GEOFFREY RICARDO (1964- ) Born Melbourne, AustraliaAn ex libris bookplate featuring a kangaroo holding books in her pouch. This etching won the 5th Biennial Australian Bookplate Award in 2015. Judge Sasha Grishin said of the winning bookplate "Geoffrey Ricardo's bookplate marries the tradition of exquisite intaglio Ex Libris prints with a comic Australian subject matter that is distinctive, original and very memorable," Grishin says. Bookplates are commonly designed by artists for book lovers to identify their ownership, and usually use personal iconography to represent the bookworm's life and interests. Ricardo's aquatint etching is different in that he made it for himself. Art critic and Australian National University professor Sasha Grishin​ was one of the judges of the $7500 prize. "Geoffrey Ricardo's bookplate marries the tradition of exquisite intaglio Ex Libris prints with a comic Australian subject matter that is distinctive, original and very memorable," Grishin says. ( http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/geoffrey-ricardos-kangaroo-etching-wins-australian-bookplate-design-award-20151208-gli6qy.html#ixzz42XzJ0AMH) Subjectsbookplate, geoffrey ricardo, keith wingrove memorial trust, australian bookplate design award, kangaroo, award

Wooden Brewery Building Stawell Brewery originally owned by Thomas Powell and later Bryant and Co. Located Stawell West near the Botanical Reserve. Closed about 1918. where there are scores of Hotels common sense says "Build a Brewery" and share the takings. Stawell Brewery was situated in part of the present Caravan Park. Almost opposite the entrance to the RacecourseTwo Story wooden Building with additions to left. A Man sitting on Barrels to the right.Stawell Breweerystawell, stawell brewery

A photo of gathering junior Legatees on horse back (same roll of film as hike). Names unknown. The photo was used in the Highlights from 67th Annual Report in 1990 so we assume the date was 1990. The caption in the report says: 'Youth activities including horse riding, snow skiing, sailing and adventure training exercises are regularly arranged by Legatees.'A record of the one of the outings provided for Junior Legatees.Colour photo of youths on horses.junior legatee outing, junior legatee

"Reminisce as we get together to say goodbye to Paterson Hall and Day Centre. Listen to some of those who were there and share in the memories of times gone by. Look to the future." To commemorate Paterson Hall and all those who entertained, celebrated and enjoyed this special meeting place before it was demolished, a party was held on Friday 25th September 1998, as advertised by this flyer.1 yellow page with black writing and bordernon-fictionneil maxwell, association for the blind, paterson hall, elizabeth maxwell

Legacy have many programs to send young junior legatees on activities, camps and outings. The photos show junior legatees before or after a balloon ride. There are more photos of the event, a note with the photos say it was 'Ballooning weekend at Benalla 2003'. An adult in the back left of the photo appears to be Legatee Tony Parkes who was President in 2002 (to March 2003).A record of a Legacy providing experiences for the junior legatees.Colour photo x 3 of junior legatees beside a balloon basket.Printed on the back 'No.15A', to 'No.17A' which are the image numbers.junior legatee outing, ballooning, tony parkes

An example of a souvenir issued to commemorate Legacy's 90th anniversary. It says: "90th Anniversary of Legacy 1923-2013" It is not known how widely the souvenir handkerchief was distributed or if it was sold as part of Legacy Week. It was part of a collection of Legacy items from Valma Hutchinson (nee Wigg), who was a former junior legatee. Valma was accepted into Junior Legacy club in 1940.A record of an item produced by Legacy to celebrate the 90th Anniversary and owned by a former Junior Legatee.A white handkerchief with the Legacy torch and text 'Legacy 90th Anniversary 1923-2013' stitched in blue thread.Legacy 90th Anniversary 1923-201390th anniversary, junior legatee, reunion

Photograph of Bendigo Tram 1in Pall Mall, Easter 1941 by an unknown photographer. See item 5741 for a similar photograph by Wal Jack, taken a little earlier. Side-on view with the driver and conductor standing at the front of the tram. An original ESCo tram has been repainted in the SEC colours. Has the Beehive building, A E Sayer Chemist, and a Cafe.Yields information about Bendigo tram 1 Easter 1941.Photograph, black and white, with stamp on rear.Ken Magor stamp.tramways, trams, bendigo, esco, secv, pall mall, tram 1

The inscription on the back of this photograph says it was the first bike race held in Linton, in 1929: "Starters l-r: Harold Petterson, Jim Thomas, Sam Stapleton, Mick McInneny, Harold Commons, George Perry, Les Riley (the winner), Les Jackson, Fred Appleby, Les Balchin. Background: Dan Cornish, Jim Ryan with his daughter Mary".Copy of original sepia photograph, showing ten competitors standing in a row beside their bicycles in front of the Linton Post Office."First bike race ever held in Linton 1929. Starters L to R ; Harold Pettersen, Jim Thomas, Sam Stapleton, Mick McErninney, Harold Commons, George Perry, Les Riley(the winner) Les Jackson, Fred Appleby, Les Balchin. Background , Dan Cornish, Jim Ryan with his daughter Mary".bicycle races, sports, events, harold petterson, jim thomas, sam stapleton, mick mcinneny, harold commons, george perry, les riley, les jackson, fred appleby, les balchin, dan cornish, jim ryan, mary ryan

Charles Leslie Mitton (1905-1968) was a pharmacist at 131 Union Road, Surrey Hills from 1933-1968. DOD 30/04/1968. Prior to coming to Surrey Hills, he was a pharmacist in Newmarket (Ref: 1931 electoral roll). He and his wife, Ethel Sylvia Elizabeth Mitton (nee Stevenson) lived at 65 Union Road. They were married in 1933 and had 2 sons and a daughter. He was followed in the business by his son John and daughter Rosalind. See also SHP0015 - Charles Mitton outside his pharmacy; SHP1100 - head and shoulders portrait of Charles Mitton; SHA2017/5/1 - Mitton's pharmacy ledger.A loose certificate printed with individual's name and address handwritten in appropriate blank spaces and signed by the President, Registrar and Examiners of the Pharmacy College of Victoria. The paper is yellowed and stained along the top edge. It is generally grubby. It appears to have been framed at some stage but not for some time. It has been folded in four. Embossed in yellow with the college's official stamp.Handwritten "Charles Leslie Mitton" / 32 Smart St., Hawthorn / (signature) A E Sayer (President) / .... Bailey / J W Cochran / Edwin T Church / Wm A .... / A T S Sissons / ................... (Examiners) / C L Butchers (Registrar)charles leslie mitton, mitton's pharmacy, 131 union road, pharmacies, certificates, pharmacy college of victoria

Copies of historic photos from Harefield during World War 1. They are of the funerals of a soldier and Nurse Dickinson. They were both buried in the Military Cemetery in Harefield. During World War 1 the Australian Auxiliary Hospital No.1 was stationed at Harefield Park in Harefield, UxBridge, Middlesex UK. 111 Australian soldiers and one nurse from the hospital are buried at St Mary's Church, Harefield. This became an Australian Military Cemetery with individual headstones and an obelisk and arch. The headstones which are of a scroll design unique amongst Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries were chosen by the staff and patients at the hospital. The arch was erected by the CWGC. Anzac Day services are held there and the local school became involved with the headmaster, Mr Jefferies, bringing the school children to lay flowers on every grave and attend the service on Anzac Day. This started in 1921 and has continued until at least 2021. One school child who attended was Mr Alf Young, he made contact with Legacy in the 1990s and sent photos of the Anzac Day Services and the cemetery. Legacy responded by sending Australian flags for the school children and also Legatee John Cohen met with Mr Young when in London. Melbourne Legacy staff member Susie Howard also visited Mr Young and the cemetery in 1995. Mr Young provided historical photos and information of the area to Legacy. He was featured in the widows' newsletter The Answer many times and his death was announced in The Answer in April 1997, he was 85. Many of the photos he provided were labelled as coming from Mr R G Neil, Photographic historian from Harefield. He holds copyright over those photos.A record that Legacy helped support remembrance of Anzac Day and World War 1 soldiers buried in the UK.Black and white photos x 2 of funerals in Harefield in 1918.One is printed on the front 'Military Funeral, Harefield' and on a label on reverse says 'Soldiers funeral on a gun carriage 1918. High St Harefield.' Other is labeled as 'Cortage of Nurse Dickinson's funeral June 1918, Village Green, Harefield.'cemetery, harefield, alf young, memorial, wreath laying ceremony

A function at Legacy House, including a lunch. From the Post-It note it could have been the launch of Badge Week in 1998, Tom Butcher is the president. (See also 00748 and 00749). It would appear that elderly Hazel McKean is a guest of honour, she is a World War I widow. 00747.1 Legacy World War 1 widow Hazel McKean, Moira Marshall and Sarah (B?) 00747.2 Unknown, Ray Ward, Richard (?) and Betty Hardman. 00747.3 Two men and Col Bruce Amor. 00747.4 L/- Lucky Luscombe in centre with 4 guests 00747.5 Seven people seated around the table, including second from Left President Tom Butcher, centre L/- Brian Luscombe, then Peter Lawrence, Gwen Watt and Col Bruce Amor. 00747.6 Four guests at their dining table, including on the far right is Elaine Ward. 00747.7 L/- Graham Riches, elderly guest Hazel McKean and three other unknown guests. 00747.8 President Tom Butcher making a speech in front of the "Legacy, 75th Anniversary Banner, Still Caring"A record of a function at Legacy House in 1998. Colour photo x 8 of guests at Legacy house.Printing on the back "

Originally made from a negative.Black and white photograph of family on veranda of house. (2 images)Note says, "Still there 1979" Backing sheet states, "Pratt Home about 1913. J. Mithen, Granny Pratt, Harry, Leo, Jack, Kevin. Whitehorse Road, opposite Mt. Dandenong Rd." On another copy: John Pratt home about 1913 at the corner of Whitehorse Road and Junction Street. Family outside front door (Left to Right) Harry, Granny Pratt (nee Howcroft), Leo, Andy (front) Jack, Kevin. Another photo says J. Mitchen is Harry Pratt.

Warrant officer Mike Hoffman ran from Adelaide to Melbourne in 1985 as a fundraiser for Legacy. This black and white photo is from one of his training runs. The colour photo implies he did the run again in 1986. The photos came from a Legacy envelope marked "P3 Fund Raising" in red pen, with assorted photos of fundraising events, including appeal tins in different years and a charity concert, and a fundraising marathon run (some are items 00433 to 00438, 01410 to 01415).A record of an Army officer doing a long distance run to fundraise for Legacy in 1985 and 1986.Black and white photo of Warrant Officer Mike Hoffman doing a charity run for Legacy in 1985, a colour photo and notes on paper about the event.Handwritten on reverse 'Elio Guizetti (cyclist), WO2 Mic Hoffman (Runner) SSGT Barry Hunt (Cyclist), WO2 Don Whitman (Team Manager/Cyclist). Yellow note with the photo says 'WO2 Mike Hoffman with members of his team following a training run 1985', hand-written in black pen. Yellow note with the colour photo says 'Runner WO2 Mike Hoffman is met by Legatee RN (Dick) Wheeler - President Melbourne Legacy at the conclusion of his Mildura to Melbourne run 1986.'fundraising, legacy promotion

Originally labelled "Beauville Estate, Established 1936, Still Thriving 65 years on, 10th March 2001", the Beauville Estate Album contains colour photographs of houses in the Estate. They were taken around the time of the Beauville Estate’s 65th Heritage Celebration held on 10/03/2001 and donated to the Caulfield Historical Society shortly afterwards. Photographer unknown. From Glen Eira’s Heritage Management Plan by Andrew Ward (1996) Vol 2 p78: In Murrumbeena Road, the shops which form part of the estate are a simple cream brick row relieved by manganese bricks in bands across the upper storeys. City of Glen Eira’s Heritage Management Plan Vol 2 p79 (this is p84 of the pdf version) – HO12 Beauville Estate and environs, Murrumbeena: The Beauville Historic Area is important at the State level as the first large housing estate undertaken by the AV Jennings Construction Co, later Jennings Group Limited, Victoria’s largest home builder. It is important also as a very early estate development incorporating a range of features other than houses and including made roads, shops and recreation facilities. In this respect it was the forerunner of the comprehensively planned housing estate of the post war era. The estate is distinguished by its aesthetic values, as is the earlier and comparable Hillcrest Estate, which are formed by a combination of restrained diversity in house styles, with the exception of no. 30 in the emerging International style, and by a landscaped garden environment. Colour photograph of a section of a double storey, unpainted brick, commercial property containing shops at ground level all with awnings over the footpath. This specific property is a milk bar on street level with plate glass windows and door, colourful advertising and "229' in the top right section of the window. Shop signage says "MURREMBEENA MILK BAR". The upper storey brick residence features a large window, a flat roof and decorative two tone banded brickwork. MURREMBEENA (sic) MILK BAR / PK's / SANDWICH / BAR / MILK BAR & Sandwich Bar / 229 / SUB NEWSmurrumbeena, architectural styles, 1930's, inter war style, a.v. jennings, av jennings, jennings, beauville estate, murrumbeena road, milk bars, commercial establishments, flats, sir albert victor jennings, a v jennings construction co, beauville estate heritage area, glen eira city council, architectural features, jennings group limited, land subdivision, beauville historic area, shops, brick features, window displays, advertising signs, murrembeena (sic) milk bar

Conditions of sale by private contract dated 5th September, 1941 between Miss H. Sayers (seller) and A.E. Stirton (buyer) for land situate corner Violet and Pitt Streets, Bendigo, at present occupied by tenants, being Crown allotment 9A section 60 B land described in Crown grant volume 955 folio 190078, together with all buildings and erections on the said land. Subject to existing weekly tenancy. Price 200 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Three page letter, dated January 5, 1947, to Dr. Abbott from Dr. Otto Wulfrath. In the letter Dr. Wulfrath mentions his circumstances after the War and the difficulty of avoiding misunderstandings with the different languages. He also mentions Dr. Abbott's brother. He also says he was willing to answer all questions within the limits of his possibilities and that he was prepared to co-operate in any scheme found to be convenient and useful to the cause.sciences, instruments - general, scalebuoy, bill ashman collection - correspondence, dr otto wulfrath, dr abbott, 'the electrical factor in metabolism', dr fairclough, sci

Volt-Meter from'Plaza Theatre', Mitchell St. Bendigo. A tag attached has the numbers 1-4-78 and says ' This meter was ''.(illegible!)' The scale goes from 0 to 120volts. And was manufactured by 'Nalder Bros & Thompson Ltd London.. It also measures both DC and ~ 50 (50 cycles per sec alternating current) Case is circular and made of a dimpled metal. With a 'half moon' shaped display. Case is approx. 200mm in diameter and 60mm deep

Photograph. Harry Biggs Collection. A copy of a photo of workers and other people standing in front of a timber building. The sign above the door of the shed - 'E. Old Blacksmith Wheelwright and Timber Merchant'. Two children are standing to the left of the group and then a man and woman each holding a child. There are 3 men, 1 holding a dog, three men holding tools and 1 young boy. A wagon wheel is to the right & a little dog. A sign on the wall says FIRE.business, retail, blacksmith & wheelwright, harry biggs collection, e. old, dingee

Black and white photograph of a Bendigo Single Truck straight sill tramcar (were numbers 1 to 12) prior to fitting windscreens (Destination Eaglehawk page 30 - says this occurred in 1920). Side on view of the same tram in Reg. Item No. 1711 Tram has "Dewar's imperial whisky" roof advertisement, and "Bendigo Tramways" on the letterboard. Photograph appears to be a photo of another print. Two copies held on file. See page 30 of Destination Eaglehawktrams, tramways, bendigo, esco

Copy photograph of a small photograph contained within item Reg. No. 587. Photograph is of MMTB 111, being lifted onto a horse drawn jinker at Ballarat Railway Station, May or Jun 1930. Caption on 587, says "No. 111 lifted off by Station Crane" Below photograph is "Note Horse Transport!, and Cars were painted grey over old Melbourne coloured panels and ends." Hi Res scan added 25/3/2011trams, tramways, ballarat, new trams, m class, railway station , tram 111, tram 26

Copy photograph of an illustration, sepia toned of Bourke St looking west from Swanston St. Title of illustration says World War 1 era, thought appears to be more early to mid 1920's from the motor cars. Cable tram has the destination of Nicholson St. In the view are Coles Book Arcade, Bull and Mouth Hotel, Kino's, The Metropole and Danks. .2 - more extensive print - added 14-12-2018 - scanned in to sections.trams, tramways, bourke st, cable trams

School of Mines Students' Magazine Committee 1909 Back L-R: T Sim; A Campbell; R Callister; S Leathes; V Tucker; Mitchell; G Corrie; Front L-R: l Middleton; W Geldard (Treasurer); Mr Whittingtin (Vice-President); Professor Alfred Mica Smith; A C Hesselmann (Secretary); W T Sayer; L Coulter.Photograph mounted on cream card discolouring around edges.Photographer's name - Fraser, Ballaratsmb, smb magazine committee, t sim, a campbell, r callister, s leathes, v tucker, mitchell, g corrie, l middleton, w geldard, mr whittington, alfred mica smith, a c hesselmann, w t sayer, l coulter

message continued from 05475...we went out snow balling one another and had some fine fun, and then we made a snowman had our photo taken alongside him. Well little Dorothy I am going to France next week so I will not get a chance to write very often so I will say goodnight for this timeAustralian soldier waiting to go into battleBlack and white postcard of British soldier and a little girl. Englandworld war 1914-1918, communications

Collector says: Godfrey Hirst Diamond blankets from the mid-1950s are always delight to find. Some of these were found in the Geelong area but one came back with me from an op shop road trip around Tasmania, another from the St Pauls op shop in Romsey. I love this pattern and find the lemon and grey colourway particularly special. Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." King sized Diamond blanket, pink, mint and lemon Mothproofed/Godfrey Hirst/Pure Wool Pelage Blanketwool, blanket, blanket fever, diamond blanket, godfrey hirst, geelong

Collector says: Godfrey Hirst Diamond blankets from the mid-1950s are always delight to find. Some of these were found in the Geelong area but one came back with me from an op shop road trip around Tasmania, another from the St Pauls op shop in Romsey. I love this pattern and find the lemon and grey colourway particularly special. Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Godfrey Hirst diamond blanket in pink, grey and lemon"An All Wool Blanket" /By Godfrey Hirst of Geelong/100% Virgin Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, diamond blanket, godfrey hirst, geelong

Collector says: Godfrey Hirst Diamond blankets from the mid-1950s are always delight to find. Some of these were found in the Geelong area but one came back with me from an op shop road trip around Tasmania, another from the St Pauls op shop in Romsey. I love this pattern and find the lemon and grey colourway particularly special. Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Godfrey Hirst Diamond blanket in pink and grey"An All Wool Blanket" /By Godfrey Hirst of Geelong/100% Virgin Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, diamond blanket, godfrey hirst, geelong

Collector says: Godfrey Hirst Diamond blankets from the mid-1950s are always delight to find. Some of these were found in the Geelong area but one came back with me from an op shop road trip around Tasmania, another from the St Pauls op shop in Romsey. I love this pattern and find the lemon and grey colourway particularly special.Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Godfrey Hirst diamond blanket in pink and cream"An All Wool Blanket" /By Godfrey Hirst of Geelong/100% Virgin Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, diamond blanket, godfrey hirst, geelong