An Air Observers Hut was used by volunteers 24 / 7 at Bogong to monitor the skies for enemy aircraft during WWII. Bogong was built by the SECV during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. See also KVHS 0937 (photo), KVHS 0938 (certificate), KVHS 1259 (book)This book informed the volunteers of First Aid posts, ambulances, rescue teams etc.Cream coloured book with black print on cover. 31 pages printed on both sides and with some black & white photos. Bound by 2 staples.air raid, wwii, bogong air observers hut, khes

First Aid during WWII was important for the civil population in case of attack or accidents especially in remote communities. This book was issued under the authority of the Minister for Home Security Dec. 1942This book informed the workforce employed by the SECV working on the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme in the remote Kiewa Valley.Small thick red book with title and 'author' written in white block letters on the front cover. 160 pages with some diagrams and bound by red tape.first aid, wwii, civil defence, kiewa valley

Wallace's Hut, the oldest hut on the Bogong High Plains, was restored in march 1999Cattlemen's Huts belonged to farming families of the Kiewa Valley. They used the huts when staying with their cattle on the High Plains during summer.7 coloured photos laminated depicting restoration of Wallace's Hut. March 1999 and 1 larger photo of Cope Hut (on hill) 1 larger photo, 2 medium sized photos and the 4 smaller photos laminated together.All have velcro tape on the back in the cornerswallace's hut, bogong high plains

Ian McKendrick was secretary of the Mt Beauty Football Club on 8th Aug. 1974. He compiled important papers re the club's history and stored them in an envelope for future reference and preservation with the idea of each secretary passing the envelope on to the next secretary.Mt Beauty football club was formed at a meeting on 19th Sept. 1974 attended by Bogong Tawonga Football club when the club changed its name. The Mt Beauty football club has since amalgamated with the Dederang football club. List of footballers in 1975 is helpful for researching local families living in the Kiewa Valley. An envelope titled 'Notice to Secretary' and 'List of Documents'. Enclosed 15 pages comprising of 1. Newspaper cuttings, 2.Typed pages with the title - 'Recreation Reserve pavilion - Mt Beauty', 3. Typed page title 'Mt Beauty Recreation Reserve Drainage', 4. Plan of Mt Beauty Recreation Reserve pavilion sketch 1975, 5. Handwrittten page title re P. O'Brien Years of Association 1950 - 1974 and names of teams on the back.. There is more than one copy of some pages. 1970smt beauty football club, ian mckendrick, bogong tawonga football club

Third year of Mt Beauty High School. Previously Mt Beauty Higher Elementary School. Headmaster's message 'more students staying at school' , new subjects added to curriculum to include higher levels and remedial.An insight into education and community values and expectations.Aqua coloured cardboard cover with title 'Yurnga 1965' printed in green on the bottom right. School badge logo in green. 28 pages printed on both sides. Includes black and white photos.On front cover - 6 names with phone numbersmt beauty high school, education, curriculum

The Advocate was the Catholic newspaper of Victoria. The correspondence is in regard to payment and receipt of the newspapers.4 letters, 2 with envelopes. Chronological order: 1. 11 Jan 1927. From George W. Maddison, Tawonga P. O. Via Dederang to Mrs E. Stiles re money for 'Leader'. 2. 5th Apr. 1928. From Melbourne to Mrs Stiles, Melbourne re Account or "Advocate' 3. late July 1928. From Miss Mary Hessian, Mongans Bridge. Via Wodonga to Mrs Stiles re 'advocate' 4. 28th Jan. 1929 From Chas Martin to Mrs Wallace Bonnie Brae, Bruarong re Mrs Stiles papers. Envelopes: 1. (letter 3)Mrs Stiles c/- Miss Reid 26 Hoddle St. Elsternwick S-4 and in pencil Miss Mary Hessian, Mongan's Bridge, Huon via Wodonga 2. (letter 4) Mrs Wallace, Wallacedale, Kergunyah.mrs e. stiles, mary hessian, george w. maddison, mr wallace, 'advocate' newspaper, chas martin

Bogong high Plains showing mountains, places, roads and riversHistorical changes of infrastructure on the Bogong High PlainsBogong High Plains, hand written and 'copied with considerable simplification from F.C.V. (Falls Creek V.?) 'Feathetop' L 'Tawonga'. Paper is yellowed, writing is brown.bogong high plains map

Plan of Tawonga showing roads etc, rivers, use of land in 1968 and of Feathertop in 1969.Historical use of land in Tawonga and Feathertop.1. Topographical Map - Tawonga 803 Forests Commission of Victoria 1968. Cream paper with black print. Legend: Roads, tracks etc, rivers, Parishes and use of land. 2. Feathertop 813. 1969tawonga map 1968, tawonga parishes, feathertop map 1969

Cattle grazing on the Bogong High Plains during summer commenced in the 1840s and continued for many years. The Soil Conservation Authority recorded each family's area boundaries which were updated in June 1972 and continued to be adjusted until cattle were banned in 2005. The tradition of cattle grazing continues to be controversial.Holders of grazing rights for grazing on the Bogong High Plains were allocated specific areas recorded by the Soil Conservation Authority in 1972. Cattle have been banned in the Alpine National Park due to their impact on the environment.White paper with brown print. Bogong High Plains from Feathertop in the west to Mt Nelse in the east showing physical boundaries including the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme, roads, rivers and mountains. Names of families with grazing runs and the boundaries are shown.cattlemen, grazing runs, bogong high plains, kiewa valley families

Cattle grazing on the Bogong High Plains occurred on most summers since the 1840s. The families were farmers from the Kiewa Valley. The 2003 fires interrupted this tradition which was discontinued altogether in 2005 for environmental reasons. This tradition is still controversial.History of Cattle grazing on the Bogong High Plains and farming in the Kiewa Valley and the families that lived there.Photocopied topographical map of part of the Alpine National Park showing 11 families areas for cattle grazing. Dated 1991/92 up to 2003 fires.91/92 Until fires in 2003 Families names have been added in blue texta. They are: 'Kelly, Faithful, Weston Briggs, Ryder, Cooper, Blair, Roper, Maddison, Fitzgeralds, Hicks.'cattlemen of the kiewa valley, cattle grazing on the bogong high plains

Cattle were taken up to the Bogong High Plains by the Kiewa Valley farmers who had a lease there in their allocated area. The cattle roamed and were mustered in late summer. At this time they also sorted the cattle using the cattle's brands for identification.Types of breeds bred in the Kiewa Valley and the names of families who grazed cattle on the Bogong High Plains is of historical interest and also gives an insight into the history of cattle grazing.White paper, black print. Chart's headings: Name of Family (25 in alphabetical order), Run No., Earmark, Brand and Log and Breed. 29th Feb. 1972 cattle grazing, bogong high plains, kiewa valley families, cattle breeds, cattle brands

Cattle grazing. In the 1990s government departments allocated the number of cattle being taken up to the Bogong High Plains by the families who traditionally leased land there.Cattle grazing had been banned in other Alpine areas due to concerns of their impact on the environment. Kiewa Valley cattle graziers were caught up in the controversy as it was their tradition dating back to the 1840s. This controversy continues as cattle grazing was banned in 2005. 4 pages with black print: 1. 1989/90 Cattle Grazing Allocation and Dept. of Conservation Forests and Lands, Wodonga. 2. Proposed Future Stock Allocations 1991/92 list of 16 families 3. & 4. List of families, ear marks, brands etc. dated 22nd Feb. 1979 stapled togetherex S.C.A. / Benalla / Received 22nd Feb. 1979 / signedcattle grazing, kiewa valley farmers

Existing and possible future roads are numbered and named 1 - 45. The plan is based on an aerial photos taken March 1945. It includes revisions up to 1951. Signed by H.H.C. Williams, construction engineer. Mountains, rivers, roads and SECV places are named, also SECV infrastructure and construction eg. workers camps, Power stations.Significant for the information re the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme's development.Yellowed paper with brown print. Kiewa Scheme general plan showing its development. A lot of information is recorded. Note: Dyeline print was used which causes fading when exposed to light. Handwritten: 'Bob Duncan'bob duncan, kiewa hydro electric scheme, secv, khes development

Mt Beauty's Swimming Pool was built by Alpine Shire and included a Squash Court. October 1986. Previously the community swam in the West and East Kiewa Rivers. The pool enabled all of the community to swim in a safe area and the opportunity to swim long distances.History of swimming for the Kiewa Valley community and its affect on the following - social, education, and tourism6 large pages of black print on yellowed paper. Dated October 1986 and includes plans for the Mt Beauty Swimming Pool and a Squash Court.On back of the 6th plan in red pen "Roger Sorry Delay / Getting Plans Back / Norm Boden"mt beauty, swimming pool, squash court, shire of bright

Ron White worked for the SECV and was superintendent engineer of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme after its completion.Ron White lived in Mt Beauty and worked for the SECV until he retiredA very long banner with a gold border and with fancy font in red and black. Both ends are 'V' shaped. "Best Wishes Ron for a long retirement / from your friends at the SEC."ron white

This brand of starch was first manufactured in 1914, during the First World War, and continued to cover the other wars and military conflicts that followed. It was a time when Australian made was important due to the limited supplies coming from England and Europe. This was a period when the demand for "home grown" produce was at its peak. This was in a time when by necessity not by the "Buy Australian" campaign (of later years) which was the major factor for the demand of goods. It was in a time when starch was used in formal clothing to put a "crisp" or fresh new appearance for clothes. The important social more of "clothes make the person" was in vogue. This is a sample box provided by the manufacturer as an advertising and promotional method of prospective customers becoming aware of the product. This type of promotional avenue brought results and ensured that this type of advertising and inducement by manufacturers would be ingrained as a lasting avenue through to the 2nd Millennium This box which once contained starch powder is very significant to a rural semi isolated region because it clearly demonstrates that the social mores of the city were also entrenched into the rural population. The fashion of the day, even in remote areas, especially rural, were still a requirement to be maintained on certain special occasions. Cleanliness and stiff "upper lip" persona were just as important in the rural sector as in city and Government circles. Institutions such as hospitals, Government Offices and the legal personnel were bound by the fashion of the starch appearance (no dirt sticks to a personage with the "starch" look). Appearances, especially the first ones, were the judgmental image that remained in the uppermost regions of the viewer.This box with white writing and a "formally clad" man on a navy blue background held Australian grown maize based starch powder(1 LB gross). The package is made from 200 gsm thick cardboard. As production was made during the two World Wars 1914 to 1945 the promotion was heavily focused on Australian made and Australian grown maize.The front(has "Sample" on top) the rest inscriptions are the same on each cover both and back, "DANDY" below this a figure outlined in white on a navy blue background "hat and tails" outfit. Next to the sketch in smaller lettering" STRONGER THAN OTHER STARCHES. LESS REQUIRED". Below the figure "GLOSS" and below this in larger print "STARCH". Below this and in smaller print "CONTENTS. NETT WEIGHT 14 1/2 ozs" Below this and in smaller print "MANUFACTURED BY MAIZE PRODUCTS PTY LTD FOOTSCRAY VICTORIA" On one side of the box and in large white print on royal blue background"PURITY, STRENGTH AND UNIFORMITY." On the other side are the manufacturers directions. On the left side "FOR RAW STARCH" Underneath and in smaller print,"Dissolve in warm water a quantity to give the required thickness. Add bluing if required Stir before each using. On the right side "FOR BOILING STARCH" underneath this in small print"Mix well in small quantity of cold water to creamy consistency. Add boiling water, and stir constantly while cooking. Allow to cool, and add blueing if required. Underneath these two sets of instructions is "Make your consistency thinner than if using another kind of Starch"household starch, household cleaning, domestic laundering.

This little bag of "whitener" additive for the washing of white clothes was manufactured in Hull in the United Kingdom mid and later 1900's. The Manufacturer, Ricketts, was one of the first manufacturers to employ women in equal proportions with males (a rarity before 1914). This product was used to improve the appearance of white fabrics. This ability to use a product that would "whiten" clothes chemically rather than the "hard boiling" of clothes was a time saver and a lot easier on the fabrics. This is a boon to rural families where time was of the essence (boiling took time). The blue coloring was introduced because the white colour perception is enhanced by the blue (fadeable and not permanent). The "washing machine industry" of the late 1900's emphasised "whitening" agents that were not so haphazard in producing blue stains, and allowed a "gentle" washing action. This item is very significant in detailing the early 1900's rural household domestic "chore" of washing white clothes to a "social" standard of cleanliness. White shirts were the mark cleanliness that those outside of the family judged the family unit by. The best clothes were worn to church on Sundays. Hard and mostly rural activities/work in the Kiewa Valley encompassing farming, crop cultivation, cattle/sheep and "field work" to do with the SEC Vic Hydro Scheme involved provided a stain prone environment. As appearances, of clothing, was on the whole not significant it was a different scenario at social and religious scenes. The ability to attain "brilliant" white shirts, dresses and bonnets by a less drastic method to that of "boiling" of clothes in vats, was a boon of that "era". The anti establishment revolt came later in the 1950's onward took longer to migrate from the cities and larger rural townships to eventually sneak into the Kiewa valley.This "blue bag" is a whitening agent wrapped in flannel or muslin, or sold ready bagged (1 ounce).It was used in the final rinse to "whiten white coloured clothes" The string was used to facilitate finger grip onto the "bag" after the wash had finished for easy removal to stop the hand and other surfaces from being stained by the blue colour residue drips.domestic and commercial laundries, starch and whitening additive, washing brightener

Historically this item would have been used by gold miners, rabbit shooters, mobile "Rag and Bone" traders and other mobile(in caravans and/or horse drawn cart) traders of various small goods and haberdashery. Although marked as not to be used as trade, the isolation and sometimes difficult terrain rules out using larger and more delicate scales. In the early 1900s rough roads and severe weather conditions forced traders to be more flexible in trading with weights and measures. The "close enough is good enough" doctrine was the Australian outback rule of thumb.The significance of this item in the Kiewa Valley during this period demonstrates the slower acceptance of accurate trading measure using the country side principle "my hand shake is my bond". In the Kiewa Valley small quantity commercial undertakings e.g. gold mining, fur pelts and rabbit meat trade did not require bulk weight type scales. Commerce in rural production e.g. fruit and vegetables involved more farmers and their staff in a barter and/or "in kind" payments. This was more so in the depression years 1929 to late 1930s. Self sufficiency was to a large extent more attainable in this region than in the city/ large country town environment. The Australian "fair go" ethical approach to life and commerce was very much ingrained in those living in country regions, like Kiewa Valley as is demonstrated by the not so accurate hand balance, spring loaded scales.This brass "faced" portable Pocket Balance ( Fish Scales) has front plate made from thin pressed brass. The mild steel spring mechanism enclosed by black painted medium gauge steel cover( three quarters cylindrical). Front scale face and rear spring casing fastened by three rivets. Spring loaded marker blade is located in the centre of the front plate. A steel " finger holder" ring is attached at the top of the scale unit from one of two pre drilled holes. The top is for holding the scale upright and the bottom for a hook to dangle the item to be weighed from the bottom. See item KVHS 0223 for similar scales"THE BILLY BALANCE" and at the bottom "MADE IN GERMANY"antique pocket balance, scales, mobile weights, vintage appliances

Chicory was mixed with coffee to reduce the amount of coffee bean required to be used. This coffee "substitute" was due to the repeated fluctuations in availability of coffee beans (and price fluctuations) in the USA in the late 1800s and early 1900s resulting in the search for substitutes and additives to bulk out the available supplies. This was especially so during times of the major World Wars. Chicory was an excellent choice of fillers as it did not greatly influence the strong coffee bean taste. The first choice in USA households was coffee not tea and the influence of the American servicemen's thirst for coffee was a major thrust into the Australian "colonial" preference for a "cuppa" tea. Rural areas took longer to acquire a coffee "break" but with more and more subliminal advertising through "American" films the rural regions developed a growing preference for coffee, however the tea break alias "smoko" has lingered on.This coffee and chicory blend tin container is very significant to the Kiewa Valley in that it demonstrates that even in rural regions of Australia tastes and drinking preferences have changed by subliminal advertising as time goes by. The American "influence" whether by the "invasion" of friendly troops during the major wars or the avalanche of "American films" has altered some of the "dinky-di" Australian "true blue" tastes and mores. The availability of "straight " coffee supplies to rural areas was also in proportion to the level of all weather transport routes. In the late 1800's and early 1900's road freight had to contend with dirt roads, flooded roads, bush fires and grazing cattle/sheep in rural areas. The easier access that city households had with regard to replenishment of food and drink products, up until the mid 1900's, was severely retarded in rural areas. This extensively rusted tin of "Bushells Blue Label" Coffee and Chicory has an octagonal shaped body with a "push/pull" lid(tin).Three sides has reproduced painted ladies in "Roman dress" ladies picking the coffee beans. There is no reproduction of any chicory roots. There are two "Indian dressed" field workers(pickers) with turban head dress. On one side of the tin is "directions of use, net weight and manufacturer details."Bushells Coffee & Chicory", "NET 1-Ib. weight", " No. 144" "Under the Pure Food Act N.S.W. 1938" "by Bushells Ltd. No 144"chicory / coffee drinks, tin hydrated drink, rural food and drink consumption patterns, tinned food and drink

This typewriter case allowed the Olivetti typewriter to be securely and free from contaminants to be totally mobile. The Olivetti typewriter company was founded in Italy in 1908 and became a leader in portable dependable typewriters.This particular typewriter contained is a Olivetti Lettera 22, oblique front stroke and portable manufactured after 1950. During the 1950s and 1960s was a time when British and European manufactured goods were still purchased by many Australian consumers. After the 1970s however, there was a shift, mainly in the cities, to Japanese made goods. The invasion of Japanese manufactured goods was relatively slower, especially in rural areas. The demand for long lasting and dependable merchandise was in the rural area still the most important criteria. The ease of setting up this typewriter and its compact mobility was its major benefit to trades people and travelling professionals, e.g. rural doctors, other medical professionals, accountants, lawyers and educators. This item(carrying case) facilitated the growing numbers of professional nomads requiring a relatively light office stationery package e.g. travelling novelist, writer, businessman and academics. This typewriter needed no electrical or battery power to operate it therefore the inside compartment did not require additional storage pockets . Outback Australia, where at this point in time, good available electrical power reticulation and battery power, was a scarce and therefore could not be totally measured as a highly efficient office environment. The protective carrying bag provided the only mobile way to operate in some business and home locations.Although this typewriter cover and its typewriter was purchased from a business in Penrith, Sydney, N.S.W., it is significant that it travelled easily to the Kiewa Valley, demonstrating the mobility of certain sections of the community. This typewriter cover protected the expensive typewriter it contained which was designed by an Italian industrial designer, Marcello Nizzoli, in line with the art deco style of the 1930s and the colour and flexibility of the vibrant 1950s. The underlying theme of manufacturing in the 1950s was to produce equipment that was more efficient than what was inherited from the earlier period of 20th century. Improvements were made to this Olivetti typewriter by Giuseppe Beccio by reducing the number of parts made from 3,000 to 2,000. Protection of such a typewriter was of an utmost necessity. The need for mobile expensive typewriters waned as less expensive typewriters became available. This was the major principle of the Japanese manufacturing juggernauts of the post World War II. Efficiency and low cost material was becoming prime factors in the success of rural industries from the 1960s. Competition from overseas producers was starting to affect rural industries and the removal of the large range of tariff protection, especially rural products, required not only a shift of farm management but a more efficient cost savings modus operandi.This is a semi hard cover (cloth over cardboard on inside, plastic over cardboard on outside), camel coloured outside and tartan cloth covered pattern inside the typewriter case. the case can be opened up by "unzipping" the top from the bottom halves of the case. For carrying purposes the case has two plastic covering metal handles with brass fittings. There are two stitched on brown reinforcement straps encompassing both sides of the case. The two reinforcing straps are brown in colour and a securing strap with a press button at one end to allow an extra securing tongue to keep the cover secure. The top inside of the case has a three quarters long paper compartment (flap style). See KVHS 0455 for Olivetti Lettera typewriter.commercial, protective carry bags/cases for mobile office equipment, mechanical typewriter

Before 1908 the words "melting pot" was a term relating to a "crucible" with a meaning of "a pot in which metals and other substances are melted (fused) to provide metal items of varying shapes and uses. From the mid 1900's this term changed and became more related to the "mixing" of social and ethnically diverse populations. The description used here is that of pre 1908. This melting pot was used in the early to late 1900's when produce and hardware shops were too far away from the Kiewa Valley and time was at the essence. The ability to manufacture as many "crucial " items at the home property was the difference between running a successful rural business or not. The isolation of the Kiewa Valley (before the 1950's), hindered the "time down" of machinery and important "widget" replacements. The ability of self sufficiency on properties is still a boon to rural properties as time lost is never really recovered.This melting pot is highly significant to the Kiewa Valley as it provides evidence that the graziers and cattle stations required to be self sufficient in all aspects of day to day maintenance and replenishment of worn materials requiring to be "manufactured " at the property and lack of replacements from commercially shelved products. This aspect of "survival" in the "bush" can be seen in the "huts" built on the Bogong High Plains to accommodate the seasonal grazing of cattle from the Kiewa Valley.This black melting pot is made of cast iron. The lid is missing. The top rim of the pot has three lips for poring accuracy. The formation of these lips are in a "triangle" formation. The top section of the body has a curve inwards reducing the pot diameter from 270mm at the base to 135mm.at the top. The handle is made from heavy gauge wire which is fastened to the body through two lugs (welded onto the top section of the pot) and fasten through a hole at the top of each lug. The handle has a "U" shape as it goes through the lug hole, ensuring no accidental fixture to any side thus allowing free swiveling from one side to the other . "BH" indented within a diamond shape. Opposite "No 3"camp fire cooking utensils, hot plate, cast iron cooking appliance, drovers kitchen

This cast iron "boiler" was produced by one of the largest foundries in England during the late 1700's and onwards. These products were "shipped to the far realms of the "British Empire". This source was one of the only ones available to the early settlers in Australia until the mid 1900's. The catch cry of those "early " times was "the best of British" which was ingrained into the early (Australian) settler's iron and cast iron purchasing mind set. It was not until after World War II did that mindset change, when both American and Asian based manufacturers' products were accepted by the Australian consumer. The city based consumer embraced the swing a lot earlier than the more "traditional" rural consumer. This cast iron 8 gallon "boiler" is very significant to the Kiewa Valley not only that large "boilers" were used to "boil" clothes clean, over an open flame source, but also because it demonstrates one of the most important "rural" mores founded by the "early" settlers in this region. That more was the very "close" tie to "Mother England" and the "establishment". The social and "family" values from the "English" way of life was ingrained until well past the day of the "Australian Federation". It was not until the friendly "American soldier" invasion during World War II that the "Empire" bondage was being eroded away. The transition from the good "rural war cry" of "Australia prospers off the sheep's back" was slipping away and the industrial monolith started its challenge. This change was the slowest in semi remote rural centres such as the Kiewa Valley. The "old English" values lingered on until the mid 1900's.This large (8 gallons) cast iron boiler is oval in shape and has a cast iron (swivel) carrying handle. The handle has a "bend" in the centre position to allow hook and straight type rods to facilitate the positioning of a "hot" boiler. This boiler would have been used over an open fire or placed on top of "coals". On the top rim and evenly spaced between the fixed handle joins is a slightly semi curved balancing/control lip.At the bottom (underneath) "CLARK & Co. PATENT", Below this a six star triangle with the letter "C" in the middle.. On the opposite end "BEST QUALITY" and underneath "8 Gall s"camp fire cooking utensils, hot plate, cast iron cooking and boiling appliance, drovers kitchen

The harsh summer temperatures and the isolated rural environment(of the 1890's) provided the inventor of the "Coolgardie safe" (Arthur Patrick McCormick) with an idea to cool perishable foods by using water soaked "hessian" cloth to provide the "coolant" for the evaporation process to cool the inside temperature of the "safe". Items such as meat,cream/milk/butter and cool "drinks" are a few perishables that need cool environments , especially in isolated "ice free" locations. Cities during this time period had large "ice works" which delivered block ice to all areas that required a form of refrigeration. These ice blocks where held in early refrigerators to keep perishables cool to cold. This "Coolardie" safe was the next best thing for isolated rural households and travellers/campers/stockmen to provide a cooler environment for foodstuff affected by heat. Ice filled "esky" coolers and ice boxes are a modern day off shoot to the original Coogardie safe however they still rely on ice or frozen coolant bricks for cooling.This "Coogardie" safe is very significant to the Kiewa Valley and the Bogong High Plains because it represents not only the initiative thinking of the early settlers and communities but also the "primitive" solution to an everyday (1800s to 1930s) problem (before gas and electric run refrigerators) of keeping "perishables" at a low temperature and thereby prolonging their "shelf" life. This was before electricity and gas was available to the inhabitants of the Kiewa Valley and Bogong High Plains. Another cooling method for food was to have "water tight" containers dipped into the very cold streams running from the "cooler" alpine mountains and the Bogong High Plains. This however could not be carried out in all situations eg. fast flowing currents and locations away from streams. This "Coolgardie safe" is made from a medium grade steel enclosure and its appearance is of a perforated box with a wire handle and one side (long side) being a hinged "door" with a clasp securing "lock". There are air holes grouped into a small "boxed" pattern. Each "box" is divided by a crossed pattern, dividing the "holed" sections(4) into a diamond configuration of 49 small holes each. There are four sides (long) which have the perforations except for the base which does not. The base has an indentation with a loose "catch" tray to catch water spills. When in use the "box" is covered with a water "soaked" cloth. The wet cloth is used as "coolant" ie. fibers in the cloth hold the water droplets seep out evaporating the area and thereby (in mass) cooling the air inside the container.domestic refrigeration cabinets, coolgardie "safe", insect and vermin proof food containers, electric and gas free cold storage containers

This "lovers" necklace is made from Sterling Silver and was imported into "the Colony" before the Australian Federation was enacted. This was a time when very close "bondage" between Australia and England was shown by the amount of "quality" products that were purchased, and the motto "Best of British" was truly still entwined in all aspects of rural live, from "British" mores and values "inherited from the "colonial days". It was only after World War II (when Britain could not help to defend Australia from the Japanese) that these long held mores were, through generations and generations, that the USA and Asian markets and goods replaced the "old" ties.This ladies silver necklace is very significant to the Kiewa Valley because it demonstrates the "rural" mores and values at a time(1800's to mid 1900's) when the "gap" between city and rural mores was very pronounced. That gap was maintain only through the degree of "isolation" (communication and physical interactions) between the two major types of "communities" and the evolving mores which each of them were going through. The social structure was just as pronounced in rural areas as it was in the cities. Fine jewelry was a "sparkling" affirmation of status and "wealth". The rural sectors had very wealthy sectors before the World Wars, when "Australia" was riding "on the sheep's back", but the increased mineral wealth exports and "big" industry of the cities started to forge ahead.This necklace is made from sterling silver and has four double bar and six lover's knots coupled to a silver chain. There is one silver double bar missing and may have been removed to reduce the length of the necklace. Sterling silver Hallmarks and Makers marks are stamped on the links and the clasp. The meaning of the horizontal twin bars have not yet been interpreted .Hall marks "PWC" and "AA"necklace, jewellery, sterling silver, lovers knot

This book is a sixth grade reader which all Victorian students would have read during the 1940's. The book is made up of poems and stories, some which are still known and told today. Some pages have drawings that relate to the story of poems. This is historically significant due to showing what children read during the 1940's in schools across Victoria. Also it is a good comparison to what grade six children read now. Therefore it has good interpretation value and would be good in local school exhibitions. The names on the book indicate that this book came from a local famil, the Johnson and was read to two children of that family which gives this good social history. Some of the pages have had their pictured colored in by the student and words that have been underlined. These could have been harder words for the students to learn and seem advanced for grade six children to read. Book has a blue coverVICTORIAN READERS SIXTH BOOK, second edition, Victorian education stamp on front cover, SIXTH BOOK and EDUCATION DEPARTMENT VICTORIA ON SPIN. Inside cover has the names, Lorraine Margaret Johnson, Allan Johnson and Alice Payork? but that name has been crossed out and John with the son crossed out. All these names hand written in ink pen. book, school, reader, grade 6, department of education. children, stories, poems.

This "coffee" tin has by the "art deco" appearance its origins in the late 1950's to 1960's. This time period was one of accelerated growth both in the physical (housing) sense and the mental (new ideas and inventions) changes in "attitudes". These occurred more rapidly in cities but had its effects on the rural environment. The drinking of coffee was spurred on by easier distribution of imported food and drinks. Advertising by stronger radio links and then by television brought the variety of foods and drinks to semi isolated rural regions. The accessibility through greater information channels becoming available brought with it unbelievable ranges of goods and foodstuffs. Rural regions still relied on bulk supplies and relatively larger storage containers than those in cities. This "bulk" buying and storage "syndrome" was a lingering result of many years of "drought" periods when road transports met delays from flooded roadways in supplying population centres in the Kiewa Valley. The construction phases in building the SEC Vic Hydro electricity Scheme in the eastern sections of the Victorian Alps brought many changes to the quiet rural regions in the Kiewa Valley. Changes in population and social mores. The influx of a varied , mostly temporary, and "European flavoured cuisine" changes the "cuppa tea only" flavour to the have a "coffee break". The subliminal influence of the "American" films changed those children growing up in the post 1950s from the "English tea" to the "American coffee". This "Americanisation process has influenced not only rural Australia but also other areas throughout the world.This "insignificant" coffee tin is very significant as it demonstrates that the Kiewa Valley was becoming more accessible to reliable coffee supplies and general food items.The container was part of a "set" of containers that included tea, sugar,biscuits,flour, rice and other family condiments. This type of kitchen storage containers was brought about through changing patterns in tea and coffee useage and overall consumption. Household demands for faster "self help" cooking especially beveridges and the greater choice of kitchen "utensils" was brought on by easier access to products due to a lessening of the area's "isolation" by having a reliable (all weather) road system and an ever increasing population growth. The need for travelling goods/merchant supply caravans to service the area became a diminishing factor, as a result of the establishment of grocery stores in Tawonga and Mount Beauty in the supply of previously "hard to get" groceries. This transition was precipitated by the SEC Vic Hydro Scheme of the 1940's to 1960's which increased the valley's population level three fold.This cylindrical tin has a pull/push lid(for easy access to the contents). The container is labelled for "coffee" however it has no commercial manufacturer's label to establish that it was bought with coffee ingredients in it. The majority of the container's external surface has a "metallic" light blue colour with two sets of silver rings confining black (horizontal spotted) rectangles. "COFFEE" within an elongated spherical "art deco" four pointed banner of silver and black colouringkitchen containers, domestic food storage, bulk stocks of dried condiments

These reading glasses plus the two additional replacement lenses were highly fashionable in the late 1800's and early 1900's due to their light frames ie. wire. They are of light material and are not as obtrusive, or heavy, as horn rimmed reading glasses.This minimisation of the eye wear was to allow the facial features to be presented without any obstructing eye wear, "au naturel". The "light weight" wire connections to nose and ears was to minimise weight upon those physical areas. It was an eye piece preferred by accountants and all forms of "book worms". This was a period when the "written word" was at its peak. This was well before the light enhanced computer screen and at an age where the "written word" was in the majority as compared to the typed word. These reading glasses are very significant to the Kiewa Valley as they provide additional material which supports the "isolational factors" which were prevalent in the 1800's and early 1900's. Poor lighting and lack of available optical technicians in rural areas, required those suffering with eye troubles in these rural areas to go to Melbourne. An advertisement placed by H B Bissel "eyesight specialist" in the "Independent" Newspaper in 1915 on page 3 " Every person's eyes are liable to be affected by some little weakness or other and these weaknesses, if not corrected at once, are apt to assume a most serious aspect as time goes on". This type of advertisement is putting "the fear of God" on those with slight eyesight problems. It also does not factor the poor lighting used by most in rural areas at this point in time. By the mid to late 1950's, electricity in the Kiewa Valley was available to all households and improved lighting helped nighttime readers. These reading glasses, made in Melbourne, highlight the fact that the Kiewa Valley and its region were still reliant on Melbourne based "specialists" and travel to and from these highly professional health practitioners not only involved a long, and time consuming journey, but also an expensive one.The frames of this oval wire reading glasses is made from gold plated copper wire. There are three nose bridges each with a slightly different angle and shape, each has a different magnification. This may suggest that they were in use at different developmental periods during the wearers ages. Each of the three lenses were fixed onto the frame by a screw and fastened directly onto the glass. Two of the glasses have nose "guides/rests" and one without.. The fine wire ear "loops" has a small "ball" feature at its end (to stop the glasses from slipping off the face).personal effects, spectacles, eye fashion, reading glasses

This small, slim case was manufactured to contain reading spectacles in a secure but yet "manageable pocket or purse" environment. It was manufactured to contain reading glasses that would not exceed 12mm in thickness. The product was targeting the "professional" reader ie. accountant, lawyer, business and property managers. Because it was made for a "eyesight" specialist to contain "prescription" reading spectacles the quality had to be of a higher level than cheaper "off the shelf" ones. This case was made and used in the late 1800's and early 1900's.This case, for spectacles, holds a significant position in that it points to a time in history when rural Australian families required to travel long distances to obtain professional "eyesight" treatment which, on the whole, were only available in the capital cities (in this case Melbourne). In the pre 1960's, the greater the distance from capital cities for Australian rural folk to seek professional medical, dental, nose ,eye and throat specialists the greater the time involved resulting in the greater expense. This "isolation" brought about increased costs not experienced by city residences. The quality and durability of this case was a pre-requisite for the Kiewa Valley based resident.This slim spring lid spectacle case has a body of light steel over layered by a fine skin dyed(dark brown) leather coating. The inside, of the case, has a 1mm lip opposite the hinged end (to secure the reading spectacles within the case). The inside is fully covered by a "royal" purple felt (to provide the spectacles with a scratch free enclosure).At the outside base in gold lettering "H.B. BISSELL" underneath "EYESIGHT" underneath "SPECIALIST" underneath "BARKLY st", underneath "FOOTSCRAY"personal effects, spectacles, eye fashion, reading glasses

This postcard was produced in the 1950's for the tourist trade in the Kiewa Valley and Alpine region. It encompasses the period when the State of Victoria was pressured by the ever increasing demand by industry and its population for electricity supplies. Hydro electricity was seen as an untapped natural resource to quench this demand. The Victorian Alps and the rivers flowing into its valleys was ideal for the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme. The late 1940's saw the development of this scheme and the changing of sections of alpine landscape is covered by this and other postcards/pictures (tourists, construction workers, and established rural populations). This period in time was before the established wildlife and forest/nature groups became political activist who changed legislative acts to protect the environment. This rural region (Kiewa Valley/alpine plains) was at most only significant to a smaller group of winter sports, summer hikers/horse riders and rural farmers/graziers. The numbers of tourists and the increase in the local resident population was boosted by the construction of the Hydro Electricity Scheme. This influx to the regional population resulted in a corresponding diversity in services and brought about an environment that responded to a growing level of tourists and thereby permitting this industry to grow more rapidly than it would have naturally. This postcard details an attraction to the "cleaner" method of providing electricity. This postcard was purchased in 1950 by a surveyor at Landford's Gap. This item is a black and white photograph(professional) of a panoramic view of a snow plough clearing the unsealed road in 1950.This postcard is on quality paper and the reproduction of the picture is of a high standard.For other "tourist" postcards see 0480 (A) -(F) for other photos of similar postcards. kiewa valley tourism, victorian alps, alternate energy supplies, alpine population growth, secv, snow plough

This postcard was produced in the 1950's for the tourist trade in the Kiewa Valley and Alpine region. It encompasses the period when the State of Victoria was pressured by the ever increasing demand by industry and its population for electricity supplies. Hydro electricity was seen as an untapped natural resource to quench this demand. The Victorian Alps and the rivers flowing into its valleys was ideal for the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme. The late 1940's saw the development of this scheme and the changing of sections of alpine landscape is covered by this and other postcards/pictures (tourists, construction workers, and established rural populations). This period in time was before the established wildlife and forest/nature groups became political activist who changed legislative acts to protect the environment.This rural region (Kiewa Valley/alpine plains) was at most only significant to a smaller group of winter sports, summer hikers/horse riders and rural farmers/graziers. The numbers of tourists and the increase in the local resident population was boosted by the construction of the Hydro Electricity Scheme. This influx to the regional population resulted in a corresponding diversity in services and brought about an environment that responded to a growing level of tourists and thereby permitting this industry to grow more rapidly than it would have naturally. This postcard details an attraction to the "cleaner" method of providing electricity. This postcard was purchased in 1950 by a surveyor at Landford's Gap.This black and white photograph on a Valentine's postcard is from a V2 Argus photograph.. It is on a 200g/m paper density photo side gloss. See 0480 (A) - (G) for other photos of similar postcards.In white lettering " ROAD TO BOGONG HIGH PLAINS KIEWA HYDRO-ELECTRIC PROJECT", V3secv, road making, victorian alps