Historical information

This booklet was given to subscribers to the Warrambool Standard newspaper as an almanac for the year 1883. These Standard almanacs were produced from 1875 to 1930. They contain much local information on Warrnambool and district about the businesses, government officials, schools, societies and organizations, harbour management, churches, banks etc. The Warrnambool Standard newspaper was established in 1872 and continues to this day.

Significance

This booklet is of high significance as it contains much valuable information on Warrnambool and district for the year 1883. It is a very valuable research tool for those studying and writing the history of Warrnambool and district. The copy is signed ‘G. Barber’ and probably this refers to the son of George Barber, a well-known solicitor who opened a legal practice in Warrnambool in 1855. He died in 1879 and it appears that a member or members of his family went to live in the Maryborough area as this copy came into the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society via the Midlands Historical Society.

Physical description

This is a soft cover booklet of 72 pages plus several pages of a gardener’s calendar and 20 pages of advertisements. The cover is yellow with black lettering and the spine is partly torn away. There is a fold-out page of the Western District’s railway and coach routes and the pages on the tourist’s guide to Warrnambool are printed in green. The booklet contains several black and white illustrations. There are several pages that are torn with parts of the pages missing. The front cover has the name of ‘G. Barber’ handwritten in black ink.

Inscriptions & markings

‘G. Barber’