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Have a question? Contact Healesville Sanctuary Heritage Centre
Report of curriculum of school and its intended participation in Healesville Sanctuary's programs.
Story on lack of support by State and Federal governments for cultural programs at Worawa College in Healesville. This article represents a continued connection between Aborigal communities and Healesville Sanctuary.
Newspaper article
Circular sew-on cloth badge. Teal background with gold embroidered emu and the words: HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY VICTORIA AUSTRALIA around the outer edge. Red stitched border; grey backing.
emu, embroidered patch
Mr Alf Wright, Keeper, presented this photograph to the Sanctuary on 2nd August 1957
This is one of a few remaining 1920s photographs of the sanctuary. Only photo in this collection of the front gate. Historically, scientifically and socially important to the State of Victoria.
Sepia photograph. Original photograph. Donated.
This photograph has an inscription on back donating it to the sanctuary. "'Dr Colin Makenzie, at the Main Entrance. Early 1930s. Australian Institute of Australian Research, Breeding & Experimental Reservation. Presented by Mr. Alf Wright, who was employed here at the time as a keeper. 2.8.57 WRG" - Note: Inscription states 1930s but should be 1920s
sir colin mackenzie, 1920s
The first platypus to be bred in captivity was at the Sir Colin MacKenzie Sanctuary (now known as Healesville Sanctuary) in 1943. The birth was mainly thanks to the efforts of David Howells Fleay who was the director of the Sanctuary at that time. It was approx 50 years until another was born in captivity. In 1998 another was bred at Healesville Sanctuary. Since then attempts at breeding platypus have been largely unsuccessful.
This DL envelope was used at the time of the 50th anniversary of the first breeding of a platypus in captivity. The envelope is pale yellow with brown wording and a brown and green image of David Fleay's book, "We breed the Platypus". There are 2 Australian 40 cent stamps on the envelope, featuring a swimming platypus and it has been franked with a circular stamp depicting "Corrie" the platypus. On the back of the envelope in brown wording is some general information about the platypus and also details of the first breeding .
Franking: HEALESVILLE VIC 3777 25th FEBRUARY 1994 FIRST PLATYPUS BRED IN CAPTIVITY / 50th ANNIVERSARY / "CORRIE"/
stationery, envelope, healesville-sanctuary, platypus, first-breeding, anniversary, fleay
The brochure features newspaper articles and snapshots of Healesvile Sanctuary in the 1930's.
This is a 4 page pamphlet printed on yellow A3 paper and folded in half. It features activities and information relating to the 60th anniversary of the Healesville Sanctuary. Print is dark green. The back page has a map and opening times of the various exhibits and "Meet the Keeper" times. Includes 3 photographs from old newspapers.
healesville-sanctuary, holiday-program, 60th-anniversary, official-opening, map
Black leather hard covered Visitor book. Includes many overseas and VIP visitors, including Princess Alexandra
visitors, book, healesville-sanctuary, brolga-room
This book was held in the Brolga Room - th Healesville Sanctuary function room
Red imitation leather Visitors' Book with gold lettering and border on front cover. Contains handwritten visitors' names with remarks
visitors, book, healesville-sanctuary, brolga-room
One of 2 identical wooden plaques created to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the first breeding of a platypus in captivity. On the face of the plaque are 2 brass plates. The upper one is screwed to the wood and is slightly oval in shape and has a swimming platypus in the centre. The other plate, attached with 4 brass nails, describes the occasion and acknowledges the involvement of Australia Post.
1. AUSTRALIA / PLATYPUS 2 To commemorate the 50th Anniversay / of the first breeding of a PLATYPUS/ in captivity - February 26th 1944 / Healesville Sanctuary and Australia Post / Working Together
plaque, platypus, breeding, first-time-breeding, healesville-sanctuary, anniversary
Framed schedule of 1996 Admission Fees for Sir Colin MacKenzie Zoological Park and Melbourne Zoological Gardens. Frame is in dark brown with a gold border close to the glass. Document is printed on a single sheet of A4 paper and was possibly faxed.
Typed on lower edge: "6/06/1996 3:21 PM STZOO"
admission, entrance-fee, healesville-sanctuary, sir-colin-mackenzie-zoological-park, melbourne-zoological-gardens
This bag was used for purchases made at the Healesville Sanctuary Retail Outlet possibly during 1990's. Compare with 000002
Series of 3 brown paper bags using the Healesville Sanctuary 3 platypus logo (3 stylised platypus swimming in a circle) in dark green. The 2 larger bags also feature logos and identification of Melbourne Zoo and Victoria's Open Range Zoo Werribee. The Melbourne Zoo design is of 3 gorillas and Werribee has 2 zebras. The third bag is smaller and features the platypus design on the front and back of the bag. Dark green wording is also appears on each of the bags.
HEALESVILLE / SANCTUARY / MELBOURNE / ZOO / VICTORIA'S/ OPEN RANGE ZOO / AT WERRIBEE/ FILDESBAG - (03) 9598 8988
paper-bag, gorillas, platypus, zebra, logo
Rectangular metal plaque documenting the opening of the reptile display by the Minister for Conservation during 1970's. Yellow writing partly erased due to poor cleaning.
"REPTILE DISPLAY / OPENED BY / THE HONOURABLE / W. A. BORTHWICK, M.P. / MINISTER FOR CONSERVATION / ON 19TH NOVEMBER, 1976 / SIR JOHN JUNGWIRTH .. GRAEME G. GEORGE / CHAIRMAN .. DIRECTOR "
plaque, healesville-sanctuary, reptile, minister-for-conservation, borthwick, graeme-george
This tea pot was used in the original Kiosk at Healesville Sanctuary during the 1940's
Paramount medium-sized 2 pint silver teapot; functional classic design is similar to ones used in hotel dining rooms during the 1940's - quite plain with no markings or embellishment. Long spout, handle with swirl on upper side and marble-sized knob on lid. Larger in diameter at bottom than at the top.
Stamped on base - "PARAMOUNT / PLATE / BEST QUALITY / EP NS AI /WARRANTED / HARD SOLDERED / K G LUKE MELB / 2 PT"
teapot, k-g-luke,
Armbands of this type were worn by female keepers in the early days of the Healesville Sanctuary. This band belonged to keeper Marion Mason (nee Barber).
Home made arm band. Small panel of blue cloth worn as identification. Has two elastic ties attached to the sides and is embroidered diagonally across the panel.
"Sanctuary" embroidered in white cotton diagonally across the panel.
healesville-sanctuary, arm-band, identification-badge, keeper
One child and three adult admission tickets to the Sir Colin MacKenzie Sanctuary issued by Sir Colin MacKenzie Sanctuary Management Committee. Child ticket is printed on thin fibrous pink card, adult on green. The three adult tickets remained joined; issued from a roll. Cost of entry for child 6 pence, adult 1 shilling.
SIR COLIN MACKENZIE SANCTUARY/ MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE/ Admit One/ CHILD/ 7645/ 6d Miller, Melb. SIR COLIN MACKENZIE SANCTUARY/ MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE/ Admit One /ADULT / 33838 1/- Miller, Melb.
ticket, admission, entry, healesville-sanctuary, sir-colin-mackenzie, management-committee
Original postcard featuring black and white pen and ink sketch of a platypus. Landscape in background; water in foreground. Name of artist in right hand lower corner of card. Also Sanctuary identification printed on front and reverse of card.
THE SIR COLIN MACKENZIE SANCTUARY, HEALESVILLE A. JORDAN/FROM A PHOTOGRAPH
platypus, sir-colin-mackenzie, healesville-sanctuary
This side plate and accompanying pieces were used at the original Healesville Sanctuary Kiosk during the 1930's and 1940's.
Small souvenir side plate. White glazed ceramic with gold rim. The plate has four images around the outside edge: a wedge-tailed eagle, koala and baby and 2 smaller wattle blooms with leaves.
"HORATIUS" TRAINED HUNTING EAGLE/ THE SANCTUARY HEALESVILLE
healesville-sanctuary, wedge-tailed-eagle, koala, plate, kiosk
Shakers would have been used at the Healesvile Sanctuary kiosk during the 1930's and 1940's.
Souvenir ceramic pepper and salt shakers. Two gold bands on upper section. Both shakers have identical image of a native cat family on one side. Skakers are mainly white in colour but have blue and yellow above and below the image.
NATIVE CAT FAMILY/ BADGER CREEK SANCTUARY
healesville-sanctuary, native-cat, salt-shaker, pepper-shaker, kiosk
This book was used as a visitors' book prior to the official opening of the Healesville Sanctuary. This first entry was 6 March 1934 and the last 18 March 1959.
A very early Visitors' Book for Sir Colin MacKenzie Sanctuary. Black hardcovers with gold leaf printed label. Cloth bound. End papers in marble effect.
Names of the Sir Colin MacKenzie Sanctuary Committee on title page. Includes signatures of Sir Colin MacKenzie and Lady Winifred MacKenzie, Julian Huxley, Keith and Elizabeth Murdoch, 1956 Olympic teams etc.
visitors, committee-of-management, healesville-shire-council, colin-mackenzie-sanctuary-committee
Souvenir small jug used at the original Healesville Sanctuary Kiosk in the 1930-1940 era. There is an image of Horatius the Wedge-tailed eagle on the side. This eagle gave visitors a 'close-up' view of this huge bird as he sat on the side of the long bridge. The Kiosk is now restored as the Heritage Shelter and can be seen at the Sanctuary
Small souvenir milk jug, with handle. White ceramic with gold rim and gold stripe on handle. Wedge-tailed eagle in flight on one side.
Inscription on side of jug ."HORATIUS' TRAINED HUNTING EAGLE THE SANCTUARY HEALESVILLE "
healesville sanctuary, wedge-tailed eagle, horatius, kiosk, jug
A promotional car sticker of Healesville Sanctuary specialising in Australian Fauna and Flora. This item was displayed at the front entrance to encourage visitors to purchase and promote the Sanctuary. This car sticker was a very popular and sought after souvenir selling for 25 cents contributing to the Sanctuary's income.
Healesville Sanctuary was the first institution to breed platypus in a total captive situation.and is also the only institution in the world to breed Lyrebirds
A promotional circular car sticker depicting a lyrebird tail in full display above a platypus side on. Has dark green border at ouside edge of sticker; colours are black, gold and green. Sticker is in a wooden glass frame and has a dynamo label glued to upper edge of glass. There are 2 eye hooks screwed into the upper edge of frame.
Inscription on car sticker is "Sir Colin MacKenzie Sanctuary" on the bottom half of the perimeter circle. With "Healesville" at top of perimeter of circle. At the top of the inner circle the word "Victoria" is placed above a green horizontal band which reads "The Wild-life Sanctuary".
healesville-sanctuary, first-institution, breeding, platypus, lyrebird
This carry bag was used in the 1980's to carry items bought at the Healesville Sanctuary Shop. Many bags have been used since the inception of the shop and this is one of many used over the years. It is interesting to note that paper was used widely throughout the early years and in latter years as the Sanctuary became more dedicated to preservation of the environment, more environmentally-friendly materials have been used.
This is a white paper carry bag. The illustration in black and white is of a family group of grey kangaroos; 5 adults and joey. A light green basket-weave pattern forms the background. It has rafia handles and is inscribed with the name of the Healesville Sanctuary underscored in red.
Inscription on the lower edge of the paper bag reads "HEALESVILLE / SANCTUARY / A TRULY AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE". On the underside of the bag it reads "For Re-order B.S.B. (03) 801 9255"
paper-bag, shop, healesville-sanctuary, grey-kangaroo, kangaroo, 1980's
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.
