Cornet music manuscript book written out by W. P. Joyce of Geelong in the 1890s and handed on to a young Ballarat junior cornet champion Michael Taffe in the early twentieth century. Significant in its relationship to the importance of brass band music in the 1890s-1920s in both Ballarat and Geelong and regional Australia in general. Taffe also played under the instruction of Dr Percy Jones of Geelong.Inscription inside back cover, - 'W.P.Joyce April 27th '91 Geelongmusic, cornet, geelong, w. p. joyce, m. taffe

After a quiet period, interest in bookplates in Australia began to increase in the early 1970s, This example was commissioned from Andrew Thomas a Ballarat photographer and designer by Michael Taffe owner of Hymettus at Ballarat in the 1990s and is a computer assisted design. It incorporates the generational family home, Hymettus and the family coat of arms with the owner's signature.Bookplate from Hymettus Cottage and Garden, first open to the public in 1917 as champion garden City of Ballaarat. the bookmark indicates the book it is affixed to was part of the family library in the house and represents four generations from 19th, 20th and 21st centuries a rare phenomenon in urban Australia.Bookplate depicts "Hymettus", a weatherboard cottage behind a paling fence with cottage name above image and family crest below.Signature of M. J. Taffe.ballarat, bookplate, hymettus, taaffe, taffe, andrew thomas

Arguably the only nineteenth century working man's exhibition garden in its original form and with original elements extant in Australia and still maintained by the descendants of the 19th century owners. Horticultural awards from three centuries remain in situ in the cottage.Ballarat was renowned as a garden city and this title was used as a popular tourism drawcard from very early in the city's development. Public and private gardens were often open to the public and in the case of Hymettus the garden is recorded as being open to the public as early as 1917.A late Victorian silver and gilt plated trophy dedicated as a horticultural or prize garden award.Presented by Cr The Honorable F. Brawn M.L.C. Won by Mr M. Taffe. Years 1915 - 1918. 31/10/18.ballarat, horticulture, garden competition, exhibition, horticultural awards, flower shows

This local flower show award from 1905 together with others in the collection demonstrates the significance of such shows as a form of social activity as well as horticultural science over the decades. It is also an example of church groups being involved in the social fabric of the community and activities that embraced all segments of the community of different religious persuasions as the certificate was awarded to Michael Taffe, a Roman Catholic in a Church of England enclave. The Girls' Friendly Society founded in England in 1875 was an Anglican Church group which formed to give maids and female domestic staff spiritual guidance and social activities for their days off. The first local Australian branch was formed in Adelaide in 1879 with branches being established in Ballarat from the 1880s. Other certificates from 1899 to the 1930s in this collection of Taffe awards come from a range of faiths and community groups. This award is one of a family collection from the nineteenth century through to the twenty-first century further demonstrating horticultural enthusiasts exhibition participation across generations.This certificate evidences one of the activities of the Girls Friendly Society St Paul's Branch in a community event that embraced the local community. The Girls Friendly Society commenced in Ballarat in the 1880s and this certificate evidences one way in which the movement not only raised funds but actively involved itself in the local community regardless of creed.Inscribed 'Stock Double Mr M J Taffe'.girls friendly society, st paul's, flower show, 1905,, ballarat

1919 Grand National Eisteddfod of Australasia: South Street Competition Ballarat Third place certificate awarded to M. J. Taffe for Champion Bugle Solo. Signed by the founder of the Competition W. D. Hill.Awarded to M. J. Taffe for Champion Bugle Solo and signed by the founder of the Competition W. D. Hill. The Taffe family, like many local families, were involved in community affairs and associations across the years. It is unusual for the generations of one family to retain these mementoes of activities in a generational home in Australia. This second Michael Taffe was active in several brass bands in the city and also was a bugler in the 71st Battalion Band.Grand National Eisteddfod of Australasia Prize Certificate.w d hill, michael taffe, ballarat, cornet solo, south street competitions, bugle, military

Won by Michael Taffe at the Flinders St station Ballroom in October 1924. Michael Taffe had been the Australian Junior Cornet Solo Champion four years earlier.This certificate is an example of the support the Victorian Railways Institute, and other government and corporate staff organisations gave to their employees in a range of cultural fields from the nineteenth to the late twentieth century. Small certificate with Victorian Railways Institute seal.Details provided in copperplate writing - M. J. Taffe, First Prize 82 Points Instrumental Division Cornet Solo Institute Event , signed by president and secretary and dated Melbourne 18th October 24.victorian railways institute, cornet, taffe, melbourne, central station., railways

Ballarat and Vicinity bound into later quarter leather binding with book label of Inside front cover and stamp of original owner Muedal on original cover. Edited by W. B. Kimberly of Chicago U.S.A. and published by FW Niven & Co.non-fictionBallarat and Vicinity. A comprehensive history of her past , a resume of her resources, together with the biographies of her representative pioneers.. Edited by W. B. Kimberly and others of Chicago U.S.A. This copy has later twentieth century binding probably commissioned by book collector Rollo Hammett. Publisher: FW Niven & Co.ballarat, niven, eureka

The Bicentenary Education medal was produced by the Australian Bicentennial Authority as a memento for distribution to all school students in Australia in 1988. One of the many medals struck to commemorate 200 years of European settlement in Australia and distributed to all school students as part of bicentennial celebrations. This package being that of Glen Taffe of Hymettus Cottage.Cupro-nickel medal commissioned by the Commonwealth of Australia to commemorate the Australian Bicentenary in 1988. The medal was designed by Michael Meszaros and M. Tracey and minted by the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra. The obverse was designed by Melbourne artist Michael Meszaros and depicts school children climbing steps with the Southern Cross in the sky and the word 'EDUCATION' below. The reverse, designed by M. Tracey, features the Bicentennial logo, a map of Australia formed by intersecting diagonal lines. The medal was presented to school children in a sealed sleeve with Bicentenary artwork to commemorate the Bicentenary in 1988australian bi-centenary, education, commonwealth of australia