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Have a question? Contact Torquay and District Historical Society
This article is the binnacle cover from the compass of the Scammell wrecked off Point Danger Torquay in 1891.
This is an original artefact discovered at Point Danger Torquay in 1934. Its whereabouts were unknown until 1996 when it was donated to the Society.
Round metal object, possibly cover from ships compass.
Brass plate attached with provenance of item
The Museum operated as a tourist attraction at Bellbrae . Tour buses would bring visitors to the Museum . Morning or afternoon tea was available as part of the experience. In his introduction to the museum on the inside cover of the catalogue George McCartney wrote, " Wecome to Bellbrae carriages; have a pleasant visit and i sincerely hope you gain some insight into the past, colourful, exciting but hard early days of our pioneering ancestors...." George McCartney 's experiences of those early days inspired him to collect and restore the vehicles in this museum. While the collection currently remains at Bellbrae (2019), the museum has been closed to the public for a number of years and the collection offered for sale.
This catalogue is a record of George McCartneys commitment to preserving a historic record of the horse drawn vehicles which were in widespread using during the 19th and early 20th centuries in Victoria and other parts of Australia. It is also a record of a local tourism attraction which operated in the latter part of the 20th century.
3 sheets of A3 heavy paper stapled to form a 4 page plus cover, Illustrated Catalogue and History of Bellbrae Carriages, an Early Australian Museum located in Hendy main Road, Bellbrae Victoria. The catalogue features 47 small (approx 5mmx4mm) photographs of the vehicles in the museum along with brief descriptions including origins of each vehicle. There are a further 84 smaller historic items listed including lamps, bottles, clothing and household machinery and equipment.
Bellbrae Carriages George Mccartney Prop. Hendy Main Rd Bellbrae, 3228, RMD Box 1390 Vic. Australia Ph: 612908. Early Australian Museum Illustrated Catalogue and History. There is no publication date.
bellbrae carriage museum, george mccartney, horse drawn vehicles
This pole was used in the construction of the first Torquay Lifesaving Club clubhouse in 1945. it was dug up by club members from the mouth of Spring Creek, where it had been laid as part of defence strategy during WW2. In the 1940s 'Tank Traps' were placed across low lying Victorian Beaches to stop potential invading Japanese forces. This pole was salvaged from the ashes of the fire which destroyed the first TLSC clubhouse in 1970.
This wooden pole was used in the foundations of the first Torquay Surf Life saving Club club house.
Timber pole associated with WW2 and Torquay SLSC, damaged by fire in 1970.
torquay lifesaving club, 'tank traps', world war 11, local war defences
The fishing basket was the property of Felix Rosser an early settler and fisherman in Torquay.
Felix Rosser was a well known early settler in Torquay. This fishing basket and equipment belonged to him.
A wicker fishing basket
fishing equipment, torquay victoria, felix rosser
This small desk was donated by a local resident as an example of the kind of desk she would have used at Torquay Primary School in the 1940s.
This small desk complements the large principals desk on display. it represents the kind of equipment available for primary school children in the 1940s.
wooden infants school desk,
infant school desk, torquay, primary school, schooling, education
This item was from the original Torquay primary School. It is believed to date back to the early 1900s or earlier. It was supplied to the school by the Public Works Department and still bears the PWB brands. The desk was purchased by the late George McCartney, at a public auction of the old school's furniture and effects and donated by the McCartney family to the Torquay and District Historical Society in 2017. Some repairs and restoration work were completed by the Torquay Men's Shed.
Wooden school principal's desk
PWD on outside of front right hand leg.
torquay primary school, public works department, mccartney family, torquay men's shed.
girl, children's wear
torquay, beach, bathing boxes, bather
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
