GOLD CIRCULAR MEDAL WITH SEMICIRCULAR BANNER ON WHICH IS WRITTEN "AUSTRALIAN COMFORTS FUND, BALLARAT". BELOW THIS IS THE COAT OF ARMS OF AUSTRALIA : FROM L TO R : UPRIGHT KANGAROO HOLDING A SHIELD ON WHICH ARE 1. THE EUREKA FLAG .2 THE SOUTHERN CROSS .3 CROSS .4 BIRD .5 SWAN & STARS .6 LION AN EMU HOLDS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SHIELD. UNDERNEATH IS A RIFLE, UNDER THIS IS A BANNER WITH READS TRENCH SHOP 1918 FRONT - AUSTRALIA COMFORTS FUND, BALLARAT BACK - TRENCH SHOP, 1918local history, numismatic, medals, military

CLUNES LIBRARY WAS IN USE IN TEMPLETON STREET UNTIL MIDDLE OF TWENTY CENTURY. LIBRARY BOOK AND LIBRARIAN WERE MOVED TO A SMALL ROOM IN TOWN HALL. LATER AGAIN LIBRARY WAS OPENED IN FRASER STREET IN MR. BOB GALLOWAYS SHOP WHERE IT OPERATES NOW.BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF OLD CLUNES LIBRARY IN TEMPLETON STREET. A SOLID BRICK BUILDING - FRONT AREA CEMENT FINISH. VOLKSWAGON CAR AT FRONTFREE LIBRARY ESTABLISHED 1874local history, photography, photographs, free library

COPY OF PHOTOGRAPH OF THE MINING EXCHANGE - SALKELD'S BUILDING, GROUP OF PEOPLE STANDING IN FRONT OF BUILDING.local history, photography, photographs, shops- mining exchange- salkeld's building, buildings

PHOTOGRAPH ADVERTISING (INSIDE FENCE) NATIONAL MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA LIMITED MARKET STREET, CLUNES, MELBOURNE. F.J. MATTHEWS AGENT.BLACK AND WHITE COPY OF PHOTOGRAPH OF TWO FEMALE ADULTS AND YOUNG GIRL STANDING IN FRONT OF VINE COVERED HOUSE AND PICKET FENCE. F.J. MATTHEWS. COMMISSION AGENT SIGN ON BLUESTONE BUILDING IN FRASER STREET, CLUNES, SIGN OUTSIDE OF HOUSE - NATIONAL MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION AUSTRALASIA, F J MATTHEWS AGENTlocal history, photography, photographs, shops, national mutual life association australia ltd.[ f.j. matthews agent], buildings

BUSINESS ESTABLISHED BY JOHANN CONRAD WEICKHARDT IN 1859, PURCHASED BY JACOB F. WEICKHARDT IN 1865. PURCHASED BY J. FRANZ WEICKHARDT 189-1921.1 ORIGINAL SEPIA PHOTOGRAPH MOUNTED ON CARDBOARD OF BALLARAT BAKERY SHOP IN FRASER STREET, CLUNES, OPPOSITE TEMPLETON STREET. .2 BLACK AND WHITE COPY OF THE ABOVE PRINTED ON GLOSSY PHOTOGRAPHIC PAPEROn Front; Handwritten in black ink, Ballarat Bakery. Clunes business established by Johann Conrad Weickhardt in 1859, purchased by Jacob F. Weickhardt in 1865, purchased by J. Franz Weickhardt 1899-1921 On Reverse; Johann Conrad Weickhardt visited Clunes for the formation of the All Nations Masonic Lodge in 1858. He then sold his business in Ballarat and came to Clunes in 1859. Born 1829, died 1905. Had Ballarat Bakery 1859 to 1865, Had British Hotel, Talbot Road, 1865 to 1905. Jacob Franz Weickhardt brother to Johann Conrad Ballarat Bakery 1865 to 1899 Born 183- Died 1900. Jacob Franz Weickhardt, son of J Conrad W Ballarat Bakery 1899 to 1921. Born at Clunes Aug 4- 1870, died Nov 1942. Father of Frederick Conrad Weickhardt. local history, photography, photographs, shops, weickhardt's ballarat bakery., buildings

THE BUILDINGS IN THE PHOTOGRAPH INCL. R. THOMAS DRAPERY SHOP, DOUBLE STOREY CLUB HOTEL AND DOUBLE STOREY ORIGINAL BANK, NOW R.S.L BUILDING..1 POSTCARD OF CLUNES MAIN STREET. .2 COPY OF .1.1 ON REVERSE - PERSONAL NOTE TO KATIE FROM M C WEICKHARDT, ON FRONT FRASER STREET, CLUNES, VICTORIA REAL PHOTO SERIES M2352local history, photography, photographs, shops, r. thomas drapery, clunes township

Made by Inge Cammans in 1998 initially to see if she could create an outfit made entirely of wool. The outfit was then entered in the National Wool Awards competition in 1999 and won first prize.Hand knitted cream and brown outfit consisting of a skirt (kilt), jumper, hat (beret), scarf, socks and bag. Outfit is made using hand spun wool from local East Gippsland area, Perendale and Mohair. An artist tag and rosette award accompany the outfit.tag [front]: [handwritten] SCOTTISH OUTFIT / DESIGNED HAND- / SPUN + KNITTED OUT / OF PERRIDALE + / MOHAIR BY / Inge Cammans / [printed] BUCHAN / BLACK MARBLE HUT / GALLERY / Main Street, Box 9, / Buchan, Vic. 3885 / (051) 55 9296 / AUSTRALIA tag [back]: Theo Cammans / is an exceptionally talented individual. / He is responsible for not only / the beautiful paintings and / woodwork throughout the / shop, but also fashions the / unique Buchan Marble / into many varied and / stunning designs. / Inge Cammans / using her own hand spun / wool she has made multi / award winning garments / and wall hangings. / Each item in unique and / renowned world wide / She has taken first prize at - / National Wool Awards, / Melbourne, Lakes, Bairnsdale, Omeo / Paris Exhibitor front [rosette]: OMEO & DIST. A.&P. SOCIETY / WOOL DESIGN AWARDS / 1stknitting handicrafts, cammans, mr theo, knitting, handicrafts, east gippsland

Shop 113 Main Street Stawell once Coles retail store now Lyal Eales. Coles store operated around 1984, 1991. Lyal Eales opened in 2013.A different view of the Coles retail store when the street was turned into a mall, as the photo shows a brick pavement in front of the building. The entrance area between two display windows with a third display windows to the right. The upper level has 5 arch shaped windows.COLESg. j. coles retail shop stawell

Cooper Bros Butcher Shop Main Street Stawell (beside ANZ bank) c1920. Photo with two men standing out the front on the verandah. Now the building is occupied by Newtons. Two black and white photos of a butchers shop with two people out the front. One of the men has a butchers apron on the other dress in a suit and hat. Cooper Bros Butchers.stawell business

Cooper Bros Butcher Shop Main Street Stawell. Three men in front with two horse and delivery carts.Black and white photo with three men standing between two horse and carts either side. A Tobacco shop on the left and a lane way on the right with a double story building. Cooper Bros. Butcher Shop - Stawellstawell business

Brownies and leaders on float in Main Street in front of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables shopStawell Brownies Float entered in procession M Huttonguides

Newtons butchers have been long standing butchers in Main Street.Newtons Butchers 4 Photographs 1 colour 3 B/W.

Lower Main Street looking East from Railway gates. Shows four horse drawn vehicles. The photo was taken from the railway gates towards the main shopping area. The Presbyterian spire can be seen in the back ground. c1905.Sepia Postcard of a street scene the roadway is central in picture featuring 4 horse drawn vehicles. Street is tree lined with picket fence on right side of photograph. 0007a taken opposite the Diamond house looking down Seaby St. toward the railway crossing.Lower Main Street Stawell No 10. is inscribed on the front and The "Merle Studio" Main Street, Stawell on the back.stawell shops business streetscape building transport

Group of seven males outside Stabb Coach building premises. Pawsey G. W. indicated in front of Stabb Premises. Two photographic copies of a group of 7 males outside "J. H. STABB" Coach Building & Wheelwright, Stawell Coach Building. c 1916G.W. Pawsey written on print.stawell portrait business streetscape

John Bird & Mary Cocking with five other people in front of a Store & what's said to be a butcher shop c 1874.Black and white photo of 7 people outside a weather board shop. Four of the group are females and two men one is on horseback and one a young boy. The women are in long decorative dresses. A house & chimney can be seen on the left side behind a picket fence. Handwritten on photo "Father" and part of "mother" (above squiggly line). The first two on left of photo.stawell business

Cooper Bros. Butcher Shop Main Street Stawell c1920. Seven men standing under shop veranda. Down the lane way on the right is a horse and cart just visible with the wheel of another cart in front but behind the gate of the lane way. Black and white photograph of a business. Seven people standing under the veranda. Two of the people have aprons on one with horizontal stripes. There are carts in the lane way. stawell business

Isaac Cook Saddler Main Street Front view of two chimney brick home with wrap around ornate verandah and verandah railing fence. Believed to be Isaac Cooks home. stawell businesses, shop

Isaac Cook Saddler Main Street Seated bearded man in suit in front of greenery stawell businesses, shop

Murray Views No. 5. Main Street Stawell Vic. post card of street scene. The scene is looking west with the Geo Mitchell shop and Macrows furniture shop on the right. The street is full of parked cars c 1940's.Murray Views Postcard and also one enlargement of the street scene in Stawell looking west c 1940's.Murray View No. 5 Main Street, Stawell, Vic. (on the front) Real photograph produced in Australia by Murray View, Gympie, Q. (on the back). stawell business streetscape

Post Card Valentines c 1950. Main Street Stawell looking West. The view show cars parked at an angle down Main St. and shops mainly along one side. The town hall clock can be seen above the building with the Coles sign, Macrows and Geo on the right hand edge.Valentine's Post card of Main St., Stawell looking West. The scene is of many 1950 cars parked along the street with Coles Variety Store, Macrows and Geo stores dominating to the right of the photo."VII" "Main Street, Stawell" (on the front) "Valentine's Post Card sending you greetings" (on the back)stawell business streetscape

Photograph of W N Harris Wine Shop at Great Western about 1890. People in front with man Holding Penny Farthing Cycle.About 1890 Harris Shop and house Great Western. Left to Right Eliza, Maud, Mrs William Harris holding baby, Charlie with cycle.sport, wine

Photographs taken by teacher at Pleasant Creek Training Centre to help train students in living skills and becoming familiar with what shops sold. Part of socializing students for leaving the training centre.Main Street Stawell. Showing shops and businesses in Main Street. education, shops, main street, streetscape

The Reader includes articles, essays, poems, stories and artworks that presents highlights from the 2009 Festival and the writing world beyond. Recreating the diversity of writing forms and styles that the Emerging Writers’ Festival showcases, The Reader includes novelists, journalists, screenwriters, comedians, poets, playwrights, spoken word artists, comics writers and others, all talking about or showcasing their particular craft – all talking shop – but in a way that is useful and interesting to all writers. The book was published in 2009 and edited by Dion KaganThe Reader is the first Emerging Writers' Festival book. It has a black and silver cover with circular motifs on the front.emerging writers' festival, 2009, literary programming, the wheeler centre, the reader, books, dion kagan

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

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

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

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." Double sized checked blanket , mint, peach and cream Pure Wool/Embassy/Made Expressly for the Myer Emporium Ltd./"For Value and Friendly Service"/by Invicta Mills/Made in Australiablanket, wool, blanket fever, invicta mills, myer emporium

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 plaid blanket, brown, lemon, tan and mint100% Pure Lambswool/Gibsonia/Exclusive To All Foy and Gibson Ltd. Stores/Famous Since 1868blanket, wool, blanket fever, gibsonia, foy and gibson ltd

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." Queen sized checked blanket in purple, pink and cream"Invicta"/Gold Medal Mill/Made in Australia/Woolmark Emblem/Pure New Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, invicta gold medal mills