The “Crossing the Line” ceremony is a tradition in the Royal Australian Navy when a vessel crosses the equator. It is an initiation ceremony to commemorate a sailor's first crossing of the Equator, but during the war in Vietnam it was done for the soldiers on board the HMAS Sydney (also known as the Vung Tau Ferry because it did 25 trips transporting soldiers between Sydney and Vung Tau or vice-versa). These equator-crossing ceremonies typically involve an initiation using water, carried out by King Neptune. Those who have yet to cross the equator are known as 'Pollywogs' or 'Tadpoles', while those who have been initiated are referred to as 'Shellbacks'. Yellowed page with line-drawing in black of King Neptune riding three fish at the top and a mermaid at the bottom. Text is in old fashioned font with details written in blue ink.Heading - Nept V NVS Rex/ Text/ Terence J Kevlin travelled on board HMAS Sydney/ Signed 23rd Dec 1967 by Captain of HMAS Sydney on behalf of King Neptune.crossing the line, hmas sydney, terence j kevlin., kevlin, vung tau ferry, equator, neptune

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of a digger from 9th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. He has been 'found guilty' by courtiers of 'King Neptune' during the "crossing of the line" ceremony on board the Vung Tau Ferry, HMAS Sydney taking 9RAR to service in Vietnam.photograph, hmas sydney, 9th battalion, 9 rar, vung tau ferry, crossing the line, gibbons collection catalogue, vietnam war, denis gibbons, photographer, digger, diggers, king neptune

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of a digger from 9th Royal Australian Regiment, is found guilty and prepared for his doom by Courtiers of King Neptune during the "crossing of the line" ceremony on board the Vung Tau Ferry, HMAS Sydney, taking the Battalion to war service in Vietnamphotograph, hmas sydney, vung tau ferry, 9 rar, gibbons collection catalogue, digger, the royal australian regiment, courtiers of king neptune, crossing of the line, 9th battalion, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of digger from 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment watch as the courtiers of "King Neptune" during the "crossing of the line" ceremony on board the Vung Tau Ferry HMAS Sydney, taking the 9RAR for service in Vietnam, arrest a digger for being "over dressed".photograph, hmas sydney, vung tau ferry, 9 rar, gibbons collection catalogue, digger, 9th battalion, royal australian regiment, courtiers of king neptune, denis gibbons

A photo of an Annual demonstration at the Melbourne Town Hall in 1950 showing a large group on the stage. The central figure appears to be King Neptune. Throughout the year Melbourne Legacy provided classes for Junior Legatees such as dancing, gymnastics and Eurythmics. The Demonstration was an annual event to showcase their skills. Melbourne Legacy conducted Annual Demonstrations / Parades from 1928 through to 1979, usually held at Melbourne Town Hall. The beautiful costumes were made by members of the Junior Legacy Mothers' Club and the Melbourne Legacy Wives' Association.A record of the displays at the Annual Demonstrations. Also that Legacy provided classes for junior legatees and the skills learned were displayed in the Annual Demonstration.Black and white photo of large group on the Melbourne Town Hall stage around King Neptune. junior legatees, demonstration, annual demonstration, girls classes

Black and white photo of girls in elaborate costumes for an Annual Demonstration. There appears to be frogs or sea creatures around two central figures and King Neptune at the rear. The year is not known but it is in the 1940s or 1950s as the album was a collection of press photos taken during dress rehearsals from that time. Throughout the year Melbourne Legacy provided classes for Junior Legatees such as dancing, gymnastics and Eurythmics. The Demonstration was an annual event to showcase their skills. Melbourne Legacy conducted Annual Demonstrations / Parades from 1928 through to 1979, usually held at Melbourne Town Hall. The beautiful costumes were made by members of the Junior Legacy Mothers' Club and the Melbourne Legacy Wives' Association.A record of the displays at the Annual Demonstrations. Also that Legacy provided classes for junior legatees and the skills learned were displayed in the Annual Demonstration.Black and white photo in an album of dancers in elaborate outfits with King Neptune at the rear.junior legatees, demonstration, annual demonstration, girls classes, costumes

"Crossing the line" was an important maritime ritual and denoted the first crossing of the equator by a sailor. This photograph has been taken by Allan Charles Quinn and obviously is not his first crossing but depicts aspects of the ceremony, in particular the way in which crew members would dress up to represent King and Queen Neptune. This photograph was exhibited by the Mission to Seafarers as part of the exhibition "Letters from Abroad" in 2012.This is a photograph from the Allan Charles Quinn collection which is a collection of letters and photograph depicting aspects of life at sea for a young man in the era immediately following World War II.Black and white photograph of the "crossing the line" ceremony aboard the Ariston in 1946. Crew members are dressed as King and Queen Neptune.Black ink on reverse: Crossing the equator/ 10.9.46allan-charles-quinn, crossing-the-line, sweden, central-america, north-west-indies, south-america, equator, ariston, letters-from-abroad

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Diggers of 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment watching as the courtiers of 'King Neptune' during the 'crossing of the line' ceremony on board the Vung Tau Ferry HMAS Sydney taking the 9RAR for service in Vietnam, and move in procession to the 'King's Throne'.photograph, 9th battalion, 9 rar, vung tau ferry, hmas sydney, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, diggers, kings throne

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of diggers from 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. After being 'found guilty' one is cast into the sea by courtiers of King Neptune during the 'crossing of the line' ceremony on board the Vung Tau Ferry HMAS Sydney, taking the Battalion to war service in Vietnam.photograph, hmas sydney, vung tau ferry, 9th battalion, royal australian regiment, crossing the line, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, diggers

The S.S. Peterton a steamship was built in Glasgow and launched 1917.Small black and white photograph of informal group of seafarers with one member of crew dressed up as a king with crown (possibly Neptune). Photographed on deck of ship while in a PortHandwritten in black ink on page or mount beneath image " Officers and crew of the S.S. Peterton"seafarers, officers, costumes, crew, life on board, duncan album

A group of eleven dancers dressed in diaphanous gowns surround Cerberus mascot, Bruce of Woodside, and his sailor handler. Also visible is a large commemorative bell inscribed thus: "Bell presented HMAS Melbourne by the Chairman & Court of Directors of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company in commemoration of the invaluable services rendered by the SS "TAFF", St Lucia April 1916" “Bruce of Woodside” and The Society Girls September 1934: During a break in rehearsals for the Naval Pageant at HMAS Cerberus Flinders Naval Depot, King Neptune’s sea nymphs were photographed in their diaphanous sea-green draperies. The sea nymphs were a “who’s who” of Melbourne’s high society young women who often featured in Table Talk, a weekly social magazine with articles about local and overseas notables, their fashions, social engagements and relationships. Pet HMAS Cerberus bulldog mascot “Bruce of Woodside”, accompanied by his sailor handler, led naval parades and events wearing a Cerberus sailor hat, and achieved the rank of three badge Petty Officer. Every day at three bells (13:00 hours), Bruce ate a pound and half of raw steak and two raw eggs. Later, Bruce was demoted to Leading Seaman for “eating a goldfish out of the fish pond at the captain’s residence”. Bruce was demoted again for urinating on the wheels of the Captain’s car. On 28 July 1935, when Bruce collapsed and died of a chill after his customary swim, the papers declared it “to the sorrow of every man in the depot”. Featured in "Newsworthy : Melbourne in photographs 1933-1936" exhibition held at East Melbourne Library from October to December 2023. Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer: The names of the sea nymphs: Miss Maisie Cooper, Miss Lorna Dawson, Mrs W. Catanach, Mrs Wallace Smith, Misses Valerie Wallace Smith, Beth Paxton, Elizabeth Darling, Barbara and Joyce Hayden Smith, Alison Mein, Valerie Pratt, Shirley Pratt, Brenda Payne, Elaine Knox-Knight, Betty Matear, Joan Ramsay, Ann Outhwaite [daughter of artist Ida Rentoul Outhwaite], Iris Connolly, Carmen Burridge, Dora Tait. The Naval Pageant, held at the Melbourne Show Ground, 31 October - 3 November 1934, was arranged as part of the Navy's contribution to the Victorian Centenary Celebrations. It was produced and acted by officers and men from the Navy Office, Flinders Naval Depot, H.M.A.S. Squadron, R.A.N.R. Depot, Williamstown, and R.A.N.R. Depot, Port Melbourne. Included were songs and marches, episodes from the life of Captain Cook, drill in honour of Nelson, Drake, Neptune's Court, and episodes from 1914. This was essentially family entertainment - advertisements in the souvenir programme are for ice creams, chocolates and engagement rings. A note about the episode in Cook's life in Tahiti reads 'The dresses worn by Tahitian dancing girls at this period were not considered suitable for the pageant, and historical accuracy has been sacrificed for attractiveness in choosing the raffia skirts of Hawaii.' References: Cerberus Shipmates (2002, December 5). Royal Australian Navy News (National : 1958 - 2021), p. 16. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article267342311 NAVAL PAGEANT (1934, June 25). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243171504 BRUCE WILL PARADE NO MORE (1935, July 29). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244930224 Souvenir Programme, 'Victorian Centenary Celebrations Naval Pageant', Ramsay Publishing, Melbourne, 1934. Source: Museums Victoria https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/264023Photographer notations on slide: "Naval tattoo Girl dancers with sailors and naval mascot 1934".dancers, dogs, navy, events

Newspaper supplement titled Bendigo's Century Volume Five: 1940 - 1949. Each year has heading of Who's Who, Weather, Sport and Business. Front page is titled Bendigo's Century and has a photo of a group of soldiers in uniform and with rifles. They were district servicemen on leave in 1944. Each year has heading of Who's Who, Weather, Sport and Business. First years are 1940 - 1949 titled Bendigo as it was. It has two photos of women wading through the 1949 Pall Mall flood waters and one of Miners in the crib room of the Central Deborah Mine. They are Jackie Lewis, Bob Johnson, W Landy, Ryga Yates and Les Johnson. 1940 - Army moves in to racecourse, 1941 - Devastating fire at pottery, 1942 - Forces expand, 1943 - Nation's eyes on Bendigo, 1944 - News dawns of D-day landing, 1945 - City cheers the end of the war, 1946 - Celebrations begin in city, 1947 - Gallery gets top paintings, 1948 - Water plan looks good and 1949 - Flood takes a toll on city.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - bendigo's century - volume five: 1940 - 1949, bendigo advertiser, central deborah mine, jackie lewis, bob johnson, w landy, ryga yates, les johnson, central nell gwynne, department of defence, bendigo jockey club, 8th division, robert menzies, deborah mine, bendigo decentralisation vigilance committee, cr w h taylor, bendigo war funds organisation, the easter fair society, bendigo agricultural show committee, mr e g ham, mr j v fairbairn, cr a staples, the bendigo chamber of commerce, richard hartley smith abbott, captain harley abbott, bendigo art gallery, bill woodfull, bendigo high school, north deborah mine, boardwalk, toni riley pharmacy, windermere hotel, cr g a pethard, coliban system, north deborah mine, bendigo pottery, bendigo trades hall council, private lawrence burstall, major-general g j rankin mhr, andrew dunstan, ordnance factory, royal australian navy, hmas bendigo, sec offices, muioof, ymca, georger addlem, fred addlem, cr a j anderson, pauline buvhan thompson, leslie thompson, edward joseph leonski, bendigo football league, mr j dedman, william stephens, forest street methodist church, pte charles phillips, pte w e durward, pte t foley, william john stephens, central nell gwynne, air chief marshall sir arthur tedder, cr taylor, united nations, flying officer, r bruce tuff, flight lieutenant owens, royal air force, commonwealth war workers housing trust scheme, mr s mckinnon, bendigo decentralised vigilance committee, ravenswood estate, john lienhop mlc, margaret (peggy) brennan, strathfieldsaye shire council, school of mines, bendigo base hospital, william george ashman, ashman's tailors, bendigo jockey club, victorian football association, bendigo east swimming pool, deborah anticline, specimen hill methodist church, north deborah, adolf hitler, benito mussolini, australian 7th division, cr galvin, bendigo war funds organisation, hmas bendigo, lt-commander jackson, bendigo football league, central deborah mine, victoria day, cr truscott, bendigo gaol, lansellstowe, awas barracks, bendigo citizens committee, john cain snr, ordnance factory, bendigo agricultural society, the duke of gloucester, duchess of gloucester, bendigo tennis association, north deborah, gillies famous pies, aids & appliance shop, mrs georgina scott, dr j a neptune scott, alfred sisley, corot, daubigney, louis sonnenberg, gas employees' union, john lienhop, soldier settlement commission, burnewang estate, king george vi, princess elizabeth, lt philip mountbatten, mr e j w herbert, ansett airways, reg ansett, most rev, dr john mccarthy, dr bernard stewart, michael giudice, bendigo united breweries, bendigo lyric photo plays, bendigo sun newspaper, shamrock hotel, west bendigo progress association, alan mcdonald, south bendigo football club, albert collier, j t webbo, mervyn tresize, state rivers and water supply commission, eppalock reservoir, public works committee, bendigo rotary club, john edgar, bendigo base hospital, albert dunstan, benevolent home, magetti's wine hall, wallace reef wine hall, magetti family, albert magetti, lance galvin, bradford cotton spinnings (victoria) pty otd, arthur syer, stanley crossman, albert arthur dunstan, rev dr henry backhaus, city family hotel, lyric theatre, bank of australasia, city club hotelcolonial mutual building, r matchett & co, lansellstowe, leonard lansell, bendigo bas hospital, australian women's army service, mr hollway, kenworth (aust) ltd, foggitt jones's bacon factory, gordon sayers, sandhurst trustees, dr john drowley, alexander hislop, royal mint, north deborah mine, ironbark south mining company, central nell gwynne company, new chum syncline

George Bass and Matthew Flinders made a voyage along the northern coast of Van Diemen's Land in 1798 to prove the existence of Bass Strait. The first vessel to attempt such a passage was the "Lady Nelson" under Lieutenant James Grant. Men sought out Bass Strait without the benefit of a lighthouse for the first half of the 19th Century after which, after several maritime disasters, on 29 August 1848, Cape Otway lighthouse commenced operation. Cape Wickham lighthouse, on King Island, joined its companion at Cape Otway on 1 November 1861.Beacons of hope. An early history of Cape Otway and King Island lighthouses. Donald Walker. 1st ed. Neptune Press; Belmont (Vic); 1981. ii, 154 p.; illus., maps, index. Soft cover. ISBN 0 909131 67 8Signed by author: Donald Walker.cape otway; king island; cape wickham; lighthouse;