Built in 1866 in Echuca, the PS Adelaide is the oldest wooden hulled paddle steamer still operating as a passenger vessel in the world. Engines made in Melbourne by Fulton and Shaw. JG Grassie was the original owner who was looking for a wool carrying boat as a commercial venture with the arrival of the rail at the Port of Echuca making the future look bright. Seutonius and Charles Officer of Murray Downs Station joined Grassie in financing the venture and they used the boat for 6 years before David Blair and partners (Echuca sawmillers) bought the Adelaide in July of 1872 and she began her long working life as a logging boat providing a shuttle service between the forests around Barmah and the mill, usually towing up to 3 or 4 barges. The paddle boxes were rebuilt from round to a square configuration in approximately 1924 by Charles Felshaw, local Echuca shipwright. The Adelaide had unusual strength for her size. Her career ended in the mid 1950s where she lay idle tied up near the mill at Echuca wharf. For a short time she was sold to Mildura but fortunately the Apex Club raised funds to buy her back to be a reminder of the riverboat days at the Port. She was lifted out for safekeeping into Hopwood Gardens where she remained on show for nearly 25 years. After restoration by Port shipwright Keven Hutchinson OAM, she returned to the waters of the Murray River on Sunday March 4th 1984 at 5.20pm. After further restoration, in 1985 the Prince and Princess of Wales re-commissioned PS ADELAIDE in a ceremony on their tour of the region. The world's oldest wooden hulled paddle steamer still operating as a passenger vessel today built in Echuca in 1866. It is often considered the flagship of the operational fleet of the Port of Echuca given its age and known provenance to Echuca. The Adelaide is an iconic symbol of the riverboat timber and cargo trade that worked on the Murray River from the mid 1800s. Remarkably, PS ADELAIDE still operates with its original Fulton and Shaw engines.Composite hull, side wheeler with two single cylinder steam engines, producing a total of 36hp. Currently cream and burgundy moored at the Echuca Wharf. 49 passenger capacity.P.S. Adelaide signage on wheelhouse and port and starboard bow.p.s. adelaide, paddle steamers, echuca boat builders, charles felshaw

George Shirling arrived in Falls Creek in 1962. He engaged Phil Nowell to build the original Koki Alpine Lodge which opened in 1965 with 14 beds. George operated the lodge with Michael “Baldy” Blackwell as manager. He also graduated in sport psychology in 1981 and was invited to become team psychologist for the Australian Winter Olympic team which went to Albertville, France, in 1992. He later owned the Red Onion Chalet. George credited the success of Koki to “Baldy” Blackwell. “Baldy” and Phil Nowell started the Trackers Mountain Lodge in partnership during the 1980s. In 1971 George sold Koki Lodge to Sigi Doerr. Sigi was a long time resident of Falls Creek, owning and operating Koki Lodge for many years with his wife, Lee. He was Falls Creek CFA Captain from 1995 until 1998 although he served in the Fire Brigade for much longer. Sigi had many involvements in the community. In 2023 the renamed Koki Alpine resort remains a highly popular destination in Falls Creek operated by Doerr Nominees Pty. Ltd. under the management of Vesna Sugden.This item is significant because it has clear links to an iconic business established in Falls Creek, VictoriaA three folded paper business card featuring a representation of Gauguin artwork on the front and reservation details on the inside. This business card was an invitation to accommodation and restaurant at Koki LodgeKoki Alpine Lodge Falls Creek Victoria Inside "For I too am beginning to feel an immense need to become a savage and create a new world." PAUL GAUGUIN, 1887 ....an invitation to enjoy the New World of KOKIkoki lodge, george shirling, micheal blackwell, business cards, falls creek accommodation

George Shirling arrived in Falls Creek in 1962. He engaged Phil Nowell to build the original Koki Alpine Lodge which opened in 1965 with 14 beds. George operated the lodge with Michael “Baldy” Blackwell as manager. He also graduated in sport psychology in 1981 and was invited to become team psychologist for the Australian Winter Olympic team which went to Albertville, France, in 1992. He later owned the Red Onion Chalet. George credited the success of Koki to “Baldy” Blackwell. “Baldy” and Phil Nowell started the Trackers Mountain Lodge in partnership during the 1980s. In 1971 George sold Koki Lodge to Sigi Doerr. In 2024 the renamed Koki Alpine resort remains a highly popular destination in Falls Creek. George Shirling passed away on 27th February 2023. He had remained actively involved in Falls Creek and was generous with his time and knowledge, always an amazing supporter of The Falls Creek Museum and Falls Creek Village.This item is significant because it is connected to an iconic business established in Falls Creek, VictoriaA flyer produced to promote Koki Alpine Lodge for the Winter Season 1968, including tariffs and activities available. It is printed in black, sepia tones and small touches of blue and brown. Part of the text includes the quotation from Paul Gauguin featured on other Koki advertising:- "For I too am beginning to feel an immense need to become a savage and create a new world." PAUL GAUGUIN, 1887koki lodge, george shirling, phil nowell, "baldy" blackwell, sigi doerr

Order docket books used at Koki Fondue and Carvery Restaurant in Falls Creek during 1975. Shows menu items and price as well as how orders were taken. George Shirling arrived in Falls Creek in 1962. He engaged Phil Nowell to build the original Koki Alpine Lodge which opened in 1965 with 14 beds. George operated the lodge with Michael “Baldy” Blackwell as manager. He also graduated in sport psychology in 1981 and was invited to become team psychologist for the Australian Winter Olympic team which went to Albertville, France, in 1992. He later owned the Red Onion Chalet. George credited the success of Koki to “Baldy” Blackwell. “Baldy” and Phil Nowell started the Trackers Mountain Lodge in partnership during the 1980s. In 1971 George sold Koki Lodge to Sigi Doerr. Sigi was a long time resident of Falls Creek, owning and operating Koki Lodge for many years with his wife, Lee. He was Falls Creek CFA Captain from 1995 until 1998 although he served in the Fire Brigade for much longer. Sigi had many involvements in the community. In 2024 the renamed Koki Alpine resort remains a highly popular destination in Falls Creek.This item is significant because it has clear links to an iconic business established in Falls Creek, VictoriaTwo order docket books for Fondue and Carvery Licensed Restaurant, with paper connected at top edge with glue, each page containing name of restaurant at top of page with list of menu items and price in grid with section for table at left and order number at right. All printed in red. 'Koki / Fondue & Carvery / Licensed Restaurant'dining, 1970s dining, falls creek, koki, george shirling, sigi doerr

George Shirling arrived in Falls Creek in 1962. He engaged Phil Nowell to build the original Koki Alpine Lodge which opened in 1965 with 14 beds. George operated the lodge with Michael “Baldy” Blackwell as manager. He also graduated in sport psychology in 1981 and was invited to become team psychologist for the Australian Winter Olympic team which went to Albertville, France, in 1992. He later owned the Red Onion Chalet. George credited the success of Koki to “Baldy” Blackwell. “Baldy” and Phil Nowell started the Trackers Mountain Lodge in partnership during the 1980s. In 1971 George sold Koki Lodge to Sigi Doerr. In 2024 the renamed Koki Alpine resort remains a highly popular destination in Falls Creek. George Shirling passed away on 27th February 2023. He had remained actively involved in Falls Creek and was generous with his time and knowledge, always an amazing supporter of The Falls Creek Museum and Falls Creek Village.This item is significant because it has clear links to an iconic business established in Falls Creek, VictoriaThese antlers were on display on the wall above the balcony at Koki Lodge.koki lodge, george shirling, falls creek businesses, sigi doerr

Phar Lap tobacco tin, produced in Melbourne 1931 - 1932 is an early example of the use of the name and image of any Australian notable, in this case a racehorse, the tobacco referred to in the family as "The sweepings from the stable floor" due to its poor quality.Produced in, Victoria during 1931-1932 Phar Lap tobacco was Phar Lap tobacco tin, It is considered Australia's most desirable tobacco tin due to its rarity. An early example of the use of the name and image of an Australian icon the tobacco was often referred to as "The sweepings from the stable floor" due to its poor quality.Rectangular metal tin with a hinged lid. On the lid is lithographed an image of the horse's head and within a scroll the words PharLap Fine cut tobacco. Significant rusting to tin and wear to lithographic detail tobacco

Mim (Mariam) Sodergren developed innovative, specialized ski programs for women and children in both Australia and the United States. She and her husband Mike originated from Tahoma, California, USA. They spent 17 years of their lives without a summer, working as ski instructors in Lake Tahoe during the northern winters, and then they’d head off to Falls Creek and Thredbo in Australia. Mim and Mike Sodergren were both inspiring instructors at Falls Creek Snowsports School, dedicated to education and had a deep-seated passion for fostering an inclusive Snowsports community. Tragically Mim and Mike were among the 18 people killed on 30 July 1977 in Thredbo, Australia, when a landslide tore through Thredbo’s ski resort village and demolished two staff lodges. In 1997 the Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors (APSI) established the Sodergren scholarships in memory of Mim and Mike. The Sodergren Scholarship recognises the rising potential of Snowsport instruction within Australian ski resorts and allows the recipients to further their professional development by providing all training free of charge for one season. The women’s program still operates at Falls Creek and is a "heartfelt tribute to the memory of Mim Sodergren. Designed by women, for women, and inspired by the enduring passion of Mim and her partner, Mike, who was also an instructor, this program is a wonderful opportunity to learn to ski in a friendly and supportive environment, just as Mim envisioned." (Falls Creek Website 2024). Mike’s Men’s Ski Program at Falls Creek is also named in honour of Mike Sodergren. Mim’s skis were kept for many years by Ski Lifts at Falls Creek and were recently donated to the Falls Creek Museum for safe keeping.These skis are significant because they belonged to an iconic ski instructor still commemorated at Falls Creek, Victoria.A pair of Atomic Arc Skis, primarily black with coloured logo.ATOMIC ARC MODULE 645SLmim sodergren, mike sodergren, atomic skis, thredbo landslide

Postcard - cartoon image of a Melbourne W class tram with Australian animals on the tram, driven by a koala. Card by Nue-color-vue, card numbers 11 ML 318, NCV 6064. Demonstrates a cartoon image combining iconic image of Melbourne trams and Australian animals.Postcard colour - Cartoon image W class tram - Nu-color-vuetrams, tramways, cartoons, w class tram

Postcard - cartoon image of a Melbourne W class tram with Australian animals on the tram, driven by a koala. Tram No. 902Demonstrates a cartoon image combining iconic image of Melbourne trams and Australian animals. Postcard colour - Cartoon postcard image W class tram - 902 - Card Number CTM 135Ktrams, tramways, w class tram, cartoon

Postcard - image of Flinders Street Railway Station, corner of Swanston Street with W2 637 (Spencer St, route 48), possibly late 1970s or early 1980s. Tram W6 978 is in Swanston Street.Demonstrates an iconic Melbourne image, Flinders Street Station and a W class tramPostcard colour - Flinders St Station - Nu-color-vue card number 11 ML 138, NCV 4986 Divided back.trams, tramways, flinders street station, w2 class tram, tram 637, swanston street

Postcard - image of Flinders Street Railway Station, corner of Swanston Street with a green and yellow Z1 class tram and SW5 779 in the view. Based on photo of the Z class tram has been painted in The Met colours, photo mid 1980's. Tram 779 has a The Met sticker over the former MMTB logo. It was withdrawn during Oct. 1989 and sold during 1990. There are advertisements for Fish Paste and Canon typewriters. Produced by Australian Souvenirs and Marketing Pty Ltd of Moorabbin. Has an AMS logo.Demonstrates an iconic Melbourne image, Flinders Street Station with trams during the changeover from the MMTB to The Met.Postcard colour - Flinders St Station - Australian Souvenirs & Marketing Pty Ltd, card No. 40-03-1007trams, tramways, flinders street station, swanston street, z class tram, tram 779, sw5 class tram, the met

Postcard - an image of Shrine of Remembrance, St Kilda Road with three W class trams in the view. The postcard has had postage including international or worldwide prepaid. The stamp is 65c, the ANZAC tradition. The reference gives the date of the stamp as April 1990. Two of the trams: SW6 918 (Malvern Burke Road, Route 5), and SW6 944 (Toorak Glenferrie Road, Route 8). Another W class tram is behind.Demonstrates an iconic Melbourne image, the Shrine of Remembrance and W class trams in St Kilda Road.Postcard colour - Shrine of Remembrance, St Kilda Road and W class trams - with pre paid postage. Australia Posttrams, tramways, st kilda road, sw6 class trams, tram 918, tram 944, australia post, shrine of remembrance

Postcard - image looking south in St Kilda Road, with the Shrine of Remembrance and BP House in the view. Tram W2 453 (City Route 6) and SW6 945 (Camberwell Route 72) has stopped at the safety zone tram stop.Demonstrates an iconic Melbourne image, St Kilda Road, the Shrine and W class tramsPostcard colour - serrated edge, Nu-color-Vue - St Kilda Road, Shrine of Remembrance W2 453, ML 156, NCV 1381 Divided back.trams, tramways, w2 class tram, shrine of remembrance, tram 453, st kilda road, tram 945

Postcard - image looking south in St Kilda Road, with the Shrine of Remembrance and BP House in the view. Tram W5 834 (East Malvern Darling Road Route 3).Demonstrates an iconic Melbourne image, St Kilda Road, the Shrine and a W class tram.Postcard colour - serrated edge, Nu-color-Vue - St Kilda Road, Shrine of RemembranceW5 834, ML 132,, Divided back.trams, tramways, shrine of remembrance, st kilda road, sw5 class tram, tram 834

One of many different designs or fronts of Metcards. This design was published for Yarra Trams with the message "Love your trams". 1 - 2 hour concession - used 20-3-2008 2 - Off-Peak daily, zones 1 and 2 - 21-6-2007Demonstrates one of many different types of Metcards issued during the period of used in Melbourne from 1996 to 2013Ticket - printed on light card with a magnetic stripe. Has the ticket number and contact details, Metcard and Metlink logo on the front of the card.trams, tramways, tickets, metcard, metlink, yarra trams, trams as icons

Souvenir of Melbourne trams - SW6 852. Not dimensionally accurate. See item 2658 for a similar model of a City Circle tram, with different window framing. Demonstrates the nature of many Melbourne trams souvenirs, icons.Model tram - made from a high density plastic. Finished in green and yellow.model, souvenir, sw6 class, tram 852

Pamphlet - "Tramboat - Scenic Cruises and Functions" detailing the functions and the vessel available for hire. Vessel dressed as a Melbourne tram. Provides contact details and location of point of departure.Demonstrates a variation in marketing making use of a Melbourne icon - tramsPamphlet - DL - double sided - full colour on 200gsm card.tramboat, trams, trams as icons, functions

On 26 August 1967 members of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7 RAR were lifted by United States Army Iroquois helicopters from their location beside the road leading to Dat Do, and returned to their base at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province. These soldiers had completed the cordon and search of the village of Phuoc Hai, part of Operation Ulmarra. This iconic image is etched on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial on Anzac parade in Canberra. Brown timber frame with grey mount containing photograph/print of three helicopters above group of soldiers in the fieldMembers of 5 Pl, B Coy, 7RAR Just north of the village of Phuoc Hai, In August 1967vietnam, 5th platoon b coy 7 rar, operation ulmarra

The original, very large framed photograph of the ceremony of Unveiling of the Kew War Memorial, by His Excellency the Governor, Earl of Stradbroke KCMG, Sunday 30 August 1925. At the ceremony there were over five thousand in attendance crowding the intersection of High Street and Cotham Road. The voices of the Governor and the Mayor, Councillor Jabez Carnegie were amplified from four loud speakers on the dome of the memorial. A guard of honour from the 39th Battalion C.M.F. was present, together with the First Kew Troop of Boy Scouts. Restoration of the work by staff at the Grimwade Centre has been made possible by a contribution from Andrew McIntosh M.L.A.Iconic Australian photograph from the post-WW1 period. Nationally significant work reflecting how societies of the time invested social and spiritual values in commemorations of wartime.Framed large photograph. Kew War Memorial : Ceremony of Unveiling by His Excellency the Governor Earl of Stradbroke KCMG, Sunday 30th August 1925. Image of framed photo taken after cleaning and restoration by Grimwade Conservation Services. Digitally cleaned image included in carousel.Kew War Memorial: Ceremony of Unveiling by Sir Excellency the Governor Earl of Stradbroke KCMG, Sunday 30th August 1925 / Sears Studiokew war memorial - 1925, civic collection, sears studio, kew town hall

Thangkas are cloth scrolls unique to Tibetan Buddhism, depicting deities, venerated spiritual figures, or common religious symbols. Intended for personal meditation or instruction of monastic students, they are invested with the spirit of a deity to whom they are consecrated. A thangka is a composite art form consisting of a picture panel which is painted or embroidered; a brocade mounting; and one or more of the following: a silk cover, leather corners, wooden dowels at the top and bottom and metal or wooden decorative knobs on the bottom dowel. This allows a thangka to be rolled up for portability, reflecting its origins in the nomadic lifestyle of Tibetan monks.The Medicine Buddha (also known as Bhaisajyaguru or Sangyé Menla) is revered as the embodiment of healing and associated with practices helping with mental and physical ailments, as well as purifying negative karma. His iconic imagery, including the medicine bowl and healing plant, represents the union of wisdom and compassion as forces of healing. His teachings, rooted in the "Four Medicine Tantras," emphasize that the root of all diseases lies in negative emotions of greed, hatred, and ignorance.The central figure in this old thangka is Medicine Buddha, seated on a lotus throne and surrounded by other deities and figures. He has a bowl in his left hand, and a flower in his right hand. An interesting feature is that his body is not painted blue, as is customary for the image Medicine Buddha. The paint colours were derived from natural ingredients – grinded coral, turquoise and other gemstones. The 'Om Ah Hum' mantra is printed in Tibetan in red ink on the verso of the thangka.buddhist art, tibetan buddhism, holy objects

This item is from the private collection of George Shirling of Red Onion, Falls Creek. The Snowman outside Snowlands was constructed in the 70s after Mr S K Pearce commissioned Polish artist/sculptor Andy Lomini to create it. Mr Lomini is well known for his oil paintings but also created the Big Trout in Jindabyne, one of the 150 'big' things in Australia. The Snowman was carted into Falls Creek in three pieces on the back of a truck. George Shirling arrived in Falls Creek in 1962. He engaged Phil Nowell to build the original Koki Alpine Lodge which opened in 1965 with 14 beds. George operated the lodge with Michael “Baldy” Blackwell as manager. He also graduated in sport psychology in 1981 and was invited to become team psychologist for the Australian Winter Olympic team which went to Albertville, France, in 1992. He later owned the Red Onion Chalet. George credited the success of Koki to “Baldy” Blackwell. “Baldy” and Phil Nowell started the Trackers Mountain Lodge in partnership during the 1980s. In 1971 George sold Koki Lodge to Sigi Doerr. In 2024 the renamed Koki Alpine resort remains a highly popular destination in Falls Creek. George Shirling passed away on 27th February 2023. He had remained actively involved in Falls Creek and was generous with his time and knowledge, always an amazing supporter of The Falls Creek Museum and Falls Creek Village.This item is significant because it features an iconic symbol of Falls Creek, Victoria.A coloured postcard featuring an image of two children and the snowman at Snowland, Falls Creek Greetings from Falls Creekgeorge shirling, snowman at snowlands, falls creek

This is a collection of documents (licences etc) of the Bogong Hotel at Tawonga from its beginning in 1895 to its demise by fire on 5th December 2011.The Bogong Hotel was an iconic country pub with an interesting history. It was burnt down in 2011.Green plastic covered spirax book with 10 plastic envelopes displaying written and photographic information on both sides. See also KVHS 0963; 0965; 0991; 0992; 0993; 0995; 1201; 1202; 1485"Bogong Hotel" - written on cover with black textabogong hotel, licencees of bogong hotel

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

The Thylacine or Tasmanian Tiger, was a large nocturnal carnivorous marsupial now believed to be extinct that was native to both Australia and New Guinea. The Thylacine is believed to have first appeared over two million years ago with documentation of the species appearing on rock-art that have been dated as far back as 1,000BC. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. The Burke Museum Thylacine is of great historic, scientific and cultural significance as Australia's most notable example of a species made extinct within living memory. Poignant images of the last known thylacine linger in national consciousness and remain an evocative symbol of the impact of humankind on the natural environment. The Burke Museum thylacine has immense social significance not only for its ability to tell a story to present and future generations, but also for embodying the mythic tiger that lives on elusively, we hope, in the Tasmanian wilderness. Attempts to clone the thylacine from material held in museums attest to the passion that this iconic animal evokes in the scientific as well as mainstream community. Medium sized lean female thylacine with four stocky legs and a stiff tail. The fur is short and coarse and in a light brown-yellow colour with 15 dark brown stripes across the width of the body. The head is long and narrow with two small pointy ears and a large jaw with up to 30 visible teeth.taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, thylacine, tasmanian tiger, rare

Used by Colin Sach during his employment as Manager of the Chemistry Dept. at the University of Melbourne over a period of forty years.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 good1'. 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 good1'|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.Square metal box with electrical elements inside. Used to stand on or to put feet on when sitting. Elaborate pattern in centre with inscription.Hecla Foot Warmerdomestic items, heating