This is the Minute Book of the Executive Committee of Warrnambool's Centenary Celebrations and includes the Minutes of early meetings in 1938-39-40 when the celebrations were originally going to be held in 1939-1940. This celebration was cancelled because of the outbreak of World War Two. The Minutes resume in 1946 and continue to 1947 when the centenary of Warnambool's founding in 1847 was celebrated. The Secretary of the Committee was Frank Grayson, a Warrnambool printer and journalist. Centenary celebrations included a street procession (watched by 20,000 people), bonfires and a fireworks display, a massed bands concert, a choral thanksgiving service in the Botanical Gardens and a local industries Exhibition. This Minute Book is of some importance as it documents the activities of the committee that organized Warrnambool's extensive celebrations during its Centenary year of 1947. It is a useful research tool.This is a hardcover ledger of 575 pages. It has a navy-coloured cover with a label pasted on. The label has a crest on it. The spine and the corners of the cover are light brown leather with a label with gold-coloured printing and ornamentation on the spine. The inside of the front cover has some taping tied with string for additional binding. The pages have marbled edging and contain both typed and written material pasted and folded into the book. There are some loose papers and newspaper cuttings included amongst the pages. There is some staining on the cover.Minute Book 1847 -1947 Warrnambool Centenary Celebrations March 22nd -30th warrnambool's centenary 1947, frank grayson

This envelope and its unknown contents were sent in 1937 to Fred Miller of Boughton Farm at Cassady's Bridge. west of Warrnambool. The envelope advertises an Annual Gala Week in Warrnambool from December 26th 1937 to January 2nd 1938. This was an event organized by the Warrnambool Progress Association as a tourist promotion exercise. The Secretary of the Association at the time was Martin Carter, a well-known Warrnambool saddler and local band conductor. The envelope also advertised the forthcoming Warrnambool Centenary Celebrations in 1939-1940 but these were not held because of the outbreak of World War Two. The Centenary celebrations were eventually held in 1947, a more appropriate year as Warrnambool was founded in 1847. This envelope is of interest as a memento of the 1930s in WarrnamboolThis is a bone-coloured envelope with images on the front of three people on the left and in the centre, red printing, black typing and postal franking. The back has a postal stamp.Mr. F. Miller Cassidy's (sic) Warrnambool P.O. Warrnambool Centenary Celebrations 1939-40 For Your Next Holiday Warrnambool the Garden City by the Sea Annual Gala Week --Dec.26,1937 to Jan.2 Under auspices of Warrnambool Progress Association Particulars from M.L.Carter, Sec.gala week warrnambool 1937, m.l.carter warrnambool, warrnambool progress association, warrnambool centenary celebrations, fred miller boughton cassady's bridge

The Centenary of Warrnambool in 1947 drew crowds of 20000. It was generally felt that the celebrations excelled anything that had been seen in the city in the last 100 years. There were numerous activities held over the weekend including an elaborate street parade which was followed by joining the 4500 children at sports and picnic celebrations at the showgrounds. The Warrnambool and District Turf club also held a race meeting to aid the Hospital and raised 740 pounds. It was estimated that 20000 attended the finale bonfire and fireworks in Albert Park. This little booklet of tickets is a tangible link to one of the biggest celebrations ever held in the city.Dark pink cover with three remaining tickets stapled and held with string. On Cover: Warrnambool Centenary. Picnic and Sports March 27th 1947 Margaret P**** in greylead warrnambool, warrnambool centenary, 1947 warrnambool celebrations warrnambool centenary tickets

In 1934, Victoria and Melbourne celebrated their centenaries. Realising how impossible it would be for the majority of Warrnambool residents to participate in the Victorian celebrations, the organising committee of the Warrnambool Centenary celebrations devised a week long comprehensive programme of activities including exhibitions, a pageant re-enactment at the breakwater and a mass children's display at the showgrounds. Sir Harold Gengoult Smith officially opened the Warrnambool Centenary Exhibition of Arts, Crafts, Antiques and Historical Relics. This booklet was designed and written in 1934 for the Warrnambool Centenary festivities by Frank H. Ford, Lava Street, Warrnambool. The souvenir booklet contains a brief history of Warrnambool, a map and description of Warrnambool and its facilities in 1934.The last three pages include a business directory which would be useful for research.A twenty page booklet printed on shiny paper. The front cover has a black and white photo of nine swimmers in the water (five male & four female) some with surfboards. There is a 4mm green line printed 12mm from the upper edge and a 3mm green line printed 6mm from the lower edge of the cover. There is green printing over the photograph on the front cover. On the rear cover there are two small black and white photographs of an aerial view of the city of Warrnambool and the Hopkins Falls in flood. The green line extend across the rear cover and are intersected by a perpendicular 4mm green line running from the upper to the lower edge 18mm to the left of the spine. Words are printed in black on the rear cover and the printer details are printed in green at the bottom edge.Front cover: Centenary Souvenir of Warrnambool Warrnambool Centenary Festivities 13th to 24th November 1934 Price 9d Rear Cover: Beautiful Warrnambool "City of the West" Victoria Australiawarrnambool, frank h. ford, foyle photos, a. wilkins photos, warrnambool centenary festivities 1934, warrnambool souvenir, warrnambool business directory

This book contains the minutes from a wide range of community groups such as Sun Youth Travel Scheme, Foreshore Reserve Committee of Management, Victorian Centenary Celebration, and Testimonials for various councillors, Freedom from Hunger Campaign, Historical Society, Miss Australia Quest, Meals on Wheels, Winston Churchill Memorial Appeal, and Warrnambool Cricket Grand Reserve. The meetings were held in the period 1950 to 1973.An interesting collection of minutes with a very diverse cross-section of community groups. It shows the workings of councillors with a range of community groups some of which such as Meals On Wheels have become an important part of community support for people. Red cover. Navy blue and white patterned inside front and back covers.188 blue lined pages with handwritten minutes for various sub committees and community groups.The letter M on base of spine. A shell series Product No 4222. warrnambool, minute book minutes book 1950- 1973, warrnambool and district historical society, sun youth travel scheme, warrnambool foreshore reserve committee of management, victorian centenary celebration, freedom from hunger campaign, miss australia quest, meals on wheels, winston churchill memorial appeal, warrnambool cricket grand reserve

These boots belonged to Captain Charlie Rogers of the Australian Army who wore these and ceremonial regalia when he was part of the Guard of Honour during the visit of the Duke of Gloucester in 1934. The visit was part of Victoria’s centenary celebrations and the Duke officially opened the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. Rogers was a well-known Warrnambool identity in the 1930s, 40s and 50s as a horseman and an Army identity. He built a house in Birdwood Avenue, Warrnambool, in 1935 and was a long-serving Warrnambool Show official as a judge of equine events. Rogers died in 1961. These items are of great interest as examples of the boots worn by Army Lighthorse personnel in the 1930s. The mechanism for keeping the boots in good condition is of some technological interest. They are also of interest because they belonged to a well-known 20th century Warrnambool person. These are two knee-high brown leather boots with brown laces. The boots are slightly scuffed. Inside the boots are two pieces of red-striped canvas. The boots have wooden inserts to support the boots in storage. These wooden inserts, all varnished, are in four pieces - a solid foot shape to fit in the foot of the boots, two pieces shaped to fit the calf of the leg padded with green felt, one with slight indents at the top and the bottom and the other with a decided groove and the centre piece that has a hole cut out to fit the shape of the other two. This last piece has a wooden handle with a metal attachment. There is only one handle as it can be screwed out and fitted to either wooden insert. On the two wooden inserts ‘R ‘ for right and ‘L’ for left, marked twice on each insert.charles rogers, duke of gloucester, warrnambool

This book belonged to Captain Charles Rogers of the Australian Army. He was part of the Guard of Honour during the visit of the Duke of Gloucester in 1934. The visit was part of Victoria’s Centenary celebrations. Rogers was a well-known Warrnambool identity in the 1930s, 40s and 50s as a horseman and an army man. He was a long-serving Warrnambool Agricultural Show official as a judge of equine events. He died in 1961. The book is of interest as it belonged to a well-known resident of Warrnambool in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. This is a hard cover book of 1068 pages. It has a red cover with black printing on the spine. The book has an Introduction, textual material on military law in three Sections and an Index. It also has several pages of advertisements printed on pink paper at the front of the book. The cover at the top part of the spine is torn away, there is evidence of silverfish damage in several places and the text has been annotated in many places, in handwriting in red ink. There is a signature of the owner in pencil on the one of the first pages and blue stamps of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society on the same page and on a back page. There is evidence of mould on the back cover.‘C.A.Rogers’ captain charles rogers, military law, history of warrnambool

These plates were pressed to commemorate the centenary of the European settlement of Australia. A large number were produced and the were distributed throughout AustraliaThese plates are a good example of souvenirs which were produced to commemorate the celebrations of the centenary of European settlement of Australia. The pressed glass was a common method of manufacturing around that period and of which they are an excellent example.001423.1 Large rounded amber glass dish with scalloped edge and seven fine rings below. Text is stippled glass on the back which appears through to the inside of the dish.An early version of Australian Coat of Arms is in the centre with the centenary years inside shields, either side. 001423.2 A smaller version of 001423.1 001423.3 Small clear glass saucer shaped dish with same design as the larger dishes. 001423.4 Small amber coloured shallow dish with small glass handle on each side. Pattern matching the larger plates is embossed on underside of the dish. The surface is scored acroos the centre bottom of the dish.Australia's Centenary in stippled glass around the edge of each dish. Advance Australia below the the Coat of Arms. 1788 1888. R*No 88120 behind one scallop on edge on each platewarrnambool, centenary of australia, centenary plates, 1788-1888

The booklet gives an overview of the history of the schools which occupied the site as well as information from newspapers and lists of staff at various times over the years.A large number of Warrnambool students would have passed through this school and hence this program would have social and historical significance to them. 16 page booklet with white cover. Front cover has black and white photo of the school with the five logos/ badges relating to each of five schools which have occupied it over the 100 years. The back cover has the words to the Warrnambool High School song written in 1937.The centre pages have photographs of various student groups.Appreciations for SEAL Work for the Dole program, Glen Morgan, Russ Goodear, Angeleen & Marlene Fogarty, Ray Welsford, Pat Varley, Jim & Ros Thomson, Committee of Management and staff of SEAL.warrnambool agricultural high school, warrnambool high school, warrnambool technical school, warrnambool special school

The Centenary of Warrnambool in 1947 drew crowds of 20000. It was generally felt that the celebrations excelled anything that had been seen in the city in the last 100 years. There were numerous activities held over the weekend including an elaborate street parade which was followed by joining the 4500 children at sports and picnic celebrations at the showgrounds. The Warrnambool and District Turf club also held a race meeting to aid the Hospital and raised 740 pounds. It was estimated that 20000 attended the finale bonfire and fireworks in Albert Park. This is a hand made item to commemorate the occasion. This item has local historical, artistic and social significance as it relates to a major event in the history of the city.Crocheted rectangular with angled corners, doyley with Warrnambool centenary 1847- 1947 worked in pattern in centre of piece. Cream linen.Warrnambool 1847 Centenary 1947warrnambool, warrnambool centenary , warrnambool centenary 1947, centenary doyley 1947,

This is a program of the Centenary Procession that took place in Warrnambool in 1947 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the city’s founding in 1847. It was originally intended to celebrate the 100th anniversary in 1940 but these celebrations were postponed because of World War Two. In 1947 centenary celebrations were held but on a less lavish style. 1947 was a more appropriate year as 1847 was the year of the first land sales for Warrnambool and the arrival of the first European settlers in the town. The 1947 celebrations included a Grand Procession which was estimated to have been watched by 20,000 people. A similar number saw the bonfire and fireworks display in Albert Park the same evening. The celebrations lasted a week and included a choral thanksgiving festival in the Botanic Gardens, a massed band display and a ‘Warrnambool Can Make It’ exhibition of local manufactures. The well-known historian and Town Clerk at the time, Henri Worland took a prominent role in the organizing of the celebrations. This little booklet is of considerable importance because it contains a short description of the floats and the names of those connected with the various floats of the Warrnambool Centenary Procession of 1947. It not only gives us a better idea of what and who were in the procession but it now enables us to better label the many photographs we have of this procession and to identify the people in the photographs. The program is a valuable source of information for historians. It also is a good example of the type of celebratory procession that was popular 70 years ago. This is a paper program of the Warrnambool 1947 Centenary procession. It has four pages and a buff-coloured cover. The front cover has a sepia-toned photograph of the first car purchased in Warrnambool (1906) and on the back cover there is an advertisement for Lane’s Bus Services. The inside front cover has an advertisement for Guyett and Sons Furniture Store and there are other advertisements throughout the pages. The printed text on buff-coloured paper gives details of the 29 floats in the ‘Mechanized’ Section and of the 27 floats in the ‘Back to the Horse Pageant’ Section. The pages were stapled but the staples have been removed. There has been some silverfish damage. Front Cover: ‘Grand Centenary Procession, Thursday, March 27, 1947, Souvenir Catalogue, Price Sixpence, Joint Organisers, C.A.Rogers, P.T.Parker, F.E.Utting’. warrnambool centenary, 1947 henri worland

This book belonged to Charles Rogers. Captain Charles Rogers was an Australian Army officer in the 4th Lighthorse Regiment. He was part of the mounted Guard of Honour during the visit of the Duke of Gloucester in 1934. The visit was part of Victoria’s centenary celebrations and the duke officially opened the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. Charles Rogers was well-known as a Warrnambool resident in the 1930s, 40s and 50s and was often seen on horseback leading parade and celebrations in the city. He as a long-serving Warrnambool Agricultural Show official as a judge of equine events. He died in 1961. This book is of interest, firstly as an example of a military handbook for cavalry officers and secondly because it belonged to Captain Charles Rogers, an army officer (Lighthorse regiment) who was a well-known resident of Warrnambool in the early to mid 20th century. This is a hard cover book of 198 pages. It has a yellow cover with black printing on the spine. Most of the pages are white, with several pink pages at the beginning and the end. The book has 13 chapters and an index. The cover is slightly worn.‘C.A.Rogers’captain charles rogers, warrnambool, military handbooks

This is a souvenir of a ‘Back To’ celebration in Warrnambool in 1934. There had been a large-scale ‘Back To’ in Warrnambool in 1930, perhaps prompted by the growing interest in the history of the town ( this was evidenced in many country towns in Victoria at the time) and the need to gather together the remaining older local people as those regarded as pioneers of the district were fast dying out. In 1934 the State of Victoria was celebrating the centenary of the first permanent white settlement at Portland and many other places besides Melbourne took this opportunity to have a reunion of past and present citizens. Also Warrnambool had at the time two men very interested in the history of the settlement – Henri Worland and Patrick O’Grady and the first Warrnambool Historical Society was established the following year with Worland and O’Grady prominent in its establishment and Martin Carter on the first committee as well. Martin Carter, whose name appears on this envelope was the organizer of the 1934 reunion. The Carter family had long been established in Warrnambool as saddlers and Martin Carter was a Warrnambool Councillor from 1917 to 1925 and Mayor during three of those years. No information is available on the ‘Miss Adams ‘ in the address but ‘ R. F. Kennedy & Co.’ refers to the well-known pharmacy business in Timor Street Warrnambool.This envelope is of interest as a souvenir of a ‘Back To’ in Warrnambool in 1934. This is a small envelope with most of the back flap missing. The inside of the envelope has a blue lining. The envelope has a franked green Australian stamp and a Warrnambool Post Office stamp. A handwritten address is on the right side of the envelope. On the left side is a printed poster/advertisement in blue, black and grey colouring. The advertisement features an illustration of a woman speaking into a telephone with a coastal scene background. ‘Warrnambool Calling 1934 Come Home For a Week Jan 13 to Jan 21 Particulars M.L.Carter Warrnambool’ ‘Miss A. G. Adams C/O Messrs R.F.Kennedy & Coy Timor Street Warrnambool back to warrnambool 1934, history of warrnambool

This ceremonial regalia belonged to Captain Charles Rogers of the Australian Army (Light Horse Regiment). He wore this regalia when he was part of the mounted Guard of Honour during the visit of the Duke of Gloucester in 1934. The visit was part of Victoria’s Centenary celebrations and the Duke officially opened the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. Charles Rogers was a well-known Warrnambool identity in the 1930s, 40s and 50s as a horseman and Army identity and he and his horse frequently led parades and celebrations in the city. He was a long-serving Warrnambool Agricultural Show official as a judge of equine events. Rogers died in 1961. These items are of great interest as examples of the regalia worn by Australian military personnel in the 1930s. They are also good mementos of Charles Rogers, a notable personality in Warrnambool in the 1930s, 40s and 50s.1 This is a piece of ceremonial regalia worn over the shoulder and called an aigullette. It has a plaited silver-coloured cord ending in silver metal tagged points. The metal points or stakes are highly decorated. The cords also have an accompanying smaller silver-coloured cord and another attachment of cord with an end of interwoven material in the shape of an elongated pear or acorn. The item is a little tarnished. .2 These are epaulettes worn on the shoulder. One is attached to the aigullette and the other is detached. They are made of silver plaited cord with a brown felt backing and have two star-shaped gold and yellow badges indicating the rank captain charles rogers, duke of gloucester visit, centenary of victoria, history of warrnambool

This belt was worn by Captain Charles Rogers of the Australian Army (Light Horse Regiment) when he was part of the mounted Guard of Honour during the visit of the Duke of Gloucester in 1934. The visit was part of Victoria’s Centenary celebrations and the Duke officially opened the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. Charles Rogers was a well-known Warrnambool identity in the 1930s, 40s and 50s as a horseman and Army member. He was often seen on horseback leading parades and celebrations in the city. He was a long-serving Warrnambool Agricultural Show official as a judge of equine events. He died in 1961. This belt is of interest as an example of the ceremonial regalia used by Army personnel in the 1930s and as a memento of a notable 20th century Warrnambool person, Charles Rogers.This is a belt made of silver thread material with a thick cloth backing. The belt has a cloth-covered metal clasp. There are two tassels hanging from the clasp area with beige and maroon threads with tops covered in silver mesh. These mesh tops may have a wooden frame underneath. The belt is a little tarnished.captain charles rogers, duke of gloucester visit, history of warrnambool

This coin was issued to commemorate the centenary of Federation in Australia in 2001. The six Australian States were federated into the Commonwealth of Australia in January 1901 after several years of campaigning and planning. The first Prime Minister was Edmund Barton and the first Federal Parliament was held in Melbourne and continued to be held in Melbourne until the establishment of the Australian capital at Canberra in 1927. In 2001 ceremonies and celebrations were held all over Australia to commemorate the centenary of Federation. This coin is retained for display purposes as a souvenir of the centenary of Federation in AustraliaThis silver-coloured 12-sided coin has an image of Queen Elizabeth 11 and etched printing on one side and a Coat of Arms and printing on the other side. Elizabeth 11 Australia 2001 Centenary of Federation 1901 - 2001 New South Wales Fifty Cents federation in australia, history of warrnambool, coin

These riding pants belonged to Captain Charles Rogers of the Australian Army (Light Horse unit). He was part of the mounted Guard of Honour during the visit of the Duke of Gloucester in 1934 when, during the Victorian centenary celebrations, the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance was opened. Charles Rogers was well-known in Warrnambool in the 1930s, 40s and 50s as a horseman and Army member. He was often seen on horseback leading parades and celebrations in the city and was a long-serving Warrnambool Agricultural Show official as a judge of equine events. He died in 1961. The drapery and clothing store of Cramond and Dickson was founded in Warrnambool by John Cramond and James Dickson in 1855 and was a prominent business in Warrnambool until its closure in 1973. A branch of the store was opened in London in the late 1860s and was managed for some years by James Dickson. These riding pants are of interest because they belonged to Captain Charles Rogers, a Victorian Light Horse Regiment member and a well-known horseman in Warrnambool. The item is also important because it came from the well-known Warrnambool store, Cramond & DicksonThese are khaki riding pants. The knees are reinforced with extra stitching and the back of the waist has two buttons on a raised section and four buttons on the waist itself for the attachment of braces. The front opening has five buttons and the garment has two deep side pockets. The top of the garment is lined inside with brown material. On the left leg is a machine-made patch to cover a worn section. Cramond & Dickson Warrnambool & London C. Rogers charles rogers, cramond & dickson stores, history of warrnambool, jodhpur, victorian light horse regiment

This booklet gives information on the settlement of Dergholm at the time of the centenary of its founding, 1973. The origin of the name Dergholm is unclear but it may have Irish connections. Europeans came to the area in the 1840s and 50s but it was not until the 1870s that the town was surveyed. Dergholm is in the far west of Victoria 334 kilometres from Melbourne and nearby is Dergholm State Park established in 1982. The booklet was produced for the Centenary Back to Dergholm Committee and the local centenary celebrations. This book is of some interest as it provides information on Dergholm, a settlement in the far west of Western Victoria. This is a soft cover booklet of 52 pages by Alistair Roper. It has a cream-coloured cover with a black and white photograph of early Dergholm on the front cover (Edward Quinn’s house). The booklet has printed material - a President’s Message, an Author’s Note, Acknowledgements, Contents, information on the Dergholm area, including a list of local birds, and References. There are several black and white photographs of the area and its people. The book is stapled. Front Cover: ‘The Temiangandgeen Country, Dergholm Centenary, 1873-1973’dergholm victoria, alistair roper, history of western district of victoria

This is a soft-cover book with a green cover and 112 pages. There are printed historical writings, copies of photographs and certificates, extracts from other books and advertisements. The title on the front cover is printed in black.non-fictionHistory of St. Marcellus School, Purnimpurnim, catholic schools, warrnambool, st. marcellus school

Victoria The First Century A Historical Survey Compiled by The Historical Sub-committee of The Centenary Celebrations Council Publisher: Robertson & Mullens Date: 1934 Label on spine with typed text R.A. 994.5 VIC warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool library, the historical sub-committee of the centenary celebrations council, victoria the first century

These badges and buttons belonged to Major Charles Rogers, a well known Warrnambool personality of the 1930s, 40s and 50s. He was a Light horseman who was in the Guard of Honour for the Duke of Gloucester in 1934 when he opened the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance during the Victorian Centenary Celebrations. In Warrnambool he was a well known horseman leading parades and celebrations and judging equine events for the Warrnambool Agricultural Show. He died in 1961, These items are of interest as they belonged to Major Charles Rogers an important 20th century Army person. Rectangular piece of white cardboard through which the badges and buttons are secured with variously string and clear adhesive tape. 002261.1 Brass wreath of leaves and berries surrounding an upright kangaroo links to an arc shaped band with text . The wreath has an inverted arc with text at its base. 002261.2 An inverted brass arc with AUSTRALIA between two narrow bands 002261.3, .4 Brass rising sun badge with crown ,two scrolls with text, and inverted band 002261.5, .6, .7 Brass crown featuring raised decoration including fleur- de- lis and small small knobs. The crown has an open section through which red velvet like material is visible. 002261.8 Brass button featuring a raised map of Australia and crown with text 002261.9 As for .8 but larger 002261.10 Identical with .8 On cardboard in hand writing Buttons & Badges Major Charles Rogers .1 PREST D 'ACCOMPLIER LIGHT HORSE .2 AUSTRALIA .3 , .4 AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES .5,.6,.7 Nil .8, .9, .10 AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES. major charles rogers, light horse, australian military forces

This majestic peacock embodies the technical achievement, skill and ingenuity of artisans during the 19th century. It is now known as the 'Loch Ard Peacock' and was designed and modelled in 1873 by Paul Comolera (1818-1897) and fired in one piece at the Minton factory at Stoke-on-Trent in the United Kingdom in 1875. The peacock has been portrayed in symbolic motifs and has figured heavily in folktales and fables since antiquity, and many cultures around the world see it as a symbol of beauty, rebirth and power. Wealthy Victorians loved majolica, and the large peacock would have been the ultimate home accessory as a conservatory ornament – combining their desire for nature, the exotic and vibrant colours. The peacock model was listed in catalogues by Minton & Co. for a retail price of 35 guineas or sold as a pair for 90 guineas. Minton & Co. was founded in 1793 by Thomas Minton (1765–1836) and became a famous pottery and porcelain manufacturer. Comolera was a French artist and sculptor, renowned for dramatic naturalistic forms and life-size renditions of birds and animals that won him admiration in public and artistic circles. He was employed by Minton & Co. from 1873 to 1880, and the life-sized peacock became his best-known work. Comolera kept a live peacock loaned from the nearby Duke of Sutherland's Trentham Hall Estate in his studio to create a life-size model of fine buff earthenware model, which was then hand painted in brilliantly coloured green and blue glazes to mimic the peafowl’s dazzling plumage. There are no surviving production records, but according to documents in the Minton Archive, nine peacocks were made by Comolera. However, today, some historians now believe that twelve were fired at the Minton factory; research is ongoing. These peacocks were so admired that Minton & Co. used them as exhibition showpieces at International Exhibitions in London, Paris, and the United States of America, ensuring the company had a worldwide reputation. So, when Melbourne hosted an International Exposition in 1880, Minton & Co. sent out ceramics and tiles, and in particular, this peacock was intended to be part of their exhibit in the British Court in the Exhibition Building, built in the Carlton Gardens. The early dispatch date (1878) indicates that the company may have intended to exhibit their wares, including the peacock, at the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition, but the company did not take up this option. The ship that Minton & Co. used to bring the peacock and their other wares to the Australian colonies was the ill-fated Loch Ard, which sunk after striking Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell, Victoria, in calm foggy weather in June 1878 on the final leg of the ship's journey to Melbourne. The loss of 52 lives made it one of Victoria’s worst shipwrecks. Therefore, this peacock never made it to the grand exposition in Melbourne, as Minton & Co. had planned. Charles McGillivray dragged this peacock, still in its original packing case, onto the beach in the gorge just two days after the Loch Ard went down. The peacock was rescued unscathed apart from a chip on its beak (only repaired in 1988). After a disagreement with a Melbourne Customs Officer, Joseph Daish, McGillivray stopped his salvage operations, leaving the peacock on the beach. The second salvagers were James Miller and Thomas Keys. Miller was a member of the firm Howarth, Miller and Matthews, Geelong, who had brought the salvage rights to the Loch Ard wreck on 10 June. When Miller and Keys arrived at the wreck site, a storm had washed many of the salvaged goods, including this peacoc,k back into the sea. The two men found the peacock in its case ‘bobbing along in the water’ and pulled it back to the beach. To ensure the peacock wasn't washed out to sea again, Miller and Keys hauled the packing case containing the peacock up the gorge's cliff face to the top, ready to be transported. In an interview in 1928, Keys claimed that at the time of the rescue, the head had broken from the body. This account was proven to be true in 1988, following the birds' display in Brisbane. This peacock began its life in Australia, not in the grandeur of an International Exhibition as intended, but in the hallway of a simple domestic house in Geelong. It appears Minton & Co. did not attempt to buy this peacock back. Florence Miller, daughter of James Miller (Loch Ard salvage rights holder), later remarked that the only item of real value rescued from the wreck had been the peacock and that this had been kept by her father in the family home at Malvern for many years and became a treasured family possession. As such, this 'Loch Ard peacock' was almost forgotten and mistaken with other Minton peacocks around the world. Miss Florence Miller tried to sell the peacock due to financial difficulties in the 1930s but was unsuccessful. While attempting to sell her Loch Ard relic, it was displayed in the window of the old Argus newspaper office, which was at 76 Collins Street, Melbourne; the Argus had relocated to the corner of Elizabeth and La Trobe Streets in 1926. Between 1935 and 1939, the old Argus building was occupied by the Joshua N. McClelland Print Room, which sold not only paintings and prints but also antiques and authentic replicas, as well as hosting exhibitions. Miss Florence Miller loaned her peacock for display at the Victorian Historical Exhibition held in the National Gallery on 1st June 1935, the 57th anniversary of the Loch Ard wreck. As a result, the peacock attracted public attention in books, newspapers and magazine articles that told the story of its survival from a shipwreck. Miss Florence Miller was keen to sell the peacock, even writing overseas to Captain Blain on November 30th, 1938, about the possibility of a sale, but this became no longer possible due to the outbreak of war. Recent information points to the Loch Ard peacock being owned by John S R Heath before its sale to Frank Ridley-Lee in May 1941. Research is ongoing, but it seems likely that John Samuel Robert Heath, a leading Melbourne dentist with a practice in Collins Street, and his wife, a dental mechanic, had purchased Miss Miller’s Loch Ard peacock before its sale in 1941. They were lovers of fine arts, music, wine and food. The peacock in the window of the old Argus building could have attracted their attention as they had already purchased the old stone Presbyterian Church on Warrigal Road, Oakleigh, in 1933 and had converted its interior. The home, renamed The Studio, even included Melbourne’s first all-electric kitchen. The peacock was perfect for display in the Studio’s entrance. A magazine article published after the conversion was completed included photographs of the interior. The picture of the ‘portico’ had a caption below that stated, “Some of her [Mrs Heath’s] finest pottery was salvaged from the Loch Ard Wreck”. In 2025, Heath’s two remaining sons remember running around in the entrance with the peacock standing there, oblivious to its value. Heath was an accomplished artist, studying under Max Meldrum. He painted and exhibited his works at The Studio and in a public exhibition, and he was a finalist eight times in the coveted Archibald Prize portrait competition, including the submission of his self-portrait that is now part of his grandson’s collection. The next owner of the Loch Ard Peacock was Frank Ridley-Lee. He displayed it at his home in Ivanhoe after buying it at an auction in May 1941. The peacock remained in the hands of the Ridley-Lee family until it was offered for sale by auction in 1975 as part of an art collection belonging to Mrs Ridley-Lee's estate. The peacock was not sold at this time, as the reserve price of $4500 was not met. This news was passed on to the board of the newly created Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Urgent efforts were made to collect the necessary money through fundraising by the Warrnambool City Council and public donations. The Fletcher Jones Company and the Victorian Government contributed half the cost. On 9 September 1975, the Loch Ard peacock was purchased by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, and it found a new home at the maritime museum. Since then, it has only left Warrnambool twice. Firstly, in 1980, at the centenary celebrations of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, and secondly, in 1988, the peacock was given pride of place at the entrance to the Victorian Pavilion at the Brisbane World Expo, acknowledging that this Minton Majolica peacock is the most significant shipwreck object in Australia. The Minton majolica peacock is considered of historical social and aesthetic significance to Victoria and is one of only a few 'objects' registered on the Victorian Heritage Register (H 2132), as it is a most notable and rare object associated with the Minton factory of the 1870s and works by the celebrated sculptor Paul Comolera along with the wreck of the Loch Ard on the Victorian coastline. This Minton peacock is historically significant for its rarity; it was one of only 9-12 known to exist. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is also of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register Ref (S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's early social and historical themes. The collection is historically significant is that it is associated, unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. The peacock, resplendent in polychrome glaze, stands perched on a rocky plinth decorated with vines, leaves, flowers, blackberries and wild mushrooms. The peacock’s breast is cobalt blue; the wings and legs are in naturalistic colours. The tail is a mass of feathers coloured in green, ochre blue and brown — a fantastic display of artistry and Minton expertise. Inscribed at the base :P Comolera, and a Minton & Co. design number: 2045.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, loch ard, loch ard gorge, peacock, paul comolera, victorian heritage register, minton peacock, minton & co., stoke upon trent, bird figures, mintons, ceramics, international expositions, majolica, naturalistic, staffordshire, john samuel robert heath

The Loch Ard was an iron hulled clipper, built in Scotland in 1873 and wrecked on the southwest coast of Victoria in 1878 at what is now known as Loch Ard Gorge, near Port Campbell. Fifty two crew and passengers died and only Tom Pierce and Eva Carmichael survived. The Loch Ard was the last sailing ship to lose emigrants' lives when negotiating the entrance to Bass Strait. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton porcelain peacock - one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today, the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artefact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. The Victorian History Advisory Council decided 1978 was an appropriate year to mark, not only the centenary of the sinking of the Loch Ard in 1878, but also commemorate the large part played by sailing ships in immigration, and through this, the development of Australia. The Victorian Government authorised the commemoration and a "Loch Ard Centenary Committee" was formed. It was established to create public interest and awareness for the 100th anniversary of the tragic Loch Ard shipwreck. Activities and events included student essays, exhibitions, videos, publications, competitions and historical information. A booklet called "Settlers Under Sail" by Don Charlwood was commissioned to be made available to all school children. The anchor of the Loch Ard was raised from the wreck and displayed at Port Campbell, a memorial plaque (erected by The National Park) was unveiled at Loch Ard Gorge, a special "Loch Ard Shipwreck Centennial Port Campbell" postmark was issued by the Post Office and a model ship competition was held. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village, together with other local towns and shires along the south-west coast participated in many of these commemorative activities. This letter is a significant reminder (and recognition) of the importance the Loch Ard (and other immigrant ships) played in the settling of Victoria and the dangers faced by the settlers who came to Australia in these ships. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best-known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history.Single page letter typed in blue ink, on behalf of Koroit Council, written on 14th March 1978 and addressed to the Chairman, Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village Advisory Board, in recognition of the "Loch Ard Centenary Commemoration 1878 - 1978". It has the "Borough of Koroit" stamp at the top of the page and a red "Borough of Koroit" seal on the bottom right-hand corner of the page. It is signed by the Mayor (Allan R. Waterson), a councillor (J. W. Smith) and the Town Clerk (Jim Macdonald). The letter is in a plain buff manilla folder labelled in blue type.Top left corner - "Address correspondence to:/TOWN CLERK / P.O. BOX 5/KOROIT, 3282" Top Centre - blue circular ink stamp of "BOROUGH OF KOROIT 1870" with coat of arms in the center Top right - "TOWN HALL,KOROIT/ PHONE KOROIT (055) 658230/After Hours (055) 658490" The letter is addressed to - "CR. J. S. Lindsay, /Chairman,/ Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village Advisory Board,/ WARRNAMBOOL. 3280" "LOCH ARD CENTENARY COMMEMORATION 1878 - 1978" (underlined) The letter begins - "It is with much pleasure that the Council of the Borough of Koroit, join with neighbouring municipalities, civic leaders and other organisations on this day, in commemorating the "Loch Ard" Shipwreck centenary. The "Loch Ard" operated as a cargo and passenger vessel for immigrants, for a period of five years, from 1873 to 1878. Its last voyage was from England to Melbourne, and the ship was sunk on the 1st June 1878, with only two survivors from passengers and crew of fifty-four. The celebrations being conducted throughout our district this day will help us all to remember and appreciate the determination and spirit shown by these people, for they had the faith to realise that their endeavours would be successful, even against great odds in comparison to present day standards and techniques, and their imprint on our history is record of this fact. This commemoration acknowledges the important role undertaken by sailing ships such as the "Loch Ard" and the vital role this ship played in the early settlement of the State of Victoria." The letter ends with -" the Common Seal of the Mayor, Councillors and Burgesses of the Borough of Koroit was hereunto affixed this 18th day of March, 1978." The letter is signed "Allan J. Waterson Mayor/J. W. Smith Councillor/ Jim Macdonald Town Clerk and a large red seal of the Borough of Koroit (with their coat of arms) is in the bottom right-hand corner. Front of manilla folder - "BOROUGH OF KOROIT / LOCH ARD CENTENARY COMMEMORATION/ 1878 - 1978" "4050" written in black ink top right-hand corner next to a scribbled out numberflagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, loch ard, port cambell, shipwreck, commemorative committee, loch ard centenary, koroit council, commemorative letter, loch ard commemorative committee