The Victorian Naturalist is a bimonthly scientific journal covering natural history, especially of Australia. It is published by the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria and is received as part of the membership subscription of that club. From 1881, club proceedings and papers had been published in the Southern Science Record and Magazine of Natural History before the first issue of The Victorian Naturalist appeared in January 1884. The journal publishes peer-reviewed research articles, research reports, "Naturalist Notes", and book reviews. The journal was published monthly until 1976, since then it has been published bimonthly. In that period several special issues have been published. These covered particular natural history topics or significant centenaries: of the club (1980), the death of Ferdinand von Mueller (1996), and the establishment of Wilsons Promontory National Park and Mount Buffalo National Park (1998). The journal was abstracted and indexed by Scopus in 1980 and 1984 and from 2008 to 2014. In 2001 there was a special issue on Sir Frederick McCoy, KCMG who was the first president of the club. Sir Frederick was an Irish paleontologist, zoologist, and museum administrator, active in Australia. He is noted for founding the Botanic Garden of the University of Melbourne in 1856.A journal that is still in publication today from it’s original inception in 1881 as part of a membership subscription to the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria. The journal is a significant publication with articles documenting issues and and other subjects relating to the subject of natural history.Two journals of "The Victorian Naturalist" Vol 10 & 11 May 1893 -March 1894 Edited: F G A Barnard Published: Walker May & Co Date: 1894 Label on spine with typed text RA 574.9945 VIC Inside front cover a sticker with Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, book, the victorian naturalist vol 10, journal, australian naturalist, sir frederick mccoy, melbourne botanic gardens

The Victorian Naturalist Vol 13 April 1896 to april 1897 Editor: F G A Barnard Publisher: Walker May & Co Date: 1897 Label on spine with typed text RA 574.9945 VIC Inside front cover has a sticker that reads Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, f g a barnard, the victorian naturalist vol 13

The Victorian Naturalist Vol 19 May 1902 to April 1903 Editor: F G A Barnard Publisher: Walker May & Co Date: 1903 Label on spine with typed text RA 574.9945 VIC Inside front cover has a sticker that reads Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, f g a barnard, the victorian naturalist vol 19

The Victorian Naturalist Vol 22 May 1905 to April 1906 Editor: F G A Barnard Publisher: Walker May & Co Date: 1906 Label on spine with typed text RA 574.9945 VIC Inside front cover has a sticker that reads Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, f g a barnard, the victorian naturalist vol 22

The Victorian Naturalist Vol 25 May 1908 to April 1909 Editor: F G A Barnard Publisher: Walker May & Co Date: 1909 Label on spine with typed text RA 574.9945 VIC Inside front cover has a sticker that reads Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, f g a barnard, the victorian naturalist vol 25

The Victorian Naturalist Vol 28 May 1911 to April 1912 Editor: F G A Barnard Publisher: Walker May & Co Date: 1912 Label on spine with typed text RA 574.9945 VIC Inside front cover has a sticker that reads Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, f g a barnard, the victorian naturalist vol 28

The Victorian Naturalist Vol 26 May 1899 to April 1900 Editor: F G A Barnard Publisher: Walker May & Co Date: 1900 Label on spine with typed text RA 574.9945 VIC Inside front cover has a sticker that reads Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, f g a barnard, the victorian naturalist vol 26

Photocopy of article by A. Campbell, Jun. in Victorian Naturalist, Vol. XVI, No. 3, 1899 pp 49-55. Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 8th May, 1899a. campbell, victorian naturalist, a. campbell jun, field naturalists' club of victoria, birds at burnley

Dr Gary Presland studied history at LaTrobe University, Melbourne and archaeology at the University of London. His major research interests have been in Aboriginal and natural history of the Melbourne area. He researched The Place for a Village as a PdD, in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at The University of Melbourne. His previous books include Aboriginal Melbourne and For God's sake send the trackers. Gary Presland is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, an Honorary Fellow at The University of Melbourne and an Honorary Associate of Museum Victoria, where he was the 2001 Thomas Ramsay Science and Humanities Fellow. He is a current Editor of The Victorian Naturalist, published by the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, since 1884.The Place for a Village won The Victorian Community History Awards 2009 for best publication.How nature has shaped the city of MelbourneHandwritten notation first page - With best wishes, Gary Presland 22 February 2020.

These four certificates belonged to William Hunter. William Hunter (1893-1971) was a resident of Tatura and Mallacoota. He was a soldier, surveyor and amateur naturalist. The certificates include two first prizes for surveying, a technical scholarship for full day courses and a certificate for Applied Mechanics. William received his Surveying Certificate in April 1916. In June 1887, the Working Men's College opened after Francis Ormond, a noted Victorian philanthropist and member of parliament, suggested that a technical institute be built in Melbourne, offering further education for working men and women. He had offered to match the sum raised through public subscription if the government could provide a site for the College. William Hunter made valuable contributions to our knowledge of far East Gippsland plants. His records were meticulous. These certificates are part of his history.Four card certificates of merit for "Annual Examinations" from the Working Men's College, The Technical College and School of Mines for the Metropolitan District.All four certificates awarded to "William Hunter" and signed by Mordaunt Arundel Hall (accountant & chief clerk WMC) as the Acting Director.hunter-william-surveyor

Mud brick house first owned by naturalist and artist Neil Douglas and Helen (Abbie) Heathcote at the Bend of Islands. They were original residents in the 1970s. This house is on the Victorian Heritage Database and is considered locally significant. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; CoverThis collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, bend of islands, neil douglas house, neil douglas

Nillumbik Now and Then takes the reader on a journey from when the Aboriginal people were this area's sole inhabitnats, to the present day. Nillumbik's history - told in this collection of 96 stories, which are nearly all based on sites - mirrors those of the wider Australian community. It includes tales of the Wurundjeri people, a former convict, farmers, a bushranger, gold-mining, soldiers, artists, intellectuals, environmentalists and sportspeople. Each story is illustrated with a photograph. As a journalist with the former Diamond Valley News, Marguerite Marshall wrote a series of articles on local places of historic interest, later published as the small book "Eltham Shire - Historic Buildings and Places". Many years later an expanded version was published under the title "Nillumbik Now and Then". This is a much larger version of "Nillumbik Now and Then", including significant rewriting and many additional articles. The new publication was made possible by financial support from the Victorian Public Records Office, Bendigo Bank and Nillumbik Shire Council. EDHS and other historical societies in Nillumbik assisted with content for many of the stories. The book was launched at the Eltham Library on Wednesday 19th November 2008. Source: EDHS Newsletter No 183, November 2009 The front cover art depicts The former house of naturalist and artist Neil Douglas at Bend of Islands, photographer Marguerite Marshall. This collection of almost 130 photos and stories about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. Paperback; x, 198 p. : ill., ports. ; 30 cm.Signed by the authornillumbik shire, houses, buildings, weller's hotel, landmarks, bend of islands

140 Loose pages titled The Bendigo Saleyards Economic Viability Study. Report written by Kate Millard on behalf of the Bendigo Development Committee Inc. Contents include: Chapter 1 - Background Information, Chapter 1 - Present Operations at the Saleyards, Chapter 3 - Economic Factors, Chapter 4 - Environmental Factors, Chapter 5 - Selling Techniques, Chapter 6 - Employment Study, Management and Sundry Issues, Chapter 7 - Survey of Farmers and Saleyard Users in the 'Catchment Area', and Chapter 8 - Recommendations of the Report. Includes diagrams and maps. Recommendations printed on dark yellow paper.bendigo, council, cattle markets, bendigo saleyards collection - the bendigo saleyards economic viability study, bendigo development committee inc., kate millard, loddon campaspe planning authority, street, ryan and associates, bendigo city council, strathfieldsaye shire council, department of industry technology & resources, national library of australia, meldrum burows & partners, core wilson sayer, town planning appeals panel, ces, victorian farmers and graziers association, stock agents association, department of agriculture, department of industry technology & resources, department of conservation forests and land, cr jock comini, rca depot, wellsford rifle range, bendigo airport, bendigo field naturalists club, mr david kennedy, mr john brumby, mr john radford, neil o'keefe, bendigo east progress association, bendigo east traders, trades hall council, mr tom uren, mr frank wilkes, mr bruce reid, mr k i m wright, mr e t ebery, bendigo pastoral council of the vfga, victorian meatworks association, bendigo stock & station agents association, rutlands transport, mr don pickles, country abattoirs & wholesalers association association of victoria, meat and allied trade federation of australia, bendigo saleyards advisory committee, bendigo residents & ratepayers association, a h & n graham, mrs p unmack australian bureau of statistics, mr lloyd houlden, cr c rodda, mr jolly, mr tony milanese, dr robert carter, university of melbourne, bendigo college of tafe, t matthews, a s & r d rutland, john kerr, j talbot, g l o'sullivan, penney & lang pty ltd, graeme pickering, pickhall j w & sons, r a plant, w k schmidt, t j vick, k & j wignall, a e wright, g chapman, a j gillies, p g & m m harris, ian r hollingsworth, b kennedy, s letcher, s & d k letcher, p m llewellyn, l g mason, boyer r t, connally m f, kennedy & mortlock, nevins j p, r w johnstone, w j keith, b d kelly, notman r, pitts a j & c a, pitts mervyn l & co, rowe w o, warren k m, associated stock & station agents, dalgety farmers ltd, elders dsm estates, ellis nuttall & co, gallagher g d, hamilton real estate, mcgregor ralph h & co, mckean w & co, miller turner livestock co, vains e m & co, victorian producers, hill m j & co, bennetts meats, comell bros, davis b & d, hardwick g f & v c, penney & lang p/l, tendercut meats, northern seed supply co, bendigo fertilizers, agri business pty ltd, agrilink consulting group pty ltd, acil aust pty ltd, mcgowan & associates, chapman w c, talbot e j, mcculloch w & sons pty ltd, k v equipment, commercial egg producers assoc co-op, monsanto aust ltd, balmer bryan r, barry i j, bath l, clarke b j, treacy k m, turner j m, bendigo mower serv pty ltd, everlast concrete tank tyltd, wicks bros, canvas goods, don mcarthur, bendigo communications, transcom, emdell pty ltd, epsom pharmaceutical supplies, sandhurst fencing pty ltd, arnolds gates & fencing, r furniss, carne neville, awa & unicla, ajm refrigeration, bendigo concrete sawing service, hamilton r j, hearpes t w, j e brown, campey dr a r, fyffe j j, kangaroo flat vet clinic, ottrey k e, bendigo sprinkler installations, milnes irrigation, onga pumpshop, barastoc products, bush's produce stores, epsom produce, k m m pty ltd, bendigo grain co, eaglehawk chaff mills, grain elevators board dept, bonneys pest control, knights pest control, brown wk & l d, bendigo sewerage authority, bendigo water board, aci computer services, leham donald, a e hueffer & associates, wolmoke planners, p langley, mr ken strachan, mr evan jones, mr peter byrnes, mr wayne street, street ryan & associates

4 page A4 printed document. Achievements of Peter Ellis (for consideration for the Order of Australia) Peter is regarded as one of the leading collectors and presenters of traditional dance tunes, dances and musical instruments in Australia. At the 2005 National Folk Festival it was announced by Robyn Holmes that he has the largest selection of dance related material collected in the National Library Archives in Canberra. Peter has been collecting for many years and has collected with the late John Meredith (AM), Shirley Andrews (AM), Rob Willis and Dave Di Santi amongst others. Peter has literally travelled Australia collecting over the past thirty years. He has extensive field recordings from Western Australia and Tasmania in addition to his Victorian collection, for example. Most of his recording has been in North Western and Central Victoria. Peter collected a lot of his material from Harry McQueen ( Castlemaine), which led to a double CD of Harry's music. Harry had played in dance bands for over sixty years in Central Victoria. Harry had a number of tunes from Bill McGlashan who had taken Harry under his wing as a young man. Through Peter's efforts much valuable material and knowledge from almost a century ago was saved for posterity. Founder, Charter member and life member of the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo. Life Member of the Victorian Folk Music Club. Recipient of the Graham Squance award (for the person who has done the most to promote folk dance and music in Victoria)) from the Folk Song and Dance Society of Victoria. Member of the famous Wedderburn Old Timers Band for over twenty-eight years (two platinum and several gold recordings in that time). Founder and leader of the Emu Creek Bush Band (twenty-nine years old in 2010) Emu Creek has made many CDs of dance music as listed. Friday Night at the Spring Gully Hop, Three double CDs called 'Quadrille Mania' which contain many rare dances and tunes which have been learnt and recorded, under Peter's guidance, so they would not be lost to posterity. A triple CD called 'Take Me Back To Bendigo' with heritage songs and music from the Gold Rush to Federation (solely organised and financed by Peter) These CDs show the multicultural heritage in Bendigo and include music and groups from the Koorie, Chinese, Cornish, German, Irish, Italian, Scots, English and Welsh communities of Bendigo and district. Upon his recovery of costs Peter has handed over copyright to the Bendigo Community so future profits go back into the community. Three double CDs called 'The Merry Country Dance' with dances and tunes going back to the time of Governor Lachlan Macquarie's Ball in 1804. Most of the tracks are performed by Emu Creek Following much practice under Peter's tutelage. For further authenticity Peter liaised with other musicians to record some tracks which were revived from almost two hundred years ago and have now been recorded using the instruments of the time. A three volume set of Bush Concert recordings (Vol 1 Goornong (launched Australia Day 2006 with any profits going to the Soldier's Memorial Hall Committee), Vol 2 Heywood and Vol 3 Maldon/Sutton Grange, already recorded and to be released as money from other projects becomes available. NOTE: None of these CDs have led to any profit. All money raised is put back into the community and further heritage recordings, books and videos through the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo Inc. In 2009 a full collection of all Peter's book and CDs was donated to the John Gorton Library as part of the recognition of the fifty year career of the Gay Charmers Dance Band from Lake Charm. 'Music of the Diggings' (4 tracks by Peter or Emu Creek). In addition the Emu Creek Band, under Peter's leadership, has appeared on a CD backing Bruce Watson on his song, 'The Old Bush Dance'. Emu Creek has performed at National Folk Festivals in four states and several times at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. They have also been mainstays of the Maldon Folk Festival for over twenty years as well as doing dance programs for the Port Fairy Folk Festival on two occasions. Peter has written and published many books related to traditional music and dance. These include Three volumes of 'Collectors Choice' which is musical notation for bush dances coupled with much dance history which would have been lost without Peter's efforts. 'Two Hundred Dancing Years - How to run a Colonial Ball: (co-authored with Shirley Andrews (A.M.), 'Music Makes Me Smile - The Music of the Nariel Valley' (co-authored with Harry Gardner). The Merry Country Dance' (292 pages) a companion to the three double CDs. He has also been a contributor to Verandah Music' authors Rob Willis and Graham Seal and 'The Oxford Companion to Australia Folklore' Ed Graham Seal. Peter is also a regular contributor to 'Trad and Now' Magazine. His latest completed book is titled 'The Merry Country Dance' and is over three hundred pages of social history, recipes and dance instructions. It was completed with the assistance of a Victorian Government Heritage Grant. The first edition sold out in only a few weeks. Peter has taught many children about old time musicianship through the junior bands which have functioned over the years with many children joining Emu Creek and then going on to follow their own musical inclinations. He has trained several young concertina and button accordion players over the years. Peter has been a regular tutor with Continuing Education in tin whistle, harmonica and old time dancing for many years. Peter has conducted workshops in music dance at National Folk Festivals in Perth, Alice Springs, Maleny, Melbourne, Adelaide, Kuranda and more recently at several Canberra National folk Festivals. He has also done this at Maldon for many years, Port Fairy, Glen Innes, Jamberoo and Kiama Festivals. For over thirty years Peter has been a guest player and MC for the dances at the Nariel Folk Festival (Australia's oldest continuing Folk Festival) Peter is very well known in the Corryong area as a collector and the co-author of the book, Music Makes Me Smile, about the Klippel/Simpson dynasty in the Nariel Creek Band. This book is currently being revised for re-issue as more material has come to light since the original publication. For many years Peter trained Debutante Sets in the Bendigo District. Peter was an instigator of the annual Dinki Di Ball held each September in Eaglehawk for the past thirteen years. At this ball three bands play for a quarter of the night and then join together for the final part of the evening. The bands are Emu Creek, The Wedderburn Old Timers and the Gay Charmers. Up to four hundred dancers, many in heritage costumes have attended this dance. The ball also pays tribute to, and involves, the old MC's. Through this example their skills have been passed down to a younger generation of MC's. All profits are returned to the Dance Club to foster our musical heritage. Each Ball includes presentations designed to promote social dancing in Australia. Over the years several young musicians have been presented with musical instruments at the Ball, libraries have been given copies of Peter's books and CDs and one year a keen young dancer was presented a pair of dancing shoes. Peter is a trained ballroom dancer and has gained gold medal status in this field. Peter is an accomplished musician and is one of Australia's foremost button accordion players. He is also highly accomplished on the tin whistle, bones and harmonica. He is the only exponent of the Swanee whistle that I have seen. Peter also plays the piano and ukulele. Thirty six years membership of the Bendigo Field Naturalists Club, Secretary in the 1970s and actively involved in campaigns to save Lake Pedder and establish the Whipstick and Kamarooka State Parks (now part of the Bendigo National Park). Peter was also extremely active in the establishment of the Salomon's Gully and Jackass Flat Flora Reserves in Bendigo which have now been saved for posterity. Peter has also been involved in efforts to save One Tree Hill and this area has now been included in the Greater Bendigo National Park. He has discovered and named new plant species in the Whipstick Forest and propagates Australian plants. Peter takes regular guided tours of interested people through the Whipstick each Spring on wild flower educational tours. He is a keen and gifted photographer of local plant species. Life member of the Bendigo Field Naturalists. Peter contributed text and photographs to their publication 'Wildflowers of Bendigo'. When the Victorian State Parliament had its first historical sitting outside Melbourne Emu Creek played during lunch for the guests and public. They have also played at functions such as the Centenaries of Federation, the Bendigo Post Office, the Shamrock Hotel and the opening of the new Melbourne Museum and the Federation Museum in Bendigo. The band regularly plays for Seniors week and at homes for the aged such as Bethlehem, Mirridong, Bignold Park, Bendigo Village and others. Peter has been instrumental in getting the band to play for fundraisers such as schools, scouts and environmental groups. The band plays many charitable 'gigs'. The band supports the Bendigo Easter Fair and the Eaglehawk Fair when able and has appeared in several parades over the years. The above list shows the invaluable contribution that Peter Ellis has made towards the collecting and distributing of Australia's musical and dance heritage. No one has done more than Peter in this area. He has also been active locally and nationally in his endeavours towads saving the natural environment. He has put many years of time and energy into both area's and has many on going projects in mind for the years ahead. The awarding of an honour from Australia would be just reward for a man who has preserved so much of our musical and dance heritage for future generations. Knowing Peter I have no doubt he would treasure such an honour as he has given so much to preserve Australia's music and dance heritage over most of his sixty plus years. Compiled by John Williams. Handwritten notes at bottom of last page reads: Referees Jacinta Allan MLA Steve Gibbons MHR Willie Carney ex Mayor of Bendigo Supporting letter Mary Smith Sec. Bush Dance + Music Club.person, individual, peter ellis oam

3 Page Letter printed on A4 printer paper. Bearing the letterhead of the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo Inc. Postal Address Secretary PO Box 922 Bendigo 3552 Telephone number (03) 5442 1153 email [email protected] Mark Maddock Case Officer Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat Government house Canberra ACT 2600 28th February 2011. Dear Mark, Thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak for Peter Ellis. We know Peter to be a worthy candidate for the award and I think that most people that know him would agree. I had been putting together a nomination for Peter that was suggested by a couple at our club meeting on a night when Peter was not present. Everyone felt that he should have recognition for all the work that he has done and it was unanimously voted on. I was given the job. As someone else has beaten me to it I now can speak for him on my own behalf and in my role as secretary of the Bush Dance & Music Club Inc. Peter Ellis is a very good friend of mine and I have known him since April 1975 when we met at a Saturday night dance. At that time there was a small group of us that went around the dances. We would go 100kms to find dances that were not on the average programme, dances such as The Lancers, Albert's, Waltz Cotillion and lots of Polkas. We bemoaned the fact that they appeared to be dying out in the Towns and Cities so we tried to get the Bendigo Old Time Dance Club of which we were members, to introduce these dances on to the programme, but they were not interested. After a lot of discussion Peter, Maurie Rayner, myself and several others decided to start our own dance club where we could do the dances that we liked, and to endeavour to keep them alive. We formed the Sandhurst Dance Club in June 1979 (renamed ten years later as the Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo Inc.) In 1981 Peter made two attempts to form a band for the club and in 1983 the 'Celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band' was born, with Peter as the leader. Later Peter set up a junior section of the Emu Creek Band and some of these children grew up to become competent musicians and leaders of their own bands/Groups. Peter's friendship with the late Harry McQueen of Castlemaine led to and increased knowledge of the dances, calls for the sets and the various tunes used. Peter joined the Wedderburn Old Timers Orchestra in late 1979 and travelling around Victoria and interstate with them was of immense help in learning to MC dances, call sets acoustically and in collecting new 'old dances' and tunes. He met elderly MC's who gave him information on the way that they ran the dances in the old days. It was also an introduction to playing items at concerts and in reviving much of the old traditions of the bush. Demand for the tunes for dances led to Peter compiling a series of three books called 'Collectors Choice' which were published by the Victorian Folk Music Club in 1986, 1987 and 1988. 1988 was a very busy year for Peter and The Emu Creek Bush Band as they recorded two double music tapes for the club 'The Merry Country Dance' and 'The Waltz the Polka and all Kinds of Dancing' which were in much demand at the time. Also in 1988 he collaborated with the late Shirley Andrews and they co-authored the book 'Two Hundred Dancing Years and how to celebrate them with a Colonial Ball' for the Bicentennial of 1988. this publication, was instigated by the Government backed Bicentenary Committee, and distributed free to every municipality in Australia. In 1996 The Emu Creek Bush Band and Peter recorded and produced a single CD called a Friday night at 'The Spring Valley Hop'. In 1998 The Bush Dance & Music Club again happily agreed to financially back Peter to produce a series of CDs. The first thing he did was to revive and update the 1988 music tapes for CD. The first of the Qadrille Mania series of double CDs with companion call books was launched in 1999 then in 2000 and 2001. then the triple CD called The Waltz Polka & all kinds of Dances in 2002 followed by the Merry Country Dance CDs in 2005, 2006 and 2007. There were six double CDs and one triple CD produced which was a major undertaking that went on for eight years. The CDs have a great many tunes that Peter collected over the years mixed in with well known tunes and there are very few repeats. During this time we applied for a Grant from the Victorian Government to publish a book on the social History of country dances and dance instructions with Peter as the author. We were successful and published it in 2005. Our CDs and book have all been lodged with the National Library of Canberra as has all Peter's sheet music, boxes of it, as well as everything he has produced. At the 2005 Canberra National Folk Festival, at a meeting of collectors, it was stated that Peter has the largest collection of dance related material in the National Library. Peter compiled and produced his own project a triple CD called 'Take Me Back to Bendigo' in 2002. 2006 Peter and Emu Creek Bush Band produced another single CD 'Bush Concert Vol one Back to Goornong'. 2008 A pet project of Peter's was compiling and producing a double CD for the Wedderburn Old Timers it was of all the recorded material performed by them at concerts and taped by friends and fans. It was funded by Gavan Holt a son of the late Lindsay Holt an original 'Old Timer'. Recent publications are a book mainly music 'Music Makes Me Smile' a tribute to Con Klippel and the music of the Nariel Valley near Corryong Victoria. Peter Ellis & Harry Gardner 1998. The Waltz, The Polka & All Kinds of Dancing' a sheet music book for musicians supported by the Folk Song & Dance Society of Victoria. 2007-8 not sure of year. Peter has been involved over the years in collecting music and dance by himself and also with Rob Willis and the late John Meredith for the National Library in Canberra. He is continually asked for information and to write articles for people and to verify points re dance and music. He corresponds with like minded people overseas and frequently goes off to Folk Festivals all over the country, usually running dance classes, musician's workshops or just playing for dances. He is an excellent musician and plays Piano, Button Accordion, Concertina, Mouth Organ, Tin Whistle, Ukulele, Spoons and the Bones. He is regarded as one of Australia's foremost collectors and presenters of Australian traditional dance tunes, dances and some musical instruments. Over the years I have heard him referred to as the Guru of folk dance and music. Peter lives and breathes for this passion of his and always has several irons in the fire. He is a life member of The Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo Inc. The Victorian Folk Music Club, and The Bendigo Field Naturalists Club. He was a recipient of the David Squance Award in 1994 presented by the Folk Song & Dance Society of Victoria. Over the last twelve months for the folk magazine 'Trad & Now' he has written articles on the old dances and music and this is an ongoing project. This has led to our clubs present project which is the filming of the dances to be shown on UTube as it is referred to in the magazine. This involves members in hours and hours of practising the dances then filming them, and all with Peter's expert teaching and watchful eye on everyone. The Bush Dance & Music Club are and always have been behind Peter wholeheartedly in everything that he does and we are extremely proud of what he has achieved. His drive and enthusiasm for the preservation of music and dance is catching. People like Peter are absolutely necessary in finding and preserving our Australian Heritage, without them it would be lost forever and Australia would be a great deal poorer for it. The Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo Inc. and I fully support this nomination for an award as he is truly deserving of it. Yours sincerely Mary E Smith. Secretary of the Bush Dance & Music Club Inc. Peter's Timeline. 1979 A Foundation Member of the Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo Inc. 1979 Joined the Wedderburn Old Timers Orchestra. 1983 The Celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band was formed. 1986 Collectors Choice. Volume one. 1987 Collectors Choice. Volume Two. 1988 Collectors Choice. Volume Three. 1988 Recorded Tapes - The Merry Country Dance & The Waltz Polka & all Kinds of Dances. 1988 A book with the late Shirley Andrews called Two Hundred years of Dancing. 1991 Across to Perth collecting for National Library with the Late John Meredith. 1996 Single CD A Friday Night at the Spring Gully Hop. 1998 Music Makes Me Smile. A tribute to Con Klippel 7 music of the Nariel Valley. 1999 Double CD Quadrille Mania 1&2 2000 Double CD Quadrille Mania 3&4 2001 Double CD Quadrille Mania 5&6 2002 His own project triple CD Take Me Back To Bendigo. (Goldrush to Federation and Beyond). 2002 Triple CD The Waltz The Polka & All kinds of Dances. 2005 Double CD The Merry Country Dance 1 & 2. 2002 Book, The Merry Country Dance. 2006 Single CD with Emu Creek 'Bush Concert Vol 1 Back to Goornong' 2006 Double CD The Merry Country Dance 3&4 2007 Double CD The Merry Country Dance 5&6 2007-8-? A book of music, The Waltz, The Polka & All Kinds of Dances. 2008 Double CD The Wedderburn Old Timers in Concert.person, individual, peter ellis oam

A Guide for Drivers on the Whipstick Tour. First page gives assembly area, driving in convoy and negotiating water or boggy patches across the road. Amended written at the end of the page. Directions with mileage and items of interest for the tour on Sunday September 9th (no year). A Whipstick Map 1971 showing State Forest, Crown Lands, Uncleared Mallee - Private (shown in different colours) Water Reserve and Roads. Noted are Flora and Fauna - Plants, Birds & Mammals, and areas of State Forest and Southern State Forest with Mallee Scrub area noted. Also State Forest & Crown Lands Total Area and a map scale. The Bendigo Whipstick mentions area, suggestions of where the name Whipstick came from, shrubs and flowers with their flowering times, descriptions of some of them and some information on the Mallee Fowl. The Eucalyptus Oil Industry paragraph mentions the beginnings of the industry. Mentioned are the different uses of oils (perfumery, industrial and medicinal) and the different species of eucalypt used for each and various products. Also notes on the growing, harvesting and refining of eucalyptus. P Ellis at the end of the page. The next two and a half pages mentions reserves, and at the end acknowledgements. Includes a spare copy of 'The Bendigo Whipstick' by P Ellis.bendigo, history, early bendigo, peter ellis collection, a guide for drivers on the whipstick tour, the whipstick 1971 map, shire of marong, shire of east loddon, shire of huntly, borough of eaglehawk, city of bendigo, shire of strathfieldsaye, the bendigo whipstick, eucalyptus oil industry, eaglehawk town hall, lightning hill lookout, eaglehawk rifle range, new moon mines, blue jacket reservoir, maggetti's wine hall, camp hotel (ex), skylark dam, eucalyptus oil production, eucalyptus factory, whipstick eucalyptus farm, ruedin's eucalyptus factory, dutch bowls, governor philip, sir joseph banks, john white, baron von mueller, joseph bosisto, commonwealth government, perfumery oils, industrial oils, medicinal oils, p ellis, dr frith, csiro wildlife division, harley webster, forests commission, vincent serventy, victorian national parks association, bendigo field naturalists club

Letter (11 Pages) from Peter N Ellis to the Land Conservation Council. Letter refers to proposed State parks - Kamarooka State Park and Whipstick State Park. other areas mentioned are the Wellsford Forest, Mandurang Forest, Lockwood Forest, Waanyaraa, Fryerstown, Whipstick Hill (Flagstaff Hill) and Black Rock. Other areas are Wellsford/Axedale Forest, Sugarloaf Range, Mandurang Forest, Main Coliban Channel, Lockwood Forest, Tarnagulla/Dunolly Forest, Fryerstown, Seven Sisters (between Huntly and Goornong). Plant and tree life in each area is mentioned including the cutting of eucalypt for the production of Eucalyptus oil.person, individual, peter ellis oam, peter ellis collection, land conservation council, kamarooka state park, whipstick state park, eucalyptus oil production, fncv victorian naturalist, d j paton, bendigo field naturalists club, wellsford forest, mandurang forest, main coliban channel, lockwood forest, waanyaras, fryerstown, whipstick hill (flagstaff hill), parish of neilborough, old underground water race, puddling machine, srwsc

Three President's Reports containing Club news, etc. One has the conclusion to a series titled 'Quadrilles'. Another has an article titled 'Vale Trevor'. Trevor Holt was a member of the Wedderburn Oldtimers.clubs, music, bush dance & music club of bendigo, peter ellis collection, mavis mcgregor, lex ottrey, latrobe university school board, whipstick parks advisory committee, bendigo field naturalist club, western victorian field naturalist clubs association, jack kellam, bert gibson, shirley andrews, trevor holt, myers, brash's, wedderburn oldtimers, morrie gierisch, ian johnson, jack condon, salvation army, carolyn marrone, wally & phyllis tugwell, peter hunter, pedre gurteen, jack stroud, max klubal, rae doudle, bob allen, alex fisher, tom brereton, colin silk, mary smith, ellen smith, harry mcqueen, joe byatt, beat klippel, bertie gibson, ron mcnally, anthony & lisa simon, tom adams, ted egan, geraldine doyle, les rankin, maree murrell, victor silvestor, ken hall

From Antiques Reporter: Florence Tatham Mellblom, (Australian, 1900 - 1983), Visit Portland The First Victorian Settlement, during the Centenary Celebrations from 15th to 23rd November 1934', 1934 colour lithograph, signed 'F. Mellblom' in image lower left, 63.5 x 101.5 cm. Linen-backed. Text continues in lower margin: 'Arbuckle, Waddell Pty Ltd Print, Melb.', Mellblom (nee Henry) was a painter, naturalist and photographer. She was born at Portland, Victoria, and studied art in Ballarat. She was a talented etcher from childhood, and joined the Portland Camera club. She also produced many watercolour paintings of the historic places of Portland. She was married (1932) to Karl Enoch Mellblom.A bluestone building on an arid landscape. Yellow grass in the foreground with one tree standing at the front. There is a blue sky behind. The left hand wing has a door which is slightly open. Above each wing is an engraved piece of stone. Left - Portland, right - Shire. An old rickety fence to the left of the building.Bottom Right - F. Mellblomfemale artist, women, female, landscape, portland landscape, portland shire

This minute book records the reformed Science and Field Naturalists Club of the Ballarat School of Mines. Such a club had existed in 1888 and 1889. Final recorded meeting took place on 17th November 1918, resolved that "there would be no further meeting of the Club until further notice was given." (Ballarat School of Mines Annual Report of 1888, p.17. Also mentioned in Annual Report 1889, p.195)Dark blue hard-cover minute book with dark red spine. 186 numbered lined pages with left hand margin. Last entry on p.128. Courier Newspaper article 'Victorian National Park: Our Fauna and Fauna' by Charles Hoadley published 16/06/1915 Included: State Savings Bank of Victoria account booklet No. 128.155, issued to School of Mines Science and Field Naturalists Club.ballarat school of mines, smb, science and field naturalists club, fenner, charles fenner, albert w. steane, william baragwanath, john brittain, lal lal, lal lal excursion, science nad field naturalists club, ballarat field naturalists wild flower show, maurice copland, alfred mica smith, sunnyside woollen mill excursion, wilson's promontory, charles hoadley