Showing 89 items
matching returned soldiers hall
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Federation University Historical Collection
Document - Report, Ballarat School of Mines Principal's Monthly Report, 1916, 04/1916
4 typed foolscap pages containing the Ballarat School of Mines Principal's Report for 1916charles fenner, herbert h. smith, h.h. smith, ballarat school of mines museum, w.h. middleton, dr stewart, james oddie, thomas bath, ballhausen, donations, australian miners' corps, tunnellers, australian mining corps, andrew robertson, president's medal, a. boanas, conscription, soldiers, robert dixon, ballarat junior technical school, donald clark, leslie coulter, returned soldiers, albert gesell, factory day, e.j. mcconnon, trade teachers, ponsonby carew smyth, agricultural high school stained glass windows, peacock hall stained glass windows, victorian wildflower exhibibition, patriotic funds, red cross funds, telephone mechanics, plumbing, telegraphy, needlework, blacksmithing, d. ronaldson, annual fancy dress procession, dr james stewart, ballhauson, robert m. serjeant, trade department report, electric wiring, w.h. collyer, harold herbert, l.j. middleton, ballarat home coming, forward ballarat committee, eureka pageant, c.a. hoadley, c.a. hoadley resignation -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Badge - World War 1914 - 1918, Badge fund-raising, c1916
The Kooyong Military Hospital in Kooyong Road, Caulfield was established for the care and rehabilitation of soldiers injured in World War 1. Many events like carnivals were held by the Red Cross to raise funds for the war effort and entertain the patients.This badge is a reminder of the Community support for injured soldiers when they returned from WW1 conflict and were hospitalized at Kooyong Military Hospital Caulfield 1914 - 1948 This badge was displayed at the GECC 'Wounded Soldier WW1 1914-1918 Exhibition" 2016 at Glen Eira Town Hall Caulfield A small tin button, with pin attachment at the back. The button was produced and sold as a fund-raiser for the Kooyong Military Hospital during the World War1, 1914-18, at that organisation's Carnival held on March 18th 1916. The front of the button is white with a blue perimeter. A copy of the City of Caulfield's Coat-of- Arms and the words, City of Caulfield, is written on the front of the button, as is the date 18th March 1916. Both the above are written in red. Kooyong Military Hospital is written in blue. ww1, 1914-18, kooyong military hospital, war casualties, caulfield, moorabbin, bentleigh, carnivals, fundraising, patriotism, anzac, australian commonwealth military forces -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - ANZAC REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE PROGRAM
Program for the Bendigo District RSL Sub-branch In. Remembrance Day Commemorative Service, Monday 11th. November, 2013, held at RSL Soldiers' Memorial Hall, Forecourt, Pall mall, Bendigo. 11th. Hour, 11th. Day, 11th. Month. White paper printed with red border, poppy image on front. RSL badge printed top LH corner.bendigo, institutions, returned soldiers' league, anzac, commemorative service, remembrance day, world war 1. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - CONCERT TICKET - ORCHESTRAL COMMUNITY CONCERT, BENDIGO, 1929
Concert Ticket - Orchestral Community Concert, Bendigo, 18th Dec. 1929, Town Hall, Bendigo. In aid of Christmas Comforts for children of Unemployed. Organized by R.S.S.I.L.A. (Returned Soldiers, Sailors, I ?? League of Australia???) G. V. Lansell, President; N. McL Young, Treasurer. On reverse - stamped number '959'organization, club/society, r.s.s. i. l. a. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Programme - SWEENEY COLLECTION: SOUVENIR PROGRAMME SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL HALL, 1921
Souvenir programmee of the opening ceremony of the Soldiers' Memorial Haal, Bendigo, performed by the Governor of Victoria, Earl of Stradbroke, November 1921. Contents: Features of the Memorial Hall, Program of Opening ceremony, Returned Soldiers' Association, Night Concedrt, Diggers Business Association, Local advertising. 3480.11a Front Page 3480.11b Internal PageW. H. Robinson Photo Bendigophotograph, person -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - SWEENEY COLLECTION: PROGRAM, 1920
Program for welcome home to returned soldiers who enlisted from Richmond 18/8/1920 at Richmond Town Hall. Four page program insid e a card cover.Bound with brown and gold cord.military, world war 1, welcome home program -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Smoke Concert for Port Melbourne residents returned from the war, Allan Studio, 5 Dec 1918
Photograph of Smoke Concert, given by the Mayor, Councillors and Citizens of Port Melbourne, in honour of the men of the Navy and soldiers of the A.I.F. Residents of Port Melbourne, returned from the War. 05-12-1918.local government - city of port melbourne, mayors -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Christmas parcels, WWI donations to French soldiers, Swallow & Ariell Busy Bee, 1914 - 1920
One of 44 black and white photos recording the work and contribution by Swallow & Ariell's "Busy Bee" for the First World War in Europe .02 - A pile of Xmas parcels for French soldiers returning to the trenches in Francebuilt environment - industrial, business and traders, war - world war i, social activities, busy bee, swallow & ariell ltd, red cross -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Crowds, Station Pier, Port Melbourne, Roy Liebig, 1945
The donor's (Karen Bowden) grandfather - Roy Liebig (1897-1968) - took these photos in the 1940s. Karen, as administrtor of his estate, has extracted various photos and sent them to appropriate historical societies.A series of photographs taken by Roy Liebig in the 1940s Hard copy and digital. Crowds at Station Pier to see "Oranje" returning soldiersmaritime, war - world war ii, roy liebig, karen bowden, yarra river, oranje, piers and wharves - station pier -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Book, Vecihi Basam et al, Gallipoli, the Invasion, Apr 2015
First edition printed 1985 - as a Turkish view Cannakale. Second edition printed 2003 - Gallipoli - the Turkish Story Third edition printed 2016 "Gallipoli, the Invasion""Gallipoli, the Invasion" - Centenary Edition Portrays the view from the Turkish side of the trenches, and in doing so paints a richer portrait of the past and broadens our knowledge and understanding of this tragic event. Sepia cover photo of soldier carrying another soldier."To the Society, with best wishs, John, ANZAC Day 2016"returned services league, rsl, armed services - foreign services, vecihi (john) basarin, hatic hurmuz basarin, kevin fewster -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Book, Michael McKernan, Victoria at War 1914-1918, 2014
"Victoria at War 1914-1918" Records the achievements of the State's soldiers, doctors, nurses and their families 1914-18 Brown covered book with photo of marching soldiers on front cover. war - world war i, armed services - navy, armed services - army, armed services - air force, returned services league, rsl, michael mckernan, john monash, albert (bert) jacka, harold elliott, keith murdoch, angus whitelaw, kenneth whitelaw, robert whitelaw, lionel whitelaw, annie whitelaw, ivan cecil whitelaw, donald whitelaw -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Newspaper - Clipping, "Bardia Bill, captured gun, Tobruk, 1960s
Given to PMH&PS by the local RSL Branch on their closure in May 1998Black and white newspaper clipping on card of "Bardia Bill", a very large gun, with several soldiers . Above clipping is printed "Tobruk 1941". The frame is wooden, painted cream, biege, dark brown. Dated 1941 but probably made after 1960ssocieties clubs unions and other organisations, war - world war ii, rsl, returned services league -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Ceremonial object - Matchbox cover, City of Port Melbourne, 1939 - 1945
Appears to have been issued to soldiers, possibly embarking from Port Melbourne, in World War II. Item donated to PMHPS by David Graham, who received the item from a family member of the original recipient.Metal matchbox cover, with the City of Port Melbourne crest on one side and a message from the Mayor, Councillors and citizens of Port Melbourne on the other to departing soldiers during World War II"City of Port Melbourne - Victoria - Australia" "The Mayor, Councillors and citizenz of Port Melbourne extend to you all good wishes for a safe and speedy return - Cheerio!"armed services - army, armed services - navy, local government - city of port melbourne, war - world war ii -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Badge - RSL WWII Ladies, Angus Coote Jewellers, 1940s
RSL World War II 'Ladies' badge', enamelled red, blue, gold and white. 'Returned Sailors and Soldiers' League Victoria - War Services Fund'Engraved on back, '4899' plus jeweller's markwar - world war ii, societies clubs unions and other organisations, returned services league, rsl, marjorie williams, george willaims -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Certificate - H J AINSWORTH, Returning WWI Soldiers, Town of Port Melbourne, Goldsworthy and Davey, 3 Sep 1917
Awards, Presentations, World War I, Local Government Town of Port Melbourne. Anzac Greeting Certificate of thanks to H.J. AINSWORTH for service in World War I, dated 3/9/1917. From Town of Port Melbourne, signed by Mayor, Councillor and Town Clerk. Sealed with Port Melbourne Seal.Town of Port Melbourne, Anzacs. For Liberty. For Justice.awards and presentations, war - world war i, james peter crichton, arthur victor heath, town clerks, william howe, mayors, herbert james ainsworth -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Programme - Graham Street Methodist School, Final Welcome Home to our Returned Soldiers (copy), Feb 1920
Colour facsimile of Graham Street Methodist School program for 'Final Welcome Home to our Returned Soldiers', Saturday 14.02.1920 - lists those who served and died.war - world war i, religion - wesleyan methodist church, monkhouse family -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Badge (Item) - Imperial League of Australia Badge, c.1950
The Imperial League of Australia badge returned service badge belonged to Robert Cornelius WATTERS, a member of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve. He served as a Leading Sick Berth Attendant from 11 September 1940 - 21 March 1944.Returned Soldiers Sailors Airmen, Imperial League Australia. 66robert cornelius watters, armed services - navy, royal australian naval reserve, imperial league of australia -
Buninyong & District Historical Society
Photograph - Original Photograph, Old Baths, 1995
Colour photograph of Old Buninyong Baths after restoration in 1993-94 showing the reinforced concrete wall built by returned soldiers from World War 1 circa 1919The swimming baths were originally built in the early 1870s and the reinforced concrete wall was constructed c 1919 by returned soldiers and was a focal point for community swimming until the 1950sColour photograph of the memorial garden created in the area of the old Buninyong Baths showing the reinforced concrete walls, plants, paths after restoration in 1993-94Old swimming pool, Buninyong gardens built c 1918, restored 1993-94. Photo taken Jan 1995returned soldiers ww1, buninyong gardens, memorial gardens, buninyong baths -
Buninyong & District Historical Society
Photograph - Original Photograph, Old Baths Memorial Garden Plaque, 1993
Colour photograph of Plaque on walls of old Buninyong BathsThe plaque outlines the history of the baths constructed in the 1870's as a water source, their redesign by C.C.P. Wilson and reconstruction by WW1 soldiers and their continuing role within the Buninyong Community.Colour photograph of the Plaque on the wall of old Buninyong Swimming Pool giving history of the Old Baths in Buninyong Botanical GardensOld swimming pool, Buninyong gardens built c 1918, restored 1993-94. Photo taken Jan 1995returned soldiers ww1, buninyong gardens, memorial gardens, buninyong baths, c.c.p. wilson -
St Kilda Historical Society
Ephemera - Dance card, Ball in aid of the funds of the St Kilda Soldiers' Lounge, 1917
The former St Kilda Soldiers’ Lounge was opened by the St Kilda Patriotic League and the YMCA in 1915, and run by Mrs Lucie Hallenstein. Located in the refreshment rooms of the former Comedy Theatre, Lower Esplanade, it provided a place for returned soldiers to relax and socialise. By mid-1916 the average weekly attendance had reached eight hundred servicemen. The lounge remained popular until it closed in 1920.Cream coloured card folded once to make 4 pages, printed in green on 3 pages. The program of dances is set out on the inside pages.wwi, world war i, st kilda - history, st kilda town hall -
St Kilda Historical Society
Ephemera - Special event program, St Kilda Carnival Souvenir Program, 1919
Fundraising for Returned Nurses Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Hall and Seaside Club Fund. The Memorial Hall was entirely community-funded.Multi-page document printed in blue and red on 8 sheets of white paper that has discoloured with age, folded and fastened with 2 staples. luna park, st kilda patriotic committee, st kilda carnivals, memo, st kilda memorial hall -
St Kilda Historical Society
Ephemera - Flyer, Meet me at St. Kilda Carnival, 1919
Full date of event not given. It may refer to the St Kilda Carnival of 6-13 December 1919 which raised funds for the Returned Nurses Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Hall and Seaside Club Fund. White paper discoloured with age, printed on one side in blue.luna park, st kilda carnivals -
St Kilda Historical Society
Ephemera - Menu, A Supper Tendered To Councillor Burnett Gray, JP, 1944
Program for a supper to celebrate Councillor Burnett Gray's 30 years service with St Kilda Council, held at St Kilda Town Hall on 21 August 1944. It contains the toasts and menu. Burnett Gray served on St Kilda City Council from 1914 to 1915 and from 1920 to 1948 and was Mayor from 1922 to 1923 and from 1926 to 1927. He was the first returned soldier to serve as mayor of any Victorian city.Cream coloured textured card, enclosing a glossy sheet of paper, folded and fastened with an orange ribbon and printed in gold and green. Inserted into the back of the card is a gold coloured piece of paper on which the initials R G in gothic font, with a patterned border, are printed in red.st kilda mayoral function, burnett gray, st kilda council -
St Kilda Historical Society
Photograph, Returned Soldier's Dinner, 1945, c. 1945
St Kilda Town Hall, c.1945glossy black and white photograph good conditionHand written on back: Neg 48, Returned Soldiers Dinner 1945. 1940's? -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Photograph
Photograph of soldiers taken circa 11 October 1914 All enlisted on the 17th of August, 1914 at Wangaratta unless stated otherwise, assigned to the 7th Battalion C Company and identified as follows:- Colour Sergeant William Baker 290 - Prior to enlistment at Essendon was serving with the 58th Battalion. He embarked Australia on the 21/10/14. Brothers Charles POWLEY 347 and John Hall POWLEY 348 from Boweya - Embarked 19/10/14 on HMAT Hororata. Charles aged 21 years KIA 25/4/15 at Gallipoli and John returned to Australia on 31/10/15. Charles attended Wangaratta High School. John Crocker 346 was born at Clunes and enlisted at Broadmeadows. He was 36 years old, a butcher by trade and served with the 2nd Scottish Horse in the Boer War. His mother was listed as next of kin residing in Bracknell Tasmania He was wounded at Gallipoli and discharged on 19/1/1917 Nelson Albert Hardy 363 Born in England and a butcher by trade .KIA 23/8/1915 at Gallipoli aged 22 Edward Fahey 364 Ovens Street Wangaratta, Aged 29 years, a Painter by trade. He returned to Australia in December 1915 and appointed a Recruiting Sergeant. He resigned from this position on 8/5/1916, went AWOL and on 21/7/1920 discharged due to desertion. Joseph Cowham 360 enlisted at Broadmeadows on 19/8/1914. Thomas Peter Williams 404 - Aged 24 and a Blacksmith. He received a gunshot wound to the wrist on 26/5/1915 and returned to Australia. Joseph Nathaniel O'Brien 376 or John William O'Brien 365 both of Rowan Street Wangaratta Handwritten on rear “Wangaratta Boys C Company 7th Battalion October 11th 1914 From Private John Crocker 346”Sepia photograph of 11 men six standing and five kneeling dressed in military uniform wearing forage cap with row of pine trees in background. Photograph is mounted on brown cardboard with handwriting across top border.Rear - Wangaratta Boys C Company 7th Battalion October 11th 1914 From Private John Crocker 346 Front - list of names handwritten in ink J Powly, Col Serg Baker? Corp Naldress?, Private Couham?, C Powly, L Williams N Hardy J Crocker, E Lahy?, J?? K Jarrot? wangaratta, c company, joseph cowham 360, nelson hardy 363, john crocker 346, charles powley 347, john powley 348, hororata, gallipoli, edward fahey 364, thomas peter williams 404, william baker 290, joseph nathaniel o'brien 376, john william o'brien 365, ww1, 7th battalion -
Stawell RSL Sub Branch War Museum
Protograph of WW1 soldier Christopher Clark, Portrait WW2 Soldier Christopher Clark, Approx 1916
Soldier in WW1 Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force No 5998 Christopher Clark 59th Battalion Born in StawellChristopher was a WW1 Serviceman from Stawell who returned to Australia Framed Studio Portrait of Soldier No 5998 Christopher Clark Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force WW1,59th Battalion Christopher Clark was born in Stawell on 25th December 1892 and was brought up on the family farm in Callawdda and worked in the district and then in Queensland where he obtained an engine drivers licence and drove the sugar trains then worked on the steam boiler engines in the sugar mills. When the First World War started he came back to Stawell and enlisted in the army on 11/4/1916. He was sent to France in the 59th Battalion. He was in the army 1175 days, serving 1029 days abroad. During his service he was promoted to Lance Corporal. Details from his daughter Ruth Clark of Ararat December 2017.ww1, serviceman, soldiers, military, stawell -
National Wool Museum
Tool - Stencil, c.2018
The story of 90 years of wool classing between father & son begins in 1936, when a young boy by the name of Stanley James Hucker walked through the doors of the Gordon Technical School in Geelong. Born in 1921, Stanley was 15 years of age when he began his 3-year course in Wool Classing. 30 years later, Stanley’s second son Denis completed the same 3-year wool classing course. Beginning in 1966, Denis attended the same Gordon Technical School and walked the same halls as his father before him. Stanley finished his course in 1938. He went back to the family farm in Lake Bolac for a brief period before enrolling in the Second World War. At the completion of the war, Stanley returned home and married before gaining a soldier settler allotment, north of Willaura. This enabled Stan to use his wool classing knowledge. He ran between 1,500 and 2,000 sheep for many years, while his wool classer stencil also allowed him to go out and class at various sheds around the area. He held his stencil from 1938 until he retired at the age of 60 in 1981. On retirement, his second son Denis was working in the district, managing a local property while also leasing land himself. Upon his father’s retirement, Denis had the opportunity to lease his father’s farm, an opportunity he could not refuse. Denis had finished his wool classing course at the Gordon Technical School in 1968, graduating dux of his class. He began working with a local contractor and started classing wool in his team. Denis gained a great deal of experience working as part of this team in big sheds of up to 8 stands servicing between 10 & 20,000 sheep. It was not all smooth sailing for Denis however, and he soon learnt an important lesson. Class wool the way you’re taught, don’t listen to the owner standing over your shoulder. At a clip of Corriedales near Casterton, Denis was pushing too many fleeces into the line of fine wool. This resulted in a notice from the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) “mixing counts too much, submit three clips for inspection”. Denis was able to submit 3 clips with no further complaints, however, this proved a valuable lesson he would never forget over his long career classing wool. In the early 1980s, when Denis was leasing two properties including his father’s, things were going well until drought struck. February 1983 was the date of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and saw Melbourne have three days over 40 °C for only the second time on record. This period saw Denis give away farming, turning towards contracting work instead. After the difficult times of the early 1980s, the next two decades were a good time for the sheep industry. 15 micron wool was selling for prices between 4 to 5,000 cents per kilo, double what you’d expect for the same wool in 2022. In 1995 a single bale of wool sold for a million dollars. This was a good time for Denis too. His contracting work saw him employing local shearers and shed staff. His team was involved with the shearing and classing of more than 130,000 sheep. After 20 years of contracting, it was time for Denis to transition into the next phase of his life. He gave up independent contracting, preferring instead to return to being a member of someone else’s team. In 2018, having completed 50 years of wool classing, it was time to call it a day and retire completely. At the annual Gordon Wool School Old Students Association dinner held in 2018, Denis was presented with his 50 years as a registered wool classer stencil awarded by the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). This is a rare honour achieved by few. As of February 2020, a total of 430 wool classers had achieved this 50-year milestone. For Denis however, his proudest achievement is achieving 90 years of wool classing with his father. The National Wool Museum is proud to share the collection of objects gained from 90 years in the wool classing industry by Stanley and Denis. This ranges from Stanley’s first stencil and Wool Sample book, started when he first attended the Gordon in 1936. The collection concludes 90 years later with Denis’ 50 years of wool classing Stencil. The collection contains many more objects, all telling the story of these 90 years, and the hard work invested by this dedicated father and son duo. Thin sheet of orange plastic with letters and numbers moulded to produce a consistent pattern for the surface below through the application of ink. This wool classing stencil once belonged to Denis Hucker. The top number is Denis’ Wool Classing Stencil Number. On the next line is the emblem of the Australian Wool Exchange, followed by an image of Australia, and finally the letters AW. The final line reads 50 years, indicating Denis’ experience in the profession of wool classing. This stencil is reserved for wool classers who have held their stencil and been actively classing wool in Australia for more than 50 years. Wool classers sort, classify, and grade wool into various lines so that it can be sold at best market price. They also manage and supervise wool-handling teams. The stencil is used in the final step of preparing a bale of wool for sale. It is branded across the front of a wool bale to indicate the quality of the wool, with the classers number used as a seal of approval. Accompanying the stencil are two sheets of white A4 paper with printing in gold and black ink. The first sheet was presented by the Australian Council of Wool Exporters & Processors to Denis Hucker for achieving 50 years of wool classing. Surrounded by a thin gold boarder, the page is made up of black text with gold headings. In the top right corner, an image of a sheep with an outline of Australia is found. The second piece of paper was presented by the Australian Wool Exchange to Denis Hucker for achieving 50 years of wool classing. Two thirds of the page is made up of a gold stencil which reads “50 years”. Accompanying the stencil is black text. Moulded letters, numbers, emblem, and imagery. “950326 / (emblem AWEX) (Image Australia) AW / 50 Years” A4 Paper. Printed. See Multimedia A4 Paper. Printed See Multimedia wool classing, stencil, 90 years wool classing between father & son -
National Wool Museum
Tool - Stencil, 1983
The story of 90 years of wool classing between father & son begins in 1936, when a young boy by the name of Stanley James Hucker walked through the doors of the Gordon Technical School in Geelong. Born in 1921, Stanley was 15 years of age when he began his 3-year course in Wool Classing. 30 years later, Stanley’s second son Denis completed the same 3-year wool classing course. Beginning in 1966, Denis attended the same Gordon Technical School and walked the same halls as his father before him. Stanley finished his course in 1938. He went back to the family farm in Lake Bolac for a brief period before enrolling in the Second World War. At the completion of the war, Stanley returned home and married before gaining a soldier settler allotment, north of Willaura. This enabled Stan to use his wool classing knowledge. He ran between 1,500 and 2,000 sheep for many years, while his wool classer stencil also allowed him to go out and class at various sheds around the area. He held his stencil from 1938 until he retired at the age of 60 in 1981. On retirement, his second son Denis was working in the district, managing a local property while also leasing land himself. Upon his father’s retirement, Denis had the opportunity to lease his father’s farm, an opportunity he could not refuse. Denis had finished his wool classing course at the Gordon Technical School in 1968, graduating dux of his class. He began working with a local contractor and started classing wool in his team. Denis gained a great deal of experience working as part of this team in big sheds of up to 8 stands servicing between 10 & 20,000 sheep. It was not all smooth sailing for Denis however, and he soon learnt an important lesson. Class wool the way you’re taught, don’t listen to the owner standing over your shoulder. At a clip of Corriedales near Casterton, Denis was pushing too many fleeces into the line of fine wool. This resulted in a notice from the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) “mixing counts too much, submit three clips for inspection”. Denis was able to submit 3 clips with no further complaints, however, this proved a valuable lesson he would never forget over his long career classing wool. In the early 1980s, when Denis was leasing two properties including his father’s, things were going well until drought struck. February 1983 was the date of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and saw Melbourne have three days over 40 °C for only the second time on record. This period saw Denis give away farming, turning towards contracting work instead. After the difficult times of the early 1980s, the next two decades were a good time for the sheep industry. 15 micron wool was selling for prices between 4 to 5,000 cents per kilo, double what you’d expect for the same wool in 2022. In 1995 a single bale of wool sold for a million dollars. This was a good time for Denis too. His contracting work saw him employing local shearers and shed staff. His team was involved with the shearing and classing of more than 130,000 sheep. After 20 years of contracting, it was time for Denis to transition into the next phase of his life. He gave up independent contracting, preferring instead to return to being a member of someone else’s team. In 2018, having completed 50 years of wool classing, it was time to call it a day and retire completely. At the annual Gordon Wool School Old Students Association dinner held in 2018, Denis was presented with his 50 years as a registered wool classer stencil awarded by the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). This is a rare honour achieved by few. As of February 2020, a total of 430 wool classers had achieved this 50-year milestone. For Denis however, his proudest achievement is achieving 90 years of wool classing with his father. The National Wool Museum is proud to share the collection of objects gained from 90 years in the wool classing industry by Stanley and Denis. This ranges from Stanley’s first stencil and Wool Sample book, started when he first attended the Gordon in 1936. The collection concludes 90 years later with Denis’ 50 years of wool classing Stencil. The collection contains many more objects, all telling the story of these 90 years, and the hard work invested by this dedicated father and son duo. Thin sheet of metal with letters and numbers cut to produce a consistent pattern for the surface below through the application of ink. In small text on the top edge of the stencil two separate phrases are engraved.” A.W.C. PROPERTY NOT TRANSFERABLE” and “PROFESSIONAL“. This wool classing stencil belonged to Stanley Hucker. It was his last Wool Classing Stencil. Dated to 1983, it is 45 years older than his first stencil. The role of a Wool Classer is to sort, classify, and grade wool into various ‘lines’ so that it can be sold for best market price. Wool Classers are typically also tasked with the managing and supervising of wool-handling teams. The stencil is used in the final step of preparing a bale of wool for sale. It is branded across the front of a wool bale to indicate the quality of the wool, with the classers number used as a seal of guarantee.Engraved letters. “A.W.C. PROPERTY / NOT TRANSFERABLE” Engraved letters. “PROFESSIONAL“. Cut imagery. Sheep’s head Cut letters, numbers, and imagery. “83 (Image Australia) P I / 50922”wool classing, stencil, 90 years wool classing between father & son -
National Wool Museum
Book - Wool Classing Exercise Book, 1936-38
The story of 90 years of wool classing between father & son begins in 1936, when a young boy by the name of Stanley James Hucker walked through the doors of the Gordon Technical School in Geelong. Born in 1921, Stanley was 15 years of age when he began his 3-year course in Wool Classing. 30 years later, Stanley’s second son Denis completed the same 3-year wool classing course. Beginning in 1966, Denis attended the same Gordon Technical School and walked the same halls as his father before him. Stanley finished his course in 1938. He went back to the family farm in Lake Bolac for a brief period before enrolling in the Second World War. At the completion of the war, Stanley returned home and married before gaining a soldier settler allotment, north of Willaura. This enabled Stan to use his wool classing knowledge. He ran between 1,500 and 2,000 sheep for many years, while his wool classer stencil also allowed him to go out and class at various sheds around the area. He held his stencil from 1938 until he retired at the age of 60 in 1981. On retirement, his second son Denis was working in the district, managing a local property while also leasing land himself. Upon his father’s retirement, Denis had the opportunity to lease his father’s farm, an opportunity he could not refuse. Denis had finished his wool classing course at the Gordon Technical School in 1968, graduating dux of his class. He began working with a local contractor and started classing wool in his team. Denis gained a great deal of experience working as part of this team in big sheds of up to 8 stands servicing between 10 & 20,000 sheep. It was not all smooth sailing for Denis however, and he soon learnt an important lesson. Class wool the way you’re taught, don’t listen to the owner standing over your shoulder. At a clip of Corriedales near Casterton, Denis was pushing too many fleeces into the line of fine wool. This resulted in a notice from the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) “mixing counts too much, submit three clips for inspection”. Denis was able to submit 3 clips with no further complaints, however, this proved a valuable lesson he would never forget over his long career classing wool. In the early 1980s, when Denis was leasing two properties including his father’s, things were going well until drought struck. February 1983 was the date of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and saw Melbourne have three days over 40 °C for only the second time on record. This period saw Denis give away farming, turning towards contracting work instead. After the difficult times of the early 1980s, the next two decades were a good time for the sheep industry. 15 micron wool was selling for prices between 4 to 5,000 cents per kilo, double what you’d expect for the same wool in 2022. In 1995 a single bale of wool sold for a million dollars. This was a good time for Denis too. His contracting work saw him employing local shearers and shed staff. His team was involved with the shearing and classing of more than 130,000 sheep. After 20 years of contracting, it was time for Denis to transition into the next phase of his life. He gave up independent contracting, preferring instead to return to being a member of someone else’s team. In 2018, having completed 50 years of wool classing, it was time to call it a day and retire completely. At the annual Gordon Wool School Old Students Association dinner held in 2018, Denis was presented with his 50 years as a registered wool classer stencil awarded by the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). This is a rare honour achieved by few. As of February 2020, a total of 430 wool classers had achieved this 50-year milestone. For Denis however, his proudest achievement is achieving 90 years of wool classing with his father. The National Wool Museum is proud to share the collection of objects gained from 90 years in the wool classing industry by Stanley and Denis. This ranges from Stanley’s first stencil and Wool Sample book, started when he first attended the Gordon in 1936. The collection concludes 90 years later with Denis’ 50 years of wool classing Stencil. The collection contains many more objects, all telling the story of these 90 years, and the hard work invested by this dedicated father and son duo. This is the first in a series of 5 wool classing exercise books. They were written by Stanley Hucker in his time at the Gordon Technical College from 1936-1938. This book begins in a cover of black vinyl with a strip of red tape on the spine to give added support. Some of the vinyl has been removed on the cover, revealing blue card beneath. A sticker label is also found on the front cover. It has been damaged. Part of the sticker has been removed, while blue ink can also be found obscuring the text below. Internally, the book is handwritten on yellowed pages with blue lines for the assistance in clarity of handwriting. The pages are also surrounded by a margin of red pen. The exercise book’s content is about veterinary studies relating to the diseases, injuries, and treatment of sheep. It is handwritten and accompanied by an occasional hand drawn diagram. A selection of pages have been photographed to give an impression of the information taught in classes, 90 years ago. This includes information about a sheep’s heart, hind limbs, and reproduction system in ewes. Front Cover. Wording, printed and handwritten “SERVICE / EXERCISE BOOK / NAME Stanley Hucker / GRADE wool classing / SCHOOL Gordon Technical / SUBJECT Veterinary”gordon institute geelong, wool classing, 1930s sheep farming, 90 years wool classing between father & son -
National Wool Museum
Book - Wool Classing Exercise Book, 1936-38
The story of 90 years of wool classing between father & son begins in 1936, when a young boy by the name of Stanley James Hucker walked through the doors of the Gordon Technical School in Geelong. Born in 1921, Stanley was 15 years of age when he began his 3-year course in Wool Classing. 30 years later, Stanley’s second son Denis completed the same 3-year wool classing course. Beginning in 1966, Denis attended the same Gordon Technical School and walked the same halls as his father before him. Stanley finished his course in 1938. He went back to the family farm in Lake Bolac for a brief period before enrolling in the Second World War. At the completion of the war, Stanley returned home and married before gaining a soldier settler allotment, north of Willaura. This enabled Stan to use his wool classing knowledge. He ran between 1,500 and 2,000 sheep for many years, while his wool classer stencil also allowed him to go out and class at various sheds around the area. He held his stencil from 1938 until he retired at the age of 60 in 1981. On retirement, his second son Denis was working in the district, managing a local property while also leasing land himself. Upon his father’s retirement, Denis had the opportunity to lease his father’s farm, an opportunity he could not refuse. Denis had finished his wool classing course at the Gordon Technical School in 1968, graduating dux of his class. He began working with a local contractor and started classing wool in his team. Denis gained a great deal of experience working as part of this team in big sheds of up to 8 stands servicing between 10 & 20,000 sheep. It was not all smooth sailing for Denis however, and he soon learnt an important lesson. Class wool the way you’re taught, don’t listen to the owner standing over your shoulder. At a clip of Corriedales near Casterton, Denis was pushing too many fleeces into the line of fine wool. This resulted in a notice from the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) “mixing counts too much, submit three clips for inspection”. Denis was able to submit 3 clips with no further complaints, however, this proved a valuable lesson he would never forget over his long career classing wool. In the early 1980s, when Denis was leasing two properties including his father’s, things were going well until drought struck. February 1983 was the date of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and saw Melbourne have three days over 40 °C for only the second time on record. This period saw Denis give away farming, turning towards contracting work instead. After the difficult times of the early 1980s, the next two decades were a good time for the sheep industry. 15 micron wool was selling for prices between 4 to 5,000 cents per kilo, double what you’d expect for the same wool in 2022. In 1995 a single bale of wool sold for a million dollars. This was a good time for Denis too. His contracting work saw him employing local shearers and shed staff. His team was involved with the shearing and classing of more than 130,000 sheep. After 20 years of contracting, it was time for Denis to transition into the next phase of his life. He gave up independent contracting, preferring instead to return to being a member of someone else’s team. In 2018, having completed 50 years of wool classing, it was time to call it a day and retire completely. At the annual Gordon Wool School Old Students Association dinner held in 2018, Denis was presented with his 50 years as a registered wool classer stencil awarded by the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). This is a rare honour achieved by few. As of February 2020, a total of 430 wool classers had achieved this 50-year milestone. For Denis however, his proudest achievement is achieving 90 years of wool classing with his father. The National Wool Museum is proud to share the collection of objects gained from 90 years in the wool classing industry by Stanley and Denis. This ranges from Stanley’s first stencil and Wool Sample book, started when he first attended the Gordon in 1936. The collection concludes 90 years later with Denis’ 50 years of wool classing Stencil. The collection contains many more objects, all telling the story of these 90 years, and the hard work invested by this dedicated father and son duo. This is the second in a series of 5 wool classing exercise books. They were written by Stanley Hucker in his time at the Gordon Technical College from 1936-1938. This book begins in a cover of black vinyl with a strip of red tape on the spine. A sticker label is also found on the front cover. It has been damaged with part of the sticker removed. Internally, the book is handwritten on yellowed pages with blue lines for the assistance in clarity of handwriting. The pages are also surrounded by a margin of red pen. The exercise book’s content is about the wool industry. It is handwritten and accompanied by an occasional hand drawn table. A selection of pages have been photographed to give an impression of the information taught in classes, 90 years ago. This includes information about: - Matching wool terminologies in different countries i.e. England, USA, France, and Germany - Charges deducted in the selling of wool i.e. insurance & commission - The duties of a Wool Classer - The history of Merino Sheep - Wool Selling figures from 1925-1932 - Statistics on the breed of sheep in Australia (as of 31st December 1929) - Australia’s portion of the global wool clip in 1934 gordon institute geelong, wool classing, 1930s sheep farming, 90 years wool classing between father & son