The pioneer farmers and market gardeners in Moorabbin Shire had to be self sufficient and made their own tools and clothing and grew their own food. Some had been farmers in England and brought with them tools that would help them establish homes in the new countryAn example of the typical tools used by pioneers in Moorabbin Shire as they built homes and established farms. c1880 This spokeshave, is a wooden hand - plane that has a very short flat metal sole, used for smoothing curved surfaces.moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, market gardeners, pioneers, farmers, tools, planes wood

Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothes and tools as they established homes and farms for their families. An example of the tools used by pioneer settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1880c1880 A well used, hand made, square, wooden mallet with wooden handlepioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, tools, farming

Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothes and tools as they established homes and farms for their familiesAn example of the tools used by pioneer settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1880c1880 Hand made, wooden mallet with cylindrical head, reinforced at ends with tin bands, and a wooden handlepioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, tools, farming

These tin dippers were used on washing day for carrying water as requiredThis tin dipper is a reminder of wash days when women used coppers, wringers, mangles, large troughs and clothes lines before the introduction of washing machines and clothes dryers.c1930 A tin dipper for water, probably used in the Laundrypioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, laundry

An adjustable metal gauge with a copper plated sleeve and 2 pincers used for measuring areas where the use of a ruler is not practicalpioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, tools, guages

The Blacksmith used these tongs to make repairs at his forge. He could mend wheel bands, tools, farm equipment and also fine tune generic sized horseshoes on site. He needed tongs to work on any heated metal as required at his forge A Blacksmith was an essential person for the maintenance and making of farm and household equipment, and shoeing horses, in the pioneer settlements of Brighton, Moorabbin, Cheltenham c1900 A pair of forged steel blacksmith tongsmarket gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, blacksmith, tools, metalwork, forges, ploughs, horse-drawn carts

This Water tap is typical of those used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900 Water tap, small brassearly settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, tools, metal workers, plumbers

A gimlet is a hand tool for drilling small holes, mainly in wood, without splitting. A gimlet is always a small tool made of a piece of steel of a semi-cylindrical form, hollow on one side, having a cross handle at one end and a worm or screw at the other. A similar tool of larger size is called an auger. Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant as they established their farms and built their homes using tools like this gimlet. 2 x small hand tool with a screw point, grooved shank, and cross handle for boring holes early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, tools, blacksmiths

Cream china basket with red roseearly settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, tools

Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothes, tools and utensils as they established their farms, market gardens and retail businesses, Bootmakers, farriers and blacksmiths were very important in these communitiesA pair of child's brown leather shoes c1890 with button hole strapsboots, shoes, footwear, bootmakers, leatherworkers, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltemham,

Shoe stretchers can expand the width and the length of shoes. Shoes can shrink, feet can swell and bunions, corns or other foot imperfections can make the shoes hurt.. Shoe stretchers work best for suede, leather, and other natural materials. A pair of lady's wooden shoe stretchers, decorated with pink laceboots, shoes, footwear, bootmakers, leatherworkers, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltemham, shoe stretchers,

This baby’s hand crocheted silk bib is an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A hand crocheted cream silk baby's bibclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, craftwork, crochetwork, market gardeners, early settlers,

These baby’s hand crocheted silk bootees are an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Hand crocheted cream silk baby's booteesclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, craftwork, crochetwork, market gardeners, early settlers,

Pocket Watches became popular in the late19th C. Gentlemen put their 'Fob' watch in their waistcoat pocket attached to a chain that had a bar that slipped through a button hole. Ladies attached their Watches by a chain to their chatelaine. Nurses usually used a bar with a pin to attach the pocket watch to their uniform. All Train Conductors had a Fob Watch to keep check of the Train Timetable.This small silver plated pocket watch with a hinged case has a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, a seconds dial at 6 and black metal hands.unreadable on back of Casebrighton, moorabbin, pioneers, watchmaking, jewellers, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, watches, clocks

This baby’s bonnet is an example of the lace making and dressmaking skills of the early settler women in the Shire of Moorabbin A hand made lace and net lined baby's bonnetdressmaking, lacework, craftwork, lace, mooabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners

This calico baby’s bootee is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A calico infants bootee with lacesclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, calico, cotton, linen

Archimedes drills, incorporate a bobbin sliding up and down a spiral shaft to bore a hole. Spiral-bit augers were precursors to modern drills, whose bits cleared the hole of chips as the user drilled. Some of the most beautiful Archimedean drills appear in English tool auctions replete with brass, rosewood and even ivory. A steel hand drill with fine bit and sliding bobbin'HOBBIES' on top of handletools, , metalwork, woodwork, carpentry, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, blacksmiths, bobbins, augers, hand drills, marples william,

Robert Keys,1818-87 b.Ireland, arrived Australia 1841 and joined parents on a farm in Brighton.Victoria. 1870 he commenced his own 15 acre 'fruit garden' in Keys Rd Moorabbin and in 1881-82 was awarded the 'Leader Cup', by the Leader Newspaper, as the Winner of the Brighton Horticultural Society 'Best Fruit Garden' competition. Robert Keys, early settler 1841, was a talented orchardist , Brighton Councillor 1860 and Moorabbin City Coucillor until his death 1887. Item donated by Keys Family c1985 The 1879 Schedule of Prizes booklet of the Brighton Historical Society ( MAV 00022),describes in detail this trophy, prize moneys and rules and regulations of the competition. The booklet, cat. no. 00022, is on display with this trophyThis item is significant because of its connection with the Keys Family who were early settlers in District of Brighton/ Moorabbin and were greatly involved in community activities. After the 1841 Dendy Special Survey allotments of land were sold or rented to pioneer settlers who developed market gardens, fruit farms ( orchards), vineyards, poultry farms in the area now known as Bentleigh, Cheltenham, Oakleigh. They were very proud of their fine produce and hence enthusiastically entered these 'Annual Exhibitions' by the Brighton Horticultural Society.The Sterling Silver goblet shaped Trophy. Base has engraved beaded rim with chevron type motif. Embossed ring midway up stem and fern leaves engraved on bowl of goblet engraved on bowl of goblet " Brighton Horticultural Society/ 1881-82/ Leader Cup/ Awarded To/ Robert Keys/ For Best Fruit Garden/ Brighton District." Hallmarked 'GU', Birmingham, UK. George Unite circa 1880keys robert, trophy, 1881, leader newspaper, leader cup, brighton, horticultural, silver cup, silver, moorabbin, brighton horticultural society

Alonzo Box, who lived in Oakleigh, was the nephew of William and Elizabeth Box, a pioneer settler of Dendy's Special Survey 1841 who purchased 'Box Cottage ' in 1865 and lived there until 1914. Alonzo Box married Mary Kloster/ Closter in 1918. On the Marriage Certificate Mary Box has spelt "Closter" with a "C" and not the "K" of her German heritage. This marriage was taking place during World War 1. Many immigrants would have altered their name at that time. The Box family were early pioneers of the district and raised their family in reconstructed 'Box Cottage'. They established a market garden and sold produce to the Melbourne markets for the colony's increasing population.A large, glass covered, wooden-framed, wedding photograph of Alonzo and Mary Box (nee Kloster/ Closter),married June 12th 1918 is displayed in the reconstructed 'Box Cottage' Museum, Joyce Park, Ormond, Victoria. At front base of mounting of photograph 'Muntz Malvern' is stamped. On back of photograph is written, unsigned, 'Mr & Mrs Alonzo Box/ June 12th 1918/ (Mary Kloster )/photographs, brighton, moorabbin, malvern, box william, box elizabeth, box alonzo, box mary, oakleigh, muntz

Melber sewing machines were first sold in Australia in the late 1870s. The 'Box Cottage' Melber Treadle Sewing Machine was owned by Mary Box, nee Kloster / Closter, wife of Alonzo Box , the nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who purchased 'Box Cottage' in 1865 from a pioneer settler The machine was bought in 1909, and is a good example of its kind. This type of sewing machine was widely used in many homes, in an era when hand-made clothes were the “norm.”, and clothes were mended, or ‘re-made’ into another garment. The cottage has both the Receipt, cat 00004.1 and Guarantee, cat 00004.2, for the sewing machine. This machine was possibly built by Wertheim Pty Ltd Hugo Wertheim (1854 – 1919) arrived in Melbourne in 1875. He became a successful agent for sewing machines manufactured by his father’s cousin Joseph Wertheim in Frankfurt, Germany. Hugo married Joseph’s daughter Sophie Emilie and they settled in Richmond Melbourne Australia. Hugo made many trips back to the main factory in Germany and, with extensive advertising, established a thriving business for sewing machines, bicycles, pianos under various ‘brand names’ - Wertheim, Electra, Planet, Griffin, Hapsburg. It has been said that Dame Nellie Melba preferred a Wertheim piano for her performances. In 1908 Hugo opened a large piano factory in Bendigo St Richmond, Victoria and his son Herbert maintained the business until 1935 The sewing machine was donated in 1985 by, a descendant of the Box family. The machine is complete, and in good condition. William and Elizabeth Box purchased 'Box Cottage' in 1865 from a pioneer settler who had bought part of the land noted in Dendy's Special Survey 1841 Brighton. They raised their family there and established a market garden to supply produce to the population of Melbourne. Their nephew Alonzo married Mary Kloster/ Closter in 1918 and she brought with her this 'Melber' sewing machine that she used to provide clothing for the family. 'Melber'Treadle Sewing Machine that was owned by Mary Box, nee Kloster/ Closter. It was bought in 1909, and it is a good example of its kind. This type of sewing machine was widely used in many homes, in an era when hand-made clothes were the “norm.”, and clothes were mended, or ‘re-made’ into another garment. The Box Cottage Museum has both the Receipt, and Guarantee for the sewing machine. 'MELBER' stamped on sewing machine.dendys special survey, treadle sewing machine, box cottage, mary kloster, alonzo box, melber, wertheim hugo, wertheim sewing machine manufacturer, richmond melbourne victoria,

A small, hard-wood table with decorative spindles, three drawers, and turned legs is from the original pioneer cottage built on land that was part of the Dendy's Special Survey 1841 . Now 302 Jasper Road Ormond. The table is in fair condition, but not complete. It is thought that the original drawer handles most likely deteriorated or were broken over the years. An unknown person replaced the original handles with modern glass knobs, in the late 1970’s. This table was in the original pioneer cottage which is now Reconstructed Box Cottage Museum. An unknown pioneer built the Cottage circa 1850 and it was purchased by William Box in 1865. William and Elizabeth Box lived in the Cottage until 1914 when it was sold to August Reitman who resided there until 1950. In 1964 the Cottage was moved to the present site , Joyce Park, adjacent to 302 Jasper Road Ormond A small, hard-wood table with decorative spindles, three drawers, and turned legs is from the original pioneer cottage built on land that was part of the 1841 Dendy's Special Survey The table is in fair condition, but not complete. It is thought that the original drawer handles most likely deteriorated or were broken over the years. An unknown person replaced the original handles with modern glass knobs, in the late 1970’s. moorabbin, table, ormond, bentleigh, pioneer, dendy henry, box william, market gardener, reitman august, dendy special survey

Chinese market-gardener’s watering-cans on a wooden yoke. This item was authenticated by the Bendigo Historical Society, and is said to be quite rare. It consists of two large galvanized watering-cans each with a pouring spout, suspended by chains from a well-used wooden yoke. The cans would each have been filled with water, then carried a distance into the market garden and used to water crops. The cans and yoke alone are very heavy, one can only imagine how heavy they were when filled with water.As profits from the gold-fields petered out the Chinese immigrants, (nearly all single men), were forced to seek other occupations. Many moved into furniture building in the East Melbourne area, whilst others went into market gardening . A significant number of Chinese men, realising the potential of the sandy, fertile soil, with a good supply of water, in the Shire of Moorabbin, leased tracts of land in that area to establish a market garden and grow produce for the increasing population of MelbourneAfter the Dendy Special Survey in1841in Brighton, Victoria, the first sale of Crown Land, taking in the whole Shire of Moorabbin, occurred in 1852. These allotments of land were eagerly bought up - some by speculators - although many were either worked by the owner, or leased out as market gardens and "fruit gardens", (orchards). Chinese market-gardener’s watering-cans suspended by chains on a wooden yoke. This item was authenticated by the Bendigo Historical Society, and is said to be quite rare. It consists of two large galvanized watering-cans each with a pouring spout, suspended by chains from a well-used wooden yokebrighton, gardeners, bentleigh, orchards, vegetables, dendy henry, market gardens, chinese settlers, pioneers moorabbin, water wells, creeks

Circa late 1800s. Wooden domestic butter-churn. This is a paddle churn, a barrel that contains a paddle, which is operated by a handle. The paddle churned the butter inside the container when the handle was turned. Early settlers had to be self sufficient, growing their own vegetables, making tools and clothing and usually had a house cow to produce their milk supply. An unsigned note states it was used by a Chinese market-gardener’s family. From the mid 1800s into the1900s, there were numbers of Chinese market gardeners working in Bentleigh, Moorabbin, Mc Kinnon, and Cheltenham in the Shire of Moorabbin. After the sale of land following 'Dendy's Special Survey' 1841 many Chinese settlers rented allotments and established market gardens in the area and sold their produce to the increasing population of Melbourne at the markets in St Kilda and Melbourne.Circa late 1800s. Wooden domestic butter-churn consisting of a wooden barrel with a lid and a crank that manually turned a paddle inside to separate the butter fat from the butter milk 'BUTTER CHURN' written in chalk undated, unsignedchinese, melbourne, brighton, moorabbin, butter, cows, milk, pioneers, dairy, settlers, fruit, bentleigh, markets, mckinnon, cheltenham, vegetables, dendy henry

Late 1800s-early 1900s A horse-drawn furrow plough is an example of the type of farm implement widely used by pioneer market gardeners in the Moorabbin Shire following 'Dendy's Special Survey' of 1841 and the Crown Land Sale in 1852. Land allotments were bought by pioneer settlers who established or rented allotments for market gardens in the area. They supplied produce to the markets in St Kilda and Melbourne. During the gold-rush of the 1850s the rapidly increasing population of Melbourne saw a huge demand and a rise in prices for all foodstuffs, including the vegetables and fruit grown in the Shire of Moorabbin. This heralded a time of prosperity for market gardeners, and an equally rapid expansion of the numbers of vegetable and produce growers in the area. The 'knock-on effect" resulted in an increased interest and development of the community in the Shire of Moorabbin.Following 'Dendy's Special Survey' of 1841 and the Crown Land Sale in 1852, land allotments were bought by pioneer settlers who established or rented allotments for market gardens in the area and they supplied produce to the markets in St Kilda and Melbourne. During the gold-rush of the 1850s the rapidly increasing population of Melbourne saw a huge demand and a rise in prices for all foodstuffs, including the vegetables and fruit grown in the Shire of Moorabbin. Circa late 1800's to early 1900s. A horse-drawn furrow plough was the most common type of agricultural implement used by the pioneers of the 1800s and continued on into the 1940s when motorised tractors came into use. This plough is an example of a two furrow, mullboard plough which would most likely have been pulled by two horses. The long handle was used to lower the silver plates, (mullboards), to the chosen depth of soil. Painted yellow. Although this Box Cottage museum plough is unbranded, the most widely used plough in the Shire of Moorabbin was made by Oliver. This plough appears to be identical to that brand. brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, fruit, bentleigh, vineyards, vegetables, plough, market gardens, plow

Circa late 1800s early 1900s a horse-drawn plough, potato digger, is one example of the implements that were widely used by early market gardeners in the Shire of Moorabbin. The flat plate, seen to the right of the photo, dug down into the ground below the potatoes and "scooped" them up. Behind the plate, two driving chains on cogs, (these chains are missing from our exhibit), then "rocked' the dug potatoes to loosen the soil from the "spuds". The potatoes were then harvested by hand. Very large tracts of land in the Shire of Moorabbin were planted with potatoes. Harvesting commenced in October, into November and on into December. Potatoes were a necessary food staple. The market gardeners were always in a rush to be first to get their potatoes to market, and hence the best price. Some market gardeners were so keen to be the first to market, (and get the most money), that they dug their potatoes "green" (or new). The only downside of this practice was that these early potatoes had to be handled with extreme care as their skins were very loose, and came off easily - so decreasing their profits.As well as taking their produce to the Melbourne and St Kilda markets, they also sent produce off to Sydney markets. It is interesting to note that a group of Chinese market gardeners were the first to access the Sydney market. .Following the 'Dendy's Special Survey' 1841 and the Crown Land Sale of 1852, land allotments were sold to pioneer settlers who established market gardens in the area of Moorabbin Shire. During the 1850s gold-rush population boom the number of market gardeners increased significantly spreading throughout the Moorabbin Shire. Potatoes were considered a staple foodstuff, so crops were regularly sown throughout the whole Moorabbin area. Circa late 1800s early 1900s. A horse-drawn plough potato digger is an example of the machines used by early market gardeners in Moorabbin Shiremelbourne, sydney, markets, vegetables, potato, dendy henry, st kilda, market gardeners, gold rush, moorabin, chinese gardeners, ploughs

By the later 1800s the dirt roads in the then out-lying areas of the City of Moorabbin became dangerous, and almost impassable due to huge potholes and muddy swampy areas. The heavily laden market gardener’s carts regularly broke axles and wheels, and horses foundered on their way to the Melbourne markets. Even worse, the heavier “iron maidens”, carrying their malodorous loads of sewage from Melbourne’s inner suburbs for dumping in the outlying areas of the City of Moorabbin, also got bogged in the mire. It was decided that a practical solution to this problem was to install a metal plateway on the side of the problematic roads. In about 1887 the Moorabbin Shire Centre Road, in the Brighton East area, two parallel metal rails were installed so that the wheels of carts could run along smoothly, the horse travelled in the filled, middle area between the rails. Point Nepean Road plateway was removed in 1930 and Centre Dandenong Road plateway was removed in 1934-35. The worn plateway along Centre Road, East Brighton (now known as Bentleigh), was gradually taken up in several pieces, commencing in the the1920s, when its condition deteriorated and it caused a hazard to bikes, pedestrians, motor-cycles and the few early cars. The early steel plateway, constructed by David Munro, and opened on 23rd March 1885 by Thomas Bent, was built along Nepean Highway, between Asling St. and Bay St. The Point Nepean Track was subsequently extended into Moorabbin with branches along Centre, Cumins, South, Wickham, and Keys Roads, the total length was 13 miles. In 1908-1909 plates were laid along Centre Dandenong Road to Ross Street Bentleigh This innovative solution proved successful and was used until gradually the main roads were upgraded, and motorised vehicles started to appear. Two parallel metal rails were installed in the right hand side of a few main roads in the Shire of Moorabbin so that the wheels of heavily-loaded market gardener's carts on their way to markets in Melbourne could run along smoothly. The horse pulling the carts travelled in the filled, middle area between the rails. The Steel Plateway was constructed by David Munro, and opened on 23rd March 1885 by Thomas Bent. The wheelway first only ran along Nepean Highway, but it soon extended from Centre Dandenong Road, along Nepean road to its junction with Chapel Street, St Kilda. Later branch lines were built along Centre Road, Bentleigh as far as Warrigal Road and, according to early photographs, along Wickham Road Moorabbin as well. This innovative solution proved successful and was used until gradually the main roads were upgraded, and motorised vehicles started to appear. There was a problem with the wheelway : there was only a single set of rails and this was established on the right-hand side of the Nepean Road, travelling towards the city. Traffic FROM the city travelled on the correct or left-hand side of the road. The exception to this rule was the malodorous iron-clads, heavily riveted iron carts, generally travelling in convoy, carrying several tons of human effluent out of Melbourne to be trenched-in in the sandy soil of the Moorabbin district. Moorabbin City Council donated and installed a small section of Plateway at Box Cottage Museum in 1984melbourne, brighton, moorabbin, roads, plateway, wheelway, transport, st kilda, bent thomas, munro david, market gardens, steelway, carts horse-drawn, iron maidens, point nepean track

This medium sized metal, horse-drawn, road-working scoop, with timber shafts is an example of those used in Moorabbin Shire in the late 1800s, and up until the 1940s for road-works, building dams, market-gardening work and other similar earthworks in the shire. The Box Cottage museum example would have been drawn by one horse, with the worker walking and steering the horse and scoop from behind using the timber shafts. There were even bigger metal scoops that required two or more horses to drag the scoop through the soil.Following the Dendy Special Survey 1841 allotments were sold to pioneer settlers who established market gardens in the Moorabbin area. Roads and roadside dams were needed as they transported both their stock and garden produce to markets in St Kilda and Melbourne By1880 the Shire of Moorabbin was using horse-drawn, road-working shovels on the main thoroughfares of the district.A medium sized metal, horse-drawn, road-working scoop, with timber shafts. Used by Moorabbin Shire in the late 1800s, and early 1900s for road-works, and other similar work in the shiremelbourne, shovel, brighton, moorabbin, metal, gardens, roads, markets, mckinnon, cheltenham, horse drawn, scoop, dendy henry, st kilda

Original Marriage Certificate of Alonzo and Mary Box nee Closter (Kloster) June 12th 1918. Alonzo was the nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who settled in Moorabbin Parish in 1865 and developed a market garden and raised their family . On the Marriage Certificate Mary Box has spelt her Maiden name "Closter" with a "C" and not the " K" of her German heritage. Albert and Maria Kloster nee Bolch, were German immigrant Gardeners and Mary was born in Mount Waverley ,Victoria 1889. This marriage was taking place during World War 1 when many immigrants would have altered the spelling of their name.Alonzo Box, who lived in Oakleigh, was the nephew of William and Elizabeth Box, pioneer market gardeners who resided in 'Box Cottage' 1865 -1914 His occupation is stated as "Pitcher Setter' i.e one who laid pavers, (Pavior), or blue-stone pitchers. It would have been a specialised work requiring skills much the same as a brick layer. In a developing Shire this would have been a very necessary job used in gutter laying, drainage works etc.. Original Marriage Certificate of Alonzo and Mary Box nee Closter (Kloster) June 12th 1918 enclosed in a glass covered, wooden frame.'In the State of Victoria/ - (Coat of Arms) - In the Commomwealth of Australia/ FOURTH SCHEDULE, ACTS Nos. 2691 and 2720, - FORM B/ CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE/ with date and signatures of participants.brighton, moorabbin, anglican, box william, box elizabeth, box alonzo, box mary, box john, box martha, pitcher setter, pavoir, oakleigh, government victoria, german immigrants

Circa late 1800's to early 1900s. A horse-drawn furrow plough was the most common type of agricultural implement used by the pioneer market gardeners, in Moorabbin Shire, of the 1800s and continued on into the 1940s when motorised tractors came into use. This plough is an example of a single-mullboard plough which would have been pulled by horse. The long handle was used to lower the silver plate, (mullboard), to the chosen depth of soil. Following 'Dendy's Special Survey' of 1841 and the Crown Land Sale in 1852, land allotments were bought by pioneer settlers who established or rented allotments for market gardens in the area and they supplied produce to the markets in St Kilda and Melbourne. During the gold-rush of the 1850s the rapidly increasing population of Melbourne saw a huge demand and a rise in prices for all foodstuffs, including the vegetables and fruit grown in the Shire of Moorabbin. An "Oliver" single mull-board plough in good condition with faded manufactures markings on shaftsPainted on shaft "MANF'D BY/OLIVER CHILLED PLOW WORKS/Southend Ind. USA/" Engraved on blade " 13 OLIVER"brighton, moorabbin, plough, dendy henry, east bentleigh, market gardens, horse drawn plough, plow, mullboard

This baby's crocheted outfit is an example of the clothing made for their children by the families who had settled in the Moorabbin Shire c1900. The Blackburn family were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireThis baby's crocheted cape and dress aesethetically significant as an example of the skill of the women of the families who were pioneer settlers and market gardeners in Moorabbin Shire who made their own clothing for their families. It was made by a member of the early settler Blackburn family and passed down through the generations. This is a white cotton baby's two piece, cape and dress outfit, with extensive hand-crotchet lace trim.clothing, moorabbin, crochet, bentleigh, pioneer settlers, baby outfit