Information about the dating of this photograph was provided by the 'Ask A Librarian' service of the State Library of Victoria. The Scripture Referendum was held on the same day as the Victorian Parliamentary Elections, in which J. Bowser ran against A.K. Buckley for a seat in the legislative assembly in the electoral district of Wangaratta and Rutherglen. The Scripture Referendum had three questions: "1. Are you in favour of the Education Act remaining as at present, strictly secular? 2. Are you in favour of such legislation as shall cause the scheme of Scripture lessons recommended by the Royal Commission on Religious Instruction to be taught in State schools during school hours to children whose parents desire the teaching (such lessons would be given subject to a conscience clause exempting teachers who object)? 3. Are you in favour of the prayers and hymns selected by the Royal Commission being used?" [source of text - Victorian Year-Book 1904. page 29]Black and white postcard sized photograph mounted on light cardboard. Photograph is of a group of men standing in front of shop "C.G. Nevill, Job Printer". Posters in the window are showing the results of "The Referendum", which has been identified as the Scripture Referendum held in Victoria on 1st June 1904. Poster in window at the right of the photo advertises a performance of Maggie Moore in Struck Oil, to be performed in the Town Hall on Saturday, 18th February 1904.On bottom of mount: "A.E. Nevill, Rutherglen" Written on back of mount: "Mr M. Pascoe, Rutherglen, Vic."nevill, printer, referendum, scripture in schools, secular education, victorian state elections, wangaratta rutherglen electoral district, maggie moore, struck oil

Taken in 1924, depicted are eleven young men dressed in school uniform attire standing in the playground of Beechworth State School. This group of young men were part of a farcical play titled "School Days" as part of Beechworth State School Concert series. Beechworth Primary School (formally known as Beechworth State School) was constructed in 1875 by architect Henry Bastow (1839 - 1920). Bastow was the chief architect and surveyor for the Victorian Government’s Department of Education. During his chiefship, over six-hundred schools were constructed across the state which was in response to the Victoria’s Education Act of 1872 legislating free, compulsory, and secular education. Performances such as this “School Days” play were common forms of entertainment within Beechworth up into the early twentieth century. This stems from the goldrush period in Beechworth (1852-1866) when travelling entertainers would tour the goldfields offering performances in singing, acting and circus tricks. These were usually held in a local pub or designated concert spaces, such as the Star Theatre in Beechworth. Entertainment offerings begun to slow down mid-twentieth century when the population begun to dwindle. Many locals took up this responsibility and put on their own plays and shows across the town. This photograph is historically significant as it provides insight into the types of entertainment activities held at the Beechworth School during the early twentieth century. It also demonstrates how students engaged with their school outside of their regular schoolwork. Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper mounted on board. Obverse: W.Howes / Beechworth Concert Party 1924 / State School / Beechworth Cyril Smith (Squidgy) / Keith Prowse / Bill Howes / J. Warde / J. Heatherly (Jumbo) / Gea Foster / B. Shallard (Shinky) / A. Foster / Ernie Smith / Jerry Burns / Ted Warden / School Master / Geo Foster in a Farscial Play “School Days” / Reverse: A03065 / 1997.2520 / 79.19.1 / school uniform, beechworth school, school days", concert series., henry bastow, beechworth primary school, victorian government’s department of education, education, victoria’s education act of 1872, beechworth state school

This book was given as a prize to Dorothy Donalson who was a pupil at the Warrnambool State School. No. 1743. This school was opened in 1876 in Jamieson Street, Warrnambool, following the 1872 Education Act bringing free, secular and compulsory education to Victoria. Several other Government- sponsored primary schools that existed in Warrnambool in the early 1870s closed when the school in Jamieson Street opened. The school still operates today. The name, ‘Dorothy Donalson’ may be a spelling mistake and may be meant to be Dorothy Donaldson who was living in Derby Street, Warrnambool at that time. Her father Cyril and his brother had a timber yard in Raglan Parade.This book is an excellent example of the type of book given as a prize to school girls in Victoria in the 1930s. The author, May Wynne was a popular and prolific writer of the time. If the book belonged to a member of the Donaldson family, then this is of interest as the Donaldson timber business was a prominent one in Warrnambool at the time. This is a hard cover book of 255 pages. The cover is grey with black lettering on the front and the spine and an image of two schoolgirls in black and grey on the front cover. The book also has a dust cover with a multi-coloured image of the same two schoolgirls on the front cover. The dust cover has been reinforced with white paper pasted on the inside of the cover. The name plate is blue-coloured and has an ornamental edging with the information handwritten in black ink. The book contains 18 chapters and has a full-page black and white illustration at the front of the book.‘S.S. No. 1743 Warrnambool Presented to Dorothy Donalson, First Prize, Grade V11 Girls, 1934’ warrnambool state school, dorothy donaldson

The portrait was commissioned after Higinbotham's death in 1893. A committee was appointed to investigate the making of a portrait and they appointed Mr L Bernard Hall, instructor and later director of the National Gallery of Victoria. George Higinbotham (1826-1892) had a distinguished career as a newspaper editor and politican before becoming a Judge of the Supreme Court in 1880 and the third Chief Justice in 1886. Higinbotham was a long serving attorney-general in the 1860s colonial administration. Higinbotham was active in the education, land and constitutional debates of his time. He played a prominent role through his chairmanship of the of the Royal Commission into Public Instruction with regard to the introduction of the free and secular primary school education.The portrait of George Higinbotham is of historic significance as the depiction of an important public figure in 19th Century Victoria. The painting is also of interest as an early example of L Bernard Hall's Australian works. Portrait in Oils of George Higinbotham. Higinbotham is seated at his desk, pen in hand. He is dressed in his judicial robes, ready for Court.Signed Lower right B Hall 95. Plaque on frame : The Hon. George Higinbotham Judge of the Supreme Court 1880-1886 Chief Justice of the Supreme Court 1866-1892supreme court, higinbotham george, hall bernard

This school was one of the earliest in St Kilda. The 1842 plan of Crown Lands that were sold to establish what became the village of St Kilda reserved an area on Acland Street for the 'Church of England and School'. Christ Church was constructed on the site in 1854-57. A school had started before then but was closed for about a year after the Head Teacher abandoned his students in search of gold. A sign on the door read 'This school is closed in consequence of the master having gone to the diggings'. The school was re-opened in 1853, with only two pupils on the first day. The new Headmaster was John Hadfield, a teacher who had recently arrived in Melbourne from Wiltshire, England. He stayed on as Headmaster for the next 22 years. Free secular compulsory education was introduced in Victoria from 1873. Until a permanent State school could be built in the area, the Government used the St Kilda Town Hall for this purpose, and the students from Christ Church school were transferred there. The Brighton Road State School was opened in January 1875, with John Hadfield was its first Headmaster. The Government then leased the old Christ Church schoolroom and established a second school there. The Headmaster was James A Ure. The school continued until the 1940s. The building was burnt down in 1977.The building burnt down in 1977.black and white gloss photograph good condition unmountedFirst State School in St Kilda, Acland St, St Kilda 22 Nov 1933st kilda, christ church, acland street, st kilda schools, john hadfield, james a ure, christ church school, christ church college

This school was one of the earliest in St Kilda. The 1842 plan of Crown Lands that were sold to establish what became the village of St Kilda reserved an area on Acland Street for the 'Church of England and School'. Christ Church was constructed on the site in 1854-57. A school had started before then but was closed for about a year after the Head Teacher abandoned his students in search of gold. A sign on the door read 'This school is closed in consequence of the master having gone to the diggings'. The school was re-opened in 1853, with only two pupils on the first day. The new Headmaster was John Hadfield, a teacher who had recently arrived in Melbourne from Wiltshire, England. He stayed on as Headmaster for the next 22 years. Free secular compulsory education was introduced in Victoria from 1873. Until a permanent State school could be built in the area, the Government used the St Kilda Town Hall for this purpose, and the students from Christ Church school were transferred there. The Brighton Road State School was opened in January 1875, with John Hadfield was its first Headmaster. The Government then leased the old Christ Church schoolroom and established a second school there. The Headmaster was James A Ure. The school continued until the 1940s. The building was burnt down in 1977.The building burnt down in 1977.Framed and mounted original photograph, black and white. First state school room in Victoria.st kilda, christ church, acland street, st kilda schools, john hadfield, james a ure, christ church school, christ church college

Born 1823 West Indies, commenced ministry 1847, died 1890 in Rookwood, NSW. Joseph Horner Fletcher (1823-1890), Wesleyan minister, was born at St Vincent, Windward Islands, the eldest son of Rev. Joseph Fletcher, Wesleyan missionary, and his wife Mary, née Horner. In 1830-37 he attended a Methodist school in Kingswood, England, and then his uncle's school in Bath. He entered business but in July 1842 became a local preacher. He was accepted for the Wesleyan ministry in 1845 and after training at Richmond College, Surrey, he married Kate Green in December 1848. He was sent to Auckland, New Zealand, where he became the founding principal of Wesley College. In 1856 poor health obliged him to take up circuit work in Auckland and New Plymouth, where he witnessed the Maori war. He moved to Queensland and in 1861-64 was on circuit in Brisbane. In 1863 he became the first chairman of the Queensland Wesleyan District. In 1865 Fletcher was serving at Ipswich when invited to succeed Rev. John Manton as president of Newington College, Sydney. He acknowledged that the main business of the school was secular education in a Christian atmosphere and believed that education could help to overcome sectarianism. He invited distinguished academics to examine Newington students and strongly supported (Sir) Henry Parkes's education policies. He opposed the formation of a Methodist university college until a strong secondary school was established. He believed that boys should be taught to appreciate orderly conduct rather than to fear punishment and that corporal punishment was degrading and to be used only in extreme circumstances. Under Fletcher Newington developed a high moral tone and a tradition of order and respect. After he retired in 1887 the old boys gave him an address of appreciation and a portrait in oils to be hung in the hall. In addition to his normal duties from 1883 he had taught resident theological students. From 1887 he was an effective and progressive full-time theological tutor. As a preacher Fletcher had exceptional power: he expressed his thoughts in a fresh way with sparkling illustrations and characteristic humour. He combined humility with great spiritual power, prophetic vision and administrative ability. He encouraged the development of institutional church work which grew into the Central Methodist Mission in Sydney. Fletcher was elected as the first president of the New South Wales and Queensland Wesleyan Methodist Conference in 1874 and again in 1884, when he was also president of the General Conference of the Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Church. As conference editor in 1868, 1871 and 1873, Fletcher contributed more than fifty articles, numerous essays and reviews of books to the Weekly Advocate. He read widely, deeply and with discrimination. Never robust in health, he suffered months of illness before he died aged 66 at Stanmore, Sydney, on 30 June 1890. He was survived by three sons and two daughters, and buried in the Wesleyan section of Rookwood cemetery. In 1892 his eldest son, Joseph, edited a memorial edition of his Sermons, Addresses & Essays. Information from Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol. 4, 1972. Sepia toned carte de visite. Seated studio portrait of the Rev. Joseph Fletcher.Rev Joseph Fletcherrev. joseph fletcher, joseph horner, wesleyan minister, newington college sydney, new zealand, queensland, president general conference, wesleyan methodist church, central methodist mission

This book, edited by Donald MacLeod, was given in 1883 as a prize to Annie Egerton by the Rev. W.H. Scott for Bible Knowledge. Annie Egerton was a pupil at the Allansford State School. John Jones was the Head Master at this school from 1867 to 1891. The school was opened in December 1856 as a National School and is still operating. No other details concerning Annie Egerton have been found.This book is of importance as it is a 19th century book given as a prize to a pupil of the Allansford School in 1883 for her Bible knowledge. It is particularly interesting that a prize for religious knowledge was given in the 1880s to a pupil at a secular State School. It is also interesting to note the type of book given to a primary school girl in the 19th century – a book with strong moral overtones and some heavy instructional articles. This is a hard cover book of 836 pages. It has a dark green and black cover patterned with an ornamental pattern and gold lettering contained within a square box on both the cover and the spine. The inside front and back pages have a mottled green flower pattern. The edges of the pages have a gilt finish. The book has a bookplate on the inside cover and the book contains an Index of Contents, short stories, articles on various topics and an Index of Authors. There are many black and white illustrations and sketches throughout the text. The first illustration has a piece of tissue paper in front of it. The cover is a little frayed at the edges and somewhat blotched. ‘Allansford State School No.3, 1st Prize given by the Rev. W. H. Scott awarded to Annie Egerton, Bible Class, Senior Division, for Bible Knowledge, 21st December 1883, J.E. Jones Head Teacher’. allansford state school, education in the warrnambool area, annie egerton, john jones, rev. w. h. scott

The Warrnambool Primary School was established in 1876 and continues today. It is situated in Jamieson Street. The school was one of many State Schools erected in Victoria after the 1872 Act of Parliament which made education for children free, secular and compulsory. It brought about the closure in 1876 of the denominational and State Common Schools in Warrnambool. This badge is one of many made for children, staff etc to wear as an indication of the school to which they are attached and to keep as a memento of the school at a later time. It is useful for display purposes onlyThis is a metal badge with brown and gold enamelling. It has a bar at the back for attachment to clothing or other material. Front: Warrnambool Primary School, est. 1876 and an image of a bird in flightwarrnambool primary school, badge, warrnambool

The Yackandandah and District Historical Society decided to write up a history of the school which had begun as a Church of England School from 1855 to 1872 before the commencement of the current primary school. The early history of the school is relevant to the Kiewa Valley as it was the closest school at the time.and existed before "Education is to be secular, compulsory until the age of 15, free in basic subjects" The Roper family pages 22, 29, 30 Small booklet with 39 pages held by two staples. The cardboard cover is light green with the dates in dark green and the title and authors in red. No pictures. No contents or index.'C. Roper' written in blue ink on the front cover.yackandandah school, education

This photograph depicts a large and crowded classroom at Beechworth Primary School, taken sometime in the 1930s. By that time, primary education in Victoria for children aged 6 to 15 years had been free, secular and compulsory since the Education Act of 1872. Among the students is the owner of the photograph, Jack Schofield. The Beechworth Primary School itself is a reflection of Beechworth's growth from a goldfields town in the 1850s to an administrative centre of northeast Victoria by the 1920s, supported by the presence of courts, hospital, prison and asylums. This photograph has historical significance as it illustrates a typical classroom in 1930s Beechworth. It gives a glimpse of classroom arrangements and student life during this period and also reflects the emphasis placed on public education in regional Victoria. Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: 7699.1beechworth primary school, beechworth elementary school, school, students, education, 1930s classroom