Australian women of the late 19th to mid 20th century focused on the home and its decoration was important. Embroidery and crochet work was an affordable way to personalise and add aesthetic value, and examples of embroidered and crocheted pieces could be found in most Australian homes, decorating or protecting furniture. Embroidery and crochet work provided a much needed creative outlet for someSeven pieces of lace of fine cotton possibly dyed or stained. All but one are straight edged. .1 is scalloped.lace handcraft crochet needlework

Ada Healey was for 20 years a volunteer and organizer at the Orbost Slab Hut (Orbost Information Centre). She was known for her craft skills and was a particularly fine knitter, She did own, as a child, a handheld mini sewing machine and it is possible that the item was made using this. Ada was the only child of Tom & Queenie Warne, born in Bombala/Delegate. She married Keith Healey. The Healey family were early settlers in Marlo.This hand-sewn ornament is an example of the skill and craftmanship of women in pioneer families.A hand-sewn silk tortoise. The head is padded. Four small beads are sewn to each side. It has white/brown lining. Pink beads are sewn on either side of the head for eyes.hand-made handcraft silk ornament

This machine was given to Ada Healey as a child. Ada Healey was for 20 years a volunteer and organizer at the Orbost Slab Hut (Orbost Information Centre). She was known for her craft skills and was a particularly fine knitter. Ada was the only child of Tom & Queenie Warne, born in Bombala/Delrgate. She was married to Keith Healey. The Healey family were early settlers in Marlo.This is an example of a toy given as a "teaching" toy. It was used by its owner to practise sewing before graduating to an adult type machine.A small hand-operated sewing machine. The body of the sewing machine is painted black. The top arm appears to have been painted in a white/cream colour. The machine could have been used to make small articles. There is no bobbin.On the stand- A.L.L.sewing handcraft toy toy-sewing-machine

These eggs could be ostrich eggs from an ostrich farm which operated just out of Marlo. It is likely that they were donated by Kate and Richard Earle who ran the enterprise. Emu and ostrich eggs are perfect for decorating, painting or carving. Emu egg shells have multiple layers ranging from an inner white layer through to the dark green outer layer. The contents must be removed through a small hole (either tool drilled or poked with a needle). After the yolk has been blown out (scrambling the yolk first by poking with a needle will make it easier to remove), the egg needs to be washed through and left to drain dry. It can then be painted, carved, etched or decorated. Emu decorating is a traditional Aboriginal art. The carving of emu eggs by Indigenous and non-Indigenous people was popular in the late 19th century but production declined in the 20th century, partly due to the protection of eggs through legislation. This has been overturned in recent years with the development of commercial emu farms. In the period between the two world wars particularly, with the production of other Aboriginal artefacts for an outside market, the carving of emu eggs provided an important source of income for Aboriginal people in many parts of Australia. It was a widespread practice in the south-east and it was not unusual for Aboriginal people to decorate their own homes with carved eggs and other items created by themselves or community members, serving to affirm an Indigenous identity within the domestic environment. (ref National Gallery of Australia)This item is significant for its uniqueness and aesthetic appeal.Two painted eggs on stands. 1907.1 is painted black and has white emus or ostriches painted on it. 1907.2 is painted white and has black emus or ostriches painted on it. Both stands are wooden with brass pedestals. The eggs are possibly ostrich eggs.handcraft emu-egg ornament ostrich-egg

Emu eggs are perfect for decorating, painting or carving. Emu egg shells have multiple layers ranging from an inner white layer through to the dark green outer layer. The contents must be removed through a small hole (either tool drilled or poked with a needle). After the yolk has been blown out (scrambling the yolk first by poking with a needle will make it easier to remove), the egg needs to be washed through and left to drain dry. It can then be painted, carved, etched or decorated. Emu decorating is a traditional Aboriginal art. The carving of emu eggs by Indigenous and non-Indigenous people was popular in the late 19th century but production declined in the 20th century, partly due to the protection of eggs through legislation. This has been overturned in recent years with the development of commercial emu farms. In the period between the two world wars particularly, with the production of other Aboriginal artefacts for an outside market, the carving of emu eggs provided an important source of income for Aboriginal people in many parts of Australia. It was a widespread practice in the south-east and it was not unusual for Aboriginal people to decorate their own homes with carved eggs and other items created by themselves or community members, serving to affirm an Indigenous identity within the domestic environment. (ref National Gallery of Australia)This item is significant for its uniqueness and its aesthetic appeal.An emu egg which has been painted white and decorated with glued on cord/thread to make a pattern of flowers and leaves.emu-egg ornament handcraft

In the first half of the 20th century knitting needles were much easier and cheaper to come by than sewing machines. This is possibly why hand knitting was so popular. This pair of knitting needles are part of a time when women often made the family clothing. A pair of No. 7 pink plastic knitting needles.knitting-needles handcraft knitting leisure

This landing net is a small, bag-shaped net with a long handle at the mouth, for scooping a hooked fish out of the water and bringing it to shore or into a boat. this one is home-made by an Orbost angler.This fishing net is an example of a home-made piece of equipment. It shows the self-reliance of rural people.A home-made fish landing net. It has a long wooden handle. Hose clamps hold the wire frame of the net,. The end of the bag shaped string net is bound with tape.fishing-net handcraft

This booklet was in a box of items donated to the Orbost Op Shop by Orbost House. Orbost House, believed to have been established by the Macalister family around the turn of the 20th century was a boarding house in Lochiel Street, Orbost. A stapled paper handbook of knitting patterns for defence force knitwear. All Services Knitwear for the Navy, Army, Air Force, Mercantile Marine and Home Guard. Contains 27 pages in paper covers and states that it gives clear instructions for knitting all comforts required by Service men. . Contents include instructions for knitting mittens for the Navy, steering gloves for the Army, other gloves, socks, knee caps, wristlets, helmet with cape pieces for all services, ribbed helmet for the Navy, hospital stockings, scarf, service jacket and pullover and fisherman's sea-boot stockings. It is Illustrated with black/white photographs. knitting-patterns booklet handcraft

This box was crafted from a portion of one of the original oak trees in the Jarrahmond WW11 Avenue of Honour.The Avenue was planted in 1955 and linked the farms of the two servicemen from Jarrahmond who lost their lives in WWII. It consisted of English Oaks interspersed with flowering peaches and cherries. Wood for the box was collected in the early 1990's by Stan Weatherall following a windstorm. Stan had the timber rough-sawn into planks by local sawmiller Max Reynolds. The timber was stored for a number of years before being given to Don McLean.A hand-made oak box. The inside base is lined in green felt. The lid is single hinged. the front panel displays a radiating pattern in the grain of the oak wood that resembles the rising sun badge of the Australian Defence Forces. Two brass pins are symbols of Australian military regalia. Inside the box is an envelope with information and letters on the manufacture of the box and presentation to Orbost. The information concerns the Jarrahmond School and the Avenue of Honour.handcraft oak jarrahmond-avenue-of-honour container

Made by a soldier while convalescing after being wounded in WW1.This personal item gives an insight into the human element of World War 1. A very elaborate, handmade photo frame made of small pieces of wood put together with pegs.handcraft ww11 photo-frame

This table linen was bought from the Indian hawker, Budda Dean, by Henry Powell for his daughter, Ruth, to start her "glory box" on her 18th birthday. Selina Jane Powell and Henry James Powell had daughters, Ruth (married Roy Cope), Ethel (married Dan Locke). The family came to Orbost from Bega around 1902.This item is an example of a fine piece of linen commonly used in the first half of the 20th century..1 is a square table cloth. The centre is linen and the edges are crocheted in cotton. It appears to be hand-made. .2 is a rectangular tea towel or cloth. It is of a huckaback weave with a crocheted edge. .3 is a square cotton table napkin with a scalloped edge. .4 is a square cotton table napkin with a scalloped edge.linen tableware powell-henry-james handcraft

This was probably used by the Powell family. Selena Powell came from Eden to Orbost at the age of 18. She met and married Henry James Powell in Orbost.This item is an excellent local example of the type of hand made tea cosies which were used in an Australian domestic setting during the 1920's through to the 1960's. Fawn coloured hand-knitted tea cosy. The wool has been brushed to resemble the fur. It has brown button eyes and the nose and mouth are sewn in black yarn. The feet are embroidered in black and it has a narrow green velvet ribbon around the neck.tea-cosy domestic-item tableware handcraft knitting powell-selena

A long round piece of hand-crocheted lace. It is a white/ cream colour and may have been an edging for a round tablecloth.lace handcraft

From the estate of Elsie Cooke. Elsie Cooke lived all her life in Gippsland,. She was born at Brodribb in 1895 and died in 1970, Elsie Cooke lived at Bruthen for a short time and, in 1937, moved to live with her aunt, Miss Jean Munro. Miss Cooke was Librarian at the Mechanics Institute for many years. Kindness and consideration for other were Miss Cooke’s attributes and she endeared herself to all who knew her. She was a loyal member of the Presbyterian Church and a stalwart of the Ladies’ Guild, an energetic worker for the Municipal Auxiliary and a member of the Red Cross. (ref Mary Gilbert) This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills of women in the first half of the 20th century.Small round hand-crocheted doily of white thread.doily handcraft knitted cook-elsie

This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills of women in the first half of the 20th century.Two small square crocheted doilies. One has a rooster pattern, the other a square symmetrical pattern.doily handcraft crochet

Crochet covers for milk jugs, teacups and bowls were produced to repel the dreaded Australian blow fly. They were typically decorated with Australian flora and fauna and commemorative motifs and sometimes edged with beads, shells and other three dimensional forms, not only for appearance, but also to weigh down the crochet so it would stay safely in place on the jug. The three dimensional parts were stiffened with sugar syrup, or sometimes starch, paraffin or gelatine. The main sources for crochet cover and other needlework designs available to women were in journals, magazines and pattern books. In the first half of the 20th century women's focus was the home and its decoration was important. Embroidery and crochet work was an affordable way to personalise and add aesthetic value, and examples of embroidered and crocheted pieces could be found in most Australian homes, decorating or protecting furniture, floors and walls, and keeping off flies and insects from food. Small square milk jug cover that has been hand crocheted with crown, flag and date patterned into centre. It has a red, white and blue beaded fringe.cover milk-jug-cover handcraft tableware

This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills of women in the first half of the 20th century.A large round hand-sewn linen doily with damask centre and lacework border. White linen. handcrafts doily linen lacework

This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills of women in the first half of the 20th century.Small square-shaped hand crocheted doily. White with linen centre and large crocheted border in diamond patterns.doily handcraft crochet linen

Leather sole parer, made of metal with large wheel for turning when working. Holes on the bottom stand for nailing or screwing to bench.parer-leather bootmaking trades-leatherwork

This handmade item represents an important pastime of Australian women of the late 19th to mid 20th century. Women's focus was the home and its decoration was important. Embroidery and crochet work was an affordable way to personalise and add aesthetic value, and examples of embroidered and crocheted pieces could be found in most Australian homes, decorating or protecting furniture, floors and walls, and keeping off flies and insects from food.Small square cream coloured hand crocheted sugar bowl cover. Word "sugar" is patterned into it. The beaded fringing is blue and white.food-cover handcrafts crochet

Top of wedding cake for Hilda Temple and Dr James Kerr on 10th November, 1893.Dr James Kerr visited Orbost on a government vaccinating job and settled there the next year. He married Hilda Temple in 1893. He was Orbost's first resident doctor. Glass and wood display case containing a floral arrangement from the top of a wedding cake .Arrangement is handmade.ornament dr-james-kerr handcraft

This toy monkey was handmade by Hilda Kerr (nee Temple), wife of Dr James Kerr. It was made to raise funds during World War 1.This WW1 item is a reminder of the part played by the families and friends of those who were involved in this conflict.Small black handmade soft toy monkey. Light brown hat, white beard and blue pants.handcrafts soft-toy w.w.1 kerr-hilda

Small round handwoven basket with handle. handcrafts basket

This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills of women in the first half of the 20th century.A large hand-embroidered calico apron. Picture on front is of a lady picking flowers. Has a pocket on the right hand side. There is a green crocheted border.apron costume-accessories handcrafts needlework

Embroidery and crochet work was an important pastime of Australian women of the late 19th to mid 20th century. Needlework was commonly taught to girls at school and at home.A small white linen sampler with examples of different stitches, buttonholes, buttons, loops, tapes and hemming.sampler linen handcraft

A rectangular block of wood with faces of two women carved into it. Faces have been lightly coloured with paint.handcraft carving

This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills of women in the earl 20th century. Crochet work was an affordable way to personalise and add aesthetic value to homes, and examples of embroidered and crocheted pieces could be found in most Australian homes, A crocheted picture of bushland in East Gippsland. It is in white wool and framed in an ornate gold frame.handcraft crochet picture

Handmade by Julia Eaton ( nee Thomas), daughter of George and Granny Thomas, respected Aboriginal couple of Newmerella.This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills of women in the first half of the 20th century.Square shaped calico cushion cover. It is hand-embroidered with ribbon embroidered leaves and flowers. The edging is flounced. Flowers are pink with yellow stamens and green stems. handcraft needlework thomas-julia

The box was made by Albert Richardson from the first Blackwood Tree felled, dried and treated on the Brodribb River by him at the Tabbara Mill in 1882. Albert was the son of Samuel Richardson early Orbost pioneer and builder of The Paddle Steamer Curlip.Small, rectangular hand- carved wooden box made of blackwood. On the top it has a diamond design. It has metal hingesbox handcraft richardson-albert carving

Mrs Elma Camm (nee Freeman) was the wife of Herbert Desmond Camm. Des and Elma lived in Orbost from 1971-1980/1. Des died on 9/11/1980 and is buried in Orbost Cemetery. Elma moved away and is presently (2013) in care at Lakes Entrance. Elma's hobby was collecting shells and crafting them into interesting forms. Much of her work is in the Shell Museum in Lakes Entrance. The figurine in Orbost Museum was donated by Elma.This item is an example of the handcraft skills of women in the early to mid 20th century.A small figurine made completely of different shaped shells and set onto a wooden block as its base. The block was originally a Wee William cigar box. The figure is playing a stringed instrument, possibly a guitar, held in front of him/her. The hat is a small shell.shell-art figurine recycled-materials