The damping bottle was filled with water and used to moisten starched clothes and linen before garments were ironed. The introduction of steam irons into households in the early 1960's resulted in damping bottles becoming superfluous.A glass 'Schweppes' bottle has yellow and black graphics on it. It has been recycled and used as a damping bottle. The metal stopper has been inserted into a cork. There are spray holes on the top of the stopper. The word 'Schweppes' has been embossed around the base of the bottom.13 FL. OZ / SCHWEPPESlaundering, ironing, starching, schweppes, domestic items, george evans collection

Victoria is not noted for its waterfalls but in fact there are many hundreds of beautiful waterfalls scattered throughout the state. Each waterfall is different from the next, some remarkably so. Consider the amazing Hopetoun Falls surrounded by lush rainforest ferns near Beech Forest, compared to the often snow-covered Piemans Falls crashing down to the bottom of Bryce Gorge. This publication documents many of the more accessible waterfalls of Victoria, some for the first time, and many close to Melbourne. Ideal for bushwalkers, photographers, campers, or those who are interested in a healthy walk or looking for somewhere to enjoy a pinic lunch. There is nothing better than doing so at the base of a majestic waterfall with the spray drifing across the rock face and the unique sound of the water tumbling into the drop pool below.250 Victorian waterfalls. Ray Barber. Ian Wacey. 1st ed. Ian Wacey; Eltham North (Vic); 2011. 320 p.; illus., map, references, index. Soft cover. ISBN 978 0 646 54331 4waterfalls; ray barber; ian wacey;, victoria;

SHARP DOWNPOUR. ONE INCH IN 45 MINUTES. SOUTHERN SUBURBS DELUGED. TRAIN STOPPED AT SOUTH YARRA. One of the sudden downpours of rain which occasionally fall in Melbourne occurred yesterday afternoon, when nearly an inch of rain fell in the course of three quarters of an hour, and caused a flood for an hour or two in certain localities. During the early part of the day, the sky had been clouded over, but there was nothing to indicate a storm of such intensity as that which followed. At about half-past 1 o'clock residents of South Yarra, South Melbourne, Prahran, and St. Kilda noticed a few drops of rain. Still, it appeared unlikely that there would be anything exceptional, until with startling suddenness at about 10 minutes to 1 o'clock, one of the heaviest downpours within the memory of residents burst upon those suburbs. A strange feature of the storm was that it was practically confined to an area of about three miles square. The city was but little affected, though at a spot as close as the Observatory 86 points of rain were recorded in three-quarters of an hour. Thunder and lightning accompanied the downpour, which was cyclonic in character, the rain driving heavily from all points of the compass as the cyclone passed. It was in South Yarra and Prahran that the rain fell heaviest. Within a few minutes after it commenced, the low-lying portions of Toorak-road and practically the whole length of Chapel-street were under water. The depression at the intersection of Toorak-road and Darling-street speedily filled to the dimensions of a small lake. Several shops were inundated, while the water from the higher levels rushed down like a mountain torrent, and in several in-stances swept through the rear of houses and shops, carrying furniture in a floating mass against the further walls. In one case a footbridge was carried bodily away and dashed to pieces. Darling-street itself Great Davis-street, and other low-lying and flat thoroughfares in the vicinity became flooded from kerb to kerb, while on the other side of the railway-bridge the valley between Kensington-road and River-street became filled for some minutes to a depth of several feet. Meanwhile the waters from South Yarra hill, seeking a lower level, found it in the railway cutting, and the excavations from South Yarra station to Prahran on the one line, and to the Chapel-street bridge on the other, were converted into a couple of canals. At the platforms at South Yarra the water was two feet deep on the permanent way, and towards Hawksburn, at the sudden depression under Chapel-street bridge, it was at one time deep enough to cover a tall man's head. Into this swirling mass of water the 1:50 p.m. train from Oakleigh plunged on its way to Melbourne. The impact caused a mighty fountain of water to rise to a height of about 20 feet above the level of Chapel-street and send clouds of spray in all directions. Under the belief that a terrible explosion had occurred residents braved the rain and rushed to the spot, only to find that the train had been brought to a stand-still in the middle of what seemed to be a river. The water was so high that it had entered the fire-box from below, extinguishing the fires and cutting off the steam supply. In the meantime the officials at the South Yarra station had been preparing for emergencies. Inspectors were on duty at intervals along the line, and the moment the alarm was given an extra engine was backed carefully down and continued on to connect with the stranded train without losing its own power. There was a delay of about ten minutes in the service for an hour or two, but by 5 o'clock all the trains were running on time again, and the water had run off all but the spot beneath the Chapel-street bridge. Here the water remained about four feet deep until nightfall, and throughout the afternoon several hundreds of people including biograph operators and photographers, were gathered around watching each train pass through. Even with the water two feet lower, this was a work attended with considerable difficulty. Each train had to absolutely force its way through the weight of water, almost enveloped by the spray thrown up, and it was only just able to negotiate the "ford" by using every ounce of steam. ... The Argus, 26 January 1907, p19.The item forms part of the Laurie Bennett collection of thirty-six postcards and photographs of Kew and early Melbourne, donated to the Kew Historical Society in 1980. The postcards in the Bennett collection, like other images in the Society's holdings date from the 1890s to the present and comprehensively indicate points-of-view or scenes considered historically, aesthetically or socially significant in the period in which they were produced.Postcard depicting a flood at South Yarra Station in 1907. The title and photographer's name are identified on the front of the postcard. Donated by L. Bennett, 1980flood - south yarra, trains - melbourne, postcards, r mcgeehan - prahran

Collection of 39 photographs. Some photographs with handwritten annotations in what looks like the handwriting of J.L. Provan. Mostly at Burnley, some at Moorabbin. (1) "Opium Poppy 1942 Burnley. Publicity Branch Department of Agriculture." Negative in envelope marked, "Prints 1 of No. 398 Department of Agriculture 'McP.' " (2) Grape vine and cabbages. (3) Rows of seedlings in the Orchard. (4) Orange tree? unpruned. (5) Flowers. (6) "Double and single rows of French Beans." (7) "Sage & marjoram." (8) Hydrangeas. (9)Sprinkler on newly planted cabbages. (10a)"Lettuce Iceberg 1/1/43." Seeds on soil surface. (10b) "Lettuce Iceberg 1/1/43." Seedlings emerging. (11)? planted in terracotta pipes. (12) Rows of seedlings in the Orchard. (13) "A student sowing Parsnip seed in a drill row. School of Horticulture Burnley Gardens." (14) Student distributing fertilizer? (15) Similar. (16) Similar. (17a) Flowers. (17b) Flowers. (18)"Beetroot Crimson Globe." (19) A seed drill. (20)Canna. (21a) Vegetable rows. (21b) ? (22) Student hoeing. (23) Student hoeing. (24) Similar. (26) "Cabbage Burbees Allhead 2/2/43," seedlings. (27) Water, manure, etc. (28) "Celery beds Ray Marriott Moorabbin April 2nd 1943." (29-37) Also at Moorabbin probably: (29) Vegetables. (30) Onions. (31) Vegetables. (32) Planting seedlings. (33) Vegetables. (34) Celery, carrots, turnips on display. (35) Carrots growing and just pulled up. (36) Peas. (37) Ploughing with horse. (38) Student spraying vegetables at Burnley. (39) House?j.l. provan, burnley, moorabbin, opium poppy, grape vine, cabbages, seedlings, orchards, orange trees, flowers, french beans, sage, marjoram, hydrangea, sprinkler, lettuce iceberg, seeds, students sowing, parsnips, school of horticulture burnley gardens, beetroot, hoeing, water, manure, celery, vegetables beds, ray marriott, onions, carrots, turnips, peas, ploughing, horse, spraying

A stirrup pump is a portable reciprocating water pump used to extinguish or control small fires. It is operated by hand. The operator places a foot on a stirrup-like bracket at the bottom of the pump to hold the pump steady. The bottom of the suction cylinder was placed inside a bucket of water. Water was drawn by pumping the handle up and down to create suction. The pumps were used in a variety of settings to enable quick action if a small fire broke out. They were a vital tool in London during the Blitz of World War 11. On the local level they were also used for spraying fruit trees, plants and vines. The Crescent Tool Company was founded in 1907. The Crescent brand has changed ownership multiple times. It is currently owned by Apex Tool Group but still also trades as Crescent in Australia. This pump was donated by Geoff Williams of Wodonga and was used at "Orange Vale" farm at Oxley Flats near Wangaratta. "Orange Vale" was owned by Mr. Robert Williams. Widely known as "Uncle Bob". in the 1940s Mr. Williams opened up the family property, established in the 1860s, as a camp for young people from Wangaratta. By 1951, this had extended to catering to group camps for children from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. 250 children could be accommodated at one time and as many as 3,000 children enjoyed the facilities each year.These pumps were important in fire fighting in a range of settings and were adapted for use in agricultural and small farm settings,A brass stirrup pump with wooden handle. It consists of 2 parallel brass pieces, one with a foot piece attached to keep the pump steady. The base of the pump is fitted with a pierced metal filter that prevents grit and debris being drawn into the pump and fouling it. 2 butterfly screws enable adjustment of height and securing a hose.crescent tools, orange vale, fire equipment

Built in 1953, the Rice House was leading Melbourne architect Kevin Borland's first commssion and was one of two houses of its kind. The design of the shell-like structure was inspired by the Arch of Ctesiphon, built in the second century south of Baghdad. Cement with a waterproofing agent was applied in layers to a form of regularly spaced timber arches covered in hessian. This ctesiphon system was developed in the United Kingdom by engineer J.H. de Waller in 1947. Commissioned in 1951 by Harrie and Lorna Rice, after Harrie, then an art student, met Borland at The Age Small Homes Service. Borland suggested they buy land in Eltham because at that time it was the only council in Melbourne that would grant a permit for such an innovative house. Covered under Victorian Heritage. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p157 Inspired by an ancient arch in Iraq, a house stands on top of a hill in a private position, off Ryans Road, Eltham. One of only two houses of its kind, it was leading Melbourne architect Kevin Borland’s first commissioned house, which he built in 1953. The shell-like structure, partially screened by giant trees and cacti, was inspired by the Arch of Ctesiphon south of Baghdad, built in the second century.1 Cement with a waterproofing agent was applied in layers to a form of regularly spaced timber arches tightly covered by hessian. This ctesiphon system was developed in the United Kingdom by engineer J H de Waller in 1947. This house was the first of three such structures built in Victoria, of which only one other remains, although substantially altered.2 It is the Wood House and supermarket, at the corner of Cleveland Road and High Street Road, Ashwood, designed by Robin Boyd in 1952. The Rice House demonstrates Kevin Borland’s innovative and experimental work. It is an outstanding example of the post-war period of experimentation in domestic architecture in Melbourne – by Robin Boyd, Kevin Borland and others – for The Age Small Homes Service from 1947 to 1953. This was partly an expression of late-Modernism and also necessitated by the post-war shortage of building materials. In Eltham, the post-war shortage of building materials largely resulted in mud-brick houses. Examples of Borland’s public work include contributions to the Olympic Swimming Pool in Melbourne and the Preshil Junior School in Kew. After more than 50 years of living in the house, Harrie and Lorna Rice still love it. Facing north-east with large windows overlooking the garden and two courtyards, it is well lit and benefits from a through breeze. The couple commissioned the extraordinary house after Harrie, then an art student, met Borland in 1951 at The Age Small Homes Service. Harrie was so impressed by the recently graduated Borland’s enthusiasm, that he asked him to design them an interesting house for a low budget.3 The unusual design presented several hurdles for the young couple before they could construct it. Borland suggested that they buy land in Eltham, because at that time it had the only council in Melbourne that would allow such an innovative house. Another hurdle was to gain finance for this remarkable house. The State Savings Bank Manager refused finance on the grounds that it was ‘unliveable’ and a ‘disgrace’. Fortunately, through a family connection, the couple borrowed money from the National Bank. But they discovered years later, that the bank’s evaluation stated the two ‘concrete sheds’ were of no value!4 The house built in off-white concrete, consists of two sections. The main house has four arches supported by brick and concrete walls that create a series of inter-connected rooms. Inside, the ceiling follows the roofline. Originally this section was only ten square metres, because of building restrictions at the time. But in 1973 Borland added two rooms and a carport. The second structure of two arches was originally a garage and a studio for art teacher Harrie Rice. To accommodate the growing family, in the mid 1950s, Borland converted the second structure into two children’s bedrooms, a kitchenette, a bathroom and a living room. The two structures were originally linked by a covered way of suspended draped-concrete, but this collapsed in the 1980s. The design has several maintenance problems. Cracks developed where two halves of the shells were joined. Then the material sprayed over the cracks became brittle, causing leaks. Fortunately Harrie found another material he could use. The valleys between the arches collect water, requiring annual painting with a waterproof material to prevent leaking. Lorna framed the house with native and exotic plants, which provide privacy and as a bonus, the garden attracted the rare Eltham Copper Butterfly.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham, rice house, ryans road