This bottle comes from the chemist’s business in Timor Street Warrnambool of R.F.Kennedy & Co. Richard Frank Kennedy came to Warrnambool in 1880 and established a retail, wholesale and manufacturing business in Timor Street. The business was described in the 1904 ‘Cyclopedia of Victoria’ as the largest and best-appointed pharmacy in Victoria. Kennedy was prominent in community affairs in Warrnambool, being a Town Councillor, a Justice of the Peace, and on the committees of the Warrnambool Hospital and the Mechanics Institute and Art Gallery. He was the first Vice-President and fourth President of the Warrnambool Bowls Club. After Kennedy’s death in 1903 the pharmacy business continued as a company and this bottle comes from that time. The Kennedy chemist bottles were well-known for their lighthouse logo (Warrnambool having two operating lighthouses during the company’s time, with these still operating today).This bottle is significant as an example of a chemist’s bottle from R.F. Kennedy & Co. This pharmacy was a dominant business in Timor Street, Warrnambool for over 40 years. This is a small clear glass bottle with a rectangular-shaped body with rounded sides, a small neck and a moulded open top. The stopper is missing. The chemist’s name and a lighthouse logo are etched into the side of the bottle. ‘R.F. Kennedy & Co Chemists Warrnambool’ ‘M297 AGM’ r.f. kennedy, warrnambool chemist, history of warrnambool

This card was presented to Bruce Morris on his retirement as editor of the Warrnambool Standard newspaper in 1968. The signatures on the card are those people who worked closely with him (the editorial staff?) on the newspaper. Bruce Morris (1903-1986) was the grandson of George Lance, well-known in Warrnambool in the 19th century as an artist, writer and musician who was deeply involved in the establishment of the Warrnambool Art Gallery. Bruce Morris was the staff training superintendent at Myer in Melbourne during the 30s and 40s. In 1946 he became the editor of the Warrnambool Standard and remained there until 1968. For 22 years he observed and recorded the events that affected the lives of the local people. He was noted for his historical articles (mostly with the initials BBM) and continued to write these articles for the Standard until the year he died. This card is of interest as a memento of Bruce Morris, one of Warrnambool’s important historians. This is a buff-colured card folded over to make a leaflet with a sheet of white paper folded over in the middle of the leaflet. The front cover has gold ornamentation and gold printing. There are a printing of a verse and eleven signatures in blue on the inside paper. ‘Ron Oakley, E. Fitzhenry, Eileen T, Horne, Don Burnett, Mac Jeffers, Peter Robertson, Terry Daffy, David Ferguson, Bruce Johnson, Ron Armstrong, Jim Ewing.’brue morris, warrnambool, warrnambool standard editors, history of warrnambool

Bullock teams and bullockies were common sights in Australia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Bullock teams were used for the transport of heavy goods such as wool, wheat, timber, sugar cane, farm equipment, building supplies etc. and their presence and that of their colourful bullock drivers in the countryside have become part of Australia bush folklore. Bullocks were often favoured over horses as they could pull heavy loads over rough surfaces and were less expensive to maintain. As the bullock teams frequently varied in size (up to 40 bullocks have been recorded in the one team) the whip was always a very long one. This item is of considerable significance as a memento of the days (19th century and early 20th century) when bullock teams were the common form of transport for heavy goods. As in other parts of Australia, bullock teams were a feature of the area around Warrnambool and created much interest when they arrived in the smaller towns. This is a wooden stick, slightly tapered to the top, with a leather binding at the top with a small knob. Attached to the top of the stick is a whip made of plaited leather. The leather is brown and stained and slightly worn. At the end of the whip is a strip of plain leather with a knot at the end. bullocks and bullockies in the western district, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

Nails such as these were used for building purposes, probably in the construction of house and shed roofs. The jar has no significance, being a discarded household item used to contain the nails. The nails have no known local provenance but are of interest as they date back over 100 years and are retained to show the type of nails used in the past.This is a glass jar with a ridged base and a metal screw top lid. There is etched printing on one side of the jar. The jar contains many old metal nails, possibly handmade. They are mostly rectangular in shape with flattened heads. There is also at least one metal screw in the jar‘AGEE Mason Jar’antiquarian building materials, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

The Morse telegraph system had its beginnings in 1836 when Samuel Morse, Alfred Vail and Joseph Henry developed an early model of the system. There are a number of variations on the machine but the operating system is very similar in all and the language is a standardised international code which has been in operation since the 1860's. Morse code consists of five elements, dots, dashes, and gaps of one , three and seven units in length. It is still in use to this day and has been applied to other systems of communication such as amateur radio, mobile phones and communication systems for disabled people. This particular telegraph key possibly has post office or naval origins.Morse code was an important invention in world communication systems and this machine therefore has important social and research significance. It is useful as an interpretive item.This instrument sits on a black rectangular base of black bakelite. The mechanism ids held in place by three larger metal screws and two smaller ones on the upright section from the base.The movable part is metal with the attached handle a similar black material as the base.ADMY.PATT No 7681 KEY MORSE SERN PL 23780 Rocker Front contact. Lift @ turn on one of the screws on the bar.history of warrnambool, rocker telegraph, telegraph key, morse code

This is a Morse Code key. Morse Code is a method of transmitting text information using short and long signals (‘dots and dashes’). It is named after Samuel Morse, the inventor of the telegraph and was developed in the 1860s. It was used extensively in the 1890s for early radio communication before it was possible to transmit voice and continued to be used in the 20th century along with voice transmission , especially by amateur radio persons. It was also used in military and naval communication but not so much today. It is believed that this Morse Code key belonged to Ted Salamy, a jeweller and the first person in Warrnambool to hold an amateur radio licence (1924 Call Sign A3AJ, the 35th licence issued in Victoria).This Morse Code key is of interest as an object more used in the past, especially by amateur radio persons. It is believed to have been the property of Ted Salamy, the first person in Warrnambool to hold an amateur radio licence. This is a metal Morse Code key with an oval metal base. It has three screws inserted in the base and two more screws attached to the sides of the base. There is a key lever on top of the base and this is adjustable. The hinge on which the key lever sits is missing. The lever has a round black knob at one end. ‘Made in U.S.A. H15.682’ Wm.M. Nye Co Inc. Bellevue W.A.’ morse code key, ted salamy,, history of warrnambool

This padlock is a heavy duty item but it is ornate enough to have been used on a large front door or other room in a household or business. The padlock is locked and there is no accompanying key. Today padlocks may still be made of metal but they are considerably more lightweight. This item is retained as an interesting example of a padlock used in the past.This is a metal padlock made in a shield shape with a raised ornamental piece of brass patterning surrounding the key mechanism. The padlock is very rusted.antiquarian household items, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This is a needle case produced in a novelty form. Sewing kits and needle cases were essential items for women to have in their houses, to take with them when travelling and to carry in their handbags for emergency repairs. Today needle cases are still used but less frequently as in past times, depending on the craft skills of the person and the hobbies pursued.This item has no known local significance but it is an interesting example of an early 20th century needle case and is retained for display purposes.This is a needle case in a wooden container made in a rectangular shape with a pointed top. The shape is in the form of a church with an affixed metal or paint shape of a church on the front of the container. The front of the container has been polished. The two sides of the container are affixed with two metal hinges and there is a metal clasp on one side. Part of the metal clasp is missing. Inside the container is padded with white/grey cotton material. On one side are two paper grey and black folders which once contained needles and on the other side there is a middle band to hold other needles or pins. This side has one rusty pin.‘Sharps 5/9 6, 7, Wartd. By Morris & Yeomans’household accessories, history of warrnambool

This temperature gauge would have been used in the past to take the temperature of water in a pot or bath. Water temperature gauges are still in use today. Although this item has no known local provenance it is retained as an example of a household item of the past – a water temperature gauge. This is a glass temperature gauge set into a metal holder with markings on each side of the thermometer. The holder has a metal clip at the top for hanging the object on a wall or cupboard. The holder is much rusted.‘Cold, Cool, Temp, Tepid, Warm, Hot’ ‘351’ bath thermometers, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

A plumb bob or plummet is a weight suspended from a string or rod and used as a vertical reference line or plumb line. It is the vertical equivalent of the water level. It is used to ensure constructions are plumb or level. It has been in use since Egyptian times and is also used in surveying. It is still in use today. This plumb bob weighs 910 grams and was probably used in the building trade. This item is retained as an interesting example of a trade tool from the past.This is a brass weight with a bulbous-shaped body rounded on the bottom, a slender neck and an enclosed top. The top has a metal ring to which is attached a metal rod with a ring at the end. The item is a little stained.building accessories, history of warrnambool

This item was originally made to put around a farm or herd animal to enable it to be identified and found if it strayed. Horses, cows, goats and oxen were the animals most commonly given neck bells in Australia as a way of identifying and finding cattle particularly in areas where prpoerties were unfenced or when droving large herds of mixed cattle. Drovers often marked these bells as a way of identifying which cattle belonged to them. Some of these bells from the 1860's onwards were imported to Australia and some were manufactured locally. The cow bell in various sizes is often still produced to sell to tourists, particularly those in Europe. Many of these souvenir bells contain some form of art work. Although this item has no known local provenance it is retained as an early example of the bells placed around animals’ necks to stop them from straying. This is a piece of metal welded to form a cover or a bell container with a bottom opening to hold a metal clapper which is held in place by a metal ring. The top has a metal handle. The bell is very rusted and stained.animal husbandry, warrnambool, history of warrnambool, cow bell

This is a pocket spring balance. It would have been used last century in our district by market gardeners, hawkers and other itinerant workers and possibly also used in some small businesses. In households it could also be useful for weighing jam fruit, vegetables etc. Spring balances are still in use today.This item is retained as an example of a spring balance manufactured 80 or more years ago.This is a set of spring balance scales. The spring is fixed at one end with a hook attached to hold an object to be weighed. The top end has a ring to hang the scales up. The spring mechanism is enclosed by a steel cover. The front scale face is made of brass and both this face and the rear spring casing are fastened by three rivets. On the front is a spring-loaded blade which has equally spaced scale markings next to it on one side. This item is much rusted. ‘Hughes Pocket Balance’ ‘Patent’ Scale Markings:- ‘0 to 25’ pocket spring balances, household items of the past., history of warrnambool

The brush in this case could have been used as a hair brush or a clothes brush. It is enclosed in a leather case and was probably an item made for travellers. The brush and case belonged to George Tomlinson of Ballangeich. Ballangeich is a small settlement on the Hopkins Highway about 27 kilometres from Warrambool. George Tomlinson’s grandfather, William Tomlinson , established a farming property at Ballangeich in 1865 and opened a hotel, ‘Half Way House’ on part of the land. George Tomlinson’s father, also William, continued to farm in the area and was known as a fine judge of cattle and sheep. This case and brush are of interest as an example of the brushes men used in the mid 20th century. The items are also of interest as they belonged to a member of a well-known Ballangeich family (Tomlinsons).1 This is a piece of brown leather rolled over and stitched with yellow thread to form a container or case. The case has a closing mechanism – a leather strap and metal buckle. .2 Inside the leather case is a brush with a brown Bakelite back with horsehair inserted. ‘G.E. Tomlinson Ballangeich Victoria’men’s toiletries, ballangeich, history of warrnambool

This is a souvenir of a ‘Back To’ celebration in Warrnambool in 1934. There had been a large-scale ‘Back To’ in Warrnambool in 1930, perhaps prompted by the growing interest in the history of the town ( this was evidenced in many country towns in Victoria at the time) and the need to gather together the remaining older local people as those regarded as pioneers of the district were fast dying out. In 1934 the State of Victoria was celebrating the centenary of the first permanent white settlement at Portland and many other places besides Melbourne took this opportunity to have a reunion of past and present citizens. Also Warrnambool had at the time two men very interested in the history of the settlement – Henri Worland and Patrick O’Grady and the first Warrnambool Historical Society was established the following year with Worland and O’Grady prominent in its establishment and Martin Carter on the first committee as well. Martin Carter, whose name appears on this envelope was the organizer of the 1934 reunion. The Carter family had long been established in Warrnambool as saddlers and Martin Carter was a Warrnambool Councillor from 1917 to 1925 and Mayor during three of those years. No information is available on the ‘Miss Adams ‘ in the address but ‘ R. F. Kennedy & Co.’ refers to the well-known pharmacy business in Timor Street Warrnambool.This envelope is of interest as a souvenir of a ‘Back To’ in Warrnambool in 1934. This is a small envelope with most of the back flap missing. The inside of the envelope has a blue lining. The envelope has a franked green Australian stamp and a Warrnambool Post Office stamp. A handwritten address is on the right side of the envelope. On the left side is a printed poster/advertisement in blue, black and grey colouring. The advertisement features an illustration of a woman speaking into a telephone with a coastal scene background. ‘Warrnambool Calling 1934 Come Home For a Week Jan 13 to Jan 21 Particulars M.L.Carter Warrnambool’ ‘Miss A. G. Adams C/O Messrs R.F.Kennedy & Coy Timor Street Warrnambool back to warrnambool 1934, history of warrnambool

This letter book has maps, letters and plans dating from 1902 to 1905. It came from the office of John William Crawley, Junior, an engineer, architect and surveyor in private practice in Warrnambool and also the engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool from 1895 to 1935. His father, brother and son were all engineers and worked in that capacity or as Shire Secretary for the Shire of Warrnambool, with the Crawley family recording a total of 132 years of service to the Shire of Warrnambool. The Shire of Warrnambool existed from 1863 to 1994. This letter book was passed on to John Crawley’s son, Rolf, engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool from 1935 to 1968. The letter book then came into the possession of Michael Hand who took over the private surveying business of Rolf Crawley in Warrnambool. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society acquired the letter book, along with several other Crawley ledgers, from the Michael Hand estate. This letter book is of considerable importance as it contains the letters, maps and plans produced by John William Crawley Junior, a Shire of Warrnambool engineer for 40 years. It will be useful to researchers. This is a black hard cover letter book of 505 pages, plus an alphabetical index at the back of the book. The letter book contains handwritten letters, sketch maps and plans. There is gold lettering on the spine.‘1’ ‘Invoice’ ‘Chadwick Copying Book Co. Springfield Mass.’ john william crawley, junior, warrnambool, rolf crawley, warrnambool, shire of warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This letter book has letters, plans and maps and dates from 1901 to 1908. It came from the office of John William Crawley, Junior, an engineer, architect and surveyor in private practice in Warrnambool and also the engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool from 1895 to 1935. His father, brother and son were also engineers and worked in that capacity or as the Shire Secretary for the Shire of Warrnambool, with the Crawley family recording a total of 132 years of service to the Shire. The letter book was passed on to John Crawley’s son, Rolf, engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool from 1935 to 1968. The letter book then came into the possession of Michael Hand who took over the private surveying business of Rolf Crawley in Warrnambool. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society has acquired the letter book, one of several Crawley ledgers, from the Michael Hand estate. The Shire of Warrnambool existed from 1863 to 1994. This letter book is of considerable significance as it contains maps, plans and letters produced by John William Crawley Junior, the engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool for 40 years. It will be very useful for research. This is a hard cover letter book of 717 pages. It has a black cover with brown leather binding on the cover edges and spine. The leather is worn away in places. The letter book contains an alphabetical index, handwritten letters, sketch plans and maps. There is a mauve stamp on the inside front cover. ‘3’ ‘Letter Book 1901 to 1908’ ‘Letter Book J.Wm. Crawley’ ‘Rolf L. Crawley, Civil Engineer, Drainage and Water Supply Engineer, Licensed Surveyor, Registered Architect, Warrnambool’ john william crawley junior, warrnambool, rolf crawley, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This letter book has letters, invoices, sketch maps and plans and dates from 1908 to 1910. It came from the office of John William Crawley Junior, an engineer, architect and surveyor in private practice in Warrnambool and also the official engineer of the Shire of Warrnambool from 1895 to 1935. His father, brother and son were also engineers and worked in that capacity or as the Shire Secretary for the Shire of Warrnambool, with the Crawley family members recording a total of 132 years of service to the Shire. The letter book was passed on to John Crawley’s son, Rolf, Engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool from 1935 to 1968. The letter book then came into the possession of Michael Hand who took over the private surveying business of Rolf Crawley in Warrnambool and the Warrnambool and District Historical Society has acquired the letter book, one of several Crawley ledgers, from the Michael Hand estate. This letter book is of considerable significance as it contains maps, plans, sketches and written information on the work of John William Crawley, the engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool for 40 years. This is a black-covered letter book with copies of letters and field maps and plans and an alphabetical listing at the front. Some of the letters are invoices for work carried out. The leather section of the front cover has been almost completely torn away and the binding is mended with adhesive tape. There are some torn pages. The front page has a signature and a mauve stamp. ‘Letter Book’ ‘J.Wm. Crawley (Private)’ ‘ Rolf L. Crawley, Civil Engineer, Drainage and Water Supply Engineer, Licensed Surveyor, Registered Architect, Warrnambool’ ‘4’ rolf crawley, warrnambool, john william crawley, junior, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

These dinner plates were used at the Criterion Hotel in Kepler Street, Warrnambool, about the mid 1900s. The Criterion Hotel was opened in 1872 with the first licensee, John Tate. The Humm family was associated with the hotel from the 1880s to 1919 and members of the McGennan family were licensees and owners of the hotel for over 50 years in the 20th century. The hotel closed in 2008 and the building was demolished in 2013.These plates are of great interest as excellent examples of the dinner plates used at the Warrnambool Criterion Hotel in the mid 20th century. The Criterion Hotel was a Warrnambool landmark for over 130 years.These are two white vitrified china plates. One is slightly smaller than the other but they are both dinner –plate size and made for hotel use. They are circular in shape with a wide outer band and the base or body of the plates slightly recessed. The name of the hotel is printed in red on the side of the plates in an oval decorative pattern. Details of the manufacturer and supplier are printed on the bottom of the plates. There are few stains or markings on the plates, suggesting they have been little used‘Criterion Hotel Warrnambool’ ‘Globe Pottery Co. Ltd. Cobridge England Vitrified’ ‘John Dynon & Sons Melbourne’criterion hotel, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of Reg Reeves. This factory in Koroit Street, Warrnambool was established in the 1860s as the Union Cordial Factory by John Davis and then bought by John Fletcher in 1885. Fletcher’s business continued until 1930 when it was bought by Ralph Reeves. Coming to Warrnambool about 1900, Ralph Reeves managed a Banyan Street cordial factory which had been established by John Rowley. Ralph Reeves bought a cordial business at Hamilton in 1916 and sold it in 1929 to concentrate on his Warrnambool cordial factory. Reeves was joined by his son Reg in Warrnambool and Reg operated the business from 1946 to 1972. The trade name of Reeves was still used after Reg Reeves died and continued on for some years. This bottle is of interest as an example of the soft drinks made at the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of Reg Reeves. Reg and his father Ralph operated a cordial business in Warrnambool for 40 years. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over 100 years.This is a glass bottle with a long rounded body, a round base and a short rounded neck. The top of the bottle has a moulded glass open top and there is a cork stopper with a brown top to enable the bottle to be opened by turning. The stopper has the name of the manufacturer of the soft drink on it and there is a multi-coloured label pasted on to the side of the bottle. The name of the soft drinks manufacturer is also impressed into the glass on the side of the bottle. There are two small chips near the base of the bottle. Stopper: R.V.Reeves R.V.R. Bottle: Reeves Imitation Cordial Pineapple Artificially coloured &flavoured This food contains not more than 2 grains of sulphur dioxide to the pint R.J. Reeves Warrnambool ralph reeves, warrnambool, reg reeves, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

These bottles come from the Warrnambool aerated waters business of Reg Reeves. A cordial factory was established in Koroit Street, Warrnambool by John Davis and this business was taken over in the 1880s by John Fletcher. Ralph Reeves, who had been involved in the cordial making business in Warrnambool since 1900, bought the Koroit Street business in 1931. His son Reginald John acquired the business in 1946 and was actively involved until his death in 1972. The factory continued until the 1908s. These bottles are of interest as they come from the Warrnambol aerated waters business of Reginald John Reeves. The Reeves cordial factory was prominent in Warrnambool for over 40 years. Cordial manufacturing in Warrnambool was an important industry for over 100 years. These are two clear glass bottles (one has been slightly discoloured inside from the contents). They have a rounded base with a rounded body tapering to a smaller neck. The openings at the top have a lip of moulded glass. The name of the aerated waters manufacturer is impressed into the side of the bottle. There are no stoppers.‘This bottle always remains the property of R.J.Reeves Warrnambool.’ reg reeves, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

These bottles came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of Charles and Frederick Flett. They were sold under the name of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. This business was first established in the 1920s by Joseph Lescai who had a fruit shop in Fairy Street, Warrnambool (his brother James also had a fruit shop in Liebig Street). Joseph Lescai began to make cordials and moved his business to another location in Fairy Street. His cordial business was sold to a company of local businessmen who employed a cordial maker. In the 1930sThomas Hill then purchased this business, followed by the Flett brothers’ purchase in the 1940s. Charles and Frederick Flett, the sons of William Flett, a Timor Street tinsmith, also operated their father’s plumbing business for some time. In the 1960s Frederick Flett, the surviving brother, sold the Warrnambool Cordials business to Thomas McKenzie.These bottles are of interest because they are examples of the soft drinks bottles sold by the Flett brothers in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. The Warrnambool Cordials business was a prominent one in Warrnambool for many years. These are two glass bottles with a round base and body and rounded neck with a moulded glass opening at the top. The stoppers are missing. The bottles have the contents maker’s details impressed into the body of the bottle.‘Fletts Warrnambool’ ‘Net Contents 6½ fl.oz.’ ‘Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd Warrnambool’ ‘This bottle is the property of the Warrnambool Cordials Pty. Ltd. Warrnambool’ ‘39 L103’ charles and frederick flett, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This is a marble stopper bottle that came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of John Fletcher. This bottle was filled upside down so that as soon as the filling stopped the marble was forced down to seal the bottle against the rubber ring. Pressure inside the bottle would keep the marble pressed against the top of the bottle. To open the bottle the marble was pressed down where it has fallen into the neck chamber below. The marble stayed inside the bottle when it was tilted for drinking. John Fletcher worked as a young boy at Rowley’s cordial factory in Banyan Street Warrnambool. He then worked for John Davis who had established the Union Cordial Factory in Koroit Street in the 1860s. In 1885 Fletcher bought John Davis’ business and operated it until 1930. It was then bought by Ralph Reeves. John Fletcher manufactured soda water, tonic waters, lemonade, ginger ale, sarsaparilla, cordials, hop beer and hop bitters. This bottle is of some significance as an example of a marble stopper bottle and as a memento of the Warrnambool soft drinks business of John Fletcher. He was a prominent businessman in This is a mauve-coloured glass bottle known as a marble stopper bottle. The base and body are round with the top part of the body heavily indented to form a narrow opening leading to the neck. The neck is rounded and slightly tapering to the moulded round top. A green glass marble is loose in the neck section. The rubber ring at the top of the opening is missing. The details of the soda water manufacturer are embedded into the glass on the sides. ‘John Fletcher Trade Mark (crown symbol) Warrnambool’ ‘Soda Water’ ‘M’ john fletcher, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle came from the Warrnambool aerated waters manufacturer, John Fletcher. This factory was commenced in the mid 19th century by John Davis. As a young boy John Fletcher worked in the cordial factory of John Rowley in Banyan Street, Warrnambool and then worked for John Davis at his Union Cordial Factory for many years. In 1885 he succeeded John Davis in this business. Fletcher’s business continued until1930 when it was bought by another soft drinks manufacturer, Ralph Reeves. John Fletcher manufactured aerated waters, soda, tonic water, lemonade, ginger ale, hop beer, hop bitters, sarsaparilla and cordials. This bottle is of interest because it is a John Fletcher bottle and he was a prominent soft drinks manufacturer in Warrnambool for over 40 years. This is a clear glass bottle. It has a round base and a rounded body tapering in the neck to a round moulded open top. The stopper or seal is missing. The bottle has embedded lettering with details of the manufacturer of the contents.‘John Fletcher Trade Mark (crown symbol) Warrnambool’ ‘This bottle is the property of John Fletcher Warrnambool & cannot be legally used by others’ john fletcher, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of Charles and Frederick Flett, with the business known as Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. This business had been established by Joseph Lescai in the 1920s. He had a fruit shop near the corner of Lava and Fairy Streets and then moved further north in Fairy Street. His cordial business flourished and was bought by a company of local businessmen before being sold to Thomas Hill in the 1930s. In the early 1940s Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd was purchased by Charles and Frederick Flett. Their father, William was originally a tinsmith in Timor Street and the two sons continued on his plumbing business until the 1950s as well as operating the cordial factory. In the 1960s Frederick sold the cordial business to Thomas McKenzie and it became McKenzie’s Cordials. This bottle is of interest as a memento of the Flett brothers cordial business in Warrnambool in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd was a prominent business in Warrnambool for 40 years.This is a clear glass bottle with a rounded base and a circular body tapering to a narrower neck with a moulded glass open top. The stopper or bottle top is missing. The details of the manufacture of the soft drink are impressed into the glass on the sides of the bottle.‘Fletts Warrnambool’ ‘Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd Warrnambool’ ‘This bottle is the property of the Warrnambool Cordials Pty. Ltd. Warrnamnbool’ charles and frederick flett, warrnambool, warrnambool cordials pty ltd, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle comes from the Warrnambool aerated water factory of Reg Reeves. This factory, in Koroit Street, Warrnambool, was established in the 1860s as the Union Cordial Factory by John Davis and then bought by John Fletcher in 1885. Fletcher’s business continued until 1930 when it was bought by Ralph Reeves. Coming to Warrnambool about 1900, Ralph Reeves managed a Banyan Street, Warrnambool cordial factory which had been established by John Rowley. Ralph Reeves bought a business in 1916 at Hamilton and sold it in 1929 to concentrate on the Warrnambool business. Reeves was joined by his son Reg in Warrnambool and Reg operated the business from 1946 to 1972. The trade name of Reeves was still used after Reg Reeves died and continued on for some years. This bottle is of interest as an example of a lemonade bottle form Reeves Cordial Factory in Warrnambool. The Reeves family operated this business in Warrnambool for 40 years. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over 100 years. This is a clear glass lemonade bottle with a round base, a rounded body and a smaller circular neck with a screw top stopper made of composite material. A metal handle is attached to the neck section and it has a coil of metal on the handle for easier handling. The stopper has the name of the manufacturer of the soft drink. ‘R.V.Reeves R.V.R.’ (twice)reeves cordial factory, warrnambool, cordial manufacturing in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

These marble stopper bottles came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of John Fletcher. A marble stopper bottle was filled upside down so that as soon as the filling stopped the marble was forced down to seal the bottle against the rubber ring. Pressure inside the bottle would keep the marble pressed against the top of the bottle. To open the bottle the marble was pressed down where it would fall into the neck of the chamber below. The marble would stay inside the chamber when the bottle was tilted up for drinking. As a young boy John Fletcher worked at the cordial factory of John Rowley in Banyan Street, Warrnambool. He then worked in Koroit Street, Warrnambool at the Union Cordial Factory of John Davis. This factory had been established in the 1860s. In 1885 John Fletcher bought the business of John Davis and continued it on until 1930 when it was bought by Ralph Reeves. John Fletcher manufactured lemonade, tonic waters, soda water, sarsaparilla, cordials, ginger ale, hop beer and hop bitters. These bottles are of interest, firstly because they are good examples of the marble stopper bottle type of bottle, no longer in use. They are also important because they are John Fletcher bottles and he was a prominent businessman in Warrnambool for over 40 years.These are two glass bottles. They have a rounded base and body with deep indentations which give a narrowed aperture to the top of the body and the neck. The neck is round and tapering to a moulded opening at the top of the bottle. Both bottles had a round rubber ring inside the bottle, with one lodged in the bottom of the bottle. Both bottles have a green glass marble in the neck of the bottle. The name of the manufacturer of the lemonade is impressed into the body of the bottles. ‘J. Fletcher’s Aerated Waters Koroit Street Warrnambool’ ‘Lemonade’ ‘This bottle is the property of John Fletcher Warrnambool & cannot be legally used by others’ ‘A.G.M.’ john fletcher warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle is called a torpedo bottle. It cannot stand up but lies on its side so that the soda contents are kept in contact with the cork. This stops the cork from shrinking and the consequent loss of pressure. The bottle came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of John Fletcher and would have held soda. The bottle has the name of both John Davis and John Fletcher on it. John Davis established a store in Warrnambool in the mid 19th century and he also established the Union Cordial Factory in Koroit Street in the mid 1860s. John Fletcher worked at that factory for John Davis and in 1885 he bought the factory from John Davis. The Fletcher business continued until 1930. As the name of Davis is on the bottle (‘late J. Davis’) it is probable that this bottle dates from the early years of the Fletcher business. This bottle is of some considerable interest as it appears to be an early example of a John Fletcher bottle (late 19th century). Fletcher was a prominent businessman in Warrnambool for over 40 years. This is a green glass bottle, known as a torpedo bottle. It has a spherical-shaped body with a pointed curved end and a rounded neck with a round moulded top. There is no stopper. The details of the soda manufacturer are embedded into the glass on the side of the bottle. ‘John Fletcher late J. Davis Koroit St. Warrnambool’ john fletcher of warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This torpedo glass bottle comes from the Warrnambool aerated waters business of Daniel McSweeney. It would have held a type of soda and the bottle was made so that it could not stand up and so the soda was kept in contact with the cork. This stopped the cork from shrinking and so the pressure was not lost. Daniel McSweeney opened a cordial factory in Fairy Street in 1885 and, by the early 1890s had transferred his business to Henna Street. This factory was advertised as the largest cordial factory in the Western District, though this appeared to refer to the size of the building. In the late 1890s James Trigg leased the factory from McSweeney for some time. The factory was closed in 1900 but the building remains today and is occupied by the Alderdice Brass FoundryThis bottle is of interest as one of few bottles we have that came from the Warrnambool cordial factory of Daniel McSweeney. He was a prominent maker of soft drinks in the late 19th century.This is a green glass bottle. It is a ‘torpedo’ bottle so it is of a spherical shape with a pointed curved end, a rounded neck and a round moulded top. There is no stopper. The name of the manufacturer of the soft drink contents is embedded into the glass on one side. ‘D.McSweeney Warrnambool’ daniel mcsweeney warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle was known as a torpedo bottle. As the bottle had to lie on its side the soda was kept in contact with the cork and stopped the cork from shrinking and causing loss of pressure. This bottle comes from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of John Searle Rowley (1837-1893). John Rowley, born in England, came to Australia in 1856 and in 1865 he opened a branch of the Geelong Corio Brewery at the corner of Timor and Banyan Streets in Warrnambool, bottling the beer, not brewing it. In 1870 this business was closed and Rowley developed his soft drinks business which he had established in 1868. In 1872 the business was called the Warrnambool Steam Aerated Works when a steam engine was purchased from Melbourne. In 1872 the factory was turning out 600 dozen bottles a day. By the 1880s the factory was occupying half an acre of land, was employing 13 people and manufacturing 20 varieties of drinks. Rowley died in 1893. He had been active in community affairs, serving four years on the Warrnambool Council and on the committees of the Warrnambool Hospital and the Mechanics Institute. This bottle is of great interest as it comes from the factory of the prominent 19th century Warrnambool aerated waters manufacturer, John Rowley. Few of his bottles have survived today. Cordial and soft drinks manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over 100 years and John Rowley was a key figure in this industry.This is a glass bottle, tinted green. The body of the bottle has an oval shape tapering to a point at the end and is known as a torpedo bottle. It can only be stored lying on its side. The neck of the bottle ends with a moulded glass top. There is no stopper. The bottle is slightly discoloured inside. The information on the maker is embossed into the body of the bottle.‘J.S. Rowley’s Aerated Waters Timor Street Warrnambool’john searle rowley, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle came from the Warrnambool business of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. This business started when Joseph Lescai, a fruiterer in Fairy Street, Warrnambool in the 1920s, began making cordials and soft drinks. Soon this became his core business until it was taken over by a group of Warrnambool businessmen. The business, known as Warrnambool Cordials, was then bought in the 1930s by a Warrnambool garage proprietor, Thomas Hill. Charles and Frederick Flett then purchased the business in the early 1940s and in the 1960s the business was taken over by Thomas McKenzie. The business lasted until the 1980s. This bottle is of interest as an example of the products of the Warrnambool business of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. Cordial manufacturing was an important business in Warrnambool for over 100 years and Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd was a prominent business for many years. This is a green-tinged glass bottle with a rounded base and a rounded body tapering to a short rounded neck and moulded glass top with an opening. It has a screw top composite material stopper with the name of the lemonade maker on the top. Information on the lemonade maker is also impressed into the glass on the side of the bottle. ‘Warrnambool Cordials’ Warrnambool Cordials Pty. Ltd. Warrnambool’ ‘Lemonade’ ‘This bottle is the property of the Warrnambool Cordials Pty. Ltd. Warrnambool’ warrnambool cordials pty ltd, cordial manufacturing in warrnambool, history of warrnambool