The youngest child of William and Elizabeth Todd (née Bennett), Stella was born in 1901. After leaving school in 1916, she worked as a milliner, and eventually became the proprietor of "Lucille" millinery in Ballarat. She married Geoffrey Surman in 1926. Stella Surman returned to live in Linton in the 1960s, and was very active in church and community affairs. She purchased and lived in the original Bank of New South Wales building (Traquair House).Black and white portrait of a woman wearing summer striped top with open neck, and spectacles.On reverse: "C IT EC Indian Naval Dockyard PO 10,027 Bombay India".stella surman (née stella todd)

Letter dated 6th July 1967, from W.O. Lewers of "Hoyles Creek" Mannibadar, to Mrs Stella Surman regarding repairs to the floor of an (unidentified) hall.w. o. lewers, stella surman, mr hiscock

The opportunity shop, established by Mrs Stella Surman, aimed to raise money to help maintain the caretaker's cottage at the C.E.B.S. Camp at Snake Valley.Undated, typed, photocopied notice advising the opening of an opportunity shop in Linton and appealing for donations of goods.Handwritten inscription across top of notice, begins "This is the circular we used to send out . . ."c.e.b.s. camp snake valley. caretaker's cottage fund, linton opportunity shop, stella surman

Photograph taken at celebratory dinner at Lake Lodge, Lake Wendouree during 1970s.Black and white photograph of group of four women and two men celebrating, wearing party hats and leis."L-R Stella Surman, Frank O'Beirne, Kathleen McCarthy and Carrie Murrell (both standing) Annie O'Beirne, Graeme Dunn taken at Lake Lodge, Lake Wendouree in the 1970'S".stella surman, frank o'beirne, anne o'beirne, kathleen mccarthy, carrie murrell, graeme dunn

It is understood that the plate was used by Samuel Lewers and his family when they lived at Traquair House (1861-1895). The plate was given by Stella Surman, who lived at Traquair House in the 1960s and 1970s, to her foster son Graeme Dunn. Marks on the plate indicate it was manufactured by Pinder, Bourne & Co in Staffordshire, England.Round dinner plate, white in centre, 5cm wide decorative border (hand-painted?), images in "Chinese" style depict leaves, vases & medallions, in colours orange-red, brown, & black. On back of plate: Maker's mark consists of laurel & crown, with the letters "PB & Co"and the name of pattern, "Tycoon". Manufacturer's name PINDER, BOURNE & CO. also imprinted on back of plate. Also hand-painted in small lettering on back: "9197 / ' ' ' ".dinner plates, crockery, pinder bourne & co [staffordshire potteries], traquair house, lewers family, stella surman, graeme dunn

This building was the first Bank of New South Wales building in Linton. It was replaced in 1903-04 by a newer building further to the north along Sussex Street. Inscription suggests this photograph was probably taken after 1962 (Stella Surman nee Todd returned to live in Linton at this time, and bought the former bank building, by then called 'Traquair House').Black and white photograph of a brick building, formerly the Bank of NSW, in Sussex Street, Linton"Stella's place at Linton".traquair house linton, stella surman, bank of new south wales linton

Part of S E Surman collection (album) page 13 lower right. Stella Todd, afterwards Stella Surman, was the youngest daughter of William and Lizzie Todd. She married Geoffrey Surman in 1926. Sepia portrait of girl with hair drawn back off face, wearing jacket with frill at throat, scarf and hat. Some of clothing in photograph has been coloured. ?stella todd, surman collection

The ribbon is a souvenir of the first 'Australia Day', held 30 July 1915. This was not the celebration of nationhood as we know it today, but a national fundraising effort during World War I. Across Australia, this day was set aside for fundraising to assist wounded soldiers returning to Australia during WWI. In Linton Australia Day 1915 was celebrated with a jumble sale, raffles, and the collection of donations. There was also a stall outside the Shire Offices, attended by a group of girls dressed as Red Cross nurses, which sold flowers, postcards, toys and souvenirs. Mrs Surman, then Stella Todd, was one of this group of girls, along with her sister Millie Todd. (See photograph, Registration no. 055.) Presumably the souvenir ribbon was purchased by one of the Todd family on this day.Small white-blue silk ribbon. Printed - black writing - flags - Australia and Britain. Map of Australia. This ribbon was part of a collection of historical items belonging to Mrs. Stella Surman (formerly Stella Todd), of Linton."Australia-Day-1915" "Remember Australia's Heroes"australia day 1915, world war 1914-1918, souvenirs

Charles Bennett was a son of William Garnsworthy and Susan Bennett. He married Francis Elizabeth (Lizzie) Craze in 1911.Black and white portrait of a gentleman in formal attire seated to left of a young lady standing wearing long sleeved full length wedding gown with train and flowered headdress with long veil, holding bridal bouquet in front with both hands.On reverse of photograph, information probably supplied by Stella Surman: "Mr Charles Bennett / Lizzie Crase".frances elizabeth (lizzie) craze, charles bennett, weddings

Postcard given to Stella Todd by Linton State School head teacher Mr H. B. Williamson, wishing her a happy year in 1912.Black and white postcard photograph of men, women and children, thought to be a Linton State School group, on an outing in rural setting (possibly Mortchup Road reservoir)."To Stella Todd with best wishes for the new year 1912 from her teacher H B Williamson".stella todd, stella surman, linton state school no. 880, h. b. williamson [head teacher], picnics

Photograph taken in 1988 of buildings in Sussex Street, Linton: house was previously Bill and Georgie Hall residence and before that a cake shop run by Stella Ralf (Stella Ralf also taught piano). Next to it can be seen the former Bennett garage building. Bennett shop and garage (petrol station) 1920s-1940s. Later (1970s-1981) run as op-shop by Mrs. Surman to raise money for Maxwell Park C.E.B.S. camp. House had a later incarnation as a laundromat in 1980s - at this time many women were still without electricity on outlying farms and house blocks.Colour photograph showing green painted timber house with pitched roof and small verandah, white trim, next to brick building with pitched roof and verandah over footpath, brick pillars. "Stella Ralph's old shop (cake) later Bennett garage"stella ralf, bennett's garage, stella surman, bill hall, georgina hall

Stella Todd (afterwards Mrs Geoffrey Surman), the youngest daughter of William and Lizzie Todd, became the proprietor of "Lucille" - a millinery shop in Ballarat.Small cream-coloured business card, silver printing, curved edges. Card inscribed "Miss S. Todd" across centre. "Lucille" / 745 Sturt Street" in smaller print in lower LH corner, "Ballarat" in smaller print in lower RH corner.Text, front: Miss. S. Todd. Handwritten on back: "With best wishes from: "Lucille" Girls"."lucille" milliner ballarat, stella todd, stella surman

Money raised by Mrs Surman and donated to the Church of England, Linton.Receipt issued by G. Bennett to Mrs Surman for sixty-six dollars, to "pay off toilet" in Church of England, Linton.Text: "Received from Mrs. Surman / the sum of Sixty Six Dollars / to pay off Toilet".stella surman, g. bennett, church of england linton, receipts

Identified by Mrs Stella Surman as Minnie and Clair Simmond.Sepia photograph of two young ladies one seated on low bench wearing hat and fancy long dress right hand on lap, the other wearing fancy long dress leaning on pillar with arms crossed, hat on floor."S E Surman (14) Minnie and Clair Simmond" minnie simmond, clair simmond

The bookmark was part of a miscellaneous collection of items owned by Mrs Stella Surman.Decorative green and white bookmark, produced as an advertisement for an insurance company. The bookmark features a photograph of and information about Lord Roberts.Text: " GENERAL / ACCIDENT / FIRE & LIFE / ASSURANCE / CORPORATION, LTD. "bookmarks, advertising, surman collection

Mr A J Horan was Head Teacher at Linton State School from 1895 to 1909. Lena Allan, one of the pupils identified in the photograph, later became a teacher at the school.Original sepia photograph of group of school children with male teacher dressed in suit and tie standing at left hand side. Some of the pupils - Lena Allan, Lily Ball, Pearl Nelson, Clarice White and Pet Todd - are identified (hand writing in biro) on the front of the photograph. On the reverse of the photograph there is a lengthy inscription written by Mrs Stella Surman. The photograph was dated by Mrs Surman.Front: Pupils marked" Lena Allen, Lily Ball, Pearl Nelson, Clarice White, and Pet Todd" . Reverse: "Dear Mrs Armstrong / This is a very old Linton State School / picture I found / Mr Horan is the Head Master at the time / as it is only girls it gives the idea / of what a big school it was / Mr Horan used to come from Ballarat on Monday morning in a buggy/ horse / & stay at the Hotel until Friday when he left for Ballarat at 4 oclock to / drive to Ballarat for the week end / quite a trip by horse/buggy / my sister is in the picture / she would be / about 13 or 14 years of age/she was / born in 1891 so that would make the / picture about 1904 or 1905 nearly 100 / years old mostly wore white pinafores / hand made collars / Lena Allen in the back row / [Signed] S E Surman".linton state school, lena allan, lily ball, pearl nelson, clarice white, pet todd, a. j. horan

Amelia (Millie) Bennett, born 1872 at Linton, was the daughter of William Garnsworthy Bennett and Susan Bennett née Williams. She married William Charles Allen in 1901. They had two children, William Henry, born 1901, and Josephine, born 1910. Millie Bennett died in 1948. This photograph was sent by her as a Christmas card in 1901.Black and white photograph three young ladies dressed in long-sleeved long dresses, seated at table partaking of afternoon tea. Photograph is mounted on a card, on which is inscribed "A Merry Xmas / 1901".Inscribed on right hand side of card mount: "A Merry Xmas / 1901". On reverse, information probably from Stella Surman: "Aunty Mill / afternoon tea". On reverse, in top right corner: "Gordon".mrs amelia (millie) allen, amelia (millie) bennett

Mrs Stella Surman recalled "Ginge" as always having a smile for everyone (quoted in "Linton Makes History", p. 85). However, the early LDHS index to photographs says that his temper matched his hair colour - fiery!Small, faded and damaged photograph which shows "Ginge", a Chinese hawker who sold his goods in Linton and other towns in the district in the early 1900s. Legend says that his name derived from having red hair.ginge, ginger, chinese traders, chinese miners

Printed booklet, brown cover has decorative border and small illustrations of butterflies, birds and plants. Booklet lists categories and prize monies for Linton Horticultural Society's Autumn Show, 1911. Also includes lists of the Society's paid-up members and office bearers, a copy of the Society's rules, and competition regulations. Pages 12Text: " Linton Horticultural Society. / PRIZE SCHEDULE / FOR / AUTUMN SHOW / TO BE HELD IN THE / Parish Hall, Linton. / Thursday & Friday, April 6 & 7, 1911. " "Stella Surman" handwritten across top right-hand side of cover.linton horticultural society, programmes, prizes, members, surman collection

Letter written by William Parsons of Spring Hill to Mr. Lewers, who was manager of the Bank of New South Wales in Linton. Note sent with a cheque, requests that the cheque be deposited into the writer's bank account. Found at "Traquair House", Linton, former Bank of New South Wales, by Mrs. Stella Surman.Small handwritten note written on Skipton Boot Store docket, dated Oct 27th, 1877. Picture of boots and shoes and" Skipton Boot Store" at top of docket.samuel lewers, william parsons, correspondence, banking

Original photograph thought to have been taken about 1872 (before the building was renovated and enlarged), however copy in "Bank of New South Wales" file gives date 1862, most likely the year the bank was built. This building was later known as "Traquair House". It was lived in by the Lewers family, and later by Mrs. Stella Surman.Black and white copy of an early photo of the Bank of New South Wales in Linton. Three men are standing in the street outside the building. Two copies of photo: 1. Has been mounted on card. Back of card is stamped "Easter 1983, Historical Exhibition, Linton Park"; 2. copy which appears to have been printed from a scan.bank of new south wales linton, traquair house

Identified by Mrs Surman as the Linton football team in about 1900. Mrs Surman also identified names of players, which are inscribed on the back of the photograph. Guernseys were apparently hand-knitted at this time, mostly by the players' mothers. They were all in team colours, blue and white, but had different patterns. (This information given by Mrs Stella Surman in a 1991 interview. Interview recorded on CD - see Registration no. 2019-212.)Original sepia photograph of a group of men wearing football guernseys. Guernseys have different patterns (mostly variations on vertical stripes) and most are laced at the front."Jack Brown / about 1900 / L to R / H Roberts, R Nicol, Ben Cornish, Catton, Jack Hogan, Pearly Power, J Mitchell, H Catton /Jim Hogan, A Nicol, P Crane, B Angus, W McMillan, Tony Cunningham / Mick Cunningham, -?- , Whitecross, Jack Cunningham, J Brown".linton football club, jack brown, h. roberts, r. nicol, a. nicol, ben cornish, h. catton, jack hogan, jim hogan, "pearey" power, j. mitchell, p. crane (craine), b. angus, w. mcmillan, tony cunningham, mick cunningham, jack cunningham, whitecross

Built 1860 as Bank of New South Wales - banking chambers and residence. Sold 1903 to Mr Lewers (son of Samuel Lewers, first manager of the bank in Linton). Lived in by members of the Lewers family until the 1950s. Stella Surman nee Todd bought the building when she returned to live in Linton c.1962. Jim and Cynthia Mason ran an antique and Devonshire tea restaurant 1981-84. Photograph taken in 1988.Colour photograph showing long brick building with chimney, painted blue with white trim, fronting footpath at corner of two streets with shrubbery beside and behind.traquair house, bank of new south wales linton

The house in Grantley Street, Linton, is believed to have been the first home of William and Elizabeth Todd and family. The land was held under a miner's right. Original photograph is in an album donated by Stella Surman (nee Todd). Inscription across bottom of original photograph: "Dad / Will / Mum / Aunt Mill / Arthur under tree / Milton standing / Jack on bike / Aunty Mill with Susan / Mum with Charlie". Charlie Todd is a baby in this photograph. His birth year, 1893, was used to date it.Sepia photograph of a family group - three adults, five children and a baby - posed in the front garden outside a cottage. One of the children is seated on a tricycle. The photograph has been mounted on beige-coloured card.todd family, william todd, elizabeth todd, william (billy) todd [william todd jnr], arthur (paddy) todd, milton todd, john (jack) todd, susie todd, charlie todd, millie bennett

Harriet Wilson was the wife of William Wilson. The Wilsons were members of Linton's Methodist congregation. The original of this photograph of Mrs Wilson is in an album donated by Mrs Stella Surman (album in Box 13. Page 5, lower right). A pencil inscription next to the photograph reads "Burnt to death". Notes with the copy of the photograph in the Wilson family file say that Mrs Wilson smoked a pipe, set her clothes alight and died in the resulting fire. Mrs Wilson died on New Year's Day, 1900. Note: Mrs Wilson was not the Harriet(t) Wilson who was a teacher at the Wesleyan denominational school at Linton (School no. 369), and who was briefly the assistant teacher at Linton School no. 880 after it was established in 1867.Sepia photograph of a woman with hair drawn back from face, wearing long sleeved long gown with decorated bodice, brooch at throat, seated with hands on lap.Beneath the photograph in the album: "Mrs Wilson". In pencil on side: "Burnt to death".mrs w. wilson, granny wilson, surman collection, harriet wilson

The original bank and residence were built in 1862, and the building was extended in 1873-74. The three windows on the left of the photograph are in the original building, and the windows and door on the right of the photograph are in the extension. The brick building was cement-rendered at an unknown later date. In 1904 the Bank of New South Wales built a new banking chamber & residence on the west side of Sussex Street next to the Post Office, after which the earlier building became a private residence. It was lived in for many years by members of the Lewers family (Samuel Lewers had been first manager of the Bank of NSW in Linton) and was purchased in the early 1960s by Stella Surman (née Todd). More recently it has been used as an antique shop and tea rooms, and it is currently a private residence. This photograph was taken in 2014 by Gary Hunt.One of three colour photographs printed on a single sheet of photographic paper. The photograph shows Linton's first Bank of New South Wales building, now called Traquair House.traquair house, 90 sussex street linton, buildings, houses, bank of new south wales

Linton School Cantata Group trained by Miss Barry for school concert. This is one of several copies of the photograph of Miss Barry's cantata group in the LDHS collection. This copy was in Mrs Stella Surman's collection. Pupils and teachers identified in inscription on reverse of this copy of the photograph: Myrtle Thompson, Mamie Ferguson, Myrtle Bolte, Ruby Barton, Olive Ball, Maisie Wise, Sybil Marks, Annie McMillan, Miss Rankin, Clarice White, Stella Brand, Stella Ralf, Annie Brophy, Alice Willoughby, Miss Barry, Lil Gorman, Pearl Nelson, - Burnside, Vera Cornish, Pauline O'Beirne, Doris Downing, Rita Murrell, Mary Nelson, Millie Todd, Ann Brophy, Elvira Martinez, Jean Cox, Lena Allan, Alex Thompson, Jean Gascoigne, Stella Todd, Lucy Johnstone, Eva Simper, Bernice Ball, Myrtle Hands, Elsie Egan, Possum Dawe.Original black and white photograph of Linton State School Cantata Group, children in costume. Photo mounted on grey board.On back: "S E Surman". Also names of children.linton state school, school concert, miss barry's cantata group, surman collection