The Stripper was invented by John Ridley in 1843, while trying to overcome harvest labour shortage. In the early ays of Colonial South Australia a labour force was essential to harvest the wheat crop quickly before the grain shook out and fell to the ground. The stripper solved this problem, as t could strip 10 acres [4 hectares], handling approx. 180 bushels [5 tonnes] per day. This replaced 14 men using scythes.Strippers were used in this area between 1870's to the early 1900's.Then the Stripper Harvestors took over this processprinciple of the stripper----The wheat heads were knocked off the straw by a fat revolving beater ,and the grain, mixed with the husks and short straw, was propelled to the rear tin box. When the box became full, the contents were emptied into a winnower for cleaning. Recorded as Mitchell Stripper

Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (VIOSH) Australia is the Asia-Pacific centre for teaching and research in occupational health and safety (OHS) and is known as one of Australia's leaders in the field. VIOSH has a global reputation for its innovative approach within the field of OHS management. Federation University VIOSH Australia students are safety managers, senior advisors and experienced OHS professionals. They come from all over Australia and industry. Students are taught active research and enquiry; rather than textbook learning and a one-size fits all approach. VIOSH accepts people into the Graduate Diploma of Occupational Hazard Management who have no undergraduate degree – on the basis of extensive work experience and knowledge.Professional coloured photographs. Presenter and recipient standing in front of VIOSH banner.viosh, viosh australia, occupational health and safety, victorian institute of occupational health and safety, occupational hazard management, ian benjamin, susan capper, george cavanagh, paul coghlan, bryan colburn, timothy crouch, iain day, karina dine, david ellis, ken fuhrmeister, iain gillespie, donald gillies, linda grannas, rhonda hall, sue hardy, genevieve hawkins, paul hennekam, danielle mik, jo millard, vanessa moore, ashok nath, geoffrey poulton, terry ridley, jennifer sever, brian smith, kerry smith, krystie spratt, ian sterry, david taylor, sean turner, allison warwick, judith wenban, stuart wright, william wasley, linda smith, oliver footwear share solution award, john maclean, steve cowley, steven baldwin, paul brass, phil clark, dennis cordner, save crawcour, steven duke, david fitzgerald, julie fitzgerald, gary lennon, patrick mcattackney, sue pannet, stephen pavlich, lloyd quarmby, noel read, tricia smith, robert turner, barrie wright

Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (VIOSH) Australia is the Asia-Pacific centre for teaching and research in occupational health and safety (OHS) and is known as one of Australia's leaders in the field. VIOSH has a global reputation for its innovative approach within the field of OHS management. Federation University VIOSH Australia students are safety managers, senior advisors and experienced OHS professionals. They come from all over Australia and industry. Students are taught active research and enquiry; rather than textbook learning and a one-size fits all approach. VIOSH accepts people into the Graduate Diploma of Occupational Hazard Management who have no undergraduate degree – on the basis of extensive work experience and knowledge.Professional coloured photographs. Presenter and recipient standing in front of VIOSH banner.viosh, viosh australia, occupational health and safety, victorian institute of occupational health and safety, occupational hazard management, ian benjamin, susan capper, george cavanagh, paul coghlan, bryan colburn, timothy crouch, iain day, karina dine, david ellis, ken fuhrmeister, iain gillespie, donald gillies, linda grannas, rhonda hall, sue hardy, genevieve hawkins, paul hennekam, danielle mik, jo millard, vanessa moore, ashok nath, geoffrey poulton, terry ridley, jennifer sever, brian smith, kerry smith, krystie spratt, ian sterry, david taylor, sean turner, allison warwick, judith wenban, stuart wright, william wasley, linda smith, john maclean, steven baldwin, paul brass, phil clark, dennis cordner, save crawcour, steven duke, david fitzgerald, julie fitzgerald, gary lennon, patrick mcattackney, sue pannet, stephen pavlich, lloyd quarmby, noel read, tricia smith, robert turner, barrie wright, oliver footwear share solution award, andrew oliver, linda roberts, steve pavlich

Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (VIOSH) Australia is the Asia-Pacific centre for teaching and research in occupational health and safety (OHS) and is known as one of Australia's leaders in the field. VIOSH has a global reputation for its innovative approach within the field of OHS management. Federation University VIOSH Australia students are safety managers, senior advisors and experienced OHS professionals. They come from all over Australia and industry. Students are taught active research and enquiry; rather than textbook learning and a one-size fits all approach. VIOSH accepts people into the Graduate Diploma of Occupational Hazard Management who have no undergraduate degree – on the basis of extensive work experience and knowledge.Professional coloured photographs. Presenter and recipient standing in front of VIOSH banner.viosh, viosh australia, occupational health and safety, victorian institute of occupational health and safety, occupational hazard management, ian benjamin, susan capper, george cavanagh, paul coghlan, bryan colburn, timothy crouch, iain day, karina dine, david ellis, ken fuhrmeister, iain gillespie, donald gillies, linda grannas, rhonda hall, sue hardy, genevieve hawkins, paul hennekam, danielle mik, jo millard, vanessa moore, ashok nath, geoffrey poulton, terry ridley, jennifer sever, brian smith, kerry smith, krystie spratt, ian sterry, david taylor, sean turner, allison warwick, judith wenban, stuart wright, william wasley, linda smith, john maclean, steven baldwin, paul brass, phil clark, dennis cordner, save crawcour, steven duke, david fitzgerald, julie fitzgerald, gary lennon, patrick mcattackney, sue pannet, stephen pavlich, lloyd quarmby, noel read, tricia smith, robert turner, barrie wright, the proctor safety travel bursary (master of applied science ohs), trevor bailey, darryl gathard

Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (VIOSH) Australia is the Asia-Pacific centre for teaching and research in occupational health and safety (OHS) and is known as one of Australia's leaders in the field. VIOSH has a global reputation for its innovative approach within the field of OHS management. Federation University VIOSH Australia students are safety managers, senior advisors and experienced OHS professionals. They come from all over Australia and industry. Students are taught active research and enquiry; rather than textbook learning and a one-size fits all approach. VIOSH accepts people into the Graduate Diploma of Occupational Hazard Management who have no undergraduate degree – on the basis of extensive work experience and knowledge.Professional coloured photographs. Presenter and recipient standing in front of VIOSH banner.viosh, viosh australia, occupational health and safety, victorian institute of occupational health and safety, occupational hazard management, ian benjamin, susan capper, george cavanagh, paul coghlan, bryan colburn, timothy crouch, iain day, karina dine, david ellis, ken fuhrmeister, iain gillespie, donald gillies, linda grannas, rhonda hall, sue hardy, genevieve hawkins, paul hennekam, danielle mik, jo millard, vanessa moore, ashok nath, geoffrey poulton, terry ridley, jennifer sever, brian smith, kerry smith, krystie spratt, ian sterry, david taylor, sean turner, allison warwick, judith wenban, stuart wright, william wasley, linda smith, john maclean, steven baldwin, paul brass, phil clark, dennis cordner, save crawcour, steven duke, david fitzgerald, julie fitzgerald, gary lennon, patrick mcattackney, sue pannet, stephen pavlich, lloyd quarmby, noel read, tricia smith, robert turner, barrie wright, nsca perpetual trophy for the best academic performance, richard benwell, frank anderson

Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (VIOSH) Australia is the Asia-Pacific centre for teaching and research in occupational health and safety (OHS) and is known as one of Australia's leaders in the field. VIOSH has a global reputation for its innovative approach within the field of OHS management. Federation University VIOSH Australia students are safety managers, senior advisors and experienced OHS professionals. They come from all over Australia and industry. Students are taught active research and enquiry; rather than textbook learning and a one-size fits all approach. VIOSH accepts people into the Graduate Diploma of Occupational Hazard Management who have no undergraduate degree – on the basis of extensive work experience and knowledge.Professional coloured photographs. Presenter and recipient standing in front of VIOSH banner.viosh, viosh australia, occupational health and safety, victorian institute of occupational health and safety, occupational hazard management, ian benjamin, susan capper, george cavanagh, paul coghlan, bryan colburn, timothy crouch, iain day, karina dine, david ellis, ken fuhrmeister, iain gillespie, donald gillies, linda grannas, rhonda hall, sue hardy, genevieve hawkins, paul hennekam, danielle mik, jo millard, vanessa moore, ashok nath, geoffrey poulton, terry ridley, jennifer sever, brian smith, kerry smith, krystie spratt, ian sterry, david taylor, sean turner, allison warwick, judith wenban, stuart wright, william wasley, linda smith, john maclean, steven baldwin, paul brass, phil clark, dennis cordner, save crawcour, steven duke, david fitzgerald, julie fitzgerald, gary lennon, patrick mcattackney, sue pannet, stephen pavlich, lloyd quarmby, noel read, tricia smith, robert turner, barrie wright, rae epthorp human factors prize, matthew piscioneri, steve cowley

Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (VIOSH) Australia is the Asia-Pacific centre for teaching and research in occupational health and safety (OHS) and is known as one of Australia's leaders in the field. VIOSH has a global reputation for its innovative approach within the field of OHS management. Federation University VIOSH Australia students are safety managers, senior advisors and experienced OHS professionals. They come from all over Australia and industry. Students are taught active research and enquiry; rather than textbook learning and a one-size fits all approach. VIOSH accepts people into the Graduate Diploma of Occupational Hazard Management who have no undergraduate degree – on the basis of extensive work experience and knowledge.Professional coloured photographs. Presenter and recipient standing in front of VIOSH banner.viosh, viosh australia, occupational health and safety, victorian institute of occupational health and safety, occupational hazard management, ian benjamin, susan capper, george cavanagh, paul coghlan, bryan colburn, timothy crouch, iain day, karina dine, david ellis, ken fuhrmeister, iain gillespie, donald gillies, linda grannas, rhonda hall, sue hardy, genevieve hawkins, paul hennekam, danielle mik, jo millard, vanessa moore, ashok nath, geoffrey poulton, terry ridley, jennifer sever, brian smith, kerry smith, krystie spratt, ian sterry, david taylor, sean turner, allison warwick, judith wenban, stuart wright, william wasley, linda smith, john maclean, steven baldwin, paul brass, phil clark, dennis cordner, save crawcour, steven duke, david fitzgerald, julie fitzgerald, gary lennon, patrick mcattackney, sue pannet, stephen pavlich, lloyd quarmby, noel read, tricia smith, robert turner, barrie wright, max brooke memorial prize, david knowles, dulcie brooke, memorial shield

Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (VIOSH) Australia is the Asia-Pacific centre for teaching and research in occupational health and safety (OHS) and is known as one of Australia's leaders on the field. VIOSH has a global reputation for its innovative approach within the field of OHS management. VIOSH had its first intake of students in 1979. At that time the Institution was known as the Ballarat College of Advanced Education. In 1990 it became known as Ballarat University College, then in 1994 as University of Ballarat. It was 2014 that it became Federation University. VIOSH Australia students are safety managers, senior advisors and experienced OHS professionals. They come from all over Australia and industry. Students are taught active research and enquiry; rather than textbook learning and a one-size fits all approach. VIOSH accepts people into the Graduate Diploma of Occupational Hazard Management who have no undergraduate degree - on the basis of extensive work experience and knowledge. Professional coloured photographs showing guests at the dinner - eighteen photosviosh, viosh australia, occupational health and safety, victorian institute of occupational health and safety, occupational hazard management, ian benjamin, susan capper, george cavanagh, paul coghlan, bryan colburn, timothy crouch, iain day, karina dine, david ellis, ken fuhrmeister, iain gillespie, donald gillies, linda grannas, rhonda hall, sue hardy, genevieve hawkins, paul hennekam, danielle mik, jo millard, vanessa moore, ashok nath, geoffrey poulton, terry ridley, jennifer sever, brian smith, kerry smith, krystie spratt, ian sterry, david taylor, sean turner, allison warwick, judith wenban, stuart wright, william wasley, linda smith, john maclean, steven baldwin, paul brass, phil clark, dennis cordner, save crawcour, steven duke, david fitzgerald, julie fitzgerald, gary lennon, patrick mcattackney, sue pannet, stephen pavlich, lloyd quarmby, noel read, tricia smith, robert turner, barrie wright

Newspaper supplement titled Bendigo's Century Volume Four: 1930 - 1939. Front page is titled Bendigo's Century and has a photo of some women at the Bendigo Jockey Club, 1930s. Each year has heading of Who's Who, Weather, Sport and Business. First years are 1930 - 1939 titled A look back when. The page has photos of the Eaglehawk Cricket Club's first A Grade cricket premier ship team (1932 - 1933)., The monument to the late Bendigo mining magnate Ernst Mueller in Rosalind Park, The Bendigo Stock Exchange in the early 1930's - pictured are L L Dungey, T Williams, M P Kelly, C Mueller, E Hommoloff, R Kelly, T H Busst, T Hall, R Trembath, E A Woolcock, and C Burridge, the Carshalton mine in 1936 and The Edith and G V Lansell Laboratory at the Bendigo Hospital. 1930 - a photo of St Andrew's Church, the sundial outside the RSL Memorial Hall, The late Monsignor Rooney and The late John Douse Langley. The Ironbark Mine was the top gold producer. 1931 - Radio station goes on air, 1932 - Sir John dies, 1933 Bodyline men come to town, 1934 - Heroic rescues, 1935 - Hospital's new wing opened, 1936 - King mourned, 1937 - Beehive store towers above, 1938 - Mining shows mixed results and 1939 - Outbreak of war sobering.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - bendigo's century - volume four: 1930 - 1939, eaglehawk cricket club, ernst mueller, the bendigo stock exchangel l dungey, t williams, m p kelly, c mueller e hommoloff, r kelly, t h busst, t hall, r tremabath, e a woodcock, c burridge, charshalton mine, edith and g v lansell laboratory, st andrew's church, rsl memorial hall, mr gordon carter, sir john monash, state electricity commission, cr r watson, colonel gt v lansell, empire press congress, bendigo advertiser, mr e j hogan, eppalock weir, lyric theatre, bendigo red cross, mrs george mackay, st andrew's presbyterian church, mrs william hunter, right rev john douse langley, monsignor rooney, bendigo art gallery, the ironbark mine, coliban water, mr w wright, station 3bo, amalgamated wireless of australia ltd, advance bendigo group, the north league, st aidan's orphanage, bendigo freezing works, mr w wright, bendigo advertiser, mr w j stephens, advance bendigo group, north league, garden gully united gold mining company, bendigo football league, sir john quick, john quick snr, ironbark foundry, bendigo evening news, bendigo independent, bendigo advertiser, deakin governmnet, sir charles kingsford smith, southern cross, eppalock weir, bendigo art gallery, the hercules mine, gillies, aids & appliance shop, anne caudle centre, bill woodfull, harold larwood, dr john mccarthy, the hercules, douglas jardine, don bradman, sacred heart cathedral, joseph stapleton, john lynch, bert mcconchie, new red white and blue mine, royal humane society, william james, vernon shaw, south new moon mine, bendigo hospital, bendigo base hospital, duke of gloucester, rsl memorial hall, electricity commission, eaglehawk borough council, the plaza, backhaus estate, amalgamated freezing company, fortuna villa, mrs edith lansell, colonel lansell, the hercules mine, toni riley pharmacy, boardwalk, barkly hyett, the big blue consolidated company, the bendigo hospital, eaglehawk football team, kurmala wing of the bendigo base hospital, sir isaac isaacs, lyric theatre, sir john quick, hanro knitting mills, st luke's toddlers home, st aidan's orphanage, rsl memorial hall, lord and lady huntingfield, cr michelsen, bendigo art gallery, bendigo agricultural show, new blue mine, joseph stapleton, bendigo law association, bendigo hospital committee of management, bendigo rotary club, mr j mcrae, education department, andrew sunstan, sir stanley argyle, bendigo football league, north blue mining company, cr staples, king george v, king edward viii, cr j a michelsen, andrew mclay, bendigo advertiser, cohn bros, mrs wallis simpson, king george vi, capping mine shafts 1936, bendigo art gallery, madge freemen, william john leslie cross, judge wasley, the myer emporium, the baptist church, salvation army, ron masters, the central nell gwyn, sir john quick, leanne mcdonnell, windermere hotel, rev donald baker, john rumbold, central nell gwynne, the beehive building, the beehive store, james buick and co, thomas hope henderson, buick henderson & co, mr goodison, mr r o henderson, lt-col henderson, angus mackay, bendigo sewerage authority, mr s gordon moore, commercial bank of sydney, bendigo advertiser, edward alan morcom, polio, dr gardner kerr, the right rev conald baker, ridley theological college

Historical work by the Secretary of the Board for the Protection of the Aborigines. (c.1876) He describes his approach to his work, the collection of language information, culture and heritage, anatomical data, drawings of the traditional lifestyles and encounters with the people. Includes interesting observations on the works of William Thomas, Alfred W, Howitt, Philip Chaney, Albert A.C. La Souef, John Moore Davis and Rev. William Ridley.robert brough smyth, anthropology, aboriginal social life and customs, children, behaviour, death and burial customs, daily life, food, diseases, weapons, shields, boomerang, vessels, baskets, message sticks, stone tool technology, fire, canoes, myths, stories

Historical work by the Secretary of the Board for the Protection of the Aborigines. (c.1876) Volume two is devoted to Aboriginal languages, including comparisons of Victorian languages with those from New South Wales, word lists, vocabularies, and native names of trees and plants. Volume two also includes details and customs of the aborigines in Tasmania. Includes interesting observations on the works of William Thomas, Alfred W, Howitt, Philip Chaney, Albert A.C. La Souef, John Moore Davis and Rev. William Ridley.robert brough smyth, philip chauncy, william ridley, albert le souef, a. w. howitt, john moore davis, william locke, a. f. a. greeves, language comparisons, phrenology, aboriginal social life and customs, death and burial customs, weapons, tasmania, lake tyers, lake wellington, gippsland, ballarat, brabrolong, lake hindmarsh, kotoopna

The grave is that of Martha Williams and her father John and is the only existing grave in the old Mickleham Cemetery which was associated with the Wesleyan Chapel and is a reminder of the strength of the Wesleyan faith in the Mickleham district in the 19th century.A coloured photograph of a grave site with a concrete edge and low iron fence around it and a simple tombstone with a curved top. There are clumps of tussocky grass scattered across the grass and two sprawling eucalyptus are growing behind the grave.former mickleham cemetery, mt. ridley road, williams, martha, john, george evans collection

Two copies of the Bendigo Teachers' College Graduation Ceremony 1962 program. On the front page is a list of the staff working at the college - Mr. S. H. Walters (Principal), Miss J. C. Burnett, Mrs. N. F. Fawdry, Mrs. F. M. Petri, Mrs. H. Knox, Mrs. D. J. Andrew, Mrs. B. F. Hughes, Miss K. Alexander, Mrs. D. M. Philpot, Miss B. H. Cowling, Mrs. A. J. Coleman, Mr. W. D. Kolle, Mr. F. M. Courtis, Mr. P. M. Divola, Mr. E. J. Major, Mr. C. L. Barker, Mr. T. J. McCabe, Mr. F. G. East, Mr. D. O'Brien, Mr. W. J. F. Bernoth, Mr. R. L. Strauch, Mr. M. A. James, Mr. C. F. Houston, M. J. R. R. McLeod, Mr. G. G. Woodfield, Mr. K. C. Coles and Dr. G. A. Miller. On the inside cover is the "Significance of the Ceremony" and the "Order of the Ceremony". Mr. F. M. Courtis welcomed the visitors and the Principal read the College Charge. The 'Graduation Book' was presented to Mr. W. F. R. Budge by Miss J. C. Burnett. Mr. C. L. Barker presented the T.P.T.C. graduating students to the Principal and Mrs. N. F. Fawdry presented the T.I.T.C. graduating students to the Principal. Congratulations were offered by the Mayor of Bendigo Cr. R. A. Rae, J.P., the President of Strathfieldsaye Shire Cr. K. Houlahan, J. P. and Mr. E. P. Seymour, Head Teacher, Violet Street State School. The Occasional Address was given by Mr. L. J. Pryor Superintendent of Teacher Education. The following page contains a list of the "Students of 1960 - 1962 Trained Infant Teacher's Certificate". They are Glenys Faye Barrett, Marlene Isabella Bemrose, Beth Adora Bodinnar, Margaret Isobel Brown, Doris Lillian Chambers, Marie Ann Crawford, Margaret Carol Donne, Kaye Beverley Exell, Jannette Joyce Hughes, Margaret Christina Jenkins, Kathryn Margaret Lackmann, Susan Anne Lewer, Barbara June Lord, Jennifer Beris Matheson, Joy Lynette Messer, Geraldine Mary, Moylan, Patricia Joan O'Bree, Helen Jeanette Rodda, Lesley Scott, Heather Dawn Shenfield, Nola May Steele, Jennifer Margaret Weston and Alicia Yvonne Young. It also contains a paragraph describing "The Perfect Teacher". The back cover of the booklet has a list of "Students of 1961 - 1962 Trained Primary Teacher's Certificate". John Walter Angel, Elisabeth Ann Arkinstall, Mary Christina Backway, Helen Elizabeth Barclay, Bruce Maxwell Bouch, Pamela Mary Braden, Howard Francis Briggs, Clare Antoinette Brown, Alan John Bruce, Peter John Burns, Valerie Jean Caldwell, Marie Lynette Chambers, Margaret Jeannette Christie, Alison Ruth Clement, Marie Elaine Collins, Gladys Helena Cooke, Lindsay Charles Coster, David John Cowan, Peter John Cronin, Berenice Margaret Cronk, Edeline May Crouch, Theodore Robert Dare, Lynette Joan Davis, Ian David Dawson, Mary DeAraugo, Kenneth Ross Erbs, Francis Elaine Mary Fallon, Margaret Fawcett, Janet Frances Filbey, Francesco Gargiulo, Ian John Glenister, Barbara Faye Gotch, Lynette Ellen Graham, Colin Athol Hayes, Marlene Grace Hazen, Desmond Brian Hearn, Brentford Graeme Heath, Carmel Jean Heslop, Pamela Joy Higgie, Lynette Rosemary Cecelia Hoare, Erica Fay Holloway, Marie Jean Jardine, Kenneth Neil Johnson, Laurel Robyn Jones, Glenys Lorraine Judd, Diane Elizabeth Kear, Ann Elizabeth Keenan, Monica Cecelia Kelly, Margaret Elizabeth Landini, Patricia Joy Langdon, Dorothy Margaret Leitch, Donald Alan Leslie, Mary Carmel McCormack, Helen Mary McCutcheon, Birgitt Marx, Claire Agnes Mullins, Lucille Anne Newcombe, Glenice Vivienne Orr, Judith Joyce Ozanne, Wilma Beverley Pape, Virginia Elizabeth Parke, Robin Parker, Dorothy Joan Peterson, Robin Joan Phillips, Cherril Margaret Probyn, Norma Lesley Rantall, Nola Read, Margaret Elaine Ridley, Thomas Charles Rilen, Marie Therese Sharkey, Judith Margaret Spackman, Desmond Thomas Stephens, Nancy Rae Telfer, Bernard James Trevaskis, Marjorie Ellen Warden, Laurice Helen Warwick, Judith Maree Weir, Maxwell John White, Norman Leslie Williams, Pamela Williams and Lloyd Reginald Wishart. Within this document is a loose page showing the seating arrangements for the graduation. Staff seating arrangements are as follows - Walters, Barker, Seymour, Fawdry, McCabe, Woodfield, Alexander, Hughes, Divola, Major, Strauch, Pryor, Budge, Burnett, East, Houston, Petri, Andrew, Coles, McLeod, James, O'Brien.bendigo, education, bendigo teachers' college graduatio, la trobe university bendigo collection, collection, bendigo teachers' college, bendigo, education, teaching, teachers, students, staff, bendigo teachers' college students, bendigo teachers' college staff, history, graduation, graduation ceremony, book, tertiary education, graduands, graduates

PREMIERSHIP 1958 .1 BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF CLUNES FOOTBALL TEAM. PREMIERS CLUNES FOOTBALL LEAGUE 1958 MOUNTED ON CARDBOARD .2 COPY OF PHOTOGRAPHPRINTED UNDER THE BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO; BACK ROW - W HUDSON, D COULTON, D FINNIS, N MILLGATE, J CLARKE, W JONES, R MILLGATE, D PEARSE, T FRASER, T COON, K SENOY, J MCLENNAN, J HIGGINS, I MAHER MIDDLE ROW - E STEART, J MITCHELL, R JONES, K STEART, R ANDREWS, I LEISCHMAN, F COLLINS, B BELL, R FLYNN, R FAWCETT, K OULTEN, A STEART, K RIDLEY FRONT ROW - B ANDREWS, G MCLENNAN, R DOLAN, L QUINTON local history, photographs, sport, football

This majestic peacock embodies the technical achievement, skill and ingenuity of artisans during the 19th century. It is now known as the 'Loch Ard Peacock' and was designed and modelled in 1873 by Paul Comolera (1818-1897) and fired in one piece at the Minton factory at Stoke-on-Trent in the United Kingdom in 1875. The peacock has been portrayed in symbolic motifs and has figured heavily in folktales and fables since antiquity, and many cultures around the world see it as a symbol of beauty, rebirth and power. Wealthy Victorians loved majolica, and the large peacock would have been the ultimate home accessory as a conservatory ornament – combining their desire for nature, the exotic and vibrant colours. The peacock model was listed in catalogues by Minton & Co. for a retail price of 35 guineas or sold as a pair for 90 guineas. Minton & Co. was founded in 1793 by Thomas Minton (1765–1836) and became a famous pottery and porcelain manufacturer. Comolera was a French artist and sculptor, renowned for dramatic naturalistic forms and life-size renditions of birds and animals that won him admiration in public and artistic circles. He was employed by Minton & Co. from 1873 to 1880, and the life-sized peacock became his best-known work. Comolera kept a live peacock loaned from the nearby Duke of Sutherland's Trentham Hall Estate in his studio to create a life-size model of fine buff earthenware model, which was then hand painted in brilliantly coloured green and blue glazes to mimic the peafowl’s dazzling plumage. There are no surviving production records, but according to documents in the Minton Archive, nine peacocks were made by Comolera. However, today, some historians now believe that twelve were fired at the Minton factory; research is ongoing. These peacocks were so admired that Minton & Co. used them as exhibition showpieces at International Exhibitions in London, Paris, and the United States of America, ensuring the company had a worldwide reputation. So, when Melbourne hosted an International Exposition in 1880, Minton & Co. sent out ceramics and tiles, and in particular, this peacock was intended to be part of their exhibit in the British Court in the Exhibition Building, built in the Carlton Gardens. The early dispatch date (1878) indicates that the company may have intended to exhibit their wares, including the peacock, at the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition, but the company did not take up this option. The ship that Minton & Co. used to bring the peacock and their other wares to the Australian colonies was the ill-fated Loch Ard, which sunk after striking Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell, Victoria, in calm foggy weather in June 1878 on the final leg of the ship's journey to Melbourne. The loss of 52 lives made it one of Victoria’s worst shipwrecks. Therefore, this peacock never made it to the grand exposition in Melbourne, as Minton & Co. had planned. Charles McGillivray dragged this peacock, still in its original packing case, onto the beach in the gorge just two days after the Loch Ard went down. The peacock was rescued unscathed apart from a chip on its beak (only repaired in 1988). After a disagreement with a Melbourne Customs Officer, Joseph Daish, McGillivray stopped his salvage operations, leaving the peacock on the beach. The second salvagers were James Miller and Thomas Keys. Miller was a member of the firm Howarth, Miller and Matthews, Geelong, who had brought the salvage rights to the Loch Ard wreck on 10 June. When Miller and Keys arrived at the wreck site, a storm had washed many of the salvaged goods, including this peacoc,k back into the sea. The two men found the peacock in its case ‘bobbing along in the water’ and pulled it back to the beach. To ensure the peacock wasn't washed out to sea again, Miller and Keys hauled the packing case containing the peacock up the gorge's cliff face to the top, ready to be transported. In an interview in 1928, Keys claimed that at the time of the rescue, the head had broken from the body. This account was proven to be true in 1988, following the birds' display in Brisbane. This peacock began its life in Australia, not in the grandeur of an International Exhibition as intended, but in the hallway of a simple domestic house in Geelong. It appears Minton & Co. did not attempt to buy this peacock back. Florence Miller, daughter of James Miller (Loch Ard salvage rights holder), later remarked that the only item of real value rescued from the wreck had been the peacock and that this had been kept by her father in the family home at Malvern for many years and became a treasured family possession. As such, this 'Loch Ard peacock' was almost forgotten and mistaken with other Minton peacocks around the world. Miss Florence Miller tried to sell the peacock due to financial difficulties in the 1930s but was unsuccessful. While attempting to sell her Loch Ard relic, it was displayed in the window of the old Argus newspaper office, which was at 76 Collins Street, Melbourne; the Argus had relocated to the corner of Elizabeth and La Trobe Streets in 1926. Between 1935 and 1939, the old Argus building was occupied by the Joshua N. McClelland Print Room, which sold not only paintings and prints but also antiques and authentic replicas, as well as hosting exhibitions. Miss Florence Miller loaned her peacock for display at the Victorian Historical Exhibition held in the National Gallery on 1st June 1935, the 57th anniversary of the Loch Ard wreck. As a result, the peacock attracted public attention in books, newspapers and magazine articles that told the story of its survival from a shipwreck. Miss Florence Miller was keen to sell the peacock, even writing overseas to Captain Blain on November 30th, 1938, about the possibility of a sale, but this became no longer possible due to the outbreak of war. Recent information points to the Loch Ard peacock being owned by John S R Heath before its sale to Frank Ridley-Lee in May 1941. Research is ongoing, but it seems likely that John Samuel Robert Heath, a leading Melbourne dentist with a practice in Collins Street, and his wife, a dental mechanic, had purchased Miss Miller’s Loch Ard peacock before its sale in 1941. They were lovers of fine arts, music, wine and food. The peacock in the window of the old Argus building could have attracted their attention as they had already purchased the old stone Presbyterian Church on Warrigal Road, Oakleigh, in 1933 and had converted its interior. The home, renamed The Studio, even included Melbourne’s first all-electric kitchen. The peacock was perfect for display in the Studio’s entrance. A magazine article published after the conversion was completed included photographs of the interior. The picture of the ‘portico’ had a caption below that stated, “Some of her [Mrs Heath’s] finest pottery was salvaged from the Loch Ard Wreck”. In 2025, Heath’s two remaining sons remember running around in the entrance with the peacock standing there, oblivious to its value. Heath was an accomplished artist, studying under Max Meldrum. He painted and exhibited his works at The Studio and in a public exhibition, and he was a finalist eight times in the coveted Archibald Prize portrait competition, including the submission of his self-portrait that is now part of his grandson’s collection. The next owner of the Loch Ard Peacock was Frank Ridley-Lee. He displayed it at his home in Ivanhoe after buying it at an auction in May 1941. The peacock remained in the hands of the Ridley-Lee family until it was offered for sale by auction in 1975 as part of an art collection belonging to Mrs Ridley-Lee's estate. The peacock was not sold at this time, as the reserve price of $4500 was not met. This news was passed on to the board of the newly created Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Urgent efforts were made to collect the necessary money through fundraising by the Warrnambool City Council and public donations. The Fletcher Jones Company and the Victorian Government contributed half the cost. On 9 September 1975, the Loch Ard peacock was purchased by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, and it found a new home at the maritime museum. Since then, it has only left Warrnambool twice. Firstly, in 1980, at the centenary celebrations of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, and secondly, in 1988, the peacock was given pride of place at the entrance to the Victorian Pavilion at the Brisbane World Expo, acknowledging that this Minton Majolica peacock is the most significant shipwreck object in Australia. The Minton majolica peacock is considered of historical social and aesthetic significance to Victoria and is one of only a few 'objects' registered on the Victorian Heritage Register (H 2132), as it is a most notable and rare object associated with the Minton factory of the 1870s and works by the celebrated sculptor Paul Comolera along with the wreck of the Loch Ard on the Victorian coastline. This Minton peacock is historically significant for its rarity; it was one of only 9-12 known to exist. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is also of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register Ref (S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's early social and historical themes. The collection is historically significant is that it is associated, unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. The peacock, resplendent in polychrome glaze, stands perched on a rocky plinth decorated with vines, leaves, flowers, blackberries and wild mushrooms. The peacock’s breast is cobalt blue; the wings and legs are in naturalistic colours. The tail is a mass of feathers coloured in green, ochre blue and brown — a fantastic display of artistry and Minton expertise. Inscribed at the base :P Comolera, and a Minton & Co. design number: 2045.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, loch ard, loch ard gorge, peacock, paul comolera, victorian heritage register, minton peacock, minton & co., stoke upon trent, bird figures, mintons, ceramics, international expositions, majolica, naturalistic, staffordshire, john samuel robert heath, peacock statue, loch ard peacock, majorca peacock