One of a set of drawings of the National Wool Museum by David WilliamsPen and ink drawing, on paper, of part of "Lamby's", restaurant in the National Wool Museum, Geelong. By David Williams.David Williams '90 SCHUTZMACHER SHOELLESHAMMER 9national wool museum

Vest knitted during WWII from darning wool which was the only wool not rationed in Britain during the war years.Maroon Fair-Isle vest with Nordic style patterns in white. Made with darning wool. Maroon metal zip on right hand shoulder.costume accessories, female

Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Tuesday 23 April 1929.Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Tuesday 23 April 1929.W.M. Bell 14/17 Beauford 3 baleswool sales - auction system, dennys, lascelles limited, bell, mr w. m.

Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Thursday 12 February 1931.Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Thursday 12 February 1931.W.M. Bellwool sales - auction system, dennys, lascelles limited, bell, mr w. m.

Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Thursday 17 November 1932.Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Thursday 17 November 1932.W M Bellwool sales - auction system, dennys, lascelles limited, bell, mr w. m.

Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Wednesday 20 December 1933.Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Wednesday 20 December 1933.W M Bellwool sales - auction system, dennys, lascelles limited, bell, mr w. m.

Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Thursday 13 March 1930.Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Thursday 13 March 1930.W M Bellwool sales - auction system, dennys, lascelles limited, bell, mr w. m.

Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Thursday 9 February 1933.Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Thursday 9 February 1933.W M Bellwool sales - auction system, dennys, lascelles limited, bell, mr w. m.

Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Wednesday 16 October 1929.Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Wednesday 16 October 1929.W M Bell Esqwool sales - auction system, dennys, lascelles limited, bell, mr w. m.

Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Thursday 23 March 1933.Auction catalogue of wool bales held by Dennys, Lascelles Limited, on Thursday 23 March 1933.W M Bell Esqwool sales - auction system, dennys, lascelles limited, bell, mr w. m.

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."Queen sized checked blanket in corn, beige and green 'Mareeno' /Pure Australian Wool/Export Quality/Made in Australiawool, blanket, blanket fever, mareeno

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."Queen sized Checked blanket, lemon, tan and greenMyrall/Pure Wool/Myer's Own Brand/Made in Australiawool, blanket, blanket fever, myer

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 says: "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."Queen sized checked blanket, pink and cream An Onkaparinga 100% pure wool production. In emblem: Made in Australiawool, blanket, blanket fever, onkaparinga

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

Poster, promoting Pure New Wool.whatever develops.../ you can/ trust/ the wool/ that wears the/ woolmark.wool marketing

This card is the fifth in a set of 16 information cards produced by the Stamina Clothing Company re: Australian Woollen Mills as give aways. It looks the process of wool scouring.Card no. 5 from the Crusader Mills information card set, c.1945-55. Verso of card no. 5 from the Crusader Mills information card set, c.1945-55.No. 5 Wool scouring at the Crusader Mills.australian woollen mills pty ltd stamina clothing company, scouring

Note from collector: 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." King-sized, pink and mint diamond blanket, ribbon edgedName tag 'O'Malley' sewn above label/"An All Wool Blanket" /By Godfrey Hirst of Geelong/100% Virgin Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, diamond blanket, godfrey hirst, geelong

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.One sided A4 sized leaflet showing different breeds of sheep used for the production of wool in Australia.front: THE AUSTRALIAN SHEEP FLOCKstuart ascough, international wool secretariat, victoria wool processors, port phillip mills pty ltd, topmaking, career, wool industry, mills, leaflet

"No Sugar" was the winnning entry in the Expressions 2002; The Wool Quilt Prize. It was on exhibit at the National Wool Museum from 23 September to the 15 December 2002.Large green handstitched quilt with orange cross. (This picture shows the quilt on its side - it is displayed with the cross on the left and the darker area at the lower left.) Statement from Katherine Morrison regarding working technique and Expressions. Statement by Katherine Morrison regarding working methods and Expressions. CV of Katherine Morrison, Winner of Expressions 2002 Entry from 'Expressions 2002: The Wool Quilt Prize 23 September - 15 December 2002 National Wool Museum, Geelong', no.15. Article from New Zealand Quilter issue 28 'Featured Quilter: Katherine Morrison', page 1 (page 4 of issue) Article from New Zealand Quilter issue 28 'Featured Quilter: Katherine Morrison', page 2 (page 5 of issue) Article from New Zealand Quilter issue 28 'Featured Quilter: Katherine Morrison', page 3 (page 6 of issue) Article from New Zealand Quilter issue 37 titled '2 Women's Work', page 27 of issue Article from New Zealand Quilter issue 41 titled 'Rural Composition', page 21 Photo and explaination of Katherine Morrison's quilt 'Something Borrowed', made 1997"No Sugar" by Katherine Morrison 84 Blue Mountains road Silverstream upper Hutt New Zealand ph/fax 04 5288624 "NO SUGAR' 2002 An original quilt by Katherine morrison Hand dyed woollen (old) blankets handquilted QUILT CARE MADE WITH PURE N.Z. WOOL BATTINGquilting, blankets, new zealand

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

This card is the fourth in a set of 16 information cards produced by the Stamina Clothing Company re: Australian Woollen Mills as give aways. It looks the process of wool sorting and classing.Card no. 4 from the Crusader Mills information card set, c.1945-55. Verso of card no. 4 from the Crusader Mills information card set, c.1945-55.No. 4 Wool Sorting at the Crusader Mills.woolclassing, australian woollen mills pty ltd stamina clothing company

Photo depicts the George Hague and Co. wool store, western beach, Geelong.GEO. HAGUE & CO. / PTY. LTD. / WOOL BROKERSwool stores, george hague and co. pty ltd, western wool warehouse, geelong, victoria

This photograph shows the removal of the mansard roof from the Dennys Lascelles wool store (cnr Moorabool and Brougham Streets; now the National Wool Museum). This photo was taken by Mr Cyril Cameron (known as 'Cam'), the father of the donor of this item. 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. Mr Cameron took this photo from his office in Strachan's. The date written on the back of the photo (1932) is in Mr Cameron's handwriting.Photograph, showing the mansard roof being removed from the Dennys Lascelles wool store, Geelong, 1932.Dennys Lascelles / Geelong / Wrecking tower / 1932strachan, murray and shannon ltd dennys, lascelles limited, cameron, mr cyril

Collector says: I can still recall one of my earliest childhood memories, of my nana's bright aqua shoes against the checks of our family travel rug on summer picnics.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." Standard sized fringed plaid blanket in red and blue with black and yellow accentsMothproofed/Godfrey Hirst/100% Pure Wool Rugwool, blanket fever, travel rug, godfrey hirst, geelong

Collector says: Cream and blue panel blankets were the first style of domestic blankets I started collecting and both of these ones were found in Geelong op shops. Pairs of blankets were regularly advertised as ideal wedding gifts and 'The Bride' label is one of my favourite labels of all time. This is the only one I've ever seen but hopefully there are lots more out there being handed down the generations.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 cream blanket with blue stripesWarrnambool/The Bride/All Wool ---Deluxe/Made in Australiawool, blanket, blanket fever, warrnambool, bride

This matchbox is a souvenir / give away from the Wool Exchange Nightclub and Hotel, Corio Street, Geelong. Resaurants and hotels frequently give away items such as this for promotional purposes.Matchbox with removable lid. Contains 23 white tipped, wooden matches. One side of the matchbox is printed in black with an image of a sheep in white. The other side is white, with a cartoon image of a wolf in a sheepskin in black. One side of the matchbox is for striking matches, the other side is printed with text.THE / WOOL / EXCHANGE THE WOOL EXCHANGE / NIGHTCLUB / GEELONG VICTORIA THE WOOL EXCHANGE NIGHTCLUB / 44 Corio Street, Geelong, Victoria / (052) 21 3022, 21 3127 / HANNA / MATCH / CONTENTS / 25wool exchange hotel, geelong, matches, nightclub, hotel, souvenir

Poster promoting suits made from Australian woolthe new suit/you can trust the wool/ that wears the WOOLMARKwool marketing

Poster promoting clothing made from Australian woolnaturally warm/ you can trust the wool/ that wears the WOOLMARKwool marketing