This is a needle case produced in a novelty form. Sewing kits and needle cases were essential items for women to have in their houses, to take with them when travelling and to carry in their handbags for emergency repairs. Today needle cases are still used but less frequently as in past times, depending on the craft skills of the person and the hobbies pursued.This item has no known local significance but it is an interesting example of an early 20th century needle case and is retained for display purposes.This is a needle case in a wooden container made in a rectangular shape with a pointed top. The shape is in the form of a church with an affixed metal or paint shape of a church on the front of the container. The front of the container has been polished. The two sides of the container are affixed with two metal hinges and there is a metal clasp on one side. Part of the metal clasp is missing. Inside the container is padded with white/grey cotton material. On one side are two paper grey and black folders which once contained needles and on the other side there is a middle band to hold other needles or pins. This side has one rusty pin.‘Sharps 5/9 6, 7, Wartd. By Morris & Yeomans’household accessories, history of warrnambool

This item was originally made to put around a farm or herd animal to enable it to be identified and found if it strayed. Horses, cows, goats and oxen were the animals most commonly given neck bells in Australia as a way of identifying and finding cattle particularly in areas where prpoerties were unfenced or when droving large herds of mixed cattle. Drovers often marked these bells as a way of identifying which cattle belonged to them. Some of these bells from the 1860's onwards were imported to Australia and some were manufactured locally. The cow bell in various sizes is often still produced to sell to tourists, particularly those in Europe. Many of these souvenir bells contain some form of art work. Although this item has no known local provenance it is retained as an early example of the bells placed around animals’ necks to stop them from straying. This is a piece of metal welded to form a cover or a bell container with a bottom opening to hold a metal clapper which is held in place by a metal ring. The top has a metal handle. The bell is very rusted and stained.animal husbandry, warrnambool, history of warrnambool, cow bell

This ledger contains copies of titles in the Warrnambool district, dating from 1916 to 1933. It came from the office of John William Crawley Junior, an engineer, surveyor and architect in private practice in Warrnambool and also the engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool from 1895 to 1935. His father, brother and son were all engineers, working in that capacity or as the Shire Secretary for the Shire of Warrnambool, with the Crawley family recording a total of 132 years of service to the Shire. The Shire of Warrnambool existed from 1863 to 1994. This ledger was passed on John Crawley’s son, Rolf, who was the engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool from 1935 to 1968. It then came into the possession of Michael Hand, who took over the private surveying business of Rolf Crawley in Warrnambool. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society acquired the ledger, along with several other Crawley ledgers, from the estate of Michael Hand. This ledger is of considerable importance as it contains copies of titles from the Warrnambool district in the early decades of the 20th century. It will be of great use for researchers.This is a hard cover book of 205 pages. The cover has red leather binding and is torn and scuffed. The book contains copies of titles and other handwritten and typed material and there are many loose titles, envelopes and miscellaneous sheets of paper. Inside the back cover is a booklet with an alphabetical index. This is pasted in. ‘Thompson Print Co. General Bookbinders Warrnambool’ ‘Copies of Titles John William Crawley Authorised & Licensed Surveyor December 1916’ john william crawley junior, warrnambool, rolf crawley, warrnambool, shire of warrnambool

This ledger contains copies of specifications and accounts dating from 1927 to 1935 with some entries dating from 1950 and 1951. The accounts were issued originally from the office of John William Crawley Junior, a surveyor, architect and engineer in private practice in Warrnambool and also the engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool from 1895 to 1935. His father, brother and son were also engineers, working in that capacity or as Shire Secretary for the Shire of Warrnambool, with the Crawley family recording a total of 132 years of service to the Shire. The Shire of Warrnambool existed from 1863 to 1994. The ledger was passed on to, and used by John Crawley’s son, Rolf, the engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool from 1935 to 1968. It then came into the possession of Michael Hand who took over the private practice of Rolf Crawley in Warrnambool. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society acquired the ledgerThis ledger is of interest as it contains accounts connected to the work of John and Rolf Crawley, Shire of Warrnambool engineers in the early to mid 20th century. The information in the ledger will be of great interest to researchers.This is a hard cover book of 100 pages. The book is bound on the spine with dark red tape. Some of the pages are unused. The pages are ruled with red and blue lines and there are some loose pages. The cover is torn in some places.‘Ledger’ ‘Copies of Specifications’ john william crawley junior, warrnambool, rolf crawley, warrnambool, shire of warrnambool

This is a marble stopper bottle from the Port Fairy aerated waters factory of the Webb brothers. A marble stopper bottle was filled upside down so that as soon as the filling stopped the stopper was forced down to seal the bottle against the rubber ring. Pressure inside the bottle would keep the marble pressed against the top of the bottle. To open the bottle the marble was pressed down where it would fall into the neck chamber below. The marble would stay inside the chamber when the bottle was tilted up for drinking. The Webb brothers operated the Port Fairy Aerated Water and Cordial Factory in William Street (no 29) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This bottle is of interest as an example of a marble stopper bottle from the aerated waters factory of the Webb brothers in Port Fairy. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool and district for over 100 yearsThis is a marble stopper glass bottle. It has a rounded base with a rounded body tapering to a deeply-indented section which forms a narrow neck chamber. The top is rounded moulded glass with an opening. The green marble is loose inside the neck chamber and the rubber ring has been displaced and is at the bottom of the bottle. There is some discolouration inside the bottle from the original contents.‘Webb Bros. Aerated Waters Port Fairy’ cordial manufacturing in warrnambool district

This bottle is called a torpedo bottle. It cannot stand up but lies on its side so that the soda contents are kept in contact with the cork. This stops the cork from shrinking and the consequent loss of pressure. The bottle came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of John Fletcher and would have held soda. The bottle has the name of both John Davis and John Fletcher on it. John Davis established a store in Warrnambool in the mid 19th century and he also established the Union Cordial Factory in Koroit Street in the mid 1860s. John Fletcher worked at that factory for John Davis and in 1885 he bought the factory from John Davis. The Fletcher business continued until 1930. As the name of Davis is on the bottle (‘late J. Davis’) it is probable that this bottle dates from the early years of the Fletcher business. This bottle is of some considerable interest as it appears to be an early example of a John Fletcher bottle (late 19th century). Fletcher was a prominent businessman in Warrnambool for over 40 years. This is a green glass bottle, known as a torpedo bottle. It has a spherical-shaped body with a pointed curved end and a rounded neck with a round moulded top. There is no stopper. The details of the soda manufacturer are embedded into the glass on the side of the bottle. ‘John Fletcher late J. Davis Koroit St. Warrnambool’ john fletcher of warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This torpedo glass bottle comes from the Warrnambool aerated waters business of Daniel McSweeney. It would have held a type of soda and the bottle was made so that it could not stand up and so the soda was kept in contact with the cork. This stopped the cork from shrinking and so the pressure was not lost. Daniel McSweeney opened a cordial factory in Fairy Street in 1885 and, by the early 1890s had transferred his business to Henna Street. This factory was advertised as the largest cordial factory in the Western District, though this appeared to refer to the size of the building. In the late 1890s James Trigg leased the factory from McSweeney for some time. The factory was closed in 1900 but the building remains today and is occupied by the Alderdice Brass FoundryThis bottle is of interest as one of few bottles we have that came from the Warrnambool cordial factory of Daniel McSweeney. He was a prominent maker of soft drinks in the late 19th century.This is a green glass bottle. It is a ‘torpedo’ bottle so it is of a spherical shape with a pointed curved end, a rounded neck and a round moulded top. There is no stopper. The name of the manufacturer of the soft drink contents is embedded into the glass on one side. ‘D.McSweeney Warrnambool’ daniel mcsweeney warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle came from the Warrnambool business of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. This business started when Joseph Lescai, a fruiterer in Fairy Street, Warrnambool in the 1920s, began making cordials and soft drinks. Soon this became his core business until it was taken over by a group of Warrnambool businessmen. The business, known as Warrnambool Cordials, was then bought in the 1930s by a Warrnambool garage proprietor, Thomas Hill. Charles and Frederick Flett then purchased the business in the early 1940s and in the 1960s the business was taken over by Thomas McKenzie. The business lasted until the 1980s. This bottle is of interest as an example of the products of the Warrnambool business of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. Cordial manufacturing was an important business in Warrnambool for over 100 years and Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd was a prominent business for many years. This is a green-tinged glass bottle with a rounded base and a rounded body tapering to a short rounded neck and moulded glass top with an opening. It has a screw top composite material stopper with the name of the lemonade maker on the top. Information on the lemonade maker is also impressed into the glass on the side of the bottle. ‘Warrnambool Cordials’ Warrnambool Cordials Pty. Ltd. Warrnambool’ ‘Lemonade’ ‘This bottle is the property of the Warrnambool Cordials Pty. Ltd. Warrnambool’ warrnambool cordials pty ltd, cordial manufacturing in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle comes from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of Ralph Reeves. This business was established in Koroit Street, Warrnambool in the 1860s as the Union Cordial Factory by John Davis and then bought by John Fletcher in 1885. Fletcher’s business continued until 1930 when it was bought by Ralph Reeves. Coming to Warrnambool about 1900 Reeves had managed a Banyan Street, Warrnambool factory which had been established by John Rowley. Reeves was joined by his son Reg in Warrnambool and Reg operated the business from 1946 to 1972. The trade name of Reeves was still used after Reg Reeves died in the early 1970s and continued on for some years. This bottle is of interest as an example of an early Reeves bottle. We have few Reeves bottles with the original paper labels. Cordial manufacturing in Warrnambool was an important industry for over 100 years.This is a clear glass bottle with a rounded base and rounded body tapering to a short round neck with a moulded glass top at the opening. The screw stopper is black and made of composite material. The inside of the bottle is discoloured. The details of the manufacturer of the contents are impressed into the glass on the side and there is a paper label pasted on the side of the bottle (black, red, yellow tonings) ‘R.V. Reeves’ (x2) 34’ ‘Lemonade Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd’ ‘Bottle not complete without stopper’ ‘This bottle is the property of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd Warrnambool’ ‘Please replace stopper, Reeves lemonade, sparkling & refreshing, R.J. Reeves Warrnambool, bottle 2d. deposit’ ralph reeves, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

These bottles come from the aerated waters business of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. This business was established in Fairy Street, Warrnambool in the early 1920s by Joseph Lescai. He had a fruit shop in Fairy Street and began making cordials which eventually became his core business. The business was taken over by a group of local business men and then in the 1930s was purchased by a garage proprietor, Thomas Hill. In 1942 Charles and Frederick Flett took over the business which was known as Warrnambool Cordials. In the 1960s the business was sold to Thomas McKenzie and the products were marketed as McKenzie’s Cordials. The business continued until the 1980s. These bottles are of interest as examples of the products of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd in the mid 20th century. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over 100 years. These are two glass bottles (one with a bluish tinge). The bottles have a round base with a rounded body tapering to a narrower neck and a moulded glass opening at the top. There are no stoppers. The information on the aerated waters supplier is impressed into the glass on the sides of the bottles. Both bottles are slightly discoloured inside on the base. ‘Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd’ ‘This bottle is the property of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd Warrnambool’ warrnambool cordials pty ltd, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bottle came from the aerated waters factory of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. This business was established by Joseph Lescai who had a fruit shop in Fairy Street, Warrnambool in the 1920s. He began to make soft drinks and eventually this became his core business. A group of local businessmen took over the business and in turn it was bought by a local garage proprietor, Thomas Hill, in the 1930s. By this time it was called Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. In the early 1940s the business was purchased by Charles and Frederick Flett and later sold to Thomas McKenzie in the 1960s. The business operated until the 1980s. It appears that the contents of this bottle were made during the Second World War in the time of either Thomas Hill or the Flett Brothers.This bottle is of interest as it comes from the aerated waters business of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd. This company was in operation for over 50 years. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over 100 years. This is a glass lemonade bottle with a round base and a rounded body tapering to a narrower round neck with a moulded glass top at the opening. There is a stopper made of composite materials. The information on the maker of the lemonade is impressed into the glass on the side of the bottle.‘War Grade’ ‘Lemonade’ ‘Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd’ ‘Bottle not complete without stopper’ ‘This bottle is the property of Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd Warrnambool’ warrnambool cordials pty ltd, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool

This bottle was found under a building some years ago (Hand’s tobacconist shop, Liebig Street, Warrnambool). It is believed to be a beer bottle from the Warrnambool brewery of Sheldrick and Co. In 1868 Walter Sheldrick formed a company and established the New Brewery at the corner of Timor and Fairy Streets, Warrnambool. Two of the original directors, Walter Sheldrick and Thomas Price, took over the business under the title of Sheldrick and Co. When Walter Sheldrick died in 1876 Richard Sheldrick succeeded his father in the business. In the early 1890s Richard Sheldrick sold out and by 1892 a group of Warrnambool businessmen was operating the brewery. In 1894 it was sold to William McGee and Company and in 1922 the brewery closed when the Ballarat, Melbourne Co-operative and Carlton and United Breweries took over the business.This bottle is of interest as an example of a beer bottle from Sheldrick’s New Brewery. This brewery was prominent in Warrnambool for over 50 years. This is a green glass beer bottle with a rounded body and a heavily indented base producing an inverted hump inside the bottom of the bottle. The neck is rounded with a moulded glass top. There is no stopper. There are no markings on the bottle.walter and richard sheldrick, warrnambool, sheldrick’s new brewery. warrnambool, breweries in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This bean slicer is one of the household labour-saving devices that became increasingly popular in the early to mid 20th century. In those times vegetables such as beans were often grown in the backyard of a house or farm and bean-cutting was a laborious task, especially when providing for a large family. Processed sliced beans were not then freely available.This bean slicer has no known local provenance but is retained as an interesting example of a 20th century household labour-saving device. This is a metal object with a round disc with three metal blades underneath on a turntable for slicing. The blades are attached by six screws. There are two funnels on the top of the disc for inserting the beans. A handle that turns the blades is attached by a screw to the round disc. Attached to the disc also is a vice that enables the slicer to be bolted to a bench or table. The slicer has been painted green but the paint is wearing off and the whole object is rustywarrnambool, bean slicer, household items

These gloves were donated by Miss E. Kerr of Warrnambool and were probably worn by her. The Ponting family has been prominent in the timber and building business in Warrnambool since the 1920s and still operate today. Miss Kerr was a member of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society in the 1970s and donated many items, especially household goods. Many women in the early to mid 20th century owned leather gloves which they wore mostly with suits and coats in the winter time. They can still be purchased today. These gloves are of interest as an example of the type of gloves worn by women in the 20th century. They will be useful for display.These gloves are made of a light brown leather. They have a leather string lace inserted as a decorative pattern on the wrist openings and the same lacing on the upper sides of the gloves but in this area the leather string is missing. The gloves have been much worn and are stained. women’s accessories, history of warrnambool

This tin contains tool bits that would have been used in conjunction with drills. Most handymen would have had such a collection amongst his tools and many still do today. This tin of tool bits is kept as a memento of the type of tool kit a handyman would have had in the past. Although rusty the tin itself is of interest as one from the early 20th century.This is a rectangular-shaped tin with embossed patterns on the sides and top. It is completely rusted. It contains 39 tool and drill bits of various shapes and sizes.household tools, history of warrnambool, drill bits

This wood plane would have been used in the past both in industry and in the home. It is an early example of a plane and has antiquarian interest. This item has no known local provenance but is retained as a good example of a vintage tool used in the past by carpenters and handymen. This is a metal tool for planing wood. It has a rectangular wooden base and two side bars for adjusting the length and angle of the blade. The tool has several metal wing nuts and screws and a wooden handle. The metal is much rusted. ‘Trade Mark 45’carpentry tools, history of warrnambool

This trophy was given in 1872 by Richard Lane to the Villiers & Heytesbury Agricultural Association for the best four horses in waggon. The Villiers & Heytesbury Association was founded in 1854 with the first show held at Warrnambool in 1855. It still operates today as the Warrnambool Agricultural Society. Richard Lane owned and operated the Commercial Hotel ( now the Whalers Hotel) in Warrnambool in the 1870s and 80s. In 1872 Richard Lane was the chief figure in staging the first Warrnambool Winter steeple chase meeting that included the now famous Grand Annual Steeple Chase. He was a generous donor of trophies to the Warrrnambool races and the Warrnambool show. It appears that no one was awarded the trophy in 1872.This trophy is of considerable importance as it is connected to the prominent 19th Century Warrnambool hotel keeper and racing identity Richard Lane and to the early history of the Villiers & Heytesbury AssociationThis is a silver cup on a silver stand mounted on a wooden base. The cup and the silver stand are much ornamented with the stand representing a tree with the branches attached to the stem and projecting out. Portions of the branches are broken off and are loose inside the cup. The cup has two trees embossed and a relief of a wagon with a driver and four horses. The wooden base is ridged.Presented by Richard Lane Esq. to the Villiers & Heytesbury Agricultural Association for the best team of 4 horses in waggon exhibited at the show 1872.history of warrnambool, villiers & heytesbury association, richard lane

This cup was awarded at a sports day held in 1937 by the Second Cavalry Division of the Victorian Light Horse regiments (The 4th/19th Light Horse Regiment was active in the Warrnambool region at that time). The Victorian Light Horse had both mounted infantry and cavalry units and was the successor in the early 1900s to the Victorian Mounted Rifles founded by Colonel Tom Price in 1886. Eight mounted contingents from Australia served in the Boer War and the Australian Light Horse served with distinction in World War One. The Australian Light Horse, as official military units, ceased to exist in the 1940s. It is not known to whom this cup was awarded in 1937. This cup is of considerable interest as a memento of the activities of the Victorian Light Horse regiments in the 1930s, possibly in the Warrnambool district.This is a silver-plated cup on a circular Bakelite stand. The cup has two side handles and is inscribed on one side. The cup is slightly tarnished. ‘2 Cav.Div. Sports 1937 2nd - Best Remount’victorian light horse regiments, history of warrnambool

This ledger is a Warrnambool Swintons Store stock book and contains the sales of stock from September 1869 to an unknown date (perhaps to the end of 1870) and entries for 1871, 1872 and 1873, 1889, the 1890s and some dates early in the 20th century. William and Ann Swinton migrated to Australia in 1854 and for a decade William Swinton worked as a builder and carpenter in the Warrnambool area, erecting many buildings, including the Wangoom Presbyterian Church. In 1865 he opened a store in Timor Street, Warrnambool selling groceries, glassware and china. In 1888 the business was known as William Swinton and Sons. Branch shops were opened in Cudgee, Nullawarre, Wangoom, South Warrnambool and West Warrnambool. When William died his son Robert became the first managing director of Swintons Pty Ltd. In 1934 the business split in two with George Swinton and Sons selling furnishings, clothing and glassware and Swintons Pty Ltd selling seeds, hardware and produce. Today the Swinton family still operates a furniture and bedding store in Timor Street. This ledger is very important as an early memento of the Swinton Stores in Warrnambool. It gives details of sales in the 19th century and has material relating to the assets of the founder of the business, William Swinton at the time of his death. It is of great interest to researchers. The current family business in Timor Street Warrnambool is the oldest family business in Warrnambool and, with the Swinton name associated with businesses in Timor Street for 152 years, is among the oldest family businesses in Australia. This is a dark green hard cover ledger with light brown leather bindings on the spine and cover edges. There is gold lettering on the spine. The cover is stained and the leather is torn and partly detached in places. The insides of the cover have a blue and white mottled patterning. The pages are blue with printed red lines. The entries are handwritten in black ink. There are four loose pages and two pieces of a plant dried and preserved between two pages. ‘Day Book’ ‘Stock Book Warrnambool September 2nd 1869’ swinton family, warrnambool

This ledger is a Warrnambool Swintons Store stock book and contains the sales of stock from January to August 1869. William and Ann Swinton migrated to Australia in 1854 and for a decade William Swinton worked as a builder and carpenter in the Warrnambool area, erecting many buildings, including the Wangoom Presbyterian Church. In 1865 he opened a shop in Timor Street Warrnambool, selling groceries, china, glass and hardware. In 1888 the business was known as William Swinton and Sons. Branch shops were opened in Cudgee, South Warrnambool, West Warrnambool, Wangoom and Nullawarre. When William died his son Robert became the first managing director of Swintons Pty Ltd. In 1934 the business split in two with George Swinton and Sons selling furnishings, clothing and glassware and Swintons Pty Ltd selling seeds, hardware and produce. Today the Swinton family still operates a furniture and bedding store in Timor Street.This ledger is of great importance as it is a very early memento of the Swinton stores in Warrnambool. It dates from only four years after the founding of the Swinton store in 1865 and gives us lists of products sold, the names of the buyers and the prices of the goods – a great source of information for researchers and all those interested in Warrnambool’s business history. The current Swinton business in Timor Street is the oldest family business in Warrnambool and, with the Swinton name associated with businesses in Timor Street for 152 years, is among the oldest family businesses in Australia. This is a ledger with a cover of brown paper lined with heavy-duty cardboard. The insides of the cover have a mottled brown and blue patterning. Both the cover and the inside patterning are much torn and parts of the cover are missing. The cover is almost detached from the body of the book. The pages are blue and have red lines for entry purposes. The entries are handwritten in black ink. The pages are mostly intact but they are very stained and the edges are tatteredswinton family, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This item is a World War One certificate featuring Walter Coulstock. Private Walter George Coulstock, an engineer, was born in Warrnambool and educated at the Warrnambool Academy. He enlisted at the age of 21 in August 1914, embarked in October 1914 and while travelling to Egypt he entered the machine gun section. He was wounded on the afternoon of the Landing and died of wounds in May 1915. He was buried at sea while in transit to Alexandria. Walter Coulstock was one of the many men and women from Warrnambool and district who enlisted in World War One and who died on active service.This certificate is of considerable significance as it is memento of Walter Coulstock who died in World War One. The Coulstock family was a prominent one in the Warrnambool district in the 19th and early 20th centuries and Walter is one of the local heroes of the Great WarThis is a paper certificate mounted on a frame of plywood. The mount indicates that the certificate has previously been framed. The certificate has a grey background and contains images of the British and Australian flags in red, white and blue, six black and white photographs, an image of H.M.A.S. Australia, an image of a battle scene with artillerymen and black and red lettering. Pasted on to the centre part of the certificate is a yellow piece of paper with a photograph and information on Walter Coulstock. The plywood is broken at the bottom edge and is somewhat stained."For King and Country' 'The Empire Called Us' 'Walter George Coulstock, Private, 8th Battalion, Company B. Reg. No.481, Date of Enlistment August 1914walter coulstock, world war 1 certificate

This box contains a label from the Warrnambool business of W. Swinton & Sons and this tells us that the box dates from the early 20th century (pre 1912). The documents in the box are Swinton financial balance sheets from 1928 to 1970 (W. Swinton & Sons/Swintons Pty Ltd). William and Ann Swinton migrated to Australia in 1854 and for a decade William Swinton worked as a builder and carpenter in the Warrnambool area, erecting many buildings, including the Wangoom Presbyterian Church. In 1865 he opened a store in Timor Street Warrnambool, selling groceries, glassware, china and hardware. By 1888 the business was known as William Swinton and Sons. Branch stores were opened in Cudgee, Nullawarre, Wangoom, West Warrnambool and South Warrnambool. After William Swinton died his son Robert became the first managing director of Swintons Pty Ltd. In 1934 the business split, with George Swinton and Sons selling clothing, furnishings and glassware and Swintons Pty Ltd selling seeds, produce and hardware. Today the Swinton family still operates a furniture and bedding store in Timor Street. Both these items come from the Warrnambool business of W. Swinton & Son/Swintons Pty Ltd and both the box with its early 20th century label and the financial statements are of importance. The balance sheets will be useful to researchers. The current Swinton business in Timor Street is the oldest family business in Warrnambool and, with the name Swinton associated with Timor Street businesses for 152 years, it is amongst the oldest family businesses in Australia. .1 This is a black cardboard box with a lid, with one side of the lid party detached. Some parts of the box are torn, especially the corners of the lid. The inside of the box is somewhat stained. The inside of the lid has a label pasted on and the top of the lid has a W. Swinton & Sons label pasted on. The Swintons label is partly torn away. .2 The paper material inside the box is mostly foolscap-size and consists of business financial balance statements. Some of these have coloured paper covers. ‘W Swinton & Sons Universal Produce Buyers and Exporters Timor Street Warrnambool’ swinton family, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This tin comes from the Melbourne firm of Rolfe and Co. and would have held tea. Rolfe & Co. was established by George Rolfe (Senior) in 1854 as a wholesale wine, spirit and provisions business. George Rolfe was a member of the Upper House of the Victorian Government from 1860 to 1862 and in 1867. He died in 1871 and his son, also George, succeeded him as the managing director of the business. This George Rolfe (1837-1919) came to Australia with his family in 1849 and lived first in South Australia and then came to Melbourne, joining his father’s business, George Rolfe was a keen farmer and fisherman and after holidaying in Warrnambool for some time, bought, in the early 1870s, the property at the mouth of the Hopkins River which he named Lyndoch after the town in South Australia. He came frequently to Warrnambool. He later extended his farming interests which included the properties of Fairy Hill and Shipley. George Rolfe married Jane Ann Lake in 1891 and the Lyndoch property passed to two of his stepdaughters. Today the Rolfe property is the site of an aged care facility. The business of Rolfe & Co. continued well into the 20th century.This tin is of great interest as a memento of George Rolfe of Lyndoch, Warrnambool and his Melbourne business, Rolfe & Co. George Rolfe was a prominent person in the Warrnambool district in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This is a metal container, rectangular in shape. It originally held tea. The sides of the tin have painted lettering regarding the contents and the supplier. This paint was originally in yellow, blue and brown tonings. The lid is round and slots into the rounded opening. The tin has been re-painted in a silver colour on the top and inside. The tin, especially the lettering on the sides, is much rusted and in some places the words are illegible. A small hole has been pierced in the top of the tin‘Rolfe’s Tea’ ‘Rolfe & Co. Ltd 300 King Street Melbourne’ rolfe & co, george rolfe senior, george rolfe junior, lyndoch, warrnambool

Commercial tin openers first appeared in the mid 19th century and this model dates from the early 20th century. An improved version when a second serrated wheel was added came into operation about the mid 1920s. Tins (now cans) of food with sealed tops became popular in the 20th century and all households needed a tin opener. Today the can opener is still used but increasingly the can lids have an inbuilt clip that is pulled out to open the can. This tin opener has no known local provenance but it is retained as an early model of a tin opener from the past. It will be useful for display. This is a cast iron tin opener with a cutting blade attached to a piece of metal with a screw. The metal handle curves out from the metal piece holding the blade. The opener is a little rusty in parts. The name ‘Guard ’ is on both sides of the handle in raised metal letters.‘Guard’ household items, history of warrnambool

This butter cooler was used in households to prevent butter from melting in the warmer weather. Ice would have been used in the butter container. The top of the container is domed, indicating the shape of the butter at that time (late 19th century). This butter cooler would have been a costly item and would have graced the dining table of a family that had considerable means. It would have been used on a dining table even after the invention of refrigeration in the 1880s as the eating rooms would have had little or no cooling mechanisms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This butter cooler has no known local provenance but it is a very attractive item and is retained as a good example of a household item no longer in use. It will be very useful for display.This is a silver butter cooler with a circular base with an ornamented edge. The base has a stem holding two highly ornamented arms branching out from the sides. These arms hold an oval container which has a chased silver base and an overhanging chased silver top. Inside the container is the space to hold ice or cold water. On top of the inside of the container sits a small round lid which holds the butter and the ice. The lid has several small holes for the ice water to drain underneath. The base of this lid is impressed with moulded fruit and leaves. The oval container has an over-arching handle attached. This is highly ornamented in fretwork. The sides of the container have two projecting pieces for holding the butter cooler and two other smaller projecting pieces with chains attached for hanging the object. One of these pieces has an oval holder for turning the hinged top of the container to close the container. This top has a chased silver patterning on its top. When the lid is closed the container adapts to a globe or egg shape.‘Made and Guaranteed by Meriden B. Company 5085 U.S.A. household items, history of warrnambool, silver butter cooler

This fish dish is an attractive household item which would have been used in the early to mid 20th century when the more affluent families in society were entertaining. It is not a common item and most likely would not be seen in households today. This dish has no known local provenance but is of considerable interest as a household item not seen today. It will be useful for display.This fish dish has an electro-plated nickel silver holder with two curved pieces of metal joined at the centre to form a base. There are four round metal balls at each end of the curved metal to stabilise the stand. Four curved metal pieces are attached to the base and hold a rectangular-shaped piece of metal and a handle. Fitting into this piece of metal is a cut glass container which is heavily patterned on the sides and base. The lid of this container is rectangular with rounded edges and silver-plated. The top of the lid has a silver-coloured free-standing fish model attached to the lid by a metal stud. The fish is a little loose on its stand. The handle can be folded down. ‘E P N S 62’ household items, history of warrnambool

This item is a container that would have been used by a woman to hold small items such as pins. It may also have originally contained some lotion or powder but there is no trade name to indicate this. It would have been found in a bedroom. Such items as these would have been given as presents to members of the more affluent families in the early 20th century. This container has no known local provenance but is retained as an attractive item from the past. It will be useful for display.This is a round-shaped cut glass container with a plain glass base and a metal lid which fits over the top of the container. The top of the lid has an enamel circular piece inserted into the metal. This piece has a white background with a painted image of the head and shoulders of a woman in brown and flesh-coloured tonings. The lid has some dents and some discoloration.household items, dressing table containers

This fragment is a piece of a cup that came from the Criterion Hotel in Warrnambool. This hotel, on the western side of Kepler Street near Lava Street, Warrnambool, was opened in 1872 with John Tate as the first licensee. Two notable families associated with the Criterion Hotel were the Humm family, (late 19th and early 20th centuries) and the McGennan family ( from the late 1920s on) The name on the fragment is that of Theresa Lynch who was the licensee of the hotel from 1919 to 1926 and the owner for most of that time. The hotel was closed in 2008 and, following a fire, the building was demolished in 2013.This fragment is of interest as it is one of the few items we have that date from the time of Theresa Lynch and the Criterion Hotel.This is a curved piece, one half of a white china cup. The fragment has been broken and mended. The fragment has imprinted on it in a red circle the name of a Warrnambool hotel and its proprietor. ‘Lynch’s Criterion Hotel Warrnambool’ theresa lynch, warrnambool

This manicure set would have been used in a household in the early 20th century and beyond that date as the contents are usable to this day. The contents of manicure sets do not vary much but the purchase of an expensive silver set would not be common today. This manicure set is of interest as an attractive household item from the past. It will be useful for display.This is a rectangular-shaped wooden box with a black cloth covering. The lid of the box has triangular-shaped sides to allow for the shapes of the contents. The box has two gilt metal clips and the lid is lined inside with padded navy and white cloth. The base of the box is lined inside with navy felt material and has indentations or insets in which to fit the contents pieces. The contents include two pairs of scissors, a nail file, a pair of tweezers, two cuticle repair instruments, a brush or pad and two small jars for holding powder or paste. One jar contains some sort of powder. All the manicure set pieces are made of silver or have silver handles or tops. The silver is tarnished. One pair of scissors may not be the original piece. manicure aids

These books appear to have been published in successive years as the inscription on one is 1875 and the contents of another deals with the history of India in 1878. The owner of the volumes was William Cassady (1824-1885).In 1846 he settled near the Merri River in the district that is today the Cassady's Bridge area in Caramut Road, Warrnambool. The property was called "Boughton". He married Elizabeth Anderson in 1857 and they had eleven children surviving to adulthood.These volumes are of antiquarian interest as they are an attractive example of the type of books owned by early settlers in the Warrnambool district. The activities of the British in India would have been of interest to settlers in other parts of the British Empire at that time. The books are also of interest as they belonged to William Cassady, a prominent early settler in the west Warrnambool area.These are five volumes of hard cover books with green covers and elaborate scrolls and decorations on the front covers and spines. The title lettering on the front covers is in black and gold. Each volume has several pages of black and white illustrations (steel engravings)at the front of the books, all with protective tissue paper. Some of the tissue paper is torn or missing. There are several coloured maps. The pages are gilt- edged.The third volume has the top part of the spine and binding torn away. The inscription in Volume Four is written in black ink.William Cassady, Boughton 1875william and elizabeth cassady