The Stormbird was built in Southport Tasmania in 1874 and was originally a steamer registered in Hobart. 1876. It was re-registered many times with different owners: William Fergusson & S.Reeves, reg. Port Adelaide; 1878: G.McKay, C.Heath & J.Yeo; 1883: G.S.Simmonds. It made regular voyages from Port Victoria. In 1893 on November14 Stormbird sank at her wharf, near Honey Street, after being struck by the Tenterden. It was raised (29 Nov) & repaired.In 1902. It was registered to A.Le Messurier. In 1904 it was registered to J.& A.Tainsh. This certificate is the record of registration for George Tainsh, a master mariner, Alice Thompson, a widow and John Tainsh, master mariner. 1922. The Stormbird was eventually lost on a voyage Madang to Wewak with the loss of two lives. This was after 1968. It had been changed to a sailing ship with an auxiliary engine in 1938.This certificate is a useful research tool and is a valuable source of information on maritime history.A small, blue folder containing a certificate of British Registry for the ship "Stormbird". Black text with additional hand-written details in red added in 1938. The certificate gives details of size, tonnage and engine. The owners are listed and it is dated 24th May, 1922 and signed by the Registrar of Shipping, Ernest Hall.stormbird-registration tainsh

The kerosene lantern is a type of lighting device that uses kerosene as a fuel. Kerosene lanterns have a wick or mantle as light source. They may be hand-held for portable lighting.This kerosene lantern was used as a light on road works in the Orbost area. It would have been carried/used by one of the road workers. Lamps of this kind were significantroadworks items in their period of use as essential tools to the safe-working operations of the Country Roads Board.. A red metal roadworks warning lantern. It is rectangular with a metal carrying handle. The top is domed. The door at the back is hingedand opens with a small nail. The lamp was lit by kerosene held in a small square tank with a wick.lantern kerosene light lamp

This report was compiled by Martin Healey for the Department of Conservation and Land Management, Victoria. Martin Healey, a long time Orbost resident, worked for the Department of Conservation and Land Management in Orbost.This is a useful research tool.A small spiral bound book of 30 pp with a plastic cover. It is a report written by Martin Healey and details the close Family allotments at Murrangower, east of Orbost.

This axe is fitted with a smaller head and handle than a felling axe and is probably for one-handed use. It would be used for trimming limbs and for small chopping jobs.This is an example of a tool commonly used by early generations of Orbost settlers.A wooden handled axe. The top edge of the iron blade is straight and the shape is a right-angled triangle. A yellow cord is threaded through the handleaxe trade-axe timber farming tool

This may have a WW 1 military item (?). It seems to be an oil canister from a gun cleaning kit. It could be from a spare parts tool kit for a Bren Gun.This item is linked to WW1 ans is a reminder of those who played a role in that conflict.A small rectangular shaped metal container with screw top lid. It has one flat side and the lid has a textured grip. The dipstick unscrews.container-metal

The Speedweve is a tiny darning loom advertised as ‘Lancashire’s smallest loom’. It was manufactured by E & A Chesstok Ltd of Rusholme, Manchester in 1947/48. It is basically a little loom for mending socks and holes in clothing. - This item was a common household item used a time when people still felt it worth the effort to darn socks.A metal Speedweve - a small darning tool.The slide at the top pushes back and forth making the 10 copper hooks rotate one way then the other. There would have been a wooden disc for keeping the fabric flat. top - SPEEDWEVEdomestic weaving loom

Scythes were used to manually mow wheat or grass. Scythes were used with a long sweeping movement which made them much less tiring for labourers to use than reaping hooks or sickles though they still involved great physical labour and considerable skill to perfect. Both hands were in use and the operator did not have to bend his back to reach down to the crop. On farms scythes were sharpened on a sandstone wheel mounted on an axle with a crank handle on one side. This was hand powered and used with water. Scythes were not used as often on farms after the mechanisation of harvesting. They were still used for cutting awkward shaped small plots and for opening a path for the tractors. This item is an example of a tool used by the early settlers of the Orbost district. An iron scythe blade, curved and tapered. There is no handle and the blade is rusted and pitted."ROSE"scythe tool agriculture rural

Scythes were used with a long sweeping movement which made them much less tiring for labourers to use than reaping hooks or sickles though they still involved great physical labour and considerable skill to perfect. Both hands were in use and the operator did not have to bend his back to reach down to the crop. Scythes were not used as often on farms after the mechanisation of harvesting. They were still used for cutting awkward shaped small plots and for opening a path for the tractors. This item is an example of a tool used by the early settlers of the Orbost district.A curved iron blade with one sharp edge. It is attached to a curved hollow handle with two extensions on one side where the scythe can be held by two hands.scythe agriculture tool

Inspected by Joanna Freslov, archaeologist 2/6/2008. Genuine Aboriginal axe head up to 2000 years old. Possibly came through trading from western district. Stone tools were used for a variety of purposes, in ways similar to those of the steel knives, axes, hammers and chisels. Ground-edge tools are made from fracture-resistant stone, such as basalt.This stone is able to withstand repeated impact, and and wqas generall used for stone axes. The stone was dug or found and then roughly shaped into a tool blank with blows from a hammerstone. The edges were then sharpened and refined by grinding the tool against a coarse, gritty rock. The necessary tools and equipment for hunting, fishing and warfare were one of the very few items that Aboriginals carried with them from place to place. Most were used for a multiplicity of purposes. Because many were made from raw natural materials, such as wood, generally only partial remains are found today. This axe head is an example of an early stone tool used by the Indigenous people of Victoria.Small grey oval-shaped axe head.axehead stone-artifact aboriginal tool

Inspected by Joanna Freslov, archaeologist 2/6/2008. Hunting boomerangs were used by the Australian Aboriginals, mainly for injuring or killing animals or enemies. Hunting boomerangs fly at high speed close to the ground and can easily kill a small animal or knock down a larger one. As well these boomerangs were used as hand-held weapons, as musical instruments and for sport. Some of the other uses were, religious ceremonies, digging, clearing fire sites, unearthing ants and lizards. Hunting boomerangs are normally made from the curving roots of trees. (ref. boomerangshack)The necessary tools and equipment for hunting, fishing and warfare were one of the very few items that Aboriginals carried with them from place to place. Most were used for a multiplicity of purposes. Because many were made from raw natural materials, such as wood, generally only partial remains are found today. this item is an example of a hunting boomerang used by early Indigenous people in the Northern Territory.A hand carved hooked boomerang of a deep red wood. Possibly used for fighting.boomerang aboriginal hunting weapon

A woomera is a wooden Australian Aboriginal spear-throwing device . It is an extension of the human arm that enables a spear to travel at a greater speed and force than possible with the unaided arm.The necessary tools and equipment for hunting, fishing and warfare were one of the very few items that Aboriginals carried with them from place to place. Most were used for a multiplicity of purposes. Because many were made from raw natural materials, such as wood, generally only partial remains are found today. This woomera is an example of an implement used by early Indigenous people.A flat hand-made dish like wooden spear thrower with curved edges. It has a small spike tied at one end and hardened black gum at the other.woomera aboriginal hunting spear-thrower

A returning Boomerang is one that comes back to you when you throw it. These were used for hunting smaller creatures such as birds, but more so for sport. This type of boomerang has a simple curved shape and is much lighter than a non-returning boomerang. returning Boomerangs were only developed in the last 200 years.The necessary tools and equipment for hunting, fishing and warfare were one of the very few items that Aboriginals carried with them from place to place. Most were used for a multiplicity of purposes. Because many were made from raw natural materials, such as wood, generally only partial remains are found today. This returning boomerang is an example of a wooden tool used by the Indigenous people of Eastern Australia.A very old hand-made wooden returning boomerang that is black in colour. Very dinted.boomerang aboriginal hunting

A pocket magnifying glass was a versatile scientific tool. It was ideal for situations in which the specimen was too small to be observed under a magnifying glass and access to a larger microscope would have been impossible.It could be taken on field expeditions and used to examine botanical, zoological and mineralogical specimens. This small magnifying glass could be used for examining specimens of plants or rocks or jewellery.Simple,pocket microscopes had a significant impact on the the general public’s appreciation of both science and the natural world by making the microscopic world accessible and exciting.A small brass pocket magnifying glass with resting arm. The cardboard box is blue / black in colour.magnifying-glass scientific-instrument

Ushabti are tiny anthropoid (human-shaped) figures placed in the tombs of wealthy Egyptians. They were intended to do the work of the deceased in the afterlife. This purpose is implied through their name, which may have derived from the Egyptian word “to answer”. The Burke Museum in Beechworth is home to a particular ancient Egyptian Ushabti figure. This artefact was donated to the Museum in 1875. No details about how it left Egypt, arrived in Australia, and where it was located before this donation are known. The Nineteenth Century, when this artefact was donated, was a period when many museums acquired items of ancient Egyptian heritage. Many of these items were procured in less than desirable circumstances, having often been looted from ancient tombs and sold to tourists without documentation as to their original location and/or accompanying grave goods. These artefacts were also divested through partage (the trading of artefacts for funds); however, the latter is unlikely to have been the case for this artefact. Since the Ushabti was donated by an unknown donor, it is likely to have been in a private collection rather than an institution. Ushabti can be dated using iconographic analysis which is non-invasive and provides a comprehensive study of the artefact. The later period of the 18th Dynasty marked the beginning of an increase in both the inclusion of Ushabti as essential funerary items and the creation of Ushabti with tools. From this period, they are no longer depicted without tools. Depictions of tools including gardening hoes are frequently depicted grasped in the Ushabti’s hands whilst items like the seed-bag are depicted hanging on the back rather than in an alternative position. This Ushabti figure grasps a gardening hoe and a mattock and a small seed bag surrounded by a yoke bearing water jars are depicted on the upper back of the Ushabti. These features are essential in helping narrow this dating to the late 18th and before the early 20th Dynasty. The position of this seed bag also provides dating information. In the early 18th Dynasty this bag was consistently drawn on the front of the figurine; however, by the reign of Seti I, this feature moved to the back. Thus, since the seed bag is located on the back of this Ushabti, it cannot date to the early 18th Dynasty. By the 19th Dynasty, Ushabti’s were increasingly made from either faience or terracotta. The availability of these materials in Egypt resulted in the increase of Ushabti production with tombs containing many more figurines than previously seen. The Ushabti held by the Burke collections is made from terracotta. Terracotta was rarely used for Ushabti before and during the early 18th Dynasty with only the odd appearance until the late 18th Dynasty and becoming common through that period until the late Third Intermediate Period. Whilst the face has been damaged, there is no evidence for the Ushabti having been provided with an Osirian false beard. This omission rules out a dating of later than the 25th Dynasty when beards became prominent. The inscriptions also date the Ushabti to the New Kingdom. This is because of the use of sḥḏ (“to illuminate”) with Wsjr (“Osiris”) which only occurs in these periods. Therefore, considering all these elements, the Ushabti can be confidently be dated to between the late 18th to early 19th dynasty.Artefacts like this Ushabti are no longer exclusively representative of their origins in burial assemblages and significance in the mythology of the Egyptian afterlife but are also significant for the accumulated histories they have gained through travel. The movement of this artefact from Egypt to Australia allows insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century, and in particular, the reception of ancient Egyptian artefacts in small rural museums. The procurement of Egyptian artefacts was a social trend around the late 1800s to early 1900s. Egyptian artefacts were considered curiosities and recognised for their ability to attract public attention to museums. They were also utilised in Australian museums, like the Burke Museum, to connect the collection to one of the oldest civilisations known to man and since Australia was considered a “young” country by European settlers, this was vital and derived from an interest in Darwin’s “Origin of the Species” 1859. Furthermore, there was a culture of collecting in the 1800s amongst the affluent in English society which led to the appearance of many Egyptian artefacts in private collections. The acquisition of this Ushabti figure is not certain, but it was likely donated from a private collection rather than an institution. This particular artefact is significant as an example of a high-quality Ushabti representative of those produced during the late 18th or early 19th century. It provides insight into the individualism of an Ushabti and the mythology of ancient Egypt. It also provides an example of the types of items required in the tomb assemblages of this period and reinforces the importance of ensuring the successful afterlife of the deceased through art. This Ushabti belonged to a woman named Taweret-Khaiti, Chantress of Amun, in the late 18th Dynasty or early 19th Dynasty (c.1292 BC) of the Egyptian New Kingdom. It likely comes from an undetermined tomb in the locality of Thebes. This figure is made from Nile silt clay (a polyester terracotta; clay sourced from the banks of the Nile River) which was a popular material for Ushabti construction in the early 19th Dynasty. It is in a fair state of preservation (with the exception of a break through the centre) and originally made to a high quality. The face has been damaged but the eyes and eyebrows are clearly marked with black ink and the sclera painted white. The Ushabti is painted a light brown/yellow colour and features a vertical line of inscription down the lower front. The Ushabti wears a large wig and and a schematic collar. The arms are painted light brown and depicted crossed with bracelets around the wrists. It grasps a hoe and mattock. A yellow seed-basket is depicted on the Ushabti’s back. These features represent the likelihood that this particular Ushabti was intended to complete farm work for the deceased in the next life. There would have been additional Ushabti of similar design within the tomb who worked under the supervision of a foreman Ushabti. The foreman Ushabti would be depicted dressed in the clothing of the living. The inscriptions are painted freehand in black ink and written in a vertical column from the base of the collar to the foot pedestal on the front of the Ushabti. The owner of the Ushabti could elect to have the figures inscribed with their name, the Ushabti spell and any other details they deemed necessary. In the case of this example, the Ushabti is inscribed with the owner’s details and is an abbreviated version of the standard Ushabti formula. This formula ensured that the Ushabti would complete the desired task in the afterlife when called upon by the deceased. Ushabti which were not inscribed would represent their intended purpose through design; however, this Ushabti, like most made in the late 18th Dynasty, conveys its purpose both through both design and inscription. The inscription is as follows: sHD wsir nbt pr Smayt imn tA-wr(t)-xai(ti) mAa xrw which translates to: "The illuminated one, the Osiris (the deceased), the mistress of the household, Chantress of Amun, Taweret-Khaiti, true of voice (justified)"ancient egypt

A marking gauge, also known as a scratch gauge, and] is used in woodworking and metalworking to mark out lines for cutting or other operations. The purpose of the gauge is to scribe a line parallel to a reference edge or surface. It is used in joinery and sheet metal operations. The gauge consists of a beam, a headstock, and a scribing or marking implement, typically a pin, knife, pen or wheel. The headstock slides along the beam, and is locked in place by various means: a locking screw, cam lever, or a wedge. The marking implement is fixed to one end of the beam.A tool that has been in use since woodworking began for hundreds if not thousands of years without much change to the design or how the tool is used. Its use to scribe a line in various material as a cutting guide and is still in use today by many trades. Wooden marking Gauge, smallNonewarrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, marking gauge, woodworking, carpenters tools, tool

A cabinet scraper (sometimes called a ‘card scraper’) is a woodworking tool used for shaping and finishing furniture. The name ‘cabinet’ is used because scrapers are versatile and important tools for cabinet makers to provide a smooth surface to a finished cabinet. The body and the cutting edges of most cabinet scrapers are formed from a single piece of material. The blades are created on each edge of the body. Also, a scraper can have adjustable blades and a wooden handle these are two-handled cabinet scrapers. Cabinet scrapers are used manually to scrape small amounts of material from the surface of the wood to smooth it, shape it, or remove an old finish such as varnish from its surface. They are commonly used on furniture and musical instruments such as guitars and violins. The tools can be used on hardwood or softwood but when using a cabinet scraper on any wood, you should generally work along the grain.A tool used to finish timber to give a smooth finish and a important tool for a cabinet maker that has been in use for many hundreds of years in different design formsBox scraper adjustable with long wooden handle.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, box scraper, scraper, woodwork tool, cabinet scraper, furniture finishing

The blacksmith leg vise is also called the "solid box vise" and is one of the most important tools in the blacksmith's shop. It firmly holds hot iron while it is hammered, chiseled, or twisted. These are the only vises that are designed to take this kind of use day in and day out. A small 30-pound blacksmith's vise can survive pounding that would wreck a much heavier cast iron bench model. Three things make a blacksmith's vice special. One is that they are forgings, not cast iron or ductile iron. The second is the leg that provides support to the floor or from a sunken post. The last is the hinge, while not a perfect way to construct a vice the pin joint is durable and can take a considerable beating. If sheared it is easy to replace. These things all combine into a tool that can take decades of heavy use and abuse. Most in use is one to two hundred years old.Some of these vises were made by specialists such as Atwood of Stourbridge England, Steel City and Columbian in the U.S. and others were made in anvil manufacturing plants such as "Mousehole Forge" and "Peter Wright" in England and "Fisher-Norris" and others in North America. The design of these vises right down to the last chamfer seems to have been perfected in the 1600s and remained more or less the same until the 20th century. The bodies are forged wrought iron or mild steel and they have hard steel surfaces welded into the jaws. The jaws have little or very shallow serrations which are generally worn off.Around the turn of the 20th Century during the hey-day of the blacksmith shop in North America, these tools were considered so standard a commodity that they were sold without reference to the manufacturer. Very few were even marked with the maker's name. Size is best defined by weight as there is some variation in jaw size from manufacturer to manufacturer. They were sold by the pound and are still best judged by the pound.A vintage tool used in a Blacksmiths shop during the early 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Regarded as a significant into social history of the time.Leg Vice attached with screws to bench via a block of wood. Has large metal pole which practically reaches the floor. Also has a metal device to either tighten or slacken vice.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Spirit level, small, wood with metal around the ends and the glass levels. Comprises both verticle and horizontal levels. Horisontal level is divided into 2 by metal surround. Imperial measurements are impressed into wood on both sides of the ruler.Impreial measurements are impressed into the wood on both sides.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, spirit level, cabinet making, wood working, wood working tool, building tool

This file would be used by a tradesperson or home handyman to smooth the edges of the wooden piece he or she was working on. The surfaces of the file would be of different abrasiveness to suit different stages of the job. A file would be part of a woodworker's tool kit.This design of this file has been used since at least the early 20th century and can be found in stores today.File; small metal three-sided file with wooden handle.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, file, three-sided file, carpentry, woodwork, guilding, tradesman

This small metal plane was manufactured in 1909 by Spiers-Stewart, Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland. Stewart Spiers began making planes in Ayr in around 1840. The business continued successfully as a small operation until the mid-1930s.This plane is an example of tools made overseas and used in the 1900's. Box plane; hand operated small metal plane with round wooden knob. Plane has separate blade and blade cap. Inscription on blade cap is indecipherable. Originally marked as made by Spiers."SPIERS"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime-museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, tradesman's tool, plane, box plane, tool, spiers-stewart, early 20th century, scotland, hand tool, stewart spiers, spiers, woodworking

This anvil was once the property of Warrnambool Ports and Harbours. It is associated with the shipping trade and wold have been used by a blacksmith or tinsmith for forging and shaping metal. According to Pliny, the anvil is supposed to be invented by Cinyra of Cyprus, but it was probably much older. There has been very little change in the basic design of the anvil since Greek and Roman times. This anvil is significant for its association with the local government body of Warrnambool Ports and Harbours, which is of local historic significance. It is also significant for its association with blacksmiths and tinsmiths, which are rare trades today.Anvil, small, for use by blacksmiths and tinsmiths.It was once the property of the Warrnambool Ports and Harbours.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, anvil, blacksmiths, tinsmith, tools, trades, warrnambool ports and harbours

A tyre bender is used to bend and shape metal rims for wooden wagon wheels. This tyre bender’s model first appeared in the Day Bros catalogue in 1884 as the “Giant” model. The catalogue of 1883 only showed a lighter duty model called the “Lion”. It can be assumed that this later “Giant” model was a heavy duty improvement over the 1883 "Lion" and other smaller models which were still being advertised for sale in 1884. The Day Bros foundry, makers of this tyre bender, was operating as the manufacture of wheel right and blacksmith tools and general machinery in the 19th century in the USA and successfully exported their goods all over the world. Wagon tyre benders would have been very common circa 1850-1920, so there were probably many makers over the years. Early on, it would have become clear to the blacksmiths about which designs worked best so, eventually, the various makers would have made similar products to each other. This tyre bender was once used by Harry Goodall of H. Goodall & Sons Pty. Ltd. corner of McKinnon and High Streets, Terang. Victoria. Henry Goodall & Sons Henry Goodall (1870-1936) was proprietor of garages as H. Goodall & Sons Pty. Ltd., at both Terang (McKinnon and High Streets) and Mortlake (Dunlop Street). His business was in operation in at least in 1916 and perhaps well before, considering the date of the tyre bender and its use for wagons with wooden wheels. It was still in operation in 1953, chasing up debtors in Mount Gambier Court. Amongst the employees of H. Goodall & Sons Pty. Ltd. was Ernie Entwistle, a blacksmith (a soldier who died in 1916 ) and Alfred Hodgetts, radio expert (killed in a fatal accident in 1943, when he was in his early 30s ). Henry Goodall was involved in the community as a Justice of Peace, a deputy coroner, President of the Mortlake Hospital, trustee of the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, and as a prominent Freemason. He and his wife had two sons (Charles and John) and one daughter (Mrs. Chas. Newton, of Skipton). The tyre bender is significant as it demonstrates how blacksmiths or wheelwrights could make new metal rims for wagon wheels for carts, wagons, stage coaches and carriages over a 135 years ago. The machine is a part of our social history as it demonstrates part of the process of making wagon wheels, which played an important part in aiding the continuation of daily transport needs that people had at the time, such as farming, personal transport and commercial activities. The machine or tool is locally significant as it was used by a local company in Terang and Mortlake in their blacksmith, wheelwright and garage business. Steel tyre bender mounted on timber base, used for wagon wheel steel rims. Made from cast iron and steel, double geared with four cogs to unite the upper and lower steel rollers. There are adjustable guide collars to keep the iron in line while it is being bent. It can also be used with two cranks for heavy duty work utilising the use to two operators. It is the Giant model, made in 1884 by Day Bros. of Philadelphia. This tyre bender once belonged to Harry Goodall & Sons, blacksmith's of Terang. Victoria. “DAY BROS. PHILAP. PA” cast into the side of machineflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, machinery, wagon wheel, wheelwrights, blacksmith, steel rim wheels, tyre bender, tire bender, the giant tyre bender, henry goodall (1870-1936), terang, wheelwright tool, blacksmith trade, blacksmithing equipment and supplies, wagon tyre bender, day bros. philadelphia pennsylvania, h. goodall & sons of terang, terang blacksmith, h. goodall & sons pty ltd, mortlake, ernie entwistle blacksmith, alfred hodgetts radio expert, charles goodall, john goodall, mrs. chas. newton nee goodall

R Timmins & Sons were makers of heavy steel 'toys' - toy in this context means any small metal object, including hand tools. The company was founded in 1790 by Richard Timmins and was situated in Hurst St, and later in Pershore Street, Birmingham. In 1850 Richard Timmins died aged 60 and the company continued with his wife Ann and their son Henry who were the executors of his will. In 1889 they were taken over by another Birmingham maker, W & C Wynn of Suffolk Street also edge tool makers and the business moved to Commercial Street Birmingham in 1872. For a few years, both companies continued to operate under their original names. In 1892 they were incorporated as Wynn, Timmins & Co, and in 1897 the premises in Commercial St were renamed Century Works. The company survived until 1969 when they were taken over by Balfour Dawins Ltd of Sheffield, and the works in Birmingham then closed.A significant item given its age having the probability of having been made after Richard Timmins had died and before the take over in 1872 during the time the company was being run by his wife Ann and son Henry. Given the inscription on the item is "A Timmins & Sons". The items significance is social given it was used to clean bungholes in barrels and was possibly used in the early cooperage industries of the early Australian colony. Bung reamer metal with wooden handle. A Timmins & Sons stamped on blade.warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, coopers tools, bung hole reamer, barrels, barrel making

Not much is known of John Partridge other than he operated his business of making wood planes and other edged woodworking tools in Birmingham. The Birmingham General Directory of the borough of Birmingham businesses of 1849 has him listed as a "Plane/iron maker" however he was probably making planes from around 1815. Birth and death records indicate he was born in 1797 in West Bromwich, Staffordshire England and that he died in 1851. His wife Sarah Nee Ashton he married at Harborne Staffordshire in 1822 and she also died in 1851, it appears they were survived by three children, John born 1826, Sarah 1835, and William 1838. John Partridge tools are now collector's items and represent a time in history when tools of all kinds were predominately still being made by hand in small family workshops. This was during a time known as the first industrial revolution, a time that was regarded as a transition period in history to new manufacturing processes that were occurring in Europe and the United States. A period of industrial change that began about 1760 and lasted until sometime between 1820 to 1840.Moulding plane Side Bead - Single Box type. Partridge maker stamped on end.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Hand theatre made "trench art", utilising used artillery brass shell casings, of various calibres, hand made with such "tools" as were available at the time. They have been decoratively trimmed at the mouth of each with a "scalloped" pattern, the shallowest casing mounted on small arms casings as "feet" and the large casing inverted engraved and embossed with a depiction of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces "Rising Sun" badge.This "Dinner Gong" and "Striker" are significant Historically and Socially, as it is believed to be the only example of a dinner gong and striker made in theatre as contemporary "trench art" by serving members of this group. Around the top of the main part of the Gong are stamped the initials of the Australian members of the Royal Flying Corps at the time, it is of possible National historical significance, as they were such a small group at best, and a highly vulnerable group, quite likely to not survive the conflict. This group and their desendants went on to be a part of the formation of the Australian Flying Corps, the beginings of the Royal Australian Air Force. It relates to the embrionic stages of a part of the now Australian Defence Force.A commemorative Dinner Gong construted from Artillery Shell Casings of various sizes. The largest cut short at the bottom, mounted on rifle or machine gun casings cut short as 'feet'. A slightly smaller diameter inverted as the 'gong' with decorative engravings depicting, a Rising Sun emblem on a decorated back ground, 'AFC' (Australian Flying Corps) crowned wings, on the same decorated back ground. The open ends of these larger casings is 'scalloped' and decorated beautifully, while the closed ends have a 'pie crust effect around the flanged edge. There is a biforcated mount at the top to hold the 'striker' made from white metal ballastered rod with a wooden eliptical knob. On the top around the striker mount are stamped the initials of those believed to be the first Australian Aviators in the then AFC.

This slate comes from the Glasgow Estate (Ellen Isabel Glasgow died in Warrnambool in 1971). It is presumed it was used by members of the Glasgow family. Slates such as this were used by all school children in Victoria (and presumably elsewhere) in the infant and younger age classes from the early days of the State until the early 1940s. It had the advantage of the work being able to be easily erased so that other work could be written. A slate pencil was used to write on this board.This is significant firstly as an example of past educational tools used by small children and so has important social significance as every school child of past generations would have used a slate. It is also important as it belonged to the Glasgow family. John Glasgow (c.1847-1925), at his property, Blackwood Hill, Wangoom, was a prominent cheese maker in the late 19th century and was one of the first shareholders and a member of the first Board of Directors of the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory at Allansford. The dairying industry is of key importance in Warrnambool economic history.A slate made from quarry slate with permanent lines for handwriting with a wooden frame. The surface is much marked and scratched. Scratch marksschool slates, educational tools of the past

This is an early sharpening stone of unknown origin . Stones have been used for hundreds of years to sharpen metal blades on a wide range of tools from scythes, scissors plane blades and knives. More recent examples come with particular grades according to the fineness of the grit in the stone.This item is of antiquarian interest only and is kept for displays. It is an example of tool sharpening methods which have been used for many years.This is a small square stone with a polished surface used to sharpen small bladestrade, sharpening stone, warrnambool

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

This container has been used to hold writing ink for commercial purposes so it would have been used by businesses and offices of all kinds. Ink was used in conjunction with writing tools (pens, quills, blotting paper etc) prior to the widespread use after the 1950s of the ballpoint pen for most handwritten work. This container has no known local significance but it is an example of the type of container that would have been used in local businesses and offices in the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. It will be useful for display. This is a ceramic container, light-brown in colour and varnished. The body of the container is circular in shape with a smaller circular-shaped neck and a top opening with a lip for pouring. The container has some imperfections and protrusions and the top has some chipping. The maker’s name is on the container. ‘Angus & Co Ink Commercial’ writing tools, history of warrnambool, pottery ink bottle

These three rocks were given to KVHS on the understanding that they were Indigenous rocks used as tools.No knowledge of their origins.These rocks have been stored in the Kiewa Valley on the understanding that they are Indigenous tools. It is not known where they came from.1. Dark grey rock with smooth surfaces and ridges with one flat side. Size of an adult's hand 2. Grey rock with smooth surfaces and ridges with one flat side. Smaller than no. 1 3.Narrow dark grey rock with beige section on rounded side. One flat side and a sharp pointed end.rocks, aboriginal tools, kiewa valley