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Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Autograph Album, 1920s
This item comes from the estates of the Misses Ardlie of Warrnambool. It belonged to Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993) who was aged 11 when she received the album. Her sisters were Olive (1905-1912) and Dorothy (1910-1993). They were the daughters of Arthur and Ethel Ardlie of Warrnambool, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnmbool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, early settlers in Warrnambool. The Misses Ardlie lived in their early years at Aroona in Princess Street in Warrnambool. The autograph album has handwritten contributions (verse and signatures) from family members and friends and twelve signatures of cricketers from the Australian Test series of 1928-1929. These are mostly English cricketers and include the signatures of Wally Hammond, Jack Hobbs, Harold Larwood and George Duckworth.This autograph book is of considerable interest, firstly as a memento of Agnes Ardlie, a member of a prominent family in Warrnambool in the 20th century and secondly, as an item of some significance in the cricket world with its signatures of some English cricketers on tour in Australia in 1928/29.This is an autograph album with a dark red leather cover and gold writing on the front cover. Inside the cover are pages in a green mottled pattern. The other pages are mostly white or cream with some coloured pages. Some pages have handwritten verse and signatures in black and blue ink. A blue shopkeeper’s label is on the inside back page. Album Agnes M. Ardlie ‘Aroona’ Warrnambool 3.11.26 ardlie family, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Visitors Book, 1950s
... of the Misses Dorothy and Agnes Ardlie of Warrnambool (20th century ...This notebook comes from the estates of the Misses Dorothy and Agnes Ardlie of Warrnambool. Dorothy Ardlie (1910-1993) and her sister Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993) were the daughters of Ethel and Arthur Ardlie of Warrnambool, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, early Warrnambool settlers. The notebook has been used in 1954 as a visitors book and later as an address book and a notebook for recipes, messages etc. The significance of ‘A la Ronde’ or ‘In the Round’ on the opening page is not known. This notebook is of minor interest as a memento of the Misses Dorothy and Agnes Ardlie of Warrnambool (20th century)This is a small notebook with a light brown cover with an ornamental gold edging around the front cover. The cover is somewhat stained. The pages are gilt-edged and contain handwritten signatures, names and addresses and notes. There are many blank pages.Visitors Book A La Ronde 1954 ardlie family, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Flower Show Cards, 1940s
... Warrnambool family in the 20th century. ardlie family history ...These are cards awarded as prizes in Flower Shows in Warrnambool in the 1940s to the Misses Ardlie. Dorothy Ardlie (1910-1993) and her sister Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993) were the daughters of the Warrnambool law clerk Arthur Ardlie and his wife Ethel, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife, Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, early Warrnambool settlers. The cards were mostly awarded to Agnes Ardlie for prize flowers and pot plants and come from the Warrnambool Agricultural Society Annual Show, St. John’s Warrnambool Presbyterian Church Flower Show and St. Joseph’s Warrnambool Catholic Church Fete and Flower Show.These cards are of minor interest as mementoes of Agnes and Dorothy Ardlie, members of a prominent Warrnambool family in the 20th century. These are lightweight cardboard cards, rectangular in shape. They all have printing in various colours and handwriting in ink or pencil. Some cards have been annotated on the back and one card has a newspaper cutting and a photograph of the winning pot plant. ardlie family, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Memorabilia, 1909/1912
These items came from the estates of Dorothy Ardlie (1910-1993) and her sister Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993). They are poignant mementoes of their sister Olive who died in 1912 of gangrenous appendicitis at the age of 6. The three sisters were the daughters of Arthur and Ethel Ardlie of Warrnambool, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, pioneer Warrnambool settlers. These mementoes were kept by family members for over 100 years These items are of considerable interest as mementoes of a small child who died early in the 20th century and of the type of bereavement cards used at that time. .1 A black and white photograph produced as a post card. The subject is a young girl on a swing and holding a doll. The photograph has a hole at the top. .2 A bereavement card with black edging, black printing and handwriting in black ink. .3 A bereavement card with black edging and black printing. .4 A small envelope, much stained. This contains a small amount of a child’s hair. .1 Foyle’s Photo Card Liebig St. Warrnambool For Ethel in memory of her little playmate Olive Ardlie .2 In Affectionate Remembrance of Olive Mary Josephine Ardlie who departed this life 24th February 1912 Aged 6 Years .3 Mr & Mrs Arthur Ardlie return sincere thanks for kind sympathy in their great sorrow ‘Aroona’ Warrnambool .4 Olive’s hair, March 31st 09 3 yrs ardlie family, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Aeroplane Seat, C 1916
This is the seat from the aeroplane of Basil Watson. Photographs held by the Warrnambool and District Historical Society confirm that this was Watson’s aeroplane seat. He was a pioneer aviator who had built his own plane which was 5.5 metres long with a wingspan of 8 metres. It had a 7-cylinder 50 HP rotary Gnome engine. Basil Watson flew this aircraft to Warrnambool in January 1917, becoming the first person to fly to Warrnambool, coming from Point Cook in one hour 55 minutes – an Australian cross-country flying record at that time. Watson amazed Warrnambool crowds with his dare-devil flying, looping the loop 14 times over the Warrnambool racecourse. He also brought with him the first aerial post to arrive in Warrnambool and the Warrnambool and District Historical Society has the letter he brought written by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne to the Mayor of Warrnambool. Two months after he was in Warrnambool Basil Watson was killed when his plane crashed near Point Cook in March 1917. Parts of the plane were salvaged and the seat was donated to the old Warrnambool Museum in 1918. It remained there until the museum was dismantled in the early 1960s and it was later passed over to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. The tag on the seat today is an old Warrnambool Museum label. This is a most significant item as it is the original seat from the aeroplane of Basil Watson, an important early aviator in Australia’s history and it is also an early 20th century memento of the many treasures from the old Warrnambool Museum (1883-1963). The seat shows the primitive nature of early 20th century aeroplanes in Australia. This is a metal (galvanized iron) seat with a semi-circular base and a curved back stretching around from one end of the base to the other end. The back has a rolled metal edging on the base and the top. On the sides are two slots with a khaki-coloured cloth strap passing through the slots. This strap has a metal buckle at the end. The metal in the seat is somewhat blotched and discoloured. A luggage label is tied to one of the slots and has a name typed on it.Mr Watsonbasil watson, aviator, old warrnambool museum, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Cooking Bowl, Quick Cooker, Early 20th century
This item is an early type of cooker and would have been used to cook meat and puddings in the first two or three decades of the 20th century. It has no known local provenance but may have been a display item from the old Warrnambool Museum which was established in 1883 and was dismantled in the 1960s. This item, although incomplete, is of interest as a cooking bowl from the past and is retained for display purposes. This is a circular-shaped white china bowl. The base has a hollow tube protruding up through the centre of the bowl. There is printing on the outside of the bowl and on the top inside section. The lid of the bowl is missing. The ‘Quick Cooker’ Patent No 12161/11 Gold Medal London 1911 Excellent for stews of all kind Meat can be kept hot for hours without over-cooking or getting dry Grimwade’s Patent Nos 12835/09, 15043/09 Do not fill above this line – The pudding then has room to expand Water in saucepan should also be about this level ----- vintage culinary items, history of warrnambool, quick cooker -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document - Poll Book, Mid 20th century
The format of this Poll Book indicates that it could be used in any polling in any electoral district in Australia, either State or Federal. Similar booklets may have been used in the Warrnambool area.This booklet is of minor interest as a sample of a Poll Book that was used in elections (perhaps in the Warrnambool area) in the mid 20th century. It can be used for display.This is a booklet of ten pages. It has a cover with black printing. The cover, once coloured pink but now faded, is completely detached. The pages are ruled with red lines but there are no entries.Poll Bookhistory of warrnambool, poll book, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Booklet, Selected Recipes, 1960s
This recipe booklet has been produced as a fund-raiser for the West Warrnambool State School. The production of recipe books such as this one was a popular school project in the 1960s and 70s. West Warrnambool School No. 4899 opened in February 1966 with an enrolment of 183 children and a staff of 8 teachers under the Head Teacher J.J.Godfrey. The West Warrnambool School still operates today in Hoddle Street Warrnambool.This booklet is retained as an example of the recipe books produced for fund raising purposes by non-profit organizations in the second half of the 20th century. It is also a memento of West Warrnambool State School. This is a soft cover booklet with a green front cover with an image of a fry pan and cream printing. The back cover is cream. (This copy has two front covers). The booklet contains a foreword, an index, printed recipes on different coloured pages and hand-drawn advertisements for local businesses. west warrnambool school, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Tea Tin (Rolfe), Artefact, Early 20th century
This is a tea tin from the business of Rolfe and Co., a wholesale grocery and importing business founded in Melbourne in 1854 by George Rolfe Senior, a merchant and politician. George Rolfe died in 1871 and the business was then run by his son, George Rolfe, Junior. The business continued until at least the late 1930s. George Rolfe (1836-1919) was a keen sportsman and he began holidaying in Warrnambool for some years in the 1870s when he started buying land in the area. By the early 1880s Rolfe owned 50 acres in Warrnambool and established his holiday residence at Lyndoch near the mouth of the Hopkins River. He improved the original site with the addition of a large garden, stables, jetty, boatshed, water well, chaff and bone sheds, reservoir etc and bought other properties including Shipley on the Allansford Road and the adjoining property Fairy Hill. He continued managing the Rolfe and Co. business in Melbourne until his death in 1919. Today Rolfe’s Lyndoch property in Warrnambool is the site of an aged care facility. This tin is of considerable significance as it is a memento of George Rolfe who established the property of Lyndoch in Warrnambool and was a prominent land holder in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. (Note that we have another Rolfe tea tin but it is in very poor condition compared to this later acquisition). This is a rectangular-shaped tin with four sides originally painted yellow but now showing considerable rust. The printing on the sides is brown and white, some on a blue background and some surrounded by decorative patterns.No. 2 Rolfe & Co. Ltd 286-300 King St. Melbourne Rolfe’s Tea Rolfe and Co. was established at Melbourne in 1854. Ever since then it has enjoyed an enviable reputation as a firm which supplies to the public goods of the highest quality. george rolfe, lyndoch warrnambool, rolfe & co, importers, melbourne, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, The Secret of Serenity, 1957
This is a book offering the reader ways to combat mental and spiritual stress. The author, the Rev. Gordon Powell (1911-2005) was born in Warrnambool to Louisa and George Powell. His father was a dentist in Kepler Street Warrnambool. Gordon Powell was educated in Melbourne and was a Presbyterian Minister in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and U.S.A. He was an R.A.A.F. chaplain in World War Two and established the Alcoholics Anonymous organization in Victoria. At St. Stephens Church in Sydney he attracted large attendances at both his Sunday and week-day services and became well-known for his religious radio broadcasts. He wrote several books and many articles for religious journals. This book is retained because it is the only piece of writing we have by the Rev. Gordon Powell who was born in Warrnambool in 1911 and was one of the most influential Presbyterian Church ministers in Australia in the 20th century. This is a hard cover book of 128 pages. The hard cover is blue with black printing on the spine. The dust cover has printing on the back cover and spine and a colour photograph of a path and parkland with red printing on the front cover. The pages contain an introduction and twelve chapters of text. rev. gordon powell, australian presbyterian church, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Photo Album, Ardlie, 1940s +
... century. ardlie family, warrnambool history of warrnambool Ardlie ...This album belonged to Dorothy and Agnes Ardlie of Warrnambool. Dorothy Ardlie (1910-1993) and her sister Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993) were the daughters of the Warrnanbool law clerk, Arthur Ardlie and his wife Ethel, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, pioneer settlers in Warrnambool . Dorothy and Agnes Ardlie lived in their early years at ‘Aroona’ in Princess Street, Warrnambool. This album is of interest because of its association with Dorothy and Agnes Ardlie of Warrnambool and because it has photographs of some historical interest, especially those of Warrnmbool houses and their interiors in the mid 20th century. This is photograph album with a red cover with a suede finish. It has silver-coloured printing on the front cover and has gold-coloured spiral binding. The pages contain mainly black and white photographs, usually eight to a page. There are some loose photographs.Ardlieardlie family, warrnambool, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Meat Safe, Household, Early 20th century
This meat safe has no known local provenance but it would be typical of the safes used in a domestic situation to house fresh meat. Usually the safe was hung in a house corridor or verandah or outside in a cool place where there was a breeze that passed through the mesh and kept the contents cool. The mesh also prevented flies and other insects from getting into the safe. Meat safes were widely used in Australian homes in the 19th century and early to mid 20th century, sometimes in conjunction with ice chests, until they were replaced by refrigerators. This item is retained for display purposes as an example of domestic food preservation in Australia 80 to 100 years ago.This is a metal box with a rectangular-shape base and a semi-circular top. All sides except the top and the bottom are made of fine metal mesh. The front is reinforced with metal strips and has a metal clip. The curved top is ridged and has a metal clip.The safe is somewhat rusted and damaged. Registered under Commonwealth Act Nos. 101-102-103 G.W.Rowleyfood preservation – australia, warrnambool, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Badges, Discharged Soldiers’ Fund, C 1918
These badges were produced about 1918 or 1919 to gain finds to assist Australian soldiers discharged from the armed forces after serving in World War One. One source suggests that the badges were sold only in South Australia and raised £500,000 but, as these badges are part of the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society in Victoria it is likely that they were sold throughout Australia. The sale of badges such as these was a common way of raising funds for charitable causes, especially during World War One and also during the first half of the 20th century. These badges are retained as examples of the type of badges sold during World War One. They will be useful for display purposes. .1 A circular-shaped metal badge with a gold outer edging and a brown background with a laurel wreath, a star and brown printing within a cream-coloured heart. The badge has a clip at the back. .2 as above Discharged Soldiers’ Fund For Our Returned Soldiers Copyright world war one, warrnambool, history of warrnambool, australian soldiers, south australia -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Badge, Warrnambool Amateur Basketball Association, 1960s
In the 1950s and 60s what we know as netball today was played by women and was known as basketball. No information has been found on this Warrnambool Basketball Association but it is most probable, however, that it was an early organization of men’s basketball teams. The game of basketball, founded in America, has become much more popular in Australia for both men and women in the last three or four decades with the local organization in Warrnambool known as Warrnambool Basketball Inc. and the teams Warrnambool Seahawks and Mermaids playing in a state-wide competition. This badge is retained for display purposes as an example of a sporting badge from the mid 20th century.This is a metal badge in the shape of a shield with gold lettering on a brown background and gold-coloured images of a net and ball on a green background. It has a metal ring at the top for attachment to a ribbon or cord.Warrnambool Amateur Basketball Associationwarrnambool basketball, warrnambool netball, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Badges, Volunteer Cadet Corps, Late 19th century
... in Warrnambool from the late 1860s through to the early 20th century ...These are badges or pieces of insignia that would have been worn on the collar or cap of members of the Victorian Volunteer Corps. This organization was formed in Victoria in 1867 with the object of fostering in young men leadership, discipline, loyalty and initiative through training programs and community service. The Victorian Volunteer Corps was established in Warrnambool in 1868 and units were initially based at the Warrnambool State School and the Warrnambool Grammar School. Later groups were formed in other schools and competed against each other in rifle shooting competitions, marching and parade skills etc. The Warrnambool groups were trained and assisted by members of the local adult Volunteer Corps. Today cadet groups are sponsored by the Australian Army and there is revived interest in Warrnambool in school cadet groups. These insignia items have no known local provenance but are of historical interest as mementoes of the Volunteer Cadet Corps that operated in Warrnambool from the late 1860s through to the early 20th century. .1 This is a bronze-coloured metal badge with gold lettering, a crown on top, a cross with stars in the middle section and laurel leaves around the outer edges. The two clips at the back are for attachment of the badge to a collar or cap. .2 as above except that this badge has been damaged and somewhat flattened. Volunteer Cadet Corps Victoria Pro Deo et Patria volunteer cadet corps,, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Badges, Stokes, Warrnambool Racing Club, 1950
... century. Warrnambool Racing Club History of Warrnambool Badge .1 ...These badges were issued to members of the Warrnambool Racing Club in 1950. Horse race meetings have been held in Warrnambool since the early days of settlement, with the Warrnambool Racing Club being established in 1854. Race meetings were first held on the site of the present day racecourse in the late 1850s. The chief event on the Warrnambool racing calendar is the annual three-day May Racing Carnival, with the main event being the well-known Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase. These badges are retained as examples of badges of members of the Warrnambool Racing Club in the mid 20th century. .1 A shield-shaped metal badge with silver-coloured trim around the edges. There are initials in the centre of the badge and around these is a circle of blue with silver-coloured printing, all on a green background. There is a metal clip at the back. .2 as above .1 WRC Warrnambool Racing Club Not Transferable, Season 1950-51, Season ends July 31st 1951, B 297 .2 as above except that the number is B 124 warrnambool racing club, history of warrnambool, badge -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Badge, Stokes, Warrnambool Racing Club (Lady), 1956
This badge is for a female and has been issued to a Warrnambool Racing Club member in 1956. Horse racing meetings have been held in Warrnambool since the early days of settlement and the Warrnambool Racing Club was formed in 1854. Meetings have been held at the site of the present racecourse since the late 1850s. The chief event on the Warrnambool racing calendar is the annual three-day May Racing Carnival, with the main event being the well-known Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase.This badge is retained as an example of lady’s badge issued to members of the Warrnambool Racing Club in the mid 20th century.This is a silvered-coloured six-sided metal badge with embossed initials and printing and a metal clip at the back.WRC LADY Season 1956-57 B545 Stokes Melb. warrnambool racing club, badge, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Badge, Warrnambool Racing Club, 1952
... in the mid 20th century. warrnambool racing club history ...This badge has been issued to a member of the Warrnambool Racing Club in 1952. Horse racing meetings have been held in Warrnambool since the early days of settlement. The Warrnambool Racing Club was formed in 1854 and the first race meetings were held at the site of the present-day racecourse in the late 1850s. Today the chief event on the Warrnambool racing calendar is the annual three-day May Racing Carnival, with the main event being the well-known Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase. This badge is retained as an example of a badge issued to members of the Warrnambool Racing Club in the mid 20th century.This is a metal badge in the shape of a shield. It has gold trim around the edges and a circle of blue on a white background with gold initials and lettering. The badge has a metal clip at the back. WRC Warrnambool Racing Club Not Transferable Season 1952-3 A 242 Stokes warrnambool racing club, history of warrnambool, badge -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Badge, Stokes, Warrnambool & District Base Hospital, Late 20th century
This badge has been produced for the Warrnambool & District Base Hospital, probably in the 1970s or 80s. It is a good quality badge and may have been sold for hospital funds or issued to hospital employees and supporters. The Warrnambool & District Base Hospital commenced in 1854 as the Villiers and Heytesbury Hospital and Benevolent Asylum and building on the current site in Ryot Street began in 1860. It was then known as the Warrnambool Hospital and Benevolent Asylum until early in the 20th century when it no longer accepted those needing care in old age. Today the hospital is part of a wider organization and is known as South West Health Care (Warrnambool Base). This badges is a local one and is retained as a memento of the Warrnambool Hospital in the second half of the last century and will be used for display purposes. This is a round metal badge with gold outer trimming, an outer circle of white with gold lettering and a red cross with gold edging set into the centre of the badge. There is a metal brooch clip at the back for attachment to an article of clothing.Warrnambool & District Base Hospital 9 ct. Stokes warrnambool & district base hospital, badge, history of warrnambool, warrnambool hospital and benevolent asylum -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Badges, Swann & Hudson, Gould League of Bird Lovers, 1950s
This is a badge of the Gould League of Bird Lovers. This organization was formed in 1909 in Victoria and was initially sponsored by the Education Department of Victoria. It was named after the English ornithologist, John Gould and his wife Elizabeth. The initial aim was to encourage school children to protect native birds and their eggs. Today the aim of the group has been widened to include education for environmental sustainability. In 1967 the name was changed to Gould League and in 2006 it became Gould Group Ltd. This badge has no known local provenance but many school children in Warrnambool in the 20th century and even today have belonged to the Gould League of Bird Lovers and the badge is retained as a memento of what was once an important organization for school children in Victoria. This is an irregular-shaped metal badge with the image of a red-capped robin, bronze-coloured tree branch and gold printing on a blue base. The back has a metal clip.Gould League of Bird Lovers Swann & Hudson Frankston gould league of bird lovers, history of warrnambool, john gould, ornithologist -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Badge, Australian Boy, c.1950
This badge was issued to a member of Australian Boy, probably about the 1950s, but no information has been found on this organization. What is known is that Warrnambool had a boys’ club in the 1950s and this group may have been part of a wider Australian organization. This badge has no known local provenance but is retained as a memento of the mid 20th century when Warrnambool had an active boys’ club. This is a round metal badge with red edging and an image of a boy, an aeroplane and a dog in blue and red with blue and red lettering set against a cream background. The badge is somewhat tarnished and rusted on the back.Australian Boy Club Memberwarrnambool boys’ club, boys’ club badge, history of warrnambool, badge -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Typewriter & ribbon, Imperial, Mid 20th century
This typewriter belonged to Gordon William Toleman (1910-1975). The first known Toleman born in the Western District was born at Mortlake in 1845 and Gordon Toleman was also born in Mortlake. He lived with his family in Warrnambool for many years. He was an accountant the Nestles Factory at Dennington for over 25 years. He was actively involved in community affairs, including the Warrnambool Urban Fire Brigade (life member), the Florado Festival, the Warrnambool Olympic Pool committee and the Merrivale and Terang Football Clubs (player and captain). He was also a life member of the Hampden Football League as a long-term Secretary and Treasurer and a secretary of the Warrnambool Football Club.This typewriter is of interest as one belonging to Gordon Toleman, a Warrnambool 20th century resident and a person well-known for his involvement in community activities..1 This is a metal typewriter with black and grey keys and a red and black typewriting ribbon. It has three gauges or scales. .2 These are two typewriter ribbons in red and black with circular metal covers. ‘Imperial’ ‘Geo Wraitt & Co 15 McKillop Street Repairs MU 7051’ gordon toleman, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Letter copying press, Late 19th century
A letter copying press was first developed by James Watt in 1780. Copying clerks were employed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to copy letters and documents. In this press a sheet of oiled paper was inserted next to a dampened piece of tissue in the copying book. An unblotted letter written in special copying ink was then inserted with its face up against the back of the tissue. The book was then put into the press and screwed down tightly for a few minutes, depending on how many copies were being made. Many of these old letter books with important historical information still clearly legible survive today. This letter copying press is of great interest as it shows how letters and documents were duplicated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is of relevance to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society as its historical collection includes many letter books with copies of letters and documents relating to our local history.This is a metal letter copying press. It has a rectangular base with an over-arching curved metal piece and a handle which was able to be turned around to screw down a book. The press has been painted black at some stage but is now partly corroded. vintage letter books, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Cuttlery, George Rolfe, Mid to late 19th century
In 1854 in Melbourne George Rolfe Senior established an import business dealing in groceries, wines and spirits and tea. His son George, born in England, took over the business of Rolfe and Co in 1871. A keen sportsman, George Rolfe’s love of fishing led him to take frequent holidays in Warrnambool. He began buying blocks of land near the mouth of the Hopkins River in Warrnambool in the 1870s. By the 1880s Rolfe owned 50 acres in the Hopkins River area and named the property, Lyndoch. He built stables, chaff and bone sheds, a jetty, a boatshed, a water well, a windmill, a reservoir and extensive gardens. He also bought the nearby properties of Shipley and Fairy Hill, establishing a stud farm and breeding cattle. In 1891 he married Jane Ann Lake, the widow of his property manager, and when he died in 1919 his step-daughters, Florence and Annie Lake, inherited Lyndoch. The property was sold and became an aged care facility in 1952. The cutlery items were in use in the building erected by Florence Lake in 1920 and known today as Lyndoch but the ‘R’ monogram on the items suggest that they belonged to George Rolfe or even his father before him.These cutlery items are of considerable importance as mementoes of George Rolfe and his family. They were prominent in Warrnambool’s history in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the establishment and development of the property, Lyndoch, near the mouth of the Hopkins River. These are 17 pieces from a silver cutlery set that belonged to the Rolfe family (one tablespoon, six large forks, five smaller forks, four small spoons and one mustard spoon.) All the pieces of cutlery have a monogrammed ‘R’ at the end of the handles. Twelve of the items are tarnished and one small spoon is very worn. All the items have six hallmarks. ‘R’george rolfe, lyndoch, warrnambool, rolfe & co. melbourne, florence lake, lyndoch warrnambool., history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Booklet, Merimbula Easiprint, 1993
This book was written by Roland (Corker) Brown. His forebears were pioneers in the Wyelangta area of the Otway Ranges and he spent most of his life in that region. In this book he has recorded some of the history of the area and his personal recollections, starting from the 1930s when the last of the bullock and horse teams were transporting timber and the old mills were closing. This book is of interest as it gives the history of the Otway Ranges and one man’s story of life in this region in the early to mid 20th century. It will be useful for researchers. This is a soft-cover book of 211 pages. It has a white cover with a black and white photograph of a bush scene and black printing on the front cover. The book contains a poem by the author, two sections of printed material and many black and white photographs. -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Hubbard Brothers, Holy Bible, Late 19th century
This Bible originally belonged to members of the Orr family who came from Scotland and had a property at Addington near Learmonth in central Victoria (from the 1860s). Many families in the 19th and early 20th centuries had family bibles which were read individually by family members or read aloud to family members, especially on a Sunday. Many of these large-size bibles were used to record family information (births, deaths, marriages), though this one does not have any information recorded. This Bible is retained as a splendid example of a 19th century family Bible. It will be very useful for display. This is a hard-cover book with gilt edging on the pages. It has a leather cover with heavy gold embossing on the front and back covers. Inserted in the embossing are gold religious symbols and images. The Bible contains 45 chapters with the Old and New Testaments and other biblical and religion- related articles. There are many black and white illustrations and some colour illustrations. There is a slight evidence of silverfish damage. ‘Holy Bible’ orr family, family bibles, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Biscuit Tin, Ballarat Products Limited (Sunshine Biscuit Co.), Mid 20th century
This tin came from the Sunshine Biscuit Factory in Ballarat. James Long established a confectionery business in Ballarat in 1854 and in 1921 it was known as the Sunshine Biscuit Company. In 1923 the factory was destroyed by fire and rebuilt. During World War Two 80% of the factory products went to the armed services. In 1947 the company was known as Ballarat Products Ltd and in 1962 it was called Sunshine Biscuits Ltd. In 1977 the factory was used to produce dry pet food (Friskies). The building was closed in 1991 and the site developed to include a supermarket, shops and housing. Up till about the late 1950s biscuits were mostly not packaged but sold loose by the pound in grocery stores from tins such as this. Broken biscuits were also sold at a cheaper price. Some biscuits were also sold at that time in smaller tins. This tin is of interest as an example of the tins from which biscuits were sold in the first half of the 20th century. It will be useful for display.This is a rectangular-shaped biscuit tin which is much rusted. The tin has a multi-coloured paper label that has been pasted around the sides. Much of this label has been torn away. The label shows images of biscuits. There is printing on the label and on the bottom of the tin. ‘Sunshine Raspberry Smiles’ ‘Ballarat Products Ltd.’ ‘This tin is not sold with the contents thereof but remains the property of Sunshine Biscuit Co Ballarat’ ‘Made in Australia 054’ sunshine biscuit factory, ballarat, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Kettle, Early 20th century
This kettle would have been used on top of a wood stove to boil water to make tea and other beverages and to use for other household purposes. It would have been a common household item in Australian homes from the beginning of European settlement up about the mid 20th century when wood stoves, although still in use in many country areas, were largely superseded by gas or electric stoves in most households. The kettle was made of durable material as it usually remained on the top of the stove for most of the day so that hot water was readily available. This kettle is retained as an example of an essential household item used in the past. It will be useful for display.This is a circular-shaped black iron kettle with a handle and a spout. The lid is circular. The kettle is rusting inside. vintage household items, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Ledger, Nullawarre Post Office, c.1960
This ledger came from the Nullawarre Post Office and was in use from 1967 to 1970. Nullawarre is a small settlement 25 kilometres south east of Warrnambool. European settlers first came to the Nullawarre district in the late 1860s and the area is largely agricultural. Charles and Vida Williams were the Post Master and Post Mistress at the Nullawarre Post Office in the mid 20th century.This ledger is of interest as it was used in the Nullawarre Post Office in the mid 20th century and is an example of business practices during that time. This is a ledger or booklet - a Complaint and Fault Register from the Nullawarre Post Office. It has a thick cardboard cover with green binding. The pages are ruled with black lines and black printed headings. The entries are handwritten in blue ink and pencil and some date stamps have been used. Most pages are blank. The corners of the ledger are slightly damaged. nullawarre post office, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Notebooks, Flexibound Books, 1970s
These notebooks were used by Charles and Vida Williams when they were Post Master and Post Mistress at the Nullawarre Post Office in the mid 20th century. Nullawarre is a small settlement 25 kilometres south east of Warrnambool and is a largely agricultural area. European settlement began in the area in the late 1860s. These notebooks are of minor interest as ones used by Charles and Vida Williams when they ran the Nullawarre Post Office in the mid 20th century. .1 This is a small notebook with a green cover bound with yellow tape. The pages are loose. They have handwritten material concerning car travel. Originally there were 100 pages but there are now fewer than this. .2 This is a small notebook similar to the one above except that it is bound with green tape and the pages are intact. It contains handwritten information on food expenses. .3 This is a small notebook with a blue cover and metal spiral binding. It contains handwritten material of a personal nature – addresses etc. Most of the pages are blank. ‘Pocket Notebook’nullawarre post office, charles & vida williams, nullawarre, history of warrnambool