A hat pin is a decorative pin for holding a hat to the head, usually by the hair that was styled in a Chignon or French Roll style and usually worn in a pair. They are typically around 20 cm in length, with the pinhead being the most decorated part. The women of the pioneer families liked to dress up in their best hand made dresses and fashionable hats for Church gatherings and special occasions as a relief from the daily chores of hand washing, ironing with flat irons and cooking over open fires. 1 long, lady's, steel, hat pin , padded and covered in black linen decorated with spherical shaped black sequins bonnets, hats, veils, scarves, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, early settlers, pioneers, clasps, hairdressing, combs, steel pins, jewellery

See 00630 A A hat pin is a decorative pin for holding a hat to the head, usually by the hair that was styled in a Chignon or French Roll style and usually worn in a pair. They are typically around 20 cm in length, with the pinhead being the most decorated part. The women of the pioneer families liked to dress up in their best hand made dresses and fashionable hats for Church gatherings and special occasions as a relief from the daily chores of hand washing, ironing with flat irons and cooking over open fires. A short, lady's steel hat pin, padded and covered in red and gold felt in a spiral patternbonnets, hats, veils, scarves, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, early settlers, pioneers, clasps, hairdressing, combs, steel pins, jewellery

See 00630 A A hat pin is a decorative pin for holding a hat to the head, usually by the hair that was styled in a Chignon or French Roll style and usually worn in a pair. They are typically around 20 cm in length, with the pinhead being the most decorated part The women of the pioneer families liked to dress up in their best hand made dresses and fashionable hats for Church gatherings and special occasions as a relief from the daily chores of hand washing, ironing with flat irons and cooking over open fires.A short steel lady's hat pin with a gold coloured metal ball at top with filigree decorationbonnets, hats, veils, scarves, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, early settlers, pioneers, clasps, hairdressing, combs, steel pins, jewellery

A lady's small metal brooch with coloured glass bead inserts, a central larger pale blue glass insert and a pin clasp at back.

Early settlers were very skilled craft workers and made and decorated ornaments, photo frames, cards etc to brighten their homesA small, hand made glass picture frame, hand decorated with chips of mother of pearl shell, a paper mache backing and a metal stand with clips. Enclosing a circular photo of an unnamed lady moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, early settlers, pioneers, jewellery, craftwork, photographs

During the reign of Queen Victoria, whose long and conspicuous grief over the death of her husband, Prince Albert, appropriate dress for men and women for the period of mourning was strictly prescribed and rigidly adhered to. Widows were expected to wear special clothes to indicate that they were in mourning for up to four years after the death, although a widow could choose to wear such attire for the rest of her life. To change the costume earlier was considered disrespectful to the deceased and, if the widow was still young and attractive, suggestive of potential sexual promiscuity. Those subject to the rules were slowly allowed to re-introduce conventional clothing at specific time periods; such stages were known by such terms as "full mourning", "half mourning", and similar descriptions. For half mourning, muted colours such as lilac, grey and lavender could be introduced.. Special caps and bonnets, usually in black or other dark colours, went with these ensembles. There was special mourning jewellery, often made of jet. By the late 20th century, this no longer applied, and black had been widely adopted by women in cities as a fashionable colour. A lady's full length black fine wool dress with pleated bodice and skirt. A beaded detachable collar sits over the dress forming a V shape back and front and is attached by hooks and eyes on right shoulder . Centre front from neck to point is a row of small black circular sequins. clothing, dressmaking, craftwork, cheltenham, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh

In the 17th century young girls were taught embroidery as a necessary skill for marriage, this also helped them make very beautiful handbags. By the late 18th century, fashions in Europe were moving towards a slender shape and women wanted purses that would not be bulky or untidy in appearance, so reticules were designed. Reticules were made of fine fabrics like silk and velvet, with wrist strapA lady's beige, beaded, silk lined, evening bag with press stud fastenerevening wear, purses, personal effects, handbags, fashion, needlework, craftwork, dressmaking, moorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham

In the 17th century young girls were taught embroidery as a necessary skill for marriage, this also helped them make very beautiful handbags. By the late 18th century, fashions in Europe were moving towards a slender shape and women wanted purses that would not be bulky or untidy in appearance, so reticules were designed. Reticules were made of fine fabrics like silk and velvet, with wrist strap often decorated with pearls, sequins, beads and embroidery. A lady's black velvet, silk lined, evening bag with draw-string and hand made tassels. The bag is decorated with beads in a floral designmoorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham, craft work, dressmaking

These hat pins represents women's fashion in the late 19thC and early 20thC. As the material used in the construction is not of a high monetary value it can be assumed it was everyday woman's apparel to keep the hat firmly fastened into the hair. It does indicate that fashion of the time was important and many women used their craftwork skills to create their own hat pins. This item is a reflection of the fashion mode of the late 19thC and early 20thC when long hair needed to be controlled by hair pins It is also an example of society's mores of tidiness 14 lady's steel hat pins in various styles numbered A -i A) 6x pearl tear-drop ; B) 1x pink metal beads;C) gold ball in 'oyster shell'; D) gold ball; E) pink plastic weave; F) silver metal ball; g) black bead; h) white ball; i) pale blue glass set in brassmoorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham, craftwork, clothing

Foam rubber (also known as cellular, sponge, or expanded rubber) refers to rubber that has been manufactured with a foaming agent to create an air-filled matrix structure. Foam rubber was first produced in 1929 by Dunlop researcher chemist Eric Owen using whipped latex. In 1937 isocyanate based materials were first used for the formation of foam rubbers, after World War II styrene-butadiene rubber replaced many natural types of foam. Foam rubbers have been used commercially for a wide range of applications since around the 1940s. A foam rubber ,cylindrical, pin-cushion decorated with lace ribbon c1950 With steel dressmaking pinsmoorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham, dressmaking, craftwork

Early settlers had to be self sufficient, growing their own vegetables, making tools and clothing and usually had a house cow to produce their milk supply. .All the buttermilk separated from the butterfat had to be rinsed out. This would improve texture and flavour, and also help the butter keep well, since milk turns rancid more quickly than fat alone. Salt was usually mixed in at this stage - for flavour and preservation. The rinsing could be done simply by washing in water, followed by draining, salting and working or "kneading" the butter with a pair of wooden butter pats, or with bare hands. c1880 A pair of wooden butter patspioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, cheltenham, milk, dairy farmers, butter pats, dairy cows

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

A scythe is an agricultural hand tool for mowing grass or reaping crops. It was largely replaced by horse-drawn and then tractor machinery. A scythe consists of a wooden shaft and a long, curved blade is mounted at the lower end, perpendicular. Scythes always have the blade projecting from the left side when in use. Mowing is done by holding the handle , with the arms straight, the blade parallel to the ground and very close to it, and the body twisted to the right. The body is then twisted steadily to the left, moving the scythe blade along its length in a long arc from right to left, ending in front of the mower, thus depositing the cut grass to the left. Mowing proceeds with a steady rhythm, stopping at frequent intervals to sharpen the blade. The correct technique has a slicing action on the grass, cutting a narrow strip with each stroke Mowing grass is easier when it is damp, and so hay-making traditionally began at dawn and often stopped early, the heat of the day being spent raking and carting the hay cut on previous daysEarly settlers and market gardeners used these scythes as they established their farms in Moorabbin Shire c1880A large metal scythe with a wooden handle x 2early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, tools, blacksmiths

A marking gauge, also known as a scratch gauge, is used in woodworking and metal working to mark out lines for cutting or other operations. The purpose of the gauge is to scribe a line parallel to a reference edge or surface. It is used in joinery and sheet metal operations.The gauge consists of a beam, a headstock, and a scribing or marking implement, typically a pin, knife, pen or wheel. The headstock slides along the beam, and is locked in place by various means: a locking screw, cam lever, or a wedge. The marking implement is fixed to one end of the beam.Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothes and tools as they established homes and farms for their familiesc1900 A hand made wooden marker gaugeearly settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, tools

A hand plane is a tool for shaping wood Hand planes are generally the combination of a cutting edge, such as a sharpened metal plate, attached to a firm body, that when moved over a wood surface, take up relatively uniform shavings, by nature of the body riding on the 'high spots' in the wood, and also by providing a relatively constant angle to the cutting edge, render the planed surface very smooth. A cutter which extends below the bottom surface, or sole, of the plane slices off shavings of wood. A large, flat sole on a plane guides the cutter to remove only the highest parts of an imperfect surface, until, after several passes, the surface is flat and smooth.The family of Mr Lamb were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire and had to be self reliant and made their own clothes and tools as they established homes and farms for their families.c1880 A hand made wood planeearly settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, tools

Early settlers had to be self sufficient, growing their own vegetables, making tools and clothing and usually had a house cow to produce their milk supply. .All the buttermilk separated from the butterfat had to be rinsed out. This would improve texture and flavour, and also help the butter keep well, since milk turns rancid more quickly than fat alone. Salt was usually mixed in at this stage - for flavour and preservation. The rinsing could be done simply by washing in water, followed by draining, salting and working or "kneading" the butter with a pair of wooden butter pats, or with bare hands. c1880 2 wooden butter patsearly settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, dairy farmers, dairy cows, milk, butter

A Letter of condolence sent to Lily (Elizabeth Ann Jones) for the death of her Mother, Mary Ann Jones, who died on 18 January 1903, from her school friend Jane Clark. Following Queen Victoria’s example, it became customary for families to go through elaborate rituals to commemorate their dead. This included wearing mourning clothes, having a lavish (and expensive) funeral, curtailing social behaviour for a set period of time, and erecting an ornate monument on the grave. . Relatives and friends were expected to give handwritten Condolence Cards and Letters, preferably by hand when visiting the bereaved. The different periods of mourning dictated by society were expected to reflect the natural period of grief. In recent years some traditions have given way to less strict practices, though many customs and traditions continue to be followed. Condolence Cards and Letters are still expected for relatives and close friends. These can be individually composed and handwritten or purchased from a Greeting Card Manufacturer. The letter shows Tucker Road as being in East Brighton. Due to the confusion caused by so many 'Brightons' in the area of Henry Dendy's Special Survey of 1841 this area was renamed Bentleigh after Sir Thomas Bent. The Clark family and the Jones family were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireWhite paper with a black border used for a hand written condolence letter sent by Mrs Jane Clark in 1903 during the mourning period for the mother of her school-friend Lily, (Elizabeth Ann Jones).market gardners, pioneers, early settlers, mooorabbin, brighton, east brighton, bentleigh, correspondence, writing equipment, pen and ink, clarke jane, clarke janet, mourning customs, bereavement, condolence letters,

Traditionally, a bow saw is a woodworking tool used for straight or curved cuts. A bow saw is a type of frame saw. Its thin blade is held in tension by a frame. In English and American vocabulary it denotes a toothed blade suspended between two long narrow handles called "cheeks" that are supported and separated by a thin stretcher in the centre of the handles, making a wide H shape (the cheeks form the uprights of the H, the stretcher the crossbar of the H). The blade is kept in tension with a turnbuckle or a twisted cord that runs parallel to the blade between the two cheeks but on the opposite side of the stretcher. If a cord is used, the cord is twisted with a toggle attached to one loop of the cord, adding tension. The toggle hits the stretcher, which keeps the cord from untwisting. A finer version of the saw uses a narrow blade (1/4" or less) with handles that allow the user to hold the saw and turn the blade. In this context it is also known as a turning saw[2] which is larger than a coping saw.Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothes, tools and equipment as they established their market gardens and farms. A wooden Bow saw with tensioning string, toggle and bladetools, woodwork, metalwork, carpentry, pioneers, market gardeners, early settlers, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, ormond

A C-clamp or G- clamp is a type of clamp device typically used to hold a wood or metal work-piece, and often used in, but are not limited to, carpentry and welding. These clamps are called "C" clamps because of their C shaped frame, but are otherwise often called G-clamps or G-cramps because including the screw part they are shaped like an uppercase letter G. The fixed end is not adjustable so size is not variable. G-clamps are typically made of steel or cast iron, though smaller clamps may be made of pot metal. At the top of the "G" is usually a small flat edge. At the bottom is a threaded hole through which a large threaded screw protrudes. One end of this screw contains a flat edge of similar size to the one at the top of the frame, and the other end usually a small metal bar, perpendicular to the screw itself, which is used to gain leverage when tightening the clamp. When the clamp is completely closed, the flat end of the screw is in contact with the flat end on the frame When used some other object or objects will be contained between the top and bottom flat edges. A steel 'G' Clamp tools, g clamp, screws, steel, clamps, metalwork, woodwork, carpentry, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabin, bentleigh, cheltenham

A coping saw is a type of hand saw used to cut intricate external shapes and interior cutouts in woodworking or carpentry. It is widely used to cut mouldings to create coped rather than miter joints. It is occasionally used to create fretwork though it is not able to match a fretsaw in intricacy of cut, particularly in thin materials. Coping saw blades are always thicker and much coarser cutting than typical fretsaw blades. A coping saw consists of a thin, hardened steel blade, stretched between the ends of a square, c-shaped, springy-iron frame to which a handle is attached. The blade is easily removed from the frame so that the blade can be passed through a drilled hole in the middle of a piece of wood. The frame is then re-attached to the blade and the cut starts from the middle of the piece. Long cuts perpendicular to the edge of the material are possible but the shallow depth of the frame rather limits how far from the edge one may cut. The much deeper frame of the fretsaw is more useful for cutting well away from the edge but conversely cannot manage the thicker materials commonly cut by the coping saws. The coping saw blade is installed with the teeth pointing towards the handle. Unlike a hacksaw, which has the teeth pointed away from the handle, the coping saw cuts on the pull stroke. The coping saw blade is removable by partially unscrewing the handle. The blade is prevented from rotating by means of the short, steady bar provided where the blade is attached. Loosening the handle also allows the blade to be rotated relative to the frame as desired. Carefully aligning the finger steady bars at the top and bottom of the blade ensures that the thin blade is straight and not twisted along its length. Re-tightening the handle tensions the blade and locks it at the desired angle relative to the frame. The short steady bar nearest the handle is held securely between finger and thumb while the handle is tightened to ensure the blade remains at the desired angle. Unlike the fretsaw the coping saw blade has holding pins which lock securely into the angled slots of the rotatable blade holders. Gentle curves are achieved by slowly turning the whole frame by means of the handle while continuing to cut steadily. A coping saw with wooden handle but no bladetools, saws, steel , clamps, metalwork, woodwork, carpentry, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, fretsaw, coping saw, bowsaw, blacksmiths,

A hammer is a tool with a heavy head and a handle, often made of shock absorbent wood or fibreglass, that is used to strike an object. The most common use for hammers are to drive nails, fit parts, forge metal and break apart objects. Hammers vary in size, shape and structure, depending on their uses. Hammers are basic tools in many trades. A hammer is composed of a head, most often made of steel and handle also called a helve or haft. Most hammers are hand tools. A traditional hand-held hammer consists of a separate head and handle, fastened together by means of a special wedge made for the purpose, or by glue, or by both . This 2 piece design is often used to combine a dense metallic striking head with a non-metallic mechanical shock absorbing handle - to reduce user fatigue from repeated strikes. If wood is used for the handle, it is often ash or hickory, which are tough and long lasting materials that can dissipate shock waves from the hammer head. This upholsterer’s hammer has one end of the steel head rounded for knocking nails into wood furniture. The other end is divided to form a 2 pronged claw for withdrawing nails. . An upholsterer's hammer with a steel head and wooden handle, The steel head has one rounded end and a clawed endpioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, brighton, tools, craftsman, carpenters, cabinet makers, blacksmiths, builders, woodwork

This long white cotton baby's gown is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the early settler familiesEarly settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A long, white cotton, baby's gownclothing, brighton, moorabbin, s, pioneers, market gardener, dressmakers, early settlers

Early settler women used their dressmaking and craft skills to make clothing and homewares for their homes and familiesA pair of white cotton pillowslips with pin-tucking and broderie frillclothing, brighton, moorabbin, linen, pioneers, haberdashery, dendy henry, market gardeners, dressmakers, craft work, risstrom lorna

The pioneer settlers and market gardeners who came to the Brighton area after the 1841 Dendy Special Survey had to be self reliant. The women made most of the clothing for their families and many items on display exhibit their skill and craftsmanshipA cream ,wool, baby's shawl with decorative borderclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dendy henry, market gardeners, dressmakers, craft work, knitting

This girl's white cotton sun-hat has been made at home by a mother determined to get the maximum usage from the garment. The hat has been simply made with a plain crown for the child's day-to-day use. However, the mother has also made a second, very decorative crown, that can be buttoned on and is suitable to be worn on more "dressy" occassions - such as attending Sunday School or on special outings.Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these familiesGirl's home-made plain white cotton sun-hat with wide brim. There have been three rows of fine cord sewn at intervals around the circumference of the hat brim to stiffen it. There is also hand crochet decorating the edge of the hat brim. A very decorative "second" hat crown has also been made. This hat crown has hand crocheted lace, and criss-cross seams, and is designed to be buttoned on over the original plain crown to provide a more decorative hat for special occasions, such as when attending Sunday School.clothing, moorabbin, ormond, bentleigh, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork

This stole was used for special occasions.As market gardeners and settlers in Moorabbin Shire became more prosperous their women were able to purchase fashionable items of clothing for special occasions.A long, cream silk stole with fringeclothing, brighton, moorabbin, s, pioneers, market gardener, dressmakers, early settlers, silk

A child's dress-up costume incorporating the Australian Red Ensign Flag made for a pageant c1927A child's dress-up costume c1927. An Australian Red Ensign Flag sleeveless top with detachable capeclothing, moorabbin, dressmaking, textiles, melbourme, velia dowdes house

Sad-irons or "solid" irons were made by blacksmiths and used to smooth out material by pressing the hot iron over it. A piece of sheet -iron was placed over the kitchen fire and the irons placed on it could be heated whilst remaining clean of ash.. The women used 2 irons - one heating while the other was used. Thick cloth or gloves protected their hands from the hot irons. The handle was removed from the cool iron and re- attached to remove the hot iron from the fire. The cool iron was replaced on the fire or stove to heat again. These irons were cleaned with steel wool to prevent them marking the material. If the iron was too hot the material would scorch. Most homes set aside one day for ironing and some large households had an ironing room with a special stove designed to heat irons. However, most women had to work with a heavy, hot iron close to the fireplace even in summer. These sad irons remind us of the difficult circumstances experienced in their daily routines by the pioneers and early settlers of Moorabbin Shire The family of Miss M Curtis were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire. A) A heavy cast iron, flat iron with B) horseshoe shaped trivet stand c1880 The trivet can be attached to a table by an adjustable clamp.A) 5 on tip of ironsad iron, kitchen equipment, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, sewing, craftwork, clothing, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, fireplaces, stoves

The donor of the petticoat is Ms Nancy Maggs. Nancy's grand-mother, Sarah Flagg, was the owner of the petticoat. Sarah Flagg and her family arrived in Melbourne in the 1840s.Sarah Flagg was the original owner of the petticoat. Sarah was the grand-mother of Nancy Maggs. Nancy Maggs had the petticoat in her possession before she donated it to the City of Moorabbin Historical Society.White half, floor-length petticoat with 3 tiers. A light blue ribbon woven around at knee length of the petticoat. Broderie anglais trimming round the first two tiers and through sections of the bottom half of the petticoat. There are 6 panels of the same embroided floral design which runs around the outside of the petticoat, between the Broderie anglais sections. There is a small side slit on the top right-hand side of the petticoat. Two small buttons are located down the side of the slit, but the third button is missing. The garment is in good condition, with mild discolouration in certain areas.petticoat, underwear, undergarment, waist slip, white, 1900s, sarah flagg, nancy maggs, broderie anglais, embroidery, blue ribbon, needle lace, lace, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, dressmaking, sewing, craftwork, brighton, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers

Common soap was made from mixing animal fat with potash a form of the potassium based alkali present in plant and wood material. Early settlers, made their own soap from the waste fats and ashes they saved from their daily work. They did not then have to rely on waiting for soap to be shipped from England and waste their goods or money in trade for soap. In making soap the first ingredient required was a liquid solution of potash commonly called lye. Animal fat, when removed from the animals during butchering, must be rendered to remove all meat tissues and cooking residue before soap of any satisfactory quality can be made from it. To render, fats and waste cooking grease were placed in a large kettle with an equal amount of water. Then the kettle was placed over the open fire outdoors, because the smell from rendering the fats was too strong to wish in anyone's house. The mixture of fats and water were boiled until all the fats had melted. After a longer period of boiling to insure completion of melting the fats, the fire was stopped and into the kettle was placed another amount of water about equal to the first amount of water. The solution was allowed to cool down and left over night. By the next day the fats had solidified and floated to the top forming a layer of clean fat. All the impurities being not as light as the fat remained in water underneath the fat. In another large kettle or pot the fat was placed with an amount of lye solution ( known by experience ). This mixture was boiled until the soap was formed - 6-8 hours - a thick frothy mass, and a small amount placed on the tongue caused no noticeable "bite". The next day a brown jelly like slippery substance was in the kettle and this was 'soft soap' . To make hard soap, common salt was thrown in at the end of the boiling and a hard cake of soap formed in a layer at the top of the pot. But as salt was expensive most settlers used 'soft soap',. The soap could be scented with oils such as lavender for personal use. These 3 cakes of home-made soap are examples of the self sufficiency of the early settlers as they had to be self reliant ,growing food and making and mending their own farm equipment, tools and clothes while establishing their market gardens in Moorabbin Shire3 cakes of home-made, white hard household soap. 1 cake of soap eaten by a brush tailed possum when he entered the Cottage via the chimney 27/4/2014soap making, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, brighton, dendy's special survey 1841. kitchen equipment, laundry equipment, bentleigh