This framed lithograph print in watercolour and gouache was produced on November 19th, 1924, by 20th-century marine artist, Mr R.N. Duffield. It depicts the event of a sea rescue that took place two years earlier. The framer was A.L. Frith of Footscray, Melbourne, who actively advertised from 1933 to 1935. The now disbanded Shiplovers' Society of Victoria (1930-2018) donated the print, and it seems likely that this print was framed for that organisation. This graphic image shows the conditions in which the rescue from the wrecked Helen B. Sterling happened. Captain George Harris was master of the American-owned, four-masted windjammer. His wife Edith and their ten-year-old son Leslie were on board, along with a crew of fifteen seamen. The ship set off from Newcastle, NSW, on January 5th, 1922, loaded with a cargo of coal to deliver to the Society Islands and on to San Francisco. Young Leslie later wrote a lively school composition for his teacher about his experiences on board the Helen B Sterling. He tells of a fire that broke out the day after they departed and burned a hole in a beam. Then another troublesome time on the 9th, when a strong gale blew a sail off the ship. Finally, he tells of the highlight of his voyage when, on the 18th January, the ship was right in the path of a strong cyclone, which broke the mainmast. Huge waves crashed over both sides of the deck, meeting in the middle, and the ship began to sink. The rescue from the wreck was an exciting time for the young boy, and even more so when one of his cats survived after being carefully wrapped in a pillowcase and thrown down from the ship for the boy. Reporters later wrote about Leslie’s comments, “... what had grieved him most was the thought that he might never see his two little sisters again”. Captain Harris said in a published statement, “… the gale was the worst he had met in his 12 years’ experience at sea. All went well for the first week. We then encountered a strong blow from the south-east. We tried the gasoline pump, but the engine broke down, and we had to do the pumping by hand. We at once shortened sail, but the sea increased in fury to such an extent that men were washed from the pumps. I was below at 5:30 on Sunday morning [January 22nd, 1922] when the main mast went over the side, … I at once sent out SOS signals, and got word that HMAS Melbourne was coming to our assistance. I had made a mistake with regard to our position, but did not know it until 11:30 o’clock, when I sent out the correct location. This was picked up by the Melbourne and I received the following reply: “We will reach you about 2 am. Keep a good heart. The Melbourne will do all she can.” Our ship was practically awash when we were taken off.” (Ref: the ‘Helen B. Sterling Disaster’, Maitland Weekly Mercury, NSW, 4-2-1922.) Officers from the Royal Australian Navy, Captain Henry J Feakes (later Rear-Admiral) and Commander Wilfrid Ward Hunt, were on board the light cruiser, HMAS Melbourne (1913-1928), when it left Sydney for New Zealand. After the SOS was received, the ship sped at full steam towards the sinking Helen B. Sterling. They found the vessel at about midnight and shone bright search lights on the distressed ship to illuminate the desperate scene. The Melbourne was unable to move close to the schooner, so sixteen seamen, including Commander Hunt, volunteered to man the Melbourne’s lifesaving 12-oared cutter. They rowed the sea boat with great urgency towards the victims of the sinking ship, keen to save lives no matter what the conditions. When the cutter was close to the Sterling, a line was secured between the Sterling and the cutter. The weary, waterlogged and anxious men on board could be rescued, one at a time, in the breeches buoy equipment, which looked like canvas shorts with a lifesaving ring in the waistband. The victims were hauled along the line and pulled aboard by many willing hands. All eighteen crew and passengers were saved, including Captain Harris and his family. The seamen of the Melbourne received a heroes’ welcome when they arrived in New Zealand. The grateful survivors were taken to Auckland, where they received the care and comfort they needed. Melbourne’s Lord Mayor, Cr. Swanston, on behalf of the citizens of Melbourne, formally recognised the heroic rescue efforts of the seamen of the HMAS Melbourne on March 2nd, 1922, at a special presentation. Two large flags, a White Ensign and an Australian “Jack" Flag, were presented to the Captain of HMAS Melbourne, and souvenirs were awarded to the sea boat’s crew and its Commander, Wilfred Ward Hunt. Commander Hunt was also presented with an original watercolour depicting the heroic rescue from the wreck of the Helen B. Sterling, painted just after the event by renowned marine artist Arthur V Gregory (1867-1957), and he received a silver cigarette case bearing the City’s coat of arms and the inscription, "To Commander Ward Hunt from the Citizens of Melbourne as a memento of the rescue of the crew of Helen B. Stirling by H.M.A.S. Melbourne, on 23.1.22". Both the painting and the cigarette case are now treasured items inherited by his grandson; a reminder of “… a very fine naval gentleman who believed in leading by example." R.N. DUFFIELD: - The Lithograph print in our collection by 20th-century English artist R.N. Duffield is dated Nov. 19, 1924. It is very similar to, and possibly created from, the original A V Gregory watercolour presented to Commander Hunt and dated 1922. Mr R.N. Duffield has art works in the Yarmouth Museums, Norfolk Museums Collection; “Orient Liner Otranto …,” and "Convoy of six ships at sea", both painted in watercolour and gouache during the 1940s. Some of his other works, also painted in watercolour and gouache, have been advertised for sale on Internet sites. Some details differ between the original A.V. Gregory and this Lithograph Print: - -the words on the bow on the original watercolour are “Helen B. Sterling, Blain”, which is in Washington, USA, where the Sterling Shipping Company was registered from around 1919; the words on the print are “Helen B. Sterling, Halifax, N S”, for Nova Scotia, Canada, which is the hometown of Sterling Shipping Company founder’s wife, Helen B Sterling. -The watercolour is coloured and has fine details; the print is monochrome - The A V Gregory signed the watercolour in 1922, on the lower left; the print is signed with the Lithographer’s name on the lower right; “R N Duffield, Nov. 19. 1924” ARTHUR VICTOR GREGORY (1867-1957): - A.V. Gregory is a renowned marine artist who worked in watercolour and gouache. He painted actively between 1899 and 1932, creating over 3o0 works. South Melbourne, Victoria, was where he lived and worked. This Lithograph print is significant in that it depicts the rescuing of the passengers and crew of the schooner “Helen B Stirling”. At the time this was a significant event that made most Australian and New Zealand papers because of the involvement of the Australian cruiser “Melbourne”. The image demonstrates the perilous conditions experienced by seafarers. It includes an example of the line and breeches buoy method used to save lives at sea from the 1860s and into the 20th century. It reflects a time in our history when sail and steam ships cruised the world’s seas together, the former trading with a cargo of coal from Newcastle, the latter defending our country in World War I. The print is part of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum’s Collection of maritime artworks that depict famous events, vessels and locations, showing the evolution of sea craft, and aiding the interpretation of our maritime history. The Lithograph print is behind glass in a black painted timber frame and mounted under a cream matte. The vivid image depicts a sea rescue in progress. The night scene is illuminated by a light beaming from a steamship, the Cruiser HMAS Melbourne. It reveals figures on the deck of a sinking sailing ship, the schooner Helen B. Sterling, as foaming waves roll across it. The stricken ship has a broken main mast, and a sail has been detached. A small figure is floating in the choppy sea, secured in a breeches buoy that is attached to a rescue line between a lifesaving cutter and the sailing ship. The crewmen in the cutter are ready to haul the shipwrecked victim aboard, while the figures on the foundering ‘Sterling’ watch them. The print’s paper-covered wooden backboard is attached to the frame with small tacks. A metal hanging wire is secured to two dissimilar eyelet screws. Inscriptions include text on the bow of the sinking vessel, a handwritten title below the picture, and a handwritten name in the print’s lower right corner. On the reverse are two oval, black ink stamps and a round cream label with printed text. The hand-painted print was reproduced from a lithograph, signed in the lower right, by R.N. Duffield of England, on November 19th, 1924. A Frith of Footscray, Melbourne framed it. Painted on the ship’s bow: “HELEN B. STERLING / HALIFAX N S” [Nova Scotia, Canada] Handwritten below the print: “AUSTRALIAN CRUISER “MEMBOURNE” (Tons 5600) rescuing crew of sinking four-masted schooner “HELEN B. STERLING” of Halifax NS Canada, Tons 1343 in a gale in the Pacific Ocean.” Handwritten on lower right: “R.N. DUFFIELD / Nov. 19. 1924” (underlined) On paper label: “Phone: / Footscray 398 [some of the text has torn off] / “A. FRITH / PICTURE FRAMER / Manufacturer / 17 Paisley Street / Footscray.“ On both oval stamps: “SHIPLOVERS SOCIETY OF VICTORIA / LIBRARY” flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, lithograph, lithograph print, reproduction print, helen b. sterling, the sterling, american owned schooner, halifax, halifax n s, halifax nova scotia, nova scotia, halifax n s canada, schooner, windjammer, sailing ship, four-masted ship, captain george harris, george harris, edith harris, leslie harris, sterling shipping line, hmas melbourne, hmas melbourne (1), cruiser hmas melbourne, the melbourne, australian cruiser, captain henry j feakes, commander wilfred ward hunt, sinking ship, shipwreck, sea rescue, gale, cyclone, 1922 rescue, shipwreck rescue, breeches buoy, line rescue, rescue line, lifesaving, cutter, cutter melbourne, sea boat, lifesaving crew, 12-oar cutter, shipwreck victim, r.n. duffield, marine artist, nov. 19. 1924, 20th century artist, a frith, footscray picture framer, shiplovers’ society of victoria, shiplovers’ society library, watercolour, a v gregory, arthur victor gregory, melbourne artist, newcastle coal, newcastle nsw, society islands, san fracisco, aukland new zealand, school composition, ship’s cat, sos signal, lord mayor cr. swanston, heroes, cigarette case

Collection of newspaper clippers in scrap book dated 1960 - 1973Newspaper article concerning the history of the Phillip Island Historical Society"Phillip Island's Historical Soc."local history, newspapers, history of phillip island historical society, jean jamieson

Collection of newspaper clippers in scrap book dated 1960 - 1973Newspaper article concerning the revival of the Phillip Island Historical Society"Revived"local history, newspapers, revival of phillip island historical society, jean jamieson

Collection of newspaper clippers in scrap book dated 1960 - 1973Newspaper article concerning a financial grant being sought by the Phillip Island Historical Society for land and a showcase."P.I. Historical Society seeks $5,000"local history, newspapers, phillip island historical society seeking grant of $5000, jean jamieson

Article from a collection of newspaper cuttings from October 1968 to July 1971Article about Ken Pound, ornithologist and Phillip Island Conservation Society secretary, defends the Penguin Reserve management. penguin reserve, phillip island, mr ken pound, phillip island conservation society, mr bert west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of the restored figurehead of the shipwrecked "Speke". Now resides in the Phillip Island & District Society Museum in Cowes - 2017.local history, photography, figurehead of the "speke", black & white photograph, sailing ships, figureheads, john jenner, bryant west

Purpose of the meeting was the reforming of the Historical Society. Discussion included a suitable building to house exhibits, finance and insurance. A Committee of nine members was formed.Two typed pages on yellow foolscap sized paper of minutes of the Inaugural Meeting of the Historical Society of Phillip Island. 21st August 1967 held at the Council Chambers, Cowes.local history, phillip island historical society, local identities

The first voyage of Lieutenant James Cook was a combined Royal Navy and Royal Society expedition to the south Pacific Ocean aboard HMS Endeavour, from 1768 to 1771. The aims of this first expedition were to observe the transit of Venus across the Sun (3–4 of June 1769). Departing from Plymouth in August 1768, the expedition crossed the Atlantic, rounded Cape Horn and reached Tahiti in time to observe the transit of Venus. In September 1769 the expedition reached New Zealand. In April 1770 they became the first known Europeans to reach the east coast of Australia, making landfall near present-day Point Hicks, and then proceeding north to Botany Bay. The expedition continued northward along the Australian coastline. In October 1770 they reached the port of Batavia in the Dutch East Indies. They resumed their journey on 26 December, rounded the Cape of Good Hope on 13 March 1771, and reached the English port of Deal on 12 July. The voyage lasted almost three years. Voyage 1 (1768–1771): ship Endeavour Route: London – Madiera – Rio de Janeiro – Cape Horn – Tuamotu Island – Tahiti – Society Islands – New Zealand – New Holland (Australia) – East Timor – Java – Batavia – Cape of Good Hope – St Helena – Ascension – LondonCook joined the British merchant navy as a teenager and joined the Royal Navy in 1755.Colour reproduction of portrait of Captain Cook by Nathaniel Dance (1735-1811)Captain James Cook - The First Voyage 1768-1771captain james cook, nathaniel dance (1735-1811), endeavour, navigators, sea voyage

Items belonged to Arthur George Holley No 13556 RAN HMAS Hobart. Refer 2134 for service history also 2135.3, 2137, 2147. Proceedings of "Naval Historical Review". The minutes of the Naval Historical Society of Australia Garden Island NSW. All typed in black, several pages each, stapled together. .1) Yellow paper, Vol 1 No 7 April 1971, 6 pages. .2) White paper, Vol 1 No 8 May 1971, 6 pages. .3) Blue paper, Vol 1 No 9 June 1971, 8 pages. .4) Blue paper, Vol 2 No 1 July 1971, 6 pages. .5) Blue paper, Vol 2 No 2 August 1971, 10 pages. documents, naval, history

The Album was compiled by Nancy McHaffie late 1990's, with the assistance of Edith Jeffery's, with her book "Garden of Memories" and extensive knowledge of Phillip Island. The Cemetery lies back from the road and is surrounded by Manna Gums, rare Peppermint Gums, Blackwoods and other native trees. In all 25 acres of land were set aside as Crown Land in the land settlement of 1868. There are 6.2 acres of wetlands near the cemetery entrance.Jack Robinson Oswin: Many of the trees now flourishing in the cemetery grounds were planted by Jack Oswin and his wife Coral. Born in Mildura in 1909, his association with Phillip Island started when he attended the Cowes Primary School during the war years. He was foundation member of the Phillip Island Conservation Society and played a key role in the purchases of the area of land known as Conservation Hill. In the early 1980s he was awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition for his services to conservation. Jack died on December 4th 1990, aged 81 years.phillip island cemetery, jack robinson oswin, coral oswin, nancy mchaffie, edith jeffery

Collection of approximately 87 receipts of various charities supported by S. A. Bush. 1202.21 Receipts to Charities 1923 – 1930 The Australian Christian World Salvation Army Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Fathers Association of Victoria The Navy League Bendigo Musical, Literary, Elocutionary and Calisthenics Competitions Prayer Union for Israel United Country Fire Brigades Demonstrations St Paul’s Church Building Funds and Church Donations Girl Guides ‘Association The Bendigo Choral Society Distressed Wives and Families Fund Seaside Garden Home for Boys (Phillip Island) Victorian Society for the protection of Animals British and foreign Bible Society Victorian Anti Liquor League and Victorian Prohibition League Burwood Boys’ Home Victorian Band of Hope and Junior Temperance Union Missionary Birthday Band Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of Victoria Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia Association for the Advancement of the Blind and Home for the Adult Blind Bendigo Church News Birthday Gift to Merle Bush*uperson, individual, bush collection - personal

With the establishment of the large heavy industrial zone at Hastings in the late 1960s, which included the BP oil refinery using the Port of Hastings at the north-western arm of Western Port, a number of environmental problems predicted by both scientists and conservationists arose. The main shipping channel on the western arm of Western Port was dredged, causing suspended particles affecting seagrass beds. With inadequate regulation around discharge of bilge water within the bay, and oil spillage, oil pollution affecting both seabirds and coastal areas was not uncommon. This report of 40 penguins actually known to have been killed by an oil spill event was typical of reports at the time. The 2 men quoted – Vernon Johnson and Ken Pound – were well known conservationists. Vernon and his wife Nora owned the Kingston Gardens picnic and zoo business where they cared for many injured wildlife. Ken was a Phillip Island counsellor for a few years, and instrumental in the establishment of the Phillip Island conservation Society. He also contributed various documents and newspaper cuttings to this archive.This article is significant for being a record of an exact number of penguins found dead from oil spill pollution in Western Port. Also as a record of conservationists in the early years of community and environment movements both locally and in Australia. The article further gives evidence of linking tourism with wildlife.Photocopy of newspaper cutting. Black print with very dark black and white photo of Fairy (Little) Penguin. Poor reproduction due to older photocopy machine.(indecipherable) - late/1960s.little penguins, fairy penguins, eudyptula minor, penguin behaviour, phillip island tourist attractions, phillip island conservation society, oil spills, bp refinery hastings, port of hastings, western port, marine pollution, oil tankers, vernon johnson, ken pound, phillip island promotion association

This medal was presented to J.G.Ralston by the Orbost Cricket Club in 1929 for Fielding. John Gavin Ralston was born 26 July 1914 at Eden, N.S.W. and came to Orbost in the early 1920's, with his parents and siblings. They lived at the corner of Tennyson and Salisbury Streets. Jack was educated at Orbost Higher Elementary School before being apprenticed to William Ross at the Snowy River Mail as a lino-type operator. He married Jean Cameron. After WW11 when he served overseas in the islands) He resumed his trade at the Snowy River Mail until 1949 when began J.G.& J.M. Ralston, Seed & Produce Merchants. Jack Ralston was very involved in the Orbost sporting community, the Presbyterian Church and the Orbost Municipal Band. He also served in the Orbost sub-branch of the R.S.L. He died on April 15 1967. (ref. Margaret Smith O.D.H.S. Newsletter)John Ralston was a prominent Orbost citizen.A 9 ct gold shield-shaped medal with a small hanging hoop. In the centre is an embossed picture of a batsman at the wicket. This is inside a circle. The bottom edge is decorated with leaves. The medal is inside a thin leather look wooden box which is hinged and has a push button metal latch. The box is brown and the inside lid is padded.on back - OCC At bottom - 9 ct Presented to J.G. Ralston Fielding Trophy 1928-1929cricket-orbost sport ralston-john-gavin medal

The paddle steamer Clonmel was one of the first steam-powered vessels on the Australian coast. However, its career was short, being wrecked on its third voyage on what is now known as Clonmel Island at the Port Albert entrance. All on board reached safety, but much of the cargo was lost.The wreck of the Clonmel was instrumental in the settlement of Gippsland and the establishment of the towns of Port Albert, Tarraville and Alberton. Although the wreck of the Clonmel was a disaster at the time, it is now one of the most significant archaeological sites in Victoria. (Ref. Australian National Shipwreck Database) This item is a useful reference tool on a significant part of shipping history in Victoria.A thin 27 pp cardboard covered book titled, "Clonmel Disaster to Discovery". On the cover is a black drawing of the Clonmel with a coloured background of yellow, red and blue blocks. The book contains the history of the paddle-steamer Clonmel which was wrecked at port Albert in 1841.clonmel-paddle-steamer shipwreck-port-albert

This was owned and used by J.G. Ralston of Orbost. John Gavin Ralston was born 26 July 1914 at Eden, N.S.W. and came to Orbost in the early 1920's, with his parents and siblings. They lived at the corner of Tennyson and Salisbury Streets. Jack was educated at Orbost Higher Elementary School before being apprenticed to William Ross at the Snowy River Mail as a lino-type operator. He married Jean Cameron. After WW11 when he served overseas in the islands) He resumed his trade at the Snowy River Mail until 1949 when began J.G.& J.M. Ralston, Seed & Produce Merchants. Jack Ralston was very involved in the Orbost sporting community, the Presbyterian Church and the Orbost Municipal Band. He also served in the Orbost sub-branch of the R.S.L. He died on April 15 1967. (ref. Margaret Smith O.D.H.S. Newsletter) Collecting match box holders / grips was a popular hobby. They were made to fit over a box of matches for protection. Some were especially produced for significant occasions. This item is an example of a very common personal item rarely used today.A painted metal matchbox cover with a thin wooden matchbox inside. It is cream coloured with a picture of a cricketer being bowled out. In the top right hand corner is "OWZAT". The matches are Bryant & May's Crown Safety Matches. it is a rectangular cardboard box with a sliding cardboard drawer. The box has a paper label with text reading, "BRYANT & MAY'S CROWN SAFETY MATCHES" and an image of a crown. The top and bottom side has a purple striking paper, to light match. Bottom and sides of sliding drawer are a green color.J.G.Ralstonmatchbox-holder smoking-accessories ralston-j.g.

This box and matches were owned by Lindsay Thomson and purchased by him for use at a scout jamboree - Senior Scout Venture which was held on Fraser Island, north of Brisbane in January (1-7), 1951. (Matches were not officially allowed to be taken by the scouts onto the island.) It was for Scouts over 15 years of age who had reached the first-class standard. The jamboree was extended by one week because of a suspected case of poliomyelitis. A photo of the Orbost contingent returning to Spencer Street Station Melbourne was taken by The Leader newspaper. A box for Bell's Waxies. It is a rectangular shape coloured red, white and blue. The waxed matches are made of fine twisted cotton threads. The contents are in a sliding tray. There are some matches inside. The box has been glued onto paper with some cotton threads on the left and a complete match on the right.Bell's Waxies Made in Australia Average Contents 100 1/2matches smoking-accessories bell wax-matches

Possibly Scotch College students as they had a camp near here in Cowes east.Sepia photograph of three small boats with 3 people in each, sailing off beach. Taken from the pier.Public School Boys Regatta 1926photographs, cowes beach, sailing races, scotch college boys

Cowes beachSepia photograph of four women and one girl dressed in bathers on beach with pier in background.Ready set gophotographs, cowes beach, bathers near the pier, social life and customs

Sepia photograph of four women and one girl in bathers, sitting on rocks ear Cowes pier.On the rocks.photographs, cowes beach, social life and customs, cowes pier phillip island

Sepia photograph of four women in bathers and sailor hats, standing on the sand with pier in the background.Daughters of the seasocial life and customs, photographs, cowes beach, cowes pier

Sepia photograph of four women and one girl in bathers lying on the sand with a clump of seaweed. Pier in the background.Having a restcowes pier, photographs, cowes beach, social life and customs

Possibly in shopping area of Cowes.Small sepia photograph of two buildings beside unmade road. On left is a small shop, that looks empty. On right is a small timber house with a metal roof.Our housephotographs, homes and haunts, cowes shop buildings

Ferries operating at Cowes.Small sepia photograph of the Cowes pier with several vessels and a large crowd of people walking on the pier towards the town.The Alvina and Genista at the Pier, Cowesphotographs, cowes pier, ferries, alvina ferry, ferry "genista"

Sepia photograph of a vessel leaving the pier with passengers standing on the top deck waving and streamers stretching behind .Going homephotographs, ferry "genista" - cowes jetty, ferries