This pencil was found in 1946 by Mr Jim Pelling when an old wall was being pulled down in Warrnambool. This type of pen would have been used in the 19th century and apparently produced good legible writing and the lead point never wore out. No information is available on Jim Pelling or the location of the wall.Although this pencil has no known provenance it is of considerable interest because of its finding in an old wall in Warrnambool and because of its antiquarian value. It is a good example of a writing tool of the past and the ivory handle is of particular interest. This is a pencil with a handle made of ivory with a sharpened point of metallic lead screwed on the end of it. The end of the handle has an ornamental column shape. The lead at the end is slightly bent. Accompanying the pencil is an extract from a 1946 Warrnambool Standard detailing the finding of the pencil and some handwriting from a later date. The newspaper extract is pasted on to a piece of cardboard (a piece of a Rice Bubbles packet).In blue handwriting: ‘Extract from 1946 Warrnambool Standard’ and ‘Given to Warrnambool Historical Society by Mr J. Pelling 1970’jim pelling, metallic lead pencil, warrnambool history

These essays have been written by Walter Murdoch, a distinguished Australian academic and essayist. Murdoch (1874-1970) gained an Arts Degree at the University of Melbourne, with first class honours in philosophy and logic. In 1901 he came to Warrnambool, going into partnership with James Scott as proprietors of a private school, Warrnambool College. They bought out Warrnambool Grammar School, previously run by John Stanley. When Scott retired Murdoch became the sole proprietor and headmaster. While in Warrnambool Murdoch continued to write for Melbourne newspapers and published a book, ‘The Struggle for Freedom’ which covers English and Australian constitutional history. This book sold 10,000 copies in its first year. In 1904 Murdoch left Warrnambool to take up a lecturing position in English at the University of Melbourne. He went on to become the foundation Professor of English at the University of Western Australia and later its Chancellor. Murdoch University in Western Australia is named after him. Murdoch became a household name in Australia through his radio broadcasts and syndicated articles and literary columns in several Australian newspapers. During his lifetime Murdoch published over 40 works and he was knighted in 1964. This book is of interest as one written by Walter Murdoch who not only is important in Australian literature and academic circles but also has his place in Warrnambool’s history. This is a hard cover book of 209 pages. The cover is green with black printing and has an image of a quill outlined in black. The spine is much faded. The book contains a Preface and 28 short essays. The inside cover and the edges of the pages are stained. walter murdoch, warrnambool college (early 20th century), history of warrnambool

This book has been written by Walter Murdoch, the distinguished Australian academic and essayist. Walter Murdoch (1874-1970) gained an Arts Degree at the University of Melbourne with first class honours in philosophy and logic. In 1901 Murdoch came to Warrnambool in partnership with James Scott as co-proprietors of the private school, Warrnambool College. They bought out the Warrnambool Grammar School previously run by John Stanley and, when Scott retired, Murdoch became the sole proprietor and headmaster of the school. While he was in Warrnambool Murdoch continued to write for Melbourne newspapers and published a book, ‘The Struggle For Freedom’, covering the constitutional history of Britain and Australia. This book sold 10,000 copies in its first year. In 1904 Murdoch left Warrnambool to take up a position as a lecturer in English at the University of Melbourne. Later he became the foundation Professor of English at the University of Western Australia and later its Chancellor. Murdoch University in Western Australia is named after him. Murdoch became a household name to two generations of Australians through his radio broadcasts and his literary columns in several Australian newspapers. He published over 40 books and was knighted in 1964. This book is of interest as an example of the writings of Walter Murdoch, important not only in the history of Australian literature but also of note in the history of Warrnambool. This is a hard cover book of 195 pages. The cover is orange with red lettering and an image of a mountain (on an island?). The spine is a little faded. The book contains a Preface and 21 short essays containing thoughts concerning Australia in the early years of World War Two. walter murdoch, history of warrnambool, warrnambool college (early 20th century)

After an attempt of building a Seamen's Hospital in Williamstown, the ship Emily was transformed in a floating chapel to welcome seamen for service. Captain Charles Ferguson (1813-1868) was one of the members of the committee who founded the floating church. The ship Emily may have been a convict ship sailing from England to the Van Diemen's land in 1842 and 1844. Before 1856, it was used as a "water police hulk" then transformed in an accommodation for Reverend Kerr Johnson and his large family and fitted to receive 200 attendees in the chapel.The article is significant as it describes the ship and its location: "The hulk is moored midway between Sandridge and Williamstown, and is distinguished by a blue flag flying at the mainmast with "Bethel" inscribed on it; and in one corner of the flag is the star of Bethlehem, in another a dove with an olive branch."1 column article in the Argusship emily, floating church, reverend kerr johnston, 1812-1887, hobson's bay, sandridge, captain ferguson, captain charles ferguson (1813-1868), convict ships

Critical remarks about the proposed housing development in the vicinity of A K Lines Reserve, WatsoniaThree short reader contributions to "Conversations" column, with colour photograph of A K Lines Reservea k lines reserve, houses in watsonia, north east link, watsonia - places

Padre Wong was the first Asian chaplain.In the 1960s due to containerisation, the Mission adapted to be able to better respond the need of the changing origins of the crews.Five columns article illustrated with two photographs of Reverend Wong with his family and the Reverend with asian sailors published on page 84 of the Australian Women's Weekly, 20 November 1963reverend stephen wong, john wong, timothy wong, hong kong, china, chinese, asian, margaret berkeley, 1963

The article confirme the Guild was first created in Melbourne and that the name was copied by English committees around 1932-1933 as Lady Janet Bailey reveals :" I must admit we flagrantly took that title from Australia".Two columns article published in the Agelady huntingfield, ladies harbour lights guild, lhlg, lady janet bailey, amy brown

The Greensborough Gossip column in the local paper (Diamond Valley News), 1970. Includes a story about the Flintoff Street swing bridge and other local information.Digital copy of newspaper article.flintoff street greensborough, greensborough gossip

Mr Stafford was the grandfather of Shirley Fraser (Black). This notice shows some family connections of the Black family.Single column death notice, mounted on yellow card.Written above date "1967".john stafford, shirley fraser, black family

Street Watch is published weekly in the Diamond Valley Leader and contains police reports including local crimes and missing persons. There is an incomplete run of this column.Half page newspaper clipping with map and text.street watch, diamond valley leader

Letters to the Editor column. Includes the possible sale of children's playground in McKenzie Court Greensborough.News clipping, black text, colour image.mckenzie court greensborough

A pair of articles published by our local newspaper detailing local events.Articles were written by Greensborough Historical Society Member Rosalie Bray.A photocopy of two Local Scene columns from the Diamond Valley Leader newspaper written by GHS member Rosalie Bray.david ramsay low, taxi driver, hubert opperman, doreen simmondson, watsonia little athletics, bundoora netball club

This Almanac records the many various organisations, such as churches schools councils and law related information.It lists public holidays, members of Parliament as well as births and deaths natural events such as rainfall, sunrise/sunsets and moon charts. it records mail charges and coach timetables.A middle section presents a calendar for 1870 with a record of events which were deemed important since the time of settlement It lists such things as the first telegram from Melbourne to Sydney1858, Governor Bligh deposed 1808, Burke and Wills funeral 1863. At the bottom of the page is a Warrnambool Business Directory which includes J S Rowley Corio brewery, Royal Hotel , J H Rule Painter, plumber and glazier, J Brady , tinsmith and A Lanagan , Golden Boot The Warrnambool Examiner was founded by John Wilkinson and Richard Osburne in 1851. After a gap of a couple of years Richard Osburne resumed publication in October 1853 and continued until 1867. William Fairfax and Henry Laurie then leased the paper (1867 to 1872) before Richard Osburne again became the proprietor from October 1872 to April 1878 and from December 1879 to December 1880 when publication ceased. Fairfax and Laurie were the proprietors of the paper when this Almanac was published. William Fairfax was a member of the Fairfax family which was, and still is, associated with the publication of many Australian newspapers. Henry Laurie later became well-known as a Melbourne University Philosophy Professor.This single sheet of newspaper is an interesting and valuable record of Warrnambool and its people in 1870. There are names of many local people recorded and it also gives an insight into the variety of businesses and orhganisations which were established by 1870. It is also interesting to note that there are at least ten different styles of print on the page.Large single broadsheet of newspaper with large black heading and eight columns of print. The back of the page is blank.Fairfax and Laurie's Almanac for 1870 presented with the Warrnambool Examiner. Published as a supplement to the Warrnambool Examiner of 7th January 1870 Vol.XX No 1597.warrnambool, warrnambool almanac 1870,, examiner almanac warrnambool, fairfax and laurie, examiner warrnambool

This book contains essays written by Walter Murdoch in 1935. Walter Logie Forbes Murdoch (1874-1970) had a distinguished academic career and became Australia’s best-known essayist. He was a household name to two generations of Australians through his radio broadcasts and syndicated literary columns in several Australian newspapers. In 1901 Walter Murdoch came to Warrnambool, going into partnership with James Scott, the Headmaster of Warrnambool College. They bought out Stanley’s Warrnambool Grammar School. When Scott retired Murdoch became the sole owner and Headmaster of the school. While in Warrnambool Murdoch wrote a textbook, ‘The Struggle for Freedom’, a book which covers English constitutional history and has chapters on Australian government at all levels including the new Federal Government. In 1904 Murdoch left Warrnambool to take up a position lecturing in English at Melbourne University. He went on to become the foundation Professor of English at the University of Western Australia and later its Chancellor. Murdoch University in Western Australia is named after him. Murdoch published over 40 books, one of which is the collection of essays called’ Moreover’. He was knighted in 1964. This book is of interest as an example of the writings of Walter Murdoch, an important Australian literary figure who was a resident of warrnamboo and proprietor of a private school in the town in the early 1900s. This is a hard cover book of 252 pages. The cover is green with an image of a quill pen on the front cover. The book has a preface, a contents page, 33 essays by Walter Murdoch and an index. There are no photographs or illustrations to accompany the text.Inside front page: A bookplate with the name ‘Dot’, a sketch of a Father Christmas and ‘25/12/35, Merry Xmas! Collin’. walter murdoch, australian literature, warrnambool college (early 20th century), history of warrnambool

This a school text book edited by Walter Logie Forbes Murdoch (1874-1970). He had a distinguished academic career and is regarded as one of Australia’s best essayists. He was a household name to two generations of Australians through his radio broadcasts and syndicated literary columns in several Australian newspapers. He was in Warrnambool early in the 20th century as the proprietor of a private school. In 1904 he left Warrnambool to take up a lecturing position at Melbourne University. He went on to become the foundation Professor of English at the University of Western Australia and later its Chancellor. Murdoch University in Western Australia is named after him. He was knighted in 1964. He published over 40 books. This book is of interest because it was edited by Walter Murdoch, an important figure in Australian literature and a man who played a part in Warrnambool’s history. In 1901 Murdoch came to Warrnambool, going into partnership with James Scott, the proprietor of Warrnambool College. They bought out Stanley’s Warrnambool Grammar School. When Scott retired Murdoch became the sole proprietor of the school. While in Warrnambool Murdoch wrote a school history textbook, ‘The Struggle for Freedom’. He left Warrnambool in 1904This is a hard cover book of 448 pages. It has a dark red cover with gold printed letters on the spine and the printing on the front cover is etched into the cover. It has a Prefatory Note, a Contents page, Sections Three and Four containing extracts from English Literature (the book is the Part Two volume) and advertisements at the back for other books published by Thomas Lothian. The book is bound with glue.On the first page: ‘Ada Sheen, State School Fryerstown’.walter murdoch, warrnambool college (early 20th century), history of warrnambool

This is a collection of essays written by Walter Logie Forbes Murdoch (1874-1970). He had a distinguished academic and literary career and is regarded as one of Australia’s greatest essayists. He was a household name to two generations of Australians through his radio broadcasts and syndicated literary columns in several Australian newspapers. Murdoch came to Warrnambool in 1901 as the proprietor of a private school. He left Warrnambool to take up a position at Melbourne University as an English lecturer. He went on to become the foundation Professor of English at the University of Western Australia and was later its Chancellor. Murdoch University in Western Australia is named after him and he was knighted in 1964. He published over 40 books. This book is of interest as an example of the literary works of Walter Murdoch, a distinguished literary figure in Australian history and a person who has his place also in Warrnambool’s history. He came to Warrnambool in 1901, going into partnership with James Scott, the proprietor of Warrnambool College. They bought out Stanley’s Warrnambool Grammar School and when Scott retired Murdoch became the sole proprietor and Headmaster of the school. While he in Warrnambool Murdoch continued to write and published in Warrnambool the school text book, ‘The Struggle For Freedom’. He left Warrnambool in 1904. This is a hard cover book of 186 pages. It has a blue cover which is slightly faded at the top of the spine. It has a dust cover in beige tonings with the title of the book and the author’s name on the spine and the same details on the front cover (beige printing on a maroon background). The front cover has a thin maroon line as an edging and the back dust cover features an advertisement for another Walter Murdoch publication. The book has a Preface, 31 chapters of short essays and an Index. The dust cover is frayed at the edges and discoloured on the spine. walter murdoch, history of warrnambool, warrnambool college, (early 20th century)

This book contains a collection of essays written by Walter Murdoch. Most of them were originally published in the Melbourne Argus newspaper. Walter Logie Forbes Murdoch (1874-1970) had a distinguished academic and literary career. In addition he was a household name to two generations of Australians through his radio broadcasts and syndicated columns in several Australian newspapers. In 1901 Murdoch came to Warrnambool as the proprietor of a private school. In 1904 he became a lecturer in English at Melbourne University and later the foundation Professor of English at the University of Western Australia. He was later its Chancellor. Murdoch University in Western Australia is named after him and he was knighted in 1964. He published over 40 books. This book is of interest as it was written by Walter Murdoch who was not only an important figure in Australia literature but also he played a part in Warrnambool’s history. He came to Warrnambool in 1901, going into partnership with James Scott, the proprietor of Warrnambool College. They bought out Stanley’s Warrnambool Grammar School and when Scott retired Murdoch became the sole proprietor and Headmaster of Warrnambool College. Whilst in Warrnambool Murdoch wrote the school history text book, ‘The Struggle for Freedom’. He left Warrnambool in 1904. The original owner of the book, Mary Minkwitz, may have had some connection with Warrnambool as a member of the Minkwitz family lived in Warrnambool in the 1950s. This is a hard cover book of 240 pages. It has a dark green cover with the name of the book and the author printed in gold lettering on the spine. It has a Preface, 35 short essays by Walter Murdoch and an Index. The spine lettering is faded and the cover has some slight rubbing. It is bound with glue and reinforced inside the cover with tape. ‘This book belongs to Mary D. Minkwitz’.walter murdoch, australian literature, history of warrnambool, warrnambool college (early 20th century)

This book is a collection of the essays written by Walter Logie Forbes Murdoch (1874-1970), a distinguished Australian writer and academic. He is probably Australia’s best-known essayist and became a household name to two generations of Australians through his radio broadcasts and syndicated literary columns in several Australian newspapers. He came to Warrnambool in 1901 and operated a private school in the town. In 1904 he became a lecturer in English at the University of Melbourne and went on to be the foundation Professor of English at the University of Western Australia and later its Chancellor. Murdoch University in Western Australia is named after him and he was knighted in 1964. He published over 40 books. This book is of interest as it was written by Walter Murdoch who was not only an important figure in Australian literature but also has a place in Warrnambool’s history. In 1901 he went into partnership with James Scott, the proprietor of Warrnambool College. They bought out Stanley’s Warrnambool Grammar School and when Scott retired Murdoch became the sole proprietor and headmaster of the college. While in Warrnambool Murdoch wrote the Australian school history book, ‘The Struggle For Freedom’, a book which sold 10,000 copies in its first year. In 1904 Murdoch left Warrnambool. This is a hard cover book of 904 pages. It has a plain buff-coloured cover with gold printing on the spine. It is a fifth edition and contains a preface, 186 essays by Walter Murdoch and an index. The cover and pages are slightly faded and the cover is a little marked. australian literature, walter murdoch, history of warrnambool, warrnambool college (early 20th century)

This is a book of essays selected by the author, Walter Murdoch, as the ones he most enjoyed writing. Walter Logie Forbes Murdoch (1874-1970) had a distinguished literary and academic career and is regarded as Australia’s best essayist. He was a household name to two generations of Australians through his radio broadcasts and syndicated literary columns in several Australian newspapers. He lived in Warrnambool from 1901 to 1904 as the Headmaster of a private school. He became a lecturer in English at the University of Melbourne and went on to be the foundation Professor of English at the University of Western Australia and later its Chancellor. Murdoch University in Western Australia is named after him and he was knighted in 1964. He published over 40 books. This book is of interest as it was written by Walter Murdoch who was not only important in Australia literature but also has a place in Warrnambool’s history. He came to Warrnambool in 1901, going into partnership with James Scott , the proprietor of a private school, Warrnambool College. They bought out Stanley’s Warrnambool Grammar School and when Scott retired, Murdoch became the sole proprietor and headmaster of Warrnambool College. While he was in Warrnambool Murdoch wrote the highly successful Australia history school text book, ‘The Struggle For Freedom’. He left Warrnambool in 1904. This is a soft cover book of 220 pages. It has a blue cover with a buff-coloured band around the front cover edge with a map of Australia outlined in black at the bottom edge. The book has a preface, 33 essays by Walter Murdoch and an index. The back page is partly torn away and the pages and cover are slightly faded and rubbed. australian literature, walter murdoch, warrnambool college (early 20th century), warrnambool history

This is a reprint of the first edition of The Weekly Times – originally printed on September 11th 1869. The paper was first published by the Daily Telegraph Newspaper Company and was described as ‘a Journal of literature, sport, agriculture, science and politics’. In 1892 it was acquired by the Herald Newspaper group which has been publishing The Weekly Times ever since. The Weekly Times is now regarded as the most important newspaper especially published for those living outside of Melbourne in rural Victoria. This newspaper reprint is of minor interest as it is a copy of the first edition of a newspaper that is widely read in rural Victoria, including Warrnambool and the Western District.This is a reprint of the first edition of the Melbourne newspaper, the Weekly Times (1869). It has 16 pages and includes news items, advertisements, black and white sketches, poems, agricultural information, ladies’ columns etc. The first page has the masthead and motto of the paper – ‘The Liberal Reviseth Liberal Things’. The paper is yellowed with age and some pages are tattered at the edges. The front page has originally had a stamp on it from the Melbourne Public Library. the weekly times, victorian newspapers, warrnambool history

This book has been written by Walter Murdoch and it is the publication of two lectures given by Murdoch in 1937 (the John Murtagh Macrossan Memorial Lectures). John Murtagh Macrossan (1833-1891) was a Queensland politician who for some time held the seat of Townsville in the Queensland Parliament. He was born in Ireland and came to Australia in 1853, spending some time in the mining regions of Queensland. With Samuel Griffith he attended the first National Convention on Federation in 1891. Walter Murdoch (1874-1970) had a distinguished academic career and became Australia’s best-known essayist. He was a household name to two generations of Australians through his radio broadcasts and syndicated literary columns in several Australian newspapers. In 1901 Walter Murdoch came to Warrnambool and went into partnership with James Scott as proprietors of a private school, Warrnambool College. They bought out Stanley’s Warrnambool Grammar School and when Scott retired Murdoch became the sole proprietor and Head Master of Warrnambool College. While in Warrnambool in 1903 Murdoch wrote a school history book called ‘The Struggle for Freedom’, a book which sold 10,000 copies in its first year. Murdoch later became an English lecturer at Melbourne University and then the foundation Professor of English at the University of Western Australia. Murdoch University in Western Australia is named after him. He published over 40 books and he was knighted in 1964. This book is of interest as it was written by Walter Murdoch. He not only has a national reputation as an academic and writer but also he spent some time in Warrnambool and played his part in our history. This is a soft cover book of 66 pages. The cover was originally blue but is much faded, especially on the spine. The print on the cover and spine is dark blue and there is an ornamental edging on the front cover. The back of the cover has an advertisement for other Walter Murdoch books. The pages of the book are stained and the binding on the spine has broken away. walter murdoch, john murtagh macrossan, history of warrnambool, warrnambool college (early 20th century)

These letters etc were initially printed in the Warrnambool Standard and other newspapers during the First World War. They were collected by the Bonnett family and pasted into the exercise book, possibly by Jessie Bonnett. The book has been transcribed and republished by the Warrnambool and District Historical Society under the title Fields Of War. It contains the names of over six hundred soldiers from the Warrnambool District.This represents a valuable insight into the lives, experiences and feelings of WWI soldiers and nurses and their families. It has value in the individual letters collected with many of the originals no longer surviving but also as a collection. It has strong social and historical significance.Black cloth covered, rectangular, thick exercise book with lined page with glue and string binding. A recycled book with original mathematics notation overlaid by newspaper clippings pasted in three columns per page. Includes photographs, letters, poems, related cuttings and notices. WARTIME LETTERS a compilation of newspapers/notices/and/letterswartime letters, newspapers, jessie bonnett, letters, photographs, poetry, first world war, warrnambool standard

This apron is one of several linen and clothing items that were made and belonged to Mrs. Eliza Towns and donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. Eliza was born Eliza Gould in 1857 in South Melbourne (Emerald Hill) and in 1879 married Charles Towns. In the early 1880's they moved to Nhill in western Victoria and remained there for the rest of their married life. Charles was a jeweller and later became an accountant and for many years was involved with the Shire Council, the local show committee (A & P Society), the Hospital Committee and the Board of the local newspaper (the Nhill Free Press). They had three children and lived a life that would be regarded as comfortably "middle class". Eliza probably had a treadle sewing machine and would have made many of her own clothes - adding her own handmade embroidered or crocheted decorative trim. In March 1915 Eliza travelled to San Francisco to visit her son, James. She went by train to Melbourne ("a pleasant journey on the up express') and the next day caught the express train to Sydney. She noted in her letters home that a " number of young men were going to Sydney to enlist but they had to stop in the corridors most of the way as there was no room for them to sit down". She spent the night on the train and arrived in Sydney the next morning and on the following day she boarded the R.M.S. "Moana" (a steamer which took about twenty-four days to reach San Francisco). She returned from Vancouver about five months later on board the "Manuka". It is very likely Eliza took this "Travelling Apron" with her on her travels. Eliza was travelling by herself and had no one to help her with her dress or her hair. "Travelling Aprons" (also known as Toilet Aprons or Tourist Aprons) were designed with different sized pockets for holding a lady's toiletries - hairbrush, hair pins, comb and sometimes even soap and a powder puff. This allowed the owner, when travelling and getting dressed in small places such as an overnight train compartment or a ship's cabin, to have all her requirements at hand without needing to search for them or have them roll onto the floor. Some of the pockets are finished with buttoned flaps to keep the items in place and when not in use, the apron could be hung up or rolled up and put away. Articles about the "Traveller's Apron" appeared in numerous Women's columns in Australian newspapers in the early 20th century - often with instructions and sometimes a pattern. In the "Age" on Sat 5th October 1907 in a column titled "Feminine Facts and Fancies" the author wrote "No man can appreciate the difficulties of dressing in a "wobbly" train or trying to do one's hair while a ship is weathering a storm". A year earlier (Saturday 24th March 1906) in the same column, the author wrote "... you have to spend nights in a train... forever struggling to dress yourself in a wretched little lavatory. You know how your hairpins and combs jump all over the place ... a train is always at its liveliest when you're trying to do your hair. My travelling apron saved me many a rage."This item is an example of the needlework skills of women in the early 20th century - combining machine stitching with hand embroidery to personalise and embellish a practical domestic object. It is also an excellent (and rare) example of an early 20th century innovation that helped solve the difficulties of privacy and convenience that many women experienced at a time when travel was becoming more accessible to them. A half apron, made of ivory linen with two waist ties and seven pockets. Along the top are two smaller pockets with triangular, buttoned flaps labelled "Hairpins" and "Nailbrush" and one larger unlabelled pocket. Underneath are two larger pockets labelled "Brush & Comb" and "Work" and two unlabelled narrow pockets. The seams are machine stitched and the pockets are outlined with hand embroidered feather stitch. The labels on the pockets are embroidered in stem stitch."Hairpins" / "Nailbrush" / "Brush and Comb" / "Work"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, nhill, eliza towns, apron, travelling apron, tourist apron, textiles, toilet apron, sewing, embroidery, travel, warrnambool, great ocean road, trains, ships, moana, manuka, feather stitch, stem stitch, fashion, handmade, clothing, charles towns, needlework

Tatting is a form of knotted lace making using thread and a small shuttle. Twisted threads are tied around or through small, pointed shuttles that can be made of bone, mother of pearl, tortoise shell, steel or plastic. This produces a stable, strong lace using simple knots of two half hitches to make rings and chains embellished with picots. The origins of tatting are not clear but early versions of decorative knotting were used by the Egyptians on their ceremonial dress. Tatting also has elements of fishermen's net making techniques and the decorative knotting that was practiced by aristocratic women from the 15th century. Tatting, as we know it today, emerged in the first half of the 19th century. The new availability of mercerised thread from 1835 encouraged a burgeoning of lace crafts of all sorts. It was known in Italy as "occhi" and in France as "la frivolite". Tatting looks fragile but is both strong and durable. An article in a column named "Wives and Daughters" published in the Star newspaper in May 1910 describes the durability of tatting lace - "there is edging and insertion still in existence that have outworn two sets of pillow slips." In the 19th century and well into the 20th century, tatting was used like crochet and knitted lace for decorative edgings, collars, doilies, tray cloths etc. At first, different tatting patterns were passed along by word of mouth from person to person, however in time, patterns regularly appeared in newspapers and magazines well into the 1950's. This book has photographs and detailed instructions for a wide range of tatted edgings and insertions suitable for household linens such as towels, doilies and tablecloths as well as patterns for whole mats. Stanley E. Mullen (a businessman) developed Semco Pty Ltd which began as a Melbourne based importation company in 1907. The first three letters of Semco's name were his initials. In 1915 it began manufacturing women's apparel, whitework and transfer patterns. In 1924 the company moved to Black Rock, Victoria and continued to produce an extensive range of needlework patterns and handcraft instruction booklets, threads etc. up until the late 1970's. Semco had a staff that included many young women. It was noted by E.J. Trait (editor of the local newspaper "Standard News") that the firm provided them with good working conditions and the correct rate of pay for women in a time of war - the starting rate for 15 year olds, mainly girls at Semco was 25 shillings per week. During World War 2, Manpower Regulations could be used to coerce workers to move into jobs that supported the war effort, but Trait argued that being employed at Semco could make this unlikely as the firm made some goods essential for the war effort. He even suggested that women be encouraged to produce needlework items (and play a part in the war effort) by sending them as presents, to the troops up north. He also heaped praise on the Semco workplace - noting that no Saturday work was the norm, allowing employees to shop and have "hair-do's" before enjoying a relaxing weekend! Semco also had a female cricket side in the women's Saturday association. After the war the firm stayed in production until the early 1990's when it was taken over by Coates-Paton Pty Ltd. Norma Benporath (1900 - 1998) was an expert in tatting techniques and taught and published extensively on the subject. She was born in New Zealand with impaired sight but cataract surgery restored 50% vision to one eye. She was inspired to learn tatting whilst watching her aunt tat and being told that tatting did not require as much sharp vision as embroidery. She quickly learnt to design her own patterns and published over 1000 tatted lace patterns between 1929 and 1952. She became a regular contributor to magazines (such as Home Beautiful) and newspapers across Australia. Her designs were also published in New Zealand, South Africa as well as the U.K. and U.S.A. When Semco, a thread manufacturer, noticed a rise in the sale of fine crochet threads, they realized they had an untapped market to explore. Norma designed a collection of tatting patterns for Semco that were used to help promote their threads. Norma also worked with Semco to produce a line of threads and shuttles specifically suited to tatting. In 1997, Norma was inducted into the "Order of Australia" for "Service to the craft of tatting as a designer and through the international publication of her patterns".This item is an excellent example of the needle work being enjoyed by women in the 1940's in Australia and the skills of the Australian designer, Norma Benporath. It is also an example of the trend that emerged for craft companies such as Semco to publish pattern books in order to advertise their own materials.A 32 page soft cover instruction book with green front and back covers showing two tatted doily designs. The book includes black and white photographs and written patterns by Norma Benporath.Front cover - "TATTING" "For / EXPERTS/ and / BEGINNERS" "By/Semco" "SEMCO INSTRUCTION BOOK" "No. 16" "WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS" "9" Back cover - "FOR INSTRUCTIONS FOR WORKING SEE PAGE 22" "Published by Semco Pty. Ltd." "BLACK ROCK, 29, VIC"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, tatting, tatting instruction book, tatting patterns, tatting shuttle, semco, semco pty ltd, norma benporath, needlework, handcrafts, household linen, craftwork

Tatting is a form of knotted lace making using thread and a small shuttle. Twisted threads are tied around or through small, pointed shuttles that can be made of bone, mother of pearl, tortoise shell, steel or plastic. This produces a stable, strong lace using simple knots of two half hitches to make rings and chains embellished with picots. The origins of tatting are not clear but early versions of decorative knotting were used by the Egyptians on their ceremonial dress. Tatting also has elements of fishermen's net making techniques and the decorative knotting that was practiced by aristocratic women from the 15th century. Tatting, as we know it today, emerged in the first half of the 19th century. The new availability of mercerised thread from 1835 encouraged a burgeoning of lace crafts of all sorts. It was known in Italy as "occhi" and in France as "la frivolite". It looks fragile but is both strong and durable. An article in a column named "Wives and Daughters" published in the Star newspaper in May 1910 describes the durability of tatting lace - "there is edging and insertion still in existence that have outworn two sets of pillow slips." In the 19th century and well into the 20th century, tatting was used like crochet and knitted lace for decorative edgings, collars, doylies, tray cloths etc. At first, different tatting patterns were passed along by word of mouth from person to person, however in time, patterns regularly appeared in newspapers and magazines well into the 1950's. Paragon knitting, crochet and tatting books have been distributed throughout Australia since the 1930's, originally by "Paragon Art Needlework Pty Ltd" of Sydney, N.S.W. From 1946 these books were designed and printed in Australia from patterns provided by British and Australian thread companies. Consequently these patterns may also appear in similar British and American publications. Paragon Book No. 104 is an instruction book designed for the "beginner" whilst Paragon book No. 105 is designed for the more experienced tatter. The layout of these books was typical of the 1940s period when paper was in short supply. Most of the pattern books were approximately 18 cms wide by 24 cms high and some were smaller at about 13cm by 21 cms. The type used was small (about four lines of text per centimetre) which was difficult to read. This item is an excellent example of a needle work pattern book available to women in the 1940's in Australia.A soft covered, 16 page instruction book titled "Tatting Designs". It has black and white photographs and detailed patterns for tatted doilies, a tray mat, a chairback and arm rests, a cheval set, a luncheon set, collars and edgings for an underskirt, gloves and handkerchief. It is published by Paragon Art Needlecraft of Sydney.Front cover - "Paragon's No 105" "PRICE 1/3" "Tatting Designs" "Household Linens * Personal Wear" Plus a stylized drawing of a deerflagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, tatting book, tatting patterns, craft, handiwork, handcraft, needlework, shuttle

Tatting is a form of knotted lace making using thread and a small shuttle. Twisted threads are tied around or through small, pointed shuttles that can be made of bone, mother of pearl, tortoise shell, steel or plastic. This produces a stable, strong lace using simple knots of two half hitches to make rings and chains embellished with picots. The origins of tatting are not clear but early versions of decorative knotting were used by the Egyptians on their ceremonial dress. Tatting also has elements of fishermen's net making techniques and the decorative knotting that was practiced by aristocratic women from the 15th century. Tatting, as we know it today, emerged in the first half of the 19th century. The new availability of mercerised thread from 1835 encouraged a burgeoning of lace crafts of all sorts. It was known in Italy as "occhi" and in France as "la frivolite". It looks fragile but is both strong and durable. An article in a column named "Wives and Daughters" published in the Star newspaper in May 1910 describes the durability of tatting lace - "there is edging and insertion still in existence that have outworn two sets of pillow slips." In the 19th century and well into the 20th century, tatting was used like crochet and knitted lace for decorative edgings, collars, doylies, tray cloths etc. At first, different tatting patterns were passed along by word of mouth from person to person, however in time, patterns regularly appeared in newspapers and magazines well into the 1950's. Paragon knitting, crochet and tatting books have been distributed throughout Australia since the 1930's, originally by "Paragon Art Needlework Pty Ltd" of Sydney, N.S.W. From 1946 these books were designed and printed in Australia from patterns provided by British and Australian thread companies. Consequently these patterns may also appear in similar British and American publications. Paragon Book No. 104 is an instruction book designed for the "beginner" whilst Paragon book No. 105 is designed for the more experienced tatter. The layout of these books was typical of the 1940s period when paper was in short supply. Most of the pattern books were approximately 18 cms wide by 24 cms high and some were smaller at about 13cm by 21 cms. The type used was small (about four lines of text per centimetre) which was difficult to read.This item is an excellent example of a needle work pattern book available to women in the 1940's in Australia.A soft covered 16 page instruction book with black and white photographs and detailed instructions explaining how to tat and eight tatting projects including how to make a collar and handkerchief edgings, published by Paragon Art Needlecraft of Sydney.Front cover - "PARAGON BOOK NO. 104" "PRICE 1/3" "Learn to/ TAT' Back Cover - "36/D5 E/A DO2" - handwritten in pencil flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, tatting, tatting pattern book, tatting instructions, handicraft, needlework, shuttle, tatting shuttle, paragon needlecraft, paragon craft book

Tatting is a form of knotted lace making using thread and a small shuttle. Twisted threads are tied around or through small, pointed shuttles that can be made of bone, mother of pearl, tortoise shell, steel or plastic. This produces a stable, strong lace using simple knots of two half hitches to make rings and chains embellished with picots.The origins of tatting are not clear but early versions of decorative knotting were used by the Egyptians on their ceremonial dress. Tatting also has elements of fishermen's net making techniques and the decorative knotting that was practiced by aristocratic women from the 15th century.Tatting, as we know it today, emerged in the first half of the 19th century. The new availability of mercerised thread from 1835 encouraged a burgeoning of lace crafts of all sorts. It was known in Italy as "occhi" and in France as "la frivolite". Tatting looks fragile but is both strong and durable. An article in a column named "Wives and Daughters" published in the Star newspaper in May 1910 describes the durability of tatting lace - "there is edging and insertion still in existence that have outworn two sets of pillow slips." In the 19th century and well into the 20th century, tatting was used like crochet and knitted lace for decorative edgings, collars, doylies, tray cloths etc. At first, different tatting patterns were passed along by word of mouth from person to person, however in time, patterns regularly appeared in newspapers and magazines well into the 1950's. A shuttle is a small tool that looks like a small boat "sailing" in and out of the thread. Tatting is called "schiffchenarbeit" in German, which means "the work of a little boat". There are two popular types of shuttles. The first has closed ends and a removable bobbin where the thread is wound around - often made from metal or plastic (as is item 8535.1). The second type has a post in the center where the thread is wound (e.g. item 8535.2). The ends of this bobbin are open but snug. Because it is constructed in two pieces, it can be made from materials like bone, ivory or mother of pearl. Shuttles hold a larger amount of thread (as compared with needles) which means fewer ends to weave in. Fishermen in the past are thought to have used large shuttles to weave cord into certain knots whilst making their fishing nets. Their methods were copied by weavers, who innovated by using threads and smaller shuttles to make lace. One type of tatting shuttle produced by "Aero" from the 1930's to the late 1960's was an anodized grey coated aluminium shuttle with a sharp pick at one end. In the 1970's it was superseded by the grey plastic "Aero" which has a removeable bobbin which you can put on the end of the shuttle to make thread winding easier and an embedded crochet hook for joining picots. The "Aero" company developed in Redditch, England - a town renowned as a centre for manufacturing needles. Firms run by Henry Milward and Abel Morrall were based in Redditch and by the 18th century Redditch was manufacturing one million sewing needles per year. Abel Morrall Ltd launched the "Aero" brand in 1936 and greatly expanded the firm's product line to include tatting shuttles and knitting needles. The classic plastic "Aero" tatting shuttle was manufactured in England from the early 1970's until the 1990's. These items are significant as examples of easily accessible handiwork tools that enabled women in the 1930s -1960s to be able to decorate and personalize their household linen and clothing.Shuttle no. 8535.1 is a beige, boat shaped plastic shuttle with enclosed ends, small round central indentations on both sides and an enclosed black removeable bobbin. The shuttle has a grooved point at one end to hold a bobbin and a small metal crochet hook at the other end. Shuttle no. 8535.2 is a beige, boat shaped metal shuttle with pointed ends that are open but snug, small round central indentations and two smaller circular markings (on both sides) and two internal posts with cream thread wound around.Shuttle no. 8535.1 - "AERO" / "ENGLAND" Shuttle no. 8535.2 - "AERO' / "ENGLAND" "39c" (written in ball point pen)flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, tatting shuttle, aero company, handwork, handwork tool, craft, handcraft, needlework, tatting