The first local government authority for Marong was the Marong Road District (an early form of single-purpose local government), which was proclaimed on 19 August 1860. Its boundary was altered twice in 1862 and on 12 December 1864 it was re designated as a shire. It absorbed Raywood Borough in 1915, and was proclaimed a Rural City in 1990. On 2 December 1994, with the creation of Greater Bendigo City Council, it was abolished by being amalgamated with Bendigo City, Eaglehawk Borough, Huntly Shire, part of McIvor Shire, part of Metcalfe Shire and Strathfieldsaye Shire to form the City of Greater Bendigo. This metal box contained a roll of admission tickets and was possibly used for holding cash at the swimming pool or other municipal facility.

Lockable painted metal box.

Shire of Marong

shire of marong

The first local government authority for Marong was the Marong Road District (an early form of single-purpose local government), which was proclaimed on 19 August 1860. Its boundary was altered twice in 1862 and on 12 December 1864 it was re designated as a shire. It absorbed Raywood Borough in 1915, and was proclaimed a Rural City in 1990. On 2 December 1994, with the creation of Greater Bendigo City Council, it was abolished by being amalgamated with Bendigo City, Eaglehawk Borough, Huntly Shire, part of McIvor Shire, part of Metcalfe Shire and Strathfieldsaye Shire to form Greater Bendigo City.

Painted metal tin with handle on top. Currently locked closed.

Shire of Marong

shire of marong

Medal commemorating the centenary of the establishment of a settlement on Bendigo Creek.

Stokes & Sons pressed medal with gold finish to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Bendigo.

obverse; 1851 / City of Bendigo Centenary / 1951. Reverse: In centre: Coat of arms (Bendigo), Below Progress

city of greater bendigo medals

Alec Sandner was a Strathfieldsaye Shire Councillor from 1982 -1987, Strathfieldsaye Shire President from 1985 – 86 and Mayor of COG Bendigo 2011 - 2012. These cuff links would have been worn during official events, such as council meetings.

Matching set of two cuff links worn by Alec Sandner while serving on the Shire of Strathfieldsaye Council. Cuff links are metallic (gold) with the circular Shire coat of arms. The coat of arms are represented in full colour.

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Alec Sandner was a Strathfieldsaye Shire Councillor from 1982 -1987, Strathfieldsaye Shire President from 1985 – 86 and Mayor of COG Bendigo 2011 - 2012. These name badges would have been worn during official events, such as council meetings.

Three name badges worn by Alec Sandner while serving on the Shire of Strathfieldsaye Council. All three badges are metallic with the circular Shire coat of arms above a rectangle name plate. The coat of arms are represented in full colour, name and titles are printed in black. 0146.1 Mr. Alec Sandner 0146.2 Cr. Alec Sandner 0146.3 Cr. Alec Sandner / Shire President

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A4 size, twelve pages printed on cream coloured paper stock. Front cover illustration of Law Courts. Page 2, full page photograph of Mayor and Mayoress Sandner. Report includes photographs throughout. Includes financial reporting.

non-fiction

alec and helen sander, mayor sandner, mayoress sandner, city of bendigo mayor, city of bendigo

Held in Melbourne from the 22nd November to 8th December, the 1956 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad or the Melbourne Olympics were the first held outside of Europe or the USA. This programme was originally enclosed with book 'Australia, Land of the Southern Cross' as is a visitors guide to Australian states and cities.

Colour printed programme. 15, [1] pages. Illustrated. Colour printed front and back cover based on the Olympic ring colours. Inside pages printed in red and black. Contents include an official programme listing all the events, venues and dates; photograph and map of Olympic grounds and Village; a guide to facilities and services available to visitors during the Olympic Games and lists of Australian cities and towns with brief statistics and description for each listing. Includes an introduction by Frank Selleck, Lord Mayor of Melbourne ; Maurice A. Nathan, Chairman, Olympic Civic Committee.

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Danish brothers, Moritz, Julius and Jacob Cohn arrived in Bendigo in 1853 and by 1856 started making cider and soft drinks, building a brewery 1880 to further extend their commercial enterprises and stock their hotels with their own brand of beer. Having sent Moritz's son, (also Julius) to Germany to learn to brew, the Cohn Brothers began to produce Excelsior Lager in 1882, which was traditionally served cold, the first time this had been done in Australia. Overtime the Cohn brothers expanded their operations adding cordials and in 1916 produced a non-alcoholic beer to satisfy the temperance activists. Cohn Brothers built an empire of breweries, cordial factories, hotels and liquor stores and ice works. In 1925 they sold the hotels and breweries to Carlton & United but continued to make their other products until the 1970s when the company became part of the Coca Cola Amatil Group. These Cohn's Cobber Member pins relate to the Cohn's Cobbers TV Club which was sponsored by Cohn's Soft drinks. The Cobbers TV Club was an afternoon children's variety program modelled on the Tarax Show. When local TV station BCV8 opened in Bendigo they broadcast Cobber’s teleclub in their afternoon timeslot for young viewers. Jacob Isaac Cohn was born in 1830 (died 1911) in Horsens Denmark and entered the Sandhurst Borough Council in 1863 where he served as a member for three years, returning again in 1887 to serve as Mayor of the City of Bendigo from 1888-1889. Jacob Cohn was a great supporter of the Mechanics Institute, the Hospital and the Benevolent Asylum. It is believed that through his connection with the Mechanics Institute he exhibited some loaned engravings from the Dresden Art Gallery which were then donated to the City of Bendigo, forming the nuclei of the Art Gallery's collection. Jacob Cohn held the position of President of the Art Gallery for 18 years.

Two small multi coloured member pins. Gold coloured metal and fastening pin on back. Brown, white and green inner sections with gold text on front.

Cohns / Cobber / Member

mayor jacob cohn, city of bendigo commerce, cohn brothers, cohns

Danish brothers, Moritz, Julius and Jacob Cohn arrived in Bendigo in 1853 and by 1856 started making cider and soft drinks, building a brewery 1880 to further extend their commercial enterprises and stock their hotels with their own brand of beer. Having sent Moritz's son, (also Julius) to Germany to learn to brew, the Cohn Brothers began to produce Excelsior Lager in 1882, which was traditionally served cold, the first time this had been done in Australia. Overtime the Cohn brothers expanded their operations adding cordials and in 1916 produced a non-alcoholic beer to satisfy the temperance activists. Originally named Tonic Ale but re-named 6 o’clock Lager after the temperance advocates succeeded in having pubs close at six o’clock. This badge is just one example of branded items which would have been used to further promote the company. Cohn Brothers built an empire of breweries, cordial factories, hotels and liquor stores and ice works. In 1925 they sold the hotels and breweries to Carlton & United but continued to make their other products until the 1970s when the company became part of the Coca Cola Amatil Group. Jacob Isaac Cohn was born in 1830 (died 1911) in Horsens Denmark and entered the Sandhurst Borough Council in 1863 where he served as a member for three years, returning again in 1887 to serve as Mayor of the City of Bendigo from 1888-1889. Jacob Cohn was a great supporter of the Mechanics Institute, the Hospital and the Benevolent Asylum. It is believed that through his connection with the Mechanics Institute he exhibited some loaned engravings from the Dresden Art Gallery which were then donated to the City of Bendigo, forming the nuclei of the Art Gallery's collection. Jacob Cohn held the position of President of the Art Gallery for 18 years.

Large metal badge

Call for / Cohn / Cohnstantly

mayor jacob cohn, making a nation, city of bendigo commerce, cohn brothers, cohns

Medal commemorating the centenary of the establishment of a settlement on Bendigo Creek.

(.1) Small, circular, gold pin with blue and green enamel. below. (.2) Seventeen numbered paper envelopes containing single pin.

Face of pin has the City of Bendigo Coat of Arms in relief with 'City of Bendigo' above and 'Centenary 1851 - 1961'

city of greater bendigo medals

The Bendigo School of Mines was opened in 1873 following the first report of the Technological Commission in 1869 which recommended the establishment of schools of design and science to meet the scientific and technical needs of the mining industry on the local gold fields. Initially mining, chemistry, geology, metallurgy and art were taught while a separate school of design was established in c. 1870 but incorporated into the School of Mines around 1883 when it was renamed as the School of Mines and Industry. In 1904 The Mechanics Institute was liquidated and its assets and buildings acquired by the School of Mines. Around 1907 a Junior Technical School commenced to operate at the School of Mines and Industry but ceased operating in 1961 with that function being transferred to the White Hills and Kangaroo Flat Technical Schools.

Obverse; Ornate relief design made up of a coat of arms with mining icons in each quarter flanked by flags on either side. Per varios usus artem experientia fecit written in scroll underneath. Translation: Practice has brought skill through different exercises. (Manilius) Reverse; Outer wheel Bendigo School of Mines and Industries. Inner; 1873 /Jubilee /1923

Obverse; Per varios usus artem experientia fecit Reverse; Outer wheel Bendigo School of Mines and Industries. Inner; 1873 /Jubilee /1923

city of greater bendigo education, bendigo school of mines

The Boer War took place from 11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902. Also known as the Anglo–Boer War, or the South African War, the conflict was fought between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics (the South African Republic and the Orange Free State) over the Empire's influence in Southern Africa. As part of the British Empire, the Australian colonies offered troops for the war. Samuel McGowan was born in North Ireland in 1845, immigrating to Australia in 1870. He arrived in Bendigo 1871 and having worked in a large engineering works at home was quickly able to find management work in foundries, later opening a legal manager's office growing this into one of the largest of its type in Bendigo. Samuel McGowan was elected a member of the City Council in 1883 and was elected Mayor in 1885 and again in 1899, resigning as a councillor in 1901. He was the treasurer of the Bendigo Hospital, a senior member of the Zenith Lodge and president of the Bendigo Agricultural and Horticultural Society. Samuel McGowan and Kate Goyne from Epsom married on 29th August 1874. Samuel died in 1921 aged 76 and Kate in 1930 aged 78. This plaque was probably attached to a commemorative board such as an honour board, however its whereabout are unknown.

Engraved plaque in the shape of a flag and flag pole. Four small holes indicate that it was previously attached to a larger commemorative board.

Flag; Special functions by / Mayor & Mrs McGowan / entertainment and distribution of Comforts to the / Bendigo Soldiers Contingent prior to their / departure for the Boer War. / Reception at the Town Hall / Ball to the Citizens. / Entertainment of distinguished visitors, etc.etc.etc / Flag pole; F. Prescott

mayor mcgowan, councillor s h mc gowan, mayoress mcgowan

The Sandhurst Industrial Exhibition was held in Sandhurst at the Market Building and Corn Exchange and was opened by the Marquis of Normandy on the 17th March 1879. Modelled on a similar event held in Ballarat the previous year which was largely aimed at displaying the work of juvenile artisans, the Sandhurst Exhibition was more general in its purpose and provided more space for the general exhibition of products, natural and manufactured from the broader surrounding district. The opening event included a procession of all the friendly societies, fire brigades and other local institutions.

Obverse Description; Bendigo Coat of Arms Reverse Description; (Text only) Edge Description; Plain

Obverse Description: Progress Ernst A Altmann Reverse Description: Sandhurst Industrial Exhibition / 1879 / Awarded to / George R Bennett / South Yarra / Inlaid Marble / Chess Table

city of greater bendigo medals, sandhurst industrial exhibition 1879

This type of album was created by agents auctioning and selling land.

Large portfolio style album with black cloth cover bound with three large metal pins. Blue marbled pastedown endpapers. Seventy nine pages, seventy five with Department of Lands and Survey maps attached. No index page. Maps have handwritten notes and markings throughout in pencil and pen. Covers the Counties of Bendigo, Rodney, Gladstone and Talbot and Parishes of Kerang, Salisbury, Mandurang and Tarnagulla. Includes a hand written note on William Wallace & Co letterhead.

city of bendigo commerce

This type of album was created by agents auctioning and selling land.

Large portfolio style album with green cloth cover bound with three large metal pins. One hundred and then pages with thirty three Department of Lands and Survey maps pasted in. Index page. Maps have handwritten notes and markings throughout in pencil and pen. Covers the Counties of Bendigo, Rodney, Talbot, Gunbower, Gladstone, Tatchera and Karkarooc, Shires of East Loddon and Huntly and Swan Hill District.

This type of album was made by agents auctioning and selling land.

Large portfolio style album with dark green / black cloth cover bound with three large metal pins. Forty eight pages with twenty seven Department of Lands and Survey maps and newspaper clippings about land sales and auction details pasted in. Index page. Maps have handwritten notes and markings throughout in pencil and pen. Covers the County's of Gunbower and Tatchera. Includes a receipt slip with hand written notes on reverse on William Wallace & Co letterhead.

city of bendigo commerce

Danish brothers, Moritz, Julius and Jacob Cohn arrived in Bendigo in 1853 and by 1856 started making cider and soft drinks, building a brewery 1880 to further extend their commercial enterprises and stock their hotels with their own brand of beer. Having sent Moritz's son, (also Julius) to Germany to learn to brew, the Cohn Brothers began to produce Excelsior Lager in 1882, which was traditionally served cold, the first time this had been done in Australia. Overtime the Cohn brothers expanded their operations adding cordials and in 1916 produced a non-alcoholic beer to satisfy the temperance activists. Originally named Tonic Ale but re-named 6 o’clock Lager after the temperance advocates succeeded in having pubs close at six o’clock. This ashtray is just one example of branded bar items which would have been supplied to hotels who served Cohns beverage to further promote the company. Cohn Brothers built an empire of breweries, cordial factories, hotels and liquor stores and ice works. In 1925 they sold the hotels and breweries to Carlton & United but continued to make their other products until the 1970s when the company became part of the Coca Cola Amatil Group. Jacob Isaac Cohn was born in 1830 (died 1911) in Horsens Denmark and entered the Sandhurst Borough Council in 1863 where he served as a member for three years, returning again in 1887 to serve as Mayor of the City of Bendigo from 1888-1889. Jacob Cohn was a great supporter of the Mechanics Institute, the Hospital and the Benevolent Asylum. It is believed that through his connection with the Mechanics Institute he exhibited some loaned engravings from the Dresden Art Gallery which were then donated to the City of Bendigo, forming the nuclei of the Art Gallery's collection. Jacob Cohn held the position of President of the Art Gallery for 18 years.

Glass rectangle ashtray with shaped corners for resting cigarettes. Text printed in reverse in red ink on bottom of ashtray.

Cohn Bros / C.B. / Soda Water

mayor jacob cohn, bendigo art gallery, bendigo masonic lodge, making a nation, city of bendigo commerce, cohn brothers, cohns

Danish brothers, Moritz, Julius and Jacob Cohn arrived in Bendigo in 1853 and by 1856 started making cider and soft drinks, building a brewery 1880 to further extend their commercial enterprises and stock their hotels with their own brand of beer. Having sent Moritz's son, (also Julius) to Germany to learn to brew, the Cohn Brothers began to produce Excelsior Lager in 1882, which was traditionally served cold, the first time this had been done in Australia. Overtime the Cohn brothers expanded their operations adding cordials and in 1916 produced a non-alcoholic beer to satisfy the temperance activists. Originally named Tonic Ale but re-named 6 o’clock Lager after the temperance advocates succeeded in having pubs close at six o’clock. This drinks tray is just one example of branded bar items which would have been supplied to hotels who served Cohns beverage to further promote the company. Cohn Brothers built an empire of breweries, cordial factories, hotels and liquor stores and ice works. In 1925 they sold the hotels and breweries to Carlton & United but continued to make their other products until the 1970s when the company became part of the Coca Cola Amatil Group. Jacob Isaac Cohn was born in 1830 (died 1911) in Horsens Denmark and entered the Sandhurst Borough Council in 1863 where he served as a member for three years, returning again in 1887 to serve as Mayor of the City of Bendigo from 1888-1889. Jacob Cohn was a great supporter of the Mechanics Institute, the Hospital and the Benevolent Asylum. It is believed that through his connection with the Mechanics Institute he exhibited some loaned engravings from the Dresden Art Gallery which were then donated to the City of Bendigo, forming the nuclei of the Art Gallery's collection. Jacob Cohn held the position of President of the Art Gallery for 18 years.

Circular metal drinks tray. White tray with red rim and red 'Cohns Since 1857' logo and 'Quick to Quench' slogan printed in centre.

'Quick to Quench' / Cohns / Since 1857

mayor jacob cohn, bendigo art gallery, bendigo masonic lodge, making a nation, city of bendigo commerce, cohns, cohn brothers

This limited edition board game was produced in conjunction with local businesses and attractions and sponsored by the Bendigo Development Committee. Supported by the five local municipalities (pre amalgamation) and both State and Local governments, the role of the Committee was to promote Bendigo's economic development.

Boxed board game. Yellow box lid featuring photographs of popular sights around Bendigo on right side and a family playing the game on the left on lid. Inside box includes game board, playing cards, dice and game rules. 0345a; Fold out game board. Commercially printed with a full colour stylised map of Bendigo and Eaglehawk. 0345b Set of 96 Destination Cards single side printing on coloured card 0345c Set of 32 Surprise Cards 0345d Paper money 0345e Player tokens 0345f Set of dice 0345g Letter to Players re the board game and local businesses on 'Bendigo Premier Town' letterhead. 0345h Three printed pages of discount vouchers for local businesses. 0345i Game Rules

city of bendigo premier town 1982-85, city of bendigo commerce

Premier Town Awards are awarded by the Victorian State Government to regional communities that best protect and enhance their environment through innovative initiatives. The award recognizes success in litter prevention, waste management and environmental projects and is designed to encourage tourism. In 1982 - 1985 Bendigo was named Victoria's Premier Town and an official dinner was held at the Town Hall, Bendigo on October 5, 1985.

Two large gold coloured medals manufactured to promote the awarding of 'Premier Town' to Bendigo from 1982 - 1985. 0349a,b; Front face is has raised image of poppet head and text, reverse is blank.

Front face; Premier Town Advancement Award / Bendigo / Premier Town / Victoria 1982 - 1985

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When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established the responsibility for the nation's mail and telephone services fell on Post Offices. The Bendigo Post Office, built in 1887 and continued to deliver communication and postal services until 1997. Ted Rankins was the last Post Master at the Bendigo Post Office and a long term telegraph volunteer post his retirement. Now a Visitor Centre, dedicated volunteers at the Post Office continued to demonstrate and educate the public about the daily workings of the Post Office up until 2019 when Covid 19 disrupted every day life. This sign was issued to Ted during his time working at the Post Office and is part of the postal collection donated by the Rankins family in memory of Ted.

Yellow plastic desk plate. Made from one piece of plastic which has been folded to make the 'A' frame shape. Name printed on front.

MR. E. RANKINS

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Electrical telegraphs were point to point text messaging systems primarily used from the 1840's until the late 20th century. It was the first electrical telecommunications system and were sent by an operator or telegrapher using Morse code. Social telegrams were also encouraged and special pictorial forms and envelopes were designed such as the special purple form and envelope which was used when conveying condolence details during World War 2.(fn. Powerhouse https://collection.powerhouse.com.au/object/163103). There was a brief resurgence in telegraphy during World War I but the decline continued as the world entered the Great Depression years of the 1930s.  Although telegraph lines continued to play an important part in distributing news feeds from news agencies post World War 2, the rise of the internet in the 1990s and the widespread installation of the telephones in homes saw the need for telegrams to greatly decline. When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established the responsibility for the nation's mail and telephone services fell on Post Offices. The Bendigo Post Office, built in 1887 and situated on Pall Mall was the central distribution centre for receiving and delivering telegrams and continued to deliver communication and postal services until 1997. Now a Visitor Centre, dedicated volunteers at the Post Office continued to demonstrate and educate the public about telegraphic services and the development of this unique form of communication up until 2019 when Covid 19 disrupted every day life, coupled with the death Ted Rankins (the last Post Master and a long term telegraph volunteer at the Post Office). This belt buckle was used on the leather satchels used by Junior Postal Workers in Bendigo to carry telegrams which were delivered by bicycle in the early years. The buckle is part of the postal collection donated by the Rankins family in memory of Ted Rankins.

Circular belt buckle from telegram delivery satchel belt. Inner buckle depicts the Greek deity Hermes who personifies the transmission of information and was adopted as an allegorical representation of the function of postal services.

Outer buckle; Post Office / Communications / Australia. Centre top outer buckle; emu, kangaroo and shield Inner buckle; Hermes (left facing)

bendigo post office, bendigo tourism, city of greater bendigo tourism, post office collection, ted rankins collection

When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established and the responsibility for the nation's mail and telephone services fell on Post Offices. The Bendigo Post Office, built in 1887 and situated on Pall Mall was the central distribution centre for receiving and delivering telegrams and continued to deliver communication and postal services until 1997. This stamped, addressed Commemorative Pictorial Postmark envelope celebrates the 1951 Bendigo Gold Centenary Philatelic Exhibition. Registered, postmarked 02 July 1951.

Printed and stamped envelope featuring an image of a poppet head on the left and four commemorative stamps celebrating 100 years of gold top right. Letter is addressed.

Obverse Top left; $30 Centre top and bottom; various pencil markings Lower right; T. Clark / 5 Princes St / Oakleigh s.12 / Vic Reverse- Two red pencil lines Centre - postal stamps

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When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established the responsibility for the nation's mail and telephone services fell on local Post Offices. The Bendigo Post Office, built in 1887 and is situated on Pall Mall, it was the central distribution centre for receiving and delivering communication and postal services until 1997 and is now the Bendigo Visitor Centre. The Dead Letter Office, aka Mail Distribution Centre's job is to reunite the mail with their owners and to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the mail. This item is part of the postal collection donated by the Rankins family in memory of the last postal manager at the Bendigo Post Office, Ted Rankins.

Printed brown paper which folds into an envelope.

O.H.M.S / Postmaster - General's Department / P.M. 29. / Dead Letter Mail / Date Stamp / Office of Despatch / to the / Dead Letter Office / Enclosed are Articles

ted rankins collection, bendigo post office, bendigo tourism, city of greater bendigo tourism, post office collection

When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established the responsibility for the nation's mail and telephone services fell on Post Offices. The Bendigo Post Office, built in 1887 and situated on Pall Mall was the central distribution centre for receiving and delivering telegrams and continued to deliver communication and postal services until 1997. Now a Visitor Centre, dedicated volunteers at the Post Office continued to demonstrate and educate the public about the daily workings of the Post Office up until 2019 when Covid 19 disrupted every day life and Ted Rankins, the last Post Master and a long term telegraph volunteer at the Post Office, died. Manuals were issued to postmen to guide them in the delivery of letters and parcels and were small enough to be carried with them. This manual was used by the Bendigo Post Office postmen and is part of the postal collection donated by the Rankins family in memory of Ted Rankins,.

Small, creamed coloured cloth covered manual. Contains forty four printed pages and two blank end pages covering all aspects of how to correctly deliver the post. Topics include 'Behaviour', 'Deceased Persons' and 'Bicycles' amongst many others. Book is bound and contains many extra additional paragraphs stuck in on appropriate pages noting changes and amendments. Additional amendments in handwritten red pen also occur on pages 28, 29 and 36.

Front cover; Postmen's Manual / Australian Post Office Various annotations and updates throughout.

ted rankins collection, bendigo post office, bendigo tourism, city of greater bendigo tourism, post office collection

Electrical telegraphs were point to point text messaging systems primarily used from the 1840's until the late 20th century. It was the first electrical telecommunications system and were sent by an operator or telegrapher using Morse code. Social telegrams were also encouraged and special pictorial forms and envelopes were designed such as the special purple form and envelope which was used when conveying condolence details during World War 2.(fn. Powerhouse https://collection.powerhouse.com.au/object/163103). There was a brief resurgence in telegraphy during World War I but the decline continued as the world entered the Great Depression years of the 1930s.  Although telegraph lines continued to play an important part in distributing news feeds from news agencies post World War 2, the rise of the internet in the 1990s and the widespread installation of the telephones in homes saw the need for telegrams to greatly decline. When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established the responsibility for the nation's mail and telephone services fell on Post Offices. The Bendigo Post Office, built in 1887 and situated on Pall Mall was the central distribution centre for receiving and delivering telegrams and continued to deliver communication and postal services until 1997. Now a Visitor Centre, dedicated volunteers at the Post Office continued to demonstrate and educate the public about telegraphic services and the development of this unique form of communication up until 2019 when Covid 19 disrupted every day life, coupled with the death Ted Rankins (the last Post Master and a long term telegraph volunteer at the Post Office). This book was issued to Junior Postal Workers in Bendigo to guide them in the delivery of telegrams and designed to fit into their delivery satchels and carried while on the job. In the early years telegrams were delivered by bicycle and this manual is part of the postal collection donated by the Rankins family in memory of Ted.

Small, blue, vinyl covered manual. Contains thirty printed pages covering all aspects of how to correctly deliver telegrams. Topics include 'Loss of telegram', 'Undelivered Telegram', 'special Delivery' and 'Beware of Dogs'. Bound with two ring metal clip.

Front cover; Australian Post Office / Telecommunications Division / Telegram / Delivery / Instructions / Headquarters / 1962 Various annotations and updates throughout.

ted rankins collection, bendigo post office, bendigo tourism, city of greater bendigo tourism, post office collection

Electrical telegraphs were point to point text messaging systems primarily used from the 1840's until the late 20th century. It was the first electrical telecommunications system and were sent by an operator or telegrapher using Morse code. Social telegrams were also encouraged and special pictorial forms and envelopes were designed such as the special purple form and envelope which was used when conveying condolence details during World War 2.(fn. Powerhouse https://collection.powerhouse.com.au/object/163103). There was a brief resurgence in telegraphy during World War I but the decline continued as the world entered the Great Depression years of the 1930s.  Although telegraph lines continued to play an important part in distributing news feeds from news agencies post World War 2, the rise of the internet in the 1990s and the widespread installation of the telephones in homes saw the need for telegrams to greatly decline. When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established the responsibility for the nation's mail and telephone services fell on Post Offices. The Bendigo Post Office, built in 1887 and situated on Pall Mall was the central distribution centre for receiving and delivering telegrams and continued to deliver communication and postal services until 1997. Now a Visitor Centre, dedicated volunteers at the Post Office continued to demonstrate and educate the public about telegraphic services and the development of this unique form of communication up until 2019 when Covid 19 disrupted every day life, coupled with the death Ted Rankins (the last Post Master and a long term telegraph volunteer at the Post Office). This satchel was used by Junior Postal Workers in Bendigo to carry telegrams which were delivered by bicycle in the early years.

Small, rectangle, leather satchel with attached shoulder strap and buckle. Satchel is made of five pieces of leather: two side pieces, one piece which is folded to create the front, bottom, back and flap and two small pieces to hold strap ring. The flap has a single hole through which a metal toggle is inserted to secure the flap closed. Satchel has four metal tabs to secure the top front to the top sides and an internal pocket on inside. The leather strap is attached to the top of the side seams of the satchel with circular metal rings and two metal press studs.

Inside flap: Sticker with '540B'

bendigo post office, bendigo tourism, city of greater bendigo tourism, making a nation exhibition, post office collection

Electrical telegraphs were point to point text messaging systems primarily used from the 1840's until the late 20th century. It was the first electrical telecommunications system and were sent by an operator or telegrapher using Morse code. Social telegrams were also encouraged and special pictorial forms and envelopes were designed such as the special purple form and envelope which was used when conveying condolence details during World War 2.(fn. Powerhouse https://collection.powerhouse.com.au/object/163103). There was a brief resurgence in telegraphy during World War I but the decline continued as the world entered the Great Depression years of the 1930s.  Although telegraph lines continued to play an important part in distributing news feeds from news agencies post World War 2, the rise of the internet in the 1990s and the widespread installation of the telephones in homes saw the need for telegrams to greatly decline. When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established the responsibility for the nation's mail and telephone services fell on Post Offices. The Bendigo Post Office, built in 1887 and situated on Pall Mall was the central distribution centre for receiving and delivering telegrams and continued to deliver communication and postal services until 1997. Now a Visitor Centre, dedicated volunteers at the Post Office continued to demonstrate and educate the public about telegraphic services and the development of this unique form of communication up until 2019 when Covid 19 disrupted every day life, coupled with the death Ted Rankins (the last Post Master and a long term telegraph volunteer at the Post Office). This satchel was used by Junior Postal Workers in Bendigo to carry telegrams which were delivered by bicycle in the early years and is part of the postal collection donated by the Rankins family in memory of Ted.

Small, dark coloured rectangle, leather satchel with attached belt and ornate buckle. Satchel is made of four pieces of leather: two side pieces, one piece which is folded to create the front, bottom, back and flap and one piece for the central strap. The central strap has a single hole through which a metal toggle is inserted to secure the flap closed. Stitching is evident around the side seams, around the metal toggle and inside flap where strap is attached and has been reinforced. Satchel has four metal tabs to secure the top front to the top sides and an internal pocket on inside. The leather belt is attached to the back outside of the satchel with four metal press studs. The left side buckle also has reinforced stitching. Both sides of the buckle have decorative elements with the words Post Office / Communications/ Australia on the left side around outer circular edge. Underside of right side of buckle end has the words AROS pressed into it.

Inside flap of satchel; Australia / Post / Telegram / Boys written in marker. Buckle; Post Office / Communications / Australia. Underside of right side of buckle end; AROS Internal; Gold address sticker with Ted Rankins contact details.

ted rankins collection, bendigo post office, bendigo tourism, city of greater bendigo tourism, post office collection

Used by the City to receive feedback from the community.

Top opening, hinged wooden box with latch. Top of box has a letter size opening for depositing written suggestions. Engraved plate on front of box.

City of Greater Bendigo / Suggestion / Box / Strictly Confidential

city of greater bendigo administration item

Business Directories such as this were common right up until the widespread use of the internet and search engines such as Google to find information. Universal Business Directories were a company which sought advertisers from local areas to offset the cost of producing the directories. This directory includes a history of Bendigo, map and recipes as well as extensive listings for local business, trades and services.

50 page, three colour commercially printed business directory designed to by hung beside the telephone. Includes advertising and listings for a wide variety of local businesses. Includes a page of recipes and information for emergency services.

city of bendigo, city of bendigo commerce