HISTORY-NEWS-june-july-20151

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RHSV NEWS Report from the 105 th RHSV AGM In presenting the Annual Report for 2014, at the AGM on 19 May, President of the RHSV, Assoc. Prof. Don Garden commented that 2014 had been a vibrant and successful year. There had been many functions and events; the highly successful World War One conference organised by Richard Broome, Judy Smart and Jane Carolan; The Australian Red Cross in the Great War exhibition curated by Carole Woods with support from Jenny Coates, regular lectures – there was a constant hum of activity. The finances are stable and during the year we received two generous financial donations from Gordon Moffatt and the Nixon family in memory of Barbara Nixon. Initiatives are underway to generate additional funds; in particular the ‘History of 175 Years of the Supreme Court’ spear headed by Dr Simon Smith, former Councillor and legal historian, and ‘Lost Melbourne’ – one of a series of books produced by QBD Books. Throughout the year there has been a steady flow of small grants to enhance our work and in particular we are deeply indebted to Dr Jodie Boyd, appointed Collections & Volunteer Coordinator in June 2014, for her perseverance and achievement in upgrading our databases, catalogues, network and purchasing new computers. The RHSV membership remains stable. Don Garden remarked that as President he has endeavoured to visit many historical societies throughout Victoria and he is profoundly impressed with the work and vibrancy of historical societies around the regions. Overall, Don Garden said his message was of good news and that he thanked the staff Kate Prinsley, Ged Horgan, Dr Jodie Boyd and the many volunteers including Councillors and committee members. In drawing the meeting to a close, he expressed his sadness at the passing of the following people who have enriched the RHSV: Dr Kate Jones, Trevor Hart, Pat Burchill, Pat Reynolds and Don Cottingham Past Master of the Grand United Order of Free Gardeners who had been so instrumental in ensuring that the ‘Free Gardeners’ archive was donated to the RHSV. In presenting the financial statements for 2014 Dr Robert Barnes, RHSV Treasurer, drew attention to the small surplus of $2,931. History NEWS ESTABLISHED The RHSV acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria 1909 In presenting the Foundation Figures he drew the meetings attention that the balance of the Foundation now stands at $316, 621 with $ 8,180 in earned interest. There were six nominations for six places on Council. COUNCIL FOR 2015 – 2016: President: Assoc. Prof Don Garden Vice President: Emeritus Professor Richard Broome Treasurer: Dr Robert Barnes Hon Secretary: Carole Woods Ordinary Members: Dr Rosalie Triolo Dr Cheryl Griffin Professor Chips Sowerwine Elizabeth Jackson Jim Dixon Jane Carolan George Fernando Assoc Prof Judith Smart The meeting concluded with the announcement of Distinguished Service Awards being presented to Alleyne Hockley of Castlemaine Historical Society and David Langdon of Richmond and Burnley Historical Society, and Awards of Merit presented to Mary Kehoe of Hotham History Group, Lyndal and Jeremy Pascoe of the RHSV, George Fernando of Camberwell Historical Society. The RHSV Annual Report 2014 is now available on our website. Alternatively a hard copy can be mailed to you on request. 239 A’BECKETT STREET MELBOURNE 3000 Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Library Hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm Phone: 9326 9288 Fax: 9326 9477 website: http://www.historyvictoria.org.au email: office@historyvictoria.org.au ABN 36 520 675 471 Registration No. A2529 History News is the bi-monthly newsletter of the RHSV. ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA INC. President Don Garden Executive Officer Kate Prinsley Administrative Officer Gerardine Horgan Collections & Volunteer Co-ordinator: Jodie Boyd Editor: Chips Sowerwine 9346-7258 Design & Artwork: John Gillespie 0419 135 332 Printed by: First Class Mailing 9555 9997 Items for publication should be sent to the Editor email: c.sowerwine@gmail.com Copy closes 10th of the month PRINT POST APPROVED PP336663/00011 ISSN 1326-269 SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION The RHSV needs your support to properly fulfil its role of holding a major collection of Victoria’s historical documents. It needs your help to improve its valuable research facilities. Please remember the RHSV Charitable Foundation in your will or your next tax refund. Donations are tax deductible. Please contact the RHSV on 03 9326 9288 or email office@historyvictoria.org.au 2 www.historyvictoria.org.au
RHSV NEWS NEW EXHIBITION: WEDNESDAY 15 JULY – 18 DECEMBER 2015 Nail Can to Knighthood: the life of Sir Macpherson Robertson K.B.E. An new exhibition at the RHSV celebrating the life of Sir Macpherson Roberston KBE 15 July – 18 December 2015 Macpherson Robertson (1859- 1945) was a well-known Melbourne businessman and philanthropist. He built up a large confectionery business and his sweet products were widely consumed in Victoria and in the rest of Australia. He contributed much to Melbourne society by supporting many worthy causes and providing funds for several iconic structures around the city. Macpherson Robertson, popularly known as ‘MacRob’, was of humble origins, born on the Ballarat goldfields to his Irish mother, Margaret, and his Scottish father, David. The family moved to Queensland and from there Margaret took the children to Scotland while David sought work in Fiji. While in Scotland MacRob took several jobs to help the family including working in two confectionery factories. After several years the family was reunited in Melbourne. Following his experience in Scotland, MacRob began an apprenticeship in the confectionery business in Melbourne. By the time he had finished the family had moved to Fitzroy and there MacRob set up his own business in the family home. He began in a small way with a furnace made from a nail can and a tin pannikin in which to boil his sugar syrup. His first products were sugar animals packed in paper cones and distributed by MacRob on foot. From these beginnings MacRob went on to build up his business by hard work, production of a wide range of superior products, expert advertising and promotion, and a readiness to adopt new technologies. Under the name ‘MacRobertson’s’ his business ultimately grew to be Australia’s largest sweet manufacturer, employing thousands of people and with factories occupying a large part of the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy. MacRob is remembered for his introduction of chewing gum to Australia, branded as ‘Pepsin’ and strongly marketed to sportspeople for its health benefits. He is even more famous for iconic confectionery products such as ‘Old Gold’ chocolate, ‘Cherry Ripe’ and ‘Freddo Frog’. He made many philanthropic contributions Lady with rose hat and MacRob milk chocolate (RHSV Collection) MacRobertson Old Gold factory, Fitzroy, c. 1925 (RHSV Collection : GN-MAC-892) to Melbourne and Australia. He financed two Antarctic expeditions under Sir Douglas Mawson in 1929 and 1930. For this he was knighted in 1932. As his contribution to the 1934 Victorian Centenary celebrations, he paid for the construction of the Mac. Robertson Girls’ High School, the MacRobertson Bridge over the Yarra, the National Herbarium building and the MacRobertson Fountain in the Domain. He also provided prize money for the Centenary Air Race from England to Melbourne. For his philanthropy he was made K.B.E. in 1935. www.historyvictoria.org.au Lady with MacRoberston hat (RHSV Collection) MacRobertson ‘The Roundelay Box’ (RHSV Collection) MacRoberston Pepsin Chewing Gum – Sports (RHSV Collection) MacRobertson ‘The Willow Box’ (RHSV Collection) RHSV MEMBERS’ INVITATION Nail Can to Knighthood will be launched by David Robertson, great grandson of Macpherson Robertson, Tuesday 14 July at 5:30. All members are cordially invited. However to assist with catering kindly RSVP by Friday 10 July(9326 9288 or office@historyvictoria.org.au ). The exhibition will then be open until Friday 18 December between Monday to Thursday 10am and 4pm Friday 10am – 3pm The Royal Historical Society of Victoria is fortunate in having acquired over the years a considerable amount of material relating to Macpherson Robertson. This includes photographs, confectionery packaging, recipe books, company documents, scrapbooks and other ephemera, donated by the Robertson family and by former MacRobertson’s staff. We are mounting this exhibition to showcase this material and to give some account of the life and achievements of this remarkable man, about whom the public knows too little. David Thompson, curator 3
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