A studio photograph of the Taffe Family c. 1916.Nilballarat, taffe, studio

Inscription on verso of bi-fold cover "The Taffe Family Going for Gold Atlanta '96, Thank you for your support, signature Eddy & in print Anthony Edwards.rowing, ballarat, olympic games, atlanta, taffe family, dinner menu,

Studio portrait of Ballarat railway family in the 1920s with Michael Taffe Senior in his Head Porter uniform, and son John as Station Master beside him with Michael Jnr behind his father and Patrick rear right facing the latter two being Assistant Station Masters at that stage.On Mounting board: "Thornton" Studios Ballarat.

A certificate issued in 1924. Loreto or Mary's Mount, now Loreto College was the first Loreto school in Australia, established in 1875 by Mother Mary Gonzaga Barry and companions at the invitation of Ballarat's Bishop O'Connor to meet the growing educational needs of girls. The Taffe family and their relatives supported the school and several members of the wider family entered the order over the years. One of the last family members, Sr Ellison Taffe IBVM died in 2025.catholic, ballarat, loreto, education, catholic education, taffe family

This chair and its five companions form part of a complete suite together with chaise lounge, grandmother and grandfather chairs all with original matching uphostery are rare in their originality and having been in situ since being purchased for the Taffe family of Hymettus Cottage 1901.taffe family, ballarat, hymettus, furniture, parlour suite

1940s china novelty egg cup belonging to the Taffe family in situ in Hymettus Cottage since the 1940s.An example of a popular kitchen object this egg cup is both utilitarian and decorative, being popular with the Taffe children from the 1940scircular stamp to base "KELLE ST POTTERY CO LTD ENGLAND HANDPAINTED with painter's mark.egg cup, porcelain, kitchenware, england, ballarat

This cranberry glass sugar bowl was a wedding gift to Eleanor and Archibald Burke of Dooboobetic upon their marriage in 1902. It passed to their daughter Mary (Taffe) and has remained at Hymettus, the Taffe family home at Ballarat since she moved there with her husband in 1945.cranberry glass, glass, condiments

non-fictionballarat, horticulture, art nouveau, ballarat horticultural society, pansies

A collection of Victorian Railways Newsletters.non-fictionFrom 1930 until 1973, Victorian Railways News Letter was the inhouse journal for what is now Vicrail. Being a railway family with three stationmasters many copies remain in the family home, Hymettus Cottage.railways, railway family, journal, community

The Catholic Church held an International Congress at Sydney in 1928. This was the first such gathering in the Southern Hemisphere and special trains were run from other states to convey visitors to the event. A range of souvenir items were purchased by Catholic families and a collection of these souvenirs including Congress rail tickets were collected and remain in the Taffe family Hymettus collection.This, the 29th Congress was the first ever held outside Europe or the USA. It was first great public demonstration of faith celebrated by Catholics in Australia this event attracted a crowd of half a million, the largest religious spectacle ever seen in Australia to that time. catholic church, catholic families, souvenir, eucharistic congress, sydney

The Catholic Church held an International Congress at Sydney in 1928. This was the first such gathering in the Southern Hemisphere and special trains were run from other states to convey visitors to the event. A range of souvenir items were purchased by Catholic families and a collection of these souvenirs including Congress rail tickets were collected and remain in the Taffe family Hymettus collection.This, the 29th Congress was the first ever held outside Europe or the USA. It was first great public demonstration of faith celebrated by Catholics in Australia this event attracted a crowd of half a million, the largest religious spectacle ever seen in Australia to that time.sydney, eucharistic congress, pope pius xi, medal,

Hymettus Historic Garden and its cottage museum were opened to the public in 1985 after two years of garden restoration work. The interpretive work was undertaken by Mr and a team from Melbourne's Royal Botanical Gardens and the Taffe family. Plans were drawn up by Peter Lumley and Michael Looker of the Royal Botanical Gardens and the work of restoration undertaken by the family with financial assistance from Heritage Victoria and The City of Ballaarat. historic garden, ballarat, hymettus, postcard, royal botanical gardens melbourne, restoration, city of ballaarat.

Photograph taken by Michael Taffe of Hymettus, family property at Ballarat since 1899 on the centenary of it being awarded "Champion Cottage Garden" for the City of Ballarat in 1918. architecture, hymettus, cottage, ballarat

Flower shows or Horticultural exhibitions were a popular form of entertainment and scientific pastime in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and were widely reported on and followed. Ballarat was a major centre for nurseries and prided itself as a garden city promoting many shows at all levels including grand national exhibitions. Exhibitors ranged from professional hybridists, nurserymen and florists to amateur growers. This award represents the cottage or amateur class in flower shows and was awarded at St Andrew's Jubilee Exhibition and Flower Show. It is one of many in the Taffe family collection won by members of the family between 1899 and 2004. The collection covers three generations of amateur growers and showers across three different centuries.This collection also highlights one of the interactions between members of different religious faith communities in Ballarat in the early twentieth century as this Roman Catholic family were exhibiting at Church of England and Presbyterian functions as well as other shows across the community. An example of the popularity and social significance of flower shows in the early twentieth century. Such items also demonstrate social cohesion and the spirit of interfaith relations before the First World War. It also highlights the importance of gardening in the early twentieth century, the excellence of the gardens at Hymettus in Ballarat and the spirit of self reliance of Australians.Class B, No 14. 57, Six varieties of pansies, Miss Taaffest andrew's, jubilee, jubilee exhibition and flower show, ballarat, pansies miss taaffe, taffe, baxter & stubbs., roman catholic, church of england, presbyterian, interfaith.

Belleek was established following the Irish famine of the mid nineteenth century that brought so many Australian families, including the Taffe and Berkery families to immigrate to the Australian colonies. This Belleek porcelain tea set and tray in the Thorn pattern based on the hawthorn bush sprig in flower carries the impressed registration mark for 1878. Belleek was well represented at the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880-81 at Melbourne's Exhibition building and many examples were bought by key Ballarat Irish families including those connected to this family such as the Brophy, O'Malley and Fitzgerald families, Julia Taffe's (nee Berkery) aunts uncles and cousins. Many such examples remain in Ballarat collections although this is not one.Tea set consisting of a tray with teapot, creamer, sugar bowl two saucers and one remaining cup from the original pair. All pieces decorated in the thorn and spiderweb pattern.Impressed factory mark and registration mark on base of each piece.belleek, porcelain, ballarat, ireland, exhibition building, melbourne, exhibition, thorn pattern, irish famine, tea set, tray, brophy, fitzgerald, o'malley, julia taffe, berkery, australian colonies,

1919 Grand National Eisteddfod of Australasia: South Street Competition Ballarat Third place certificate awarded to M. J. Taffe for Champion Bugle Solo. Signed by the founder of the Competition W. D. Hill.Awarded to M. J. Taffe for Champion Bugle Solo and signed by the founder of the Competition W. D. Hill. The Taffe family, like many local families, were involved in community affairs and associations across the years. It is unusual for the generations of one family to retain these mementoes of activities in a generational home in Australia. This second Michael Taffe was active in several brass bands in the city and also was a bugler in the 71st Battalion Band.Grand National Eisteddfod of Australasia Prize Certificate.w d hill, michael taffe, ballarat, cornet solo, south street competitions, bugle, military

Michael Taffe at Hymettus, Cardigan St Ballarat was awarded the Mayoral trophy for the Champion Cottage Garden, City of Ballaarat 1915 - 1918. The garden was one of 25 working-men's gardens competing across the city, a city acclaimed as a garden city that attracted visitors to enjoy its public and private gardens of which the community was very proud. Part of the large collection of photos about places and family members from the generations at Hymettus Cottage in the City of Ballarat, contributes to an understanding of social history in the city and surrounding shires. In this instance the social importance of horticulture and gardens, in the city.gardens, horticulture, garden city, ballarat, tourism,

Remnant Staffordshire porcelain tea set consisting of milk jug, cup, saucers and plates from a tea set presented as a wedding present to Julia Berkery and Michael Taffe at Bungaree in 1893.Unmarked Staffordshire tea set typical of small wedding present for the working classes in the 1890s. This example although a remnant and damaged has a good provenance and remains in the family home with other family wedding presents.Gilder's mark on base of each piece.jug, floral decoration,, bungaree, cup saucer & plate, staffordshire, wedding gift, taffe, present, tea set

In 1920 Michael Taffe at 17 years of age, was awarded Junior Cornet Solo Champion at Ballarat's South St competitions, The Grand National Eisteddfod of Australasia. This competition was the premier band contest in Australia with musicians from every state and New Zealand taking part. The large framed studio portrait of Michael together with his cornet and medals was on display in the window of Allan's Music store Melbourne when the building was severely damaged by fire but these items were saved. Part of a large family collection of local & family history items at Hymettus Cottage, home to the same Ballarat family for the past 127 years. This portrait has a well documented provenance and a known owner and has hung in this historic house for the past 106 years. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection that reflects Ballarat's local history from a family perspective. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in Ballarat from the 19th to the 21st century and provides interpretative capacity for family, local, and social history themes.cornet, music, michael taffe, south street competitions, ballarat

The elaborate fancy cotton braid known as Cornelli work on this jacket is a technique of embroidery or applique of cotton thread and braid that became popular in the nineteenth century. It was used on French doll's clothing where elaborate the Cornelli wear was stitched on for decoration. The examples used in this family also included that on men's railway uniforms and bandsmen's uniforms. This jacket belonged to Eleanor Burke (nee McKew) Mrs Mary Taffe's mother and came to Hymettus at Ballarat when she arrived here to live from Donald with husband Michael in 1945.This jacket displays elaborate fancy cotton stitching and braid known as Cornelli work, a technique of embroidery or applique of cotton thread and braid that became popular in the nineteenth century. This lady's jacket is a good example of a style popular at the end of the nineteenth, early twentieth century.

This local flower show award from 1905 together with others in the collection demonstrates the significance of such shows as a form of social activity as well as horticultural science over the decades. It is also an example of church groups being involved in the social fabric of the community and activities that embraced all segments of the community of different religious persuasions as the certificate was awarded to Michael Taffe, a Roman Catholic in a Church of England enclave. The Girls' Friendly Society founded in England in 1875 was an Anglican Church group which formed to give maids and female domestic staff spiritual guidance and social activities for their days off. The first local Australian branch was formed in Adelaide in 1879 with branches being established in Ballarat from the 1880s. Other certificates from 1899 to the 1930s in this collection of Taffe awards come from a range of faiths and community groups. This award is one of a family collection from the nineteenth century through to the twenty-first century further demonstrating horticultural enthusiasts exhibition participation across generations.This certificate evidences one of the activities of the Girls Friendly Society St Paul's Branch in a community event that embraced the local community. The Girls Friendly Society commenced in Ballarat in the 1880s and this certificate evidences one way in which the movement not only raised funds but actively involved itself in the local community regardless of creed.Inscribed 'Stock Double Mr M J Taffe'.girls friendly society, st paul's, flower show, 1905,, ballarat

The decorative art-nouveau style leadlight side and transom lights were a popular form of entrance lighting set into recessed panels in late Victorian homes at Ballarat. This home built by local architect/builder Thomas Turton features these popular glass lights.The side and transom lights at Hymettus form part of a significant and representative historical collection that reflects Ballarat's local history from a family perspective and popular art and architecture movements at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. They contribute to our understanding of social and family life in twentieth century Ballarat and providing interpretative capacity for family, local, art, architecture and social history themes.ballarat architects and architecture,, hymettus, taffe, art nouveau, leadlight

This was a small domestic bookcase made by local Ballarat family firm of A. H. Harris in 1920. The firm ceased operating c. 1980. It is stamped at the back with the firm's name and is like several pieces in this 126 year old family home of local origin.A small domestic bookcase with adjustable shelves made by A. H. Harris of Ballarat. The firm was created at Ballarat in 1928 and became notable for making church furniture including the fitting out of St Therese' on Wendouree Pde Ballarat. This is an early small piece made for the home in an Arts and Crafts style.A.H.Harris & Sons.stamped into rear of shelf.bookcase, ballarat, hymettus, taffe, a. h. harris, australian furniture

Silk ceremonial collar of Mr A. Burke St Arnaud who was a member of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society (HACBS).Mr A. Burke died at Ballarat in 1951 while staying with his daughter, Mrs Mary Taffe of Hymettus. Several of the Burke family items including this ceremonial collar remain at the cottage. Hymettus cottage is a rare example of a Catholic family property dating from the nineteenth century with much of its original and early fabric, furnishings and devotional items of the family's Catholic faith still in situ.hibernian, australasian, hacbs, st arnaud, victoria, burke, ceremonial, collar.

After a quiet period, interest in bookplates in Australia began to increase in the early 1970s, This example was commissioned from Andrew Thomas a Ballarat photographer and designer by Michael Taffe owner of Hymettus at Ballarat in the 1990s and is a computer assisted design. It incorporates the generational family home, Hymettus and the family coat of arms with the owner's signature.Bookplate from Hymettus Cottage and Garden, first open to the public in 1917 as champion garden City of Ballaarat. the bookmark indicates the book it is affixed to was part of the family library in the house and represents four generations from 19th, 20th and 21st centuries a rare phenomenon in urban Australia.Bookplate depicts "Hymettus", a weatherboard cottage behind a paling fence with cottage name above image and family crest below.Signature of M. J. Taffe.ballarat, bookplate, hymettus, taaffe, taffe, andrew thomas

Flower shows or Horticultural exhibitions were a popular form of entertainment and scientific pastime in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and were widely reported on and followed. Ballarat was a major centre for nurseries and prided itself as a garden city promoting many shows at all levels including grand national exhibitions. Exhibitors ranged from professional hybridists, nurserymen and florists to amateur growers. This award represents the cottage or amateur class in flower shows and was awarded circa 1907. This item has well documented provenance and remains at Hymettus with the family to whom it was awarded. It forms part of a significant and representative horticultural collection which reflects the involvement of generations of the family with horticulture in a centre known as The Garden City. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in twentieth century Ballarat, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes of garden history, local history and social history.Written onto card, 'Three Varieties of Roses'. Miss J. Taffe.ballarat horticultural society, j taffe, roses, bentley, fraser print ballarat

A small painting of the Taaffe family coat of arms painted on glass in reverse by Glen Taffe in 1992 as a Father's Day present for Michael Taffe.painting, glass, fathers' day., armorial, art, glass

Polocrosse was a popular equestrian sport played at Prince of Wales Park Ballarat in the 1950s. This is a small family snapshot of William (Bill) Burke, brother of Mrs Mary Taffe of "Hymettus" Ballarat, with three of his polocrosse ponies taken at his home on Burrumbeet Rd Ballarat.Small snapshot On reverse "Bill Burke"

A small reliquary of St Dominic and St Catherine of Sienna mounted in a Victorian watch stand.A Catholic devotional object belonging to Julia Taffe and passed down through the family after her death.watch stand, reliquary, saints