Donated to the PMH&PS by the authors, at the launch on Station Pier (occasion of 150th birthday of Railway Pier), 12th September 2004. (Ref 1948.01 for picture of authors at launch)."Welcome & Farewell - The Story of Station Pier" - a large, lavishly illustrated history of early Sandridge Railway and Station Piers. Copper coloured cover and dust cover, hardback, 206 pp. Index, Bibliography, Chronology and extensive references. Signed by co-authors and Station Pier ManagerSigned by co-authors Jill Barnard and Sonia Jennings, and Station Pier Manager Evda Marangospiers and wharves - railway pier, piers and wharves - station pier, transport - shipping, transport - railways, immigration, jill barnard, sonia jennings

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

The Gembrook Nurseries, informally known as the Nobelius Nurseries after the founder Carl Axel Nobelius, began with the purchase of sixty-three acres in 1886 and boomed in the 1890s due to opportunities provided by employment-promoting schemes to develop public parks and gardens and street shade by local and State Governments around Australia. Trees were sold to more than forty councils and Government organisations in the 1890s, including the Department of Agriculture, Lands Department and Victorian Railways. The need to transport nursery products by train via Ferntree Gully rather than by bullock dray to Narre Warren was a factor in the successful petition to develop what is now known as the Puffing Billy Railway. Railway developments in 1900 included the creation of a siding and Packing Shed, known as Nobelius Station, which is featured in this photograph. The Packing Shed was able to handle 250,000 cases of fruit each year. Gembrook Nurseries had an indirect influence on the development of other farms and industries in the region. As a wholesale nursery with high sales volumes it was an important employer of local people. Peak season for employees was during the cooler months, during most farmers' off-season. This provided local farmers with a source of income while their own farms were becoming established.The photograph is significant because it depicts personnel and infrastructure associated with the Gembrook or Nobelius Nurseries, a business which was instrumental to the development of Emerald as a settlement in the 19th and 20th Centuries and also influenced the development of public and private gardens and the farming of several species in Australia and internationally. The Nobelius Nursery is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on print media paper. The image is captioned 'Lunch Hour at the Packing Shed, Gembrook Nurseries.' It depicts thirty-one men (including one adolescent) and one woman posing for a group photograph behind approximately five large product bales resting in a rectangular metal rail cargo carriage. One of the men has a bandage across one eye. The people depicted are wearing clothing indicating the image may have been taken in the early 20th century. The Packing Shed building (built in 1900) and several stacked wooden storage crates are visible behind the group.Obverse: 59 NOR (?) 10 (?) + / LUNCH HOUR AT THE PACKING SHED, GEMBROOK NURSERIES. /1900s, gembrook nurseries, nobelius nurseries, carl axel nobelius, packing shed, railway, puffing billy railway, nursery employees, farming, agriculture, government initiatives

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. Portions of the Gembrook Nurseries 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 work processes 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. The photograph may also depict Carl Axel Nobelius overseeing his workers, which gives insights into work practices and social dynamics of the time.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on photographic paper. The photograph of a postcard or newspaper clipping depicts twelve men in clothes associated with the first decades of the Twentieth Century undertaking planting or other field work under the gaze of a man in a suit and top hat. The item is captioned 'Budding at Gembrook Nurseries.'Obverse: BUDDING AT GEMBROOK NURSERIES. /1910s, 1900s, 1890s, 1880s, 1886, 1905, carl axel nobelius, nobelius nursery, gembrook nurseries, emerald country club, emerald lake park, fruit growing, trees, farming

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. Portions of the Gembrook Nurseries 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 demonstrates the extent of 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 period 1908-1912.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on photographic paper. The photograph depicts a central view of cultivated fields and trees along the skyline at the Gembrook Nurseries in approximately 1908-1912.Obverse: Gembrook Nurseries - Central View /1900s, 1910s, farming, agriculture, trees, gembrook nurseries, carl axel nobelius, emerald park lake, emerald country club, parish of gembrook, fitzroy gardens, royal botanic gardens, melbourne, shire of sherbrooke

The Gembrook Nurseries, informally known as the Nobelius Nurseries after the founder Carl Axel Nobelius, began with the purchase of sixty-three acres in 1886 and boomed in the 1890s due to opportunities provided by employment-promoting schemes to develop public parks and gardens and street shade by local and State Governments around Australia. Trees were sold to more than forty councils and Government organisations in the 1890s, including the Department of Agriculture, Lands Department and Victorian Railways. The need to transport nursery products by train via Ferntree Gully rather than by bullock dray to Narre Warren was a factor in the successful petition to develop what is now known as the Puffing Billy Railway. Railway developments in 1900 included the creation of a siding and Packing Shed, known as Nobelius Station, which is featured in this photograph. The Packing Shed was able to handle 250,000 cases of fruit each year at the height of the nurseries' activities. The image shows the Packing Shed with boarded-up windows, suggesting it was taken prior to the purchase of the facility for use in the Puffing Billy Railway service. Gembrook Nurseries had an indirect influence on the development of other farms and industries in the region. As a wholesale nursery with high sales volumes it was an important employer of local people. Peak season for employees was during the cooler months, during most farmers' off-season. This provided local farmers with a source of income while their own farms were becoming established.The photograph is significant because it depicts infrastructure associated with the Gembrook or Nobelius Nurseries, a business which was instrumental to the development of Emerald as a settlement in the 19th and 20th Centuries and also influenced the development of public and private gardens and the farming of several species in Australia and internationally. The Nobelius Nursery is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. The image appears to show the Packing Shed building prior to its restoration as a tourist facility.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on print media paper. The image depicts the Gembrook Nurseries Packing Shed building with boarded up windows.Obverse: NOBELIUS NURSERIES / . WEEKEND TRADING . /1970s, gembrook nurseries, puffing billy railway, carl axel nobelius, packing shed, railway stations, farming, agriculture

The Gembrook Nurseries, informally known as the Nobelius Nurseries after the founder Carl Axel Nobelius, began with the purchase of sixty-three acres in 1886 and boomed in the 1890s due to opportunities provided by employment-promoting schemes to develop public parks and gardens and street shade by local and State Governments around Australia. Trees were sold to more than forty councils and Government organisations in the 1890s, including the Department of Agriculture, Lands Department and Victorian Railways. The need to transport nursery products by train via Ferntree Gully rather than by bullock dray to Narre Warren was a factor in the successful petition to develop what is now known as the Puffing Billy Railway. Railway developments in 1900 included the creation of a siding and Packing Shed, known as Nobelius Station, which is featured in this photograph. The Packing Shed was able to handle 250,000 cases of fruit each year at the height of the nurseries' activities. The image shows the Packing Shed prior to the purchase of the facility for use in the Puffing Billy Railway service. Gembrook Nurseries had an indirect influence on the development of other farms and industries in the region. As a wholesale nursery with high sales volumes it was an important employer of local people. Peak season for employees was during the cooler months, during most farmers' off-season. This provided local farmers with a source of income while their own farms were becoming established.The photograph is significant because it depicts infrastructure associated with the Gembrook or Nobelius Nurseries, a business which was instrumental to the development of Emerald as a settlement in the 19th and 20th Centuries and also influenced the development of public and private gardens and the farming of several species in Australia and internationally. The Nobelius Nursery is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. The image appears to show the Packing Shed building prior to its restoration as a tourist facility.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on print media paper. The image depicts the Gembrook Nurseries Packing Shed building. The building is made from weatherboard and features a brick chimney. There is also a tall tree standing next to the chimney.Obverse: IUS NURSERIES / TRADING ... /gembrook nurseries, puffing billy railway, carl axel nobelius, packing shed, railway stations, farming, agriculture

The Gembrook Nurseries, informally known as the Nobelius Nurseries after the founder Carl Axel Nobelius, began with the purchase of sixty-three acres in 1886 and boomed in the 1890s due to opportunities provided by employment-promoting schemes to develop public parks and gardens and street shade by local and State Governments around Australia. Trees were sold to more than forty councils and Government organisations in the 1890s, including the Department of Agriculture, Lands Department and Victorian Railways. The need to transport nursery products by train via Ferntree Gully rather than by bullock dray to Narre Warren was a factor in the successful petition to develop what is now known as the Puffing Billy Railway. Railway developments in 1900 included the creation of a siding and Packing Shed, known as Nobelius Station, which is featured in this photograph. The Packing Shed was able to handle 250,000 cases of fruit each year at the height of the nurseries' activities. The image shows the Packing Shed with boarded-up windows, suggesting it was taken prior to the purchase of the facility for use in the Puffing Billy Railway service. Gembrook Nurseries had an indirect influence on the development of other farms and industries in the region. As a wholesale nursery with high sales volumes it was an important employer of local people. Peak season for employees was during the cooler months, during most farmers' off-season. This provided local farmers with a source of income while their own farms were becoming established.The photograph is significant because it depicts infrastructure associated with the Gembrook or Nobelius Nurseries, a business which was instrumental to the development of Emerald as a settlement in the 19th and 20th Centuries and also influenced the development of public and private gardens and the farming of several species in Australia and internationally. The Nobelius Nursery is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.A coloured rectangular photograph of the Nobelius Nurseries Packing Shed. The photograph was taken in the grounds looking up towards the packing shed. There are various trees and vegetation throughout the grounds and surrounding the packing shed. The Nobelius Nurseries Packing Shed was used to sort and pack trees to be sent overseas during the 1900s-1940s.No inscriptions/marksnobelius nursery, packing shed, 2000s, puffing billy railway, nobelius heritage park

The lifebuoy postcard frame was given to Ethel Ruby Nobelius to commemorate her nineteenth birthday on board the S.S. Mongolia during a trip to Ceylon with her parents, Carl and Emily Nobelius. Ethel Ruby Nobelius was born on 27 October 1887 in Emerald and died on 2 August 1965 in Mildura at the age of 77. She was the Nobelius family's second oldest daughter. In total there were eleven children, including three girls, though three sons died in infancy. Ruby's father, Carl Axel Nobelius, was born in Finland in 1851 to a Swedish horticulturalist family and emigrated to Melbourne from Sweden in 1871. He worked at nurseries in Toorak and South Yarra before purchasing sixty-three acres of land in the new settlement of Emerald where he grew plant stock including fruit and ornamental trees which were sold to Australian and international clients for public parks, municipal landscaping projects and private gardens. These included the Fitzroy Gardens and Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne and buyers in Europe, the Americas, Asia and New Zealand. Nobelius sourced plants from many countries, and in some instances was the first nurseryman in Australia to do so. Locally, Gembrook Nurseries were an important industry and major employer in Emerald and the surrounding area and had a profound influence on the development of the township, including in the development of infrastructure such as the narrow-gauge railway used to transport stock to the main line in Ferntree Gully, which is now known as the Puffing Billy railway. It is not known where the lifebuoy postcard frame was made. It appears to be official merchandise for the ship S.S. Mongolia, operated as part of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company ("P&O"). P&O were one of the first passenger voyage companies, incorporating in 1840 by Royal Charter and beginning passenger services in 1844. P&O were successful initially because they obtained contracts to carry official mail, which is indicated on the designation 'R.M.S.' or Royal Mail Ship on the lifebuoy. The line was originally formed to operate between England, Spain and Portugal; the colours of the Portuguese and Spanish flags were used to form the P&O company or house flag which can be seen on the item. Services to and from Australia directly did not begin until 1932, indicating that the Nobelius family may have travelled to board the ship at an international port prior to their journey to Ceylon. On the 23rd of June, 1917, the S.S. Mongolia struck a mine laid by a German ship entitled 'Wolf', eighty kilometres from the port of Bombay, India, en route to Australia. Twenty-one people died in the initial explosion or from wounds sustained in the blast and two crew members drowned during the evacuation, but more than 450 people were successfully evacuated in the thirteen minutes it took the ship to sink.The item is significant as it provides evidence of a trip to Ceylon made by Carl Axel Nobelius in 1906 which may have influenced stock available in the Gembrook nurseries, commonly known as the Nobelius nurseries. The Nobelius nurseries exported stock to many parks and municipalities and private buyers throughout the world in the early 20th Century so an international trip made by the proprietor potentially influenced the distribution of plant species during this period. In addition, the item commemorates the ship S.S. Mongolia which was sunk by Germany in 1917, during World War 1.The item is a wooden photo frame in the shape of a lifebuoy with attached cord. It is painted a cream colour, with decoration featuring two flags and the names of the ship and shipping line, one in each of four sections around the edges. On the item's left is a version of the Australian flag without the Federation Star or Southern Cross elements. On the item's right is the white, blue, red and yellow company flag of the P&O shipping line. Both flags are paired with an additional anchor design element. The top section contains the initials P.&O. R.M.S. and the lower section the word Mongolia. The frame contains a black and white postcard depicting the S.S. Mongolia.Obverse: P.&O. R.M.S. / S S ong ." P O / MONGOLIA Reverse: THE BOAT Ruby Carl & Emily / Travelled to Ceylon / 1906 / Given to Ruby / on her 19th birthday / 24/10/06 /1906, p&o, peninsular and oriental steam navigation company, carl axel nobelius, ruby nobelius, ethel ruby nobelius, gembrook nurseries, nobelius nurseries, lifebuoy, memorabilia, souvenir, ship, ceylon, s.s. mongolia, royal mail ship, world war 1, ww1, first world war