BHS CollectionHandwritten notes by Albert Richardson (also typed copy) from Bendigo Advertiser Report Monday June 2nd 1873. Notes mention Engineers and Engine-drivers Association meeting at Royal Hotel on 31/5/1873. Threat of strike if 8 hour day not granted. Names companies who had agreed to the 8 hours, wages and no reduction in wages.gold, mining reports, mining reports, enginedrivers & eight hours day, bendigo advertiser 2/6/1873, engineers and enginedrivers association, royal hotel, young chum co, comet co, robin hood co, fraser's crushing engine, rainbow tribute, garden gully united, new chum & belle vue ext'd, richard heales tribute, ellesmere coy, koch's & hildebrandt, south garden gully drainage coy, napoleon tribute, victoria gold mines coy, golden empire, lazarus mine

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, grenville, eight hours demonstration day

The photo shows a large crowd on an 8 hours (Labour Day) gathered in the eastern end or lower end of Sturt St. The 8-hour memorial or monument is in the centre of the photograph. Has one double-deck horse tram in view along with many other horse-drawn vehicles. On the Ballarat Mechanics Institute building is an advert for "Morrey & Tyler, the Cash Drapers" at 11 Bridge St Ballarat. Also in the view are Ribble, Suttons, E Payne, the Ballarat Gas Co. building and a dentist along with other buildings. In the bottom right-hand corner is an insert photo of the statue "The Flight from Pompeii". In the bottom left hand corner is "Crisp Photo Process F W Niven & Co.Yields information about an 8 hour celebration day in the lower end of Sturt St.Illustration cut from a journaltramways, trams, sturt st, horse tram, 8 hour day monument, labour day

Digitised copy of a sports programme for the Eight Hour Day Anniversary Sports in Ballarat. Advertisements for: J. Whykes Merchant and Tailer, F. Jago Ballarat Boot Palace, Hamburger Watch and Clock Maker, Walker's Hat Warehouse.eight hours day, eight hours day procession, h. josephs, captain palmer, t. davies, r. surtees, w. brwon, r. carling, r. goolhooley, r. phillipson, t. rowell, w. baxter, w. tweedale, w. trotman, w. bennett, w. perkins, r. young, j. wilson, j. whykes

A magazine supplement of the Ballarat Courier containing articles, images and advertisement. Images include: St Patrick's Day March, Eight Hour Day procession Advertisements include: Morris undertaker, Olivers, Miller, Hanrahan's Hotelst patrick's day, ballarat townscape, st patrick's day parade, ballarat st patrick's day parade, ballarat courier, hanrahan, morris, labour day, 8 hour day, eight hours day procession, st patrick's day procession, mrs captain ellis, picture palace, grenville college, berry united company ullina, lewis s. smith architect, bolster brothers, buninyong butter factory, aquatic carnival, george e. deeble machinery, cape nelson portland, jelbarts, jelbart's telescope, lin hillman, presbyterian church snake valley, miss a.m. abrams, berry anderson and co, j.a. reynolds, maypole, w.f. coltman, ballarat boot palace, ben nevis elmhurst, jonathan reeve, victorian producers co-operative, r.u. nicholls, f.w. barnes and son, ballarat steam laundryballarat water reserves, yarra river warburton, erskine river lorne, john bray, eden studios, lake wendouree

It was during the construction of this building that stonemasons put down their tools in April 1856 and marched to the City of Melbourne and inaugurated a movement which won the Eight Hours Day for building workers in Victoria. The victory became an international benchmark in the history of the labour movement. This is the oldest building on campus and was constructed of Tasmanian freestone between 1854 and 1857 to the design of architect Francis M. White. For many years the building was used as the University's Administrative centre, library, lecture rooms and professional residences. The east and west wings were extended in 1930 to the design of J.S. Gawler. The quadrangle was completed in 1969 with the addition of the southern wing which contains the University Council Chamber designed by R.E. Featherstone.Colour photograph in digital format of the arches of a sandstone building at Melbourne University.university of melbourne, eight hours day, eight hour day, 8 hour day, gawler, featherstone, fm white, tasmanian sandstone, sandstone, francis white

DVD. Eight hour day images.

BHS CollectionDiggers & mining. The gold era. In 1856, the Eight Hours Day movement was inaugurated by the building trades of Melbourne. Markings 53 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Melbourne University Old Physics Building (1889) was designed by Reed, Henderson and Smart. It later house the Univesity's Centre for Indigenous Education and a conference centre (2010).Colour photograph of the windows of the Melbourne University Old Physics Building.A plaque on the wall of this building states: In April, 1856 stonemasons woking on this building downed tools, marched to the city and inaugrated a movement which win the Eight Hour Day for building workers in Victoria. The victory became an international landmark in the history of the labour movement. university of melbourne, old law building, eight hour day, stonemasons

Melbourne University Old Physics Building (1889) was designed by Reed, Henderson and Smart. It later house the Univesity's Centre for Indigenous Education and a conference centre (2010).Colour photograph of the windows of the Melbourne University Old Physics Building.A plaque on the wall of this building states: In April, 1856 stonemasons woking on this building downed tools, marched to the city and inaugrated a movement which win the Eight Hour Day for building workers in Victoria. The victory became an international landmark in the history of the labour movement. university of melbourne, old law building, eight hour day, stonemasons

Melbourne University Old Physics Building (1889) was designed by Reed, Henderson and Smart. It later house the Univesity's Centre for Indigenous Education and a conference centre (2010).Colour photograph of the windows of the Melbourne University Old Physics Building.A plaque on the wall of this building states: In April, 1856 stonemasons woking on this building downed tools, marched to the city and inaugrated a movement which win the Eight Hour Day for building workers in Victoria. The victory became an international landmark in the history of the labour movement. university of melbourne, old law building, eight hour day, stonemasons

The Moomba Festival and Parade is held on what was originally called Eight Hour Day, now Labor Day. This memoir by GHS member Rosie Bray tells of her experiences at the first Moomba Parade in 1955.3p. black & white typescript with illustrations, with 2p. col. photocopy of 1955 Melbourne Moomba Festival leafletmoomba, rosie bray, melbourne

This quartz and bluestone monument pays tribute to James Galloway the founder of the the eight-hour day system that gave workers the right to stop work after 8 hours without any penalty. The system was widely celebrated as a world first and Australia became known as a workingman’s paradise. Eight hour day is translated as: Eight hours of work, eight hours of leisure and eight hours of rest. In 1880, the 8hr day Anniversary Committee decided to mark the establishment of the 8hrs day by erecting a monument to the memory of the pioneer of the 8hr movement in the colony, James Galloway. The campaign for the Galloway monument was so successful that one year later on 21 April 1881, and after the longest 8hrs day procession to that date, the Mayor of the City, Councillor A T Morrison, imbarred the monument at the foot of Sturt Street, Ballarat. The monument is of historic significance to the people of BallaratGranite spire with four cast iron drinking fountains and marble tablets. Inscriptionplaques are attached to the sides of the spire.Erected in honor of the late James Galloway the founder of the Eight Hour System in Victoria/ Born at Springfield Fifeshire 28th February 1828 Died at Collingwood Melbourne 3rd June 1860/ Amicus Humani Generis/ This Monument is tendered in trust to the City Council for the working men of Ballarat April 21st 1880/ Eight Hours Labor Eight Hours Recreation Eight Hours Restjames galloway, eight-hour day, 8 hour, workers rights, ballarat, trades hall

The Australian Tramway Employees Association commissioned in 1915, a banner for use in marches or events. It was painted in 1916 by George Grant with its first public appearance at the Eight-Hour Day Diamond Jubilee on 10 April 1916, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the introduction of an eight-hour working day in Victoria. The reference gives a detailed history of the banner, it significance and the background to its painting. It is now held in the collection of Museums Victoria. The ATEA was the forerunner to the Australian Tramway and Motor Omnibus Employees' Association, now part of the Rail Tram and Bus Union. Image provided by Museum's Victoria to the donor - Peter Jewell. The image demonstrates the artists work and the use of symbols in the roles of a union.Framed Image - old gold coloured metal frame, Artglass, with red colour card surround with bevelled gold card inlay containing a high resolution image of the Australian Tramway Employees Association banner. Fitted with a metal hanging wire and a white surround, tape and the framers lable.tramways, unions, atea, atmoea, rtbu, banners, george grant, eight hour day

BHS CollectionPhotocopy of a newspaper article titled In the Viewfinder by Jack Perry titled Mining Accidents. Article mentions the number of men killed in the mines in Bendigo. Victorian Minister for Mines Angus McKay introduced a Bill, which forbade the employment of children in the mines, introduced the eight hour day, called for the licensing of engine drivers and instructed mine owners to install safety devices on mine cages. There is a photo of miners coming off their shift. There are two other articles on the page - a piece about a 'Bendigo Pottery' Milk Jug by Ken Arnold.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - mining accidents, jack perry, ken arnold, leighton rawlings, leanne lloyd, cornish association of bendigo, cornish newsletter, angus mckay

Cream coloured silk ribbon formerly pinned with blue ribbon 6767.1. Bendigo Ladies Committee printed in gold. Connected with Bendigo 1897 eight hour work day demonstrations. Anniversary of Trade Union formation in Victoria.societies, trade unions, eight hour day

Robert Clark was a self educated man who had arrived in Australia with his step father to take up mining in 1854. He worked in several local mines and being familiar with the hardships associated with mining life helped to establish the eight hour day for miners. Robert married Sarah Jane Kernaghan in 1862 and together they had nine children. Robert Clark was first elected in 1872 and remained a councillor until his death in 1883. He died aged 41 years. 180.1 Donated by Jenny Taylor; 180.2 Organisational created.Photograph mounted on card. Front facing, 3/4 length portrait, wearing mayoral robes with bicorne hat on stand.mayor city of sandhurst, councillor robert clark, mayor clark, mayor of the city of sandhurst

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2000. Industry: The Bridgewater Flour Mill in the shire of Marong, around the beginning of the 1900s. The mill employed 45 people, although the number rose to 60 during the busy wheat season. It was one of the first places to adopt the eight hour working day. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Bernard O'Dowd was an Australian poet and anarchist. He was born in Beaufort in 1866 and worked at different times as a teacher, librarian and parliamentary draftsman. He was dismissed from his position at St Alipius' school in Ballarat for heresy. He had a particular interest in the Federation of Australia and formation of the Constitution, which features in his poem "Australia". O'Dowd co-edited Tocsin with Jack Andrews. Tocsin was a labor newspaper in Melbourne. Others involved with the newspaper include Edward Findley and, for a short time, Norman Lindsay. Tocsin's platform is available in PDF format online http://www.reasoninrevolt.net.au/objects/pdf/a000808.pdf Areas of interest included the constitution, federation and workers' industrial rights (e.g. eight hour day, pensions and arbitration for labour disputes).Biographical interest. Literary interest. Pertinent to Ballarat. Pertinent to constitutional history and industrial relations. Pertinent to labor publications, history and literature.Hardcover - book. Cover dust jacket: black and white photograph of Bernard O'Dowd on front, yellow and white lettering; back is yellow. Cover without dust jacket: green cloth; gold lettering.Cover without dust jacket: authors' names and title on the spine. Cover with dust jacket: authors' names and title on front cover and spine. Inside page: Inscribed in ink, "Happy Birthday Dad from Lorna and John (Sept 17 1960).btlc, ballarat trades and labour council, ballarat trades hall, o'dowd, bernard, writers - poets, newspaper, tocsin, lindsay, norman, andrews, jack, findley, edward, anarchists, biography, palmer, nettie, st alipius school, ballarat, o'dowd, bernard, 1866-1953, industrial relations

Moomba is the festival of the city of Melbourne, initiated by the City Development Association to liven up Melbourne and attract tourists. The first Moomba parade took place in 1955 on the Labour Day public holiday in March, which commemorated the advent of the eight hour working day, which was first won in 1856 (https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/such-was-life/moomba). Large silver platter with ornate embossed grape and vine leaf decoration on rim, ornate engraving on flat surface are with engraved text in centre. 1987 /Moomba Procession / Moomba Award / for the best country entry Reverse; label 'Ranleigh A1 quality silverware'city of greater bendigo awards

Robert Clark was a self educated man who had arrived in Australia with his step father to take up mining in 1854. He worked in several local mines and being familiar with the hardships associated with mining life, helping to establish the eight hour day for miners. Robert married Sarah Jane Kernaghan in 1862 and together they had nine children. Robert Clark was first elected in 1872 and remained a councillor until his death in 1883. He died aged 41 years. This elaborate Letter of Appreciation was hand drawn and painted by artist and photographer Frederick de Kock who was associated with Mr N Caire's photographic Studio, View Place and by 1882 was producing and teaching hand painting on ceramics. In 1883 he advertised as a photographer with his own studio on the corner of Mitchell and King Street, which was later named the Bendigo Portrait Rooms. 180.1 Donated by Jenny Taylor; 180.2 Organisational created. Illuminated Letter of Appreciation in shape of arched window. From Sandhurst Pioneer Co-Operative Co Limited to Robert Clark. Hand drawn and painted on card. Signed by eight directors.mayor city of sandhurst, councillor robert clark, mayor clark, mayor of the city of sandhurst

Melbourne University Old Physics Building (1889) was designed by Reed, Henderson and Smart. It later house the Univesity's Centre for Indigenous Education and a conference centre (2010).Colour photograph of the windows of the Melbourne University Old Physics Building.A plaque on the wall of this building states: In April, 1856 stonemasons woking on this building downed tools, marched to the city and inaugrated a movement which win the Eight Hour Day for building workers in Victoria. The victory became an international landmark in the history of the labour movement. Another plaque reads: This, the original building of the University was built of Tasmanian freestone between 1854 and 1857 to the design of F.M. White, architect. It was for many years the University's administrative centre, library, lecture rooms, and professorial residences. The east and west wings were extended in 1930 to the design of J.S. Gawler. In 1969, the quadrangle was completed by the addition of the southern wing which contains the council chamber, designed by R.E. Featherstone. university of melbourne, old law building, eight hour day, stonemasons, tasmanian freestone, f.m. white, j.s. gawler, r.e. featherstone

Labour Day originates from the eight-hour day movement - eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. On 21 April 1856 Stonemasons and building workers on building sites around Melbourne, Australia, stopped work and marched from the University of Melbourne to Parliament House to achieve an eight-hour day. Their direct action protest was a success, and they are noted as the first organised workers in the world to achieve an eight-hour day with no loss of pay, which subsequently inspired the celebration of Labour Day and May Day. (Wikipedia, 12 March 2019: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Australia#Labour_Day) The eight-hours campaign ran contemporaneously in Ballarat. -------- The Labour day parade is an annual event in Ballarat. All unions and individuals are welcome to attend. Ballarat Labour Day march is held at the same date as the Begonia Festival parade; inception of the Begonia Festival was several decades later in 1953. -------- Photo 1 Labour Day march: We are Union banner and AMIWU banner with people. Photo 2 Labour Day march: We are Union, Trades Hall, Free West Papua banners, Trades Hall ute, various individuals including Don Henderson, Jenny Beacham, Tracey Brown, Simon Hammersley, Moses, Ben Davison, Angela McCarthy, Eddie Beacham, Gary Carton, Bob Bassett, Colin Muir, et al. Photo 3 Labour Day march: We are Union, ANMF, Trades Hall banners, various individuals including Don Henderson, Jenny Beacham, Tracey Brown, Simon Hammersley, Moses, Ben Davison, Angela McCarthy, Eddie Beacham, Gary Carton, Bob Bassett, Colin Muir, Ron Woods et al. Photo 4 Labour Day march: Change the Rules and AMIWU banners, various persons including Chris Kelly, Angela McCarthy, Ross Kenna, et al. Photo 5 Labour Day barbeque: Various persons including Allen Townsend, Fred Ladiges, Cameron McIntyre, Judy Henderson, Don Henderson, Cameron Bannam, Janine Brownlee, Dave Brownlee, Bernie Constable, Ian Fullerton, Ben Davison, et al. Photo 6 Labour Day barbeque group photograph: Various persons including Moses, Emma Pritchard, Kamuda, Allen Townsend, Tess Marshall, Chris Kelly, Fred Ladiges, Ross Kenna, Ben Davison, Don Henderson, Judy Henderson, Gabriel Waldron, Cameron McIntyre, Orry Pilven, Lana Cormie, Bob Bassett, Clinton Bannam, Angela McCarthy, Tracey Brown, Ron Woods, Ian Fullerton, Colin Muir, et al. Photo 7 Labour Day barbeque group photograph: Various persons including Moses, Emma Pritchard, Kamuda, Allen Townsend, Tess Marshall, Chris Kelly, Fred Ladiges, Ross Kenna, Ben Davison, Don Henderson, Judy Henderson, Gabriel Waldron, Cameron McIntyre, Orry Pilven, Lana Cormie, Bob Bassett, Clinton Bannam, Angela McCarthy, Tracey Brown, Ron Woods, Ian Fullerton, Colin Muir, et al. Photo 8 Labour Day March: We are Union banner, various persons including Chris Kelly, Angela McCarthy, Clinton Bannam, Orrie and Gem Pilven, Janine Brownlee, et al.Significant to the inception of the eight hour day, history of unions and campaigns in Australia and the current Change the Rules campaign.8 colour photographs; soft copy.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, labour day - 2019, unions - delegates, change the rules, amiwu, anmf, we are union, unions - campaigns, early closing association, begonia festival - ballarat

Melbourne University Old Physics Building (1889) was designed by Reed, Henderson and Smart. It later house the Univesity's Centre for Indigenous Education and a conference centre (2010).Colour photograph of the windows of the Melbourne University Old Physics Building.A plaque on the wall of this building states: In April, 1856 stonemasons woking on this building downed tools, marched to the city and inaugrated a movement which win the Eight Hour Day for building workers in Victoria. The victory became an international landmark in the history of the labour movement. Another plaque reads: This, the original building of the University was built of Tasmanian freestone between 1854 and 1857 to the design of F.M. White, architect. It was for many years the University's administrative centre, library, lecture rooms, and professorial residences. The east and west wings were extended in 1930 to the design of J.S. Gawler. In 1969, the quadrangle was completed by the addition of the southern wing which contains the council chamber, designed by R.E. Featherstone. A third plaque states: These cloisters, commenced in 1853 and extended in 1930 nd 1969 were completed in 1981 through the generosity of the late Edward Stevens, a member of Council from 1926 until 1939. The work was also supported by the Wilson Trust and Sir Wilfred Brookes.university of melbourne, old law building, eight hour day, stonemasons, tasmanian freestone, cloisters, edward stevens, wilson trust, wildred brookes

Handwritten extract from the Bendigo Advertiser 3/1/1874. Regulation in force from 1st January 1874. Regulation states the minimum age of boys working at the mines, no female of any age can be employed underground, the maximum hours under 18's worked, no person under 18 to be in charge of any steam engine, boiler or mechanical power and no person in charge of steam machinery to be employed more than eight hours in any one day as an ordinary day's work.document, gold, mining reports, regulation of mines statute 1873, bendigo advertiser 3/1/1874

The barometer was either made or sold by T. Gaunt & Co. of Melbourne, a manufacturer, importer and retailer of a wide variety of goods including jewellery, clocks and watches, navigational and measuring instruments, dinnerware, glassware and ornaments. Thomas Gaunt photograph was included in an album of security identity portraits of members of the Victorian Court, Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne, 1888. (See below for further details.) Admiral Fitzroy Pattern Barometer History: The stick mercury barometer was named after Admiral Robert Fitzroy of the Royal Navy (1805-1865) for his detailed instructions on how to interpret the weather, which were included with the instrument. Fitzroy was the captain of the HMS Beagle, also a weather forecaster to Charles Darwin and the second Governor of New Zealand. He developed many different types of barometers and was the first person to introduce the science of weather forecasting to the British Isles. A local manufacturer of scientific instruments, Thomas Gaunt, produced the barometer that was adapted for the southern hemisphere by Robert Ellery, the State Astronomer based at the Melbourne Observatory. In the original sale catalogue for Gaunt's, the item is described as "Gaunt's Fitzroy Barometers" and it was priced from 25/- to ₤9.9s. History of Thomas Gaunt: Thomas Gaunt established Melbourne's leading watchmaking, optical and jewellery business during the second half of the 19th century. Gaunt arrived in Melbourne in 1852, and by 1858 had established his own business at 14 Little Bourke Street. Around 1869 he moved to new premises in Bourke Street on the corner of Royal Arcade. Gaunt's shop quickly became a Melbourne institution. Gaunt proudly advertised that he was 'The only watch manufacturer in the Australian colonies'. While many watches and clocks may have had Gaunt's name on the dial, few would have been made locally. Gaunt did make some watches for exhibitions, and perhaps a few expensive watches for wealthy individuals. Gaunt's received a telegraph signal from Melbourne Observatory each day to correct his main clock and used this signal to rate and repair ship's chronometers and good quality watches. His main horological manufacturing was directed at turret clocks for town halls, churches and post offices. These tended to be specific commissions requiring individualised design and construction. He made the clock for the Melbourne Post Office lobby, to a design by Government Astronomer Robert Ellery, and won an award at the 1880-81 Melbourne International Exhibition for his turret clock for the Emerald Hill Town Hall. He became well known for his installation of a chronograph at Flemington Racecourse in 1876, which showed the time for the race, accurate to a quarter of a second. The firm also installed the clockwork and figures for Gog and Magog in the Royal Arcade. Thomas Gaunt also developed a department that focused on scientific instrumentation, making thermometers and barometers (from imported glass tubes), telescopes, surveying instruments and microscopes. Another department specialised in electroplating for trophies, awards and silverware, and the firm manufactured large amounts of ecclesiastical gold ware and silverware, for the church including St Patrick's Cathedral. There are no records that disclose the number of employees in the firm, but it was large enough for Gaunt to hold an annual picnic for the watchmakers and apprentices at Mordialloc from 1876; two years previously they had successfully lobbied Gaunt to win the eight hour day. Gaunt's workforce was reportedly very stable, with many workers remaining in the business for 15 to 30 years. Gaunt's wife Jane died on September 1894, aged 64. They had one son and six daughters, but only three daughters survived to adulthood. Two became nuns at the Abbotsford Convent and one daughter, Cecelia Mary Gaunt (died 28 July 1941), married William Stanislaus Spillane on 22 September 1886 and had a large family. Gaunt died at his home in Coburg, Victoria, leaving an estate valued at ₤41,453. The business continued as T. Gaunt & Co. after his death. The barometer is historically significant as an example of the work of Melbourne’s leading scientific instrument maker, Thomas Gaunt. The barometer has social significance as an example of the type of scientific equipment that Thomas Gaunt expanded his horology business into producing. Further social significance lies in the fact that Robert Ellery, the Government Astronomer who designed the local version of the barometer, had a direct connection with the Melbourne Athenaeum founded in 1839 as the Melbourne Mechanics' Institution. Its purpose was "the diffusion of literary, scientific and other useful information". There are also records of a T Gaunt as a subscription and committee member of this the Athenaeum organisation during the 1870s and 1880s which may be Thomas Gaunt, unfortunately still unverified.Stick mercury barometer known as the Admiral Fitzroy Barometer. It comprises an oblong wooden case with glass front panel, ornate pediment, barometer with bulb cistern (empty of fluid), cleaning brush with printed instructions for interpreting information given by the gauge affixed to left and right face of instrument. Includes a thermometer. The barometer appears to be intact. Adapted to the Southern Hemisphere. Special remarks by Admiral Fitzroy. Made by Thomas Gaunt, Melbourne. Manufacturer's details are on back of wooden casing. Rear has upper and lower brass screw plates for securing to vertical surface."Manufactured by Thomas Gaunt, 14 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne. "flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, barometer, admiral fitzroy, thomas gaunt, thomas gaunt of melbourne, clockmaker, admiral fitzroy barometer, barometer instructions, gaunt’s fitzroy barometer, gaunt’s of melbourne, gog and magog designer, horological manufacturer, meteorological instrument, melbourne athenaeum, melbourne mechanics' institution, melbourne observatory time signal, robert ellery government astronomer, scientific instrument, stick mercury barometer, thermometer, weather forecast, t gaunt & co

The clock was either made or sold by T. Gaunt & Co. of Melbourne, a manufacturer, importer and retailer of a wide variety of goods including jewellery, clocks and watches, navigational and measuring instruments, dinnerware, glassware and ornaments. Thomas Gaunt photograph was included in an album of security identity portraits of members of the Victorian Court, Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne, 1888. Thomas Gaunt History: Thomas Gaunt established Melbourne's leading watchmaking, optical and jewellery business during the second half of the 19th century. Gaunt arrived in Melbourne in 1852, and by 1858 had established his own business at 14 Little Bourke Street. Around 1869 he moved to new premises in Bourke Street on the corner of Royal Arcade, Gaunt's shop quickly became a Melbourne institution. Gaunt proudly advertised that he was 'The only watch manufacturer in the Australian colonies'. While many watches and clocks may have had Gaunt's name on the dial, few would have been made locally. Gaunt did make some watches for exhibitions, and perhaps a few expensive watches for wealthy individuals. Gaunt's received a telegraph signal from Melbourne Observatory each day to correct his main clock and used this signal to rate and repair ship's chronometers and good quality watches. His main horological manufacturing was directed at turret clocks for town halls, churches and post offices. These tended to be specific commissions requiring individualised design and construction. He made the clock for the Melbourne Post Office lobby, to a design by Government Astronomer Robert Ellery, and won an award at the 1880-81 Melbourne International Exhibition for his turret clock for the Emerald Hill Town Hall. He became well known for his installation of a chronograph at Flemington Racecourse in 1876, which showed the time for the race, accurate to a quarter of a second. The firm also installed the clockwork and figures for Gog and Magog in the Royal Arcade. Thomas Gaunt also developed a department that focused on scientific instrumentation, making thermometers and barometers (from imported glass tubes), telescopes, surveying instruments and microscopes. Another department specialised in electroplating for trophies, awards and silverware, and the firm manufactured large amounts of ecclesiastical gold ware and silverware, for the church including St Patrick's Cathedral. There are no records that disclose the number of employees in the firm, but it was large enough for Gaunt to hold an annual picnic for the watchmakers and apprentices at Mordialloc from 1876; two years previously they had successfully lobbied Gaunt to win the eight hour day. Gaunt's workforce was reportedly very stable, with many workers remaining in the business for 15 to 30 years. Gaunt's wife Jane died on September 1894, aged 64. They had one son and six daughters, but only three daughters survived to adulthood. Two became nuns at the Abbotsford Convent and one daughter, Cecelia Mary Gaunt (died 28 July 1941), married William Stanislaus Spillane on 22 September 1886 and had a large family. Gaunt died at his home in Coburg, Victoria, leaving an estate valued at ₤41,453. The business continued as T. Gaunt & Co. after his death. Post Office and Clock History: Warrnambool’s Post Office has been in existence since 1857, when it was originally situated on the corner of Timor and Gilles Street. In March 1864 the Warrnambool Borough Council purchased this clock from Henry Walsh Jnr. for the sum of £25, “to be put up in front of the Post Office”. Henry Walsh Jnr was the eldest son of Melbourne’s Henry Walsh, maker and retailer of clocks, watches, thermometers and jewellery. In 1854 Henry Walsh Jnr. began business in Warrnambool as a watchmaker and jeweller later becoming a Councillor with now a local street named after him. The Post Office was extensively remodelled in 1875-76. Early photographs of this building show that the clock was installed on the northern outside wall, Timor Street, under the arches and between the 2 centre windows, where it could be seen by passers-by. Although spring loaded clocks date back to the 15th century, and fob and pocket watches evolving from these date to the 17th century, personal pocket watches were only affordable to the very fortunate. Public clocks such as this Post Office clock provided opportunity for all to know the time, and for those in possession of a personal watch to check and set their own timepieces to the correct time. During post office reservations during the 1970s the clock was removed and was eventually donated to the Flagstaff Collection. The Clock’s maker Thomas Gaunt, is historically significant and was an established and well renowned scientific instrument and clock maker in Melbourne during the 1860s. He was at that time the only watchmaker in the Australian colonies. In the 1870’s and 1880’s he won many awards for his clocks and was responsible for sending time signals to other clocks in the city and rural areas, enabling many businesses and organisations to accurate set their clocks each day. Warrnambool Borough Council purchased this clock from Henry Walsh Jnr. for the sum of £25 and the clock used to stand in front of the Warrnambool post office to allow ordinary citizens to set their time pieces as they walked by. The item is not only important because it was made by a significant early colonial clock maker and retailed by a locally known clock maker and jeweler but also that it was installed in the Warrnambool Post Office a significantly historical building in it's own right. Built in 1857 and regarded as one of the oldest postal facilities in Australia, with a listing on the National Heritage Database, (ID 15656). This 1864 hall clock originates from the Warrnambool Post Office. The clock glass is hinged to the top of the clock face and has a catch at the bottom. The metal rim of the glass is painted black. The clock face is metal, painted white, with black Roman numerals and markings for minutes and five minutes. The tip of the small hour hand is shaped like a leaf. "T. GAUNT / MELBOURNE" is printed in black on the clock face. The winding key hole is just below the centre of the clock face. The key winds a fusee chain mechanism, attached to the brass mainspring barrel that powers the pendulum with an 8-day movement. The speed of the clock can be adjusted by changing the position of the weight on the pendulum, lengthening or shortening the swing; raising the pendulum shortens its swing and speeds up the clock. The metal fusee mechanism has an inscription on it. The rectangular wooden casing is with a convex curve at the bottom that has a hinged door with a swivel latch. The original stained surface has been painted over with a matte black. There are two other doors that also allow access to the clock’s workings. The case fits over the pendulum and workings at the rear and attaches to the clock by inserting four wooden pegs into holes in the sides of the case then into the back of the clock. A flat metal plate has been secured by five screws onto the top of the case and a hole has been cut into it for the purpose of hanging up the clock. There is a nail inside the case, possibly used for a place to the key."T. GAUNT MELBOURNE" is printed on the clock face. “6 1 3” embossed on the back of the fusee mechanism behind the clock. warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, clock, warrnambool post office, fusee, henry walsh jnr, thomas gaunt, t gaunt & co, post office clock