Hand shears needed to be very sharp and often had a leather strap or ‘driver’ which passed over the hand. Others had sheepskin bound around the grip. Blades had to be regularly sharpened on a grinding stone. Most hand shears were made in Sheffield, England, with various models produced offering wide or narrow blades, sharp or rounded points, and various grips and bows. The technique of Australian hand shearing gradually developed from the 1830s using the old English method of cutting the flank with hand shears in a series of circular cuts from the sheep’s neck to the tail. In the early 1930s the Ballarat School of Mines introduced a wide-ranging Wool Classing Course as jobs were in extremely short supply during the Great Depression. Metal handshears used for shearing sheep.ballarat school of mines, shearing, woolclassing, sheep

Marie Lion migrated with her sister, Berthe Mouchette and her husband in 1885. Berthe established an art school in the city. After the death of her husband the sisters purchased a school, Oberwyl, in St Kilda in 1885. The school was later one of the LHLG schools. Berthe was the founder of the Alliance Française of Melbourne in 1890. With the Great Depression, the sisters had to sell Oberwyl and moved to Adelaide. They returned to France during WWI to nurse wounded soldiers. And returned to Adelaide in 1916 after Marie contracted an infection. She was the South Australia representative of the "Société d’assistance maternelle et infantile". After the end of the war a number of French villages were ‘adopted’ by cities in Australia. Dernancourt, a small village in the Somme was adopted by Adelaide, and Mme Mouchette and Mme Lion worked to raise funds to help in the rebuilding of the almost completely destroyed town.The picture shows the link with the French community. Ethel and her sister Frederica Godfrey could speak French and were well acquainted with the members of this community: Charlotte Crivelli for example. Frederica was secretary of the Alliance Française of Melbourne in the early 1900, in 1917 she also became Honorary Secretary of the French Red Cross, funded by Charlotte Crivelli.Portait of two ladies standing in the middle with 3 soldiers from the French Navy, a wounded digger and a young man.French sailors at zoo / Madame Leon (Lion is the correct spelling) & Miss Godfreylion, marie (1855–1922), mouchette, berthe (1846–1928) nee lion, alliance française of melbourne, société d’assistance maternelle et infantile, france, french, zoo, french red cross, crivelli, charlotte (1863–1956), anzac, french navy, oberwyl, ethel augusta godfrey 1861-1935, frederica godfrey

Ballarat Teachers’ College commenced at Dana Street State School (No. 33). Sixty one students enrolled, and the staff consisted of Mr W.H. Ellwood, Miss A. Bouchier, Mr A.B. Jones. (The Flag, Nov 1997; The Flag, Nov 1996; BTC Handbook 1965) Ballarat Teachers’ College moved to the former Ballarat East Town Hall in Barkly Street, where it remained until its temporary closure in December 1931 during the Great Depression. Miss P.A. Hamono joined the staff. During 1927 the college numbers were augmented by 26 Manual Arts students, who had formerly received their training at Ballarat High School. Manual Arts students continued until 1930 when, on grounds of economy of economy, their training was concentrated at Melbourne Teachers’ College. (The Flag, Nov 1996; BTC Handbook 1965)Black and white photograph mounted on grey card. Depicts the Ballarat Teachers' College on the steps of their building (former Ballarat east Town Hall). Possibly taken during a visit of the Bendigo Teachers' College to Ballarat (See crossed flags at back)ballarat teachers college, margery brady, margery lawrey, ballarat east town hall

Steel-jawed rabbit traps were widely used in urban and rural Australia from 1880 to 1980. This trap is symbolic of the battle that Australians have waged against burgeoning rabbit populations for over a century. Despite the fact that most children first learn about rabbits as cute and cuddly animals, rabbits cause enormous damage to Australian soils and biodiversity. The introduction of rabbits to this country was an environmental disaster. Lane's Ace rabbit trap was the most commonly used trap in Australia. Hundreds of thousands of the traps were made and used in this country. As such, this item is representative of every day life in Australia during the period from 1880 to 1980. During the Great Depression from 1929 to 1932, rabbit trapping was a means of survival for many people. Rabbits provided meat and pelts which were sold for making felt hats such as the Akubra.On base of trap - "LANE'S" ACErabbit

The goldfields resulted in the almost complete denuding of trees for access to the gold bearing land, for firewood and for the tanning industry. The need for wood further increased with the advent of deep quartz mining that required timbers for shoring up the shafts and tunnels. At some point in time it became necessary for timber to be carted long distances to fulfil the need. Between 1878 and 1884, the government set up 5 nurseries to try and rectify the shortage of native softwoods and encouraged the growth of State plantations and the thinning of trees to encourage growth of those remaining. 1907 - Creswick School of Forestry and Forest Management was started 1919 Establishment of the Forests Commission and the planting of many pine plantations 1924 Establishment of the first fire spotting towers Forest management tasks became a main project for "Susso" recipients during the Great Depression and again for internees during WWII.An 8 page document by David Bannear about the various industries of the Bendigo Goldfields and their effects on terraforming the local environment david bannear, central goldfields

The Presidents Fund was created in 1932 by a donation of £50 from Legatee Walter W Berry from his late father's estate "to help temporarily embarrassed Melbourne Legatees" towards the end of The Great Depression. The aim of the fund was the give the President a way to help needy cases with discretion and without having to gain approval from committees. In many cases the money was repaid by the recipient. This letter dated 24 February 1933 is a formalisation of the arrangement. Documents in 01875 show meetings between President AN Kemlsey with Legatee Berry to make sure he was satisfied with the terms of the President's Fund. This document was in a folder labelled President's Fund Origin and Authorisation with many other documents that included correspondence, receipts of donations and material about when money was given to help appropriate cases. The folder was marked with H40 which is part of an early archive project from the late 1960s and early 1970s.The Presidents Fund was a significant help to legatees and junior legatees who were unable to obtain help from other sources.File copy of a letter from Legacy to the Howard and Georgina Berry Trust Fund on 24 February 1933.Signature of President AN Kemsley.financial help, presidents fund, walter berry

The Presidents Fund was created in 1932 by a donation from Legatee Walter W Berry from his late father's estate "to help temporarily embarrassed Melbourne Legatees" towards the end of The Great Depression. The aim of the fund was the give the President a way to help needy cases with discretion and without having to gain approval from committees. In many cases the money was repaid by the recipient. These letters record the first donation of £50 and discussions with Legatee Walter Berry about how the donation was to be used. Also a copy of the letter of 24 February 1933 when President Kemsley wrote to the Howard and Georgina Berry Trust Fund formalising the use of the donations. This document was in a folder labelled President's Fund Origin and Authorisation with many other documents that included correspondence, receipts of donations and material about when money was given to help appropriate cases. The folder was marked with H40 which is part of an early archive project from the late 1960s and early 1970s.The Presidents Fund was a significant help to legatees and junior legatees who were unable to obtain help from other sources.File letters from Legacy to various donors to acknowledge donations and enclose receipts for donation to the President's Fund.Handwritten 'File' on many letters.financial help, presidents fund, walter berry

The lady is Regina Mavrokefalos, mother of Constantine Mavrokefalos (Black) and paternal grandmother of Nina (Regina) and Olga Black, both well known in Melbourne's Greek community for their contributions to Greek language and culture. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. He met and married his Efstathia (Toula) Raftopoulos on Ithaca in 1914 and returned to Australia with his wife. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944.A sepia photograph of a photograph of a lady sitting in the garden of a small house which is in the background.

A document that was part of a folder about the running of the President's Fund that was created in 1932 "to help temporarily embarrassed Melbourne Legatees" towards the end of The Great Depression. The document summarises the history of a fund that allowed President's to make discretionary payments to worthy causes without need to have it approved. It was written by Legatee Kemsley, a long standing legatee. The second page of the letter was located and added later which shows he wrote it in 1985 (02728). The fund was credited to the late Legatee Walter Berry of the domestic and building supplies firm, Henry Berry and Co. from his late father's estate. This one page document seems incomplete as it doesn't fully explain the fund's creation. From other documents it is shown the Howard and Georgina Berry Trust made annual donations of up to £1,000 to Legacy for use in the Fund. See also item 01527 for another summary of the fund's history. The folder and document were marked with H40 which is part of an early archive project from the late 1960s and early 1970s.A record of the President's fund which was a private fund that allowed the President to help fellow legatees with discretion.White A4 paper with black type with a summary of the history of the President's Fund.Handwritten 'Box 1 H40' in blue pen.financial help, presidents fund, kem kemsley

This is a photo Constantine Black (Mavrokefalos) who was from the village of Exoghi arrived in Melbourne 18 years of age in the early 1902. He returned to Greece for the Balkan War and the photo depicts him in the army uniform of the time. It was at this time that on a visit to Ithaca he met Efstathia (Toula) Raftopoulos. They married and in 1914 Constantine returned to Melbourne with Toula. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Two of his children, Nina Black and Olga Black, were very active and well known in the Ithacan and Greek community's cultural life.A studio black and white photograph of a man wearing the traditional Greek soldier's uniform. He is standing beside a wall and holding a gun upright.

The Fenton Art Glass Company was founded in 1905 by brothers Frank L. Fenton and John W. Fenton in an old glass factory in Martins Ferry, Ohio. Originally, they painted glass blanks from other glass makers, but started making their own glass when they became able to buy the materials they needed. They moved across the Ohio river to Williamstown, West Virginia, and built a factory in 1906. The first year for glass production was 1907. Frank Fenton was the designer and decorator. Jacob Rosenthal, a famous glass chemist is known for developing chocolate and golden agate glass. Perfume bottles for the Wrisley Company in 1938 were made in French opalescent glass with the hobnail pattern In 1939, Fenton started selling Hobnail items in milk glass. During the Great Depression and World War II, Fenton produced practical items such as mixing bowls and tableware. Fenton ceased "traditional" glassmaking at the Williamstown, West Virginia factory in July of 2011. However, the factory remains open as a jewellery making operation, producing handcrafted glass beads and Teardrop earrings.Late early to mid 20th century Jack-in the- Pulpet style Fenton vase. Hand-blown outer aqua blue glass over base of white milk glass. Heavily ruffled and crimped rim, with clear glass edging. The narrow neck joins to larger circular base. The body of the vase is also decorated with swirling ridges. Clear glass handle. Pont mark on base, but no Makers Mark. Fenton's glassware bore no Makers Mark until the 1950s.glassware, lights, fenton art glass company, ohio, west virginia, usa, fenton frank l., fenton john w., rosenthal jacob, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, ormond, cheltenham

In 2005 Michele Matthews interviewed current and former residents of Bendigo for her thesis on the 1930s Depression as part of her PhD Research, with the University of Melbourne Faculty of Arts, History Department. Michele interviewed fifteen members of prominent Bendigonian families. The thesis was titled: "How Depressing?: The impact of the Great Depression on Bendigo and District 1925-1935". The Michele Matthews Collection contains fourteen audio cassette tape recordings and one written transcript. The tapes are each approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes duration. The questions presented to the interviewees explore everyday experiences they would have lived through at the time of the Depression. The questions covered sixteen relevant subjects: • Introduction and housing • Social activities, swimming, cinemas, school and games played with friends • Organizations such as the RSL, Relief Committees etc. and any effect they had on family life • The life of the single woman • Unemployment and Employment • Government Assistance • Charities Aid • Self-help • People Power, e.g. boycotts or protests • Politics • Trouble or crime • Family Health, Medical and Diet • Education • General memories of, and hardships encountered, during the DepressionAudio tape interview with Amy Brown (Nee Osterfield). Amy was born in 1922. In 1942 she married Allan Stanley Brown. Her father, Charles Osterfield was a wood cutter before becoming unemployed. She never attended school. The tape has been converted to a sound file. The 150 minute interview can be listened to, and the notes viewed, at the Bendigo Historical Society. By appointment only. Also included is Amy's memories of her childhood - Amy's Story. This is a 26 page document available here to read.history, bendigo, michele matthews collection, the 1930s depression tapes, amy brown

In 2005 Michele Matthews interviewed current and former residents of Bendigo for her thesis on the 1930s Depression as part of her PhD Research, with the University of Melbourne Faculty of Arts, History Department. Michele interviewed fifteen members of prominent Bendigonian families. The thesis was titled: "How Depressing?: The impact of the Great Depression on Bendigo and District 1925-1935". The Michele Matthews Collection contains fourteen audio cassette tape recordings and one written transcript. The tapes are each approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes duration. The questions presented to the interviewees explore everyday experiences they would have lived through at the time of the Depression. The questions covered sixteen relevant subjects: • Introduction and housing • Social activities, swimming, cinemas, school and games played with friends • Organizations such as the RSL, Relief Committees etc. and any effect they had on family life • The life of the single woman • Unemployment and Employment • Government Assistance • Charities Aid • Self-help • People Power, e.g. boycotts or protests • Politics • Trouble or crime • Family Health, Medical and Diet • Education • General memories of, and hardships encountered, during the DepressionAudio tape interview with sisters Doreen Domenica Favalora, and Josephine Monica Faveloro; cake and food shop owners. Daughters of Salvatore and Gina Favaloro. Doreen was born in 1915, and Josephine in 1920. Both attended school at St Mary's College, Doreen, c1920-1933, and Josephine, 1925-1938. The tape has been converted to a sound file. The 120 minute interview can be listened to, and the notes viewed, at the Bendigo Historical Society. By appointment only. The sisters lived at 137 Forest Street (not the one in the photo) Generations of the Favaloro family have attended Catherine McAuley College and its predecessor colleges St Mary's and Marist Brothers'. A book has been released documenting the progressive family migration from Salina, Italy to Bendigo. The family went on to run many much-loved businesses in Bendigo including cafes, fruit shops, theatre kiosks and caterers. A book has been written called 'The Favaloro Family of Bendigo: The Early Year 1895-1942' by Robert McWilliam. The photo and article are from the Bendigo Weekly Newspaper Friday April 7th 2006history, bendigo, michele matthews collection, the 1930s depression tapes, doreen and josephine favaloro

Electric kettles were invented by the English to speed up tea preparation. In Australia fancy ceramic electric jugs quickly became a status symbol. During the Great Depression era anyone who could offer you a cuppa from a beautiful Electric Kookaburra Jug was considered to be doing well. Made by Nilsen Porcelain Australia in the 193Os, these kettles were unique for their charming art deco bird shape. Nilsen Electric Kookaburra Jugs are now regarded as a classic Australian icon prized by collectors. Oliver John Nilsen was born in Collingwood, Victoria in 1894. In 1916 he began his own electrical business, Oliver J. Nilsen & Co. (later Oliver J. Nilsen (Australia) Ltd). Nilsen's manufactured goods included such diverse products as transformers, bearings, battery chargers, bells, buzzers and gongs, porcelain ware, fuses, insulators and neon signs. Nilsen Porcelain Australia was a smaller company within the Nilsen group. Nilsen still operates as an electro-technology company operating throughout AustraliaThis jug is an excellent example of art deco ceramic appliances of the 1930s to 1950s on both a local and national level. It is also representative of products developed by a major Australian manufacturer. Earthernware ceramic jug, moulded in art deco style to represent an Australian kookaburra.vintage electric kettles, kitchen appliances, nilsen australia

The President's Fund was created in 1932 by a donation from Legatee Walter W Berry from his late father's estate "to help temporarily embarrassed Melbourne Legatees" towards the end of The Great Depression. The aim of the fund was the give the President a way to help needy cases with discretion and without having to gain approval from committees. In many cases the money was repaid by the recipient. The letter dated 16 March 1935 was to the trustees of the Howard and Georgina Benevolent Fund outlines the way the fund was to be used at the President's discretion within the guidelines provided by Legatee Berry. That included members of Melbourne Legacy Club or Junior Legatees, or any returned soldier that couldn't obtain help anywhere else. From the pencil note it was never sent. This document was in a folder labelled President's Fund Origin and Authorisation with many other documents that included correspondence, receipts of donations and material about when money was given to help appropriate cases. The folder was marked with H40 which is part of an early archive project from the late 1960s and early 1970s.The President's Fund was a significant help to legatees and junior legatees who were unable to obtain help from other sources.White Legacy letterhead with black type, a letter from President Hall to The Trustees of the Howard and Georgina Berry Fund. Handwritten 'Letter never cent' in pencil and signed 'R M Hall' in black ink.financial help, presidents fund, walter berry

The Presidents Fund was created in 1932 by a donation from Legatee Walter W Berry from his late father's estate "to help temporarily embarrassed Melbourne Legatees" towards the end of The Great Depression. The aim of the fund was the give the President a way to help needy cases with discretion and without having to gain approval from committees. In many cases the money was repaid by the recipient. The letters record donations from various people, including the Howard and Georgina Berry Benevolent Fund which made donations for many years. Other donations include Mr J D Lobb, Legatee Bill Fry, and Legatee Ron Austin. Ron Austin usually forwarded money from the 'Over 70s' gathering of legatees over the age of 70 who met socially. This document was in a folder labelled President's Fund Origin and Authorisation with many other documents that included correspondence, receipts of donations and material about when money was given to help appropriate cases. The folder was marked with H40 which is part of an early archive project from the late 1960s and early 1970s.The Presidents Fund was a significant help to legatees and junior legatees who were unable to obtain help from other sources.File letters from Legacy to various donors to acknowledge donations and enclose receipts for donation to the President's Fund.Handwritten 'File' on many letters.financial help, presidents fund