Mercia's father was Adam Arthur WATSON.Mercia daughter of 'Uncle' Arthur Watson from Lota (Qld) visiting Ferris Rdlocal identities

RNZCOG Presidents gown, belonging to the late Dr. Mercia Barnes, who was President of RNZCOG 1990-1994. Donated by Dr John Doig. Blue velvet hat with full stiff brim cover in same velvet. There is a blue satin ribbon band circling the hat with grey silver braided cord decoration over the ribbon. This college hat belonged to the late Dr Mercia Barnes, President of RNZCOG . The hat was worn with the gown [378].college history

RNZCOG Presidents gown, belonging to the late Dr. Mercia Barnes, President of RNZCOG 1990-1994. Donated by Dr John Doig.President's College gown, RNZCOG. Manufacturers' label, marked "103".college history

Prototype design of college gown, RNZCOG. This gown was donated by Dr Ron Jones, who was part of a committee including Mercia Barnes and the wives of two of the foundation Council members Liam Wright and Ron Jones.College gown, RNZCOG, The "prototype" gown designed for the New Zealand College.college history

See image.fictionSet in tenth century England in the time of Aethelflaed of Mercia and the consolidation of Mercia, Wessex and other regions prior to the rise of Edward 1st. The work relates the story of a girl who is subjected to a hard father and suffers from the devastation of Viking raids before advancing through her maturity and independence from male domination. mercia, wessex, england, aethelflaed, the peak district

A cream program with blue print. On the front cover are the words, ' In a Chinese Garden. A Musical Comedy, under the direction of Mrs. A. E. Sayer. In aid of the Bendigo Hospital Women's Auxiliary. Presented in the Capital Theatre, April 30th., May 2nd and 3rd, 1932. Costumes loaned by the Bendigo Chinese Association. Ballet Mistress Miss Mercia Wright.' Cambridge Press, Bendigo. On the back of the programme is a full page advertisement for 'Suttons The complete music house.'program, theatre, 'in a chinese garden', lydia chancellor, collection, event, music, comedies, theatre, entertainment, program, programme

Arthur was on 19 June 1874 in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, son of John Smith WATSON and Robina MARSHAL. He moved to Queensland in the early 1900’s and was a champion rower in Victoria and Queensland and a noted cyclist who rode in three Warrnambool to Melbourne races, and footballer Arthur Watson was married to Kathleen and had two children Mercia and Bill (Brisbane Qld). He died on 12 July 1954. Arthur's sister was Robina (Ruby) WATSON. Portrait of Arthurlocal identities

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from Friday, January 14, 2005. School's in: Photographed in 1922 is the class of Myola State School No. 1988. Back row: May Conroy, Eileen Pardy, Grace Smirk, Eileen Sexton, Mary Kennedy, Vera Tuohey, May Carmody, Maggie Pardy, unknown. Third row: Bert Smirk, Stan Conroy, Hill Sexton, Joe Carmody, Tom Tuohey, Jim Pardy, Ted Pardy, Mat Tuohey, Vin Carmody. Second row: Miss Baldwin (teacher), Mick Morrisey, Bill Morrisey, Norm Conroy, Ray Carmody, Mary Tuohey, Jean Dobie, unknown, Lila Dobie, Mercia Carmody, Rita Carmody. Front row: Alf Tuohey, Frank Carmody, Mick Tuohey, Pat Tuohey, Bob Carmody, Archie Dobie. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

"Dear Kevin, Everybody home here is well, hope you and Bobby are well. Sid, Laurie home, hear regular from Eddie. Lots love Polly DAD" Post Card sent to Private K.J. Arrowsmith, VX54102, 6th Line Section, 8 Div, Malaya via Prisoner of War Post, Australian Prisoners of War, C/o Prisoners of War Information Bureau Tokyo, Japan from his sister Polly (Mercia Castledine). “After the cholera had been evidence for a few days, the Nips decided that the works on the railway had to be carried on and so isolated all the cases (a number more had developed since we were first quarantined) and sent all other men back to work. By this time, the number of men unfit for work had increased tremendously and the medical officer and medical orderlies were hopelessly overworked. Volunteers were called for to assist in this cholera ward; a disease highly contagious and with a terrific death rate. This meant isolation, but did not deter many men from offering their services, Bob and Kevin Arrowsmith being selected.” - Through the Burma-Thailand Railway, pp234-5, author unknown This post card is significant for its rarity as very few ever made it through and were saved. In these instances the information provided by Polly was cryptic informing Kevin and Bob Arrowsmith that brother Eddie and brothers-in-law, Laurie Mears and Sid Castledine were all still alive.Digital image of original held in private collection of Joan Castledine, daughter of Sid and Polly (nee Arrowsmith) Castledine.bob arrowsmith, burma-thailand railway, eddie arrowsmith, joan castlemaine, kevin j. arrowsmith, laurie mears, lucy mears (nee arrowsmith), mercia (polly) castledine (nee arrowsmith), postcards, prisoner of war post, sid castledine

"Dear Kevin, Hope you are both well, everybody well home here, constantly thinking of you, hear regular, Eddie, Laurie, Sid. Lots love Polly Dad" Post Card sent to Private K.J. Arrowsmith, VX54102, 6th Line Section, 8 Div, Malaya via Prisoner of War Post, Australian Prisoners of War, C/o Prisoners of War Information Bureau Tokyo, Japan from his sister Polly (Mercia Castledine). “After the cholera had been evidence for a few days, the Nips decided that the works on the railway had to be carried on and so isolated all the cases (a number more had developed since we were first quarantined) and sent all other men back to work. By this time, the number of men unfit for work had increased tremendously and the medical officer and medical orderlies were hopelessly overworked. Volunteers were called for to assist in this cholera ward; a disease highly contagious and with a terrific death rate. This meant isolation, but did not deter many men from offering their services, Bob and Kevin Arrowsmith being selected.” - Through the Burma-Thailand Railway, pp234-5, author unknown This post card is significant for its rarity as very few ever made it through and were saved. In these instances the information provided by Polly was cryptic informing Kevin and Bob Arrowsmith that brother Eddie and brothers-in-law, Laurie Mears and Sid Castledine were all still alive.Digital image of original held in private collection of Joan Castledine, daughter of Sid and Polly (nee Arrowsmith) Castledine.bob arrowsmith, burma-thailand railway, eddie arrowsmith, joan castlemaine, kevin j. arrowsmith, laurie mears, lucy mears (nee arrowsmith), mercia (polly) castledine (nee arrowsmith), postcards, prisoner of war post, sid castledine

Two cardboard parts to a printed programme. On one is a posy of violets and the printing: "Programme German Masque Ball, Tuesday 22nd. The second lists 15 dances. Printed by A. Brookley, Printers. Also are the following two articles from Trove: From the Bendigo Advertiser and the Bendigo Independant, Wed 23 Aug 1905: GERMAN MASQUE BALL. The pleasant plan of fancy masque ball, which for nearly 20 years now has been an annual fixture at this season, is always looked forward to with delight. It is got up by the Bendigo Deutcher Verein, in aid of their free library. The function took place last night in the Masonic Hall and was most enjoyable, and all who took part in it were delighted. The hall was tastefully decorated with flags, flowers and ferns. Bockelmann's Band occupied the stage and discoured sweet music. Many of the items on a long programme were of Mr. Bockelmann's own composition, notably the schottische "Bendigo," the waltz 'Como, 'and the waltz "Golden City." By 9 o'clock there were about 80 couples on the floor. Amongst the merry troupe of dancers were youths and maidens in all sorts and descriptions of gay costumes, including flower girls, Japanese lady, German peasant, lily of the valley, Mercia, Geisha girl, French Vivandiere, red dominos, black dominos, "The Last Rose of Summer," rose, sailor girls, gondolier, Pierot, Charles II., Tipperary boy. Toreador, Romeo, Prince Le Var, huntsman, Indian prince, fireman, barristers. jockeys, cricketers, etc. Many of the Iadies were in evening dress, but wore the masque. The arrangements were admirably carried out by the secretarv. Mr. J. D. Khaland, while it would be difficult to find a better M.C. than Mr. J. Armstrong. The dancing was witnessed by a large number of the public, who were accommodated on a temporary gallery at one end of the hall. A small charge was made for their admission, which helped to swell thelibrary funds. An excellent supper, served in Mr. W. C. Dick's best style, was much enjoyed. Dancing was kept up till about three o'clock, everybody pronouncing the gathering a highly enjoyable one. bendigo history, sandhurst, lutheran german church, penny school

Martha Watson was born on 17 October 1888 in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia as the first child of Robina (Ruby) WATSON. She died on 23 March 1976 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Memories of Martha by Valcia nee Twigg Lowrie, granddaughter of Arthur Watson. My memories and recollections as told to me my Grandmother ‘Mum’ Myers. As a child she had scarlet fever and did not attend school during the illness and missed a lot of school (Macarthur Street State School). When she was meant to return to school having fallen behind her classmates, confused and behind with the school work, she instead spent her time wandering around Lake Wendouree feeling too ashamed to attend school. Her uncle Arthur, born in 1874, whom she idealized, was a type of father/mentor figure who played and important part in her early life. He moved to Queensland in the early 1900’s and they did not meet again until he visited Melton in 1949, he died in 1954. He was a champion rower in Victoria and Queensland and a noted cyclist who rode in three Warrnambool to Melbourne races, and footballer. Her mother’s death certificate reveals her place of death as the Ballarat Hospital on 8th September 1903 aged 36. Martha was not told of the death of her mother, it was some time later when she found out her mother had died. She was greatly distressed when she eventually found out. The grief and the circumstance of her mothers death and her unfortunate life had a permanent effect on Martha’s life. Robina was buried in Open Ground at the New Cemetery Ballarat. Marjorie likened to this to the death of Mozart at the age of 35 who was also buried in a common grave. Martha also told me the stories about how as a child she played at the cemetery, taking the oranges placed as offerings on the Chinese graves and being chased away in fright when caught by a Chinese man. Her description left a vivid impression on my mind. The Burnbank street house was just across the road from the cemetery. The pieces of this story I had heard made sense when I visited the location in recent years. Martha’s described how Nanna would sing on the front verandah, and send her off to t get drink for her. This situation might help explain the reason for Martha’s strong aversion to alcohol. As a young girl it had been distressing to her. Nanna was a colourful and theatrical personality and danced with the Duke when he visited Ballarat. She was also known to have stated that she would marry a man who could give her a bucket of gold, possibly around the time after her first husband, Charles death, she had her young boy Edward to bring up. Martha was about 13 years old when Nanna Watson left Ballarat going to Queensland to visit her son Arthur. Martha slept that night afraid and alone in the empty house. The person who was meant to collect her did not come until the next day. She went to work for a family, a woman with children, they took most of the money that Nanna had left with Martha. There was a new baby in the house and the Scottish man in the house behaved suspiciously towards Martha. She was afraid of him and would hide from him under the bed. At this young age she managed to survive on her wits and sense of self preservation. It is not known how long she worked with this family. The place was from my impression, away from the town of Ballarat. Her very difficult formative years are testament to her strength of character and determination to succeed in life and ambition to provide the best opportunities for her own children. In 1905 Martha received a post card from Uncle Arthur in Brisbane addressed – c/o Mrs Styles 14 High Street Ballarat. Dolly Styles was a Ballarat friend and she kept in contact with her for many years. A letter reveals her living in Minyip in her older years. Martha is thought to have spent a few years working before she arrived in Melton. Miss Shebler hired Martha to help her in the care of her father and to assist with work in the Golden Fleece Hotel. Mr Shebler was a nice old man and mostly confined to his room and somewhat childlike as described by Martha. [The elderly Mr August Shebler died in February 1908]. Martha’s exact arrival in Melton is not known, but could be estimated as late 1906 to early 1907. In her room at the hotel she could hear the spring cart of Mr Minns going on the milk delivery rounds in the very early hours of the morning after coming across the creek from his house When she was 19, she married Frederick Thomas MYERS, son of Henri MIERS and Ann DOWLING, on 30 April 1908 ( Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia). Frederick Thomas MYERS and Martha Mary WATSON had the following children: 1. Frederick John Watson MYERS was born on 01 October 1908 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 07 February 2001.He married Mary June BATTYE on 18 September 1948 in Victoria, Australia. 2. Marjorie Gretchen MYERS was born on 21 February 1912 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.She died on 10 September 2004 in Frankston, Victoria, Australia.She married Herbert Vivian BUTLER on 07 January 1939 in Victoria, Australia. 3. Eva Edna MYERS was born on 15 October 1918 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.She died on 31 January 2008 in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia.She married Ernest Wesley BARRIE on 25 October 1941 in Melton, Victoria, Australia. 4. Arthur Bruce MYERS was born on 29 April 1925 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 26 March 2015 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.He married Olive Irene NORTON in April 1953 in Balliang, Victoria, Australia (or Church of Christ Footscray? (WB)). 5. Maxwell Douglas MYERS was born on 10 August 1927 in Melton, Victoria, Australia.He died on 03 May 2005 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.He married Rosemary Rebecca BARRIE on 31 August 1951 in Melton, Victoria, Australia. Valcia nee Twigg Lowrie granddaughter of Arthur Watson, daughter of Mercia and Val Twigg did extensive research on the Marshall family of Lerwick Shetland Isle obtaining birth information of the Scottish forebears. She also got the birth/marriage and death certificates of the Ballarat connection of Robina’s husbands and children. Copies were sent to Edna and Wendy during the early 1990’s. Bruce and Irene also obtained certificates and Myers family information. Wendy applied for certificates at this time.Photographs of Martha (Watson) Myers taken at different times of her life