Part of the Tsolia traditional Costume worn by soldiers in the 16th to 19th century in the mountains of Greece. It has 400 creases depicting the 400 years Greece was under occupation by the Turks.White linen cloth dress worn by soldiers from the 16th to 19th century AD. It has 400 creases depicting the 400 years Greece was under occupation by the Turks.φουστανέλα, tsolia, costume, foustanela, dress, στολή

Black and white image of a number of mobile kitchens with chimneys. They were used by the Turks during World War One.Verso: A Turkish photo of their kitchen somewhere behind the lines. Palestine 1918.world war one, turks, turkish, kitchen, palestine, egypt, mmm

Item re Frederick Gardner DAVEY DFC No 410533 RAAF. Refer Reg No 3536P for his service details.Navy cord lanyard with 2 loops. Smaller loop is fixed with a Turk's head knot. The larger loop is adjustable using a sliding Turk's head knot.lanyards, military, uniform

Part of the Kevin John Herdman No. 397661 Collection. See Catalogue No. 5942P for details of his service record.Yellow cord shoulder lanyard with loop for attaching to a uniform jacket breast pocket. Knots are Turk's Head style.kevin john herdman, uniform, lanyard

Colour photograph of Warrant Officer Class 2 S. Turk and Colonel John Neale at Formal Dinner, Wangaratta, 20 June 1992.turk, neale, wangaratta, dinner

The Turk (Peter Turnley) is an ex President (3 seasons), coach and 20 year player (Senior and Vets) who hs been at the club for many years. He has won the bowling averages 8 times across 3 grades and was also the recipient of the Best Clubman award in 1989-90. Turk is famous for his culinary skills which are enjoyed by many.

Battlefield scene after charge Gallipoli 1915 Dead Turks on battlefield.A b/w photograph of a battle scene at Gallipoli during World War 1.JACKO - BATTLEFIELD AFTER AUSTRALIANS .................... ...FAMOUS CHARGES GALLIPOLI ...............15world war 1, soldiers, gallipoli, george evans collection

Black and white photographic image of four soldiers of the 9th Battery engaging the Turks on 19 May 1915. The battery was in position on McCay's Ridhe, and was shooting over Olive Grove. world war one, gallipoli, 9th battery, mccay's ridge, artillary

The Display Board of Konts was handmade in Kings Lynn, Devon, England, by Tom Long DSM, who is a member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers. This display board shows the knots and joins used in ropework performed by a sailmaker and other skilled ropeworkers. It demonstrates the uses of some of the knots, such as for knobs and handles, suspending lengths of wood, reinforcing spliced rope and even for decorative work. The sailmakers travelling as part of the ship’s crew stored their tool kit in a canvas ditty bag. It contained needles, awls, a sailmaker’s leather palmed glove with a heavily reinforced palm - a shuttle to mend and make nets, fids, knives, mallets, brushes, rulers, and rope gauges. Sailmakers used their ropework and knot-making skills for various purposes and chose the type of rope fibre for its particular properties. For example, Italian hemp rope was preferred for the light line used in shore-to-ship rescues because it was lightweight, not easily knotted, and absorbed less water. A supply of various types of rope was a commodity on board a ship and on land in the new colonies. It was flexible, easily stored, and could be worked to create an endless variety of objects on its own or with other materials like wood. An example is a simple rope ladder. Lengths could be combined to make various thicknesses and pieces could be skilfully joined together by splicing. The importance of knots in seafaring cannot be overestimated. When ships relied on only the wind for power and speed, there were a huge number of various ropes in use, particularly with regard to the sails and rigging. Seafarers would be judged on their ability to tie knots speedily and correctly. A mounted display of authentic seaman's knots is on a board covered in blue fabric. Various rope grades and fibres were used to work numerous knots and splices. Some of the uses are familiar, such as the toggle, the pineapple knot, and the Turk’s head. A selection of rope grades and fibres were used to work numerous knots and splices. Some of the uses are familiar, such as the toggle, the pineapple knot, and the Turk’s head. The name or purpose of the knot is on the label below it. Labels below each knot give its name or use.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, knot display, knot making, ropework, marine technology, sailmaker's work, sailor's knots, ship's rigging, seamen's knots, handmade, rope craft, knots, splices

H.M.A.S. Stawell Bell Rope refurbished by Lieut Alan Edwards, Executive Officer of HMAS Stawell. Top Turks Head made by the Late C.P.O. Veitch (Scotty) Coxswain of the HMAS Stawell.stawell, ww2, navy

The light line or rope used to construct this Turk’s Head knot was part of the line line-throwing apparatus used by the Rocket Rescue Crew. In normal operation a rocket carrying the line was fired over a ship, fastened to the ship, then hauled by the crew to pull a heavier rope from shore, which would have a canvas ‘breaches buoy’ attached to it. A tripod or triangle would be used to keep it free from breakers and rocks. One by one the crew on the wreck would sit in the buoy and be hauled safely back to shore. The three-masted iron barque Fiji had been built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1875 by Harland and Wolfe for a Liverpool based shipping company. The ship departed Hamburg on 22nd May 1891 bound for Melbourne, under the command of Captain William Vickers with a crew of 25. The ship’s manifest shows that she was loaded with a cargo of 260 cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, spirits (whisky, schnapps, gin, brandy), sailcloth, tobacco, coiled fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos (Sweet Hapsburg), concertinas and other musical instruments, artists supplies including brushes, porcelain, furniture, china, and general cargo including candles. There were also toys in anticipation for Christmas, including wooden rocking horses, miniature ships, dolls with china limbs and rubber balls. On September 5th, one hundred days out from Hamburg in squally and boisterous south west winds the Cape Otway light was sighted on a bearing differing from Captain Vickers’ calculation of his position. At about 2:30am, Sunday 6th September 1891 land was reported 4-5 miles off the port bow. The captain tried to put the ship on the other tack, but she would not respond. He then tried to turn her the other way but just as the manoeuvre was being completed the Fiji struck rock only 300 yards (274 metres) from shore. The place is known as Wreck Bay, Moonlight Head. Blue lights were burned and rockets fired whilst an effort was made to lower boats but all capsized or swamped and smashed to pieces. Two of the younger crewmen volunteered to swim for the shore, taking a line. One, a Russian named Daniel Carkland, drowned after he was swept away when the line broke. The other, 17 year old able seaman Julius Gebauhr, a German, reached shore safely on his second attempt but without the line, which he had cut lose with his sheath-knife when it become tangled in kelp. He rested on the beach a while then climbed the steep cliffs in search of help. At about 10am on the Sunday morning a party of land selectors - including F. J. Stansmore, Leslie Dickson (or Dixon) and Mott - found Gebauhr. They were near Ryans Den, on their travels on horseback from Princetown towards Moonlight Head, and about 5km from the wreck. Gebauhr was lying in the scrub in a poor state, bleeding and dressed only in singlet, socks and a belt with his sheath-knife, ready for all emergencies. At first they were concerned about his wild and shaggy looking state and what seemed to be gibberish speech, taking him to be an escaped lunatic. They were reassured after he threw his knife away and realised that he was speaking half-English, half-German. They gave him food and brandy and some clothing and were then able to gain information about the wreck. Some of the men took him to Rivernook, a nearby guest house owned by John Evans, where he was cared for. Stansmore and Dickson rode off to try and summon help. Others went down to the site of the wreck. Messages for rescuing the rest of the crew were sent both to Port Campbell for the rocket rescue crew and to Warrnambool for the lifeboat. The S.S. Casino sailed from Portland towards the scene. After travelling the 25 miles to the scene, half of the Port Campbell rocket crew and equipment arrived and set up the rocket tripod on the beach below the cliffs. By this time the crew of the Fiji had been clinging to the jib-boom for almost 15 hours, calling frantically for help. Mr Tregear from the Rocket Crew fired the line. The light line broke and the rocket was carried away. A second line was successfully fired across the ship and made fast. The anxious sailors then attempted to come ashore along the line but, with as many as five at a time, the line sagged considerably and some were washed off. Others, nearly exhausted, had to then make their way through masses of seaweed and were often smothered by waves. Only 14 of the 24 who had remained on the ship made it to shore. Many onlookers on the beach took it in turns to go into the surf and drag half-drowned seamen to safety. These rescuers included Bill (William James) Robe, Edwin Vinge, Hugh Cameron, Fenelon Mott, Arthur Wilkinson and Peter Carmody. (Peter Carmody was also involved in the rescue of men from the Newfield.) Arthur Wilkinson, a 29 year old land selector, swam out to the aid of one of the ship’s crewmen, a carpenter named John Plunken. Plunken was attempting to swim from the Fiji to the shore. Two or three times both men almost reached the shore but were washed back to the wreck. A line was thrown to them and they were both hauled aboard. It was thought that Wilkinson struck his head on the anchor before s they were brought up. He remained unconscious. The carpenter survived this ordeal but Wilkinson later died and his body was washed up the next day. It was 26 year old Bill Robe who hauled out the last man, the captain, who had become tangled in the kelp. The wreck of the Fiji was smashed apart within 20 minutes of the last man being brought ashore, and it settled in about 6m of water. Of the 26 men on the Fiji, 11 in total lost their lives. The remains of 7 bodies were washed onto the beach and their coffins were made from timbers from the wrecked Fiji. They were buried on the cliff top above the wreck. The survivors were warmed by fires on the beach then taken to Rivernook and cared for over the next few days. Funds were raised by local communities soon after the wreck in aid of the sufferers of the Fiji disaster. Captain Vickers was severely reprimanded for his mishandling of the ship. His Masters Certificate was suspended for 12 months. At the time there was also a great deal of public criticism at the slow and disorganised rescue attempt to save those on board. The important canvas ‘breech buoy’ or ‘bucket chair’ and the heavy line from the Rocket Rescue was in the half of the rocket outfit that didn’t make it in time for the rescue: they had been delayed at the Gellibrand River ferry. Communications to Warrnambool were down so the call for help didn’t get through on time and the two or three boats that had been notified of the wreck failed to reach it in time. Much looting occurred of the cargo that washed up on the shore, with nearly every visitor leaving the beach with bulky pockets. One looter was caught with a small load of red and white rubber balls, which were duly confiscated and he was ‘detained’ for 14 days. Essence of peppermint mysteriously turned up in many settlers homes. Sailcloth was salvaged and used for horse rugs and tent flies. Soon after the wreck “Fiji tobacco” was being advertised around Victoria. A Customs officer, trying to prevent some of the looting, was assaulted by looters and thrown over a steep cliff. He managed to cling to a bush lower down until rescued. In 1894 some coiled fencing wire was salvaged from the wreck. Hundreds of coils are still strewn over the site of the wreck, encrusted and solidified. The hull is broken but the vessel’s iron ribs can be seen along with some of the cargo of concrete and pig iron. Captain Vickers presented Bill Robe with his silver-cased pocket watch, the only possession that he still had, as a token for having saved his life and the lives of some of the crew. (The pocket watch came with 2 winding keys, one to wind it and one to change the hands.) Years later Bill passed the watch to his brother-in-law Gib (Gilbert) Hulands as payment of a debt and it has been passed down the family to Gilbert Hulands’ grandson, John Hulands. Seaman Julius Gebauhr later gave his knife, in its hand crafted leather sheath, to F. J. Stansmore for caring for him when he came ashore. The knife handle had a personal inscription on it. A marble headstone on the 200m high cliffs overlooking Wreck Beach, west of Moonlight Head, paying tribute to the men who lost their lives when Fiji ran aground. The scene of the wreck is marked by the anchor from the Fiji, erected by Warrnambool skin divers in 1967.This rope is part of the collection of artefacts from the wreck of the Fiji. Flagstaff Hill’s Fiji collection is of historical significance at a State level because of its association with the wreck Fiji, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S259. The Fiji is archaeologically significant as the wreck of a typical 19th century international sailing ship with cargo. It is educationally and recreationally significant as one of Victoria's most spectacular historic shipwreck dive sites with structural features and remains of the cargo evident. It also represents 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 Fiji collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history. Rope salvaged from the distress rocket rope line used in the rescue of the crew of the sailing ship “Fiji”. The light-weight brown rope has been crafted into a decorative 'Monkey fist' or 'Turk’s head' knot using three interwoven strands. 1891, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, rope, moonlight head, wreck bay, distress rocket, line, light line, rocket rescue apparatus, rocket equipment, rocket line

Harry Holmes and his battalion friends photographed aspects of their time on the Suez Canal, Egypt. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) This photograph is significant because it was taken by a soldier (rather than an official war artist) and shows one of the day to day activities experienced by Australian Soldiers in Egypt during World War One.1) Four Australian soldiers during World War One in Egypt .2) Soldiers watch while two men 'fight' on a greasy pole during World War One .3) Australian soldiers stand at the grave of a German Officer at the Suez Canal, Egypt.2) Verso - "greasy Pole Fight" .3) verso: - Snap taken at grave of German officer killed in the first tussel (sic) with Turk at the Canalchatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, egypt, cam williamson, greasy pole, ship, vessel, burial

4 brochures with information on Cleaver Brooks Self-Contained Boilers. Stamped on two brochures ' Victorian Sales & Service, Crockford and Robertson Pty Ltd, Abbott Street, Fairfield, Victoria, JX 1234' Written in biro on three brochures ' Graeme Turk'.organisation, commerce, cleaver brooks boilers

This map shows where the first battalions landed at Gallipoli (April 25) Position of ANZAC battalions when the Turks attacked across the whole front and lost 10,000 dead and wounded (19 May) ANZAC evacuation (20th Dec 1915)Detailed map showing historical sights and battlefields with an information listGallipoli Map Anzac battlefield 1915,Rectangular in shape glass covered picture frame with a wooden boarder.Gallipoli 1915 Anzac Battlefieldphotograph., gallipoli., 1915, anzac, world war one, ww1, battlefield

Fictional story tracing the journey of 14 year old Evan Warrender & his father as they travel to Gallipoli. Following their capture by the Turks they escape & find their way back to Australia through Turkey & Greece. Along the way they meet unlikely friends & companions.Book, sepia coloured illustration on soft front cover with title in green lettering. Text is in diary form, black & white illustrations. End papers depict excerpt from newspapers of the time. 200 pages with cut edges.books, gallipoli, fictional

Black and white photograph of a landscape where Turkish soldiers are in action during World War One. Verso: A Turkish photo. Turkish mounted men in action. Palestine 1918world war, world war one, turks, turkish, horses, mmm

Black and white photograph of a landscape with Turkish Mounted Troops During World War One.Verso: A Turkish photo. Turkish Mounted Troops. Palestine 1918world war, world war one, palestine, turks, turkish, mmm

Cream silk, cord, wound into a 7cm diameter disk, with loops and decorative pearl trimmed tassel. Matching 11400.843, there is no evidence on the evening cape that it was at one time, attached. This item may be a decorative item that was worn over the wrist, and added interest to the wearer of the cape. A ''turk's head'' woven ball'', 1.5cm diameter, and tassel head, add to this decorative item.costume accessories, female, decorative cord and pearl trimmed tassel

Trooper John William Lockey (1892-1978) was born in Durham, England. He enlisted 24/11/1914 in Bendigo in the 4th Lighthorse with the service number 946. At the time of enlistment he was a miner. He was wounded at Gallipoli by a bomb wound to the foot on 25/8/1915 and was subsequently invalided to Australia on 17/9/1915. Frank Augustus O'Neill (1885- ) was born in Bendigo. He enlisted into the 4th Lighthorse on 12/12/1914 with the service number 1415. He returned to Australia in March 1916 and was medically discharged due to a double hernia.Attached to card 1 brass 5 pointed star & 1 brass button showing a crest with lion & unicorn. Card has notations reading, this star was taken from a dead Turk by Trooper Lockie of 4th LH on 9th July 1915 & this button was taken from a English soldier who was killed in Gallipoli in 1915. Sgt F A O'neill.military, world war 1, buttons

Black and white photograph of Turkish soldiers using machine guns during World War 1. Verso: A Turkish photo - Turkish machine guns in action. Note the three men on the right are using a range finder. Palestine 1918.world war one, world war, palestine, machine gun, turks, turkish, mmm

Black and white photograph of the 1955 choir of All Saints Cathedral, Bendigo. Back row left to right: l. Rawlings, Jim Osborne, Barry Hawley Peter Monotti, Ernest Mueller, Lola Vincent, Win Morley, Elsie Monotti, Bert Spiller. Centre Standing: Brain Hawley (crucifer), Malcom Tulloch, Annette Wilson, Evelyn Morgan, Graham Turk, Penelope Wallace, Jill Angwin (hidden), Ian Morley, Elsie Hamilton, Judy Wright, Tony Rawlings, Pat Hancock, Sue Redfearn, Rev. Alex McKenzie, Pat Brown, Rev Charles Hulley (Dean), Mrs. Hurry (musical director), Mollie Hall, Mrs. Clark, Walter Redfearn, Bob Qualtrough, Maurice Pratt, Barry Harrison (server). Front: Ian Turk, Ian Monotti, Arthur Harrison, Don Reddrop, Gilbert Tipple, Geoff Monotti, Unknown, George Ind.church, history, all saints

A copy of an article from the Bulletin written by Legatee Rogers to inform Legatees about the unveiling of a bronze bust of Stan Savige in Morwell. During the event he discovered more about the events surrounding Stan's role in Dunsterforce in Persia. It describes his role in saving Assyrian refugees from the Turks. For this action Stan Savige was awarded his DSO. Document was from a folder of documents donated to the archive by Legatee Bill Rogers that related to his time as President (March 2006 - March 2008).A record of Stan Savige's war service in WW1.Two A4 page photocopy of an article published in the Bulletin 5 October 2006 about Stan Savige in WW1.stan savige, assyrians, refugees, dunsterforce, persia

In 1909, assistant Chaplain Rev. Haire presented the Mission with an 'uncommonly artistic pulpit' in memory of his mother. A plaque in memory of Jane King Haire can be found on the side next to the steps. The dedication was performed by the Archbishop of Melbourne on the 26th January (date engraves on the plaque) This pulpit was designed by Melbourne architect Rodney Howard Alsop (1881-1932) and manufactured by William John Dalziel (furniture manufacturer). It was initially used in the first Mission in Central Melbourne, Siddeley St. It is located in the Chapel of Saint Peter of the Mission to Seafarers 717 Flinders St. complex since 1917 (State Heritage listed (H1496). This complex was designed by Walter Richmond Butler in 1916, and officially opened on 11 September 1917, a day '...of unusually kind weather', by the Governor of Victoria, the Honourable Sir Arthur Stanley. According to a later article published in 1950: The pulpit is a model, built to scale, of the stern of an old ship of the line in Lord Nelson's day. This pulpit is significant as it is housed in The Memorial Chapel of Saint Peter forming part of the State Heritage listed Mission to Seafarers Victoria complex. It was built in Melbourne of Australian timbers, and is one of only two known maritime inspired pulpits, both associated with Missions to Seamen of the early 20th C. the other is held in the ANMM Collection see link. Their statement of significance is worth quoting in part as it applies equally to this pulpit "...an extremely rare and unique example of such pulpits. It is highly significant as a wonderfully preserved example of a time when religion was preached to sailors for their spiritual guidance and temperance..." Rodney Howard Alsop was an important Melbourne architect of the Arts and Crafts movement. John William Dalziel had sailed from Liverpool to Melbourne in 1862. Seventeen years later Penman and Dalziel founded the business in Lonsdale Street West, and won recognition at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition in London in 1886. Penman and Dalziel were identified in 1937 as one of Melbourne’s early ‘skilled craftsmen’ and ‘leading names’ in the manufacture of fine furniture. He died in February 1918 in a railway accident.Timber pulpit built in the form of a ship's stern including a timber step ladder for access, a timber keel and rudder, a rope fixed from the pulpit to a post mounted to the floor, and a dedication plaque on the side of the pulpit. The pulpit sits on timber legs. It's likely to be the original rope: traditionally made coir rope with twisted fibres, covered with canvas supported by a thread. At lower end the rope is secured by a monkey fist know and at the top by a turk head knot.Inside the pulpit (right) is the cardboard label with the maker details: " On an attached plaque see 0678 To the greater glory of God and in ever loving memory of Jane King Haire. This pulpit is erected by her son. Blessed are the pure in heart. For they shall see God. St. Matt. V.8. 26.1.09mission, seafarers, melbourne, victoria, chapel, saint peter, pulpit, australian timber, stern, walter richmond butler, australian maritime history, reverend w.f. haire, rodney howard alsop (1881-1932), wright's lane, william john dalziel, gifts-1917, heritage listed

The two men, Spiros Raftopoulos and Ioannis Metaxas, joined the army to fight in the Balkan Wars which involved two conflicts that took place in the Balkan Peninsula between 1912 and 1913. In the first conflict Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia defeated the Ottoman Empire in the First Balkan War; in the second conflict Bulgaria unsuccessfully contested the distribution by its former allies of territory taken from the Turks during the First Balkan War. A number of Greeks who had emigrated to Australia and other parts of the world returned to Greece to fight in those wars.The men returning to fight for the country of their birth were motivated by their patriotism. Even though they had sought a new life in another country they felt strongly the need to return to their homeland to join the struggle. A black and white photograph of two soldiers dressed in Greek army uniform which was worn in the early years of the twentieth century. The two men are holding rifles and have a load of bullets strapped across their shoulders. The original photograph was mounted on fawn and dark green board.A strip of paper has been stuck across the bottom of the photograph with the names of the two men written in Greek and English. S.RAFTOPOULOS AND K. METAXIS IN THE ARMY 1913.

Bean is the highly regarded and official expert, recorder of facts. From the outbreak of War to the end of the first phase of the Gallipoli Campaign May 4th 1915 Maps, Illustrations, PhotographsThe Story of ANZACRed hard cover with 602 pages worn covers deteriorated front page This is the 6th Edition 1937. First published 1921anzac, c.e.w bean, gallipoli, voyage of hms emden, a.i.f, dardanelles, turks, pine ridge, mustafa kemal, 400 plateau, anzac beach

This rug was a gift and gesture of friendship from the local Muslim community to the City of Greater Bendigo. It was presented to Mayor, Cr Rod Fyffe on behalf of the people of Bendigo at a 2016 'Thank You Bendigo' dinner. In 2014 approval for a planning application from the Bendigo Islamic Association to build a community centre and mosque in East Bendigo prompted a series of public protests that captured widespread media attention. During this tumultuous period the Council identified the need for a community-wide plan to promote diversity and help address potentially divisive cultural issues. These events led to the COGB becoming the first local government area (LGA) formally accredited under Australia’s Welcoming Cities Standard. Community leaders emerged who wanted to show that the anti-mosque protesters did not reflect the views of the majority of Bendigo residents. The community lead ‘Believe in Bendigo’ movement gained momentum, and the Council and other local organisations joined forces to present a unified message that Bendigo residents do not tolerate racism. Muslims have made Central Victoria their home since the Goldrush, contributing to the community and the economy for the past 120 years. Traditional Islamic rugs, especially their patterns and motifs are intrinsically linked with the design of the Bendigo Mosque and Bendigo Islamic Community Centre providing important points of reference for the architects of the project. Typically, mosques are linked with specific cultural groups but not in the case of Bendigo where the Muslim community is made up of multi-ethnic groups. This meant the building's design was not fixed to a specific style or cultural iconography but instead needed to encompass many. The small local Muslim community selected a specific Australian architect because of their interest and knowledge of Islamic design and iconography gained through family collection of Islamic textiles. In thinking about the design of the mosque and community centre the architects wanted to acknowledge the role of Afghans in Australian history, especially tribal Afghans who helped build connections across the interior of Australia between First Nations communities, European settlers and Central Asian migrants. The gift of this Turkmen rugto the Bendigo community thus symbolises collaborative partnerships across faith and cultural groups based on friendship and mutual benefit. A Turkman rug was specifically chosen as it is the pinnacle of nomadic arts of the Islamic world. It was also important to the architects and the local Muslim community that the gift was a female artistic product as it was mainly a female Muslim architecture team that designed the mosque in Bendigo and there was a desire to select something that celebrated female artistry. This hand-woven rug is an engsi, made for a woman in preparation for marriage. Design work and weaving is a shared experience, between many generations of women and each rug hold the personal story of the woman it is made for and her family and thus holds deep symbolic meaning. There are often songs and poetry that are recited as the rug is made – helping the makers to memorisze the mathematical structure of the design. An engsi is put on the doorway to a yurt as part of a wedding ceremony. During the ceremony the groom turns the engsii upside down to check the quality of the rug makers weaving skills. The nomadic lifestyle of Yomut Turkman tribes determines the size of the rug as the loom can’t be carried. Its size is also restricted by the dimensions of the doorway of the yurt. This rug is dated as c 1880 because of the types of patterns used, the use of natural dyes (synthetic dyes were introduced to the area in 1890s) and with the smoother weaving on the back indicating the quality of craftsmanship dating to this time period. The Yomut engsi rug was made in Turkmenistan c1880 by Yomut Turkmen Tribes people and is designed to fit over the doorway of a yurt during a wedding ceremony. The main field motif is related to Turkoman jewelery design. The women and girls of the tribe spin the wool and design and weave the rugs. The men shear the sheep, dye the wool and clip the rug after it has been woven. The word “Turkoman” is thought to have been derived from Turk-iman, meaning the first nomadic Turkic tribes that began to follow Islam. Dyes used are natural including orange from madder root. bendigo mosque, bendigo islamic association, city of greater bendigo community partnerships, city of greater bendigo community groups