This letter acknowledges help given to the British people by Australians after WW 11. In this case Torquay Golf Club in Victoria Australia sent its President, Mr Vary, with gifts of food to help supplement the 'somewhat restricted menus' of the people of Torquay, Devon, England. Typed letter/testimonial with large red seal and personally signed. Located in a black frame with gold edge. Letter to members of the Torquay Golf Club Australia expressing gratitude for 'generous assistance', such as 'food gifts', given during post war years. Seal of the Borough of Torquay, Devon, England. Signed by Mayor and Justice of the Peace for the Borough. Dated 13th July 1949. postwar, torquay golf club, mr vary, torquay victoria australia, torquay devon england

The Torquay Improvement Association was formed in 1889 to promote the development of Torquay. The book tells of exploits over the hundred years from 1889 to 1989.The Torquay Improvement Association was behind many of the improvements that took place in Torquay in the period. The book is a record of these happenings.Soft Cover Blue Book "Torquay Improvement Association Inc./One Hundred Years/...a short history/1889/1989."torquay improvement association, torquay victoria australia

Twin fin surfboard manufactured at Piping Hot Boston Road Torquay. Manufactured from polyurethane foam core and laminated fibreglass with fixed fibreglass fins. Shaped by Mike Patterson. This board is has channels running almost full length on the bottom of the board, the wide point forward of centre, swallow tail with flyer. Custom graphics in red, yellow and green top and bottom; from 1979High performance twin fin designs were pioneered by 4 time Professional World Surfing Champion Mark Richards (Newcastle). In this period 1978 -1981 these surfboards represented the pinnacle of surfboard design progression and high performance. This surfboard also represents Piping Hot which was one of Australia's leading surf 'brands' at that time. Piping Hot was a Torquay based company that produced surfboards,wetsuits and surf clothing. Piping Hot Twin Fin surfboard. Manufactured from polyurethane foam core and laminated fibreglass with fixed fibreglass fins. Full plan shape with channels running almost full length on the bottom of the board, the wide point forward of centre, swallow tail with flyer. Legrope plug fitted. Custom graphics in red, yellow and green top and bottom.20cm x 16cm Black red yellow green Piping Hot logo on deck and bottom 60cm down from nose. Hand written makers mark "Shaped by Mike Patterson Custom" in pencil on blank beside stringer forward of the fins on the bottom. "1459" in pencil on bottom near tail. surfboard, fibreglass, twin fin, piping hot, mike patterson, torquay, channel bottom, fred pyke, rod brooks

This Memorial Booklet was put together by family, friends and members of the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club for a special memorial service held at the club on Saturday 6th November, 2010. 'China' Gilbert was a popular member of the surf club who passed away from ill health in Torquay on 28th September, 2010. The booklet contains a mixture of tributes, black and white and colour photographs of 'China' from his youth through to modern times highlighting his activities at the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club and a pioneer surfer in the 1940's and 1950's.This booklet is significant because it commemorates the memory of one of the oldest and most popular members of the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club. The booklet contains historic and rare photographic images of 'China' from his earliest days as a young surfer through to his time as a competitor for the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club and finally senior club member. 'China' was known around Australia for his surfing, mateship and 'larrikin' streak. Over 500 people attended his memorial service and paddle out at the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club.24 page full colour booklet with a photo of 'China' Gilbert on the cover holding a bright yellow Quiksilver surfboard. 'China' signature and graphic of a tree.rex china gilbert, china, torquay surf life saving club, longboard, 1956 melbourne olympics, torquay surf beach

This event access pass was issued to staff, vendors and community volunteers at the 2000 Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach.The access pass is typical of the pass issued each year to the staff and workers at the longest running surfing contest in the world. The pass features unique Indigenous artwork by Torquay artist/surfer Glenn Romanis2000 Rip Curl Pro Access Pass. Full colour laminated access pass (Outside Staff) for the 2000 Rip Curl Pro and Sunsmart Classic. The pass features cover art by Indigenous artist Glenn Romanis and event management logos. The pass also features a site map on the back and access information.Event management logos on the front. Indigenous Bell artwork by Torquay artist/surfer Glenn Romanis.bells beach, rip curl, glenn romanis, surfing victoria, 2000 rip curl pro

The history of the Thunderchild gun is not known. It was presumably manufactured in Torquay in the second half of the 19th century. Such guns were often attached to a ship’s rail through the holes in the swivel base, as in the base of this gun. The guns fired grapeshot and were originally used on ships to repel boarders. They were also used to launch whaling harpoons and were sometimes employed for signalling. The relatively late date makes the latter application most likely. This Thunderchild gun is complete with ramrod and wad remover. It is in good working order and easily assembled. It is used locally for special ceremonies and for Whaleboat Races as a starting gun. (Guns and Cannon, South Wester Victoria, May 2008, ref W/F/03) The small bore cannon is part of a collection of nineteenth century Flagstaff Hill Guns and Cannon, which is classified as being a high level of significance, on State, National and World The nineteenth century artillery pieces are a very rare and representative collection of artillery of this era. The artillery pieces, individually and as a collection, are highly significant for historical, scientific and aesthetic reasons at the state, national and world levels. The artillery pieces are excellent examples of nineteenth century artillery designed for the shore defence of western Victoria in the mid to late 1800s. The collection demonstrates the system of nineteenth century Imperial Defence implemented by Britain and of the recycling of obsolete technology to the colonies by Britain. The collection represents the methods of artillery technology, its advancement and its modifications in order to remain active. It also illustrates the transference of defence technology from Britain to Australia and demonstrates the level of reliance Australia had on British defence equipment. The artillery pieces form prominent elements in their landscapes and, together with the batteries and sites in which they are located, create a strong visual link to the region’s defence history. Importantly the artillery pieces, individually and as a collection, represent a very rare and intact group of nineteenth century artillery. Very few examples of nineteenth century artillery have survived worldwide, the largest collections being sited in Canada. The collection is a rare collection of artillery which demonstrates the advancements made in artillery technology during the nineteenth century, and is one of the largest collections of nineteenth century artillery in Australia. Further, the collection is extremely intact, with most pieces retaining original carriages and many located within their original emplacement. This collection of artillery, with their carriages and in their locations, are of exceptional national significance as they represent the largest intact collection of artillery within a single defensive network, outside of major colonial ports. The collection of nineteenth century carriages and slides are in themselves an extremely rare and important collection, however their significance is enhanced by their placements within batteries and with guns. (Conservation Management Plan for Victorian Guns and Cannon, South Western Victoria, May 2008) Cannon; small 1pdr cast iron, smooth bore muzzle loading swivel gun, painted glass black. 19th century cannon has polished wood handle, two detachable metal stirrups and metal swivel base with cuff, attached to block of wood by four bolts. Accessories are a wood tamper and wood ramrod. Name on gun is Thunder-Child, Torquay, Vic. There are Maker’s Marks on the gun and base, and a number on the cannon.. Marks; Barrel "Thunder/ Child". Base cuff " THUNDER / -CHILD / TORQUAY / VIC ", Trunnion "2825/H"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, cannon, torquay, thunder child cannon, thunderchild cannon, signal cannon, muzzle loading cannon, ordinance, munitions

Bayonet was one of 20 Attack class patrol boats built for the Royal Australian Navy between 1967 and 1969 by Walkers Ltd of Maryborough Qld . In the 1960s, Australia became more closely involved in events in the Asia-Pacific region. This led to improved surveillance and control of our enormous coastline, especially the northern approaches. Patrol boats controlled illegal fishing, smuggling and immigration, search and rescue, and occasional inshore survey work. Her hull is steel and the superstructure is aluminium. It is armed for small-scale encounters, with one 40-mm Bofors gun and two 0.5-inch Browning machine guns to fire warning shots across the bow of a suspect vessel. She was 32.6 m long and 6.1 m wide, 150 tons, powered by two paxman diesel engines and capable of about 24 knots. . A sister ship featured in the popular ABC-TV series Patrol Boat. The Bayonet conducted patrol duties around Australian waters until her scuttling by defence maritime services on 21 September 1999 in 82 m of water off Torquay in Victoria. propeller, hmas bayonet

These images capture for all time Light Horsemen travelling through Geelong on their way to camp at Torquay for the last Group meeting in Australia . information following - details obtained from .........https://torquayhistory.com/light-horse-brigade/ On Australia Day, 1997, Sir John Young unveiled this plaque on Point Danger, Torquay. Torquay history, Light Horse Training Camp, WW2 Plaque at Pt. Danger Note----- (See images to view plaque) The plaque identifies a significant event in Torquay’s history and the sentiments of ‘change’ for the Light Horse Brigade – from horses to machines. In 1940 the four Light Horse Regiments (4th, 8th, 13th and 20th), some 5000 Light Horse and 2000 horses camped and trained at Torquay. Three other regiments, formerly mounted on horses, were also at Torquay ‘mounted’ on privately owned trucks and cars. Division troops included Artillery, Engineers, Signals, Field Ambulance and other branches of the Army necessary to enable a Division to function. It wasn’t just the sheer numbers of men coming to this little town that made the event significant, it was also the fact that the men of the Light Horse were dramatic, almost glamorous figures and it is easy to see their exploits as some splendid adventure. Horses have played a special role in the story of Australia. They were the only means of transport across this huge country, so it was necessary for everyone to have the ability to ride a horse. When war broke out in 1899 between Britain and the Boers of South Africa (“Boer” was Dutch for “farmer”) Australia sent troops to fight. At first Britain was wary of using untried, unprofessional colonial cavalrymen but soon saw that the slouch-hatted Australian “bushmen” were a match for the fast-moving and unconventional mounted commandos of the Boers. The Australians proved themselves to be expert rough-riding horsemen and good shots. Bush life had hardened them to go for long periods with little food and water. They also showed remarkable ability to find their way in a strange country and use its features for cover, in both attack and defence. By 1914, when Australia joined the war against Germany, there were 23 Light Horse regiments of militia volunteers. Many men from these units joined the Light Horse regiments of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Men were given remounts (if not using their own horses) – army horses bought by Commonwealth purchasing officers from graziers and breeders. These were called “walers” because they were a New South Wales stockhorse type – strong, great-hearted animals with the strains of the thoroughbred and semi-draught to give them speed, strength and stamina. On 1st November, 1914, Australia’s First Infantry Division and the first four Light Horse regiments sailed for England in a fleet of transport ships. The first of the Light Horse arrived at Gallipoli in May without their horses. Back with their horses after Gallipoli, they were formidable combatants across the Sinai and Palestine. Some British commanders observed that the light horseman moved with a “lazy, slouching gait, like that of a sleepy tiger” but described how the promise of battle “changes that careless gait, into a live athletic swing that takes him over the ground much quicker than other troops”. They had Light Horse, Torquay, training campdeveloped a reputation as formidable infantrymen. The Turks called them “the White Ghurkas” – a reference to their deadly skill with the bayonet. The Arabs called them “The Kings of the Feathers”. The plume had originally been a battle honour of the Queensland Mounted Infantry for their work in the shearer’s strike of 1891. During WW1 it was adopted by almost all the Light Horse Regiments. It was the proud badge of the light horseman. The most famous of their battles was the attack on Beersheba- the charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade. Mounted infantrymen and their superb walers had carried out one of the most successful cavalry charges in history – against what seemed impossible odds. They surprised the Turks by charging cavalry-style, when they would normally have ridden close to an objective then dismounted to fight. The fall of Beersheba swung the battle tide against the Turks in Palestine; and changed the history of the Middle East. While 19 men from the Surf Coast Shire served with the 4th Light Horse over the course of WW1, only four were involved in the charge of Beersheba- John GAYLARD, Philip QUINN.(Winchelsea); Wallace FINDLAY (Anglesea); Harry TRIGG (Bambra). After the war, Light Horse units played a key role in the Australian Government’s compulsory military training programme. The Citizen Military Forces (C.M.F.) thrived on the glamour of the wartime Light Horse tradition, ignoring the possibility that motor vehicles would soon replace the horses. When training was no longer compulsory, the C.M.F. regiments declined and horses became more of a luxury during the 1930s depression years of poverty and unemployment. Some regiments were motorised. Then, in 1939, Australia joined Britain in another world war. Training was increased for the militia at both home bases and regional training camps. The camp at Torquay in 1940, commanded by Major General Rankin, was at Divisional strength. By the end of the camp some felt that the Division was ready for active service. Gradually, over the next four years, the Australian Light Horse units were mounted on wheels and tracks and the horses were retired. Six men enlisted at the Torquay camp and another 57 men and women enlisted at Torquay for service in WW2. Those who served in the Militia provided valuable Officers and NCOs and men for the armed services during the war. Each infantry division of the 2nd AIF had a Light Horse regiment attached to it. But the day of the Australian mounted soldier hadn’t quite passed. During World War II, Australia’s 6th Cavalry Regiment formed a mounted unit they called “The Kelly Gang” which did valuable scouting work. In New Guinea, a mounted Light Horse Troop did patrol duty and helped carry supplies. Some fully equipped walers were flown into Borneo for reconnaissance in rugged mountain country. But by the end of the war, in 1945, the horse had disappeared from the Australian Army. References: Australian Light Horse Association www.lighthorse.org.au National Australia Archives Australian War Memorial Surf Coast Shire WW1 memorials www.togethertheyserved.com The Light horse- a Cavalry under Canvas Light Horse, Training Camp, Torquay, WW2 Late in 1939 it was decided to set up a Lighthorse training camp in Torquay to train both men and horses for the battles of the Second World War. Horses, men and equipment came on special trains from all over Victoria and NSW, and as you would expect horseman came from areas such as Omeo and Sale, the Wimmera and the Western District. They arrived at the Geelong racecourse for watering in the Barwon River and then were ridden across the ford at the breakwater and began their 11 mile trek to Torquay. Light Horse, Training Camp, Torquay, WW2 Tent city By the end of January 1940 the camp at Torquay accommodated some 5000 men and 2500 horses of the Second Cavalry Division. The rows of horses, tents and huts near Blackgate Road were quite a sight. While the cavalrymen engaged in exercises on the land and on the beaches, many of the troops took over the Torquay School for special training of men and officers. Mr Bob Pettit local farmer and Councillor for the Barrabool Shire, wrote about the Light horse in the Surf Coast Community News in 1985 saying “They used to travel about the district riding four abreast in one long convoy. To my annoyance they went through my property and shut all the gates behind them. I had certain gates open to let stock in to the water holes and it would take me three -quarters of an hour to follow the horsemen up and put all the gates right again” he continued “the men from the Light Horse were here when the fire went through in March 1940. He recalled an incident when early one morning, as some one blew the bugle, a soldier putting a white sheet on the line frightened the horses. They panicked and ran off in all directions. Six went over the cliff near Bird Rock, five were never found, and the rest were gathered up after nearly a fortnight in the bush around Addiscott and Anglesea" Light Horse, Training Camp, Torquay, WW2, Geelong Parade Geelong parade The training camp culminated in a parade through the streets of Geelong on March 12th 1940. The salute was given at the Town Hall and the troops continued on a route to the You Yang’s for a training exercise. Note-----(see media section for photograph) The Camp was abandoned in mid 1940 as it was deemed unsuitable for training during winter and the cost of a permanent camp could not be justified if it could not be used all year. Historic.......Rare,,,Interpretive.Sepia photographs.set of four ....post card size ....Horses &LighthorsemenNo 1, Lighthorsemen Regiment Geelong 1940......No 2 Light Horse at Breakwater Geelong 1938 to 1940....No 3 Light Horse at Breakwater Geelong 1938 to 1940.....No 4 Light Horse crossing Breakwater camped at Geelong Showgrounds. These markings are on reverse of photographs.light horsemengeelong 1940., world war 2

The souvenir programme was produced for the Fifth World Surfboard Riding Championships at Bells Beach, Victoria. The championships were the first international surfing contest held at Bells Beach. The finals of this event were held at Johanna Beach, also a first. The programme features an introduction by the Premier Sir Henry Bolte, Daily Programme of activities, feature articles about Bells Beach and previous World Surfboard Riding Championships plus advertisements for Qantas, Fiat, Peter's Icecream, Jantzen Surf clothing, Schweppes and Bower Boy Surfwax.The Fifth World Surfboard Riding Championships were a first for Bells Beach and also significant for the role they played in the development of Bells Beach as an international surfing venue.24 page souvenir programme, colour cover, colour black, black and white pages inside. Cover features colour drawing of a surfer riding a wave.bells beach, 1970, surfing, world surfboard riding championships, melbourne surf shop, world surfing titles, australian surfriders association, rolf aurness, tony olsson

Black and white photograph taken by Jack Eden at Kennett River, Victoria, in 1964. Image is of a surfer standing next to a VW with surfboards on the roof. Another car and more boards on the ground also appear in the picture. In the background is a peeling wave with a surfer riding it. More surfers sit waiting. Jack Eden was a pioneer of Australian surfing and surf photography. His images capture something of arguably the halcyon days of Australian surfing. Rare image of surfing at remote Kennett Rover along the Great Ocean Road.Black and white photograph taken at Kennett River, Victoria, of a surfer standing next to a VW sedan with surfboards on the roof. Another car and more boards on the ground is to the right of the VW. In the background is a righthand, peeling wave with a surfer riding it.Titled: Australia Jack Eden, Kennett River, Victoriakennett river, surfboards, vw sedan, jack eden, great ocean road

This colour sticker was produced and distributed Australia wide by the SAVE BASTION POINT CAMPAIGN to support their environmental campaign to stop a breakwall being built across the popular surf break - Bastion Point in Mallacoota, Victoria, Australia. The breakwall is supported by the local fishing community and local council. If built it would destroy one of the most popular surf breaks in East Gippsland.This sticker represents a local environmental campaign which has gained state and national attention. Full colour gloss car sticker featuring graphic artwork of Bastion Point and the website for the SAVE BASTION POINT campaign (based in Mallacoota, Victoria, Australia)Web address - www.savebastionpoint.orgsurf, bastion point, mallacoota, breakwall, surfrider foundation, east gippsland, save bastion point

History of the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club celebrates the first fifty years (1945-1995) of the largest surf life saving club in Victoria. The book features historic photographs of the surf club and the famed Torquay Surf Beach on Victoria rugged Surf Coast. The book also features chapters on the historic, cultural, social and competitive areas within the club.This bok is significant because it represents the first official history of one of the largest and most influential surf life saving clubs in Australia.Blue leather hardback book with gold lettering on blue representing the colours of the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club. Authors name - Ken Pollardbells beach, torquay surf life saving club, d s club, peter troy, vic tantau, terry wall, ken pollard, torquay surf beach, pioneer surfers, jim wall, dick garrard, sprint walker, owen yateman, alan coulson, ron hussey, joe sweeney, sharon heathcote, ray brewin, frances murphy, bryan hayden

This photograph shows Louis Whyte from Geelong riding a solid redwood timber surfboard at Lorne Beach in Victoria, Australia. Whyte travelled to Hawaii in 1919 spending 6 months at Waikiki learning how to surf. He purchased 4 solid redwood timber surfboards on the beach at Waikiki and brought them back to Australia. Whyte is the first documented surfer in Victoria.One of the earliest photographs of a surfer riding a wave in Victoria. Black and white photograph of Louis Whyte riding a wave at Lorne in 1920 on a solid redwood timber surfboard.Nonelouis whyte, lorne, surf,

This photograph shows Louis Whyte from Geelong and friends on Lorne Beach in 1920 holding two redwood timber surfboards. In the background can be seen the Lorne foreshore.One of the earliest group photographs of surfers in Victoria. The surfboards and surfers are believed to be the first in Victoria.Black and white photographlorne beach, redwood timber surfboard, ian macgillivray, louis whyte, blue harper

This souvenir program from the 1970 World Surfboard Riding Championships at Bells Beach, Australia includes information about the contest, organisers, Bells Beach and competing surf teams from around the world.The 1970 World Titles were the first international surfing event held in Victoria and the first international surfing contest to be held at the world famous Bells Beach. The contest was shrouded in controversy from day one with poor surf, drug busts and other inappropriate behaviour from competitors. Colour cover depicts an aqua/white background with a surfer going left. Text in black and red.bells beach, rolf aurness, 1970 world titles, stan couper

Professional surfers from Australia Mark Richards (centre) and Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew (right) scrutinize judges tally sheets, possibly at Bells Beach in Victoria.Rare photograph featuring MR and 'Rabbit' two of the world's most competitive surfers during the seventies read what appears to be a judges tally sheet.Black and white photograph with chemical discolouration across top.mr, mark richards, 'rabbit', wayne bartholomew,

James Baines was principal of Torquay primary school, a local historian and genealogist and authority on Australian plants. He and his wife Ray were responsible for the manufacture and erection of street signs in the fledgling township of Torquay circa 1937. The signs were later removed by the Council and replaced by "official" signage.A great example of local initiative and community involvement.A collection of wooden hand painted street signs. Beales St. Cliff St. Cowrie Rd. Darrien Rd. Fischer St. Grandview Rd. Henty St. New St. Park La. Price St. Short St. Voss Rd. Walker St. Zeally Bay Rd.torquay victoria, baines, early street signs

Australian Workers' Union shearers ticket issued to Mr Gottlieb Wilhelm Plier (Will) who was born near Moorabool River in 1866, the son of G.W. Plier (the postmaster at Freshwater Creek). Will Plier also worked as a dairyman at St Albans, East Geelong until 1918. He lived on Torquay Road, Germantown when first married.Shearers Ticket issued by the Australian Workers' Union to W. Plier, 1901-2. Shearers Ticket issued by the Australian Workers' Union to W. Plier, 1901-2.AUSTRALIAN / WORKERS' UNION / 1901-1902. / 6773 / VICTORIA-RIVERINA BRANCH. / Mr W. Plier / of Germantown is entitled to all the / benefits of Membership and the protection of the Union while loyal / to its principles for the year ending September 30, 1901. Issued by J. Aitken / Rep / Urangeline / SHEARER'S TICKET, 12S. 6D. / WORKERS PRINT.shearing labour movement - australia, australian workers' union, union, plier, mr gottlieb wilhelm, shearing, labour movement - australia

There are only seven shipwrecks in Victoria that have had more than 100 objects recovered from them reported as a result of the Commonwealth Amnesty held in 1993-94. These are the Loch Ard (1878), Schomberg (1855) and Fiji (1891) - all situated along the western district 'Shipwreck Coast' - and the George Roper (1883), Light of the Age (1868), Joseph H. Scammell (1891) and Victoria Tower - all situated along the short section of the 'Surf Coast' between Point Lonsdale and Torquay.The Victoria Tower is archaeologically significant as the wreck of an international inward-bound passenger and cargo vessel. It is educationally and recreationally significant as a coherently intact example of a British built iron clipper ie: representative of a class or type. Along with the wrecks of the Light of the Age (1868 - American-built wooden clipper ship) and Sussex (1871 - Blackwall frigate) nearby these vessels represent the three major design classes, and span the evolution of commercial and immigrant sailing ships used by the British in the colonial Australian trade in the last half of the nineteenth century.2 Doors from the 'Victoria Tower' made from teak and mahoganydoors, salvage, shipwreck, torquay, victoria tower

Alice Anderson was Australia’s first female garage proprietor when she opened her all-female business in Cotham Road (Kew, Victoria) in 1917. An authentic, rare original photograph of Miss Alice AndersonOriginal 'snap' of the Kew identity Alice Anderson in her touring car.Inscribed on mount: "Alice Anderson in her Humba - perhaps 1916. She took passengers between Melbourne and Narbethong. KH-40." Inscribed on reverse: "Sports Torquay 1917." and "1918 Miss Alice Anderson The Kew Garage ** Cotham Road. Car hire and service to motors." alice anderson, motor mechanics - kew (vic), motor mechanics - women

Lieutenant General Ernest K Squire was Chief of Staff of Australian Army who died 2 March 1940 in Melbourne and was buried on 5th March. 8th Light Horse was in full-time training at Torquay..Rare photo of soldiers from North East Victoria on Guard of Honour duty.Sepia photograph of soldiers of Corryong Troop 8th Light Horse at funeral of Lieutenant General Ernest Squires" 8th Light Horse ( Corryong Troop ) as " Guard of Honour " at funeral of Lieutenant General Squires Melbourne 1940 "