This bellows was used at the Warrnambool Racecourse by Master Farrier, Brian Chapman (1931-2017), during the 1970s but its history before then is still being investigated. The bellows have continued to be used from 1978 at Flagstaff Hill's blacksmith's workshop. Even today, in 2021, this same bellows are used by a volunteer blacksmith as he demonstrate the skills and tells of the importance of the blacksmith trade to colonial Australia. This 1860s double-action bellows is a typical form of blacksmith's or shipsmith's bellows. The end is forge-fitted with an iron nozzle or tube, called a tuyere or Tue iron, which concentrates the air to fan the fire or furnace. Tuyeres were traditionally made of cow horn. The double-action design of this bellows efficiently moves air both in and out of the chambers in the one movement of the long handle. The bellows was manufactured by John C. Onions of Birmingham, England, between 1862 and 1875. The stamp with the text, Gold Medal 1862, was also used on the business’ advertising. In 1875 the company was registered and began using the name John C. Onions Limited. JOHN C. ONIONS - John C. (Collingwood) Onions (1841-1904) was the son of a bellows maker of the same name. Onions (born 1841) and his wife Helen married in 1867 and they named one of their children John Collingwood Onions (1868-1913), as was the family tradition. He was well known as a Birmingham manufacturer of patented bellows and other forge-related equipment. He sold to the wholesale and retail markets for both local and overseas customers, including the British colonies. An 1862 advertisement points out that John C. Onions was a “Bellows manufacturer and contractor to Her Majesty’s Honourable Board of Ordinance” and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the French [Napoleon Bonaparte]”. The advertisement includes a sketched portrait of the Emperor Napoleon III, and an Imperial Autograph Letter dated May 23, 1854, from Napoleon, Palace of the Tulleries to Mr J C Onions of Bradford Street, Birmingham. In 1863 the company registered a patent on portable forges. In 1871 there were eight employees. John C. Onions Limited became a registered company in 1875. In 1876 an advertisements included that the company were smiths for hearths and tools in general and showed a row of six medallions including one with “Napoleon III, Emperor” and his portrait, and another “ _ _ _ 1862 MEDAL”. Their advertising motto was “For Excellence of Quality”. In 1885 the company merged with William Allday and Sons to become Allday and Onions. This mid-19th century bellows has local historical significance as it were once used by blacksmiths at the Warrnambool Racecourse in the annual racing event that continues today. This bellows is significant as a working example of equipment used in the 1800 and 1900s in the trace of blacksmiths and other metal working smiths. The bellows is technologically significant as it shows the progress from simple bellows to the double-action bellows, a time saving and efficient improvement. The manufacturer John C. Onions is historically significant as a family business that began in the 1600s and continued up until the 1980s.Bellows; large, oval, mechanical double-action smith’s bellows, manually operated, in working condition. The paddles of wood that form the top, middle sections and base of the bellows have flexible leather pieces attached firmly between them, forming airtight double lungs. Cut-outs in the panels allow the bellows to fill with air then force it out. A long handle is connected to pump the bellows and control the quantity and force of the air. The blasts of air are forced through the metal nozzle or tuyere at the end of the bellows and into the forge’s fire. Inscriptions are impressed into the wood on the upper paddle or board of the bellows. There are three circular stamps containing text. Text impressed in the wooden upper paddle of the bellows has been assumed to read “JOHN C. ONIONS, PATENTEES & MANUFACTURERS, BIRMINGHAM””?” “EXTRA” “AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE OF QUALITY”, made from the following readable text :- “JOHN C ONIONS“ “PATENT - - - & MAN - - - - - - - - -“, “BIR - - - - HAM“, “ _ ERA - - - - “- XTRA-“, “- - - - - - - FOR EXCELL-“ “OF - - - - ITY” Text in the stamp “ - - ECE - - “, “ - - - - - / 1862 / MEDAL”, “- ITY” flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, john collingwood onions, john c onions, allday and onions, bellows, smith’s bellows, 19th century bellows, double-action bellows, double-acting bellows, double lung bellows, double chamber bellows, blacksmith tools, blacksmith trade, blacksmith craft, blacksmith equipment, forging equipment, john c onions patented double-action bellows, brian chapman, warrnambool racecourse, blacksmith, shipsmith, iron smith, mechanical bellows

Photocopy of a newspaper article titled Discover Bendigo by James Lerk. Article is titled Lansell Erects Australia's Tallest Poppet Head.George Fauckner was responsible for erecting the tall poppet head at the 222 mine. Eight huge logs were used to make the four legs which morticed together. Blacksmiths made and riveted steel bands around the joints to secure them. Harkness Foundry manufactured the winding plant which was the largest in Bendigo at that time. An accompanying photograph illustrates the 222 Mine as it appeared in the 1890's.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - lansell erects australia's tallest popper head, george fauckner, ballerstedt's fortuna, 222 mine, 180 mine, fortuna crushing battery, harkness foundry, cleopatra's needle, fortuna

A.O.F., Court King of the Forest, No. 3770, B.U.D. Notice of Intention and Proposition. I hereby give notice of Intention to Propose Mr. Thomas White, age 28 years, Occupation Blacksmith, Place of Birth England, residence Iron Bark, Wife's Name Margaret Age 26 years, No of Children 1. Signature Rich Coath. The Proposition - Proposed by R. J. Coath and Seconded by Ed. Le Levies. Mr Thomas White as a Candidate for admission. Proposed by R. J. Coath and Seconded by Ed. Le Levies.societies, aof, correspondence, ancient order of foresters no. 3770 collection - correspondence, court king of the forest, thomas white, margaret white, rich coath, ed le levies

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from Wednesday, October 6, 2004. A full life: this photograph is of Annie Carr, born in 1849 in New Zealand. Her parents were William Carr, a blacksmith from London and Jane Jamieson of Kilbirnie, Scotland. She arrived in Sandhurst in June, 1854 with her parents and her sister Sarah. Sarah drowned in October 1854, in a waterhole at Maiden Gully. Annie married Louis Searle in 1871 and went on to have 14 children. Annie died at Northcote in 1922.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Joan O'Shea Collection. Central Deborah Gold Mine Bendigo. Promotional material. Chronological History, Poppet legs and shaft, Change Room, Caretakers or rag pickers room, Drying room, first aid room, carbide light room, Underground, carpenters shed, ore bins and loading bays, stamper battery, wilfley table, berdan pans, laboratory, display room, boiler, stroke hold, winding engine, boiler feed pump, electric driven compressor, steam driven compressor, blacksmith's shop.Photograph Courtesy Philip Beer.mining, marketing, central deborah mine.

Red covered auction catalogue for an auction sale held on 10th December, 1958 at the Sunbeam Colleries, Korumburra of Coal Mining Plant. Lots include Electric Winches, Jaques Crushing Plant, Air Compressing Plant, 15-ton Avery Weighbridge, Corr. Iron Buildings, Rails, Pumps, Electric Motors, Piping, Stores, Engineers and Blacksmiths Plant, Pneumatic and Hand Tools, Valuable Electrical Equipment and Costly Accessories. There are descriptions of some lots. J. H. Curnow & Son Pty. Ltd. Were the auctioneers.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - sunbeam colleries, j h curnow & son, prahran telegraph printing co pty ltd

Branding irons are used to print a burn an identifying marker on the hide of horses or cattle so that they may be later identified if they become lost or escape from their pasture. The irons were typically forged by blacksmiths using a toolset that included hammers, anvils and chisels. The branding irons were used by heating the end bearing the owner’s initials to a very high temperature in a furnace, and then burnishing it against the skin of the cow. Brands were registered with state governments as unique marks. This allowed for a state registry to be maintained. This is an example of an implement used locally in the livestock industry.A branding iron with letter R on circular end. Handle loop is oval shaped. It has been painted blue to half way.branding-iron rural-industry

Branding irons are used to print a burn an identifying marker on the hide of horses or cattle so that they may be later identified if they become lost or escape from their pasture. The irons were typically forged by blacksmiths using a toolset that included hammers, anvils and chisels. The branding irons were used by heating the end bearing the owner’s initials to a very high temperature in a furnace, and then burnishing it against the skin of the cow. Brands were registered with state governments as unique marks. This allowed for a state registry to be maintained. This item is an example of a common implement used in the livestock industry in Orbodt.A long-handled branding iron with an S or 2 on the end. There is a loop at the top for hanging.branding-iron rural livestock-industry

This hand groover is sometimes called a seamer, grooving iron, punch or fuller. It would have been used by a metal smith, such as a blacksmith, tinsmith or sheet metal worker. It is used to join two edges of metal. The smith overlaps the edges of the metal, then places the tool on top and beats it with a hammer on the top, forcing the metal into the tool's groove, which joins the metal. The device would be moved along the edges to complete the seam. The same tool could give a decorative finish to an artisan's work.This hand groover is sometimes called a seamer, grooving iron, punch or fuller. It would have been used by a metal smith, such as a blacksmith, tinsmith or sheet metal worker. It is used to join two edges of metal. The smith overlaps the edges of the metal, then places the tool on top and beats it with a hammer on the top, forcing the metal into the tool's groove, which joins the metal. The device would be moved along the edges to complete the seam. The same tool could give a decorative finish to an artisan's work.Tool: a fuller, used to form a groove in heated iron. It is also referred to as a groover, seamer or fuller punch. Hand tool with round handle, flat round top and indented rectangular base. Base has grooves on long edges. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, blacksmith tool, vintage tool, sheet metal fabrication, groover, seamer, hand tool, tinsmth, metalsmith, seaming tool, sheet metal worker, manual tool, smith's tool, fuller, grooving iron, punch

This boot was found hidden in an alcove in a chimney in one of the first houses built in Lismore Victoria during the mid 1860's. The house belonged to scottish born George Ireland Skene who settled in Lismore in mid 1857 with his wife Elizabeth (nee Nelson) and two young children. November 1857 George had built the first blacksmith shop in Grey Street Lismore and then built his house behind the smithy's. Hiding boots in chimneys is well doucumented in folklore. Old brown leather left foot childs boot. In poor condition the leather has dried out and the front centre of the boot along the eyelets has curled into the inside of boot. The holes are in tact but the laces are missing so is the tounge. The leather is stained with a white powder mildrew. The sole and heel has perished and there is a hole in the toe area.boot, shoe, leather, folklore, concealed, chimneys, hidden, magic

This tuyere (word from French origin) was used by professional blacksmiths and or cattlemen before and during the Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme was being constructed. The need to use a furnace or forge in the shaping of metal rods, horse shoes and pipes is both a rural necessity and a construction, on site requirement. The "inventiveness" of cattlemen and construction workers to produce metal objects not available "off the shelf" is one of the inherent traits not only of rural self sufficiency but in the "pioneer" days of rural isolation one of survival.This tuyere is of great significance to the Kiewa Valley and its regions because it highlights one of the greatest strengths of the rural (especially isolated) life and its folk living there, and that is the great human factor of adaptability and survival techniques in sometimes harsh and demanding environmental circumstances. The inventiveness and the attitude, "she'll be right mate", demonstrates life on the land where specialised blacksmith activities can be found in non "professionals" because of the fact that "someone" has to do the job. This is one of the differences between country "rural" life and that found in cities and larger towns.This iron cone shaped tuyere has a small hole (diamenter 25mm) starting within an ever enlarging cone (amplification of the air pressure going through) delivering varying hot or extremely hot air into a furnace or hearth which intensifies the heat to allow the "shaping" of metal objects. The larger "flared" cone extension allows for the directed air to be spread and not concentrated.blacksmith tool, tue, bellows, fashioning metal, forge manufacturing process

In the Middle Ages double-acting bellows was introduced. It had 2 parts, one operated by hand or foot, the other took air from it and was weighted so it forced air out while the part was filling. Blacksmithing is the shaping of hot iron and steel, usually by hammering. Very hot fires were produced by 1.a hot air blast. 2. burning charcoal (not wood). Bellows were used to make tools, fix equipment including machinery, drays, carriages, harnesses etc. Farmers in the Kiewa Valley often had their blacksmith forge. They made their own tools, were able to mend equipment, drays etc., gates, and most items that were made of iron and steel.Large Double Acting bellow with wooden top and bottom, shaped like a 'water drop' - narrow at one end and broad at the other. The wood is held by strips of wood and leather bound and placed around the perimeter. The wood on the top side has inscriptions (illegible). The wood on the bottom side has a rectangular hole. The narrow end feeds into a pipe to enable the fire to receive a hot blast of air. When the bellow is squeezed it allows both pieces of wood to be pushed together.Illegibleblackmiths, bellows, double acting bellow

This hand groover is sometimes called a seamer, grooving iron, punch or fuller. It would have been used by a metal smith, such as a blacksmith, tinsmith or sheet metal worker. It is used to join two edges of metal. The smith overlaps the edges of the metal, then places the tool on top and beats it with a hammer on the top, forcing the metal into the tool's groove, which joins the metal. The device would be moved along the edges to complete the seam. The same tool could give a decorative finish to an artisan's work.This handmade tool was made for the particular purpose of joining sheets of metal together. The metal formed in this way could be used for water tanks, boilers and other similar items. It is an example of the equipment made and used in the trades of a metalsmith and blacksmith in the 19th and early 20th centuries.Tool: a fuller, used to form a groove in heated iron. It is also referred to as a groover, seamer or fuller punch. Hand tool with round handle, flat round top and indented rectangular base. Base has grooves on long edges. flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, blacksmith tool, vintage tool, sheet metal fabrication, groover, seamer, hand tool, tinsmth, metalsmith, seaming tool, sheet metal worker, manual tool, smith's tool, fuller, grooving iron, punch

Plume from hat of Corporal Farrier Mervyn "Banjo" HARRIS VX22764 born 4/3/1914. He enlisted in the CMF 8th Light Horse in February 1937 then the AIF on 7th January 1941 and posted to 143 P.O.W Camp Murchison. He attained the rank of Sergeant prior to discharge on 1/5/1944 ..Discharge Certificate donated to Wangaratta High School together with a display box containing black and white images and blacksmith tools..refer Victorian Collections.0334/0396Plume comprising of 2 separate emu feathers gathered at base with glue and / or tape binding.emu, feather, plume

The wagga was owned by the great uncle of the donor's husband, George Stephens. Mr Stephens was a mining engineer in the late 1800s to early 1900s in Stawell, Main Lead (near Beaufort), Diamond Creek and Costerfield in Victoria. His last residence was at Bosterfield, where the wagga was used as a bed quilt in the mid 1940s. It may have also been used in the childhood home of Mr Stephens at Stawell. Mr Stephens saved the life of a blacksmith at Diamond Creek Gold Mine circa 1910.A wagga made from men's suits and coats, unpicked and sewn together. Pieces are in blue, brown checked and striped materials. There are remnants of a backing around the edges.wagga, running stitch collection, diamond creek, victoria, stawell, beaufort, costerfield

Emma Thomas Collection: Items were owned by Emma Courtis, nee Thomas (1854-3/3/1937. Family lived in Hamelin St, White Hills. Clothing items possibly made by Emma or a local person in White Hills area and used around 1890s. Emma's family include Elizabeth Penrose (mother), Solomon Thomas (father), and Richard Courtis, a blacksmith (her husband). Richard Courtis married Emma Thomas in 1875 and they moved to Melbourne in 1922.Three digital photographs relating to Emma Thomas. a. Emma in her later years but no date recorded. b. The wedding photo is of Emma and Richard's daughter, Ada, who married Hedley Thomas. Donor's grandfather, Richard, is seventh in the third row from the left. He had a moustache then, but she remembers him as a bald man with round glasses. Richard and Emma Courtis are in the third row, fourth, and fifth from the left of the photo. c. Headstone of Emma and Richard who died in Melbourne and are buried there.emma thomas, emma courtis, richard courtis

c1908 view of Main Street Olinda with Dodd's store in foreground and Olinda State School up on the hill. Reverse of photograph has handwritten description by John Lundy-Clarke.Photo of Olinda taken about 1908 showing State School on skyline. Dodd’s store in foreground. Hodges blacksmith shop on roadside right. Coonara Road, then Mernda Road leads up out the picture right, Mt Dandenong Road goes down left. Range Road (the bullock track) is in immediate foreground and Sassafras turns to the right before the visible tracks on Mernda Road.olinda, jack dodd, general store, school

Hugh Gray was the son of Charles Gray and Robina Tait. Hugh was born on 7 January 1810 at Alloa Clackmananshire, Scotland, and married Elizabeth Paterson on 8 July 1831 at Glascow, Scotland. Hugh, Elizabeth and their eight children boarded the 'Borneuf' and set sail for Australia from Glasgow on 20 May 1852. In October 1853 Hugh Gray set up a blacksmiths forge on Main Road Ballarat. He was a member of the Ballarat Reform League. In July 1857 he donated 5 pounds to the Humffray Testimonial on behalf of the Blacksmith Association. In 1858 and 1877 he was the President of the Caledonian Society, and a committee member at other times. Gray was also one of the first promoters of the Mechanics' Institute. On 14 March 1869 Hugh Gray started the Philosophical Association of Ballarat. Hugh Gray died on 02 June 1880. His obituary notes '... all the patrons of the long since dead Caledonian sports will remember his shepherd's plaid costume and his untiring energy at the annual gathering whether as president or committee member to even a private member of the society. his end was peaceful and he will be buried as he wished in good old Scottish fashion ...'Photograph of Hugh Gray.ballarat, blacksmith, hugh gray, hugh grey, scotland, scottish, caledonian, kilt, borneuf

Branding irons are used to print a burn an identifying marker on the hide of horses or cattle so that they may be later identified if they become lost or escape from their pasture. The irons were typically forged by blacksmiths using a toolset that included hammers, anvils and chisels. The branding irons were used by heating the end bearing the owner’s initials to a very high temperature in a furnace, and then burnishing it against the skin of the cow. Brands were registered with state governments as unique marks. This allowed for a state registry to be maintained. This item was used in Orbost in the livestock industry.This item is an example of an implement once used in the livestock industry in Orbost.A branding iron with the letter W on the end. It has a long iron handle with a ring grip at the top.branding-iron rural-industry

Branding irons are used to print a burn an identifying marker on the hide of horses or cattle so that they may be later identified if they become lost or escape from their pasture. The irons were typically forged by blacksmiths using a toolset that included hammers, anvils and chisels. The branding irons were used by heating the end bearing the owner’s initials to a very high temperature in a furnace, and then burnishing it against the skin of the cow. Brands were registered with state governments as unique marks. This allowed for a state registry to be maintained. This item was used in Orbost in the livestock industry.This item is an example of a common implement used in rural industry in Orbost.A branding iron with the letter J on the end. It has a long handle with a ring grip at the top.branding-iron livestock-industry rural-industry

Branding irons are used to print a burn an identifying marker on the hide of horses or cattle so that they may be later identified if they become lost or escape from their pasture. The irons were typically forged by blacksmiths using a toolset that included hammers, anvils and chisels. The branding irons were used by heating the end bearing the owner’s initials to a very high temperature in a furnace, and then burnishing it against the skin of the cow. Brands were registered with state governments as unique marks. This allowed for a state registry to be maintained. This branding iron was used in Orbost. This item is an example of an implement commonly used in the livestock industry in Orbost.A long-handled branding iron with J H at the end. There is a hanging loop at the top.branding-iron rural livestock-industry

This book was given in 1929 to Alma McCullagh by the Dennington Sabbath (Sunday) School with the teacher being R. Conn. The Dennington Presbyterian Church was originally established in Drummond Street in 1918. In 1951 it was moved to Lindsay Street and demolished in 1968. R. Conn may be Ruby Conn who was born in Warrnambool in 1890 to Joseph and Ann Conn. Joseph Conn was a blacksmith from Illowa in the late 19th century (today in that area we have Conn’s Corner and Conn’s Lane). The McCullagh family had a property in Yangery named Oak Grove.This book is of interest because of the 1920s connection to the Dennington Presbyterian Church, the Conn family and the McCullagh families.This is a hard cover book of 256 pages. The cover is green with red and black lettering and an image of two men and two women inside a building. The cover is torn away on the back right hand corner. There are five full page black and white illustrations scattered throughout the text. The inscriptions are handwritten in black ink. There is a stamp of a lion on the first page.‘Presbyterian Sabbath School Dennington, Prize awarded to Alma McCullagh, January 1929, R. Conn, Teacher’ ‘Alma McCullagh Dennington’ ‘Alma McCullagh’ alma mccullagh, joseph conn, illowa, history of warrnambool

This is a Bible with a heavily embossed cover with pressed gold panels featuring gold lettering , scroll patterns and images of Biblical scenes and saints. The spine has scroll patterns and gold lettering. Inside the front cover the spine has been reinforced with blue adhesive tape. The spine and the front pages are partly detached. The pages are gilt-edged and contain printed text and black and white and colour illustrations and a handwritten name in black ink. A separate sheet contains black and red handwriting on both sides and some pencilled dates on the back.non-fictionThis is a family Bible belonging to Edward Bryants and Ellenor Conn. conn family warrnambool, edward bryants, 19th century family bibles

From left Reefs Restaurant, T. Hogan & Co Tea Wine Spirits Merchant, R. Hepburn Carolina Hotel, Pleasant Creek Hotel, St George Stamping Battery, Free Methodist Chapel Church, Ballarat Hotel, Woodcock Produce Grocer, Stawell Brewery in far distance, L. Thomas Wheelwright Farrier & General Blacksmith, Australian Hotel, G. Laing Bootmaker, Brierly & Wilson Greengrocer, P. Corkeron Bootmaker, P. Corkeron Wholesale Retail General Grocer, Globe Hotel in distance, Christ Church.Part of Holtermann Collection. Black and White photograph of Stawell from Big Hill with mining in foreground. April 1874. View covers from St Patrick's Church to current location of Police Station along Patrick Street. St George Crushing Mill near Centre of Photograph. Includes Carolina Hotelmining, panorama

John Mitchell was born c. 1830 in Cornwall and travelled to Victoria with his father in 1853. Arriving in Bendigo they both worked as blacksmiths before his father returned to Cornwall. John plied his trade in Mundy Street, Bendigo before selling the business in 1865 after 11 years. Upon the discovery of gold in Western Australia, John travelled there and back three times before dying in Bendigo in 1902. He lived in Violet st., and left a wife, Elizabeth Hannah, and daughter, Mrs E Morris. Early business in Sandhurst in 1850s.An account book used by the John Mitchell to record the purchases and services made with his business. Records date from 1859 - 1868. The book has lost its front cover, but the back cover is still attached. The book is made up of several sections stitched together and bound with three pieces of cotton cloth. The pages are light blue with ruled columns. There are alphabetical tabs at the front of the book with lists of names. Individual customers are allocated a double page entry. Pages numbers are written at the top of pages. The book is in very poor condition having obvious signs of water and insect damage with visible patches of mold. The writing in the first quarter of the book is barely legible, remaining pages can be read.bendigo businesses, blacksmith, horse shoer, wheelwright

Deborah Gold Mines included the South Deborah, North Deborah and Deborah Extended. Deborah Gold Mines N.L. was wound up in 1950, when the shareholders, at an extraordinary meeting confirmed a proposal for voluntary liquidation. (Advertiser., Adelaide, 24 May, 1950) . George Kingsley, who wrote the reports, was the Mine Manager. He was born in Guildford in 1872, died in Bendigo in 1943. He spent his working life working in gold mines, mainly in Bendigo, in various roles, starting his work life as a blacksmith. One hundred and eighty page Mine Manager's fortnightly report book, dark blue cover, white label affixed on front with 'Deborah ....(.illegible) Minute Book' Dates from 18th July 1940 to 23rd July 1943. Entries signed by Geo Kingsley. Mine Manager's report book is part of the Margaret Roberts Collection. bendigo, gold mining, deborah gold mines, north deborah, south deborah, deborah extended, margaret roberts collection

1970 National Bank painting reproduction The Myers Creek Rush - Near Sandhurst , Victoria Below the picture title the words - Reproduced by the National Bank in 1970 from the watercolour in the Rex Nan Kivell Collection , National Library of Australia , by permission of the Trustees .A hut in the foreground has a sign Tuck & Sons Branch Store. Centre left appears to be a National Colonial flag on a high flag pole .There are a number of buildings throughout the scene , horses and carts , mine windlasses .A Blacksmith in the foreground is talking to two men .Six men are examining the results of gold panningpainting, watercolour, gold diggers

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from 1999. United iron works: taken in 1900. Abraham Roberts first established himself as a blacksmith in Wills Street, Sandhurst. Later his sons Abraham junior and William joined the business and it traded as the United Iron Works. With hard work the foundry grew until it covered three acres bound by Wills , King and Mitchell Streets. The firm established itself throughout the colony for excellence in their work. Much of their work can still be seen around Bendigo including the overhead bridge at the railway station.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were