Victoria once had well over one hundred fire lookouts and firetowers. Fire lookouts, or observation posts, were often just a clearing on a hill or a vantage point, whereas firetowers were definite structures. Many were established by the Forests Commission Victoria (FCV) in the 1920s, but the network was expanded rapidly in response to recommendations of the Stretton Royal Commission after the 1939 Black Friday bushfires. When a fire or smoke was spotted from the tower a bearing was taken with the alidade and radioed or telephoned into the district office. It was then cross referenced with bearings from other towers on a large wall map to give a "fix" on the fire location. Alidades and telescopes were used in the post war period but were replaced with a much simpler map table and reference string suspended from the centre of the tower cabin. This "Fire Finder" was used in Canadian fire towers to identify the location of wildfires. The unique design was first developed by the British Columbia Forest Service (BCFS) in the early 1950s. Close examination of the map indicates that this particular Fire Finder may have been once used at Bluejoint Mountain lookout in Granby Provincial Park. This Fire Finder was a gift to Barry (Rocky) Marsden from the British Columbia Forest Service in the late 1980s in recognition of the close relationships that had been forged with the staff at the Altona Workshops over many decades. Fire Finders were originally painted black but this one was repainted green after it arrived at Altona. The BC Forest Service had a large facility where they manufactured Fire Finders and many other items of equipment, but in the 1980s it was shut down. Heavy cast iron circular object with a paper topographic map mounted on it. The metal dial and ruler works similar to a compass. The sight tube is used to determine the bearing and elevation of the fire on the map. This Fire Finder also sometimes known as an Alidade. Its a different design from the Osborne Fire Finder widely used in North American fire lookouts from the 1920s. British Columbia Forest Service. Model 62A. Serial Number 6308.bushfire

Black helmet with adjustable head fittings inside made of leather and Cotton tape. Thin cord threaded through the top of helmet to hold head the fittings. Very worn. Smooth surface. No manufacturing name. Australian Standards Sticker inside. Name on label Jim E. helmets, safety equipment

Red helmet, very worn. Holder on front of the Helmet for fitting light a detachable light. Ridges in top of Helmet. Vents at either side. Adjustable fittings inside. No manufacturing name Australian Standards Sticker inside. Sticker with Name Jim E. helmet, safety equipment

Ironstone china pieces were common domestic items during the 19th to mid 20th century in many Australian households. This kind of china is not porcelain but porous earthenware, made of clay mixed with feldspar. Patented in 1813 by Charles James Mason in Staffordshire, England, it was an immediate success and became widely produced by a range of Staffordshire potters. J & G Meakin Pottery dates back to 1845 when James Meakin started a pottery business at Lane End in Staffordshire.nIn 1848 he moved the business to Hanley in Staffordshire, before retiring in 1852 and handing the business over to his two sons James and George, who carried on with the pottery, trading as J & G Meakin. The "SOL" and sun face trademarks were registered in 1912. The firm was taken over by the Wedgwood Group in 1970. In 2000, production under the Meakin name ceased. W. H. Grindley was founded at the Newfield Pottery in 1880 by William Harry Grindley (principal partner). Mr Turner and Mr Alfred Meakin were also involved. Early advertisements stated that they produced Earthenware and Ironstone China - particularly for the Canadian, United States, South American and Australian markets. The mark on this jug was used from c1891 until 1925. W. H. Grindley China was manufactured until 1991, making it one of the last Stoke on Trent potteries.These items are representative of a common domestic item used by households in the Wodonga district and throughout Australia, many manufactured specifically for the Australian market.A white ironstone jug and bowl. The jug features a leaf design embossed on the surface. The bowl has a small circle pattern around the rim. They are not as set as the jug bears the mark W. H. Grindley and the bowl was made by J & G Meakin.Underneath Bowl: above and below image of the sun: "IRONSTONE CHINA/ REGD. SOL 391413/ J & G MEAKIN/ENGLAND Underneath jug: above and below the royal insignia: ROYAL IRONSTONE CHINA / W.H. GRINDLEY & CO. / ENGLAND"ironstone, domestic items, staffordshire pottery

Coleman, originally known for making lanterns, made over 30 different models of irons from 1929 to 1948. They generally came in an enamel coloured finish. The best known and most commonly found today is the “Cool Blue” enamel Coleman’s 4A gasoline iron. The Coleman 4A gasoline iron was much lighter than the previous ‘sad irons’ and no longer required to be heated on the stove or by charcoal. Instead, the pump was used to build up pressure in the fuel tank and a match was lit underneath the iron, making a flame inside the iron that would distribute the heat on the surface. Despite these benefits, fuels irons made ironing a potentially dangerous job. They had a very real possibility of causing a fire or exploding. Gas-pressure irons, that had been manufactured as early as 1900, were eventually replaced by electric-powered steam irons, in the 1970s as an affordable and safer alternative.This item is significant because it is an example of domestic appliances used widely throughout the Wodonga District.A self-heating iron which made from metal and enamel plate which included a small tank for fuel which powered the unit. A small wooden pump was used to build up pressure in the iron’s fuel tank. It has a wooden handle.domestic appliances, coleman fuel irons

The Churchill Island collection includes objects from the late 1800s. The collection is presented in sets and series, of which this object represents the early Amess era.The cannon was left on Churchill Island after the last private resident left and the Island was purchased by the Victorian State Government. During the time of ownership by Samuel Amess, the cannon was positioned in the front garden facing the bay. In 1982, the Victorian Conservation Trust sought to identify the manufacture and provenance of the cannon. Images held within the Churchill Island Museum and Archive demonstrate the annual use of the cannon by the Amess family, in particular the firing of the cannon on New Years Eve of each year.Six pounder cast iron smooth bore cannon, mounted on a white painted wooden carriage with four iron wheels.860 / FRECKchurchill island, cannon, samuel amess, 1800s, victorian conservation trust

The Churchill Island collection includes objects from the late 1800s. The collection is presented in sets and series, of which this object represents the Buckley era. The family-owned Furphy company has been manufacturing agricultural equipment in Kyneton and then Shepparton in Victoria from the 1860s to the present day. In the late 1800s the company developed the Furphy Water Cart to help farmers transport water to and from and around their properties - especially in time of drought.Cylindrical tin water cart with small access lid on top, unpainted and mounted onto a two-wheel cartCHURCHILL ISLAND Furphy water cart / Furphy & Sons, Sheppartonfarm machinery, water, horse drawn, furphy, churchill island

Used on horse drawn vehicles, agricultural and social Ca 1900Manufactured and sold by Holden and FrostShaped to fit horses back with two straps that fit arond horses girth . Two metal rings for reins Two brackets for strapping and a metal buckle on end of Girth strapPattern etched on saddle surfaceequine, saddle cart, agricultural

Leather strap used on carts and wagons going under belly of horse to affix the cart poles for haulageManufactured and distributed by Holden and Frost brown leather strap with tongues attached each end with steel buckles, designed for attachment to saddle strapequine, belly band

Leather strap used on carts and wagons going under belly of horse to affix the cart poles for haulageAs manufactured and sold by Holden and Frost brown leather strap with tongues attached each end with steel buckles, designed for attachment to saddle strapleather, equine, belly band

Used by military persons to carry ammunition pouches, either around waist or over shoulderManufactured and distributed by Holden and FrostTan leather belt, holes both ends and in the middle brass adjustment tool in centre with holesHolden and Frost 1916,military, leather, belt

set of reins used when driving a pair of horses to allow control of both .As manufactured and sold by Holden and FrostBlack leather strapping with brass buckles making up a set of carriage reins for a pair of horsesleather, reins, equine

Leather gaiter used by both military and civilian persons whilst riding or walkingManufactured and distributed by GMHPlain brown leather gaiter top buckle for fastening onto leg in place, lower buckle missinggaiter, leather

Made in England by Swann-Morton, Sheffield. The company was founded in 1932 and manufactured scalpel handles, blades, and surgical equipment.The metal handle comes to a narrow protruding piece at one end. It has identical indented patterning on both sides. Swamm-Morton scalpel handle BS 2892. Made in England.medicine, scalpels

Corroded nail with rectangular shaft that narrows to a blunt tip. The head is hooked and appears to have been a secondary manufacturing process, attached to a machine cut shaft.archaeology, historic building, former royal mint

Brandon horse bit used on horse tackle during 19th and 20th centuries and manufactured by Holden and FrostEarly object used during c1900 retailed by Holden and Frost for military agricultural and civilian useTwo nickel plated rings held together with two barsequine, military, agriculture, civilian 1900, horse bit

Tim Walker’s work is an eye-catching array of shipwreck artefacts and associated items. They help tell the story of the 19th century ships that travelled across the world full of people and cargo that are now part of our history. The work was commissioned especially for Flagstaff Hill and highlights the famous story of the 1878 ‘Loch Ard’ shipwreck. The images also include two small items from the 1981 ‘Fiji’ shipwreck. Local professional artist Timothy “Tim” Walker was born in Britain in 1970. He was self-taught had the desire to use his talents for full-time work. He specialised in painting local scenes, landscape and people of Warrnambool and district after he moved there in 1990. As he worked at the location of his subjects, people often told him interesting and amusing stories. He soon became involved in the Warrnambool and District Artists’ Society, where he has served for a period as President. In 2010 Warrnambool Art Gallery hosted an exhibition “Nine Lives” with works from nine local artists including Tim Walker. The ‘LOCH ARD’ 1873-1878 - brief history The clipper ship ‘Loch Ard’ was a built in Scotland in 1873. In 1978 the ship was sailing to Melbourne with 54 people on board as well as a mixed cargo of items, some of which were bound for the 1880 International Exhibition in Melbourne. On June 1st 1878 it was very close to its destination when it crashed into Mutton Bird Island, east of Port Campbell. Only two people survived. The wreck was re-discovered in 1967, almost a century later, and the site continues to provide evidence of the range of goods imported into the Colony of Victoria in the post-Gold Rush era. Flagstaff Hill divers in the 1970s reported finds of “Bottles of champagne, window panes, rolls of zinc, barrels of cement, iron rails, clocks, lead shot, corrugated iron, lead, marble, salad oil bottles, ink bottles, copper wire, gin bottles, rolls of carpet, floor tiles, copper rivets, gas light fittings, pocket knives, toys, crystal chandeliers, beer mugs, cutlery, candles sticks, wick scissors, cow bells, and sauce bottles.” The famous Loch Ard Peacock was also on board. The ‘FIJI’ 1875-1891 – brief history The barque ‘Fiji’ was built in Ireland in 1875. The sailing ship left Hamburg in May 1891, bound for Melbourne with a crew of twenty-five plus the captain. The ‘Fiji’ had almost reached her destination after a trip of 100 days at sea when, on September 5th 1891, she struck rock 300 metres from the shore at Moonlight Head, near Cape Otway. Eleven men lost their lives but with the help of locals including members of the Rocket Rescue Crew, the rest of the men were saved. In anticipation of Christmas, the cargo had included a wide variety of children’s toys, amongst which were dolls with china limbs, wooden rocking horses, miniature ships, and red and white rubber balls. There were also cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, spirits, sailcloth, tobacco, fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos, concertinas and other musical instruments, artists’ supplies, porcelain, furniture, china and candles. This artwork has historical significance as it shows a small sample of the variety of items on board the late 19th century ships bound for Australia in the Colonial and late God Rush period. The cargo contained personal luggage, items intended as gifts, and goods ordered for domestic, commercial or industrial use. The wreck sites of both vessels, ‘Loch Ard’ and ‘Fiji’ are classified on the Victorian Heritage Register as significant and are now protected by government law. The sites are popular with divers and provide interpretive material regarding social and maritime history. Framed poster of a watercolour painting by Tim Walker, gilt frame, behind glass. Subject is a group of objects, most of which are connected with the 1878 shipwreck Loch Ard, such as items recovered from the shipwreck and the famous ‘Loch Ard Peacock’. Two items are from the wreck of the ‘Fiji’. Inscriptions on ingot, a handwritten letter, bell, clear bottle, and small plaque.On ingot: “PONTIFEX & WOOD. LONDON”. On letter: “Presented to Mr. Thomas Pearce”. On small ingot: “TIM WALKER”. On bell: “LOCH ARD”. On clear bottle “THE SINGER MANUFACTURING COMPANY“. On plaque: TIM WALKER”.warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, flagstaff hill, loch ard, fiji, watercolour, timothy walker, tim walker, warrnambool & district artists’ society, warrnambool art gallery, poster, henna street picture framers, cargo, print

Leather gaiter manufactured and sold by Holden and Frost Used for military, agricultural and civilian purposes to protect legsBrown leather gaiter with straps to close with brass buckleleather, gaiters

Manufactured by Holden and Frost, used by civilian and Military equestrians Ca1900Manufactured and sold by Holden and FrostNickle plated horse bit made up of four ringsequine, civilian, military, snaffle bit

Used to protect legs in the 19th and 20th centuries and manufactured by Holden and FrostManufactured and sold by Holden and FrostBrown leather gaiters with six studs to closeleather, gaiters

Shot gun holder manufactured by Holden and FrostManufactured and sold by Holden and Frost for military, agriculture and civilian useBrown leather shhotgun holder with shoulder strap and handle. Zip pouch to hold bulletsleather, shotgun holder

Manufactured by Holden and Frost during 19th and 20th century, Civilian and Military useManufactured and sold by Holden and FrostNickel plated horse bit with four ringsequine, horse bit, military, civilian

Football as used for Australian rules football, sport and recreationAs manufactured by Holden and FrostBrown leather Australian rules footballleather, football

Used for sport and recreation in the late 1800's and 1900's manufactured by Holden and FrostObject holds social significance and sporting heritageOval shaped Australian rules footballleather, football

Brown leather carry pouch used as an equestrian accessory in the late 1800's Manufactured by Holden and Frost in the late 1800's Half round brown leather carry pouch with strap and buckleG.V.H.leather, equestrian accessory, pouch

Used to protect hands while boxing Manufactured by Holden and Frost C1900Pair of brown leather boxing gloves, missing lacesleather, boxing gloves

Used to protect shins while playing sport and manufactured by Holden and FrostManufactured by Holden and Frost to protect shins during sportPadded leather shin guard with leather strapsleather, shin guard

As used by recreational shooters and the safe carriage of firearms manufactured by Holden and FrostItem holds social significance manufactured by Holden and FrostEnclosed leather gun case leather strap on top handle and shoulder strapG.B.L.leather, gun case

Football as used in Australian rules football matches, sport and recreationUsed for sport and recreation. Manufactured by Holden and FrostLeather oval shaped children's footballleather, football