Basket weaving and brush making was a source of income for those who worked in the workshops at RVIB and other institutions in New South Wales and Queensland. A diverse range products could be produced with cane, such as cane chairs, cots, washing baskets and trolleys, and the Institution sought to highlight these in the annual report. Over time the demand for, and supply of, cane changed - particularly during World War 2 when Asian sources were under attack or destroyed. At home, other materials such as plastics as well as the ability to import cheaper pre-produced products further reduced the demand for workshop pieces. A milk bottle basket was designed for milkmen to deliver their wares quickly from door to door, without the bottles impacting upon each other. The milk basket was made in the basket shop of the RVIB for use in the organisation. It was used to carry milk bottles, then containers to the various tea rooms and could have been part of the kitchen equipment for the RVIBCane basket with handle and dividers to carry milk bottlesroyal victorian institute for the blind, equipment, employment

This item is from a collection donated by descendants of John Francis Turner of Wodonga. Mr. Turner was born on 6 June 1885. He completed all of his schooling at Scotts Boarding School in Albury, New South Wales. On leaving school, he was employed at Dalgety’s, Albury as an auctioneer. In 1924 John was promoted to Manager of the Wodonga Branch of Dalgety’s. On 15/03/1900 he married Beatrice Neal (born 7/12/1887 and died 7/2/1953) from Collingwood, Victoria. They had 4 daughters – Francis (Nancy), Heather, Jessie and Mary. In 1920, the family moved From Albury to Wodonga, purchasing their family home “Locherbie” at 169 High Street, Wodonga. "Locherbie" still stands in Wodonga in 2022. The collection contains items used by the Turner family during their life in Wodonga. Westminster Fine China Australia started in the Melbourne suburb of Cheltenham at 7 Arnold Street, in 1954 by Stanley Rogers and Son Ltd. They initially used imported blanks from Japan, which were made to their specifications, and which were then decorated locally. They produced a standard range of shapes for souvenir ware, later expanding into a wide range of tea sets, dinnerware and many other styles of china ware. The Abbey mark, based on Westminster Abbey in London, was used from the start of production until about 1962.The Hume Weir was constructed in the late 1920s and was a critical state in the development of water management in the Murray Darling Basin. At the time of its construction it was the largest water reservoir in the British Empire. Small bowl with gold trim printed with an image of the Hume Weir, Albury. The trademark of Westminster Fine China Australia is on the under side of the plate.On front beneath image "Hume Weir, Albury" Underneath the plate, surrounding an image of Westminster Abbey "FINE CHINA/WESTMINSTER CHINA /AUSTRALIA" souvenirs, westminster china, hume weir australia, memorabilia albury

The Grindley Hotel Ware Co Ltd was located in Stoke-on-Trent, England with its business name being registered in May 1908. The product name "Duraline" came into use c1933. From 1932 ware was marked with the month and year of manufacture. Thus the numbers 5-54 underneath this item indicate that it was manufactured in May 1954. Mr. Loftus Henry Moran, born in Winchelsea, Victoria, was well-known in the tea trade, originally working with Griffiths Bros Ltd. He started his own business, Loftus Moran Pty Ltd in 1909. Loftus Moran's company imported chinaware from Britain and sold it into the Australian market. They specialised in supplying to hotels, businesses and institutions.This item is representative of chinaware used throughout hospitality venues and public institutions throughout Australia.A white ceramic bowl bearing a red emblem of Victorian Railways. The mark of the maker Grindley Hotel Ware and the Victorian supplier, Loftus & Moran Pty, Ltd is underneath the bowl.On front: Victorian Railways On Back: "DURALINE" /SUPER VITRIFIED/ GRINDLEY HOTELWARE CO./ ENGLAND LOFTUS MORAN PTY. LTD. / MELBOURNE 5 - 54duraline, victorian railways, grindley hotel ware

Coffee Palaces were developed throughout Australia with the backing of the Temperance Movement as an alternative venue to pubs in the late 19th century. Two Coffee Palaces identified in Wodonga in the early days were the Railway Coffee Palace and the Wodonga Coffee Palace. In 1908 Wodonga Coffee Palace was advertised for sale, having 15 rooms, a 15 stall stable and feed-room. In 1921 Wodonga Coffee Palace was taken over by Julia Ronan who had successfully conducted the dining rooms at the Wodonga Sale-yards for 15 years. The building of the Hume Weir was in progress and many of the workers boarded at the Coffee Palace. In 1936 Wodonga Coffee Palace became “Glenburnie” Guest House. Mr. Loftus Henry Moran, born in Winchelsea, Victoria, was well-known in the tea trade, originally working with Griffiths Bros Ltd. He started his own business, Loftus Moran Pty Ltd in 1909. Loftus Moran's company imported chinaware from Britain and sold it into the Australian market. They specialised in supplying to hotels, businesses and institutions.This bowl is an excellent example of earthen ware items used throughout Australia in hotels, cafes and other institutions. Loftus Moran Pty Ltd, was a major distributor and successful Melbourne Company. Mrs. Ronan's Coffee Palace was an important business in Wodonga and an alternate food and accommodation venue for those who preferred not to stay in public houses or hotels.A small white bowl bearing the logo of Ronan's Coffee Palace in Wodonga printed in green.In a scroll at the top edge "RONAN'S COFFEE PALACE" Underneath the bowl in green writing below a green crown "GRINDLEY HOTEL WARE/ENGLAND/VITRIFIED/LOFTUS, MORAN/ MELBOURNE"coffee palace, wodonga business, wodonga, mrs. ronan wodonga, 1920s wodonga

After meeting for 14 years in rented premises, in the Prince of Wales Hall, Wodonga Council built its first Shire Hall on the corner of High and Elgin Streets in 1890. The first Shire Hall was demolished in 1971. The second building, Wodonga’s new Municipal Offices in Woodland Grove were used for the first time by Wodonga Councillors on 7th August 1957. The Woodland Grove building has since been used for a range of purposes, most recently as a café, but is currently unoccupied. The third purpose-built council chambers were opened in November 1976 with the first council meeting there on 1st December 1976. Westminster Fine China Australia started in the Melbourne suburb of Cheltenham at 7 Arnold Street, in 1954 by Stanley Rogers and Son Ltd. They initially used imported blanks from Japan, which were made to their specifications, and which were then decorated locally. They produced a standard range of shapes for souvenir ware, later expanding into a wide range of tea sets, dinnerware and many other styles of china ware. The Abbey mark, based on Westminster Abbey in London, was used from the start of production until about 1962.Woodland Grove was named in honour of Wodonga Shire’s first president, John Woodland. The building depicted served as the centre of municipal government for approximately 20 years, throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Woodland Grove is a central point in the Wodonga CBD and a focus for many civic and cultural activities.Small square plate with gold trim and central coloured image of Wodonga Shire Chambers. The trademark of Westminster Fine China Australia is on the under side of the plateOn front beneath image "SHIRE CHAMBERS WODONGA VIC" Underneath the plate, surrounding an drawing of Westminster Abbey "FINE CHINA/WESTMINSTER CHINA /AUSTRALIA/ 7" municipal offices, woodland grove wodonga, souvenirs, westminster china