The Mepunga & District Racing Club was formed at a meeting of sportsmen from various hamlets east of Warrnambool held at the Allans Forest State School, Mepunga West. The club was formed to conduct picnic race meetings in aid of charity and patriotic funds. On the committee were two representatives from Allansford, Cudgee, Mepunga, Nirranda, Nullawarre and Panmure, with Mr. W. Bant of Panmure elected as president. The club held its first race meeting, at Warrnambool, on 22 April 1944 in aid of district Red Cross Funds. It held four annual picnic race meetings from 1944 to 1947. [Source: Mark McNamara, The 'Bool: the history of racing in Warrnambool. -Self published, 2018. p.191]This program is from the first race meeting of the Mepunga and District Picnic Race Club held at the Warrnambool Racecourse on 22nd April 1944 to raise funds for the Red Cross during the war years. It contains a list of all office bearers and officials as well as placegetters and some jockey's names.Small dark pink covered booklet of 20 pages, containing the official programme of the Mepunga and District Picnic Race Club race meeting held 22nd April 1944. The booklet has grey lead pencil markings noting some riders and placegetter across the six race program.Front Cover: Mepunga and District Picnic Race Club Race Meeting (Affiliated with the S.W.D.R.A.) Saturday 22nd April, 1944; Official Programme one shilling; In aid of Red Cross Funds; E.P. Gibbons J Croft Hon Secs.; Modern Print, W'bool Inside Front Cover: Notice to Owners, Trainers and Riders. Prices to Enclosures Inside Rear Cover: Map of the Warrnambool Racecourse Rear Cover: All complaints concerning paid or unpaid bets MUST be lodged at the Secretary's office within THIRTY MINUTE of the race on which the bet was made other wise they will not be entertained.; Notice to Bookmakers. Fees must be paid at Secretary's Office prior to First Race. mepunga and district picnic race club, warrnambool racecourse, e p gibbons, j croft

This bellows was used at the Warrnambool Racecourse by Master Farrier, Brian Chapman (1931-2017), during the 1970s but its history before then is still being investigated. The bellows have continued to be used from 1978 at Flagstaff Hill's blacksmith's workshop. Even today, in 2021, this same bellows are used by a volunteer blacksmith as he demonstrate the skills and tells of the importance of the blacksmith trade to colonial Australia. This 1860s double-action bellows is a typical form of blacksmith's or shipsmith's bellows. The end is forge-fitted with an iron nozzle or tube, called a tuyere or Tue iron, which concentrates the air to fan the fire or furnace. Tuyeres were traditionally made of cow horn. The double-action design of this bellows efficiently moves air both in and out of the chambers in the one movement of the long handle. The bellows was manufactured by John C. Onions of Birmingham, England, between 1862 and 1875. The stamp with the text, Gold Medal 1862, was also used on the business’ advertising. In 1875 the company was registered and began using the name John C. Onions Limited. JOHN C. ONIONS - John C. (Collingwood) Onions (1841-1904) was the son of a bellows maker of the same name. Onions (born 1841) and his wife Helen married in 1867 and they named one of their children John Collingwood Onions (1868-1913), as was the family tradition. He was well known as a Birmingham manufacturer of patented bellows and other forge-related equipment. He sold to the wholesale and retail markets for both local and overseas customers, including the British colonies. An 1862 advertisement points out that John C. Onions was a “Bellows manufacturer and contractor to Her Majesty’s Honourable Board of Ordinance” and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the French [Napoleon Bonaparte]”. The advertisement includes a sketched portrait of the Emperor Napoleon III, and an Imperial Autograph Letter dated May 23, 1854, from Napoleon, Palace of the Tulleries to Mr J C Onions of Bradford Street, Birmingham. In 1863 the company registered a patent on portable forges. In 1871 there were eight employees. John C. Onions Limited became a registered company in 1875. In 1876 an advertisements included that the company were smiths for hearths and tools in general and showed a row of six medallions including one with “Napoleon III, Emperor” and his portrait, and another “ _ _ _ 1862 MEDAL”. Their advertising motto was “For Excellence of Quality”. In 1885 the company merged with William Allday and Sons to become Allday and Onions. This mid-19th century bellows has local historical significance as it were once used by blacksmiths at the Warrnambool Racecourse in the annual racing event that continues today. This bellows is significant as a working example of equipment used in the 1800 and 1900s in the trace of blacksmiths and other metal working smiths. The bellows is technologically significant as it shows the progress from simple bellows to the double-action bellows, a time saving and efficient improvement. The manufacturer John C. Onions is historically significant as a family business that began in the 1600s and continued up until the 1980s.Bellows; large, oval, mechanical double-action smith’s bellows, manually operated, in working condition. The paddles of wood that form the top, middle sections and base of the bellows have flexible leather pieces attached firmly between them, forming airtight double lungs. Cut-outs in the panels allow the bellows to fill with air then force it out. A long handle is connected to pump the bellows and control the quantity and force of the air. The blasts of air are forced through the metal nozzle or tuyere at the end of the bellows and into the forge’s fire. Inscriptions are impressed into the wood on the upper paddle or board of the bellows. There are three circular stamps containing text. Text impressed in the wooden upper paddle of the bellows has been assumed to read “JOHN C. ONIONS, PATENTEES & MANUFACTURERS, BIRMINGHAM””?” “EXTRA” “AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE OF QUALITY”, made from the following readable text :- “JOHN C ONIONS“ “PATENT - - - & MAN - - - - - - - - -“, “BIR - - - - HAM“, “ _ ERA - - - - “- XTRA-“, “- - - - - - - FOR EXCELL-“ “OF - - - - ITY” Text in the stamp “ - - ECE - - “, “ - - - - - / 1862 / MEDAL”, “- ITY” flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, john collingwood onions, john c onions, allday and onions, bellows, smith’s bellows, 19th century bellows, double-action bellows, double-acting bellows, double lung bellows, double chamber bellows, blacksmith tools, blacksmith trade, blacksmith craft, blacksmith equipment, forging equipment, john c onions patented double-action bellows, brian chapman, warrnambool racecourse, blacksmith, shipsmith, iron smith, mechanical bellows

The horseshoes in this purpose-built display case were made by Thomas Alfred Chapman in 1906-1907. Chapman operated a blacksmith’s shop in Mortlake Rd, Purnim, about 15 mins drive from Warrnambool. Chapman made this horseshoe case especially for the 3rd Exhibition of Australian Manufacturers and Products, held in the Exhibition Building in Melbourne, which was organised and promoted by the Australian Natives Association (ANA). Reference is made to the horseshoe case in the Exhibition’s Souvenir Catalogue of 1907 on page 85, under the heading 'In the Machinery Section the following exhibits are also shown … 'CHAPMAN, T.A. , Woolsthorpe, via Warrnambool, Case of Horseshoes'. The Australian Natives’ Association (ANA) were a non-partisan and non-sectarian, friendly society founded in Melbourne, Australia in April 1871. It was set-up for the benefit of Australian-born white men, and membership was restricted exclusively to that group. Men of other races including the Chinese and Indigenous people were not allowed to join. The ANA had relatively progressive views on women (for the time) and attracted suffragists seeking support for their cause, and in 1894, the ANA advocated for women’s enfranchisement. Although, white women were only admitted as members from 1964. The organisation was most prominent in Victoria and sought to shape Australia’s national identity and was a training ground for businessmen, trade unionists and politicians including many of Australia’s early prime ministers such as Edmund Barton, Alfred Deakin, James Scullin and Francis Forde, and the first Australian-born governor-general, Isaac Isaacs, was a member. By 1910 it had developed into a nationwide association with real political and social influence, and members would participate in many activities. The ANA lobbied strongly for anti-Chinese legislation and were an ardent believer of colonial unification. Its mission and efforts are largely credited for the successful referendums that resulted in Federation of the six Australian colonies into a new nation, the association’s most important legacy. The ANA was also a supporter of trade protection, and were a staunch advocate of the first act of Australia's new parliament, the Immigration Restriction Act 1901 (cth) or commonly known as the White Australia Policy, which became one of the central pillars of Australian nationalism in the 20th-century. The ANA campaigned against the Australian Federal Government's new immigration policy after the Second World War (non-British immigration from southern and central Europe) in order to maintain a 'white Australia', and resisted changes when the Labor government during the 1970s fully dismantled and abandoned the White Australia Policy. The ANA merged with Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows, in 1993 to become Australian Unity Ltd. The display case of horseshoes changed hands several times, going from its maker Thomas Chapman to his mother then various other members of his family. The case was also displayed at the Lee Family’s butcher shop at 188 Liebig St Warrnambool, and in the Purnim Hotel during the Warrnambool May Races. In the late 1950s the horseshoe case went to Thomas’s son, Brian. He was a Master Farrier and completed his apprenticeship at Flemington Racecourse, and in Warrnambool he owned a blacksmith business at the Warrnambool Racecourse Grounds. Brian later operated a blacksmith’s at Flagstaff Hill, where his customers would bring their horses to be shod. Brian passed away in August 2017. The horseshoe case is significant as an example of trades in the early 20th century in Western Victoria, Australia. It is also significant as an example of horseshoes from the early 20th century. The horseshoe display case is also significant for its association with the Australian Exhibition of 1907, showcasing Australian produce and manufacturing to the world. The horseshoe display case is locally significant for its association with local families, essential businesses and community events. Display case of homemade horseshoes. Wooden case with glass front containing 16 horse shoes grouped in sets, each set with a label: Made 1906-1907 for Australian Exhibition of 1907 by Thomas Alfred Chapman of Warrnambool. The case contains (a) complete chrome set each of Trotting Shoes, Hunting Shoes and Racing Plates, and (b) one pair of Hind Polo Shoes and one pair of Front Aluminium Shoes. The wooden frame has gold lettering on each side proclaiming “Australian Natives Association, T.A. Chapman, horse shoer, Warrnambool” and is topped by a painted Australian coat of arms. Gold lettering on frame, in the order of top/bottom/ left/right “AUSTRALIAN.NATIVES.ASSOCIATION / T.A. CHAPMAN / Horse Shoer / Warrnambool”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, horseshoe display case 1906-1907, chromed set of trotting shoes 1906-1907, chrome set of hunting shoes 1906-1907, chrome set of racing plates 1906-1907, pair of hind polo shoes 1906-1907, pair of front aluminium shoes 1906-1907, australian exhibition 1907, australian natives association (ana), t.a. chapman horse shoer warrnambool, thomas alfred chapman, brian chapman, brian “snacks” chapman, blacksmith warrnambool, warrnambool may races, warrnambool racecourse, purnim hotel, lee family’s butcher shop warrnambool

The Warrnambool Hot Rod Club was formed in 1958 at the Warrnambool racecourse. In 1969 the Club transferred to a site on the Princes Highway. Today the Club is the Premier Speedway Club and the major annual event is the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic. This DVD was produced to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Warrnambool Premier Speedway Club. It is retained as a souvenir of that anniversaryThis is a DVD with two discs contained in a plastic folder. The cover of the folder is multi coloured and contains photographs of speedway vehicles, an image of two chequered flags, a helmet and a laurel wreath.PREMIER SPEEDWAY WARRNAMBOOL 50 Years 1958-2008premier speedway warrnambool, car racing warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This booklet details the minutae of the visit of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. It details aspects of his visit to Warrnambool on 8th November 1977. It lists procedures and local members of parliament, local councillors and officials. There was a visit to Tower Hill Reserve and a reception at the Warrnambool Racecourse. This booklet has local interest as it provides a snapshot of local people who were holding office in various roles in the 1970's.Small cream coloured booklet with mustard binding and text of the same colour. 84 pages white with a yellow and green section towards the back.On front cover : Visit to Victoria of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales Working Programme. Monday 7thto Wednesday 9th November 1977. Issued by direction of the secretary , Premier's department Melbourne. John Kelly written in pen on the back cover.warrnambool, prince of wales 1977, prince of wales visit to warrnambool

These plaques were originally used for display purposes at the Warrnambool Racecourse. They commemorate Repellere, the winner of the Wangoom Handicap in 1928 and its owner, Mr T. Laidlaw. The Wangoom Handicap of six furlongs, first run in Warrnambool in 1886, is the most important sprint horse race in the Western District and is run at the annual Warrnambool May Racing Carnival which features the famous Grand Annual Steeplechase. These plaques are of interest as mementoes of the winner of the Wangoom Handicap at the Warrnambool Races in 1928. This race is one of the important events in the annual Warrnambool May Racing Carnival..1 This is a rectangular-shaped metal plaque. It has a yellow painted surface with a sketch of a jockey's silks and cap in red and beige. The paint is peeled and the plaque is rusty and slightly buckled. The plaque has ten holes on the sides for affixing to a surface with screws. .2 This is a small rectangular-shaped metal plaque with black printing and four holes on the corners for affixing to a surface with screws. .1 'Repellere' .2 Mr T. S.A. Laidlaw, Repellere, Winner Wangoom Handicap 1928' warrnambool, racing club, warrnambool grand annual steeplechase

These plaques were once on display at the Warrnambool racecourse with the smaller one originally affixed to a seat. These plaques commemorate the winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase in Warrnambool in 1931. The Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase was first held in June 1872. Today it is part of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival and is run over 5,500 metres with 32 fences. Lowther won the race in 1954 after also winning the Brierly steeple on Tuesday These plaques are of interest as mementoes of the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase one of Australia's most significant hurdle races..1 A rectangular shaped metal plaque with ten perforations along the longer sides. The plaque has a sketch of a jockey's cap and silks with white sleeves and body with two black diagonal stripes. Red Cap. .2 Silver coloured metal plaque in a rectangular shape with four holes in each corner for attachment to a surface. There is black printing on the plaque..1 Lowther written in black texta on back of plaque. .2 Mrs J King Lowther Winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase 1954.warrnambool, racing club, warrnambool grand annual steeplechase

This is one of a series of plaques which commemorated some of the winners of the Grand Annual Steeplechase which is held each year in Warrnambool. It is the longest race at a public course in Australia.The first Grand Annual was held in 1872 as the Warrnambool Handicap Steeplechase. This series of plaques were painted by local artist Leslie Lamey and were originally in the members enclosure at the Warrnambool Racecourse. This plaque notes the win of horse Hoadsville in 1966These items relate to a significant part of Warrnambool's sporting and social history.2 Galvanised rectangular metal plate with engraved text, in filled with black.Mr & Mrs K Bullock's Hoadsville winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase 1966.hoadsville, grand annual steeplechase, warrnambool may races

This is one of a series of plaques which commemorated some of the winners of the Grand Annual Steeplechase which is held each year in Warrnambool. It is the longest race at a public course in Australia.The first Grand Annual was held in 1872 as the Warrnambool Handicap Steeplechase. This series of plaques were painted by local artist Leslie Lamey and were originally in the members enclosure at the Warrnambool Racecourse. Why Fail won the Grand Annual in 1935 with jockey H Perrett . These items relate to a significant part of Warrnambool's sporting and social history. Primary Significance Criteria Painted white rectangular tin plaque with rolled edges with painting of jockey's silks and cap. The jockey silks have mustard yellow sleeves and cap with green front and back.Why Fail in black texta written on the back of plaque.warrnambool, grand annual steeplechase, horse why fail, jockey h perrett 1935

This is one of a series of plaques which commemorated some of the winners of the Grand Annual Steeplechase which is held each year in Warrnambool. It is the longest race at a public course in Australia.The first Grand Annual was held in 1872 as the Warrnambool Handicap Steeplechase. This series of plaques were painted by local artist Leslie Lamey and were originally in the members enclosure at the Warrnambool Racecourse. This plaque notes the win of horse Spring Fortune (NZ) in 1987. These items relate to a significant part of Warrnambool's sporting and social history..1 Painted white rectangular tin plaque with rolled edges with painting of jockey's silks and cap. The colours are green and blue in opposing squares on the front with blue sleeves. The cap is green with white lines. . Six holes are around the edge. .2 Galvanised rectangular metal plate with engraved text. .1 SPRING FORTUNE .2 Messers K.T. MYERS J. McLEOD & T.F. DANAHER SPRING FORTUNE (NZ) WINNER OF THE GRAND ANNUAL STEEPLECHASE 1987 warrnambool grand annual steeplechase, spring fortune

This is one of a series of plaques which commemorated some of the winners of the Grand Annual Steeplechase which is held each year in Warrnambool. It is the longest race at a public course in Australia.The first Grand Annual was held in 1872 as the Warrnambool Handicap Steeplechase. This series of plaques were painted by local artist Leslie Lamey and were originally in the members enclosure at the Warrnambool Racecourse. This plaque notes the win of horse Ranti but unfortunately we have no further details at this stage.These items relate to a significant part of Warrnambool's sporting and social history. Painted white rectangular tin plaque with rolled edges with painting of jockey's silks and cap. The silks are yellow sleeves with black bront and back. The cap is alternating yellow and black panels. with yellow brim.Ranti in red texta on back of plaque.grand annual steeplechase, warrnambool, ranti winner of grand annual

These plaques were once on display at the Warrnambool racecourse with the smaller one originally affixed to a seat. These plaques commemorate the winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase in Warrnambool in 1931. The Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase was first held in June 1872. Today it is part of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival and is run over 5,500 metres with 32 fences.In 1940 the winner was Martext and ridden by S McGee. It was owned by Mr J Latta , a family with a long association with racing in Warrnambool.These plaques are of interest as mementoes of the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase one of Australia's most significant hurdle races..1 Silver coloured metal plaque in a rectangular shape with four holes in each corner for attachment to a surface. There is black printing on the plaque. .2 A rectangular shaped metal plaque with ten perforations along the longer sides. The plaque has a sketch of a jockey's cap and silks in blue and white Mr J Latta Martex(T) Winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase 1940.warrnambool, racing club, warrnambool grand annual steeplechase, martext

These plaques were once on display at the Warrnambool racecourse with the smaller one originally affixed to a seat. These plaques commemorate the winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase in Warrnambool in 1931. The Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase was first held in June 1872. Today it is part of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival and is run over 5,500 metres with 32 fences. In 1931 Welcome Stranger's jockey was D. Wraight. The name "Welcome Stranger" is an echo of the name of the famous gold nugget found in Victoria in the 1850's. These plaques are of interest as mementoes of the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase one of Australia's most significant hurdle races..1 Silver coloured metal plaque in a rectangular shape with four holes in each corner for attachment to a surface. There is black printing on the plaque. .2 A rectangular shaped metal plaque with ten perforations along the longer sides. The plaque has a sketch of a jockey's cap and silks in blue and pink..1 MESSRS. M.R. McCRAE & H. BETTON WELCOME STRANGER .2 WINNER OF THE GRAND ANNUAL STEEPLECHASE 1931 ,2 WELCOME STRANGER 1931warrnambool racing club, warrnambool grand annual steeplechase

This card from the Warrnambool Amateur Turf Club is a pass for a lady for the meeting of 5th May 1914. This day was part of the three-day 1914 May Racing Carnival which featured the Warrnambool Cup and the Grand Annual Steeplechase. The first organized horse race in Warrnambool was held in 1848 at Jetty Flat and the Warrnambool Racecourse was first in use in 1858 with the Warrnambool Racing Club established in 1873. The Warrnambool Amateur Turf Club was established in 1859 and was the only Amateur Turf Club in Victoria. It no longer exists This card is of interest as it is a memento of the Warrnambool Amateur Turf Club, an important early sporting club in Warrnambool. It is also an early memento of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival, today a premier sporting event in the city and beyond and it is officially a Victorian Major Event. This is a small piece of light cardboard, blue on one side and white on the other. The card has rounded edges. On the blue side it has the emblem of the Warrnambool Amateur Turf Club and gold printing. The card has gilt edging. ‘Wednesday May 5 1914, Lady’s Ticket, Not Transferable, A.H.Davies Sec.’horse racing in warrnambool, warrnambool amateur turf club, history of warrnambool

These plaques were once on display at the Warrnambool racecourse with the smaller one originally affixed to a seat. These plaques commemorate the winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase in Warrnambool in 1931. The Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase was first held in June 1872. Today it is part of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival and is run over 5,500 metres with 32 fences. Tardieu won the race in 1936 and was one of only two horses with riders to finish the course the other being Montargis. The owner of the the horse Mr Officer was chairman of the Warrnambool Racing club at the time.These plaques are of interest as mementoes of the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase one of Australia's most significant hurdle races..1 Silver coloured metal plaque in a rectangular shape with four holes in each corner for attachment to a surface. There is black printing on the plaque. .2 A rectangular shaped metal plaque with ten perforations along the longer sides. The plaque has a sketch of a jockey's cap and silks in blue and pink. Mr G J Officer TARDIEU Winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase 1936.warrnambool, racing club, warrnambool grand annual steeplechase

These plaques commemorate the winner of the Warrnambool Brierly Steeplechase in 1965 and 1966. The owner of the horse was Mr D. Wedge, the horse was Regalo from New Zealand and the jockey was N. Rantall. The plaques were originally display items based in areas of the Warrnambool Racecourse. The Brierly Steeplechase was first run in 1902, with the name coming from a local property and homestead established by William McKiernin in the 1850s. Today the Brierly Steeplechase is part of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival which features the famous Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase. These items relate to a significant part of Warrnambool's sporting and social history..1 This is a rectangular-shaped metal plaque with ten holes on the sides for attachment to a surface using screws. The plaque has been painted yellow with a sketch of jockey silks and cap in blue and pink. Much of the paint is missing and the plaque is rusty and slightly warped. .2 This is a small rectangular-shaped metal plaque with black printing. There are four holes for affixing the plaque to a wall or bench. The plaque is rusty in places. .1 'Regalo (N.Z.)' .2 'Mr D. E. Wedge Regalo (N.Z.) Winner Brierly Steeple 1965,1966' warrnambool racing club, warrnambool may racing carnival

This badge was issued to members of the Warrnambool Racing Club for the season 1950-1951. Horse race meetings have been held in Warrnambool since the early days of settlement (late 1840s) and the Warrnambool Racing Club was formed in 1854. Since the late 1850s, race meetings have been held at the present site of the Warrnambool Racecourse. The chief event on the Warrnambool racing calendar is the annual May Racing Carnival, a three-day event with the main race being the well-known Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase. This badge is retained as an example of a member’s badge of the Warrnambool Racing Club in 1950. This is a shield-shaped metal badge with gold edging, a red background on the outer edge and inside this,a circle of blue with gold lettering and an inner circle of red with gold initials. The back has gold lettering. The badge has a metal clip at the top with a blue cord attached with a gold metal fastener. Warrnambool Racing Club WRC Not Transferable Season 1950-51 Season ends July 31st 1951 69 Stokes warrnambool racing club, history of warrnambool, badge

These plaques were once on display at the Warrnambool racecourse with the smaller one originally affixed to a seat. These plaques commemorate the winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase in Warrnambool in 1931. The Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase was first held in June 1872. Today it is part of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival and is run over 5,500 metres with 32 fences. Cooliel won two Grand Annuals, in 1927 and 1929 where he was ridden by jockey W McInnes. he was owned by the Lindsays of Quamby where he died in 1930 after a successful career over the jumps.These plaques are of interest as mementoes of the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase one of Australia's most significant hurdle races..1 Silver coloured metal plaque in a rectangular shape with four holes in each corner for attachment to a surface. There is black printing on the plaque. .2 A rectangular shaped metal plaque with ten perforations along the longer sides. The plaque has a sketch of a jockey's cap and silks with dark grey sleeves with dark grey and mustard yellow vertical stripes with mustard yellow cap .1 T & W Lindsay Cooliel Winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase 1927-1929. Infilled in black. .2 Coolier in black texta on backwarrnambool, racing club, warrnambool grand annual steeplechase, cooliel, lindsay quamby

These badges were issued to a member of the Warrnambool Racing Club for the season1957-1958 and includes a male member’s badge and the lady’s badge issued to him. Horse race meetings have been held in Warrnambool since the early days of settlement (late 1840s) and the Warrnambool Racing Club was formed in 1854. Races were first held at the current site of the Warrnambool Racecourse in the late 1850s. Today the chief event of the Warrnambool racing calendar is the May Racing Carnival, held over three days and featuring the well-known Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase.These badges are retained as examples of Warrnambool Racing Club members and ladies badges of the late 1950s..1 A metal badge, four sided, in an irregular shape. The outer rim has gold edging and there is an image in green, red and white of a horse and rider clearing a hurdle. The gold lettering has a white background. At the top of the badge is a metal ring with a brown cord with a metal fastener attached. .2 A gold-coloured badge in the shape of a triangle with gold lettering. This is attached to the brown cord of badge .1 above. .1 Warrnambool Racing Club. Not Transferable. Season 1957-58. 161. Stokes .2 W.R.C. Lady. Season 1957-58. 161. Stokes warrnambool racing club, history of warrnambool, badge

This book, written by Melbourne barrister, Mark McNamara, gives details on the history of horse racing in Warrnambool. The first race meeting was held in Warrnambool in 1848, only eight months after the establishment of the new settlement. The Warrnambool Racing Club was formed in 1873 and the first race meeting at the present-day Warrnambool Racecourse was held in 1858. Horse racing has always been a prominent and popular sport in Warrnambool. The best-known race held annually in Warrnambool is the Grand Annual Steeplechase, run as part of the three- day May Racing Carnival, a major event in Warrnambool. This book is of major interest as it documents the history of the Warrnambool Racing Club, an organization that has operated in Warrnambool since 1873. The annual Warrnambool May Racing Carnival is one of the premier jumps racing events in Australia. The book will be very useful to researchers. This is a soft-cover book of 409 pages. It has a multi-coloured photograph on the front cover showing Galleywood leading the field in the 1986 Grand Annual Steeplechase. The printing on the cover is black. It has a foreword, 23 chapters of text and several appendices. It contains many black and white photographs and has the signature of the author on the first page. ‘Mark McNamara 4/5/18’warrnambool racing club, history of warrnambool

This is one of a series of eighteen plaques which commemorated some of the winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase which is held each year in Warrnambool. The first Grand Annual was held in 1872 as the Warrnambool Handicap Steeplechase. Buxton was the winner in 1963. Local racing steward of 50 years experience, Mr Frank Beattie, ranks the performance of buxton as among the best. He won the Brierly steeplechase on the Tuesday of the 3 day race meeting and won the grand Annual two days later ridden by jockey Noel Cole. This series of plaques were painted by local artist Leslie Lamey and were originally in the members enclosure at the Warrnambool RacecourseThese items relate to a significant part of Warrnambool's sporting and social history..1 Painted white rectangular tin plaque with rolled edges with painting of jockeys silks and cap. The colours are green brown and yellow in opposing squares on the front with brown sleeves. The cap is yellow. Six holes are around the edge. .2 Galvanised rectangular brass plate with engraved black text .1 Buxton and Hoadsville in red and black texta on back of plaque. .2 Mr & Mrs K Bullock BUXTON Winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase 1963.warrnambool, grand annual steeplechase, noel cole, buxton

This is a booklet produced in 1967 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the aeroplane flights of Basil Watson in 1917 (the Mount Gambier to Melbourne 1917 Experimental Air Mail). In the 1967 Mount Gambier/Melbourne air mail flight re-enactment the aircraft was from Aviation Services (Hardingham) Limited, a Piper Cherokee, and on board was Douglas Watson, Basil Watson’s nephew. Basil Watson was a pioneer aviator who built his own plane which had a 50 H.P. Rotary Gnome engine. He flew the first aeroplane to Warrnambool in January 1917, bringing with him the first air mail to the town. In Warrnambool he amazed the crowds with his dare-devil aerial acrobatics over the Warrnambool Racecourse. He died two months later, crashing into the sea near Point Cook. This booklet is of great interest as it gives details of the life of Basil Watson, important in Warrnambool’s history as the first man to fly into the town in 1917 and the first person to bring air mail to Warrnambool, including a letter from the Lord Mayor of Melbourne to the Mayor of Warrnambool. This is a booklet of 16 pages produced to commemorate the Mount Gambier to Melbourne 1917 Experimental Air Mail Flight. It has a grey cover with black printing and an image of an early model aeroplane on the front cover. The text includes illustrations, maps and black and white photographs. The first page has two signatures. The booklet has been stapled but the staples have been removed.‘Donated by Mrs Giles W’bool’ ‘J.C.Hardingham, Pilot’ ‘D.Watson’ basil watson, history of aviation in victoria, history of warrnambool

This letter, the first air mail letter sent to Warrnambool, was written by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir David Valentine Hennessy and carried by the aviator, Basil Watson on the first flight to Warrnambool January 24th 1917. The letter was delivered to the Mayor of Warrnambool, Cr Webb.There were several other letters delivered at the same time but this is the important official one. Basil Watson was a pioneer aviator who built his own aeroplane which was 18 feet long with a wing span of 26 feet and it had a 7 cylinder 50 H.P. Rotary Gnome engine. Watson flew from Point Cook to Warrnambool in one hour 55 minutes, an Australian cross-country flying record at the time. In Warrnambool Watson amazed the crowd with his dare-devil aerial acrobatics, looping the loop 14 times over the Warrnambool Racecourse. Basil Watson died when he crashed his plane into the sea near Point Cook, just two months after he landed in Warrnambool. This letter is of the utmost significance being the first air mail letter delivered to Warrnambool. It is an important memento of the first aeroplane flight into Warrnambool by the pioneer aviator Basil Watson. This is a cream-coloured sheet of paper folded in two to make four pages. It has handwriting in black ink on two pages. The writing is a little faded. The first page has the logo of the Melbourne Town Hall. The pages are partly torn at the folds. ‘Town Hall, Melbourne, 21/1/17. Lord Mayor’s Room, Dear Mr Mayor, I have much pleasure in sending you greetings by aeroplane piloted by my friend’s son, Mr Basil Watson. I hope when the cruel war is over and victory crowns our efforts, we all in the C’wealth will be able to fly from one state to the other. With best wishes for the New Year, …….. (signature indecipherable), D.V. Hennessy. His Worship the Mayor of Warrnambool.’pioneer aviation in the western district, basil watson, history of warrnambool

The Hollywood film stars pasted on to one side of this paper are of no historical interest to our Society. The four paper items attached to the other side relate to the pioneer aviator, Basil Watson. He flew the first aeroplane to come to Warrnambool in January 1917. Watson flew from Point Cook to Warrnambool in one hour 55 minutes, an Australian cross-country flying record at the time. He had built his own aeroplane which was 18 feet long with a wing span of 26 feet and it had a 7 cylinder 50 H.P. rotary Gnome engine. In Warrnambool he amazed the crowds with his dare-devil aerial acrobatics, looping the loop 14 times over the Warrnambool Racecourse. Watson also brought several letters with him, making him the bearer of the first aerial mail to Warrnambool. Sadly Basil Watson died when his plane crashed at Point Cook in March 1917, just two months after his record-breaking flight to Warrnambool. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society has in its collection the small galvanized bucket seat which came from Watson’s plane and the original first air letter written by the Mayor of Melbourne to the Mayor of Warrnambool. These four items are of considerable historical interest as they are souvenirs issued at the time of Basil Watson’s aviation exploits in the early 1900s and Watson is of great importance in the aviation history of Warrnambool.This is a piece of paper (possibly from a scrapbook) with one torn edge. Pasted on to the paper on one side are newspaper photographs of early Hollywood female film stars. On the other side are four items relating to the pioneer aviator, Basil Watson – an airmail post card, a newspaper black and white photograph, a souvenir black and white photograph and a card with an illustration of an early aeroplane (pictured upside down). ‘The Aerial Postman Basil Watson’ ‘Official Souvenir Australian Aerial Mail’ basil watson, pioneer aviator, aviation in warrnambool’s history, history of warrnambool

This is the seat from the aeroplane of Basil Watson. Photographs held by the Warrnambool and District Historical Society confirm that this was Watson’s aeroplane seat. He was a pioneer aviator who had built his own plane which was 5.5 metres long with a wingspan of 8 metres. It had a 7-cylinder 50 HP rotary Gnome engine. Basil Watson flew this aircraft to Warrnambool in January 1917, becoming the first person to fly to Warrnambool, coming from Point Cook in one hour 55 minutes – an Australian cross-country flying record at that time. Watson amazed Warrnambool crowds with his dare-devil flying, looping the loop 14 times over the Warrnambool racecourse. He also brought with him the first aerial post to arrive in Warrnambool and the Warrnambool and District Historical Society has the letter he brought written by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne to the Mayor of Warrnambool. Two months after he was in Warrnambool Basil Watson was killed when his plane crashed near Point Cook in March 1917. Parts of the plane were salvaged and the seat was donated to the old Warrnambool Museum in 1918. It remained there until the museum was dismantled in the early 1960s and it was later passed over to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. The tag on the seat today is an old Warrnambool Museum label. This is a most significant item as it is the original seat from the aeroplane of Basil Watson, an important early aviator in Australia’s history and it is also an early 20th century memento of the many treasures from the old Warrnambool Museum (1883-1963). The seat shows the primitive nature of early 20th century aeroplanes in Australia. This is a metal (galvanized iron) seat with a semi-circular base and a curved back stretching around from one end of the base to the other end. The back has a rolled metal edging on the base and the top. On the sides are two slots with a khaki-coloured cloth strap passing through the slots. This strap has a metal buckle at the end. The metal in the seat is somewhat blotched and discoloured. A luggage label is tied to one of the slots and has a name typed on it.Mr Watsonbasil watson, aviator, old warrnambool museum, history of warrnambool

The Warrnambool Amateur Turf Club was first formed in September 1859, but didn't become a properly constituted club until April 1873, when a meeting was held at the Commercial Hotel, now the Whaler's Inn, and a committee was elected.Part of the present racecourse of 100 acres was set aside as a racing and recreation reserve in August 1855. It is one of the finest racecourses in Australia, ringed by the gentle slopes of a huge basin.The first race meeting was held on the course in August 1858. The Warrnambool Racing Club has managed racing at Warrnambool since it was formed on 5 April 1873.Apart from a number of smaller meetings held throughout the year, the feature of racing in the district is the Grand Annual Steeplechase. The first steeplechase over the now famous cross-country course was run on 13th June 1872 then known as the Grand Annual Steeplechase. The paddocks now know as Brierly and Granters were first used on that date. The course, over four miles, was made up of different kinds of jumps including a stone wall, a log fence, a ditch and parapet, a paling fence and numerous post and rails. The name Grand Annual was first used for this steeplechase in May 1895. It is the longest horse race in Australia, and the thirty three fences of the course, the most of any steeplechase in the world is raced over 5,500 metres. The three day May racing carnival is the major racing event on the horseracing and social calendar. Many of these race booklets relate to those May meetings. The Warrnambool Racecourse has been the home of district racing clubs such as Woodford, Purnim and Koroit over the latter part of the 20th century. The Woodford Racing club holds their annual meeting after Christmas each year. The Winslow races were held from approximately mid-19th century to around 1946. It began as a small picnic race club in Tobin’s paddock to a splendid race course on the property, “Green Hills” owned by Mr. John O’Keefe about one mile north of the Winslow township.. The annual meetings held on New Year’s Day drew crowds of seven to eight thousand people. All of these books contains family names which in some cases are still strongly linked to horse racing in the district.These booklets are a tangible link to a great sporting and social event in the Western District. A collection of programmes for race meetings. They relate to Warrnambool, Woodford, Purnim, Winslow and Victoria Racing Club meetings in the period 1922 to 1931. All are soft card covers with approximately 16 pages in each in white paper. They are numbered as follows: 001250.1 WRC Soft green cover with blue text 01/05/1923 001250.2 WRC Mauve cover with blue text 03/05/1923 001250.3 WRC fawn cover with red text 06/05/1924 001250.4 WRC Orange cover with blue text 08/05/1924 001250.5 WRC Soft green cover with light brown text 05/05/1925 001250.6 WRC Soft green cover with red text 07/05/1925 001250.7 WRC fawn cover with brown text 04/05/1926 001250.8 Woodford racing Club soft pink cover, Blue text 01/04/1922 001250.9 Woodford racing Club green cover, Blue text 07/04/1923 001250.9 Woodford racing Club grey cover, Blue text 05/04/1924 001250.10 Woodford racing Club grey cover, Blue text 05/04/1924 001250.11 Woodford Racing Club green cover, Blue text 22/11/1924 001250.12 Woodford Racing Club green cover, brown text 04/04/1925 001250.13 Woodford Racing Club orange cover, blue text 10/04/1926 001250.14 Woodford Racing Club pink cover, green text 10/04/1926 001250.15 Warrnambool Racing Club pink cover, blue text 18/11/1922 001250.16 Warrnambool Racing Club pink cover, red text 13/11/1926 001250.17 Warrnambool Racing Club cream cover, brown text 15/11/1924 001250.18 Warrnambool Racing Club cream cover, green text 18/01/1922 001250.19 Warrnambool Racing Club grey cover, blue text 15/01/1924 001250.20 Warrnambool Racing Club cream cover, blue text 13/01/1925 001250.21 Warrnambool Racing Club pink cover, blue text 15/01/1925 001250.22 Warrnambool Racing Club olive green cover, blue text 12/01/1926 001250.23 Warrnambool Racing Club blue cover, blue text 14/01/1926 001250.24 Warrnambool Racing Club soft green cover, blue text 13/01/1931 001250.24 Warrnambool Racing Club orange cover, black text 16/01/1930 001250.25 Warrnambool Racing Club orange cover, black text 16/01/1930 001250.26 Purnim Racing Club green cover, blue text 19/05/1924 001250.27 Winslow Racing Club pink cover,black text 21/04/1923 001250.28 Winslow Racing Club green cover,black text 06/12/1924 001250.29 Victoria Racing Club cream cover,green text 11/07//1923 001250.30 Victoria Racing Club cream cover, red text 14/07//1923 Most of the booklets have markings with place getters and jockeys marked in pencil. Warrnambool Racing club books have R U Forbes, C T Alexander A H Davies and William White as secretaries. Woodford club has Thomas Gleeson as secretary, Winslow 's secretary is W Latta and Purnim is P J Kelly. The local booklets are printed by The Modern Print Co Koroit St Warrnambool.warrnambool, warrnambool racing club, winslow racing club, woodford racing club, purnim racing club, victoria racing club

The printers of this Bible, George Eyre and Andrew Spotswood, were appointed printers to the King's Most Excellent Majesty. Copies of this Bible were only sold to subscribes of the British and Foreign Bible Society, which was instituted in 1804. This Bible was published for use in Church readings. In the words of the donor, Betty Stone, "This Bible, published in London in 1834, is the Chamberlain family Bible which was brought out by Joshua and Susan Chamberlain from Thriplow, Cambridgeshire, England when they migrated with their family to Australia. In the Bible, on page 969, the birth dates of Joshua and Susan's family of two sons and six daughters are recorded on two pages and also on an inserted loose page. Written by Joshua Chamberlain, the exact time each child was born has been included in each entry. There are also a few other entries and death dates recorded in different handwriting. Joshua Chamberlain (baptized 24 August 1804 Thriplow) and Susan Ellis {baptized 24 July 1808 lckleton, Cambridgeshire) were married 25 October 1828 at the parish church of St. George or All Saints,Thriplow. Joshua and Susan (nee Ellis) Chamberlain and family left their home in the rural village ofThriplow in October 1854 and arrived in Australia as assisted migrants per SS Shand January 1855. After Joshua Chamberlain had fulfilled his contract to work on a property at Woodford for a year or so, he purchased a small farm of approximately twenty acres at Wangoom, situated adjacent to the Warrnambool racecourse. Here, the family settled in their cottage with their personal and household possessions, including the family Bible, which they had brought from Thriplow. Joshua Chamberlain died October 1871; after the death of her husband Susan continued to live in her own home for some years before she eventually moved -with her possessions which of course included this Bible - to her daughter Sarah and son-in-law Lees Lees' home where she died on 13 November 1900 aged 94 years. (Note: For additional information please refer to Betty Stone’s book “Pioneers and Places - A History of three Warrnambool Pioneering Families” ie. Chamberlain, Dale and Lees Families)This item is associated with families of Chamberlain, Dale and Lees. These families are listed in the "Pioneers' Register" for Warrnambool Township and Shire, 1835-1900, published by A.I.G.S. Warrnambool Branch.Book, Bible, with thick, embossed front cover and deep binding. This Chamberlain Family Bible has some handwritten notes included on some pages. The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, Translated out of the original Tongues - by HIs Majesty's Special Command. Appointed to be read in churches. Printed by George Eyre and Andrew Spottiswoode Published by the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1834. Part of the 'Chamberlain, Dale and Lees Collection'Page 969 lists family history of Joshua and Susan Chamberlain and family, on two pages plus an inserted page, noting the exact time of birth for each of eight children.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, chamberlain, dale, lees, stone, betty stone, warrnambool pioneers, holy bible, 1834 bible, chamberlain family bible, church bible, family history, george eyre and, andrew spottiswoode, british and foreign bible society, religious book

This certificate was sent to those who had been present at one of the celebrations in connection with the Federation of the six States of Australia in 1901 – The Royal Review at Flemington Racecourse on 10th May 1901. The invitation to attend the event was issued by the Government of Victoria. The certificate was intended to be kept as a souvenir of the event and framed. This particular certificate was issued to George Rolfe and his wife of Warrnambool. George Rolfe (1836-1919), a tea merchant from Melbourne, began buying blocks of land near the mouth of the Hopkins River in Warrnambool in the 1870s. By the early 1880s he had acquired 50 acres of land in the town and several farming properties. He used the buildings on the land near the mouth of the Hopkins River as holiday accommodation and called the property, Lyndoch. He improved the property by adding stables, chaff and bone sheds, jetty, boathouse, reservoir, water well and windmill and extensive gardens and he spent most of his later life in the Warrnambool area. Lyndoch today is the site of an aged care facility. This certificate is of considerable importance for two reasons: 1. It is an important memento of a signal event on Australia’s history – the Federation of the six States in 1901 and the subsequent celebrations. 2. The certificate was issued to a prominent Warrnambool person, George Rolfe and his wife.This is multi-coloured sheet of paper mounted on card. There are four black and white photographs of the Royal Review at Flemington and photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. The images include the Royal Crest, the shields of the six Australian States, a shield of Victoria with a background of flags, cannon and ammunition, two mounted soldiers with a soldier and sailor standing nearby and swords and bayonets. There is also much colour decoration around the edges of the certificate. The names of Mr and Mrs Rolfe are handwritten in black ink. ‘Australian Commonwealth Celebrations’ ‘The Government of Victoria requests the honour of the presence of Mr & Mrs G. Rolfe at the Royal Review at Flemington on Friday the 10th of May 1901’ federation of australian states, george rolfe of lyndoch, history of warrnambool, george rolfe

These documents contain information about the Warrnambool Racing Club in the 1960s. Race meetings were held in Warrnambool as early as 1848, a few months after the first white settlers arrived. The Warrnambool Racing Club was formed in 1854 and the present day racecourse was first used in 1858. In 1872 the well-known Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase was first held. These documents came from the office of Rolf Crawley, a surveyor, architect and engineer in private practice in Warrnambool and also the engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool from 1935 to 1968. His grandfather, father and uncle were also engineers, working in that capacity or as the Shire Secretary for the Shire of Warrnambool, with the Crawley family recording a total of 132 years of service to the Shire. The Shire of Warrnambool existed from 1863 to 1994. These documents came into the possession of Michael Hand who took over the private surveying practice in Warrnambool of Rolf Crawley. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society acquired these documents, along with several ledgers and other Crawley memorabilia, from the estate of Michael Hand. These documents are of interest as they contain much information on the Warrnambool Racing Club and will be of assistance to researchers.This is a collection of documents relating to the Warrnambool Racing Club. They are typewritten letters and Minutes summaries. Some are copies and there are two cards giving notice of meetings. rolf crawley, warrnambool, warrnambool racing club, shire of warrnambool

These badges were issued to members of the Warrnambool Racing Club in 1950. Horse race meetings have been held in Warrnambool since the early days of settlement, with the Warrnambool Racing Club being established in 1854. Race meetings were first held on the site of the present day racecourse in the late 1850s. The chief event on the Warrnambool racing calendar is the annual three-day May Racing Carnival, with the main event being the well-known Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase. These badges are retained as examples of badges of members of the Warrnambool Racing Club in the mid 20th century. .1 A shield-shaped metal badge with silver-coloured trim around the edges. There are initials in the centre of the badge and around these is a circle of blue with silver-coloured printing, all on a green background. There is a metal clip at the back. .2 as above .1 WRC Warrnambool Racing Club Not Transferable, Season 1950-51, Season ends July 31st 1951, B 297 .2 as above except that the number is B 124 warrnambool racing club, history of warrnambool, badge