Museum records indicate that the people in the photograph may include Gus Ryberg, Margaret Lecte, R. Tindale and R. Marsden (seated). Gus Ryberg was a prominent citizen of the Emerald region; receiving an Order of Australia medal for services to the local community in 1996. Early in his career he worked for the Gembrook Nurseries, which after his retirement led him to lobby for the last section of the land occupied by the nurseries to be formed into a public park with a purpose-built museum. Ryberg was responsible for many of the plantings in the resulting Nobelius Heritage Estate. After his death a Canadian Maple was planted in his honour with an accompanying memorial plaque. The records also indicate the photograph may relate to the Shire of Sherbrooke Community Awards. The Shire of Sherbrooke existed from 1964 to 1994. Prior to 1964 it was part of Fern Tree Gully Shire (an Honours board from this period is visible in the photograph) and after 1994 it became part of the Shire of Yarra Ranges.This photograph is significant as it may depict people attending a Community Awards ceremony at the Shire of Sherbrooke offices prior to the Shire's amalgamation into the Shire of Yarra Ranges in 1994.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on photographic paper. The photograph depicts seven older people (five women and two men) standing in front of a brick wall on which is hung a painting or photograph of a lyrebird. One woman at the front of the photograph is seated in a wheeled office chair, the other people in the photograph are standing. An Honours board with the partial heading 'Tree Gully' can be discerned in the rear of the photograph.Obverse: Tree Gully /gus ryberg, emerald, victoria, australia, shire of sherbrooke, shire of ferntree gully, shire of fern tree gully, shire of yarra ranges, community awards, margaret lecte r tindale, r marsden, emerald museum, nobelius heritage estate, order of australia

Carl Axel Nobelius established the Gembrook Nurseries in 1886 on sixty-three acres purchased from an original selector after the area's gold rush started to diminish. It was called the Gembrook Nurseries as it was located in the Parish of Gembrook, but it was commonly referred to as the Nobelius nurseries after its founder; especially as control of the remaining portions of the nurseries remained with the Nobelius family until 1955. The Nobelius Nurseries had a substantial impact on the development of the township of Emerald, as local farmers were able to earn funds during the winter by working at the nursery which gave them financial resources while waiting for their own farms to become productive. The need to transport plants and trees to port quickly also contributed to the development of rail infrastructure in the region; C.A. Nobelius was one of thirteen witnesses to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways in 1898 debating a rail connection between Gembrook and Ferntree Gully, which became today's Puffing Billy tourist service. The nurseries occupied 280 acres at their peak in 1905, with more than one million trees available for sale at that time. The nursery focused on exotic fruit and ornamental species which were supplied to public parks and gardens all over the world. In several cases the nurseries were the first suppliers of the trees in Australia. Sales records show that trees were supplied to clients in Europe, Asia, the United States, Africa and New Zealand, as well as to many Councils and Government organisations around Australia, such as Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens and Royal Botanic Gardens. Emerald Museum records indicate that this photograph of the Gembrook Nursery was taken in the vicinity of Carramar, the family home built by Carl Axel Nobelius. The sixteen-room mansion was one of the premier estates in the region and was visited by guests including Dame Nellie Melba and the Governor of Victoria, Sir Reginald Talbot. The building still stands amongst gardens that feature original Gembrook Nurseries plantings. Portions of the Gembrook Nurseries (and the Carramar estate) were sold at different times throughout the Twentieth Century, with the Emerald Country Club and Emerald Lake Park both occupying portions of the original land. In 1981 the final twelve acres were purchased by the Shire of Sherbrooke in recognition to be used as a heritage landmark in recognition of the site's significance.The photograph is significant because it depicts the built environment and stock cultivation at the Gembrook Nurseries during the early decades of the Twentieth Century; a period in which the nurseries were the leading Southern-hemisphere supplier of plants and trees to public gardens around the world. Museum acquisition records indicate this photograph was taken in the vicinity of the 'Carramar' estate, the home of the Nobelius family.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on photographic paper. The photograph depicts cultivated fields, roads, fencing and buildings at the Gembrook Nurseries; in the vicinity of the 'Carramar' estate.Obverse: 70 / (?) nt /1910s, 1890s, 1900s, carl axel nobelius, gembrook nurseries, nobelius nursery, carramar, farming, buildings, agriculture, dame nellie melba, reginald talbot, emerald country club, emerald lake park, shire of sherbrooke

These magnifying eyeglasses belonged to Dr William Bottomley. Dr Bottomley received his Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Melbourne in 1906 and had a medical practice on Collins St, Melbourne. He built a log cabin in Emerald which he would use on weekends.Dr Bottomley was a member of two syndicates who purchased land from Carl Axel Nobelius nursery property. Emerald Pty Ltd purchased 600 acres and with it developed the Emerald Country Club, including a golf course and properties. The Nobelius Station Estate purchased 300 acres, which includes sites of the current Nobelius Heritage Park and Emerald Lake Park. Bottomley Drive in Emerald is named after Dr Bottomley.This object is of historic significance as it provides insight into an early design of a late-nineteenth/early-twentieth century piece of medical equipment. (Early designs of magnifying eyeglasses date back to 1876 - Kwitko et al., 1998.) It is also of social significance as they belonged to Dr William Bottomley, who was instrumental in the establishment of the Emerald Country Club.Small pair of magnifying eyeglasses made of silver-coloured metal. Lenses are thick and unframed.eyeglasses, magnifying glasses, doctors (medical), medical equipment

These magnifying eyeglasses belonged to Dr William Bottomley. Dr Bottomley received his Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Melbourne in 1906 and had a medical practice on Collins St, Melbourne. He built a log cabin in Emerald which he would use on weekends. He was a member of two syndicates who purchased land from Carl Axel Nobelius nursery property. Emerald Pty Ltd purchased 600 acres and with it developed the Emerald Country Club, including a golf course and properties. The Nobelius Station Estate purchased 300 acres, which includes sites of the current Nobelius Heritage Park and Emerald Lake Park. Bottomley Drive in Emerald is named after Dr Bottomley.This object is of historic significance as it provides insight into an early design of a late-nineteenth/early-twentieth century piece of medical equipment. The object is also of social significance as they belonged to Dr William Bottomley, who was instrumental in the establishment of the Emerald Country Club.Burgundy-coloured, cylindrical eyeglasses case. Lid closes with a snap fastener. The inside of the lid has the maker's label and the outside has the model of glasses printed in gold lettering. Early designs of magnifying eyeglasses date back to 1876 (Kwitko et al., 1998).Exterior of lid: "SPEERA" / MAGNIFIERS. / Interior of lid: OPTICIANS TO / H.M. GOVERNMENT. / W. WATSON & SONS / ESTABLISHED 1837 TD / 313 / HIGH HOLBORN / LONDON /

Dr William Bottomley was a well-known specialist, humanist and social advocate in Melbourne in the first few decades of the 20th century. He also became a member of two syndicates who purchased land from Carl Axel Nobelius nursery property. Emerald Pty Ltd purchased 600 acres and with it developed the Emerald Country Club, including a golf course and properties. Dr Bottomley retired to Emerald. TheEmerald Museum has a number of objects (including medical instruments) and documents relating to Dr Bottomley. These can be found by a 'Bottomley' search of the catalogue. The Nobelius Station Estate purchased 300 acres, which includes sites of the current Nobelius Heritage Park and Emerald Lake Park. Bottomley Drive in Emerald is named after Dr Bottomley.This portrait is of historic significance because Dr Bottomley was instrumental in the establishment of the iconic Emerald Country Club.Framed photographic portrait in color of Collins St specialist, Dr Bottomley, by Dorothy Welding, Sydney, 1930s.dr bottomley, photographic portrait, doctors (medical), dorothy welding, 1930s, photographer, emerald country club