Sep 15

Paddle Steamer Gem, Pioneer Settlement, Swan Hill

From the information panel just before going aboard,  the Gem was built in 1876 as a barge, but a year later "was fitted with’4 40 horsepower steam engine, wood fired boilers and upper works enabling her to be employed carrying freight and passengers on the River Murray as a steamer. In 1882, she was "cut...

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Aug 31

Horse-drawn Omnibus

Larger photo Part of the horse-drawn vehicle collection at Swan Hill's Pioneer Settlement. The horse-drawn Omnibus was a French invention which came to Australia via England in the mid nineteenth century, it was the equivalent of the modern suburban bus. Similar to the Family Wagonette in that it has parallel side seats, panelled sides and...

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Aug 31

Horse-drawn Hearse

Larger photo Part of the horse-drawn vehicle collection at Swan Hill's Pioneer Settlement. This Hearse was manufactured in Scotland, probably towards the end of the nineteenth century, and was imported for use in the suburbs of Melbourne. Once horse-drawn hearses started to fall out of favour with the more modern citizens of the City, it...

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Mar 15

Lower deck, P.S. Gem

Larger image Lower deck on P.S. Gem, at the Swan River Pioneer Settlement. From information panel on post: ENGINE ROOM Following her conversion from barge to paddle steamer in 1877, this space would have been filled with the large, wood fired boiler which provided the steam for the engine. That was linked directly to the...

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Feb 15

Upper Deck, P.S. Gem

Upper deck on P.S. Gem, at the Swan River Pioneer Settlement. THE WHEELHOUSE The nature of river travel on the ever changing Murray River required that the Captain have good visibility in order to guide his vessel through the pitfalls of snags, changing river levels and sand bars. From his perch high up in the...

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Jan 26

Central Deborah Mine, Bendigo – above ground

At its peak, Central Deborah Gold Mine reached a depth of 412 metres. It has 17 separate levels and 15 kilometres of drives and cross cuts (tunnels). The Central Deborah was very much a hands-on mine and the conditions that the miners worked in would be considered shocking by today's standards – being lowered underground...

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Jan 26

Safe

Jennings of 278 Post Office Place advertised safes for sale from 1891 to 1917. (Just prior to that, their address is 272 Post Office Place/Little Bourke Street. Advocate (Melbourne), 24 November 1917

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Nov 15

Music Saloon, P.S. Gem

Music Saloon on P.S. Gem, at the Swan River Pioneer Settlement. From information panel on door: MUSIC SALOON The Music Saloon was added in 1982 to cater to the needs of the increasing number of passengers who travelled on cruises and holidays and wanted somewhere on the boat where they could entertain themselves. It was...

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Oct 19

Western Electric Film Projector

Located in Neil Pitt's Menswear in Launceston, which was formerly the Majestic Theatre, Launceston.   WESTERN ELECTRIC FILM PROJECTOR 1929 This carbon arc projector was one of two main projectors used in the Majestic Theatre between 1929 and the early 60's. It was most recently kept as part of the collection of Geoff Scholes who...

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Sep 15

Paddle Steamer Cabin

Larger image Cabin on P.S. Gem, at the Swan River Pioneer Settlement. From information panel: PASSENGER CABINS For all her luxurious fittings elsewhere, the cabins on the Gem were simple and straightforward, if not a little on the small size. It was joked that cabins were kept deliberately small in order to reduce the number...

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Aug 25

Cellar, Woolmers

At Woolmers Estate, near Longford. The steps down to the cellar are at the end there, on the other side of the railing. At the top is an information panel that says: CELLARS Part of the original construction of the weatherboard homestead. The Cellar rooms are paved in sandstone flags and have a ceiling height...

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Jul 16

Tram

Larger version. Restored tram, belonging to Hobart City Council. First paragraph: TRAM NO. 39 Built in 1917 as a two-man tram. No. 39 was originally operated by both a driver and a conductor. In 1926 it was converted to a one-man tram on which the driver was also required to collect the fares. After about...

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Jul 12

Miners’ Tents, Sovereign Hill

Larger version Replica miners' tents on goldfields at the Sovereign Hill open air museum. See also Miner's Hut (wooden tent) & Tents, Chinese Camp Same tent as previous photo Same tent as previous photo, interior Soggy tents, due to rain Interior of a different tent

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