This lamp base would have had a glass chimney clipped to the burner. It is a portable kerosene lamp used in the 19th century and the early 20th century for household lighting before the advent of electricity.This item is retained for display purposes as an example of household lighting a hundred years ago.This is a clear glass lamp base with a metal burner attached to the top. The bottom of the base is hollow. The glass on the stem and bulb is patterned. A BLIXTENvintage household lighting, kerosene lamps

This is a vintage lighting mechanism probably dating from the 1920s. It would have been used in a household or business to provide lighting for a room. It is quite heavy so would have mostly rested on a table or ledge. It is a Petromax lantern, a brand name for a type of pressurised paraffin lamp that uses a mantle. The Petromax lantern was developed in 1910 by Max Graetz of the firm of Ehrich and Graetz of Berlin, Germany (petro= petroleum, max=Max Graetz).The Petromax lantern is still produced todayThis lantern is of antiquarian interest as an example of household lighting100 years ago.This is a lantern with a metal base, a wooden stem painted black, a metal body holding a piece of circular glass and a metal top with perforations acting as a chimney. The base has a hand pump and a removable screw cap to enable the base to be filled with paraffin. The main body has a screw holder to control the lighting and a pre-lighting mechanism and a mantle fitting inside the glass. The mantle is missing.PETROMAX No. 886 MADE IN GERMANYvintage lighting, petromax lanterns

This collar holder would have been used in the early to mid 20th century in the days when men's shirts often had detachable collars so that the collars could be changed each day and the shirt part would not have to be washed so frequently. The metal crest on the holder with a crown on top suggests that the wearer of the detachable collars could have held a Government office or been a member of one of the Defence Forces. This collar holder has no known local provenance but is kept as a memento of the days (80 to 100 years ago and more) when men wore shirts with detachable collars. This is a rectangular-shaped leather object which has been folded over once to form a wallet with an extra piece at the end to close over the wallet. The top piece closing device has two metal press studs. The insides of the wallet are lined with buff-coloured material hemmed with cotton stitching with two extra pieces folding over to hold the collars. The wallet contains one white collar with one collar stud. On the front of the wallet is gold-coloured printing and attached is a metal badge or crest. 'Soft Collars'men's vintage clothing, warrnambool, collar

This tool appears to have been hand-assembled. It would have been used on a farm or saw mill or any place of work or home requiring wood to be cut up. This tool has no known local provenance but is retained as an example of a tool used 100 years ago or more,This is a metal small axe or wood splitter with a wooden handle. The metal section is pitted and worn and the oval-shaped handle is partly split and worn. vintage hand tools, wood splitter, history of warrnambool

These scales come from the Nullawarre Post Office. Nullawarre is a small settlement 25 kilometres south east of Warrnambool. The area was settled in the late 1860s and 1870s and the first school was opened in 1878. The main agricultural pursuit in the Nullawarre district is dairying. The Nullawarre Post Office still operates in the General Store building. This set of scales is of interest as it is a memento of the equipment used in country Post Offices one hundred years ago or more. Scales such as these may still be in use but electronically-operated scales are more likely to be used today.This is a set of metal weighing scales with two trays, one oval in shape and one round, on a balancing mechanism. This mechanism has two ornamental upright metal pieces. The scales are affixed to a wooden base in a rectangular shape with the front edge shaped into two curves. The wooden base has three slots for holding the weights. There are six brass weights with this item. The metal is a little tarnished and the wooden base is stained. nullawarre, history of warrnambool

This cup, made in Melbourne, is a 1946 award for a table tennis competition in the Warrnambool district. The P.C.S.A. may stand for Presbyterian & Congregational Sports Association, with the trophy being won by the Congregational Church team. The donor’s initials, W.Y.M.C., may stand for Warrnambool Young Men’s Club. The Warrnambool Congregational Church was founded in 1862 with a church opened in Liebig Street in 1864. This church was sold and a new one opened in Henna Street in 1940. In 1979, after the Congregational Church merged with the Methodist Church, the Henna Street church was sold to the Salvation Army.This cup is of interest as an example of a Warrnambool sports trophy given over 70 years ago.This is a small silver cup mounted on a brown Bakelite base. The cup has two handles and an inscription on one side of the cup. The silver is a little tarnished.‘E.P.N.S. A1’ ‘Tilbury & Lewis Pty Ltd Lewbury’ ‘P.C.S.A. Table Tennis Congregational Team Premiers & Champions 1946 Donated by W.Y.M.C.’ western district sport, warrnambool table tennis, warrnambool congregational church, history of warrnambool

This flagon which once contained 750 ml. of tawny port was sold at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in Warrnambool in the 1970s and perhaps the 1980s as a souvenir of the village and Warrnambool. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village was opened in 1975 and is a re-created 19th century village and port built in the area of a Warrnambool historic precinct containing several original features from the 19th century. These include two operating lighthouses, lighthouse keepers’ quarters, chart room and a fortifications area with two cannons. As the village is a re-created port and includes a hotel called the Steam Packet Inn, the sale of a souvenir flagon of tawny port was most appropriate. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Museum still operate today. This flagon is retained as an example of the souvenirs sold in Warrnambool some years ago to tourists visiting Warrnambool and Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. This is a ceramic flagon with a cream body and a brown top and handle. The printing on the flagon is black and the flagon also has black printing of the logo of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The flagon has no stopper.‘Flagstaff Hill Mariner’s Tawny Port’flagstaff hill maritime museum, warrnambool

This ink well could have been used in a household or a business office. It would have been an attractive addition to a desk or office and served in a practical way to enclose the ink needed for writing purposes. Today the ink well has been replaced by firstly the use of fountain pens and later, after 1950, the widespread use of ballpoint pens. Although it has no known local provenance this item is retained as an interesting example of an ornamental ink well from100 years ago. This is a brown rectangular-shaped metal stand elevated from the floor by four jutting side pieces. There are two upright semi-circular side metal pieces acting as protective shields. The base of the metal stand has an open fretwork pattern with a circular hole in the middle. This contains a china ink well. It is enclosed by a hinged metal lid. The protective uprights and the metal stand also have ornamental fretwork with patterns of fronds and flowers. The ink well is a little chipped.‘Rd. No. 44197’writing aids 20th century, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This small metal item is a boot pull. Boot pulls were usually sold in pairs for pulling long riding boots on. Good quality long boots had a small leather loop inside near the top of the boot and this hook would assist the wearer to put the boot on. Both men and women would have used this useful item and wearers of long riding boots may still use one today. This small boot pull is retained as an interesting example of a household item from 100 years ago or more. This is a piece of metal piping with a flattened hook at one end and a cross bar handle at the other end. The metal is very rusty.household items of the past, history of warrnambool

This is a pocket spring balance. It would have been used last century in our district by market gardeners, hawkers and other itinerant workers and possibly also used in some small businesses. In households it could also be useful for weighing jam fruit, vegetables etc. Spring balances are still in use today.This item is retained as an example of a spring balance manufactured 80 or more years ago.This is a set of spring balance scales. The spring is fixed at one end with a hook attached to hold an object to be weighed. The top end has a ring to hang the scales up. The spring mechanism is enclosed by a steel cover. The front scale face is made of brass and both this face and the rear spring casing are fastened by three rivets. On the front is a spring-loaded blade which has equally spaced scale markings next to it on one side. This item is much rusted. ‘Hughes Pocket Balance’ ‘Patent’ Scale Markings:- ‘0 to 25’ pocket spring balances, household items of the past., history of warrnambool

This is a bathroom jug and could have been part of a set for bathroom use. It would have held mainly water, hot or cold. In the days before there were sinks with hot and cold running water in bathrooms, a jug such as this was an essential item and would have been in common use up to the first three decades of the 20th century. Today this item is more likely to be used as a vaseThis jug has no known local provenance and is kept as a memento of a household item in use 100 years ago. This is a large white china jug. The body of the jug is spherical or bulbous shaped, tapering to a smaller neck and a large lip. There is gold trim around the handle, the rim of the top opening, around the base and around the top part of the jug. The handle has a straight edge. The jug is stained inside and there is a small piece of china missing on the base. bathroom accessories, history of warrnambool

This instrument is an ear syringe that would have belonged either to a doctor or to a medical clinic or hospital. When it was first donated to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society in 1972 it was described as a throat syringe but this does not appear to be correct. This ear syringe, in our collection for 45 years, is a fine example of a medical instrument in use 100 years ago or more. It will be retained for display purposes and also for its aesthetic appeal.This is a brass ear syringe. It has a barrel with a plunger that is ridged at both ends and a handle with three rings for the user to enclose three fingers and a syringe tip tapering to a point. There is an oval brass plaque attached to the barrel and this contains information on the maker of the instrument and the maker’s crest. ‘Mayer & Meltzer, Makers, London’ ‘ To the University College Hospital’ ‘To the Hospital for Deseases (sic) of the Throat’ ‘To the Hospital for Women’ ‘To the Middlesex Hospital’medical instruments of the past, history of warrnambool

This iron would have been used mostly by women either travelling, in hotel rooms etc, or on an occasion when only one or two small items were needed to be ironed. It has been superseded by electric irons. This is an attractive item and is retained as a fine example of a travel iron used about 90 years ago. This has a rectangular-shaped metal base with pointed ends (in the shape of a conventional ironing plate). The top of the plate is indented. A piece of metal (chrome-plated), with a hinged lid, partially slides out from the top of the plate and this is used to hold the meta tablets (methylated spirits) or coal. The top of this plate is used to extinguish any coals or flames. This piece of metal is partially enclosed in an open metal container. The wooden handle of the iron is affixed to the top of this container. ‘British Boudoir Iron’ ‘World Pats Granted or Appd for BCM WS4C’ household items, history of warrnambool

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

These hat pins would have been used by women wearing the large-style hats popular at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. The hat pin was both a practical and an ornamental item. Smaller varieties of hat pins may still be used today. These items are retained as examples of the type of hat pins used by women over 100 years ago.These are nine hat pins, all with metal spikes and all rusted. One has a round top with an inlay of blue glass, two have aqua and cream-coloured elongated tops made from composite material, four have round black tops and two have pearl-coloured tops. One hat pin has a metal cover at the end. women’s accessories, history of warrnambool

This junior football shield was given by James Fairbairn (1897-1940), a prominent Western District pastoralist, aviator, local politician and Federal Cabinet minister. He was killed in a Canberra air disaster in 1940. The shield shows that several football teams, including West End, Russells Creek and East Warrnambool won the shield in the 1930s. In 1936 the shield was won outright by West End Football Club. This club, founded in the late 19th century, played in Western District Leagues until 1946 when it joined the newly-formed Warrnambool District Football League. In 1971 it merged with the Allansford Football Club to become the West End-Allansford Club and in 2002 the name ceased to exist when the team name was changed back to Allansford Football Club. This trophy is of interest as a football trophy given over 80 years ago and as a memento of the Warrnambool West End Football Club, a team no longer existing. The sport of Australian football has been, and still is, highly prominent in the Warrnambool district with football first played in the town in 1861. This is a wooden shield with nine silver-coloured metal discs affixed to the shield with metal pins. Eight of these discs are shield-shaped. All of the discs have etched inscriptions. The discs are somewhat stained and the wooden shield has traces of paint on it. There is a wire attached to the back of the shield for hanging on a wall. ‘Warrnambool Junior Football League’ ‘Junior Challenge Shield presented by J.V. Fairbairn Esq. M.L.A. 1932’ ‘Won Outright West End Football Club 1936’ west end football club, warrnambool, j.v.fairbairn

This item comes from the great aunts of the donor, women of the Kinnear family of Allandale, Allansford. In the early 1840s William and John Allan took up large tracts of land to the east of the Hopkins River. In the late 19840s the run was divided, with William taking the Allandale section and John taking the Tooram section. In 1906 a portion of the Allandale section, including the homestead, was acquired by the Kinnear family. This hat is retained as an example of a woman’s hat from 80 years ago – stylish and eye-catching. It is also of interest as coming from the Kinnear family of Allansford.This is a woman’s hat – a spherical-shaped piece of dark blue felt or velvet curved to fit a head. The headpiece is covered with layers of small feathers in brown, yellow, black and white tonings. The label of the maker is on the inside of the hat. Urbi et Orbi Custom Hats Yokohamavintage hats, kinnear family, allansford, history of warrnambool

These labels were used in the business of E.B.Phillips, firstly when he as in partnership with Thomson in the late 1890s and later when he was the sole proprietor. Ernest Brighton Phillips (1875-1924) was a furniture maker and seller with a business at the corner of Liebig and Koroit Streets. At the beginning of the 20th century it was the largest furniture warehouse and factory in Victoria outside of Melbourne. Samples of his furniture making are still in use in various parts of Australia. Philips built his home, ‘Heatherlie’, diagonally opposite his business and this site today is occupied by ‘Heatherlie’ flats for the elderly.These labels are of interest as mementoes of the Warrnambool furniture shop and factory of E.B.Phillips, a prominent businessman in Warrnambool a hundred or more years ago. .1 A sheet of cream-coloured paper with cream printing on an orange background and a space for an address. The sheet has two ragged edges. .2 A circular label or sticker pasted on to an irregular-shaped sheet of brown paper (part of the original wrapping). The label has an image in brown and white tonings of a woman with an easel, some stylized decoration and blue and white printing. The edges of the label are worn away. .1 Late with J.J.O’Mullane From Phillips, Thomson and Co. General House Furnishers Corner Liebig & Koroit Sts. Warrnambool .2 Framed by E.B.Phillips The Artistic House Furnisher and Picture Framer Warrnambool ernest brighton phillips, history of warrnambool, labels, heatherlie

These labels come from the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory. This factory was opened in 1888 and, after Cobden, was the second co-operative butter factory in Victoria. Today the factory is owned by the Canadian dairy company, Saputo. It is the oldest surviving dairy company in Australia. These labels are of interest as they show the type of label used by the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory some decades ago. These are six labels printed in a continuous fashion on the one page. The labels have black printing and a perforated line down one side for easy detaching of the labels. The page is pasted on to a piece of pink paper.Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Company, Limited Name….. Butter…. lbs Date…. warrnambool cheese and butter factory, history of warrnambool

This is a label from the business of Melsom Hemmons, a Warrnambool dentist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He had a practice at first in the chemist’s shop of Richard F. Kennedy in Timor Street and was later in Kepler Street.This label is of interest as a memento of a prominent dentist with a business in Warrnambool a hundred years ago. This is a small white card with a black border, black and red printing and some decorative patterns.M. Hemmons Dental Surgeon, W’bool Antiseptic Mouth Wash for Cleansing and Hardening the Gums melsom hemmons, warrnambool dentist, history of warrnambool

This label comes from The Garden Dry Cleaners, a Warrnambool business at 121-123 Fairy Street in the 1950s and 60s, opposite what was Callaghan Motors at that time. This label is of interest as the only memento we have of a dry cleaning business that was in Warrnambool over 60 years ago.This is a small sheet of cream-coloured paper with green printing. The label has an adhesive backing.From “The Garden” Dry Cleaners M………. 121-123 Fairy Street, Warrnambool the garden dry cleaners, history of warrnambool, label

This programme gives details of the 1966 Annual Show of the Warrnambool Agricultural Society. As in most country towns and cities in Australia, the annual agricultural show in Warrnambool is an important social and agricultural event, especially for the farming community. The Warrnambool Agricultural Society, originally called the Villiers and Heytesbury Agricultural Association, was established in 1854 with the first show held at Warrnambool in 1855 and continuing to the present day. This booklet is of interest as a souvenir of the Warrnambool Agricultural Society Annual Show from 50 years ago. It is of historical interest as it gives an insight into farming in the local Warrnambool area in the 1960s. This is a booklet of 60 pages. The cover has black printing and black and white photographs on the front cover and an advertisement on the back cover. The pages contain names of the Society’s office bearers, donors and details of the Show competitions and judging.

This exercise book contains letters, mostly aerogrammes, sent by people in England during the years 1947 to 1950. They are letters of thanks for the food parcels sent to these people by the staff of George Swinton and Sons of Timor Street Warrnambool. The letters give details of the contents of the parcels, the situation with the families receiving the parcels and the effects of the food rationing and shortages in England immediately after World War Two. The name ‘H.C.Thomson’ on the front of the book refers to Helen Thomson, a staff member of George Swinton & Sons in charge of the food parcel distribution. William and Ann Swinton came to the Warrnambool area in 1854 and William opened a groceries, hardware, china and glassware store in Timor Street in 1865. After William Swinton’s death his son Robert became the first managing director of Swintons Pty Ltd. In 1934 the business split with Swintons Pty Ltd selling seeds, produce and hardware and George Swinton and Sons selling furnishings, clothing and glassware. Today the Swinton family still operates a furniture and bedding store in Timor Street, making it one of the oldest family businesses in Australia. This exercise book containing letters sent from England in response to the receipt of food parcels from the staff of George Swinton & Sons of Warrnambool is of considerable significance. The letters form a splendid social history of the situation in England after World War Two, especially for the elderly and the unemployed. They also are a reminder of the charity work undertaken by the staff of George Swinton & Sons 70 years ago. This was a prominent family business in Warrnambool (and continues in another form to this day). This is an exercise book with brown binding and a blue front cover with an image of St George, blue printing and a handwritten name and some other handwritten material which is not decipherable. The back cover has blue printing. Pasted on to the pages are handwritten letters and cards, mostly four to a page. Most of the letters are aerogrammes and some have stamps. Some pages contain addresses of families in England. There are some loose sheets.St. George Exercise Book Name… H.C.Thomson Grade.. School.. Swinton & Sons Timor St. W’bool Victoriageorge swinton & sons, history of warrnambool

This meat safe has no known local provenance but it would be typical of the safes used in a domestic situation to house fresh meat. Usually the safe was hung in a house corridor or verandah or outside in a cool place where there was a breeze that passed through the mesh and kept the contents cool. The mesh also prevented flies and other insects from getting into the safe. Meat safes were widely used in Australian homes in the 19th century and early to mid 20th century, sometimes in conjunction with ice chests, until they were replaced by refrigerators. This item is retained for display purposes as an example of domestic food preservation in Australia 80 to 100 years ago.This is a metal box with a rectangular-shape base and a semi-circular top. All sides except the top and the bottom are made of fine metal mesh. The front is reinforced with metal strips and has a metal clip. The curved top is ridged and has a metal clip.The safe is somewhat rusted and damaged. Registered under Commonwealth Act Nos. 101-102-103 G.W.Rowleyfood preservation – australia, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

These two works of art are by Dr Don Edgar, a sociologist, educator and author. He taught sociology at Stanford University, the University of Chicago, Monash University and La Trobe University and was the founding Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies. In the 1950s Dr Edgar was a student at Warrnambool High School and these works of art were produced at that time. For a school project he researched the early history of the Warrnambool Art Gallery and some of its collection, dating from the 19th century. In 2019 he published a book, ‘Art For the Country’, the story of Victoria’s regional art galleries and the book includes information on the founding and the later history of the Warrnambool Art Gallery.These works of art are of interest as they were painted by Dr Don Edgar, a noted academic and author today and a former resident of Warrnambool. The two works of art also have historical interest as they depict Warrnambool scenes painted over 60 years ago. .1 An art work (oil on artboard) – the Warrnambool Botanical Gardens with bridge and reflections, a gum tree and a poplar tree, all in green and orange tonings. The wooden frame has a light varnish with gold and white trim .2 An art work (oil on artboard) – multi-coloured view of the mouth of Hopkins River with the Hopkins River bridge, Lyndoch bungalow and boathouse. The frame is wooden with a mottled varnish and a white insert edging. .1 Don Edgar 1953 Don Edgar 1953 (High School Student) .2 D.E. 53 Don Edgar 1953 (High School Student) dr don edgar, sociologist, author and educator, warrnambool art gallery, history of warrnambool

This badge was produced in 1935 either as a sale item or a presentation item in connection with the Jubilee Spring Fair at the Anglican Christ Church in Warrnambool. Christ Church in Henna Street was designed by Nathaniel Billing and opened in 1856 with the northern portion of the nave added in 1860. The square tower, designed by Andrew Kerr, was added in 1882. Christ Church today still holds an annual Spring flower festival.This badge is of interest as a memento of a function held at the Anglican Christ Church in Warrnambool over 80 years ago.This is a circular metal badge with a painted white background with a blue edging, a coloured British Flag and blue printing. The back has a metal clip.Jubilee Spring Fair Christ Church W’bool Nov.27-28 1935 A.W.Patrick Maker 440 Rae St. Fitzroy Melb.

This badge belonged to a member of the Peters Pals Club, a group established by the Peters Ice Cream business in 1947 and centred around radio stations in Victoria, in this case, 3YB in Warrnambool. Peters Ice Cream was established in Sydney in 1907 by an American Fred Peters. By 1927 the factory and business had its headquarters in Melbourne and continues there today. The Peters Pals club was associated with a radio program by the same name, a variety show that featured quizzes, talent quests, interviews etc. The Peters Pals club was very popular and had over 250,000 members in the 1950s. The radio show was replaced by another Peters Ice Cream- sponsored show on television in the late 1950s and this show ran for several years. This badge is of interest as it has been issued by a local Warrnambool radio station and is a memento of a popular club in Victoria that existed for about ten years over 70 years ago. This is a round metal badge with a pale yellow background and green lettering. The back of the badge has a metal clip for attachment to a lapel or other item of clothing. Peters Pals PP Station 3YB radio station 3yb warrnambool, peters ice cream, peters pals radio program and club

These two hats and school tie were once part of the uniform for girls at Warrnambool Technical School. This school was established in 1913 in Timor Street, Warrnambool with the first Principal being John King. From this school evolved the Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education which itself was subsumed into the present day Deakin University campus at Sherwood Park in Warrnambool. The Timor Street site is now the location of South West College of TAFE. The WarrnamboolTechnical School moved from Timor Street to its present-day site in Caramut Road Warrnambool in 1973 and was re-named Brauer College in 1990 after Alfred Brauer, a Warrnambool doctor and a prominent school patron. It is believed that the owners of the hats, Jeannie and Sandra Cole were sisters.These two hats and the tie are interesting reminders of the uniform of a local school some 40 or 50 years ago..1 This is a girl’s boater-shape straw hat. It has a ribbon band in grey, brown, yellow, red and green colours with a bow at the back with overhanging ends of the band. The hat has a cloth lining with a tag. The owner’s name is inside the hat. .2 This is a girl’s boater-shape straw hat. It has the same band as the one above but the crown on this hat is semi-detached. The owner’s name is on the inside of the hat. .3 This is a school tie. It is brown with gold, dark green and red diagonal stripes. .1 Jeannie Cole Made of straw fibre .2 Sandra Cole Made of straw fibre Created by Effie Jay showerproof with water repellent formula KO/3420 warrnambool technical school, history of warrnambool

This hat box could have been used for either a man’s or a woman’s hat in the days when it was the custom for both men and women to wear a hat when outside the house or on social occasions. It would have been used in the home or for travel, especially when on board a ship. Hat boxes today may still be used but are usually made of cardboard or other less durable material.This box was acquired over 40 years ago from a local person. It is retained for display purposes.This is a round metal box with a circular base and a lid affixed with a metal hinge. The lid is wider at the front of the tin allowing for extra height for the stored item. The lid had a metal clip handle and there is a front metal clip for closing the box. The tin has been painted black but is much rusted, particularly on the top section. vintage headgear, history of warrnambool

These braces of the type known as ‘Police & Firemen’ were originally worn mostly by men wearing a uniform of some sort – police, firemen, members of the armed forces, postmen, other government officials etc. Later the braces were worn by men, mainly workmen, wanting a durable, good quality item to hold up their trousers. Braces are still worn occasionally by men today, mainly as a fashion item. These braces have no known local provenance but are retained as an example of an item of clothing worn by men 100 years ago. These men’s braces have a loop of long heavy quality elasticized cotton held at the top with a metal clip and with the loop forming two long ends made by a leather clamp near the top. The ends of the two cords have metal clips and two leather straps at each end with eyelets for attachment to buttons. The top of the loop also has two leather straps with eyelets. The cords or loops are adjustable and are woven in red, blue and cream patterns. Police & Firemenvintage men’s wear, history of warrnambool