The mural of the artist's image of early Sunbury was painted on the garage wall of the Sunbury Presbytery. It could be viewed from the former court house garden. The first businesses opened in Sunbury in Macedon Street between Jacksons Creek and Jackson Street. The view in the mural is looking east towards Jacksons Creek.When the railway service reached Sunbury in 1859, the business area then relocated from Macedon Street to the Evans and O'Shanassy Streets precinct. Some businesses still exist at the original Macedon Street site.A coloured scanned photograph of a mural which was painted on a brick wall.murals, early sunbury, macedon street

The photograph was taken above Reservoir Road on the lower slopes of Mt. Holden. It is looking south down Wilson's Lane towards some of the early Sunbury developments which grew around the Gap Road area in the early 1980s.A landscape coloured photograph with rounded corners. It is a panoramic view of Sunbury taken from the southern slopes of Mt. Holden. In the foreground there is a small cluster of trees and in the middle distance there is some evidence of housing development. Bald Hill can be seen on the skyline.wilson's lane, mt. holden, bald hill, sunbury, george evans collection

The photograph was taken at one of the early Sunbury Shows. In April 1900 saw the establishment of the Sunbury Horticultural Society but it was in September 1915 that the first Sunbury Show was held at the Corporation Sale Yards in the form of a horse parade and sale. In 1917 the Show was held at the Old Reserve which was adjacent to the railway precinct. Today the Sunbury Show is held in October at the Clarke Oval. Annual Agricultural Shows are important events in many towns throughout the country and in Sunbury, it still draws crowds.A non-digital black and white photocopied photograph of a gathering of people at an agricultural show. Some people are on horseback while others are herding some cattle and a group are unloading barrels from a horse and dray. sunbury show, agricultural shows

A photograph of two of the showcases and display boards that were used at an exhibition on early Sunbury wineries, that was mounted at the George Evans Museum from August 1996 to January 1997. On display were photographs of the early wine-makers and their vineyards as well as some equipment used in wine-making. The displays in the museum featured a variety of items relevant to the vineyard history in Sunbury in the nineteenth century A non-digital coloured photograph of two glass showcases and two display boards featuring photographs of people and buildings as well as items relevant to vineyards and wine making in an exhibition.george evans museum, vineyards, wine making, sunbury, exhibitions

The photograph was taken on a rise overlooking the early settlement of Sunbury with Mount Holden and other hills across the skyline. The five arch railway bridge is visible in the distance on the RHS of the image. Two of Sunbury's early hotels, the John Franklin and the Ball Court are across the middle distance. Craiglee Vineyard with the vines growing is in the foreground. A black and white photograph with a white border.Written across the bottom: VIEW OF JACKSON CREEK SUNBURYsunbury, vineyards, jackson creek, craiglee vineyard

A paperback book of 58 pages with text and black and white photographs stapled together with a cardboard cover and a coloured reproduction of a painting by George Rowe of an early race meeting in Sunbury. non-fictionA short local history covering 140 years of European Settlement in Sunbury from 1836 to 1972. The booklet was produced by Dr. John Patterson with help from local Sunbury people.local history, sunbury, dr. john patterson

The Ball Court Hotel was built in the late 1870's by John Cahill. It remained with the Cahill family until World War 2. The Lupson family were the hoteliers for 20 years after WW2 and in 1973 the McPhersons rebuilt the interior and added air conditioning to the building. The Ball Court Hotel is the only surviving hotel from Sunbury's early settlement.A coloured photograph of the side view along Macedon Street of the Ball Court Hotel showing the public bar in the original building, the Take-away area and the bistro. There are three windows and a door in the original building. The take-away section has a shop front facade and the bistro entrance has two double glass doors. All doorways are covered with a cantilever brown and white canvas awning. A footpath and grassed nature strip is outside the building. 3 blue and white brewery signs are along the side of the building and 2 air conditioning units are on the roof.In Gothic lettering 'BALL COURT HOTEL'hotels, cahill, john, mcpherson, mr and mrs, lupson, fred, ball court hotel, george evans collection

The waterfalls were on the Jacksons Creek downstream from Sunbury township and in the vicinity of a mill which was built on the river bank. The man standing on the riverbank on the RHS of the image is near the remains of Eadie's Mill which was one of the early structures erected in Sunbury.A sepia photograph mounted on a cream board of two waterfalls in a flooded river with bare hills on either side. A man is standing near some stone ruins on the RHS of the image.waterfalls, jacksons creek, mill falls

The people in the photograph were enjoying a day out at a Sunbury race meeting some time in the early 1900s. Races at Sunbury began in 1886 with the establishment of the Sunbury Racecourse that was located along Racecourse Road on a section of the Rupertswood Estate on land consisting of six furlongs and two straights. The site included a patron’s stand, saddling paddock, bookmakers’ enclosure, two bars, a committee room, judges box, stables, toilets, six entrance gates and ticket boxes. Special trains from Melbourne brought patrons and horses to the Sunbury race meetings. A report in the Melbourne Argus newspaper in 1922, stated that city taxi drivers came out to Sunbury to drive patrons to the racecourse, which was located about 3 kms from the Sunbury station. Some time however, between 1886 and 1901, there was a period when the racing club had been inactive. A meeting was called in 1901 to restore the club’s activities. With a substantial loan from Mr. Clarke the committee was able to organise the installation of a turnstile, perimeter fencing and irrigation of the course by a windmill that pumped water from a recently constructed dam that was on the estate. The club continued to function until 1942, during World War 2, and did not resume activities after the end of the war. The land was eventually sold for housing development. The Sunbury Race meetings were popular with the racing fraternity not only in the district but further afield and were deemed sufficiently important to run special trains from Melbourne to Sunbury on Race days.A non-digital sepia photograph with a strong cardboard backing of a crowd of people dressed smartly for a day out at the races. Most of the spectators are seated in a long marquee. Three men on the RHS are looking at a horse that is lying on the ground.On the back of the card there are scribbled notes and numbers which seem to indicate the photograph has been used for a publication at some time.sunbury race meetings, sunbury race course, racecourse road

Europeans arrived in the Kiewa Valley in the 1830s and 40s. Following the drought of 1838-44 seeking out the rich pastures in the fertile Kiewa Valley. . The next major increase in population was as a result of the Kiewa Hydro Scheme. The beginning of construction of the Kiewa Hydro-electric scheme in the late 1940s introduced changes and led to the enlargement and improvement of local roads and the townships of Mount Beauty and Bogong Village were constructed by the SECV from the 1930’s to the 1950’s to house workers on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. At its peak the Kiewa Scheme employed around 4000 people from all walks of life and as many cultures.The influx of European migrants to work on the Hydro Scheme along with their rich cultural backgrounds, all played a major part in establishing the history of the area and in shaping the future character of the Mount Beauty, the Kiewa Valley and Falls Creek areas. Photographs may depict descendants, family or friends of early settlers or workers in the Kiewa Valley region.1. Sepia photograph, mounted on heavy buff card with yellowing marks from sticking tape across the bottom of the photograph. Photograph is of a group of nurses taken at the Sunbury Sanitorium 2. Sepia photograph mounted on heavy buff card with yellowing marks from sticking tape at top and bottom of photo. Mark from drawing pin in centre top of photo. Photograph is of a middle aged woman posing dressed in period costume 3. Sepia photograph mounted on heavy buff card with yellowing marks from sticking tape at top and bottom of photo. Mark from drawing pin in centre top of photo. Photograph is of an older woman posing dressed in period costume sepia photos; nurses; kiewa valley; sunbury sanitorium; period costume

The fire screen was part of the original furnishings of the Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters in Merri Street, Warrnambool. It was made by Lighthouse Keeper, Thomas Hope. Thomas served two terms as an assistant lighthouse keeper in Warrnambool. His first term was from 1905 to 1907. He later returned from 1910 to 1913, when he was appointed as Keeper five months after the untimely death of his predecessor Peter Quinn. Woodworking was one of Thomas Hope’s hobbies, and the three-panel fire screen he made as a lighthouse keeper is now in the Flagstaff collection and is displayed in the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage. Thomas Hope 1857 - 1928 Thomas James Hope was born in Camden, Surrey, England in 1857. His father, also called Thomas, was reputed to be a member of the Royal Family, and Thomas Hope Junior his illegitimate son. Thomas was subsequently brought up on the estate of the Earl of Hopetoun in Somerset and it was thought that Thomas was the Earl’s grandson. Against the wishes of those in charge of Thomas, he joined the navy at an early age, seeing much of the world until he settled in New Zealand at the age of twenty-four. After some years in New Zealand, he came to Australia to live. One of the jobs Thomas Hope had prior to becoming an assistant lighthouse keeper in 1896 was as a cook in the Lunatic Asylum at Sunbury, Victoria. He served as an assistant keeper at Shortlands Bluff, Gabo Island, Split Point and Warrnambool, retiring in 1918. He bought a house in Nicholson St, Warrnambool and died in March 1928. He is buried in the Warrnambool cemetery. Thomas Hope is recorded in family history as being of short stature and, not surprisingly given his alleged aristocratic connections, possessed a beautiful speaking voice. He and his wife Elizabeth nee Waters, whom he married in New Zealand, had six children (Thomas, killed in World War One), Ellen (Nell), Nora (who was married at the Warrnambool lighthouse keepers cottage), William (who died in Warrnambool), Marion and Alan. Joseph Hoover (Dec 29, 1830, to Aug 7, 1913) Joseph Hoover, the printer of the pictures on the screen, was born in Baltimore, of Swiss-German heritage. He was trained as an architectural woodturner. In 1856 Hoover moved to Philadelphia and began producing elaborate wooden frames in his wood-turning and framing business. By 1865 Hoover had started to produce popular prints for publishers and artists, which included noted Philadelphia artist James F. Queen. In the 1880s Hoover set up a complete plant specialising in chromatography, the process of producing colour prints from lithographic plates. The coloured prints he produced were affordable to business and private customers. In 1893 his son Henry L., a trained lithographer, joined the company as overseer and it was called J. Hoover & Son. It became one of the largest in America by the turn of the century. Hoover won a medal for Excellence for his Chromolithographs of James Queen’s works. In 1904 Joseph’s other son, Joseph W, joined the business as a partner and the company was called Jos. Hoover & Sons. Hoover died of a heart attack in 1913. He was survived by his wife and six children: two sons who were also his business partners, and four daughters. The firm continued in production until around 1985. Hoover’s prints included scenes, still life and landscapes of America and other locations. They were sold in America and overseas to countries including Canada, Germany, Mexico and England. The three-panelled screen in the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage was made by the Assistant Lighthouse Keeper, Thomas Hope during one of his two terms at the Lighthouse Keepers' Quarters. It is the only object in the collection known to be connected to Hope. The Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage is part of the Lady Bay Lighthouse Complex, which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register for being of historical, scientific (technological) and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.Fire screen comprising three black wood framed panels hinged together. Each panel contains a glass-encased print depicting a rural landscape. Ornate stencil cut wood edging and quilt-inspired parquetry sits above each panel. The central panel is taller than those either side. Screen is lined in black-painted cardboard.Printed at the base of each of the three prints “COPYRIGHT 1896 BY J. HOOVER & SON, PHILAD’’A.”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, firescreen, thomas hope junior, ellen (nell) hope, nora hope, william hope, marion hope, alan hope, jos. hoover & sons of philadelphia, lighthouse keeper, assistant lighthouse keeper, carved screen, merri street, lighthouse keeper's cottage, lighthouse residence, lighthouse, wood carving, lighthouse complex, lady bay lighthouse, fire screen

Restored by Tony Newstead. Played by Dr Phil Law during the 1930s, "for dances and other functions, while teaching at Clunes, Talbot, Creswick, Learmonth, Newtown, Smeaton, and while teaching at Elwood (at Eltham, Gisborne and Sunbury." including on many of his expeditions to the Antarctic. Phil Law was a dedicated jazz reed player and band leader in his early years as a country school teacher. His brothers also played. Gift of Dr Phil Law - 1999. Dr Law died in Melbourne on 28 February 2010 at the age of 97.Owned and played by Dr Phillip Garth (Phil) Law AC, CBE, for dances and other functions, while teaching during the 1930s, and on many of his 28 expeditions to the Antarctic. Metal Silver B flat soprano saxophone made by V. Kohlert and Sons, Graslitz, Czechoslovakia. Circa 1920s. Mother of pearl keys, slight denting. Additional mouth piece. On bell of saxophone "Kohlert Sons / Graslitz / Czechoslovakia" framed by flower and leaf motifdr phil law, dr phillip law, soprano saxophone, kohlert and sons, kohlert sons, antarctic explorer, b flat soprano saxophone, silver instrument, reed instrument

A Dray is a type of dead axle wagon that was used to transport heavy loads or objects. They had a flat level floor and while some had no sides, others had box bodies and sides. Tip Drays (also known as Tip Carts, Muck Cart, Scotch Cart, Tumbrel or Putt in different parts of England) were smaller than other drays as their loads were heavy and usually only pulled by one horse. Their basic design included two wheels, a tipping body and shafts. The Tip Dray has a unique mechanism that allows the top to tip backwards to tip the load out of the back of the dray. The tipper was activated by a handle at the front allowing the driver to operate it while still having control over the horse. A Tip Dray was an indispensable piece of equipment in the days before tractors and mechanical trucks. They were used by farmers and carters to transport hay, rocks, bricks, gravel and rubbish etc. and because they were useful for dumping loads, they were favoured for use in road and railway construction. A photo in the collection of the Lorne Historical Society shows a tipping dray being used during the construction of the Great Ocean Road. They were part of the daily street traffic in towns and cities around Australia from the early days of settlement. In Australia in the early 1900's, carters began to join unions to protect their jobs and pay. N.S.W. had a "Trolley, Draymen and Carters Union", Queensland had a "Tip Dray Men's Association" and in W. A. the "Top Dray Driver's Union" had a "cessation of work" in 1911 when they were fighting for an increase in their day's wages. In 1910 a meeting of Tip Carters was held in Geelong at the Trades Hall to discuss the formation of a union (The Geelong Tip Dray Carters) which was a success and a schedule of rates for all carting, whether by contract or day labor, was fixed. By 1912 they had "labelled" more than 50 drays and had representatives on the "Trades Hall and Eight Hours Committee". By the mid 1930's and early 1940's, tip drays were being superseded by mechanical trucks and utes. However tip drays continued to be used in some circumstances. They were a practical solution to the problem of petrol rationing during W. W. 2. It was noted in a letter to the editor in the "Sunshine Advocate" in 1938 that a positive argument for continued use of Tip Drays for rubbish collection related to the idea that a horse drawn vehicle involved with lots of stops and starts at different houses (very like a milkman's delivery route) often involved the horse "driving itself" while the driver picked up the rubbish - something a motor truck was unable to do! Another article written in August 1935 and published in the Age in a parliamentary report into the rubber industry noted "tip drays had almost disappeared and in their place, metal was carted in 5 ton motor trucks" but the report went on to say that as a part of the Government relief work (during the Great Depression) the Government had "to some extent reintroduced the tip drays so that a greater number of men would be employed". This particular tip dray was owned by Mr. Oswald (Jack) Bourke. He used it to deliver dry goods from Sunbury to the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne several times a week in the 1930's and then (between 1945 and 1962) Mr. Bourke used it on the garbage round in Springvale Victoria for the Springvale Council. The Council owned three drays and the "No. 3" painted on this dray is in recognition of its original number. After the death of Mr. Bourke in 1990, one of Mr. Bourke's sons (Andy) found the dray in a shed and restored it. The sign writing on the back and side panels were added during the restoration. This Tipping Dray is a significant example of a horse drawn vehicle that was used by workers from the early days of white settlement through to the 1940's and even into the early 1960's. It was used in a range of "working class" occupations - road construction, railway construction, carting goods, rubbish collection etc. and would have been found in cities, country towns and on farms.A wooden and metal tipping dray with a box body and four sides. It has two iron and wooden wheels (with 14 spokes), two wooden shafts and a metal tipping mechanism. The back panel folds down to allow loads to be dumped out. It is painted in green and cream with sign writing on one of the sides and on the front and back panels. It features decorative painted lines and designs in burgundy, cream and light blue on most of the wooden parts. The tipping mechanism is on the front of the dray's left side and consists of a metal pin secured with a metal ring, and a lever.Front of dray - "No. 3" Side of dray - "A. & M. BOURKE / Contractors / LONGWARRY" Back of dray - "G.T. ANDREWS / QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET - Stand C23 / Phone DANDENONG 225"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, tipping dray, dray, tip dray, tip cart, vehicles, horse drawn vehicle, springvale council, jack bourke, muck cart, scotch cart, tumbrel, putt, box body, oswald bourke, sunbury, queen victoria market, melbourne, no. 3

The early settlers of Victoria depended on horse drawn vehicles to farm, make roads and railways, deliver produce and transport people. Horse harnesses were an important requisite for all drivers and could be found wherever there were working horses. Horse Harnesses have played an essential role in different cultures throughout history. Simple, utilitarian horse harnesses made of leather straps and iron rings were being used in early China before AD 500 as well as ancient Greece and Rome allowing horses to pull chariots and ploughs. The Greeks and Romans were the first to use a "horse collar" which distributed the weight of the harness evenly across the horse's chest rather than relying on a "throat harness" that could damage a horse's throat or choke them. During the medieval period, European horse harnesses became more elaborate and decorative. Variations of different horse harnesses were also found in Native American and Middle Eastern cultures. Horse Harnesses usually have four basic components which include - 1. Communication - the bridle, bit and reins allows the driver to communicate instructions and commands to the horse, guiding its movement and direction. 2. Draft - the collar, hame straps, hames, traces and chains enables the horse to draw and pull the load efficiently by distributing the weight and transferring the pulling force to the vehicle. 3. Stopping - the breeching band, pole straps and breast strap helps to control or stabilise the horse and vehicle when moving downhill or stopping. 4. Support - the back pad, backband, belly band and back saddle keep the harness in the correct position and proper alignment. This dray harness is a plain, basic harness and reflects its working class origins. It was used by Mr. Oswald (Jack) Bourke with his horse and dray to firstly deliver drygoods from Sunbury to Melbourne in the 1930's and later (through the 1940's and 1950's up to 1961) when he worked on the garbage round for the Springvale City Council. This horse harness is a significant example of the equipment that was needed wherever horses were being used - particularly in the early years of Victoria's settlement by white settlers. Harnesses such as this example were used with drays, farming equipment, delivery carts and personal transportation.A leather and metal horse harness used with a horse and dray circa 1930's to the early 1960's. It is made up of a number of components. 1. A leather bridle with metal buckles and rings, blinkers and a metal single jointed, snaffle bit that has the initials M B stamped onto the leather. 2. A leather bridle with metal buckles and rings and a metal "straight bar" Eggbut snaffle bit. It has an elongated X design (with 4 dots) stamped onto the leather strap holders near each buckle. 3. A blue and white vinyl halter with one leather patched strap. The nose band and a chin strap are covered with woollen padding. 4. A pair of leather shaft protectors. They have lacing holes along each edge and a repeating design of small shapes (flowers, wings, crosses and arrowheads) which run along the front of each protector. 5. A leather strap with a stainless steel chain and catch and a maker's mark for "Glenn's Leather Goods, Pearcedale Victoria" stamped onto the end. 6. A wide leather strap covered with a webbing sleeve. It has two large metal rings and each end and one ring has a rope attached. 7. A leather strap comprised of three separate sections (two shorter and one longer) joined with two metal rings. The longer section has notches along its length and the shorter section at the other end has a buckle. It also had a maker's mark stamped on it but the mark is very worn and the writing is difficult to read. 8. An adjustable leather horse collar with two buckles and straps at the top opening and two "B's" stamped into the leather. The top of the collar is made from treated leather pieces stitched together and the underneath of the collar is untreated leather. It has a padded indentation running all the way around the collar for the hames to sit in. 9. Two pairs of long leather traces - each having a buckle and notched section at one end and each one is made with three lengths of leather spliced together. 10. A leather strap (with one spliced join) belonging to a horse harness with two shorter straps (each ending with a metal clip) attached to a steel D ring at one end. 11. Three assorted short leather straps - the top one has clips at each end and a buckle (for adjusting the length) in the centre, the middle strap has notches and a buckle and the bottom strap is white with notches and a buckle.Bridle with blinkers - "M B" Bridle - design showing an elongated X with a dot in each section stamped onto strap holder Shaft Protectors - stamped design of flowers, wings, crosses and arrowheads Strap with chain - "Glenn's leather goods / Pearcedale / Victoria" Leather Strap (with two metal rings) - Maker's stamp - "name indecipherable / SADDLER / ...OURNE" Collar - "B / B" Leather strap - flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, sunbury, springvale, dray, delivery dray, harness, horse harness, horse drawn vehicles, working horse, oswald (jack) bourke, bridle, horse collar, hames, shaft protectors

The Argus, 27 September 1867 p4 - MARRIAGES: NICHOLSON—SWINDELLS.—On the 12th inst., at Christ Church, St. Kilda, by the Rev. D. Seddon, John, eldest son of the late Hon. W. Nicholson, to Gertrude Sarah, youngest daughter of the late James Swindells, Esq., of Manchester. No cards. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5779002 Barham House was built in 1850 by Edward Bernard Green (1809-1861) a successful land speculator. It was a magnificent residence built in the regency style to the design of architect John Gill and set in landscaped grounds of nine acres and included an ancient Swiss cottage. When Green died in 1861, his executor was his neighbour, William Nicholson (1816-65) who owned Fernleigh immediately to the north in Grey Street, but actually lived in Barham House during his time as Premier of Victoria 1859 - 1860 until his death in 1865. In 1866 Richard Twentyman purchased Fernleigh from the Nicholson Estate and a year later he married Nicholson's widow, Sarah. Both remained at Barham House until June 1870. In 1871 the building was substantially remodelled and re-named Eildon. It is one of the larger surviving 19th century houses in Melbourne.Black and white photocopy of invitation, wedding breakfast menu and envelope(handwritten) Original in possession of Lady Johnston. (handwritten) Gerty's marriage? Invitation: Mr and Mrs Twentyman request the pleasure of [unclear] Johnstone's Company at Breakfast on Thursday the 12th at 1 o'clock. Miss Swindells Mr John Nicholson. Ceremony at Christ Church St Kilda, at 12, Noon Barham House, Grey Street, St Kilda Sept. 2nd. 1867 The favour of an early answer is requested Menu: Déjeuner Barham House, St Kilda, 12. September, 1867. Menu items listed on following page Envelope: [unclear] Johnstone Esq Care of J C Johnstone Esq Sunburybarham house, christ church, st kilda, 19th century, eildon house, grey street

Double Headed Rail from Ravenswood Station Siding which was dismantled circa 1987 the two rails were stored for a time at Maldon before being donated to Puffing Billy Museum Bearing makers marks of Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield, North East Derbyshire, England from 1872 - 1883 Double-headed rail In late 1830s Britain, railway lines had a vast range of different patterns. One of the earliest lines to use double-headed rail was the London and Birmingham Railway, which had offered a prize for the best design. This rail was supported by chairs and the head and foot of the rail had the same profile. The supposed advantage was that, when the head became worn, the rail could be turned over and re-used. In practice, this form of recycling was not very successful as the chair caused dents in the lower surface, and double-headed rail evolved into bullhead rail in which the head was more substantial than the foot. Info from Wikipedia - Rail Profile https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_profile The first records of double headed rail being used In Victoria by Victorian Railways was in 1859, the rails, chairs, oak and trenails were imported from UK. After the 1870’s the Victorian Railways went over to using flat bottom rails, but they still needed replacement double headed rail for lines already laid and this continued up to at least 1883 Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield England from 1872 - 1883 Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway The Melbourne, Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway Company received parliamentary assent in February 1853 to build Victoria's first inland railway from Melbourne to Williamstown, and Melbourne to Bendigo and Echuca. Construction commenced in January 1854 with work on a pier at Williamstown but lack of funds slowed progress, eventually prompting the company to sell out to the government. The 100-mile (162 km) section to Bendigo opened in October 1862. Its cost of £35,000 per mile made it the most expensive railway ever built in Australia. In 1864, the line was extended to Echuca, tapping into the booming Murray-Darling paddlesteamer trade. info from Museums Victoria - Victorian Railways https://museumsvictoria.com.au/railways/theme.aspx?lvl=3&IRN=450&gall=456 1863 Ravenswood Station open on the 1st Feb 1863 Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Ravenswood Siding When the Victorian Railways were established in 1856 they adopted one of the popular British permanent way standards - heavy 80lb (36.3kg) double-headed rail held up right in cast iron chairs attached to transverse timber sleepers by wooden pegs called trenails. The Ravenswood Railway siding was constructed in 1862 with 12 feet wrought iron double-head rail held in cast iron chairs with Ransom and May patent compressed keys. Trenails held the chairs to the sleepers and the joints were secured in joint chairs. Joints were subsequently joined using fish plates. It formed part of the Melbourne to Echuca rail line, initially known as the Melbourne, Mt Alexander and Murray River Railway. George Christian Derbyshire, the first Engineer-in-Chair of the Victorian Railways was responsible for the design and construction of the works. No new lines were built in Victoria using double-headed rail after 1870. The siding was disconnected from the main line in 1988. The Ravenswood Railway Siding demonstrates the original 1856 philosophy of the Victorian Railways to adopt British permanent way technology. The siding demonstrates significant aspects in the development of permanent way technology in England and Victoria over the period from the 1830's to the 1880's. The chairs in the Ravenswood siding are physical evidence of early railway technology rendered obsolete 120 years ago, namely joint chairs at rail joints and trenails to secure the chairs to the sleepers. The double-headed rail demonstrates an important stage in the evolution of British rail technology in the 1830s. The old fish plates, square headed bolts and square nuts demonstrate the success of fishing the rail joins. The Ravenswood siding demonstrates the earliest form of rail joint technology developed in England, and existing in Australia, the joint chair. In part of the siding the sequence of joint and intermediate chairs is consistent with the 1856 specifications, that sequence is rare with the joints secured in joint chairs. The survival of chairs in this sequence is rare and almost certainly demonstrates that they remained in continuous use at the same location from 1862 to 1988. This remnant of the Ravenswood siding has survived 126 years. The siding has proved to be the most significant of extant remnant double-headed sidings in Victoria, containing a rare combination of early permanent way technologies. Construction dates 1862, Info from Ravenswood Railway Siding Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/4693/download-report The remaining section of this siding is significant at the State and National levels in that it demonstrates the use of chaired rail by the Victorian Railways Department for the Trunk Lines and, more particularly, the following stages in the evolution of this long obsolete method of permanent way construction: a) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs at regular intervals inferring that the original wrought iron rail lengths were 12 feet, as is known through documentary sources to have been the case. The survival of chairs in this sequence is unique and almost certainly demonstrates that they have remained in continuous use at the same location and in the same sequence from 1862 to 1988 . b) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs designed for use with trenails. c) The use of later intermediate chairs designed for use with steel pins and the use of fished joints with steel double head chaired rail, representing a second method of constructing the permanent way using chaired rail technology. info from Ravenswood Siding - Melbourne/Echuca Railway Line - Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/70103/download-report Addition to Citation for Melbourne to EchucaRailway Line 1/10/1990 Double Head Rail The surviving lengths of double head rail with chairs on this railway compare with one surviving similar remnant on the Geelong to Ballarat railway and are representative of permanent way construction techniques applied exclusively to the two trunk railways of the 1860's. In this respect they are rare survivors and may be unique at the national level and of technical importance at the international level to the extent that they enhance contemporary understanding of early railway building technology. Surviving lengths of chaired double head rail survive at Kyneton, Ravenswood and Bendigo on this railway and include a number of different types of cast iron intermediate and joint chairs with hardwood keys and metal pins. The Ravenswood siding is of special significance for the diversity of chair types and for the sequence of chairs recalling rail lengths known to be associated with construction of the line in 1862. Construction of the Railway Tenders closed on 24 March 1858 with no less than 133 tenders being received. A contract was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937 to commence work on 1 June 1858 and complete the line by 31 July 1861. Cornish and Bruce made quick early progress with the Melbourne to Sunbury section being officially opened on 13 January 1859. The line was officially opened to Bendigo (Sandhurst) on 20 October 1862 by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Barkly. A great banquet was held for 800 guests and this was followed by a grand ball. The extension of the line to Echuca was a relatively simple matter as that part of the line was across plain country without any significant engineering challenges. Tenders were called for the work in 1863 and the work was completed in 1864 by contractors Collier and Barry Apart from the line contractors, other firms directly involved were J Shire law and Co (sleepers), R Fulton, Langlands Brothers and Co, William Crossley (water supply), B Moreland, Langlands Brothers and Co (platelayers lorries), E Chambers (iron pins, traversers), Miller and McQuinstan (luggage vans and steam engines) and various contractors for building works. Info from Engineers Australia Engineering Heritage Victoria Nomination for Recognition under the Engineering Heritage Australia Heritage Recognition Program for the Goldfields Railways - Melbourne , Bendigo & Echuca Railway Page 25 - .2.9.2 Statement from National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Listing number B5323 for Mt Alexander/Murray Valley Rail Line: Page 69 - Theme 3 https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/portal/system/files/engineering-heritage-australia/nomination-title/Melbourne_%20Bendigo_Echuca%20Railway%20Nomination.pdf The Melbourne, Mount Alexander and Murray River Railway Company was a railway company in Victoria, Australia. It was established on 8 February 1853 to build a railway from Melbourne to Echuca on the Victorian-NSW border and a branch railway to Williamstown. The company struggled to make any progress and on 23 May 1856, the colonial Government took over the Company and it became part of the newly established Department of Railways, part of the Board of Land and Works. The Department of Railways became Victorian Railways in 1859. Construction of the Bendigo line commenced in 1858, but this private consortium also met with financial difficulties when it was unable to raise sufficient funds, and was bought out by the Victorian colonial government. The design work was then taken over by Captain Andrew Clarke, R. E., Surveyor-General of Victoria, with bridge designs completed by Bryson and O'Hara The contract for the first stage of the line from Footscray to Sandhurst (now Bendigo), was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937.2s.2d ($6.714 million) with work commencing on 1 June 1858. Completion of the permanent way was to be by 31 July 1861 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne,_Mount_Alexander_and_Murray_River_Railway_Company Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Victorian Railways : report of the Board of Land and Works November 1862 GP V 1862/63 no. 21 (2.8 MB) https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1862-63No21.pdfHistoric - Victorian Railways - Double Headed rail Ravenswood Railway Station and Siding Victorian Heritage Database Reports Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1100 Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1786 National Trust VHR H1100 Mount Alexander and Murray River Rail way Line National Trust2 rail lengths of Double Headed Rail made of Iron makers marks : Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel and 20 joint chairs with metal rail pins Makers mark Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel (possible date 187? very hard to read ) puffing billy, double headed rail, wilson & cammell - dronfield - steel works, ravenswood station siding, melbourne to echuca rail line, initially known as the melbourne, mt alexander and murray river railway.

A set of 12 photographs of the 'Enterprize Project' showing the different stages of the rebuilding of the historic schooner 'Enterprize' which brought early setters to Victoria from Tasmania in 1834. George Evans who settled in Sunbury was one of the schooner passengers.A coloured photograph of the early stages in the reconstruction of the schooner 'Enterprize'. The ribs of the hull are exposed and some of the boards around the sides of the hull have been fitted. The structure is on a raised scaffold under an open shed. A painted sign 'Enterprize Project' shows details of the project is under a wooden stairway.schnooner 'enterprize', evans, irene, south wharf - melbourne, enterprize project, shire of bulla, george evans collection

The scarred tree is located on a hillside in a local reserve. The bark has been removed in the past to make a boat or other large utensil. Melbourne's skyline can be seen faintly in the distance in the middle of the photograph with local suburban development in the middle distance. The set of 20 photographs were taken of a number of archaeological ands sacred sites in the Bulla district. The photographs were included in a study published by the Shire of Bulla in the early 1990's.A scarred tree aboriginal ring sites, george evans collection

The 20 photographs were taken of a number of archaeological sites in Sunbury of sacred sites and aboriginal rings. The photographs were included in a study of these sites which was published by the Shire of Bulla in the early 1990's.A view of Aboriginal Ring Site near Rupertswood. The country is undulating with trees in the middle distance and the ring in the foreground.aboriginal ring sites, george evans collection

The set of 20 photographs were taken of a number of archaeological sites in Sunbury of sacred sites and aboriginal rings. The photographs were included in a study of these sites which was published by the Shire of Bulla in the early 1990's.A soil profile showing a whitened lava flow above decomposing timber and soil at the lower level.aboriginal ring sites, george evans collection

The set of 20 photographs were taken of a number of archaeological sites in Sunbury of sacred sites and aboriginal rings. The photographs were included in a study of these sites which was published by the Shire of Bulla in the early 1990's.Site of an Aboriginal Ring near Sunbury. It is situated on a cleared mound with small hills across the skyline.aboriginal ring sites, george evans collection

The set of 20 photographs were taken of a number of archaeological sites in Sunbury of sacred sites and aboriginal rings. The photographs were included in a study of these sites which was published by the Shire of Bulla in the early 1990's.A coloured photograph of a scarred tree trunk at Rupertswood estate. It is a close-up photograph of the lower section of the tree. There is a gentle rise behind the tree and two outbuildings along the hill top on the RHS.aboriginal ring sites, scarred trees, rupertswood estate, george evans collection

This is one of a series of Aboriginal rings which are found in the Sunbury area. The former Shire of Bulla published a detailed study of the Aboriginal Ring sites in the early 1990's.A coloured photograph of a sacred site featuring an Aboriginal ring within the Sherwood Housing Estate. There is a cleared grassed area with a distinctive ring in the foreground with the housing estate in the background.sherwood estate, aboriginal ring sites, george evans collection

The three brick shops were part of the later commercial development which emerged along O'Shanassy Street. These shops were built on the northern side of Brook Street. Earlier commercial development was confined to the south side of Brook Street.A coloured photograph of a street scape in O'Shanassy Street showing three shop fronts. At the time the photograph was taken the shops were occupied by Kilkenny Real Estate Agent, Camera Action and Heron Electrics. There is a roof top patio area above the camera shop and two treated pine rails are along the nature strip.o'shanassy street, sunbury, kilkenny real estate, camera action, heron electrics, george evans collection

The disused cottage was owned by Alec Lloyd who was the fruiterer in Sunbury. It was situated on a sheep run on the Diggers Rest-Toolern Vale Road and was destroyed by fire in the early 1990's.A coloured photograph of a weatherboard farm cottage in a paddock with tall gum trees behind the house. The cottage with a pitched roof over the main structure and a lean-to with skillion roof at the rear is used as a storage for hay. The remains of a tank are on one side of the house and sheep are grazing around the property.farm cottages, sheep farming, lloyd, alec, george evans collection

This is a photograph of one of the many stone ruins of buildings which can be seen in the Sunbury district and surrounding areas. This series of 13 photographs show various views of one of the remaining uninhabited stone cottages which were built in the early days of the district's settlement.A coloured photograph of a stone cottage with a wooden shingle roof and its weatherboard and corrugated iron out building. A valley between two sections of the building suggests it has been built in stages. Three chimneys are visible and the cottage has three 12 paned sash windows with a doorway in the centre of the front. There is a cyclone wire fence and gate across the front and the garden is overgrown.stone structures, shingle roofs, george evans collection

This is a photograph of one of the many stone ruins of buildings which can be seen in the Sunbury district and surrounding areas. This series of 13 photographs show various views of one of the remaining uninhabited stone cottages which were built in the early days of the district's settlement.A coloured photograph of a stone cottage with a wooden shingle roof and the remains of the outbuilding. There is a stone wall across the front of the building. The side view of the building is prominent and there is one 12 paned sash window in the wall and two chimneys either side of the roof valley. A bare deciduous tree is behind the building.stone structures, shingle roofs, george evans collection

This is a photograph of one of the many stone ruins of buildings which can be seen in the Sunbury district and surrounding areas. This series of 13 photographs show various views of one of the remaining uninhabited stone cottages which were built in the early days of the district's settlement.A coloured photograph of the ruins of a stone cottage. The walls are still standing and the end wall bears evidence of the original pitched roof. There is a cleared area in front of the ruins.stone structures, shingle roofs, george evans collection

The former bluestone Bulla Shire Hall building was constructed in 1867 and remained the centre of local government until the early 20th century when the administration was moved to Sunbury. In the 1990's the Alister Clark Rose Garden was established in the surrounding grounds. The garden is open to the public all the year round. In 1999 the rose garden was officially opened.A coloured photograph of the front elevation of the original Shire of Bulla offices. It is a bluestone building, double fronted with a pitched roof on both wings and above the porch. The woodwork trims have been painted in cream and red. The double wooden front door is painted red. The sign outside the building indicates the former function of the building and its importance.ORIGINAL/SHIRE OF BULLA/OFFICE/1868-1923shire of bulla, council chambers, rose gardens, rose growing, bulla township, roses, clark, alistair, george evans collection

The former bluestone Bulla Shire Hall building was constructed in 1867 and remained the centre of local government until the early 20th century when the administration was moved to Sunbury. In the 1990's the Alistair Clark Rose Garden was established in the surrounding grounds. The garden is open to the public all the year round. In 1999 the rose garden was officially opened.A coloured photograph of the side garden and the bluestone building which was the shire offices of the former Shire of Bulla. A treated pine fence runs along the front of the property. The roses in the garden are supported with the stakes and there is a backdrop of trees behind the building.shire of bulla, council chambers, rose gardens, rose growing, roses, bulla township, clark, alistair, george evans collection