The Australian Natives Association (ANA) Benefit Society was formed in 1871 at a meeting of young men in Grimwood's Hotel, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. The Association was one of many friendly societies that also aimed to promote the moral, social and intellectual advancement of its members. The young founders restricted membership to native-born Australians, but there were no Koories among them. The Australian Natives Association Ballarat Branch (No4) was founded in 1874. The association’s modest building was based in Camp Street and the branch was one of the most active in the colony, playing a key role in Federation. The Ballarat branch of the ANA was wound up in 1957 and the double storey building has since been used as for office space most recently for employment companies such as Tracey Recruitment. Ballarat's ANA Hall has heritage status under the City of Ballarat’s Camp Street heritage overlay HO186, however it is not listed by either the Victorian Heritage Register or the National Trust.Handwritten letter glued onto a lined page. The letter is from the Australian Natives Association Ballarat Branch No. 4, and is written to John Mateer at the time of his wife's death. The letter is signed by John Gray (President) and Fred Wainwright (secretary). Fred Wainwright was the first secretary of ANA branch No. 4. hew as a clerk at Ballarat Town Hall, and presented an essay on Federation of Australian Colonies in 1879.Australian Natives Association Ballaarat Branch No 4 14th December 1883. Dear Sir The members of this branch of the A.N.A. desire us to convey to you expression of their deep sympanth with you in the irreparable loss you have sustained by the death of your dearly beloved wife. The Members are fully aware that during the first month of such an overpowering infliction the most sincere sympathy of the truest friends can do little by alleviate the bitter pangs of remembrance and sorrow, still they trust that you may be enabled to submit with christian calmness and fortitude to the Will of Him, who, when seeming to act most severely wit us, is in His Own Divine Wisdom, ordering things for the best. We are Dear Sir Yours fraternally John Gray President fred Wainwright Secretary To Mr John Mateer australian natives' association, ana, ballarat branch no. 4. ballaarat branch no. 4, gray, john gray, wainwright, fred wainwright, mateer, john mateer

The postcards are addressed to Mrs Dickson, Miss Weeks, Mrs Kiernan and include one from Fred Hall AIF 1915 from Egypt. Miss Weeks was possibly Bertha Alma Weeks 1873-1952, m. George Patrick Kiernan, 1877-1961. There were several Mrs Dickson's including Emma ( nee Wainwright), who was married in 1900 to Archibald John Dickson (1855-1930) and Laura (nee Kreymborg), who was married in 1901 to James Thomas Dickson (1864-1911). The parents of Archibald and James Thomas were Euphemia (nee Brown) 1826-1907 and James T. Dickson (1853-1897). Postcards were ideal for short messages, they were cheap to buy and post, and they moved through rapidly improving transport networks. They are interesting contemporary records of places gone, architecture gone and people gone. This item reflects a contemporary form of communication in the early 20th century.Two cardboard covered albums containing post card collections. The cards have been laminated. 2350.1 has a grey cover. 2350.2 has a dark green cover, each decorated with flowers. Inside the pages are tied with gold ribbon / tape. Inside front cover hand-written in pen - "I know you are sitting all alone reflecting on the ??????. Remember that ?????? that will forever????? From Nug to Dot Dec 1906"postcards-album ww1-communication

Bendigo Operatic Society ''Charlie Girl'' At the Capital Theatre, View Street Bendigo For an Eight night Season Commnecing Wednsday 8th december, 1976. Producere: Max Collis - Assistant Producer, Wardrobe and Ballet Mistress: Madge Welch - Stage Manager: Malcolm Cannon - Musical Director: Gwen Grose - Society Pianist: Diana Cohn. Cast in Order of Appearance: Bill May as Pete - Malcom O'Brien as Fred - Trevor Boyd as Jerry - Bruce Ashman as Sam - Michelle Hocking as Lady Fiona - Annette Beckwith as Lady Penelope - Carol McKenzie as Lady Hadwell - Dorothy Kennedy as Charlie - Michael Nolan as Nicholas Wainwright - Ken Deuthmann as Joe Studholme - Trevor Cartwright as John Sasaki - Larry Bequir as Jack Connor - Phyllis Downing as Mrs. Kay Connor.program, theatre, bendigo operatic society

Although there was painting from the very early years of Australian settlement, for some time the artists experienced trouble with reproducing Australian conditions. It has taken an input of many artists from many places to form what has become "Australian Painting". A history compiled by SHHS member, Arthur Tonkin.Although there was painting from the very early years of Australian settlement, for some time the artists experienced trouble with reproducing Australian conditions. It has taken an input of many artists from many places to form what has become "Australian Painting". A history compiled by SHHS member, Arthur Tonkin.artists, (mr) theodore brooke hansen, (mr) thomas watling, j a horrocks, (mr) s t gill, (mr) conrad martens, (mr) sydney parkinson, (mr) john lewin, (mr) augustus earle, (mr) wilbraham frederick evelyn liardet, buxtons gallery, (mr) walter withers, (mr) giroloma ballatti nerli, (mr) joseph lycett, (mr) john glover, (mr) thomas bock, (mr) thomas wainwright, (mr) george french angus, (mr) william blandowski, (mr) gerard kreft, (mr) eugene von guerard, (mr) ludwig becker, (mr) william strutt, (mr) thomas clark, (mr) robert dowling, (mr) tom roberts, (mr) fred mccubbin, (mr) louis abrahams, (mr) charles condor, (mr) david davies, (mr) herbert daly, r e falls, (mr) douglas richardson