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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Decorative object - Wall Decoration, 1850 to 1901
This item is part of the Giles Collection, dating back to the late Victorian era, from the 1880s to the early 1900s, in which Queen Victoria ruled England. The queen’s influence was felt throughout the world, including in the United States and Australia where Victorian values shaped society and style, especially in home décor. This period’s distinct style presents an eclectic mix of highly ornamented furniture, wallpaper, and knick-knacks. Particularly in terms of furniture, and the characteristic floral patterns and rich, contrasting colours, wall hangings that enjoyed the height of their popularity during the Victorian era were of the spiritual type with either embroidered or punched paper religious motto or bible quote. Mottoes were commonly hung high up on the wall or in an area of prominence, to remind the viewer of their important message, such as “He Leadeth Me” and “Honesty, Industry, and Sobriety.” Short and pithy, they embodied the ideals of Victorian society. Technological advances contributed to the boom of religious mottoes whereas before the Industrial Revolution home décor of this sort was handmade and therefore minimal, now consumers could purchase and fill their homes with all sorts of mass-produced ephemera goods similar to the subject item. Many of these mass-produced period pieces still exist today, often in their original frames, ceramic, enamelled or paper formats. Flagstaff maritime museum has many examples of mottoes on display that serve to reflect the period in which values of home, faith, and Christianity were very prominent in everyday Victorian society. The Giles Family There are many 19th century items of furniture, linen and crockery donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village by Vera and Aurelin Giles. The items are associated with the Giles Family and are known as the “Giles Collection”. These items mostly came from the simple home of Vera’s parents-in-law, Henry Giles and his wife Mary Jane (nee Freckleton), whose photos are in the parlour. They married in 1880. Henry Giles was born at Tower Hill in 1858. He was a labourer on the construction of the Breakwater before leaving in 1895 to build bridges in N.S.W. for about seven years. Mary Jane was born in 1860 at Cooramook. She attended Mailor’s Flat State School where she was also a student teacher before, as a family legend has it, she became a governess at “Injemiara” where her grandfather, Francis Freckleton, once owned land. Henry and Mary’s family of six, some of whom were born at Mailor’s Flat and later children at Wangoom, lived with their parents at Wangoom and Purnim west, where Henry died in 1933 and Mary Jane in 1940.The Giles family collection has social significance at a local level, because it illustrates the level of material support the Warrnambool community gave to Flagstaff Hill when the Museum was established. This wall decoration reflects the social values and attitudes of the late Victorian era that was used to promote good Christian and moral values in many households. These items of decoration were very popular at this time and the subject item is significant as it gives a snapshot into the social norms of past generations. Printed card wall hanging with floral design. Religious text on the sign is embossed onto the card and highlighted in silver print. There is a handwritten ink inscription, and a pencil inscription, on the back. A string is attached to two holes on top of the card. Embossed"THE BLESSING / OF THE LORD/ BE UPON YOU." "PS 129.8." In pencil "H/S" In ink "To dear Granny with lots of love / from Dorothy. X X."flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, paper wall decoration, religious, home decoration, societal values, victorian moral values, wall hanging, wall decoration, spiritual decoration, bible verse, giles collection -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Furniture - Set of Chairs, 1880s
... williamstown church furniture religious furniture religious worship ...This set of four dining chairs was part of the original furnishings of the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria. The Australian colonial wooden chairs date to the late 1880s and are most like to have been purchased for use in the Sailors’ Rest when it moved into Ann Street, Williamstown, around the 1880s. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History: for more, see our Reg. No. 611, Set of Pews) The Missions to Seamen, an Anglican charity, has served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. It symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centr4es in over 200 ports world-wide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria the orgainsation began in Williamstown in 1857. It was as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’. Its location was an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981 and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This set of chairs is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It originated in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The set of chairs is historically significant for its connection to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, an organisation of women, formed to support seafarers. The connection of this set of chairs to the Mission to Seamen and to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary highlights the strong community awareness of the life of people at sea, their dangers and hardships, and their need for physical, financial, spiritual and moral support. Chairs: set of four (4) cedar wood dining chairs. Each chair has a rounded rail back, flat cross rail, flat wooden seat, curved back legs and colonial turned front legs. Mid-brown colour, veneered finish. The set of chairs is part of the St Nicholas Seamen's Church Williamstown Collection. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, religion, religious service, sailors rest, bethel sailors’ church, bethel floating church, ladies harbour light guild, lightkeepers’ auxiliary, missions to seamen victoria, mission to seafarers, flying angel’s club, st nicholas mission to seamen church williamstown, mission to seamen williamstown, st nicholas seamen’s church flagstaff hill, 139 nelson place williamstown, church furniture, religious furniture, religious worship, anglican church, chair, dining chair, kitchen chair, domestic furniture, colonial chair, australian colonial period, set of chairs, squab chairs, sailors' church, ann street williamstown -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Container - Ceramic Bottle (Chinese Style), Minton Potteries, Late 19th century
The subject item is believed to be a "Chinese style stoneware liquor bottle used to store "Tiger Whiskey" (rice wine). These Chinese liquor bottles are made of glazed pottery known as brown stoneware and have been made throughout the centuries by many makers until well after American Prohibition. Later varieties from the mid 20th century are commonly found in the USA with the raised lettering "Federal Law Forbids Sale Or Re-use of this bottle" a sure sign of post-1934 manufacture. This example is interesting as it has a British Minton mark of two triangles on the base indicating a date of 1879 and was likely exported to Australia by Minton. These ceramic bottles virtually always have irregularities and flaws which indicate a product has been hastily manufactured, in any event, this is a fine example of a relatively common item that may have been copied by Minton and sold as a decorative domestic item for display or mass produced for storing liquor. Giles Family: The pair of ceramic bottles were given to Vera Giles by Jim Thompson and are just many 19th century items of furniture, linen and crockery donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village by, Vera and Aurelin Giles. The items are associated with Warrnambool and the Giles Family history. Items donated by the family have come to be known as the “Giles Collection”. Many items in the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage were donated by Vera and Aurelin Giles and mostly came from the home of Vera’s parents-in-law, Henry Giles and his wife Mary Jane (nee Freckleton) who married in 1880 and whose photos are on display in the parlour. Henry was born at Tower Hill in 1858, and was a labourer on the construction of the Warrnambool Breakwater before leaving in 1895 for around seven years to build bridges in NSW. Mary Jane was born in 1860 at Cooramook and she attended Mailor’s Flat State School and where she eventually was to become a student teacher. After which she became a governess at “Injemiara” where her grandfather, Francis Freckleton, had once owned land. Henry and Mary’s family consisted of six, some of the children were born at Mailor’s Flat and later some children at Wangoom. They lived with their parents at Wangoom and Purnim west, and this is where Henry died in 1933 and Mary Jane in 1940. A significant item of lead-glazed ceramic with the possibility it was made by the Minton potteries in England who were renowned for making quality pottery. The item style is in all probability a copy of a Chinese liquor bottle that was in common use throughout the British colonies and America up until the mid 20th Century. The Giles family collection has social significance at a local level, because it illustrates the level of material support the Warrnambool community gave to Flagstaff Hill when the Museum was established.Chinese liquor bottle one of a pair, lead glazed ceramic, dark brown and blue/black. Part of the Giles Collection.Mark of a double triangle, apex touching, on base, (Minton mark for 1879).flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, vase, pottery, ceramic ornament, domestic ware, late 19th - early 20th centuy ornament, giles collection, henry giles, tower hill, cooramook, warrnambool breakwater, mailor’s flat, wangoom, 19th century household goods -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Commode Chair, 1930's
Early Australian homes were built with outdoor bathrooms and toilets. A commode chair was a convenient and discreet design to save trips outside in the dark, creating an early form of indoor toilet. The commode chair was designed to look like any other household chair and fitted in with other bedroom furniture. The toilet bucket or chamber pot was hiding beneath a false seat and a lid was provided to cover the pot to help prevent odour and spillage. The bucket would be emptied each morning and washed out. This commode chair belonged to the great great grandmother of the donor and has been kept in very good condition. It was originally one of a pair of two chairs. The Robert Fowler Ltd Pottery was established in 1837 by Irish immigrant Enoch Fowler (1807-1879) in Marrickville, Sydney; his son Robert managed the business from 1873. Initially, the company mainly supplied the building and industrial trades but after the First World War, demand for domestic clayware grew. The company opened a second factory in Thomastown, VIC, in 1927. They are still operating today as one of Australia's leading bathroom products companies. This commode chair is an example of early 20th century bedroom furniture made by the first company to make pottery in Australia.Commode chair, cane chair, padded seat lifts up to reveal toilet seat with enamel bucket and metal lid beneath. Bucket is made by R. Fowler Ltd. of Victoria, Australia. Early 20th century.Bucket Maker's Mark "R. FOWLER LTD. THOMASTOWN VIC"flagstaff hill,, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, commode chair, cane commode chair, robert fowler porcelain ware, bedroom furniture, potty chair, wicker toilet chair, ceramic chamber pot -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Programme (item) - Program, National Trust, Australian Heritage Festival - Victorian Program 2023, 2023
The Australian Heritage Festival is a yearly event organised by the National Trust. Organisations can register their events held during a month, with dates varying in each state. In 2023, tours of the Mission were organised over three week ends. And two sessions about the restoration of the Manse chairs were presented by Tim Wilmot from the Furniture History Society. The chairs, table and butler table were relocated in the Manse dining room for the occasion.The Mission to Seafarers holds tours and other events every year during this Festival for the community to discover its history. australian heritage festival, events, victorian program, national trust, furniture history society, tim wilmot, 2023 -
Greensborough Historical Society
Book, Peter Cuffley, The Federation catalogue: household life in Australia, 1890-1915, 1997
... of household and personal items from the period 1890-1915 in Australia ...120 p., black and white illustrationsnon-fictionpersonal items, household implements, furniture, domestic furniture, federation australia -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Photograph, copy, The Age, St Nicholas' Mariners' Church, at Williamstown Mission to Seamen, with the lay reader in charge (Mr Stewart Murray) conducting a service, 14 June 1958
The photograph wa published in the Age, 14th of June 1958. The picture shows the round stained glass dedicated on Sunday 14 December 1947 and the reredos with hangings donated by Maud Breaks in memory of her sister Louise Breaks and dedicated on 26 August 1954 by the Bishop of Geelong.This is a rare picture of the interior of the St Nicholas chapel which was erected behind the former E, S & A Bank building used by the Williamstown Seamen's Mission branch from 1944. Article in the Age reading: "Seamen's Window Dedicated - A window in St. Nicholas' Mariners' Church, at Williamstown, in memory of the merchant seamen who were killed on active service In the last war, was unveiled and dedicated yesterday.The ceremony was performed by the Bishop of Geelong (Rt. Rev. J. D. McKie). The window, erected by the Williamstown Lightkeepers' Auxiliary of the Victoria Missions to Seamen is placed behind the altar. It shows a quartermaster, with his hand on the wheel, and the figure of Christ pointing ahead. Bishop McKie paid a tribute to the spirit of the men who gave their lives at sea in the service of their country. He said the work of the auxiliary would still be of great value, although the war was over." The decision of the window was published in August 1947, Mrs Musther -who created the Lightkeepers' Auxiliary branch in Williamstown - ordered it from Brooks, Robinson & Co. (job books 1923-1966). The furniture and window were donated in 1979 to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in Warrnanbool, and located in the chapel.Black and White Gloss print photograph - Image features a minister delivering a chapel serviceHand written in black texta; ... Mission to Seamen, Williamstown Chapel service... Circa 1957randall stewart murray, st nicholas the mariner chapel, chapel, lay reader, williamstown, victorian-seamens-mission, 139 nelson place, e,s and a bank, english, scottish and australian bank, stained-glass window, pews, lightkeepers' auxiliary, warrnambool, mrs musther, brooks, robinson & co, hymn board, david conolly -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Furniture - Sanctuary chairs, pair, Gladys Hawkey (1886-1974), c. 1917
William Scott Purves Godfrey (1872-1953) designed the chairs and Miss Gladys Hawkey (1886-1974) carved them. W.S.P Godfrey was born in Toorak on 6 April 1872. He was was the cousin of Ethel Godfrey. Educated in Brussels and at Melbourne Grammar, he studied Architecture at the University of Melbourne. He and Henry Howard Spowers established the architectural firm Godfrey & Spowers, known for the design of the Argus building, around 1901. W S P Godfrey retired from practice in 1944. He died in August 1953, aged 81. He's buired in the St Kilda Cemetery with the Godfrey family. Gladys Hawkey was a member of the Guild. (photographed during the Norla Fete). She was born in Sandhurst, Bendigo and is buired in the Bendigo Cemetery. Little is known about Gladys Hawkey. She may have been a student of Robert Prenzel. Another mention of her work is made in an article in 1915 where her escritoire is offered in a raffle to raise funds for the Australian sick and Wounded. The chairs were donated in 1919 when the Flinders Street mission was open. In a style of Robert Prenzel with Australian Flora, the chairs are in the typical Arts and Crafts style. Like many women from the early 1900s, she was likely to have been inspired by the Australian exhibition of women's work and other female woodworkers of the time.Handcarvedgladys amy hawkey (1886-1974), william scott purves godfrey (1872-1953), lhlg, ladies harbour lights guild, chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, wood carving, godfrey and spowers, heritage listed, arts and crafts, gifts-1917 -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Postcard, A Real Photograph, The Chapel, Missions to Seamen Melbourne, Vic, c. 1917
The postcard depicts the St Peter chapel with its furnitshing and furniture gifted by suppoerters.Early photograph of the St Peter Chapel.Glossy sepia tone postcard depicting the interior of the St Peter chapel.Printed on verso: Postcard / A Real Photograph / Produced in Australiast peter chapel, seamen mission, mission to seamen, mission to seafarers, flinders street, melbourne, pulpit, prayer desk, altar, lectern, cross, credence, alm's dish -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Furniture - Dining Chairs, 6, 1920-1930
This set of six original chairs (2 armchairs + 4 chairs) along with the dining table was originally used in the dining room of the Manse, the chaplains' residence. Upon completion of the Institute building in 1917, the Goldsmiths moved in after living for many uncomplaining years in a flat on Australia Wharf, which had “many disadvantages and discomforts”. It was photographed in the Manse dining room by the reverend or Mrs Weller c. 1926.It is not known when they were purchased or gifted. But they are likely originating from Europe. Reverend Weller photographed the dining suite during his stay betwenn 1926-1929 (see item 1568).Wooden oakwood dining chairs with two heart-shaped carvings on the backrest. Two of the chairs have armrests. Eucalyptus green leather cushion seats. Canvas webbing underneath. Set of 6 original chairs used in the Manse. chair, dining, manse, heritage listed, dining suite, arts and crafts -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Furniture - Table
This table along with the set of six original dining chairs (2 armchairs + 4 chairs) was originally used in the dining room of the Manse, the chaplains' residence. Upon completion of the Institute building in 1917, the Goldsmiths moved in after living for many uncomplaining years in a flat on Australia Wharf, which had “many disadvantages and discomforts”. It was photographed in the Manse dining room by the reverend or Mrs Weller c. 1926.It is not known when the dining suite was purchased or gifted. But they are likely originating from Europe. Reverend Weller photographed the dining suite during his stay between 1926-1929.Extandable rectangular dining tabledining, manse, heritage listed, arts and crafts, dining suite -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Furniture - Sideboard, Buffet, Heinrich Friedrich Fischer, 1909-1912
This sideboard was originally used in the dining room of the Manse, the chaplains' residence. Upon completion of the Institute building in 1917, the Goldsmiths moved in after living for many uncomplaining years in a flat on Australia Wharf, which had “many disadvantages and discomforts”. The stamps in the drawer indicate the furniture was manufactured by H.F Fischer (Heinrich Friedrich Fischer). His store is mentioned in many advertisings as manufacturer and seller of furniture and was located at the 322 City Road address between 1909 and 1912 and is listed in the Sands & McDougall's in 1910. From 1913 his address changed to 308-310 City Road. The ‘European labour only’ stamp was a legal requirement in Victoria where it was set out in the Factories and Shops Act of 1896. Its purpose was to distinguish between furniture made in Victoria by Chinese workers and that made by Europeans, meaning Australians of European origin. To distinguish them, the European stamp was square or rectangular, the Chinese stamp was trianguler.It is not known when they were purchased or gifted and by whom. The facture is of quality, as indicated by the tenon and mortise joints of the drawers. The Wellers photographed the dining suite during his stay betwenn 1926-1929 (see item 1568).Wooden Oakwood Arts and Crafts sideboard 2 rectangular Stamps in purple ink in the drawer: " Manufactured by / H.F. Fischer/ 322 City Road / European Labour Only"manse, heritage listed, sideboard, arts and crafts, english, h.f. fischer, european labour, heinrish friedrich fischer, cabinetmaker -
Greensborough Historical Society
Tickets, Australian Legion of Ex-servicemen & Women. Victorian State Headquarters, House Raffle - Australian Legion of Ex-Servicemen & Women [1948], 1948_
Ticket for House Raffle 1/-: 1st prize Brick house; 2nd prize Suite furniture; 3rd prize Wireless set. Drawn Melbourne Stadium 9 pm. 31/1/1948.Small raffle ticket, printed in red on white paper one side onlyraffles, australian legion of ex-servicemen & women, black family -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Floor Polisher
Hoover Model 0212 was advertised in Australia 1951 - 1956. Model 0212 enabled Hoover to diversify their floor care range as they turned their attention to non carpeted floors. It came with polishing brushes, lambs wool polishing pads for furniture, and with optional scrubbing brushes. Used over wood, lino, tiles, rubber and cork.Used by a resident of the Kiewa ValleyMaroon long steel handle missing a cover at the top end. There is a long electric cord attached as the cord is wound onto the handle. The handle is fixed to a barrel which moves along the surface of the floor being cleaned. The motor rotates 2 round rotary brushes which clean the floor. There is a strip of rubber around the base. "The Hoover Electric Polisher - Model 0212 ..""Hoover Ltd. Great Britain"hoover floor polisher, electric polisher -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Tools, Name Stamp, Late 19th century/early 20th century
This is the stamp used by Ernest Phillips to mark his tools and his products. It was used both on wood and metal surfaces. Ernest Brighton Phillips (1875-1924) was born in Warrnambool and was apprenticed as a cabinet maker at the Warrnambool Box Works. By the 1890s he had established a furniture shop at the corner of Liebig and Koroit Streets and by the beginning of the 20th century he had the largest furniture warehouse and factory in Victoria outside of Melbourne. His products were sold all over Australia. He and his family lived at ‘Heatherlie’ in Koroit Street and today this site is occupied by the flats complex for senior citizens called ‘Heatherlie’. This stamp is of interest because it belonged to Ernest Phillips, a prominent Warrnambool businessman (late 1800s to the early 1900s.) It is also of interest as an example of an early name stamp. This is a small piece of metal with a rounded flange top and a wider flattened end. The end is serrated and cut to hold the letters, ‘E. Phillips’. Some white paint has been splashed on the end section.‘E.Phillips’ (letters reversed for stamping purposes)ernest phillips, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Tools, Chisel, Late 19th century/early 20th century
This chisel belonged to Ernest Brighton Phillips, a Warrnambool furniture maker. Ernest Phillips (1875-1924) was born in Warrnambool and was apprenticed as a cabinet maker at the Warrnambool Box Works. In the 1890s he established a furniture store at the corner of Liebig and Koroit Streets and by the 20th century he had the largest furniture warehouse and factory in Victoria outside Melbourne. His products were sold all over Australia. Ernest Phillips and his family lived at ‘Heatherlie’ in Koroit Street. Today this property is the site of the residential complex for senior citizens known as ‘Heatherlie’. This chisel is of interest as it belonged to Ernest Phillips, a prominent businessman in Warrnambool at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The item is also of interest as it is a good example of a woodworking tool that was used 100 years ago. This is a chisel with a wooden handle and a metal blade flattened at the end and attached to the handle by a brass ring. The blade is rusty and the handle has some of the wood gouged out at the top end. The handle has splotches of paint on it. The name of the owner, E. Phillips, is stamped into the wood. ‘E. Phillips’ernest phillips, history of warrnambool, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Tools, Hand Working Tool, Late 19th century/early 20th century
This tool belonged to Ernest Brighton Phillips, a Warrnambool furniture maker. Ernest Phillips (1875-1924) was born in Warrnambool and learnt his carpentry trade at the Warrnambool Box Works. In the late 1890s Phillips established a furniture store at the corner of Liebig and Koroit streets and by the early 20th century he had the largest furniture warehouse and factory in Victoria outside of Melbourne. His products were sold all over Australia. Phillips and his family lived at ‘Heatherlie’ in Koroit Street. Today this property is the site of the residential complex for senior citizens known as ‘Heatherlie’. This tool is of considerable interest as it belonged to Ernest Phillips, a prominent businessman in Warrnambool at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. It is also of interest as a good example of a tool that was in use 100 years ago. This is a small tool with a wooden handle. The top part of the handle that screws in is missing. The tool is attached to the handle by a brass ring and a screw and the tool itself is a thin nail-like piece of metal with a small metal piece at the end in the shape of a star with six points. This end piece gouges out a hole or a pattern in wood or other hard material. The tool belonged to Ernest Phillips and his name is stamped on the handle. Three oblong-shaped metal nails were also with this tool but were not necessarily used with it. ‘E. Phillips’ernest phillips, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Tools, Tenan Saws, Late 19th century
These hand saws belonged to Ernest Brighton Phillips (1875-1924). Born in Warrnambool, Ernest Phillips took up an apprenticeship in cabinet making at the Box Works in Warrnambool. By the late 1890s he had a furniture store and factory at the corner of Liebig and Koroit Streets. By the early 20th century Phillips had the largest furniture warehouse and factory in Victoria outside Melbourne. His products were sold all over Australia. Phillips and his family lived at ‘Heatherlie’ in Koroit Street. Today the site of the Phillips’ home contains flats for senior citizens in a complex known as ‘Heatherlie’. These tools are of interest as they belonged to Ernest Phillips, a prominent businessman in Warrnambool at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. They are also examples of the type of tools used 100 years ago. These are two hand saws which belonged to Ernest Phillips of Warrnambool. They have a rounded wooden handle inserted via a metal plug into the end of a piece of wood which is slightly curved. Attached to the metal plug is a thin steel blade with a serrated edge. The blade is approximately the same size as the piece of wood. The blades are somewhat rusted.‘J. Marples & Sons, Sheffield’.ernest phillips, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Tools, Spoke Shavers x 2, Late 19th century/early 20th century
Spoke shaves were used by woodmakers to shape curved surfaces (originally wheel spokes). These two spoke shaves belonged to Ernest Phillips of Warrnambool who would have used them to shape the surfaces of chair and table legs etc. Ernest Brighton Phillips (1875-1924) was the son of Henry Phillips (a hay and corn dealer in Warrnambool) and his wife, Emma. He learned cabinet making at the Box Works in Warrnambool and in the late 19th century established a furniture-making and selling business at the corner of Liebig and Koroit Streets. By the early 20th century he had the largest furniture warehouse and factory in Victoria outside Melbourne and sold his products all over Australia. He and his family lived at ‘Heatherlie’ in Koroit Street and after his death this Phillips house was acquired by the Methodist Church and the Heatherlie Homes for retired people were built on this site.These tools are of considerable significance as they were used by Ernest Phillips, a prominent businessman in Warrnambool during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These are two spoke shaves - small planes, slightly curved, with wooden handles and a metal blade in the middle. The blade is attached to the handles via metal ends which go through holes in the wood. The blade area is strengthened with metal plates attached by metal screws. The metal parts are well-rusted and the handles are somewhat worn. ‘E. Phillips’ etched into wood on each spoke shave.ernest phillips, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Tools, Saws, Early 20th century
These handsaws belonged to a Warrnambool furniture maker and dealer, Ernest Brighton Phillips (1875-1924). He learned cabinet making at the Warrnambool Box Works and established a furniture warehouse at the corner of Liebig and Koroit Streets in the late 1890s. By the early 20th century he had the largest furniture warehouse and factory in Victoria outside Melbourne and his furniture was sold all over Australia. He and his family lived at ‘Heatherlie’ in Koroit Street and today the site of this family home houses the retirement village complex known as ‘Heatherlie’. The makers of these saws was Robert Sorby of the Kangaroo Works in Sheffield, England. This business was established in 1928 and is one of the world’s premier manufacturers of specialist woodworking tools. These two tools are of some significance as they belonged to Ernest Phillips, a prominent businessman in Warrnambool at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. These are also a good example of the type of tools used in the woodworking trade 100 years ago. These are two handsaws which belonged to Ernest Phillips. They have wooden handles attached to the blade by metal screws. One screw is missing on the larger saw. The blades are made of steel with serrated edges and they are inserted into a fold of steel along the top edge. The handles are well-worn and the blades are a little rusty. ‘Robt. Sorby Sheffield Cast Steel’ ‘E. Phillips’ ernest phillips, robert sorby, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Tools, Phillips Collection 8 wood planes, Late 19th/early 20th centuries
These hand planes belonged to Ernest Brighton Phillips (1875-1924). Born in Warrnambool, Ernest Phillips learned cabinet-making at the Warrnambool Box Works. In the late 1890s he established his own furniture store at the corner of Liebig and Koroit Streets. By the early 20th century Phillips had the largest furniture warehouse and factory in Victoria outside of Melbourne. He sold his products all over Australia. He and his family lived at ‘Heatherlie’ in Koroit Street and the site of this home is now the complex of flats for senior citizens known as ‘Heatherlie’. These tools are of considerable interest as they belonged to Ernest Phillips, a prominent Warrnambool businessman in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They are also a good example of the tools that were used 100 years ago. These are eight woodworking tools (hand planes) which belonged to Ernest Phillips of Warrnambool. They are rectangular pieces of smooth wood, some with an extra piece of wood at the lower edge and they all have a metal blade inserted through the wood at an angle. The blade protrudes at the base of the wood and when moved by hand along a surface it shapes the piece of wood being worked on by flattening and smoothing the rough surface and reducing the thickness. These planes have been well-used.‘E. Phillips’ernest phillips, history of warrnambool, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document - Invitation, Heatherlie Homes opening 1979, Circa August 1979
"Heatherlie " homes have been extended and are still operated under the auspices of the Uniting Church Australia. Invitation retained by Absalom family members for 44 years. "Heatherlie" name originated from owners of wooden house built by EB Phillips, furniture store owner. Name taken from mrs Annie Phillips (nee Bone) family home in Stawell.Original document, invitation to dedication of "Heatherlie" by Mrs Ethel Mitchell, Moderator of Uniting Church in Victoria and the official opening By the R Hon Malcolm Fraser, PM of Australia and Member of Wannon. Significant as "Heatherlie" was a community and government funded building programRectangular white card with rounded corners. Black print with black and red logo, Uniting Church. Typewritten name, Mr. & Mrs. I. Absalom. Varied size print, copperplate, capital letters and typewritten name inserted.Logo of Uniting Churchmr archie graham, mr & mrs i absalom, uniting church, warrnambool, mrs ethel mitchell-moderator, malcolm fraser pm, of australia, koroit street, heatherlie council -
Orbost & District Historical Society
dining chair, from about 1906 until the 1930s
This item is an example of domestic furniture created to reflect an Australiana type design with Australian motifs.Wooden, Australiana dining chair. Emus + bush scene carved into back with wood turned legs and supports.Front top - Rd 253chair dining-chair wooden-chair furniture-domestic -
Orbost & District Historical Society
dining chair, from about 1906 until the 1930s
This item is an example of domestic furniture created to reflect an Australiana type design with Australian motifs.Australiana lyre bird wood dining chair. Lyre bird carving on head rest. Wood turned structuressRID 254chair dining-chair furniture-domestic -
Orbost & District Historical Society
doily, Woodward, Ruth (daughter of Alan Richardson), 1910-1930
Doily was hand made by Riuth Woodward who was the daughter of Alan Richardson, a sawmiller at Tabbara. He held ticket for the paddlesteamer Curlip.This item represents an important pastime of Australian women of the late 19th to mid 20th century. Women's focus was the home and its decoration was important. Embroidery and crochet work was an affordable way to personalise and add aesthetic value, and examples of embroidered and crocheted pieces could be found in most Australian homes, decorating or protecting furniture, floors and walls, and keeping off flies and insects from food.Small square needlepoint doily with kangaroo pattern and beaded triangular fringe. Centre is white with pink clear beading.doily handcrafts needlework beading richardson-alan -
The Cyril Kett Optometry Museum
Photograph, Janice Cook, 1930s Optometric Consulting Room in Kett Museum, 07/06/2019
Digital photograph of 1930s optometric consulting room in the Aitken Gallery of the Kett Optometry Museum. The photograph is taken looking through the door labelled 'W.E.SMITH. FVOA OPTOMETRIST AND OPTICIAN'. The detailed exhibit shows equipment, instruments and furniture typical of optometry practices in the 1930s. -
Orbost & District Historical Society
bottle, mid 20th century
Groves McVitty were wholesale grocers, wine and spirit merchants, tea and coffee importers, manufacturers of Medallion brand foods. The company was located at 8-12 Market Street, Melbourne . Its own Medallion brand products included everyday staples such as shoe polish, flour, sugar, teas, cough syrup, furniture polish and Barnes brand honey.A clear glass bottle. It is tinted green.On bottom - letters 'G' & 'M' inside 'A' 15M - 6 8 Medallionbottle medallion -
Orbost & District Historical Society
jug cover, 1953
this item was made to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth !! in 1953. In June 1953 , Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and Pakistan, and became the Head of the Commonwealth. Many souvenirs were made to mark this occasion. Some were unique and hand-made. The main sources for crochet and other needlework designs available to women were in journals, magazines and pattern books.This milk jug cover reflects an important pastime for Australian women of the late 19th to mid 20th century. Women's focus was the home and its decoration was important. Embroidery and crochet work was an affordable way to personalise and add aesthetic value, and examples of embroidered and crocheted pieces could be found in most Australian homes, decorating or protecting furniture, floors and walls, and keeping flies and insects away from food. It is also a tangible souvenir of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11.A rectangular jug cover hand crocheted in white thread. It has blue and red beads sewn into the edges. the design is "JUNE" above a crown with "E 11 R 1953" below the crown. -
Orbost & District Historical Society
candle holder, early to mid 20th century
Portable candleholders were commonly in use in Australian homes in the 1800s. Candles were very expensive in Australia and often were not available in stores. However, after 1850 the price of candles was reduced and they became readily available throughout Australia. Candleholders were popular as they protected furniture from hot wax. The dish around the candle stem collected the hot wax that could be reused later. When carrying the candleholder, the dish also protected the hand from the hot wax. This one was used by Helena Warren of Newmerella.The candle-holder is an example of an item commonly used before electric light came to the area.A white enameled candleholder which is a hollowed round, white, saucer shape edged in dark blue. In the centre there is a candle-holder on a short stem. It has a dark blue finger-grip ring on the side.lighting candle-holder -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Furniture - Arm Chair, Later half of the 19th to early 20th century
... and is significant as it was made in Australia at a time when furniture ...A gentleman's chair, gent's chair or grandfather chair is a term usually applied in Australia to a deep upholstered Victorian easy chair, often button-backed and with upholstered arms. The chair generally stood on short cabriole legs and had a 'spoon' or a wide balloon back. The 'show wood', that is, the polished frame, was usually mahogany or walnut, although many examples in Australian red cedar have survived. There are Australian versions of the gentleman's chair, ladies chair and matching settees, usually made from cedar, and occasionally from blackwood. As cedar is a softer timber than walnut, mahogany and rosewood, from which the English versions were made, the carving is usually not as crisp as in the imported version. However the Australian blackwood gentleman's chair is often difficult to distinguish from a good quality English walnut example. The Edwardian form of the gentleman's chair is much squarer in outline, with short turned legs and the arms are often supported by spindles. There was sometimes a row of spindles, like a gallery, beneath the top rail. The chairs were frequently upholstered in leather.An item probably made in Australia during the latter half of the Victorian era and is significant as it was made in Australia at a time when furniture and many other household items were imported from either America or England.Cedar Gentleman's armchair, upholstered and buttoned in brown leather, scalloped and carved with Prince of Wales Feather on back, arms are scrolled and carved with Acanthus leaf design and finished on tulip turned legs with brass and porcelain castors. circa 1870 Australian made. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, furniture, chair, armchair