This card was presented to George Davidson when he passed the Junior School examination held by St. John's Tonic Sol-Fa Association in 1877. The Tonic Sol-Fa was a technique used for teaching sight singing, invented in the 18th century and further developed, popularised and used extensively by singing teachers in the 19th century. The St. John's Tonic Sol-Fa Association was an extension of the choir of St. John's Presbyterian Church in Warrnambool and the conductor (and the teacher whose name is on this card) was T. L.Campbell. He was a well-known singing and music teacher in Warrnambool in the second half of the 19th century and specialized in the teaching of the viola, violin and violincello. George Davidson (1860-1941) was the son of John and Isobel Davidson, pioneer settlers in the Warrnambool district.This card is of some interest as a memento of the music scene in Warrnambool in the second half of the 19th century with references to T.L. Campbell, a music teacher, George Davidson, a pupil and a school of music, St. John's Tonic Sol-Fa AssociationThis is a small white card with a blue scroll border and blue printing on one side and printed information on the other side. The card has handwritten details in ink. It is stained, torn at one edge and has signs of silverfish damage.Tonic Sol-Fa Method of Teaching to Sing - Mr George Davidson has passed the examination for the Junior School Certificate. Teacher or Assistant: T.L. Campbell A.C. School or Class: St. John's Tonic Sol-Fa Association. Date: 30th November 1877 No. 52st john's warrnambool tonic sol-fa association, t.l.campbell warrnambool music teacher, george davidson warrnambool

The Warrnambool Advertiser has the sub-heading, ‘Villiers, Heytesbury and Hampden General Reporter with which is incorporated the Warrnambool Sentinel’. (The Warrnambool Sentinel was published in Warrnambool by John Davidson Burnie from 1861 to 1868). The Warrnambool Advertiser was printed and published by Daniel Harrison and Daniel George in Timor Street, Warrnambool, opposite the old Court House (until March 1872). This paper commenced in 1868 and ceased publication in 1873. It was published twice weekly on a Wednesday and a Saturday. Daniel George was the brother of Hugh George who was at one time the general manager of the Argus and later the Sydney Morning Herald. Daniel Harrison had been the editor of the ‘Australasian’ newspaperThese newspapers are most important as they are original copies of an early Warrnambool newspaper and the only copies the Historical Society owns. They contain much important information on Warrnambool activities and events in 1871. An index to the papers is available. These are original newspapers of the Warrnambool Advertiser from 11th January 1871 to 27th December 1871. Each edition has two pages printed on each side. The cover is missing but the pages are bound with thin string to keep them together. The pages are unmarked with many torn edges with the Wednesday January 11th issue very tattered and the Saturday 14th January issue has pages 3 and 4 half torn off. There are some loose pages.warrnambool advertiser, warrnambool