guidance of Aunty Joy Murphy, our Wurundjeri elder, nineteen years 7, 8 & 9 students undertook an intensive two days of Dreamtime story telling, culminating in four dreamtime stories told through striking artwork and narrated in the students' own voices. (cover notes)vacl, healesville high school, creation stories, dreamtime, storytelling, education, digital resources, storybook app -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, Yilpanha wiya yamathi tjapirnku =? why the goanna and the lizard are no longer friends today : the Dreamtime story of the goanna and the lizard, 2005
Creation story.word lists, colour illustrations, CD-ROMwangkatha, western australia, dreamtime, storytelling, animals -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Book, Geoff Arnott, A History of Wonga Park and Surrounds - Dreamtime to Communities by Geoff Arnott, 2022, 2022
Large hard cover book consisting of Muli-coloured dust jacket, but printed in black and white, with many photographs, 345 pages. Copyright Wonga park Community Cottage History GroupISBN 978-0-646-86659-8 -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, A W Reed, Aboriginal myths : tales of the Dreamtime, 1999
Stories involving animals, gathered from Language groups throughout Australia. Gathered from often quite isolated Aboriginal groups throughout Australia and passed down over thousands of years, some of the myths have striking similarities. Aboriginal Myths gives a fascinating glimpse of the wild and entertaining deeds of the mythic beings populating Aboriginal spiritual life. Does not include a glossary.creation stories -
Melbourne Athenaeum Archives
Theatre program, Pete McGynty and the Dreamtime (play) By Keith Michell performed by the Melbourne Theatre Company at the Athenaeum Theatre commencing 1 April 1981
Keith Michell wrote and performs the lead in this play being an Australian play with tones of Ibsen's Peer Gyntpaper program pete mcgynty and the dreamtime, athenaeum theatre, melbourne theatre company, keith michell, henrik ibsen, peer gynt -
Koorie Heritage Trust
Book, Brodsky, Isadore, Bennelong profile : dreamtime reveries of a native of Sydney Cove, 1973
895 P.; plates; map; refs.; 25 cm. (watermarked)bennelong, approximately 1764-1813. | bennelong, ca. 1764-1813. australia. biographies | aboriginal australians. -
Koorie Heritage Trust
Book, Roberts, Ainslie, The Dreamtime: Australian Aboriginal Myths in Paintings, 1968
...as yet our writers, musicians, dramatists, and artists, still dominated by the influences of overseas cultures, have seen but little inspired by the beauty of the mythical beliefs of our native people. Suddenly, this rich store of beauty has been revealed to us through the paintings of Ainslie Roberts. With the creative mind of the true artist, free from all influences except those of the mythical stories of the brown-skinned aborigines, he has given us pictures as full of imagery and fantasy as the stories on which they are based, pictures that reveal both the sensitive mind of the artist and the fertile imagination of the aboriginal story-teller.79 pages : coloured illustrations ; 24 cm....as yet our writers, musicians, dramatists, and artists, still dominated by the influences of overseas cultures, have seen but little inspired by the beauty of the mythical beliefs of our native people. Suddenly, this rich store of beauty has been revealed to us through the paintings of Ainslie Roberts. With the creative mind of the true artist, free from all influences except those of the mythical stories of the brown-skinned aborigines, he has given us pictures as full of imagery and fantasy as the stories on which they are based, pictures that reveal both the sensitive mind of the artist and the fertile imagination of the aboriginal story-teller.aboriginal australians -- folklore. -
Koorie Heritage Trust
Book, Roberts, Ainslie et al, Dreamtime heritage : Australian Aboriginal myths in paintings, 1975
Paintings by Ainslie Roberts and text by Melva Jean Roberts of Australian Aboriginal Myths. Part of a series.80p. : ill. ; 25cm.Paintings by Ainslie Roberts and text by Melva Jean Roberts of Australian Aboriginal Myths. Part of a series.roberts, ainslie, 1911- | australian paintings. roberts, ainslie. special subjects: australian aboriginal myths. illustrations. | australian aboriginal myths. texts. | aboriginal australians -- folklore -- pictorial works. | aboriginal australians -- religion. -
Gippsland Art Gallery
Ceramic, Potts, Hedley, I Have a Dream for the Dreamtime, 1988
Purchased, 1989gippsland, artwork, permanent collection -
Darebin Art Collection
Painting, Brian McGuffie, The River of Tears, Lake Tyers, In the Dreamtime, 1992
lake tyers -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, The Museum. Songlines
Tells story behind Aboriginal songs.Soft covered book with aboriginal design on front with "The Museum" and "Songlines. Finding inspiration in the dreamtime" in white writing. Purple spine with barcode and edition. Back page is black with a circular picture and information in gold and white writing.as aboveaboriginals, dreamtime, aboriginal songs -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, A W Reed, Aboriginal myths, legends and fables, 1999
Aboriginal myths, legends and fables create a rich wealth of stories from Aboriginal Cultural heritage. The stories tell of the mystical bonds that exist between Aboriginal people, their environment and the spirit life of the Dreamtime. Each story provides the reader with an insight into the fascinating beliefs of one of the oldest living cultures on earth.murray river, myths, legends, fables, baiame, bunjil, rainbow snake, astronomy, creation stories, dreamtime -
Hepburn Shire Council Art and Heritage Collection
Public Art Work, 'Bunjil' - Russell Petherbridge. 2012, 2012
'Hepburn Pool is a forgotten treasure which many visitors to Hepburn Springs would never be aware of. The owners of the Bellinzona Grange hotel explained that it was once the hotel pool and was built in the 1930's. You can find it behind this hotel, downhill at a street called The Pool Way. Steps and a ramp continue down to the pool itself and the secluded park around it. It was built into Spring Creek and became a competition pool for state swimming championships. A concrete weir separates a shallow children's pool from the main pool. You can still see the numbers of each lane painted on the walls at the deep end. There are plenty of seats and a barbeque area. A sign says this is a sacred aboriginal spot and you can certainly feel something magical about the place. I wouldn't suggest swimming in the former pool, it looks rather murky now.' Review of Hepburn Pool by 'Jolyon67' on 'Tripadvisor', 3 June 2015'The Bunji: The Bunjil sculpture emerged from discussions with local indigneous Elders, as a dreamtime totem to the Sacred Pool at Hepburn Springs. The original idea was to create the 3 totems of the area...the Bunjil, The Crow and The Bat. Russell applied for, a council grant of $3,000 to design, create and install the Bunjil Sculpture to overlook the pool and reflect its powerful image in the water.' Information provided by Russell Petherbridge, December 2015Large scale steel sculpture depicting 'Bunjil', the dreamtime totem of the Hepburn Pool, an eagle in flight.art, public art, sculpture, installation art, aboriginal art, site specific art, hepburn shire, hepburn shire public art collection, russell petherbridge, bunjil, hepburn, hepburn pool, aboriginal significance, steel sculpture -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
DVD, Students of Iramoo Primary School, Dyeerrm : the story of Dyeerrm the thirsty frog : as told by the Indigenous students of Iramoo Primary School, 2007
The story of Dyeerrm is adapted from the original tale of Tiddalik, a well-known Dreamtime story told throughout Australia by many Indigenous peoples. Iramoo Primary School has worked with the Wathaurong People of the Geelong and Werribee districts to produce a piece of work which reflects the lives of these people, the food they ate, the plants they lived amongst and the stories that make up their culture. "The school has endeavoured to ensure all information in the retelling of this version is accurate. We apologise for any inconsistencies".DVDwathaurong, geelong, werribee, dyeerrm, tiddalik, dreamtime, storytelling, animation -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Audio CD, Jida Murray-Gulpilil, Singing and dancing for country Bunjil pa Waa Woyi pa Waripa. Part 1
Be Flash Cheeky Show off and Shake a Leg Canoe and Fishing Song Red Kangaroo Dance Reburial Song Dreamtime Love Song Didgeridoo Rhythm Classic Children's Nursery RhymeCDwathaurong -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, A W Reed, Aboriginal tales of Australia, 1998
Populated by mythical beings, these stories of heros, birds, rivers, lakes and shores have been passed down over generations and today offer a window of understanding into the powerful Aboriginal connection to the land.word listscreation stories, dreamtime -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Moor-Rul Viewing Platform Panel: Wing tailed feather of the Wedge-tailed Eagle (BUNJIL), 10 August 2016
One of eight double-sided interpretation panels on the Moor-rul viewing platform at the War memoiral park in Kangaroo Ground highlight the area's indigenous history. Wing feathers of the wedge-tailed Eagle (BUNJIL) Courtesy of the Melbourne Museum. "On a clear day a pair of these magnificent birds might be seen soaring high above this platform on rising thermals" For the Wurundjeri people, Bunjil, the Eaglehawk was seen as being the all powerful Being of the Dreamtime, the all-father who created the centre world and its creatures. After the creation Bunjil with his wives and sons went up intothe “tharingbeik”, the sky, where he remains today as the star Attair. Souce: Document compiled by EDHS in 1997 for a series of historic items for Diamond Valley Public Radio. The Moor-Rul Viewing Platform, part of the Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park opened in April 2007. Eight double-sided interpretation panels on the Moor-rul viewing platform highlight the area's Aboriginal and European history of the area and also details of local geology, flora and fauna. These panels feature high quality graphic design and professionally written text. The subjects covered are: ''Womin Je Ka" Welcome The Kulin Nation Singing, Dancing, Ceremony, Celebration This Country, My Home The Highland Taken Auld Lang Syne "Same Land Different Views" Working the Land Food from the Earth or "Earth's Harvest" Lest We Forget, "And with the going down of the Sun .... (3 panels) This Black Earth Those other indigenous inhabitants - Kangaroo Ground's Wildlife Silent Witnesses - Kangaroo Ground's White Manna Gums Belonging A Place of Reverence and A Tower of Strength Souce: EDHS Newsletter No 173 March 2007. As part of a program to acknowledge the Anzac Centenary Nillumbik Shire Council partnered with Yarra Plenty Regional Library to provide a bus tour with commentary of local sites of significance: Shire of Nillumbik World War One Memorials tour, 10 August 2016. These included Eltham township, the Shire of Eltham War Memorial at Kangaroo Ground, Christmas Hills war memorial, Hurstbridge memorial recreation park and finshed at Eltham Library to view the Writing the War exhibtion at Eltham Library Community Gallery. Born Digitalshire of nillumbik, kangaroo ground, moor-rul viewing platform, interpretative signage, eagle, feather, interpetation panel, dreamtime, bunjil -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, A W Reed, Aboriginal legends : animal tales, 1999
Collection of creation stories.creation stories, animals, rainbow snake, eagle-hawk, dreamtime -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Book, Bunjil of the Wurundjeri / Kenneth Eric Eckersall, 2007
Self-published essay by Kenneth Eric Eckersall, Eltham, Victoria, October 2007 For the Wurundjeri people, Bunjil, the Eaglehawk was seen as being the all powerful Being of the Dreamtime, the all-father who created the centre world and its creatures. After the creation Bunjil with his wives and sons went up into the “tharingbeik”, the sky, where he remains today as the star Altair.Paperback; v, 58 p. : ill. ; 21 cm.[signed by author on title page]wurundjeri, aborigines, bunjil, mythology -
Vision Australia
Text, 1998 TDK Australian Audio Book Award, 1998
To encourage the development of audio books, a series of awards were established by the National Library of Australia in 1988, and sponsored by TDK from 1991 until their demise in 2000. Open to both commercial and non-commercial publishers, it aimed to recognise the quality achievements by individuals and publishing houses and to promote the inclusion of audio books into the mainstream market. In 1998 the winner of the Unabridged Non-Fiction Category was "Dreamtime Alice" by Louis Braille Books.1 x A3 sheetIllustration of seaside town by an unknown artist between header and recipient louis braille audio -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, A W Reed, Aboriginal fables and legendary tales, 1999
Gathered from all over Australia, these legends have been passed down through the tribes for thousands of years.murray river, mount gambier, legends, tales, dreamtime, rainbow snake, baiame -
Ruyton Girls' School
Magazine, William Troedel & Co, Ruyton Reporter, 2003
The Ruyton Reporter (formerly known as Ruyton Reports) captures the essential Ruyton Girls' School experience for the broader school community. It has been produced since 1986.The record has strong historic significance as it pertains to one of the oldest girls' school in Victoria, Australia. Ruyton was founded in 1878 in the Bulleen Road, Kew, home of newly widowed Mrs Charlotte Anderson (now High Street South). Thus, the record can be used as a reference example for research into Victorian school history. It also gives insight into the types of activities and events undertaken at Ruyton Girls' School during the period of its production. The record's significance is further enhanced by its exceptionally well-documented provenance, having remained the property of Ruyton Girls' School since its production.Colour publication printed on paper with staple binding. 24 pages.Front Page: 2/14/8 / PRINT POST APPROVED PP 341999 000226 / R / RECTE ET FIDE LITER / THE RUYTON REPORTER / SUMMER 2003 / outback and beyond / STOP PRESS: / a year to celebrate / Ruyton makes / sporting history / the ties that bind / authors at Ruyton / Year 10's Inaugural Dreamtime Culture Tour /ruyton girls' school, ruyton, school, students, newsletter, ruyton reports, ruyton news, kew, victoria, melbourne, girls school -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Vehicle - Kayak
Paul Caffyn undertook perhaps the ultimate kayak circumnavigation, a 9,420mile journey around Australia in 1981/2 which took 360 days to complete. ‘The Dreamtime Voyage’ is his account of this odyssey which is acknowledged as one of the most remarkable journeys ever undertaken by kayak. Paul had to contend with a tropical cyclone which nearly swept him off a small offshore islet in the Coral Sea, raging surf, tiger sharks which frequently bumped into the kayak in the Gulf of Carpentaria, crocodiles, sea snakes and three sections of sheer limestone cliffs. To overcome the three 100 mile plus long sections of cliffs, Paul used Nodoz tablets to stay awake and Lomotil to keep his bowels dormant during these overnight paddles. The longest stint along the awesome Zuytdorp Cliffs in Western Australia, took 34 hours of continuous paddling.Sea kayak used by Paul Caffyn to circumnavigate Australia in 1981-82. First sea kayak to voyage around Australia.Yellow fibreglass kayak"Lalaguli" various other markingssea kayak, paul caffyn, lalagule -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Snake Skin, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
There is no known information about the species of snake that this skin belongs to. However, generally speaking, Australia has over two hundred known species of snakes. They are elongated, legless and carnivorous reptiles with scaly, textured skin. Snakes are especially important in Aboriginal dreaming, representing one of the great and powerful forces of nature and spirit. In the Rainbow Serpent Dreamtime story, they are considered the great life giver and protector of water, which is their spiritual home. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.Caramel coloured long snake skin curled around in an oval shape.taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, snake skin, snake, reptile -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Goanna, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
Sand goannas are the second largest species of carnivorous lizards found across mainland Australia. They can grow up to 160cm in length and can weigh as much as 6kg. Their common name is derived from "iguana", since early European bush settlers in Australia likened goannas to the South American lizards. Goannas retain special cultural and historic significance within Australian folklore and Indigenous culture. They were an important traditional native food source and are commonly represented in Aboriginal Dreamtime stories. In some Aboriginal languages, the sand goanna is called "bungarra"; a term also commonly used by non-Aboriginal people in Western Australia. In Pitjantjatjara and other central Australian languages, goannas are called "tingka". This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.Small goanna with a streamlined body and textured scaly skin in different shades of olive and brown. It has a long neck and a long tail which narrows towards the tip. The goanna has four short, stocky legs which meet with large, curled claws. Its mouth is slightly slightly open, and it has two black glass eyes.On tag: BMM / 5892 /taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, lizard, goanna, sand goanna, monitor lizard, various gouldii -
Federation University Art Collection
Work on paper - Artwork - printmaking, Lytlewode Press, A suite of limited edition prints by Paddy Fordham Wainburranga, 2003, 2003
Paddy Fordham Wainburranga (1932-2006) Area: Arnhem Land Country: Bamdibu (Bumdubu) near Bulman Station As a child, Paddy grew up in Maningrida an Aboriginal community on the top end of the Northern Territory. He started working as a boy around cattle yards, which finally led him to working as a stockman for 20 years. Before this, he spent much of his time hunting and learning culture and customs from his father and uncles. He could remember being taken to a sacred location where he was told many Dreamtime stories of how customs came to be and why Aboriginal people practice them. Paddy was part of the movement for equal rights for all Aborigines, actively involved in claiming Bumdibu as his traditional land for his clan. He resided over this land as Jungai (caretaker, policeman). Paddy was taught to paint by his father but did not begin to paint seriously until the early 1970s. He was also recognized as a story teller, bark painter, sculpture, dancer, singer and musician. He was familiar with Central Arnhem Land rock and bark painting traditions; however he developed an idiosyncratic style which fused the figurative schema of western Arnhem Land with the narrative capacities of the north-east producing dense pictorial paintings divided into sequential segments. A suite of seven limited edition prints using the sugar lift aquatint technique. .1) Yalk Yalk Woman Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 .2) Walga Walga Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 .3) Nammooroddoo Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 Nammooroddoo Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 .3) Nammooroddoo Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 .4) Mun Gruk Gruk Woman Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 .5 Mun Gruk Gruk Man Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 .6) Mun Gruk Gruk Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 .7) Lightning Man Sugar Lift Aquatint Plate 75.0cm (H) x 49.0cm (W) Paper 1110cm (H) x 76.0cm (W) 2003 Edition: 73/100 Donated through the Australian Government Cultural Gifts Programme by Katherine N. Littlewood, 2014artist, artwork, paddy fordham wainburranga, paddy fordham, wainburranga, printmaking, aboriginal, indigenous, churchill, dreaming -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Alan Marshall sculpture outside Eltham Library, c.1995, 1995c
[from EDHS Newsletter No. 104, September 1995:] ALAN MARSHALL SCULPTURE. In our last Newsletter brief mention was made of the bronze sculpture of Alan Marshall outside the Eltham Library. Sculptor Marcus Skipper has now completed the installation of his almost life-size work. The setting and location are ideal and Marcus has really captured the typical Marshall character. It has attracted much favourable comment since its completion. Most members are generally familiar with Alan's life and work but for those not so familiar and for the sake of the record we include these brief biographical details. Alan Marshall, A.M., O.B.E., Hon.LL.D. (1902-1984) was born at Noorat, Victoria and became one of Australia's most famous authors. His association with the Eltham area began in 1920 when he started his first job as a junior clerk at the Eltham Shire Offices, Kangaroo Ground. In the 1940s he spent some time living at Research. From 1955 he lived in Eltham for nearly 20 years. Disabilities resulting from polio as a young child did not prevent a wide range of experiences. Alan's occupations have been listed as clerk, night watchman, fortune teller, freelance journalist and author. He has been patron of many disadvantaged Children's Societies. Alan's books are numerous and include novels, short stories, children's books, history and travel. Among the best known are his autobiographies "I Can Jump Puddles" and "This is the Grass". Others include "These are My People", "Ourselves Writ Strange", "People of the Dreamtime", "The Gay Provider" and "Wild Red Horses". In 1971 he wrote the Centenary History of the Shire of Eltham, "Pioneers and Painters".Colour photographalan marshall, eltham library, marcus skipper, public art, sculptures -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Alan Marshall sculpture outside Eltham Library, c.1995, 1995c
[from EDHS Newsletter No. 104, September 1995:] ALAN MARSHALL SCULPTURE. In our last Newsletter brief mention was made of the bronze sculpture of Alan Marshall outside the Eltham Library. Sculptor Marcus Skipper has now completed the installation of his almost life-size work. The setting and location are ideal and Marcus has really captured the typical Marshall character. It has attracted much favourable comment since its completion. Most members are generally familiar with Alan's life and work but for those not so familiar and for the sake of the record we include these brief biographical details. Alan Marshall, A.M., O.B.E., Hon.LL.D. (1902-1984) was born at Noorat, Victoria and became one of Australia's most famous authors. His association with the Eltham area began in 1920 when he started his first job as a junior clerk at the Eltham Shire Offices, Kangaroo Ground. In the 1940s he spent some time living at Research. From 1955 he lived in Eltham for nearly 20 years. Disabilities resulting from polio as a young child did not prevent a wide range of experiences. Alan's occupations have been listed as clerk, night watchman, fortune teller, freelance journalist and author. He has been patron of many disadvantaged Children's Societies. Alan's books are numerous and include novels, short stories, children's books, history and travel. Among the best known are his autobiographies "I Can Jump Puddles" and "This is the Grass". Others include "These are My People", "Ourselves Writ Strange", "People of the Dreamtime", "The Gay Provider" and "Wild Red Horses". In 1971 he wrote the Centenary History of the Shire of Eltham, "Pioneers and Painters".Colour photographalan marshall, eltham library, marcus skipper, public art, sculptures -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Geological specimen - Precious Opal
In Australia, precious opal is found in Cretaceous age sandstones and mudstones. These sedimentary rocks were deeply weathered and this weathering released silica into the groundwater.Australia is the only part of the world where opalised animal and plant fossils have been found. Opal artefacts several thousands of years old have been discovered in East Africa. As early as 250 BC the Romans prized opals, thought to have come from mines in Eastern Europe, the ancient world's main source of opals. There are many aboriginal dreamtime stories that feature opal. Australian opals discovered during the late 1800's found little favour with European markets but their commercial value increased in the 1900's and in 1932 Australia took over as the major producer of opals in the world and remains the largest producer to this day. Opal is found around the world (Brazil, Mexico, Honduras and the western US) however Australia produces 95% of the world's precious opal and it is our official national gemstone. Opal was first mined commercially at Listowel Downs in Queensland in 1875 and later at White Cliffs in NSW. Today, Coober Pedy (SA) is the main producer of white opal, though in recent years this field has expanded and all types of opals are found. Other centres in SA include Andamooka and Mintabe. Lightning Ridge (NSW) is renowned for black opal and formerly White Cliffs was a large producer of high quality opal. Boulder opals (opals in concretionary ironstone) are mined in Queensland from numerous localities in a zone extending from the Eulo and Cunnamulla district in the south and northwest for a distance of over 700 km to Kynuna in the north. The towns of Quilpie, Yowah and Winton are the main opal mining and wholesale centres. Opals are considered gemstones and have been used in jewellery for thousands of years.Throughout much of history, opals were actually believed to be good luck. The Romans thought that opals were one of the luckiest gemstones and a symbol of hope. In the Middle Ages, opals were believed to be bestowed with all the positive properties of coloured gemstones due to its rainbow-like play of colour. Finally, there is a superstition that you should not wear an opal unless it is your birthstone otherwise misfortune will befall you. This, of course, is far-fetched, but the notion could have been promoted in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries by diamond traders who were trying to increase sales of diamonds and deter people from buying opals. Possibly related to this is the thought that you should set opal jewellery with diamonds as their powers of good fortune will override any negativity held by the opal. The great majority of opal does not show play of colour and is called common opal or potch however this is not the case with a precious opal. Opal is a precious gemstone, like rubies, emeralds or diamonds. Opal is rare, and it is expensive to prospect and mine for.Silica is one of the most common minerals on the planet, but precious opal is very rare – far more rare than diamonds. Precious opal is rare because the natural processes that create it rarely occur.Most (at least 95%) of the opal found by miners is common opal without gem colour. In Australia we call it potch. It can be white, grey, black or amber coloured. Even when a miner finds gem-coloured opal, most of it can’t be cut into gemstones because it’s too thin, or sandy. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.It is not known where this opal originated, except that it is probably from Victoria, as it has been recorded from many localities in the State. Common Opal is formed from silica-rich water circulating through rocks near the Earth’s surface. It consists of minute spheres of silica arranged in different ways. In common opal, the spheres are of different sizes and randomly arranged, unlike in precious opal where the spheres are of similar size and uniformly arranged in three dimensions. These differences account for common opal generally being translucent to opaque and without the play of colours, or opalescence, displayed by precious opal. Common opal is found in many localities and different geological environments throughout Australia and the world. Precious opal requires special conditions to form and is much less common. Australia produces most to the world’s precious opal. burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geological, geological specimen, precious opal, opal, brazil, mexico, honduras, queensland, coober pedy, gemstones, jewellery, play-of-colour, light blue