In April 2002, illustrative panels were set in place at Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park designed to inform visitors about significant aspects of the reserve and its tower. One of these deals with its indigenous story, another portrays its original 1920 memorial, a third has upon it Will Longstaff’s famous war painting, “Midnight at Menin Gate.” This sign establishes a connection with the First World War by way of the painting "Menin Gate at Midnight". (NL 144) The artist William Longstaff lived in Eltham; his son attended school at Kangaroo Ground. The orignal of his painting is on permanent display in the Australian War Memorial. Since this photograph was taken (date unknown) the information panel has been restored and re-erected by staff of the Shire of Nillumbik who replicated the wooden side frame pieces with the same wood-turn design as seen here in the original. Colour photographMENIN GATE AT MIDNIGHT Will Longstaff, 1927 Oil on canvas, Size 135cm high x 254cm wide Collection: Australian War Memorial The artist Will Longstaff was born in in Ballarat in 1879 and died at Littlehampton, Sussex, UK, 1953. Will Longstaff for many years lived in Eltham, his son Tommy, attending school at Kangaroo Ground. As an Official War Artist, will Longstaff depicted in his alegorical painting the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. The Memorial unveiled on 24th July 1927 honours by name over 50, 000 allied soldiers who fell in the Great War and have no known graves. The names of 6,208 men of the first Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) are listed within the Memorial on stone tablets. The painting held huge emotional appeal to Australians when it arrived from England in 1928, attracting an estimated one million viewers, many of whom interpreted the field of red poppies in the foreground as the spirits of the dead rising from their unknown graves. The painting is to be found in the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.menin gate at midnight, william longstaff, kangaroo ground memorial, information panel, shire of eltham war memorial

Greenwich Palace no longer exists however archaeology had added greatly to our understanding of life at the Tudor Court at Greenwich. Since 1971 there have been well over 20 digs on the site. Many wonderful and intriguing items from gold coins to tiled floors and human skeletons have been found. The first major dig uncovered the structure of the royal apartments next to the river. Not only did it clarify the floor plan but finds included some rare Tudor ceiling decorations, a hoard of gold coins and many personal items such as dice used for gaming. Perhaps the most revealing excavations have been the most recent. In 2005 while monitoring the digging of a drainage trench archaeologists found brickwork and tiles that formed the floor of the east end of the Tudor Chapel Royal where the altar once stood.greenwich, stone, museum, chapel

Greenwich Palace no longer exists however archaeology had added greatly to our understanding of life at the Tudor Court at Greenwich. Since 1971 there have been well over 20 digs on the site. Many wonderful and intriguing items from gold coins to tiled floors and human skeletons have been found. The first major dig uncovered the structure of the royal apartments next to the river. Not only did it clarify the floor plan but finds included some rare Tudor ceiling decorations, a hoard of gold coins and many personal items such as dice used for gaming. Perhaps the most revealing excavations have been the most recent. In 2005 while monitoring the digging of a drainage trench archaeologists found brickwork and tiles that formed the floor of the east end of the Tudor Chapel Royal where the altar once stood.Photograph of interpretation information in Greenwich Chapel and Museumgreenwich, stone, museum, chapel, stone, musuem, chapel

Greenwich Palace no longer exists however archaeology had added greatly to our understanding of life at the Tudor Court at Greenwich. Since 1971 there have been well over 20 digs on the site. Many wonderful and intriguing items from gold coins to tiled floors and human skeletons have been found. The first major dig uncovered the structure of the royal apartments next to the river. Not only did it clarify the floor plan but finds included some rare Tudor ceiling decorations, a hoard of gold coins and many personal items such as dice used for gaming. Perhaps the most revealing excavations have been the most recent. In 2005 while monitoring the digging of a drainage trench archaeologists found brickwork and tiles that formed the floor of the east end of the Tudor Chapel Royal where the altar once stood.greenwich, stone, museum, chapel

Greenwich Palace no longer exists however archaeology had added greatly to our understanding of life at the Tudor Court at Greenwich. Since 1971 there have been well over 20 digs on the site. Many wonderful and intriguing items from gold coins to tiled floors and human skeletons have been found. The first major dig uncovered the structure of the royal apartments next to the river. Not only did it clarify the floor plan but finds included some rare Tudor ceiling decorations, a hoard of gold coins and many personal items such as dice used for gaming. Perhaps the most revealing excavations have been the most recent. In 2005 while monitoring the digging of a drainage trench archaeologists found brickwork and tiles that formed the floor of the east end of the Tudor Chapel Royal where the altar once stood.greenwich, stone, museum, chapel

Greenwich Palace no longer exists however archaeology had added greatly to our understanding of life at the Tudor Court at Greenwich. Since 1971 there have been well over 20 digs on the site. Many wonderful and intriguing items from gold coins to tiled floors and human skeletons have been found. The first major dig uncovered the structure of the royal apartments next to the river. Not only did it clarify the floor plan but finds included some rare Tudor ceiling decorations, a hoard of gold coins and many personal items such as dice used for gaming. Perhaps the most revealing excavations have been the most recent. In 2005 while monitoring the digging of a drainage trench archaeologists found brickwork and tiles that formed the floor of the east end of the Tudor Chapel Royal where the altar once stood.greenwich, stone, museum, chapel

Black & white & colour article entitled: Distinguished Flying Cross, Gallantry Awards. Shows photo of a rack of medals probably belonging to Captain Ross Macpherson Smith. Black & white portrait of Captain Ross Macpherson Smith. Right side is large colour picture of ADFC. A small Australian flag in top left corner has wording: Their Service Our Heritage.documents - military history, posters, awards, medals, passchendaele barracks trust

Article published in the Whitehorse Post 5 August 1998 re information panels to be installed at the Schwerkolt Cottage and Museum Complex, courtesy of funding from Whitehorse Council. These will enhance the experience of visiting the Cottage.Article published in the Whitehorse Post 5 August 1998 schwerkolt cottage & museum complex, museums, nunawading and district historical society

Wooden plaque with plastic facing with two information panelsIn commemoration of the 60th anniversary of VP Day. 15th August 1945 Presented by the Ringwood RSL and Phil Baressi Federal Member for Deakin with smaller panel displaying the Ode below

Black and white photograph of a man sitting at a table where he is studying the workings of an Oxford vaporiser which is in parts, and reading the accompanying information panel. There is other anaesthetic equipment around him.•Handwritten in black ink by Geoffrey Kaye on reverse: Frame 20. •Handwritten in grey pencil on reserve: 23. 20 has been crossed out. •Caption on bottom of photograph written in white ink on black paper and glued down: HOW THE WHEELS GO ROUND. oxford vaporiser, anaesthetic equipment

Shows the sign at the Steavenson Falls Scenic Reserve.Shows the sign at the Steavenson Falls Scenic Reserve. This sign was destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. The Steavenson Falls is named after the Victorian Assistant Commissioner of Roads and Bridges, John Steavenson who arrived in Victoria in the early 1860s.'05 1 3 3.01.05. Marysville (from Helga Walsh)steavenson falls, steavenson falls scenic reserve, mountain forest, lyrebird, bobuck, mountain brushtail possum, marysville, victoria, john steavenson, 2009 black saturday bushfires

The Panel consists of 34 assorted replica medals and pins that relate to the Australian Army Training Team in Vietnam (AATTV), from July 1962 - December 1972. The AATTV team was awarded various medal for meritous conduct throughout this period. Alongside the replica medals and badges are three information panels that detail the deeds of this group. The dedication panel reads 'Dedicated to the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV), July 1962 - December 1972. aattv, australian army training team vietnam, vietnam, 1962, 1972

This booklet is part of an annual promotional campaign for Falls Creek. It contains headings and sentences of information in Japanese, which reflects the increase in international tourism and marketing. It was designed by the Falls Creek Independent Property Owners, Victoria. The information panel on the back cover indicates it was part of Australia's Southern Region Tourism Promotion C/O Australian Tourism Commission in Tokyo, Japan.This item is important as it documents seasonal activities at Falls Creek and a changing approach to international marketing. An A4 sized marketing booklet, including images and advertising information printed on glossy paper. This publication includes headings and short lines of texts in Japanese script.falls creek marketing, falls creek information, falls creek international tourism, falls creek holiday brochures

No other information known PANEL 1875-1920 Panels began to be produced around 1875, and were particularly suited, because of their larger size, for capturing family, or even larger, groups. They measured 8.5 by 6.5 inches (22 cm x 16.5 cm). - Frost, Lenore; Dating Family Photos 1850-1920; Valiant Press Pty. Ltd., Berwick, Victoria 1991In hand written pencil "A church group at Eltham"marg ball collection, 1910, church picnic, eltham, straw boater

No other information known PANEL 1875-1920 Panels began to be produced around 1875, and were particularly suited, because of their larger size, for capturing family, or even larger, groups. They measured 8.5 by 6.5 inches (22 cm x 16.5 cm). - Frost, Lenore; Dating Family Photos 1850-1920; Valiant Press Pty. Ltd., Berwick, Victoria 1991marg ball collection, eltham, 1905, main road, shillinglaw cottage, wattle brae

S. K Pearce owned shops in Mt Beauty and Tawonga. The postcard was used for tourism to attract visitors to the Mt Beauty township and the Kiewa Scheme on the Bogong High Plains. The postcard gives a brief history of the town and area both created by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria.The photos are historically significant and include prominent places in the Kiewa Valley, Mt Beauty and the Bogong High Plains. S. K Pearce was a prominent shop owner in the area having shops in Tawonga and in Mt Beauty as seen in one of the photos. The postcards are of interest as they are an example of advertising for tourism in the 1960's.Fold out postcards including a panel on information on Mt Beauty and the Kiewa Scheme, 12 colored labelled photos, an address & letter written in black biro. Multiple copies.Letter from Roma to 'Dad and Chris'. Their address in Bayswater. Postage stamp from Mount Beautymt beauty, kiewa hydro electric scheme, s. k. pearce, tourism

Article of World War 1 Refer to carved life size soldier with machine gun in foyer and photograph at its feet.A4 sheet of white paper has two cut-out sections of Veteran Affairs Newspaper article dated June 1998 glued on. Title Australian Corps Memorial Park. Article covers a Memorial cost $1.3 million dollars for dedication on 4th July 1998 consisting of three curved memorial walls for Australian soldiers that died during Wold War 2. The photograph included in the article was taken on August 8, 1918 which shows B company of the 29th Battalion - a Victorian Unit - being addressed by their platoon Commander. All 5 Australian Divisions took part in the major Allied attack on the German Lines - the first time the five Australian Divisions had fought together as the Australian Corps. (Under Australian Command) It is the First memorial on the Western Front dedicated to the Australian Corps. The park surrounding it includes a 500 meter walking tril with 18 information panels along its length on aspects of the battle.Article was found in Veteran Affairs News dated June 1998, heading - Australian Corps Memorial Park.veteran affairs news article, a4 paper sheet

Walter Withers (1854-1914) was born in Handsworth, Warwickshire, England. He migrated to Australia in 1882 and in time was to become one of the country's most famous painters. In 1887/8 he spent a year in London and Paris during which time he married Fanny Flinn. When he returned to Melbourne he was engaged by publishers doing black and white illustrations. In the late 1880's he became associated with artists who formed the renowned "Heidelberg School" and in 1890 moved to "Charterisville" at Eaglemont. He lived in the Heidelberg area until 1903 when he purchased a house on two and a half acres (one hectare) at the corner of Brougham and Bolton Streets, Eltham. He had long been attracted to the Eltham area, but needed access to Melbourne for his painting classes. The extension of the railway in 1901 made the move possible. He remained in Eltham until his death and is buried at nearby St Helena. Many of his important paintings were painted during these later years. There are important collections at the National Gallery of Victoria and the Geelong Art Gallery. His Eltham house remains and his name is honoured by a small park at the corner of Bible and Arthur Streets. Source: Information panel produced for Heritage Display exhibition by EDHS 1990.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg (duplicate of original)eltham local characters, pioneers and painters, sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, walter withers, eltham, southernwood

Walter Withers (1854-1914) was born in Handsworth, Warwickshire, England. He migrated to Australia in 1882 and in time was to become one of the country's most famous painters. In 1887/8 he spent a year in London and Paris during which time he married Fanny Flinn. When he returned to Melbourne he was engaged by publishers doing black and white illustrations. In the late 1880's he became associated with artists who formed the renowned "Heidelberg School" and in 1890 moved to "Charterisville" at Eaglemont. He lived in the Heidelberg area until 1903 when he purchased a house on two and a half acres (one hectare) at the corner of Brougham and Bolton Streets, Eltham. He had long been attracted to the Eltham area, but needed access to Melbourne for his painting classes. The extension of the railway in 1901 made the move possible. He remained in Eltham until his death and is buried at nearby St Helena. Many of his important paintings were painted during these later years. There are important collections at the National Gallery of Victoria and the Geelong Art Gallery. His Eltham house remains and his name is honoured by a small park at the corner of Bible and Arthur Streets. Source: Information panel produced for EDHS exhibition in 1990. john withers collection, artist, sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photo collection, walter herbert withers, walter withers

Walter Withers (1854-1914) was born in Handsworth, Warwickshire, England. He migrated to Australia in 1882 and in time was to become one of the country's most famous painters. In 1887/8 he spent a year in London and Paris during which time he married Fanny Flinn. When he returned to Melbourne he was engaged by publishers doing black and white illustrations. In the late 1880's he became associated with artists who formed the renowned "Heidelberg School" and in 1890 moved to "Charterisville" at Eaglemont. He lived in the Heidelberg area until 1903 when he purchased a house on two and a half acres (one hectare) at the corner of Brougham and Bolton Streets, Eltham. He had long been attracted to the Eltham area, but needed access to Melbourne for his painting classes. The extension of the railway in 1901 made the move possible. He remained in Eltham until his death and is buried at nearby St Helena. Many of his important paintings were painted during these later years. There are important collections at the National Gallery of Victoria and the Geelong Art Gallery. His Eltham house remains and his name is honoured by a small park at the corner of Bible and Arthur Streets. Source: Information panel produced for EDHS exhibition in 1990.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg 120 format B&W negative B&W printsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, walter withers, artist

Colour photograph of a display panel at Information Victoria's State Government Bookshop in Little Bourke St, prepared by Bill Scott to publicise the tramway and "Ballarat Heritage Tramway" book - alongside photograph. Taken mid 1994 by William F. Scott. See notes contained with this Reg. Item catalogue worksheet.btm, information victoria, publicity

In the early 1920s Reginald and Gladys Skelton rented Schwerkolt Cottage. When they left to live in their new home on Deep Creek Road, having been encouraged by Mrs. Louis Schwerkolt to purchase the block, they where given this painting which was on a panel on the door of the eastern room. When the Nunawading Council was refurbishing the Cottage in 1964, Mr Skelton returned the panel. This information was provided by Lyn Davies the daughter - in - law of Mr. and Mrs. Skelton.Painting depicting a rural scene with a river and a bared tree in the foreground and a house, fields and hills in the background.illustrations, oil

Khaki coloured canvas legging constructed of three panels, sewn together with beige topstitching. Gaiters fasten around leg by way of nine hooks which fit into metal eyelets; a strip of canvas runs under the foot and is buckled on the other side. One tag on interior and printed manufacturer's information on interior centre panel; printed in black.Tag reads "2-R"; printed inscription reads "2R/LEGGINGS,CANVAS, M-1938 DISMOUNTED O.D./THE BRAY COMPANY/10-27-43 W 12-036 OM 114B/72-L-61923/JEFFERSONVILLE OM DEPOT"second world war, uniform, jeffersonville

Khaki coloured canvas legging constructed of three panels, sewn together with beige topstitching. Gaiters fasten around leg by way of nine hooks which fit into metal eyelets; a strip of canvas runs under the foot and is buckled on the other side. One tag on interior and printed manufacturer's information on interior centre panel; printed in black. Cotton shoelace is fed through one eyelet at top; shoelace has one aglet and one end without an aglet.Tag reads "2-R"; printed inscription reads "2R/LEGGINGS,CANVAS, M-1938 DISMOUNTED O.D./THE BRAY COMPANY/10-27-43 W 12-036 OM 114B/72-L-61923/JEFFERSONVILLE OM DEPOT"second world war, uniform, jeffersonville

'Fulling', the half-hectare property at Pitt Street, Eltham was the home of landscape designer Gordon Ford and his wife Gwen. Ford bought the property in 1948, originally part of an orchard. The garden encapsulates the major trends of Australian garden design in the second half of the 20th century. The garden design is based on mass (plants) and void (paths and pools), textures and forms. It epitomises the Eltham style because of its relaxed informality and attraction to native wildlife. The mud brick house and designed and built by Ford commenced in 1948. Several extensions were added up to 1970 and were built by Graham Rose (Source: information panel for exhibition, n.d.) Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p147 A narrow timber gate opens onto a garden that has had a huge impact on natural garden development in Australia since the 1950s.1 Fulling, the half-hectare property at Pitt St, Eltham, was the home of the landscape designer, Gordon Ford, who died in 1999. The garden ‘encapsulates the major trends of Australian garden design in the second half of the 20th century...and epitomises the Eltham style of garden’.2 It in turn, was influenced by several Victorian major landscape designers of the mid 20th century – Ellis Stones, Peter Glass and Edna Walling. The gate opens onto a sandy gravel path, one of several, which wind around dramatic pools and what appear to be natural bush, but on close inspection are carefully integrated native, indigenous and exotic plantings. Retaining walls and steps of rock through the garden link different terrace levels. Lichen-covered boulders serve as steps across a pool, leading to the triple level mud-brick house. Ford bought the property, which was originally part of an orchard, in 1948. As the son of a Presbyterian minister, Ford received a good education, which included learning Latin. This was advantageous when he worked in plant sales for the Forestry Commission, before the Second World War. In the late 1940s, however, Ford turned to building and landscape gardening. He worked on the Busst house, an early mud-brick building designed by Alistair Knox and at the same time, Ford was employed by Ellis Stones. Knox described Ford as, ‘one of the funniest men of the district. ...Rocky’s (Ellis Stones) Depression stories and Gordon’s memory and quick tongue made the jobs the most enjoyable of all those hysterical times that made Eltham the centre of the eternal laugh, between the years of 1945 and 1950’.3 Ford’s house, like so many after the war, was built progressively, as more space was needed and formerly scarce materials became available. It began with an army-shed of timber-lined walls, now used as the kitchen. Ford then built what is now the lounge room, and the house grew ‘like topsy and on a shoestring,’ says his widow Gwen. A lot of second-hand materials such as window frames were used, a style made famous particularly with their extensive use at Montsalvat, the Eltham Artists’ Colony. The house was constructed as a joint venture with friends, including artist Clifton Pugh, who built Ford’s bedroom for £10. The polished floorboards and solomite (compressed straw) ceilings, interspersed with heavy beams, exude warmth. The result is a home of snug spaces, with soft light and garden vistas. Several other mud-brick buildings were constructed as needed, including a studio and units for bed-and-breakfast clients. The garden, which has been part of the Open Garden Scheme since the mid 1980s, is based on a balance of mass (plants) and void (paths and pools), textures and forms. It epitomises the Eltham style because of its relaxed informal ethos and attracts native animals. Wattlebirds, scrub wrens, pardalotes, currawongs, owls and even kangaroos, have been seen at Fulling. Gwen, a former English teacher who has worked on the garden since around 1970, urged and helped Ford write his book, The Natural Australian Garden.4 Several of Ford’s favourite trees are in the garden, including the native Casuarina or She-Oak. In spring, the garden is dusted with the purple Orthrosanthus multiflorus or blue native irises and rings with the calls of birds attracted to plants like the callistemons, correas and grevilleas.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham, fulling, gordon ford garden, pitt street, eltham mud brick buildings, mud brick house

Welcome panel including information on William Barak. The Moor-Rul Viewing Platform, part of the Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park opened in April 2007. Eight double-sided interpretation panels on the Moor-rul viewing platform highlight the area's Aboriginal and European history of the area and also details of local geology, flora and fauna. These panels feature high quality graphic design and professionally written text. The subjects covered are: ''Womin Je Ka" Welcome The Kulin Nation Singing, Dancing, Ceremony, Celebration This Country, My Home The Highland Taken Auld Lang Syne "Same Land Different Views" Working the Land Food from the Earth or "Earth's Harvest" Lest We Forget, "And with the going down of the Sun .... (3 panels) This Black Earth Those other indigenous inhabitants - Kangaroo Ground's Wildlife Silent Witnesses - Kangaroo Ground's White Manna Gums Belonging A Place of Reverence and A Tower of Strength Souce: EDHS Newsletter No 173 March 2007. As part of a program to acknowledge the Anzac Centenary Nillumbik Shire Council partnered with Yarra Plenty Regional Library to provide a bus tour with commentary of local sites of significance: Shire of Nillumbik World War One Memorials tour, 10 August 2016. These included Eltham township, the Shire of Eltham War Memorial at Kangaroo Ground, Christmas Hills war memorial, Hurstbridge memorial recreation park and finshed at Eltham Library to view the Writing the War exhibtion at Eltham Library Community Gallery. Born Digitalshire of nillumbik, memorial park, kangaroo ground, interpretative signage, indigenous history, moor-rul viewing platform, william barak, display panel

This box was crafted from a portion of one of the original oak trees in the Jarrahmond WW11 Avenue of Honour.The Avenue was planted in 1955 and linked the farms of the two servicemen from Jarrahmond who lost their lives in WWII. It consisted of English Oaks interspersed with flowering peaches and cherries. Wood for the box was collected in the early 1990's by Stan Weatherall following a windstorm. Stan had the timber rough-sawn into planks by local sawmiller Max Reynolds. The timber was stored for a number of years before being given to Don McLean.A hand-made oak box. The inside base is lined in green felt. The lid is single hinged. the front panel displays a radiating pattern in the grain of the oak wood that resembles the rising sun badge of the Australian Defence Forces. Two brass pins are symbols of Australian military regalia. Inside the box is an envelope with information and letters on the manufacture of the box and presentation to Orbost. The information concerns the Jarrahmond School and the Avenue of Honour.handcraft oak jarrahmond-avenue-of-honour container

The barometer was either made or sold by T. Gaunt & Co. of Melbourne, a manufacturer, importer and retailer of a wide variety of goods including jewellery, clocks and watches, navigational and measuring instruments, dinnerware, glassware and ornaments. Thomas Gaunt photograph was included in an album of security identity portraits of members of the Victorian Court, Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne, 1888. (See below for further details.) Admiral Fitzroy Pattern Barometer History: The stick mercury barometer was named after Admiral Robert Fitzroy of the Royal Navy (1805-1865) for his detailed instructions on how to interpret the weather, which were included with the instrument. Fitzroy was the captain of the HMS Beagle, also a weather forecaster to Charles Darwin and the second Governor of New Zealand. He developed many different types of barometers and was the first person to introduce the science of weather forecasting to the British Isles. A local manufacturer of scientific instruments, Thomas Gaunt, produced the barometer that was adapted for the southern hemisphere by Robert Ellery, the State Astronomer based at the Melbourne Observatory. In the original sale catalogue for Gaunt's, the item is described as "Gaunt's Fitzroy Barometers" and it was priced from 25/- to ₤9.9s. History of Thomas Gaunt: Thomas Gaunt established Melbourne's leading watchmaking, optical and jewellery business during the second half of the 19th century. Gaunt arrived in Melbourne in 1852, and by 1858 had established his own business at 14 Little Bourke Street. Around 1869 he moved to new premises in Bourke Street on the corner of Royal Arcade. Gaunt's shop quickly became a Melbourne institution. Gaunt proudly advertised that he was 'The only watch manufacturer in the Australian colonies'. While many watches and clocks may have had Gaunt's name on the dial, few would have been made locally. Gaunt did make some watches for exhibitions, and perhaps a few expensive watches for wealthy individuals. Gaunt's received a telegraph signal from Melbourne Observatory each day to correct his main clock and used this signal to rate and repair ship's chronometers and good quality watches. His main horological manufacturing was directed at turret clocks for town halls, churches and post offices. These tended to be specific commissions requiring individualised design and construction. He made the clock for the Melbourne Post Office lobby, to a design by Government Astronomer Robert Ellery, and won an award at the 1880-81 Melbourne International Exhibition for his turret clock for the Emerald Hill Town Hall. He became well known for his installation of a chronograph at Flemington Racecourse in 1876, which showed the time for the race, accurate to a quarter of a second. The firm also installed the clockwork and figures for Gog and Magog in the Royal Arcade. Thomas Gaunt also developed a department that focused on scientific instrumentation, making thermometers and barometers (from imported glass tubes), telescopes, surveying instruments and microscopes. Another department specialised in electroplating for trophies, awards and silverware, and the firm manufactured large amounts of ecclesiastical gold ware and silverware, for the church including St Patrick's Cathedral. There are no records that disclose the number of employees in the firm, but it was large enough for Gaunt to hold an annual picnic for the watchmakers and apprentices at Mordialloc from 1876; two years previously they had successfully lobbied Gaunt to win the eight hour day. Gaunt's workforce was reportedly very stable, with many workers remaining in the business for 15 to 30 years. Gaunt's wife Jane died on September 1894, aged 64. They had one son and six daughters, but only three daughters survived to adulthood. Two became nuns at the Abbotsford Convent and one daughter, Cecelia Mary Gaunt (died 28 July 1941), married William Stanislaus Spillane on 22 September 1886 and had a large family. Gaunt died at his home in Coburg, Victoria, leaving an estate valued at ₤41,453. The business continued as T. Gaunt & Co. after his death. The barometer is historically significant as an example of the work of Melbourne’s leading scientific instrument maker, Thomas Gaunt. The barometer has social significance as an example of the type of scientific equipment that Thomas Gaunt expanded his horology business into producing. Further social significance lies in the fact that Robert Ellery, the Government Astronomer who designed the local version of the barometer, had a direct connection with the Melbourne Athenaeum founded in 1839 as the Melbourne Mechanics' Institution. Its purpose was "the diffusion of literary, scientific and other useful information". There are also records of a T Gaunt as a subscription and committee member of this the Athenaeum organisation during the 1870s and 1880s which may be Thomas Gaunt, unfortunately still unverified.Stick mercury barometer known as the Admiral Fitzroy Barometer. It comprises an oblong wooden case with glass front panel, ornate pediment, barometer with bulb cistern (empty of fluid), cleaning brush with printed instructions for interpreting information given by the gauge affixed to left and right face of instrument. Includes a thermometer. The barometer appears to be intact. Adapted to the Southern Hemisphere. Special remarks by Admiral Fitzroy. Made by Thomas Gaunt, Melbourne. Manufacturer's details are on back of wooden casing. Rear has upper and lower brass screw plates for securing to vertical surface."Manufactured by Thomas Gaunt, 14 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne. "flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, barometer, admiral fitzroy, thomas gaunt, thomas gaunt of melbourne, clockmaker, admiral fitzroy barometer, barometer instructions, gaunt’s fitzroy barometer, gaunt’s of melbourne, gog and magog designer, horological manufacturer, meteorological instrument, melbourne athenaeum, melbourne mechanics' institution, melbourne observatory time signal, robert ellery government astronomer, scientific instrument, stick mercury barometer, thermometer, weather forecast, t gaunt & co