Photograph. The Patricia Coles (nee McLean) collection. Golden Square Residents, possibly in 1930s. Copy of a black and white original photograph. Nineteen men posed informally in three rows. The man in the middle back row is identified as Tom McLean, Hotelier, United Kingdom Hotel Golden Square, father of Shirley, June and Patricia McLean.bendigo, housing, golden square residents, golden square. mclean, thomas. united kingdom hotel.

After the invention of a camera that printed on paper in 1855, photographers started producing stereo prints on cards. These cards were made of two identical photographs placed in a 3D viewer. By looking throough the viewer with two eyes, one gained the impression of three dimensional depth. This early form of stereo photography remained popular until the 1930s.stereoscope

History of Ballarat & Some Ballarat Reminiscences, a facsimile of the first edition with added material from the 1890s, was published by BHS Publishing in 1999, in half leather bound and hard cover format. It was the first major publication of this organisation.

The Kew Historical Society's postcard collection includes views of Kew, Melbourne and Greater Melbourne as well as those including overseas scenes sent or received from Europe or the Middle East. They date from the 1890s to the 2000s.Modern postcard produced by the Tramway Museum Society of Victoria. The photo is of a replica tram in Victoria's Tramway Museum, and was presumably purchased for display purposes for an exhibition relating to transport in Kew, and in particular to the Kew horse-tram which operated from the Victoria Street Bridge to the Boroondara General Cemetery in Kew.This replica tram, constructed by members Alan Antcliff and Newton Williams in Mildura represents the open car used between Sydney Road and the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gradens until 1923. The open "toast rack" type was use extensively on other horse and early electric tram systems. Photo by William F Scott. Produced by The Tramway Museum of Victoria Ltd Box 4916, Mail Exchange, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001. Operator of Victoria's Tramway Museum, Union Lane, Bylands (55 km from Melbourne off the Northern Highway) Open Sundays 11a.m - 5p.m. CS2036kilmore horse tram, tramway museum society of victoria, tramways - victoria, postcards

The Kew Historical Society's postcard collection includes views of Kew, Melbourne and Greater Melbourne as well as those including overseas scenes sent or received from Europe or the Middle East. They date from the 1890s to the 2000s.Modern postcard produced by the Tramway Museum Society of Victoria. The photo is of a replica tram in Victoria's Tramway Museum, and was presumably purchased for display purposes for an exhibition relating to transport in Kew, and in particular to the Kew horse-tram which operated from the Victoria Street Bridge to the Boroondara General Cemetery in Kew.This replica tram, constructed by members Alan Antcliff and Newton Williams in Mildura represents the open car used between Sydney Road and the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gradens until 1923. The open "toast rack" type was use extensively on other horse and early electric tram systems. Photo by William F Scott. Produced by The Tramway Museum of Victoria Ltd Box 4916, Mail Exchange, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001. Operator of Victoria's Tramway Museum, Union Lane, Bylands (55 km from Melbourne off the Northern Highway) Open Sundays 11a.m - 5p.m. CS2036 kilmore horse tram, tramway museum society of victoria, tramways - victoria, postcards

The Kew Historical Society's postcard collection includes views of Kew, Melbourne and Greater Melbourne as well as those including overseas scenes sent or received from Europe or the Middle East. They date from the 1890s to the 2000sPostcard produced for and retailed by The Tramway Museum Society of Victoria Ltd. The reverse of the postcard (see image) identifies the four trams pictured as: a Royal Park Horse tram, a Richmond cable tram, a W7 electric tram, and a Z3 class electric tram. The postcard was printed by scancolor Australia (03) 429 1477.1. Royal; Park horse tram 2. Richmond cable tram 3. W7 electric tram Photographs courtesy Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board, K. Kings and R. Shorten [Producer] The Tramway Museum Society of Victoria Ltd Box Box 4916, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001 [Printer] scancolor Australia (03) 429 1477 CS 1482royal park horse tram, richmond cable tram, w7 electric tram, z3 class electric tram, the tramway museum society of victoria ltd, postcards

The Kew Historical Society's postcard collection includes views of Kew, Melbourne and Greater Melbourne as well as those including overseas scenes sent or received from Europe or the Middle East. They date from the 1890s to the 2000s.Postcard produced for and retailed by The Tramway Museum Society of Victoria Ltd. The reverse of the postcard (see image) identifies the four trams pictured as: a Royal Park Horse tram, a Richmond cable tram, a W7 electric tram, and a Z3 class electric tram. The postcard was printed by scancolor Australia (03) 429 1477.1. Royal; Park horse tram 2. Richmond cable tram 3. W7 electric tram Photographs courtesy Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board, K. Kings and R. Shorten [Producer] The Tramway Museum Society of Victoria Ltd Box Box 4916, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001 [Printer] scancolor Australia (03) 429 1477 CS 1482royal park horse tram, richmond cable tram, w7 electric tram, z3 class electric tram, the tramway museum society of victoria ltd, postcards

The Kew Historical Society's postcard collection includes views of Kew, Melbourne and Greater Melbourne as well as those including overseas scenes sent or received from Europe or the Middle East. They date from the 1890s to the 2000s.Commercial postcard produced by Hocking Stuart to advertise Ruskin Place, 75 Princess Street, Kew, but instead showing the Studley Park Boat House.The reverse includes advertising copy relating to the company and to Ruskin Place, 75 Princess Street, Kew.ruskin place - kew, 75 princess street - kew, studley park boat house

The photograph was taken at an annual Ithacan Philanthropic Society picnic some time in the mid to late 1930s. The men appear to be lined up for a running race, a highlight of the picnic. First on the left is Andreas Papadopoulos president at the time (president from 1934-39); man in suit in the background unknown; Diogenes Cominos, Hector Andrews (Anagnostatos); George Kouvalias (behind him is Nick Fatouros (Fisher)); Spiros Digaletos, a keen wrestler as a a young man; Peter Zavitsanos (Shanos); Peter Drakopoulos; Stratos Paizis; Nick Mavrokefalos (Black).The Ithacan Greeks who settled in Melbourne between the two world wars worked long hours in their family businesses, however, Sunday was a day set aside for socialising within their community. A much anticipated event was the annual picnic where families gathered for the day at a picnic ground on the outskirts of Melbourne, such as Bacchus Marsh, Werribee and Mount Evelyn. The picnic today is still an important event in the club's social calendar. A scanned bl;ack and white photograph of eight men and the starter lined up before the start of a race at an outdoor function with onlookers behind the group. two of the men are dressed in shorts and singlet while some others in the group have rolled up their suit trousers and are wearing running shoes.

Mrs Angus operated a shop next to the Shire of Grenville hall from about 1887 (when her husband bought the shop) until at least the late 1890s. The shop was afterwards run by her son William Angus.Enlarged black and white photograph of an advertisement which appeared in 'The Grenville Standard' newspaper on 19 December 1896. The advertisement drew readers' attention to a range of "New Season's Goods just arriving" at a shop in Sussex Street, Linton, run by Mrs. J. Angus (Wilhelmina Angus, the wife of John Angus).sussex street linton, shops, newspaper advertisements, wilhelmina angus, mrs j angus, w. angus tailor

The Cabbage Tree Creek township was originally established to support the booming timber industry of the mid 20th century. Five timber mills worked full time supporting the families that were drawn to the area's wealth of natural resources. The settlement of Cabbage Tree Creek is located on the Princes Highway, 27 km east of Orbost in East Gippsland. The first white settler arrived in the valley in 1887 cutting a dray track from Marlo to the south-west. Several families cleared the alluvial flats, growing maize, peas and beans and raising pigs, cattle and sheep. Later the farmers milked cows, sending cream to Orbost. In the late 1890s, small quantities of alluvial gold were found in the creek. A school commenced classes in 1913, but enrolment was small and at times the school operated part time with several other small schools in the area. The school building served as a hall for the district. From the 1920s the Cabbage Tree Hotel catered to drivers on the improved Princes Highway. (info. from Victorian Places)This is a pictorial record of Cabbage Tree, East Gippsland in the late 20th century. It shows a building that no longer exists.A small black / white photograph of a single storey timber building. On a sign below the roof is "Cabbage Tree Hotel". The hotel is surrounded by a wooden picket fence. A man and woman are standing on either side of a motor car parked on the roadway in front of the building.on back - on label - Cabbage Tree Hotelcabbage-tree-hotel

IT is a photograph of the Sunbury Football team possibly taken in the 1940-1950s decades when the matches were played on land bounded by Shields, Evans, Harker and O'Shanassy Streets. A football team was formed in the early 1890s and in 1892 was known as 'The Swifts'.A non- digital black and white photograph of a football team.football, australian rules football, sunbury football club

These items were made in the 1930s or 1940s for sale as souvenirs of Empire Day in Victoria. As they were made by Royal Doulton of England they were high-quality souvenirs. Empire Day was established in 1905 to commemorate the reign of Queen Victoria and to promote and celebrate the importance of the British Empire in Britain and in the associated British Empire countries. It was celebrated on 24th May, the date of Queen Victoria’s birthday. In Victoria the day was celebrated with a school holiday and half-day business holiday, street and shop decorations, bonfires, concerts, processions etc. In 1958 Empire Day became known as Commonwealth Day. These items have no known local provenance but they were typical of the souvenirs that sold in the first half of the 20th century in Warnambool and all other parts of Australia around the time of Empire Day, May 24th . It will be useful for display. This cup and this saucer are made of white china with coloured images of Britannia, the rising sun, British flags, scrolls and the names of British Empire countries on each item. The cup rim and the saucer edge originally had gold trim but the gold has almost disappeared. The cup and the saucer have the name of the distributor and the maker on the base. ‘Empire Day, May 24th , Africa, Australasia, Canada, India’ empire day, history of warrnambool, empire day cup and saucer

This belt was worn by Captain Charles Rogers of the Australian Army (Light Horse Regiment) when he was part of the mounted Guard of Honour during the visit of the Duke of Gloucester in 1934. The visit was part of Victoria’s Centenary celebrations and the Duke officially opened the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. Charles Rogers was a well-known Warrnambool identity in the 1930s, 40s and 50s as a horseman and Army member. He was often seen on horseback leading parades and celebrations in the city. He was a long-serving Warrnambool Agricultural Show official as a judge of equine events. He died in 1961. This belt is of interest as an example of the ceremonial regalia used by Army personnel in the 1930s and as a memento of a notable 20th century Warrnambool person, Charles Rogers.This is a belt made of silver thread material with a thick cloth backing. The belt has a cloth-covered metal clasp. There are two tassels hanging from the clasp area with beige and maroon threads with tops covered in silver mesh. These mesh tops may have a wooden frame underneath. The belt is a little tarnished.captain charles rogers, duke of gloucester visit, history of warrnambool

Named in 1845 by Wilhelm Karl von Haidinger cerussite takes its name from the Latin cerussa, meaning 'white lead'. When viewed under certain lighting conditions cerussite gives of fire and rainbow-like colours (due to its high dispersion) and it is quite sought after by geological collectors for this very reason. Cerussite is usually found in the oxidised zone of lead ore deposits. It is a very common weathering product of galena and other lead ore minerals. It is a secondary mineral, meaning it forms as a result of the alteration of pre-existing minerals in the Earth’s crust. The presence of lead in cerussite makes it potentially toxic. Historically, it has been an important source of lead, which has numerous industrial applications, including in batteries, construction materials, and radiation shielding. Cerussite has a crystal structure that belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system. Its crystal structure is characterized by a three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in a repeating pattern. The crystal lattice of cerussite consists of interconnected lead (Pb) and carbonate (CO3) ions. This crystal structure is visible in the specimen. This specimen was found in Dundas (formerly Mount Dundas), a historical mining locality, mineral field and railway located on the western foothills of the West Coast Range in Western Tasmania. During the 1890s Dundas swelled in numbers however it is now lost in a temperate rainforest and its population is now 2. The present Dundas Extended mine, about 1.5 km east of Dundas is presently worked for specimen material.Faceted cerussite gems are considered rare and valuable, given the softness of the mineral. This item is not a faceted gem however its historical and scientific research potential give it significance; mined in an Australian township, this cerussite could shed light on the now lost history of Dundas and the mining that occurred there. Additionally, the uses of this mineral in historical industrial processes give it scientific significance. Such knowledge can add to understandings of the geographical and geological nature of Western Tasmania and allow for further study of Australian geological specimens. A small lead carbonite mineral with shades of cream, white and brown throughout, flaky shards of white at base. CERUSSITE / (lead carbonite) / Locality: Dundas, W. Tasmaniadundas, tasmania, cerussite, lead, orthorhombic, geology, minerals, mining

Very Old. Until the end of the 19th century the bodies of jack planes were predominantly wooden, typically made out of beech (wood). Wooden planes were largely superseded by iron-bodied planes.Used by carpenters and cabinet makers in the Kiewa Valley from the late 1800s and the early 1900s.A Jack Plane is a general purpose woodworking bench plane, used for dressing timber down to size in preparation for truing and/or edge jointing. It is usually the first plane used on rough stock, but for rougher work it can be preceded by the scrub plane. German Pattern Jack Plane. The smallest - 1.5 inches. Ref. Page 21 - Tools for all Trades Catalogue 1930s?"The Burgham Tools Company / Solingen Germany"woodworking tool, jack plane, plane

Congues and Mowlam families Images of two families who lived in Cruikshank Street from the 1930s to 1950s. .14 - St Joseph's debutants 1947 Left to right from rear (little girls not included) Shirley Payne, Pat Mowlam, ??, Mary Dawson, Carmel Mills, ??, Norma Davis, Pat Ryan, ??, Shirley Mallet, Joan Bath, ??, Lorraine Murphyfamilies, congues family, mowlam family, barbara gardiner nee hegarty, pat frisby nee mowlam, joan bath, lorraine murphy, shirley mallet, pat ryan, mary dawson, shirley payne, norma davis, religion - roman catholic church (st josephs)

Congues and Mowlam families Images of two families who lived in Cruikshank Street from the 1930s to 1950s. .17 - Wedding photo of Carmel CONGUES and Albert MOWLAM in 1929 Left to right - Bill Mowlam, unknown girl, Moya (Moira) Congues, Albert Mowlam, Carml Congues, Rene ?, Lorna Congues, Johnny Congues, Denis Congues (aka Dinny) families, congues family, mowlam family, john (johnnie) congues, moira congues, lorna congues, denis 'dinny' congues, bill mowlam, albert 'tich' mowlam, carmel mowlam nee congues

Head protection for cyclists first appeared in the 1920s when the issue of safety became a concern. Since that time head protection has developed more sophistication.This is a particularly good run of examples from the 1930's through to the 1950's, showing efforts to refine the helmut for safety. 3 Leather padded helmets and 1 slim line padded leather/plastic helmut. Item 1 has a head protector and ear flaps c 1930s. Item II has a head protector without ear flaps c 1940s Item III has a head protector with flaps c 1950s. Each of these head protectors are stuffed with capok. "Detto Pietro Milano"helmet; geelong cycling club; detto pietro; milano;

From its beginnings in 1958, the Society has mounted exhibitions and/or displays, in early days in shop window and in community spaces located in the Kew City Hall (later Kew Library), and since 2010 at the Kew Court House. Exhibitions typically coincided with the annual Kew Community Festival in March, but after 2013 evolved into three new exhibitions yearly at the Kew Court House. Smaller displays continue to be mounted in the Kew Library. Display of seven costumes from the Weir collection dating from the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s used as a display at the 11 April 2018 monthly meeting at which the speakers were Jillian Rigby, Robert Baker and Suzanne McWha. The topic was the Weirs of Princess Street (Kew). The dresses form part of the Kew Historical Society Australian fashion collection and are catalogued individually.weir collection, women's clothing, kew historical society - meetings, australian fashion - 19100s - 1910s - 1920s - 1930s

Henry Christian (c.1809-91), the grandfather of the photographer, was one of the first settlers in Kew. He arrived in Victoria with his wife Agnes and son Orlando in 1855 on the Gypsy Queen. He established a rope-making business in Bulleen Road by 1858 but was declared insolvent two years later. In his final years, he was celebrated as one of the oldest living settlers of the district. His son, Orlando Henry Beater Christian (c.1853-1930) became a member of the Hawthorn Band and a foundation member of the Willsmere Swimming Club. Orlando and his wife Elizabeth had four children of which Henry Beater Christian (1886-1962) was the eldest.An item from an outstanding and diverse photographic collection, assembled by members of the Christian family of Pakington Street, Kew, comprising professional and amateur photography, depicting individuals, natural and settled environments and the interactions between these worlds. Many of the photographs vividly capture the worlds of three generations of men - Henry Christian, his son Orlando Henry Beater Christian, and his grandson of Henry Christian. The most important photographer was the youngest, Henry Christian, who was a keen explorer, not just of his immediate environment but also of the Victorian wilderness. His major opus is contained in two albums in which he records, sometimes in majestic detail and on other occasions the intimate features of the natural world. His photographic travels during the 1920s, often in solitary ramblings but on other occasions with companions, recall the heroic landscape photography of an earlier era, pioneered by Nicholas Caire. In addition to their aesthetic value, the albums are historically significant records within the State of Victoria, of what is now a distant point in time, and of places that have become radically altered through human intervention.Sepia photograph of the entrance gates to the Kew Asylum. Located in Princess Street, these gates were relocated to Victoria Park in the 1930s/40s. There is a shelter to the left of the gates. A horse-drawn covered carriage is exiting through the gates. An electric light is hung from a metal bar in the centre of the gates. The two-storey gate house on the right of the gates is outside the view of the photograph.kew lunatic asylum, kew lunatic asylum -- gates, henry beater christian, christian-washfold collection

A clothes iron is used, when heated, to press clothes to remove wrinkles and creases.The early irons were heated over a stove or in a fire. Irons were used very early in time and cast-iron irons during the 18th century. Mrs. Potts invented many irons starting from an early age thus making a difference to the clothing industry. She invented clothes irons with detachable wooden handles. Her first patent was in October 1870.This iron was used in the Kiewa Valley.Vintage cast iron body invented by Mrs Mary Florence Potts 1890s to 1940s. Detachable wooden handle (not attached) was cooler than a metal handle. It is double pointed for ironing in both directions. Body is hollow the top part being held by two screws. It can be filled with a light material. The No. 1 size is for specific ironing task. compared with No. 2 or No. 3. One handle with other bases enabled some to be reheating while using one. This iron has a stand. Formerly KV88B)Mrs Potts / No. 1 / Iron"" embossed on the topmary florence potts iron, cast iron, laundry, mrs potts

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.'Yarra Bluffs' was the home of George Henry (1831-1906) and Allegra Charnock Mott (1831-1905), newspaper proprietor (and also a friend of John Inglis, father of Kew doctor, Edgar Inglis, who bought land adjacent to this property in the 1890s). Walter was a son who drowned in the Yarra in a swimming accident January 2, 1890. George & Allegra had fourteen children and the family continued newspaper publishing interests from 1853 until 1986, over four generations.' (Andrew Mott, 2015)[Annotation on reverse by Dorothy Rogers] "Walter Mott's house - formerly Yarra Bluff, Redmond St Kew. This was formerly the back entrance. It is now 2 flats. The upper is occupied by the present owner Mr. Tyler. Walter was drowned in the Yarra. He built the house about ____. He commenced the Kew Mercury in 188_. Back view of George Motts home (1890) Redmond Street".walter mott, yarra bluff, studley park, dorothy rogers

Identification not certain. Original copy of photograph in catalogue was identified only as "Mr Lewis Snr", but the same photograph in the Lewis family file is named as "George Lewis Snr" (George Lewis 1855-1935). Maker's name on photograph, "Will S. Anderson" suggests it is of William Lewis. (William Snowdall Anderson was an itinerant photographer in Victoria in the 1890s. He advertised his services in the Camperdown Chronicle in 1895. If photograph which shows a reasonably elderly man was taken in the 1890s, subject would be too old to be George Lewis.) William Lewis married Ann Keating at Gnarkeet in 1853. He is said to have been present at the Eureka Stockade.Sepia photograph of an older man with beard, wearing suit, seated with right leg crossed over left and right hand resting on right knee.william lewis, george lewis

This ceremonial regalia belonged to Captain Charles Rogers of the Australian Army (Light Horse Regiment). He wore this regalia when he was part of the mounted Guard of Honour during the visit of the Duke of Gloucester in 1934. The visit was part of Victoria’s Centenary celebrations and the Duke officially opened the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. Charles Rogers was a well-known Warrnambool identity in the 1930s, 40s and 50s as a horseman and Army identity and he and his horse frequently led parades and celebrations in the city. He was a long-serving Warrnambool Agricultural Show official as a judge of equine events. Rogers died in 1961. These items are of great interest as examples of the regalia worn by Australian military personnel in the 1930s. They are also good mementos of Charles Rogers, a notable personality in Warrnambool in the 1930s, 40s and 50s.1 This is a piece of ceremonial regalia worn over the shoulder and called an aigullette. It has a plaited silver-coloured cord ending in silver metal tagged points. The metal points or stakes are highly decorated. The cords also have an accompanying smaller silver-coloured cord and another attachment of cord with an end of interwoven material in the shape of an elongated pear or acorn. The item is a little tarnished. .2 These are epaulettes worn on the shoulder. One is attached to the aigullette and the other is detached. They are made of silver plaited cord with a brown felt backing and have two star-shaped gold and yellow badges indicating the rank captain charles rogers, duke of gloucester visit, centenary of victoria, history of warrnambool

This is a booklet of 28 pages. It has a brown cover with the pages tied together with brown plaited thread. The pages contain printed material.non-fictioncollection of versejohn adams wangoom

This photograph is of a rectangular white damask tablecloth, which was owned by Mrs Murrell (Lily Murrell, née Young, wife of William Murrell). The Murrell family ran the Linton newsagency during the 1930s and 1940s. Mrs Murrell asked people who came into the newsagency to sign and date the cloth, and later she embroidered the names and dates in various coloured thread. Traditionally such ‘signature cloths’ were used as a fundraiser for charity purposes and date back to the 1890s at least. They were at their height of popularity during World War I and the inter-war period, often embroidered in red or blue. The Linton tablecloth has a number of signatures and dates, some not embroidered, the dates ranging from 1931 to 1945. It is a delightful example of the genre and a wonderful visual record of people who lived in or visited Linton over a period of 15 years.Colour photograph of a cream cotton tablecloth that has signatures embroidered on it.

Half-hull ship models were an important step in the process of building a vessel. Shipwrights or designers would construct a half-hull scale model of a ship before the vessel was built. They used it to ensure that the dimensions would work together and that the ship look balanced. They would often mount the half hull onto a board in their workshop. The half-hull ship models were also used to show prospective buyers how the design would work and look. Given the plywood construction of the model, it is believed to have been made around the 1930s as plywood construction had started in earnest in Queensland around this time and soon became the centre of the industry because of Queensland's attractive rain forest woods used which also included red cedar, silver ash, black bean, Queensland maple and silky oak. It is also believed the model was a design for a clinker-built barge to be built by Peter Payne who operated a boat building works on the Mordialloc Creek, Victoria going out of business in 1973. Records show Peter Paynes' first craft launched in 1962 and the last in 1973 from Mordialloc Creek works. However, he was one of the most prolific builders from the 1930s and produced many more vessels than the records currently show. There is at this point no further record of the subject model or whether a full version was ever built and for whom is not known at this time.A model that demonstrates the boat-building process is believed to have been made by Peter Payne or someone who worked in his yard. P Payne was a very well-known boating personality, vessel captain and boat builder throughout most of the 20th century. Model barge half hull on wooden of plywood laminated construction. Marked "AUXILIARY BARGE 80'x16'x6' 315 TONS 4" - 1 FOOT" "P and H PAYNE?" "22/E/26" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, ship model half hull, ship half model, shipbuilding, shipwright, ship design, peter payne, boat builder victoria, clinker design, barge

This coat belonged to Brighton resident Audrey Winifred Pickett (nee Heriot; 1915-2011). The coat is made from the pelts of rakali, also known as the Australian water rat, a native rodent species similar to an otter. Growing up to 35 centimetres in length, rakali typically live in burrows near water, feeding on fish, insects, yabbies and waterbirds. Throughout the early twentieth century, they were widely considered to be a nuisance and were hunted for their soft and waterproof fur. Demand for rakali pelts increased during the 1930s Depression years, when a ban was placed on the import of overseas furs; rakali fur became a popular substitute for the fur of the American muskrat. The species was placed under a protection order in 1938, although periodic culls were allowed until 1957 due to their perceived destruction of irrigation banks and fishing nets. Audrey recalled that the coat was made for her by furrier F. J. Ellemor after a large cull of rakali. The coat was displayed in the window of Ellemor's Block Place store. F. J. Ellemor Pty Ltd was established in 1908 by furrier Francis John Ellemor (1867-1944) and continued into the late twentieth century under the management of his son Wilfred (1801-1972). Francis and his wife Edith lived in Rothesay Avenue, Brighton from the late 1930s.Three-quarter length brown fur coat made of Australian water-rat (rakali) pelts. Wide raised collar and cuffs. Fastens centre front with two large hooks and eyes. Lined with chocolate brown silk satin.Label, woven brown on beige silk, centre back neck: created by / F. J. Ellemor / FURRIERS / MELBOURNEfur coat, rakali, australian water rat, melbourne fashion, audrey winifred heriot, audrey winifred pickett, audrey winifred north, francis john ellemor, f. j. ellemor, furrier