The quarry was part of John Butler Maling's property. He was one of the original settlers of the area and farmed the area between Weybridge Street and Whitehorse Road. Clay was quarried from part of this area and used to make the bricks used in the construction of his home, known as 'Ancyra'. This is still extant at the corner of Weybridge and James Streets. Maling grazed cows and used the quarry as a water source. He was the uncle of John Butler Maling, Mayor of Camberwell. He was married to Kate Conlon in 1882. They had 3 children: Silas Young, Alick and Zillah. Maling was born in c1829 in Shepreth, Cambridgeshire; he died in Surrey Hills on 9 October 1912 and is buried in Box Hill Cemetery - CE-*-0586. Mrs Kate Maling (born c1859 in Co Meath, Ireland) died at the property on 8 March 1921. She is buried in Brighton General Cemetery. Probate was valued at over 10,000 pounds and included other properties in Sandringham, Hawthorn and Macedon. At the time of her death the Surrey Hills property was described as being 23 cres with 2 brick houses, 1 cow, 2 heifers and 40 fowls or chickens. The property was subdivided after her death. The quarry was filled in after several drownings or near drownings and the land is now occupied by a park and playground maintained by the City of Boroondara. Beckett Park is sited on horizon to the left beyond the trees. This documents the landscape prior to close settlement and is material to early building and farming in the Surrey Hills area.Black and white photo of the quarry between Grovedale Road and James Street taken in the 1920s and looking north. In the foreground is an area of water with high banks dividing the horizontal centre. Beyond are paddocks and trees behind which is a row of at least 3 single-storey houses. Light poles can be seen along a distant street. There are many mature trees in the background. The houses and trees are positioned along Whitehorse Road in the vicinity of Westminster Street. Shadows indicate the photo was taken in early morning or evening.quarries, grovedale road, james street, surrey hills, balwyn, clay quarries, ancyra, kate conlon, kate maling, john butler maling, farming

John Butler Maling, retired farmer, built his home on the corner of his property which extended from Weybridge Street to Whitehorse Road and from James to Ross Street. From 1853 he lived in a simple farmhouse located near the present Ross Street until he had 'Ancyra' built in c.1889 from bricks made from clay dug from a quarry on the property. This was located in the now-park in James Street. John Butler Maling Snr was born in Shepreth, Cambridgeshire. He married Kate Conlan in 1882 and they had 3 children - Silas, Alick and Zillah. He died in 1912 and is buried in Box Hill Cemetery. Often referred to as John Butler Maling Senior as he had a nephew by the same name. He also lived on a similar sized property known as 'The Willows', located to the west. He became the first Mayor of Camberwell. From c1936 til c1960 the property was used as a rest home (Ancyra Rest Home) and then a nursery (Pied Piper Nursery).This property is important as one of few remaining extant links to pre-urban Surrey Hills, and built from local material.A black and white photograph of a brick house with a slate roof and corrugated iron over the verandah and portico. A picket fence painted a dark colour features decorative finals on the tops of the posts.ancyra, house names, weybridge street, surrey hills, whitehorse road, james street, ross street, john butler maling (snr), mrs kate maling, silas maling, alick maling, zillah maling, miss kate conlan, box hill cemetery, ancyra rest home, pied piper nursery

John Butler Maling, retired farmer, built his home on the corner of his property which extended from Weybridge Street to Whitehorse Road and from James to Ross Street. From 1853 he lived in a simple farmhouse located near the present Ross Street until he had 'Ancyra' built in c.1889 from bricks made from clay dug from a quarry on the property. This was located in the now-park in James Street. John Butler Maling Snr was born in Shepreth, Cambridgeshire. He married Kate Conlan in 1882 and they had 3 children - Silas, Alick and Zillah. He died in 1912 and is buried in Box Hill Cemetery. Often referred to as John Butler Maling Senior as he had a nephew by the same name. He also lived on a similar sized property known as 'The Willows', located to the west. He became the first Mayor of Camberwell. From c1936 til c1960 the property was used as a rest home (Ancyra Rest Home) and then a nursery (Pied Piper Nursery). This is one of relatively few surviving houses that provides links to pre0urban Surrey Hills. It is also built from locally quarried material.A black and white photograph of a house viewed through the front garden.ancyra, house names, weybridge street, surrey hills, james street, bricks, john butler maling senior, miss kate conlan, mrs kate maling, alick maling, silas maling, zillah maling, ancyra rest home, pied piper nursery, box hill cemetery

The quarry was part of John Butler Maling's property. He was one of the original settlers of the area and farmed the area between Weybridge Street and Whitehorse Road. Clay was quarried from part of this area and used to make the bricks used in the construction of his home, known as 'Ancyra'. This is still extant at the corner of Weybridge and James Streets. Maling grazed cows and used the quarry as a water source. He was the uncle of John Butler Maling, Mayor of Camberwell. He was married to Kate Conlon in 1882. They had 3 children: Silas Young, Alick and Zillah. Maling was born in c1829 in Shepreth, Cambridgeshire; he died in Surrey Hills on 9 October 1912 and is buried in Box Hill Cemetery - CE-*-0586. Mrs Kate Maling (born c1859 in Co Meath, Ireland) died at the property on 8 March 1921. She is buried in Brighton General Cemetery. Probate was valued at over 10,000 pounds and included other properties in Sandringham, Hawthorn and Macedon. At the time of her death the Surrey Hills property was described as being 23 acres with 2 brick houses, 1 cow, 2 heifers and 40 fowls or chickens. The property was subdivided after her death. The property was subdivided into 110 house blocks in c1923 - see Maling's Estate subdivision flyer on the State Library of Victoria's website. This shows that the Grovedale Park site had been acquired by Camberwell Council by this time. An attached newspaper clipping documents prices realised for a cross-section of blocks. The MMBW map of 1925, also on the SLV website, shows the outline of the clayhole / quarry. The quarry was filled in after several drownings or near drownings and the land is now occupied by a park and playground, known as Grovedale Road Park, maintained by the City of Boroondara. Beckett Park is sited on horizon to the left beyond the trees. This documents the landscape prior to close settlement and is material to early building and farming in the Surrey Hills area.Black and white photo of the quarry between Grovedale Road and James Street taken in the 1920s and looking south. In the foreground is an area of water with reeds in the LH corner. Beyond on the high banks there are single storey houses in the background and (?) some light poles. An object that looks like a tank on posts is in a cutting on the far bank.quarries, grovedale road, james street, clay quarries, farming, kate conlon, kate maling, john butler maling, ancyra

“The Willows” home of John Butler Maling on south side of Whitehorse Road in Shepreth Street, near Banool Road. He built 2-roomed mud brick cottage in about 1861 extending it in stages into a weatherboard Victorian villa as his family grew. John Butler Maling's uncle (also John Butler Maling lived nearby at 'Ancyra' at 26 Weybridge Street). 'The Willows' was situated on a small farm of c13 acres with a creek running through it, lined with willows. The house was demolished after J B Maling's death in 1931 when the land was subdivided, some of it having been previously bought by the Education Department for the site of Chatham Primary School. J B Maling trained his six sons as builders. Charles Henry and his family are pictured in this photo. Charles Henry Maling (1875-1953) married Katherine Mitchell (1875-1958) in 1901. They lived at 9 Benson Street, Surrey Hills but came to live at 'The Willows' for 5 years prior to 1931 to care for Charles' father. Charles and Katherine are the older man and woman centre back with daughter Ellen Grace, known as Nell (1882-1960) in the front of them. Right front seated on the pillar is daughter Jane Emma (1872-1980) with her baby. Her husband Robert Wilhelm (Bob) Sutherland is the younger man at the back. The occasion is thought to be the christening of their first child. The other people are Rev O Cordell, his wife Mary and their children who are friends visiting from Africa where the donor, Rev Charles Maling, son of Charles Henry Maling was working with the Church Mission Society. A black and white photograph of a group of people standing (one lady sitting) on the front steps of a house.the willows, house names, (mr) john butler maling, whitehorse road, banool road, balwyn, surrey hills, (mr) charles henry maling, (mrs) katherine maling, (miss) nell maling, (mrs) jane sutherland, (mr) bob sutherland, (rev) o cordell, (mrs) mary cordell

Chatham School, located in Weybridge Street Surrey Hills, was opened on 1 August 1927 following pressure from local residents as nearby schools (Balwyn, Mont Albert & Surrey Hills) were all over-crowded. This followed a surge in development following WW1. Land in surrounding streets was sub-divided. This included part of John Butler Maling (Jnr)'s small farm bounded by Banool Road, Wharton Road, Weybridge Street and Whitehorse Road. An area surrounding his home, 'The Willows' was retained and not sold until after he died in 1931. leased by Mr John Butler Maling in 1861. Three acres of his land were purchased by the Education Department. Some of the early students have referred to Chatham’s land as Mr Maling’s bull paddock. Some of the original yellow box trees remain on the property. The most significant of these is now called the Friendship Tree. On 1 August 1927 212 students were enrolled; Ralph Rae was one of these. The school was official opened on 15th February 1928. The school number is 4314. A black and white photograph of a group of 39 Grade 1 students from Chatham State School.1927, schools, chatham state school, clothing and dress, primary schools, john butler maling (jnr), ralph rae (mr)

Chatham School, located in Weybridge Street Surrey Hills, was opened on 1 August 1927 following pressure from local residents as nearby schools (Balwyn, Mont Albert & Surrey Hills) were all over-crowded. This followed a surge in development following WW1. Land in surrounding streets was sub-divided. This included part of John Butler Maling (Jnr)'s small farm bounded by Banool Road, Wharton Road, Weybridge Street and Whitehorse Road. An area surrounding his home, 'The Willows' was retained and not sold until after he died in 1931. leased by Mr John Butler Maling in 1861. Three acres of his land were purchased by the Education Department. Some of the early students have referred to Chatham’s land as Mr Maling’s bull paddock. Some of the original yellow box trees remain on the property. The most significant of these is now called the Friendship Tree. On 1 August 1927 212 students were enrolled; Ralph Rae was one of these. The school was official opened on 15th February 1928. The school number is 4314. A black and white photograph of a group of 51 Grade 5 students from Chatham State School.schools, chatham state school, clothing and dress, primary schools, john butler maling (jnr), ralph rae (mr)

Chatham School, located in Weybridge Street Surrey Hills, was opened on 1 August 1927 following pressure from local residents as nearby schools (Balwyn, Mont Albert & Surrey Hills) were all over-crowded. This followed a surge in development following WW1. Land in surrounding streets was sub-divided. This included part of John Butler Maling (Jnr)'s small farm bounded by Banool Road, Wharton Road, Weybridge Street and Whitehorse Road. An area surrounding his home, 'The Willows' was retained and not sold until after he died in 1931. leased by Mr John Butler Maling in 1861. Three acres of his land were purchased by the Education Department. Some of the early students have referred to Chatham’s land as Mr Maling’s bull paddock. Some of the original yellow box trees remain on the property. The most significant of these is now called the Friendship Tree. On 1 August 1927 212 students were enrolled; Ralph Rae was one of these. The school was official opened on 15th February 1928. The school number is 4314. Front row centre is Jocelyn Cerini who married Ken Hall, another Chatham student. A black and white photograph of a group of Grade 2 female students from Chatham State School. They are dressed in white.schools, chatham state school, clothing and dress, primary schools, john butler maling (jnr), ralph rae (mr), jocelyn cerini (miss), jocelyn hall (mrs)

A book documenting a selection of former pioneer families in Australia from 1844Black bound book of 144 pages documenting 103 Germans who immigrated to Australia from 1844winter heindrick wilhelm, fankhauser david daniel, fankhauser george frederick, fankhauser george henry, fankhauser frederick william, tainton rose selina, fankhauser arthur albert, fankhauser alfred richard, fankhauser david ernest, fankhauser robert christian, shepherd esther ruby, fankhauser john butler maling, fankhauser stanley charles, fankhauser walter john, fankhauser john august

Sourced via conversations with those interested in Surrey Hills History. Including Alan Holt, Jack McLean, Frank Bamford, Jocelyn Hall. Includes: Topographical maps, first Elgar Survey. First Wesleyan Church in Surrey Hills. Bibliography on P.50 (last numbered page) Provides a chronological history of Surrey Hills. Includes: First settlers, location, early land sales, commerce and trade.Provides a chronological history of Surrey Hills. Includes: First settlers, location, early land sales, commerce and trade.Back of Title page: To the Surrey Hills Historical / Arthur E. Tonkinfreehold investment and banking company, windsor park estate, (mr) dennis delany, mont albert village, surrey hills - history, royal hotel, surrey hills, humberstone's hotel, chatham state school, holy trinity church, lydswood, lugano, (mr) john butler maling, (mr) john hanlon knipe, mont albert primary school, (mr) james sneddon, (mr) arthur tonkin

The waterbody was the site of a quarry that existed between Grovedale Road and James Street, Surrey Hills on land owned by J B Maling (senior). Clay from it was used to make bricks for local houses. The quarry became a hazard and after several drownings was filled in. The Grovedale Park now occupies the site. Muriel Hedwig Lucy Pornitz, also known as Muriel Pornett, lived locally. She was born in Melbourne in 1894 and studied at the South Australian School of Arts & Crafts in 1911 under James Ashton and Fred Britton, and at the Australian School of Etching in Sydney. She was also an illustrator and cartoonist. She died in 1982.A small oil painting on canvas board in a dark wood frame of a water body with a clay bank behind and 2 trees above the bank. Lower front right hand corner: "AUST. M P 1927" On the rear upper edge, in ink on badly degraded brown paper backing: " "The Old Quarry" Surrey Hills, Melb." / [Second line of writing is illegible.] A label is stuck to the middle section of the paper backing. It indicates that the painting was framed by Toska Art Studio (N. Cl Colliver, Proprietor) of wyndham Street, Shepparton. Lower rear edge, in ink on badly degraded brown paper backing: "by / Muriel ...... / "Darnok", / 22 Grovedale Rd / Surrey Hills, Melb" painting, grovedale road quarry, quarry, grovedale road park, john butler maling (snr), surrey hills, muriel pornitz, muriel pornett

The photo is of a painting of the dam formed on land between Grovedale Road and James Street, Surrey Hills. It was painted in 1927 by Miss Muriel Pornitz, an art teacher, who lived in Grovedale Road. The land had been part of Mr James Maling Snr’s property and in the 1880s clay was removed to build houses, including his own located on the corner of Weybridge and James Streets. Maling grazed cattle on this area and used it as a dam. The land was subsequently made into parkland, the quarry / dam having been filled in after several drownings had occurred in the 1920s/1930s. See also SHP94, another copy of the same. Muriel Hedwig Lucy Pornitz lived at 22 Grovedale Road, Surrey Hills. She was born c1894 in Balwyn; died in Kew on 1 December 1982. She was the daughter of Konrad Pornitz (1864-1903) and his wife Charlotte Richardson Gooderidge (1863-1942), known as Tottie, who married in 1890. Konrad Pornitz is listed in the 1892 directory as living in Edgevale Road, Kew and the business Pornitz and Ross at 291 & 293 Little Collins Street, importers and commission merchants. The 1896 directory gives the Kew address as 176 Edgevale Road, Kew, however the business Pornitz and Ross was dissolved on 1st day of October 1892, by mutual agreement. Legal notice advised that: Mr Pornitz will hereafter carry on the business on his own behalf at the same address, under the style "Pornitz and Ross". Muriel is buried in Box Hill Cemetery (B-086-0042) along with Ulrich Horst Holm Pornitz known as Horst or Bon (d 1957) and Edith Olga Pornitz (d 1951), her brother and sister. A further sibling (Konrad b 1891) died in infancy. He is buried with his mother in Boroondara (Kew) Cemetery - C/E A 0366. Konrad died at his home 'Yarran' in Lane Cove Road, North Sydney on 31 October 1903; reported in the Sydney Morning Herald. Buried Gore Hill Cemetery, St Leonards, North Sydney. The headstone reveals he was born in Chemnitz, Saxony in 1863. Muriel was also known as Muriel Pornett. She studied at the South Australian School of Arts & Crafts in 1911 under James Ashton and Fred Britton, and at the Australian School of Etching in Sydney. She was also an illustrator and cartoonist. The photo, and the painting from which it is derived, documents the landscape prior to close settlement and is material to early building and farming in the Surrey Hills area.A black and white photograph of a painting of a landscape of parkland. Two trees are on top of a rise and are reflected at the bottom in water. The signature of the artist is in the bottom right corner: "AUST MP 192" (and the rest is cut off).(miss) muriel pornitz, grovedale road, james street, surrey hills, artists, parks and reserves, (mr) john butler maling, snr, quarry, dam, (miss) muriel hedwig lucy pornitz, box hill cemetery, muriel pornett

Compiled for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the school's opening at the request of the Principal, Mrs Jan Morris. A number of oral histories were taped with early students to record their memories. Illustrated with many photos from the school's archive.A short pictorial history into the past and present of Chatham Primary School. includes a complete list of students from 1/8/1927 to 1/8/1996.chatham primary school, primary schools, educational and research establishments, (mr) pat dunne, (mr) adrian penistan-bird, (mrs) jenny holt, (mr) john butler maling, (mrs) julia ashby, (mrs) mary beno, (mrs) jane morris, (mr) william edds, (ms) maree mursell, (ms) geraldine pollock, (ms) susan barnett

Book donated on 5/9/2013 by Chatham Primary School following a talk to Grade 3s by Sue Barnett - at Sue's request to augment SHNCHC's library; the book is an update of 1996 1st edition. A short pictorial history into the past and present of Chatham Primary School; includes a complete list of students from 1/8/1927 to 17/11/2005.A short pictorial history into the past and present of Chatham Primary School; includes a complete list of students from 1/8/1927 to 17/11/2005.chatham primary school, weybridge street, surrey hills, primary schools, (mrs) susan barnett, (ms) geraldine pollock, (ms) maree mursell, (mr) adrian peniston-bird, (mr) pat dunne, (ms) mary beno, (ms) jenny holt, (mr) william edds, (mr) john butler maling, (mr) alfred a. homes, (mr) george f. corbett, teachers, (mr) edgar a. smith, (mr) horace fenton, belford t. keir, (mr) lewis tamblyn, (mr) robert j. currie, (mr) james p. nugent, (mr) frederick wenborn, (mr) william l kane, (mr) albert h singleton, (mr) louis e amiet, (mr) rupert r. francis, (mr) trevor j. mcevoy, (mr) ralph l. robertson, (ms) wendy hubbard, (mr) stephen rothwell

Compiled for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the school's opening at the request of the Principal, Mrs Jan Morris. A number of oral histories were taped with early students to record their memories. Illustrated with many photos from the school's archive.A short pictorial history into the past and present of Chatham Primary School. includes a complete list of students from 1/8/1927 to 1/8/1996.chatham primary school, primary schools, educational and research establishments, (mr) pat dunne, (mr) adrian penistan-bird, (mrs) jenny holt, (mr) john butler maling, (mrs) julia ashby, (mrs) mary beno, (mrs) jane morris, (mr) william edds, (ms) maree mursell, (ms) geraldine pollock, (ms) susan barnett

The parade was held in celebration of King Edward VII's birthday on 4 July 1902. This was the first public appearance of the German Band formed on 30 May 1902. The leading horseman is Mr Rowland Coe. He is followed by Mr George Robinson, a butcher of Canterbury Road. The man in the white hat is Mr Sam Kellett, businessman of Erasmus Street. Behind him on foot and partly obscured is Mr Alexander McNeill of the Surrey Family Hotel. Band master is Harry Pollard, painter and paper-hanger, and next to him is Constable Hill. The small boy in the sailor suit is Perc Venman of Essex Road and in the buggy near the footpath is Mr and Mrs William Maling. Information came from David Staig senior. Further research: William Saunders Maling, a son of John Butler Maling, was a builder who lived at 17 Balwyn Road, Canterbury. Rowland Coe, a butcher and son of James and Elizabeth Coe of Sunbury Crescent enlisted in AIF in WW1. He later lived at 233 Elgar Road, Box Hill. William Percival Reginald (Perc) Venman was born in Surrey Hills in 1894; he died in Surrey Hills in 1951 and lived at 27 Essex Street for much of his life. He and his wife are buried in Box Hill Cemetery. The identity of Sam Kellett of Erasmus Street is questioned. Edward Kellett built 'Yielma' in Erasmus Street but was deceased by 1902. He had 3 sons: Edward Allan (1854-1932); George Henry (1858-1921) and William John (1865-1945).Black and white photo of a number of men on horses leading a parade down Station Street (Windsor Crescent) to Union Road. Street trees on the RHS are mature whilst the ones on the LHS look to be newly planted. They have wooden guards around them. The area to the left is blurry but would be the railway line and station surrounds. Roads are well formed with bluestone channels.parades and processions, bands, german band, windsor crescent, william saunders maling, mrs hannah maling, miss hannah miller, constable hill, perc venman, george robinson, sam kellett, alexander mcneill, rowland coe, harry pollard, william percival reginald venman

This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. The male Turquoise Parrot is bright green above, with a turquoise blue crown and face. A brilliant two-tone blue band around the bend of the wing contrasts with a dark, brick-red shoulder patch. Its underparts and tail edges are a rich yellow. The female is similar, but not as bright, with a whitish facial mask, no red on the wing, and a pale wing stripe. Old birds of both sexes may have orange underparts. Once common throughout many parts of eastern Australia, the Turquoise Parrot was formerly recorded from near Mackay in Queensland south to Melbourne until the 1880s, when its population suddenly crashed. It was even considered to be extinct by 1915, but populations recovered spectacularly over the next 20 years or so, and by the 1930s they were again recorded through much of their former range. Now the species can once more be seen in many parts of eastern and south-eastern Australia, though not quite as extensively as before. These birds are vulnerable in NSWThis specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. This Turquoise Parrot is bright green above, with a turquoise blue crown and face. A brilliant two-tone blue band around the bend of the wing contrasts with a dark, brick-red shoulder patch. Its underparts and tail edges are a rich yellow. Old birds of both sexes may have orange underparts. This particular specimen is faded with some missing feathers. It is mounted on a wooden stand with a tag wrapped around its leg.Label: 80a. / Chesnutt-shouldered Grass Parakeet / See Catalogue, page 22.taxidermy, parrot, turquoise parrot, taxidermy bird, australian bird, burke museum, trustees of australia

The Golden Whistler is native to coastal areas of Australia, from Queensland around to Southern Western Australia, including Tasmania. It usually lives in dense forested areas. The males have bright yellow plumage, whilst the females have only pale yellow plumage. The males and females work together to build the nest and raise chicks. They eat spiders and insects. The taxidermy specimen is not a good example of a Golden Whistler. Its feathers are very faded and ruffled. There looks to be some damage on the throat of the specimen. The Golden Whistler has usually vibrant colours, whilst this one is almost white. The colour markings on the bird indicate that it is male; the specimen should be a bright yellow. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. This male Golden Whistler has a black head and stripe on chest, brown-grey wings and tail and white patches on throat and neck. The belly is a white-yellow, though significantly faded. Its feathers are quite ruffled and there is sign of damage to the throat. The specimen stands on a wooden stand and has an identification tag attached to its leg. Label: 24a / white throated Thickhead / See catalogue, page 11taxidermy mount, taxidermy, golden whistler, beechworth, burke museum, australian bird

Eastern bluebirds are well-known song birds that live in eastern North America. They are sexually dimorphic, easily recognised by the male's bright royal blue upper plumage, chest of reddish brown and white abdomen. The females is duller in colour than the male, with greyer upperparts and blue tinges to her wings. These Bluebirds, the European variety, are the most common of the three Bluebird species. When not nesting, these birds fly in small flocks around the countryside. Bluebirds feed on small insects including moths, termites and mosquitoes. They also eat grasshoppers, crickets and caterpillars. The Bluebird can spot caterpillars and other insects in tall grass from a distance of over 45 meters. The Bluebird is commonly identified in numerous cultures as being symbolic as a harbinger of happiness. Often in Russian fairytales, the Bluebird is used as a symbol of hope. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.This female bluebird (likely Eastern) has a medium brown head and back, a rufous breast, and a cream belly. The bird has blue-tinged wing and tail feathers. The bill is short and has been stylized with the bill partly open to provide the illusion that the bird is making a call. This specimen stands upon a wooden mount and has an identification tag tied around its leg. The bird's plumage has faded since it was first preserved; females generally have duller colouring than their male counterparts but the colour of this particular specimen is paler than it would have been.Label: 122a. Blue-Bird / Catalogue Page 29. / Metal tag: 107taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, american birds, bluebird

The Satin Bowerbird is commonly located around the eastern and south-eastern coast of Australia. They reside in wetter forests and woodlands, and nearby open areas. They feed mostly on fruits throughout the year but in summer will supplement their food supply with insects and in winter with leaves. The Satin Bowerbird is most commonly known for it's practice of building and decorating it's bower. They will often collect objects of bright blue to decorate the bower including straws, clothes peg, parrot feathers, pens, marble, string, glass and bottle tops. This decoration is done by a male Bowerbird in the effort to attract females. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.This taxidermy Satin Bowerbird specimen has dark black/blue glossy plumage and a pale coloured bill of small size. The bird is of a medium size compared to other species of birds and has pale legs with short talons. The eyes are made of strikingly blue coloured glass which represents the violet-blue iris of this bird while living. The bird has a short tale and has been stylized in a leaning/crouched position with it's back arched upwards and head out long. This specimen stands on a small platform and there is some deterioration to the tail feathers which protrude beyond the platform which may have otherwise provided some protection. Donor - Mr. E.T. / BH. RO. /taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, australian birds, bower, bowerbird, satin bowerbird