A scythe is an agricultural hand tool that cuts grass and is used by making large sweeping motions through the crop. Eventually replaced by horse-drawn or motorised machinery, they are occasionally still used as they are inexpensive and efficient. There are different types of scythes with larger or smaller blades. This particular scythe has a bored hole in the handle, probably for affixing a long wooden handle. Made by Trojans and Sons, a Melbourne based company that made a wide range of gardening and agricultural tools, this scythe formed an integral part of farming on Churchill Island. scythe with surface rust, no handle, good steel, rough welds on socket, hole for mounting handle (e.g. with screw)TROJAN/264scythe, hand tools, agriculture, churchill island heritage farm

This mallet has a cylindrical head and would have been used to guide chisels for woodworking. The hammer end has a larger surface area than oblong mallets and gives greater control with less force. Wooden mallets don’t damage the metal head of the chisel as would an iron hammer. Wooden mallets would also be used to knock timber furniture together without damage.Wooden mallet with turned grooves around head - 2 double and 1 single. Oak handle. Head has cream paint remnants both sides.mallet, hand tools, wooden tools, churchill island

This hand drill was colloquially called an ‘egg beater drill’ due to its method of operation, and was aesthetically similar in appearance to the ‘breast drill’, with the former having a rounded handle instead of a concave bracing surface. Originally designed for drilling into metal, its gears allowed for higher rotation speeds and finer accuracy. This drill was probably manufactured in the 1960s by German company BECON. Distributed in Australia by Beck & Coram, it was widely used and easily accessible.Hand drill with red wheel, dark red paint remnants on handleBECON D129hand drill, hand tools, wood working tools, churchill island

Hand shears - also called blade shears - were used to shear sheep prior to the introduction of machine shears and are still used today where no power machinery is available. Hand shears consist of two blades with a hinge at the end furthest from the point. The cutting edges pass each other as the shearer squeezes them together and shears the wool close to the animal's skin. In 1892 Jack Howe an Australian shearer sheared 321 sheep in one day using hand shears. This record has never been broken. hand shears with single spring, surface rust, unused, unsharpenedhand shears, sheep shearing, churchill island heritage farm

Made and imported by Swedish company, Husqvarna, this machine was used to mince larger pieces of meat. The grinder was clamped securely to a table, and meat was then fed into the machine through the funnel at the top. The wooden crank handle was turned, moving the spiral grinding mechanism, and pushing the meat through the sieve-like fitting at the end. While hand mincers were ubiquitous in the late nineteenth and early twentieth-century kitchens, and was responsible for reducing food waste and promoting frugal ideals, the Husqvarna brand sold over 12 million worldwide.Hand operated mincing machine, larger than usual, with multi small holed attachment in place. Tin plating worn off top edge of bell. Plan wooden handle. Stamped with name, number, etc.HUSQVARNA 10 one side; also on attachment holder. RELIANCE/MADE IN SWEDEN + five pointed star on other side. "H" stamped on crank inside.husqvarna, mincer, hand, kitchen tool

Belonged to Churchill Island Heritage Farm volunteer Jeff Cole's Aunt May Hart, a very stylish woman of the 1920s, keen on horse racing.One pair dark brown rabbit skin (?) gloves. Scalloped, overlocked edge. Three "S" shaped stitching decorations with small punched holes along thumb side of stitching on each gloveCAPE LAMB (?)/ MURRAY GLOVES/6 1/2/ MADE IN AUSTRALIA stamped inside left glove. $15 hand written inside left glove. "721" stamped inside left glove. "20"stamped inside right glove.gloves, fashion, ladies gloves, churchill island heritage farm, may hart

Belonged to CIHF volunteer Jeff Cole's aunt May Hart, a very stylish woman of the 1920s, keen on horse racingOne pair tan ladies pigskin gloves. Three lines of stitched decoration on back of both glovesgloves, ladies gloves, pigskin gloves, fashion, churchill island heritage farm

The Lady Nelson was the first decked ship to enter Western Port at the beginning of 1801, captained by Lt James Grant, who named Churchill Island after a man in Dawlish, Devon who gave him a quantity of a variety of seeds, including wheat, which he sowed on CI. Lady Nelson returned at the end of the year under the command of Murray, who reported that most of the seeds had grown. He harvested the wheat to feed to the swans they had on board for fresh meat. Friends of Churchill Island Society commissioned the building of the model ship from David Lumsden, who built it for FOCIS for the cost of materials.See historical information for the significance of the Lady Nelson to Churchill Island.1:24 scale model of the Lady Nelson (c.1801) made from cardboard, wood, cord, string, wool. Carvill Hull black ochre-yellow colour, brown timbers. Masts fawn with black trim and fittings. Lifeboat hull clinker built black and white. White inside, brown floor. Brown oars x 4. Tied onto Lady Nelson deck. LN flags: jack on stern gaff yard, and Royal Naval pennant on peak of rear mast."LADY NELSON" on stern white lettering on black.

The Lady Nelson was the first decked ship to enter Western Port in 1801 under the command of Lt James Grant. She returned later in the year under the command of Murray. She carried a gig and a smaller tender, of which this is a model.The model ship and tender are as exact replications of the actual ship and boats as is possible to obtain through research, basic hull plans available and interpretation by the model builder.Model Lady Nelson ship modeltender - smaller life boat. Wood, cardboard. Three bench seats and stern seating. Clinker built. 3 sets rowlocks, no oars.lady nelson, model boat, david lumsden, churchill island, western port, port phillip bay

May have been used by Amess or Jenkins families?wood and glass viewer to give three dimensional image from two identical photos placed in slot at other end to eye pieces3d viewer, churchill island

Sarah and John Rogers were the second European inhabitants on Churchill Island with, and after the Pickersgills. Sarah laid out a garden and collected shells and shell grit to surface the garden paths. Possibly these are some of the shells she collected.A variety of old and weathered shells stored in jar with label: "Original shells collected for paths by Sarah Rogers"."Original shells collected for paths by Sarah Rogers"shells, garden paths, sarah rogers, john rogers, churchill island

Possibly found on one of the several 'tip sites' on Churchill Islandbroken base of black glass bottle, heavy glass.black glass, bottle, churchill island, rubbish tip

Stamp made for stamping stationery 1982 Churchill Islandwood based metal stamp "CHURCHILL ISLAND DEVELOPMENT 1982"stamp, churchill island, churchill island development, 1982

The ice chest kept food cold prior to kerosene and later domestic electric refrigeration. A large block of ice was delivered twice weekly wrapped in hessian and carried on the shoulder of the ice man. The block was placed in the top of the chest and food on the shelves below. Melting ice was drained into a tray at the bottom. The chest was lined with galvanised iron or more expensive porcelain. The ice chest might be insulated with cork or other materials. An effective method of keeping food for a household situated near iceworks.wooden two door. Ice chest compartment door opens; bottom section nailed shut, unopenable. On Casters. Water tray missing. Ice compartment contains drain tray. Hole in base under ice tray. Pipe to drip tray (not visible). Cast hinges crystallisingFoys Melbice chest, early refrigeration, churchill island heritage farm

Found on Churchill Island. Possibly used for dairy drainage?Section of terracotta pipe broken at both ends.terracotta pipe, drainage, churchill island heritage farm

Found on Churchill Island. Possibly used for dairy drainage?section of terracotta pipe, probably used for drainage.terracotta clay, drainage, churchill island heritage farm

After 2 years of negotiation between VVAA Representatives and the US Army, the Huey Cobra has landed in Melbourne. The exercise needed the support of our local Member, Mr. Greg Hunt, to ‘clear the way ‘ through the Customs and GST minefield. The helicopter, valued at $7.9 million is complete with full armaments and was brought to Museum standard while ensuring that no weaponry could ever be reactivated. The Museum paid for the helicopter to be ‘brought to museum standard’. This meant in part that the weaponry was rendered innocuous and various structural members were weakened to ensure that the craft would never fly again. Fortunately the alterations are not apparent to the display, and while there are two other Cobras in Australia, this is the only one with full armament. A heavily armed ground attack helicopter with single Lycoming T53-L-13 turbine engineused by the U.S. Army in Vietnam to support Australian & U.S. army ground operations. In addition to the M197 three barrelled 20mm Gatling gun, it carried eight anti-armour missiles and forty eight 2.75mm unguided air to ground rockets. This particular aircraft served in Vietnam from 1968 until 1971 and was damaged twice in combat. The aircraft is currently finished in a low visibility all-over mid green which includes the full US Army insignia and carries the Serial No. 69-15092helicopters, bell, weaponry, cobra, us military equipment, gunship

There were hundreds of kilometers of tunnels and the Viet Cong used them for living and sleeping quarters, hospitals, arms factories and storage depots. Diorama of Viet Cong tunnel system over four levels in cut away aspectBrass plaque - Manufactured by members of the North West Sub Branch Education Team. P. Austin, J. Forster, M. Zukowski, G .O'Donovan. Presented to the VVAA Museum by the members of the North West Sub Branch, Melbourne. Vietnam Veteran's Association of Australia.diorama, tunnels, tunnel rats, viet cong, cu chi

The Wessex was used between 1964 and 1984 by the Australian Navy in Australia and Oceania. This helicopter, no 31, also use for disaster relief in Darwin after Cyclone Tracy.Manufactured in Britain from a USA design, the Wessex was jet powered (Napier Gazelle), a multi-role helicopter used in air sea rescue, anti-submarine, ambulance, troop and freight carrying. Dependent on the mission profile, the aircraft carried a crew from three to five including two pilots.Includes a full set of Royal Australian Navy insignia and carries the Serial No. N7-221 and Navy Side No. 31.RAN Roundel. Navy Registration N7-221. No31, a/c safety markings. Tiger Head Unit Logo of 816 Sqnhelicopters, military equipment, wedssex, troop carrier, navy

The Bell Sioux was used as one of the primary equipment of the 161 Reconnaissance flight. Every major Australian unit in Vietnam would have utilised their services. The helicopter on display did not serve in Vietnam.The Bell 47 is a two-bladed, single engine light observation helicopter made by Bell Helicopters. It has a bubblt cockpit for two crew and the tail is open metal framework.This helicopter bears a full set of Australian Army insignia and carries the A.A. Serial No. A1-406.military equipment, helicopters, sioux

This is a diorama of the U.S. 29th infantry taking fire near a bunker complex near the Cambodian border during the Vietnam War.A diorama of the U.S. 29th Infantry taking fire near a bunker complex near the Cambodian border.display equipment, models, vietnam war, infantry

Bought by Phil Rogers, Australian Army no. 2790936 during his time of service in South Vietnam (1969-1970) to celebrate the birth of his son.Donated to the museum by the serviceman himself. This commemorative jacket demonstrates the poignant personal sacrifices made by those in service as significant family events continue at home in their absence.Child's bomber-style jacket made of khaki camouflage print polyester, hand embroidered. Purchased in South Vietnam in 1969 by Phil Rogers, Army No:2790936, B Company 6 RAR, and posted home on the birth of his son Brett 31/08/1969.Back: My daddy is in Vietnam/Vung Tau, 69-70/ Viet Nam plus a labelled map of Vietnam. Sleeves: Golden dragons Front: Tiger's head, Crossed South Vietnam flag and USA flag.commemorative clothing, children, family, vietnamese craft, craft, souvenir

Basic webbing was used by Australian Defence forces during the Vietnam War era (1962 - 1975) to carry personal equipment such as ammunition, water, basic rations, shelter usually on short duration operations such as patrols. Basic webbing was a classic and iconic item of equipment universally used by servicemen in Vietnam.Army basic webbing set. Jungle green colour and made of canvas. Consisting of a webbing belt, 2 ammunition pouches, 1 water bottle cover, a shoulder harness and a patrol bag.The name 'A Kelly' on the front and the name 'Ceskus. 6102716 on the back.basic webbing, vietnam war, military equipment, webbing

Part of the Neil Ernest Swainston Collection, a set of National Service Documents from call-up notice to Certificate of Discharge.This soft-covered yellow pocket book is an example of those issued to all National Servicemen sent to Vietnam. Thirty-six pages long, this 3rd edition was published in June 1969 by the Commonwealth of Australia. Contents cover general information such as an overview of the organisation of the Army; details about training, transfers and conditions of service; guidance about military courtesy, dress, writing home and badges of rank.national service, army, conscription, vietnam war, swainston

Document printed on pink background outlining the rules for appropriate conduct of all members of the Australian Army serving in Vietnam. Issued to all Australian servicemen in Vietnam, the soldier's soldier's rules of conduct reflect the war's diplomatic significance for the Australian government." Rules include '1 Remember we are here to help; we make no demands and seek no special treatment." advice given includes: "Don't let your behavior be a propaganda weapon which helps in any way to destroy Vietnam."propaganda, rules

From the Swainston Collection, a set of documents and medals from a National Serviceman. The Australian Defence Medal recognises Australian Defence Force personnel who have completed either an enlistment period or four years service after 3 September 1945.This is an example of the Australian Defence Medal for which all Vietnam veterans were eligible.Cupro-nickel Australian Defence Medal plus miniature of same, attached to red and white striped ribbons with black edges to represent the colours of the Flanders poppy, symbol of the Anzac spirit. Three red stripes signify Army, Air Force, Navy. Striped ribbon bar with pins forms part of set. Covering letter addressed to N E Swainston, dated '27 April 2011'. The information card about symbolism of medal and original hard black case complete the set. Front shows Commonwealth Coat of Arms surrounded by the words 'THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MEDAL'. Reverse bears "FOR SERVICE' plus Crown of St Edward within a wattle wreath.'3801127 N E SWAINSTON' engraved around bottom edge of large medal.medal, defence medal, honours