A Wright & Ditson 'Surprise' model tennis racquet. Frame painted green to nearly half-way up the head. Striped plastic reinforcements around shoulders and around base of throat. On both sides of racquet the model name and manufacturer name are printed across throat. Manufacturer's trademark features on the shaft on both obverse and reverse . Handle spiral-wrapped with leather hand grip, with cloth tape wrapped over the top at either end of grip. Materials: Wood, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Ink, Leather, Nylon, Paint, Cloth, Plastictennis

Document - fold over top. Outside "If you turn down the boys at the front you leave them to die" printed in black ink. Picture of soldier at bottom. Inside "Vote yes and help the boys". Writing inside is attributed to W.M. Hughes.National Referendum Council, 595 Collins St., Melbourneperson, individual, gilbert rule

Postcard: biplane flying over ocean. Written on top ' M. Chevillard with passenger commencing ascent in Henry Farman Machine 80 H.P. Gnome'aviation, civilian, m. chevillard, basil watson collection, m. chevillard, henry farman, gnome

ARCHIBALD RUSSELL (1905-1949) Until 1922 completed numerous cargo voyages to Sydney, Newcastle, Fremantle, Geelong, and especially Melbourne. In 1923 she was bought by Gustaf Erikson, the famous Finnish ship-owner, and carried timber to Melbourne in 1926, 1927 and 1928, and carried grain from Geelong in 1927 and Williamstown in 1929 - and that was the year she won the Grain Race (93 days). She then carried grain from South Australia until the war and was then was taken over by the British and used as a food storehouse through the war. She was broken up in 1949 on Tyneside. An example of end-era sailing ship trade with Australia. Reference: http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Ships/Fourmast_ships/Archibald_Russell%281905%29.html She was launched at Greenock in 1905 for John Hardie & Sons.Has significant links with Australian and Victorian commerce. An example of end of era sailing ship trade with Australia. A detailed static model with carved and laminated hull painted in white and maroon, the varnished deck with detailed fittings and rigging, raised on wooden base with simulated waves. Model of 4-masted barque launched at Greenock in 1905 for John Hardie & Sons. Steel barque built by Scott Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Greenock, at a cost of £20.750. Her dimensions were: 291'3 × 42'9 × 24'0 (88.77 x 13.03 x 7.32m) and tonnage: 2354 GRT, 2048 NRT and 3950 DWT. Equipped with two 120' long bilgekeels. Rigged with royal sails over double top-gallant sails. "Archibald Russell" painted on ship

Clothing. Light cream in colour. Fine possibly silk tulle, tightly gathered at the front. Measuring 255 cms long, the veil is edged with a very fine silk binding. A shorter 78 cm long layer also tightly gathered, sits over the top. A third layer also 78 cm long is separated from the lower tiers. This Would possibly be the layer that came forward over the bride's face. It may later have been removed. It is also bound in fine satin binding, and has rounded front edges, as do the other two layers.costume accessories, female, long tulle three tier wedding veil

Clothing. Five sided green, silk, beaded bag. Lined with green linen gauze like fabric. Ten .8 cm brass loops sewn to the top of the bag.Has a drawstring of green cotton thread. Two peaked flaps, 7.5 cm deep, fall from below the drawstring over the top of the bag. Flaps and the main body of the bag have exquisite tiny glass beads - white, and clear-(reflecting the green of the fabric) in an absolutely exquisite floral design. These beads are the tiniest beads imaginable. The underside of the flaps is lined with the linen gauze, and an overlay of silk. This silk is badly worn and disintegrating.costume, female, ladies green silk beaded bag

Designed by Dr Paluel Flagg around 1915 and later used for 25 years. This laryngoscope blade was designed to meet certain expectations about laryngeal richness and to avoid major tracheal injuries in patients. (Ball, 2014) Article reference: C. M. Ball & R. N. Westhorpe. 2014. Anaesthesia & Intensive Care. Nov 2014, Vol. 42 Issue 6, p687-688. 2p.Complete laryngoscope used by Dr Lennard Travers. Medium sized Flagg straight blade with a slight curve at the distal end and a 'U' shape canal. The handle has a serrated grip for easy use and it is also a container for two batteries, it has a switch on its base. The full piece has visible and deep scratches over the top of blade around the stamped blade type inscription. The base of the blade has a worn surface with a slight discolouration due its use. No presence of led light bulb on blade. Minor scratches on handle base battery deposit with an ON - OFF switch black button. Stamped on blade, FLAGG LARYNGOSCOPE Stamped on top handle blade base, AUBURN, [W/A seal], N.Y.U.S.A. Stamped on the handle base power source button, ON [red colour], OFF [blue colour]flagg, laryngoscope, flagg blade, button, battery handle, straight blade

Chloroform was a popular anaesthetic agent in the early years of medical anaesthesia. Brown glass bottle with smooth face and vertical ridged reverse. The front has a white manufacturer's label with another smaller label on the reverse. There is sealing wax over the lid. There is also a brown cardboard box and lid for storing the bottle. Moulded into side of cardboard box: BUSH Moulded into top of cardboard box: W.J. BUSH / & CO. LTD / LONDON E8 [partially obscured by manufacturer's label stuck over top]chloroform, anaesthesia, w.j bush & co. limited, london

Black and white photo: Poor Clare sister placing bread in oven - or to prove. Possibly altar bread. Sister is dress in full robes, apron over top. On back of photo in blue pen 'Tray of bread' Convent situated in Edwards Road, Kennington. 3555.church, diocese of bendigo, poor clare order

Textiles. Mauve coloured silk fabric purse with fold over top in V-shape with scalloped edge. On front of folded over section RAAF wings and letters. R.A.A.F. painted in fabric paint - gold, blue and white. Zig zag stripes on front corners.textiles, domestic, raaf fabric purse

These gloves belonged to Clara Johnstone Miller (nee Bell, 1866-1910). Clara was the only daughter of Mr James Bell, a councillor of the Shire of Leigh (today a part of Golden Plains Shire) and owner of Woolbrook Homestead in Teesdale, near Geelong. In 1888, Clara married prominent businessman, racehorse owner, racing identity and pastoralist Septimus Miller (1854-1925). Septimus was the sixth of seven children born to Henry 'Money' Miller and Eliza Miller (nee Mattinson). 'Money' Miller was a well known financier and politician and reputedly one of Australia's wealthiest people in his time. In 1889, Clara and Septimus moved into the house 'Cantala' in Dandenong Road, Caulfield. They had one child, Gwendoline Stewart Miller, who died in 1902 at the age of thirteen of diabetes - a largely untreatable condition at the time (insulin would not be discovered until 1921). Clara died in 1910, aged only 44. Septimus subsequently married Helen (nee Henderson), with whom he had a son, Ronald (1915-1990). The Millers were buried in the Brighton General Cemetery in a large Gothic-style vault. Upon Clara's death, Septimus sent much of her clothing and Gwendoline's to her mother Mary Bell. Some of these items were passed down to two of Clara's nieces, Miss Mary Bell and Mrs Lois Lillies, who donated them to BHS around 1973.A pair of very fine ivory doeskin evening gloves. The gloves feature full pique insert seams around the fingers and thumb with a slit on the inside arm from mid thumb to mid fore arm and three white shell buttons. The gloves extend high to high on the upper arms and feature a ribbon covered elastic to aid hold on the upper arm. A black ink stamp on the inside of the right glove over the wrist: 5 3/4, Made in France, Buckley and Nunn Limited, Melbourne. A black ink stamp on the inside of the left glove over the wrist: Grand Prix Exposition, 1900, Medallere D'or, Merlier, Depose (? Very faint), Made in France. A blue ink stamp on the inside of the left glove over the top side of the wrist: 797, 221'65, C51Cwoolbrook, septimus miller, henry 'money' miller, gwendoline miller, cantala, clara miller, gloves, caulfield, brighton general cemetery, 1900s fashion, buckley and nunn

Object. Finely tapered wooden cane- .7 cm diameter at base and .9 cm at base of metal handle. The rounded top, forming a handle is metal and while some numbers are visible,I do not think that there is a hallmark to indicate silver No 935 and some indistinguishable letters. The metal extends around the handle and 10.5 cm down the cane. A 2.5 cm wide ''bracelet'' of a different metal encircles the cane, over the top of the darker metal. The cane has a covering of black paint, which is showing wear and tear. The cane has a 2.7 cm metal tip-possibly brass. This is engraved with two fine metal rings.On base of longer metal 935….costume accessories, female, ladies walking cane

This is a photograph taken from the painting by McCubbin of Lady Janet Clarke, a prominent Melbourne philanthropist who worked for social welfare issues and was a driving force in the early days of the Melbourne District Nursing Society. At the end of 1885 for her work with MDNS she was given a Testimonial Dinner where she was presented with a letter signed by 429 people expressing their thanks for her visits, kindness, sympathy and charity shown toward the sick poor. In 1887, at her home, she held the first function to raise money for the Society. Lady Janet Clarke was a generous and hospitable prominent socialite of Melbourne; a kind and sympathetic philanthropist who worked tirelessly for social welfare issues. The Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) was founded on the 17th of February 1885 and on the 9th of April a Special General Meeting was held to elect the committee for the following twelve months. Lady Clarke was elected a Vice-president; a position she held until being appointed President, when Mrs. Simon resigned on the 7th of June 1887, a role Lady Clarke held until she became ill in 1908; except during her trips overseas, when the role was held by another until her return. Her management and organizational skills enabled MDNS to flourish in its earliest days. She was actively involved taking her turn on the Superintendent sub-committee where she accompanied a Trained nurse when she visited patients; checking that high quality nursing care was maintained, as well as observing the patient's social condition; even giving a personal donation to a special case in need. The patients of the Society were so grateful for her sympathy, kindness and love that when she and her husband, Sir William Clarke, were going overseas at the end of 1885, a Testimonial was given for her at Scots Church District-hall where 200 attended to show their appreciation of her work carried out with MDNS. She was presented with a Bible from them, and their letter signed by 429 working persons expressing their thanks. In a time of great financial need of the Society, Lady Clarke offered the ballroom at her home, 'Cliveden', for a monster Cake, Flower, and Dairy produce Fair which raised a substantial amount saving the Society from closure. She promoted the Society and led it in further fund-raising events, such as the annual Ball, and Fairs where she often manned cake stalls. Near Christmas each year she made a special appeal to the public for 'comfort and good cheer' which could be given to poor families visited by the Society. During the depression of 1890 she had thick soup prepared in the Cliveden kitchens and this was distributed, with bread, from her home, and from a school room, to hundreds of the poor. In 1892 Lady Clarke agreed to represent the Society during her visit to England. During her years of leadership MDNS expanded; Nurses uniforms were introduced; lectures - for example, on hygiene and on the prevention of sickness and the treatment of children, were given by doctors for the patients; further Trained nursing staff were employed; Midwifery was introduced to the poor, the Society extended beyond the city centre and bicycles were introduced for transport; a system for regular annual subscriptions was introduced and sufficient funds were raised for the Society to rent its own premises, with Lady Clarke paying for a subscription to Mullen's bookstore each year for the use of the Nurses in the Nurses Home. As well as her work for MDNS she held roles in many other organizations . She donated a substantial amount of money to build a Hostel for Women University Students attending Trinity College, later named the Janet Clarke Hall. Lady Janet Marion Clarke died at Cliveden, aged 57 years, on the 28th of April 1909; a lady held in high esteem and affection by all she knew.This is a black and white photograph of a painting of Lady Janet Clarke. She is looking forward and has a serious visage; she is wearing her long dark hair drawn up and back and in her left ear a small dropped ear ring can be seen. She is wearing a light coloured, long sleeved, floral frock with a material short cape section seen over the top of her left sleeve. Her left arm is crooked with her hand resting just under a flower brooch fastened in the centre of her frock. She has a choker around her neck with a brooch in the centre..Janet Lady Clarke, president 1889-1908.From the painting by McCubbin.melbourne district nursing society, mdns, rdns, royal district nursing service, lady janet clarke

Black and white photograph: two rows of girls, sitting on concrete steps outside Bendigo High School. Names written over top of photo. Back row: Elma John, Margaret Campigili, Gwen Tripcony, Sylvia Aldridge. Front: Norma Young, Margaret Philipson.bendigo, education, bendigo high school, elma john, margaret campigili, gwen tripcony, sylvia aldridge. front: norma young, margaret philipson. bendigo high school, bendigo girls school, 1939, education

This lance bucket could be attached to the stirrup iron quickly via the two straps and was for temporary issue to a troop for ceremonial occasions such as a vice regal escort, or Govt house guard when lances were carried. It differs from a much more common bucket which fitted over the top if the stirrup iron. An elliptical hole allowed the stirrup leather to pass through thus securing it to the stirrup more securely than the two straps alone. Lance buckets were used by the Squadron Sergeant Major and Squadron Quarter Master Sergeant of each Light Horse Squadron as they were the only ones to carry lances to assist them when they performed the duty of markers that the troops lined up on when on parade, or forming squadron-in-line, as they did for the charge at Beersheba. Unusual piece of light horse saddlery. Leather lance bucket with two adjustable straps to attach it to a stirrup.military, horse, stirrup, light horse, lance

Clothing. Cream kid-leather bound on sides and lower edge with a 5 cm wide light blue grosgrain ribbon,mitred at the lower corners. A Vshaped flap, edged on the Vshape, with a 4 cm wide blue ribbon, and attached to the apron at the top edge with a 4 cm wide blue ribbon, folded in half over the top edge. A blue rosette of the ribbon is attached to the centre of the flap, and there is a blue rosette at each side of the lower edge- all are attached by a 1.5 cm diameter blue silk covered button. A blue, 3 cm wide elastic, with silver coloured hook fastens the apron to an elastic held, silver coloured metal loop fastener.Harvey C.Smith Pty Ltd,. 57 Swanston St., Melbourne. MASONIC REGALIA SPECIALISTS.costume, male, lodge apron

The invention of the Coolgardie Safe is credited to Arthur Patrick McCormick, a contractor in Coolgardie, and later the Mayor of Narrogin. Coolgardie is in the Eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia. Gold was first discovered there in 1892; the townsite became a municipality in 1894, and by 1898 its population of 15,000 made it the third largest town in Western Australia after Perth and Fremantle. In the last decade of the 19th century, Coolgardie was the capital of the West Australian goldfields. Being 180 kilometres from the nearest civilisation, food supplies were initially scarce and expensive. As fresh food was a valuable commodity there was incentive to preserve it, and keep it out of reach of scavengers such as birds, dingos, dogs, ants, and flies. It was in an effort to do this, in the extreme heat of the Australian Interior, that McCormick came up with his design for the Coolgardie Safe. McCormick noticed that a wet bag placed over a bottle cooled its contents. He further noted that if this bottle was placed in a breeze, the bag would dry out more quickly, but the bottle would get colder. What McCormick had discovered was the principle of evaporation: ‘to change any liquid into a gaseous state requires energy. This energy is taken in the form of heat from its surroundings.’ Employing this principle, McCormick made a box for his provisions which he covered with a wet hessian bag. He then placed a tray on top, into which he poured water twice daily. He hung strips of flannel from the tray so that water would drip down onto the hessian bag, keeping it damp. As the water evaporated, the heat dissipated, keeping the food stored inside cool and fresh. The success of McCormick’s invention would not have worked without a steady supply of water. Fresh water was scarce in the eastern goldfields at this time but the demand for water from a steadily growing population encouraged innovation. The solution was to condense salt water. Heating salt water in tanks produced steam that was condensed in tall cylinders, cooled and then collected in catchment trays. By 1898 there were six companies supplying condensed water to the goldfields, the largest company producing 100,000 gallons of water a day. In the early 20th century, Coolgardie Safes were also manufactured commercially. These safes incorporated shelving and a door, had metal or wooden frames and hessian bodies. The feet of the safe were usually placed in a tray of water to keep ants away. (MAV website) The early settlers of Moorabbin Shire depended on this type of Food Safe to protect their food from flies and vermin as they established market gardens in the fertile area around the notorious Elster Creek A metal framed, 4 sided structure standing on 4 legs with 2 hinged doors on one side, a metal tray at base of food safe and a metal cover over top. Ridges on which to rest trays carrying food are inside safe. The Safe is enclosed by fly-wire mesh.'...IN.....GEELONG' A manufacturer's oval metal plate is embossed on one side of Safe but it is illegible.elster creek, moorabbin, brighton, dendy's special survey 1841, market gardens, infant mortality, disease, cemeteries, fruit, vegetables, pioneers, coolgardie safe, mccormick arthur patrick, dendy henry, vaccination, jones martha, jones ethel may

The Imperial Service badge was instituted in 1908, United Kingdom award for service overseas, it was a short lived award when the service changed names to TERRITORIAL ARMY in 1921.Badge, metal, silver colour, consists of crown at top over a rectangular section, rear has a folding pin for attachment.On the front of badge, "TERRITORIAL SERVICE"imperial service, badges, united kingdom

Clothing. Oval in shape, 4 cms deep at the back, and slightly flattened to 2 cms deep at the front. Deep brown straw on the outside, with a slight sheen, deep blue straw on the inside with a glossy finish. A fine elastic is attached at each side, to hold the hat in place. A band of stiffening lines the inside of the back, to hold the shape. Attached to the front of the hat is a 51 cm long, deep brown ostrich feather. A cluster of seven deep red (one loose) glass bead 'berries' and a scrunch of dark red velvet, hold the feather in place. The feather passes over the top of the pill box and extends an extended 30 cms over the back edge, in a sweeping, gracious curve.costume accessories, female, straw pill box hat with feather

Petrol rationing was gazetted in May 1941. Australia's lack of fuel storage options and the diversion of tankers bringing fuel here forced the government to begin rationing. Initially it was proposed that consumption should be reduced by 50% but this was modified to 1/3 reduction. People had to apply for a petrol licence and this was then used to obtain ration coupons. Initially coupons were issued on a 6 monthly basis but this was reduced to 2 monthly and allowed people roughly 2000 gallons per year. Coupons allowed for 1, 2, 5, 10, 44 and 100 gallon amounts depending on need. eg. private, commercial, farm use. Rationing was strictly enforced until 1942 but remained in effect until 1950.WWII Fuel Ration 2 Gallon Tickets: 9 Tickets of cream card with brown and blue print rectangular in shape with perforated edges. The back ground is a wall paper of small oval shapes with "Motor Spirit" printed in brown ink. Over top is "Commonwealth Liquid Fuel Control Board". In the centre, "Motor Spirit two 2 Gals not transferable Ration Ticket. Department of supply & Development. Issued Under National Security Act. 1939-40". Over top again in blue ink is covered in small lines and the words "Consumer must endorse this ticket on the back with signature and Licence number". On the back hand written in black ink is "G. Alice Jones 2(e)/3869".McCracken Australia Stamp Printedgovernment, federal, fuel ration ticket

Football matches were a popular onshore activity and Annual reports note Reverend Weller in the 1920s managed to establish a temporary pitch and a change room facility near Port Melbourne. The donor, Wally Nancarrow, was a tailor in the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney (from Nov. 1927- Aug. 1935 on Trove) so the relation with the Melbourne Mission is unclear. The shield can be seen hanging above the canteen on item 1713 (dated c. 1950) and in the Celia Little Room. The Annual Report 1936 mentions a shield (p11) seen on page 15: "Football: The competition has been extended this year, and in the future is to include all matches played in Australian ports. The Victorian Missions to Seamen Shield is the present trophy, and the Assistant-Chaplain has been appointed Organiser and Honorary Secretary." The shield may have been done after the one mentioned in the annual report and we can only speculate nothing was ever engraved because of WW2.The collection holds many historic and later contemporary colour photos of crew football teams posed onshore and on decks. Sports and games were an essential part of the welfare services offered by the Mission when seamen had long shore leave.Wooden shield featuring two circular disk silver plaques one on each side at the top. One with the engraving of a ship and the other with the engraving of a footballer. At the top in the centre is an anchor in relief gilded with a rope attached, falling across the front of it and coiling at the bottom of the anchor. Two flags crossing over in the middle of the shield; one the Australian Navy flag and the other the Mission to Seamen flag. Laying over the top of the poles of the flags is a brass banner with the competition description engraved on it. At the bottom is a brass scroll with an inscription about who presented it and where. The shield has 12 smaller, blank silver shields along the sides. The shield is kept inside a wooden display cabinet with a glass front and navy material back ground.engraved on brass banner: For annual competition by crew of merchant ships presented by Wally Nancarrow, Sydneyshield, soccer, football, anchor, brass, silver, wally nancarrow, mission to seafarers victoria, walter james nancarrow (1885 - 1961)

Photos from 1945 era include Sydney Harbour Bridge, Aerial View looking South East McMahon's Point, Aerial view of Sydney Harbour Bridge looking South West from over Neutral Bay. Top portion of the Bulli Pass. An Entrancing View of the South Coast, from Sublime Point. Government House, Sydney. Central Square Railway Station. Booklet from WW2 era that displays old photographs of the Sydney area circa 1945Sydney and Surroundings Win and Co Sydney containing eight double sided pages of photograph of the Sydney area.Front Cover - Sydney and Surroundings. In bottom left hand corner - Printed by Winn & Co. Sydney, for Murray Views, Gympie, Queensland. Copyright. At top right hand corner in pencil is the price 2/6 On Back Cover - Stamp - Tivoli Bookshop 335 Castlereagh St, Sydney - Books, Magazines, Stamps sydney, winn & company, murray views, gympie, queensland

Between 1920 and 1930, moustaches progressively began to go out of fashion and hence moustache cup production gradually dwindled. This cup is an example of a common domestic item of its time.An ornate designed cup. Lower half is pink, edged all over in gold. Top is white. The moustache bridge is white. The saucer is plain white. The moustache cup is a drinking cup with a semicircular ledge inside. The ledge has a half moon-shaped opening to allow the passage of liquids and serves as a guard to keep moustaches dry. Saucer - Fine bone china, Shelley, Englandmoustache-cup domestic-items-crockery shelley

During World War II, Wanganella was converted to serve as an Australian Hospital Ship (AHS). Between 19 May 1941 and 1946, AHS Wanganella carried wounded and sick evacuees from the Middle East, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Borneo and the South Pacific, travelling over 251,011 nautical miles (464,872 km) and transporting 13,385 wounded. A.H.S Wanganella 2/2nd Australian Hospital ship. Ref: "Hospital Ships" Rupert Goodman SLV LT 359.8364 0994 G62H Trip 8 Depart 12th Nov 1942 Melbourne Fremantle Aden 10th - 11th Dec 1942 Port Tewfik, Egypt 21st - 22nd Dec 1942 Colombo, Sri Lanka 01 Jan 1943 Fremantle Adelaide Melbourne Sydney Arrived 13th Jan 1943 Brisbane Wanganella left Colombo 22nd December 1942 for Fremantle, with patients who boarded at Port Tewfik in Egypt arriving on New Year's day 1943. The menu is printed on fawn cardboard. The menu has been torn along the spine and rearranged at some time to put on display. There is evidence of glue or tape damage at the back of each corner of the card. Some grease and finger marks are evident on the front and back of the card. The printing is very legible. The heading 'Christmas Greetings' is at the top of the front page and 'Christmas Day 1942' at the bottom of the page. Originally the menu was assembled as a leaflet with the menu on the inside of the second sheet. Since this time, the menu has been torn along the middle fold and the second page sheet taped to the first page. There is a red cross on the front page with a printed illustration of the Wanganella superimposed over the top. H.M.A.H.S. Wanganella and the dinner menu are printed in dark blue ink. The Christmas greetings and the names of the commander and officer in command of the troops are printed in light blue ink. h.m.a.h.s. wanganella, w.w.ii hospital ship

During the Great Depression from 1929 to 1932, rabbit trapping was a means of survival for many people. Rabbits provided meat and pelts which were sold for making felt hats such as the Akubra. Rabbit populations are controlled in the 21st century by poisoning, destroying or 'ripping' burrows (warrens), biological control with rabbit haemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis, and by shooting. Rabbit-proof fences also prevent the spread of rabbits into some areas. (ref. Powerhouse Museum) Steel-jawed rabbit traps were widely used in urban and rural Australia from 1880 to 1980. This trap is symbolic of the battle that Australians have waged against burgeoning rabbit populations for over a century. Rabbits cause enormous damage to Australian soils and biodiversity. The introduction of rabbits to this country was an environmental disaster.Two iron rabbit traps. Each consists of a pair of jaws held closed by spring tension and a triggering mechanism. When the trap is triggered the jaws close over the top of the bridge, plate and tongue mechanism that is designed to trigger the trap. A chain is attached by a hook on the bent end of the trap's spring with a long steel spike looped over the last link of the other end of the chain. The trap is designed so that the metal jaws snap shut against each other when the trap is activated by the application of weight to the pressure plate. In use, traps are set with open jaws, buried lightly just below the surface of the earth. When an animal steps on the pressure plate, the jagged teeth of the jaws snap around the animal's leg, usually breaking bone and sinew. Thus the animal is immobilised.rabbits rural trapping

During the Great Depression from 1929 to 1932, rabbit trapping was a means of survival for many people. Rabbits provided meat and pelts which were sold for making felt hats such as the Akubra. Rabbit populations are controlled in the 21st century by poisoning, destroying or 'ripping' burrows (warrens), biological control with rabbit haemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis, and by shooting. Rabbit-proof fences also prevent the spread of rabbits into some areas. (ref. Powerhouse Museum) This trap was used in the Orbost district. Steel-jawed rabbit traps were widely used in urban and rural Australia from 1880 to 1980. This trap is symbolic of the battle that Australians have waged against burgeoning rabbit populations for over a century. Rabbits cause enormous damage to Australian soils and biodiversity. The introduction of rabbits to this country was an environmental disaster.A rusted iron rabbit trap which consists of a pair of jaws held closed by spring tension and a triggering mechanism. When the trap is triggered the jaws close over the top of the bridge, plate and tongue mechanism that is designed to trigger the trap. A chain is attached by a hook on the bent end of the trap's spring with a long steel spike looped over the last link of the other end of the chain. The trap is designed so that the metal jaws snap shut against each other when the trap is activated by the application of weight to the pressure plate. In use, traps are set with open jaws, buried lightly just below the surface of the earth. When an animal steps on the pressure plate, the jagged teeth of the jaws snap around the animal's leg, usually breaking bone and sinew. Thus the animal is immobilised. rabbit-trap rural

A light ''camel coloured'' long silk skirt, with plain ''darted'' front and pleated fullness in the back. Two darts on either side of front, but some evidence that some alterations may have been made-possibly once three darts on either side, six pleats in back skirt. three either side of centre placket. Back waistband fastens with two metal hook and eyes. One metal press-stud in back placket appears as a later addition. Three 9cm deep bands on 1.5cm wide knife pleating circle the hemline. A band of ruched silk, edged with a band of 4cm deep lace is scalloped over the top layer of pleating. The lower edge of the skirt, under the pleated trim, has a lining of heavy cotton, cheesecloth, and muslin.costume, female, victorian skirt with pleating and lace