Green detecting set - Comprising of : Metal Case.Square detecting plate / Coil / loop; Detector wand battery pack and insert, detector unit earphones,spare amplifiers. Tin w/spare ear pins.Battery pack no Batteries Detector unit cover, probe assembly.Lithium button cells - removed.Detecting Set mine, model P 158. Serial Number 9686, Purchase order CB / 94236,MFR Name Polan Industries inc.FSN 6665 - 966-9071. Insert top /FSN 6665-991-0012 /Detecting set mine /Group 1 /size 15 /MFG Part NO COO- 0309 US property 6665-00-966-9871 Red caution sign on bottom.detecting set.

Samuel Amess, who bought Churchill island in 1872 was a Presbyterian Scot as also was James Balfour. There may have been a personal link.T square made from printer's plate, metal and wood, riveted together with 10 rivets and a hanging hole in top centre of wood.One side, metal: Balfour, Elliott and Company Limited/ Incorporated under the Companies Statute 1884 /20 Queen St MELBOURNE / Capital L250,000 in 250,000 shares of L1 each / This is to certify that... / is the property of .../ Part of circle printing in join with wood and scroll work on metal at join. Other side: scratched in "H R Balfour"james balfour, e.c elliott, balfour, presbyterian, t square, square, tool, tools, amess, samuel, churchill island

A scythe is an agricultural hand tool that cuts grass and is used by making large sweeping motions through the crop. Eventually replaced by horse-drawn or motorised machinery, they are occasionally still used as they are inexpensive and efficient. There are different types of scythes with larger or smaller blades. This particular scythe was manufactured by W.A Tyzack & Co. Ltd. Set up by William Tyzack in the early 1800s in Sheffield, United Kingdom, they grew into a larger manufactory specialising in agricultural tools. Adding the ‘Horseman’ brand to their trademark in 1948, they expanded dramatically and exported throughout the Commonwealth.Donated by Wilfred Dungan on behalf of the Dungan family Collection originally used on the property of the late Dr Rae Dungan in Falls Creek Rd Olinda, purchased in the late 1930s from Olinda pioneers Harry and Minnie Holden. Also on the property of late May Farndon of Farndon’s and Falls Rd Mt Dandenong – aunt of Dr Rae William Dungan and also an early pioneer. Family holidays and weekends involved use of these sorts of farm implements plus working with horses. Post-war, the Olinda hand tools and machinery moved to the Shady Creek, Nilma North area where bush, pasture and cows had replaced the Olinda property. Wilfred well remembers being on one end of the crosscut saws cutting fence posts, logs and timber under “the tireless and vocal instruction” of a red headed local Darnum Rd legend called Harry Collyer. “He drove an old Rugby car and nearly pulled me through the logs with every cut!” Cast steel blade. Hole on back and of blade for hanging. Steamed handle (may not be original). Complex pipe/nut washer and five metal shims keeping blade on handle.From tip: BEST CROWN W.A. TYZACK & CO. LTD STELLA WORKS SHEFFIELD. Near handle: image of figure on horse.churchill island, scythe, wa tyzack, sheffield, machinery

TROVE: The Advertiser (Adelaide S.A. 1931-1954) Sat 22 June 1935, page 24, Advertising 'PUBLIC NOTICE TO BOTTLERS, BOTTLE DEALERS, ETC., RE PROPERTY BRANDED BOTTLES WHICH ARE NOT SOLD. The undermentioned. Firms and Companies, carrying on business at Sydney and elsewhere. HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that all Bottles delivered by them, to their customers, having a notification moulded thereon that they are, or remain, the property of the Firms and Companies mentioned below. ARE NOT SOLD WITH THE CONTENTS THEREOF, BUT REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF SUCH FIRMS and COMPANIES. Such Bottles are loaned solely for me purpose of enabling the contents to be delivered to the purchasers from the said Firms and Companies, and to all subsequent purchasers of the contents. As soon as the Bottles are emptied of their contents they must not be refilled, destroyed, damaged, or used again for any purpose, but must, on demand, be delivered up to the Companies or Firms whose names are moulded thereon, or to their Accredited Agents:— BUTLER AND NORMAN. LTD., MANDIBLE ST., ALEXANDRIA, NJS.W. The remuneration received by Collectors, Dealers, etc. Is simply an allowance for the safe custody, and collection of the Bottles. LEGAL ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST ANY PERSON OR COMPANY VIOLATING THE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THESE FIRMS' OR COMPANIES' BRANDED BOTTLES........................Taylor Chemical Co..............'. TROVE : Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Thursday 5 July 1945, page 7, Advertising. DON'T COUGH ALL NIGHT ! take a dose of YCOUGH at bedtime! Y- Cough will relieve your cough or cold while you sleep peacefully! 1'9 AT ALL CHEMISTS AND STORES. On box labels : Taylor Chemical Co. Sydney, Reg. Vic. 3146. Clear, rectangular in section, screw top bottle with orange metal lid and orange, brown & white printed paper label, containing dark brown liquid, in a corrugated cardboard lined orange, dark brown and white printed cardboard box. Embossed on side of bottle in cartouche 'THIS BOTTLE LWAYS REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF TAYLOR CHEMICAL CO. SYDNEY'. Embossed on base of bottle AGM logo with the numerals '16510' along side and the numeral '3' below. On orange metal top printed in white 'Y-COUGH' and 'PLEASANT TO TAKE'. On paper bottle label '....world.......Y-COUGH REGISTERED FOR RELIEF OF COUGHS, OF COLDS, INFLUENXA, BRONCHITUS AND WHOOPING COUGH and for the relief of throat soreness and irritation. DOSE : Adults : one or two teaspoonsful every 2 hours or when cough is troublesome. Children over 6, one teaspoonful every 3 or 4 hours. Under 6, half quantity. FOR Colds and Influenza : one teaspoonful in cup of hot water after getting into bed will give added relief. This package contains 3.77% Potassii Bromidum. Net Contents : 2 1/2 Fl. Oz. Sole Manufacturers TAYLOR CHEMICAL CO. SYDNEY. Reg. Vic. 3146'. Front of box & repeated rear ' Y-COUGH REGISTERED FOR RELIEF OF COUGHS, OF COLDS, INFLUENXA, BRONCHITUS AND WHOOPING COUGH and for relief of throat soreness and irritation. Side 1. of box 'PLEASANT TO TAKE Sole Manufacturers TAYLOR CHEMICAL CO. SYDNEY. Reg. Vic. 3146'. Side 2. of box 'NO HARMFUL DRUGS Sole Manufacturers TAYLOR CHEMICAL CO. SYDNEY. Reg. Vic. 3146'. chemist, medicine, influenza

TROVE: The Advertiser (Adelaide S.A. 1931-1954) Sat 22 June 1935, page 24, Advertising 'PUBLIC NOTICE TO BOTTLERS, BOTTLE DEALERS, ETC., RE PROPERTY BRANDED BOTTLES WHICH ARE NOT SOLD. The undermentioned. Firms and Companies, carrying on business at Sydney and elsewhere. HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that all Bottles delivered by them, to their customers, having a notification moulded thereon that they are, or remain, the property of the Firms and Companies mentioned below. ARE NOT SOLD WITH THE CONTENTS THEREOF, BUT REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF SUCH FIRMS and COMPANIES. Such Bottles are loaned solely for me purpose of enabling the contents to be delivered to the purchasers from the said Firms and Companies, and to all subsequent purchasers of the contents. As soon as the Bottles are emptied of their contents they must not be refilled, destroyed, damaged, or used again for any purpose, but must, on demand, be delivered up to the Companies or Firms whose names are moulded thereon, or to their Accredited Agents:— BUTLER AND NORMAN. LTD., MANDIBLE ST., ALEXANDRIA, NJS.W. The remuneration received by Collectors, Dealers, etc. Is simply an allowance for the safe custody, and collection of the Bottles. LEGAL ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST ANY PERSON OR COMPANY VIOLATING THE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THESE FIRMS' OR COMPANIES' BRANDED BOTTLES........................Taylor Chemical Co..............'. TROVE : Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Thursday 5 July 1945, page 7, Advertising. DON'T COUGH ALL NIGHT ! take a dose of YCOUGH at bedtime! Y- Cough will relieve your cough or cold while you sleep peacefully! 1'9 AT ALL CHEMISTS AND STORES. On box labels : Taylor Chemical Co. Sydney, Reg. Vic. 3146. Clear, rectangular in section, screw top bottle with orange metal lid and orange, brown & white printed paper label, containing dark brown liquid, in a corrugated cardboard lined orange, dark brown and white printed cardboard box. Embossed on side of bottle in cartouche 'THIS BOTTLE LWAYS REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF TAYLOR CHEMICAL CO. SYDNEY'. Embossed on base of bottle AGM logo with the numerals '16510' along side and the numeral '3' below. On orange metal top printed in white 'Y-COUGH' and 'PLEASANT TO TAKE'. On paper bottle label '....world.......Y-COUGH REGISTERED FOR RELIEF OF COUGHS, OF COLDS, INFLUENXA, BRONCHITUS AND WHOOPING COUGH and for the relief of throat soreness and irritation. DOSE : Adults : one or two teaspoonsful every 2 hours or when cough is troublesome. Children over 6, one teaspoonful every 3 or 4 hours. Under 6, half quantity. FOR Colds and Influenza : one teaspoonful in cup of hot water after getting into bed will give added relief. This package contains 3.77% Potassii Bromidum. Net Contents : 2 1/2 Fl. Oz. Sole Manufacturers TAYLOR CHEMICAL CO. SYDNEY. Reg. Vic. 3146'. Front of box & repeated rear ' Y-COUGH REGISTERED FOR RELIEF OF COUGHS, OF COLDS, INFLUENXA, BRONCHITUS AND WHOOPING COUGH and for relief of throat soreness and irritation. Side 1. of box 'PLEASANT TO TAKE Sole Manufacturers TAYLOR CHEMICAL CO. SYDNEY. Reg. Vic. 3146'. Side 2. of box 'NO HARMFUL DRUGS Sole Manufacturers TAYLOR CHEMICAL CO. SYDNEY. Reg. Vic. 3146'. chemist, medicine, infuenza

Metal lid Crumbling Sticker/labelThis Bottle is Property of W.J.Oswald, Corowa Sparkling Soda Water - (Label) Lemonade, Preservative added - (lid)

Yellow Label with Pink to Faded Pink picture of a man wearing a hat on the label top left Metal lid that has RustedPunch Lemon Lemonade This Bottle always remains the property of H Jausburn artificially Coloured an Ideal winter or summer Beverage

Thought to have been made and used by one of the two Struss brothers who were both carpenters in Scotland before coming to Victoria in 1848 and 1854. They dealt in hardware, living and selling in Walhalla, Woods Point and Matlock. It finally became the property of Elsa Struss of South Yarra, the sister-in-law of the donor. Many tradesmen had chests such as this to carry and store tools.Large wooden box/trunk, painted Mission Brown. Three tin braces support each corner joint. Four hinges, two at the back and two inoperational at the front. Lid corners and edges braced with tin strips and shaped corners. Loop and hasp at front. Metal handles on the side. Pink paint on base.trades

Green linen covered metal binder. Training manual for Wireless Sender E513. Plastic sleeve for each page of (Aust) Telecommunication sheetsProperty of US Governmentmanual, wireless communications

Green linen covered metal binder. Training manual for Wireless Sender C11. Plastic sleeve for each page of (Aust) telecommunication sheetsProperty of US Governmentmanual, wireless communications

Metal Horse drawn scoop from Hermon’s nursery at Menzies Creek. The Land on which the Menzies Creek railway station and Museum are built on was once apart of James Hermon's & his son William Hermon's property on which Horse drawn scoops of this type would have been used. Historic - industrial Farm equipment used on the farm of James Hermon & his son William Hermon on which the museum is built Horse drawn scoop from Hermon’s nursery made of Metal West Footscray Engineering Works Pty Ltdpuffing billy, menzies creek, scoop, hermon

Property of Colonel Tackaberry, Camp one Commondant 17th army garrison.Metal compass with leather case.Cruchan Emons London 1916 No 48752

Boy with a Thorn Though the classical bronze that the figure was modeled has become known as Lo Spinario, both Stuart Rattle and Kevin O’Neill referred to it as The Boy with a Thorn. Information from the late Stuart Rattle and John Graham, the late Kevin O’Neill’s partner. The statue was bought by Kevin O’Neill from a South Yarra antique dealer in the 1980s. She had bought it in Europe. Stuart believed that it was cast in Berlin by Moritz Geiss who had pioneered the popular process of zinc casting of classical statues. Schinkel, the architect of early 19th Century Prussian public buildings used the process extensively. I assume that the decorations that can be seen in Berlin currently are copies of those copies, given the comprehensive destruction of the city in 1945. Unless there is a date stamped on the statue, and there might well be, there is no firm indication of its age, although Stuart and Kevin believed it was “turn of the century”. It was given to Stuart by John Graham after the death of Kevin O’Neill. Prior to its installation at Musk Farm, it was “by the dam” at Marnarnie, O’Neill’s property at Mt Macedon. It became a much photographed focal point in the sunken garden at Musk Farm. The statue is a gift from the Rattle family to The Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens who intend to give it, in turn, to Hepburn Shire to be placed in the Botanic Gardens. Both the family and the Friends see it as a memorial to Stuart’s tireless work to raise funds for the Gardens and to raise the profile of the Gardens so that their considerable significance could be more broadly acknowledged. The CMP notes that statuary has been a feature of most botanic gardens (and a notable feature of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens) and James Lowe, the head of Parks for the Shire has also commented that it is an area that could well be developed in the Gardens. This comes from his attendance at meetings of the BGANZ, the “peak professional body” for the development and maintenance of registered botanic gardens in Aus and NZ. Given the lack of funds that the Shire has been able to allocate to the Gardens, a donation of this calibre is a welcome addition to the cultural asset that the Gardens represent. A very large number of residents of the Shire are members of the Friends, have visited Musk Farm and are appreciative of the Gardens. There is a current feeling that the Gardens are undergoing a dynamic revival as a result of the success of the Café and also because of the extraordinary improvement and enhancement of the amenity that has been undertaken over the past two years by the Friends. The installation of the Boy with the Thorn is another move forward for the Gardens. The statue is cast zinc. It is sometimes referred to a white bronze. As can be seen in the photographs, it is in very good condition with no damage or apparent degeneration of the metal. The Smithsonian Institution has a lengthy document relating to the deterioration and repair of similar casts in the US where urban pollution has taken its toll but for the most part it deals with inappropriate repair rather than maintenance protocols. One of the properties of zinc that is appreciated in Australia is its ability to withstand the elements and given that the artwork has been either on Mt Macedon or at Musk for the last 30 years or more, its relocation to Wombat Hill seems to be an appropriate one. The Friends are prepared to organise and pay for the relocation of the statue. The issue of security from the point of view of theft, malicious damage and environmental impact will need to be addressed. The Ballarat Botanical Gardens have recently reinstalled statuary which has been damaged and which had been removed from the Gardens on account of this. They have used Rockworks Ballarat and Wilson’s Memorials to make plinths, secure artworks with steel pins and to provide especially robust fixings to ensure the safety of the various sculptures. The CMP (2007) makes a number of recommendations regarding security in the Gardens ranging from the installation of lighting to the locking of the gates overnight and the repair/reinstatement of appropriate fencing – not done as yet to my knowledge. Paul Bangay has also agreed to act as a consultant in the process of installing the Boy. John Graham estimates its value at $20,000 The preferred location for the work would be at the entrance to the Fernery from the lawn. The paths form an intersection at that point that could be modified to fit the statue. But this is currently a suggested location only. The statue is a gift from the Rattle family to The Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens who have gifted it to the Hepburn Shire to be placed in the Botanic Gardens. Both the family and the Friends of the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens Daylesford see it as a memorial to Stuart’s tireless work to raise funds for the Gardens and to raise the profile of the Gardens so that their considerable significance could be more broadly acknowledged. Lo Spinario (Boy with a thorn) c. 1900 copy after the Greco-Roman Hellenistic antique bronze in Rome. c. 1900 copy after the Greco-Roman Hellenistic antique bronze in Rome (Palazzo dei Conservatori, Musei Capitolini, Rome) Manufacturer M. Geiss, Berlin Nonedaylesford, wombat hill botanical gardens, stuart rattle, kevin o'neill, john graham, boy with a thorn, lo spinario, classical sculpture, zinc, classical nude, hepburn shire, public art, sculpture, art

Metal oblong gold coloured plastic plaque with black text."The W. J. Carig Memorial Lecture is given to commemorate the late W. J. Craig, whose daughter Mrs. Elizabeth McCormick donated to the Church in 1925 the property now known as Canterbury Family Centre"canterbury family centre

Oblong metal plaque on wood."To commemorate the generosity of Miss Margaret Dennis of 'Eeyeuk' Noorat, who in June 1957 presented this property to be administered by the Presbytery of Geelong, for the Presbyterian Church or Victoria.

Said to have been used at Sunbury Pop Festivals between 1972 - 1975 held on George Duncan's propertyRed tartan steel portable cooler. Separate white lid with white handle on top and white metal carry handle. Bottle openers at each end. Willow brand each side. Drain plug at one end."WILLOW/"S"/..."sunbury pop festival, duncan, george, george evans collection

The Voters Roll provides a 1979 historical snapshot of the names and addresses of property owners in the Western Ward of the former City of Sunshine.Printed foolscap size pages bound with 2 metal fasteners at the top. Yellow coloured paper is used for the top and bottom covers. Contains names and addresses of eligible voters in the WESTERN WARD of the former CITY OF SUNSHINE."Particulars on the Roll are in the following order:- Property Assessment Number; Roll Number; Surname; Christian Names; Voter's Address; Owner Type; Situation or other description of rateable property./NOTE: Except as otherwise stated the rateable property is also the Voter's address." voter's roll, city of sunshine, 1979, western ward, rateable property, electoral roll, voters

Wool bale stencil owned and used by donor. Donor was a wool classer in New South Wales working from the 1960s to c2000. This stencil was used by the donor as they traveled from station to station and was used to stencil their registration number on the bales of wool that they had classed. The stencil was created by the Australian Wool Corporation who mailed the stencil to the donor. We also have the original envelope.Metal rectangular wool bale stencil. Stencil has cutouts of a sheep head symbol on left side and the number '83' and 'PI' on either side of an Australia shape on the top right. There are three horizontal rectangles below this, and below them is the number 54719. Faintly engraved at the top is the text AWC PROPERTY / NOT TRANSFERABLE. Rear of stencil is a shiny light metallic colour. Front side is scratched and stained, particularly around the text areas. This would be due to use. Associated envelope is worn and becoming frail. It is a cream colour with heavy staining and opened on the right side. Top left has a printed return address, top right has a stamp area. Affixed postal address is for the donor and that is above a blue stamped text reading IMPORTANT / DO NOT BEND. Back of envelope has a stamped print of the stencil and another bright red stamp. Possibly put there by the donor.

Hypodermic syringe gun in box donated by Tom Crocker (former Operations Manager, National Wool Museum), used on father's property in Violet Town.Metal hypodermic syringe gun.The Repeater Hypodermic syringe Wilcox Mofflin Limitedsheep dipping, crocker, mr tom - national wool museum

This safe came from the property “Fairview” Tungamah. Victoria. Fairview was owned and farmed by Charles and Nellie Nunn. The safe is at least 100 yrs old and served the family of parents and 12 children well by keeping food cool in the blazing summer days. Beverley Long(McFarlane) remembers it on the farmhouse verandah of her grandparents property near the dairy where fresh milk was separated to produce cream and butter..it cooled meats, and dairy products by strips of hessian kept wet by water stored in the top tank, hanging down around the safe.More than 100 years oldMetal box construction with fly wire covering on all 4 sides. Has three shelves

The story of 90 years of wool classing between father & son begins in 1936, when a young boy by the name of Stanley James Hucker walked through the doors of the Gordon Technical School in Geelong. Born in 1921, Stanley was 15 years of age when he began his 3-year course in Wool Classing. 30 years later, Stanley’s second son Denis completed the same 3-year wool classing course. Beginning in 1966, Denis attended the same Gordon Technical School and walked the same halls as his father before him. Stanley finished his course in 1938. He went back to the family farm in Lake Bolac for a brief period before enrolling in the Second World War. At the completion of the war, Stanley returned home and married before gaining a soldier settler allotment, north of Willaura. This enabled Stan to use his wool classing knowledge. He ran between 1,500 and 2,000 sheep for many years, while his wool classer stencil also allowed him to go out and class at various sheds around the area. He held his stencil from 1938 until he retired at the age of 60 in 1981. On retirement, his second son Denis was working in the district, managing a local property while also leasing land himself. Upon his father’s retirement, Denis had the opportunity to lease his father’s farm, an opportunity he could not refuse. Denis had finished his wool classing course at the Gordon Technical School in 1968, graduating dux of his class. He began working with a local contractor and started classing wool in his team. Denis gained a great deal of experience working as part of this team in big sheds of up to 8 stands servicing between 10 & 20,000 sheep. It was not all smooth sailing for Denis however, and he soon learnt an important lesson. Class wool the way you’re taught, don’t listen to the owner standing over your shoulder. At a clip of Corriedales near Casterton, Denis was pushing too many fleeces into the line of fine wool. This resulted in a notice from the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) “mixing counts too much, submit three clips for inspection”. Denis was able to submit 3 clips with no further complaints, however, this proved a valuable lesson he would never forget over his long career classing wool. In the early 1980s, when Denis was leasing two properties including his father’s, things were going well until drought struck. February 1983 was the date of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and saw Melbourne have three days over 40 °C for only the second time on record. This period saw Denis give away farming, turning towards contracting work instead. After the difficult times of the early 1980s, the next two decades were a good time for the sheep industry. 15 micron wool was selling for prices between 4 to 5,000 cents per kilo, double what you’d expect for the same wool in 2022. In 1995 a single bale of wool sold for a million dollars. This was a good time for Denis too. His contracting work saw him employing local shearers and shed staff. His team was involved with the shearing and classing of more than 130,000 sheep. After 20 years of contracting, it was time for Denis to transition into the next phase of his life. He gave up independent contracting, preferring instead to return to being a member of someone else’s team. In 2018, having completed 50 years of wool classing, it was time to call it a day and retire completely. At the annual Gordon Wool School Old Students Association dinner held in 2018, Denis was presented with his 50 years as a registered wool classer stencil awarded by the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). This is a rare honour achieved by few. As of February 2020, a total of 430 wool classers had achieved this 50-year milestone. For Denis however, his proudest achievement is achieving 90 years of wool classing with his father. The National Wool Museum is proud to share the collection of objects gained from 90 years in the wool classing industry by Stanley and Denis. This ranges from Stanley’s first stencil and Wool Sample book, started when he first attended the Gordon in 1936. The collection concludes 90 years later with Denis’ 50 years of wool classing Stencil. The collection contains many more objects, all telling the story of these 90 years, and the hard work invested by this dedicated father and son duo. Thin sheet of metal with letters and numbers cut to produce a consistent pattern for the surface below through the application of ink. In small text on the top edge of the stencil two separate phrases are engraved.” A.W.C. PROPERTY NOT TRANSFERABLE” and “PROFESSIONAL“. This wool classing stencil belonged to Stanley Hucker. It was his last Wool Classing Stencil. Dated to 1983, it is 45 years older than his first stencil. The role of a Wool Classer is to sort, classify, and grade wool into various ‘lines’ so that it can be sold for best market price. Wool Classers are typically also tasked with the managing and supervising of wool-handling teams. The stencil is used in the final step of preparing a bale of wool for sale. It is branded across the front of a wool bale to indicate the quality of the wool, with the classers number used as a seal of guarantee.Engraved letters. “A.W.C. PROPERTY / NOT TRANSFERABLE” Engraved letters. “PROFESSIONAL“. Cut imagery. Sheep’s head Cut letters, numbers, and imagery. “83 (Image Australia) P I / 50922”wool classing, stencil, 90 years wool classing between father & son

The story of 90 years of wool classing between father & son begins in 1936, when a young boy by the name of Stanley James Hucker walked through the doors of the Gordon Technical School in Geelong. Born in 1921, Stanley was 15 years of age when he began his 3-year course in Wool Classing. 30 years later, Stanley’s second son Denis completed the same 3-year wool classing course. Beginning in 1966, Denis attended the same Gordon Technical School and walked the same halls as his father before him. Stanley finished his course in 1938. He went back to the family farm in Lake Bolac for a brief period before enrolling in the Second World War. At the completion of the war, Stanley returned home and married before gaining a soldier settler allotment, north of Willaura. This enabled Stan to use his wool classing knowledge. He ran between 1,500 and 2,000 sheep for many years, while his wool classer stencil also allowed him to go out and class at various sheds around the area. He held his stencil from 1938 until he retired at the age of 60 in 1981. On retirement, his second son Denis was working in the district, managing a local property while also leasing land himself. Upon his father’s retirement, Denis had the opportunity to lease his father’s farm, an opportunity he could not refuse. Denis had finished his wool classing course at the Gordon Technical School in 1968, graduating dux of his class. He began working with a local contractor and started classing wool in his team. Denis gained a great deal of experience working as part of this team in big sheds of up to 8 stands servicing between 10 & 20,000 sheep. It was not all smooth sailing for Denis however, and he soon learnt an important lesson. Class wool the way you’re taught, don’t listen to the owner standing over your shoulder. At a clip of Corriedales near Casterton, Denis was pushing too many fleeces into the line of fine wool. This resulted in a notice from the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) “mixing counts too much, submit three clips for inspection”. Denis was able to submit 3 clips with no further complaints, however, this proved a valuable lesson he would never forget over his long career classing wool. In the early 1980s, when Denis was leasing two properties including his father’s, things were going well until drought struck. February 1983 was the date of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and saw Melbourne have three days over 40 °C for only the second time on record. This period saw Denis give away farming, turning towards contracting work instead. After the difficult times of the early 1980s, the next two decades were a good time for the sheep industry. 15 micron wool was selling for prices between 4 to 5,000 cents per kilo, double what you’d expect for the same wool in 2022. In 1995 a single bale of wool sold for a million dollars. This was a good time for Denis too. His contracting work saw him employing local shearers and shed staff. His team was involved with the shearing and classing of more than 130,000 sheep. After 20 years of contracting, it was time for Denis to transition into the next phase of his life. He gave up independent contracting, preferring instead to return to being a member of someone else’s team. In 2018, having completed 50 years of wool classing, it was time to call it a day and retire completely. At the annual Gordon Wool School Old Students Association dinner held in 2018, Denis was presented with his 50 years as a registered wool classer stencil awarded by the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). This is a rare honour achieved by few. As of February 2020, a total of 430 wool classers had achieved this 50-year milestone. For Denis however, his proudest achievement is achieving 90 years of wool classing with his father. The National Wool Museum is proud to share the collection of objects gained from 90 years in the wool classing industry by Stanley and Denis. This ranges from Stanley’s first stencil and Wool Sample book, started when he first attended the Gordon in 1936. The collection concludes 90 years later with Denis’ 50 years of wool classing Stencil. The collection contains many more objects, all telling the story of these 90 years, and the hard work invested by this dedicated father and son duo. Thin sheet of metal with letters cut to produce a consistent pattern for the surface below through the application of ink. This wool classing stencil belonged to Stanley Hucker. It was his first Wool Classing Stencil. It was used on Stanley’s property named “Yohhatnbu” in Willaura. Stanley gained the property as part of the Returned Soldiers Settlement Scheme for his service in World War 2. The role of a Wool Classer is to sort, classify, and grade wool into various ‘lines’ so that it can be sold for best market price. Wool Classers are typically also tasked with the managing and supervising of wool-handling teams. The stencil is used in the final step of preparing a bale of wool for sale. It is branded across the front of a wool bale to indicate the quality of the wool, with the classers number used as a seal of guarantee.Cut letters. “SJH / BOLAC ”wool classing, stencil, 90 years wool classing between father & son

Ford and McFarlane shearing handpiece c.1890. This shearing handpiece is from ‘Wellington Lodge” in Tailem Bend, South Australia. Wellington Lodge today is an Angus beef farm; however, the property has a long history which includes wool farming. Wellington Lodge has been in the McFarlane family since the 1840’s and was originally around 19000 acres. The donor, Brian Licence, assembled this handpiece out of spare parts he found while classing wool on the property in the 1960s. Brian showed the finished handpiece to the owners once his classing work was completed and was told he could keep the handpiece as a souvenir. Brian also classed wool at “Jockwar” and “Pleasant Park” in Penola for members of the McFarlane family during the 1960s. The handpiece is named after Ford, the name of the engineer who designed the handpiece and McFarlane, the owners of Wellington Lodge Station and employers of Ford. This handpiece was developed as a prototype for use on the property. The handpiece which is made of solid brass is in a “used condition” and has been patched with solder. The handpiece is stamped with the number 10. Internally, the handpiece is powered from a drive mechanism of compressed air, this compressed air was typically produced by burning mutton fat. The handpiece comes from the pre-electrical– steam engine era of shearing. Brass metal shearing handpiece. A three-pronged fitting to hold both the comb and the blade protrudes from one end. A cylindrical stem extends vertically from the other. This is likely where a connecting rod to the shearing plant would be found. Below this vertical stem, the handpiece has an additional threaded hose fitting. This is likely where compressed air was delivered into the handpiece. The inscriptions can be found on the rear, near the previously mentioned vertical stem. Around this stem is also where the repairs of solder can be found. These repairs are unique to this handpiece and are not common practise.Etched. Base of handle. “FORD & McFARLANE . SHEEP SHEARER . Etched. Base of handle. “10”sheep shearing, shearing equipment, ford & mcfarlane, wellington lodge, tailem bend, south australia, shearing handpiece, shearing

Used from mid 1920s to late 1960s. Shears were used by Mr Embling and with leather scabbard. Made by Mr Embling in his first year at Dookie Agriculture College and were entered in R.A.S in Melbourne 1927 and won first prize in its class. Mr Embling used the set on properties such as "Nap Nap", "Wallah", "Narabri", "Bangool", "Skipton", "Lang Kal Kal", "Beaufort", "Nareen" in Western District (Fraser property). These artefacts were generally carried by stockmen or horsemen when crutching sheep.Metal blade shears dressed with appropriate leather and string strapping to suit user and with leather keeper. Handles have been painted blackCOMBINATION/ UTS No 1/SHEFFIELD/ MADE IN ENGLANDshearing, sheep stations management, animal health, embling, mr ken, sheep stations - management