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.
Spiral bound photocopy pages entitled 'Goldrush letters'
Compiled by Rob Wilson of Narre Warren, Victoria
Benjamin William Stocks was his great grandfather (b.1828) who migrated to Melbourne in 1854.
Rob Wilson made it known that these letters are for research purposes only and not for publication
Rob Wilson
Dad & Dave Cafe was located in Pall Mall Charing Cross Bendigo. It was opened by dairy farmer and milk bar owner Les McClure in 1939.
A small plate 16 centimetres diameter and two centimetres high. It's white with a blue trim on the edge and a blue circular logo -DAD & DAVE BENDIGO with Dad and Dave faces in the middle. . On the back is a maker's logo- "DURALINE" SUPER VITRIFIED GRINDLEY HOTEL WARE Co LOFTUS MORAN PTY.Lo MELBOURNE 12-53
ceramics, dad and dave bendigo, leslie thompson mcclure
Fourteen pages booklet with grey cover and small red rope tying the pages together. On the front Golden Bendigo, the forest city Victoria...Australia. Panoramic view of Pall Mall, Bendigo and other photographic reproductions of views of the city. Printed and published by Cambridge Press, Bendigo.
bendigo, golden bendigo, photographs of bendigo
Dad& Dave Cafe was located in Pall Mall Charing Cross Bendigo
A small plate 16 centimetres diameter and two centimetres high. It's white with a blue trim on the edge and a blue circular logo -DAD & DAVE BENDIGO with Dad and Dave faces in the middle. . On the back is a maker's logo- "DURALINE" SUPER VITRIFIED GRINDLEY HOTEL WARE Co LOFTUS MORAN PTY.Lo MELBOURNE 12-53
ceramics, loftus moran melbourne, "duraline" grindley hotel ware co england, dad and dave bendigo
Three typewritten letters. The first one dated 22nd January 1945 is a report on the native labour conference held in Sydney the 1st of December 1944. The second, dated 16th March 1945 is from the Chairman of the Pacific Island Natives Welfare Association to the Minister of External Territories, the Hon E.J. Ward asking for the minister consideration to the situation of some young people from Nauru living in Geelong. The third dated 24th April 1945 is from the Chairman of the Pacific Island Natives' Welfare Association, replying to Rev. T.H. Indian, Forest Street, Bendigo, thanking him for local rotary support and outlying the aims of the association going forward. Also included a brown envelope addressed to L.J. Ellifson, Esq C/o The International Harvester Co of Australia Ltd, North Shore. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.
nauru, pacific island, natives welfare association
Two pages typewritten document titled: "Recruitment of Teachers" on getting children of suitable attitude and ability, of sixth grade upwards, interested in teaching as a career. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.
teaching, education
Gillies Pies was started by three brothers from Charlton, in central Victoria, Les, Alan and Norm Gillies who left their farm after the 1940s drought and headed to Bendigo to start anew. From their first small bakery in Mitchell Street, the brothers eventually went on to employ about 200 people with wholesale and retail locations spreading across the state and distribution including Melbourne.
A small bowl 14 centimetres diameter, three centimetres high and a dinner plate 24 centimetres diameter, three centimetres high. Both are cream coloured with a green trim on the edge and a green circular logo - GILLIES BROS PASTRYCOOKS BENDIGO, with a pie in the middle. On the back of each is a maker's logo- "DURALINE" SUPER VITRIFIED GRINDLEY HOTEL WARE Co LOFTUS MORAN PTY.Lo MELBOURNE 12-53.
gilles pies, ceramics, loftus moran melbourne, "duraline" grindley hotel ware co england
John Ellison was a teacher at Wail primary school in the 50's before moving to Natimuk primary in 1956
Five pages typewritten report of a teachers' conference held in Horsham (most likely in the 50's).
Several corrections in red pen.
primary teachers, horsham
One-page handwritten reference letter from the principal of Tooan to the Secretary of the Education department in Melbourne. The letter is dated 02/02/1940. In the letter the principal, Mr. Robert Grey, gives a glowing reference for Leslie John Ellison. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.
tooan, reference, school teacher
Four pages programme of Christmas carols. A programme of appropriate Christmas music arranged by the Dimboola junior chamber of commerce, conductor: Mr. B.L. Dalitz, pianiste: Mrs. Stephan. In association with the Dimboola citizens' band conducted by Mr. S. Lehmann in the Dimboola Park Thursday, December 22, 1955, at 8pm. The are two copies of the same programme. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.
christmas carols, dimboola
Two letters of reference issued by the Shire of Arapiles to Mr. John Ellison. The first dated 18th September 1941, the second 23rd September 1941. Mr. Ellison worked for the shire for nine months as assistant and acting secretary in a capable and courteous manner. Signed by John T. Head (President), W.G. Grant (Councilor), William Sinclair (Secretary). Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.
local government, shire of arapiles
John Ellison worked as an English teacher at migrant camps near Horsham in the 1950's
Typewritten letter to Mr. L.J. Ellison, Wail via Dimboola from the Commonwealth of Australia Universities Commission dated 09/08/1950. The letter advises Mr. Ellison that a numbers of copies of the textbook "English for newcomers to Australia" revised edition would be sent for use in the classroom. The letter is signed F.H. Williamson (Officer in charge). Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.
teaching, enlish as a second language, horsham
Seven pages typewritten essay titled: "just a fleeting glimpse of a portion of Victoria" (as seen during the springtime of 1944). In the essay John Ellison describe a journey he took from Melbourne to the northwestern part of Victoria, the various towns he went through and some of the people he met. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.
northwestern victoria, 1944
A collection of writings by John Ellison on various topics. Probably done during the 1940's. The letters are all type written. Titles are: "Seaside thoughts", "Just another front", "A glimpse into the past", The opening Geelong railway station", "Be popular", "Housing". Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.
geelong railway, seaside, geelong buildings
Two handwritten letters by John Ellison. Date and addressee unknown. The first letter written on a Municipal Clerks' Board letterhead describe life as a law student. The second is titled "Lambing season in Victoria. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.
lambing, farm life, law
John Ellison worked part time with migrant workers in the Wimmera somewhere in the Wail - Dimboola area.
Two typewritten documents, the first of four pages titled: New Australians, the second of three pages titled: Primary industry and labour (migrant reference). The first one is signed by L. John Ellison S.S. Wail 10/02/1950. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.
A note in pen on first page signed by P. Ellison and dated 04/09/2018
new australians, migrant workers
A six pages document titled: "The visit of the Duke of Edinburgh to Australia 1867". Author unknown. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.
duke of edinburgh, 1867, royal visit
Writings on various topics. Some are glued inside a notebook. Two others are on loose pages. The notebook has a view of a lake/river with several small villages on the banks. location unknown. Topics are: "The Australian Aboriginals", ' The Great Pastland Movement", Problem of Urban Planning" and "the Plea of Youth".
On the cover and on the first page a stamp: L.J. Ellison A.I.M.A.
australian aborigines, pastoralist movement, urban planning
Six pages typewritten document titled: Axedale Waterworks Trust - Duties of Secretary. The document is signed by M. Brennan (acting secretary). Date stamped "Strathfieldsaye 21 Mar 1963. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.
axedale, axedale waterworks trust, secretary, 1963
"Can Can" is a musical in two acts, music by Cole Porter and book by Abe Burrows.
Bendigo Operatic Socety Music Programme for "Can Can" - a musical in 2 acts, opening for 6 nights, 16th, 17th 18th, 23rd, 24th and 25th November 1972 - A5 booklet with 16 pages - booklet consisting of lists of individuals participating and organizing the concert, advertisements, acknowledgments, synopsis of story and scenes. Included also are cast, musical numbers and Orchestra.
programme, concert, bendigo operatic society, capital theatre
"The Student Prince" is an Operetta in four acts, music by Sigmund Romberg and book and lyrics by Dorothy Donnelly, based on W. Meyer-Forster's play "Old Heidelberg".
Bendigo Operatic Socety Music Programme for "The Student Prince" - a musical in 4 acts, opening for 6 nights, 15th, 16th 17th, 22nd, 23rd and 24th June 1972 - A5 booklet with 16 pages - booklet consisting of lists of individuals participating and organizing the concert, advertisements, acknowledgments, synopsis of story and scenes. Included also are cast, musical numbers and Orchestra.
programme, concert, bendigo operatic society, capital theatre
James Ferguson Mahoney was born in Bendigo in 1901. He enlisted in the RAAF in 1941 and was dicharged in 1945.
Reference for Mr. J F Mahoney (assistant manager at Myer Bendigo) dated 26th June 1941 for admission to RAAF. Reference is on Myers, Pall Mall & Williamson Streets, Bendigo letterhead. Cream coloured paper/
social history, myer business history
Three pages handwritten document of what looks like an early draft of a short story or novel set in the Australian bush. Probably written by John Ellison in the 1940s. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.
australiana, native bush, draft, short story
Gillies Pies was started by three brothers from Charlton, in central Victoria, Les, Alan and Norm Gillies who left their farm after the 1940s drought and headed to Bendigo to start anew. From their first small bakery in Mitchell Street, the brothers eventually went on to employ about 200 people with wholesale and retail locations spreading across the state and distribution including Melbourne.
A double-sided sign, both sides are identical. A yellow sign with red writing, GILLES curved above the face of a boy eating a pie. GB. In blue writing, PIES & PASTIES. Baked Fresh Daily. There are three holes on each side for mounting.
gilles pies, signs
"Annie Get Your Gun" is a musical loosely based on the life of Annie Oakley. Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin.
Bendigo Operatic Socety Music Programme for "Annie Get Your Gun" - a musical in 2 acts, opening for 6 nights, on 18th, 19th and 20th November and 25th, 26th and 27th November - A5 booklet with 16 pages - booklet consisting of lists of individuals participating and organizing the concert, advertisements, acknowledgments, synopsis of story and scenes. Included also are cast, orchestra and musical numbers.
programme, concert, bendigo operatic society, capital theatre
John Ellison was working in Geelong for a few years during the war. He did not join his brothers and father in the army as he was rejected on medical grounds. This rejection related to a severe eye problem.
A five-page typewritten report of a speech that the general manager of the Geelong theatre company in the early 1940s on the state of the motion picture industry at the time. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.
motion picture, geelong
invitation to Myer Christmas Party 1947
Invitation from Mr. A H Lawrence to Miss D Bulbeck and Mr. J Snell to Myer's Christmas Party to be held at the YMCA Hall on Monday December 22nd 1947 at 8 PM. Crimped edge on card.
social history, myer business history
Music by Vivian Ellis and lyrics by A.P. Herbert, the third of five musicals they wrote together.
Bendigo Operatic Socety Music Programme for "Bless the Bride" - a musical in 2 acts, opening for 5 nights, commencing Friday 18th June, 1971 - A5 booklet with 12 pages - booklet consisting of lists of individuals participating and organizing the concert, advertisements, acknowledgments, synopsis of story and scenes. Included also are cast, orchestra and musical numbers.
programme, concert, bendigo operatic society, capital theatre
City of Bendigo mayoral acceptance of invitation for Myer manager.
Mayor of Bendigo, Cr. JCM Jeffrey, accepts the invitation of the Management and Directorate of Myer Bendigo to attend a dinner on the 28th January 1970; at the Shamrock Hotel in honour of the occasion of his retirement of Mr. JF Mahoney as Manager of Myer Bendigo. Acceptance on the City of Bendigo letterhead, written 12th January 1970.
social history, myer business history
This document was part of a media campaign to have Mr. Gray, the boss, of the nursery at Wail reinstated to that position after being forced to retire. the media campaign was successful.
A five pages typewritten document titled: The Wimmera Forest nursery and what it has to offer to Northwestern tree growers by L. John Ellison. The document was sent to the editor of the Educational Magazine in Melbourne. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.
On front page in pencil: Mr. Gray
wimmera, wail nursery
"The King and I" is the fifth musical by Rogers and Hammerstein
Bendigo Operatic Socety Music Programme for "The King and I" - a musical in 2 acts, opening for 5 nights, commencing 6th June, 1969 - A5 booklet with 16 pages - booklet consisting of lists of individuals participating and organizing the concert, advertisements, acknowledgments, synopsis of story and scenes. Included also are cast, musical numbers, Orchestra, and details of the ballet "The Small House of Uncle Thomas".
programme, concert, bendigo operatic society, capital theatre
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.
