This van was used in Western Australia by linesmen and for mail pickup between 1972 and 1991. When transferred to the collection, it was the very last surviving vehicle of its type owned by the company. Despite its age, the van is in excellent condition having been reconditioned in 1987.This Volkswagen Transporter, 2nd generation, is commonly known as a kombi van; named as such after the German word Kombinationskraftwagen, meaning multi-purpose vehicle. This van is believed to have been used by linesmen and for mail collection from 1972 to 1991 in Western Australia, before being donated to the, then, Telstra Collection. Conflicting accounts from John Moynihan, PMG Engineer and author, suggest the van was used by cable jointers from the 1960s. Owing to this unclear use, the van’s historical significance is low though provenance from the Postmaster General’s Department to Telecom, then Telstra, is established. In 1987, the vehicle was extensively reconditioned and some original parts were presumably replaced. It is not, however, in working order or in good condition; the body carries several areas of rust, rubber seals have suffered plasticiser migration, a mirror is missing and there are marks from use. The hand lettered “P.M.G.” inscription is indicative of a Postmaster General fleet vehicle, as is the red colour of the vehicle paint. Though it is in poor condition, the van’s aesthetic style is of some significance. The van is representative of the type of Volkswagen vehicle used by the Postmaster General’s Department and other private businesses and government branches of the era. The vehicle may, therefore, carry social significance for those that lived in this era, where their communication service provider travelled in a Volkswagen van. Indeed, Volkswagen vans were used into the Telecom era, as evidenced by an image (6681153) in the National Archives of Australia collection. While many of these vehicles may exist today, there are few to no examples which survive in museum collections. In 1966, the Post Office (Postmaster General’s Department) had the largest fleet in Australia, totalling nearly 11,000 vehicles (The Canberra Times, 29 September 1966, p. 34). Though in the late 1960s Volkswagen vehicles accounted for just over 500 of these vehicles, with the remainder represented by Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, and others, the multi-purpose nature of the van is significant as a metaphor for the multi-directional services of the Postmaster General’s Department. Archival images show a variety of models and adaptations including roof racks, bull bar and door configurations. Its conflicted history of use may in fact attest to the vehicles variety of application in the duties of the Postmaster General‘s Department.Red Volkswagen Kombi van with stencilled gold lettering on doors. Scratches on bumpers indicate duck-egg blue undercoat. Single sliding door on left side of vehicle body with secondary opening at rear with horizontally divided doors. Mirror missing on right front. Western Australia registration sticker in front windscreen..1: "PMG" .2: "ROYAL" .3-.4 "PMG" .5-.6: "MAIL" .7,.8: "ER" .9: "C OF A / ZEH 622"transport, kombi van, linesman van, postal van, postmaster general’s department

WWI operation ration tinThe Australian Military Force ration tin was used by Australian soldiers on operations to provide three complete meals in a field environment.Metal green 'A.M.F Operation Ration' Tin. Opening metal 'key' on top. Front of tin has opening instructions, and back of tin has description of contents with some details missing due to rust and deterioration.Front of tin: 'TURN KEY <- TO OPEN CAN' 'A.M.F OPERATION RATION 02. D^D' Back of tin: description of contents, logo 'UNION CANCO' Bottom of tin has numbers 1244tin, ration, ww1

These bottles may have been in use in the 1940's or earlier. Cordial drinks came in bottles bought at a local grocery store. The shape of the bottles changed as did the stopper or seal. Bottles were recycled remaining the property of the manufacturer - 1. O.T. Ltd., Australia and 2. Lemos Australia in these samples. It appears these bottles may have the remains of a soft drink or cordial which is now dark in colour. Two vintage glass bottles: 1. A clear glass bottle with an embossed decorative leaf pattern around the neck. It has a rusted metal cap. 2. An embossed diagonal square patterned clear glass bottle with a rusted screw top lid. It has an oval shape on the front where the paper label was glued; there are the remains of a label.1. 'This bottle is the property of O.T. Ltd.' 2. 'Design No. 9072 Australia No. 8449 India 6888661 Great Britain. No. 1826 United Union of South Africa........ Only contents sold'. 2. 'Lemos. Registered trade mark.'bottles, beverage bottles, glass, cordial

Paper cover, stained, foxing, insect damage to extremities. Cloth strip to spine, tearing at top and bottom. 152 pp. Binding generally intact, pp 51-54 detached. Sewn binding shows metallic/rust staining. Pages generally clean & unmarked throughout. Fair condition.non-fictionSystematic Census of Australian Plants with Chronologic, Literary and Geographic Annotations.botany, australia

Used on Gabo Island lightstation.This portable first aid kit comes in a lockable metal box and includes an instruction manual, smelling salts, eye cleaner, dressings, cotton wool and burns dressing. It was made in September 1976.Supplement to Royal flying doctors service of Australia.The kit has first level contributory significance for its relative completeness, historic value and provenance to the lightstation.1. White, two hinged lid, metal first aid kit. Containing: 2. Instruction manual. 3. Smelling salts. 4. Eye cleaner. 5. 6 x sterilised dressings. 6. Cotton wool. 7. Large burn dressing. (padded gauze). Lock on lid. rusted slightly on top and sides. Five screws on right side. Four screws on left back lid. Metal hinged handle on left side. Metal compartment on inside.

The large wrench was used by the Wodonga Waterworks Trust and Sewerage Authority, which were established in 1897, and had the responsibility for providing Wodonga's drinking water and managing the wastewater. In 1923 a Wodonga Waterworks Trust referendum to provide funding for new infrastructure to supply more water of better quality to Wodonga was passed. This included building the Wodonga Water Tower and it was completed in 1924. It supplied water to Wodonga until 1959, when it was drained and decommissioned after the No 1 Basin on Huon Hill was completed in 1958. In 1983 the Wodonga Waterworks Trust and the Wodonga Sewerage Authority became part of the Wodonga Council. And by 1989 a filtration plant at Huon Hill was completed, which provided filtered water of improved quality to Wodonga, in accordance with the World Health Organisation’s guidelines. In 1994 the Kiewa Murray Region Water Authority took over the Wodonga Council’s water and wastewater operations, and then in 1999 the Kiewa Murray Region Water Authority combined with the Ovens Region Water Authority and became the North East Region Water Authority or NERWA. NERWA then became known as North East Water. The large spanner has local significance due to its use by the Wodonga Waterworks Trust and Sewerage Authority, and donation from the North East Region Water Authority. It also has wider historical significance as an example of the equipment used in the management of water in Victoria and Australia.Large cast iron spanner with some red/brown rust corrosion and light brown ingrained surface dirt.north east region water authority, nerwa, wodonga sewerage authority, north east water, n.e. water, wodonga, large spanners, spanner, wodonga waterworks trust

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Article in The Age newspaper written by Claude Forell concerning the future of "Heavy Harry". Quote "Heavy Harry, once the pride of the Victorian Railways fleet of locomotives, may never run again. His massive frame, flecked with rust and dust, has not raised a puff if smoke for 15 months". Locomotive H220 "Heavy Harry" was added to the Victorian Heritage Register with Heritage Number H2163 on April 10, 2008railways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railwaymen, locomotive h220, "heavy harry"

Companion Heaters Pty Ltd was registered in May 1941, with headquarters at 450 Collins Street Melbourne. Using a Swedish design, this blow torch is a number 42, with a kerosene capacity of 1 pint (600ml)A rusted and blackened cylinder nine centimetres diameter, 11 centimetres high. A two centimetre diameter, nine centimetre long metal handle is attached vertically on an angle six centimetres from the cylinder at the bottom and three centimetres at the top. A four centimetre diameter, 12 centimetre long blow torch is attached to the top of the cylinder and secured with a one and a half wide metal strap. The top of the cylinder also has a two centimetre filling cap and a one and a half centimetre diameter pump which is six centimeters long. Engraved on the cylinder is- COMPANION BRAND MADE IN AUSTRALIA BY AUTHORITY OF MAX SIEVERT SWEDEN. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison Collectionblow torch, aileen and john ellison, companion brand

c1950's. This vintage 375g Nabisco Pty Ltd Wundawax Floor Polish was used to shine wooden floorsA flat round vintage Wundawax Floor Polish tin with a removable lid and polish contents inside. The top of the yellow and black lid has a red star in the middle with 'Instant Shine' in yellow letters. Around the edge of the lid 'WUNDAWAX' is printed in red lettering as well as '375g Net Weight'. 'Product of Australia' is in small black print on the right side of the top of the lid.' The lid cannot be opened.The yellow and black lid has a red star in the middle with 'Instant Shine' in yellow letters. 'WUNDAWAX Floor Polish' is also on the top. Around the edge of the lid 'WUNDAWAX' is printed in yellow lettering as well as '375g Net Weight' 'Goes on easily Shines up instantly' is on the lid at the top. A black barcode is printed at the bottom on the top of the lid - numbers 9 310034 100296. As the lid is rusted it is not very clear to see.cleaning equipment, cleaning products, floor polish

Phar Lap tobacco tin, produced in Melbourne 1931 - 1932 is an early example of the use of the name and image of any Australian notable, in this case a racehorse, the tobacco referred to in the family as "The sweepings from the stable floor" due to its poor quality.Produced in, Victoria during 1931-1932 Phar Lap tobacco was Phar Lap tobacco tin, It is considered Australia's most desirable tobacco tin due to its rarity. An early example of the use of the name and image of an Australian icon the tobacco was often referred to as "The sweepings from the stable floor" due to its poor quality.Rectangular metal tin with a hinged lid. On the lid is lithographed an image of the horse's head and within a scroll the words PharLap Fine cut tobacco. Significant rusting to tin and wear to lithographic detail tobacco

These cash carriers were used in the Warrnambool business of Swintons Pty Ltd. They were manufactured by Lamson of U.S.A. William Lamson of Massachusetts, U.S.A. first patented cash carriers in 1882 and originally the cash balls were carried from counter to cashier via a wire and pulley system. These Swinton cash carriers were carried via pneumatic tubes. William and Ann Swinton migrated to Australia in 1854 and for a decade William Swinton worked as a builder and carpenter in the Warrnambool area, erecting many buildings, including the Wangoom Presbyterian Church. In 1865 he opened a store in Timor Street, Warrnambool, selling groceries, hardware, glassware and china. By 1888 the business was known as William Swinton and Sons. Branch stores were opened in Cudgee, Nullawarre, Wangoom, West Warrnambool and South Warrnambool. After William Swinton’s death his son Robert became the first managing director of Swintons Pty Ltd. In 1934 the business split, with George Swinton and Sons selling furnishings, clothing and glassware and Swintons Pty Ltd selling seeds, produce and hardware. Today the Swinton family still operates a furniture and bedding store in Timor Street. These cash carriers are of great interest firstly as a memento of business practices in the past and secondly because they were used in the Warrnambool business of Swintons Pty Ltd. The current Swinton business in Timor Street Warrnambool is the oldest family business in Warrnambool and, with the name Swinton associated with Timor Street businesses for 152 years, it is amongst the oldest family businesses in Australia. These are two cash carriers. They are brass cylinders made with a large opening at the top with an inner lining which can close over the opening. The cylinder has two wooden holders at each end attached to the brass with three metal screws at each end. The brass is somewhat rusted and the wooden ends are worn. These cash carriers were sent from the cash counter in a shop or business to the cashier via pneumatic tubes. ‘Lamson Patent’ ‘RCM/Lamson’ swinton family, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

Item in the collection of "William John SULLIVAN" VX57829. Refer Cat No. 9523P for his service details.Soft cover book. Cover - lightweight cardboard with adhered brown colour buckram. Black ink print on front, with Australian Coat of Arms. Pay book No. 265153. Handwritten - black ink pen - owner information. 23 pages - cut plain, white paper. Many pages completed with handwritten details of "DAILY RATES OF PAY", NEXT OF KIN, MEDICAL" et. Staples have rusted so all pages are loose. Front end paper has two black and white photographs secured with clear adhesive tape.Handwritten black ink on front cover. "VX57829/SULLIVAN/ WILLIAM JOHN".books, army, pow, paybooks, william john sullivan