We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Untitled image
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
On 28th March 1801, Lieut. James Grant sailed across from Rhyll, landed and inspected Churchill Island. His men cleared some ground and planted seeds including Victoria's first crop of wheat. Named Churchill Island after John Churchill Esq. of Dawlish in the County of Devon.
Coloured photograph of Churchill Island taken from Jetty on Phillip Island. Low tide is evident.
Rhyll church controversy was over money raised by the local people.
Historical
4 pages of cream writing paper hand written by Gwenda Mciiwraith to Mr Robb re the Rhyll Presbyterian Church, farming on the Island, the Phillip Island Band competition, fishing industry and the health of various islanders.
Heath Hill, Rhyll, Nov. 24 1936, Dear Mr Robb,
rhyll, presbyterian church, agriculture, better farming league, phillip island band, gwenda mcillwraith, mr robb, mr dawson davie, san remo pier, fishing industry, san remo, mr & mrs joe smith, jack leeson, viv hazelwood, cecil andrews
Controversy over money previously raised to build a Presbyterian church at Rhyll, discussion of trustees and whether the money was for the building or furnishings eg hymn books. It discusses the future of the Island including a proposed Kraft cheese factory, a new bridge and shipping coal from San Remo.
Historical
6 pages of cream writing paper handwritten in black pen. Letter from Gwenda McIllwraith to Mr. Robb re use of monies raised to build a Presbyterian church at Rhyll.
"Heath Hill", Rhyll. Nov 8th, 1936. Dear Mr. Robb
heath hill, gwenda mcillwraith, mr robb, presbyterian church, mr& mrs percy mcfee, mr johnston, mr bryce, mr gliddon, robert mcillwraith, rhyll, mr lock, kraft cheese co., chicory, coal mines
Name of the paper is unknown but is probably a Mornington publication. Frank Ryan was the National Bank Manager who had arrived in Cowes in 1951 as a junior banker. The paper was found by him when he was clearing the estate of Mrs Sue Strudwick.
Historical
Section of newspaper with articles on both sides describing news of people and events on Phillip Island and Mornington Shire. Also 2 A4 sheets of typing with comments by Frank Ryan about the people and events mentioned.
Second Minstrel show huge success. Ventnor State school closed. Remarks and commentary by Frank Ryan.
frank ryan, sue strudwick, phillip island band, mr pomeroy, , r. grayden, cowes state school, ventnor state school, bayview guesthouse fire, s.j.mcfee, cwa, minstrel show, measles outbreak, rothsay guesthouse
Neil Robinson believes the photo was taken prior to 1938, based on the existence of a small shed on the east side of the jetty.
Historical
Framed Panorama of Cowes Jetty taken from the jetty showing the jetty shed, Isle of Wight hotel and other Cowes buildings. Photo is lightly coloured. Plus Booklet - Research Data of Buildings etc. in Panorama
Cowes Phillip Island Victoria. The Valentine Publishing CO. PTY.LTD. Melbourne
panorama cowes jetty, the isle of wight hotel cowes phillip island, cowes sea baths, bayview house, neil robinson, maggie robinson, george cox
D. Robb was a member of the band.
Historical
Small cardboard card with cord tie and insert window with a picture of a waratah.
Best wishes. An Australian wish. The boys of the Phillip Is. Band, To Mr & Mrs Robb+ Family Xmas 1930
philip island band, d.h.robb, greeting card
One of the most popular souvenirs bought by tourists from local shops.
Historical
Coloured linen tea towel with yearly calendar, drawings of Australian birds and native plants.
Australian Birds Calendar 2006. With compliments Jim & Margaret Ellis Cowes Newsagency 5952-2046
tourism, souvenir, jim & margaret ellis
Description of Tourist Resorts on Mornington Peninsula and Westernport Bay
Historical
Book - soft cover - 117 pages, First edition published 1971 by The Advisory Committee on Recreation and Tourism to The Westernport Regional Planning Authority
mornington peninsula, westernport bay, phillip island
The spelling of Eliza's surname varies between Coghlan and Cochlan in various sources.The letter does not provide proof of either. List of applicants for land at Schnapper Point [Mornington, including Phillip Island], early settlers and their date of arrival. An extract from "Early History of Mornington" showing residents of Schnapper Point in 1858.
Historical
Hand written letter from the secretary of the Mornington Peninsula Historical Society re the spelling of Eliza Cochlan's name . Dated 8/5/1986 Also 3 typed pages containing a list of applicants for Phillip Island land grants and extract from The Early history of Mornington.
Letter addressed to Mr Harris, secretary PIDHS
eliza cochlan, land grant, early phillip island settlers, land ballot
Photos taken by Gary Parnell in 1980
Historical
2 large black and white photos showing the Isle of Wight Hotel taken from the jetty area. Showing the war memorial, sea wall and surrounding area. One darker than the other.
isle of wight hotel, cowes, phillip island, gary parnell
Tourist photographs of Phillip Island
Historical
Small black and white photos of scenes of Phillip Island including the jetty, beach, Nobbies and ferries. Enclosed in a beige paper envelope.
Beauty spots in Victoria. 12 Real Photographs for your Snapshot Album. Produced in Australia by The Rose Stereograph Co. Price 1/6 1. The Pier, Cowes, 2. Front beach, Cowes, 3. Alvina & Genista at pier, $. Koala in tree, 5. beach near Nobbies, 6. The Nobbies, 7. The Pinnacles, 8. Looking out at Forest caves, 9. Lovers Walk - Cowes, 10. Forest Cave, 11. The road to back beach, 12. The beach & pier, Cowes.
the nobbies, ferries, cowes jetty, forrest caves, phillip island, black & white postcard copy, photographs
Historical
Report is an A4 cream sheet with black and red print., folded in half. Office bearers are listed and financial, secretary's and Ladies Auxiliary reports are included. Two single sheets inside have meeting information and prices of subscriptions. Celebration is cream cardboard, folded in half with blue print and photo of the original hospital on cover. The program for the day is inside.
Annual Report and statement of "Warley" Cowes Bush nursing Hospital for the year ended 31st March 1972. "Warley" Bush Nursing Hospital Diamond Jubilee celebration Sunday, December 4th ,1983
hospital, warley hospital
McHaffie family were early settlers on Phillip Island. Mrs Frank Jansson, wife of a fisherman from Rhyll.
Historical
Small black & white photograph of a rural outlook with house and water in the background. Foreground has a wooden buggy on a grassy area with a woman and small child.
The McHaffie buggy. Mrs F. Jansson and son, John.
mchaffie family, mrs frank jansson, buggy
The Gliddon book does not have an index. This index was based on edition 1.
Historical
A4 spiral bound typed booklet
Phillip Island in picture and story. Compiled by Joshua Wickett Gliddon. Index compiled by Bernard Charles Grayden
bernard grayden, joshua wickett gliddon, index
The origin of debutante balls was that the woman was old enough to be married, and part of the purpose of her coming out was to display her to eligible bachelors and their families with a view to marriage within a select circle. These balls were popular on the Island and held at the Shire Hall in Thompson Ave.
Historical
Black and white photo of group of debutantes in white gowns with posies, dance instructor and Mrs Leggatt, wife of local MP Sir William Leggatt. Allan Murray was the photographer.List of names of debutantes, dance instructor, dignitary and photographer. Also notes re problems with photos from the night.
Charlotte Cleeland's deb photo 1949. also names as above.
photograph, charlotte cleeland, debutantes phillip island, allan murray, john claringbold, val spokes, joan westley, ruth grayden, heather burton, gwen jackson, margery forrest, fay redpath, mrs mcadie, mrs dorothy leggatt, verna gawith, eileen jones, mrs anderson
Gliddon's book of this name is not indexed so this is a valuable for research purposes.
Historical
Small spiral bound booklet with photocopied typed pages.
Compiled by Allan Box 1999 Warley Avenue Bookshop
j w gliddon, allan box, index, phillip island in picture and story
Clubs and players unknown. Photo 1100-01 - middle row on left, Jack Cleeland. Front row, 4th left, Keith McIlwraith. [Named by Bev Forrest] 1100-03 is possibly Ventnor as jumpers have V on them.
Historical
4 A4 sepia and black & white photocopies of old photos of football teams. No explanations or writing. Players are wearing 4 different jumpers.
phillip island football team, sport, photograph, cleeland, mcilwraith, forrest, mcfee, ventnor, jack jenner
Historical
Medium framed black & white photo of Cowes football team, premiers 1922. Three rows of players, front row seated, with a trainer at each end. Middle player at front holding a football saying Premiers 1922.
Names of players and trainers. Back says H.A.B. West 1983
cowes football team 1922, pretty, charley craft, les walton, ernie walton, bill mclardy, clarry williams, andy morrison, guy borton, bryant west, frank hatfield, alex mclardy, arnie brown, newton mclardy, reg justice, harold west, bernie smith, ken west, ernie matthews, bert west, black & white photograph
Cowes in the era of guesthouses with large tennis courts and open space.
Historical
Black & white photo mounted on cardboard of Cowes jetty with boats, Thompson Ave, The Esplanade, Isle of Wight, The Continental Guesthouse, Erewhon Guesthouse, Yackatoon Guesthouse.
Cowes 1931
cowes, aerial photos, jetty, isle of wight, continental, yackatoon, guesthouses, bass avenue
Chicory farming was popular on the Island. Chicory was sent to Melbourne to be mixed with coffee, especially during WW2
Historical
2 copies of black & white sketches of chicory kilns drawn by D. Leversha
chicory farming, chicory kilns, f. b. morgan-payler, d. leversha
Historical
Laminated article from The Weekly Times, October 4, 2006 describing settlement of French Island in 1894 by Thompson and Broderick families.Includes 2 sepia photographs.
The First Islanders
thompson family, french island, farming, chicory farming, broderick farming
Detailed information on people buried in cemetery from 1901-1920
Historical
Large soft covered book with text numerous black & white and coloured illustrations
ISBN 978-0-6487351-0-6
phillip island cemetery, rev. alexander robb, richardson, walton, grayden, forrest, leeson, lock, mcfee, george smith, west, cleeland, eliza cochlan, findlay, jenner, mckindlay, jeury, walpole, george cox, pamela rothfield
Stories of the first 73 occupants of the Phillip Island Cemetery describing the lives and history of the early residents of Phillip Island. Written by a Cleeland descendant, Pamela Rothfield.
Historical
Large, soft covered book with large black and white and coloured photos and text.
ISNN 978-0-646-99552-6
phillip island cemetery, genealogy, forrest, jenner, richardson, cleeland, dixon, mcgregor, reid, walton, west, cox, underdown, mcillwraith, woolcock
This cannon was always called the Shenandoah cannon as it was believed to be from the Confederate warship, Shenandoah. However recent research has shown this was not true. In 1981 the American Civil War Round Table of Australia claimed the cannon was not government issue.It was older than the Shenandoah warship.It is possibly a 4 lb that was sent from Sydney in 1826 when Western Port was settled and had been left behind.
Historical
3 small coloured photographs mounted on cardboard of Churchill Island homestead, 2 men standing beside the cannon and the cannon.
Churchill Island homestead, Shenandoah cannon, S.J.McFee, F. Jansson, Shenandoah cannon. 1973
churchill island, churchill island - homestead, cannon, stan mcfee, frank jansson
The Eagle Star left from Stony Point to take in Tankerton on the way to Cowes. It carried about 160 passengers of all ages, many of whom were probably planning to celebrate New Year’s Eve or start their holidays on the Island. The 48-year-old ferry had only recently been bought by a co-operative of French Island residents. Fortunately no one was drowned, and only two people were hurt.
Historical
Broadsheet front page from The Herald Saturday, December 30 1978.Headline is "Ferry sinks."Fleet" plucks 160 from bay" Large black and white photo showing half submerged ferry and three smaller motor boats pulling people from the water. other people are standing on the front of the ferry.
Headline is "Ferry sinks."Fleet" plucks 160 from bay"
ferries, eagle star, transport, cowes yacht club
Harry Bradley was a local Identity. Born in Yorkshire, England, 8/4/1916. Joined the Australian Army 19/5/1941 living in Cowes Phillip Island Victoria.
Historical
491-01: Harry Bradley an Australia Army Portrait - WWII 491-02: Harry Bradley & Ted Walton, very close fishing mates 491-03: Original House of Bradleys, opposite Race Track?? Ford Vehicle. Now Beachcomber Estate 491-04: Harry Bradley working on the 1st Phillip Island Bridge 491-05: Harry Bradley's parents - Father - Edwin and Mother who was killed by a bull 491-06: Harry Bradley - Equal 1st Competition at the Lang Lang Gun Club 491-07: Elsford Guest House - Post Card 491-08: Map of Phillip Island - Post Card Also DVD supplied with 491-01 to 06 on it.
As Above with Harry's details listed on 491-01
harry bradley, ted walton, edwin bradley, lang lang gun club, elsford guest house, phillip island map
Photos from various sources added to an album on the Boy's home
Historical
3 black and white photographs of buildings and interior of chapel
86-15 has Photo Shop Series Chapel st Paul's Newhaven Phillip Island. 86-16 has in handwriting St Paul's Church of England Boy's Home Newhaven Cowes 6/3/47.on back is written -' We were taken over this.Part in photo is chapel, everything in chapel was made by boys. building at right dormatories."
newhaven boy's home phillip island, photographs
Penguin Parade - "Fairy" Penguins Certificate to indicate "A Lifelong Friend of the Penguins"
Historical
Certificate for "Friends of the Penguins"
certificate, friends of the penguins, phillip island
Superintendant - William Henry Baye - accused of cruelty to 10 year old Rex Simpson, student at the Newhaven Seaside Gardens Home for Boys, resulting in his death.
History
1003-01 Copy of Pakenham-Berwick Gazette newspaper article about the death of two boys at Newhaven Seaside Garden Home. 1003-02 A flyer for the screening of the film "The Killings at Newhaven" written & directed by Joe Fairhurst 1003-03 Photo of the Plaque on Rex Ronnie Simpson and his mother Myrtle Ruby Laurel Simpson's grave at Fawkner Memorial Park 1003-04 Photo of the Grave Stone of Rex Simpson and Myrtle Simpson at Fawkner Memorial Park
newhaven seaside gardens home for boys, rex 'ronnie' simpson, william henry baye, 1930's, joe fairhurt journalist
Cherry McFee was secretary of the Historical Society and is standing in front of the Chicory Display in the Museum
Photo of Cherry McFee holding a Wooden Chicory Scoop in front of the Chicory Display in the museum approx year 2015
chicory scoop, chicory display
Early attempts to have a water supply connected to Cowes. It includes figures on tourism, valuations of local properties, local primary produce and what water they require.
Historical
Foolscap size carbon copy of typed letter. 7pages
The Honourable The Minister for Water Supply. Suggested motions to be put to the meeting of ratepayers, 13 May 1936
water supply, shire of phillip island, agriculture, isle of wight, anderson property, valuations, charmadene, bonnie doon guest house, population, tourism, primary produce, d h robb, r a grayden, h v johnston, j thornborrow, e r scott
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.
