Booklets: made from school graph paper exercise books cut in half. Contents - notes and property plans for loan applications and property sales, also progress payment reports, No. 3 has copies of ' Home Purchase Plan' Valuation reports attached.MCCOLL RANKIN AND STANISTREETorganization, business, property, mccoll rankin and stanistreet

Newspaper Clipping - from The Sun? 18/11/1935? about the first electric tram in Elizabeth St - shows tram 744 running as Special at the Flinders St terminus with the station in the background. Notes the tram was carrying tramways official on a trial run and that regular services commenced yesterday afternoon. Timeline books show it was opened on 17/11/1935, a Sunday. See Reg Item 1816 about the closure of Elizabeth St for conversion.trams, tramways, elizabeth st, opening, flinders st station, conversion, tram 744

Book titled "The Electric Tramcar Handbook" written by W.A. Agnew. Book has dark red cloth covers, gold block titled on front only, with tipped in end papers, title page, contents pages, three introductory pages by author, 127 pages of text, five index pages and six folded sheets interspersed in book with wiring or controller diagrams. Book finished with red tinted edging. Book published by The Electrical Review Limited, London in 1920, 8th edition. On the inside front cover has the stamp of the Australian Electric Traction Association and office stamp of "The Melbourne Electric Supply Company Limited" which has been crossed out. Primary contents chapters include: The Electric Circuit Electric Tramways Electric Tramcars Controllers Brakes On the Road Faults and Breakdowns.See images i2 and i3 showing notes and AETA stamp and MESCo stamp.trams, tramways, tramcars, tramways, technical books, handbooks, mesco

Notes, 13 pages foolscap sheets pinned in the top left hand corner, 2 loose foolscap pages, 6 quarto pages, providing a sketch map of the MTOCo lines as authorised, length of each line, description, extract from surveyors level books for dates, list of cable car depots and financial notes. Items 2064 to 2075 within box 72.3 in a brown folder marked "MT&O Co." red pencil on the front cover.trams, tramways, mto co, cable trams, drawings, reports, surveys

Notes, 2 pages, has been pinned together, giving a sketch of the intersection of Rathdowne and Elgin St intersection and details of Rathdown St terminus at Park St. From survey books. Items 2064 to 2075 within box 72.3 in a brown folder marked "MT&O Co." red pencil on the front cover.trams, tramways, mto co, cable trams, drawings, reports, surveys, rathdowne st, elgin st

Handwritten notes (10 pages) and typed copies of letters on quart to paper, extract from Melbourne Tram Trust minutes and letter books, Public Work Departments letter books concerning the use and maintenance of the Princes Bridge, including railways that pass under it. Each set retained by a paper clip.trams, tramways, melbourne tramways trust, public works department, princes bridge

Set of 46 sheets, photocopies stapled in the top left hand corner, titled "Control Room Log Sheet" for the period 2 to 9 Feb. 1990, giving details of the Tram Power supervisors control log book. Released under a FOI request and stamped 27 April 1990 PTC. gives details of the times of events in the control room and the notes taken by staff.Hand written notes on the top of the first sheet as to the range of the dates of the reports.trams, tramways, ptc, freedom of information, foi, reports, inspectors, traffic officers, delays, incidents, events, carlton control, log books

Set of two notebook or lined journals, with light brown pig skin binding strips and in each of the corners binding, faint ruled Collins 4393 books with red labels on the outside binding, sewn sections, printed glued inside covers. Each book has been ruled in red ink, headed year and month, days, page totals with data entered for each depot of the distance or mileage or kilometres for each date, including separate tram and bus entries. .1 - Blue cloth covered with Letraset, black plastic strip on outside "Tram / Bus Kilometres" for the period 1-7-1965 to 30-6-1975. Notes change over to Kms from miles on 1/7/1974. Has head office contact details on the first page. .2 - Red cloth cover with Letraset black plastic strip on outside "Kilometres" drawn up for the period - 1-7-1975 to 13-11-1985, though drawn up to Jan. 1985. Has head office contact details on the first page. Has a note on the last used page about the instruction to discontinue the book on 13/11/1985 from Mr. W. Burrows.trams, tramways, tramcars, mileages, kilometres, buses, depots, distances

List - 20 Foolscap duplicated sheets titled "AETA Victorian Division Members' Library", giving Rules, notes, last as at 1.5.1972, listing books, magazines, publications, newsletters, articles, maps, annual reports.trams, tramways, aeta, libraries, lists

Published in 1952, before the death of King George this book tells the family story of the Windsors in anticipation of the first Royal Visit of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh to Australia. An added note from a member of the public: "Bit of information on the book “Our Royal Guests” 1952. None of these books were sold or distributed as the visit was cancelled due to King's ill health and passing. My father printed them and they were instructed to have them picked up and destroyed. The only ones in circulation would be from workers during this process."Due to the King's death, the anticipated Royal Visit was postponed until 1954.Hard cover, Illus. (some colour).queen elizabeth 2, house of windsor, duke of edinburgh, royal tour of australia 1954

This copy of the book is personally signed and dated by the Curator of the first Warrnambool Museum, which was also the Warrnambool Public Library. This copy also has many hand written notes in the margins. This little book is one of only 1000 books published of the original Queen's Jubilee Edition. It spans fifty years of the history of Warrnambool from the time that the first Government Land Sales commenced. It also deliberately coincides with the 1887 celebrations of Queen Victoria's Jubilee Year of her ascension to the British Throne. The book is an invaluable reference for researchers of local Warrnambool history and has been used as a textbook and reference book for local students. After the closure of the Warrnambool Museum, the book was held by the Warrnambool City Council until, in 1974, it was transferred to the newly established Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. The author, Richard Osburne, (1825-1895) was born in Australia. He moved to Warrnambool in 1847 as the first local Journalist. In 1851 he founded the Warrnambool Examiner newspaper which he operated until the end of 1880. Osburne was much involved in civic and community affairs of the town, and he set himself the task of recording the history of the city's early pioneers. In the introductory pages of the book the author refers to himself as "The Father of the Warrnambool Press". Only 1,000 copies of this edition of the book were printed. In September 1980 a facsimile edition was printed with the addition of illustrations from the period, an index and relevant annotations by local historian T.A. Wicking (Tom Wicking). This later book was named the Premier Town Edition, due to Warrnambool being awarded the title of Premier Town in Victoria in 1979-82 by the Premier of Victoria; it also received the inaugural award in 1959 and a later award in 1988-91.This book has strong significance for being signed in 1887 by Joseph Archibald, the Curator of the first museum and library in Warrnambool, the Warrnambool Museum. It is also significant for the annotations added to many of the pages, perhaps for the Facsimile edition that followed many years later. This book is rare. It is one of only 1000 copies printed, and one of three in the Collection of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. The book was dedicated to the early colonists as well as to the new arrivals by the writer, Richard Osburne, who entitles himself as "The father of the Warrnambool Press". The content of the book is invaluable as a reference for Warrnambool and District's local history in its early colonial and pioneering days. It provides the information that helps in an understanding the foundation that the city was built on, connecting the people of today to the pioneers of the past.The History of Warrnambool: Capital of the Western Ports of Victoria, From1847 up to the end of 1886 (when the first Government Land Sales took place) Author: Richard Osburne, "Proprietor of the Warrnambool Examiner from 1851 to the close of 1880" Publisher: The Chronicle Printing and Publishing Company Limited Date: 1887 (MDCCCLXXXVII) (Roman numerals are covered in tape) Edition: Original: Queen's Jubilee Edition Black fabric covered hardcover book with embossed gold titles on spine and front cover. Inscriptions include stamps and handwriting. It once belonged to the Warrnambool Public Museum and is signed by the first Curator, Joseph Archibald, in 1887. The first fly page has a message to the readers, as shown in the Inscriptions of this record. Many of the pages in this book have handwritten notes in the margins and within the text and some of the lines are crossed out.Handwritten: "Warrnambool Museum" Signed: "J Archibald / 1887" Stamped: "WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC MUSEUM" Printed on fly page: "PRICE, FIVE SHILLINGS" First fly page: "THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE EDITION. TO OLD COLONISTS AND YOUNG AUSTRALIANS, OR NEW ARRIVALS, THIS HISTORY OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE CAPITAL OF WESTERN VICTORIA, IS DEDICATED AS INTERESTING AND USEFUL, BY "THE FATHER OF THE WARRNAMBOOL PRESS" RICHARD OSBURNE."warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, the history of warrnambool, richard osburne, osturne's history of warrnambool, queen's jubilee edition, 1847-1887, warrnambool history, the chronicle printing and publishing company, capital of the western ports of victoria, first government land sales, warrnambool examiner, five shillings, warrnambool's first reporter, warrnambool public library, 1887, 1979, premier town, premier edition, queen's jubliee, queen victoria's jubilee, western ports of victoria, 1847, government land sales, chronicle publishing and printing co., 1000 copies, t a wicking, old colonists, young australians, new arrivals, rise and progress, capital of western victoria, interesting and useful, the father of the warrnambool press

This is a school literature text book for senior students in Victorian schools in the early to mid 20th century. The editors are Isabella Marshall and John Lyall. Text books such as this one were mass produced and focus on the poems to be studied with a cheap and unattractive format. No information is available on the owner of the book, Ben Knapsey.This book is a good example of the texts used by senior students in Victorian schools in the early to mid 20th century and is retained to be included in our library collection of vintage school text books.This is a soft cover book of 132 pages. It is a school text book for senior classes. It has a blue cover, now faded, with dark blue printing. The pages contain a preface, an introduction, selections of Robert Browning’s poetry, and notes and questions. There are some advertisements for other school text books.Ben Knapsey Form 1Vschool texts in the mid 20th century, history of warrnambool

A small faded red book titled: The True Story of the Kelly gang of Bushrangers by C.H. Chomley with publisher details at the bottom. 1/= price is listed at the top right hand corner of the front cover. The spine is bound on the left side with brown tape as the title page and last few back pages and cover are missing. Inside the front cover are two advertisements for books which may interest the reader.The frontispiece black and white illustration is of the five Kelly Gang members: Dan Kelly, Steve Hart, Joe Byrne, Aaron Sherritt and Ned Kelly.There is a Contents page with a Note on the reverse stating the writers carefully consulted official documents, newspapers and other sources of information. There are other full page illustrations. Pp.156 (some missing at the end).non-fiction"The True Story of the Kelly Gang of Bushrangers, published in 1900, was a highly researched biography of the notorious 19th-century Victorian family of bushrangers. Chomley wrote the biography using court documents, police records and court evidence.] It is recognised as being one of the most accurate depictions of the story of Ned Kelly, particularly regarding the police involvement. In his discussion of The True Story of the Kelly Gang of Bushrangers, Paul Eggert writes: "He often expresses scepticism about the extant accounts of events and of motives, but his attitude is always one of confident understanding and conservative judgement". As the nephew of Arthur Wolfe Chomley, the Assistant prosecutor at Ned Kelly’s trial in 1880, and the nephew of Hussey Malone Chomley, a police officer during the Kelly years, Chomley had a unique insight into the case."--Back cover.australian history, bushrangers, history victoria, history books, history ned kelly

Published by Nucolorvue Productions of Mentone Melbourne, c1953 featuring colour photos of many locations in Melbourne, including an introduction. Has photos of Melburne landmarks, Collins St, Flinders St, Bourke St (with cable tram track), Flinders St Station, trams in streets, (W2 389, W5 777) St Kilda Road, the various parks, Royal Melbourne Hospital, St Kilda Beach, Yarra River, and Elizabeth St.Demonstrates a Nucolorvue production about Melbourne in the early 1950s.Book - 36 pages, colour printed, centre stapled. Printed on stippled paper.Has the stamp of "Queensland Book Depot, 61 Adelaide St Brisbane" on the inside front cover and pencil notes.mmtb, trams, tramways, souvenirs, melbourne, travel books

Diary kept by Charles Honybun for 1917 with day to day account of his First World War experiences.Pocket Diary of 1917 of Charles Honybun with one day to a page and pages for notes in front. Memorandum pages in back. Most pages written on by Charles Honybun with his War experiences for January - December 1917. Some loose leaf pages inserted. Flyleaf = C. Honybun 37th Batt A.I.F. 2 M Gbooks, military, ww1, charles henry honybun

Book - 16 pages including card covers on semi gloss paper titled "The Essendon Tramways" written by Jack Richardson, published by Traction Publications, Historical Series No. 3 in 1956. The story of the North Melbourne and Electric Tramway and Lighting Company. Foreword on page 2 gives the background to the book and the persons who assisted with it. Details the historical background, a map of the tramway in 1906, relationship with the Victorian Railways, construction, rolling stock, carbarn, (depot) power station, overhead, takeover by the MMTB, connection to the City, 1956 map, expansion under the MMTB, services at the time of publication, Rolling Stock Roster, notes on some of the personnel of the tramway, junction details and dates of the various extensions etc. Includes a number of photographs, a list of railway and tramway books published by Traction Publications on the rear cover a short biography on the author. 2nd copy - from the H. S. McComb collection - stored in the original box - Items 2027 to 2030 and 1309 copy 2 contained within box 72.3 in a brown folder marked "Historical Data regarding Essendon Tramways and their services to the City" PDF copy of 1309.1 - the 1956 version added 25-2-2021 PDF copy of 1309.2 - the 1963 version added 16-3-2017. 1309.2 - 2nd edition, 1963, Historical Series No. 153, with a photo of J. Richardson on rear cover. Has notes on the edition and publisher notes. Revised to pick up errors and other photographs. Added 16-3--2017.1309.2 - has "L. W. Rogers" in ink on the top right hand corner of page 3.trams, tramways, essendon, nmetl, tramcars, depots, moonee ponds, north melbourne

Dr Mary Kent Hughes (nee Cantwell) lived in Warrandyte. She served in the second world war and published several books. The manuscript was written by Bruce Bence for the Warrandyte Historical SocietyContents: 1. Manuscript: Dr. Mary Kent Hughes, Lieut. R.A.M.C. London 1940; photocopy, 6 typed pages and illustrated face sheet with additional alternate face page and hand written note from author Bruce Bence 2. Copy of catalogue record: MS 4856 Papers of Sir Wilfrid Kent Hughes (1895-1970), 2 pages A4 inkjet printout detailing scope and content of papers held by National Library of Australia including biographical noteskent hughes, mary, mary kent hughes, sir wilfrid kent hughes

Soldier's Pay book continuation issued to John Strobel Green VX32816. Born at Wonthaggi on the 19/4/1913. These books were usually carried by the soldiers in their battle dress breast pocket. They note personal details, rate of pay and promotions, and the place in which the soldier was paid each fortnight – effectively plotting soldiers' movements in the Army. From the pay book GREEN enlisted in June 1940, at the age of 27, before embarking overseas on 5 February 1941 for the Middle East. Inside the rear cover are two photographs of GREEN. His mother Kate Green of Yallourn is listed as next of kin.Yellow covered booklet with black writing and Crest in the middle of the cover.Army No. VX32816. Pay Book No: C279807. Surname: Green. Christian Names: John Strobel. Unit: . Australian Military Forces. Soldier's Pay Book. Continuation.wwii, world war 2, pay book, soldier's pay book, army pay book, john strobel green

Soldier's Pay book issued to John Strobel Green VX32816. Born at Wonthaggi on the 19/4/1913. These books were usually carried by the soldiers in their battle dress breast pocket. They note personal details, rate of pay and promotions, and the place in which the soldier was paid each fortnight – effectively plotting soldiers' movements in the Army. From the pay book GREEN enlisted in June 1940, trained at Puckapunyal before embarking overseas in February 1941 for the Middle East. His mother who resided in West Yallourn was his next of kin.Brown cloth covered booklet with black writing and crest in the middle of the cover.Army No. VX32816. Pay Book No: 119988. Surname: Green. Christian Names: John Strobel. Unit: . Australian Military Forces. Soldier's Pay Book.world war 2, soldier's pay book, army pay book, john strobel green, vx32816

Collection of assorted Army standard issued books and personal papers including hand sketch of camp 'Kilo 89' in Palestine belonging to Private Alfred VONARX VX29295 who was born on 5/1/1901 at Docker Plains near Wangaratta. He enlisted on the 4/7/1940 at Seymour and assigned to the 2/7th Battalion which was deployed to the Middle East and later New Guinea.Soldiers Pay Book X 2, Bible & Meal Card, The Australian Soldiers Pocket Book, Clothing ration book and note book camp kilo 89, private alfred vonarx, vx29295, ww2, palestine

Early form of home heating and because of the copper dish was considered one of the better models|Manufacturing History Museum Victoria|Commentary: Australian manufacturing history Philip Wollen|Many years ago, when I was an ambition young man, I took over a company called Hecla.|This business was formed in 1872, long before Federation was even contemplated. The company established a rich tradition in the Australian manufacturing industry. The prodigious product range included kettles, mixers, toasters, hairdryers, urns, pie warmers, bain maries, and electric blankets for the domestic and commercial market. During the war it even manufactured parts for aircraft. It was one of Melbourne's largest employers.|Hecla was one of the pioneers in TV advertising, led by icons like Bert Newton, Bobby Limb, Evie Hayes and Graham Kennedy who ad Jibbed his way through irreverent and unscripted naughtiness about Hecla electric blankets and foot warmers. The slogan was 'By Hecla, its good.'. One can imagine the fun Bert and Graham had with their double entendres.|In the 60's Hecla entered into a partnership with General Electric and expanded rapidly. The massive factory, on the corner of Alexandra Parade and Chapel Street overlooking the Yarra River was a Melbourne landmark.|The business was formed by one of the scions of Melbourne industry. Mr Marriott was a metal worker of some repute, building the lights in front of Melbourne's Parliament House, the first steam car, the sideboard at the RACY Club, and the first factory to run on electricity.|By the time I acquired the company it was a shadow of its former self, incapable of competing with cheap Chinese imports. Wandering around the warehouse late one night I discovered a large, boarded up storeroom which appeared not to have been opened in decades.|Over several months I combed through the room, unearthing a treasure trove of products from a bygone era. Dusty files, engineering drawings, wooden prototypes, patent records, and correspondence from distributors on every continent.|I decided to track down an old man, Ray, long retired after 50 years with Hecla. He was not well off financially and welcomed the paid work. It turned out that he had done his apprenticeship with the company and there wasn't much he didn't know about it. He had been personally involved in the manufacture of almost every type of product on the Hecla smorgasbord's of products.|So for over 2 years he methodically assembled a mini museum of Hecla products, painstakingly polishing them and ensuring they were in working order. He attached the original brochure of each product and their respective warranty cards. For him it was ,a labour of love. For me it was a fascinating, if vicarious journey, into Australia's manufacturing past.|My colleagues complained that I was wasting money on his salary, our time and factory space on stuff that should have been dumped years ago. I tried to explain that I was merely a steward of the Hecla tradition, not merely an owner. Besides, the look on Ray's face convinced me that there was another dynamic at work. One I could see, but didn't really understand.|After he Passed away I faced a dilemma. What to do with this 'museum' of Hecla history. Nobody was interested.|So I kept the 'stuff' in private storage, hoping that same day someone would be interested in it. And the years passed.|Finally, I had a brainwave. Perhaps the Melbourne Museum would be interested. It was a long shot but I made the call. I had a nagging suspicion that they would think I was simply trying to get them to relieve me of paying for this huge collection to be taken to the tip.|To my surprise they said they would be willing to take a look, I secretly hoped that they would take the whole collection and not leave me with an incomplete jumble of appliances that I would indeed have to take to the tip.|On the appointed day, four serious looking young people showed up. Armed with digital cameras, note books and poker faces they spent four hours analysing the goods and the supporting materials. I asked them if they had any interest and their response was decidedly non-committal. It depends on the acquisitions committee, I was told. I was disheartened and packed up the exhibits to go back into storage.|Imagine my surprise when months later they telephoned to say that they had researched the history of the company, and yes, they would like to take the whole collection. And a truck with 'handlers' would arrive the following day to pick it up. Two years ago all Hecla's archives left me forever and went to the Museum's warehouse.|Well, to my delight I received a call yesterday inviting me to a private viewing of the exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. These young historians had meticulously assembled an impressive display of Melbourne's industry and technology going back to the 1800's. They thanked me like a significant benefactor when it is I who should have thanked them.|I saw the excitement in the eyes of these young people who had somehow managed to dig out and assemble memories from Australia's past. If this is the standard of care that the curators of the Melbourne Museum show all their exhibits, our history is in safe hands.|Their meticulous work took me back to those years long ago when I saw an old man lovingly assembling and cataloging a lifetime of his work.|It took me back to the day when Australians actually made things. Long before we became a nation of quarrymen. Before we became animal-factory 'farmers'. Of a time when products didn't break down, or dumped and replaced before the warranty expired. When men like Mr Marriott cared deeply about what their hands produced.|It reminded me of the call I received from an elderly lady in Tasmania asking for the electrical element for a Hecla K7 kettle. I searched the archives and called her back. The K7 was produced decades earlier and we no longer carried that spare part. She was quite disheartened and told me her kettle had finally 'given up the ghost' and she couldn't bear to part with it. It was a present from her husband on their wedding day 45 years ago. Her final words were 'they don't make them like that, do they? By Hecla they were good.'|I'm glad I followed my instinct and put Ray back on the payroll all those years ago..|I like to think Mr Marriott would have been pleased.Pedestal radiator. Base is cast iron with three feet with rose design on each. Pedestal supports a copper spherical reflector plate which has an electrical connection box at its base. The connection box is joined to the pedestal by a screw and nut to enable the reflector to be tilted. The element is cone shaped and is in the centre of the plate. The element is protected by a wire guard.Hecla Firedomestic items, heating

Three pages of notes on Garibaldi, Ellesmere Co No 1, New Chum Consolidated Co N. L. New Chum United Co, Lazarus New Chum Co Reg'd and Lazarus New Chum No 1. Notes include Legal Manager, Mining Manager, size of lease, machinery, information on shares and dividends. Henry von der Hyde was the Legal Manager of the Garibaldi and W Martin, the Mine Manager. John Neeson, the Legal Manager of the Ellesmere Co No 1 and Henry Reed, Mine Manager. Henry Von der Hyde, Legal Manager of New Chum Consolidated Co N L and Thomas Sheppard, Mine Manager. Henry von der Hyde, Legal Manager of New Chum United N L and John Harvey, Mine Manager. Lazarus New Chum Co Reg'd and Lazarus New Chum No 1 Co Reg'd, Henry von der Hyde, Legal Manager and George Armstrong, Mine Manger to both companies.document, gold, new chum line of reef, extracts from wm welch's books, garibaldi mining & crushing co n l, henry von der hyde, w martin, ellesmere co no 1 n l, john neeson, henry reed, new chum consolidated co n l, thomas sheppard, menzies claim, new chum united co n l, john harvey, bonate's claim, old new chum, geo lansell, lazarus new chum co reg'd, lazarus new chum no 1 co reg'd, george armstrong, gibbs, lazarus, wm welch's bendigo gold mines 1883, wm welch's bendigo mining registry, wm welch's guide to the bendigo gold mines

Full title: Initial Training Schools, Principles of Flight, Notes for Education Officers. Khaki colour soft cover, black print, 27 pages. Regarding aeroplane flight & illustrated with numerous diagrams.1st page stamped: “A Marriott”books-military/air force/manuals, principles, raaf

From front cover; "WITH NOTES ON THE .300 (AMERICAN) LEWIS GUN/ THE COMPLETE LEWIS GUNNER/ BY AN INSTRUCTOR". Part of the William (Bill) THOMASON Collection. Refer Cat. No. 4136P for more items.Soft cover book. Cover - beige colour cardboard, with black and red ink print on front and back. Illustrated front - sketch of a Lewis gun. 76 pages - cut, plain, white paper. Illustrated black and white photographs and technical diagrams. End paper - with black ink print information. Front end paper - "FOREWORD BY THE AUTHOR" - handwritten information.Handwritten information - blue ink pen. "?? K. ARNELL".publications, books, instruction manual, lewis gun, william (bill) thomason collection

Manufacturing History Museum Victoria|Commentary: Australian manufacturing history Philip Wollen|Many years ago, when I was an ambition young man, I took over a company called Hecla. This business was formed in 1872, long before Federation was even contemplated. The company established a rich tradition in the Australian manufacturing industry. The prodigious product range included kettles, mixers, toasters, hairdryers, urns, pie warmers, bain maries, and electric blankets for the domestic and commercial market. During the war it even manufactured parts for aircraft. It was one of Melbourne's largest employers.|Hecla was one of the pioneers in TV advertising, led by icons like Bert Newton, Bobby Limb, Evie Hayes and Graham Kennedy who ad Jibbed his way through irreverent and unscripted naughtiness about Hecla electric blankets and foot warmers. The slogan was 'By Hecla, its good.'. One can imagine the fun Bert and Graham had with their double entendres.|In the 60's Hecla entered into a partnership with General Electric and expanded rapidly. The massive factory, on the corner of Alexandra Parade and Chapel Street overlooking the Yarra River was a Melbourne landmark.|The business was formed by one of the scions of Melbourne industry. Mr Marriott was a metal worker of some repute, building the lights in front of Melbourne's Parliament House, the first steam car, the sideboard at the RACY Club, and the first factory to run on electricity.|By the time I acquired the company it was a shadow of its former self, incapable of competing with cheap Chinese imports. Wandering around the warehouse late one night I discovered a large, boarded up storeroom which appeared not to have been opened in decades.|Over several months I combed through the room, unearthing a treasure trove of products from a bygone era. Dusty files, engineering drawings, wooden prototypes, patent records, and correspondence from distributors on every continent.|I decided to track down an old man, Ray, long retired after 50 years with Hecla. He was not well off financially and welcomed the paid work. It turned out that he had done his apprenticeship with the company and there wasn't much he didn't know about it. He had been personally involved in the manufacture of almost every type of product on the Hecla smorgasbord's of products.|So for over 2 years he methodically assembled a mini museum of Hecla products, painstakingly polishing them and ensuring they were in working order. He attached the original brochure of each product and their respective warranty cards. For him it was ,a labour of love. For me it was a fascinating, if vicarious journey, into Australia's manufacturing past.|My colleagues complained that I was wasting money on his salary, our time and factory space on stuff that should have been dumped years ago. I tried to explain that I was merely a steward of the Hecla tradition, not merely an owner. Besides, the look on Ray's face convinced me that there was another dynamic at work. One I could see, but didn't really understand.|After he Passed away I faced a dilemma. What to do with this 'museum' of Hecla history. Nobody was interested.|So I kept the 'stuff' in private storage, hoping that same day someone would be interested in it. And the years passed.|Finally, I had a brainwave. Perhaps the Melbourne Museum would be interested. It was a long shot but I made the call. I had a nagging suspicion that they would think I was simply trying to get them to relieve me of paying for this huge collection to be taken to the tip.|To my surprise they said they would be willing to take a look, I secretly hoped that they would take the whole collection and not leave me with an incomplete jumble of appliances that I would indeed have to take to the tip.|On the appointed day, four serious looking young people showed up. Armed with digital cameras, note books and poker faces they spent four hours analysing the goods and the supporting materials. I asked them if they had any interest and their response was decidedly non-committal. It depends on the acquisitions committee, I was told. I was disheartened and packed up the exhibits to go back into storage.|Imagine my surprise when months later they telephoned to say that they had researched the history of the company, and yes, they would like to take the whole collection. And a truck with 'handlers' would arrive the following day to pick it up. Two years ago all Hecla's archives left me forever and went to the Museum's warehouse.|Well, to my delight I received a call yesterday inviting me to a private viewing of the exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. These young historians had meticulously assembled an impressive display of Melbourne's industry and technology going back to the 1800's. They thanked me like a significant benefactor when it is I who should have thanked them.|I saw the excitement in the eyes of these young people who had somehow managed to dig out and assemble memories from Australia's past. If this is the standard of care that the curators of the Melbourne Museum show all their exhibits, our history is in safe hands.|Their meticulous work took me back to those years long ago when I saw an old man lovingly assembling and cataloging a lifetime of his work.|It took me back to the day when Australians actually made things. Long before we became a nation of quarrymen. Before we became animal-factory 'farmers'. Of a time when products didn't break down, or dumped and replaced before the warranty expired. When men like Mr Marriott cared deeply about what their hands produced.|It reminded me of the call I received from an elderly lady in Tasmania asking for the electrical element for a Hecla K7 kettle. I searched the archives and called her back. The K7 was produced decades earlier and we no longer carried that spare part. She was quite disheartened and told me her kettle had finally 'given up the ghost' and she couldn't bear to part with it. It was a present from her husband on their wedding day 45 years ago. Her final words were 'they don't make them like that, do they? By Hecla they were good.'|I'm glad I followed my instinct and put Ray back on the payroll all those years ago..|I like to think Mr Marriott would have been pleased.Large electric heater with two radiator bars and a protective grille at the top and false coals at the bottom.Replacements for this fire - Elements No. F314 - Illuminators No. 3P. Berry's Electric Ltd - Volts 230 - 240 -Watts 2000 V/AD/Cat No. 454 . Made in Australia by Hecla Electrics Pty Ltd Melbournedomestic items, heating