A black leather boot (right only) with no lacesboots, clothing

These boots were manufactured by Oliver Stevens in Ballarat to the Forests Commission's own specification. Safety boots were a bit "hit and miss" back in 1981. As well as the steel toe caps these boots had a screwed, glued and stitched Sherpa-pattern rubber nitrile sole. The sole was oil resistant and didn't melt on hot coals. The yellow heels signified safety boots. There were two styles with different leather and staff were all personally fitted and given their choice of style. The only thing that has fundamentally changed over 40 years is there is much more choice and comfort in boots today. These boots proved to be the catalyst for boot manufacturers realising there was a market outside of the armed forces not being served. Ankle injuries along with elastic sided boots were virtually eliminated by these boots. The iconic Tasmanian company, Blundstone, had a work boot called "Forester" at the time. It had won an Australian Design Award and had a bonded Sherpa sole. Unfortunately, the soles tended to separate from the boot under field test conditions. Eventually they perfected the process Oliver Stevens' main issue was not being able to recruit enough workers to meet the increased demand. Info: Trevor Brown.First safety boots issued to Victorian forest firefightersYellow Back safety boots with leather laces. FCV marked on the heel fire fighting

Black spool used for tatting or lace makinghandcrafts, equipment

White spool used for tatting or lace makinghandcrafts, equipment

White linen handkerchief with deep lace border.costume accessories, female

White lawn handkerchief with deep lace bordercostume accessories, female

White lawn handkerchief with deep lace bordercostume accessories, female

Cream lace piece used for demonstration purposes.On display stand of dark red velvet 'C. R. Eichhom' plaven I. V.handcrafts, lacemaking

Square white cotton knitted lace doyleymanchester, table linen

Piece cream lace used for demonstration purposeshandcrafts, lacemaking

White round doyley made in netted lacehandcrafts, lacemaking, manchester, table linen

Silk handkerchief with deep lace inset at corners.costume accessories, female

Round piece of cream lace with raised centre.handcrafts, lacemaking

Cardboard with prickings to mark out lace patternhandcrafts, lacemaking

White lawn handkerchief with deep lace bordercostume accessories, female

Small round doyley made of filet lacehandcrafts, lacemaking

Large cream silk Maltese lace collarhandcrafts, lacemaking, costume accessories, female

Large cream maltese lace silk collarcostume accessories, collar accessories

Piece of black lace oversewn with black sequins.handcrafts, lacemaking

White lawn handkerchief with deep lace border.costume accessories, female

White lace collar. Wide piece at back.costume accessories, collar accessories