Letters from Ballarat survivors recount a perilous sea ordeal
Clift Williams shares a vivid account of the Ballarat torpedo scare and sinking near Plymouth. He describes convoy break up, floating on rafts, rescue by destroyers, and the ship's slow capsize before towing to safety. The tale notes the 66 day voyage, 1700 aboard, and relieved men reaching Salisbury Camp. Patrick Barry also survives after witnessing the torpedo path.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ballarat
Clift Williams
W. Williams
Submarine Guard
Jax
Plymouth
Falmouth
Devonport
Royal Garrison Artillery
Anesbury
Salisbury
No. 5
Exter
Patrick Barry
J. J. Barry
Bacclus Marsh
Empire's Call Brings Home Bacchus Marsh Soldier
Reginald Evans, a Bacchus Marsh soldier and former Meysra. Miller Bros. employee at Broadlands Estate, is expected home within a day or two after three years of Active Service. A cable from England says Lange-Corporal Tom Grant, missing since April 8, is a prisoner in Germany, not yet officially confirmed. Six Sutton sons and grandsons of the late Mr. and Mrs. Aird from Bacchus Marsh are on Active Service: William Henry, John Daniel, George Hafferford Sutton, Albert Edward, Victor Emanuel, and Hugh Roy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Reginald Evans
Meysra
Miller Bros
Broadlands Estate
England
Tom Grant
Germany
A. Sutton
H. Sutton
Royal Pictures Preview of War Life in Rabaul
A special film titled Life in our New Island Possessions shows Australian troops at Rabaul and the handover of administration by General Sir Samuel Pethebridge from Brigadier General Hulmes. Released by the Minister Defence, it was secured for Bacchus Marsh through Dr Field Marall, who served at Rabaul.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
P Graumue
Raoul
Island
Rabul
Sir Samuel Pethebridge
Hulmes
Defence
Field Martall
Rabaul
Bacchus Marsh
Red Cross Fund Monthly Collections and Donations
Summary of monthly Red Cross funds with £1 10s 6d from Mrs Powell and other donors. Listed are crockery and stocking drives, items donated including sardines cocoa milk and chease, pillowslips and cheas¢, socks and mittens. Notes mention socks posted to local boys at the Front and a letter of thanks received by Miss Clark.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Powell
H. M. Hodgson
Miss Pearce
Mr. W. Morton
Stn
Riseman
Jack Cowan
Erna Lyle
H. Kerr
W. Morton
Ethel Dugdale
Turner
W. Allan
Clark
Cointadai
Rowsley Red Cross Social Evening Raises Over Thirty Pounds
A social evening in Rowsley for Red Cross funds raised £30 10s 3d with thanks to donors and Bacchus Marsh performers. The event featured raffles with multiple prizes including a turkey, jewel box and produce sums, plus donations of clothes and goods. Proceeds broken down into raffles, door cash, and refreshments, with numerous individual contributions acknowledged.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Red Cross
Bacchus Marsh
Turkey
Renton
B. Simpson
H. F. Kerr
Miss West
R. Hine
Racecomse
Passing Thoughts on the Yarra Banks and War
A Sunday scene beside the Yarra recalls nature’s beauty while a speaker contemplates France’s war. He praises Australian troops at Pozieres Bapaume and Messines, laments recruiting shortfalls, and urges men to enlist or face conscription in defense of Australia. East Prahran JG.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Yarra Banks
Hill
Dale
God
France
Flanders
Pozieres
Bapaume
Messines
Hindenburg
Australia
Aona
East Prahran
Blackwood Mining Nearing Major Move on Reef Belt
The quarterly return for the term ending June 80th 1917 shows Blackwood yield 52202.6dwt with quartz 49607.18dwt and alluvial 2502. Qdnt Gyrs. Co operative parties yield strong profits, Easter Momlay crushed 60 tons for 6o oz valued at £276. The Yanko Reof Quartz Mining Syndicate operates on a reef 3 ft to 13 in wide, proving 160 feet south at 80 ft depth. The history recalls the 1869 Clunes and Blackwood Co, now revitalized by Daylesford and Blackwood syndicate under Miners' Rights and a Mines Development Act grant. Crushing 4035 tons yields 42802.18dwt valued at £1696, with £858 in dividends. A future for the syndicate appears bright. a 19buz crush from 120 tons completed recently.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
M. J. Croker
Blackwool
Blackwood
Easter Momlay
Yanko Reof
Dunlevey
Clunes and Blackwood Company
Port Phillip and Clunes Company
Daylesford and Blackwood Syndicate
W. H. Manley
Pyke's Creek Reservoir Supply Figures
The Water Commission reports full supply at 78 feet amounting to 14 850 acre feet. Present supply stands at 63 feet 9 inches totaling 11 248 acre feet. Last weekly return shows 63 feet 1 inch and 11 140 acre feet with no output last week.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
The
Water Commission
Melton Reservoir Water Figures And Returns
Water figures for Melton Reservoir show a height of 80 feet and a present supply of 17 000 acre feet noted in last weekly return. Measurements include 80 feet and 17 000 acre feet figures repeated across entries.
Back Pain Remedy Advertisement Card
An advice ad promotes Chamberlains Pain Balm for back pain. Apply twice daily with five minute palm massage, then bind a dampened flannel over the painful area. The product is advertised by Bold by W Grant Morton Hac ke ok Benes and A Comben Co.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chamberlain
W. Grant Morton
Hacke Ok Benes
A. Comben & Co
Myrmong Red Cross Acknowledges Gifts And Subscriptions
The Hon Sec Mrs Jas Dugdale records gifts from Lamb Clark sold by L A Fairbairn Co for £5 7s 6d. Donations include Mrs W Smith Mabel Dugdale Evelyn Dugdale Rose Shanahan Mexhaniel Shanahan Clark teaset won by Mrs R Hornbuckle No 104. This week sent away 16 shirts 28 pairs socks 3 scarfs 2 holmuta old linen books and regular subscriptions noted.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jas. Dugdale
Lamb
Clark
L. A. Fairbairn & Co
W. Smith
Mabel Dugdale
Moizena
Evelyn Dugdale
Rose Shanahan
Mexhaniel Shanahan
R. Hornbuckle
Melton Red Cross Reports Year of Effort and Donations
The Melton Branch Red Cross Society presents its second annual report for 1916 17 noting 12 meetings, several resignations and new appointments, and multiple donations to British French and Overseas Red Cross appeals. An auction raised £23 3 6 plus raffles and other sales earning funds. a September entertainment yielded net profits of £87 66. Contributions from Queen Carnival and local supporters totaled around £160 12 over the year, with continued thanks to collectors, volunteers, Mechanics Hall, and shop partners. The report honors workers who produced garments and items, lists a wide range of donated goods, and ends with a call for renewed public support for the coming year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Melton Branch Red Cross Society
Melton Red Cross
F. Minns
Scarce
Missen
Allen
E. Barrie
Farrell
Miss Robinson
Arthur Minns
Macdonald
Cullin
Batema
S. J. Staughton
J. McPherson
Sahr
Nixon
Wilson
Collins
McBuchern
Red Cross
Autealia
Mechanics’ Hall
Turkey
O'Donnell
D. Parrell
Leu Cosey
Thompson
Werribee Morty Maken
Red Cross Society
Ross
Wraith
Williams
R.A. Minny
E. Minns
May Minns
Parker
Sen
Beardson
Nissen
Jural
Messrs. McPhail, Anderson & Co
Andioneers
Gramophone
Moyra Smith
Bacchus Marsh Post Office Timings and Mail Closures
Post office closes at 6 p.m. daily with 20 minutes after Melbourne mail sorts. Telegraph Office open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Telephone 9 p.m. to 6 p.m. Money Orders 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday 12 noon. Mails close Melbourne 7.40 a.m. 12.20 p.m. TP.O. 8 p.m. Ballan 8 p.m. Myrniong 8.20 a.m. Balliang 9.30 a.m. Mails received Melbourne 9.10 a.m. 6.20 p.m. Balliang 5.15 p.m. Railway time tables available from Crisp & Sons.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Melbourne Mail
Melbourne
Crisp & Sons
Church
Bacchus Marsh
Indian Runner a farmer's duck article tips and notes
Instructions on profitable duck farming favor pure breds like Pekin or Aylesbury, recommends selling at 8 to 10 weeks for best profit, and notes Indian Runner as a productive, hardy breed. Highlights include egg production, range rearing, and easy care with adequate water and space.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Aylesbury
Theodin
Soama
Tells
Brooks
Coming sales draw buyers at Gippskiat and Balla markets
McPhail Anderson Co and Gippskiat Selling Co announce market sales for July 23 at Moaflay and Aves 23 for Bahn matthily markets. Local merchants urge attendance to observe price movements and bidding opportunities at the Gippskiat and Balla markets.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Royal Pictures
Calicoes
A. Johns
RED Cross Fund
Bacchus Marsh and District
Rowsley Red Cross
W. P. Greene
M. Kore
Jones
Miss Cowan
P. Greane
Sharland
Davison
L. Dubout
Templeton
Boil
Brydon
Rutherford
M. Kerr
Pace
R. Renton
Lyle
Ishirta
Blackwood Mining
Pyke's Creek
Melton Reservor
Bacchus Marsh Observation Station
Ian Tol Mex
Sun
Jin Shade
Lin Shade
Myrmong Red Cross
Balanca
Merrymakora
Queen Carnival
French Red Cross
Jas. H. Cunningham
Geo
Minns
Hon. Auisitors
CHUS
Pat
Pitt
Wilkersin
Huy Dal Dore
Ruth
Pricas
Morton
Comfort and Wear
Bacchus. Marsh
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!