Maldon Pottery was established in 1973 by Neville Wilson (1946-1996), Tom Metcalf (1948- ) and Graham Masters (1950- ) on Barringhup Road, Maldon, Victoria. Tom Metcalf and Graham Masters Masters graduated from Bendigo College of Advanced Education all Bendigo graduates. Wilson ) He was a skilled drawer and did all the brushwork. Metcalf (1948- ) graduated in 1968, did two years' work experience at Non-porite in Melbourne, then worked as a thrower and decorator at Bendigo Pottery from 1971-73. He is T.M. on Epsom ware. Masters (1950- ) graduated in 1973 and established the Enterprise Pottery at Myers Flat with Morris Hesse in 1974, so must have joined the partnership later than the others. He left in 1984 to set up his own Sweenies Creek Pottery. Metcalf left in the late 1980s, leaving Wilson to operate the pottery by himself until his death in 1996. As well as using the Maldon Pottery stamp, Wilson signed some of his work with his name or an impressed 'N'. Photograph of a hand thrown ceramic bottle, with glaze design depicting an Australian landscape in the 'continuous trees' pattern.maldon pottery, ceramics, australian studio pottery

This bottle was used as a form of advertising for the Wodonga Business of Samuel Mason. Samuel Mason was born at Bethnal Green, a suburb of London in 1824. He came to Australia via California, landing in Sydney in 1847. After a return to the California goldfields Samuel returned to Australia, arriving in Albury, NSW in 1855. He opened a bakery in Albury, and also commenced the manufacture of ginger beer for which he gained a reputation across Australia. Mr Mason continued in business in Albury for some time, but he established himself in Wodonga c1857, continuing a branch business in Albury. Twice a month in the early days Mr Mason walked to Beechworth for the purpose of transacting business. Occasionally he was summoned to attend the Beechworth courts as a juror. In 1901 Mr Mason retired from business, handing over the reins to his only son, Mr Samuel Mason Jr. who continued the aerated water business for some years. In about 1920 the business changed hands, being take over by E. Bartel. Samuel Mason Sr. died on 6 April 1908 and is buried in Wodonga. Mr. Mason Jr. was a prominent townsman. For some years he was a councillor of the Town Riding of the Wodonga Shire Council. He was also the first chairman of the Wodonga Water Trust in 1908. Samuel Mason Jr. moved to Melbourne in March 1920, primarily due to failing health. He died on 6 February 1929 and was interred in Melbourne.This bottle has strong local significance as it is representative of one of the earliest businesses established in Wodonga in the 1850s which operated until c1920. The business continued after 1920 under different ownership and names.2 earthenware pottery bottles manufactured by Bendigo Pottery and imprinted with the business brand of S. Mason, Wodonga. One bottle still contains a marble as part of the Codd sealing system to prevent gas from the ginger beer seeping out and the drink going flat. The bottles Within two elliptical circles are painted (in freehand) "S. MASON" in the top half and "WODONGA" in the bottom half. These are separated by an asterisk on both sides. A large "S" overlaid by a similarly large "M" is within the inner circle. 2nd bottle also includes "BREWED GINGER BEER" above the brand. At bottom of bottle 1 "PINNACLE BRAND" At bottom of bottle 2 in an oval shape: "THE BENDIGO POTTERY CO./ EPSOM/BENDIGO"s. mason wodonga, aerated drinks, bendigo pottery

Garry BISH (1950- ) Born Charlton, Victoria After training as a secondary school art teacher in Melbourne in 1968-69, Gary Bish moved to Bendigo, where he established the Potters Arms Studio in Epsom in 1972 while studying for a Diploma of Art and Design in ceramics at the Bendigo Institute of Technology, graduating in 1974. Establishing an independent studio in Epsom in 1972, Garry Bish has lectured in Ceramics for many years. Bish marks his work with his signature or an impressed 'B' with a stem like a feather, or in later years the Initial GB in a square. Plate by hand drawn glaze designceramics, gary bish, australian studio pottery