Reinis Zusters OAM was born 15 October 1918 in Odessa, Ukraine, of Latvian parents. Zusters’ father died before he was two years old and he was raised in an orphanage from an early age. He had one sister. He studied Art at the Riga Technical College, Latvia, from 1935 to 1940. He married Aldija Kapteinis, and they had a daughter, Rudite (born 1942 in Riga). After World War II the Zusters family were refugees. They reached Western Australia in 1950, where they stayed for 6 months before moving to Canberra, ACT. In 1952, Zusters moved from Canberra to Pennant Hills in Sydney with his second wife, Arija Biks. Their daughter Laura was born in Sydney in 1956. In 1966, Zusters met his future third wife, Venita Salnajs. In 1969, Zusters bought a house in Greenwich, Sydney. He married Venita on September 17, 1976, and they moved to Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains. Zusters died on 8 October, 1999 at Wentworth Falls, and was cremated at Rookwood Crematorium, Sydney. His ashes are buried in the Latvian section of Rookwood Cemetery. Zusters studied at the Technical College of Riga (Latvia), and at East Sydney Technical College, Australia. He was influenced by his Latvian cultural heritage, and admired the artist Voldemars Tone (1892-1958). Shortly after arrival in Australia, Zusters became a draughtsman with the Department of Works and Housing in Canberra. Later he was appointed chief designer with the Australian-American architectural firm Austin-Anderson, at St. Leonards, Sydney. Zusters practised as a full-time professional artist from 1968. Zusters was a prolific painter, predominantly in oils. He produced many large landscapes, including triptychs of the Blue Mountains. His landscapes were mountain scenes prepared in the manner of Jackson Pollock and completed with washes and pale glazes of colour. His cityscapes featured a rich paint surface and sharp-edged thickness of paint applied with a palette knife, layer upon layer. He painted urban scenes of Sydney, inland Australian scenes, and several major portraits including Sir Winston Churchill’s gardener (purchased by Art Gallery of NSW). He made many small informal portrait-drawings of friends. His usual signature was “Zusters”. His work is represented in numerous public and private collections in Australia and abroad. He won numerous prestigious awards in Australia, Japan and USA and was honoured with the Order of Australia Medal in 1994.

Mother of pearl handle enclosing three folding bladespersonal effects, pocket knives

Given to the Society's Museum by the Nunawading Rotary Club following their visit on 14 February 2001.Nickel plated spear shape letter opener with round emblem inscribed with Rotary International on blue panels on cream and gold circle. Centre crossed with blue panels covered with plastic.Rotary Internationalcivic mementoes, souvenirs

Tempered steel sharpener for sharpening knives.domestic items, utensils, cutlery

Tempered steel sharpener for sharpening knives. It has a bone handle.domestic items, utensils, cutlery

Part of collection of carpenters' tools used on sailing ships from England to AustraliaRound wooden centre with metal tools at each endtrades, carpentry

Collection of Margaret ScarlettCream Bone handle with steel shaftJoseph Rogers and Sons.domestic items, cutlery

Large metal blade attached to a wide and thick handle. Blade slightly curved at end.rural industry, agriculture

Wide large metal shaft with wooden handle set at right angle.rural industry, agriculture

Used for trimming horses hoofs.rural industry, farm machinery, trades, blacksmithing

Coopers tool for making wine barrelsWooden handles at both ends with a metal shaving tool attached

Coopers tool for making wine barrelsWooden handles at both ends with a metal shaving tool attachedMade in England Gilpins X

Coopers tool for making wine barrelsWooden handles at both ends with a metal shaving tool attached

craft, ballarat rsl, ballarat

craft, ballarat rsl, ballarat

Engraved - "New Guinea 1944"craft, ballarat rsl, ballarat

British - used in Malaya & BorneoOil the joints, CC128equipment/gear, ballarat rsl, ballarat

Australian issueequipment/gear, ballarat rsl, ballarat

Metal pointed blade with a Brass handle

This implement was used to inscribe text or etch picture onto lontar leaves.Metal blade with wooden handle and sheaf with ratten tie. For better description on pemeje or pengerupak in Balinese - see link below

Bayonet, shortened, pattern 07 scabbard.ephemera, ww1, army

Round wooden barrel with metal and wood handle for turning barrel, which also had brass fittings All placed on a cast iron base."Snye & Co Manufacturing London" written on a brass plaque, on front of the barrel.knife cleaners

Manufactured by Holden and Frost for military useManufactured by Holden and Frost Ca 1907Small leather pouch belt mounted all leather brass stud on front for fastening fold over coverHolden and Frost Adelaide CMF - NSW 07military, leather, knife pouch

A flat straight metal woodworking tool with two wooden line patterned handles used to remove surplus large chunks of wood and taper the sides of timber for floorboards, paneling and such before planing them. It can be used to to fashion tool handles, wooden sculptures stool legs or wheel spokes. The final finishing on such work was done by a Spoke Shave tool which we also have in our collection.Stamped on the blade is a horse head with the manufacturer's name Hale Bros Sheffield England below.woodcarving tools, drawing knives, shaves, handtools, iron

A steel curved bladed woodworking tool with two wooden handles used to remove thin slices and big chunks of wood from timber. It can be used to fashion wooden sculptures, debarking trees and trimming beams. The final finishing on such work was done by a Spoke Shave tool which we also have in our collection.ROBT SORBY AUS STEELwoodcarving tools, drawing knives, shaves, handtools, steel, wood, woodworking tools

Bayonet scabbard possibly from WW1A scabbard is a sheath for holding a sword, knife, or other large blade.Metal tipped long narrow brown leather sheath with belt webbing"M A "- stamped on metal tipbayonet scabbard, ww1

single edged blade wooden handle steel scabbard leather belt fittingPte M.Easton 40240 with regimental badge on handle