This is a simple household labour-saving device. The box was fitted to the end of the table and knife polish was sprinkled on the cloth inside. The knife was then placed in the centre of the box and clamped in tightly. The knife was then pulled backwards and forwards several times (three seconds was the suggested time) and the object was then deemed to be polished. All households had cutlery of some sort and many had good silver pieces that were meant to be kept in a sparkling polished condition. This cleaner would have assisted those in a household assigned to the care of the cutlery. These would have included the women of the household, the children or domestic employees. This item is retained as an interesting example of a household labour-saving device from 100 years ago. This is a circular wooden box with an extra piece at one end of the base and a sliding top lid with a wooden knob. The lid lifts up and the inside of the box and the lid is covered with rough cloth. Some of this cloth has rotted away. The top of the lid has a printed label pasted on. This is torn and soiled. ‘Patent The Magic Knife and Fork Cleaner’ ‘I am handy and useful where’r I am used, To clean knives and forks brightly I never refuse, In mansion or cottage to both I do go, So buy me, and try me, my worth you will know.’ household devices, history of warrnambool

This silver wool-holder was sold as a souvenir at the British Empire Exhibition of 1924-5. This exhibition was staged to strengthen the bonds of the British Empire and 56 of the 58 nations or territories within the Empire participated. Wembley Stadium was built for the Exhibition and called then Empire Stadium. 27,000,000 visited the exhibition in the two years of is existence. Wembley Stadium survived until 2003 when it was rebuilt. This wool-holder is of interest as an example of the type of household item that would have been in a more affluent home in the 1920s. It is also of interest as an example of the type of souvenir sold at the British Empire Exhibition in 1924-5. It is a useful and attractive display item.This is a silver circular-shaped wool holder which was a souvenir of the British Empire Exhibition held at Wembley in 1924-5. It has four silver segments held together at each end with silver pins. The segments have an open fretwork pattern and can retract and open to allow material to be stored and to be easily accessible to the knitter or needleworker. The Wembley emblem with the image of an Art Deco lion is welded onto one of the segments. This silver ball could also be used as a pomander to hold perfumed material and to be placed in a wardrobe or cupboard.‘Wembley’ british empire exhibition, wembley 1924-5, pomander, wool holder

The first issue of The Young Englishwoman was published in December of 1864 and was directed toward a young, female, middle-class audience and treated mostly household matters such as needlework, recipes, house-hold management tips and fashion. The Young Englishwoman started out as a weekly magazine but, as editors and publishers changed over time, it became a monthly periodical.This items is used to illustrate the popularisation of fashion styles in the 19th centuryFramed fashion plate - 'The Newest French Fashions': modelled for the Young Englishwoman. fashion illustration, young englishwoman

Hugo Wertheim (1854-1919), was a merchant and manufacturer and was born on the 12th July 1854 at Lispenhausen, in the German electorate of Hesse-Kassel, son of Meyer Wertheim and his wife Minna, née Heinemann. Hugo reached Melbourne in October 1875. He soon began advertising, from premises at 39 Flinders Lane East, as agent for his father's cousin Joseph Wertheim, a well-established manufacturer of sewing machines. Hugo returned to Germany where he married Joseph Wertheim's daughter Sophie Emilie (1864-1953) on 30 August 1885 at Frankfurt. the couple then came to Melbourne. In a short time, with extensive advertising, Hugo established a substantial business, selling sewing machines, bicycles, pianos and other mechanical devices, under brands such as Wertheim, Electra, Planet, Griffin and Hapsburg. He also mounted elaborate displays at agricultural shows and in 1901 at the Pan American Exposition, Buffalo, United States of America. O. C. Beale worked with him before setting up his own piano business in New South Wales. Hugo continued to own 25 per cent of one of Beale's companies, which became Wertheim's Queensland business. In 1908 Wertheim opened a large, innovative piano factory at Richmond, Melbourne, intending to produce 2000 pianos and player pianos annually, predominantly using Australian materials. In laying the foundation stone, Prime Minister Alfred Deakin observed that “few men with such opportunities for a life of ease would have embarked on such an enterprise” Hugo died of chronic hepatitis on 11 July 1919 at his home at South Yarra, his wife, two daughters and three sons survived him; Herbert Joseph (1886-1972), the eldest, continued the business. Rupert became a share broker and went on to represent Victoria in inter-State tennis in 1913-27 and Australia in Davis Cup matches against Czechoslovakia in 1922. The piano factory closed in 1935, becoming a Heinz food processing plant and in 1955, GTV Channel 9 studios and offices.Early Australians had to be self-reliant in regards to making and mending their clothes and utensils. This sewing machine was one of many items used that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these early families. A sewing machine was a necessary part of each home and this item demonstrates how women of the time managed had to become self-reliant in the repair and making of their families clothes to make their household budgets go further.Sewing machine, Wertheim brand “ Syst 182” hand crank operated machine with folding handle, timber case and carry handle. Metal machine is painted black, with remnants of gold, red and green scrolls and floral decoration. Machine has base with inlaid measuring rule across front and 2 holes drilled through the base (perhaps for mounting machine to a bench). Machine tilts open, hinged on one side, after thumb screw is unwound, revealing machine’s workings and serial number. Base has a fitted round, concave, silver metal pin holder with lid that hinges open, and symbol pressed into lid; several pins are inside. Body of machine has brand name transfer across front and oval metal trademark disc on front. Metal sliding covers over footplates have stamped lettering. Timber machine case or cover includes an accessory box with sliding cover and metal hook and eye latch, and inside the box are 23 metal sewing attachments, a disc and a stick of black crayon with maker’s trademark on it paper cover. Workings of machine have seized up. The crayon wrapper has printed on it “For the wonderful Wertheim new family machine made in Germany ‘Syst. 182’”, and the maker’s symbol with “Trademark” beside it. Made for Hugo Wertheim.“WERTHEIM” transfer across front and back of machine body. Cover of pin holder has symbol ‘Wings above a shield’. Maker’s trademark on gold oval disc, “WERTHEIM / FRANCFURT” and picture of a dwarf with a hammer. Left footplate has script “Syst 182”, right footplate has stamp in oval shape “MANUFACTURED IN - - /SPECIALLY FOR / HUGO WERTHEIM” Serial Number “7501”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sewing machine, hand crank sewing machine, hugo wertheim, wertheim, clothing manufacturer, sewing, syst 182

John Gibson was a tea merchant in Warrnambool in the 1930's and later went on to run a clothing business in Fairy Street Warrnambool which also involved travelling to areas outside of Warrnambool and district farms with a range of clothing. His wife Mary was associated with the Nella Maris cafe in Liebig St where John Gibson was seriously wounded in a stabbing attack. He and his wife Mary were killed in a road accident in May 1965. It was not uncommon for items such as tea and other basic commodities to be purchased in large amounts. In an article on A common item from the early and mid 20th century with a link to a Warrnambool person and family businessRectangular metal tin with attached hinged lid.The front of the tin has a dark blue background with a white teapot and palm trees and buildings also in white. Text is in red.The tea of taste Renown Tea. J Gibson Warrnambool. Nett weight 12lbs.warrnambool, john alexander gibson, renown tea, j gibson warrnambool

A conch shell is a tropical marine mollusc with a robust spiral shell which bears long projections and has a flared lip No information is available about where this shell came from or when it was acquired by the Warrnambool and District Historical Society.This item has no known local provenance but would be useful for display as an attractive marine item which is no longer able to be taken from its original locationLarge white conch shell with pink and yellow coloured lip. Stands upright. Four points. One point broken off at tip and lip edge sightly broken.warrnambool, shell

The Coolgardie safe was invented in the late 1890s on the Western Australian goldfields. Its invention was credited to a local contractor named Arthur Patrick McCormick. It was a practical system to preserve food prior to modern refrigeration. The wire grid kept the food safe from vermin and allowed breeze to blow through. It was often covered with wet hessian so that as the breeze circulated the water evaporated, creating the same concept as coolant in modern refrigerators and ice boxes. In most respects it was a variation of the bushman’s hessian bag hanging in a tree. In larger towns and cities during this time period large "ice works" could deliver block ice to areas that required a form of refrigeration. These ice blocks where held in early refrigerators to keep perishables cool. In isolated or rural households, the Coolgardie or meat safe was the next best, practical solution for food preservation. This safe was used in the home of the Conway family in Wodonga.This item is very significant to the Wodonga region as it represents the initiative and problem solving skills of the early settlers. It also reflects the primitive conditions in which they lived before the arrival of more modern services such as electricity.Meat safe or Coolgardie safe manufactured in Australia. This safe is made from metal and has been painted in green paint. 2 sides of the safe have a pattern of 6 squares of holes to allow for ventilation and air flow. The holes would also guard against insects and other vermin. There is one shelf inside, dividing it into 2 sections. The safe has a hook attached so that it can be suspended, often from a tree or on a verandah to increase air flow. The safe would often be covered by wet hessian to promote further cooling and preservation of foods such as milk, butter and meat.coolgardie safe, food preservation, pioneers innovation

Heavy duty cast iron kettles were used as a domestic item to boil water safely without the concern that the metal may contain lead or arsenic as earlier utensils had. The household depended on constant hot water availability for all cooking, washing and other household chores.A large heavy black cast iron kettle with a curved handle, goose neck spout with a shaped pouring end and a removable lid with a small looped open knob. It has a flat base and mushroom shaped handle welded onto the pot below the rim of the pot opening. There is a shaped grip underneath at the top hold it steady. It was used as a domestic item to boil water safely without the concern that the metal may contain lead or arsenic as earlier utensils had.On the base - 'England. First quality. No.3 6 pints. C. Clark and Co Ltd'kitchenware, kitchen equipment, kettles

Item used for covering and storing food in the refrigerator. Cream plastic container with lid."S & M Utility Plastics" moulded into lid.household implements, container, storage containers

Established by George Guthrie in 1857 (about 5km north of its current site) and then again seven years later in 1864 after it initially closed, Bendigo Pottery remains one of the most influential and longest running Pottery’s in Australia. Over the years the Pottery has contributed to the growth and development of the district through both its products including building products, table ware and decorative and commemorative war as well as artistically, being responsible for training and supporting many potters locally. The City of Greater Bendigo has had a long history of partnering with Bendigo Pottery and the Civic Collection holds a number of important items within its collection. Ned Kelly is one of Australia's most iconic outlaws. Kelly was born and raised in rural Victoria, the third of eight children to Irish parents. His father, a transported convict, died in 1866, leaving Kelly, then aged 12, as the eldest male of the household. The Kelly's were a poor selector family who saw themselves as downtrodden by the squattocracy and as victims of persecution by the Victoria Police. While a teenager, Kelly was arrested for associating with bushranger Harry Power and served two prison terms for a variety of offences, the longest stretch being from 1871 to 1874. He later joined the "Greta Mob", a group of bush larrikins known for stock theft. A violent confrontation with a policeman occurred at the Kelly family's home in 1878, and Kelly was indicted for his attempted murder. Fleeing to the bush, Kelly vowed to avenge his mother, who was imprisoned for her role in the incident. After he, his brother Dan, and associates Joe Byrne and Steve Hart shot dead three policemen, the government of Victoria proclaimed them outlaws. Kelly died aged 25 at Melbourne Goal after being captured by Police in Glenrowan and sentenced to death. (Source Wikipedia).Brown glazed slip cast jug. Includes details which are iconic to the image of Ned Kelly including face and body armour pistol and gloves. Ned's left arm forms the handle.Verso; NED KELLY / Bendigo Pottery Epsom (stamp) Underside; Bendigo Pottery / Limited / Edition Series / 879 / 3000 / Australiacity of greater bendigo tourism, bendigo pottery

Butter pats (also known as butter paddles, butter hands and butter workers) were widely used until the mid 20th century to form and shape butter that came out of butter churns.The butter pats are an example of an everyday domestic object that would have been an item in most farm households particularly the dairy farms of South-West Victoria.A pair of wooden butter pats with shaped handles. One side of the pat is covered with fine grooves the other side is flat.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, domestic object, butter pats, butter making, butter paddles

Robert Harper and Co. Ltd. was an Australian company involved with sugar refining and starch and oatmeal production. Silver Star Starch was a well-known product and starch was used extensively in most households, mainly for shirt collars, aprons, nurses’ uniforms, household linen, tablecloths, doyleys etc. This item is of some interest, both for display and as a good example of housekeeping methods of the past (up to about the 1970s). However, the starching of clothing does continue today, mainly for special purposes – theatre costumes, clerical and ceremonial garb etc. The item can be specifically used by the Warrnambool and District Historical Society in any display connected to the 1896-7 Warrnambool Industrial and Art Exhibition as this exhibition had, as one of its competitions, the Silver Star Starch Ironing Competition (see pages 96-7, book, ‘The Great Warrnambool Exhibition’, by E. O’Callaghan, Collett, Bain and Gaspars, 2002)A box that contained 12 ounces of Silver Star starch for domestic use, mainly for ironing clothes. The box, a product of Robert Harper and Company Limited, Victoria, Australia, has several advertising captions – ‘Won’t Stick to the Iron’, ‘The Best in the World’. ‘Requires no Boiling’, and has directions for use. The front of the box has an illustration of two women from Victorian times using the product,warrnambool, silver star starch, robert harper & co ltd

Doilies were used to protect tables or furniture from items which may scratch or damage the surface. Often they were homemade and the more contemporary ones were machine made.A small round floral embroidered doily in blue, purple and green. It has a white scalloped embroidered edge.doilies, household textiles, table linen, furniture accessories, soft furnishings

Doilies were used to protect tables or furniture from items which may scratch or damage the surface. Often they were homemade and the more contemporary ones were machine made.A small square cotton embroidered doily with brown, green, blue, pink, white and navy cross stitch pattern. Crocheted scalloped edging.doilies, textiles, household textiles, table linen, furniture accessories, soft furnishings

John and Emma Propert emigrated from England in 1877 and settled in New South Wales . Several of their 11 children became talented inventors, designing items ranging from kitchen utensils to coaches and later pop-up caravans. One of the most successful was Charles, who designed and built kitchenware over many decades. His earliest invention was irrigation equipment including patenting the common backyard rose sprinkler. Propert became a household name when he began making a wide range of kitchen implements for decades including flour sifters and chip cutters. By the 1970s Propert was Australia’s leading brand of kitchen and bathroom scales. By far the most successful product was a ball-driven egg beater, trademarked as the Ezy Whisk or Swift Whisk. In the days before electric beaters, the Ezy Whisk and Swift Whisk were market leaders and were exported world-wide. Charles Propert and his son Bertram manufactured more than a quarter of a million egg beaters a year in the early 1950s which explains why so many are still in use today.These items are significant because they were widely used throughout Australia in the 1950s by a major Australian manufacturer.Two Propert's kitchen appliances - a stainless steel Whistling Egg Timer and a Swift Whisk BeaterOn Egg Beater : A PROPERT PRODUCT MADE IN AUSTRALIA PATENT BALL DRIVE SWIFT WHIP STAINLESS STEELkitchen utensils, propert kitchen appliances

This small kettle was from the home of Mrs Streizel and the family of Mrs Adamson. Kettles were used as a domestic item to boil water safely without the concern that the metal may contain lead or arsenic as earlier utensils had. The household depended on constant hot water availability for all cooking, washing and other household chores. These small kettles would have been used perhaps at the table to add water to the teapot instead of using the heavy large cast iron ones over the open fire or on the stove. This one is from the early 1900's.A small dark blue enamel hot water kettle with a black curved moveable handle riveted onto the top sides and a goose neck spout. It has a removable lid with a small knob. White enamel interior. kitchenware, kitchen equipment, kettles

C.19th weighing machine and scoop used in kitchens for food preparation. An antique footed ornate black cast metal Salter brand kitchen scale from the Victorian era. This item is rare.The cream coloured metal face is quite decorative with Household Scale No 49, British Made To weigh 0 - 20 lbs. It has an adjustment winder on the back to set the scales to 0. The top of the scale has a metal claw shape to support the black metal dish which the food is placed on to weigh. There is also a metal measuring scoop with a short handle which was originally green. Household Scale No 49, British Made, To weigh 0 - 20 lbs. A knotted rope design and Salter is printed at the bottom of the face.kitchen equipment, kitchenware, cooking, scales, scoops

Basket weaving and brush making was a source of income for those who worked in the workshops at RVIB and other institutions in New South Wales and Queensland. A diverse range products could be produced with cane, such as cane chairs, cots, washing baskets and trolleys, and the Institution sought to highlight these in the annual report. Over time the demand for, and supply of, cane changed - particularly during World War 2 when Asian sources were under attack or destroyed. At home, other materials such as plastics as well as the ability to import cheaper pre-produced products further reduced the demand for workshop pieces. Generic style basket that would have been used for shopping or any household task requiring movement of multiple items. Cane baskets were the original green alternative to plastic shopping bags. Note that the handle is deliberately askew, for easier carrying against the hip.1 cane basket with askew handleemployment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Front and back covers of "Domestic Science Handbook: for use by the pupils of domestic science schools". An example of 1940s advertising through sewing and homemaker books. In this book, instructions are given for many aspects of household management, interspersed with advertisements for useful items. The back cover is an advertisement for Nock and Kirby Ltd, a Sydney based retail store. An example of mid 20th century advertising through 'how-to' books.Digital copy of front and back covers of a bookhistoric advertisements, domestic science, nock and kirby, nsw cookery teachers association

Advertisement for Aeroplane Jelly from "Domestic Science Handbook: for use by the pupils of domestic science schools". An example of 1940s advertising through cooking and homemaker books. In this book, instructions are given for many aspects of household management, interspersed with advertisements for useful items. This Aeroplane Jelly advertisement tells of the health benefits of eating the jelly, its vitamin content and that it is made in Australia.An example of mid 20th century advertising through 'how-to' books.Digital copy of advertisement from a bookhistoric advertisements, domestic science, nsw cookery teachers association, aeroplane jelly

Advertisement for Berlei (foundation garments) from "Domestic Science Handbook: for use by the pupils of domestic science schools". An example of 1940s advertising through cooking and homemaker books. In this book, instructions are given for many aspects of household management, interspersed with advertisements for useful items. This Berlei advertisement is for corsetry that was popular at the time. Also on this page is an advert for War Bonds, to support the war effort in World War 2.An example of mid 20th century advertising through 'how-to' books.Digital copy of advertisement from a bookhistoric advertisements, domestic science, nsw cookery teachers association, berlei, war bonds, world war 2

Advertisement for Gold Medal Milk from "Domestic Science Handbook: for use by the pupils of domestic science schools". An example of 1940s advertising through cooking and homemaker books. In this book, instructions are given for many aspects of household management, interspersed with advertisements for useful items. This Gold Medal Milk advertisement is for tinned condensed milk. The page includes an advertisement for Soyer's Baking Powder.An example of mid 20th century advertising through 'how-to' books.Digital copy of advertisement from a bookhistoric advertisements, domestic science, nsw cookery teachers association, gold medal milk, condensed milk, baking powder, soyers baking powder

Advertisement for Cadbury's Bourneville Cocoa from "Domestic Science Handbook: for use by the pupils of domestic science schools". An example of 1940s advertising through cooking and homemaker books. In this book, instructions are given for many aspects of household management, interspersed with advertisements for useful items. This Cadbury's Bourneville Cocoa advertisement includes a recipe for chocolate cake.An example of mid 20th century advertising through 'how-to' books.Digital copy of advertisement from a bookhistoric advertisements, domestic science, nsw cookery teachers association, cadburys bourneville cocoa, chocolate cake

These products were delivered in bulk to Wodonga and then re-bottled by the local distributors. J. Mann and Sons was first established as a farm produce store in 1921. The range of products was extended in the 1930s and included groceries and hardware, as well as the first petrol bowser in Wodonga outside the store. After WWII, the premises were extended and the range of products continued to increase. In the 1960s the Mann Family opened a new supermarket in Wodonga, in addition to the hardware business, providing steel, plumbing and industrial supplies, and they employed over 100 people at one stage. With changes in the retail industry, the Mann Family sold the main hardware business to Bunnings and the steel and rural produce business to the Kelly brothers in 2006.These items have local significance as they were supplied by prominent businesses in Wodonga.2 brown glass bottles with triangular base. They were used to sell kerosene and methylated spirits in the middle of the 20th centuries. They were generally bottled by the local distributor from a bulk container. Bottle 1 contained Mobil Kerosene although Petrol has been written on the label and underlined. It was sold by J. Mann & Son in Wodonga. Bottle 2 contained Methylated spirits and was bottled by J.B. and R Harvey of WodongaLABEL 1: " MOBIL/Home Kerosene/ for/ HEATING , LIGHTING, CLEANING/ INCUBATORS, REFRIGERATORS/ Coloured BLUE for safety/ PACKED NET FL. OZS / J. MANN & SON / HIgh Street, Wodonga/ Phone 19 or 61 LABEL 2: "CAUTION/Dangerous if Swallowed/Keep out of Reach of Children/if Swallowed Seek Medical Advice/ HIghly Inflammable/ REFINED/ METHYLATED SPIRITS / KEEP AWAY FROM/ OPEN FIRE/ Net Contents 20 Fl. Ozs./ Bottle by J. B. & R. HARVEY / GROCER/ WODONGA Embossed in Bottle 2: THIS BOTTLE REMAINS THE PROPERTY/ OF HUNTER PRODUCTS PTY. LTD./ FOOTSCRAY/ THIS BOTTLE/ MUST NOT BE / USED AS A/ FOOD CONTAINER.mann wodonga, fuel for domestic use, household fuel