The platypus is a semi-aquatic, egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia. It is the sole living representative of its family and genus. They can grow up to 63cm in length and weigh up to 3kg, and their life span is typically 6-15 years. The unique mix of physical features of the platypus make it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology, and a recognisable and iconic symbol of Australia. Furthermore, the platypus is culturally significant to several Aboriginal peoples of Australia. The animal has also appeared as a mascot at national events and features on the reverse of the Australian twenty-cent coin, and is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.A long, stocky platypus with a streamlined body and a flat bill. The platypus has four short limbs with webbed feet, and the front-right foot is positioned upright. The hair is short and dense; the upperbody fur has an auburn tint, and the underbody fur is a silver/cream colour. The platypus has two beady black glass eyes.On tag: BMM / 5899 /taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, platypus, monotreme, mammal, ornithorhynchus anatinus

The first platypus to be bred in captivity was at the Sir Colin MacKenzie Sanctuary (now known as Healesville Sanctuary) in 1943. The birth was mainly thanks to the efforts of David Howells Fleay who was the director of the Sanctuary at that time. It was approx 50 years until another was born in captivity. In 1998 another was bred at Healesville Sanctuary. Since then attempts at breeding platypus have been largely unsuccessful.This DL envelope was used at the time of the 50th anniversary of the first breeding of a platypus in captivity. The envelope is pale yellow with brown wording and a brown and green image of David Fleay's book, "We breed the Platypus". There are 2 Australian 40 cent stamps on the envelope, featuring a swimming platypus and it has been franked with a circular stamp depicting "Corrie" the platypus. On the back of the envelope in brown wording is some general information about the platypus and also details of the first breeding . Franking: HEALESVILLE VIC 3777 25th FEBRUARY 1994 FIRST PLATYPUS BRED IN CAPTIVITY / 50th ANNIVERSARY / "CORRIE"/stationery, envelope, healesville-sanctuary, platypus, first-breeding, anniversary, fleay

Wooden shield depicting emblem of gold bordered royal crown centred with gold platypus and aboriginal weapons belowMotto "Nothing too difficult"plaque, platypus, aboriginal

One of 2 identical wooden plaques created to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the first breeding of a platypus in captivity. On the face of the plaque are 2 brass plates. The upper one is screwed to the wood and is slightly oval in shape and has a swimming platypus in the centre. The other plate, attached with 4 brass nails, describes the occasion and acknowledges the involvement of Australia Post. 1. AUSTRALIA / PLATYPUS 2 To commemorate the 50th Anniversay / of the first breeding of a PLATYPUS/ in captivity - February 26th 1944 / Healesville Sanctuary and Australia Post / Working Togetherplaque, platypus, breeding, first-time-breeding, healesville-sanctuary, anniversary

Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Katherine Littlewood, 2019hand coloured linocut on paper

Photograph by Ian Hill

Gold representation of an Aborigine wearing a possum skin cloak holding a spear, with kangaroo, emu and platypus.aborigine, aboriginal, kangaroo, platypus, emu, possum skin cloak

This bag was used for purchases made at the Healesville Sanctuary Retail Outlet possibly during 1990's. Compare with 000002Series of 3 brown paper bags using the Healesville Sanctuary 3 platypus logo (3 stylised platypus swimming in a circle) in dark green. The 2 larger bags also feature logos and identification of Melbourne Zoo and Victoria's Open Range Zoo Werribee. The Melbourne Zoo design is of 3 gorillas and Werribee has 2 zebras. The third bag is smaller and features the platypus design on the front and back of the bag. Dark green wording is also appears on each of the bags.HEALESVILLE / SANCTUARY / MELBOURNE / ZOO / VICTORIA'S/ OPEN RANGE ZOO / AT WERRIBEE/ FILDESBAG - (03) 9598 8988paper-bag, gorillas, platypus, zebra, logo

Newspaper Clipping from "The Post", 14 January 1997, Page 11, "Platypus are surviving in the eastern suburbs"'.A major survey of Melbourne's platypus population has found a "healthy number" of the animals living in creeks and rivers close to residential area in the outer east. Conservation and Land Management Minister, Marie Tehan, was present at the launching of the survey results, and spoke in detail about the results and the future planning and financial aid for the health of the Melbourne waterways.

Original postcard featuring black and white pen and ink sketch of a platypus. Landscape in background; water in foreground. Name of artist in right hand lower corner of card. Also Sanctuary identification printed on front and reverse of card.THE SIR COLIN MACKENZIE SANCTUARY, HEALESVILLE A. JORDAN/FROM A PHOTOGRAPHplatypus, sir-colin-mackenzie, healesville-sanctuary

Ecologist Josh Griffiths recently found a platypus in the Plenty River and urges the community to keep the river clean.News clipping, black text, colour image.plenty river, platypus, josh griffiths

Leaflet dropped from German/Italian aircraft on to Australian troops defending El Alamein during 1942. These propagander leaflets were designed to lower moral of defending troops, but were generally unsuccessful. This item relates to the history of the defence of El Alamein by Australian Forces in the Middle East 1942, and the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese in 1942.Printed paper, colour black white. top of pamphlet depicts a stylized platypus and boomerang - the 9th Division's Formation Sign, with text below. Printed on pamphlet "Diggers! / you are defending / Alamein Box! / What about / Port Darwin?" world war two, el alamein, propaganda, leaflet, plane drop, port darwin, diggers, platypus, boomerang

A plaster replica of the 377 ozs gold nugget that was discovered in March 1861 in Robinson Crusoe valley at a depth of 5 feet by Mr John Knott and his son. It was the largest nugget found on the field. Value in 2016 $595,463. An article by the Bendigo Advertiser on Saturday 16 March 1861 describes the discovery "One of the largest pieces of gold that have been turned out of the ground on Bendigo, was yesterday brought to light in a small gully called Dead Bullock Gully, on the Kangaroo Flat side of Robinson Crusoe. The fortunate discoverers of the treasure are in this instance, as is generally the case, "fossickers," and where the nugget was found is in some old ground that has no doubt been turned over times innumerable within a few feet of the spot where the prize was lying hid. The exact weight of the nugget is 377 oz 6¾ dwts of as pure gold as ever came out of the ground. The finders are Mr John Knott and his son; the latter,a lad, being the party who actually found it, which he did under rather peculiar circumstances. He was down below in the old hole, putting a drive into an old pillar that had been left, when he drove his pick into the mass of gold, and partially discovered it. Under the excitement of the moment he cried out loudly, and his father, who was on top, immediately jumped down the hole, under the impression that his son had met with an accident, but fortunately found that he only required assistance in extracting the welcome stranger. The following is a description of the nugget. Length, twelve inches; width, six; while in some places it is of about two inches in thickness, in others it is only about half an inch. It has that peculiarity of form which from the days of the early finders of nuggets has enabled one to discover a resemblance to something either common or uncommon. We have had nuggets resembling frying pans, legs of mutton, dampers, and other articles in use in the rosy days of the diggings. In the present instance several parties who have seen the nugget assert that both in shape and size it is very much like an Australian Platypus, one of the ends of the nugget being exactly in formation like the snout of the animal. It will be exhibited today in the gold office of Mr Bannerman, and will, no doubt,attract the gaze of a crowd. Mr Knott states that at breakfast, before going to work in the morning, the boy mentioned to his mother that he had dreamt on the previous night that he would find a large nugget. May the similar dreams of every alluvial miner come as true as this realization of a prize worth between fourteen and fifteen hundred pounds in value."It has a sticker on it that says 'The Platypus 112'mining, models, plaster model of victorian gold nugget, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/87375584

A promotional car sticker of Healesville Sanctuary specialising in Australian Fauna and Flora. This item was displayed at the front entrance to encourage visitors to purchase and promote the Sanctuary. This car sticker was a very popular and sought after souvenir selling for 25 cents contributing to the Sanctuary's income. Healesville Sanctuary was the first institution to breed platypus in a total captive situation.and is also the only institution in the world to breed LyrebirdsA promotional circular car sticker depicting a lyrebird tail in full display above a platypus side on. Has dark green border at ouside edge of sticker; colours are black, gold and green. Sticker is in a wooden glass frame and has a dynamo label glued to upper edge of glass. There are 2 eye hooks screwed into the upper edge of frame. Inscription on car sticker is "Sir Colin MacKenzie Sanctuary" on the bottom half of the perimeter circle. With "Healesville" at top of perimeter of circle. At the top of the inner circle the word "Victoria" is placed above a green horizontal band which reads "The Wild-life Sanctuary".healesville-sanctuary, first-institution, breeding, platypus, lyrebird

Hardcover w/ Dust JacketLeather Bookmark inscribed with image of Platypus and 'Melbourne'fiction, british fiction, walsh st library