The booklet gives a brief history of RAAF Base POINT COOK from the inauguration of the Base in 1913, until May 1969History of the Royal Australian Air Force Base Point CookSpiral bound booklet giving a brief history of the RAAF Base Point Cook. White spiral bound with cream covered cardboard front and back covers. Three pages of typed historic information nilraaf, point cook, history of point cook, raaf museum, sir richard williams, captain t.w. white, lt g.p. merz, central flying school point cook, australian air corps, raaf academy

Sir Henry Bolte, premier of Victoria, renamed Cape Everard at Point Hicks during the Centenary of Cook's Landings on April 20, 1970. There is no land feature at Cook's coordinates of 38°0'S and 148°53'E, a point which lies several miles out to sea and under 50 fathoms of water. Captain Cook invented Point Hicks so that he could conceal Bass Strait and the insularity of Tasmania. The Admiralty had issued its usual instructions to hide strategically important discoveries that could become security risks. Captain Hicks was James Cook`s senior lieutenant. There has been some dispute as to whether Zachary Hicks actually saw Point Hicks or whether he saw Ram Head about 20 kilometres further up the coast. Although Cook named the promontory Point Hicks it was changed to Cape Everard in 1843.. In 1970 the Victorian government changed the name Cape Everard to 'Point Hicks'. It lies on dry land, about 22 nautical miles (41 km) northeast of Cook's phantom Point Hicks, where it preserves the story of Cook's first landfall in Australia. This is a contemporary pictorial record of a significant event in East Gippsland's history.A black / white photograph of a man in a suit making a speech with the audience standing behind him. He is standing in front of an octagonal-shaped directional marker set ointo a stone support. There is a policeman behind him. In the background to the right is a lighthouse.on front - "20th April 1970, Sir Henry Bolte renames C. Everard as Pt Hicks" handwritten in block letterscook-james-point-hicks cape-everard bolte-henry

The Hollywood film stars pasted on to one side of this paper are of no historical interest to our Society. The four paper items attached to the other side relate to the pioneer aviator, Basil Watson. He flew the first aeroplane to come to Warrnambool in January 1917. Watson flew from Point Cook to Warrnambool in one hour 55 minutes, an Australian cross-country flying record at the time. He had built his own aeroplane which was 18 feet long with a wing span of 26 feet and it had a 7 cylinder 50 H.P. rotary Gnome engine. In Warrnambool he amazed the crowds with his dare-devil aerial acrobatics, looping the loop 14 times over the Warrnambool Racecourse. Watson also brought several letters with him, making him the bearer of the first aerial mail to Warrnambool. Sadly Basil Watson died when his plane crashed at Point Cook in March 1917, just two months after his record-breaking flight to Warrnambool. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society has in its collection the small galvanized bucket seat which came from Watson’s plane and the original first air letter written by the Mayor of Melbourne to the Mayor of Warrnambool. These four items are of considerable historical interest as they are souvenirs issued at the time of Basil Watson’s aviation exploits in the early 1900s and Watson is of great importance in the aviation history of Warrnambool.This is a piece of paper (possibly from a scrapbook) with one torn edge. Pasted on to the paper on one side are newspaper photographs of early Hollywood female film stars. On the other side are four items relating to the pioneer aviator, Basil Watson – an airmail post card, a newspaper black and white photograph, a souvenir black and white photograph and a card with an illustration of an early aeroplane (pictured upside down). ‘The Aerial Postman Basil Watson’ ‘Official Souvenir Australian Aerial Mail’ basil watson, pioneer aviator, aviation in warrnambool’s history, history of warrnambool

This is the seat from the aeroplane of Basil Watson. Photographs held by the Warrnambool and District Historical Society confirm that this was Watson’s aeroplane seat. He was a pioneer aviator who had built his own plane which was 5.5 metres long with a wingspan of 8 metres. It had a 7-cylinder 50 HP rotary Gnome engine. Basil Watson flew this aircraft to Warrnambool in January 1917, becoming the first person to fly to Warrnambool, coming from Point Cook in one hour 55 minutes – an Australian cross-country flying record at that time. Watson amazed Warrnambool crowds with his dare-devil flying, looping the loop 14 times over the Warrnambool racecourse. He also brought with him the first aerial post to arrive in Warrnambool and the Warrnambool and District Historical Society has the letter he brought written by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne to the Mayor of Warrnambool. Two months after he was in Warrnambool Basil Watson was killed when his plane crashed near Point Cook in March 1917. Parts of the plane were salvaged and the seat was donated to the old Warrnambool Museum in 1918. It remained there until the museum was dismantled in the early 1960s and it was later passed over to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. The tag on the seat today is an old Warrnambool Museum label. This is a most significant item as it is the original seat from the aeroplane of Basil Watson, an important early aviator in Australia’s history and it is also an early 20th century memento of the many treasures from the old Warrnambool Museum (1883-1963). The seat shows the primitive nature of early 20th century aeroplanes in Australia. This is a metal (galvanized iron) seat with a semi-circular base and a curved back stretching around from one end of the base to the other end. The back has a rolled metal edging on the base and the top. On the sides are two slots with a khaki-coloured cloth strap passing through the slots. This strap has a metal buckle at the end. The metal in the seat is somewhat blotched and discoloured. A luggage label is tied to one of the slots and has a name typed on it.Mr Watsonbasil watson, aviator, old warrnambool museum, history of warrnambool

Awarded to Alan Bowers (A236814) who was a R.A.A.F. dental mechanic who serverd during WWII including service in Darwin, and then continued in the R.A.A.F. for some years after the end of WWII The Royal Australian Air Force (and all Commonwealth Air Forces) Long Service and Good Conduct Medal: Awarded to NCOs and ORs of the RAAF (RAF, RCAF etc) for 15 years service. A cupro-nickel plated medal, the obverse features the sovereign's head, the reverse features the crown and eagle emblem of the RAAF (and RAF). Officers are eligible for the award provided they have served a minimum 12 years in the ranks. The riband is dark blue and maroon with white edges. This medal ceased to be awarded in Australia in 1975 when it was replaced by the National Medal (and sbsequently the DFSM and DLSM) in the Australian system of honours and awards. http://www.heritagemedals.com.au/medals-1/service-long-service/air-force-long-service-and-good-conduct-medal.html History of the RAAF Dental Branch It took six years following the formation of the RAAF in 1921 for the first Dental Clinic to be established at Point Cook, Victoria. On 10th June 1927 Flying Officer James Carl Rosenbrock commenced work as an RAAF Dental Officer for the FlyingTraining School at Point Cook. As personnel numbers were still relatively small, Rosenbrock was also responsible for the dental care of all Victorian RAAF units, which involved treating members at 1AD Laverton, as well as Air Force Headquarters at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne. As Army Dental Officers were currently caring for RAAF personnel at Richmond, NSW, the Senior Dental Officer of the 3rd Military District in Victoria (SDO 3MD) requested through the military board that a similar arrangement be established, where that the newly appointed RAAF Dentist provide part time dental services to the Army units stationed at Queenscliff. This was seen as an effective reciprocal arrangement, with both units having a Dental Officer in attendance for, in total, around 3-4 weeks a year. Rosenbrock continued to serve as the sole RAAF Dental Officer until the middle of 1933, when the Air Board asked for his service to be terminated following ‘behaviour unbecoming of a RAAF officer'. He had borrowed several sums of money, of around 40 Pounds or so, from junior ranks on base (as well as from the Regimental Sergeant Major) and had failed to pay the money back. He was replaced by a fellow Victorian, FLGOFF Norman Henry Andrews, on the 18th Sep 1933, who went on to become our first Director of Dental Services, and was instrumental in establishing the organisations and conditions of the Branch that are still present today. Through a fair amount of persistence and hard work on the part of Norman Andrews, the RAAF Dental Branch began to expand from 1937, with the introduction of 2 additional positions, at RAAF station Richmond, and at the FlyingTraining School at Point Cook. This gave the RAAF 3 uniformed Dental Officers, which was expanded to 5 in the months leading up to WW2. 4 of these Dental Officers were based in Victoria and 1 at Richmond, with the other two RAAF units being cared for by the Army (as in the case of Pearce in WA) or by civilians (as in Darwin). With the sudden increase in RAAF personnel required at the outbreak of WW2, the number of RAAF Dental Officers increased dramatically, from 5 in 1939, 28 in 1940, 64 in 1941, 147 in 1942, 193 in 1943, 219 in 1944, and peaking at 227 in 1945. RAAF Dental Officers were required to work in a variety of locations, both in and out of Australia. Between 1940 and 1942 a massive construction programme occurred, with new dental clinics being established around Australia. Priority was given to aircrew training units in order to get these personnel dentally fit for operational deployment, but Dental Officers could equally find themselves posted to recruit depots, fixed stations, medical clearance stations, mobile dental sections, and RAAF and civilian hospitals. RAAF Dental Officers were posted to the large dental centres at Ascot Vale (Vic) and Bradfield Park (NSW) when first appointed, where they received military and clinical training, before being deployed to their needed location. Mobile Dental Units When Japan entered the war in 1941, the rapid deployment of troops to northern operational areas with less than ideal dental fitness was extremely high. As a result, the RAAF deployed a range of mobile dental units, either alone or with medical sections, to support the increasing number of isolated deployed personnel within Australia and overseas. There were three types of mobile unit used: a. Mobile Dental Unit – relied on using either a semi-trailer to get around or by building a surgery directly on to the truck chassis, and installing hydraulic chairs, units, x-rays, and laboratory equipment. They were able to move around between small units, such as RAAF radar stations, where they could plug into the local power supply and work immediately. b. Transportable Dental Units – used for stops of longer duration, where field equipment was carried in panniers from one unit to another by road or rail and housed in whatever accommodation was available at the destination. They were often carried within Australia on Tiger Moths and Dakota aircraft. c. Itinerant Dental Units – in some areas, the dental equipment was installed at the RAAF unit and the Dental Officer and their staff would travel from unit to unit, using the equipment available at each location. RAAF Dental BadgeAs the war developed in Europe, it soon became obvious that the RAF Dental support was not capable of supporting the increasing numbers of RAAF aircrew that were being sent for service with the RAF, with only enough Dental Officers available to provide one to every 2000 men ( instead of the preferred 1 to 600). As a result, the RAAF provided a mobile dental unit, fitted out in a caravan and pulled by a Ford V8 Coupe, to travel around England in support of RAAF personnel at various squadrons. Some degree of tact was needed to ensure that the RAF did not take this as a comment on the treatment they were providing, but it proved successful in maintaining a satisfactory state of dental fitness in RAAF personnel, and a second mobile unit was soon dispatched. They were also set up with a laboratory on board as well as the surgery, which was a major difference between the RAF and RAAF, as the RAF did not provide dentures for their troops (the RAAF would, providing they had served for 6 years). In 1943 the RAF was no longer able to provide Dental support to Australian troops in the Middle East, which resulted in the need for a transportable dental unit to be deployed from Australia. It functioned in a similar manner to the RAF, by moving from one squadron to another. It served in the Middle East and Africa, from Cairo across North Africa, to Italy, and eventually back to England to treat returned prisoners of war. GPCAPT Norman Andrews The growth and development of the RAAF Dental Branch owes a debt to one man in particular, GPCAPT Norman Andrews. As the second RAAF Dental Officer to enlist on 18 Sep 1933, Andrews became the principal architect of the structure and organisation of the RAAF Dental Branch leading up to and during WW2. Until early 1940, the RAAF Dental Branch was administered by the Director of Medical Services (Air), which placed it under the control of the Army Medical staff. The Army would provide their Inspector of Dental Services for advice whenever needed. In April 1940, the RAAF Medical service separated from the Army, resulting in the control of the RAAF Dental Branch shifting back to the RAAF. Andrews became the first Director of Dental Services, when the position was created in 1943 as recognition of the higher profile the Dental Branch was now playing in the RAAF Medical service. Until this time, Andrews's title had been as the Dental Staff Officer to the RAAF Medical Service. Andrews was responsible for the establishment of the war-time structure of the Dental service, establishing new dental centres at all major bases, creating mobile and transportable dental units, ensuring the continual growth of the Branch, maintaining professional development of staff through the establishment of a professional journal, and by organising renowned lecturers to speak at RAAF bases. He also believed in visiting as many dental units as possible to see for himself what conditions were like and to talk first-hand to staff in remote units. His itinerary during the war years, both in and out of Australia, shows a large number of trips in a variety of modes of transport in order to reach remote areas where units were serving. He was promoted to GPCAPT in July 1944, as the numbers of Dental Officers soon peaked at 227 towards the end of the war (1 GPCAPT, 9 WGCDRs, 60 SQNLDRs, and 157 FLTLTs). After the war, with the reduction in RAAF personnel required in uniform, the Dental Branch also reduced its numbers significantly. By 1947 there were only 18 Dental Officers serving (many part-time), with 1 GPCAPT, 1 WGCDR, 10 SQNLDRs, and 6 FLTLTs, and only 13 by 1950. With the decrease in Branch personnel numbers, the ‘powers to be' saw fit to reduce the Director of Dental Service rank to WGCDR, and as a result Norman Andrews found that in order to continue serving in the RAAF he would have to wear a reduced rank. This appears to have been a contributing factor in his decision to discharge at the relatively early age of 43 and accept an administrative job as Director of the Victorian Government's School Dental Service. Norman Andrews holds the proud honour of being the founder of the RAAF Dental Branch, which during the war was instrumental in educating servicemen of the importance of dental health and maintaining the dental fitness of troops in a variety of areas. Dental Orderlies (Assistants) The dental orderly mustering was first introduced in 1937. Until that time, medical orderlies were assigned to assist the Dental officer with their duties. As early as 1931 it had been noted by both RAAF and Army Dental Officers working in Victoria and Richmond that a lot of the troubles they were having would be solved by appointing a permanent Dental Orderly. Often they would find that the medical orderly they were assigned was a different one each day, and as a result the administration and work in general was very inefficient. By 1937, with the increase in Dental Officers to 3, it was realised that a Dental Orderly mustering needed to be created. Dental Mechanics/Technicians Before WW2, dental laboratory work was provided by civilian laboratories, as most RAAF units were stationed around metropolitan areas. At this time, service personnel were still required to pay for their own dentures, unless they had served for six years or had their dentures damaged during performance of their duties. In July 1940, mainly in response to the development of more remote RAAF dental units and the increasing demand for dental prostheses, the Dental Mechanic mustering was established. Unfortunately there was a very limited pool of civilian dental mechanics to recruit from, and as a result the RAAF set up a training school at Laverton (which was later moved to Ascot Vale) in June 1941 which conducted an intensive 6 month course in Dental mechanics. Dental mechanics were quickly in demand. In all fixed and mobile dental units at least 1 Mechanic was supplied for each Dental Officer, and indeed the RAAF supplied Dental Mechanics throughout all its deployments, something the RAF were unwilling, or unable, to do. Two grades of dental mechanic existed: the Senior Mechanic (with the rank of NCO), who was competent in all phases of laboratory work; and the Junior Mechanic, who could only handle routine work and not more advanced denture work. The progression to Senior required a further trade test in techniques including setting up, clasp-forming, casting and backing teeth. During the course of the War, two special courses were held for Mechanics. The first, directed at senior mechanics so that they could instruct others, was in 1942 when Acrylic Resin was first introduced as a denture base material, as an alternative to the current option of vulcanite. Later, towards the end of the War, a ‘refresher' course was provided for those that had served for the greatest period of time in order to allow them retraining in techniques that they had not practised during their service and which were common in civilian life. This included cast base dentures, crowns and bridges, partial dentures, and retainers. Towards the end of the War, a course was held with WAAAF trainees to train them as Mechanics. However, as the War was soon to end they never had the opportunity to progress within the mustering to become Senior Mechanics. The RAAF Dental Branch has survived 75 years of turbulence, with reviews of its viability occurring regularly every few years from as early as 1937. The Branch continues to provide excellent service to the ADF community and, despite reduced manpower, will continue to play an important role in Air Force Health operations. http://www.defence.gov.au/health/about/docs/RAAFDental.pdf40cm cupro-nickel plated medal, the obverse features the sovereign's head, the reverse features the crown and eagle emblem of the RAAF (and RAF). A23814 BOWERS.A. A. F.r.a.a.f long service medal, r.a.a.f good conduct, r.a.a.f. dental service medal

Ian Cramer donated the plane Avro Anson LT710 to the RAAF museum Point Cook in 1980. The plane was purchased war surplus from the Nhill Aerodrome after the war and stored in a shed on the farm at Woorak. A short time later Mr Cramer forwarded more remnants of the aircraft to Point Cook and this letter of thanks and a short history paper was received.History of an Avro Anson that was disposed from the RAAF from Nhill aerodrome.Copy of paper written by Bob Piper of the Dept Defence Historical Studies. Two A4 pages titled "Aggie Arrives Home", history of Anson LT710. Includes cover letter to Ian Cramer who donated the remnants of LT710 to the RAAF museum Point Cook in 1980.Aggie Arrives Home by Robert Kendall Piper

Framed copy of a montage of photos from " The Battle of Britain September 1940" In the centre are 4 old men standing in front of a Spitfire. White print over centre, black print below montage with Names of RAAF Aircrew that partook in the battle. Published by RAAF. Pt Cook. Frame - light timber slightly mottled effect with decorative edge, glass front.photography-photographs, frame accessories; trades - carpentry; military history - airforce, history, airforce, ww2

Woolamai House was built in approx 1869 on part of Capt Cleeland's property which covered most of the eastern end of Phillip Island. He maintained the Beacon Light on Woolamai Point close to his house. Owned and occupied by family since 1869.Photograph coloured. Front aspect of house showing front door and bay window on right. Timber turret above - garden in front. Construction built for Capt. John Cleeland approx 1869. Known as Woolamai House.local history, photographs, buildings - historical, coloured photograph, john cook, woolamai house, cleeland family history

Woolamai House was built in approx 1869 on part of Capt Cleeland's property which covered most of the eastern end of Phillip Island. He maintained the Beacon Light on Woolamai Point close to his house. Owned and occupied by family since 1869.Coloured photograph - front aspect of timber house taken from the side angle showing bay window, front door, turret and rooms beyond. Lawn in front. Built for Capt. John Cleeland approx 1869.local history, photographs, buildings - historical, coloured photograph, john cook, woolamai house, cleeland family history

Woolamai House was built in approx 1869 on part of Capt Cleeland's property which covered most of the eastern end of Phillip Island. He maintained the Beacon Light on Woolamai Point close to his house. Owned and occupied by family since 1869.Coloured photograph - back view of the timber house, painted white with grey roof. Two turret rooms. White painted fence. Lawn in foreground. ?Fernery on right.local history, photographs, buildings - historical, woolamai house, coloured photograph, john cook, cleeland family history

Woolamai House was built in approx 1869 on part of Capt Cleeland's property which covered most of the eastern end of Phillip Island. He maintained the Beacon Light on Woolamai Point close to his house. Owned and occupied by family since 1869.Coloured photograph - back view of white timber house taken from left hand rear end showing white painted fence and the gates. Water tank shown in foreground.local history, photographs, buildings - historical, coloured photograph, john cook, woolamai house, cleeland family history

Woolamai House was built in approx 1869 on part of Capt Cleeland's property which covered most of the eastern end of Phillip Island. He maintained the Beacon Light on Woolamai Point close to his house. Owned and occupied by family since 1869.Coloured photograph - view of wooden outbuilding, showing two doors and two windows - chimney.local history, photographs, buildings - historical, coloured photograph, john cook, woolamai house, cleeland family history

Woolamai House was built in approx 1869 on part of Capt Cleeland's property which covered most of the eastern end of Phillip Island. He maintained the Beacon Light on Woolamai Point close to his house. Owned and occupied by family since 1869.Coloured photograph. The parlor in Woolamai House. Round table with glass centrepiece. 6 Victorian Balloon chairs. Sideboard and Whatnot.local history, photographs, buildings - historical, coloured photograph, john cook, woolamai house, cleeland family history

Woolamai House was built in approx 1869 on part of Capt Cleeland's property which covered most of the eastern end of Phillip Island. He maintained the Beacon Light on Woolamai Point close to his house. Owned and occupied by family since 1869.Coloured photograph showing the parlor in Woolamai House with round table and 6 Victorian Balloon chairs - lounge in background.local history, photographs, buildings - historical, coloured photograph, john cook, woolamai house, cleeland family history

Woolamai House was built in approx 1869 on part of Capt Cleeland's property which covered most of the eastern end of Phillip Island. He maintained the Beacon Light on Woolamai Point close to his house. Owned and occupied by family since 1869.Coloured photograph showing the Parlor in Woolamai House - mirror above marble mantle piece. Table, chairs and whatnot.local history, photographs, buildings - historical, coloured photograph, john cook, woolamai house, cleeland family history

Woolamai House was built in approx 1869 on part of Capt Cleeland's property which covered most of the eastern end of Phillip Island. He maintained the Beacon Light on Woolamai Point close to his house. Owned and occupied by family since 1869.Coloured photograph showing the Parlor - mirror above marble mantle piece. Table with centrepiece on it. Chairs - Whatnot in corner. Harry Cleeland standing nearby.local history, photographs, buildings - historical, coloured photograph, john cook, woolamai house, cleeland family history

Woolamai House was built in approx 1869 on part of Capt Cleeland's property which covered most of the eastern end of Phillip Island. He maintained the Beacon Light on Woolamai Point close to his house. Owned and occupied by family since 1869.Coloured photograph showing section of the Dining room - Sideboard in particular with the original silver and glassware brought out to Australia by Capt. Cleeland. Also Trophies and Ruby Glass drinking set from the London Exhibition. Television on small table.local history, photographs, buildings - historical, coloured photograph, john cook, woolamai house, cleeland family history

Woolamai House was built in approx 1869 on part of Capt Cleeland's property which covered most of the eastern end of Phillip Island. He maintained the Beacon Light on Woolamai Point close to his house. Owned and occupied by family since 1869.Coloured photograph showing Sideboard with the original silver and glassware brought out to Australia by Capt. John Cleeland. also Trophies and Ruby Glass drinking set from the London Exhibition. This is all displayed on the Sideboard.local history, photographs, buildings - historical, coloured photograph, john cook, woolamai house, cleeland family history

Charlie Richardson was the son of William Richardson and grandson of Joseph Richardson who arrived on Phillip Island in 1868. Mr Charlie Richardson was for many years the Mate of the Rhyll-Stony point Ferry. He grew up at Rhyll and attended the Rhyll State School with his brothers and sisters.Coloured photograph showing Charlie Richardson on verandah of his home at Rhyll, Phillip Island.local history, photographs, buildings - historical, housing, coloured photograph, john cook, phillip island, charlie richardson

This is a booklet produced in 1967 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the aeroplane flights of Basil Watson in 1917 (the Mount Gambier to Melbourne 1917 Experimental Air Mail). In the 1967 Mount Gambier/Melbourne air mail flight re-enactment the aircraft was from Aviation Services (Hardingham) Limited, a Piper Cherokee, and on board was Douglas Watson, Basil Watson’s nephew. Basil Watson was a pioneer aviator who built his own plane which had a 50 H.P. Rotary Gnome engine. He flew the first aeroplane to Warrnambool in January 1917, bringing with him the first air mail to the town. In Warrnambool he amazed the crowds with his dare-devil aerial acrobatics over the Warrnambool Racecourse. He died two months later, crashing into the sea near Point Cook. This booklet is of great interest as it gives details of the life of Basil Watson, important in Warrnambool’s history as the first man to fly into the town in 1917 and the first person to bring air mail to Warrnambool, including a letter from the Lord Mayor of Melbourne to the Mayor of Warrnambool. This is a booklet of 16 pages produced to commemorate the Mount Gambier to Melbourne 1917 Experimental Air Mail Flight. It has a grey cover with black printing and an image of an early model aeroplane on the front cover. The text includes illustrations, maps and black and white photographs. The first page has two signatures. The booklet has been stapled but the staples have been removed.‘Donated by Mrs Giles W’bool’ ‘J.C.Hardingham, Pilot’ ‘D.Watson’ basil watson, history of aviation in victoria, history of warrnambool

This book, written by John Hooker, contains the story of Captain Cook based on the screenplay by Peter Yeldham for the A.B.C. television production of the life of Captain James Cook. The voyages of Captain Cook are of prime importance in Australia’s history as his discoveries and positive reports of the east coast of Australia led eventually to Britain’s decision to establish a penal colony in New South Wales.This book is of significance because it was written by John Hooker, important in Warrnambool’s late 20th century history as a regular feature writer and columnist for the Warrnambool Standard newspaper. His articles, which raised moral, social and political issues from a local point of view, were widely read and admired by the residents of Warrnambool and district. Born in New Zealand, John Hooker came to Australia in 1963 and resided for a time at Killarney near Port Fairy. He was a publisher and later a full-time writer, publishing both newspaper articles and novels. This is a soft cover book of 258 pages. The cover is mainly red and blue and features on the front cover a colour photograph of Keith Michell, the actor portraying Captain Cook in the A.B.C. film production. The back cover has a summary of the life of Captain Cook and a small colour photograph of a film scene of Captain Cook with some Pacific Islanders. The book has a Prologue, three chapters and an Epiloguejohn hooker, captain james cook, history of australia, warrnambool history

This letter, the first air mail letter sent to Warrnambool, was written by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir David Valentine Hennessy and carried by the aviator, Basil Watson on the first flight to Warrnambool January 24th 1917. The letter was delivered to the Mayor of Warrnambool, Cr Webb.There were several other letters delivered at the same time but this is the important official one. Basil Watson was a pioneer aviator who built his own aeroplane which was 18 feet long with a wing span of 26 feet and it had a 7 cylinder 50 H.P. Rotary Gnome engine. Watson flew from Point Cook to Warrnambool in one hour 55 minutes, an Australian cross-country flying record at the time. In Warrnambool Watson amazed the crowd with his dare-devil aerial acrobatics, looping the loop 14 times over the Warrnambool Racecourse. Basil Watson died when he crashed his plane into the sea near Point Cook, just two months after he landed in Warrnambool. This letter is of the utmost significance being the first air mail letter delivered to Warrnambool. It is an important memento of the first aeroplane flight into Warrnambool by the pioneer aviator Basil Watson. This is a cream-coloured sheet of paper folded in two to make four pages. It has handwriting in black ink on two pages. The writing is a little faded. The first page has the logo of the Melbourne Town Hall. The pages are partly torn at the folds. ‘Town Hall, Melbourne, 21/1/17. Lord Mayor’s Room, Dear Mr Mayor, I have much pleasure in sending you greetings by aeroplane piloted by my friend’s son, Mr Basil Watson. I hope when the cruel war is over and victory crowns our efforts, we all in the C’wealth will be able to fly from one state to the other. With best wishes for the New Year, …….. (signature indecipherable), D.V. Hennessy. His Worship the Mayor of Warrnambool.’pioneer aviation in the western district, basil watson, history of warrnambool

This Shell road map was made as part of the 200 year celebration of Captain James Cook's voyage on the HM Endeavour and the first sighting of Australia at Point Hicks in 1770. The Bicentenary of James Cook in Australia was commemorated in Australia in 1970. The British explorer Lieutenant (later Captain) James Cook sailed and charted the East Coast of Australia in 1770, and claimed the eastern seaboard of the Continent for the British Crown. This was not considered the official bicentenary of Australia, but rather the mapping of the Eastern coastline. This item reflects the commemoration of a significant event in Australian history.A coloured foldout touring map of Australia with a picture of James Cook and the ship, Endeavour, on the front.map-australia bicentennial-cook-1970

Events held included a supper dance, an angling competition, a gymkhana, a street parade, an art show, a garden competition, a historical display, tree planting and a ceremony at Point Hicks. This item is associated with a significant event in Australian history.A manila folder of documents related to the 1970 Captain Cook centenary celebrations . It contains souvenir programs and details of events held from April 11 to April 20th 1970.cook-james 1970-centenary orbost-shire-council

The Captain Cook Bicentenary celebrations saw students from Orbost High School hiking around Cape Everard during the re-naming to Point Hicks.This item is associated with Orbost High School and the historynof education in Orbost. It is also associated with the Captain Cook Bicentenary, a significant event in Australia's history. A large black / white photograph of a group of students from Orbost High School on a hike at Point Hicks.They are carrying backpacks along a trail and the Point Hicks lighthouse can be seen in the background.education-orbost point-hicks captain-cook-bicentenary

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

Copy of a newspaper page titled Cornishman's day at Sparrowhawk. Also a smaller article titled Long Gully was in the Boom. There is a photo of Knipe's Castle and a sketch of a wrestler throwing another wrestler in the air. Mentioned in the articles are the pyrite burners chimneys, local indenties, wrestlers, the mines, the gullies, hills, housess shops and businesses, and Fire Brigade practice sports on Christmas morning. Item 11010.140b is an enlargement of Knipe's Castle scanned at a dpi of 1200.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - cornishman's day at sparrowhawk, st mathew's church of england, old hercules mine, st just point, old spadger, bendigo city, eaglehawk borough, marong shire, liddell's, cook and spargo's, deeble's, edward's, iron-jawed dick, dooley dick, tom the scientist, jack the local blondin, jumbo the whistling butcher boy, larry adler, dick davey's pub, billy williams, billy couch, billy martin, billy nicholas, the midway, victorian consuls, the gold mines (ironbark company), old hercules, kent (carlisle), paddy's bull of a whistle, cornish united, kock's poineer, old alabama (hustlers and redan), happy valley, moonta, speck gully, st just point, derwent gully, pinchgut, american gully, victoria hill, rae's hill, danger hill, windmill hill, redan hill, comet hill, comet mine, halley's comet, pengelly's (now truscott's), stamp's (later lewis and dunstan's), hattam's (later semmen's), bamford's drapery, cooperative store, weller's butcher shop, ebbott's coach factory (later payne's), philpot's shoeing forge, dennis's mining smithy, stoppelbein's tinsmith shop, wallace's bakery (later malcolm's), connell's bakery, fire brigade, knipe's castle

Piece of silk fabric from Basil Watson's plane; with stylised logo 'BW' painted in grey and black. Handwritten on back in ink 'Taken from Basil's plane' Potentially taken from Basil Watson's plane following his fatal crash at Point Cook in 1917.aviation, civilian, fabric

Section of silk fabric from Biplane partly painted with airforce type symbol. Encrusted with fragments of red and blue paint (also loose). Plus sand? Could be from Basil Watson's plane that crashed into Port Phillip Bay, near Point Cook in 1917. Basil died in the accident.aviation, civilian, fabric

a. Album of 12 photographs (Basil Watson story): construction of plane at family home plus two photos of crash site at Point Cook. Inscribed beside frontispiece photo is: Basil Watson - Age 23 - Accidentally killed whilst flying at Point Cook March 28 1917'. Inside front cover: 'To dear Keith, With love from Aunt Belle', 'Foilacleugh' St Kilda St., Elsternwick July 1917. b. Listing of photos in this album - concise description of 12 photosperson, individual, basil watson