The main reason for this brief history of the Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum (now Bendigo Military Museum) came about due to the cataloguing of the Soldiers Memorial Institute Building and the Bendigo RSL history as a section of the Cataloguing of the Museum collection. The Bendigo RSL has held occupancy of the SMI building since it was opened in 1921. The how and why the SMI became a Museum was not really documented as such in the minutes/records of the Bendigo RSL pre 1998 when the Museum opened to the Public. Any records were mainly “one Liners”. The coverage begins in 1993 with the Billiard room being turned into a “Drop in Centre” for RSL Members and a small Memorabilia display. The main theme is from 1997 to 2021 inclusive to cover 25 years and the 100th birthday of the SMI Building. Those years cover the build up from minimum to maximum, the first paid staff, renovations minor and major with closure, the first paid Curator and more paid staff, the big re opening and then the crash of Covid and losing the Curator and Staff, coming out of into uncertainty. The following 3 years 2022 - 2024 give a glimpse of that uncertainty but slowly gaining a Curator again. Post script is a a dot point brief of the main items. Part 1 - 1993 - Feb 1998. The early years. Part 2 - 1998 - 2002. Opening up and learning. Part 3 - 2003 - 2008. Sub Committee formed and moving forward. Part 4 - 2009 - 2014. Camera on the Somme, renovations and planning begins. Part 5 - 2015 - 2018. Changes begin, re development, closure and re opening. Part 6 - 2019 - 2021. A big year and the Covid crash. Part 7 - 2022 - 2024. Uncertainty and moving forward. Part 8 - Awards. Part 9 - Post script 2025 - 2026............. Appendices Volunteers Honour Roll (Those that have passed on) ………. Photos are a small selection of over 1,100 images. This history is for the Volunteers for without them there would not have been a Museum.Folder, 4 Binder A4 blue covers with plastic inserts, text is typed in red & black No 1 - 67 pages, 9 Parts plus a Postscript. 52 pages of photos up to 6 per page, 12 pages plans, sketches, 6 Museum newsletters from a total of 84, 6 pages of awards to Museum Volunteers, Museum Volunteers Honour roll, those who have passed on. These are added in where appropriate to the story.“Compiled and written by Peter Ball”brsl, smirsl, brief history, bmm

This is a set of six photographs of the Grey granite monument located at the front of the Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, 37-39 Pall Mall, Bendigo taken in November 1991. The following tributes are inscribed on the four sides of the grey granite obelisk – Front of monument: THIS MONUMENT HAS BEEN ERECTED BY THE CITIZENS OF BENDIGO & DISTRICT AS A TRIBUTE TO THE MEN & WOMEN WHO SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN ALL CAMPAIGNS SINCE THE GREAT WAR 1914 – 1918. WORLD WAR II 1939 – 1945, MALAYA 1948 – 1960. Back of monument: BORNEO 1962– 1966. Left side of monument: KOREA 1950 – 1953. Right side of monument: VIETNAM 1962 – 1973, KUWAIT 1991. Refer to item 8245.2 for more information on the planning processes prior to construction. This set of six photographs of the monument located at the front of the Soldiers Memorial Institute Military Museum, 37-39 Pall Mall, Bendigo was taken in November 1992. The black and white photographs are on 35mm negative film and scanned at 2400 dpi. They are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. .1) to .6) - Photo, black & white, 1992, Soldiers Memorial Institute Post- WW1 Campaigns Monument. ‘New RSL War Monument Nov 1992’ is annotated on the negative sleeve.rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, royal australian survey corps, soldiers memorial institute military museum

The article explains about the exhibition that traces the 110 year old history of the Royal Australian Survey Corps curated by the ExFortuna Survey Association "Mapmakers, Charting Australia's Defence, explores the contributions of military surveyors from WWI to 1996, the technical advancements that transformed military and civil mapping and the deep ties that the corps had with Fortuna.Single page extract (Page 8) from the Bendigo Times Newspaper about a Survey Corps Exhibition in the Bendigo Military Museum to help celebrate the 110th Anniversary of the Survey Corps. Image 1. ExFortuna Survey Assoc President Gary Warnest, Image 2. Entrance banner to the exhibition, Image 3. Fortuna Villa.Newspaper Article written for the Bendigo Times Friday 13 July 25 by Adam Carswellroyal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, exfortuna survey association, bendigo military museum

This certificate and others to the Sub - Committees of the Bendigo Sub Branch and to a number of individuals was internally generated by the Sub - Branch in recognition of the award. The award is a yearly one from the Victorian RSL Licensed Sub- Branch Association.Framed certificate, frame is timber brown colour, certificate has RSL logo at top LH corner with a maroon section to it’s right followed by “Bendigo District RSL Sub - Branch Inc - Certificate of appreciation awarded to Museum committee”. Below that are the details of the award and signed. At the bottom is the Sub - Branch Commercial Logo.Main points; “In gratitude for your hard work and dedication in the furtherance of the Bendigo District RSL Sub - Branch Inc” “Your professionalism and support are a valuable asset to the organization and played a pivotal role in the RSL being awarded the “2006 Licensed Sub Branch of the year” “Mr Cliff Richards. President. Mr Erik Wynveen General Manager” brsl, smirsl, certificate, licensed sub branch

“A Century of Service. The Events, People and Places that shaped The RSL in Bendigo 1915 - 2015 “, By "Murray Poustie". The Author served on the Committee of the Bendigo District RSL from 2003 - 2009. He was Treasurer for 4 years. He also served on a number of Sub Committees, House and Finance, Welfare, Commemorative (Chair of) and the Memorial Walls. He is also Returning Officer and a Sub Branch Historian. Murray was made a Life Member 2019. Within the subjects, brsl, smirsl, a large amount of the information supplied re people, events, life membership, committee, dates/times were from this book. Soft cover book. Cover- cardboard ,red, blue and white print on front, spine and back. Background illustration, blue colour tones. The Memorial Hall, Pall Mall C1924 with image of a soldier on front. The Memorial Hall 2014 with 2 x RSL badges in colour on back. Inside cover- end papers- illustrated collage of images in colour. 239 pages. Paper, cut, plain, white. Illustrated block and white photographs, graphs and certificates smirsl, brsl, century, service

This Roll begins in 1924 which is incorrect. As the notations centre of the board states “there is gross errors and emissions etc”, “refer to Appendix One of A Century of Service”, the history of the RSL Bendigo, Cat No 8093. The true roll starts 2015/16. Also stated “As of 28.10.2000 - Bendigo District RSL”. Names were added on this role up to approx 2015. As a new Honour Board was being put together to combine the old & new RSL Sub Branch it was decided to omit the names on the old board so it only reflected “Bendigo RSL”. The new board will be placed in the Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Havilah Rd plus also contain Life Members. The old board will remain in the Soldiers Memorial Institute Building. Refer also Cat No’s 8019 & 8020.Honour Board rectangular shape, timber construction, brown stained with text in gold writing re the Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers of the Bendigo RSL Sub branch from 1924 - 2005.“Bendigo R.S.L.”brsl, smirsl, executive, bendigo

When the SMI was opened in Nov 1921 the Bendigo RSL Sub - Branch had occupancy from that day on. The Building became a Museum opened to the public in 1998 by the RSL. The origins of this project goes back to 2011 with a letter to the City of Greater Bendigo of the possibility of an upgrade to the SMI from the Bendigo District RSL Sub - Branch Inc. Some renovations had already taken place and some structural work. After initial talks a sub - committee of 3 persons from the RSL was elected to work with the Council along with other bodies who would be involved. Plans eventuated by 2015 and were put to the RSL for approval. From there the fund raising began from the State/Federal Govt's, RSL, the Public and Council itself. This was achieved and finally in Sept 2016 the SMI/Museum was packed up completely and the Renovations began in 2017. Souvenir program, card yellow colour folding, front page is in gold and black writing with an image of the Dome on the SMI followed by in gold, "Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Revitalisation Project" then in gold, "Souvenir Program", in the centre has details re time, date, place. At the bottom are the logo's of the Federal & State Governments, RSL and City of Greater Bendigo Page 2 is titled "About the Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute" with a photo showing the "Hustlers Royal Reserve Mine No 2" which was on the site where the SMI now stands. Page 3 has details of the program, music, Official welcome, speakers, ribbon cutting, the ODE, Last Post, National Anthem, close of formalities and light refreshments. Page 4 has a photo of the original souvenir pamphlet used at the original opening on November 15th 1921, 97 years to the day. at the bottom, "Thankyou section to all those involved in the project""Official opening of the Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Revitalisation and Military Museum 10am Thursday November 15, 2018, Lansell gardens, Pall, Mall Bendigo"brsl, smirsl, program

Robert O'Hara Burke and Thomas Pope Besnard were childhood friends. As sexton of the local Back Creek Cemetery Thomas Besnard organised a subscription to raise the money for a monument to Burke, Wills and Gray. A subscription of one shilling, no more and not less, was asked so all subscribers were equal. The Bendigo monument was designed by Adam Duncan and features a Corinthian column mounted on a foundation stone, topped with a Grecian urn draped with the Union Jack. The stone for the monument was quarried from New Chum Mine. The site in the Bendigo Cemetery was selected by Besnard so the monument was on a grass knoll well clear of any other graves. The design included landscaping with a path and garden beds that provided dignified access. The Burke and Wills Monument in Bendigo has been entered on the Register of the National Estate as being important for its association with historical events and developments associated with exploration in the early days of Colony of Victoria. Two conifers remain from the original group sent by Mueller of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens to develop the garden layout on the knoll. These two trees are listed as Significant Trees by City of Greater Bendigo. The foundation block was laid on 20 August 1862 by Chairman of the Bendigo Municipality, Charles Burrows – exactly two years after the Expedition left Melbourne. A half day holiday was declared by Bendigo Council, and a procession left the Bendigo Town Hall and marched to the cemetery where 8000 people were gathered and another 4000 lined the route. John King was unable to attend due to ill health. Chairman of the Municipality of Bendigo, Charles Burrows, gave a long address, and diaries of members of the expedition, the Sandhurst Almanac, the Bendigo Advertiser, the Bendigo Independent Evening News, photographs of the deceased, photographs of Public Buildings in Bendigo, a Sydney half sovereign and all the silver coins of the Realm were wrapped in a Union Jack and placed in a niche in the foundation stone. Fifteen months later a column was erected on the foundation stone after Besnard openly criticised the Memorial Committee for their lack of action. The Bendigo Advertiser was disappointed at the location of the monument preferring a more central location and in 1893 an attempt was made to move the monument to Rosalind Park. On 19 May 1893, Mr Minto, the City Surveyor of the Bendigo MunicIpality reported it would cost £25, and no other action occurred. In 1940 the land around the memorial was sold off as grave sites and the paths and garden beds disappeared with graves now surrounding the base of the monument. The Burke and Wills Monument in Bendigo Cemetery was entered on the Register of the National Estate for its association with historical events and developments associated with exploration in the early days of Colony of Victoria. Two conifers remain from the original group sent by Mueller of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens to develop the garden layout on the knoll. These two trees are listed as Significant Trees by City of Greater Bendigo.Burke and Wills Memorial at Bendigo Cemetery, 2018Erected by the people of Bendigo in honor of the Victorian Explorers, Burke, Wills, Gray and King who first crossed the continent of Australia. King alone surviving the privation and suffering under which his three brave ill-fated companions sank. A.D. 1862. Robert O'Hara Burke, leader of the Victorian Expedition, left Melbounre 24th August 1860. Reached Carpentaria 12th Feby 1861. Died on his return at Coopers Creek, 30th June 1861. Charles Gray, died also on his return at Polygorum Swamp. 17th April 1861. William John Wills, second in command, died also near Coopers Creek, 29th June 1861. bendigo cemetery, burke and wills, burke and wills memorial, william john wills, john o'hara burke, charles gray, polygonum swamp, coopers creek, victorian expedition, carpentaria, bendigo public cemetery, bendigo remembrance park, thomas pope besnard

Articles about Greensborough RSL Sub-Branch Remembrance Day Memorial Service 11/11/2024, and photo of Floral Tributes at the Greensborough War Memorial ParkBooklet with black and white text and colour photos, Article with black and white text, colour photogreensborough rsl, remembrance day 2024, greensborough war memorial park

8 page Booklet about Remembrance Day Memorial Service 11th November 2023, Article regarding the service, remembrance poppy8 page Booklet about the Remembrance Day Memorial Service 11th November 2023, Article regarding the service, remembrance poppyremembrance day, greensborough rsl

The Bendigo Easter Carnival was a Fund Raiser for the Bendigo Sub Branch for many years. The list of names of the volunteers there are many who were tireless workers for the Sub Branch over many years. Name in red pen. David Patterson refer Cat No 8070.Roster, paper, 4 pages stapled together, the 3/4th pages are fold out. Page 1 is a letter from the Secretary Bendigo RSL Sub Branch detailing the dates and places for RSL Volunteers to man the gates at the Easter Fair and events around town. Page 2 is a list of Volunteers names, dates & places ie Art Show at the Memorial Hall, Football at the QEO, Crowning ceremony at White Hills Technical School. Pages 3/4 details names, dates to man the entrance gates to the Easter Fair ie Park Road, Barnard Street, Fernery Gate and Cohns Gate.Page 1, "Returned Services League Bendigo Sub Branch - President D.J. Paterson - Secretary J.K. Barnes - Memorial Hall - Phone 434013 - March 1978. In red pen on page 1. "David Paterson"brsl, smirsl, easter,

Full A4 size typed transcript of the Bishop of Amiens address given on 4 Nov 1918 in the Church of Long (Somme). In memory of Officers, NCO's and men of the Australian Army fallen on the battlefield.documents-speech transcripts, amiens

The permits relate to the Building of a Monument at the front of the Soldiers Memorial Institute Pall Mall Bendigo now known as the Bendigo Military Museum. Refer Cat No 8245.2.1) Document, white paper black print, blue pen hand written relating to permission to erect a Monument at the Soldiers Memorial Institute. .2) Document, white paper black print relating to the permit for .1) re the conditions applying to. Both items signed by C.C. Campbell Director Engineering and Technical Services..1) In blue pen, "RSL Bendigo Memorial Hall Pall Mall Bendigo - permit N0 - 096/92 - 39 Pall Mall - Statue" .2) "9.7.92 - C Campbell"brsl, smirsl, monument, documents, permit,

Information on author on back cover: "Born in Bendigo", "lived at St Just Point", "educated at the Long Gully State School and the Bendigo Technical College" "trade milk and cream tester", "served with the Royal Australian Naval Sick Berth Service" and joined the then Bendigo District Ambulance Service in January 1951.Softcover cardboard, black and white print on front, spine and back. Black and white photos on front and back on light olive green background. Quarto bound. 194 pages, plain, illustrated, black and white photos.RSL stamp on front end paper.books, local military history

Willam John Turner. The recommendation details his awards of being made a Life Govenor twice, Fund raising for the POW efforts, RSL Relief fund, RSL Picnic Committee, Chairman & Organizer off, RSL Inter Units Social Club, President and Treasurer off and Committee. The originals of this submission are damaged and will be in later Cat No’s in the Turner collection. Cat No 8030 will detail his service history and more RSL involvement.Framed letter, frame is timber gold colour, frame backing is maroon colour with the letter I set. This is a copy of the letter for the reccomendation for a Life Membership of the RSL to William John Turner Bendigo Sub Branch. The letter is very specific as to the roles and fund raising undertaken by Turner over many years. The fund raising amounts in Pounds is quite large.Letter heading and signed, “Memorial Hall Pall Mall Bendigo 13th May 1954” “Yours faithfully" "Sir George Lansell” Funds raised in Pounds, “£3891 - £4,100 - £2,000 - £938 - £200” The last figure was an annual amount raised.brsl, smirsl, life membership

The plan relates to the proposed Bendigo & District Servicemen's Club in Havilah Road. The slightly shaded area is the site. This plan was put to a General Members meeting in September 1976. The club received its Liquor License in 1979. Refer Cat No 8073P for more details. This item was in the collection re David Patterson, refer Cat No 8070.Plan and details on A4 sheet, all text and sketch in black, top has site desired with 2 sets of remarks underneath, at bottom sketch of possible site on Havilah Road Bendigo."Desired site for proposed RSL Licenced Club, Memorial and recreational park"brsl, smirsl, bdsc, plan

The letters are all related to William John Turner being recommended for a "Life Membership" of the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch. .1) Appears to be a final one although not officially signed. .2) .3) These are possibly earlier versions of .1) Cat No 8029 is a framed copy. Cat No 8030 is TURNERS Life Membership and his volunteer/committee work with the Sub Branch as well as his WW1 service history..1) Letter, paper with the letter head of the "Returned Sailors, Soldiers & Airman's Imperial League of Australia" Bendigo Sub Branch, all type/print in black signed in blue pen. .2) Letter paper typed in black and dated. .3) Letter paper typed in black and dated..1) "Bendigo Sub Branch 13th May 1954" - "Re: TURNER W.J" .2) "Memorial Hall Pall Mall Bendigo May 1954" .3) Same as .2)brsl, smirsl, letter, recommendation

Digital image of drink coaster from Montmorency RSL, 1990s.Part of a collection of miscellaneous historical images with a connection to the local area.Digital image of 3 coasters. 2 with white card with blue text and logo; one blue card with white text and logo."Montmorency RSL"montmorency rsl

Digital image of drink coaster from Greensborough RSL, 1990s.Part of a collection of miscellaneous historical images with a connection to the local area.Digital image of drink coaster, white card with blue text and logo"Greensborough RSL"greensborough rsl

The Certificate relates to William John Turner Bendigo RSL Sub Branch. Refer Cat No 8029 for details of his fund raising and work with the Sub Branch. Refer Cat No 8030 for details on his Committee history and WW1 service.Framed certificate, frame is timber gold colour, certificate backing is maroon colour, certificate is a cream colour with ornate edging around the details, at the top is the RSL Logo followed by “Returned Servicemen’s League Bendigo Sub Branch” Details of the award follow, signed and dated, all print in blue and black.Main points; “Presented to Mr W.J.Turner - Winner of the Mr Bendigo Competition in aid of the League’s Patriotic fund 1945 - Amount raised £666” “Geo V Lansell President” “W R Porter Secretary”brsl, smirsl, certificate

In 1960 the President of the Sub Branch was John William Swatton, served on Committee 1941 - 1960, Snr Vice President 1949 - 1957, President 1958 - 1960, made Life Member 1962. Refer cat No 6719.2P for his service records. Secretary G.F. Osborne, Served as Secretary 1954 - 1960. Treasurer John Edward Widdison - Fay, served on Committee 1958 - 2000, made Life Member 2015. Refer Cat No 8129P for Jack Fay’s RSL involvement.Booklet paper 32 pages, front cover has headline "Bendigo RSL News" with a large colour central RSL Logo depiction, inside covers Committee, reviews, administration, notes from Auxiliaries and Service clubs, Repatriation, War Service homes,, all internal print in red & black. Approx half the booklet is advertising by local Bendigo Business."Official Organ of Bendigo Sub - Branch R.S.L" "Volume 1, Sept - Oct - Nov, 1960 Number 2"brsl, smirsl, booklet

The letter to William John Turner relates to his resignation from the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch Committee and was accepted with reluctance and regret and that his health improves. Refer Cat No's 8029 and 8030 for his awards, volunteer and committee work with the sub branch and WW1 service details.Letter yellowed paper, top has the letter head of the "R.S.S.A.I.L.A" followed by the telephone No "95" and the RSL Logo, date then text typed in black, signed at the bottom."21 June 1951" "W.J. Turner Esq - 121 Barnard St Bendigo" "Yours sincerely - Vic Palmer - Honorary Secretary"brsl, smirsl, letter

Australian Chinese Servicemen photographs - Exhibition held at the Bendigo & District RSL, post 2010.1.2.3. Photographs on photographic paper, enlarged colour portraits. Mount - red and blue colour cardboard, double mount with top area containing the photograph, lower area printed information. 1. Serviceman in uniform. 2. Servicewoman in uniform, portrait. 3. Three ex-service men at Australian War Memorial 1997.Printed information - black in print. 1. "Corporal LIONAL MARKEY in his Airforce uniform, brother to CHRISTINE MARKEY". 2. "Musician CHRISTINE MARKEY, of the British Military Band. Sister of Corporal LIONAL/MARKEY". 3. Ex-Services National Reunion at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 12th November 1997. LIONEL NOMCHONG (left), BO LIU (centre) and TOM CHEONG. Tom defended the countries flag in World War 2, The Korean and Vietnam wars. Bo served in World War 2 helping rescue victims of the Burma Railway Camps.photographs, australian chinese, exhibition

Refer Cat No 8056.4 for more details of this project, history and re opening.Invitation card, one sided yellow colour to the "Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Revitalisation Project. A space is blank for the person invited's name followed by time, place, date & RSVP, at the bottom are 4 logos representing State/Federal Govt's, RSL and City of Greater Bendigo.Main points; "Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Margaret O'Rourke is pleased to invite - to the official opening of the Bendigo Soldiers Memorial Institute Revitalisation and Military Museum 10am Thursday 15, 2018 Lansell Gardens Pall Mall Bendigo".brsl, smirsl, invitaion

Bendigo RSL Sub Branch Annual reports. Initially in the front are two photo copies of Annual report and balance sheets for the years 1934 & 1952 under the title R.S.S.A.I.L.A. The first original entry is for the year 1964, the last for the year 2000. There is one RSL Museum Annual report for the year 2000. There are also three x RSL Women’s Auxiliary reports for the the years 1990,1954 & 1996. There is also a number of Annual Welfare & Appeals reports. Most of the Annual reports are headed “Presidents Report” These reports were scanned and reprinted in A4 size and placed in new Leather bound volumes, refer Cat No 8122.5Binder folder holding the Annual Reports of the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch for the years 1964 - 2000, foolscap size. All reports are typed in black throughout, there are small notes added hand written in red. All reports are in seperate sleeves.brsl, smirsl, annual, wabrsl

A history of the people and events that shaped the Eltham RSL. Includes biographical information on some life members of the Eltham RSL.Paperback book, 112 p., illus, Blue cover with illustration of RSL building.eltham rsl sub branch, max dimmack, returned services league of australia, eltham

This set of seven photographs of sports action was taken on Flag Day, an annual sports competition between the Army Survey Regiment (ASR) and the School of Military Survey (SMS), at Bonegilla in 1974. The two RA Svy units took turns each year to host the event. Personnel from the ASR’s Detachment located at Bonegilla were part of the SMS’s teams. The day competition usually comprised basketball, cross country, golf, sailing, squash softball, tennis, rifle shooting, touch football, tug-of-war and volleyball. The evening competition often included darts, carpet bowls, hookey, quoits and snooker. This is a set of seven photographs of sports action was taken on Flag Day, Army Survey Regiment (ASR) versus the School of Military Survey (SMS), at Bonegilla in 1974. The photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The black and white photographs were scanned at 300 dpi. .1) & .2) - Photo, black & white, 1974, ASR Rifle Shooting Team - Back row L to R: Max Neil, Barry Lutwyche OAM, Warren ‘Waldo’ Shirley, unidentified. Front row L to R: Jim McDonald, Warren ‘WAH’ Hall, unidentified. .3) - Photo, black & white, 1974, ASR Golf: L to R: unidentified (x2), Alex Cairney. .4) - Photo, black & white, 1974, unidentified golfer. .5) - Photo, black & white, 1974, ASR Tug-of-War Team: Back row L to R: Ian ‘Rock’ Thistleton, unidentified (x2), Jeff Willey, Bob ‘Stretch’ Hayden, Peter Bion. Front row L to R: unidentified, Jim Cook, Ken ‘Sluggo’ Slater, Tom Pattison. .6) & .7) - Photo, black & white, 1974, ASR Tug-of-War Team in action..1P to .7P –No personnel are identified. ‘Visit to the School of Military Survey, 1974’ annotated on cover sleeve.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, flag day