This gold miner's pick from the Ballarat Goldfields c 1920 was donated by Mr David Hopcraft, a dealer at the Arkuna Market Berwick, Victoria in December 2010. When Gold was discovered in Victoria c1853 most of the labourers and some landowners left the market gardens and farms to try their luck on the goldfields. Local Blacksmiths made picks similar to this one for them. There was a great shortage of labour in Melbourne and at the same time, due to the huge influx of people lured by the Gold, there was an increased demand for food. The market gardeners were getting very good prices for their produce and many increased their wealth considerably and many of these tenant farmers were able to purchase their blocks of land and live a profitable life. There was such a shortage of labour that J.B.Were applied for Irish immigrants to work the farms. This pick is an example of the hand made tools many pioneers took with them when they abandoned their farms and market gardens in the District of Brighton to try their luck at prospecting when gold was discovered in Ballarat and Bendigo c1853. Some were successful , most were not and retuned again to the hard life of farming. A forged steel pick with a wooden handle. The steel pick-head was hand-forged by a blacksmith. This miner's pick was used on the Ballarat gold-fields c1920gold mining, ballarat, bendigo, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, mining equipment, gold rush, immigrants, blacksmiths, forges, tools

A small wooden occasional table with 4 turned legs with 4 rails running around the basefurniture, woodwork, craftsmen, moorabbin, bentleigh, melbourne, early settlers, market gardeners

c1880 This tiny tape measure, in Imperial measurements, was part of a Victorian era lady's sewing basket. The case is of polished timber, and the little winder, to retract the tape, is made of brass with a small ivory handleEarly settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant producing their own food and making their farm equipment and clothing. The women of these families were skilful in all craftwork.c1880 this tiny, retractable, tape measure, in Imperial measure, is made of polished timber with a brass winder and ivory handle. Imperial ‘inch’ measurements on tape dressmaking, tape measure, sewing, craftwork, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh cheltenham

Hat-pins were worn to anchor hats to the head and could be considered a functional piece of jewellery. Traditionally inserted into the crown of the hat and through the hair piled atop the head.Hat-pins were needed to secure the large, lady’s hats fashionable at the time. The Maggs family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shirec1910, 2 lady's silver hat-pins, with hollow circular silver surround, around a thistle flowerHallmark Birmingham Assay Office Englandjewellery, clothing, dressmaking, craftwork, silversmiths, maggs geoff, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, brighton

Sad-irons or "solid" irons were made by blacksmiths and used to smooth out material by pressing the hot iron over it. A piece of sheet -iron was placed over the kitchen fire and the irons placed on it could be heated whilst remaining clean of ash.. The women used 2 irons - one heating while the other was used. Thick cloth or gloves protected their hands from the hot irons. The handle was removed from the cool iron and using the lifter the cool iron was replaced on the fire or stove to heat again. These irons were cleaned with steel wool to prevent them marking the material. If the iron was too hot the material would scorch. Most homes set aside one day for ironing and some large households had an ironing room with a special stove designed to heat irons. However, most women had to work with a heavy, hot iron close to the fireplace even in summer.These sad irons remind us of the difficult circumstances experienced in their daily routines by the pioneers and early settlers of Moorabbin Shire. The Curtis family were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireA) This heavy sad iron, made from cast iron, was heated over a fire or on a stove and used for pressing clothing and haberdashery. B) The separate tapered handle was used to lift the hot iron from the fire and when a "Potts" Handle was attached the ironing commenced. sad iron, kitchen equipment, fireplaces, stoves, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, sewing, craftwork, clothing, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh

Dr Polk was one of the first Doctors to set up a medical practice in Melbourne and attended patients in the Brighton and Moorabbin area c1850. His Grandson Mr C. Bland donated the cabinet to CMHS.This portable cabinet with writing board was used by Dr Polk , one of the first Doctors to practice medicine in Melbourne c1850 .A small, wooden portable cabinet with 3 sections that belonged to Dr Polk GP c1850. Two side cabinets that lock together by grooves on inner sides, and a flat writing board that sits on a shelf at the top of the inner sides. One of the cabinets has 4 drawers, one of which has a lock. The other cabinet has 1 drawer and a cupboard with a door lock No Keys are available, The cabinet is decorated on the outer surfaces by inlaid bamboo squares with metal decorative hinges and handles and at the corners on the door. polk dr, bland c. melbourne, medical practitioners, moorabbin, brighton, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, dairymen, farmers,

The sections of this wardrobe can be lifted apart so that it can be transported easily and when assembled provides suitable hanging and storage space for the clothes and bed covers of an early settler family This wardrobe is of a type commonly used by early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900Wooden Wardrobe with 3 sections- top, hanging space with a central oval glass window, a shallow central drawer and 2 doors with key locks, and drawer section with 2 deep drawers early settlers, market gardeners, poultry farmers, mechanics institutes, furniture, kitchen equipment, clothing, drapery, haberdashery, green pederson carol, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis,

Gertrude Augusta "Gussy" Moran was an American tennis player who was active in the late 1940s and 1950s. Dress designer Ted Tinling created a daring ensemble for the lanky American tennis player. The white dress offered a sculpted bodice, a tight waist and an unusually short skirt. Moran asked him what would happen if the breeze blew her skirt around Tinling then gave her a pair of silk lace underwear. Women around the world were very impressed and made copies of these bloomers commonly known as 'Gorgeous Gussys'A good example of the fashion c1950 when fancy underwear became popular after tennis player Gertrude Moran wore frilly pants under her tennis skirt.A lady's beige satin bloomers with lace and elastic . Known as 'Gorgeous Gussys' clothing ,underwear, dressmaking, early settlers, market gardeners, post world war 2 estates, moorabbin, bentleigh , ormond, moran gertrude, gorgweous gussy, tinling teddy, tennis, reed gladys,

This white tailored dress shirt was worn by Mr Dennis Maynard CMHS member and Cheltenham resident c 1960 as part of his Formal Wear for Masonic Lodge , Civil Services and Special occasions. The small black plastic buttons were sewn onto a strip of cotton so that they could be easily inserted to fasten the shirt front and then kept together with the shirt for future use This dress shirt is typical of the formal wear used by men in City of Moorabbin c 1960A white cotton long sleeved tailored man's dress shirt with 2 cotton strips with small black plastic dress buttons "Henry Buck PtyLtd Melb. HB Actual Makers clothing, formal wear, dress shirt, tuxedo, maynard dennis, city of moorabbin, freemasons lodge, city of moorabbin historical society, early settlers, market gardeners, bentleigh, cheltenham, moorabbin,

This false waistcoat was part of the formal wear worn by men c 1960 . The two breast plates extend to the shoulder with wide lapels, a small pocket and 3 buttons for fastening at the front.The Breastplates are fastened at the nape of the neck by buttons on a thin strip of cotton. This false waistcoat is typical of the type of outfit that men used c 1960 for attending formal occasions in Melbourne Man's White false waistcoat for formal wear consists of two starched breast plates with wide lapels attached by 3 buttons on a thin band that passes under shirt collar . The breastplates are fastened at the front by 3 buttons ENGLISH MADE / FOR / THE WEST END SHOP / MYER / EMPORIUMclothing, formal wear, dress shirt, tuxedo, waistcoat, maynard dennis, city of moorabbin, freemasons lodge, city of moorabbin historical society, early settlers, market gardeners, bentleigh, cheltenham, moorabbin,

Cufflinks were worn to fasten the sleeves of dress shirts worn as part of the formal suit for men in City of Moorabbin c 1960. These cufflinks are typical of the fashion c1960 and are stored in a brown velvet spring lock hinged box These Cufflinks are typical of the fashion worn with formal wear by men in City of Moorabbin c1960 2 pair of Cufflinks in a brown velvet spring loaded hinged box. a) pewter b) silver gold with glass a) Jorge Jenson / Danish Pewter clothing, formal wear, dress shirt, tuxedo, waistcoat, drees scarf, cufflinks, bow ties maynard dennis, city of moorabbin, freemasons lodge, city of moorabbin historical society, early settlers, market gardeners, bentleigh, cheltenham, moorabbin,

Very formal fashion for men in the City of Moorabbin c 1960 was a tailor made formal 'white tie' tails dinner suit with cut away jacket and pleated trousers that have a satin stripe down the outer seams There are 3 large black plastic buttons on each side of silk lined jacket and 4 small black plastic buttons on each sleeve. Special occasions, events and ceremonies were when men wore this outfit. The full outfit comprised of a white dress shirt, white starched collar, white bow tie, white waistcoat, gold pocket watch, mother of pearl or white studs and cufflinks with black leather shoes. A white flower may have been worn of jacket.This formal 'white tie', dinner suit with tails, cut away jacket and pleated trousers was typical of that worn by men c 1960 in City of Moorabbin for very formal occasions.A tailor made formal 'white tie' tails dinner suit with cut away jacket and pleated trousers that have a satin stripe down the outer seams There are 3 large black plastic buttons on each side of silk lined jacket and 4 small black plastic buttons on each sleeve.professional tailor 4 buttons on sleevesclothing, formal wear, dress shirt, tails, dinner suit, tailors, bowtie white, bowtie black, tuxedo, waistcoat, cufflinks, maynard dennis, city of moorabbin, freemasons lodge, city of moorabbin historical society, early settlers, market gardeners, bentleigh, cheltenham, moorabbin,

Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire used large cast iron pots, pans and kettles, that were suspended over the open fire in the kitchen, for cooking meals. They had to be frugal and self-sufficient and so repaired the equipment to prolong its useful lifetime. Blacksmiths also made and repaired household equipment. James McEwan & Co 1852 - 1993 once dominated the the hardware retailing scene in Victoria. Established in 1852 to service the booming gold rush in Victoria the company went on to become one of the longest established retailers in Australia. Over it’s 140 year history the company went through many booms and busts. The McEwans name finally left the Australian retail scene with little fanfare when the last store was re-badged Bunnings in 1993Early settlers were frugal and self sufficient so they repaired their kitchen equipment when possible . McEwans Pty Ltd. was an established hardware company in Melbourne 1852-1993. Bunnings Pty Ltd is currently a successful hardware retailer for trade and public customers.Two metal discs with screw and nut for mending holes in cast iron pots, pans and kettles c1930 packing strip; THE edmay POTMENDER / Price tag ; McEWANS 77 - 11early settlers, market gardeners, cooking utensils, kitchenware, castiron cooking pots, blacksmiths, slow cooking, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

This type of a lady's mop cap in white cotton with lace edging was commonly worn by women in the early settler households of Moorabbin Shire c1910 This Lady's mop cap in white cotton, with lace edging is typical of the head and hair protection worn by women in Moorabbin Shire c1910 A Lady's mop cap in white cotton with lace edging. clothing, hats, hair covers, housewear, housework, dressmaking, knitting, craftwork, wool, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin shire, city of moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, ormond, moorabbin, hunt ailsa,

Early fireplaces were very wide and deep, which allowed for multiple pots to be cooking simultaneously, but also caused a lot of heat loss As the hub of the house, a burning hearth provided heat, housed the fire for cooking and baking, and served as the nucleus of family gatherings. As the Victorian age progressed, fireplaces became more ornate, with overmantels and columns.This elaborately carved wood overmantel was used in the family home of Mrs Brailly in Moorabbin Shire c1900This ornately carved wood overmantel cupboard is an example of the furnishings early settlers used to make their houses attractivec1900An elaborately carved wood overmantel c1900mantel piece, overmantel cupboards, mrs brailly, box cottage ormond, box william, box elizabeth, early settlers, market gardeners, cooking utensils, kitchenware, castiron cooking pots, blacksmiths, slow cooking, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,

A silver plated case to hold, and protect from crushing, cigarettes in a coat pocket. A cigarette is a narrow cylinder containing tobacco, that is rolled into thin paper for smoking. "Tailor-made" in relation to cigarettes means cigarettes that have been mass-produced in a factory and usually have a filter tip inserted at the mouth piece. 'Hand-rolled' cigarettes or 'roll-your-own'. were made by the person themselves by rolling thin paper around a pinch of loose cut tobacco. After World War 2 1914- 1918 tailor made cigarettes were mass produced in large factories and were inexpensive and easy to obtain world wide. Residents of City of Moorabbin used a cigarette case like this to carry their tailor made cigarettes in their coat pocketsc1950 A silver plated cigarette case with spring hinge and metal strip inside case that holds cigarettes in place early settlers, market gardeners, silver smiths, jewellers, cigarettes, tailor made cigarettes, craven a cigarettes, phillip morris pty ltd, post world war 2 estates, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,

Among the early settlers in Moorabbin Shire were blacksmiths who made tools for the other settlers who were establishing the homes, market gardens, farms, orchards and various businesses. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . This hammer is typical of the type used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900c1900 Hammer with a wooden handle and metal head. The metal head a circular striking edge and a tapered wedge shaped edgehammers, early settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

Among the early settlers in Moorabbin Shire were blacksmiths who made tools for the other settlers who were establishing the homes, market gardens, farms, orchards and various businesses. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . Besides for peening (surface hardening by impact), the ball-peen hammer is useful for many tasks, such as striking punches and chisels - usually performed with the flat face of the hammer. The peening face is useful for rounding off edges of metal pins and fasteners, such as rivets. The ball face of the hammer can also be used to make gaskets for mating surfaces. A suitable gasket material is held over the surface where a corresponding gasket is desired, and the operator will lightly tap around the edges of the mating surface to perforate the gasket materialThis hammer is typical of the type used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900A hard faced ball & peen hammer, also known as a machinist's hammer,[ is a type of peening hammer used in metalworking. It has two heads, one flat and the other, called the peen, rounded.early settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

Among the early settlers in Moorabbin Shire were blacksmiths who made tools for the other settlers who were establishing the homes, market gardens, farms, orchards and various businesses. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . Bootmakers made shoes for early settlers and being leather workers also made saddles and other leather productThis hammer is typical of the type used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900 Hammer with wood handle and steel head. One side of head is rounded and the other chisel shapedearly settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

A hammer is a tool consisting of a weighted "head" fixed to a long handle that is swung to deliver an impact to a small area of an object. This is a small sledgehammer whose relatively light weight and short handle allow single-handed use. It is useful for light demolition work, driving masonry nails, and for use with a steel chisel when cutting stone or metal. Among the early settlers in Moorabbin Shire were blacksmiths who made tools for the other settlers who were establishing the homes, market gardens, farms, orchards and various businesses. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . This hammer is typical of the type used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900This is a small sledge hammer with a wood handle and double sided round metal headearly settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

These multi function pliers were imported and used in Moorabbin Shire Many tools were imported by early settlers and also among the early settlers in Moorabbin Shire were blacksmiths who made tools for the other settlers who were establishing the homes, market gardens, farms, orchards and various businesses. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . This pair of multi purpose pliers is typical of the type used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900 Steel adjustable locking pliers c1900 with lion head vise, and spring loaded multi grip FOREIGNadjustable pliers, early settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

An adjustable or shifting spanner or adjustable wrench is an open-end wrench with a movable jaw, allowing it to be used with different sizes of fastener head (nut, bolt, etc.) rather than just one fastener size, as with a conventional fixed spanner. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . This steel shifting spanner is typical of the type used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1930A large heavy steel curved neck shifting spanner with adjustable screwFLAG BRAND / MADE IN GERMANYtools, spanners, shifting spanners, wrenches, early settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

4x steel Automobile Spanners ' Vana Dium' used by a resident of the City of Moorabbin c1950 Vanadium is a hard, silver-grey metallic element. It is a ductile transition metal with a natural resistance to corrosion and stability against alkalis, acids and salt water. Vanadium is found in over 60 different minerals including vanadinite, carnotite, roscoelite and patronite.This Vana Dium Spanner set is typical of the type used by car mechanics in the City of Moorabbin c1950Set of 4 graduated automobile steel spanners made by Vana Dium Ltd USA c 1950 Front Forged VANA DIUM Steel 3/4 Pat.Pend. Back AUTO-KIT No.100 Made in USAspanners, automobiles, car mechanics, vana dium ltd usa, vanadium, uranium, early settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,

. Early settlers were self reliant and repaired their own equipment for kitchen,dairy, farm, horses, carts using various tools . With the advent of motorized vehicles in 20thC residents of the City of Moorabbin became accustomed to maintaining their own cars and trucksThese large graduated spanners are typical of the type used by residents and mechanics in the City of Moorabbin c19504 x Large graduated automobile Spanners c1950 a, b Snail Brand; c Husky England; d The Superwrenchspanners, motor cars , motor trucks, mechanics, automobiles, early settlers, market gardeners, blacksmiths, tools, building equipment, hammers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,mcewan james pty ltd, melbourne, bunnings pty ltd,