The tractor declaiming pollution was being driven in one of the Sunbury Festival celebrations in the early 1970s, which were held in March each year. The street parade where many community organisations participated was popular with the townspeople. The Rupertswood Hotel is visible behind the bystanders and it was demolished in the latter half of the 1970s.The Sunbury Festival was an important community event in Sunbury each year as many community groups participated in it with displays. A black and white photograph with a white border, in post card format of a tractor decorated with anti pollution slogans being driven in a street parade. There are a number of spectators along the roadside. sunbury festivals

A paperback book of 58 pages with text and black and white photographs stapled together with a cardboard cover and a coloured reproduction of a painting by George Rowe of an early race meeting in Sunbury. non-fictionA short local history covering 140 years of European Settlement in Sunbury from 1836 to 1972. The booklet was produced by Dr. John Patterson with help from local Sunbury people.local history, sunbury, dr. john patterson

Three pop festivals were staged in Sunbury. One in 1972 and a further ones in 1974 and 1975 . The 1972 festival was the most famous and followed on in the Woodstock tradition. The festivals were staged on a property on the banks of the Jacksons Creek, owned by the Duncan family. A crowd of partly clad people sitting or lying on the ground in a wide valley listening to a performance can be seen in the image. The area is litterred with cans, eskies, blankets, sleeping bags and tents. A stage is in the background.A photograph of the 1972 Sunbury Pop Festival.sunbury pop festival, jacksons creek, duncan, george, george evans collection

May O'Brien rode her horse to school when she was young.A black and white photocopy of Mrs May Morrison (nee O'Brien) re-enacting her daily horse-back ride to Our Lady of Mt Carmel Primary School.1952 / Mrs Morrison (nee O'Brien re-enacts her daily horse-back / ride to the Our Lady of Mt Carmel Primary School / Photographed at the "Back to Sunbury" celebrations in 1952.back to sunbury, festivals and celebrations, mt carmel primary school, schools, sunbury, houston, joan, morrison, may (mrs), o'brien, may (miss), boardman, eric, forbes, john, dignam, william, 1952, horses, transport, george evans collection

The blue and black printed ticket was issued and used for the 2nd & 3rd days of the 1973 Sunbury Pop Festival. The Festival as held on the property of George Duncan at Diggers Rest on the banks of Jacksons Creek. It was held over the 3 days of the Australia Day Weekend in January. The 'smiley' stamp on the back of the ticket was used as a "passout" check. The tickets were collected by Nicholas Hall who worked as a Security Officer at one of the gates.A blue and black cardboard ticket printed for the 1973 Sunbury Pop Festival. The words Sunbury 73 are in large block letters across the bottom of the ticket and there are four silhouetted figures - 2 male and 2 female. One male is riding a bike and other male is carrying a double bass on his head. The two females are walking. There is a 'smiley' stamp on the back of the ticket."ADMIT 2nd & 3rd DAYS ONLY..."1970s, sunbury pop festival, duncan, george, george evans collection

This image of the bluestone buildings at Goonawarra is before it was renovated into the restaurant at the Goonawarra Vineyard and Winery.A black and white photograph of a bluestone building at Goonawarra with a corrugated iron roof and shed attached to the side. There is a doorway and a wooden fence in a state of disrepair.goonawarra winery, sunbury wine festival, festivals and celebrations, mcmahon, m p, barnier, john, goonawarra restaurant, restaurants, sip n'sup wine festival, sunbury, george evans collection

In May 1972 an alternative lifestyle festival gathering was staged on the Sunbury Village Green area. The sculpture, using recycled building materials, was displayed for the gathering.A black and white photograph of a sculptured monster which has been constructured from recycled building materials. It has been called the 'Growth Monster'. A woman and three children are looking at the art work.recycling, alternative lifestyle festivals, sunbury village green, george evans collection

Used at Sunbury Pop Festival staged on George Duncan's property in 1975.Aluminium 370ml. can for beer. Green and gold background with red and white writing also sketch of quitar playing singer on can. Opening on top for pouring or drinking."COURAGE/CREST/LAGER/370ml..."sunbury pop festival, duncan, george, george evans collection

Used at Sunbury Pop Festival staged on George Duncan's property in 1975.Red background aluminium coca-cola can with white and black writing. Drinking holes in top."It's the real thing/12Fl oz./Coca-Cola...."sunbury pop festival, duncan, george, george evans collection

Used at Sunbury Pop Festival held on George Duncan's property in 1975.Royal Crown Cola blue aluminium 370ml. can."It's right for you/Royal Crown Cola...."sunbury pop festival, duncan, george, george evans collection

This is a photograph of some of the audience standing in front of the stage at the Sunbury Pop Festival in 1974.A black and white photograph of a group of people standing in front of a stage. There is litter on the ground and tents have been pitched on the hillside in the background. Unmounted.sunbury pop festival, music, shire of bulla, duncan, george, o'keefe, johnny, odessa promotions pty. ltd., george evans collection

Thought to have been worn at Sunbury Pop Festival early 1970's held on George Duncan's property.Blue denim mens jeans, two silver studs on waist band. Two zipper pockets front and back. Wide bottom flares.on label on waist band "Staggers/RegdTM..."sunbury pop festival, clothing and dress, george evans collection

Said to have been used at Sunbury Pop Festivals between 1972 - 1975 held on George Duncan's propertyRed tartan steel portable cooler. Separate white lid with white handle on top and white metal carry handle. Bottle openers at each end. Willow brand each side. Drain plug at one end."WILLOW/"S"/..."sunbury pop festival, duncan, george, george evans collection

Believed to have been used at the Sunbury Pop Festival between 1972-1975 and held on George Duncan's property.Leather wallet with floral embossed design on outside mainly burgundy colour. Punched holes with press stud closure pocket, open divide and joined together with leather lacing.sunbury pop festival, duncan, george, george evans collection

The Duncan family have occupied 'Glencoe' since 1888 when John Duncan purchased it from M. O'Brien. In 1972 Glencoe was the site for the Sunbury Pop Festival.A coloured photograph of the front facade of a sandstone building. A double hung 8 pane sash window is on the LHS of the wall and a doorway with a 2 panelled and glass door is in the foreground. The woodwork is painted cream. A tea trolley is near the door. The verandah roof is lined with fibro cement. At the extreme end of the porch there is a doorway. Farm implements are hanging on the wall.sandstone buildings, duncan, george, glencoe homestead, sunbury pop festival, george evans collection

The photograph was taken during the 1972 Sunbury Pop Festival which was staged on a property owned by George Duncan. The site is on the banks of the Jacksons Creek between Sunbury and Diggers Rest.An aerial photograph of a crowd of people on a hillside and along a creek valley with a stage set up. On the LHS there is a large marquee surrounded by cars and pitched tents. There are trees around the creek and vast open paddocks in the distance.sunbury pop festival, jacksons creek, duncan, george, george evans collection

The damaged building in the photograph is the former Diggers Rest Hotel which was built in on that site in 1854 It was a popular place during the 1970s Sunbury Pop Festivals as it was the closest hotel to the Pop Festival site. It was partly destroyed by a suspicious fire on 30th October 2008, which left the walls and chimney intact but the roof caved in. Since then there have been moves by the local community to either rebuild and reopen the venue or to demolish it.The Diggers Rest has been one of the few early surviving hotels that were built along the former Mount Alexander Road, now Calder Highway, during the 1850s gold rush years.This a non-digital coloured photograph of a double storey hotel building, which has been damaged by fire. The exterior walls are intact but the roof has collapsed.The building is beside a main road. diggers rest, diggers rest hotel, hotels, calder highway, gold rushes

This framed print of the famous clipper ship “Schomberg” is associated with Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the wreck of the “Schomberg”. The original was painted in 1992 by maritime artist Philip J. Gray. This limited edition print is number 9/1000. ABOUTH THE SUBJECT – “Schomberg” The Schomberg was a luxury ship built in 1855 to bring immigrants from the UK to Australia in superior comfort. The voyage could take three months or longer but Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes thought that he could sail the Schomberg from Liverpool to Melbourne in a record time of 60 days. On October 6th 1855 the Schomberg left Liverpool on its maiden voyage. She carried 430 passengers plus 3000 tons cargo including rail lines for Geelong and iron for a bridge in Melbourne. After 78 days at sea, on December 27th, Schomberg ran aground near Peterborough, Victoria. All on board were rescued the next day by the passing steamer SS Queen. Gray is well known for his depiction of maritime history. His meticulous attention to detail shows the enormity of the immigrant clipper with its huge billowing sails compared to the tiny figures at work on the deck. The busy crew can be seen attending to the rigging, as can a group of sailors working on the bow under supervision. He identifies the company logo of the Black Ball Ship Line by the flapping white flag with its black circle. Divers from Flagstaff Hill including Peter Ronald (former director) salvaged artefacts and personal effects from the wreck, to be preserved and displayed. Amongst these is the famous Schomberg Diamond ring. ABOUT THE ARTIST – Philip James Gray “Philip is one of Australia’s leading maritime artists and his meticulous research and social commentary paintings of ships, such as, the Loch Ard and Schomberg form an important part of Warrnambool’s Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum.” [ref. Dr Marion Manifold, Artist and Art Historian, 2014] Philip James Gray was born in London but has lived most of his life in Australia. He graduated from a London school of art as an illustrator, specialising in technical and scientific illustration as well as other commercial and applied art. He was also a student for a time of Fyffe Christie - British figurative artist, mural painter and humanitarian – who had a great influence on his career. Philip has always worked as a professional artist and illustrator. Many publications on maritime history have featured his work. His paintings have been released and sold all over the world as limited edition prints. The State Library of Victoria’s ‘Latrobe Collection’ holds two of his paintings. His street painting of ‘The Ashes Contest’ decorates the brick wall of Old Bakery Laneway in Sunbury and a Sunbury café owner commissioned him to paint the ‘Sunbury Pop Festival’ as a remembrance of local history. [ref. Sunbury Leader, Nov 15 2013] Philip has been an active member of the Sunbury Art Society in Victoria for several years, serving on the committee for some of that time and being involved in exhibitions. He enjoys helping new artists and sharing his skills and experience. The subject of the sailing ship “Schomberg” is significant for is connection with the 1800s vessel “Schomberg” and the historic role the ship, and other similar ships, played to transport migrants and goods into Australia. The print is significant as it is a limited edition of an Australian maritime artist. Print in gilt timber frame. "The Colonial Clipper Schomberg" by Australian maritime artist Philip J Gray, 1992. Signed and numbered, Limited Edition print 9/1000. Depicts clipper ship “Schomberg”, in full sail at sea with land in background. Backing of frame has illegible adhesive label and pencilled text. Stamp In pencil “FLAGSTAFF HILL” and “FLAGSTAFF C”. Illegible text on adhesive label. Signature [Philip J Gray] Stamped as a limited edition of SCHOMBERG Handwritten edition "9/1000"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, sailing ships, schomberg, clipper ship, colonial clipper, limited edition print, 9/1000, philip j gray, marine artist

ABOUT THE ARTIST – Philip James Gray “Philip is one of Australia’s leading maritime artists and his meticulous research and social commentary paintings of ships, such as, the Loch Ard and Schomberg form an important part of Warrnambool’s Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum.” [ref. Dr Marion Manifold, Artist and Art Historian, 2014] Philip James Gray was born in London but has lived most of his life in Australia. He graduated from a London school of art as an illustrator, specialising in technical and scientific illustration as well as other commercial and applied art. He was also a student for a time of Fyffe Christie - British figurative artist, mural painter and humanitarian – who had a great influence on his career. Philip has always worked as a professional artist and illustrator. Many publications on maritime history have featured his work. His paintings have been released and sold all over the world as limited edition prints. The State Library of Victoria’s ‘Latrobe Collection’ holds two of his paintings. His street painting of ‘The Ashes Contest’ decorates the brick wall of Old Bakery Laneway in Sunbury and a Sunbury café owner commissioned him to paint the ‘Sunbury Pop Festival’ as a remembrance of local history. [ref. Sunbury Leader, Nov 15 2013] Philip has been an active member of the Sunbury Art Society in Victoria for several years, serving on the committee for some of that time and being involved in exhibitions. He enjoys helping new artists and sharing his skills and experience. [other references: Sunbury Art Society Inc. Oct-Nov 2012] HISTORY OF THE LOCH ARD The LOCH ARD belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many ships from England to Australia. Built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the LOCH ARD was a three-masted square rigged iron sailing ship. The ship measured 262ft 7" (79.87m) in length, 38ft (11.58m) in width, 23ft (7m) in depth and had a gross tonnage of 1693 tons. The LOCH ARD's main mast measured a massive 150ft (45.7m) in height. LOCH ARD made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its final voyage. LOCH ARD left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of Captain Gibbs, a newly married, 29 year old. She was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers and a load of cargo. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. On board were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionary, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were items included that intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. At 3am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land and the passengers were becoming excited as they prepared to view their new homeland in the early morning. But LOCH ARD was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4am the fog lifted. A man aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and LOCH ARD's bow swung back. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold its position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time LOCH ARD was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind the ship. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves broke over the ship and the top deck was loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of LOCH ARD and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael had raced onto deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached LOCH ARD Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland, this time by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the LOCH ARD disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost all of her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the LOCH ARD tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of LOCH ARD still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some was washed up into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton porcelain peacock - one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today, the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artefact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. Print of the sailing ship Loch Ard by artist Philip J. Gray, 1993. Depicts the Loch Ard in full sail at sea, figures on deck. Limited Edition number 54/925. Print is adhered to a piece of chipboard and is stamped by the framer, Ian's Picture Framing of Warrnambool.Signature of "Philip J. Gray" , "54/925" Stamped on back "IAN'S PICTURE FRAMING, 48 KEPLER STREET, WARRNAMBOOL 3280, PH: (055) 628 022, FAX: (055) 628 145"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, print, philip j. gray

This painting of the “La Bella” is associated with Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the wreck of the “La Bella”. It was painted around the 1980s by maritime artist Philip J. Gray. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. The Kosnar Picture Framing and Mirrors Shop identified the "GRAY 3135, Y04/111" as their job number for the framing and said that the label "ANOTHER KOSNAR FEATURE" was last used before about 1990. About artist Philip J. Gray “Philip is one of Australia’s leading maritime artists and his meticulous research and social commentary paintings of ships, such as, the Loch Ard and Schomberg form an important part of Warrnambool’s Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum.” [Dr Marion Manifold, Artist and Art Historian, 2014] Philip James Gray was born in London but has lived most of his life in Australia. He graduated from a London school of art as an illustrator, specialising in technical and scientific illustration as well as other commercial and applied art. He was also a student for a time of Fyffe Christie - British figurative artist, mural painter and humanitarian – who had a great influence on his career. Philip has always worked as a professional artist and illustrator. Many publications on maritime history have featured his work. His paintings have been released and sold all over the world as limited edition prints. The State Library of Victoria’s ‘Latrobe Collection’ holds two of his paintings. His street painting of ‘The Ashes Contest’ decorates the brick wall of Old Bakery Laneway in Sunbury and a Sunbury café owner commissioned him to paint the ‘Sunbury Pop Festival’ as a remembrance of local history. Philip has been an active member of the Sunbury Art Society in Victoria for several years, serving on the committee for some of that time and being involved in exhibitions. He enjoys helping new artists and sharing his skills and experience. About the “La Bella” The wreck of the La Bella lies at the bottom of the Warrnambool Harbour in Lady Bay. Some 15 ships are believed to have been wrecked there but only two have been discovered on the sea floor; the La Bella and the Edinburgh Castle. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. The story of the final voyage of the La Bella is summarised as follows … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, the company being one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. La Bella was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October 1905 the twelve year old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia . She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. Bad weather en-route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a north-westerly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with sea water and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25 year old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days an unidentified body of a young person was washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later, when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan, after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy). Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked, but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ.This painting of the La Bella by Philip J. Gray is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The painting connects with other objects and artefacts associated with the wreck of the La Bella. This painting is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella” . the “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Large framed painting of the three masted barquentine "La Bella" fully rigged. Painted by Phillip J Gray. A fine printed line squares off the painting. Beneath painting and line is a gold plate with black copper plate designating "La Bella" is encased in glass, surrounded by a silver-metal frame. Yellow and brown paper label is adhered to back of painting. Picture framed by Kosnar in Melbourne."The La Bella" on gold plaque Logo of "K" inside a brown square. "GRAY 3135, Y04/111", "ANOTHER KOSNAR FEATURE" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, painting, la bella, artist phillip j gray, maritime painting, lady bay warrnambool

As the man at the back is holding onto a sheaf of wheat, it seems to suggest that this photograph was taken at a Harvest Festival celebration. The diverse group of men, women and children dressed in formal clothing indicate that the event was a church function.A mounted sepia photograph of a group of men, women and children standing behind a hedge near a bluestone building. There are girls in the front row wearing white pinafores over their dresses. A man at the back is holding a sheaf of wheat. Grey and cream mounting 4.5cm x 5.5cm.clothing and dress, churches, schools, festivals and celebrations, children, george evans collection

The photo may have been taken to celebrate a specific event relevant to the Shire of Bulla because the people are dressed in their 'Sunday best' attire.A mounted sepia photograph of a number of families who are outside the old Shire Hall at Bulla. Some people are seated on a branch along the picket fence and others are standing. A large conifer tree is growing behind the fence. The photograph is mounted on a cream frame with a grey border around the photo.on the back: SHIRE HALL BULLAshire of bulla, halls, municipal offices, festivals and celebrations, clothing and dress, shire halls, bulla, george evans collection

According to information on the back of the photo, it was published in the Sunbury News to highlight then Back to Sunbury celebrations in 1952.A black and white photograph of the head and shoulders of three men. Two are dressed in evening suits and the third person is in a double breasted lounge suit for the "Back to Sunbury" celebrations. The men are identified from L-R as John Forbes, a Shire Officer, Eric Boardman, Owner of the Sunbury News, and Mr. Digman, Assistant Post Master.festivals and celebrations, forbes, john, boardman, eric, digman, - (mr), newspapers, back to sunbury, sunbury news, post offices, shire officers, postal workers, 1950s, george evans collection

The photograph was probably taken on either Anzac Day or Remembrance Day, 11 November because some men are wearing medals and others are holding wreaths.A sepia print of a group of 21 men standing at attention outside the newsagency in Brook Street, Sunbury. Three men are holding wreaths. There are two drummers and one is in uniform. There are two dogs near the drummers. Some men are wearing medals.KODAK PRINT / VELOX / (S) 579anzac day, ceremonies, festivals and celebrations, remembrance day, brook street, sunbury, men, clothing and dress, dogs, armed forces, sunbury newsagency, newagents, shops, businesses, george evans collection

A copy of one of the few postcards of Sunbury produced in the 1950s. It may have been produced for the 'Back to Sunbury' celebrations in 1952.A photocopy of a postcard showing the Royal Hotel on the corner of Evans Street and Brook Street looking east towards O'Shanassy Street. Two men are standing on the corner and the roads are not made and there are cars parked along the footpath.S. DAVIES SERIES NO 6 BROOK STREET SUNBURYbrook street, sunbury, hotels, evans street, postcards, festivals and celebrations, men, clothing and dress, transport, royal hotel, 1950s, george evans collection

A black and white photograph of Rupertswood mansion with four motor vehicles parked in front.religious festivals, rupertswood, salesian college, schools, mckay, h. v., clarke, william j. (sir), churches, house names, houses, motor vehicles, sunbury, george evans collection

Peace celebrations and Final Welcome 18 December 1919A b/w photograph of a community activity showing Peace celebrations and Final Welcome.Handwritten on back: Peace celebrations and Final Welcome Dec. 18th 1919 Printed on back: POST CARD / CORRESPONDENCE / ADDRESS ONLY / STAMPworld war 1, postcards, community activities, festivals and celebrations, soldiers, armed forces, george evans collection