This blog provides information, stories, links and events relating to and promoting the history of the Wimmera district.
Any additional information, via Comments, is welcomed.



Saturday 24 March 2012

Wiki Watchem

I was trawling through the PROV's wiki website, and came across a page which allowed you to trace by location searches that had been performed, and I came across this little gem - http://wiki.prov.vic.gov.au/index.php/Royal_Visit_1958,_Lost_Brooch
It is a letter from B. Pickering of Watchem to the City of Ballarat regarding a brooch lost there during the Royal Visit in 1958, the transcript is below.
 "Hoban St.
Watchem. 2.3.58
To the Ballarat Town Hall Clerk
Dear Sir,
You will no doubt get a surprise in receiving these lines.
Yesterday I went down to see the Queen Mother, I lost a spray brooch the stones shine like diamonds, clear stones no colors at all, diagram enclosing enclosing as near as I can remember the top had four or five half circular arms with stones all up these near as I can remember. I lost it not far from where the gentleman was broadcasting in the garden, near a statue not far off the barricade, there was some pushing going on + must have worked off my frock, + I noticed it gone after the Queen had gone past, it also has a safety catch on it.
While I am writing to you, my brother-in-law said he saw a man pick this brooch up + handed it to a woman, + she said she would hand it in, but never said where, but he advised me to write to you, as it may be handed in to your office.
Should it been handed in, would you please let me know, so can forward money for return postage, + should the lady leave her name, I would forward her 10/-, as it was a keep sake from a good friend. 
I am enclosing a stamped addressed envelope for a reply to this, hoping I am not putting you to any inconvenience.I am
Yours faithfully.
B. Pickering" 
Queen Elizabeth & the Queen Mother, being driven along Sturt Street Ballarat (National Archives)
The outcome, was the brooch found, returned, pawned, sold? I don't know, there aren't any Pickerings left in Watchem, so maybe we will never know.

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