Yields information about the farewell dinner for SEC Tramway employees in Ballarat following the closure of the SEC tramway system in 1971 and quotes the Union official about trammies.Newspaper clipping from the Courier, titled "Tributes paid to Tram Service", 21/9/1971 with two photos of the farewell dinner at the Wendouree Memorial Hall, Monday 20/9/1971. The official table - SEC Chairman N. White and Mrs White, SEC Branch manager - Mr I Pellas and Mrs Pellas and the Mayor Cr. Chisholm and Mrs Chisholm. Quotes Mr Whites speech and Cr. Donald of Sebastopol The second photo of the general hall. News items continued onto a second page, and quotes the Mr. Courtney about the loss of the tramways, headed "A wake", says Union Official, with some good quotes about being a trammie. In ink on the bottom of the second photo "DCKT and GMC" marked (back of heads)sec, dinner, closure, unions, trammies

Set of two colour photographs of the 1998 Model Railway Exhibition, BTM stand, June 1998, sent to the Editor of Trolley Wire - used in the August 1998 issue of Trolley Wire. All photos by Darren Hutchesson. All photos on AGFA Prestige paper. 1142.1 - Photo of nine of the model trams in front of the depot - BTM Model Tramway - June 1998 Queens Birthday weekend - used on page 45 of Trolley Wire. 1142.2 - General photo of the model railway and stands. Alastair Reither at the controls! - used on 46 of Trolley Wire magazine. See August 1998 issue of Trolley Wire and July 1998 issue of Fares Please!Both have stickers on the rear with photo number "55 or 56" and "Photo same size" and pencil cropping marks for printing purposes.trolley wire, model tramways, model railways, models

Negatives Nos. N320 to N322 and black and white print made by a laser printer (stored in folder ) of W6 988 as the first tram in Bourke St. Melbourne, near the intersection of Elizabeth St.. Date of photograph 19/6/1955. Photos of tram approaching Elizabeth St., coming down the hill, with building on the north side of Bourke St visible in photo, just about to cross the intersection and one on the other side of the intersection, adjacent to the General Post Office with Myers in the background. Very few motor cars in the photo. Negative scanned hi res and imaged updated 21/5/2020. Page 6 of 1968 Sands and McDougall's directory of Melbourne.trams, tramways, melbourne, bourke st, elizabeth st., tram w6 988

Set of eight colour photographs of the repair of northern end of Wendouree Parade. Photos taken on 22/3/2003, printed on AGFA paper. 2556.1 - Excavating the roadway. 2556.2 - Ditto showing the general length of work and edge problems - about 1.5 pole lengths shown. 2556.3 - Cleaning the web area - Len Millar and Paul Mong. 2556.4 - Installing screw spikes - 2556.5 - Drilling and cleaning - Alan Snowball, Kevin Taig, Len Millar and Paul Mong. 2556.6 - Looking along the length of work. 2556.7 - Getting ready to install a sleeper in the vicinity of the old track drain - Oedf Byslma at the controls. 2556.8 - Digging the old one out. trackwork, wendouree parade, track

Significant in being a detailed set of instructions for parking trams, hand overs, relief, responsibility for the security of the tram, including leaving the tram unattended. Regrettable incidents have happened. Issued 1965. Follows on from Reg item 261 an earlier version, but with less detailed instructions and no explanation.Two foolscap duplicated sheets titled "Special Order to Motormen (49/1)" giving instructions regarding 1) Responsibility (for trams), 2) Relief on the road, 3) Controller key, 4) Air brake handle, 5) leaving tram unattended with definition, general precautions, special precautions - such as parking the tram at Lydiard St North, parking trams at City Loop and 6) an explanation on the braking system at either end of the tram. Dated 25 January 1961. Printed from wax stencil and stapled along the top edge. Signed by F. K. White Manager. See Reg Item 261 for 9-1961 issue and 5371 for an undated issue.trams, tramways, ballarat, trams, secv, instructions, operations, lydiard st nth, city loop, braking

Photocopy of a four page document, from the Public Records Office of Victoria, c1995 of the Statutory Declaration verifying the Liquidator's Statement of the winding up of the Ballaarat Tramway Company (Horse Tramway) 27/11/1903. Made under the Victorian Companies Act of 1896. First page - cover page - with Victorian Company Registrar General's stamp. Second page - Statutory declaration Third and Fourth page - statement of accounts over two pages giving details of the realization and disbursements and an analysis of balance. Gives details of dividends to share holders - 10/- share on 21/1/1903 and final dividend of 1/2d per share on 17/7/1903.trams, tramways, ballaarat tramway company, horse tram, winding up, liquidators statement

Has photos of various locations and lines within Brisbane and Rockhampton, Brisbane Trolley buses, Nambour, Mossman, For details of each photograph and layouts see Wal Jack Brisbane and Rockhampton Album list.Has a strong association with Wal Jack and tramway developments within Australasia until 1964 and given their extent are of particular significance. Features Brisbane and Rockhampton trams. Light grey covered folder, loose leaf covers held with grey cord, light grey paper inside covers holding some 28 sheets of card on which photos have been mounted using photo corners of various types, captions in blue or black ink. Has some 172 black and white photographs including some photographs. Inside front cover is a type copy of a paper by GR Steer, General Manager Brisbane Tramways, "Brisbane Tramways, Their History and Development". Has Keith Kings name on cover sheet, and date Jan. 1951. Paper for meeting of the Historical Society of Queensland, 26 Aug. 1943. trams, tramways, brisbane, rockhampton, tramcars, wal jack

Yields information about the instructions about tram operations, safety instructions and leaving trams.Two foolscap duplicated sheets titled "Special Order to Motormen (49/1)" giving instructions regarding 1) Responsibility (for trams), 2) Relief on the road, 3) Controller key, 4) Air brake handle, 5) leaving tram unattended with definition, general precautions, special precautions - such as parking the tram at Lydiard St North, parking trams at City Loop and 6) an explanation on the braking system at either end of the tram. Undated. Printed from wax stencil and stapled along the top edge. Signed by F. K. White Manager. See Reg Item 261 for 9-1961 issue and Reg item 3459 for a Jan. 1961 issue. trams, tramways, braking, instructions, sec, emergency, driver training

Pale green auction catalogue with dark green printing for a sale held on the 27th and 28th July '93 for Dept. Planning and Development Construction Group former Plant Depot, Port Melbourne. For sale on day 1 were hand tools, equipment, power tools, jackhammers, jacks, paint, contractors' equipment, general stores, major plant & vehicles, backhoes, tractors, drilling rig, tip trucks, vibrating rollers, trailers, concrete mixers, caravans and site office. On Day 2 were sundry contractors equipment, tools & stores, used and modern office furniture and computer equipment. J. H. Curnow & Son P/L were the auctioneers.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - dept. planning and development construction group former plant depot, j h curnow & son p/l, noel dyett, fred dyett, ian dyett, bolton bros p/l

Ledger containing the Financial Records of the Bendigo Athletic Club from January 1st 1894 - 1901. Burgundy fabric covered covers with brown leather corners and spine. Marbled pattern on inside covers. Customized label on front for Bendigo Athletic Club. Headings include: Postage, Discounts, Gates, Grandstand, Salary, Commission, General Charges, Donations, Bonuses, Official Programs, Privileges, Percentages, Handicapping, Wages, Grounds, Interest, Banking, Account. Secretary J A Michelson 1895 - 1896, 1896-1897 recorded in the book. No other names recorded. Pages missing for first half of 1898. The front section of the ledger with alphabetic tabs has been resued as a recipe book.J A Michelsonclubs and associations, sport, bendigo athletic club

Significant, one of the earliest details of the Red Cross Society in WW1 Very significant, very rare.Paper poster, headed Red Cross Society. Asking for interested citizen in the Camberwell/Canterbury area to form committees to raise 600 pounds to buy a fitted out Motor Ambulance to send over to France as part of the war effort. In October 1914 not one motor Ambulance was on the French front as the War office had banned any Red Cross involvement with wounded soldiers. Once General Kitchener was made aware of this situation he immediately overruled the ban and 100 motor ambulances and 1000 Nurses were sent to France. This fund raising by Camberwell Residents for a Motor Ambulance to be sent to France would have been among the first in WW1.See photo for complete details

.1 - Printed Newsletter, double sided foolscap sheet - TMSV Newsletter - April 1973" reporting on the TMSV's actions to try and obtain Bendigo tramcars and spare parts, the actions of the Bendigo Trust over the prevention of transport of a Birney tram from Bendigo and the general activities of the TMSV. .2 - Newspaper clipping from The Herald 26/7/1976, titled "Tramway is Over", reporting on the reconstruction of Bendigo Birney 27 by the Bendigo Trust to go to the AETM, St Kilda Tramway Museum Adelaide to fulfill an agreement with the SEC prior to the closure of the Bendigo Tramways. Has a photo of the tram being worked on and that it was salvaged after an accident by George Johnson of Bendigo. Gives details of the dispute.trams, tramways, tmsv, bendigo, birney, aetm, disputes

Radio Transcript - 11 Foolscap pages, undated, given a reference to the connection of the Commercial Road tram line following conversion of St Kilda Road cable tram lines - early 1926. Presented by The Chairman, Mr Cameron, giving a short history of trams in Melbourne, formation of the Board, lists other Board members, the General Scheme, Railway electrification, public transport in Melbourne, William St extension, replacement of the cable trams, methods of conversion, reference to the Tramway Trusts, Mr. Strickland, Mr. Murdoch, W. Strangward, tramcars, speed of trams, use of buses and finally fares. Has a reference to the forthcoming conversion of the Commercial Road and Malvern Road cable tramsHas green pencil in top left hand corner "Chair"trams, tramways, public transport, radio stations, cable trams, conversion, general scheme, personnel

Book - 12 pages centre stapled titled "The tramway journal - Vol 5 No 15, November 17, 1916". Contains the industrial agreement with the Tramway Board with new clauses marked, minimum wage decision. Has notes on the Committee of Management, The American Presidency, the Northcote cable trams, Tramway employees mortality fund, with lists of new members, members transferred or enlisted and unions in general. Includes the balance sheet of war funds subscriptions of members. Has adverts for Bradshaw's Business College, Coles book arcade, The Big Paterson furniture store, F. C Needham Optician, Carlton Ale and Abbotsford Ale and Victor Taylor dentist. Full document scanned.Has "Tramway Board Agreement" in ink along the top edge.trams, tramways, unions, agreements, world war 1, tramway board, northcote, benefit society

Memorandum - 3 quarto ruled sheets + part of a former poster with a cover note, dated 20/10/1921.   Written in ink to Mr. J. W. Duncan General Superintendent by William Pollock Acting Supt. about the issues at the Toorak Road Engine House regarding poor coke, recording the times of the fireman and trimmer, and problems in keeping up the power required due to the high percentage of breeze.  Looks at the use of staff to fire and maintain supplies. Handwritten cover note was written on a torn poster from the Brunswick line noting a complaint from Thomson Fireman at the engine house about the lack of assistance.   Was pinned to the three-page note and written in pencil."date stamped 20/10/21trams, tramways, boilers, power house, winding houses, personnel

Light purple cloth covered bound book, 48 pages "MMTB Electric Tramways and Motor Omnibuses Sections and Fares", dated April 1940. Though dated prior to the closure of the cable tram routes does not include cable tram routes. Book consists of one section, bound with sewn cloth binding on the outside with glued white paper end covers. April 1940 Details the various section stages and fares for each tram and bus route, General instructions, concession fares. 2nd copy added 5/5/2019 from donation of Barry Brooks ex Bob Prentice Collection. Images revised - jpgs retained and pdf added.Has a number of inscriptions in pencil: Inside front cover "M.E. Gorey 4194" Notes on pages 4, 8, 9, 25 re fares or sections on inside rear cover "184"trams, tramways, tickets, fares, sections, passes

Photocopy of an A4 document - 24 pages, stapled in the top left hand corner - titled "Expressions of Interest for Design of Tramway Museum At Hawthorn Depot" dated 28 Jan 1993. Issued by the Public Transport Corporation, providing an information brochure, description of work, general information, selection criteria, mandatory information, conditions of registration and decisions. Had a number of response forms at rear. Technical Queries were to Bob Roberts. .2 - newspaper advertisement - same title - advertising for EOI for design services. Advert not dated, gives closing date of 19/2/1993. Also has a an advert for a EOI for Provision of Design Maintenance and construction services for the PTC.trams, tramways, hawthorn, ptc, museum, construction, tenders, eoi

Handwritten carbon copy and typed copy of notes on 1st and 2nd stage plans for a tourist area on approx. 20 acres at Victoria Hill. First stage was to clean up the area, locate and sign post shafts, engine beds, etc and prepare a topographical map with these features on it. Second stage was to arrange for the purchase of typical miners homes and shops in the vicinity to be restored for inspection by visitors. Mining equipment to be placed in the area. Prepare brochures for sale. Set up a mining museum.Prepare an area near BCV 8 with direction finder to mining and general features, as this has the best natural ground level view in the City. Notes prepared by Albert Richardson.mine, gold, victoria hill, victoria hill, visitor plans for victoria hill, darrel mcclure, bendigo city council, bendigo historical society, central nell gwynne, caleb thomas, bcv 8, lazarus, old chum, new chum, victoria, repeater station (p. m. g.)

View looking north along Main Road, Eltham from near present day Dudley Street. On the immediate left is the railway station. The large weatherboard building on the bend (opposite present-day Arthur Street) with signs for General Store, Refreshments and Summer Drinks painted on the side is Luther and Ada Haley’s General Store and Bakery, built 1902. This was the first building in what is now Eltham’s present shopping town centre. Haley previously ran the General Store and Bakery on the corner of Main Road and York Street until his lease expired and the premises were bought by Mrs Sarah Burgoyne in 1902. The store later was known as Staff's Store. Followed by the saleyards, entrance to station, slaughter yard and William J Capewell’s butcher shop. Contained within the saleyards facing the street, a small shelter with the name H.H. Clark upon it. Horace Harold Clark was the son of Eltham State School’s first Head Teacher, David George Clark. As well as being a farmer, he was an Estate Agent and conducted auction sales, presumably from this shelter. On the eastern (right) side of Main Street is Haley’s Paddock, which was used on occasions for community picnics. Capable of holding 10,000 people, with ample shade and hilly surroundings it was an ideal place for any community gathering such as the State Schools’ Picnic in 1904. A worker from the bakery store is standing in the gateway at the rear of the store observing the photographer. People in the ‘Sunday Best’ are milling in front of the bakery or strolling down the centre of Main Road. The picture was most likely taken on a Sunday. With the opening of the railway to Eltham in 1902, Melbourne residents would regularly enjoy a Sunday excursion journey on the train to Eltham for a day’s outing to the countryside or beyond to Hurstbridge from 1912 when the railway was extended. Picture dated as c.1910 based on similar picture published in the Weekly Times, Feb. 1912. Cross Ref: 609 (looking south), 612, 611 (later stage), 613.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image (4 x 5 inch negative missing - scanned from print) Printbaker, eltham, eltham railway station, general store, haley's paddock, luther haley, luther haley general store, main road, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, sign, summer drinks, butcher, railway station, w.j. capewell, eltham town centre, hot water, m.m. clark, eltham sale yards, eltham slaughter yard, staffs general store

This honour roll was found in poor condition in a district antique shop. It was fully restored by an enthusiastic local lady, It was presented to the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum on 20 April 2022. The Museum is now known as the Bendigo Military Museum. The Beehive was a major store in Pall Mall Bendigo, the Main Street through the centre of the City. Names on the roll. Top row, E. Buddle, Edgar Peter No 4450 14th reinforcements 6th BN. R Jenkins, Reginald Claude No 4526 14th reinforcements 6th BN. H Crowalladar. Spelt wrong, actually Thomas Henry Cadwallader No 4160 13th Reinforcements 7th BN KIA 18.8.1916. J. A. Williams, John Arnold No 9797 16th reinforcements 2nd Fld Amb. J. Holl, James Thomas No 2432 5th reinforcements 60th BN. 2nd row, N. Veale, (Veal) Norman Joseph No 2070 5th reinforcements 14th BN Major Robert Oswald Henderson D.S.O, 38th BN HQ, KIA 29.9.1918. Rank at death Lt Colonel. P, Buddle, Thomas Percy No 3359 9th Reinforcements 58th BN KIA 27.4.1918. 3rd row. C. Wood MM, Charles No 2453 5th Reinforcements 24th BN, MM 20.9.1917, Bar to MM 14.6.1918. T. Henderson MM, Thomas Richard, 15th Reinforcements 5th BN (2nd Lt). Awarded MM after joining the Canadian Army. F. Marriot, Frederick No 1897 13th Reinforcements 4th LH Regt, MM 2.11.1917 4th row. N Meagher, Norman Bernard No 43 38th BN HQ. G.Speedy, George Thomas No 21718 General reinforcements Army medical Corp 1917. W. Trebilcock, William Edward No 55239 5th General Reinforcements (Vic) 1918. C. P. Fisk, Charles Reginald No 55371 6th General Reinforcements (Vic) 1918. "MM" Military Medal "DSO" Distinguished Service Order The frame is a flat faced hardwood timber, varnished. Each corner has a decorative scroll work of leaves and flowers. They are dark brown colour. There is a gold rim around the inside of the picture frame. Inside are 15 oval openings, in which are black and white portraits of WW1 soldiers. The writing and captions are in white paint. Each name has a decorative loop around it. There are two sets of National flags painted near the top. Red and blue tints.ww1, honour roll, beehive

View looking north along Main Road, Eltham from near present day Dudley Street. On the immediate left is the railway station. The large weatherboard building on the bend (opposite present-day Arthur Street) with signs for General Store, Refreshments and Summer Drinks painted on the side is Luther and Ada Haley’s General Store and Bakery, built 1902. This was the first building in what is now Eltham’s present shopping town centre. Haley previously ran the General Store and Bakery on the corner of Main Road and York Street until his lease expired and the premises were bought by Mrs Sarah Burgoyne in 1902. The store later was known as Staff's Store. Followed by the saleyards, entrance to station, slaughter yard and William J Capewell’s butcher shop. Contained within the saleyards facing the street, a small shelter with the name H.H. Clark upon it. Horace Harold Clark was the son of Eltham State School’s first Head Teacher, David George Clark. As well as being a farmer, he was an Estate Agent and conducted auction sales, presumably from this shelter. On the eastern (right) side of Main Street is Haley’s Paddock, which was used on occasions for community picnics. Capable of holding 10,000 people, with ample shade and hilly surroundings it was an ideal place for any community gathering such as the State Schools’ Picnic in 1904. A worker from the bakery store is standing in the gateway at the rear of the store observing the photographer. People in the ‘Sunday Best’ are milling in front of the bakery or strolling down the centre of Main Road. The picture was most likely taken on a Sunday. With the opening of the railway to Eltham in 1902, Melbourne residents would regularly enjoy a Sunday excursion journey on the train to Eltham for a day’s outing to the countryside or beyond to Hurstbridge from 1912 when the railway was extended. Picture dated as c.1910 based on similar picture published in the Weekly Times, Feb. 1912. Cross Ref: 609 (looking south), 612, 611 (later stage), 613.Negative black and white film 120 6x9 format 2 stripsAgfa APX 100baker, butcher, eltham, eltham railway station, eltham sale yards, eltham slaughter yard, eltham town centre, general store, haley's paddock, hot water, luther haley, luther haley general store, m.m. clark, main road, railway station, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, shops, sign, staffs general store, summer drinks, w.j. capewell

When war broke out in 1899, and early target for the Boers was the diamond-mining centre of Kimberley. This was located near the point where the Transvaal, Orange Free State and Cape Colony met. General Sir Redvers Buller detached the 1st Division under Lieutenant General Lord Methuen to relieve the Siege of Kimberley. This decision was made partly for reasons of prestige. To capture Kimberley (which contained the famous imperialist and former Prime Minister of Cape Colony, Cecil Rhodes) would be a major propaganda victory for the British. Methuen's force advanced north and won two engagements against the Boers of the Orange Free State. Reinforcements from Transvaal under General Koos de la Rey arrived and he convinced the Boers to follow his plans for attacking the British. Instead of relying on the hills for protection and missing their targets, de la Rey proposed they make use of the flat veld and introduced them to the Mauser rifle with its flat trajectory. Trenches were built in the banks of the Modder River from which they could sweep the veld for a great distance. The trenches were built on the south side of the river and on the smaller Riet River where they meet at Modder River Station. Methuen's force began advancing towards the Modder planning to cross the river. The Boers opened fire and the British troops were unable to find cover on the veld. They had to lay flat so as not to be seen or hit. The British guns pounded the buildings near Modder River Station and the north bank of the river, missing the trenches on the south bank. The battle became a stalemate. The British found an opening on the Boer's right flank at Rosmead ford downstream and drove the Boers out of Rosmead. De la Rey drove them back into a small insecure bridgehead. The Boers feared they were vulnerable and withdrew during the night. Methuen reported that the battle had been "one of the hardest and most trying fights in the annals of the British army". Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.boers, diamind-mining, kimberley, transvaal, orange free state, cape colony, sir rdvers buller, lieutenant general lord methuen, siege of kimberley, cecil rhodes, general koos dde la rey, mauser rifle, veld, modder river, modder river station, trenches, riet river, rosmead

This cap would have been worn by a student nurse in her third year of training as in the first year her cap had no arrows. Prior to the transfer of nursing education to the university sector, nurses were trained in a course of instruction in hospital nursing schools that awarded a certificate in general nursing. These courses were generally for a three-year period, and nurses were paid employees of the parent hospital. In Melbourne after WW11 because individual hospitals couldn't get enough nursing students a school of nursing was established - The Royal Melbourne and Associated Hospitals School of Nursing.A white cotton cap which draws up at the back with string to form a frill. It was pinned on the hair. The cap has two red arrows on the rim.H.D. MURRELL 5485health nursing uniform

Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert (1796 - 1870) was born at GroB-Walditz in Silesia, Germany. He studied medicine at the University of Berlin, then the capital of Prussia. The young doctor joined the 2nd Regiment of the Prussian army, one among the allies who fought against the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. He saw active service as army surgeon under the command of General von Blücher. . Dr. Siegert relied on the herbs and plants of the region for his cures. In 1824, he began to produce the bitters product which was originally used for medicinal purposes.A dark green bottle with a long neck which possibly had a waxed cork stopper.Around shoulder and on base - JGB Siegert & Sons. DRangostura siegert-jgb bottle bitters

These four photographs were taken during a 2/4 RAR Pipes and Drums visit to the Army Survey Regiment, Fortuna Villa, Bendigo probably in 1990. Although the reason for their visit is unknown there were several events held at the time commemorating the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Australian Survey Corps, such as the Freedom of Entry to the City of Bendigo Parade, an Open Day, visits by the Prime Minister Hon. RJ Hawke and the Chief of the General Staff, the opening of the new printing press building Wayzgoose Hall on Corps Day and formal Officer and SGTs Mess Dinners.These four photographs were taken during a 2/4 RAR Pipes and Drums visit to the Army Survey Regiment, Fortuna Villa, Bendigo probably in 1990. The black & white photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 300 dpi. .1) - Photo, black & white, c1990, unidentified 2/4 RAR Pipes and Drums Sergeant-Major .2) - Photo, black & white, c1990, unidentified 2/4 RAR Pipes and Drums personnel .3) - Photo, black & white, c1990 L to R: RSM WO1 Neville Stone, CO LTCOL Rene van den Tol, unidentified 2/4 RAR Pipes and Drums Sergeant-Major. .4) - Photo, black & white, c1990, L to R: CO LTCOL Rene van den Tol, unidentified 2/4 RAR Pipes and Drums Sergeant-Major .1P to .4P – no annotationsroyal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr

A darning mushroom such as this was a common household item in Australia up to the 1950s. Socks were mostly made of wool and when holes appeared, (particularly in the heel) they had to be darned, usually in a criss-cross pattern. The darning mushroom gave the darner a good smooth and stable surface. Many of these darning tools were homemade. The darner could also have been used to mend torn sleeves or other items of clothing. Some people may still use a darning mushroom today but in general socks are not darned but disposed of when holes appear. This darning mushroom has no known local provenance but it is a good example of a household item of times past. This is a light-coloured wooden darning tool. The mushroom-shaped top is attached to a handle which is elongated at the bottom end and has a slight ridge near the base and a small hole at the end. There are some pit marks on the top surface. darning mushroom, social history, history of warrnambool