Photographed in the early 1900s, this black and white photograph depicts 25 members of the Mayday Hills Hospital Staff. Six men sit in front of the group (Mr Imhose stands fourth from the left in front row), upon the ground and behind them, in bright white clothing, sit eight female nurses upon a long bench (one of these nurses is identified on the rear as Miss A.J. Ross). Behind these women stand 10 men. The men are all wearing dark clothing and several have 'Kepi' style hats. The staff photograph was captured by Frazer and Vallance Photographers Melbourne. This image was originally combined with 1997.2491 but these images have since been torn apart and catalogued separately. 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. A pamphlet published by James Ingram and Son (1849) reveal that famous landmarks in Beechworth which included the Post Office, Gaol, Courthouse and Asylum "demonstrate the appreciation of Beechworth by the Government not only as as important district center, but also as a site unrivaled as a sanitarium". There were other locations in contention at the time, but ultimately Beechworth was chosen (Craig 2000, 33). Prior to the creation of the Asylum in Beechworth, those charged with having mental illnesses or, as it was termed, "insanity" were unable to be properly cared for in the Gaol (which is where they were often sent). John Buckley Castieau wrote, in 1861 for the Ovens and Murray Advertiser, that the Gaol was unable to properly care for those classified then as "insane" but that they would endeavor to treat them above the other inmates (which he notes is not always the case in other establishments). Castieau wrote this in favour of supporting the building of the Mayday Hills Hospital in Beechworth. It was stated that at the time the Mayday Hills Hospital was built, there were 83 prisoners kept in the Gaol who were to be rehoused to the Hospital on the grounds of "insanity". The classification as someone as "insane", in this period of time is a reflection on the inability to cure and understand illnesses of the mind during the mid to late 1800s. Opening on the 24th of October 1867, the Mayday Hills Hospital was originally named the "Ovens Lunatic Asylum", a title which is very much a product of its time. Whilst controversial, changes to the name is part of the history of the Hospital and can provide much insight into the understanding of mental illness throughout history and the use/disuse of this term provides information into the reception/changing opinions of mental illness in society. The Hospital would later become known as the "Mayday Hills Asylum" and/or "Mayday Hills Hospital" with the latter being the most commonly used title. An article in the Ovens and Murray Advertiser notes that on the 7th of March 1865, the foundation stone of the Hospital was laid (it would officially open in 1867) and that it was such a moment of accomplishment and joy for Beechworth that a letter to the editor even suggested that there should be a holiday dedicated to the day the foundation stone as laid. This reveals an extent to which the townspeople of early Beechworth valued the construction of the Hospital in their town. It provided the town with a sense of prestige and honour.At first glance, the remains of the Mayday Hills Hospital in Beechworth, Victoria, inspire tragedy, trauma and beauty. The buildings themselves, with their Italianate style Renaissance architecture designed by J.J. Clark (Craig 2000, 49 & Smith 2016, 203) reflect a bygone period of European and Australian history. The gardens provide a sense of tranquility and beauty. The experience of those within these walls remains a valuable area of study to provide a more complete understanding. This particular hospital is considered the fourth of its like and one of three identified as the largest of their kind. The Mayday Hills Hospital is a sister to the Kew and Ararat Asylums in Melbourne which are both located in relative proximity. Understanding the role of the Mayday Hills Hospital in Beechworth history is integral to understanding the development of the goldfields town, but also for providing important information as to the history of caring for, and the reception of, mental illnesses in Australian and wider European history. Mayday Hills provides a case study which can be researched through oral history, an analysis of the grounds/buildings and through images like this postcard which portray the structure in a highly deliberate manner. Images like this depict the strong façade of the Hospital and provide a glimpse into the tranquility of the gardens. This has been done deliberately to provide a sense of comfort and healing about the building to those looking from the outside. Further research into the importance of the Hospital in Beechworth and it's connection to the town will be supported through images like these kept in the Mayday Hills photo album in the collection of the Burke Museum.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on photographic paper mounted on cardHandwriting reads: "Mental Hospital / Beechworth / Miss A. J. Ross / about 82 in 1944".mental asylum, beechworth, mayday hills, mayday hills hospital, victoria, mental health, history of mental illness, treatment of metal illness, asylum, hospital for mentally unwell, miss a.j. ross, nurse, staff, doctors

This photograph was taken from the intersection of Loemans and Sunbury Roads. It overlooks the site of the former Bula Primary School and the hillside where stones were laid and painted to form the words "Bulla". The lettering was possible a project carried out by the pupils at the school.A black and white photograph of a panoramic view overlooking the former Bulla Primary School. The photograph has been taken from the intersection of Loemans and Sunbury Roads.bulla primary school, bulla township, george evans collection

Black & White photograph of three women of various ages (3 generations)maggs, mary, clothing and dress, marianne, banfield, harriet

The Rupertswood Hotel was built on the NE corner at the intersection of Brook and Evans Streets. It was demolished in the late 1970s, in the dead of night, to make way for a modern retail area. In its heyday the two storey hotel was the pride of Sunbury and offered accommodation for rail travellers.A black and white photograph of a bluestone building which is being demolished. Three workmen are working from scaffolding which is on the RHS of the photograph.rupertswood hotel, hotels, evans street, brook street, cathie, james, goodby, norman, levvy, f.w., george evans collection

The Sunbury bakery which was in O'Shanassy Street was demolished in the 1970s to make way for newer retail development. Bakery Walk off O'Shanassy Street defines the vicinity of the former bakery site.A black and white photograph of a demolished bakery. Two men standing above the oven on the RHS with a heap of rubble in the foreground.bakeries, bread making, bakery walk, george evans collection

In the late 1960s St. Mary's Anglican Church was dismantled from its Oaklands Road site and rebuilt on land in Bulla township adjacent to the old shire offices. It was moved because of the interference it would create for aircraft landing in the new Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine. The site has been left timbered because some of the district's early settlers were buried in the church yard before the Bulla Cemetery was established.A black and white photograph of the site of the former St. Mary's Anglican Church at Oaklands Road. There are heaps of building rubble in the foreground and trees in the background.st. mary's anglican church - bulla, oaklands road, graveyards, george evans collection

The Kaolin Quarry at Bulla supplied Kaolin to the Northcote and Brunswick Pottery Works until it ceased operation at that site in the 1950s. The three arched bluestone bridge r3placed a ford crossing across Deep Creek, which along with Jacksons Creek flows into the Maribyrnong River.A black and white photograph of the Deep Creek and three arched bluestone bridge in the Bulla Township with the Kaolin Quarry in the background. One truck is crossing the bridge with a tanker approaching the bridge at the bottom of the Bulla Hill.deep creek, bridges, kaolin quarries, quarries, george evans collection

In December 1939 the excavation of the diversion tunnel at the site of Junction (Lake Guy) Dam was commenced and finished in February, 1940.This allowed the stream to be diverted to facilitate the dam wall construction. This is a 'slab and buttress' dam. It is framed with timber and concrete then poured into the structure. A contract was let to Lewis Construction Co. for the construction of the dam, and the first batch of concrete was placed in September, 1940. Industrial trouble caused some delays but there was also slow progress on the part of the contractor and the work was taken over by the S.E.C., terminating the contract. The dam was completed in March, 1944. The lake is named after Mr. L.T. Guy who was the Resident Engineer, in charge of construction work and associated activities on the Kiewa area, from 1939 until November 1946. An historical pictorial record taken for the State Electricity Commission of Junction Dam (Lake Guy) on spill. Mt. Arthur is in the background and there is still evidence of the destruction of trees from the 1939 bushfires. Black and white photograph of Lake Guy Dam . The dam is spilling and Mt. Arthur is in the background. Hand written on back of photograph in blue ink " Lake Guy Dam".dam, lake, water, mr. l.t.guy