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." Gay as a highland gathering (lamb playing bagpipes)Gay as a highland gathering….good for a lifetime of comfort/Onkaparinga/100% Pure Wool Rugs/Buy Well-Buy Wool blanket, blanket fever, wool, onkaparinga, advertisement

Collector says - "Once I had gathered a dozen or so blankets, I started noticing the many different labels; where they were made, by who, the logos and fonts used. Then the labels became a thing, then the blankets had to have a label to join the collection. My favourite labels are by Physician, they had at least 4 different labels over the decades but the best has to be the Lady In Bed logo. Physician, Onkaparinga, Eagley and others matched the colour of the label to the colour of the blanket - a nice touch. Strangely, Castlemaine labels were always sewn on the back of the blanket where all the other mills sewed theirs on the front. To this day I always roll or fold a blanket with its label on display." 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." Checked blanket, pink, blue and creamCastlemaine/100 pure virgin wool blanket, blanket fever, wool, castlemaine, castlemaine woollen mill

This stencil was used as a location stamp for the transportation of wool bales. HUDDERSFIELD Valley Worsted Mills is located in Geelong. Stencils marked HUDDERSFIELD would have been transported to the Worsted Mills to be made into yarn and fabric.Wool bale stencil - HUDDERSFIELDHUDDERSFIELDwool - transportation, wool sales

Printing block with illustration of wool press manufactured by Humble and Sons.Printing plate with illustration of wool press manufactured by Humble and Sons.WOODEN BOX SHED PRESS (Pen)wool bales sheep stations - management, humble and sons pty ltd, wool press, wool bales, sheep stations - management

Printing plate with illustration of wool press manufactured by Humble and Sons.Printing plate with illustration of wool press manufactured by Humble and Sons.wool bales sheep stations - management, humble and sons pty ltd, wool press, wool bales, sheep stations - management

Printing block with illustration of wool press manufactured by Humble and Sons.Printing plate with illustration of wool press manufactured by Humble and Sons.wool bales sheep stations - management, humble and sons pty ltd, wool press, wool bales, sheep stations - management

Printing block with illustration of wool press manufactured by Humble and Sons.Printing plate with illustration of wool press manufactured by Humble and Sons.SHEEP CATALOGUE (red marker) WOODEN BOX SHED PRESS (blue pen)wool bales sheep stations - management, humble and sons pty ltd, wool press, wool bales, sheep stations - management

This stencil was used as a depot identification stamp for the transportation of wool bales. Wool bales marked with SUB DEPOT ABBASSIA EGYPT would have been transported to Egypt by sea.Wool bale export stencil - NO 2. SUB DEPOT ABBASSIA EGYPT BALE NO.NO 2. SUB DEPOT ABBASSIA EGYPT BALE NO.wool - transportation, wool sales, wool class, wool classers

Rock formation is called " The Woolpacks " and was located on the Wonderland Track at the top of Silent Street -- however on a Broadbent map of the Grampians no.205 this formation was called the " Wool Sacks " ; and the "Woolpacks" was shown on the map close to Venus Bath.Photo shows distinct slabs of rock balancing on each other. Three people appear in the photo -- a man with a boy and a woman. All three are wearing hats. A large rock outcrop can be seen on right of photos -- trees can be seen on left.The Wool Packs F5030scenery, wonderland range

Collector says: I'm intrigued to know why this 1930s & 1940s fashion of blanket - with panels of stripes on each end - only came in the colours of pink, baby blue and mint. Over the years I gathered many 'panel' blankets with labels from over a dozen different mills and yet they are all in these 3 colours only.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." Double sized blanket, cream with mint stripesThe Walmer Blanket/Guaranteed All Pure Wool and Odorless/Made in Australiawool, blanket, blanket fever

Part of a collection of three blankets donated by Emily McNeight.Pink, blue and cream chequered blanket with aqua blue edging.label: Challenge / LAMBSWOOL / SUPER GRADE BLANKET / pure new woolwool, blankets, challenge woollen mills

Collector says: Once I had gathered a dozen or so blankets, I started noticing the many different labels; where they were made, by who, the logos and fonts used. Then the labels became a thing, then the blankets had to have a label to join the collection. My favourite labels are by Physician, they had at least 4 different labels over the decades but the best has to be the Lady In Bed logo. Physician, Onkaparinga, Eagley and others matched the colour of the label to the colour of the blanket - a nice touch. Strangely, Castlemaine labels were always sewn on the back of the blanket where all the other mills sewed theirs on the front. To this day I always roll or fold a blanket with its label on display."Collector's note: "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."Double sized checked blanket , khaki, cream and green Royal Slumber/Woolmark Emblem/Pure New Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, royal slumber

Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history.Strip of knitted fabric samples showing the 14 wool colour options for the ladies' line of Kathryn knitwear for the winter season of 1980. Label printed in pale blue paper lists season and colour names and is attached to sample strip with two metal staplesLADIES WOOL COLOR SWATCH WINTER 1980 RED BLACK MAGNOLIA OYSTER SILVER BLUE SHADOW NAVY TEAL GREEN BRACKEN RYE BROWN BURGUNDY DEEP REDfabric sample, textile sample, fabric swatch, textile swatch, fashion textile production, textile manufacturing

Photo depicts the interior of the Strachan, Murray & Shannon Limited wool store in Geelong after a record price was reached for the wool shown. This occurred on 24 November, 1920. This photograph was owned by the donor's father, Mr Cyril Cameron. Mr Cyril Cameron came from the family property 'Burnside' near Glenthompson in the Western District. He joined Strachan & Co. as an office boy in Aug. 1914 and then joined the 8th Battalion, 1st AIF in January 1915. He returned to Australia in early 1920 and started work at Strachan's again. He did the wool classing course (one year, evening?) at the Gordon in 1920-21. He became Head Wool Valuer at Strachan's in 1938 and retired in 1970. His office at Strachan's was on the top floor, directly overlooking what is now the entrance to the National Wool Museum (formerly Dennys Lascelles woolstore). He died in 1983. This photo was originally framed together with a similar photo (3121) and a document detailing the wool sale (3123) under the title "Record Sale 24 November 1920". The two photos focus on lot 372, one looking to the north and the other to the west. These three items may have been a requirement of Mr Cameron's wool classing course.Interior of Strachan, Murray & Shannon Ltd wool store, Nov. 1920.strachan, murray and shannon ltd, cameron, mr cyril

Four photograph enlargements from John Jansson's collection. Farm work on three properties: Underdown's farm, Rhyll; Harbison's - wool being carted for shipment to Melbourne by Ketch from Cowes Jetty; McIlwraith's farm harvesting hay at their property called "Heath Hill" at Rhyll.Four enlargements of original photographs and postcards mounted on cardboard for display purposes. 292-01 Norm Smith with a four horse team preparing ground for Chicory. 292-02. Wool Team on road to Cowes 292-03. Horse and dray loaded with stacks of hay - workers in background at McIlwraith's farm "Heath Hill", Rhyll 292-04. Horse and dray with family including ladies and children.292-02. Many Happy Returns. Good Luck. Phillip island - Wool Team on road to Cowes. 292-03. Harvest time on Phillip Island. Victoria underdown, harbison, mcilwraith, heath hill, chicory farming, wool carting, john jansson

'Close Knit' was conceived based around providing the high density accommodation of the area with what many residents will never experience; the iconic ‘Aussie’ backyard, symbolised by washing on a Hills Hoist. This concept was transposed into several elements, including two large flying jumper sculptures. These stainless steel and fibreglass structures are supported on slanted poles, reminiscent of Hills Hoist arms. The jumpers appear to catch the breeze, and billow up, like washing on the clothesline on a sunny day, and cast lovely shadows across the paths and gardens. They are bright and joyful reminders of simple homespun joys. The handcraft theme is also featured in knitted concrete garden walls throughout the gardens. As if the wind is captured in the movement of the Hellenistic drapery, these panels echo the Lady of Justice, an earlier work of mine on the Victorian County Court. These feature walls bring a softness to the park and hark back to classic European garden design. There are 6 finial/balls of wool marking gateways and entrances to the park, as well as a couple randomly scattered throughout to be discovered. There is also a draped plinth at the Peel street entrance which has my signature. Again these elements echo traditional garden design and are a tactile and recognizable link to the hand knit themes of the park. Given the strong themes of domesticity and handcrafts, I have titled my work ‘Close Knit’, as it applies to the purpose of this public space as well as the works scattered throughout. Yarra City Council delivered Cambridge Street Reserve in partnership with the Victorian Government, who have supported the project with $1.3m funding. Yarra City Council has invested a further $731,130 towards the project. Urban Imitative Landscape Design worked with artist William Eicholtz at the beginning of the design process to consider the needs of a growing high-density population of the area. At double the size, with extensive park seating and a large lawn space which is shaded by native trees, Cambridge Street Reserve is now the largest park in Collingwood. 'Close Knit' by William EicholtzTwo knitted fibreglass 'jumpers' over stainless steel framework; six concrete balls of wool throughout the park; 25 metres of cast (drapery) concrete walls; concrete plinth at Peel street entry which is draped with a concrete knit and a ball of wool on top as finial; reverse rope reliefs on the front façade of eastern stairs. Artist name and date 'William Eicholtz 2023' inscribed on plinth with ball of wool on top as finial. handcrafts, domesticity, aussie icons, european garden design, public space, high density accomodation

This stencil was used as an organisation identification stamp for the transportation of wool bales. Mount Gow is a homestead in Victoria. Mount Gow is situated south of Warrambine Creek.Wool bale export stencil - MOUNT GOWMOUNT GOW L. Broswool - transportation, wool sales, wool class, wool classers

Part of the Zakrzewski Collection of spinning wheels donated to the National Wool Museum by Mr Wlodzimierz Zakrzewski. For many years, Mr Zakrzewski collected, researched and repaired spinning wheels from all over the world. This is a winding wheel, which makes a loud click when the reel has made 80 turns, thus indicating that the length of the thread that has been wound is 125 metres.Wool Winderhandicrafts - history, highlights of the national wool museum: the zakrzewski spinning wheel collection - exhibition (28/07/2001 - 02/12/2001), zakrzewski, mr wlodzimierz

A fawn-coloured wool felt hat. It has a leather band with machine punched holes sewn onto it. There is a leather band inside the hat and a label. It is pinned up on one side - stockman style.DUSTY on label - 100% wool 60cm Made in Hong Kong hat felt stockman-hat

Framed collage of Australian raw wool by wool artist Pauline Osborn. Titled "Jimba on Manooka" (Sheep on Hill). Work specially made for the National Wool Museum after a visit by the artist in 1991.Wool collage of pastoral scene entitled "Jimba on Manooka" (English translation - Sheep on Hill). Framed and glazed.handicrafts

Ribbon awarded to Mr Charles Wilson Peel of 'Callenondah' at Gnawarre. Mr Peel ran a superfine merino stud. This ribbon is from the Geelong Agricultural & Pastoral Show in 1959 and was awarded for being the Champion Merino Wool Fleece.Red, white and blue wool ribbon with yellow tassels on short ends. Yellow stitched/stamped text. Text divided into three lines, one on each coloured panel. Colour panels stitched together with white stitching.charles wilson peel, geelong agricultural & pastoral show, merino, wool, fleece, callenondah, gnawarre, champion, ewe

Grey wool tunic, worn as school uniform at Williamstown High School during the 1950's and 1960's. Double breasted bodice with four grey buttons - one missing.On label at back of neck 'Mina. Tailored to perfection. 100% pure wool'.williamstown high school, 1950's, 1960's, school uniform, tunic

This photograph shows armed guards and Wool Manager Keith Jackson posing with the million dollar wool bale after it was sold by auctioneer Michael Crooks on the 11th January, 1995 in Geelong. The wool was shorn from sheep of the Wyndarra and Rockbank bloodlines. A flock of 290 sheep were kept undercover at Kadinia, the property of the Appledore family from Brim in the Wimmera district of Victoria. Their record-breaking wool was produced by giving the sheep a special diet and providing each one with a UV-protective coat. Around 180 fleeces were selected for the million dollar bale. The sale of the first bale of wool measuring below 14 microns was held in the Auction Room here at the National Wool Museum. Bidding began at 40,000 (cents a kilogram) and steadily increased until there were only two bidders left. The bidders represented the Japanese firm Aoki International and Loro Piana of Italy. The hammer fell at 1,030,000 cents per kilogram, with Aoki International paying $1,194,800 for the 116kg bale. The fleece was scoured (cleaned) at the Goulburn Wool Scour, New South Wales. The degree of preparation and care taken with the task was extreme. The Scour closed production three days before and was extensively cleaned. On the day of scouring 12 tonnes of 17 micron wool was washed to condition the water, then nine bales of extra super fine wool, worth over $300,000 was washed as a trial run. Toabo Agaki Japan was employed to process the scoured wool into suit cloth. Taobo required the scoured wool to contain 0.5% residual grease, 12% moisture and a yield of 83kg. These requirements were met. The entire staff of the Scour wanted to be part of washing the best wool in the world. Without asking for payment both the night shift and afternoon shift crews assisted the day shift in the task. The bale was fed into the scour in seven minutes and fitted into three bowls, half the scour. It completely disappeared into the dryer and the last wool was fed before the first wool was out. The clean wool was hand-packed into cardboard cartons and freighted to Japan. Aoki International, based in Yokohama Japan, cut three suit lengths from the cloth, then blended the remaining wool into an exclusive line of commercially-available suits. These suits are labelled Kadinia.Colour photograph showing three men with a bale of wool in front of an armaguard truck. Two of the men are armed guards standing either side of the wool bale, one is holding a shotgun. Another man in a suit and tie is crouching near the bale.gavel, michael crooks, auctioneer, wool industry, million dollar bale, geelong, auction, kadinia, appledore, keith jackson, armed guards, armaguard

Book listing types of Australian & New Zealand wools, mostly in table format. Produced by Henry B. Smith Limited.Book listing types of Australian & New Zealand wools.wool growing wool brokering, henry b. smith limited, smith, mr henry b. watson, mr alex w - watswool pty ltd, wool growing, wool brokering

Part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.Printed booklet with yellow cover, bound with plastic black ring binder consisting of approximately 115 pages.front: Australian Wool Corporation / Preliminary Feasibility Study / into / the Construction and Operation / of a / Wool Topmaking Plant / in Australia / STUART ASCOUGH / JULY 1991stuart ascough, international wool secretariat, victoria wool processors, port phillip mills pty ltd, topmaking, career, wool industry, training, technical advice, mills

About the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games donor Doug Pleasance wrote- During the 1980's the Australian wool industry was at its most prosperous times with record numbers of sheep producing wool receiving ever increasing values due to the success of the Reserve Price Scheme, and the overall guidance of the Australian Wool Corporation (AWC). As a humble technician, my role was a low profile newly created position of Controller, Technical Marketing where wool was to be marketed on its technical properties, as distinct from the Product Marketing Group which exploited the traditional high profile approach of marketing wool;s superior fashion attributes. The Woolmark was the tool central to this approach. The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games saw an evolutionary change in designer selection. A Declaration of Interest Form was communicated to over forty potential designers. The task and especially tight timelines that were involved deterred many aspirants, however, there remained eight designers with the potential we were seeking. These eight designers were paid $3,000 per submission and the winning designer, Wendy Powitt, was paid $15,000. For the first time the judging panel included two athletes, one male swimmer and one female basketballer, their influence was pivotal. The ensemble consisted of three elements- 1. The Official Uniform which was used for travel and all official functions. This included: a tailored blazer and trouser/skirt (all water repellent) by Fletcher Jones, pure wool olive-green faille fabric by Foster Valley, cotton PE formal shirt by Pelaco, pure wool knitwear by Spangaro, printed wool tie by TD Noone, wool nylon socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 2. Opening Ceremony Uniform a lightweight wool fabric printed with floral designs that had been inspired by the work of Australian artist Margaret Preston. This included: Lightweight W/PE shorts by Fletcher Jones in Foster Valley Fabric, socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 3. Village Clothing was designed to be highly visible garments to make it easy to  spot the Aussie and helped to contribute to good team spirit. This included: A pure wool shirt featuring blocks of contrasting colours, and a newly developed stretch 50:50 wool/cotton fabric by Bradmill was made into shorts and jeans by Fletcher Jones.8129.1 - Yellow woollen tie printed with an Australian floral design inspired by the work of artist Margaret Preston. Half of the tie is unprinted and cream in colour. On the reverse of the tie is a label with the manufacturers name. 8129.2 - Yellow woollen tie printed with an Australian floral design inspired by the work of artist Margaret Preston. Half of the tie is unprinted and cream in colour. On the reverse of the tie is a label with the manufacturers name. 8129.3 - Sample fabric showing the printing layer of tie, uncut.8129.1 - Tag on reverse - WOVEN & MANUFACTURED IN AUSTRALIA BY "Tee - Dee" EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN WOOL CORPORATION 8129.2 - Tag on reverse - WOVEN & MANUFACTURED IN AUSTRALIA BY "Tee - Dee" EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN WOOL CORPORATION 8129.3 - Stapled Label - "PURE WOOL PRINTED TIE"1992 barcelona olympics, sport, athletes, fashion, design, uniform

Part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.Mustard coloured neck tie with rams and woolmark logo repeated.back: [label] Wool Mark / since 1964stuart ascough, international wool secretariat, victoria wool processors, port phillip mills pty ltd, topmaking, career, wool industry, training, technical advice, mills, clothing

Made by Godfrey Hirst and hand embroidered by Wendy Hillman. Given to Ron and Sylvia Maidment for Ian Maidment (donor) by Mr and Mrs Buckley, Bordertown, South Australia in April, 1948.Light blue wool baby blanket embroidered with pink and white flowers, a white rabbit and two white mushrooms.An all wool Exclesior baby blanket by Godfrey Hirst Geelong hand embroidered by Wendy Hillman 30" x 40"embroidery, maidment, mr ian maidment, ms sylvia