Common soap was made from mixing animal fat with potash a form of the potassium based alkali present in plant and wood material. Early settlers, made their own soap from the waste fats and ashes they saved from their daily work. They did not then have to rely on waiting for soap to be shipped from England and waste their goods or money in trade for soap. In making soap the first ingredient required was a liquid solution of potash commonly called lye. Animal fat, when removed from the animals during butchering, must be rendered to remove all meat tissues and cooking residue before soap of any satisfactory quality can be made from it. To render, fats and waste cooking grease were placed in a large kettle with an equal amount of water. Then the kettle was placed over the open fire outdoors, because the smell from rendering the fats was too strong to wish in anyone's house. The mixture of fats and water were boiled until all the fats had melted. After a longer period of boiling to insure completion of melting the fats, the fire was stopped and into the kettle was placed another amount of water about equal to the first amount of water. The solution was allowed to cool down and left over night. By the next day the fats had solidified and floated to the top forming a layer of clean fat. All the impurities being not as light as the fat remained in water underneath the fat. In another large kettle or pot the fat was placed with an amount of lye solution ( known by experience ). This mixture was boiled until the soap was formed - 6-8 hours - a thick frothy mass, and a small amount placed on the tongue caused no noticeable "bite". The next day a brown jelly like slippery substance was in the kettle and this was 'soft soap' . To make hard soap, common salt was thrown in at the end of the boiling and a hard cake of soap formed in a layer at the top of the pot. But as salt was expensive most settlers used 'soft soap',. The soap could be scented with oils such as lavender for personal use. These 3 cakes of home-made soap are examples of the self sufficiency of the early settlers as they had to be self reliant ,growing food and making and mending their own farm equipment, tools and clothes while establishing their market gardens in Moorabbin Shire3 cakes of home-made, white hard household soap. 1 cake of soap eaten by a brush tailed possum when he entered the Cottage via the chimney 27/4/2014soap making, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, brighton, dendy's special survey 1841. kitchen equipment, laundry equipment, bentleigh

The sections of this wardrobe can be lifted apart so that it can be transported easily and when assembled provides suitable hanging and storage space for the clothes and bed covers of an early settler family This wardrobe is of a type commonly used by early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900Wooden Wardrobe with 3 sections- top, hanging space with a central oval glass window, a shallow central drawer and 2 doors with key locks, and drawer section with 2 deep drawers early settlers, market gardeners, poultry farmers, mechanics institutes, furniture, kitchen equipment, clothing, drapery, haberdashery, green pederson carol, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis,

As the population of Melbourne grew, and market gardens flourished, profits from food production enabled early settler families to enjoy nicer crockery and furnishingsTypical crockery used by residents of City of Moorabbin during 20thCA floral china eggcup holder with 4 four eggcupsmoorabbin shire, city of moorabbin, early settlers, kitchenware, china plates, egg cups, market gardeners, poultry farms, pottery,

Early settler market gardeners had a good source of nourishing food and casseroles and stews were common meals for the families in Moorabbin Shire. Typical of the crockery used in early 20thC homes to cook casseroles and stews for early settler families in Moorabbin ShireA green crockery casserole dish with a lidkitchen equipment, cooking, crockery, casserole, stewed meat, vegetables, early settlers , market gardeners, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenhsm,

The early settler women of Moorabbin Shire managed the household while their market gardener husbands cultivated the produce to be sold at the market Normal daily life involved washing clothes, ironing, cooking meals and baking cakes, scones, bread, and pastries. whilst caring for the children and making and mending the family's clothes The early settler women of Moorabbin Shire had to be self sufficient and were skillful cooks providing meals for their familiesAn a assortment of metal pastry, biscuit and scone cutters and tartlet tins with straight and scalloped edges in original condition with no repairs. kitchen equipment, cooking, baking, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenham, market gardeners, farmers,

Market gardeners in Moorabbin Shire had many successful seasons and bought luxury items with their profitsAs market gardeners and other early settlers achieved prosperity they purchased luxury items.A silver embossed serving bowl with 4 curved legs and a lid with finial and embossed rim silverware, serving bowls, dinnerware, early settlers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, moorabbin shire, cheltenham, market gardeners,

A white china cup with 2 saucers c1950 commonly used by post World War 2 residents of the City of MoorabbinAfter World War 2 more market gardens were sold in allotments to the returning soldiers and the population of the City of Moorabbin increased dramatically. White china cup and 2 two saucers c1950Japankitchen equipment, crockery, post war settlers, city of moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, highett, tea sets,

Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire used large cast iron pots, pans and kettles, that were suspended over the open fire in the kitchen, for cooking meals. They had to be frugal and self-sufficient and so repaired the equipment to prolong its useful lifetime. Blacksmiths also made and repaired household equipment. James McEwan & Co 1852 - 1993 once dominated the the hardware retailing scene in Victoria. Established in 1852 to service the booming gold rush in Victoria the company went on to become one of the longest established retailers in Australia. Over it’s 140 year history the company went through many booms and busts. The McEwans name finally left the Australian retail scene with little fanfare when the last store was re-badged Bunnings in 1993Early settlers were frugal and self sufficient so they repaired their kitchen equipment when possible . McEwans Pty Ltd. was an established hardware company in Melbourne 1852-1993. Bunnings Pty Ltd is currently a successful hardware retailer for trade and public customers.Two metal discs with screw and nut for mending holes in cast iron pots, pans and kettles c1930 packing strip; THE edmay POTMENDER / Price tag ; McEWANS 77 - 11early settlers, market gardeners, cooking utensils, kitchenware, castiron cooking pots, blacksmiths, slow cooking, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

Among the early settlers in Moorabbin Shire were blacksmiths who made tools for the other settlers who were establishing the homes, market gardens, farms, orchards and various businesses. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . This hammer is typical of the type used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900c1900 Hammer with a wooden handle and metal head. The metal head a circular striking edge and a tapered wedge shaped edgehammers, early settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

Among the early settlers in Moorabbin Shire were blacksmiths who made tools for the other settlers who were establishing the homes, market gardens, farms, orchards and various businesses. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . Besides for peening (surface hardening by impact), the ball-peen hammer is useful for many tasks, such as striking punches and chisels - usually performed with the flat face of the hammer. The peening face is useful for rounding off edges of metal pins and fasteners, such as rivets. The ball face of the hammer can also be used to make gaskets for mating surfaces. A suitable gasket material is held over the surface where a corresponding gasket is desired, and the operator will lightly tap around the edges of the mating surface to perforate the gasket materialThis hammer is typical of the type used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900A hard faced ball & peen hammer, also known as a machinist's hammer,[ is a type of peening hammer used in metalworking. It has two heads, one flat and the other, called the peen, rounded.early settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

Among the early settlers in Moorabbin Shire were blacksmiths who made tools for the other settlers who were establishing the homes, market gardens, farms, orchards and various businesses. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . Bootmakers made shoes for early settlers and being leather workers also made saddles and other leather productThis hammer is typical of the type used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900 Hammer with wood handle and steel head. One side of head is rounded and the other chisel shapedearly settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

A hammer is a tool consisting of a weighted "head" fixed to a long handle that is swung to deliver an impact to a small area of an object. This is a small sledgehammer whose relatively light weight and short handle allow single-handed use. It is useful for light demolition work, driving masonry nails, and for use with a steel chisel when cutting stone or metal. Among the early settlers in Moorabbin Shire were blacksmiths who made tools for the other settlers who were establishing the homes, market gardens, farms, orchards and various businesses. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . This hammer is typical of the type used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900This is a small sledge hammer with a wood handle and double sided round metal headearly settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

These multi function pliers were imported and used in Moorabbin Shire Many tools were imported by early settlers and also among the early settlers in Moorabbin Shire were blacksmiths who made tools for the other settlers who were establishing the homes, market gardens, farms, orchards and various businesses. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . This pair of multi purpose pliers is typical of the type used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900 Steel adjustable locking pliers c1900 with lion head vise, and spring loaded multi grip FOREIGNadjustable pliers, early settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

An adjustable or shifting spanner or adjustable wrench is an open-end wrench with a movable jaw, allowing it to be used with different sizes of fastener head (nut, bolt, etc.) rather than just one fastener size, as with a conventional fixed spanner. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . This steel shifting spanner is typical of the type used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1930A large heavy steel curved neck shifting spanner with adjustable screwFLAG BRAND / MADE IN GERMANYtools, spanners, shifting spanners, wrenches, early settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

4x steel Automobile Spanners ' Vana Dium' used by a resident of the City of Moorabbin c1950 Vanadium is a hard, silver-grey metallic element. It is a ductile transition metal with a natural resistance to corrosion and stability against alkalis, acids and salt water. Vanadium is found in over 60 different minerals including vanadinite, carnotite, roscoelite and patronite.This Vana Dium Spanner set is typical of the type used by car mechanics in the City of Moorabbin c1950Set of 4 graduated automobile steel spanners made by Vana Dium Ltd USA c 1950 Front Forged VANA DIUM Steel 3/4 Pat.Pend. Back AUTO-KIT No.100 Made in USAspanners, automobiles, car mechanics, vana dium ltd usa, vanadium, uranium, early settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . With the advent of motorized vehicles in 20thC residents of the City of Moorabbin became accustomed to maintaining their own cars and trucksThese large graduated spanners are typical of the type used by residents and mechanics in the City of Moorabbin c19504 x Large graduated automobile Spanners c1950 a, b Snail Brand; c Husky England; d The Superwrenchspanners, motor cars , motor trucks, mechanics, automobiles, early settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

In 1843, Frederick Stanley, started a small shop in New Britain, USA, to manufacture bolts, hinges, and other hardware from wrought iron. Among the early settlers in Moorabbin Shire were blacksmiths who made tools for the other settlers who were establishing the homes, market gardens, farms, orchards and various businesses. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . As manufacturing developed late 19thC high quality tools were imported from UK, USA and EuropeThese set squares are typical of the type used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c19002x Steel Set Squares a) 15cm (6") with wood handle b) 19cm (7") with a slotted steel handle. a) STANLEY Pat 12-29-96set squares, rulers, builders, trigonometry, mathematics, stanley tools pty ltd., bolts, hinges, hardware, early settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

John Oxley was a shoe and butchers’ knife manufacturer, who was listed in Whitecroft UK in 1822 . By 1825, he was based in Hollis Croft. John apparently died in about 1837. He had two sons – George (1808-1879) and James (1811-1881) who took over the business. George moved to Indianna, USA and in 1868 James continued to manufacture 'Cooks’ and palette knives and steels" Oxley’s trade mark was a butcher’s knife crossed with a sharpening steel (and the letters ‘JO’). The firm stayed in the family until 1960. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . This strong steel knife is typical of the type used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900Heavy duty curved steel knife with a wide blade encased in 2 thick leather straps secured with steel rivets Blade ; James Oxley with Trade Mark - a butcher’s knife crossed with a sharpening steel (and the letters ‘JO’). scratched into leather handle ; J EVANSknives, sheffield steel, oxley james ltd. , leatherworkers, saddles, horses, bootmakers, shoes, boots, builders, carpenters, early settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire were self reliant and made and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . Among the early settlers were blacksmiths who made tools for the other settlers who were establishing the homes, market gardens, farms, orchards and various businesses. These wood planes are typical of the type made and used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c18802 handmade wood planes with blades. b) has 3cm groove for molding wood planes, spanners, early settlers, market gardeners, builders, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham, mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd

This anvil is typical of the type used by Blacksmiths in Moorabbin Shire c1850 - 20thC Blacksmith were needed to make machinery, tools, farm and household equipment, wheels and wagons, horseshoes and saddle irons.This anvil is an example of the type used by blacksmiths in Moorabbin Shire 1840- 20thC as early settlers developed the land. built homes, shops and schoolsSolid steel single horn shaped block used by a Blacksmith to make tools, horseshoes, kitchenware, farm equipment, wagon wheelsmarket gardeners, early settlers, moorabbin shire, dendy special survey 1841, bentleigh, moorabbin, cheltenham, tools, anvils, steel, horses, wagons, washing pots, cooking pots, blacksmiths, county of bourke