The photograph depicts the two-storey building of the Bank of Victoria which was built in 1858 and was replaced in 1867 after a fire destroyed the original building. The branch had originally opened under John Farran in 1856 before the office building was erected in Beechworth. The building was located on the corner of Ford and Camp streets and embodied the dignified appearance of Beechworth during the mid-1800s due to the building's features. The Bank of Victoria was designed by "Smith and Watts" and built from white brick and render, which cost three thousand and seven hundred pounds to construct. The building was inspired by a formal Italian villa, including square-headed windows, cornices, and a parapet. The ground floor consisted of banking chambers, a strong room, and servants' quarters. The residential quarters were located on the second floor.The photograph is significant as it depicts not only depicts a building of importance to the town of Beechworth but it also shows aesthetic significance due to the style it was built in. As the Bank of Victoria was constructed in the classic Italian style, it exemplifies the classic quality and refined manner of this architectural style. This building style represents the image Beechworth held for itself at that time, which was a sophisticated and distinguished town.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on paper.Reverse: 23/80 / Beechworth / (Indecipherable) / Banking to (Indecipherable) / Sydney / “Bank of Victoria” / BMM 8692.1 / [Stamped: ILFORD]bank of victoria, beechworth, banks, beechworth bank, 1858, 1867, ford street, camp street, victoria, john farran, smith and watts, italian architecture, italian style building, brick building, brick, banking, money, fire, building destroyed

Book was awarded to Stephen John Holgate in 1891 for first prize in bookkeeping. Stephen (D.O.B. 09/07/1877) entered the college on 27/01/1890. The original registry notes parent as Stephen Holgate from Miners Rest and Stephen's previously school is noted as 'Home Tuition'. Other family members noted as attending the college are Harold, George, Edward, Robert and Thomas. Archives also hold war memorabilia for Edward and George Holgate.Presbyterian educators placed great value on a classical education matched with diligence in study. Book prizes were highly regarded and academic success admired. In the school’s early years prizes were ordered direct from London and had the school crest embossed in gold on the front or back cover. Many of the prizes given in early years were returned to the school to equip the Weatherly Library when it opened in 1936. Connection to college war memorabilia and war heroes.Bound in soft red calf with gilt lettering and college crest embossed on front cover and gilt lettering on spine. Floral end papers, foxing on pages, black and white illustrations throughout. 595 p.Book plate inside front cover: College crest/ Bookkeeping/ V Form./ First Prize. Awarded to/ S. Holgate/ Christmas, 1891.stephen-john-holgate, 1891, book-prize, miners-rest, harold-holgate, george-holgate, edward-holgate, robert-holgate, thomas-holgate.

This book was awarded to John Geddes McGowan in 1891 for first prize in Latin. John entered the college in January of 1891 at the age of 13. He was the dux of Ballarat College in 1892. It is noted in the original register that John's parent is John S McGowan and the residence as 11 Ebden(?) Street, Ballarat East.Presbyterian educators placed great value on a classical education matched with diligence in study. Book prizes were highly regarded and academic success admired. In the school’s early years prizes were ordered direct from London and had the school crest embossed in gold on the front or back cover. Many of the prizes given in early years were returned to the school to equip the Weatherly Library when it opened in 1936.Bound in red calf with college emblem embossed on front cover and gilt bordering. Floral end papers, foxing on pages, red/gilt edges, black and white illustrations throughout. 624 p.Book plate inside front cover: Ballarat College emblem/ Latin/ IV Form./ First Prize./ Awarded to/ J.G.McGowan/ Christmas, 1891/john-geddes-mcgowan, 1891, book-prize, dux-1892, john-s-mcgowan.