News from Access Services at Public Record Office Victoria
November 2006 – Number 19

rEsearch is a bi-monthly update on public access news at Public Record Office Victoria (PROV). Current and past editions of rEsearch are available online here and are also emailed to subscribers. Email a request to ask.prov@dvc.vic.gov.au if you want to be included on our subscriber list.

1. Exhibitions
2. Index to outward passenger lists
3. Activities in Ballarat
4. Provenance 2006 now online!!!
5. Parliament House Open Garden 2006
6. New series available in PROV Online Catalogue
7. Oral History Workshop
8. History Council of Victoria (HCV) Annual Lecture
9. Lecture Series at VAC - National Archives of Australia
10. PROV Seminar Series 2006
11. Free tours of the Victorian Archive Centre
12. PROV Calendar October - December 2006
13. Events and Training
14. Feedback
15. About this publication

1. EXHIBITIONS

And your petitioners humbly pray ... 150 years of petitions in Victoria

Until April 2007

Public Record Office Victoria and the Parliament of Victoria are pleased to present And your petitioners humbly pray ... 150 years of petitions in Victoria, an exhibition which gives visitors a unique opportunity to view a range of petitions in PROV's custody which were presented to Parliament over the past 150 years.

One of the best-known petitions in the exhibition is the 'Petition for Reprieve' for Ned Kelly. Although thousands of people signed the petition, it was to no avail, and Kelly was hanged on 11 November 1880.

The iconic 1936 'Half-mile Petition' measuring around 820 metres in length, sought a reduction of registration fees for all private and commercial vehicles, as the existing registration fees were prohibitive for many prospective motorists. The petition is one of the largest in the exhibition with the signatures of 36,000 "enfranchised citizens of Victoria".

Many of the petitions relate to major social and political issues of their times. For example, women's long and hard struggle to gain the vote is reflected, particularly in the 1891 Women's Suffrage Petition which attracted close to 30,000 signatures from women across Victoria. Surprisingly, tens of thousands of women signed other petitions against being granted the vote.

Other petitions reflect some of the quirky interests and passions of individual petitioners. Issues range from Sunday trading, to de-sexing of domestic pets, 'quack' cures for rheumatism and horse stealing.

The exhibition will be on display at Parliament House until 1 November 2006 then at the Victorian Archives Centre from 11 November until 30 April 2007. Admission is free. For more information and a selection of petitions and education resources online, visit http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/petitions/ or phone (03) 9348 5600.

VPRS 8936 State Bank Victoria Archives Ephemera

On Display in the VAC Repository - VPRS 8936 State Bank Victoria Archives Ephemera Collection

The State Bank of Victoria, established by 1912 accumulated a vast collection of items in its own archive during its time of operation. In 1995, after the bank was sold to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the State Bank's holdings transferred to PROV.

Some of the ephemera, including some quirky moneyboxes, teller signs, and chequebooks are currently on display in the VAC repository. To see the display, book into a free volunteer led tour of the VAC (see item 11) to relive some memories and see just how far the bank's activities extended.

Book Your PROV Travelling Exhibition for 2007

Did you know that PROV has a number of exhibitions and displays that are free* to borrow?

The range of PROV travelling exhibitions and displays include: Transported Back, a photographic exhibition featuring a selection of images from the Public Transport Corporation; Lucy, a Private Life Revealed through Public Records; Bigamy, Theft and Murder, the Extraordinary Tale of Frederick Bailey Deeming and Forgotten Faces: Chinese and the Law.

These exhibitions and displays have been designed especially for local and historical society venues, schools, libraries and other community venues. They are simple to assemble and some come with freestanding boards if you do not have adequate wall space.

Visit our website at http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/online to view further information on our travelling exhibitions. For bookings and enquires, phone Asa Letourneau, Exhibitions Officer, on (03) 9348 5600.

*Please note - the only cost is for transporting the exhibition to and from your venue.

PROV Exhibition Fun and Games on Display at 50 Years on Expo
The Victorian Olympic Council, in consultation with the Victorian Government, has developed the 50 Years on Expo to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

PROV is taking part in the Expo by displaying the 'Fun and Games' exhibition. The exhibition features images taken by the official photographers at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. The negatives of these images are now held in PROV's custody.

The Expo runs from Thursday 16 November to Sunday 19 November at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. For further information on the Expo, visit http://www.carrollpromotions.com.au/melbourne50yearson/index.php

2. INDEX TO OUTWARD PASSENGER LISTS
Due to the dedicated work of our indexing volunteers, PROV is pleased to announce that an another instalment of the Index to Outward Passenger Lists will be launched at the end of the year. A further fifteen years (1862-1876) will be published to the PROV website in late December 2006. The index refers to microfilm copies of the original passenger lists that can be viewed in PROV reading rooms.

3. ACTIVITIES AT BALLARAT
Ballarat Archives Centre Talk and Tour - Ballarat Heritage Weekend
PROV will be taking part in the first Ballarat Heritage Weekend by offering a free talk and tour at the Ballarat Archives Centre (BAC) on Saturday 28 October from 11:00 am -12:30 pm and Sunday 29 October 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm.

The talk will provide information on researching at PROV with an emphasis on the records held at the BAC. Participants will also be given a tour of the repository. It is free to attend, but bookings are essential, as places are limited. Please book by Friday 20 October by phone (03) 9348 5600 or email PROV reception at vijay.aruldass@dvc.vic.gov.au

CHHA Expo 2006
The theme for this year's Central Highlands Historical Association (CHHA) Local and Family History Expo is "This Sporting Life". The Expo runs over the weekend of 28 and 29 October at ACU Aquinas Campus, Ballarat. PROV will have a stall at the expo to provide attendees with information on our collection and advice on conducting research at PROV.

The 1956 Olympic Games come to Ballarat
In keeping with the CHHA Expo theme, PROV has developed a new display entitled The 1956 Olympic Games come to Ballarat, which can be viewed at the BAC until the end of February 2007. The display brings together images and records from PROV's collection that relate to the staging of the Olympic rowing events at Lake Wendouree, Ballarat in 1956.

4. PROVENANCE 2006 NOW ONLINE!
This year's issue of Provenance, PROV's free scholarly journal, is now available online. The journal contains contributions by scholars whose research interests focus on different aspects of Victoria's rich social history:

• Keir Reeves looks at the life of James Acoy, Castlemaine miner, court interpreter and businessman, imprisoned for corruption in 1869
• Barry Patton investigates the trial of three policemen charged with the murder of Aboriginal man, Jim Crow, in the Wimmera in October 1843
• Jessica Stagnitti and Zoe Carthew, La Trobe University History Honours students, present two vivid 'true crime' narratives, set in 1920s Melbourne
• John Leckey reports on his use of primary sources in preparing a biographical study of Victorian cricketing great Bill Ponsford
• Judith Buckrich presents her research into the illustrious history of Prahran Technical School

To read and download Provenance, at no charge, visit http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/provenance/

If you are interested in submitting an article, or have queries or comments, please contact the Editor, Sebastian Gurciullo by phone (03) 9348 5600 or email provenance@dvc.vic.gov.au

5. PARLIAMENT HOUSE OPEN GARDEN 2006
As part of the Parliament of Victoria's 150th anniversary celebrations, Parliament House will open its heritage-listed gardens for members of the public to wander through on self-guided tours and speak to Parliament's experienced gardeners.

Planting of the original garden began in 1856, the same year in which the Parliament officially opened. In the 1880s, the gardens were re-designed, incorporating the style and elements we see today.

Admission is free and the gardens will be open on Sunday 29 October 2006 from 1.00pm to 4.00pm. For more information visit www.parliament.vic.gov.au/150th or phone 1300 366 356 (local call cost)

6. NEW SERIES AVAILABLE ON THE PROV ONLINE CATALOGUE (all on open access)

VA 2376 Ararat II (Road District, 1861-64; Shire 1864-1994)
VPRS 15206/P1 Rate and Valuation Records 1861-1970, 79 units
VPRS 15236/P1 Balance Books and Annual Statements of Accounts 1909-1982, 4 units
VPRS 15246/P1 Plan Books 1874-1920, 3 units
VPRS 15249/P1 General Correspondence Subject Files 1945-1967, 1 unit
VPRS 15250/P1 Outward Letter Books 1865-1931, 19 units
VPRS 15254/P1 Health Registration Book 1974-1984, 2 units
VPRS 15256/P1 Contract Register 1862-1948, 11 units
VPRS 15257/P1 General Ledger 1862-1962, 12 units
VPRS 15261/P1 Willaura Town Planning Scheme Maps 1969-1983, 6 units
VPRS 15262/P1 Press Clippings Book 1985-1994, 2 unit
VPRS 15263/P1 Survey Plans-Ridings 1909-1941, 2 units
VPRS 15267/P1 Valuation Cards 1977-1989, 21 units
VPRS 15269/P1 Correspondence Register 1874-1937, 6 units
VPRS 15270/P1 Outward Letter Book-Country Roads Board 1915-1925, 1 unit
VPRS 15271/P1 Index to Outwards Letter Book 1910-1916, 2 units
VPRS 15272/P1 Shire Engineer's Outward Letter Books 1934-1940, 6 units
VPRS 15274/P1 Shire Engineer's Outward Letter Book to Country Roads Board 1936-1936, 1 unit
VPRS 15275/P1 Contract Register-Country Roads Board 1915-1948, 1 unit
VPRS 15276/P1 Register of Livestock Slaughtered 1862-1911, 1 unit
VPRS 15277/P1 Valuation Books 1880-1901, 13 units
VPRS 15266/P1 General Correspondence Files, Alpha-Numeric System 1987-1994, 61 units
VPRS 15252/P1 Shire Engineer's Report Book 1933-1939, 3 units

VA 4778 Shire of Ararat Water Board
VPRS 15258/P1 General Correspondence Files, Alpha-Numeric System-Water 1987-1991, 9 units

VA 2045 Willaura Sewerage Authority / VA 2056 Shire of Ararat Waterworks Authority
VPRS 15260/P1 Annual Statements of Accounts 1966-1982, 1 unit

VA 2875 Ararat Borough/Town/City
VPRS 15264/P1 Survey Plans 1878-1970, 2 units

VA 4563 Department of Primary Industries
VPRS 15798/P1 Corporate Publications 2002-2005, 3 items

VA 3971 Department of Infrastructure
VPRS 14109/P1 Inward Correspondence Register, Numerical, Claims Branch 1960-1961, 1 unit
VPRS 13636/P6 Index to Signalling and Communications Plans and Drawings 1909-1986, 11 units
VPRS 12597/P3 Employee History Cards - Transport Operations/Transportation Division (Staff Location Cards in this consignment) 1951-1985, 15 units
VPRS 13531/P5 Accident Compensation Claim Register - Claims Branch 1922-1978, 1 unit
VPRS 13534/P1 Accident Register General - Traffic Operations Branch 1968-1975, 2 units
VPRS 13277/P1 Staff Returns 1956-1981, 6 units
VPRS 12990/P3 Project Records, Melbourne Underground Railway Loop 1968-1981, unit
VPRS 12990/P7 Project Records, Melbourne Underground Railway Loop 1957-1971, 1 unit
VPRS 12990/P13 Project Records, Melbourne Underground Railway Loop 1962-1971, 1 unit
VPRS 13977/P1 Melbourne Underground Railway Loop Construction and Loop Stations Redevelopment Project Records 1971-1983, 1 unit
VPRS 12864/P5 Project Files - Various Divisions 1992-1992, 1 unit
VPRS 13423/P2 Engineering Project Files 1963-1966, 2 units
VPRS 13278/P1 Staff Returns Rolling Stock Branch 1932-1983
VPRS 12863/P9 Bridge Construction Project Records - Project Management Group - Infrastructure Division 1987-1989, 1 unit
VPRS 13706/P1 List of Employees - Tramways, Bus and Railways 1970-1988, 4 units
VPRS 13706/P2 List of Employees - Tramways, Bus and Railways 1974-1977, 1 unit
VPRS 13706/P3 List of Employees - Tramways, Bus and Railways 1970-1975, 1 unit
VPRS 13706/P5 List of Employees - Tramways, Bus and Railways 1931-1970, 3 unit
VPRS 13699/P9 General File, Vehicles Standards and Engineering Division 1954-1977, 8 units
VPRS 13699/P12 General File, Vehicles Standards and Engineering Division 1972-1993, 3 units
VPRS 13699/P16 General File, Vehicles Standards and Engineering Division 1979-1984, 1 unit
VPRS 12859/P3 Subject Files - Overhead Design Group 1950-1973, 13 units
VPRS 13913/P1 Bridge Stress Level Graphs - Structural Design Section ND-ND, 1 unit
VPRS 13936/P1 Court Actions - Damage Account 1950-1981, 1 unit
VPRS 12822/P1 List of Contents of Data Pack - Engineering Services Group - Infrastructure Division 1998-1998, 1 unit
VPRS 8081/P3 Correspondence Files - Multiple Number System 1986-1986, 1 unit
VPRS 13535/P1 Inward Correspondence Register - Alphabetical - Claims Branch 1950-1985, 11 units
VPRS 12864/P19 Project Files - Various Divisions 1985-1990, 1 unit
VPRS 13417/P5 General Files - Financial Reports and Manuals - Finance and Administration 1989-1989, 1 unit
VPRS 12859/P2 Subject Files - Overhead Design Group 1927-1954, 1 unit

7. ORAL HISTORY WORKSHOP
The Oral History Association of Australia (OHAA), with the support of PROV, will be holding an 'Oral History Workshop' on Saturday 11 November at the VAC.

Lesley Alves will be presenting this full day workshop, which covers the practicalities of oral history including research, ethics, equipment, interviewing techniques and transcribing. The cost is $45 for OHAA members, student and pension concession holders or $60 for non-members. Please contact Lesley Alves on (03) 9438 2791 for further information and a registration form.

8. HISTORY COUNCIL OF VICTORIA (HCV) ANNUAL LECTURE
The topic of this year's HCV Annual Lecture is 'Australia and Turkey: Uncomfortable Thoughts on Gallipoli and the Armenian Genocide'. Robert Manne, prominent writer, political commentator and professor of politics at La Trobe University is the guest speaker presenting the talk. The seminar will be held on Wednesday 22 November at The Age Theatre, Melbourne Museum, Carlton Gardens, Nicholson Street, Carlton, 6pm for 6.30pm lecture. Light refreshments will be offered on arrival before the lecture commences. There is limited seating so bookings are essential. RSVP to hcvexecofficer@slv.vic.gov.au or 8664 7261 by Friday 17 November. For further information, visit http://www.historycouncilvic.org.au

9. LECTURE SERIES AT VAC - NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA (NAA)
The NAA hosts free Lecture Series on Saturdays at the VAC for members of the public. The next lecture features Dr Nikki Henningham, Research Fellow, Historian and Executive Officer, Australian Women's Archive Project. Her talk is entitled 'Placing Themselves on the National Agenda' and will discuss the challenges of locating records about the experiences of migrant women in Australia.

The talk will be held at 11.00am on Saturday 14 October at the VAC. It is free to attend but bookings are essential and can be made by phoning (03) 9348 5600.

10. PROV SEMINAR SERIES 2006
The last seminars in our 2006 series are 'Ancestors in the Archives Parts 1, 2 and 3' on Saturday 28 October, (includes talks by PROV and National Archives of Australia) and 'Convicted and Neglected: Researching Wards of the State', (PROV only) Thursday 16 November. Places are still available so book by phoning (03) 9348 5757 or visit http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/events/seminars.asp to view and download the Seminar Series program.

11. FREE TOURS OF THE VICTORIAN ARCHIVES CENTRE
For individuals or groups wanting to book free volunteer guided tours of the VAC, please phone (03) 9348 5600 or visit http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/events/vactours.asp for the schedule of upcoming tours.

12. PROV CALENDAR OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2006
A list of staff speaking engagements is also posted to our website at http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/events/calendar/

14/10/06 ASP, Computers and Small Archives, VAC
14/10/06 NAA Lecture Series, 'Placing Themselves on the National Agenda' by Dr Nikki Henningham
15/10/06 West Bourke Local and Family History Expo, Footscray
28/10/06 Seminar Series - Ancestors in the Archives: Researching at the Victorian Archives Centre, Parts 1, 2 & 3.
28-29/10/06 Ballarat Heritage Weekend: Tour and Talk at BAC, Saturday 11.00 am - 12.30 pm, Sunday 1.00 pm - 2.30 pm, BAC
28-29/10/06 CHHA Expo, Ballarat
16/11/2006 Seminar Series - Convicted and Neglected: Researching Wards of the State of Victoria, 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm, VAC
11/11/06 Oral History Workshop, by Lesley Alves, VAC
18/11/06 Goulburn & Murray Association of Local & Family History Groups Expo
22/11/06 Geelong Family History Group, Lands Guide Talk, by James McKinnon
23/11/06 PRAC in Broadmeadows
26/11/06 AIGS Blackburn, Exiles talk, by Abigail Belfrage
26/11/06 Melbourne Dead Persons Society, Mining the Records talk, by Joan Hunt

13. EVENTS AND TRAINING
Public Record Office Victoria's records management events, training and education program for 2006 can be viewed at http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/records/training.asp

14. FEEDBACK
If you would like to send feedback and suggestions on the content of this newsletter or if you know someone who would be interested in receiving rEsearch, please email ask.prov@dvc.vic.gov.au

15. ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION
We have included you on our mailing list because you have indicated interest in receiving PROV information. However, if you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please email ask.prov@dvc.vic.gov.au or phone PROV Reception 03 9348 5600 and we will remove you from our list.

You can access the web page version of this newsletter at www.prov.vic.gov.au/publications back issues are also available on the website.

ISSN 1449-0323
Copyright © 2006 Public Record Office Victoria

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