This exercise book records the details of Jack Ashworth's attempt to break the world record for marathon dancing in 1930. The event was held in the Oddfellows Hall in Warrnambool from 5.30 a.m. Monday June 23rd to 11.30 p.m. Saturday 28th June 1930 and broke the world record when 138 hours of dancing were completed. Mr Ashworth thus took back the world record which he held on 1929 and later lost. The event was open to the paying public and a prize of one guinea was offered to the lady who danced the longest with Mr Ashworth. The record book shows the signatures of those who verified the continuous dancing at given times throughout the six days. The Oddfellows Hall building in Koroit Street, Warrnambool is still extant and houses local businesses. This item is of particular interest as it contains details of an unusual event in Warrnambool's history.This is an exercise book with a black cloth cover. The pages are edged in red and have ruled blue lines, handwriting in black ink, two newspaper cuttings and a pasted-in poster.jack ashworth, oddfellows hall warrnambool, world record for marathon dancing

This stamp was used by an Independent Order of Oddfellows organization – the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge. The Independent Order of Oddfellows is a benefit society, founded in the U.S.A., offering medical and employment benefits for its members. Its motto is ‘Friendship, Love, Truth’. A branch was first established in Melbourne in 1846 and the Loyal Victoria Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows was established in Warrnambool in 1860. The Oddfellows Hall in Warrnambool (building still existing) opened in 1869. It is likely that the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge has been established from this original Loyal Victoria Lodge. This stamp is of interest as it has been used by the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. Benefit societies such as this one have been influential and important in the social and economic history of Warrnambool. This is a stamp for the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. It has a circular wooden handle, a metal base and a round rubber stampLoyal Warrnambool Lodge,Warrnambool I.O.O.F., No 181 F.L.T. loyal warrnambool lodge, independent order of oddfellows, stamp

These two stamps were for use by an Independent Order of Oddfellows organization – the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge. The Independent Order of Oddfellows is a benefit society, founded in U.S.A., offering medical and employment benefits for its members. Its motto is ‘Friendship, Love,Truth’. A branch was first established in Melbourne in 1846 and the Loyal Victoria Lodge was established in Warrnambool in 1860. The Oddfellows Hall in Warrnambool opened in 1869 (building still existing today). It is likely that the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge has been established from the original Loyal Victoria Lodge.These stamps are of interest as they have been used by the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. Benefit societies such as this one have been influential and important in the social and economic history of Warrnambool.These are two I.O.O.F. stamps. One has a black plastic handle, a rectangular wooden base painted red with a small indent on one side and a rubber stamp. Part of the rubber stamp has been cut off on one side. The other stamp has a rounded black plastic handle, a wooden base and a rubber stamp. Stamp one: ‘The Grand Secretary, I.O.O.F. of Victoria, 380 Russell Street, Melbourne, 3000’ Stamp two: ‘Loyal Warrnambool Lodge’ loyal warrnambool lodge, independent order of oddfellows, warrnambool, stamp

Warrnambool’s first Palais was established in the Hotel Mansions on the corner of Koroit and Kepler Streets and destroyed by fire in 1929. The second Palais was established at the Liberty Theatre in Lava Street. The third Palais was established in the Oddfellows Hall building in Koroit Street in 1939. Dances were held weekly and sometimes more often and attracted musical talent from the Warrnambool district and even from Melbourne with band leaders such as Tommy Davidson and Vin Mills. In 1974 the Warrnambool City Council bought the building and it was used only intermittently for entertainment purposes. Today the building is in private hands and is used for commercial and business purposes. This advertisement is of considerable significance as it comes from the Palais de Danse dance theatre which was important as a social institution in Warrnambool for over 30 years. The advertisement also reminds us of the era (1940s, 50s, 60s) when beauty pageants and Belle of the Ball competitions were popular all over Australia. This is a document in a brown plastic frame with a gold-coloured metal inside edging. The frame has a glass front. The document is a 1954 advertisement for the Palais de Danse dance floor in the Oddfellows Hall in Koroit Street, Warrnambool. The advertisement has black and red printing on a buff-coloured background. The advertisement has an ornamental edge around the printing and a red-coloured photograph of the dance floor. ‘Palais de Danse, Warrnambool, proclaims The Belle of the Western District, The Largest Provincial Competition, Biggest Prizes Ever Offered, The Most Beautiful Girls in the Western District’ etc etcpalais de danse, warrnambool, beauty pageants, warrnambool

This shield was a trophy awarded to the lodges of the Independent Order of Oddfellows in the 1960s. The first Warrnambool Lodge of the I.O.O.F. was established in 1860 (Loyal Victorian Lodge) and the Oddfellows Hall in Koroit Street Warrnambool was opened in 1869. One winner of the shield, apart from the Loyal Warrnambool Lodge, was the Loyal Aurora Lodge and the only reference found to a lodge of this name was based in North Melbourne. No information has been found on Frank D. Grayham. This shield is of interest as a trophy given by the Independent Order of Oddfellows in the 1960s. The I.O.O.F. in Warrnambool has been of historical importance in the social and business spheres in the city. This is a wooden shield with a central metal plaque attached and six other smaller metal plaques. The central plaque has an ornamental edging and the plaques are attached with metal pins. Four of the plaques have inscriptions. Both the wooden section and the plaques are much worn and scratched. Central Plaque: ‘W.D.C (or G) I.O.O.F. Lodges Installation of Officers Competition Frank D. Grayham Shield’ Smaller Plaques: ‘Loyal Aurora Lodge No. 82 31st March 1962’ ‘Loyal Warrnambool Lodge No. 131 7th July 1961’ ‘Loyal Warrnambool Lodge No. 131 26th April 1963’ independent order of oddfellows, loyal warrnambool lodge i.o.o.f.

The MU on these badges stands for Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows. This was one of the most prominent of the benefit societies operating in Warrnambool over the years. Originating in England, Manchester Unity I.O.O.F. was established in Warrnambool in 1860. This benefit society built and opened the Oddfellows Hall in Koroit Street Warrnambool in 1869 (building still extant but now used for office space). Some years ago the Manchester Unity I. O.O.F. joined with the Australian Natives Association to form a new benefit group, Australia Unity. These badges are of interest as mementoes of a benefit society that was prominent in Warrnambool for over 100 years..1 A round metal lapel badge with gilt edging, an outer blue band and the letters ‘MU’ in blue and red on a gold-coloured background. The stud clip is at the back. .2 As above except that it has a long stick pin attached to the back instead of a stud. MUmanchester unity independent order of oddfellows, benefit societies in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

Collection of items donated in past by unknown donor(s)Record of Warrnambool Benefit GroupCollection kept in archival boxes and recorded on data baseLodge Minute Books (6), Rule Books (2), Accounting sheets (3)warrnambool benefit societies, loyal victoria lodge, warrnamboolwarrnambool benefit societies, loyal victoria lodge, warrnambool

John Brunswick from Switzerland came to U.S.A. in 1845 and established a business in Ohio making carriages and billiard tables. In 1874 a merger gave the company a new name of Brunswick and Balke Company and in 1884 it became Brunswick, Balke and Collender. In the early 20th century the company made other products including phonograph records and discs and in 1930 this section of the company was sold to Warner Brothers. Today it is known as the Brunswick Corporation. The patent for these cleaning pads was taken out in 1922. Matilda (Tilly) Rowan, the daughter of Robert and Ellen Lavery was born in Warrnambool in 1872 and by 1896 was advertising her stationery shop in the Oddfellows Hall in Koroit Street. She married Thomas Rowan in 1908. She had a music shop at 143 Liebig Street with one known date, 1930, and then transferred her business to the Oddfellows Hall building which she owned. She also operated the Plaza Picture Theatre in the same building. She died in 1948.Brunswick- Balke- Collender CompanyThese are two gramophone records cleaning pads. They are circular in shape with a tin top and felt cleaning pads. One pad is brown-coloured and the other is green-coloured. The metal tops have the name of the supplier and the name of the music shop in Warrnambool that gave out or sold the pads. The tops are painted black with gold-coloured printing. The tops have ornamental scrolls on the edges. ‘Brunswick, Mrs Rowan Music House, 143 Liebig Street, Warrnambool, ‘Phone 634, Agent for New Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs and Records, The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, Reg.U.S. Pat.Office, M de F. Marca Industrial Registrada, patented November 1922, Philadelphia Badge Co., Phila, U.S.A.’mrs tilly rowan, brunswick- balke- collender company

This book has the sub-title: ‘A Complete Guide to the Table, the Toilette and the Ball Room with hints on Courtship, Music and Manners’. It was sold in Warrnambool at the book shop of C. & R. Lavery. They were early Warrnambool settlers and opened their bookselling and newsagent business in 1877. The shop was in the Oddfellows Hall in Koroit Street. This book is of interest as an example of the type of book produced in the late 19th century as an instructional manual for men in the area of manners and etiquette. It is also of interest because it was sold by a local bookstore in Warrnambool. This is a hard cover book of 184 pages. The cover is green with black lines on the cover edges and the titles printed in black lettering. The book has several pages at the front and the back giving information on other books produced by the same publisher (Ward, Lock, Bowden & Co.). These advertisements are accompanied by black and white illustrations. The book has an introduction and 24 sections on etiquette for men for various places and occasions. Each section starts with an ornamental first letter in black and white. The book cover has partly come apart from the pages and the cover is somewhat stained and very faded on the spine. Several of the pages at the back are torn and stained with some of the text missing. There is a label with the sellers’ information pasted on to the back of the front cover. ‘C. & R. Lavery Booksellers Koroit Street Warrnambool’ lavery family, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This is a book of music produced by Allan & Co. English- born George Allan (1826-1897) was a pioneer singing teacher in Melbourne who joined the music warehouse of Wilkie and Webster in 1862 and became the sole proprietor in 1874. By the late 1870s Allan & Co was the largest music warehouse in the Southern Hemisphere. It was bought by Brashs Stores in 1998 and since then it has had a series of other owners operating on a limited scale. Allan & Co. had a music warehouse in Warrnambool later in the 20th century. The supplier of this music item in Warrnambool was Mrs Fanny Rowan (nee Lavery) who had a music store at 143 Liebig Street after 1918. Later, in the 1930s, she had a music and stationery shop in the Oddfellows Hall and, as the owner of the building, also operated the Plaza Cinema in that building. This item is of some interest mainly because it was sold by Mrs Fanny Rowan, a prominent Warrnambool businesswoman in the first half of the 20th century. It is also of interest because it is an example of the music produced by Allan and Co, at one time the largest supplier of music books in Australia. Also Warrnambool had for some time an Allans Music Store at 76 Liebig Street. This is a soft-cover book of 50 pages containing the music of well-known community songs. The pages were stapled but the staples have been removed and there are rust marks and some tearing where the staples were removed. The book has a buff-coloured cover with brown printed material on the back and front covers. The back contains a list of the music titles in another booklet, ‘Primary Melodies’. The front cover has a stamp of the music shop of Mrs Rowan of Liebig street, Warrnambool and there is a brown border of two lines on the front cover. The inside first page has a list of contents. Front Cover: ‘Volume One, Imperial Edition No. 164, Allan’s Community Songs, 1/6 net, Allan & Co., Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Bendigo’. Front Cover in pencil: ‘A.L.Brodie’ Stamp: ‘ From Mrs Rowan, Music House, 143 Liebig Street, Warrnambool, Phone 634.’ allan & co, allans store,, warrnambool, fanny rowan music store, history

This book, ‘Angel’s Brother’ by Eleanora H. Stooke was a prize given to a pupil (name unknown) by the Christ Church Sunday School, Warrnambool in 1909. The Sunday School of the Anglican Church in Warrnambool dates from the 1850s and by 1909 it was an established tradition for most children whose parents belonged to the Anglican Church to attend a Sunday School. In 1906 there were about 30 teachers taking 45 pupils in the morning session and 177 pupils in the afternoon session. The highlights of the year were the Sunday School picnic held at various venues and the annual prizegiving day. In 1909 a cantata, ‘The Fairy Chain’ was performed by Sunday School students in the Oddfellows Hall. The Vicar in 1909 was Archdeacon Peacock (1906-1912) and in 1908 he introduced a Church Stamp System at the Sunday School whereby children were given stamps and pictures for an album to record their attendance and instruction. This book is significant because it is an example of the type of prize given to the prizewinners at the Christ Church Sunday School in Warrnambool in 1909. The prize, a book, has a story that has heavy Christian religious and moral overtones and the English Religious Tract Society produced books especially for the Sunday School prizegiving market. This is a hard cover book of 314 pages pus several pages detailing other books recently published. The book is a children’s book given as a prize by Christ Church Sunday School, Warrnambool in 1909. It has a brown cover with an inset of a sketch of a young woman holding an umbrella and a sea or a lake setting in the background. The colours of the sketch are blue, white and black and the sketch is set in a decorative border. A similar decorative pattern is on the spine of the book. There are several black and white plates in the book relating to the story. The inscription plate inside has both printed material in blue print and handwritten material in black ink. Front Cover: ‘Angel’s Brother, Eleanora H. Stooke’ Book Plate inside: ‘Christ Church Sunday School, Warrnambool, presented to Ethel … (name scratched out), Class VI, Teacher, Miss Ware, A.E.Peacock, Vicar, J.Ward, S.Smith, Superintendents, Advent, 1909.’ christ church warrnambool sunday school, archdeacon peacock, warrnambool

The first Palais dance theatre in Warrnambool was established in the Hotel Mansions on the corner of Kepler and Koroit Streets. When the hotel was destroyed by fire in 1929 the Palais was moved to the Oddfellows Hall in Koroit Street operating as a cinema. In 1939 the area in the Oddfellows Hall was converted into a dance floor, a skating rink and a squash court. The Palais dance hall continued until 1974. It had been a major entertainment venue in Warrnambool featuring many well known bands and singers over the years. This photograph is a fine memento of a most important entertainment venue in Warrnambool in the second half of the 20th century.A colour photograph of the interior of a dance hall showing the dance space, the lighting and the alcoves. The photograph is in two sections placed together. It is mounted on a yellow cardboard mount with a cut-out, printed name in cursive script. The black frame is made of composite material. A glass covering is over the photograph. On the back is a wire attachment for the hanging of the frame. There are crease and scratch markings in the bottom of the photograph.Palais de Dansepalais de danse warrnambool, the palais warrnambool, interior of the palais warrnambool, dance hall warrnambool, warrnambool

This book belonged to Robert Giles. He obtained it in 1914 and the bookseller was Mrs Tilly Rowan who was a well-known businesswoman in Warrnambool with a book shop and newsagency in the Oddfellows Hall in Koroit Street. Robert Giles (1895-1967) was born in Wangoom and went to the Wangoom State School and the Warrnambool Agricultural High School. He served in World War One and worked at the State Savings Bank in Warrnambool from 1911 to 1921 (excluding war service). He later worked in banks in Koroit, other Victorian country districts and Melbourne and retired to Mailors Flat. He was married to Vera King and they had one child, Joyce Aurelin. A Warrnambool branch of the Savings Bank was opened in Warrnambool in 1859 and it moved into a new building in Timor Street in 1885. (This building in now part of the Archie Graham Senior Citizens’ Centre). The State Savings Bank became the State Bank of Victoria in 1980 and in 1990 was subsumed into the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. This book is retained because it belonged to Robert Giles who lived in the Warrnambool area for part of his life and who worked at the State Savings Bank in Warrnambool early in the 20th century. This is a hard cover book of 408 pages. The cover is red with a gold-coloured image of a horse and a mounted policeman on the front cover and gold printing on the spine. The book has 25 chapters of text. Two labels of the book’s seller are affixed to the front cover and a title page. The cover is much scuffed.‘July 9th 1914 Robert P. Giles State Savings Bank Warrnambool’giles family, warrnambool, state savings bank warrnambool, history of warrnambool

The Loyal Victoria Lodge was established in Warrnambool in1862. It was a Lodge connected with the Friendly Society Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows. Friendly Societies were established to give members assistance in times of illness and hardship and to offer insurance against such events. The MUIOOF had its origins in Manchester, England. The Warrnambool Lodge built the Oddfellows Hall in Koroit Street in 1869 and in 1872 it joined with other friendly societies and established the Friendly Societies Park in Koroit Street. The MUIOOF joined with the Australian Natives Association and today the new name in Australian Unity. No details are available on W. A. McLean but the certificate indicates that he served his country during World War Two.This certificate is of considerable interest as the Loyal Victoria Lodge was a pioneer friendly society in Warrnambool with its history going back to 1862. It is also a good example of the certificates given to Warrnambool residents who had rendered significant war time service in World War Two.Framed Certificate featuring text and a coloured picture. The picture includes: a dove, five scrolls, a laurel wreath surrounding a globe, three women in long dresses, three young children, two stylised flower beds, rays of light, a hill and four coats of arms. It is covered with clear plastic with a metal back and metal prop. WARRNAMBOOL DISTRICT INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS IN VICTORIA MANCHESTER UNITY FRIENDLY SOCIETY. The Officers and Members of the Loyal Victoria Lodge No. 4835 express grateful recognition and sincere appreciation to Bro. W. A. McLean for services rendered to God, King and Empire in Great War, 1939- 1945. N.G.Chas Gerock V.G. F.J. Toogood Rob Fairbridge Secretary. a circular red seal.