A separator is a centrifugal device that separates milk into cream and skimmed milk. Separation was commonly performed on farms in the past. Most farmers milked a few cows, usually by hand, and separated milk with a hand operated machine for domestic use. The milk was poured into the bowl on the top and the handle had to then be turned fast enough to get the separator up to speed adequate to separate the cream and the milk. The milk would come out of one spigot and the cream out of the other. In general practice some of the skimmed milk was consumed by the family, while the rest may have been used to feed calves and pigs. Enough cream was saved to make butter, and the excess was sold. In many cases excess could be bartered or swapped with neighbours for other items of produce. ALFA-LAVAL SEPARATORS The principal works and head office of Aktiebolaget Separator was established by Gustaf de Laval in Stockholm. The first Laval milk separator was patented in1884. In Australia three old established firms commenced pioneering the Alfa Laval cream separators in about 1885. These were A. W. Sandford & Co. Ltd., in Adelaide, J. Bartram & Son, of Melbourne, who have ever since been the Victorian agents of Aktiebolaget Separator. In New South Wales and Queensland, the pioneering firm was Waugh & Josephson Ltd. J. Bartram & Son, the distributor of the separator in this collection, established their business in Melbourne in 1881. In 1892 Bartram & Son estimated that 1,130 of these machines were operating throughout Victoria. This item is significant as it is representative of domestic and dairying machinery used throughout rural areas of Australia in the early to mid 20th century.The separator is made in 3 sections. The base is made from cast iron. The cover and vat are made from silver painted tin. There are 2 outlet spouts. The detachable handle, made from cast iron and wood, is held in place by a screw. A name plate featuring the Victorian distributor, J Bartram & Son of Melbourne and a plate outlining patent information are attached to the base by screws.Around edge of wheel "Aktiebolaget Separator Stockholm/ 2236"dairying industry, dairy machinery, milk separators

These types of metal and glass railway signal lamps were used for communication, safety and lighting by train guards, shunters and signalmen, as well as station staff in the late 1880s to the early 1900s. They were hand operated and used fuel such as kerosene.The railway signal lamp has local significance as part of a set of three lamps donated by a resident of Wodonga who worked for the Victorian Railways. It also has national significance as an example of communication and safety equipment used by the railways in Australia in the late 19th century and early 20th century.Black painted metal signal lamp with a clear glass lens secured at the front and one thin elongated oval shaped handle showing at the back. The metal appears to be tin plated iron under the black paint layer. There is an oval plate with an embossed inscription on the proper left side of the lamp that is partly covered by the door at the front which holds the clear glass lens. The inscription includes the date 1901."...NARIPPINGILLE STOVE / CO LTD 1901 / PATENT...S & / ...NUFACTURERS / RMINGHAM" on an oval shaped plate on the proper left side, which is partly covered by the door with the clear glass lens.railways wodonga, victorian railways

These flooring nails and lock came from a railway cottage at 2 Ethel Lane, Wodonga. One is a diamond-headed timber nail and the others are simple round headed nails. They were designed so the head of the flooring nail when driven into the Baltic pine flooring was covered over by the timber so was not visible. The cottage was built about 1890. It featured many items labelled with the emblem of Victorian Railways. The house was demolished in November 2006. This lock is significant because it came from an early railway home in Wodonga.Flooring nails - one diamond headed timber nail and four other nails from railways cottage at 2 Ethel Lane, Wodonga. Door lock and striker plate from a railway cottage at Ethel Lane.On Lock - Trademark disc Around edge - REGISTERED TRADEMARK PATENT EXPIRED In centre: Royal Warrant Symbol of Rampant Lion and Unicorn above words NO. 60 JAS CARPENTER PATENTEE On striker plate: VRrailway houses wodonga, jas carpenter locksmith

ill, maps, p.71.non-fictionA centenary celebration of the Hagans Patent 2-6-4-0 steam locomotive on the North East Dundas Tramway of Western Tasmania. steam locomotives - australia - history, narrow gauge railroads - australia - tasmania - history

Henry Stainsby (1859-1925), Supt. of the Birmingham Royal Institution for the Blind, (later General Secretary of the British & Foreign Blind Association) along with Birmingham manufacturer Albert Wayne, introduced their Shorthand Braille Writer, circa 1910-1940. Used at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. These machines were often supplied with a case, to deaden the sound when in use. The machine was designed to take down verbatim reports from dictation. As the strip of paper passes automatically through the machine, no time is needed to adjust the paper or the machine for each line. Speeds of 80 - 140 words per minute can be obtained.Black metal typewriter which has seven keys and a small reel of paper415 Stainsby-Wayne Embossed Shorthand Typewriter Patented * Alfred Wayne * Birm, ENGbraille equipment, royal victorian institute for the blind