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National Wool Museum
Booklet, The Wolseley
Booklet with drawings and specifications of Wolseley shearing equipment.Booklet with drawings and specifications of Wolseley shearing equipment.shearing machinery, wolseley sheep shearing machine co. ltd -
National Wool Museum
Text panel, Elders Limited, "The Fleece that would not die"
Text panel produced by Elders to accompany display of coat. In 1928 Mr Mal Groves took over the Dutchman Station near Port Augusta in South Australia. Whilst out riding in some rough country he came across a sheep that had been left by the previous owner of the station. As he carried shears with him, he sheared the sheep and left the fleece rolled up and partially covered by rocks and wood, as he had no bag to carry it back with him. He intended to come back for the fleece, but forgot about it until he came across it some forty years later. It was still in good condition (despite having experienced extreme temperatures and rainfall whilst in the open), so he showed it to Elders who arranged to display it at agricultural shows in Adelaide, Melbourne and Geelong. The Gordon Institute of Technology, Geelong, offered to spin the fleece into a fabric and make a coat for Mrs Groves. The fabric was tailored into a coat by Lindsay and McKenzie of Geelong and presented to Mrs Groves in July 1968 by the SA manager of Elder Smith Goldsbrough Mort Ltd. It is not know how the coat came to Elders from the Groves family, but Elders displayed the coat under the heading "The Fleece That Would Not Die" before donating it to the National Wool Museum in 1997. A video giving the history of the coat as well as this text panel used by Elders were also donated at the same time.Text panel with black and red text on cream paper, framed in wooden frame and glass, with hanging wire.shearing, elders limited, groves, mr mal groves, dutchman station, south australia -
National Wool Museum
Sheep Castrator
Sheep castrator owned by Tom Crocker (former Operations Manager, National Wool Museum), used on father's property in Violet Town.Sheep castrator.Marples Tools Shamrock Brand Wm Marples & Sons Ltd Hibernia Works Sheffield, England Warrantedsheep castrating, crocker, mr tom - national wool museum -
National Wool Museum
Syringe
Hypodermic syringe gun in box donated by Tom Crocker (former Operations Manager, National Wool Museum), used on father's property in Violet Town.Metal hypodermic syringe gun.The Repeater Hypodermic syringe Wilcox Mofflin Limitedsheep dipping, crocker, mr tom - national wool museum -
National Wool Museum
Grinder
Cast iron sheep shears grinder.Cast iron sheep shears grinder.shearing, sutton, mrs sutton, mr st john -
National Wool Museum
Stamp Set, Bicentenary of the Arrival of Merino Sheep in Australia 7th August 1997
... Wool - history Merino sheep - history Textile Mills Textile.... Wool - history Merino sheep - history Textile Mills Textile ...National Wool Museum collaborated in the production work. The two sheep images are from the NWM collection.First Day of Isssue 7 August 1997/ Deniliquin NSW 2710 H L S POTTER/ PHOTO STORES/...wool - history merino sheep - history textile mills textile mills, deniliquin, new south wales, wool - history, merino sheep - history, textile mills -
National Wool Museum
Video recording, Elders Limited, "The Fleece that would not die"
Video recording, produced to accompany display of coat. In 1928 Mr Mal Groves took over the Dutchman Station near Port Augusta in South Australia. Whilst out riding in some rough country he came across a sheep that had been left by the previous owner of the station. As he carried shears with him, he sheared the sheep and left the fleece rolled up and partially covered by rocks and wood, as he had no bag to carry it back with him. He intended to come back for the fleece, but forgot about it until he came across it some forty years later. It was still in good condition (despite having experienced extreme temperatures and rainfall whilst in the open), so he showed it to Elders who arranged to display it at agricultural shows in Adelaide, Melbourne and Geelong. The Gordon Institute of Technology, Geelong, offered to spin the fleece into a fabric and make a coat for Mrs Groves. The fabric was tailored into a coat by Lindsay and McKenzie of Geelong and presented to Mrs Groves in July 1968 by the SA manager of Elder Smith Goldsbrough Mort Ltd. It is not know how the coat came to Elders from the Groves family, but Elders displayed the coat under the heading "The Fleece That Would Not Die" before donating it to the National Wool Museum in 1997. A text panel giving the history of the coat as well as this video was also donated at the same time.Video recording, in a white case with Tasmanian Trades and Labour Council with compliments slip printed on yellow paper inserted into back sleeve.shearing wool - history, elders limited, groves, mr mal groves, shearing, wool - history -
National Wool Museum
Print, Flora, a Spanish Sheep at Buckingham Palace,1849
Reproduction print of "Flora, a Spanish Sheep at Buckingham Palace,1849 ", a watercolour by Frederick Keyl (1823-1871), presented to the National Wool Museum by HRH Queen Elizabeth 11, April 28th, 1988.Red leather folder, presented by HRH Elizabeth II on her visit to the National Wool Centre in 1988. Red leather folder, presented by HRH Elizabeth II on her visit to the National Wool Centre in 1988. "Flora, a Spanish Sheep at Buckingham Palace,1849 ", print inside presentation folder from HRH Elzabeth II.ER/PRESENTED/ TO THE/ NATIONAL WOOL CENTRE/ GEELONG/ BY/ HER MAGESTY THE QUEEN/ 28TH APRIL 1988 "ER" -
National Wool Museum
Letter
One of three letters from Sir Joseph Banks to King George 111, copied from the originals in the Royal Archives, Windsor Castle. They give an insight into the early development of the merino breed in England. (ref also Supplementary file: Royal Visit, 1988).One of three letters from Sir Joseph Banks to King George 111, copied from the originals in the Royal Archives, Windsor Castle.9645sheep breeding - history merino sheep - history, banks, sir joseph, sheep breeding - history, merino sheep - history -
National Wool Museum
Letter
One of three letters from Sir Joseph Banks to King George 111, copied from the originals in the Royal Archives, Windsor Castle. They give an insight into the early development of the merino breed in England. (ref also Supplementary file: Royal Visit, 1988).One of three letters from Sir Joseph Banks to King George 111, copied from the originals in the Royal Archives, Windsor Castle.10495sheep breeding - history merino sheep - history, banks, sir joseph, sheep breeding - history, merino sheep - history -
National Wool Museum
Letter
One of three letters from Sir Joseph Banks to King George 111, copied from the originals in the Royal Archives, Windsor Castle. They give an insight into the early development of the merino breed in England. (ref also Supplementary file: Royal Visit, 1988).One of three letters from Sir Joseph Banks to King George 111, copied from the originals in the Royal Archives, Windsor Castle.6637sheep breeding - history merino sheep - history, banks, sir joseph, sheep breeding - history, merino sheep - history -
National Wool Museum
Booklet, Wool Tax: a guide
... Wool industry Wool Sales Sheep stations - management.... of A. - Australian Taxation Office Wool industry Wool Sales Sheep stations ...Donated by Mr Leslie Rourke.wool industry wool sales sheep stations - management textile mills textile mills, c. of a. - australian taxation office, wool industry, wool sales, sheep stations - management, textile mills -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Carrs Plains Wettenhall CD, 2006
5563-2a Sheep Carrs Plains 5563-2a1 Carrs Plains on bank of Richardson River 5563-2a2 Carrs Plains Molly with Calf 5563-2b Richardson River in Flood 5563-2b1 Carrs Plains 5563-2b2 Arthur Whettenhall at front door 5563-2c Slush boxes Carrs Plains 5563-2c1 Carrs Plains 5563-2c2 Wettenhall Family1890 Viola on Holford's lap 5563-2d Seven Bros 5563-2d1 Carrs Plains 5563-2d2 Snow at Carrs Plains about 1896 5563-2e Carrs Plains 5563-2e1 Carrs Plains 5563-2e2 Carrs Plains Quarters 5563-2f Sheep 5563-2f1 Carrs Plains 5563-2f2 Sheep & Fleece 5563-2g Sheep 5563-2g1 Carrs Plains 5563-2g2 Carrs Plains Staff 5563-2h Alan Wettenhall 5563-2h1 Carrs Plains 5563-2h2 Portrait of 5563-2i Carrs Plains Grp 5563-2i1 Mr Tom Thumb the pony at Carrs Plains 5563-2i2 CP Top Sheep 5563-2j Roland Viola Alexander 5563-2j1 H H Wettenhall 5563-2j2 Carrs Plains Riding 5563-2k Sheep 5563-2k1 H H Wettenhall 5563-2k2 Carrs Plains sheep 5563-2l Carrs Plains front door on R 5563-2l1 H H Wettenhall false left arm 5563-2l2 Carrs Plains slush box 5563-2m Carrs Plains Rams 5563-2m1 H H Wettenhall 5563-2m2 Carrs Plains wool away 5563-2n Carrs Plains 5563-2n1 Carrs Plains 5563-2n2 Snow at Carrs Plains 5563-2o Carrs Plains Shearing 5563-2o1 Shoot 5563-2p Carrs Plains Shearing 5563-2p1 Party At Dam possibly Lake Lonsdale 5563-2q Carrs Plains Sheep 5563-2q1 Carrs PLains 5563-2r Carrs Plains Sheep 5563-2r1 Carrs Plains 5563-2s Carrs Plains Flood 5563-2s1 Carrs Plains 5563-2t Carrs Plains Flood 5563-2t1 Carrs Plains Duck 5563-2u Carrs Plains Flood 5563-2u1 Carrs Plains Sheep 5563-2v Veranda Carrs Plains 5563-2v1 Mrs Tom Thumbs Foal Tempus 5563-2w Carrs Plains Flood 5563-2w1 Molly and her Kemp family ,her mother Euphemia and Gd Mother Kemp 5563-2x Carrs Plains Flood 5563-2x1 Jean Kemp Molly's oldest sister 1909 5563-2y Carrs Plains Barns 5563-2y1 G G Mother Kemp 94yrs Herbert on R 5563-2z Carrs Plains Playing 5563-2z1 Carrs Plains Buggy Photographs of Carrs Plain on CDstawell -
National Wool Museum
Tool - Drench Gun, 1940-1950
NJ Phillips was the first Australian company to invent a drench gun that overcame the problem of drench going the 'wrong way' down the throat and onto a sheep’s lungs. This was the drench gun that they developed. It had an ingenious double action on the handpiece. The first squeeze projected a long nozzle that went right down the oesophagus before delivering the dose of drench automatically once this was in place. It also had a readily adjusted dose lever seen at left which minimised overdosing. This company dominated the market for many yearsSilver metal with black finishing drench gun. Minimal curvature tips on gun protrude from the body. Features a thin squeezable trigger to the rear of the body. The main bulk, which the trigger is squeezed towards, has badge which reads “Manufactured and designed by N.J. Phillips Pty Ltd, Sydney” in circular design. On top of this body is a large silver chamber in which both tips meet. This chamber is for the liquid to be transferred from the tube and into the tip of the drench gun for delivery onto the ewe’s tongue. The small section of tubing still attached has a yellow/orange appearance from remanence of drench which would have been this colour.Right circular lettering: MANUFACTURED/ & DESIGNED BY/ N.J.PHILLIPS PTY. LTD./ SYDNEY . AUSTRALIA/sheep drenching, veterinary instruments -
National Wool Museum
Tool - Drench Gun, 1940-1950
There are several different designs of drench guns within the NWM Collection that show the change in their development over time. This drench gun has a large diameter curvature suggesting this gun was typically used for dosing ewes as opposed to lambs. The attached spring-loaded hose is the only example in our collection how this mechanism works. The hose will be screwed into the liquid which is used to drench the sheep. This liquid is typically located on the back of the operator who will wear a large container in a backpack. This gun also has a adjustable dosing mechanism located on the right side of the gun.Silver metal with black finishing drench gun. Large curvature tip on gun protrudes from the body which feature a thin squeezable trigger to the front of the body. The main bulk, which the trigger is squeezed towards, has badge which reads “Manufactured and designed by N.J. Phillips Pty Ltd, Sydney”. Behind this body is silver cylinder featuring attachment point for the tubing which would have carried the liquid drench into the gun. The attached tubing has a yellow/orange appearance from remanence of drench which would have been this colour.Left rotated lettering: MANUFACTURED/ & DESIGNED BY/ N.J.PHILLIPS PTY. LTD./ SYDNEY . AUSTRALIA/sheep drenching, veterinary instruments -
National Wool Museum
Photograph - Royal Melbourne Show, c1950
Father of the donor, Mervyn Graham, worked for Denny Lascelles for many years as a wool classer in Geelong and later as a representative in Hamilton.Black and white photos showing Denny Lascelles employees in front of their stand and the Melbourne Show. The last photo is of four employees in front the Dennys office building.8081.1 - Sign on wool - JL/RBW Rainbow 8081.2 - Sign on wool - Banocre Durham Ox 8081.3 - Sign on wool - Wattle Back/G Guildford 8081.4 - On building - Dennys Lascelles Limited Wool . Stock . Landwool, denny lascelles, royal melbourne show, sheep, geelong -
National Wool Museum
Tool - Numnuts Prototypes, Numnuts
Worldwide, more than 100 million lambs are castrated, and their tails are docked each year. Numnuts is a technological innovation to improve animal welfare. It combines traditions with innovation. In the mid-1990s it was scientifically shown that the immense pain felt during castration and tail docking could be significantly reduced with the use of anaesthetic. For the next 15 years, the industry said the cost the welfare devices and development were too high. But todays ethical consumer has demanded that sheep have no more pain. Initiated in Glasgow in 2009, Numnuts took nearly a decade to develop. Here you can see five stages of development, from an early prototype to the Numnuts device farmers use today. Each phase of development took years of on-farm trails to achieve the final product. Today there is even NumOcaine, an approved local anaesthetic used by Numnuts. Using the simple elastrator ring and adding an anaesthetic injector, Numnuts delivers pain relief during tail docking and castration. In the world’s first rubber ring applicator with a pain relief delivery mechanism. Through innovation and consumer pressure the wool industry is going through a moment of rapid change.Four prototype numnuts tools made from white plastic and stainless steel, each in varying stages of production. FInalised version made with black, orange and clear plastics.8097.2 - Mk4 8097.3 - Numnuts Tool V7; 20 10 0 8097.4 - On label - Numnuts NumOcaine 100ml 65 proceeduressheep, tools, castration, innovation, docking -
National Wool Museum
Tool - Numnuts, Numnuts, 2020
Worldwide, more than 100 million lambs are castrated, and their tails are docked each year. Numnuts is a technological innovation to improve animal welfare. It combines traditions with innovation. In the mid-1990s it was scientifically shown that the immense pain felt during castration and tail docking could be significantly reduced with the use of anaesthetic. For the next 15 years, the industry said the cost the welfare devices and development were too high. But todays ethical consumer has demanded that sheep have no more pain. Initiated in Glasgow in 2009, Numnuts took nearly a decade to develop. Here you can see five stages of development, from an early prototype to the Numnuts device farmers use today. Each phase of development took years of on-farm trails to achieve the final product. Today there is even NumOcaine, an approved local anaesthetic used by Numnuts. Using the simple elastrator ring and adding an anaesthetic injector, Numnuts delivers pain relief during tail docking and castration. In the world’s first rubber ring applicator with a pain relief delivery mechanism. Through innovation and consumer pressure the wool industry is going through a moment of rapid change.8098.1 - Numnuts tool made with stainless steel and black, orange and grey plastic. 8098.2 - Glass bottle with orange and grey plastic nozzle containing water for injection. 8098.3 - Yellow plastic case containing 12 stainless steel needles 8098.4 - 10 green plastic elastrator rings 8098.5 - Product cardboard box with the product image on the front8097.2 - on label - For animal treatment only WATER FOR INJECTION 100mL 8097.3 - On case - numnuts 12x Veterinary Hypodermic Needles On needdles - 18G 8097.5 - Numnuts targeted pain relief for tail docking and castrationnumnuts, tools, sheep, castration, docking -
National Wool Museum
Print, Chris McClelland, Shearing the Rams – Tuppal Station, 210
Chris was invited to be artist in resident for the historic re-enactment of “Shearing the Rams” at the North Tuppal Station woolshed held on the 4th and 5th June 2010. The celebration attracted record crowds to witness the shearing of the station rams by 72 blade shearers. Over a single weekend in 2010, thousands of people queued for hours to see a piece of Australian history recreated at North Tuppal Station near Tocumwal, NSW. In 1900, Francis Faulkner invested a staggering £4000 to extend his shearing shed on Tuppal Station, making it the biggest in the country. Over the next decade more than three million sheep trod its pine boards and were shorn in its 72 stands. After years of drought and the Great Depression, the property fell into disrepair and the station was split up. When North Tuppal Station was sold to the Atkinson family in 1928, just five of the 72 stands were in operation. In 2010, Sport Shear Australia approached the Atkinson family about holding an event in the historic shearing shed to raise money for a team of Australian shearers to go to the world shearing title in Wales. An army of volunteers restored the T-shaped shed and yards and organised a weekend of events. Over two days, 6,000 sheep were shorn and all 72 stands of the restored North Tuppal shed were brought back to life. A total of 117 shearers shared the boards with 90 wool handlers who skirted 19 fleeces every minute. For a period on each day of this historic weekend, the machines were then silenced, and 72 shearers picked up their old blade shears to recreate past shearing methods. “When they fired up and got the blades out there was deathly silence on the board - you could hear a pin drop because normal shearing you have all the machines and it is quite noisy. Here you could just hear the click, like in the song Click Go the Shears Boys. People had tears in their eyes. It was quite an emotional thing to see that and very proud to be here.” George Falkiner, grandson of Francis FalkinerColoured framed print of shearing scene in the Tuppal station, Ferrrier’s wool press on the left-hand side and station on the top. Print in framed in a light-coloured wooden frame with white coloured matte.Under artwork - In 1891 Tuppal Station, a sum of 176,000 acres threshold, was bought by Mr Fiane Sadlies Falkines, Under the management of his eldest son F.B.S. Falkines, the 72 stand woolshed was build in 1900 and powered by a 16 horsepower steam engine. Sheep were pure Boonoke blood and the average numbers of sheep shorn over nineteen years to 1909 was 152,780. Around 7200 sheep could be shorn daily. The largest clip totalled 3326 baled of greasy and scoured wool and was sold in London. Bottom right corner - Chris McClelland 181/720 Shearing The Rams – Tuppal Station -
National Wool Museum
Photograph, Andrew Chapman, Shearing time at Cooninbil Station, 2006
... the green wool press. Surrounding the wool press are numerous sheep.... The Ferrier Wool Press sits among penned sheep in an old woolshed ...Shearing time at Cooninbil Station, NSW, 2006. The Ferrier Wool Press sits among penned sheep in an old woolshed. Invented and made in Geelong, the Ferrier wool press could be found in woolsheds all over Australia and around the world.A Green large wool press reaches towards the ceiling in the centre of the image. Rays of bright orange sunlight extend around the green wool press. Surrounding the wool press are numerous sheep. The sheep are penned within a large multileveled wooden woolshed.shearing, ferrier wool press, cooninbil station -
National Wool Museum
Book - Wool Classing Note Books, John Griffin, 1941-1943
... of a sheep, such as the heart. Another book is on Wool Classing ...John Griffin’s wool classing exercise books from 1941-1943 when he was a student at the Gordon Institute in Geelong. John and his father John Henry Griffin owned a farm in Dunkeld and bred fine merino wool. One year they topped the wool sales figures for the area, in the late 1940s. There are four books in total. One book is on the topic of Veterinary Science and is from 1941. It contains information on topics such as birth and early lamb life, bone structure and other internal organisms of a sheep, such as the heart. Another book is on Wool Classing with topics such as wool scouring, dipping, shearing and micron counts. The third book is on general shearing shed knowledge. This includes a diagram for rolling a fleece, correct method for stamping a wool bale and branding abbreviations. The final book is on the History the Merino Sheep. It is a long form essay answer booklet. The Gordon institute and wool are synonymous with one another, the first class in wool sorting was offered at the Gordon in 1891. With much of the wool clip sent directly to England at this time, The Gordon's focus soon shifted to wool classing and marketing. By the 1930s, The Gordon's wool school was renowned as the state's wool industry training centre. Early specialist short courses were offered around Victoria to assist wool growers in preparing their clip for market, with modules on sheep breeding and pasture development included in the programs. Anne Griffin’s, John’s daughter, donated the exercise books to the National Wool Museum in 2021. Book 1 is predominately blue circular cover with cream background. Middle of book has pink highlighter mark. Reverse of book has an Arithmetical Table and a Multiplication Table in a blue ink on cream paper. It also has four black ink markings Book 2 is predominately blue circular cover with cream background. Book has red tape across the spine. Reverse of book has an Arithmetical Table and a Multiplication Table in a blue ink on cream paper. Book 3 is predominately blue plaid cover with cream background. Middle of book has pink highlighter handwriting which has been crossed with the same colour, leaving the text unreadable. Reverse of book has an Arithmetical Table and a Multiplication Table in a blue ink on cream paper. Book 4 is predominately blue diagonal striped book with cream background. Middle of book has small picture of Australia. Reverse of book has an Arithmetical Table and a Multiplication Table in a blue ink on cream paper. Book 1. Front cover: “All Schools” / EXERCISE BOOK / NAME Jack Griffin Grade Gordon Institute School of Technology(?) / Approved by the / Education Department Back cover. Reverse. ARTHMETICAL TABLES / (Numerous, see media) Book 2. Front cover: 2nd & 3rd / “All Schools” / EXERCISE BOOK / Name Jack Griffin / Grade 2 / School the Gordon / Approved by the / Education Department Back cover. Reverse. ARTHMETICAL TABLES / (Numerous, see media) Book 3. Front cover: Embassy / EXERCUSE BOOK / Name John Griffin / Grade 1 / School (?) / APPROVED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / Back cover. Reverse. ARTHMETICAL TABLES / (Numerous, see media) Book 4. Front cover: EXERCISE / APPROVED BY EDUCATION DEPT. / BOOK / NAME Jack Griffin / GRADE 3 / SCHOOL Gordon Back cover. Reverse. ARTHMETICAL TABLES / (Numerous, see media) gordon institute geelong, wool classing, 1940s sheep farming, note book, study, student -
National Wool Museum
Painting, The White Farm, 2020/21
The farm buildings that Linda Gallus has studied and painted are on the farmland adjoining the Leura Park properties in Curlewis, on the Bellarine Peninsula. The current owner of the property told Linda that he bought the farm in 1994. He has used it for both sheep and cattle grazing since purchasing the property. When the farmer bought the land all the buildings on the property were painted white for sale, despite the fact they were very old. The shearing shed was in use up until the time of sale but was in a bad state of disrepair. The roof, stumps and floor required replacing. The building was no longer in use after the sale, so the shearing shed gradually fell into further disrepair. The previous owner had also used the property for growing potatoes, crops and livestock, mainly sheep. Linda’s fascination with the property came when she caught a glimpse of the white chimney over the hill driving towards Point Lonsdale, which still stands proud today on the roof of the old shearing shed. The owner kindly allowed her to visit the property over the past few years to capture the buildings using photography and painting. During this time many of the buildings have fallen. Linda calls it The White Farm as there are remnants of that original white paint on the outside of most of the buildings giving it a strange and rather beautiful patina. The structures are wonderful remnants of the history of the Bellarine. Linda first spotted the old shearing shed when she was driving home to Clifton Springs from Geelong. It was the white chimney on the shearing shed that stood out behind the rolling grassy hills. It was intriguing – bright white and still in good condition, unlike the rest of the building. After further investigation Linda got to know the owner of the property and visited it frequently to draw, take photos and paint. There is a variety of lovely old buildings on the property, but it was the shearing shed that held extra fascination for Linda. The most intriguing thing for Linda was that the buildings were all painted white at some stage and now the patina of peeling paint and bleached timber brought a wonderful mood and feeling to the farm. This is what she has tried to capture in this series of 11 paintings. Most of the buildings are falling, so Linda felt an urgency to capture them using acrylic paint on canvas in order to commemorate them forever.Acrylic Paint on Canvas. The images both feature a falling down shearing shed as the central focus. The wood of the shearing shed is a central theme of importance. The old buildings were painted white for sale despite being in a state of structural instability. After time this same painted wood has been left with an interesting complex patina like film on the surface which the artist has taken great care to capture. Image 1 is titled ‘Another gust of Wind’. It shows the exterior of the shearing shed which is in the process of collapsing from the forces of mother nature. In the background of this painting another of the buildings in the ‘White Farm’ complex is visible, in addition to blue skies and overgrown green grasses. Image 2 is titled ‘Green Trough’. It features the interior of the same collapsing shearing shed. The image is painted as though the viewer is peering through a crack of the external wall. Internally a green trough is seen hanging on an internal fence. Unlike everything else in the shearing shed, the trough appears new and in good condition. It provides a strong juxtaposition to the rest of the shearing shed, and the larger surrounding ‘White Farm’ complexbellarine peninsula, the white farm, shearing shed -
National Wool Museum
Sculpture - Bollard, Jan Mitchell, The Lost Bollards, 1999
Geelong is famous for its bollards. Created by local artist Jan Mitchell, the colourful bollards spot the foreshore, representing a fascinating and fun chronicle of the city’s past. Few people know that Mitchell planned for a flock of sheep to be part of her public art project. The wool industry is an important part of Geelong’s history, so Mitchell thought what better than a flock of sheep to welcome people to the city. The flock (and a Shepard) were to be placed out on the Melbourne-Geelong highway, near Lara, to welcome travellers to the city. The sheep would then be scattered along the road as a wayfinding signal to bring people to Geelong. When traffic authorities heard the plan for bollard sheep along the road, they squashed the project as a potential distraction for drivers. Another flock was also suggested for the hills of the eastern gardens, overlooking the bay. This was also disapproved; so Mitchell only ever partially completed four sheep bollards. The bollards are remnants of Jan Mitchell’s flock of sheep. The sheep also show the evolution of one of Geelong’s most iconic art installations. From the first sheep showing the raw timber of the old Yarra Street pier, to the sheep without a face, through to the completed sheep, it is possible to trace Mitchell’s process in the preparation of the bollards. The lost bollards form part of the National Wool Museum’s unique collection. The first bollard is the least complete, still in its original timber colour. From the central cylindrical shape, an additional wedge protrudes. This unpainted wedge forms what would have been the face of the sheep, with an ear present on either side that would have been painted white. Presently they are a bare metal. No legs are present on this bollard. The second and third bollard are completed to a similar level. They have a central cylindrical shape with an additional wedge protruding from the front of the timber. This wedge forms what would have been the face of the sheep, with an ear present on either side. The face and ears have been painted white but the finer details such as the eyes have not been added. These bollards bodies have also been painted white and have their legs attached. The legs are thin metal cylinders, approximately 50mm in diameter and 500mm long. The fourth bollard Is complete. It has the same central cylindrical shape with an additional wedge protruding from the front of the timber. This wedge forms the completed face of the sheep, with an ear present on either side that has been painted white. The face also features completed painted eyes. This bollard has its legs attached. The legs are thin metal cylinders, approximately 50mm in diameter and 500mm long. geelong, bollards, geelong's bollards, jan mitchell -
National Wool Museum
Tool - Drum Carder, Kacoonda, c.1980
This drum carder was purchase by Gill Stange at the Whittlesea Show in the late 1980s. The carder allowed Gill to spin fleece from her own Merino sheep. Merino is a difficult wool to spin when compared to other popular varieties, such as Corriedale or crossbred wool. The carder helped her to tease out the fleece, slightly separating the fibres before spinning. It also allowed for easier removal of foreign matters, such as seeds and mud. Little is known about the Kacoonda brand who produced the carder. They were Australian based and appear to have only operated throughout the 1980s.The carder has one large central roller with two smaller rollers on either side. The larger roller rotates in the inverse direction of the two smaller rollers. The carding cloth is a mint green in which closely spaced wire pins are embedded. The shape, length, diameter, and spacing of these wire pins is that of a standard carder. On one side of the carder a handle is found that is used to spin the three rollers. Additionally on this side is a sticker which reads “The Kacoonda Carder. Subject to Patent Action”. A Silver grip for the easy movement of the carder can also be found high on this side. On the opposite side of the carder, many nuts and plates can be found which hold the rollers in place. This is opposed to the other side of the carder, which has a brown plastic cover plate attached underneath the handle. The walls providing a path for the carded wool to follow when being carded, are made of wood. The carder comes complete with a teasing tool. This tool has the same mint green carding cloth as the carder’s rollers. It is attached to a simple wood handle for ease of use.Wording, green, printed. Sticker on side of carder. “The Kacoonda Carder / SUBJECT TO PATENT ACTION”whittlesea show, drum carder, textile production, carding wool, kacoonda -
National Wool Museum
Textile - Travel Rug, Albany Woollen Mills, c1960s
Collector says - "I can still recall one of my earliest childhood memories, of my nana's bright aqua shoes against the checks of our family travel rug on summer picnics. Maybe that's when this collection planted its seed in me - 40 years later I start my first blanket collection after stumbling across old Onkaparinga travel rugs. I would go to a vintage market in Collingwood every month and almost always found a good one, amassing enough for the entire household. Everyone had their favourite, even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one just for him." Note from collector-"For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from. " Tan and brown plaid fringed travel rug. Albany Woollen Mill/Travel Rug/All Pure Wool/Emblem: A, Albany blanket, blanket fever, wool, rug, albany, albany woollen mills -
National Wool Museum
Textile - Blanket, Albany Woollen Mills, Albany Woollen Mills blanket, c 1950s
Note from collector: I love the generous size and thickness of Albany blankets and know someone who collects from this Mill only. The colour shades and combinations Albany used are still so gorgeous. From Western Australia. Note from collector - "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from. " Checked blanket, pink, lemon and violetAlbany Woollen Mill/Blanket/All Pure Wool/Emblem: A, Albany blanket, blanket fever, wool, albany, albany woollen mills -
National Wool Museum
Textile - Blanket, Castlemaine Woollen Mill, c1950s
Collector says - "Once I had gathered a dozen or so blankets, I started noticing the many different labels; where they were made, by who, the logos and fonts used. Then the labels became a thing, then the blankets had to have a label to join the collection. My favourite labels are by Physician, they had at least 4 different labels over the decades but the best has to be the Lady In Bed logo. Physician, Onkaparinga, Eagley and others matched the colour of the label to the colour of the blanket - a nice touch. Strangely, Castlemaine labels were always sewn on the back of the blanket where all the other mills sewed theirs on the front. To this day I always roll or fold a blanket with its label on display." Note from Collector - "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Checked blanket, pink, blue and creamCastlemaine/100 pure virgin wool blanket, blanket fever, wool, castlemaine, castlemaine woollen mill -
National Wool Museum
Textile - Blanket, Challenge Woollen Mills, Clan Murray series of Challenge, c1950s
Collector says - "Once I had gathered a dozen or so blankets, I started noticing the many different labels; where they were made, by who, the logos and fonts used. Then the labels became a thing, then the blankets had to have a label to join the collection. My favourite labels are by Physician, they had at least 4 different labels over the decades but the best has to be the Lady In Bed logo. Physician, Onkaparinga, Eagley and others matched the colour of the label to the colour of the blanket - a nice touch. Strangely, Castlemaine labels were always sewn on the back of the blanket where all the other mills sewed theirs on the front. To this day I always roll or fold a blanket with its label on display." " For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Checked blanket, pink, blue and lavenderClan Murray series of Challenge/Lambswool 'Perma-nap' blankets/All pure wool/Super Grade blanket, blanket fever, wool, challenge woollen mills -
National Wool Museum
Textile - Blanket, Eagley Woollen Mills, 1960s
Note from collector: Once I had gathered a dozen or so blankets, I started noticing the many different labels; where they were made, by who, the logos and fonts used. Then the labels became a thing, then the blankets had to have a label to join the collection. My favourite labels are by Physician, they had at least 4 different labels over the decades but the best has to be the Lady In Bed logo. Physician, Onkaparinga, Eagley and others matched the colour of the label to the colour of the blanket - a nice touch. Strangely, Castlemaine labels were always sewn on the back of the blanket where all the other mills sewed theirs on the front. To this day I always roll or fold a blanket with its label on display.Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from. " Queen sized brown, green and blue checked blanketEagley Blanket, Pure Woolblanket, blanket fever, wool, eagley woollen mills, victoria -
National Wool Museum
Textile - Blanket, Waverley Woollen Mills, 1960s
Note from collector: I adore these bright blankets with their labels depicting summer times. For most blanketeers, the Laconia Mexicana is a bit of a holy grail - for the label just as much as the blanket. Laconia made the Mexicana in 1964 and I suspect the Waverley and Onkaparinga came afterwards.Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Waverley 'El Rio' Multicoloured checked Double sized blanketEl Rio Blanket/By Waverley/Pure Woolblankets, blanket fever, wool, el rio, waverley, launceston