Music boxes have been around at least since the end of the 18th century. The finest artisans in Europe created them and brought music into family homes when there were really no other types of music entertainment for homes. Music boxes performed the popular music of their day; songs from the opera, traditional songs, and hymns.The Nicole Freres were regarded as the best maker of cylinder music boxes during the mid 1800s. This is a fine example of a 19th century music box.Small wooden music box operated by winding a key which moves a studded cylinder against a comb of tuned teeth. A green paper label has been tacked to the underside of the lid. Cylinder music box, made by Nicole Freres, Geneva, Switzerland, c.1830-1840 Music box with an outside key wind . The cylinder length is 20cm and it plays 4 different airs. single comb, 112 teeth with exposed control levers. on label underneath the lid is "Music de Geneve" and the names of the tunes and the number 5929music-box musical-instrument nicole-freres

Brass music box with wooden lining, hinged lid with raised flower design, 4 small bun feet & winder on base, partial sticker of Prescott & Dawe Jewellers Bendigo. Swiss music box movement.Prescott& Dawe Jewellers Bendigo.personal effects, containers, music box

B&w photounion jack club, chamber of commerce, clubs and associations, box hill music centre, box hill fisheries, model dairy, ventura bus lines, ellingworth's estate agency, festivals and celebrations, station street, bank street, railways, railway crossings

A music box table with a decorative hinged lid of dark brown, light brown, yellow and green inlaid timber in a pattern of nine squares and rectangles on the top of the lid. Inside is plain wood with a recessed open box cavity. Around the edges of the table under the lid on the outside there is a green and yellow patterned inlay. It has four finely shaped wooden legs."Hand work Made In Italy"music boxes, tables

A grey spiral bound book titled 'Collector's Choice of traditional music for Country dances, Quadrilles and Cotillions in Australia.' Vol. 2. Companion to 'Take Your Partners' by Shirley Andrews. Published by the Victorian Folk Music Club Incorporated. Box 2025S, G.P.O., Melbourne, 3001. Presented to the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Bendigo Branch, with kind regards from Peter Ellis 3/12/1988.entertainment, dance, bush dance, peter ellis, collection, dancing, folk dancing, dance, dances, music, country dances, quadrilles, cotillions, australian history, australian folk dancing, colonial dancing, bush dancing, barn dancing, shirley andrews

Three copies of a brown spiral bound book titled Collector's Choice of Set Tunes Polkas and Barn Dances for traditional dancing in Australia. Vol. 1.Compiled by Peter Ellis. Includes 180 tunes for Bush Dances, Quadrilles and Folk Style couples dances. Companion to 'Take Your Partners' by Shirley Andrews. Published by The Victorian Folk Music Club Incorporated, 1986. Box 2025S, G.P.O., Melbourne, 3001. Printed by Ajax Printing & Duplicating Pty. Ltd. 13 Pender Street, Thornbury, 3071. 105 pgs. Ill., ph., music.entertainment, dance, bush dance, peter ellis, collection, dance, dancing, music, polkas, barn dances, shirlely andrews, quadrilles, folk dancing, bush dancing, australian history, entertainment, leisure, book

3 Page Letter printed on A4 printer paper. Bearing the letterhead of the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo Inc. Postal Address Secretary PO Box 922 Bendigo 3552 Telephone number (03) 5442 1153 email [email protected] Mark Maddock Case Officer Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat Government house Canberra ACT 2600 28th February 2011. Dear Mark, Thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak for Peter Ellis. We know Peter to be a worthy candidate for the award and I think that most people that know him would agree. I had been putting together a nomination for Peter that was suggested by a couple at our club meeting on a night when Peter was not present. Everyone felt that he should have recognition for all the work that he has done and it was unanimously voted on. I was given the job. As someone else has beaten me to it I now can speak for him on my own behalf and in my role as secretary of the Bush Dance & Music Club Inc. Peter Ellis is a very good friend of mine and I have known him since April 1975 when we met at a Saturday night dance. At that time there was a small group of us that went around the dances. We would go 100kms to find dances that were not on the average programme, dances such as The Lancers, Albert's, Waltz Cotillion and lots of Polkas. We bemoaned the fact that they appeared to be dying out in the Towns and Cities so we tried to get the Bendigo Old Time Dance Club of which we were members, to introduce these dances on to the programme, but they were not interested. After a lot of discussion Peter, Maurie Rayner, myself and several others decided to start our own dance club where we could do the dances that we liked, and to endeavour to keep them alive. We formed the Sandhurst Dance Club in June 1979 (renamed ten years later as the Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo Inc.) In 1981 Peter made two attempts to form a band for the club and in 1983 the 'Celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band' was born, with Peter as the leader. Later Peter set up a junior section of the Emu Creek Band and some of these children grew up to become competent musicians and leaders of their own bands/Groups. Peter's friendship with the late Harry McQueen of Castlemaine led to and increased knowledge of the dances, calls for the sets and the various tunes used. Peter joined the Wedderburn Old Timers Orchestra in late 1979 and travelling around Victoria and interstate with them was of immense help in learning to MC dances, call sets acoustically and in collecting new 'old dances' and tunes. He met elderly MC's who gave him information on the way that they ran the dances in the old days. It was also an introduction to playing items at concerts and in reviving much of the old traditions of the bush. Demand for the tunes for dances led to Peter compiling a series of three books called 'Collectors Choice' which were published by the Victorian Folk Music Club in 1986, 1987 and 1988. 1988 was a very busy year for Peter and The Emu Creek Bush Band as they recorded two double music tapes for the club 'The Merry Country Dance' and 'The Waltz the Polka and all Kinds of Dancing' which were in much demand at the time. Also in 1988 he collaborated with the late Shirley Andrews and they co-authored the book 'Two Hundred Dancing Years and how to celebrate them with a Colonial Ball' for the Bicentennial of 1988. this publication, was instigated by the Government backed Bicentenary Committee, and distributed free to every municipality in Australia. In 1996 The Emu Creek Bush Band and Peter recorded and produced a single CD called a Friday night at 'The Spring Valley Hop'. In 1998 The Bush Dance & Music Club again happily agreed to financially back Peter to produce a series of CDs. The first thing he did was to revive and update the 1988 music tapes for CD. The first of the Qadrille Mania series of double CDs with companion call books was launched in 1999 then in 2000 and 2001. then the triple CD called The Waltz Polka & all kinds of Dances in 2002 followed by the Merry Country Dance CDs in 2005, 2006 and 2007. There were six double CDs and one triple CD produced which was a major undertaking that went on for eight years. The CDs have a great many tunes that Peter collected over the years mixed in with well known tunes and there are very few repeats. During this time we applied for a Grant from the Victorian Government to publish a book on the social History of country dances and dance instructions with Peter as the author. We were successful and published it in 2005. Our CDs and book have all been lodged with the National Library of Canberra as has all Peter's sheet music, boxes of it, as well as everything he has produced. At the 2005 Canberra National Folk Festival, at a meeting of collectors, it was stated that Peter has the largest collection of dance related material in the National Library. Peter compiled and produced his own project a triple CD called 'Take Me Back to Bendigo' in 2002. 2006 Peter and Emu Creek Bush Band produced another single CD 'Bush Concert Vol one Back to Goornong'. 2008 A pet project of Peter's was compiling and producing a double CD for the Wedderburn Old Timers it was of all the recorded material performed by them at concerts and taped by friends and fans. It was funded by Gavan Holt a son of the late Lindsay Holt an original 'Old Timer'. Recent publications are a book mainly music 'Music Makes Me Smile' a tribute to Con Klippel and the music of the Nariel Valley near Corryong Victoria. Peter Ellis & Harry Gardner 1998. The Waltz, The Polka & All Kinds of Dancing' a sheet music book for musicians supported by the Folk Song & Dance Society of Victoria. 2007-8 not sure of year. Peter has been involved over the years in collecting music and dance by himself and also with Rob Willis and the late John Meredith for the National Library in Canberra. He is continually asked for information and to write articles for people and to verify points re dance and music. He corresponds with like minded people overseas and frequently goes off to Folk Festivals all over the country, usually running dance classes, musician's workshops or just playing for dances. He is an excellent musician and plays Piano, Button Accordion, Concertina, Mouth Organ, Tin Whistle, Ukulele, Spoons and the Bones. He is regarded as one of Australia's foremost collectors and presenters of Australian traditional dance tunes, dances and some musical instruments. Over the years I have heard him referred to as the Guru of folk dance and music. Peter lives and breathes for this passion of his and always has several irons in the fire. He is a life member of The Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo Inc. The Victorian Folk Music Club, and The Bendigo Field Naturalists Club. He was a recipient of the David Squance Award in 1994 presented by the Folk Song & Dance Society of Victoria. Over the last twelve months for the folk magazine 'Trad & Now' he has written articles on the old dances and music and this is an ongoing project. This has led to our clubs present project which is the filming of the dances to be shown on UTube as it is referred to in the magazine. This involves members in hours and hours of practising the dances then filming them, and all with Peter's expert teaching and watchful eye on everyone. The Bush Dance & Music Club are and always have been behind Peter wholeheartedly in everything that he does and we are extremely proud of what he has achieved. His drive and enthusiasm for the preservation of music and dance is catching. People like Peter are absolutely necessary in finding and preserving our Australian Heritage, without them it would be lost forever and Australia would be a great deal poorer for it. The Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo Inc. and I fully support this nomination for an award as he is truly deserving of it. Yours sincerely Mary E Smith. Secretary of the Bush Dance & Music Club Inc. Peter's Timeline. 1979 A Foundation Member of the Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo Inc. 1979 Joined the Wedderburn Old Timers Orchestra. 1983 The Celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band was formed. 1986 Collectors Choice. Volume one. 1987 Collectors Choice. Volume Two. 1988 Collectors Choice. Volume Three. 1988 Recorded Tapes - The Merry Country Dance & The Waltz Polka & all Kinds of Dances. 1988 A book with the late Shirley Andrews called Two Hundred years of Dancing. 1991 Across to Perth collecting for National Library with the Late John Meredith. 1996 Single CD A Friday Night at the Spring Gully Hop. 1998 Music Makes Me Smile. A tribute to Con Klippel 7 music of the Nariel Valley. 1999 Double CD Quadrille Mania 1&2 2000 Double CD Quadrille Mania 3&4 2001 Double CD Quadrille Mania 5&6 2002 His own project triple CD Take Me Back To Bendigo. (Goldrush to Federation and Beyond). 2002 Triple CD The Waltz The Polka & All kinds of Dances. 2005 Double CD The Merry Country Dance 1 & 2. 2002 Book, The Merry Country Dance. 2006 Single CD with Emu Creek 'Bush Concert Vol 1 Back to Goornong' 2006 Double CD The Merry Country Dance 3&4 2007 Double CD The Merry Country Dance 5&6 2007-8-? A book of music, The Waltz, The Polka & All Kinds of Dances. 2008 Double CD The Wedderburn Old Timers in Concert.person, individual, peter ellis oam

"The theatre itself was located in a barn close to the village pond. Its location is indicated on the attached 1827 map of Hampton Wick and the Swan arrowed where tickets were to be had. The picture of Ye Swan around 1900 is probably not too dissimilar to how it would have looked in 1797. One of the regular patrons at the theatre is believed to have been William, Duke of Clarence (later King William IV, uncle of Queen Victoria). The Duke lived in Bushy House about a mile away from the village and was a known devotee of theatrical entertainments. The theatre had disappeared by 1865. It would have been a touring company who were playing on the night of 3 October 1797." ( information from Ray Elmitt, historian of Hampton Wick ) The doors were to be opened at 6 to begin precisely at 7 o'clock,. Boxes were 3 shillings, Pit seats were 2 shillings and seats in the gallery were 1 shilling. Tickets could be bought at the printing office in Kingston or from Mr Ansel of Adam and Eve in Kingston or from Mr Pattenden of the Swan in Hampton Wick. "First Love" is a 1795 sentimental comedy play by the British playwright Richard Cumberland. It was first performed at the Drury Lane Theatre in May 1795. Frederick Mowbray becomes the protector of Sabrina Rosny after her abandoment by Lord Sensitive. The Agreeable Surprise is a 1781 comic opera to music by Samuel Arnold and a libretto by John O'Keeffe. The work in two acts was first performed at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket (London), on 3 September 1781. It was one of the most performed works of its kind in London in the last quarter of the 18th century. In England the 18th century saw the flourishing of theatre as a popular pastime. Many theatres were enlarged and new playhouses built in London and the provinces. This item was kept as a souvenir / memento and brought to Australia by an early settler.A very old program from the Richmond Company at the Theatre Hampton-Wick. It is white with black print. There are two performances - First Love and The Agreeable Surprise. There is a cast list for each. theatre hampton-wick-richmond-company

The Australasian Bandsman was a monthly journal devoted to bands. It began in the 1890's and was still being published in 2013.The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members. Primary Significance Criteria Three journals of the Australasian Bandsman. All have blue covers with darker blue print. Inside are white pages with black text. All are published by E. V. Simons P.O. Box 16 Portland New South Wales. 2085.1 July 1966 2085.2 October 1966 2085.3 November 1966Stamped with ORBOST MUNICIPAL BANDjournal magazine australasian-bandsman music

To make a piano roll, when the recording artist depresses a key on a specially wired-up piano, a signal is sent to a recording machine, which punches holes in a moving roll of paper. Originally, editing was done by punching extra holes by hand or patching unwanted holes with sticky tape but eventually the process was done by computer.• The music is A Lone Girl Flyer with the words and music by Jack O'Hagan. It was published in Melbourne by Allan's, c1930 and was dedicated to Miss Amy Johnson, a pioneering English aviator, the first female pilot to fly alone from Britain to Australia. It is an example of musical recreation of the 1930's. Brown paper roll of pianola paper (.1) in black box (.2) with lid. Broadway hard roll 1694 - A lone Girl Flyer ( march song O'Hagan). It has a duty stamp attached - Allan & Co Music Co Ltd MelbourneBroadwaypianola lone-girl-flyer johnson-amy music

Taken in Beechworth c1910, this postcard depicts Victoria Road lined with trees and residential houses. A horse and buggy is also pictured driving towards the camera. This postcard was manufacture by SEMCO or SEMCO Art Needlework Company, which was a "music, post-card and fine art importers, indentors and publishers" established by Stanley Edward Mullen in c1910, Melbourne. One of the identifying features of the Semco postcards is the text printed on the reverse of the cards which read: “Semco Series, P.O. Box 545, G.P.O. Melbourne.” Black and white postcard within oval frame, grey decorative edge. Obverse: VICTORIA ROAD, BEECHWORTH Reverse: 1997.2839 (crossed-out) A02839 84-137-1 POST CARD Near our state school. BEECHWORTH about 1910 beechworth, victoria road, postcard, 1910, semco

There were many different musical bands in existence throughout the 20th century in Warrnambool, from Warrnambool City Band to Pipes and Drums as well as trumpet, mouth organ, and military bands. They officiated at many social events and parades and celebrations which were held at the time. The Camperdown Chronicle lists the Dennis King Banjo and Mandolin band as performing at such events around the 1950’s. No information could be found on the owner of this instrument, Sylvia Broomfield.An object which relates to social events in the district.001056.1 Banjo mandolin. Eight stringed instrument with dark wooden frame and pig skin front screwed in with metal surround. It has a red chord shoulder strap. 001056.2 Black leatherette case with tan card lining and two metal clips and metal handle. A small box underneath the neck contains a pick and two plectrums. It contains a sheet of music called melody in F. Case has written in blue pen” Silvia Broomfield Nullawarre North. Dennis Kings Banjo mandolin Groupwarrnambool, dennis king banjo band, sylvia broomfield,

Henry Sutton is a talented world-wide accepted inventor with inventions relating to the telephone, photography, wireless, cars, motorcycles, and bicycles as well as many more inventions. Henry was also one of four brothers that ran the Sutton's Music Store after the death of their Father Richard Sutton. Henry Sutton taught Applied Electricity at the Ballarat School of Mines in 1883 to 1886.Smal cardboard box with coloured label on the front and black and white instructions label on the back.austral standard dry plate box, kodak, henry sutton, kodak australasia limited, developing formulae

Henry Sutton is a talented world-wide accepted inventor with inventions relating to the telephone, photography, wireless, cars, motorcycles, and bicycles as well as many more inventions. Henry was also one of four brothers that ran the Sutton's Music Store after the death of their Father Richard Sutton. Henry Sutton taught Applied Electricity at the Ballarat School of Mines in 1883 to 1886.Square cardboard box with Gramaphone, Zonophone and Twin Records can be had at Sutton's Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong printed on it. sutton's music, henry sutton, gramaphone, zonophone, twin records, box for records

Henry Sutton is a talented world-wide accepted inventor with inventions relating to the telephone, photography, wireless, cars, motorcycles, and bicycles as well as many more inventions. Henry was also one of four brothers that ran the Sutton's Music Store after the death of their Father Richard Sutton. Henry Sutton taught Applied Electricity at the Ballarat School of Mines in 1883 to 1886..1 in white box with black lid - Piano roll - Rosie .2 In purple box - O Thou That From Heaven Art .3 In white box with brown lid - Pansiespiano rolls, sutton's music, henry sutton, o thou that from heaven art, rosie, pansies, vocalstyle, imperial

Richard Sutton established Sutton's Music Store in Ballarat.Photographs of an accordion made by Richard Sutton, father of inventor Henry Sutton. The photographs are taken in the Ballarat Mining Exchange.richard sutton, r.h. sutton, sutton's music store, accordian

Music in punched tape format to be played on a "Player piano"An early form of recorded musicPaper piano roll in boxBroadway word roll 2807; Foxtrot (Friend-Olson). Played by Les Luscombepiano rolls, music rolls, player pianos

Silver medallion with inscription featuring image of the city of Melbourne verso is blank. Sits in black box with black felt.on medallion: "SPORT/ MUSIC/ ART/ DRAMA/ CARNIVAL/ LITERATURE/ MELBOURNE MOOMBA FESTIVAL" "PMA 0279/1" on box: "STOKES (A'ASIA) LTD, MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA/ ESTB. 1856" "PMA 0279/2"

Piano accordions were one form of music used to entertain families and friends prior to electricity being available.Possibly used by Eric Heider (Tenny) Wittingslow who married Iris Baker of Tawonga as his death notice was stored in the same box as the accordion.Wooden handles at each end, one has a leather strap over it. When pulled out wooden ends are attached to the handles and to a thick 'cardboard'. Then 3 red wire frames with green 'cardboard' covering, then wood, then 3 more red & green, then wood, then 3 more red/green and then another thick 'cardboard' attached to the opposite handle. These are the bellows pulling air in and out. The handle with the strap has a keyboard beside it while the other handle has silver knobs that move in when pressed. One side of its original box reads - "The Dudley' Trade Mark ' Nightingale' Accordeon / No. 8018?One handle has 'Dudley'. The other 'Dudley=Accordion'. The middle section has on the end of each of the 4 parts - in metal:- Trade mark with bird in the middle of a triangle. Followed by -Nightingale/Registered/Best Quality/Made in Germany piano accordion, dudley nightingale, musical instrument, dudley acccordeon

Pianola roll is a music storage medium used to operate a player piano, piano player or reproducing piano. The roll moves over a reading system known as a tracker bar; the playing cycle for each musical note is triggered when a perforation crosses the bar. They have been in continuous production since at least 1896. These rolls are c1920s.Used and owned by a resident of the Kiewa Valley. An alternative form of musical entertainment in the home. The music itself is historic and an example of what songs were popular in the 1920s.Stored in 2 boxes. Box 1. Mastertouch Rolls = 21; Universal Song Roll = 1; Vocalsty Song Roll = 3; Gulbransen Roll = 3 Box 2. Mastertouch = 2; Unidentified = 18 Most rolls are in original cardboard boxes with labels on the end. Rolls in various condition. Most rolls intact. Rolls of paper end are metal or Bakorlite, paper rolled onto a cardboard core. Boxes are dark colours. They ore continuous rolls of paper with holes punched into them. These perforations represent note control data.pianola rolls, music, entertainment

The Tawonga hall was used for community events eg. Dances, Balls and Debutante Balls. The dance Program was displayed for the Musicians and Dancers/Guests to be ready to dance when the music started. Traditional Ballroom dances include the Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango and Quickstep. Latin Ballroom dances include the Cha Cha, Rumba, JiveHandmade and used by residences of Tawonga and the Kiewa Valley. Possibly unique. Handmade, tall wooden box with opening at the front showing wooden slots for dance labels eg. waltz,. It has a knob at the top side. The knob can be turned to rotate the dances so that the current dance is at the top. The labels are on white paper and printed in large green letters. dances, balls, debutante ball, tawonga hall, entertainment

Names a newsagent who operated in Liebig Street in mid 20th century. G W. ClarkeTypical wrapping paper of the time and provides a list of items typically sold by newsagents at that time.Cream paper bag, with dark blue text inside a rectangular boxCLARKE’S/FOR CARDS/NEWSAGENTS/STATIONERY, BOOKS, GAMES,/SOUVENIRS, MUSIC, PAPER BACKS, ETC./ LIEBIG STREET, WARRNAMBOOL/ Phone: 2407warrnambool, clarke’s, liebig street, stationery, newsagents, clarke gw

1.Hand written letter to W.H.Dempsey Secretary of the Box Hill Gospel Church with a short history of the Ringwood Church from 1917-1953. 2.Short hand written history of the Gospel Church from 1881- 1918. 3. Five letters to the Town Clerk about renting the Ringwood Town Hall for use of a Church meeting 1927 and again in 1928. Also two in March and April 1937. 4. Page of newspaper cuttings including Gospel Hall opening 5. Newspaper cutting Announcing New Church at Heathmont 21-August-1958. 6. Newpaper cutting with photo of Pastor Woodhouse with news of new child play centre. Mail 31-May-1989 7. Gospel Music Revival Centre application form. 8. Christain House 7 page typed document about the Gospel House Music Centre

Feature length surf film described as one of the slickest and most professional ever made featuring the worlds top surfers Mark Richards, Gerry Lopez, Simon Anderson plus Wayne Lynch and many more. The film featured a rocking soundtrack with music by The Doors, Australian Crawl, Split Enz, The Church, Sunnyboys and many more. Special features on this DVD include the cult short surf film KONG's ISLAND.One of the best surf films to be made in the eighties featuring outstanding cinematography by Jack McCoy including Big Bells in 1981. The film broke box offices records around Australia during its theatrical screening.Cover artwork of film poster featuring film title, surfing images and faces of featured surfers.Film Title , 25th Anniversary Special Editiontom carroll, mark richards, gerry lopez, storm riders, jack mccoy, dick hoole, david lourie, wayne lynch, maurice cole, rabbit bartholomew, simon anderson, shaun tomson, joe engel, thornton fallander, peter mccabe

This MEZON brand button accordion was made specifically for Lyons, Musical Instrument Importer, 207 Bourke Street Melbourne, as can be seen on the embossed lettering on the top of the accordion. The hand inscribed nameplate indicates that the owner was T H Betts. On August 19th, 1903, Michael Edward Lyons applied to the Trade Mark’s Office of Sydney for registration of “The Invented word “MEZON” to be applied to musical instruments. In 1908 he was advertising himself as sole agents for MEZON accordions. He had been at that address for 15 years (since 1893) and was moving to larger premises at 256 Bourke Street, Melbourne. Still at this address in 1925, Lyons advertises MEZON accordions as “The ideal Xmas present, Maker your friends happy, This Xmas let the Present be a MEZON”. There was a choice of three styles: The Organ, The Wonder and The Grand Organ. They came with a Fibre Case with Lock and Key and a Leather Handle. The promise was “They Give Satisfaction”. They were obtainable at all stores or from Sole Distributors in Australia. In 1927 the MEZON was sold by Albert & Sons in Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland as well as by Lyons in Melbourne. The favoured German accordion brands were Monarch and Sterling, which were made by the International Accordion Company in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany. The company was founded in 1871 by Ernest Deines and made a variety of musical instruments. The company closed business in 1834. The International Accordion Company’s accordion range made the International brand and others such as MEZON, Globe, and Dienst. Australia imported the MEZON brand. American companies imported a range of the popular German branded accordions until World War II, when they were no longer available. In general, accordions produced after the war were not as high a quality and not loud enough to be heard over the electronic guitars and the drum kit of the bands. This accordion represents the type of musical instruments used in the late 19h and early 20th century, locally and Australia wide. In colonial Australia musical instruments like this one were imported from Germany as well as other countries. At that time, German made instruments represented good quality. This accordion is significant for being especially imported into Australia by a Melbourne retailer. Music was a part of family and social life, associated with dances, song and general fun.Button accordion with case. Accordion with steel reeds, three bass valves and ten treble valves. It is coloured black with very dark green trim, decorative silver metal reinforcing on main corners, gold reinforcing on corners of the bellows and delicate printed, gold printed patterned trims. Hand support for buttons is made of fabric. Folds of the bellows are light coloured with fine dark pattern. It has a nameplate on the front. Black wooden case has red lining, two brass hinges, two brass hook and eye catches and a swivel brass lock. The base of the case has a loose brass fitting. The top has a thin metal handle. Inscription on hand inscribed name on front, label inside case lid, silver reinforcing, leather on bellows top, and frame of accordion. Manufactured with the brand MEZON in Saxony, Germany, for Lyons of Melbourne. Once the property of T H Betts.Printed on label “MEZON ACCORDEONS.” Impressed in metal corners and reinforcing “MEZON” with logo [circle enclosing entwined capital D and E] “MADE IN SAXONY” Embossed in gold on frame “Made in Saxony”, “MEZON Accordion/ manufactured for LYONS / MELBOURNE, Bourke Street” Name inscribed by hand “T H Betts”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, mezon accordion, lyons, made in saxony, t h betts, betts, mezon, squeeze box, musical instrument, button accordion, germany, michael lyons, international accordion company, ernest deines, circle enclosing d e, d e, e d, german accordion