Local Treasures: The Athel D’Ombrain Collection

Athel D'Ombrain

Day Shift – 15/11/2011 – 02:10 PM – forthcoming
Presenter: Carol Duncan
Interviewee: Gionni Di Gravio, Archivist, Newcastle University

University of Newcastle Archivist Gionni Di Gravio discusses the recent digitisation of the Athel D’Ombrain Collection comprising of over 2,500 negatives, and talks about his life and extraordinary contribution to the Hunter Region.

Broadcast Notes:

The Athel D’Ombrain Collection was deposited with the University of Newcastle Archives in 1982.

The following notes are from an 1981 article in the University News entitled “University Post” (Vol. 7 No. 12 July 1981 p.[3]) supplemented with further notes from a variety of websites. He left an incredible and varied legacy in the wider Regional community. These photographs are an outstanding document of his life’s work and contribution to the natural world,  history, architecture, science and art. They document many historical buildings throughout the Hunter Region, prior to restoration. They also document buildings and structures no longer extant.

The negatives were digitised by Sharon Mee and Michael Sherriff, and both should be congratulated for scanning the two and a half thousand odd negatives that are very challenging to handle. Sharon is currently uploading the negatives to our flickr site here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/uon/sets/72157627892125061/

Here is a selection:

Athel D’Ombrain A.M. (1901-1985) was a photographer, optician, naturalist, author, cricketer, pioneer angler, game fisherman and historian.

He was born in Casterton in the Western District of Victoria in 1901. His father, a general practitioner, was one of the pioneer ornithologists of Australia, and had helped in the formation of the Royal Australian Ornithologists’ Union. It was through his father, and the excursions they shared together, that Athel learnt about the natural world. His interest was further developed by living on the north shore in Sydney at a time when the suburb was sparsly settled and a fine place in which to study birds and animals.

He attended Shore College, Sydney between 1913-18. After being educated at Shore, and realising that his interests were not academic,  he later studied agriculture at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, and worked on the land at Somersby, garnering much success as a citrus-grower. He was part winner of a Wembly Medal and winner of several prizes in local citrus shows.

Athel had also studied optometry and when his brother, Arthur, an opthalmic surgeon, said he should move to Maitland and work with him as a manufacturing optician he said he would. In 1929 he moved to Maitland to work as an optical dispenser at his brother’s practice, and for over 20 years was associated with his brother in Maitland, and later for some years in Newcastle.

Athel was a well respected cricketer with the Northern Suburbs Cricket Club. Known as ‘Dorn’ to his fellow cricketers, his first A Grade season (1929-1930) marked the beginning of an association with the Club that would last over fifty years.

Besides playing, he was also served as Secretary from 1930-36, and later conducted Coaching Classes. In recognition of his long playing and administrative services, he was made a Life Member of the Club in the early sixties and Patron from 1968.

In 1934 he, along with Wallace Fitness, approached the secretary of the Hunter River Agricultural and Horticultural Association Show Society, asking whether they could display some local photographs in the Fine Arts Pavilion at the 1934 annual Maitland Show. The request was accepted, and so was founded the Maitland Salon of Photography.  In 1946 Maitland Salon became an Australian Photographic Society approved Salon and then in 1958 became an International Salon with approval from the Photographic Society of America and finally in 1982 the federation International De L’ Art Photographique granted its patronage.

In February 1936, he married Esma Drew, of Clarencetown, by whom he had a son, Robin, who later became a Technical Officer in Chemical Engineering. Esma died in May 1980.

Around 1950 Athel retired from optometry and became a photographer for The Maitland Mercury. After the 1955 flood hit his home he left the newspaper and established a commercial photographic business in Maitland. Concurrent with these activities he was a “photo-finish operator” at the Maitland Showground and a stringer cameraman.

Through the efforts of Athel and Newman Silverthorne, the Newcastle and Port Stephens Game Fish Club was formed with Headquarters at Bundabah on the northern side of the Port. In 1935 the fishing enthusiasts built a clubhouse at Shoal Bay. “There was not one house at the bay at this time – nothing but bush”, he says. The Fish Club was taken over by the Army in the Second World War, following which it was incorporated into the Country Club Hotel. He was renown as a pioneer angler who adopted a scientific approach to the sport and who was very successful in the post war years. He is credited with devising the now widely accepted tag and release concept for big game fishes, commencing his first experiments in 1938.

Athel was an expert naturalist especially on Port Stephens and its flora and fauna. For example, he visited Cabbage Tree Island regularly for 44 years observing and banding the sea bird called Gould’s Petrel. The island is the only known nesting place of the species.

He also enjoyed looking at the birds in the wetlands at Hexham as he travelled between Maitland and Newcastle in the train. Previously he had contributed several articles to the Newcastle Morning Herald. In 1965 he wrote a piece about the birds at Hexham, which came under the notice of the Herald’s Editor at the time, Mr E.K. Lingard, who liked the story so much he asked Athel to write a weekly column. For some time he became a Saturday correspondent for The Herald. He also authored a number of published books, ‘Game Fishing Off the Australian Coast’ and ‘Fish Tales’, and an unpublished account of Gould’s Petrel, called ‘North East of Toomaree’, and an unpublished autobiography

His newspaper articles and books contributed a great deal to the unfolding of the wonders of nature. Moreover, he was continually identifying specimens found in the bush and backyards for individuals.

On the 9 June 1975, in recognition of his service to photography and the study of nature, he was awarded Member of the Order of Australia.

In 1981 he was invited to become a Convocation Visiting Scholar at the University of Newcastle, the third to hold the position since its inception in 1977.

As a result of his photographic work over many years, he amassed a monumental collection of photographs relating to the Hunter Valley. One of his roles as Convocation Visiting Scholar was to work in association with Denis Rowe (University Archivist) in the Archives in the Auchmuty Library, cataloguing his photographs and organising the articles about nature that he had written for the Newcastle Herald.

He continued to write his columns up until a few months prior to his death at age 83 in 1985. According to his son, Mr Robin D’Ombrain, he wrote a total of 995 articles for the Newcastle Herald.

He was a member of the Royal Australian Orthnologist’s Union, an Associate of the Australian Museum and a Member of the Order of Australia.

Local Treasures: Subdivision Plans

The Northumberland and Permanent Building Investment and Loan Society, a set on Flickr.

Day Shift – 21/06/2011 – 02:10 PM

Presenter: Carol Duncan

Interviewee: Gionni Di Gravio, Archivist, Newcastle University

University of Newcastle Archivist Gionni Di Gravio discusses the University’s recent foray into the art of plan scanning presenting the first fruits from a collection of land sale subdivision plans formerly in the custody The Northumberland and Permanent Building Investment Land and Loan Society (est 1876).

The beautiful building that once housed these plans, erected in 1886, originally stood on what is now the corner of Blane (now Hunter) and Burwood Streets Newcastle.

The Northumberland Permanent Building Investment Land and Loan Society (est. 1876)

Professor Godfrey Tanner – The Man They Want To Hang

Professor Godfrey Tanner Portrait by Michael Legge-Wilkinson

Day Shift – 17/05/2011 – 02:10 PM
Presenter: Carol Duncan
Interviewee: Gionni Di Gravio, Archivist, Newcastle University

University of Newcastle Archivist Gionni Di Gravio discusses the recent occasion of the unveiling of the portrait of the late Emeritus Professor of Classics Godfrey Tanner in the GT Bar of the Union.

The portrait of Godfrey is by esteemed Australian artist Michael Legge-Wilkinson, who painted the piece in 1993 when he was a student studying at the University of Newcastle.

Today’s broadcast explores Professor Tanner’s  virtual afterlife on You Tube through the Godfrey Tanner Society (http://godfreytanner.wordpress.com/) and an exciting new project of the Humanities Research Institute called ‘Radical Newcastle’ (http://radicalnewcastle.wordpress.com/).

Local Treasures: Memory of the World

Friendly Trades Society of Ironmoulders Newcastle Branch

Day Shift – 19/04/2011 – 02:10 PM
Presenter: Carol Duncan
Interviewee: Gionni Di Gravio, Archivist, Newcastle University

University of Newcastle Archivist Gionni Di Gravio discusses the University of Newcastle’s recent inclusion into the UNESCO Memory of the World, which is the Minute Book of the Friendly Trades Society of Iron Moulders (Newcastle Branch) 1885-1886 and explores an exciting new project of the Humanities Research Institute called ‘Radical Newcastle’.

Broadcast Notes:

Back in March 2011 we received the great news that one of our Minute Books from the Friendly Trades Society of Iron Moulders (Newcastle Branch) had been successfuly inscribed on the Australian Memory of the World Register.

It formed part of a nomination prepared by the Noel Butlin Archives Centre at the Australian National University in Canberra to acknowledge the Minute books of pre-federation Australian trade unions. An official ceremony was held in Hobart on April 1.

Memory of the World Invite (front)

Memory of the World invite (back)

University of Newcastle UNESCO Certificate

The pre-Federation minute books document the formation and decision-making of early Australian trade unions, as workers came together to achieve better working conditions through collective action.

The beginnings of the campaign for the 8-hour day and early strikes by stonemasons, shearers and others are documented in these records.

Unions were locally-based in capital cities and regional centres and later amalgamated to form state and then federal unions, the first federal registrations occurring from 1904.

Current trade unions, who have a key role in our workplace relations system, all trace their origins to pre-Federation unions.

Our contribution is the minute book of the  Friendly Trades Society of Iron Moulders (Newcastle Branch) that records the formation of the Branch at the Glascow Arms in Bullock Island (now Carrington).

Glasgow Arms Hotel, Carrington

The photograph taken above by Ralph Snowball  shows the Hotel as it looked at the time.

The title reads “Minutes of Meetings of Friendly Trades Society of Ironmoulders Newcastle Branch”
The official stamp reads “Friendly Trade Society Iron Moulders New South Wales Newcastle Branch”

First Meeting of Ironmoulders Newcastle Branch, Glascow Arms, Bullock Island, August 6, 1885

First Meeting of Ironmoulders Newcastle Branch
Glascow Arms
Bullock Island
August 6/ 1885

Messrs Talbot and Shinnick the Delegates from Sydney being present, the delegates explained the reason for which they were called together. The Delegates then proceeded to the election of members into the Friendly Trades Society of Ironmoulders Newcastle Branch the following gentlemen were duly elected members

David Scott
John Ford
Thomas Roony
William Miller
James Atchinson
Thomas Taylor
George Asquith
John Patmore
James Elliot
Barthomlew FitzPatrick
George Tomlingson
Joseph Tomlingson
William Morgan
Thomas Morgan
Joseph Barclay

The Branch was then declared duly opened by the delegates: the members then proceeded to the election of Officers the following were appointed

President Mr D Scott
Vice-President Mr James Doran
Treasurer Mr J Ford
Secretary Mr G Asquith

The officers being duly installed the Meeting then proceeded to the consideration of By Laws when the following were adopted subject to the Approval of the Executive.

Moved and Seconded By Messrs Talbot and Shinnick that the Treasurer have the power to have in hand the sum of (10) ten pounds for the purpose of Defraying incidental expenses all monies over and above the said (10) ten pounds

verso 1

shall be forwarded to the parent Branch Sydney.

Moved and Seconded that this branch receives contributions from August 11th

Moved by Mr Miller Seconded by Mr Shinnick that all necessary stationery required for the good of this Branch be purchased by the said Branch

Moved by Mr Talbot Seconded by Mr Shinnick that the secretary shall prepare and forward a balance sheet at least once every quarter in time to be inserted in the general balance Sheet of the parent Branch Sydney

Moved by Mr Shinnick seconded by Mr Doran that the President shall receive as payment for services the sum of 2/6 two shillings and sixpence per quarter

Moved by Mr Talbot seconded by Mr Shinnick that the treasurer shall receive for services the sum of 2/6 two shillings and sixpence per quarter

Moved by Mr Talbot seconded by Mr Shinnick that the secretary shall receive for services the sum of (10) ten shillings per quarter

Moved and seconded that for the present the place of meeting shall be the Glascow Arms Hotel Bullock Island the time of meeting shall be from 7/30 till 9 oclock ordinary meeting order of business as per rule adopted

Moved by Mr Ford seconded by Mr Doran that Mr D Scott be appointed as Delegate on the Eight hours Demonstration committee

Recto 2

Moved by Mr Patmore seconded by Mr Taylor that all expenses incurred by the Delegates in Newcastle re formation of the said Newcastle Branch be deducted from the funds of the said Branch

Moved and seconded that the Secretary communicate with the parent Branch about the Society Branch

Moved By Mr Asquith Seconded by Mr Tomlingson that we accord Messrs Talbot and Shinnick a Hearty vote of thanks for their kind services in Helping us along with the Branch

The President Mr Scott put the motion to the meeting and it was carried unanimously by acclamation

Mr talbot then addressed the meeting giving them good advce and thanking them for their vote of thanks Mr Shinnick also responded in an elaborate address calling on all members to work in Harmony togather and in concluding called on a vote of thanks to the president this Being done by acclamation after the President returned thanks this Being the only Business the meeting closed

George Asquith
Secretary

Friendly Trades Society of Iron
moulders
Newcastle Branch

Download the Complete Minute Book here [36.6MB PDF File] Digitised by Melanie Patfield:
Minutes of Meetings of Friendly Trades Society of Ironmoulders Newcastle Branch 1885-1886

Such records relating to labour history, environmental activism, human rights and the fight for better services and infrastructure are currently being researched as part of the Radical Newcastle Project. (http://radicalnewcastle.wordpress.com/)

The Project is an initiative of the University’s Humanities Research Institute and aim to unearth and document Newcastle and the Region’s radical past. Two public meetings have been held and a concept map of potential topic has been drafted. (see it here: http://radicalnewcastle.wordpress.com/concept-map/) The ideas range from Aboriginal Reconciliation initiatives, the Rothbery Riots, the push for a University of Newcastle, the formation of Blackbutt Reserve, the Star Hotel riot in the 1970s and onto local environmental campaigns by Rising Tide and Climate Action Newcastle.

People who are interested in the Project, and wish to contribute are welcome to contact its convenor Dr James Bennett j.bennett@newcastle.edu.au

Local Treasures – Peter Browne of Corke

Catalogue of Books belonging to Peter Browne of Corke

Day Shift – 15/02/2011 – 02:10 PM
Presenter: Carol Duncan
Interviewee: Gionni Di Gravio, Archivist, Newcastle University

University of Newcastle Archivist Gionni Di Gravio discusses the provenance trail of two interesting manuscripts belonging to Peter Browne (c.1665-1735) Bishop of Cork.

Broadcast Notes:

The following scans are from two manuscripts in our Collection that have always intrigued us. Both belonged to a one time Bishop of Cork and Ross, Ireland, Peter Browne who was born c.1665 and died on 25th August 1735. The first is Bishop Browne’s Library Catalogue.

Spine of Browne's Catalogue of Books

Dr Caulfield's notes on Browne's life

Sample page from the Catalogue of Books

MS Arian Part II

The University of Newcastle’s MS ‘Arian Part II’ was the subject of Appendix 3 in Arthur Robert Winnett’s biography of  Browne entitled ‘Peter Browne Provost, Bishop, Metaphysician‘ (London: S.P.C.K., 1974).

Browne's Arian Part 2 Manuscript cover

The Manuscript bears the bookplates and notes of its subsequent owners. The first was Bishop Peter Browne, who was its probable author.

After Bishop Browne’s death in 1735 it passed into the custody of his relation, the Rev. Jemmett Browne of Riverstown, entered into his library, and there remained until Tuesday January 5th 1875.

On that date Dr Richard Caulfield, an antiquarian and librarian who was the first President of the of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society records in the Manuscript that it was given to him by Captain Edward Francis Browne (b.1835) of the 35th Regiment ‘in his library at Riverstown’. He was the son of the Rev. John Browne (1795-1857).

At the same time Dr Caulfield received Bishop Browne’s MS Book of Prayers (or devotions) and MS Hebrew “Book of Common Prayer”. Winnett says that both manuscripts are at held St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork.

Dr Richard Caulfield's bookplate and typed provenance note by an unidentified owner

After Dr Caulfield’s death in 1877, despite attempts to keep it together as a wonderful foundation for Cork Archive, his personal library was eventually sold at auction in 1888.

The manuscript probably passed into the hands of his colleague and friend, Robert Day, as early as 1885. Three of Robert Day’s bookplates adorn the Manuscript, as well as his seal and heraldic emblem Sic itur ad astra (from Virgil’s Aeneid Book 9.641 ‘thus we ascend to the stars’) embossed on its front.

Robert Day's Bookplate

Robert Day's 1889 Bookplate

Dr Richard Caulfield's provenance note and another Robert Day bookplate

Thanks to J. P. McCarthy’s article “Dr. Richard Caulfield: Antiquarian, Scholar and Academic Librarian” we learn that Robert Day’s manuscripts were sold in 1915, and it was there that the manuscript passed into the hands of Dean Webster.

Winnett dates the manuscript to the end of Browne’s life sometime between the years 1732 – 1735, and conjectures that it may have been written prior to attempting to write Part 1, which at the time of writing had yet to be found. Winnett says the  manuscript appears to be an un-published work in Browne’s hand, with corrections and interpolations in another hand.

This is at odds with a mysterious typed note within the manuscript apparently by the last owner just prior to its arrival at the University of Newcastle. We do not know who deposited the work here, but it might have been someone in the early University with a Trinity College connection, probably our first Vice Chancellor Professor J. J. Auchmuty, or even the late Emeritus Professor Godfrey Tanner, who may have been responsible for the typescript. Winnett, while acknowledging the University does not mention any individuals with regards to the Manuscript in particular, except for a Professor A.A. Luce of Trinity College, from whom he sought advice on it.

Sample page from the Arian Part 2 manuscript

The manuscript’s last mysterious owner records:

(Browne, Bp Peter) MS
Early Eighteenth or late Seventeenth century. Given me by Dean Webster, late Dean of Ross, December 1st 1941. Chapters 11-17 of a work on the Holy Trinity. Webster says it is not in Browne’s hand, but contains interpolations by him. The refce to ideas and analogy look like B’s work; and the 2 chapters on the Blind Man typical of the age.