Eurobin Falls in Mount Buffalo National Park

 The forecast predicted a 90% chance of rain, on Thursday 29 January 2021.

It rained all day as a consequence we were the only ones hiking to the top of the waterfall. 

The view was spectacular normally the water flow is but a trickle but today we were well rewarded for our efforts.

Halfway up the waterfall

At the top of the waterfall

The very wet climb down to the bottom again. And managing the camera was not an easy task.

By the time we got back to our holiday camp we were wet through to the skin

It is a girls weekend that we will remember for a long time into the future.

Sepia Saturday: Using [not so] Old Images As Prompt for New Reflections – Prompt 555

The URL for this post is: https://ancestralresearchjournal.blogspot.com/2021/01/eurobin-falls-in-mount-buffalo-national.html

Copyright © 2021, Sandra Williamson

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email via the Contact form on the Blog.

An All Male Ensemble

The only person identified in the below photo is Alfred Edward Leigh Ellis, the Zither player (born 15 October 1865 in England), he and his zither is identified by a small cross at the bottom of the photo.

Photographic Studio, Oxide Street, Alfred Edward Leigh Ellis zither player, circa 1910, Broken Hill, Victoria, Australia [T168]

Unfortunately, the address for the photographer has been cut off during the scanning process, but it is presumed to be “Oxide Street” in Broken Hill, New South Wales. Alfred married his first wife in 1898 in Minindee not far from Broken Hill.  The couple lived in Perth, only returning to New South Wales before his wife died.

"BUTCHERS.-The fortnightly MEETING of the COASTAL JOURNEYMAN BUTCHERS' UNION will take place at the Hotel Australia, East. Fremantle, TO-NIGHT (Monday), 22nd inst., at 8 o'clock.

A.E.L. ELLIS, Secretary." 

Alfred worked as a butcher, baker & pastry cook, he may even have worked for his first wife's father, William Ah Chung, who later in life ran a market garden but also had a bakery. Later Alfred moved to Port Pirie in South Australia after he married his second wife in 1908. He also became a smelter Employee around 1918 possibly at the Broken Hill Associated Smelters Proprietary Limited in Port Pirie, South Australia.

So what was Alfred doing accompanying a violinist and other musicians? I wish I knew, I've done extensive searches on TROVE and discovered that were all sorts of musical events and concerts going on in Broken Hill between 1910-1920. Events were held outdoors in Rotundas, some in the local Skating Rink (that seem to have been in process of becoming an early picture theatre) plus fundraiser events in Halls, Churches and schools.

There was also the “Annual Smoke Concerts of the Broken Hill branch of the Australian Natives’ Association, in celebration of the landing of Captain Cook”, in Australia [natives not referring to indigenous Australians but to European settlers born in Australia].  

But the one that made me smile the most was the Salvation Army Self Denial Concert.

If only photographs could talk. 

Sepia Saturday: Using Old Images As Prompt for New Reflections – Prompt 554

Sources for Images:

• Digital image from Authors personal collection scanned by Yvonne Marshall from Winsome Kirwan's Private photo collection

Sources for Text:

• Advertisement for Union meeting 1902 'Advertising', The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), 22 December, p. 10. , viewed 24 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article24850847
• William Ah Chung of Meninidie, lease granted for Vegetable garden in Livingstone, Wambah; Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Government Gazettes, 1853-1899 [database on-line]. from 1 January  1897 to 31 December 1921, granted 1897, page 2653; Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.
• William Ah Chung, baker residing in Meninidie. Ancestry.com. Sands Directories: Sydney and New South Wales, Australia, 1858-1933 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. year 1907, listed in page beginning with Allen under Country Alphabetical Listing.
• 1910 'A DARLING RIVER GARDEN.', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 21 December, p. 7. (Christmas Supplement To THE BARRIER MINER), viewed 24 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45131853
• Sunday Concerts in the Skating Rink which held up to 2000 people which showed films accompanied by music. - 1910 'SUNDAY CONCERTS.', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 21 February, p. 5. , viewed 23 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45101142 & 1910 'SUNDAY CONCERTS.', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 28 February, p. 1. , viewed 23 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45101886
• “The Broken Hill Band played at the Central Part Rotunda, The Broken Hill Mouth Organ Band played at the North Reserve Rotunda” - 1910 'BAND CONCERTS.', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 28 February, p. 1. , viewed 23 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45101888
• ‘West Suburban Band’ played in the Hillside Rotunda - 1910 'BAND CONCERTS.', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 7 March, p. 5. , viewed 23 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45102829
• Philharmonic Society which played at Correl’s Hall - 1910 'PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 3 June, p. 5. , viewed 23 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45113369
• Annual Smoke Concert of The Broken Hill branch of the Australian Natives’ Association the celebrated the arrival of Caption Cook to Australia [natives not referring to indigenous folk but to white settlers born in Australia]. - 1910 'AUSTRALIAN NATIVES' ASSOCIATION.', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 30 April, p. 6. , viewed 23 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45109098
• Salvation Army Self-Denial Concert.- 1910 'SALVATION ARMY SELF-DENIAL CONCERT.', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 13 October, p. 1. , viewed 23 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45143062
• 1910 'BAND OF HOPE CONCERT.', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 24 February, p. 3. , viewed 23 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45101630 - 1910 'BAND OF HOPE CONCERT.', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 24 February, p. 3. , viewed 23 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45101630

Sun Umbrellas

An umbrella is a circular canopy of cloth on a folding wooden or metal frame usually supported by a central rod. They are used for protection and come in all sizes. Some can be large pieces of furniture that cover entire cafe or picnic tables. Others are set up at the beach to help protect bathers from the hot sun. Lastly, there are portable umbrellas for personal use for those out and about in the weather. 

What is the difference between handheld umbrellas and parasols?
Broadly speaking an umbrella usually has a curved handle to allow for easy grip and most commonly associated with rain. A parasol is typically constructed from more delicate fabrics such as lace, cotton, silk, linen, and often used to give shade from the sun. 

Parasols also are often are used as photo props, below are two such examples: -

A touch of the exotic

A photograph handed down through the generations, shows an oriental umbrella, made of bamboo and paper being used as a prop, said to have been taken in Margate beach in Kent, England.

Photographer unknown, Group photo, circa 1920, Margate, Kent, England. [walk003]

The only person identified in the photograph is Emma Amelia Lovell nee James, (born in 1861 in Middlesex, England) who sits on the front left. Emma would have around 60 years of age at the time.

The other people in the photograph have not yet been identified, although there are enough similarities in facial features to suggest that they all related, particularly when comparing the eyes, suggesting that it may well be a generational photo.

The photograph appears to be taken inside a studio with a painted background that includes a depiction of the Margate lighthouse. Why would you go to the beach in Margate and have a simulated photo of the beach taken? Perhaps they were attending the seaside funfair located at Margate, Dreamland, and this was one of the theme parks attractions.

Dress-Ups

Thelma was the youngest of seven children and the granddaughter of Emma Amelia Lovell nee James.

Photographer unknown, Thelma Walker holding an umbrella, aged 3, circa 1930, 15 Albion St, Essendon, Victoria, Australia. [walk010]

Thelma never met her grandmother as they lived oceans apart, so the exchange of photographs would have been very precious – something worth getting dressed up for.

Sepia Saturday: Using Old Images As Prompt for New Reflections – prompt 553

Sources for Images:

• Authors personal collection

Sources for Text:

• Personal conversation and interview(s) by Sandra Williamson with Thelma Ward circa 2010.
• Wikipedia contributors, "Dreamland Margate," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, (accessed January 16, 2021).
• Website, The South East Archive of Seaside Photography (SEAS) (accessed January 16, 2021)
• Facebook Group Genealogy- Dating old photographs  initiated on 14 January 2021

The Bumpy Beginings of Public Transport in Eaglehawk Victoria Australia

Living in 2021 it's easy to forget how hard it must have been to get around when my grandmother was in her late teens and early 20s. Myrtle grew up in the mining town of Eaglehawk, in-country Victoria, where she lived until 1922 when the whole family moved to nearby Bendigo.

Before the introduction of trams in 1888, the only public transport between the two towns was horse and cab. Initially, there was an attempt to operate Battery powered Electric trams. Unfortunately, the batteries ran out in 14 km rather than the anticipated 48kms; the service collapsed after 3 months of operation. In 1892 steam trams replaced the ill-fated battery-powered trams, making the trip between Eaglehawk and Bendigo around 40 minutes. A further upgrade in April 1903 saw the introduction of electric trams (without batteries) begin to operate.

As Myrtle grew older she caught the tram, on Route 26, to go to work in Bendigo until her parents moved there.

The above portrait was taken as Myrtle was recovering from influenza which she caught in the later-half of 1920. Much to her horror, her head was shaved twice as part of her treatment but when it eventually grew back she was delighted that her hair begun to curl.

A year after this portrait was taken the family moved from Eaglehawk to Bendigo.

Sepia Saturday: Using Old Images As Prompt for New Reflections – prompt 552 

Sources for Images:

W. T. P, 1908. A Tram on Main Street, Eaglehawk, Victoria [picture]. (http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/f/1o9hq1f accessed 10 January 2021)

Rose Stereograph Co, 1920. MITCHELL STREET, BENDIGO, VIC. [picture].  http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/f/1cl35st/SLV_VOYAGER1644175  accessed 10 January 2021)

Gainsborough Photo Studio, Portrait of Myrtle Bassett around the age of 12, Prahran, Victoria, Australia circa 1921, Sandra Williamson’s private Collection. [B031]

Sources for Text:

Kirkwood, Aylene. & Hanson, Bev. & Eaglehawk Heritage Society (Vic.). 2006, Eaglehawk : welcome back / Aylene Kirkwood & Bev Hanson Eaglehawk Heritage Society [Eaglehawk, Vic.] page 90

Bendigo Tramways Website, The Bendigo Tramsways Story, https://www.bendigotramways.com/images/stories/pdf/thebendigotramwaystory.pdf accessed 10 January 2021

Myrtle Sharp conversations with Sandra Williamson (author) prior to 2008