Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. The dividers were home-made showing the resourcefulness of farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.Wood plank with wire attached through a hole at each end in from side edge to create a stand. Another piece of wire stands vertically and is folded over to create blunt edge at the top. At the bottom it goes through the wood and along a bit to hold the wire in place. There are 6 dividers and because they are handmade the measurements vary slightly. tobacco. kiewa valley. mongans bridge. parmeson. rossaro, lorenzi brothers. grading dividers.

Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. The picking bag was home-made showing the resourcefulness of farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.Picking bag known as 'Sacco'. The bag was used as a liner to the collecting bin in front of each of the 4 pickers on the picking machine. The bag was then hooked closed and held the leaf together for transport to the shed. Brown hessian woven length with 2 thick wires at 1 end hooked through 'bag' 100 mm from each side and hook on other end. Shaped in 1 rectangle rather than like a bag.Edges rough with wear and tear. A couple of holes where weave in 1 direction has torn.tobacco. picking bag. mongans bridge. kiewa valley. sacco. parmesan. rossaro. lorenzi brothers.

Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. The picking apron was home-made showing the resourcefulness of farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. Picking machines replaced the picking apron. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.The apron was used to gather green leaf before picking machines were made. Thick cotton cream apron, hemmed around the outside. Widest at the waist which has 2 rings each side where string is attached with a knot to tie around the waist. From the ring, material tapers inwards to form a bib. The corners of the bib have rings from which white rope is attached to hang around the neck. Similariy material tapers to the bottom where rings in the corners have rope attached - also to hang around the neck. Half way between the waist and neck, the material is double stitched and overlapped. grubbytobacco. mongans bridge, kiewa valley, parmesan, rossaro . picking apron.

Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of it major industries. Many of the italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.Wooden, panelled red (painted on outside) rectangular box on side are iron bars with steel reinforcements around the box, near the top and bottom on 4 sides and across the middle on the 2 ends and front (not back). Diagonal steel between bottom and middle iron on the front. Ends: 2 iron bars from the ground curved up to top holding an iron rectangular beam that goes from end to end. Midway of beam is a vertical long screw at the top of which is a cross formation of 4 iron rods forming a handle for turning. Inside, the screw is attached to an iron frame which is attached to a wooden panelled platform enabling it to be raised or lowered as required.tobacco. mongans bridge. kiewa valley. hand press. parmesan. rossaro. lorenzi brothers.

Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. The tobacco 'stretcher' was home-made showing the resourcefulness of farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.The 'stretcher' was used for carrying dry tobacco from kiln to stacking shed and later from stacking shed to the grading benches. 2 tree logs parallel to each other with 2 hessian bags cut into a piece each to overlap down the middle and starched between and held by a plank of wood nailed along at each end. The tree logs are held in position across the middle and behind the hessian by a thick plank of wood.Holes. One piece of hessian has painted in green:- Albury NSW and 5 green rectangles printed on it at the top partly covered by wooden plank.tobacco. mongans bridge. kiewa valley. kiln. shed. parmesan. rossaro. lorenzi brothers.

Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.The twine was used to tie green leaf in bunches onto the sticks. There were 26 bunches per stick and 500 sticks per kiln. Spool of tying cotton used on electric sewing machine. With the bailing, the sewing needles were housed on a hook on the top edge (of the tying horse) with the correct length of string at hand - time was of the essence. A large ball of orange, scratchy, twine kept together by a piece of twine wrapped around it.tobacco. mongans bridge. kiewa valley. twine. tying horse.

Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley. The Tying Horse was home-made showing the resourcefulness of farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. Provenance: The tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.Burley tobacco stick is different to Hicks type stick. Tying of green leaf on the sticks - with the twine attached. There is small sharp metal blade on the end of the horse used for cutting twine. Rectangular wooden frame. The beam along the bottom is kept in place by 2 diagonal planks on each side and at both ends. The beam keeps the frame upright with 2 cross beams at each end. At each end there is a vertical beam with a 'V' cut out of each to hold a wooden beam/stick/tree branch. Wood is rough.tobacco. kiewa valley.tying horse. guido angelini.

Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley. The cutting knife is home-made showing the resourcefulness of farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. Provenance: The tobacco farmer is from a local farming family in the Kiewa Valley.Steel 4 sided rod with blade attached at 1 end, blade at an angle to top. Handle covered with deteriorating leather by nails. Between rod & leather is a green rubber hose as part of the handle.tobacco. burley. knife. graham cooper. kiewa valley.

Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. The frame holding the thermometers was home-made showing the resourcefulness of farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.Used for monitoring the temperature and humidity in the kiln during the drying process of the tobacco leaf (the thermometer is missing the water holder) 2 thermometers attached to a steel attached to an old rusty tin frame with handle at the top enabling it to be hung, using wire, to hook on the wall. Tin frame has cap on it coming out to protect the thermometers and a base for standing the frame up. 1 thermometer has a hollow piece of material (or cord) strip (125 mm long) attached to the bottom of it.Beside the thermometers is inscribed on steel - the lines for measuring and numbers from 40, 60 (by 20s) up to 240.tobacco. kiewa valley. mongans bridge. wet and dry bulb thermometer. silvano rossaro.

Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.2 different sized iron needles curved and pointed at 1 end and opening at the other. Twine: like soft string - 35 lengths tied together. Used for hand closure of tobacco bales.tobacco. kiewa valley. mongans bridge. twine. sewing needle. rossaro.

Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.Iron pointed spear with 4 sides opening for handle where there are 3 sides the missing face being on one of the narrow sides. Split where iron has come apart is opposite the opening and is 60 mm long. tobacco. kiewa valley. spear. burley

Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. The sand sieve was home-made showing the resourcefulness of farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.Used for sifting sand over the sowing of tobacco seed in seed beds. Rectangular wooden frame with tin attached on all 4 sides. Tin has been punched randomly to form ragged holes about 20 mm apart. A wooden beam has been attached vertically to the frame and extends upwards to form a handle tapered towards the end. Tin is nailed on. tobacco. kiewa valley. mongans bridge. vannucci. sand sieve. rossaro.

Horses were coupled together to form a team to pull farm machinery to work on farms. Later, petrol and kerosene equipment was used and then diesel. The Kiewa Valley consisted of farming families before the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme was constructed in the late 1940's at the upper end of the valley. Three large black & white photos of a horse team pulling farm equipment. 1. Mouldboard plough 2. header 3. thresher or chaff cutter. 1.& 2. are working on the farm 3. is pulling the machinery to a nearby farm. No labelsfarm equipment. horse teams. farming. crops.

Many farming families in the district kept bees as a source of honey for home consumption. This item was made for use on the family farm. Most of the equipment used in the local industry was homemade.During the early to mid 20th century bee keeping was a significant rural industry in Dunkeld and surrounding districts. It is believed that there were nearly twenty apiarists operating in the area. Honey in large quantities was railed to Melbourne for sale.Homemade bee smoker consisting of a copper cylindrical firebox and rectangular bellows constructed of wood and leather. Components are assembled with rivets, scrap wire, sheet metal, nuts and bolts and nails.

This item can be seen as a hand piece belonging to a logger or farmer spanning over one hundred or more years. The equipment was made to perfection as a hand tool and has not been improved upon since its introduction into the logging industry or farming fraternity. It can be used by one person or two (husband and wife or father and child). Its versatility is ageless. It can be used for domestic clearing of the paddocks, or for domestic fire places and stoves or commercial logging up until the 2000s (introduction of specific logging trucks that cut and treat the trees in one process).This item is very significant to the rural and logging regions within the Kiewa Valley. It has been used for domestic wood cutting and for industrial logging in the mid to late 1900s. It was used when clearing land for the SEC Hydro scheme and to allow for the introduction of the Mount Beauty construction workers' village (later developed into the town) The great advantage of this saw was that it uses only muscle power and can be located where ever a lumber "Jack" or property owner can venture. either by foot or by horse.This saw is a Warranted Superior One/Two Man Logging Saw. It has 68 teeth and is 42 inches long. At a position of one inch (2.5cm) from the end is a hole one inch down from the leading edge. There is another hole 45 cm in front of the handle. Both these holes are for a "helper handle" which when in use renders this logging saw fit for a two man operation. This is a cross cut saw for cutting down vertical trees (horizontal cut) The handle is made from wood and fastened to the blade by three heavy duty screws. The one helper handle stands 150mm high and has a 150mm wooden hand grip.The central screw has 25mm manufacturers' identification logo stamped "WARRANTED SUPERIOR".one or two man cross cut saws, forestry, timber industry

This item is a contemporary record of engineering equipment used in farming, industry and mining in the 1920's.A Bennie, Teare & Co catalogue in a loose leaf clip folder with a blue fabric cover. It has a red seal on the front. At the side is a metal brace for page removal. catalogue bennie-teare-engineering

The early settlers of Victoria depended on horse drawn vehicles to farm, make roads and railways, deliver produce and transport people. Horse harnesses were an important requisite for all drivers and could be found wherever there were working horses. Horse Harnesses have played an essential role in different cultures throughout history. Simple, utilitarian horse harnesses made of leather straps and iron rings were being used in early China before AD 500 as well as ancient Greece and Rome allowing horses to pull chariots and ploughs. The Greeks and Romans were the first to use a "horse collar" which distributed the weight of the harness evenly across the horse's chest rather than relying on a "throat harness" that could damage a horse's throat or choke them. During the medieval period, European horse harnesses became more elaborate and decorative. Variations of different horse harnesses were also found in Native American and Middle Eastern cultures. Horse Harnesses usually have four basic components which include - 1. Communication - the bridle, bit and reins allows the driver to communicate instructions and commands to the horse, guiding its movement and direction. 2. Draft - the collar, hame straps, hames, traces and chains enables the horse to draw and pull the load efficiently by distributing the weight and transferring the pulling force to the vehicle. 3. Stopping - the breeching band, pole straps and breast strap helps to control or stabilise the horse and vehicle when moving downhill or stopping. 4. Support - the back pad, backband, belly band and back saddle keep the harness in the correct position and proper alignment. This dray harness is a plain, basic harness and reflects its working class origins. It was used by Mr. Oswald (Jack) Bourke with his horse and dray to firstly deliver drygoods from Sunbury to Melbourne in the 1930's and later (through the 1940's and 1950's up to 1961) when he worked on the garbage round for the Springvale City Council. This horse harness is a significant example of the equipment that was needed wherever horses were being used - particularly in the early years of Victoria's settlement by white settlers. Harnesses such as this example were used with drays, farming equipment, delivery carts and personal transportation.A leather and metal horse harness used with a horse and dray circa 1930's to the early 1960's. It is made up of a number of components. 1. A leather bridle with metal buckles and rings, blinkers and a metal single jointed, snaffle bit that has the initials M B stamped onto the leather. 2. A leather bridle with metal buckles and rings and a metal "straight bar" Eggbut snaffle bit. It has an elongated X design (with 4 dots) stamped onto the leather strap holders near each buckle. 3. A blue and white vinyl halter with one leather patched strap. The nose band and a chin strap are covered with woollen padding. 4. A pair of leather shaft protectors. They have lacing holes along each edge and a repeating design of small shapes (flowers, wings, crosses and arrowheads) which run along the front of each protector. 5. A leather strap with a stainless steel chain and catch and a maker's mark for "Glenn's Leather Goods, Pearcedale Victoria" stamped onto the end. 6. A wide leather strap covered with a webbing sleeve. It has two large metal rings and each end and one ring has a rope attached. 7. A leather strap comprised of three separate sections (two shorter and one longer) joined with two metal rings. The longer section has notches along its length and the shorter section at the other end has a buckle. It also had a maker's mark stamped on it but the mark is very worn and the writing is difficult to read. 8. An adjustable leather horse collar with two buckles and straps at the top opening and two "B's" stamped into the leather. The top of the collar is made from treated leather pieces stitched together and the underneath of the collar is untreated leather. It has a padded indentation running all the way around the collar for the hames to sit in. 9. Two pairs of long leather traces - each having a buckle and notched section at one end and each one is made with three lengths of leather spliced together. 10. A leather strap (with one spliced join) belonging to a horse harness with two shorter straps (each ending with a metal clip) attached to a steel D ring at one end. 11. Three assorted short leather straps - the top one has clips at each end and a buckle (for adjusting the length) in the centre, the middle strap has notches and a buckle and the bottom strap is white with notches and a buckle.Bridle with blinkers - "M B" Bridle - design showing an elongated X with a dot in each section stamped onto strap holder Shaft Protectors - stamped design of flowers, wings, crosses and arrowheads Strap with chain - "Glenn's leather goods / Pearcedale / Victoria" Leather Strap (with two metal rings) - Maker's stamp - "name indecipherable / SADDLER / ...OURNE" Collar - "B / B" Leather strap - flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, sunbury, springvale, dray, delivery dray, harness, horse harness, horse drawn vehicles, working horse, oswald (jack) bourke, bridle, horse collar, hames, shaft protectors

The early settlers of Victoria depended on horse drawn vehicles to farm, make roads and railways, deliver produce and transport people. Horse harnesses were an important requisite for all drivers and could be found wherever there were working horses. Horse Harnesses have played an essential role in different cultures throughout history. Simple, utilitarian horse harnesses made of leather straps and iron rings were being used in early China before AD 500 as well as ancient Greece and Rome, allowing horses to pull chariots and ploughs. The Greeks and Romans were the first to use a "horse collar" which distributed the weight of the harness evenly across the horse's chest rather than relying on a "throat harness" that could damage a horse's throat or choke them. During the medieval period, European horse harnesses became more elaborate and decorative. Variations of different horse harnesses were also found in Native American and Middle Eastern cultures. Horse Harnesses usually have four basic components which include - 1. Communication - the bridle, bit and reins allows the driver to communicate instructions and commands to the horse, guiding its movement and direction. 2. Draft - the collar, hame straps, hames, traces and chains enables the horse to draw and pull the load efficiently by distributing the weight and transferring the pulling force to the vehicle. 3. Stopping - the breeching band, pole straps and breast strap helps to control or stabilise the horse and vehicle when moving downhill or stopping. 4. Support - the back pad, backband, belly band and back saddle keep the harness in the correct position and proper alignment. This show harness was used by Mr. Andy Bourke when showing his Clydesdales at shows or demonstrations. Although a more modern example with decorative embellishments, it still has many essential components traditionally found in an everyday working horse harness. The original purpose of the "housen" for example, was to run rain or drizzle off the horse's neck when they had to work in wet conditions - it was laid flat for this purpose on the top of the collar. Nowadays it is purely for show and is often used to advertise a business or stud. Horse brasses and fly terrets were fastened to various parts of a horse's harness. In the early days they probably began as amulets to ward off evil and to bring good luck and continued to be used as a festive decoration. The heyday of horse brasses was between the years 1851 and 1900. Horse brasses are fastened to various parts of the harness with many of their designs being symbolic. The ornamentation on this harness (although not authentic horse brasses) are based on the horse brasses that were popular in the 19th century. This horse harness is a significant example of the equipment that was needed wherever heavy horses were being used - particularly in the early years of Victoria's settlement by white settlers. Harnesses such as this example were used with stage coaches, drays, farming equipment, delivery carts and personal transportation.A leather and metal horse harness used when showing a Clydesdale (or other breed of heavy horse). It is made up of a number of components. 1. Decorative leather cart saddle with two large cloth pads underneath (which have a scalloped leather and stud border), a raised leather pommel and a silver and red coloured metal back strap holder across the top. It has two symmetrical sets of ornamentation (silver hearts and circles) in the front and a wide strap or girth (with a maker's stamp reading "R. Mitchell Saddler") and buckle which attaches the saddle to the horse. 2. Pair of steel hames which are gently curved (to fit on a horse collar) and are topped with steel knobs. They have several steel rings and lugs (to hold straps and chains) and a "Made in England Warranted Steel" stamp. 3. Breeching harness which consists of a number of leather straps, chains and metal rings including a wide padded leather strap with a scalloped edge that sits on the back of the horse and a thick leather strap that goes around the hind quarters of a horse which is joined to the back strap with four shorter vertical straps and buckles. These straps feature silver and red patent leather trim and silver heart shaped ornamentation. The strap also features the maker's stamp of "R. Mitchell". 4. Decorative leather bridle with blinkers featuring the same silver and red patent leather trim on the cheek piece, brow band and throatlatch. It has a stainless steel "Liverpool Driving Bit" with a curb chain, a variety of decorative silver ornaments (rosettes, diamonds plus a heart and two circles) on each end of the forehead band, dropper and strap as well as a silver metal bell (sometimes known as a "fly terret" or "swinger") that sits on the headpiece of the bridle. 5. Leather "violin shaped" dropper (or hanger) with two silver rosette shaped ornaments and a stainless steel clip on the top 6. Stainless steel "Liverpool Driving Bit" with a straight mouthpiece which is ribbed on one side. It has three rein spots (spaces) and a curb chain. 7. Leather arch shaped "Housen" covered in black and red patent leather and decorated with silver studs (some spelling out F H) and bordered with a red fringe. It has a leather strap at the back and two leather loops on the front. 8. Leather padded backband (Australian style "Stallion Draught Roller") decorated with two groups of nine metal "horse brasses" or harness ornaments displaying horseshoe, starburst and horse head designs on blue, red and white striped webbing. The backband has three notched straps at each end, a buckle near the centre and the initial B stamped in two places underneath. 9. Bellyband made of leather and red, white and blue striped webbing. It has a set of three buckles at each end (which correspond with the notched straps of the backband). 10. Wide, thick leather strap which has a buckle and notches at each end. It also has the maker's stamp of "R. Mitchell Saddler". 11.One pair of long leather traces - each with a buckle and notched loop at one end, decorated with a small silver diamond shaped harness ornament. 12. Length of stainless steel heavy duty chain with two swivel connectors.Saddle - "R.MITCHELL / SADDLER" Hames - "MADE IN ENGLAND / WARRANTED / STEEL" "MADE IN ENGLAND / WARRANTED / unclear" Breeching Straps - "R. MITCHELL / MAKER / R. MITCHELL MAKER" Housen - "F H" Backband "B / B' Wide leather strap - "R. MITCHELL / SADDLER"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, harness, horse harness, show harness, clydesdale horses, andy bourke, horse drawn cart, housen, bridle, hames, breeching straps, dropper, bit, liverpool bit, backband, harness ornamentation, bellyband, back saddle, fly terret

A hand trolly can be loaded with heavy objects such as luggage, produce, and equipment and the objects can then be easily wheeled from one place to another. They are used by farmers, railway workers, shipping companies, porters, factory labourers and other industries when heavy loads need to be moved. Hand trolleys were first used in the 18th century by young workers at the docks. The new equipment used leverage and wheels, enabling them to move the same heavy loads that the men were moving. This hand trolley is an example of the hand trolleys used since the 18th century to move heavy loads at the docks and shipyards. It is associated with the maritime industries of shipping, transportation, travel and trade as with the primary production sectors of farming, markets and produce. Hand trolley; an L-shaped handcart with handles at one end, wheels at the other, and a ledge to hold the load. This hand trolley has orange wooden slats and handles, two metal wheels and a black metal frame. It has supporting legs at one end, two metal flanges near the wheels and a support foot at the bottom. There is an inscription on the metal at one side.Stamped into metal: "MSSC"warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, hand trolley, sack truck, trolley, luggage trolley, hand truck, trundler, sack barrow, bag barrow, leverage, marine technology, cargo handling, docks, wharft, shipping, trade

This gold miner's pick from the Ballarat Goldfields c 1920 was donated by Mr David Hopcraft, a dealer at the Arkuna Market Berwick, Victoria in December 2010. When Gold was discovered in Victoria c1853 most of the labourers and some landowners left the market gardens and farms to try their luck on the goldfields. Local Blacksmiths made picks similar to this one for them. There was a great shortage of labour in Melbourne and at the same time, due to the huge influx of people lured by the Gold, there was an increased demand for food. The market gardeners were getting very good prices for their produce and many increased their wealth considerably and many of these tenant farmers were able to purchase their blocks of land and live a profitable life. There was such a shortage of labour that J.B.Were applied for Irish immigrants to work the farms. This pick is an example of the hand made tools many pioneers took with them when they abandoned their farms and market gardens in the District of Brighton to try their luck at prospecting when gold was discovered in Ballarat and Bendigo c1853. Some were successful , most were not and retuned again to the hard life of farming. A forged steel pick with a wooden handle. The steel pick-head was hand-forged by a blacksmith. This miner's pick was used on the Ballarat gold-fields c1920gold mining, ballarat, bendigo, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, mining equipment, gold rush, immigrants, blacksmiths, forges, tools

This photograph shows the relationship between the farmer and his working animal, which is a close one. Farmers in years gone by depended on reliable and strong animals to allow them to work their land efficiently. The close relationship is indicated by the photograph's title, the name of the horse 'Duke'. The horse in this photograph is a Clydesdale cross named "Duke" that pulled a market wagon around Flagstaff Hill from the mid-1980's to the early-1990's, providing rides for visiting children and carting goods and equipment around the Village. Duke is pictured with his owner Pat McGowan. Duke passed away in August 1992. In October 1992 funds were raised by the community to purchase another Clydesdale named Duke began working at Flagstaff Hill under Pat McGowan's care.This photograph of man, horse and plough shows the typical farming method used by early settlers in Victoria in the 19th and early 20th century. The photograph is an indication of the respect the farmer had for his working animals.Photograph, black and white, behind glass in timber frame with gilt inner border. Subject is working horse pulling a wooden plough, guided by a man. There is turned soil behind the horse. The name "Duke" is in gold paint script below the photograph.Script "Duke"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, farm animal, horse and plough, hand plough, horse drawn plough, working horse, duke, duke the horse, early farming, early settler, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, attraction, clydesdale cross, clydesdale, rides, market wagon, pat, pat mcgowan

During early farming in Australia (before motorised whipper snippers) the hand held sickle was used to cut long grass, in this case in or around railway tracks. The inside of the blade's curve was sharp, so that the user can either draw or swing it against the base of the grass, catching the stems in the curve and slicing them at the same time. Historic - Railway Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Grass SlasherWrought iron sickle with extended with wooden handle.puffing billy, extended sickle, farm tool, reaping hook, curved blade, grass cutting

Metal sickle knife Guard bar for an old horse drawn mower Historic - Farming Equipment - sickle knife Guard bar Metal - wrought iron sickle knife Guard bar for an old horse drawn mower puffing billy, sickle knife guard bar

A grader-like blade attached to horses or a tractor to dig through the ground to create channels, especially drainage channels. Long metal plated "trough-shape" with raised edges, connected by metal bracketsfarming, delver, irrigation, channels, drainage

Sepia photograph of two drays that have teams of horses harnessed to them. There are three men in the image and they are backdropped by tall trees.on back: DIGGERS RESTcullinan, uraina, eileen, chris, cultivators, horses, farm and garden equipment, drays, farming, bayview farm, agricultural implements, george evans collection

Used on Sheep Farm in Coleambally, NSW to mark sheeps ears with that particular farms brand. Used approximately 1960.Steel spring handle with one side having brand cut out and other side brand protruding to fit together when squeezed. Hole in one handle."W.JNO BAKER" "BAKER"farm implements, farming, george evans collection, 1960s, sheep, farms