State Library Victoria > La Trobe Journal

No 15 April 1975

74

Select List of Accessions to the Australian Manuscript and Historical Picture Collections, 1974

  • Australian Antarctic Expedition, 1911–1914 — Diary kept by Leslie Russell Blake 19 November 1911–20 February 1914 during the 1911–1914 Antarctic Expedition led by Sir Douglas Mawson. Pres. by Mentone Girls' High School.
    Leslie Russell Blake (1890–1918), a surveyor and geologist, was based on Macquarie Island. His diary includes entries of daily activities including details of scientific findings, and observation of flora and fauna on the island. It includes signatures of members of the 1911–1914 expedition and copies of telegrams sent to Blake by Mawson. During the First World War, Blake served in France where he was awarded the Military Cross. He died as a result of wounds received in action.
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  • Australian Poetry Lovers' Society — Records 1934–1973. Pres. by former committee members of the Society.
    Founded in 1934 by Ethyl Fielding (1884–1962) and her husband George Fielding (1879–1950) the Australian Poetry Lovers' Society was formed to foster an interest in poetry and to work for the publication of work by Australian poets. Following a decline in membership and activity during the late 1960's, the Society made arrangements to merge with the Henry Lawson Memorial and Literary Society in 1974. A brief History of the Australian Poetry Lovers' Society 1934–1973 by Harry Hastings Pearce is included with the records.
  • Bennett, Arthur Campbell — Diaries, personal papers, business and private correspondence c. 1932–1969. 3 feet. Pres. by A. C. Bennett Esq. Part restricted.
    A. C. Bennett, now in retirement, was a soldier settler farmer at Karagulk, Victoria.
  • Boisdale Park — Quarterly account books 1857–1859 and 1864, 1865 and 1867. Pres. by Mrs. O. Foster.
    Boisdale Park, near Maffra in Gippsland, dates from 1842 when T. Macalister occupied the Boisdale Pastoral Run. In 1850, the grazing licence was transferred to the Foster family who continue to occupy the property.
    These records complement a series of Boisdale account books acquired some years ago.
  • Broome, Charles — Notebook containing jottings compiled in the 1920's concerning the suitability of the Cann River district for agricultural settlement. Pres. by I. Broome Esq.
    These draft notes were compiled by Charles Broome, evidently in response to an official request to him as an old settler of the Cann River area, for assistance in assessing the capabilities of the district for soldier settlement.
  • Buggy, Hugh — Notebooks, press cuttings and other papers. 2 feet. Pres, by D. Darke Esq. Hugh Buggy (c. 1898–1974) was one of the original reporters on the staff of the Sun News-Pictorial. He was a noted sports journalist.
  • Carlton Volunteer Rifle Corps — Memoranda and order books (2 vols.) 1863–1866; 1871–1877. Also photograph First Regiment of Victorian Rifles, 1892. Pres. by R. Foxell Esq.
  • Clough, Agnes — Diary of a voyage from London to Melbourne in 1860 written on board the ship Calliance … by Miss Agnes dough of Huddersfield, Yorkshire, afterwards Mrs. John Thornton of Melbourne, Australia. Pres. by Mrs. F. Hood.
  • Clow, Rev. James—Papers, including personal letter to his wife, his daughter Margaret and his son-in-law Rev. William Hamilton, 1832–1864; press cuttings and photographs. Pres. by P. M. Hamilton Esq. and members of the Hamilton family.
    James Clow (1790–1861) arrived in Port Pillip in 1838 where he was the first Presbyterian to conduct public worship in what is now Victoria. In 1859 he was elected first moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Victoria.
  • Conroy, Thomas Mayo — Papers c. 1943–1974. 4 feet. Pres. by Mrs. Jane Carolan. Part restricted. Thomas Mayo Conroy (1906–1974) served in the A.I.F. in the Middle East and New Guinea 1939–1945. An industrial chemist by profession, he was associated for many years with I.C.I.A.N.Z. He was a member of the Board of Management and Chairman, Medical Research Centre, Prince Henry's Hospital. In 1966 he was appointed Chairman of the La Trobe Valley Sewerage Authority and in 1968 Chairman of the West Moorabool Water Board. The papers include material relating to T. M. Conroy's war service and his association with Prince Henry's Hospital and a number of statutory authorities.
  • Darwent, Joseph — Letter to his brother, 11 June 1853. Xerox copy. Original in possession of Miss E. M. R. Wright.
    This long letter, written from Adelaide in South Australia describes Darwent's experience on the Victorian gold fields.
  • Docker Family — Papers and station records c. 1820–1936. 8 feet. Pres. by S. Docker Esq. Rev. Joseph Docker (1793–1865) took up the Bontherambo estate near Wangaratta, Victoria in September 1838 after an overland journey from Sydney. Bontherambo remains in the possession of the Docker family.
    The papers include letters received by Joseph Docker as well as personal diaries and journals. In addition, there are extensive records reflecting the administration of the Bontherambo estate over many years. These include horse breeding and vigneron records. There are also papers relating to the Queensland interests of the Docker family including a series of letters from the Manager of Redcliffe Station 1883–1907.
    A series of original plans and drawings of the Bontherambo homestead which remain in the possession of the Docker family have been photographed and added to the original papers in the La Trobe Library.
  • Dunera (Ship) — Diary and memoranda notebook kept by an internee on board the ship Dunera on a voyage to Australia, and afterwards 1940–1941 (2 vols.). Purchase.
    The Dunera transported 2,400 civilian internees to Australia 1940–1941, together with 300 German and Italian prisoners of war. A Court of Inquiry was later held to investigate allegations of ill-treatment against the internees during the voyage to Australia.
  • Foxcroft, Arthur John — Diaries 1915–1918 and other papers and personal memorabilia relating to service abroad during the First World War. Pres. by Mrs. A. Foxcroft.
    A. J. Foxcroft served in Egypt and France. His diaries include an account of action at Pozieres in 1916.
  • Hagenauer, Rev. Friedrich August — Papers c. 1878–1908 including photographs and a number of published items. 1 foot. Pres. by Miss B. Hagenauer.
    Rev. F. A. Hagenauer (1829–1909) came to Australia in 1858 as a Moravian missionary. With F. W. Spieseke, he set up the Ebenezer mission school for Aboriginals. In 1863, with his wife, he established the Gippsland mission station Ramahyuck at Lake Wellington. With the help of generous subsidies, Ramahyuck became a model Aboriginal settlement.
    An item of particular interest in the collection in the Ramahyuck Visitors Book for the period 1878–1906 which records brief comments on the work of the mission station by many distinguished visitors including members of the Board for the Protection of Aborigines.
  • Hamilton, Rev. William — Papers, including correspondence, biographical notes and press cuttings. 6 inches. Pres. by Miss E. M. Hamilton. Rev. William Hamilton, a Presbyterian clergyman and son-in-law of the Rev. James Clow preached at Goulburn, N.S.W. and the surrounding district from 1837–1846. Following ideological differences with the Presbyterian Synod in Sydney, he overlanded to Port Phillip, arriving in Melbourne in 1847. Receiving an enthusiastic reception from Presbyterians in the Western District, he became incumbent of the Presbyterian Church at Kilnoorat. The papers include two letters from Hamilton to his wife Margaret describing his first visit to the Western District and details of his reception there.
  • Hart, Fritz Bennecke — Collection of musical scores, librettos, notes, programmes, photographs and press cuttings. 4 feet. Pres. by Mrs Fritz Hart.
    Fritz Hart (1874–1949), composer, came to Australia in 1908 as conductor of an opera company brought by J. C. Williamson. Following this tour, he remained in Australia for many years. He resided in Melbourne where he became an influential figure in the city's musical life. In 1915, he succeeded G. W. Marshall Hall as Director of the Melbourne Conservatorium (Albert Street). Following the death of Alberto Zelman in 1928, Hart became conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Hart finally left Australia in 1935 to take up an appointment as conductor of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra.
    This well-preserved series of letters was written collection of Hart's musical scores presented to the State Library of Victoria by Mrs Hart in 1973.
  • Hilgay Station — Day book c. 1848–1868. Pres by L. E. Huf Esq.
    Hilgay Station near Hamilton in the Western District was established early in 1840 by Andrew Pillean.
  • Houston, William Matthew — Diaries 1914–1918 (8 vols.). Pres. by Mrs. L. Houston.
    W. M. Houston served in the 4th Division. Signal Co. during the First World War. His diaries provide a detailed account of his experiences on active service. Following the war, Houston was the honorary organizer and secretary of numerous charitable appeals. In 1955 he was appointed a Life Governor of the Freemasons Hospital. He held the position of Victorian Government Printer 1952–1958.
  • Jones, Hon. John Percy — Papers, including diaries, correspondence, lectures, election speeches, political pamphlets and photographs c. 1898–1947. Pres. by W. Jones Esq.
    John Percy Jones (1872–1955) was a member of the Legislative Council in Victoria 1910–1940. He held various cabinet portfolios in Labor administration between 1924–1932 until his exclusion from the Labor Party. He subsequently joined Sir Stanley Argyle's National Party and held office as Minister of Public Works and Mines until 1935. For a number of years, he was a member of the Council of the University of Melbourne. Amongst correspondence held in the collection are letters from Keir Hardie, E. J. Hogan, Malcolm Macdonald, Tom Mann, Sir Keith Murdoch, R. G. Menzies and Bernard O'Dowd.
  • Knight, Frederick Falkiner — Letters, 1913–1919 written on active service abroad during the First World War. Pres. by F. F. Knight Esq.
    This well-preserved series of letters was written mainly to F. F. Knight's mother, F. F. Knight was, for a number of years, President of the Taxpayers' Association of Victoria.
  • Macredie, Andrew — Collection of silhouettes prepared and annotated by Andrew Macredie 1862 (2 vols.). Purchase.
    This collection of silhouettes offers the only known likenesses of a number of pioneer settlers of the Western District in Victoria.
  • Melbourne Club — Minutes of General meetings 1840–1852; Minutes of meetings of the Committee of Management 1841–1856; and letterbook 1842–1855. Microfilm (1 reel). Originals in possession of the Melbourne Club. Pres. by the Melbourne Club.
  • Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria—Records c. 1857–1938, including minute books, cash books, ledgers and letter books, 3 feet. Dep. on permanent loan by the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria.
  • Prologue spoken on opening of the theatre at Sidney [sic] Botany Bay [1796]. Pres. by Dr. J. M. Chapman.
    The authorship of this prologue has long been a matter of controversy. Legend has it that its author was George Barrington (17557–1804) who reportedly spoke the prologue at the opening of the first Australian theatre in 1796. Informed opinion now holds to the belief that the piece was composed by an actor, Henry Carter.
  • Russell, Robert — Notes and drawings c. 1830–1873 (1 vol.). Pres. by Friends of the La Trobe Library.
    Robert Russell (1808–1900) an architect and surveyor, arrived in Sydney in 1832. In 1836, as a member of the survey party despatched to Port Phillip, he made a plan of the settlement on the present site of Melbourne. This plan later formed the basis of the official survey undertaken by Robert Hoddle.
    The collection of notes and drawings, which was brought together by a daughter of Robert Russell, includes a pen and ink sketch of the huts built near Port Albert in 1841 for survivors of the Clonmel disaster.
  • Wilson, G. — Log book of the Lady Mary Pelham commanded by William Dutton, from Launceston, Van Dieman's Land to the South Seas on a Whaling Voyage, kept by G. Wilson, Surgeon, Launceston, V.D.L. Nov. 13th 1844–3rd May 1845. Pres. by the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria.
    Surgeon Wilson concluded his log at Portland Bay. He evidently established himself in practice in Portland for the remaining pages of the log book record accounts including names of patients treated and charges for various services performed.
  • Forrest, J. Haughton, Captain — S.S. Southern Cros, oil painting, 1878. Pres. by T. N. M. Buesst Esq.
    This is the second work of the well-known Tasmanian marine painter to be acquired by the La Trobe Library.
  • Forster, W. — S.S. Victoria, watcrcolour, 1888. Pres. by T. N. M. Buesst Esq.
  • Furst, Max.—Pastor Douglas Nicholls, portrait in oils, 1965. Painted in Melbourne and presented by the European artist, Max Furst.
  • Gregory, G. F. — S.S. Claud Hamilton, watercolour, undated, Pres. by T. N. M. Buesst Esq.
    ——S.S. Emu, watercolour, 1885. Pres. by T. N. M. Buesset. esq.
    —— SS. Ly-ee-Moon, watercolour, 1885. Pres. by T. N. M. Buesst Esq.
    These three paintings of ships with Victorian associations add interest to the Library's collection of marine paintings by this artist.
  • La Trobe, Charles Joseph — Undated pen and ink sketch of a European scene, probably in the Alps, by C. J. La Trobe, Superintendent of Port Phillip and later first Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria.
    La Trobe spent the years 1824–7 in Switzerland, acting as tutor to the family of the Count de Pourtales. There he became a noted mountaineer and pioneer member of the Alpine Club, publishing two books on the area.
  • Macredie, Andrew—Neil Kennedy, Jack Dobie and R. Rede at the Castlemaine goldfields, 1855, pen and wash silhouette. Pres. by T. N. M. Buesst Esq.
  • Tibbits, W. — Gregg's Plough and Harrow Hotel, next South Brighton railway station, main road to Mordialloc, watercolour, 1881. Pres by T. N. M. Buesst Esq.
    ——J. Lewtas' steam and chaff cutting and corn crushing mills [Maryborough, Victoria] watercolour, undated. Pres. by T. N. M. Buesst Esq. The Library has a growing collection of works of W. Tibbits, chiefly of private residences, hotels and other buildings in the Melbourne and Ballarat districts.