We are pleased to announce the grand re-opening of our museum within the brand new Cowes Cultural Centre on November 1, 2023. The revitalized museum will showcase captivating digital narratives complemented by a remarkable array of artifacts, all dedicated to illuminating the vibrant tapestry of our shared cultural history.
Items used in Research for Book - "Penguin Land" by Gregor Buchanan
Historical
1162-01 Article from the Wonthaggi Express - Penguin Parade Admission 1162-02 Brochure called "The Short Way to Cowes" detailing taking the train from Flinders Street Railway Station, Melbourne to Stony Point then by Ferry to Cowes 1162-03 Pg 1 & 2 - Souvenir Programme "Music for the People" to be held weather permitting on the Cowes Foreshore at 2pm February 20th, 1955 1162-04 - Card - Drawing of a Fur Seal - one of the 5000-odd Seals on Seal Rocks, as seen from The Nobbies Road House, Phillip Island 1162-05 Pg 1 & 2 - Cowes - Dandenong Road Service showing Daily Road Route and connection from Dandenong to Flinders St. Melbourne. Time Table to and from Cowes to Dandenong
"penguin land" book, gregor buchanan, penguins, seals, ferry, stony point to cowes, cowes to dandenong
Churchill Island - Lieut. James Grant visited 21 March - 9 April 1801 and planted seeds. Story of the development of the Island and people who lived on it.
Churchill Island History and Her Story by Patricia Baird, 3rd Edition. Revised by Christine Grayden and David Maunders
As Above
churchill island, patricia baird, christine grayden, david maunders, george bass, james grant
Holiday promotion information including Phillip Island and Westernport
Historical
Newspaper Article "Pleasure Island" by David Aldridge. Article describing early life, wildlife, history etc. of Phillip Island and District
As above
phillip island, tourism, wildlife, history
Part of the History of Chicory Farming on Phillip Island
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Framed photograph - McIlwraith's Chicory Kiln - built 1904
McIlwraith's Chicory Kiln built 1904
chicory kiln, mcilwraith
The Miller family were one of the early settlers on Phillip Island. Robert Miller selected land in Ventnor in 1868. His daughter, Catherine, later lived nearby with the neighbouring bay named after her, Kitty Miller Bay.
Historical
Book - Scotland to the Island and the call of the land. Large Book
Scotland to the Island. and the call of the land. Warwick Nelson & Martin Brabon
miller family, kitty miller bay phillip island, catherine walker (nee kitty miller), warwick nelson, robert miller, farming, ventnor
Social event held on 6 March 1999, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of The Continental and Warley Hospital
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Beige coloured booklet with drawings and printed information , including the program, menu of the celebration. Also a brief history of The Continental and Warley Hospital.
warley hospital, the continental hotel, greg price, peter royce
Meeting at Erehwon to promote the re--establishment of the Historical Society
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Newspaper article by Miss Edith Jeffery from The Wonthaggi Sentinel 1967.
Phillip Island's Historical Soc by Miss Edith Jeffery
phillip island and district historical society, cr dawson davie, miss edith jeffery, mrs s.d. hardy, detective piggit, detective phophy, cr. papworth, stan harris, kingston gardens
1995 display
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Coloured photo of a Historical Society display of an old fashioned general store showing items for sale and posters
lifestyle, grocery shop cowes, phillip island historical society, photograph, phillip island museum cowes
Tourist information on Phillip Island attractions from the 1970s
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Glossy coloured booklet containing large coloured photos of buildings, animals and tourist attractions.
phillip island, tourist brochure, hotels, cowes, aerial views, alice robinson
The first Anglican Church in Cowes was opened in January 1870. It was used also as a school and for social events.
Historical
An A5 typed booklet with black and white photos containing the order of service and a brief history of the church. Also a copy of the Parish Paper 2 February 2020, which includes a tribute to Una Lyons.
st philip's church of england, sesquicentenary, cowes anglican church phillip island, una lyons
The postcards were inherited by Alice Robinson, nee Giles-Clark, daughter of Phyllis Matthews, granddaughter of Henry and Evelyn Matthews. [William's adopted parents] They lived at Mona Vale, Cowes. Alice's son, Neil Robinson and daughter in law, Maggie Geddes, did the research to give them some context. They had to guess or deduce the order of them as most are undated. William Gothorp W H C C Company, 37 Battalion No. 3306.
Historical
A4 spiral bound booklet containing photocopied pages with black & white photos, text, records, newspaper cuttings and postcards sent from William Gothorp, fighting in WW1, back to family in Phillip Island.
army ww1, ww1 phillip island soldiers, william gothorp, alice robinson (nee clark), neil robinson, spanish infuenza, london, carisbrooke guesthouse
Personal memories of a member of the Talbot family on growing up in San Remo mentioning education, lifestyle, fishing industry and many local families.
Historical
Photocopy of a 13 page typed booklet. It does not contain photographs.
san remo, education, fishing industry, miss tabart, bagley, small family, talbot family, frank talbot
The Harmony Bells were created by internationally renowned artist Dr Anton Hasell. Originally installed in 2012 at the Phillip Island Cultural Centre, costing $60,000, they weigh about 100 kilograms each. These unique sculptures were unfortunately stolen, only to be miraculously recovered from a ship in 2021, where they were destined for scrap metal. They had been stripped of their gold and adornments. They have been restored and were reinstalled at Berninneet in 2024.
Historical
2 laminated A4 sheets. One is a coloured photograph of Dr. Anton Hasell with the individual scultured cast tops of the brass bells. The other is a typed explanation of the meaning of the bells.
sculpture, harmony bells, dr. anton hasell, berninneet
History of motorcar racing on Phillip Island
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Coloured soft cover book includes two sections of black and white and coloured photos. Written by John Smailes. Published by Allen & Unwin 2024
John Smailes Best selling author of Mount Panorama
phillip island car racing, motor car racing, grand prix circuit phillip island, ken lukey, wayne gardner, a.k.t sambell, herbert austin, lindsay fox
Lock family were early settlers of Rhyll. Captain John Barnard Lock was a sea captain involved in oystering and carrying cargo at Rhyll.
Historical
4 sepia portraits, one is a duplicate, of Elsie and Myrel Lock. 4 certificates - 2 confirmation, Temperance Union and Examination. 2 church newsletters, and a coloured postcard of Rhyll.
Very little except Elsie written on small photo and Temperance pledge.
captain john barnard lock, myrel lock, lock family, rhyll, elsie lock, william john lock
Photos were taken from the Facebook page " Antique Post Cards". Permission was obtained form the administrator to use these.
Historical
A series of old sepia, black & white, coloured postcards, Rose, Robb brothers, Photo shop Series, Victorian Railways series, Valentines, Hislop, Punch, Airspy of Phillip Island and San Remo scenes.
speke, genester house, newhaven, lover's walk, cowes baths, summerland beach, san remo pier, cowes beach, aerial photo, cowes 1950s, bridge 1940, san remo, shell tea rooms, ss genista, estelle star, churchill island, isle of wight hotel, lover's walk cowes
Rhyll church controversy was over money raised by the local people.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
