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. Photographs were posted to Ballarat College of Advanced Education from Melbourne. At this time VIOSH was in the planning stage and it was two years later that the first Intake of students started. People known in the photographs are: E.J. Barker, E.J. Tippett, Mr Jim Reid and Barry Jones. E.J. Barker (Jack) was the Principal of SMB from 1964-1976. He then became the Foundation Director of Ballarat Institute/College of Advanced Education from 1976-1987. The Library Building at Mount Helen Campus if named after him. E.J. Tippett was a member of SMB Council from 1934-1960. He was President of the Council from 1940-1960. He was a member of the Interim Council established to plan the development of the Victorian Institute of Colleges. He then became a member of the Council of the Victorian Institute of Colleges. The Library Building at SMB is named after him. In 1975 he was recognised by the State Government and awarded an MBE. Hon Barry Jones, Member of State Government from 1972 to 1977. He then entered Federal Parliament and was a member from 1977 to 1998. During his time he was Minister for Industry, Science and Technology from1983 to 1990. Ann Tippett - wife of E.J. Tippett. Jim Reid - Federal Director of the National Safety Council of Australia.Fourteen black and white photographs taken at a dinner - Ballarat College of Advanced Education.ballarat school of mines, ballarat college of advanced education, e j barker, principal of smb, foundation director of bcae, e j tippett, president of smb council, victorian institute of colleges, hon barry jones, member of state parliament, member of federal parliament, minister for industry science and technology, ann tippett, jim reid, national safety council of australia, federal director

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of W. A. Watt - head and shoulders. Mr Watt was a Member of Federal Parliament from 1914 to 1929, temporary Prime Minister for 16 months, speaker of the house and Treasurer. Premier of Victoria from 1912 to 1914. He lived on Phillip Island for 6 years as a young boy.local history, photography, photographs, w a watt, black & white photograph, prime ministers, phillip island, early associates

Produced as one of a series of 24 prints commissioned by Nunawading & District Historical Society -|Theme: Intersections of Mitcham and Nunawading 2000/2001.|See also Series by P. Simmenauer on the same theme.Black and white photograph - print and negative of Whitehorse Road looking West wards towards corner of Mitcham Road - along service road in Whitehorse Road. From left - right - buildings: Fernwood Female Fitness Centre above offices of Phillip Baressi, Federal Member of Parliament; Hertz Car Rental Yard; Telstra Mobile Shop; Mr. Muffler; Pedders Suspension; Mitcham Hotel. Parallel and angle parking in service road.baressi, phillip, fernwood female fitness centre mitcham, hertz - car rental, telstra, mr muffler, pedders suspension, mitcham hotel

Ordained 1941. Placements: Foster, Latrobe, (Leave of absence 1946–1975), Burnie 1976, Mersey, 1977–78, deceased June 1998. During 1946–75 Duthie was a Member of the Federal Parliament. Gilbert William Arthur "Gil" Duthie AM (21 May 1912 – 13 June 1998) was an Australian politician. Born in Nhill, Victoria, he was educated at state schools and at the University of Melbourne before becoming a schoolteacher and farmer in rural Victoria. In 1938 he was ordained a Methodist minister, and in 1944 he moved to Latrobe, Tasmania. In 1945 and 1946 Duthie was directly involved with Australian rules football in the town. He was secretary of the Latrobe Football Club as well as playing senior games for it in the NWFU competition.[1] In 1946, Gil Duthie was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Labor member for Wilmot, defeating sitting Liberal MP Allan Guy. From February 1956 until December 1972 he was the Labor Party Whip in the House. He held the seat until 1975, when he was defeated by Liberal candidate Max Burr. Duthie died in 1998.B & W head & shoulders studio photograph of Rev. Gil Duthie. Rev. Gil Duthie JP, BA, LTh, 1976. Received back into the ministry 05/03/1976 by decision of the Standing Committee.rev gil duthie, australian member of parliament, australian labout party

This certificate is one of a number held by the Warrnambool and District Historical society which relate to the occasion of Federation of Australia , January 01/1901. Some are for social functions at the time others like this are for more formal occasions. There was a strong local vote for Federation at the referendum in 1898 with district figures 957 voting for and 146 against . By 1899 the vote had increased to 1411 yes and 39 against.. The official federation celebrations were held in Sydney and Warrnambool like towns all over Australia held celebrations. The Mayor and five of Warrnambool's councillors travelled to Sydney for the celebrations. The first federal Member of Parliament for the Warrnambool district was John Chester Manifold of "Talindert," Camperdown. Some local well known people of the time who were contributed in various fields to the Federation spirit, include John Archibald, Willian Astley, Louis Bayer, Richard Kennedy, Walter Murdoch, and Con O'Mahony. This certificate has an added link to Warrnambool in that the son of Councillor W. Henry, Victor Henry, an art student had designed and illuminated the municipal Addresses presented to the Governor general and the Duke of York. This item has historical, artistic social and interpretive significance. It links the most important event of the Federation of Australia to our city. That the art work was completed by Victor Henry, a local person is a significant claim to fame for our city. It presents an opportunity for present generations to consider local aspects of the process of the Federation of our country.Framed Certificate. Inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia, Municipal Association of Victoria 1901. Signed by councillorsWilliam Ferguson Mayor, Giffens Russell, John Ward, John Marfell, Chas Macknight, W J Hickford, W Simpson, G S Mackay, M Saltau, H C Lawson, E J Murray William Kucks Jnr, W Henry. Small card inserted in bottom right reads With compliments of W Ferguson, Mayor.warrnambool, warrnambool history, warrnambool at federation, federation of australia, victor henry

Framed portrait of George Maxwell who was President of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind 1920-1935. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the AFB Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Maxwell is turned slightly away from the viewer, and wears a blue suit, white high collared shirt and a blue tie. George Maxwell was President of Vision Australia from 1920 to 1935. After an early teaching career he studied law, was admitted to the Bar and became one of Victoria’s great criminal lawyers and later a Federal Member of Parliament. He took an interest the welfare of blind people from his student days. A detached retina in 1920 led to total blindness nine years later, which gave him a great empathy for those with a similar affliction. Through his contacts he was also instrumental in obtaining the first voting rights for blind Australians. Up until 1902 blind people were unable to vote if they couldn’t write with a pen. George Maxwell was working at that time at the legal firm of Strongman and Crouch one of the partners, Mr. Crouch, was elected as a member of Parliament. When the Commonwealth Electoral Bill was being drafted, Mr. Crouch has a clause added enabling blind people to vote in Federal elections, constituting a world first. But perhaps his greatest achievement was obtaining the pension for legally blind people. Until 1910 only those who met the age and means test criteria were eligible. With the help of his legal and political friends a bill was passed which granted the pension to all persons over 16 years of age who were unable to work due to physical disability or blindness. Until this time these people had to be supported by their families or go to a benevolent institution. This was a world first and gave to blind and vision impaired people a measure of independence which increased both their self reliance and self esteem. 1 art original in gold/brown frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Honourable George A Maxwell Q.C. / President 1920-1935 / Association for Advancement of the Blind'.association for the advancement of the blind, george maxwell

Peter Nixon, the author of this book, grew up on the family farm on the Snowy River. He entered Federal Parliament in 1961 as the Member for Gippsland, holding various portfolios before retiring in 1983. The Nixon family has been in the Orbost district since 1885.This book records the history of the Nixon family and its association with Orbost.A book, titled From White Knowle to Pumpkin Point, the Nixons from 1593. On the cover is a coloured photograph of Pumpkin Point, taken by Peter Nixon, the author. There is a b/w photograph of James Nixon, with the caption, James Nixon 1832-1899 and Family, beneath it. The book is a compilation of stories and b/w photographs of the the first three generations of Nixons in Australia. There is a brief history of the Nixons in 1593 - the earliest records.2136.1 has "With compliments Peter Nixon 6/7/04" inside.nixon-family orbost-history nixon-james pumpkin-point snowy-river

This photograph shows Peter Nixon, Minister For The Interior officially opening the Orbost Historical Society Museum on December 1st, 1967. The first Orbost Museum was opened in 1967. It was situated in Nicholson Street, Orbost. Peter Nixon grew up on the family farm on the Snowy River. He entered Federal Parliament in 1961 as the Member for Gippsland, holding various portfolios before retiring in 1983.Peter Nixon grew up on the family farm on the Snowy River. He entered Federal Parliament in 1961 as the Member for Gippsland, holding various portfolios before retiring in 1983. The Nixon family has been in the Orbost district since 1885.A large black / white photograph of a man in a suit with one hand in his pocket Standing behind him are two men and a woman. The photograph has been taken inside the museum. The photograph is mounted on a white buff card and is in a white wooden frame. on front below the photograph - " Opening of the Orbost Historical Society Museum by Mr Peter Nixon M.H.R., Minister of the Interior 1st December 1967"museum-orbost-opening nixon-peter

William Hill Irvine was born 6 July, 1858 in Newry, County Down, Ireland. He arrived in Melbourne December 1879 and taught at Geelong College. He was admitted to the Supreme Court in 1884 having qualified from Melbourne University and practiced in Melbourne. In 1891 he married Agnes Somerville Wanliss and they had one son, William Mitchell (1901 Armadale) and two daughters, Beatrice Wanliss (1899 Armadale) and Agnes Somerville Wanliss (1903 Armadale). Sir William Irvine sat in the Victorian Parliament (as Liberal Member for Lowan) from 1894 to 1906 and was Premier of Victoria from 1902 to 1904. He then switched to Federal politics and sat in the Commonwealth Parliament (as Liberal Member for Flinders) from 1906 to 1918. He was considered a potential Prime Minister, but his abrupt manner and hard-line conservatism (particularly his attitude to a railway strike) made him unacceptable even to many Liberals: he was known in Parliament as "Iceberg Irvine". He lived at Richmond, but in 1908 purchased land in Laughing Waters Road at Eltham, where he built the house ‘Killeavey’, initially as a weekend retreat. The site, a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Yarra River, is of geological importance and has considerable cultural significance to the Wurundjeri. In 1912 Sir William moved to Killeavey and in 1913 purchased more land, extending his property to Reynolds Road. In 1923 he shifted to Toorak, donating Killeavey to his daughter Beatrice as a wedding gift. Sir William was a founding member of the RACV and was Acting Governor of Victoria from 1931 to 1934. He was also a notable public figure involved in several local events including the: 1919 Unveiling of Eltham War Obelisk 1921 Eltham Primary School Extensions 1921 Eltham Primary School Roll of Honour of prior students 1928 Opening of Eltham Higher Elementary School 1926 Unveiling the Shire of Eltham War Memorial in Memorial Park at Kangaroo Ground He died in 1943 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with his wife Agnes along with son William Mitchell Irvine and his wife, Dora Haswell Sacred to the memory of William Hill Irvine G.C.M.G. Lieutenant Governor And Chief Justice of Victoria Born 6th July 1858 At Newry, Northern Ireland Died 20th August 1943 Also his wife Agnes Somerville Born at Ballarat 16th Nov 1867 Died at Eltham 16th Aug 1954 W. M. W. Irvine 1901-1975 And Dora Haswell Wife of W. M. W. Irvine 1900-1979Born Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, agnes sommerville irvine (nee wanliss), dora haswell irvine, william hill irvine, william mitchell irvine

William Hill Irvine was born 6 July, 1858 in Newry, County Down, Ireland. He arrived in Melbourne December 1879 and taught at Geelong College. He was admitted to the Supreme Court in 1884 having qualified from Melbourne University and practiced in Melbourne. In 1891 he married Agnes Somerville Wanliss and they had one son, William Mitchell (1901 Armadale) and two daughters, Beatrice Wanliss (1899 Armadale) and Agnes Somerville Wanliss (1903 Armadale). Sir William Irvine sat in the Victorian Parliament (as Liberal Member for Lowan) from 1894 to 1906 and was Premier of Victoria from 1902 to 1904. He then switched to Federal politics and sat in the Commonwealth Parliament (as Liberal Member for Flinders) from 1906 to 1918. He was considered a potential Prime Minister, but his abrupt manner and hard-line conservatism (particularly his attitude to a railway strike) made him unacceptable even to many Liberals: he was known in Parliament as "Iceberg Irvine". He lived at Richmond, but in 1908 purchased land in Laughing Waters Road at Eltham, where he built the house ‘Killeavey’, initially as a weekend retreat. The site, a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Yarra River, is of geological importance and has considerable cultural significance to the Wurundjeri. In 1912 Sir William moved to Killeavey and in 1913 purchased more land, extending his property to Reynolds Road. In 1923 he shifted to Toorak, donating Killeavey to his daughter Beatrice as a wedding gift. Sir William was a founding member of the RACV and was Acting Governor of Victoria from 1931 to 1934. He was also a notable public figure involved in several local events including the: 1919 Unveiling of Eltham War Obelisk 1921 Eltham Primary School Extensions 1921 Eltham Primary School Roll of Honour of prior students 1928 Opening of Eltham Higher Elementary School 1926 Unveiling the Shire of Eltham War Memorial in Memorial Park at Kangaroo Ground He died in 1943 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with his wife Agnes along with son William Mitchell Irvine and his wife, Dora Haswell Sacred to the memory of William Hill Irvine G.C.M.G. Lieutenant Governor And Chief Justice of Victoria Born 6th July 1858 At Newry, Northern Ireland Died 20th August 1943 Also his wife Agnes Somerville Born at Ballarat 16th Nov 1867 Died at Eltham 16th Aug 1954 W. M. W. Irvine 1901-1975 And Dora Haswell Wife of W. M. W. Irvine 1900-1979eltham cemetery, gravestones, memorials, agnes sommerville irvine (nee wanliss), dora haswell irvine, william hill irvine, william mitchell irvine

William Hill Irvine was born 6 July, 1858 in Newry, County Down, Ireland. He arrived in Melbourne December 1879 and taught at Geelong College. He was admitted to the Supreme Court in 1884 having qualified from Melbourne University and practiced in Melbourne. In 1891 he married Agnes Somerville Wanliss and they had one son, William Mitchell (1901 Armadale) and two daughters, Beatrice Wanliss (1899 Armadale) and Agnes Somerville Wanliss (1903 Armadale). Sir William Irvine sat in the Victorian Parliament (as Liberal Member for Lowan) from 1894 to 1906 and was Premier of Victoria from 1902 to 1904. He then switched to Federal politics and sat in the Commonwealth Parliament (as Liberal Member for Flinders) from 1906 to 1918. He was considered a potential Prime Minister, but his abrupt manner and hard-line conservatism (particularly his attitude to a railway strike) made him unacceptable even to many Liberals: he was known in Parliament as "Iceberg Irvine". He lived at Richmond, but in 1908 purchased land in Laughing Waters Road at Eltham, where he built the house ‘Killeavey’, initially as a weekend retreat. The site, a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Yarra River, is of geological importance and has considerable cultural significance to the Wurundjeri. In 1912 Sir William moved to Killeavey and in 1913 purchased more land, extending his property to Reynolds Road. In 1923 he shifted to Toorak, donating Killeavey to his daughter Beatrice as a wedding gift. Sir William was a founding member of the RACV and was Acting Governor of Victoria from 1931 to 1934. He was also a notable public figure involved in several local events including the: 1919 Unveiling of Eltham War Obelisk 1921 Eltham Primary School Extensions 1921 Eltham Primary School Roll of Honour of prior students 1928 Opening of Eltham Higher Elementary School 1926 Unveiling the Shire of Eltham War Memorial in Memorial Park at Kangaroo Ground He died in 1943 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with his wife Agnes along with son William Mitchell Irvine and his wife, Dora Haswell Sacred to the memory of William Hill Irvine G.C.M.G. Lieutenant Governor And Chief Justice of Victoria Born 6th July 1858 At Newry, Northern Ireland Died 20th August 1943 Also his wife Agnes Somerville Born at Ballarat 16th Nov 1867 Died at Eltham 16th Aug 1954 W. M. W. Irvine 1901-1975 And Dora Haswell Wife of W. M. W. Irvine 1900-1979eltham cemetery, gravestones, memorials, agnes sommerville irvine (nee wanliss), dora haswell irvine, william hill irvine, william mitchell irvine

Herbert Trangmar Allan, refer Cat No 2755.4 for his extensive service records and awards.Pink, hard cover photo album used as a holder to display letters. .1) Letter from C in C Gen HQ Melbourne, 17.4.1942. From Gen BLAMEY to Major H T ALLAN 2/17 AIF. .2) MID Certificate dated 30.12.1941. Major H T ALLAN M C. .3) Letter dated 24.12.1944 from HQ 1Aust Corps to 'Blue' from 'Morshead'. .4) Letter dated 18.4.1946 from OIC NSW Echelon & Records to Mrs G M ALLAN, Bellevue, NSW, notifying her of Award of Mention in Despatches. It refers to NX12229 Lt Col Herbert Trangmar ALLAN HQ 5 Base Sub Area. .5) Letter dated 14.4.1945 from OIC NSW Echelon & Records to Mrs G M ALLAN notifying her of Award of Mention in Despatches. It refers to NX12229 Major T/Col Herbert Trangmar ALLAN, Finschhafen Base Sub Area. .6) Newspaper cutting titled Many NSW Men Receive Bravery Awards. Up to 31.3.1944. Marked down near bottom of the cutting is MID for T/LT Colonel H T ALLAN OBE MC ED. .7) Memo dated 11.1944 from 5 Aust Base Sub Area. Cover note for Record of Service for NX12229 Lt/Col H T ALLAN 5 Aust Base Sub Area. .8) Letter dated 2.8.1942 from NSW L of C Area Sydney to Mrs G M ALLAN Bellevue, NSW, notifying her of MID for Maj H T ALLAN MC NX12229 for his services 2.1941 - 7.1941. Signed by Lt Col H J Bennett. .9) Letter dated 14.4.1945 from OIC NSW Echelon & Records, Sydney to NX12229 Lt Col H T ALLAN HQ 5 Aust Base Sub Area. Aust Honours & Awards. MID. .10) Letter 7.12.1950 from HQ Eastern Command Vic Barracks Paddington to Col H T ALLAN OBE MC ED R of O. Watsons Bay re Change of address to 2MD. .11) Memo dated 28.12.1944 from HQ 1st Army AIF to 5 Aust Base Sub Area re Confirmation of Promotion of NX12229 Major H T ALLAN to Lt Colonel. .12) MID Certificate dated 15.3.1945 for Maj CT / LT Col H T ALLAN OBE MC ED Finschhafen Base Sub Area. .13) MID Certificate dated 19.7.1945 for Major CT / LT Col H T ALLAN OBE MC ED, Finschhafen Base Sub Area. .14) MID Certificate dated 21.2.1946 for LT Col H T ALLAN OBE MC ED, HQ 5 Aust Base Sub Area. .15) Letter. Letterhead is of Parliament of the Commonwealth Federal Members Rooms, Sydney, dated 1.12.1941. To: Dear Mr Allan. From: W M Hughes. Handwritten on 3 sheets of paper using 4 sides. Subject matters such as fighting, AIF, loss of HMAS Sydney, the Russian front. .16) Letter & envelope. Letter: Dated 18.4.? Letterhead: Guards Club Brook St W1. To: Dear ALLAN From: BIRDWOOD of ANZAC. Subject: Their friendship - then they have to deal with 'loathsome Japs & Germans'. Envelope. OHMS, 2-1/2 penny stamp. To: Major H T ALLAN MC & OBE AMF. C/o Defence Dept Melb, Australia. On the bottom is signature of BIRDWOOD M. Readdressed to C/o 9th Div HQ Abroad. Envelope rear is franked: PO 3D JE 42. .17) Memo dated 18.6.1946. From: HQ 8MB. To: H/Col H T ALLAN ANG PcB Rabaul. Releaes of NX12229 Lt Col (T/Col) H T ALLAN OBE MC. Posted to Retired list 7.5.1946. .18) Memo dated 6.11.1946. From: OIC, 2nn Echelon AHQ. AMF. To: Lt Col H T ALLAN OBE MC ED. C/- Mrs G M ALLAN, Queens Club, King St. Sydney NSW. .19) Letter dated 8.8.1941. Letterhead of Minister for the Navy. To: Dear Major ALLAN. From: W HUGHES. Subject: All facets of WWII to date & prospective war with Japan. .20) Memo dated 31.8.1945. From: AMF OIC NSW Echelon & Records. To: Mrs E M ALLAN, King St Sydney. Re: MID for NX12229 Maj (T / LT Col) Herbert Trangmar ALLAN OBE MC ED Finschhafen Base Sub Area.letters, albums, certificates, awards

Henry James (1860-1932) was an agent and auctioneer. Record secretary of the Snowy River Shipping company. Shire councillor. Foundation member of Butter Factory.Henry James was a prominent Orbost identity who was very much involved in the local community.Invitation to James, H. (Mr) to the opening of Federal Parliament by the Prime Minister Edmund Bartonon 9 May 1901. Framed in wood, white paper with print of the young queen on a horse holding court. Colour invitations shows a young woman with armour and sword dismounting from a white horse in front of an older woman who has a crown in front of her. Several other women look on. The room is hung with heraldic bunting and shields, including one of the Union Jack and one showing the Southern Cross. The older woman is dressed as Britannia, and her shield and trident are at rest beside her.Printed: His Majesty's Ministers of State for the Commonwealth of Australia/ request the honour of the presence of... / in the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, on Thursday, 9th May, to witness/ the Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth./ Edmund Barton/ Prime Minister invitation 1901 parliament james-harry federation snowy-river-shipping-company

The letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth recognised the significance of William’s brave and courageous lifesaving act to the people of Australia; “They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The story of that brave rescue follows on below … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, The company was one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. She was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the Pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October 1905, the twelve-year-old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia. She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. Bad weather en route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a north-westerly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with seawater and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on the shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11 pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11 pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2 am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise, the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning, Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25-year-old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days, an unidentified body of a young person has washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues, he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor-General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy), Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with the manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy, she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ. As well as this letter, Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a photograph of the wrecked La Bella, a brass rail holder and a postcard of William Ferrier with four of the survivors. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. This original congratulatory letter sent to William Ferrier by the Prime Minister and Government of Australia demonstrates the importance attached to his efforts for Victoria and to Australia. The letter is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The letter to William Ferrier from the Australian Government acknowledges the bravery of ordinary Australians who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. The letter is significant to the history of Warrnambool as it honours William Ferrier, a local fisherman whose descendants continue to live in the area. It highlights the way of life of people who lived in coastal towns in 19th century Victoria and the effects of shipwrecks upon them. The letter connects to the postcard of William Ferrier with four of the five rescued crew, the photograph of the wreck of the La Bella and the artefact from the wreck, the rail holder. This letter is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella”. The “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament commending him on his bravery. The printed letterhead includes a coat of arms in the top centre and the official address. The letter is very neatly hand written in black pen and includes 4 signatures of Members of Parliament. The rectangular paper is cream coloured with some yellow/brown discolouring. It has the letterhead on the right hand side of it and the written letter begins below the letterhead. The paper has been folded so that the right side becomes the cover page of the letter. The writing is continued onto the inside right hand page of the folded paper and the writing ends here. There is more recent writing on the bottom right hand corner of the back page. The paper has been officially folded in half a total 3 times and there is heavy discolouration on the sections that form the front and back of the folded letter. There is a 4th fold line that is less pronounced that the other folds and would make the paper the size to fit into a pocket. At several fold creases the paper has worn through. The edges of the paper have minor tears. The printed coat of arms is that of the House of Representatives. Underneath is printed “The Parliament of the Commonwealth, / Parliament House / Melbourne”. The hand written, letter is dated “14th November, 1905” and addressed to “Mr. William Ferrier / South Warrnambool” The letter begins “The Speaker, the Prime Minister and Members of the Ministry and its supporters, the Leader and Members of the Opposition, the Leader and Members of the Labour Party, being all the Members of the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament of Australia” … It continues “desire to express to you their appreciation of your bravery in skulling out to the wreck of the “La Bella” at Warrnambool on Saturday, 11th November, 1905, and recovering therefrom two of the crew who were in imminent danger of their lives. They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The letter is “Signed on behalf of the Members – Speaker (Frederick Holder ), Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Joseph Cook ), Prime Minister (Alfred Deakin), Leader of the Labour Party ( J.C. Watson)” On the back of the letter is blue ink handwriting “OWNER / G. FERRIER / TO. BE. PHOTOGRAPHED / 27-4-76”la bella, william ferrier, bill ferrier, lady bay, 1905, 10th november 1905, 11th november 1905, parliament of the commonwealth, prime minister, australian government, new zealand, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village