Part of a collection of goldfield artifacts recovered from the Ovens Goldfield, including the Buckland Valley. The collection also included a large amount of Chinese pottery and artifacts also goldfields bottles, jars and mining implements. Collected by Aldo Gios late resident of Myrtleford. The Bright & District Historical Society purchased the collection of Chinese artifacts in 2010, included in the collection were other items of interest including this pipe and others similar.Relevant to the goldmining history of the areaPipe made of clay and embossed on both sides of the bowl. Damaged, attempt to reattach section of stem, a piece of the stem missing. Embossing,one side resembles a wattle branch, other side represents a harp. Lettering on both sides, worn and hard to read. There is some writing on the stem but it is worn and hard to decipher.tobacco, recreation, harp, pipe, clay, embossing, wattle, goldfields, smoking, leisure, ovens goldfield, gios

Produced c. 1910 by The Rose Stereograph co. This colourised photographic postcard shows the exterior of the administrative buildings at Mayday Hills mental hospital with three young boys in the foreground. This postcard forms part of the extensive Rose Series. (P. 4689) of postcards being produced by the Rose Stereograph co. which depicted landmarks from across Australia. Despite the early date attributed to this image, according to Walsh dates from this series place the postcards being produced typically between 1920-54. Mayday Hills Hospital, then known as the Beechworth Lunatic Asylum was constructed between 1864-67 designed by The Public Works Department. The hospital is made up of a number of buildings, landscaping, ha-ha, workshops, laundry, administrative facilities and farmland, it was constructed in 'Italianate' style by a team of up to two hundred and fifty workers (Woods p. 122). The asylum was established in response to the need for the regional shire to locally care for those particularly affected by their time working the Ovens goldfield during the Indigo Shire gold rush era where poor living conditions and isolation were significantly affecting the welfare of a great many people through poverty and lack of resources. The gaol and orphan labour systems were not able to effectively support to give housing, rehabilitation and ongoing care for the mentally ill, and transporting to Melbourne by waggon was a time consuming and counter-productive solution when the metro facilities were already overcrowded. According to Woods (A Titan's Field p. 122), between 1901 and 1911 a large percentage (thirty five percent in 1901 and twenty four in 1911) of the Beechworth population were either patients or inmates of Beechworth institutions, Mayday Hills accounted for some six hundred and seventy four patients in 1901, Beechworth's Mayday Hills was chosen as the site of Victoria's newest asylum, at the time, due to the landscape and altitude. The hilltop atmosphere and the native fauna, it was argued, would assist in the cure of the patients kept at the hospital (Wood 1985, 122). The positioning of the hospital had a beneficial effect on the rural town and the large volume of people living at the hospital and contributing to this population growth is counted as reason for the survival of Beechworth as a regional township. Mayday Hills continued to function as a mental hospital up until 1995 when it was sold to LaTrobe university. The building and grounds are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register under criterion A, B, D, E and F. Through the colourisation of the photograph and through the unusual choice of the subject matter being used as a postcard, we can get a good indication of aesthetic interests of the time.Rectangular coloured photograph printed as postcardObverse: Beautiful / Beechworth / (Vic.) / 1800 ft. / above / Sea / Level / - / Asylum / for / insane / (Front / View) / Copyright. / F. / Foxcroft / Photo Reverse: 1997.2454 / Postcard / THIS / SPACE / MAY / BE / USED / FOR / CORRESPONDENCE: / THIS / SPACE / FOR / NAME / AND / ADDRESS / STAMPpostcard, rose series, mayday hills hospital, mayday hills, beechworth lunatic asylum, photographic postcard, george rose, the rose stereograph co., social welfare, welfare services, ovens goldfield, lunatic asylum, the public works department, australian landmark, regional shire, indigo shire council, gold rush, beechworth institution, victorian heritage register

Two rectangular black and white photographs of the Beechworth Mental Hospital (Mayday Hills) administrative building showing the left and right hand sides of the exterior building with three cars parked in driveway turning circle in the foreground taken in the 1950's by E. Yellard. Mayday Hills Hospital, originally known as the Beechworth Lunatic Asylum was constructed between 1864-67 designed by The Public Works Department. The hospital is made up of a number of buildings, landscaping, ha-ha, workshops, laundry, administrative facilities and farmland, it was constructed in 'Italianate' style by a team of up to two hundred and fifty workers (Woods p. 122). The asylum was established in response to the need for the regional shire to locally care for those particularly affected by their time working the Ovens goldfield during the Indigo Shire gold rush era where poor living conditions and isolation were significantly affecting the welfare of a great many people through poverty and lack of resources. The gaol and orphan labour systems were not able to effectively support to give housing, rehabilitation and ongoing care for the mentally ill, and transporting to Melbourne by waggon was a time consuming and counter-productive solution when the metro facilities were already overcrowded. According to Woods (A Titan's Field p. 122), between 1901 and 1911 a large percentage (thirty five percent in 1901 and twenty four in 1911) of the Beechworth population were either patients or inmates of Beechworth institutions, Mayday Hills accounted for some six hundred and seventy four patients in 1901, Beechworth's Mayday Hills was chosen as the site of Victoria's newest asylum, at the time, due to the landscape and altitude. The hilltop atmosphere and the native fauna, it was argued, would assist in the cure of the patients kept at the hospital (Wood 1985, 122). The positioning of the hospital had a beneficial effect on the rural town and the large volume of people living at the hospital and contributing to this population growth is counted as reason for the survival of Beechworth as a regional township. According to the Victorian Heritage database, during the period 1921-1950 Mayday Hills underwent some modernisation by Public Works Department architect Percy Everett which included a nurses' hostel and new ward which were further developed and continued to function as a mental hospital up until 1995 when it was sold to LaTrobe university. The building and grounds are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register under criterion A, B, D, E and F.These photographs give a good indication of the ongoing use of Mayday Hills from its original establishment in the 1860's through to almost one hundred years later when these photographs were taken. The clarity of the images combined with the style and make of the cars in the foreground give a good indication of the time period and show the continued use and need for the facility over the years. Through images of building facades such as these, we might gain fuller understanding of the structural and aesthetic characteristics to be used in any future development or restorative work.2 x black and white rectangular photographs [copies] printed on Ilford photographic paper8688.1 reverse: Beechworth / Mental / Hospital / 80% 19cm / 12 cm / 80% / 728 / New / Print / BMM / 8688.1 / E. / Yellard / [Stamped : ILFORD] 8688.2 reverse: Beechworth / Mental / Hospital / E. / Yellard / BMM / 8688.1 / [Stamped : ILFORD]administrative building, black and white photographs, beechworth, mental hospital, beechworth mental hospital, mayday hills, cars, 1950, e. yellard, the public works department, public works department, hospital, mayday hills hospital, beechworth lunatic asylum, lunatic asylum, asylum, ovens goldfield, indigo shire, indigo shire gold rush

This black and white photograph is estimated to have been taken c1900 inside the Burke Museum. Several objects part of the museum collection at the time can be seen, with a high number of Asian influence objects visible; potentially Chinese in origin, as several Chinese villages were located around Beechworth and across Spring Creek, from the mid 1800s. The Burke Museum is part of the Precinct of Beechworth, which was established upon the discovery of gold in 1852. Originally built as the Beechworth Athenaeum in 1857, the museum was later renamed to the Robert O'Hara Burke Memorial Museum, more commonly known as the Burke Museum, in honour of the famous explorer and former Beechworth Superintendent of Police, Robert O'Hara Burke, after his death in 1861 at Coopers Creek during the famed ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition.This photograph is contextually, historically and socially significant due to its connection to both the Burke Museum and Chinese culture in and around Beechworth during the mid-1800s through to 1900s. Around 4700 people of Chinese heritage lived at the Ovens goldfield by April of 1857, representing one-quarter of the entire population at the time. The object holds strong representativeness to the history of the Burke Museum and to the objects in its collection. Its interpretive capacity could be supported and enhanced with other photographs and objects in the collection. Collectively, these records and objects could provide an insight into the museum's collection and its relationship with the origins of the objects.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on paper. Unmounted; taped to paper. beechworth, spring creek, chinese, burke museum, immigration, chinese immigration, ovens goldfield, china, museum, robert o'hara burke, burke and wills expedition, burke and wills, goldfields

This black and white photograph taken c1900 at a camp in Beechworth, depicts the last six survivors of the Beechworth Chinese mining community. The two men standing on the far right are believed to be local Beechworth men. The man second-from-right is believed to be George Young, a Chinese Presbyterian catechist whose task was to fulfil the Church's remit to evangelise the Chinese population. Beechworth became home to one of the largest Chinese communities in Australia after the 1857 Buckland Riots pushed Chinese miners from their claims and they were forced to relocate their camps. Under the Protectorate system, the Chinese were required to live in camps on the outskirts of town and were subject to many additional controls and regulations. Chinese miners continued to form a large part of the Beechworth population, and surrounds, until gold ran out at the turn of the century.This photograph is historically significant for its association with the development of Victoria through the discovery of gold and the first wave of free Chinese immigration to Australia as part of the 1850s gold rush. This photograph is also of social significance for its association with the history of the Chinese community in Beechworth, and the adversity faced by Chinese immigrants during the gold rush as part of a system of Chinese protectorates and segregated camps enforced by the Victorian Government in response to the hostility and violence directed at the Chinese during this period. Black and white rectangular photograph (copy) on matte photographic paper unmountedReverse: Chinese / BMM2676 / 84-79-1 / 1998.00059 / 'UNITED SHIRE OF BEECHWORTH / SHIRE SECRETARY'beechworth, chinese camp, beechworth chinese camps, 1900s beechworth, ovens goldfield, chinese mining community, beechworth presbyterian church

The Early Days of the Woolshed. A history of the early days of Woolshed, Reid's Creek, and Sebastopol of the owners of the Ovens Goldfield, North Eastern Victoria.G. F. Craiggoldfields, gold woolshed, reid's creek, sebpol

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Porcelain wine cups, celadon. Chinese tableware.Chinese writing or maker's stamp on base of both cups is identical. Writing is in blue colour.chinese, cup, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, harrietville, celadon, wine

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Porcelain wine cup, celadon. Chinese tableware.Maker's stamp - Chinese writing on base in blue coloured ink.chinese, cup, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, harrietville, celadon, wine

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Chinese porcelain wine cup, celadon. Chinese tableware.Chinese writing or maker's stamp on base in blue ink / dye.chinese, cup, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, harrietville, celadon, wine

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Chinese porcelain wine cup, celadon. Chinese tableware.Two blue marks on base.chinese, cup, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, buckland, celadon, wine

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Chinese porcelain cup, celadon. Chinese tableware.Blue Chinese writing or maker's stamp on base.chinese, cup, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, harrietville, celadon, wine

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Chinese porcelain wine cup, celadon. Chinese tableware.Blue Chinese writing or maker’s stamp on base.chinese, cup, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, buckland, celadon, wine

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Chinese porcelain wine cup, celadon. Chinese tableware.Blue Chinese writing or maker’s stamp on base.chinese, cup, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, harrietville, celadon, wine

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Chinese porcelain wine cup, celadon. Chinese tableware.Blue Chinese writing or maker’s stamp on base.chinese, cup, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, harrietville, celadon, wine

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Chinese porcelain wine cup, celadon. Chinese tableware.Blue Chinese writing or maker’s stamp on base.cup, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, harrietville, celadon, wine, chinese porcelain

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Chinese porcelain wine cup, celadon. Chinese tableware.Blue Chinese writing or maker’s stamp on base.chinese, cup, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, buckland, celadon, wine

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Porcelain food bowl, celadon glaze, Chinese. Blue floral design on outer surface, blue lines inside.chinese, bowl, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, buckland, celadon

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Porcelain food dish, glazed, Chinese. Blue pattern on inside and outer surfaces.chinese, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, dish, handpainted

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Porcelain food bowl, glazed, Chinese. Handpainted swirling pattern with Chinese writing on outer surface. Bowl base colour is a milky blue.Blue Chinese writing or maker’s stamp on base.chinese, bowl, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, buckland, handpainted

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Porclain food dish, glazed, Chinese. Handpainted blue swirls as decoration.chinese, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, dish, buckland, handpainted

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Porcelain food dish, glazed, Chinese. Handpainted blue lines with Chinese writing as decoration.chinese, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, dish, buckland, handpainted

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Chinese porcelain wine cup. Chinese tableware decorated with handpainted flowers and leaves in colours, pink, green and brown.Chinese writing or maker’s stamp on base, in orange ink / dye..chinese, cup, floral, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, harrietville, wine, handpainted

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Chinese porcelain food dish, glazed with floral decoration. Handpainted on inside surface. Celadon background with floral design in colours, pink, green, white and brown with gold frosting on leaves.Chinese writing or maker’s stamp on base in orange ink / dye.chinese, gold, floral, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, dish, buckland, celadon, handpainted

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Chinese porcelain food bowl, celadon glaze.Blue Chinese writing or maker’s stamp on base.chinese, bowl, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, harrietville, celadon

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Chinese porcelain food bowl, celadon glaze. Decorations in blue colour on outer surface. Blue lines circling the inside, handpainted.Blue Chinese writing or maker’s stamp on base.chinese, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, harrietville, celadon, handpainted, porcelain bowl

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Chinese porcelain food bowl, celadon glaze.Blue Chinese writing or maker’s stamp on base. chinese, bowl, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, harrietville, celadon

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Chinese porcelain food bowl, glazed. Chinese design on outer surface in blue colour. Two blue lines circling inside of bowl. One blue line circling top of rim.chinese, bowl, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, buckland, handpainted

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Earthenware sherd with Chinese writing.Chinese writing on one side.chinese, goldfields, gios, earthenware, harrietville, sherd

Brought to the Ovens Goldfields by Chinese men working in the area in the 19th century. Most likely made in China.Aldo Gios recorded the location of where most of the pieces in this collection were found. Some maps drawn by Aldo Gios also give more detail. This detail is rare, as most pieces of broken crockery were discarded and complete items were usually collected with no thought to recording the location they came from. Part of one of the largest collections of Chinese ware found in the Upper Ovens area and the only one recording the location where found.Chinese porcelain food dish, glazed. White colour with flower pattern.chinese, goldfields, gios, tableware, glaze, porcelain, dish, harrietville