The following are the recollections of John Elkins, who started school in February, 1945 at Maryborough in Queensland, Australia. 'I think in Prep 1 that we had some paper to write on with pencils, but my memory of the routine use of slates is much more vivid. Each slate was framed in wood and one side was inscribed with lines to guide the limits for the upper and lower extremities of letters. The slate "pencils" were made of some pale gray mineral softer than slate which had been milled into cylinders some one-eighth of an inch in diameter and inserted into metal holders so that about an inch protruded. Each student was equipped with a small tobacco tin in which was kept a damp sponge or cloth to erase the marks. Sharpening slate pencils was a regular task. We rubbed them on any suitable brick or concrete surface in the school yard. Teachers also kept a good supply of spares, all writing materials and books being provided by the school. It is possible that the retention of slates stemmed from the political imperative that public education should be free. I do recall being given a Copy Book for home practice of letter formation, a typical practice until Grade 6. The tables at which we used to sit in the Infant School were replaced in the primary Grades by long desks seating five or six pupils. These had slots into which the slates could be inserted vertically. When the teacher asked the class to clear their desks, the command issued was "slates away!" This was an occasion for a noisy expression of relief as we dropped the slates producing a sound not unlike a volley of rifle shots, and usually brought a request from the teacher to repeat the process with no noise by holding the frames throughout. Thus, I suspect we may still have used slates in Grade Three, though by then paper, which may have been scarce during the War, seemed to be used more routinely.' The full context of John's account of writing during his primary school days can be found at: https://www.readinghalloffame.org/sites/default/files/history_of_literacy_22slates_away22_penmanship_in_queensland_australia.pdfSchool desks and benches/chairs have been in use in schools since formal group education started.Eight long school desks (five higher three lower), each with four inkwells and groove along length. eight school benches (five higher three lower). Each desk and bench accommodates four children.None.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Small, full length portrait of a lady standing beside a chair with her right hand resting on the back of the chair. She is wearing a long dress with darker bows down the front and a fringe at the sleeve top and across the front.photograph, portrait, female, portrait of a lady

Carte de Visite Photographed by Chevalier, Pall Mall Sandhurst. B & W Photograph of a woman with her hand resting on th eback of a chair. She is wearing a full length dark coloured dress with long sleeves.Chevalier

Studio photograph of standing young female teenager. Dress length several inches below knee. Lace fringed apron with ruffled shoulder cape on shoulders. Faded ink stamp on photo front. Lancaster Bairnsdale, Gippsland.Lancaster Bairnsdale Gippslandphotograph, person, female

Olive drab metal case. Lunch box size. Contains ear piece on spiral cord and a bakelite morse code key. Lid lists antenna length and frequency channels. Base has switches, dials and battery.radio set an prc, sas

8448.1 - Long metal shaft, screw-threaded for most of its length, a rectangular metal foot at one end linking the shaft some range of motion at the joint and an adjustable socket for the auger mobile along the shaft's thread.

Clothing. Light brown fox fur collar. Lined with brown cotton fabric. Two X 1 cm brown buttons at either end and seven X 1 cm brown buttons along length of collar.costume accessories, female, light brown fox fur collar

Wangaratta Base Hospital staff early 1900s.wangaratta, hospital, nurses, men, women

The original swing bridge was built across the Deep Creek in 1854 to allow the Daniel family to visit the Dickens sisters. It was renewed in later years and was used by Bulla children until the school closed in 1995.A coloured photograph of the swing bridge which straddles the Deep Creek at Bulla. The photograph shows the full length of the wooden and wire bridge from bank to bank. There is a thick row of conifers growing along the opposite river bank.bulla swing bridge, deep creek, daniel family, bulla state school, george evans collection

This item was used by women to enhance their figure (body) and held their stockings in place. Although still sometimes used they were mainly used prior to the making of pantyhose approximately 1960.Flesh coloured leaf and flower embriodered cotton material corset with stays, elastised inserts and full length hook and eye closure. There is a small attached inner control with stays, elastised and hook and eye closure. Four suspendersManufacturers tag "Liberty/Made in Australia..."clothing and dress, george evans collection

The hanging was handwoven by Lilian Joyce Mann. Ms Mann owned a shop in Jacob Street which sold handmade soft toys and hand woven items. She was a gounding and life member of the Geelong Handweavers and Spinners Guild. She died on the 17th July 2007 in her 92nd year.A tightly woven brown wall handing with a geometric design of rectangles and squares and a bamboo rod at each end. There is a length of undyed wool on each rod to hand the piece, but on one end it had been cut and hangs loose.handicrafts, geelong handweavers and spinners guild inc., weaving, mann, ms lilian joyce, geelong, victoria

not knowncirca 2000 black chiffon evening full length waisted dress with short sleeves, round neck and front of a false waistcoat beaded with black flowers and tied at the back. Underskirt of fine black lawn. Back zipperDG Sport Classic Comfortcostume, female

Horse drawn pair of ''Lightning' tyne harrows. The tynes are fixed and each unit of the pair are linked together by a loose chain. They have been attached by chain to a length of timber which is in turn linked by chain to the horse or to a tractor.rural industry, agriculture

Full length black robe with centre opening. Constructed from black silk grosgrain with black velvet edging and reverse. Stitching visible where patches and tassels have been removed from the sleeves and at back of robe.city of brighton, robe, ceremonial wear, town clerk, town clerk's robe, ede and ravenscroft, brighton, mayoral regalia

Full length black wool mayoral ceremonial robe with centre front opening. Dark brown fur edging on centre front opening and cuffs. Blue acetate satin lining in sleeves. Gathered/puckered detail at back. mayoral robe, robe, ceremonial wear, mayor, bayside, brighton, sandringham, r.w. bredin & son, bredlin, mayoral regalia

Social, eve of WWIB/W photo Buninyong Botanic Gardens with three girls standing centre in calf-length dresses, straw hats 1914. Three more girls lying on grass to left. Tall trees behind, wooden bridge.buninyong, botanic gardens, people, 1914

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. This 1930s evening dress is one of a number of items donated by Teresa Mayer.Deep rust coloured three-quarter length crepe dress featuring extensive ruching on the bodice and to the short sleeves. A bow of the same fabric with hanging laces (sic) is attached at the neck. The garment has been dated to the 1930s.women's clothing, australian fashion - 1930s, day wear, day dresses

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. This evening dress is one of a number of items donated by Teresa Mayer.Full length black lace evening dress with a fitted black silk lining. The ‘v’ necked gown has a very full skirt. The lace has an abstract floral pattern. The garment has been dated to the 1930s.women's clothing, australian fashion - 1930s, evening dresses, evening wear

A 'ZIPP-EE' Tennis Opponent. A triangular metal weight with length of elastic (broken in places) and a grey ball. Housed in printed cardboard box. Contains instruction pamphlet. Materials: Metal, Rubber, Felt, Paper, Ink, Cardboardtennis

The Fashion & Design collection of Kew Historical Society includes examples of textiles dating from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the textiles, were used as items of clothing, others as items of household decoration, or simply as travel souvenirs. These textiles were created both domestically and internationally. Predictably with the growth of an ethnically and culturally more diverse community in Kew after the Second World War, textiles, clothing and objects in the collection inevitably reflected this diversity. This form of bobbin lace is made in Malta. It is a guipure style of lace. Maltese lace is worked as a continuous width tape lace on a tall, thin, upright lace pillow called a "Trajbu" and the Bobbins are called "Combini" . Bigger pieces are made of two or more parts sewn together. Lace made in Malta was originally needle lace, from the 16th to the 19th century, when the economic depression in the islands nearly led to the extinction of lacemaking there. But in the mid 1800s, Lady Hamilton Chichester sent lacemakers from Genoa to Malta. They used the old needle lace patterns and turned them into bobbin lace, which was quicker. It was not long after its introduction that the Maltese lace developed its own style from Genoese lace. Maltese lace was shown at The Great Exhibition of 1851 and it became popular in Britain. The style was copied by lacemakers in the English Midlands, and it was one of the sources for Bedfordshire lace. Characteristics of Maltese lace. Maltese lace usually has the following characteristics which are useful for identification. It is usually made from cream silk. There is often the 8 pointed Maltese cross as part of the pattern, worked in whole or cloth stitch.The pattern may also have closely worked leaves known as “wheat ears” or “oats”. These are plump and rounded in shape, rather than the long narrow leaves of other types of bobbin lace. Camisole, made of silk thread Maltese bobbin lace that is constructed of lengths of lace forming two rectangles with a hole for the neck. Shows the characteristic Maltese cross and wheat ears. Fabric is made of tape lace joined togethercamisoles, maltese lace, bodices

Mrs Blanche Cornell, wife of Frank Cornell, at the beach with 2 of her children, ? c1905 Frank Cornell was first listed in Surrey Hills in 1906 at (6) Lorne Parade. In 1908 the listing gives his occupation as a clerk. He was born in 1869 in Richmond, Victoria and died 15 April 1917 in Surrey Hills. Blanche Annie Parsons Cornell (nee Bracher) was born in 1869 in Hokitika, New Zealand; she died on 21 January 1940. Children were: Gilbert Frank Cornell (b1894, Hawthorn; d1908, at Frankston beach, an accidental drowning) Ruth Amelia Cornell (b 1899, Kew; d 29 May 1977, Kew) Lorna Amy Cornell (b 1906, Surrey Hills; d unknown) Patience Blanche Cornell (b1907, Surrey Hills; d unknown. Frank and wife Blanche are buried in Box Hill Cemetery - CE-*-1058. Ruth Amelia married David Ellis, c1922 in Surrey Hills. David was a dentist who practised in Surrey Hills for many years. Patience (Pat) Blanche married Norman Henry Brewer (1893–1975) in 1931 in Surrey Hills. Given the children's dates of birth, it is likely that it is Gilbert and Ruth in the photo. A black and white photograph of a lady dressed in an ankle length skirt, long sleeved blouse and wearing a hat. She is sitting on the beach and drying off one small girl. There is another small girl or boy to the left of the lady.clothing and dress, 1908, (mrs) blanche cornell, beach, (mrs) blanche annie parsons cornell, (miss) blanche annie parsons bracher, box hill cemetery

Photo was taken in front of the front door of 'Camelford', 7 Norris Street. The presence of the red cross suggests that it was taken during the First World War. Two of the couples' surviving sons served in the war - Frederic George Bate (SERN 1945); Richard Alfred Bate (SERN 695); the third was rejected because he had lost a finger in an accident. Richard Bate came to Australia in 1868 from Cornwall - the house was named after the town there. He was a cabinetmaker and settled in Angaston, SA for a year before coming to Melbourne where he worked as a builder. He built ‘Avondale’, 176 Union Road (dem.) circa 1883 as a display home for the Davies family, subdividers of the first land auction in Surrey Hills. He built many houses including his retirement home at 7 Norris Street (demolished after 2000). In the 1880s Richard also built the Shire Hall in Station Street Box Hill, replaced in 1934 by the Box Hill Town Hall. Two of his sons were also carpenters. Richard died in 1937 aged 93 and his wife Annie Matilda died in 1935 aged 83; both are buried in Burwood Cemetery. House was rented out until probate was settled. Occupied in 2000 by Julie Ellis. REF: Letter to Julie Ellis from Jack Bate of Mildura, grandson of Richard and Annie Bate, dated 29/2/2000.A black and white photocopy of a photograph of a man dressed in a suit, standing beside a lady, seated, wearing a long sleeved, light coloured blouse and a long ankle length skirt. They are in front of a front door with lead light windows.mr richard bate, mrs annie bate, norris street, house names, camelford, avondale, union road, box hill shire hall, builders, ms julie ellis, davies family, annie matilda bate, richard alfred bate, frederic george bate, burwood cemetery, jack bate

James Albon, far right, built a bowling green at his home on the corner of Mont Albert Road and Wilson Street (later occupied by the convent). This green was so popular with his friends that he organised the formation of a bowling club at the corner of Montrose and Wilson Streets. Mr John Kendrick Blogg, wearing the white hat, is standing in the doorway. Earliest club records date from 1916. This was the original club-house; it was rebuilt in 1922/23 using interlocking blocks as recommended by Walter Burley-Griffin. This was quite an innovative design at the time. In turn cream brick buildings replaced this building in the 1950s. The Surrey Hills Bowls Club disbanded in 1995. Our original is framed copy donated by the Surrey Hills Bowls Club (with a spare copy and negative). Someone from the club has the original. Thre is also a frames portrait of James Albon the 1st president in the collection. (NB/ Duplicate = 1813; No.1943 is from the Bowling Club). Some information from Mrs Merle Phillips (deceased) a member when the club closed.A black and white photograph of a group of men and women dressed in their finery. The ladies and men are wearing hats and most men in 3 piece suits. One lady is in position to roll a bowl. The women's dresses are all ankle length."SHBC 1912"mont albert road, wilson street, surrey hills, montrose street, surrey hills bowling club, 1912, clothing and dress, mr james albon, mr john kendrick blogg

Mabel Pye was a printmaker and painter. She was born in Box Hill in 1894, probably at the family’s Loch Street property. She was the daughter of Alice Eleanor Noar and her husband William Edward Pye, who married in 1893. William was known as Ted and is recorded in electoral rolls as a legal clerk and later as a public servant. Mabel had a sister Hazel who was also an artist, but less well known. 12 Loch Street, Surrey Hills was known as ‘Mulberry Hill’ and the Pyes appear to be the first occupants – Alan Holt’s register of Surrey Hills properties has them there from c1900. The property was originally about an acre in size and was later divided into 4 house blocks. In 1923 they built a house for themselves on one of the blocks facing Benwerrin Street and called it ‘Tanglewood’. The Loch Street house abutted the Surrey Hills Reservoir and was diagonally linked to the land in Benwerrin Street. In 2019 both the houses still stand. The family were involved in amateur theatre and at times the studio doubled as a rehearsal space for the Benwerrin Players, a group which operated through the late 1920s and early 1930s being comprised of friends and neighbours from Benwerrin Street and Windsor Crescent. Some of their performances were at the Surrey Hall in Union Road. Most of Mabel’s known work dates from the 1930s. She had studied under Bernard Hall at the National Gallery School. Mabel was a member of both the Victorian Artists Society from 1918-1941 and also the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors from 1920-1950. Her work is represented in the Australian National Collection and in state galleries. The NGV has one of her works, the Gallery of NSW has 9 works, a large body of works and personal material is held by the Ian Potter Collection and there is one piece in the City of Whitehorse Collection. This ink sketch of the White Horse Hotel is signed MP and dated 1933, the year the building was demolished. A black and white studio photograph of a young lady standing beside a pedestal and wearing a light coloured dress with 3/4 length sleeves, dark stockings and lace up shoes. A corsage of dark flowers adorns the bodice. loch street, surrey hills, artists, whitehorse hotel, box hill, miss mabel pye, city of whitehorse collection, william edward pye, miss alice elanor noar, mrs alice eleanor pye, frank stamford

This evening outfit was made and worn by Bertha Frances Dudfield (nee Bruere, 1892-1982). Bertha was born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1892, one of twelve surviving children. Her family migrated to Australia, living first in St Kilda before building the house 'Avon' at 42 Bay Street, Brighton, where Bertha lived with her husband Ambrose Reginald Dudfield until 1975.Evening outfit comprising magenta feathered cape, full-length black velvet dress and a spray of silk flowers. Hem of dress lined with magenta and yellow silk. .1 - cape .2 - dress .3 - floral sprayevening dress, feather cape, bertha dudfield, brighton, 1930s

Heather Leonard wore this outfit to a Brighton Primary School fundraiser in the late 1960s. She hand painted the white platform heels to match her yellow and orange dress, and her husband Paul wore similarly bright colours with a mustard yellow and purple shirt. Heather was born in the Bayside area, initially working as a nurse and later as a yoga teacher. She and Paul lived together in Male Street for forty years until his death in 2002. Paul worked in advertising and later became a painter, mainly of Australian icons.Floor length dress (.1) of printed cotton with yellow and orange pattern, with scoop neck, short flared sleeves and zip at the back. Platform shoes (.2) with block heel. White leather, hand painted yellow and orange.heather leonard, paul leonard, brighton primary school, 1960s

This dress belonged to Mary Grace Medbury (nee Matthews, 1885-1967). Mary was born in Kansas, USA, and as a teenager travelled to Devon, England, before she came to Australia with her family and married Walter Ambrose Medbury (1887-1947). They lived together in Cheel Street, East Oakleigh. Walter, a building contractor, worked on numerous construction projects in the Melbourne area, including the Oakleigh Methodist Church, the HMAS Cerberus naval base and - closer to home - the former Brighton Courthouse, which was built in 1936 and still stands at 15 Boxshall Street. Mary gave the dress to her granddaughter, Fiona Nissen, when Fiona was a teenager. A Brighton local, Fiona donated it to the Society in 2013.White cotton muslin day dress with three-quarter length sleeves and square neckline, both edged with lace. The dress features white floral embroidery on the sleeves, skirt and front of bodice. Hook and eye fastenings at back.mary grace medbury, mary grace matthews, fiona nissen, migration, 1900s

Rabone & Sons had its origins in Birmingham, as rule and tool makers. The business was continued by John Rabone and his (John's) grandson, Eric Rabone. It worked under the name of John Rabone & Sons c1784-1953, becoming a public company in 1948. Control of the business remained with the Rabone family until 1962. In 1963 the company merged with a toolmaker from Sheffield to become Rabone Chesterman. The name E. M. Lock has been carved into the leather on one side. Edith May Lock was the mother of Arthur Lock who served in the 2/23 RD Australian Infantry Battalion, known as "Albury's Own".This item is part of a collection of items owned by Arthur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region.A retractable wire measuring tape with leather casing and brass centre and winding handle. The tape is 66 feet in length. The manufacture's name, John Rabone & Sons, is inscribed around the centre circle as well as the Number 401 and 66FTAround centre circle "JOHN RABONE & SONS/BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND". In the centre "NO401 66FT" On opposite side around centre circle "RABONE'S METALLIC WIRED TAPE". Engraved into the surface "E.M.Lock"world war 11, john rabone and sons, wired measuring tape