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

Class photograph from Greensborough Primary School No.2062. 1974 Grade S.D. Student names are not identified.Digital copy of black and white group photograph.School and class identified on board in photograph.greensborough primary school, greensborough state school

Class photograph from Grade 6 1963 at Lower Plenty Primary School No.1295. Student names are not identified.Digital copy of black and white class photograph.lower plenty primary school, lower plenty state school

Black and white class photograph of grade 4C in 1961Blackburn State School no. 2923 Class of 1961 Grade 4Cblackburn state school no.2923, class 4c, 1961

Class photograph from Briar Hill Primary School, 1937, Grades 1-4. Student names are not identified.Digital copy of black and white group photograph.School and class identified on board in photograph.briar hill primary school, briar hill state school

Class photograph from Briar Hill Primary School, 1942 Grades 5-8 . Student names are not identified.Digital copy of black and white group photograph.School and class identified on board in photograph.briar hill primary school, briar hill state school

Class photograph from Grades 3 and 4 1961 at Lower Plenty Primary School No.1295. Student names are not identified.Digital copy of black and white class photograph.lower plenty primary school, lower plenty state school

Black and white class photograph of Heatherdale Pre School in 1967.Black and white class photograph of Heatherdale Pre School in 1967.heatherdale pre school, class of 1967

Class photograph from Grade 4, 1961 Greensborough Primary School No.2062. Student names are not identified. Teacher Mr Haynes.Digital copy of black and white class photograph.greensborough primary school, greensborough state school

Don Murray who was a member of this class has supplied us with this photo naming almost all the pupils. Please refer to Surrey Hills State School vertical file for list of names.A black and white photograph of a Grade 4 class from Surrey Hills State 2778 taken in 1938. The are 56 children in the class.mr keith rimmer, mr john allen, mr cliff hoath, mr ken newell, mr alan aird, miss joy moodie, miss barbara hoskin, miss helen james, miss valerie muir, miss merle christine, mr don cam, mr don hutchinson, mr maurice millet, miss - canty, miss jean mollison, miss margaret peacock, miss shirley cockerill, miss carmen hutchinson, miss betty carter, miss melba moore, miss vivian turner, mr john flower, miss audrey broomhead, miss gwen skinner, miss dorothy stout, miss irene dunn, miss irene jones, miss isobel browne, miss lucy deucher, miss merle yeomans, miss elaine burgess, miss betty tuck, miss joyce phillips, miss joan fletcher, mr len yeomans, mr frank fletcher, mr bobby edgelow, mr brian griffin, mr claude colbert, mr ken carrington, mr barry dimelow, mr don murray, mr david mccracken, mr ken wheat, miss fay mcbain, miss thelma mcconville, miss valda mcconville, miss betty o'brien, miss barbara mclachlan, mr ray mcdonald, mr ian mckenzie

This colour photograph, with 15 others are enlargements gifted to the Society by Mel Lawrence in 2016. They were taken at a commemorative event from the Kew Tram Depot. Laminated colour enlargement of an A Class 231 in Doncaster Road, North Balwyn Village during a re-enactment from the Kew Depot in 1990.Annotation reverse: "Kew Depot 1990. A Class 231 in Doncaster Road, North Balwyn Village."kew tram depot, a class trams, trams -- melbourne

A class photo of a group of young legatees at a gymnastics class in Kew. There are 15 boys, of various ages, in gymnastics gear, and 4 men who are instructors and Legacy members. The caption says 'This photo was taken during school holidays, hence the small attendance. Front: Eddie Robertson, Sitting: Lohn LInton, Bob Bateson, Robin Broderick, Michael Johnson, Tom Olsen, Graeme Murray, Douglas Govey. Centre: Mr Tom Mann (instructor) Legatee HJ Martin, Legatee A R Beattie, Mr J Costello (Instructor). Back: John Barker, Kerry Wisdom, Garry Thomson, Gerald Brown, Rod MacKinnon, John Shaw, Graeme Withers. Legacy clubs ran classes for junior legatees for many years. It was part of providing for the children of their deceased comrades. The skills they learned were show cased in an annual demonstration usually at the Melbourne Town Hall. It appears to be photo taken professionally, as there are several photos of different classes (see 00862 - 00867) perhaps to record Legacy classes for promotion purposes.A record of a way Legacy provided classes for junior legatees.Black and white photo of Legacy boys posing for a class photo.Printed on the back 'Kew'. Stamped 'S5337/1--' and '531' in blue ink.junior legatee, boys' classes

B&W photograph by N.J.Caire, on a postcard, of the Boys' Gymnastic Class at the VDDI On Front of postcard: "VICTORIAN DEAF & DUMB INSTITUTION, ST. KILDA RD., MELBOURNE./Boys' Gymnastic Class/N.J.CAIRE, Photo, 4 Darling Street, South Yarra, Victoria." deaf children australia, dca, victorian deaf & dumb institution, vddi, education, pupils, boys, gymnastic class, n. j. caire, sport

Class photograph from Briar Hill Primary School, 1939, Grades 1-4.. Student names are not identified. Briar Hill State School was established in 1927.Digital copy of black and white group photograph.School and class identified on board in photograph.briar hill primary school, briar hill state school

A photo of a group of female junior legatees in an elocution class. The photo appeared in the July 1954 Legacy Newsletter with the caption. "Here is a group of Intermediate Girls being tutored in Speech training by Miss Winifred Williams. Though not spectacular Speech Training is an important part of class work." Miss Williams also wrote a piece in a newsletter about the benefits of speech training. Melbourne Legacy ran many classes for boys and girls in their care. The speech training or elocution was one aspect.A record of an aspect of the classes provided for the girls.Black and white photo of Miss Williams speaking to a class of young ladies.junior legatee, girls' classes, miss williams

A photo of senior girls performing their health exercises in a class. The girls were dressed in their physical exercise kit which was provided by Legacy to the junior legatees. The photo was taken by a newspaper and could have been part of them publicising the Annual Demonstration. Throughout the year Melbourne Legacy provided classes for Junior Legatees such as dancing, gymnastics and Eurythmics. A record that Legacy provided classes for junior legatees and the skills learned were displayed in the Annual Demonstration.Black and white photo of junior legatees jumping in their exercise classes.Stamped with Copyright of the Herald Sun Feature Service, Melbourne in purple ink.junior legatee, girls' classes

A photo of senior girls performing their health exercises in a class. The girls were dressed in their physical exercise kit which was provided by Legacy to the junior legatees. The photo was taken by a newspaper and could have been part of them publicising the Annual Demonstration. Throughout the year Melbourne Legacy provided classes for Junior Legatees such as dancing, gymnastics and Eurythmics.A record of the displays at the classes Legacy provided for junior legatees and the skills learned were displayed in the Annual Demonstration.Black and white photo of junior legatees posing in their exercise classes.Stamped with Copyright of the Herald Sun Feature Service, Melbourne in purple ink.junior legatee, girls' classes

Poster of an image of a W3 class tram (see item 1306) and elevation, floor plans and cross sections of tram 655. Appeared in The Electrical Engineer and Merchandiser - 15/3/1932. Yields information about W3 class trams.Laminated poster of a drawing of W3 class trams.tramways, trams, w3 class, tram 655, drawings, mmtb

The Uebergang family came from Silesia to Australia in 1848 and were early settlers in the Allansford area. The sons and other descendants also purchased farms in the area. The Percy Uebergang family lived at Tooram Park, Allansford from 1912 until 1992. Percy and Myrtle Uebergang's children were twins, Ray and Joyce born in 1926 who lived at Tooram Park until their deaths, Ray in 1986 and Joyce in 1992 after which the property was sold. Neither Ray nor Joyce married and following the death of her brother Joyce set up the Ray and Joyce Uebergang Foundation which supports the local community. The collection of items from their property was put into store for a number of years before being given into the care of the Cheese World Museum. The family often re-used, recycled and repaired items and examples can be seen in the museum. This item is part of the collection of items given into the care of the Cheese World Museum. The Victorian Education Department compiled set tests for schools. This test aimed at Year 6 students dates from 1904 and includes some complex written arithmetic problems, grammar analysis and an essay on 'Clothing'. This test sheet is significant as an example of the level expected of Class VI students in 1904.A single page printed in black ink on dull orange coloured paper with tests arithmetic, grammar and composition for Class VI, No.65, 1904 composed by the Education Department, Victoria.EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, VICTORIA/CLASS VI/No.65, 1904/WRITTEN ARITHMETIC/ … /GRAMMAR/…/COMPOSITIONallansford, grammar, school tests, arithmetic, composition, education department victoria, education, schools

A photo of a class of young legatees in 1951, in a garage, called the East Brighton Group. There are 29 boys, of various ages, in gymnastic gear with the Legacy logo on the chest and 4 men who could be the instructor and a Legacy member. Legacy clubs ran classes for junior legatees for many years, such as gymnastics and swimming classes. It was part of providing for the children of their deceased comrades. The skills they learned were show cased in an annual demonstration usually at the Melbourne Town Hall. It appears to be photo taken professionally, as there are several photos of different classes (see 00862 - 00867) perhaps to record Legacy classes for promotion purposes. The notes on the back mentioned there are 6 other groups of boys (perhaps those in Kew, Fitzroy, Footscray, Malvern and Auburn in the other photos mentioned). The names are: From the left, rear: L/. W Blackall, Bob Watson, Leon Wicks, L/. Evans, Bill Luck, Kev Gleeson, David Endean, Rex Mason, Douglas Grigg, Don Paulson, Bernard Hubbard, Bob Lancaster, Neville Trevena, Alan Barrett, Bob Gleeson, Eric Scott, Doug Wylie, Bill Gleeson, Mr G. Nelson Instr., Mr H. Singleton Instr. Front: Don Scott, Peter Luck, Tony Minogue, Gavan Carr, Warwick Leeming, Peter Marsh, John McLennan, Bruce Grigg, Robin Barker, Stephen Westcott, Barry Larkam, Roger Falahey, Tom Cocksam. Absent: J. Paulson (Capt.)A record of a way Legacy provided classes for junior legatees.Black and white photo of a class of Legacy boys in a garage.Handwritten in blue ink "East Brighton Group 7 Dec 1951. There are 6 other groups for boys". Stamped '2668' in grey ink Handwritten 'P4 Legacy' in blue pen and 'Reduce to 6 and half " wide' in pencil. Blue ink notes detail the boys' names.junior legatee, boys' classes

The photograph shows W1 class tram 423 in Swanston St about to turn into Victoria St shunts. The tram has the return destination of Eslternwick and is showing route 4E. The tram entered service in March 1927 and was converted to a W2 class tram in August 1936. In the background is the Melbourne baths buildings and a W2 class tram.Yields information about the operation of W1 class trams c1930.Black and White Photograph with notes on rear.In pencil on rear "W1 class, Parallel seat in centre, Swanston St."tramways, trams, w1 class, tram 423, swanston st, route 4e

A class photograph and caption of Watsonia State School 1968 Grade 1CDigital copy of a black and white class photograph with names written under photo. watsonia primary school, watsonia state school

Nine separate original signed certificates. Eight awarded to S. Hudson Burnley Egg Laying Competitions 1956 to 1958: (1) Department of Agriculture, Victoria Certificate of Merit, Class 1 White Leghorns - Wet Mash, Total First Grade Eggs 263, Bird No 144. 1956-1957: (2) Department of Agriculture, Victoria, Certificate of Merit, First Class, Section A Class 1 White Leghorns, Dry Mash. Total First Grade Eggs 240 Bird No 44. 1957 -1958 Government Champion Certificates, (3) First Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns Dry Mash. Total number of First Grade Eggs 1401 1957 -58 (4) First Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns Dry Mash, Individual Birds Total number of First Grade Eggs 269. (5) Winter Test First Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns Dry Mash Total number of First Grade Eggs 95. 1957 -58 (6) Winter Test First Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns Dry Mash Total number of First Grade eggs 491.1957-58 Government Certificates, (7) Winter Test, Third Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns - Dry Mash Total number of First Grade eggs 92. 1957-58 (8) Second Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns - Dry Mash - Individual Birds Total number of eggs 255. 1957-58 (see Sash B98.0620) One Government Certificate awarded to G. Hudson Burnley Egg Laying Competition 1958-59 : (9) Winter Test, Equal Third Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns Dry mash (Individual Bird) Total number of First Grade Eggs 81.Awarded to S. Hudson Burnley Egg Laying Competitions 1956 to 1958: (1) Department of Agriculture, Victoria Certificate of Merit, Class 1 White Leghorns - Wet Mash, Total First Grade Eggs 263, Bird No 144. 1956-1957: (2) Department of Agriculture, Victoria, Certificate of Merit, First Class, Section A Class 1 White Leghorns, Dry Mash. Total First Grade Eggs 240 Bird No 44. 1957 -1958 Government Champion Certificates, (3) First Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns Dry Mash. Total number of First Grade Eggs 1401 1957 -58 (4) First Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns Dry Mash, Individual Birds Total number of First Grade Eggs 269. (5) Winter Test First Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns Dry Mash Total number of First Grade Eggs 95. 1957 -58 (6) Winter Test First Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns Dry Mash Total number of First Grade eggs 491.1957-58 Government Certificates, (7) Winter Test, Third Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns - Dry Mash Total number of First Grade eggs 92. 1957-58 (8) Second Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns - Dry Mash - Individual Birds Total number of eggs 255. 1957-58 Government Certificate awarded to G. Hudson Burnley Egg Laying Competition 1958-59 : (9) Winter Test, Equal Third Prize Section A Class 1 White Leghorns Dry mash (Individual Bird) Total number of First Grade Eggs 81.egg laying, competition, s. hudson, g. hudson

A class photo of a group of young legatees at a gymnastics class in Malvern. There are 43 boys, of various ages, in gymnastics gear. Legacy clubs ran classes for junior legatees for many years. It was part of providing for the children of their deceased comrades. The skills they learned were show cased in an annual demonstration usually at the Melbourne Town Hall. It appears to be photo taken professionally, as there are several photos of different classes (see 00862 - 00867) perhaps to record Legacy classes for promotion purposes. The photo featured in the September 1953 Newsletter. Backrow: Garry Burns, Merv Nelson, Denys Nelson, Ted Soutar, Peter Grenfell, Don McKneil, Frank Batty, Ross Moloney, Don McKean. 2nd row: John Kerlie, Ian Cameron, Dick Farnback, Norm Brown, John Farnbach, Ian Grainger, Graeme Pocknee, Frank Rutledge, Fred Strong. 3rd row: Graham Thorp, Norm Wright, Brian Scarlett, Ron Wilson, John Wright, George Brown, Alec Addison, Geroge Thorpe, Harold Boyes, 4th Row: Andrew Tonkin, Edward Pocknee, William L Brown, Max Hamilton, Ken Jacka, Don Walker, Clliff McAliece, John Brown, John Buckle. Front row: Geoff Strogeon, Richard Bowman, Dick Payne, David Triff, Ken Dean, John Clarke, Willliam Brown.A record of a way Legacy provided classes for junior legatees.Black and white photo of Legacy boys posing for a class photo.Printed on the back 'Malvern'. Stamped 'R5332/1--' and '531' in blue ink. Handwritten 'P4 Legacy' in blue pen and 'Same size' in pencil.junior legatee, boys' classes, malvern

Colour print of MMTB tram V class 214 at night. The tram began life as NMETL No. 13 in 1906, used as Freight Car 17, reconstructed back to V class 214 by the MMTB in 1978 and in 2006 repainted as NMETL 13. Photo by Ray Marsh, 1990s. This tram is on display at the Melbourne Tram Museum.Yields information about the tram that entered service in Melbourne in 1906.Colour print adhered to a black sheet, of MMTB Tram V class 214.trams, tramways, mmtb, v class, tram 214, nmetl