Collector's note: "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. One hundred mill labels sewn onto a single sized cream blanket with blue end panels(On original blanket label) "Marco" Blanket/Wool 70%/Cotton 30%/Guaranteed Free From Fillingwool, blanket, blanket fever, labels, sampler

Hardcover book, 241 pages, four illustrations. Front cover of book is red with black printed text. Gold embossed image of a fireman and a young boy holding a fire hose. fictionNovel relating to firemen and fire fighting.r.m. ballantyne, fire fighting, firemen, fiction

Black and white photograph (2 copies). Two oval portraits of man and woman. Appears to be taken from newspaper. Caption beneath portrait reads: "Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy- Pioneers and Pillars of the United Free Methodist Church."

Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historic Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. The Cities of Australia Author: Kathleen Ussher Publisher: JM Dent and Sons Date: 1928Label on spine cover with typed text RA 919.4 USS Inside front loose endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library The next paper has a stamp from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, the cities of australia, kathleen ussher

Black and white photograph of Foundation Stone. Inscriptions: on back - 'V or W 31C thu'. In image 'Bendigo Total Abstinence Socitey, founded 1857, Free library founded 1864. This stone was laid by His Worship the Mayor of Bendigo, DB Lazarus Esq MLA, December 18th, 1895. James Blair, Architect'.topic, objects, foundation stone

Two (2) pink cards, Bendigo Tramways passes dated September 14 1917, issued to Military Police for free travel on Bendigo Trams. No.9 issued in the name of Pete.Sinclair and signed by the 'Resident Engineer', No.12 does not have bearer name, but, is signed by the 'Resident Engineer'. A Photocopy of the No. 9 card is also enclosed.person, individual, basil miller

Pamphlet - A4 printed on white gloss paper titled "Let's get Victoria Moving Again" - promoting the transport plan for the Liberal Party - abolishing zone 3, incorporation of the Met to Mornington Peninsular, free travel for students and feasibility study for rail line to Rowville. Quotes Ted Baillieu - used for the 2010 election.trams, tramways, liberal party, tickets, fares, the met

After a year free of rate rises, Nillumbik Council will increase the annual charge to just under the state imposed cap. And Banyule Council will follow suit.News article 1 page, black text.nillumbik council, rate rises, council rates, banyule city council

Used to take a sample from the cervix as part of a cervical biopsy. 'Rostfrei' is a German word meaning 'rust free', which is an equivalent term for stainless steel.Stainless steel cervical punch. Consists of a long, thin metal shaft, extending out in a perpendicular fashion from the handle. There is a small cutting tooth at the end of the shaft. Handle consists of an oval shaped trigger attached to a solid metal handle. A curved metal spur extends from the back of the handle to provide purchase for thumb grip. Overall shape of the instrument resembles a handgun in style. Inscription on handle of instrument reads 'ROSTFREI'. obstetrics

For moving running belt from fixed to free pulley, probably from shearing corunder. See Wolsely overhead equipment. May be related to Accn. No. 6.

Students outside in the garden, Drummond Street Carlton, 1946. Students are in free dress which suggests they may be in Kindergarten or Prep. Known students: Anne Lewin. drummond street carlton, kindergarten, hebrew school, elc, early learning centre

Newspaper clipping from The Courier Ballarat, Saturday Sept. 19, 1981 - Saturday Magazine - featuring the BTPS and 10 years since the closure of the Ballarat System. Article contains story of the Ballarat tramways, the establishment of the Museum, closure and statement from Richard Gilbert, General Manager of the BTPS. Article written by John Dyall. Notes that the depot extension is to be "officially opened today" and that coupons are printed in the newspaper, giving free rides for the day. Article features: 1635i1 - photo of tram 27 in Wendouree Parade with the Brambles advertisement on the roof, Twin Lakes sign and showing 'St Aidans Drive'. 1635i2 - photo of single truck car southbound in Lydiard St. North, taken from Craig's Hotel. 1635i3 - map of the tramway system from a Modern Tramway Magazine. Map prepared by W. J. Wyse compiled from a sketch drawn by A.T. Marshall. Map dated 3/62 2nd copy added 26-05-2006 1635.1 - Free ride coupon - giving details of free ride offer on 19 and 20 Sept. 1981. 1635.2 - pages 28 and 29 and associated pages of The Courier, containing the above items. btps, 10th anniversary, depot extensions, ballarat history

Hardcover book, 318 pages. Front cover of book has a colour image of a green and cream suitcase.fictionharry stephen keeler, fiction

Goongerah is a community on the Brodribb River, located in Gippsland, Australia, north of Orbost. The town's population is about sixty. The first three issues were free and it was published monthly.Local newspapers play a vital role in the communities they are based in. Community newspapers provide a forum for expression. They allow readers to make their voices heard, and they enable ordinary citizens to deliberate on the future of their community. They may also boost the local economy – both through advertising or news coverage. It is likely that the people who produce these newspapers work and live in the communities they cover and understand the issues they write about.Sixty-four copies of a newsletter, titled The Local Rag,published at Goongerah, about 70km north of Orbost. It is a local newsletter containing articles, photographs, advertisements and information. It was printed monthly from 1979 - 1985. The newsletter is all black/white with some hand -written/drawn and some typed.newsletters-goongerah

Moonee Valley Cordial company was established in 1890 by John Dunne. In 1898 they produced Horonda, an alcohol free beer, based on the herb horehound. The business was sold in 1910.Green glass bottle. The bottle is empty but has a cork/lid in and silver foil covering. Moulded in the glass the words: Moonee Valley coy, Horonda tel. 1899 noprth Fitzroy.business, retail, moonee valley company

Orange coloured community information brochure for Ringwood residents covering Councillors' contact details and local services, sporting, and cultural facilities. Includes two City of Ringwood Free Tipping Vouchers valid until the end of 1972, Council permit requirements, Nature strips and street trees, Vandalism, Road safety and Parking regulations.rinx

Tabor Lutheran Church, Tanunda 1850 - 1975, this booklet has been published to conincide with the 125th anniversary of Tabor congregation, observed with special services on August 31 1975 in grateful acknowledgement of the many blessings of God, received over the years. History of the free Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanunda - Tabor, with black and white photographs.religions, christian, lutheran, history-sa-lutheran church- tanunda

Two Application for Allocation of Free Tail Tags forms. Information required is name of cattle owner, name of property owner, location of property/properties, name of owner of cattle previously kept on the property, previous tail tag number, number of cattle over 6 months, and estimated number of cattle sent to saleyards or abattoirs.bendigo, council, cattle markets, bendigo saleyards collection - application for allocation of free tail tags, department of agriculture, stock diseases act 1968, f d atkinson

Advertising for Moran & Cato's Pty Ltd, Hargreaves Street Bendigo Phone 326. Again to the fore with the lowest prices in Bendigo. Mail and phone orders receive the personal attention of the manager, Mr. Randall. Groceries at Moran & Cato's are unsurpassed for purity and freshness, every article is guaranteed, goods delivered free within town area.bendigo, business, moran & cato

Was the building of Morrissey Butchers which was established in 1865.13.5cm x 9cm black and white photograph of 61-63 Sydney Street. The building is, at the time of the photo, occupied by a Toy and Craft Shop and "Jenola Coffee Shop" which advertises take away food and free delivery. Out the front of the building there is a "Dyons small goods" vehicle parked. There is a cigarette advertisement on the side of the building.Written on the back: 61-63 021storefronts, shopfronts, retail stores, cafes, coffee shops

Notice - single A4 sheet double sided, titled "Notice to Ticket Sellers - The Met - McDonalds special free travel offer.", dated 5/10/1991 to 30/11/1991. Gives details of the promotion, coupons, how managed and a sample layout of the coupon. Signed Andrew McLean, Group Manager, Revenue Management.trams, tramways, notices and information, notices to staff, free tram, mcdonalds

Newspaper - 8 page, free distribution, paper called 'Greater Bendigo Quarterly'. A social and cultural periodical. Vol 1, No.1, March 1966. Includes articles on History, Music, Education, Travel, Photography, Theatre plus adverts for local businesses. Published by JWH Publications, Barnard St, Bendigo. Printed by the Castlemaine 'Mail'.bendigo, r w birrell, reg. bridgland, j k collis, don semmens, don lennox, bendigo competitions

This style of milk bottle began to appear in Australia in the 1930s. The number stamped on the base indicated the dairy to which the bottle belonged. Nursery milk had a higher guaranteed fat content than ordinary milk. Lady Talbot, the wife of a Victorian Governor, was associated with the movement that was to become the Free Kindergarten Union in 1908. The Talbot Milk Institute was associated with the Union. It provided free uncontaminated milk to needy families, since many infant deaths and illnesses were traceable to unsuitable or adulterated food. A wide necked milk bottle made of clear glass. Embossed in an arc on the front of the bottle: 'Lady Talbot Milk Supply Co. Specially supervised nursery milk.' Also embossed on base: '62'.infant feeding