eHive Object Details

Name/TitleThe Royal Humane Society of Victoria : 1875 -

About this objectThe formation of this society was first publicity suggested in a letter written by Mr John Wilks, referring to the loss of life and selfless heroism displayed at the wreck of the Pilot Schooner "Rip", and published in the "Argus" 24 July 1873, under the nom de plume "Nero".

The Society was established in 1874 and identified its purpose of '"circulating the most effective methods for restoring persons apparently drowned or dead, and providing suitable apparatus ; to bestow awards for all who risk their lives to rescue those of their their fellow creatures''

The first Council included George Coppin, W. H. Embling ; G. W. Torrence ; John Meeson ; John Wilks ; George Wharton ; H. F. Phipps, J. Ellis Stewart ; E. L. Zox ; S. V. Winter ; J. H. Knipe ; J.E. Brombly. The president was Alex Kennedy Smith; Vice President The Mayor of Melbourne .

In 1878, in response to several applications, the directors decided to extend the Society's operations, after which date the awards of the Society were so frequently applied for and so much appreciated throughout Australasia, that the directors judged that it would be more appropriate if the title of the Society were altered. Accordingly, in the year 1882, the directors obtained through His Excellency the Marquis of Normanby, the then Governor of Victoria, the consent of Her Majesty the Queen to assume the title of "The Royal Humane Society of Australasia". (source : Society website)

Contents:
- Annual reports 1875 - 2020
- Cases for records dealt with "during 1883-1905".
- Registers of applications, 1874-1901; 1901-1931. Information is recorded about the name of the nominee, their address, their profession, the event, the person rescued, their profession, dates and 'Director's Decision'
- Life-buoy register, c. 1905 : List of locations where life buoys have been installed, e.g. Carlton, "1 each lagoon in gardens"
- Carbon letter book 1920 - 1928. Letter book published by Arbuckle, Waddell & Fawckner, Mercantile stationers, printer lithographers &c., 20 McKillop Street
- Minute books, 1874-1891 ; 1891-1934 ; 1934-1962 ; 1962-1981 ; 1981-1989 ; 1996-2016
- Business meetings 1876-1880
- Medals and certificates : 1888 - [Gold, silver and bronze medals ; Posthumous Awards ; The Clarke Medal ; The Rupert Wilks Trophy ; Stanhope Gold Medal ; Certificates ; badges]
- Framed certificate given to John Watson, a Williamstown constable who rescued two boys from drowning, 16th September 1895
- Framed certificate given to Alfred Hugh McCracken who saved two children from drowning in Stony Creek, Footscray, 2 May 1875
- Framed certificate and medals presented to Senior Constable Michael Francis Doyle, Senior Constable Charles Thomas Grieve, Senior Constable David Neill Pollock, Search and rescue Squad for going to the aid of an injured climber at Mt Buffalo, 19th January 1981
- Oval portrait of Mrs Lavinia Kennedy of Wahring, near Nagambie, who saved a child who had wandered onto a railway line, 4 December 1908. The Lavinia Kennedy Heroism Fund was set up in response to her bravery.
- Framed black and white etching of two hands touching, called "An act of love". Text under etching : "donated to the Royal Humane Society in honour of Kenneth Shane Stannton, Vesna Markoski, John Peter Muscat, Robert Mitchell, Tracy Skinner, Gina Papaioannou, Dusan Flajnik, the innocent who fell, those who went to help and those, like the Royal Humane Society, who came to heal... by the Peace Project, 1993. [73.5 x 93 cm]

MakerRoyal Humane Society of Australasia

Maker RoleIssuing body

Subject and Association KeywordsShipwrecks

Subject and Association KeywordsRivers

Subject and Association KeywordsSwimming pools

Subject and Association KeywordsRailway accidents

Subject and Association KeywordsLife saving

Subject and Association KeywordsCommunity organisations

Named CollectionManuscripts Collection

Object TypeVarious

Object numberMS 001074

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved