This Kodak camera was a popular model early in the 20th century. This one belonged to Elisabeth Tait (nee Pearson). Elisabeth Pearson was born in 1911 to James and Amy Pearson. Her father had established, in 1910, the clothing firm of Pelaco in association with James Law. The business mostly produced men’s shirts. Elisabeth Pearson married a Warrnambool lawyer and was known for her community work, especially in connection with the Warrnambool Ladies’ Benevolent Society. She joined this society in March 1969 and became president in November, 1961. She retained this position until the society was disbanded in 1993. This camera is retained as a memento of Elisabeth Tait, a well-known Warrnambool person in the 20th century. .1 This is a brown leather camera case with a metal catch and a leather shoulder strap. The case has stitching along the sides. The initials of the owner are stamped in gold lettering on the front of the cover. The leather is somewhat rubbed. 2. This is a Kodak camera with a black covering and a telescopic mechanism inside. It has gold lettering on the back. ‘E.M.P.’ (twice) ‘Use film no. A 116’ ‘No 2A Folding Autographic Brownie’ ‘Kodak’ ‘Tait 246 Lava Street Warrnambool’ 20th century photography, elisabeth tait, warrnambool

This camera was known as the Vest Pocket camera the earliest models of which were first manufactured in 1912-1914. The later model which was made from 1915 was very successful, selling 1.75 million units and was used during the First World War. This particular model was manufactured from 1925-1934 This camera has significance being one of the earliest made which made photography accessible to a much section of the community..1 Black rectangular camera with rounded ends and white metal fittings. There is a hinged back which when opened reveals a circular section with a folding bed behind.A metal hinged screw is on the left side The other side has a small circular red inset and a movable metal section. .2 Dark tan leather case, rectangular in shape with rounded edges.It closes with a silver metal clasp. There are two slits in the opposite end possibly for strap.There is a sunburst stamped into both sides of the case and it is stitched with coarse cotton thread..1 On outside of camera " Use Film No A127" Inside hinged Back, " made In USA by Eastman Kodak Co Rochester NY 27323 Vest Pocket Camera Model B .2 Kodak is stamped in the leather above the fastener. warrnambool, kodak, eastman kodak camera, vest pocket kodak model b

This camera, known as the Manhattan Optical Cycle Wizard was made towards the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th , when the pastime of photography was popular and people were also becoming more mobile. They were relatively cheap to buy and portable .An interesting item which shows the early mechanisms of cameras.Black rectangular hard cardboard and wooden case with a leather type covering. It has a leather strap handle attached with metal keepers. The bottom is hinged and opens to reveal the lens and other components of the camera which expand out when in use. The metal fitting on the inside are white metal. The top has an inner section which closes with two metal clips. It opens to reveal a rectangle of opaque glass held in place with two small metal clips.Cycle Wizard Manhattan optical co. N Y. Bausch & Lomb Opt Co Pat Jan 8 . 91.black cycle wizard, wizard camera, warrnambool history

This item comes from the estates of the Misses Ardlie of Warrnambool. It belonged to Agnes Ardlie (1915-1993) who was aged 11 when she received the album. Her sisters were Olive (1905-1912) and Dorothy (1910-1993). They were the daughters of Arthur and Ethel Ardlie of Warrnambool, the granddaughters of the prominent Warrnmbool lawyer, William Ardlie and his wife Mary and the great granddaughters of John and Mary Ardlie, early settlers in Warrnambool. The Misses Ardlie lived in their early years at Aroona in Princess Street in Warrnambool. The autograph album has handwritten contributions (verse and signatures) from family members and friends and twelve signatures of cricketers from the Australian Test series of 1928-1929. These are mostly English cricketers and include the signatures of Wally Hammond, Jack Hobbs, Harold Larwood and George Duckworth.This autograph book is of considerable interest, firstly as a memento of Agnes Ardlie, a member of a prominent family in Warrnambool in the 20th century and secondly, as an item of some significance in the cricket world with its signatures of some English cricketers on tour in Australia in 1928/29.This is an autograph album with a dark red leather cover and gold writing on the front cover. Inside the cover are pages in a green mottled pattern. The other pages are mostly white or cream with some coloured pages. Some pages have handwritten verse and signatures in black and blue ink. A blue shopkeeper’s label is on the inside back page. Album Agnes M. Ardlie ‘Aroona’ Warrnambool 3.11.26 ardlie family, history of warrnambool

This Bible belonged to Minnie Maud Middleton (d. 1958). She came from Framlingham, near Warrnambool. Miss Middleton’s parents, Hannah and Thomas, brought the Bible to Australia from England in the 1870s. The Bible, printed in 1816, contains a pencil drawing of the Roydon Church of England where the Middletons worshipped in England. This Bible is of interest as an example of a Bible that many families owned, treasured and read in times gone by and especially in the 19th century. It has local provenance.This is a Bible with a hard leather cover and the spine covering replaced at some stage. The front and back of the book are much rubbed and scored. The pages are numbered according to the sections and the font varies with two columns to each page. There are over 40 black and white illustrations (from engravings) and several pressed ferns. Some pages are damaged. There are four loose sheets. Brown’s Holy Bible printed 1816 Presented to G. Phillpot 80 Kelp St Warrnambool in 1953 by Miss M. Middleton of Bendigo, late of Framlingham. Was brought to Australia by Miss Middleton’s parents approx 80 years ago. The pencil drawing is of Roydon Church of England where Miss Middleton’s parents worshipped. Copy of ‘Willing Work’ dated Nov 3 1877 was found in the Bible. minnie maud middleton, framlingham, history of warrnambool, bible, roydon church of england

This Bible originally belonged to members of the Orr family who came from Scotland and had a property at Addington near Learmonth in central Victoria (from the 1860s). Many families in the 19th and early 20th centuries had family bibles which were read individually by family members or read aloud to family members, especially on a Sunday. Many of these large-size bibles were used to record family information (births, deaths, marriages), though this one does not have any information recorded. This Bible is retained as a splendid example of a 19th century family Bible. It will be very useful for display. This is a hard-cover book with gilt edging on the pages. It has a leather cover with heavy gold embossing on the front and back covers. Inserted in the embossing are gold religious symbols and images. The Bible contains 45 chapters with the Old and New Testaments and other biblical and religion- related articles. There are many black and white illustrations and some colour illustrations. There is a slight evidence of silverfish damage. ‘Holy Bible’ orr family, family bibles, history of warrnambool

This top hat, with the initials J.H.H., belonged to John Hunter Henderson, a doctor who practised in Warrnambool from 1904 to 1939. For many years he was a member of the Warrnambool Hospital Board of Management. On his retirement in 1939 he went to live in Melbourne where he died aged 81. The John Hunter Henderson fund was established at the Warrnambool Hospital to develop the training facilities for medical and nursing staff. The bowler hat belonged to his driver (name unknown) and it is presumed that he drove a horse and buggy in the early years of the 20th century. These items are of considerable significance as they are associated with Dr Henderson, a long-serving doctor in Warrnambool and they show the status and comparative affluence of doctors in the first half of the 20th century. .1 This is a black top hat with the crown covered in beaver fur or felt of some kind. The upturned brim is slightly worn on one edge. The crown has a black corded band with a bow on one side. There is a stud with an air hole on the crown. Inside there is a brown leather lining with information on the maker on the inside base and a crown image. .2 This is a bowler hat made of black felt with lining on the edges of black cotton material. The brim is slightly turned up on the sides. The crown has a black corded band with a bow at one side. There is a circle of air holes on the side of the hat. Inside there is leather lining with some information on the maker on the inside base. .3 This is a hat box lid with a leather covering over cardboard. It is a spherical shape with some side damage where the leather is peeling. There is a leather strap handle with a metal buckle. There are remnants of travel labels pasted on to the lid. .4 This is a hat box made of leather with a metal lock on one side. It has remnants of paper travel labels on the sides. Inside the box is an insert made of maroon-coloured cardboard for storing the top hat. This insert has a leather strap to stabilize the hat. There is a name on the base of the box written on a piece of adhesive plaster. .1 J.H.H. Woodrow & Sons Hat Manufacturers to H.M. the King 13 Market St Manchester, 8 Castle St Liverpool, 45 Piccadilly London, 42 Cornhill, London, 11 Gordon St Glasgow, 40 Westmoreland St Dublin, Made in England Lincoln, Stuart & Coy Proprietary Limited Flinders St Melbourne .2 The Tropical Hat .3 Midland Railway .4 Dunedin, F.H.Moreton doctor john henderson, warrnambool, history of warrnambool, top hat

This navy officer’s hat has been reconditioned and this alteration may have been done for theatrical purposes. No information is available on its original owner or his country or rank.This hat is of minor interest as it is no longer in its original condition and has no known local provenance. This is a Navy officer’s hat with a white cloth circular top and a black material base and a band lined with black material. It has a Bakelite peak. The black band has an off-centre cloth badge of metallic thread featuring decorative feathers and a flag with a blue and red six-pointed star. The hat appears to be a re-conditioning of an original hat and the badge is probably not an original one. The edges of the hat are frayed and soiled. The hat has a leather lining with the maker’s name inside the hat but this is illegibleSouthhamptonaustralian navy uniform, history of warrnambool

This hat has the brand name or model, ‘The Solent’ which is the name of the strait that separates the Isle of Wight from mainland England. Boater hats such as these were mostly worn for informal occasions and were usually associated with sporting events such as boating and sailing, particularly in Britain. Hats of this type were also part of the school uniform of some Australian schools, usually prominent private schools with a British tradition, in the first half of the 20th century and there may be some schools still using the style today. This boater is of interest as an example of the informal head gear worn by men in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It will be useful for display.This is a cream straw boater hat with a flat circular crown and round brim. The straw is stiffened and plaited. There is a black material band ending with a black bow around the base of the crown. The hat has brown leather internal lining with a cream cord insert for altering the inside size of the hat. Inside the hat is a printed shield with the maker’s details and some gold ornamentation with printed material. The Criterion Brand Reg. No. 15094 The Solent Extra Quality Copyright. vintage headware, history of warrnambool

This is an army officer’s hat from the Australian Army. It dates back to the 1940s before the word ‘Commonwealth’ was deleted in 1949 from the name of the military forces. The Australian Army has used the rising sun emblem in its official insignia since the early 1900s. The owner of this hat is not known. This hat has no known local provenance but is retained for display purposes.This is a khaki hat with an oval padded crown and a rounded peak. The top has four metal eyeleted air holes. The badge on the hat has the Rising Sun emblem. There is a brown leather strap round the brim attached by metal buttons. The inside of the hat has a blue cloth lining with a square of cellophane. There is a grey leather internal band in the peak section overlaid with black material. There is some slight staining inside the hat. Australian Commonwealth Military Forces

In 2005 the H.M.A.S. Warrnambool was de-commissioned in Darwin and the Mayor of Warrnambool, Cr Glenys Phillpot, was present at the ceremonies connected to this event. She obtained this sailor’s hat at that time as a souvenir of the ship. It appears to be brand new. H.M.A.S. Warrnambool was the second ship with this name. The first H.M.A.S. Warrnambool was built in Sydney in 1941 and commissioned for anti-submarine and mine sweeping duties. In 1947 it was struck by a mine in northern Australian waters and sunk with the loss of four lives. The second H.M.A.S. Warrnambool was commissioned in 1981as a patrol boat in northern Australian waters. It had steamed over 500,000 miles before the end of its working life in 2005 and had visited Warrnambool several times. This sailor’s cap is of importance as a memento of the second ship named H.M.A.S. Warrnambool and particularly commemorates the de-commissioning of that ship in 2005 in Darwin. This is a white seaman’s hat with a flat oval-shaped crown made of stiffened white material with two white metal eyelets on each side. The base has a black ribbon with a black bow and lettering in woven gold thread. Inside there is a leather band with a white bow and a navy blue ribbon to act as a chin strap. This is attached on one side only. Inside also is a white label with the maker’s information on it. H.M.A.S. Warrnambool MAPE uniform headwear of the MCH group of companies 3405-66-075-6064 E 5 R.A.N.

Binoculars have been in existence for over 100 years for recreational and military use. The Carl Zeiss factory in Jena, Germany was founded in 1846 and manufactured optical systems such as cameras, binoculars and riflescopes and industrial measurement devices and medical equipment. Binoculars are still commonly used today. These binoculars have no known local provenance and are retained for display purposes.These are a pair of black binoculars with a brown leather strap. It is contained within a brown leather case. The case has a brown leather strap and metal buckle and a metal and leather clasp. Carl Zeiss Jena Binoctar 1389040 7 X 50 vintage optical goods, history of warrnambool

This camera is a folding one, the Ensignette No 2 model made by the British firm of Houghtons Ltd which was originally a glass warehouse founded in 1834. The firm of George Houghton and Sons, dating from the late 19th century, established their camera business at Ensign House in London in 1903 and the Ensignette No 2, designed by a Swedish engineer, was introduced in 1912. Eastman Kodak of America produced a film for this model. This camera was a popular one with amateur photographers and the general public, being affordable, compact and easy to use. This camera is retained as an example of a British-made folding camera dating from nearly 100 years ago. It will be useful for display..1 This is a black metal camera which is rectangular in shape. It is a strut folding rollfilm camera with a lens that is folded inside in a thin leather concertina or bellows covering. It has the maker’s name and logo etched into the front of the camera. The logo is a flag with the British Union Jack in one corner and the word ‘Ensign’ inside the flag. The metal on the back of the camera is rusted. .2 This is a brown leather cover for the folding camera described above. It has a top lid flap which closes with a metal stud and a leather handle stitched on to the sides of the case. The cover is much worn and scuffed. Ensignette No 2 Ensign British Made Made by Houghtons Ltd England vintage cameras

Eight of these letter books contain letters written by the Warrnambool lawyer George Mackay. They are mostly letters written to contacts while he was living in Scotland and letters sent from Warrnambool to Scotland to his daughter, Margueretta (Meta) who was studying medicine. Scottish-born George Sutherland Mackay (1850-1926) opened a legal practice in Kepler Street, Warrnambool in 1891 and in 1893 bought the business of the late James Fletcher, with the business known as Fletcher and Mackay. In the 1920s John Taylor became a partner and the firm of Mackay, Taylor & Co. (later Mackay Taylor) continued until 1999 when it merged with Taits Solicitors to form Tait Taylor (now Taits Legal). George Mackay was a Warrnambool Councillor and the first Mayor to hold office for four successive years. He was instrumental in getting the Warrnambool High School established and was the Chairman of the first School Council. Two of these letter books contain letters written by Ernest Powling. One letter book contains letters written by James Mack, a Warrnambool accountant These letter books are of considerable importance as they contain letters relating to legal matters in Warrnambool and district from the late 19th century to the mid 1940s. The letters also give an insight into the private life of a prominent Warrnambool lawyer, George Sutherland Mackay..1 This letter book has a dark blue cover, brown leather binding, an alphabetical index with tabs and handwritten letters. The spine is damaged. .2 This letter book has a dark red cover with red binding, an alphabetical index with tabs, a handwritten label on the front cover, information on the ledger maker and the handwriting of the letter writer inside the front cover. The spine is slightly damaged. .3 This letter book has a dark red mottled cover with white binding, an alphabetical index with tabs and a handwritten label on the front cover. .4 This letter book has a dark red cover with white paper binding and a handwritten label on the cover. .5 This letter book has a dark blue cover, red binding, and alphabetical index with tabs. The spine is slightly damaged. A loose receipt is inside the front cover. .6 This letter book has a mottled blue and pink cover, black binding, an alphabetical index with tabs and handwritten personal letters. .7 This letter book has a dark green cover, brown binding, an alphabetical index with coloured tabs and handwritten private letters. .8 This letter book has a mottled cover with black binding and an alphabetical index with tabs. Many of the letter copies are upside down. .9 This letter book has a dark green cover with red binding, an alphabetical index with tabs and handwritten personal letters. .10 This letter book has a dark green cover with buff-coloured leather binding, an alphabetical index with tabs and copies of typed letters. The leather is torn on the front cover. .11 This letter book has a green cover, a brown leather spine and a paper label pasted on the cover. This book has the spine detached and is badly waterstained .2 G Sutherland Mackay 1874 Private Letter Book james mack, warrnambool, ernest powling, port fairy, george mackay, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This prescription book contains the entries of a chemist shop in Timor Street, Warrnambool from 1911 to 1946. During that time there were various chemists in the business trading for most of the time as R.F. Kennedy and Co. and later successors to R.F. Kennedy and Co, with one known name being that of J. Paterson. Richard Frank Kennedy established his wholesale, retail and manufacturing chemist's business in Warrnambool in 1880 and it became a leading business in Warrnambool. After Kennedy's death in 1903 the business continued as R.F.Kennedy and Co. The entries in the book show the type of medicines and prescriptions used in Warrnambool over a period of thirty years.This is a significant item, firstly because it is a record of an important business in 20th century Warrnambool and secondly because it is a great social record of one aspect of the health of residents in Warrnambool and district at that time. This is a ledger of 502 pages with a heavy cardboard cover with red leather edgings. The binding is largely missing and the ledger is held together with adhesive tape. The pages contain an alphabetical section at the front and handwritten entries in blue and black ink.R.F. Kennedy & Co. Timor St Warrnambool R.K. McDonald r. f. kennedy & co. warrnambool

These two ledgers, used between 1913 and 1926, come from the Haberfield family. James Haberfield came to the Warrnambool area from England in the mid 19th century and with his wife established a property, 'The Briars' at Dennington, near Warrnambool. Two sons, James Bertram and William, were cartage contractors and cash produce buyers in the first half of the 20th century with the business based in Fairy Street and Farnham ('The Briars'). These two ledgers contain the business dealings of the Haberfield Bros. business in the 1910s and 1920s. These ledgers are of considerable interest as they record the business details of an important early cartage and produce business in Warrnambool. Also the Haberfield family was a prominent one in Warrnambool in the 20th century. The building that contained the produce store run by William Haberfield at the corner of Fairy and Lava Streets still survives..1 This is a ledger with a black cover with a beige leather spine and edges and a red and gold label. The pages are ruled with red and blue lines and contain handwriting in black ink. The spine is a little scuffed. .2 as above but with an alphabetical listing at the front section and with no scuffingCash Book Ledger Haberfield, J.B. Ledger From Folio 270warrnambool produce stores

These ledgers contain the purchase details by various people in the Warrnambool region of items obtained from Thomas Patrick Hyland, a produce merchant and insurance agent with a business in Fairy Street, Warrnambool. One ledger dates from 1955 to 1960 and the other ledger dates from 1970 to 1978.These two ledgers are of interest as a example of a Warrnambool produce store business in the second half of the 20th Century and as a source of information on the purchasers, people living in the Warrnambool area at that time..1 A ledger with brown corded fabric cover, a metal spine with leather trimming and gold strips. Metal screws are inserted into the spine. The pages have red and blue lines and black printing and hand written material. The first few pages have the remnants of an alphabetical index with leather tabs. The ledger is worn and stained. .2 As above without an index or leather tabs. It has metal hinges.warrnambool businesses, thomas hyland produce merchant and insurance agent

These two notebooks come from Christ Church in Warrnambool. One contains the cash transactions of the Christ Church wardens (Folio 78) with the National Bank of Australasia (1932-1938) and the other contains the financial transactions of the Christ Church Parochial Missionary Association, Warrnambool (1933-1940). The Anglican Christ Church in Warrnambool was opened in 1856 with the addition of the nave in 1860 and the square tower in 1882. These cash books are of historic interest as records of financial transactions of Christ Church in Warrnambool in the first half of the 20th century..1 A buff-coloured, hard cover notebook with handwriting on the front cover. The pages contain ruled black lines and printing and handwritten material in black and red ink. .2 A hard cover notebook with a blue cover with dark red leather binding. The pages contain printed red lines and handwritten material in black ink.Christ Church Parochial Missionary Association Warrnamboolchrist church warrnambool, christ church parochial missionary association

This ledger contains a list of payments in the estates of insolvents in the Warrnambool area from 1913 to 1930. It comes from the Warrnambool Court of Insolvency. The payments have been made to the Estates Official Assignee. This ledger is of historic interest and provides a useful tool for researchers.This is a ledger of 206 pages with hard green cover with red leather binding and a label on the front cover with black printing. The cover has a red sticker with black numbers and the spine has a blue sticker with numbers. The pages contain printed red lines, black printing and hand written material in blue, black and red ink. The pages contain one loose sheet and are edged with a mottled pattern. The cover and spine are somewhat damaged.warrnambool insolvency cases early 20th century

This journal has been used by the Warrnambool doctor, Irving Buzzard to record his surgical operations and procedures from 1931 to 1944. Dr Irving Buzzard (1897-1981) was one of Warrnambool's best-known doctors, especially in the field of gynaecology and obstetrics. He came to Warrnambool in 1929 with his practice at Cambourne in Raglan Parade. He left Warrnambool in 1964. Whilst in Warrnambool he was active in medical associations and local community affairs. The Irving Buzzard Midwifery prize is awarded annually by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victorian branch).This journal is of considerable significance as it gives an insight into the work of a general medical practitioner in Warrnambool in the first half of the 20th century (For instance, the journal records that in 1931 Dr Buzzard carried out 38 major operations and 132 minor procedures.)This is a ledger of 193 pages with a hardboard black cover and the remains of brown leather binding on the spine and cover corners. The cover is partly detached from the pages. The pages contain printed red lines and handwritten entries in black ink. Pages 1 to 72 are missing and there are many blank pages.dr irving buzzard

Len Parker's Bedford truck is featured in one of the public art mosaics in Were Street, Montmorency. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker, panton hill, tosch property

Len Parker's Bedford truck is featured in one of the public art mosaics in Were Street, Montmorency. The little girl is Grace de Visser's sister. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker

Len's Bedford truk is featured in one of the Montmorency Were Street shopping precinct mosaics. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker

German Prayer Book found on the Somme 10/08/1918 in dilapidated House (France) French Prayer Book found 14/4/1918 Found by Mervyn UnderwoodFrench Leather bound Prayer Book (RED) German Prayer Book ( Prayerbook for catholic soldiers) (Black) and Christmas card 1918 (from Mervyn with love 58th Batallion Christmas 1918 New Year 1919)

Part of the Leo Reoch Cohn Collection. See Catalogue No. 5527.2 for his service record.Light khaki pith helmet with band. The crown has four panels, with a domed ventilation button on top. The brim is edged with cotton trim. Underside of the brim is painted green. It has an adjustable brown leather sweat band.Stamped on the inside of crown in black ink: '71/8 (inside a circle)'. Handwritten on the inside of the crown in black: 'E. W.'.pith helmet, headwear, leo reoch cohn

Part of the Leo Reoch Cohn Collection. See Catalogue No. 5527.2 for his service record.Emu feather plume for an Australian Light Horse slouch hat. Feathers are attached to pieces of leather and stitched together with black and white thread.australian light horse, emu plume, uniform, leo reoch cohn

Part of the Leo Reoch Cohn Collection. See Catalogue No. 5527.2 for his service record.Pair brown leather Australian Light Horse leggings - .1) Right legging .2) Left legging. Each legging has a long leather strap for winding around the legging before being secured by one of two brass buckles. The top of each legging is secured with a brass hook and a short leather strap and brass buckle.Stamped on the inside of both .1) and .2) in black ink: '15' Stamped on the outside of .1) and .2) at the top near the buckles: 'J. OAKMAN, 1939, 15, S (upwards arrow)'.australian light horse, uniform, leggings, leo reoch cohn