BHS CollectionBlack and white pencil sketch signed G. Harris 1942. The sketch is of a typical Australian bush scene, in the background 4 trees, in the middle 3 sheep grazing a tree log and tree stump at the front. On the back the inscription in black pen ''to Phillip Ellison given to him by the artist George Harris Esq. Axedale 1959''. Also, on the back along the side 'reframed Hong Kong 1/2013'. The dimension of the sketch is 22x15 cm. without the frame.George Harrisartwork, print, landscape, george harris

Charcoal sketch on cream background of water course, trees on left hand side. Most probably sketch of Harris property, orchard and vineyard on Axe Creek, Mt. Sugarloaf Road, Axedale.George Harris, Axedaleartwork, axedale, george harris

Photograph taken from highway in Tawonga. Mt Bogong in the background. Note the early model vehicles and petrol pumps and signage.Photographic history of buildings in Tawonga pre 1940.Coloured photograph of garage owned by George Harris in Tawonga, opposite Hanna Paske pre 1940 (estimate only)Handwritten in ink on back - Opp. Hanna's Paske. George Harris owned the garage.tawonga, mt bogong, tawonga garage

BHS CollectionPhotocopy of sketch book belonging to George Harris. There are 15 photocopies, mostly depicting landscapes sketches, Only one is dated 1872.drawing, pencil, george harris sketches

Dark coloured, coarse material, heavy duty, similar to canvas. Tattered edges all round. From George Harris estate. Possibly used in 'buggy' construction.george harris, construction material, canvas

Blue cover book, 448 pages 'The Royal School Series, No. V., The Royal Readers, illustrated, 1887' Written on flyleaf ' George Harris, State School, Axedale, January 1888'person, individual, george harris, axedale

BHS CollectionNewspaper clipping titled 'Treasure ..... It's A Puzzle' dated 18 December 1959. Article discusses the search for buried treasure on the Axedale property of the Harris family, following the death of George Harris in August 1959. George willed the proceeds from the sale of the 200-acre property to the Bendigo Benevolent Home. The home 'will not accept money for the sale of the brothers; 200 acres property because it could jeopardise the home's chances of sharing the treasure'george harris, axdale, 'bendigo advertiser

Charcoal sketch on cream background of creek, small hut on bank, eucalypts on LH side and in background. Most probably a depiction of the Harris orchard/vineyard on Axe Creek, Axedale, near the bridge on the Mt. Sugarloaf Road.George Harris, Axedaleartwork, harris vineyard

Book, black cover gold writing ' Mylius's History of England' written on front cover. 425 pages. Inside on fly leaf 'an abridged History of England for the use of schools' Handwritten on page 2 ' George Samuel Harris, Avondale Farm, Axedale, Nr (near) Bendigo' On back page in pencil coloured in frame ' G.S. Harris, Axedale'T. Jones, 63, Paternoster Row, Dublin. 1844.george harris, history of england, book

Booklet: Containing astronomical ephemeris, educational register for Victoria, notable events for the year, astronomical tables. Covers missing. 26th year of publication. The name 'George Samuel Harris' handwritten in ink on pages 48, 100 and 114. Also 'Alexander Campbell' on page 64.Published by M. L. Hutchinson, 15 Collins St West, Melb.history, almanac, hutchinson, almanac, school register, george samuel harris, alexander campbell

Quartz sample, small gold pieces embedded. Sample donated from estate of George Harris, Axedalegold, mining, harris collection axedale

BHS CollectionA simple wooden box, An inlaid pattern on the lid and front. It has lines and square pattern a flowery image is inside the squares. The inside lid is inscribed by the words: ''P. Ellison State School Axedale''. From George Harris estate. Phillip Ellison was given the box by George Harris.personal effects, containers, wood storage box

Four pages from exercise book(George Harris?- as catalogued, has included a torn strip of paper with the following handwritten on it ''From the George Harris Black Art Foleo (sic]). Page of poetry (from newspapers); cuttings and drawing of vase on table?/ with 'signature' ''D.H. 89or 86?). .person, individual, harris

This framed lithograph print in watercolour and gouache was produced on November 19th, 1924, by 20th-century marine artist, Mr R.N. Duffield. It depicts the event of a sea rescue that took place two years earlier. The framer was A.L. Frith of Footscray, Melbourne, who actively advertised from 1933 to 1935. The now disbanded Shiplovers' Society of Victoria (1930-2018) donated the print, and it seems likely that this print was framed for that organisation. This graphic image shows the conditions in which the rescue from the wrecked Helen B. Sterling happened. Captain George Harris was master of the American-owned, four-masted windjammer. His wife Edith and their ten-year-old son Leslie were on board, along with a crew of fifteen seamen. The ship set off from Newcastle, NSW, on January 5th, 1922, loaded with a cargo of coal to deliver to the Society Islands and on to San Francisco. Young Leslie later wrote a lively school composition for his teacher about his experiences on board the Helen B Sterling. He tells of a fire that broke out the day after they departed and burned a hole in a beam. Then another troublesome time on the 9th, when a strong gale blew a sail off the ship. Finally, he tells of the highlight of his voyage when, on the 18th January, the ship was right in the path of a strong cyclone, which broke the mainmast. Huge waves crashed over both sides of the deck, meeting in the middle, and the ship began to sink. The rescue from the wreck was an exciting time for the young boy, and even more so when one of his cats survived after being carefully wrapped in a pillowcase and thrown down from the ship for the boy. Reporters later wrote about Leslie’s comments, “... what had grieved him most was the thought that he might never see his two little sisters again”. Captain Harris said in a published statement, “… the gale was the worst he had met in his 12 years’ experience at sea. All went well for the first week. We then encountered a strong blow from the south-east. We tried the gasoline pump, but the engine broke down, and we had to do the pumping by hand. We at once shortened sail, but the sea increased in fury to such an extent that men were washed from the pumps. I was below at 5:30 on Sunday morning [January 22nd, 1922] when the main mast went over the side, … I at once sent out SOS signals, and got word that HMAS Melbourne was coming to our assistance. I had made a mistake with regard to our position, but did not know it until 11:30 o’clock, when I sent out the correct location. This was picked up by the Melbourne and I received the following reply: “We will reach you about 2 am. Keep a good heart. The Melbourne will do all she can.” Our ship was practically awash when we were taken off.” (Ref: the ‘Helen B. Sterling Disaster’, Maitland Weekly Mercury, NSW, 4-2-1922.) Officers from the Royal Australian Navy, Captain Henry J Feakes (later Rear-Admiral) and Commander Wilfrid Ward Hunt, were on board the light cruiser, HMAS Melbourne (1913-1928), when it left Sydney for New Zealand. After the SOS was received, the ship sped at full steam towards the sinking Helen B. Sterling. They found the vessel at about midnight and shone bright search lights on the distressed ship to illuminate the desperate scene. The Melbourne was unable to move close to the schooner, so sixteen seamen, including Commander Hunt, volunteered to man the Melbourne’s lifesaving 12-oared cutter. They rowed the sea boat with great urgency towards the victims of the sinking ship, keen to save lives no matter what the conditions. When the cutter was close to the Sterling, a line was secured between the Sterling and the cutter. The weary, waterlogged and anxious men on board could be rescued, one at a time, in the breeches buoy equipment, which looked like canvas shorts with a lifesaving ring in the waistband. The victims were hauled along the line and pulled aboard by many willing hands. All eighteen crew and passengers were saved, including Captain Harris and his family. The seamen of the Melbourne received a heroes’ welcome when they arrived in New Zealand. The grateful survivors were taken to Auckland, where they received the care and comfort they needed. Melbourne’s Lord Mayor, Cr. Swanston, on behalf of the citizens of Melbourne, formally recognised the heroic rescue efforts of the seamen of the HMAS Melbourne on March 2nd, 1922, at a special presentation. Two large flags, a White Ensign and an Australian “Jack" Flag, were presented to the Captain of HMAS Melbourne, and souvenirs were awarded to the sea boat’s crew and its Commander, Wilfred Ward Hunt. Commander Hunt was also presented with an original watercolour depicting the heroic rescue from the wreck of the Helen B. Sterling, painted just after the event by renowned marine artist Arthur V Gregory (1867-1957), and he received a silver cigarette case bearing the City’s coat of arms and the inscription, "To Commander Ward Hunt from the Citizens of Melbourne as a memento of the rescue of the crew of Helen B. Stirling by H.M.A.S. Melbourne, on 23.1.22". Both the painting and the cigarette case are now treasured items inherited by his grandson; a reminder of “… a very fine naval gentleman who believed in leading by example." R.N. DUFFIELD: - The Lithograph print in our collection by 20th-century English artist R.N. Duffield is dated Nov. 19, 1924. It is very similar to, and possibly created from, the original A V Gregory watercolour presented to Commander Hunt and dated 1922. Mr R.N. Duffield has art works in the Yarmouth Museums, Norfolk Museums Collection; “Orient Liner Otranto …,” and "Convoy of six ships at sea", both painted in watercolour and gouache during the 1940s. Some of his other works, also painted in watercolour and gouache, have been advertised for sale on Internet sites. Some details differ between the original A.V. Gregory and this Lithograph Print: - -the words on the bow on the original watercolour are “Helen B. Sterling, Blain”, which is in Washington, USA, where the Sterling Shipping Company was registered from around 1919; the words on the print are “Helen B. Sterling, Halifax, N S”, for Nova Scotia, Canada, which is the hometown of Sterling Shipping Company founder’s wife, Helen B Sterling. -The watercolour is coloured and has fine details; the print is monochrome - The A V Gregory signed the watercolour in 1922, on the lower left; the print is signed with the Lithographer’s name on the lower right; “R N Duffield, Nov. 19. 1924” ARTHUR VICTOR GREGORY (1867-1957): - A.V. Gregory is a renowned marine artist who worked in watercolour and gouache. He painted actively between 1899 and 1932, creating over 3o0 works. South Melbourne, Victoria, was where he lived and worked. This Lithograph print is significant in that it depicts the rescuing of the passengers and crew of the schooner “Helen B Stirling”. At the time this was a significant event that made most Australian and New Zealand papers because of the involvement of the Australian cruiser “Melbourne”. The image demonstrates the perilous conditions experienced by seafarers. It includes an example of the line and breeches buoy method used to save lives at sea from the 1860s and into the 20th century. It reflects a time in our history when sail and steam ships cruised the world’s seas together, the former trading with a cargo of coal from Newcastle, the latter defending our country in World War I. The print is part of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum’s Collection of maritime artworks that depict famous events, vessels and locations, showing the evolution of sea craft, and aiding the interpretation of our maritime history. The Lithograph print is behind glass in a black painted timber frame and mounted under a cream matte. The vivid image depicts a sea rescue in progress. The night scene is illuminated by a light beaming from a steamship, the Cruiser HMAS Melbourne. It reveals figures on the deck of a sinking sailing ship, the schooner Helen B. Sterling, as foaming waves roll across it. The stricken ship has a broken main mast, and a sail has been detached. A small figure is floating in the choppy sea, secured in a breeches buoy that is attached to a rescue line between a lifesaving cutter and the sailing ship. The crewmen in the cutter are ready to haul the shipwrecked victim aboard, while the figures on the foundering ‘Sterling’ watch them. The print’s paper-covered wooden backboard is attached to the frame with small tacks. A metal hanging wire is secured to two dissimilar eyelet screws. Inscriptions include text on the bow of the sinking vessel, a handwritten title below the picture, and a handwritten name in the print’s lower right corner. On the reverse are two oval, black ink stamps and a round cream label with printed text. The hand-painted print was reproduced from a lithograph, signed in the lower right, by R.N. Duffield of England, on November 19th, 1924. A Frith of Footscray, Melbourne framed it. Painted on the ship’s bow: “HELEN B. STERLING / HALIFAX N S” [Nova Scotia, Canada] Handwritten below the print: “AUSTRALIAN CRUISER “MEMBOURNE” (Tons 5600) rescuing crew of sinking four-masted schooner “HELEN B. STERLING” of Halifax NS Canada, Tons 1343 in a gale in the Pacific Ocean.” Handwritten on lower right: “R.N. DUFFIELD / Nov. 19. 1924” (underlined) On paper label: “Phone: / Footscray 398 [some of the text has torn off] / “A. FRITH / PICTURE FRAMER / Manufacturer / 17 Paisley Street / Footscray.“ On both oval stamps: “SHIPLOVERS SOCIETY OF VICTORIA / LIBRARY” flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, lithograph, lithograph print, reproduction print, helen b. sterling, the sterling, american owned schooner, halifax, halifax n s, halifax nova scotia, nova scotia, halifax n s canada, schooner, windjammer, sailing ship, four-masted ship, captain george harris, george harris, edith harris, leslie harris, sterling shipping line, hmas melbourne, hmas melbourne (1), cruiser hmas melbourne, the melbourne, australian cruiser, captain henry j feakes, commander wilfred ward hunt, sinking ship, shipwreck, sea rescue, gale, cyclone, 1922 rescue, shipwreck rescue, breeches buoy, line rescue, rescue line, lifesaving, cutter, cutter melbourne, sea boat, lifesaving crew, 12-oar cutter, shipwreck victim, r.n. duffield, marine artist, nov. 19. 1924, 20th century artist, a frith, footscray picture framer, shiplovers’ society of victoria, shiplovers’ society library, watercolour, a v gregory, arthur victor gregory, melbourne artist, newcastle coal, newcastle nsw, society islands, san fracisco, aukland new zealand, school composition, ship’s cat, sos signal, lord mayor cr. swanston, heroes, cigarette case

Small laminated Australian Army ID of Robert George Harris Service Number 41335 issued till 02-02-1975

Mustard coloured certificate which has been laminated. Marked Warrant to Robert George Harris: the Royal Aust Armoured Corpsaustralian military forces warrant

BHS CollectionRound metal cream scooper. Several small holes on scooper for filtering of milk. The scooper has a simple handle. This item could have been used by George Harris.food technology, dairying, metal cream scooper

Certificate of a child being sufficiently educated - Education Department, Victoria.(George Harris) Dated 17/7/89. Axedale. Signed by ? Gamble, Inspector. From Harris family Axedale.document, certificate, child being sufficiently educated

R Bell was a company based in London. They decided to open a factory in Richmond, Melbourne in 1894/5 to produce wax tipped vestas (matches).10 cylindrical matchboxes. On the lid the name R.Bell & Co. Melbourne with a red ornate cross in the middle. 6 of the boxes contains matches, 4 are empty. On the cylinders lines in different colours. from George Harris estateephemera, mementoes, match box

Handmade booklet of black and white drawings. Three pages of heavy brown paper stitched together on short side with cotton thread. The booklet was disassembled for one page to be used in a display. Pages remain separated. The first page has a drawing of a standing dark coloured horse. Beneath the drawing is the word 'ARABIAN". 0453 is written in one corner. In the background is another horse with rider riding away. On the reverse side of this page are some geometric patterns. The second page has a black and white drawing of two ladies in a paddock observing a bull in the distance. They are surrounded by long grass and flowers. On the reverse are several random unfinished sketches. The third page has a drawing of Thos. Strachan's Vineyard, Axedale, 1884. The drawing includes a weatherboard house with a verandah, and a barn close by. Three chimneys are visible. On the reverse are random unfinished sketches. george harris, axedale, drawing, sketches

people, accidentsLaser copy of Remains of Yendon Baker's cart, wrecked on the Yendon railway crossing, 28/09/1938, and cuttings from two newspaper reports.road accident, rail accident, hector parker, george harris

BHS CollectionDouble glazed ceramic jar. Main body beige colour, top light brown. The jar is 14 cm tall with a diameter at the bottom of 10.5 cm. The opening is 6.5 cm. There are no marks on this jar. from George Harris estatedomestic equipment, food storage & preservation

Red patterned cover, 127 pages. 'The Ferryman of Brill' written on gold background. Written in pencil on front page ' Presbyterian Sabbath School Axedale. Presented to George Harris, a reward of merit. Dec. 20th. 1885. Edwin R. Ferber, Sup.'axedale, presbyterians

Stained and holed Tribute 'Agreement' document (Harriet Harris - the 'Company' and David Henry Harris and George Samuel Harris, the 'Tributors' dated Feb 17th 1896) remaining in Parish of Axedale.person, individual, harris

BHS CollectionLarge double glazed round ceramic jar. The main body is beige in colour, the top is light brown. The mark 2P is on the top side. The jar is 17 cm. tall, the diameter at the bottom is 11.4 cm, the mouth opening is 7cm. from George Harris estatedomestic equipment, food storage & preservation

This item is a demijohn. The name demijohn is believed to have come from the French "dame-jeanne" or Lady Jane, with the term first being used in the 17th century.Large double glazing ceramic jar with handle. The main body is beige the mouth, the handle and the top of the jar are light brown. The number 1 is imprinted on the mouth near the handle. The diameter at the bottom is 17.5 cm. The mouth opening is 2.5 cm. From the George Harris estatedomestic equipment, food storage & preservation

BHS CollectionSmall metal jug (possibly made of pewter). The jug has a decorated handle. The lid has what looks like a bird of prey, on three leaves, a snake is sliding out behind the bird. On the bottom what's looks like an H has been scratched on. From George Harris estatedomestic equipment, containers, jug