Collector says: Godfrey Hirst Diamond blankets from the mid-1950s are always delight to find. Some of these were found in the Geelong area but one came back with me from an op shop road trip around Tasmania, another from the St Pauls op shop in Romsey. I love this pattern and find the lemon and grey colourway particularly special.Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Godfrey Hirst diamond blanket in pink and cream"An All Wool Blanket" /By Godfrey Hirst of Geelong/100% Virgin Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, diamond blanket, godfrey hirst, geelong

This fine grade gunpowder was used in pistols on farming properties. A vintage rusted black gunpowder tin with a screw top funnel lid. It has a diamond shaped indent on the front and centre back with black and white paper label branding of the manufacturer and supplier. The branding is on the top of the flask as well.'The Diamond Grain Gunpowder Made Only By Curtis's & Harvey Hounslow and London'. is printed on the diamond shaped paper label at the front. 'No. 2' is printed at the sides of this label. At the top of the tin is white text on a black background 'McMicking & Co. Melbourne Sole Agents for Victoria.' On the centre back of the tin is a printed paper illustration of dead rabbits and a rifle in the woods framed in a circle, surrounded by an etched diamond shape and 'Curtis's Harvey No.2'.containers, gunpowder, tins, firearm accessories, pistols, firearms, breechloading pistols

Colour photograph. Flooding of Diamond Creek at Main Road Bridge, Eltham peak flow of flood. Easter storm, 8 April, 1977flood, diamond creek, flooding, eltham, bridge, main road

In 1965, Briar Hill hairdresser Christopher O'Dempsey won a bronze award from the Apprenticeship Commission.News clipping, black and white text and imagechristopher o'dempsey, lionel dempsey mens hairdresser, apprenticeship awards

In 1965, tenders were called for the construction of streets in Montmorency after objections were withdrawn.An example of concerns over road construction in the formerly 'bush' areas of Diamond ValleyNews clipping, black and white textmontmorency streets, calrossie avenue montmorency, meadow crescent montmorency, lilicur road montmorency, woodland grove montmorency, st faiths road montmorency, glenauburn estate montmorency, shire of diamond valley, street construction

In 1965, the Board of Works advised Eltham Council that it had purchased 1 1/2 acres of land adjoining the Plenty River off Para Road zoned for public open space and offered the land to Council.An example of developments in the Greensborough area during the 1960sNews clipping, black and white text.shire of diamond valley, para road greensborough, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, plenty river, shire of eltham

A photograph and report on the construction of the new Lower Plenty Bridge, 1966.News clipping, black and white text and image, red masthead.lower plenty bridge, lower plenty

In 1968, a large number of Britnells Road residents attended council expressing concerns over street construction, particularly over losing the rural atmosphere and preservation of trees.An example of concerns over road construction in the formerly 'bush' areas of Diamond ValleyNews clipping, black and white text, 2 scans.shire of diamond valley, mountainview road briar hill, britnells road briar hill, street construction

In 1968, the newly formed Greensborough Apex were taking part in their first community project.News clipping, black and white text and image.greensborough apex, community groups

In 1968, John Carmody was appointed coach of the Greensborough Football Club for a 4th year, following 2 premierships and a runners up in the previous three years.News clipping, black and white text and image.greensborough football club, john carmody, premiership teams

Removal of the bluestone bridge over the Plenty River in 1968. Photograph shows workmen removing the steel girders which covered the centre span. Pioneer Reserve is also mentioned.News clipping, black and white text and image.plenty river greensborough, bluestone bridge greensborough, pioneer reserve greensborough

The good news in 1968 was that the West Watsonia private street construction scheme came in under budget, with a refund of up to $100 per household. But the bad news was that properties were revalued and rates increased. There are 2 articles on this topic.News clipping, black and white text.watsonia streets, street construction, nell street greensborough, adeline street greensborough

In 1973, the Eltham Barrel introduced a buffet carvery and smorgasbord. A description of the food and entertainment offered is included in this article. The owner is Frank Vogl.News clipping, black and white text and image.the eltham barrel, restaurants, frank vogl

In 1973, the planning for the Dunvegan Estate in North Macleod was well under way, with some residential blocks owned and developed by the Housing Commission of Victoria (later the Ministry of Housing).News clipping, black and white text.dunvegan estate macleod, north macleod, housing commission of victoria, ministry of housing victoria

In 1973, mini bike riders and L-plate drivers caused concerns over safety at the Montmorency Oval.News clipping, black and white text.mini bikes, learner drivers, montmorency oval

In 1973, Watsonia High School staged the Gilbert and Sullivan opera Ruddigore to great acclaim.News clipping, black and white text.watsonia high school, school musicals, gilbert and sullivan, operas

In 1973, work on the new Watsonia supermarket was delayed when two 120 foot long steel trusses crashed to the ground in high winds.News clipping, black and white text and image.watsonia shopping centre, watsonia supermarket

In 1974, Life Membership medallions were presented to four DVFL stalwarts, including Alan Partington of Greensborough Football Club and Victorian Football Union delegate.News clipping, black and white text and image.diamond valley football league, greensborough football club, alan partington

Rising costs were blamed for the reduction in Heidelberg Regional Library hours in 1974 mainly due to increased salaries. The library committee considered it better to spend money on new books.Heidelberg Regional Library Service later became Yarra Plenty Regional LibraryNews clipping, black and white text. 2 scans.heidelberg regional library service

In 1974 the proposed road over rail bridge in Main Street Greensborough was estimated to cost $254,000. The reconstruction of the bridge was necessary for the duplication of the rail line between Macleod and Greensborough.News clipping, black and white text. hurstbridge rail line, greensborough station, main street greensborough

A huge gum tree in the middle of Mine Street, at the intersection of Greenhills Road was in danger of removal due to the proposed road construction. NOTE: In 2020 the tree still stands in the island created for it during street construction in 1974. News clipping, black and white text and image. greenhills, greenhills road greensborough, mine street greensborough, gum trees

In 1974, Nillumbik Historical Society was in its second year. This article outlines the previous years' activities and lists Committee members, including Kevin Patterson, Alan Partington and Tom Vickers.News clipping, black and white text. nillumbik historical society inc., kevin patterson, alan partington, tom vickers

In 1974, during the "Bottle Brings Backa" campaign, scouts throughout Melbourne knocked on doors collection empty drink bottles to raise money for the scouting movement.News clipping, black and white text. boy scouts association, scouts - greensborough, recycling

The State Government is under fire for a disturbing decision to exclude Banyule Council from planning the Hurstbridge line duplication.News article 1 page, black text. and colour image.hurstbridge rail line upgrade, greensborough station, banyule city council

John Miers was the proprietor of Miers' Electrical at 64 Main Street Greensborough. This advertisement was chiefly for Kriesler productsScanned copy of newspaper advertisement, with captionelectrical shops, john miers, main street greensborough

Greensborough Historical Society president Noel withers accepts first prize at the Victorian Collections Awards for Excellence in Museum Cataloguing from Dr Julie Cotter.News article 1 page, black text.greensborough historical society, victorian collections awards, noel withers

Violent youths are assaulting innocent diners, yelling abuse and taking drugs in broad daylight along Greensborough's busiest retail strip and it's driving scores of people away, scared shoppers say.News article 1 page, black text.greensborough shopping centre, greensborough police, out of control youths

Urban sprawl and the cost of rates are some of the key concerns raised by 'stunned' ratepayers after a councillor revealed shocking plans to merge Banyule and Nillumbik councils last week.News article 1 page, black text.nillumbik council, council merger, peter clarke, banyule city council

A painted road island designed to ease congestion along a busy arterial in Watsonia (Greensborough Highway) is instead causing traffic chaos, with motorists calling it "ridiculous" and "dangerous".News article 1 page, black text.greensborough highway, watsonia, traffic chaos

Greensborough's Shannon Bourne is gearing up for his fifth consecutive performance at Melbourne's annual guitar show.News article 1 page, black text.greensborough, shannon bourne, melbourne guitar show