Architect of Fortuna Villa Carl William Vahland was born in 1828 in Nienburg an der Weser, Germany. He trained at the prestigious Polytechnic Baugewerkschule in Holzminden, excelling in building and architecture. Emigrated to Melbourne in 1854, motivated by political unrest in Germany and the lure of the goldfields. Quickly he moved to Bendigo, joining other German migrants who contributed significantly to the region. Early Initially worked as a carpenter, then established himself as an architect in Bendigo by 1856. He Formed partnerships with other German architects, notably Robert Getzschmann and later his son Henry.Major. He Designed many of Bendigo’s most prominent buildings, including the Town Hall, Shamrock Hotel, Bendigo Hospital, Benevolent Asylum, School of Mines, Mechanics Institute, Princess Theatre, Masonic Temple, Alexandra Fountain, and several banks and churches. His firm also worked in other Victorian towns and opened an office in Echuca. Favored French Renaissance and Hellenistic Greek styles, influenced by German architectural trends. He Married Jane Barrow in 1859; they had ten children, though three died young. Became a naturalized Australian and anglicized his name to William Vahland. He Owned and developed the Charterhouse estate and vineyard at Runnymede, exporting award-winning wine to Europe. Justice of the Peace for over 40 years, city councillor, and mayor of Bendigo. Held leadership roles in the fire brigade, German Association, Bendigo Mutual Permanent Land and Building Society, and other local organizations. Active Freemason and published a book on freemasonry in Bendigo. Retired in 1900, briefly returned to the firm after his son’s death, and finally retired in 1912. Died in 1915 at age 87; his funeral was attended by many prominent citizens, and flags were flown at half-mast in his honor. William Vahland’s legacy is seen in Bendigo’s architectural heritage and his broad contributions to the city’s civic, cultural, and economic life.Fortuna Article - Plans of the Villa 1871 This item contains the following documents: 11217.81a Plan Garden Front for G. Lansell Esq. - 1 A4 Sheet 11217.81b Plan Facade 2 - 1 A4 Sheet 11217.81c Plan Facade 6 - 1 A4 Sheet 11217.81d Plan Garden Elevation and plan of Ground Floor and Second Floor with Section on line xx - 1 A4 Sheet 11217.81e Plan Basement and ground floor- 1 A4 Sheet 11217.81f Plan Basement and ground floor - 1 A3 Sheet - stamped with William C Vahland Architect Sandhurstnon-fictionbendigo, fortuna, george lansell, william vahland

Light blue/grey book titled Jubilee Celebrations of the Brunswick St. John's Lodge No. 78 formerly known as St. John the Baptist Lodge No 1518. Celebrations were on Wednesday, 5th November, 1924. The book is a short history of the Brunswick St. John's Lodge, No. 78. Some photos in the book are: Cornish Arms Hotel, Wor Bro William Dods, Wor Bro P F Donald, Wor Bro John Bedford, Wor Bro F G Manchester, Rt Wor Bro F G Manchester, Wor Bro E L Hayden, Wor Bro O R Snowball, Wor Bro Robert Bugg, Wor Bro D H Hogan, Very Wor Bro F W Seekamp, Wor Bro Edward Saunders, Wor Bro F W Murphy, Wor Bro Robert Yorke and the Brunswick United Masonic Temple, Printed at the Office of 'The Victorian Craftsman' by g. A. Sharman, 23 Wright's Lane, Melbourne. Hand written on the first page 'With Compliments W Jones P.J.G.D. 5/11/24.Printed at the Office of 'The Victorian Craftsman,' by G.A. Sharman, 23 Wright's Lane, Melbourne.event, social, jubilee celebration, masonic society events (various) - jubilee celebrations of the brunswick st. john's lodge no. 78 1924, st john the baptist lodge no 1518, brunswick united masonic temple, wor bro w jones, cornish arms hotel, wor bro william dods, wor bro p f donald, wor bro john bedford, wor bro f g manchester, rt wor bro f g manchester, wor bro e l hayden, wor bro o r snowball, wor bro robert bugg, wor bro d h hogan, very wor bro f w seekamp, wor bro edward saunders, wor bro f w murphy, wor bro robert yorke, brunswick united masonic temple

A plastic bag containing ephemeral items. (I) A Christmas card dated Christmas 1918 New Year 1919. Printed for Wor.Bro. G.A. Pethard W.M., Golden and Corinthian Lodge, No. 7, Bendigo. It has a photo of the Masonic Temple Bendigo in the centre of the card. (II) 2 copies of the Australian Comforts Fund Victorian Division newspaper depot tags.(III) An assortment of cards and ephemeral pieces of paper. (IV) A thankyou gift card to the Mayoress (Mrs. Geo. Pethard) from the Debutantes set of 1952 thanking her for her support and wishing her the best in the years ahead. (V) A 'Well done, Boys!' welcome home tag. (VI) Golden Square Methodist Church invitation to a social evening on 17th. August, 1951 in aid of the Carpet Fund. It is in the form of a rhyme and a small hand made money bag. (VII) A Melbourne Cricket Club lady's ticket dated 1961-62 (VIII) A printed 1911 Xmas card from Mrs Mulgrove and Frank, 'Charlton,' Church Street, Woking. (IX) 8 tickets for various welcome home socials to the Golden Square returned soldiers 1918.lydia chancellor, collection, ephemera, christmas, golden and corinthian lodge bendigo, masonic temple bendigo, 1952 mayoral debutantes set, golden square methodist church, melbourne cricket club, world war 1, golden square returned soldiers, australian comforts fund.

a/ Re-Dedication of the Bendigo Temple, View Street, Bendigo. By M. Wor. Bro. Major General, Sir Robert Risson, C.B.E., D.S.O. O.St.J., E.D. Grand Master and Grand Officers. Saturday, October 19th 1974. Bendigo Lodges A. F. & A. Masons of Victoria. Golden & Corinthian No. 7, Zenith No. 52, Sandhurst No. 194, Corona No. 195, Composite No. 314, Bendigo City No. 714. Re-Dedication Team Presiding Officer: M.W.Bro. Sir. Robert Risson, G.M. Deputy Grand Master R.W.Bro. C. R. B. James, D.G.M. Grand Master of Ceremonies V.W.Bro. L. Retchford, G.D.C. Senior Grand Warden R.W.Bro. L. G. Grant, S.G.W. Junior Grand Warden R.W.Bro. A. J. L. W. Greenwood, J.G.W.Grand Chaplain V.W.Bro. Rev. J.R. Lawton, G.Chap. Grand Supt. Of Works V.W.Bro. F. C. Galbraith, G I.Wkgs. Grand Secretary R.W.Bro. G. W. Jackson, P.D.G.M., G.Sec. Grand Deacons for Dedication Wor.Bro. B. A. McMillian, S.G.D. and Wor.Bro. D. E. Plaisted, J.G.D. Grand Sword Bearer Wor.Bro. J. R. Evans, G.Swd.B. Gand Organist Wor.Bro. J. N. Cowan, G.Org. Grand Pursuivant Wor.Bro. A. A. Eagle, A.G.Purs. Grand Herald Wor. Bro. P. J. Grenfell, P.G.Std.B., G.Her. Censer Stewards Wor. Bro. H. J. Blunden, G.Stwd. And Wor.Bro. B. D. Cross, G.Stwd. Historical, Brief History on Bendigo Masonic Temple, View Street, Bendigo, 1874-1974. Local historian, Bro. J. N. Macartney, in his book had this to say:- ''The Masonic Hall is by far the grandest building in Sandhurst (Bendigo), and a fitting and right noble home for such an Order to place their ark in. The building is one on the pure Corinthian order, lofty without, and spacious within; therein is the finest Assembly Hall out of Melbourne Town Hall. What an imposing façade, with its tapering columns rearing the graceful acanthus-leaf capitals 40 feet. . . . With the growth of Freemasonry in Bendigo, new Craft Lodges were established, as were lodges of higher degrees. At present the following lodges use the Temple and hall facilities:- Golden & Corinthian Lodge No. 7. Zenith Lodge, No. 52. Sanhurst Lodge, No. 194. Corona Lodge No. 195. The Lodge Composite, No. 314. Bendigo City Lodge, No. 714. The Bendigo Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No. 12. Royal Golden Chapter, No. 3. The Bendigo Royal Ark Mariner Lodge, No. 12. The Bendigo Conclave, No. 143. Bendigo Masonic Lodge of Instruction, No. 14. Bendigo Sovereign Council, No. 16. Bendigo Sovereign Chapter No. 32. The National Trust of Australia has done much to preserve our heritage for the succeeding generations. In 1972 the Masonic Temple and Hall Received their ''D'' Classification. . . Program. Toasts and Harmony. Bro. C. Phillips. Wor. Bro. D. L. Killian, P.J.G.D. Bro. R. D. McPherson. b/ (letter) 3 Brodie St. Bendigo 3550. 28.10.1974. The Secretary, Bendigo Branch, RHSV, Bendigo. Dear Miss Parry, Bendigo Masonic Hall, The enclosed programme contains a short history of the above, and comes to your Society with the compliments of the Board of Management of the Bendigo Masonic Hall. Yours sincerely, Alex M Stone.a/ re-dedication of the bendigo temple, view street, bendigo. by m. wor. bro. major general, sir robert risson, c.b.e., d.s.o. o.st.j., e.d. grand master and grand officers. saturday, october 19th 1974. bendigo lodges a. f. & a. masons of victoria. golden & corinthian no. 7, zenith no. 52, sandhurst no. 194, corona no. 195, composite no. 314, bendigo city no. 714. re-dedication team presiding officer: m.w.bro. sir. robert risson, g.m. deputy grand master r.w.bro. c. r. b. james, d.g.m. grand master of ceremonies v.w.bro. l. retchford, g.d.c. senior grand warden r.w.bro. l. g. grant, s.g.w. junior grand warden r.w.bro. a. j. l. w. greenwood, j.g.w.grand chaplain v.w.bro. rev. j.r. lawton, g.chap. grand supt. of works v.w.bro. f. c. galbraith, g i.wkgs. grand secretary r.w.bro. g. w. jackson, p.d.g.m., g.sec. grand deacons for dedication wor.bro. b. a. mcmillian, s.g.d. and wor.bro. d. e. plaisted, j.g.d. grand sword bearer wor.bro. j. r. evans, g.swd.b. gand organist wor.bro. j. n. cowan, g.org. grand pursuivant wor.bro. a. a. eagle, a.g.purs. grand herald wor. bro. p. j. grenfell, p.g.std.b., g.her. censer stewards wor. bro. h. j. blunden, g.stwd. and wor.bro. b. d. cross, g.stwd. historical, brief history on bendigo masonic temple, view street, bendigo, 1874-1974. local historian, bro. j. n. macartney, ''the masonic hall the grandest building in sandhurst (bendigo), corinthian order, finest assembly hall. golden & corinthian lodge no. 7. zenith lodge, no. 52. sanhurst lodge, no. 194. corona lodge no. 195. the lodge composite, no. 314. bendigo city lodge, no. 714. the bendigo lodge of mark master masons, no. 12. royal golden chapter, no. 3. the bendigo royal ark mariner lodge, no. 12. the bendigo conclave, no. 143. bendigo masonic lodge of instruction, no. 14. bendigo sovereign council, no. 16. bendigo sovereign chapter no. 32. national trust of australia preserve our heritage. in 1972 received their ''d'' classification. . . program. toasts and harmony. bro. c. phillips. wor. bro. d. l. killian, p.j.g.d. bro. r. d. mcpherson. b/ (letter) 3 brodie st. bendigo 3550. 1974. bendigo branch, rhsv, bendigo. miss parry, programme short history board of management of the bendigo masonic hall., alex m stone.

The photo shows a large group of men in formal attire at the Annual Dinner of cable tram employees at the Masonic Temple Hall in Collins St on 8/12/1925 - on a Tuesday. The caption points out in particular Mr Eric Hobday, and that it was the largest gathering of cable tram employees at the time. The dinner was shortly before the conversion of the Swanston St line work commencing at the end of 1925. Photo by Oxford Photos of Russell St, Melbourne. The typed caption is probably a later addition to the photograph. See item 1357 for a newspaper cutting featuring Eric Hobday, a retired Depot Master, aged 91.Yields information about the 1925 Annual Dinner for cable tram employees.Black and white photo with a plain back and caption underneath photo, mounted onto heavy cardboard with a decorative border.Caption gives date of the event and in particular locates Eric Hobday.tramways, celebrations, cable trams, dinners, employees