The Refreshment Services Branch was established in 1920, and initially focused on providing station-based refreshment rooms and the dining car service. Its scope expanded to include diverse activities such as stall rental; sales of advertising space on railways infrastructure; laundry services; operation of a hair-dressing salon, a bakery, a butchery and a poultry farm; and the management of the chalet guesthouse at Mt Buffalo. The majority of staff worked in refreshment rooms and dining cars, both of which were a popular feature of the railway service. Previous to 1920 refreshment services had been provided by contractors, but after many complaints the Department decided to provide a standardised service across the system. It grew quickly: five years after it was established the Branch employed approximately 500 staff. Station refreshment facilities ranged from elaborate dining rooms to decorated push-carts. They were staffed predominately by women, who provided everything from a cup of tea to a three course meal. Most refreshment room services were closed in the 1970s. Reference from : Fielding, K. (2012) Victorian Railways - Refreshment Services Branch in Museums Victoria Collections http://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/11470Historic - Replica of a a Victorian Railways Refreshment Services Serving Trolley used on Puffing Billy Railway Replica large wooden serving cart with fitted wooden cabinet featuring sliding glass doors and one glass shelf. Cart has chrome handles, two wooden shelves, a wooden drawer with chrome handle and a small chalkboard adhered to end. Cart has four small black rubber and metal wheels and a metal foot brake.puffing billy, serving trolley, replica, dining cart, refreshment services, victorian railways

Gellibrand station was one of the larger and more important stations possessing a waiting room, station office, parcels shed and refreshment room joined by a common verandah. The refreshment room was managed for many years by Mrs. O'Neill who, with her staff, around 1920, offered a hot meal for one shilling. In the afternoon, a "cuppa and rock cakes" was available to passengers on the train to Colac. Other patrons were workers from the various establishments in the railway yard.Gellibrand Station Master and Refreshment Room staff, plus two men, under the verandah of the Refreshment Rooms, in front of two railway lines.gellibrand; railways; refreshments; mrs. o'neill;

This electric kettle/Jug is shaped in the style of the Art Deco period 1930's to 1950's (in Australia). It was at the beginning of the wave of creative kitchen ware to stimulate and impress visitors and uplift what used to be a boring kitchen environment.This "art deco" electric kettle is very significant to the Kiewa Valley because it highlight that rural families and areas where in step (fashion wise) to their city "cousins". In the mid 1900's "the fashion" in Australia was (on the whole) always some years behind that of England and Europe. The years after World war II reduced the time lag between the "advanced fashion" of Europe and England and came in step with the emerging modern American fashion. American "film stars" started have their fashion projected onto the silver screens.This electric Fowler ware is a ceramic hot water jug. Its shape is in the "Art Deco" style of the early 1920's.On base "240V - 1650W" below this "AC ONLY" below this "MODEL No. EEJ" "APP. No. N550" below this "JUG BODY BY" under this and in script style "FOWLER WARE" below this "1583"kitchen appliances, tea/coffee preparation, light refreshments, hospitality offerings, art deco styles in appliances