Showing 1100 items matching "lights"
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Canterbury History Group
Ephemera - A lady in waiting, {2004}
Real estate advertisement for the sale by auction of 37 Alexandra Avenue, Canterbury on 21 February {2004}. Includes coloured photograph of the exterior of the house and floor and site plans.canterbury, alexandra avenue, lead lights, verandahs, californian bungalows -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Pamphlet, Yarra Trams, "Passenger Bulletin - Service Information Route 96 tram Priority trial - November 2011", October and November 2011
.1 - Pamphlet, 2 fold DL, full colour on gloss paper titled "Tram service changes - route 86 tram improvement project - Stage 1B - High St Northcote, Sunday 2 October to Sunday 9 October 2011", showing the road closures and alternative transport arrangements during the reconstruction of High St Northcote and the installation of the centre of the road island platform stops. Has 2 maps. Two copies held. .2 - Pamphlet - DL size, full colour on gloss paper, titled "Passenger Bulletin - Service Information Route 96 tram Priority trial - November 2011" Has photo of D2 5018 outside Museum of Victoria (IMAX sign) on front cover. Gives dates of the trials, that tram timetables had been temporarily change and that real time information could be obtained from TramTracker. .3 - Pamphlet, 3 fold DL, full colour on gloss paper titled "Tram service changes stage One - route 86 tram improvement project - High St Northcote, Saturday 9 July to Friday 15 July 2011." as for .1. Two copies held. All pamphlets have the Yarra Trams logos.trams, tramways, high st, northcote, tram stops, route 86, route 96, nicholson st, traffic lights, priority, tram d2 5018 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Newspaper, "How SCATS can adapt", c1980
Newspaper or magazine cutting from an unknown gloss paper titled "How SCATS can adapt", about the use of the system - Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (from VicRoads Website 7/7/2019), noting the use for the system for traffic control in Melbourne, including tram priority. Has a photo of trams 883 and 850 at the Sturt St Arts Centre intersection with the Shrine in the background. The VicRoads website notes that it was adopted in 1980. On the rear has a photo of the Computer equipment being used and equipment. Notes the transponder fitted to the trams.trams, tramways, traffic control, sturt st, traffic lights -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Photograph - Black and White photograph, c1951
Black and white photographs, of 15 men around a SW6 fitted with dash canopy lighting. In an e-mail from Mal Rowe dated 2/9/2019, he advises "If it is Essendon (and that looks right) especially noting that 454 (in the background) was allocated to Essendon at that time, so Essendon is pretty certain. The tram is most likely 927 - the only dash canopy SW6 with a number including 2 allocated to Essendon in the period. Geoff Warburton's tables say the three holes were cut in 927's dash in Nov 1951 and the it was converted to headlights in December 1951! As you say, looks like MMTB staff - in the pit in their suits! It's a long shot, but is the guy with his hand on the bumper on the opposite side to the number possibly Frank Kirby?""On rear in ink "About 1953 @ Essendon Depot"trams, tramways, dash canopy lights, essendon depot, engineers, tram 927, sw6 class, mmtb, staff -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Pamphlet, Minister of Transport, "Getting Trams Moving - Improved Traffic Management on Tram Routes", 1984
Pamphlet - special size - printed on orange paper, four fold titled "Getting Trams Moving - Improved Traffic Management on Tram Routes" giving details of new road traffic regulations for line marking on roads used by trams. Gives background to the work, traffic signals controlled by SCRAM and dates. Has diagrams of the various roads and line markings. Published by the Ministry of Transport 1984.trams, tramways, traffic control, traffic lights, tramways, rta -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Negative, Wal Jack, 1/09/1941 12:00:00 AM
Black and white negative, by Wal Jack, of Y 469 inside Camberwell depot along with two Y1 class cars and W2 with a dash canopy lighting panel - and an advert "Band Recital Wattle Park Next Sunday 3pm to 5pm" Photo dated 1-9-1941, in the Wal Jack album.trams, tramways, y class, y1 class, w2 class, wattle park, dash canopy lights, camberwell depot, tram 469 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Newspaper, The Age, "Tram chief raps councils over clogged routes", 22/04/2007 12:00:00 AM
Newspaper clipping from The Age, 22/4/2007 titled "Tram chief raps councils over clogged routes "written by Stephen Cauchi. about issues with clearways. Quotes Dennis Cliche, Yarra Trams CEO, Jim Betts, Director of Public Transport, Dick Gross President of the MAV, Peter Daly RACV and Daniel Bower PTUA. Concerned with the length of journeys, Think Tram, traffic light priority.trams, tramways, traffic lights, congestion, public transport, car parks -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Report, Legislative Council, "Inquiry into expanding Melbourne's Free Tram Zone", Dec. 2020
Digital image of a 152 page report, titled "Inquiry into expanding Melbourne's Free Tram Zone", prepared by the Legislative Council Dec. 2020. Has table of contents, terms of reference, Committee participants. Looked at extending the free tram zone, providing free travel for full time students, senior card holders, new technologies for network performance improving and dynamic public transport pricing. Notes the most of the evidence was taken prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 which had a dramatic impact on the use of public transport. Has extensive recommendations and a Minority report, including ticket technology and traffic light prioritisation.trams, tramways, enquiries, parliament, tickets, free tram, seniors card, students, traffic lights, priority -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Negative, Wal Larsen, c1950
Black and white negative, of SW6 908 over one of the inspection roads at Essendon depot, c1950. Has the destination of Essendon Depot, dash canopy lighting and a sign "For comfort travel between 9.30 & 4.0" Photo not in Wal Jack Melbourne album. Neg was in a Bright Methodist Church offering envelope - stored with negative file - has 1949 in pencil on the envelope. Wal Larsen was a Bright resident.trams, tramways, sw6 class, dash canopy lights, essendon depot, tram 908 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Negative, Wal Jack collection, c1950
Black and white negative, of SW6 876 passing over the Glen Iris Burke Road level crossing, c1950. Has the destination of City, route 7, dash canopy lighting and a sign "For comfort travel between 9.30 & 4.0" Photo not in Wal Jack Melbourne album. Neg was in a Bright Methodist Church offering envelope - stored with negative file - has 1949 in pencil on the envelope. Wal Larsen was a Bright resident.trams, tramways, sw6 class, dash canopy lights, burke road, glen iris, level crossings, tram 876 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Negative, Wal Jack collection, c1950
Black and white negative, of SW6 888 at the corner of Swanston and Collins St with the Town Hall in the background. Has the destination of East Malvern, route 5, dash canopy lighting and a sign "For comfort travel between 9.30 & 4.0". A W2 is crossing in Collins St. Neg has been damaged in the top right hand corner. Photo not in Wal Jack Melbourne album.trams, tramways, sw6 class, dash canopy lights, swanston st, east malvern, route 5, tram 888 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Report, John L Grigg, Chief Engineer MMTB, "Tram Priority - How and when will it happen", Apr. 1983
Report - 27 pages, photocopied, stapled in top left hand corner, titled "Tram Priority - How and when will it happen" written by John L Grigg, Chief Engineer MMTB, 20 April 1983. Report looks impact of traffic light controls, tram only lanes, clearways, right turns, results of tests and trials. Has many charts, graphs and diagrams. Presented 20/4/1983, at IEAust Transportation Branch meeting with Ian McDonald, City Engineer Prahran.trams, tramways, tramways, road signs, traffic lights, tram priority, traffic control -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Artwork, other - Stained glass window, Joseph Stansfield, Noli Me Tangere - In memory of Moira Bird Oliver, 1969
Moira Bird Oliver (nee Good) was a the wife of Padre Frank Leslie Oliver. They lived in the Mission for about 30 years. From Bronwyn Hughes: "The subject shows the resurrected Christ appearing to Mary. The window was probably the work of Joseph Stansfield and Phoenix Studios. After Brooks, Robinson & Co. closed its stained glass department in the 1960s, Stansfield, who was the senior artist and head of the department, set up in business with the foreman of the leadlight department, Jim Lynch. Phoenix continued to provide stained glass windows to churches in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales."Arched windows depicting a woman kneeling in front of JesusIn Living Memory Of Moira Bird Oliver / Wife of Rev. Frank Leslie Oliver . Chaplain of this Mission for 30 Years / - Erected by Friends . Inspired by her Life and Service.st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, hlg, harbour lights guild, moira bird oliver (nee good), joseph stansfield, phoenix studios -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Administrative record (item) - Minute Book, Cook & Heathcote, Minutes Book 1925-1934, Circa 1925
Documents the minutes of the Victorian Seamen's Mission from Thursday 8th of October 1925 to the 4th of July 1934. The minutes are a record of all members of the Victorian Seafarers' Mission during this time, as well as a record of the decisions and accounts of the committee.This is a formal record of proceedings within the Victorian Seafarers' Mission between 1925 to 1934. Entries in the book make reference to events which took place at the Mission, individual members and other parties, such as the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild.book, minutes, 1925-1934, victoria, mission-to-seafarers, victorian seamen's mission, minutes books -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Radiator
Early form of home heating and because of the copper dish was considered one of the better models|Manufacturing History Museum Victoria|Commentary: Australian manufacturing history Philip Wollen|Many years ago, when I was an ambition young man, I took over a company called Hecla.|This business was formed in 1872, long before Federation was even contemplated. The company established a rich tradition in the Australian manufacturing industry. The prodigious product range included kettles, mixers, toasters, hairdryers, urns, pie warmers, bain maries, and electric blankets for the domestic and commercial market. During the war it even manufactured parts for aircraft. It was one of Melbourne's largest employers.|Hecla was one of the pioneers in TV advertising, led by icons like Bert Newton, Bobby Limb, Evie Hayes and Graham Kennedy who ad Jibbed his way through irreverent and unscripted naughtiness about Hecla electric blankets and foot warmers. The slogan was 'By Hecla, its good.'. One can imagine the fun Bert and Graham had with their double entendres.|In the 60's Hecla entered into a partnership with General Electric and expanded rapidly. The massive factory, on the corner of Alexandra Parade and Chapel Street overlooking the Yarra River was a Melbourne landmark.|The business was formed by one of the scions of Melbourne industry. Mr Marriott was a metal worker of some repute, building the lights in front of Melbourne's Parliament House, the first steam car, the sideboard at the RACY Club, and the first factory to run on electricity.|By the time I acquired the company it was a shadow of its former self, incapable of competing with cheap Chinese imports. Wandering around the warehouse late one night I discovered a large, boarded up storeroom which appeared not to have been opened in decades.|Over several months I combed through the room, unearthing a treasure trove of products from a bygone era. Dusty files, engineering drawings, wooden prototypes, patent records, and correspondence from distributors on every continent.|I decided to track down an old man, Ray, long retired after 50 years with Hecla. He was not well off financially and welcomed the paid work. It turned out that he had done his apprenticeship with the company and there wasn't much he didn't know about it. He had been personally involved in the manufacture of almost every type of product on the Hecla smorgasbord's of products.|So for over 2 years he methodically assembled a mini museum of Hecla products, painstakingly polishing them and ensuring they were in working order. He attached the original brochure of each product and their respective warranty cards. For him it was ,a labour of love. For me it was a fascinating, if vicarious journey, into Australia's manufacturing past.|My colleagues complained that I was wasting money on his salary, our time and factory space on stuff that should have been dumped years ago. I tried to explain that I was merely a steward of the Hecla tradition, not merely an owner. Besides, the look on Ray's face convinced me that there was another dynamic at work. One I could see, but didn't really understand.|After he Passed away I faced a dilemma. What to do with this 'museum' of Hecla history. Nobody was interested.|So I kept the 'stuff' in private storage, hoping that same day someone would be interested in it. And the years passed.|Finally, I had a brainwave. Perhaps the Melbourne Museum would be interested. It was a long shot but I made the call. I had a nagging suspicion that they would think I was simply trying to get them to relieve me of paying for this huge collection to be taken to the tip.|To my surprise they said they would be willing to take a look, I secretly hoped that they would take the whole collection and not leave me with an incomplete jumble of appliances that I would indeed have to take to the tip.|On the appointed day, four serious looking young people showed up. Armed with digital cameras, note books and poker faces they spent four hours analysing the goods and the supporting materials. I asked them if they had any interest and their response was decidedly non-committal. It depends on the acquisitions committee, I was told. I was disheartened and packed up the exhibits to go back into storage.|Imagine my surprise when months later they telephoned to say that they had researched the history of the company, and yes, they would like to take the whole collection. And a truck with 'handlers' would arrive the following day to pick it up. Two years ago all Hecla's archives left me forever and went to the Museum's warehouse.|Well, to my delight I received a call yesterday inviting me to a private viewing of the exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. These young historians had meticulously assembled an impressive display of Melbourne's industry and technology going back to the 1800's. They thanked me like a significant benefactor when it is I who should have thanked them.|I saw the excitement in the eyes of these young people who had somehow managed to dig out and assemble memories from Australia's past. If this is the standard of care that the curators of the Melbourne Museum show all their exhibits, our history is in safe hands.|Their meticulous work took me back to those years long ago when I saw an old man lovingly assembling and cataloging a lifetime of his work.|It took me back to the day when Australians actually made things. Long before we became a nation of quarrymen. Before we became animal-factory 'farmers'. Of a time when products didn't break down, or dumped and replaced before the warranty expired. When men like Mr Marriott cared deeply about what their hands produced.|It reminded me of the call I received from an elderly lady in Tasmania asking for the electrical element for a Hecla K7 kettle. I searched the archives and called her back. The K7 was produced decades earlier and we no longer carried that spare part. She was quite disheartened and told me her kettle had finally 'given up the ghost' and she couldn't bear to part with it. It was a present from her husband on their wedding day 45 years ago. Her final words were 'they don't make them like that, do they? By Hecla they were good.'|I'm glad I followed my instinct and put Ray back on the payroll all those years ago..|I like to think Mr Marriott would have been pleased.Pedestal radiator. Base is cast iron with three feet with rose design on each. Pedestal supports a copper spherical reflector plate which has an electrical connection box at its base. The connection box is joined to the pedestal by a screw and nut to enable the reflector to be tilted. The element is cone shaped and is in the centre of the plate. The element is protected by a wire guard.Hecla Firedomestic items, heating -
Narre Warren and District Family History Group
Book, Jeff Carter, Stout hearts and leathery hands, 1968
Here is a robust picture of an Australia which few people know. Jeff Carter writes in his usual forthright and picturesque style about the people he met when he turned his back on the cities the true individualists such as the maker of flint-lock muskets, the bird-imitator, the builder of dry stone walls. He tells also of how he and his family took over an overgrown farm in the hills, and of their fashioning of a new and richly satisfying way of life far from traffic-lights and smog. It is a full-flavoured book of the open air, of the sturdiness and self-reliance of those to whom achievements mean more than possessions. And if, in reading it, you should wish that you could live in the same way, Jeff Carter gives some tantalizing advice on how you can build a new life for yourself in company with those of STOUT HEARTS AND LEATHERY HANDS. (cover)non-fictionHere is a robust picture of an Australia which few people know. Jeff Carter writes in his usual forthright and picturesque style about the people he met when he turned his back on the cities the true individualists such as the maker of flint-lock muskets, the bird-imitator, the builder of dry stone walls. He tells also of how he and his family took over an overgrown farm in the hills, and of their fashioning of a new and richly satisfying way of life far from traffic-lights and smog. It is a full-flavoured book of the open air, of the sturdiness and self-reliance of those to whom achievements mean more than possessions. And if, in reading it, you should wish that you could live in the same way, Jeff Carter gives some tantalizing advice on how you can build a new life for yourself in company with those of STOUT HEARTS AND LEATHERY HANDS. (cover)foxground south coast nsw, country living -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Heater - Electric, C1940s
Manufacturing History Museum Victoria|Commentary: Australian manufacturing history Philip Wollen|Many years ago, when I was an ambition young man, I took over a company called Hecla. This business was formed in 1872, long before Federation was even contemplated. The company established a rich tradition in the Australian manufacturing industry. The prodigious product range included kettles, mixers, toasters, hairdryers, urns, pie warmers, bain maries, and electric blankets for the domestic and commercial market. During the war it even manufactured parts for aircraft. It was one of Melbourne's largest employers.|Hecla was one of the pioneers in TV advertising, led by icons like Bert Newton, Bobby Limb, Evie Hayes and Graham Kennedy who ad Jibbed his way through irreverent and unscripted naughtiness about Hecla electric blankets and foot warmers. The slogan was 'By Hecla, its good.'. One can imagine the fun Bert and Graham had with their double entendres.|In the 60's Hecla entered into a partnership with General Electric and expanded rapidly. The massive factory, on the corner of Alexandra Parade and Chapel Street overlooking the Yarra River was a Melbourne landmark.|The business was formed by one of the scions of Melbourne industry. Mr Marriott was a metal worker of some repute, building the lights in front of Melbourne's Parliament House, the first steam car, the sideboard at the RACY Club, and the first factory to run on electricity.|By the time I acquired the company it was a shadow of its former self, incapable of competing with cheap Chinese imports. Wandering around the warehouse late one night I discovered a large, boarded up storeroom which appeared not to have been opened in decades.|Over several months I combed through the room, unearthing a treasure trove of products from a bygone era. Dusty files, engineering drawings, wooden prototypes, patent records, and correspondence from distributors on every continent.|I decided to track down an old man, Ray, long retired after 50 years with Hecla. He was not well off financially and welcomed the paid work. It turned out that he had done his apprenticeship with the company and there wasn't much he didn't know about it. He had been personally involved in the manufacture of almost every type of product on the Hecla smorgasbord's of products.|So for over 2 years he methodically assembled a mini museum of Hecla products, painstakingly polishing them and ensuring they were in working order. He attached the original brochure of each product and their respective warranty cards. For him it was ,a labour of love. For me it was a fascinating, if vicarious journey, into Australia's manufacturing past.|My colleagues complained that I was wasting money on his salary, our time and factory space on stuff that should have been dumped years ago. I tried to explain that I was merely a steward of the Hecla tradition, not merely an owner. Besides, the look on Ray's face convinced me that there was another dynamic at work. One I could see, but didn't really understand.|After he Passed away I faced a dilemma. What to do with this 'museum' of Hecla history. Nobody was interested.|So I kept the 'stuff' in private storage, hoping that same day someone would be interested in it. And the years passed.|Finally, I had a brainwave. Perhaps the Melbourne Museum would be interested. It was a long shot but I made the call. I had a nagging suspicion that they would think I was simply trying to get them to relieve me of paying for this huge collection to be taken to the tip.|To my surprise they said they would be willing to take a look, I secretly hoped that they would take the whole collection and not leave me with an incomplete jumble of appliances that I would indeed have to take to the tip.|On the appointed day, four serious looking young people showed up. Armed with digital cameras, note books and poker faces they spent four hours analysing the goods and the supporting materials. I asked them if they had any interest and their response was decidedly non-committal. It depends on the acquisitions committee, I was told. I was disheartened and packed up the exhibits to go back into storage.|Imagine my surprise when months later they telephoned to say that they had researched the history of the company, and yes, they would like to take the whole collection. And a truck with 'handlers' would arrive the following day to pick it up. Two years ago all Hecla's archives left me forever and went to the Museum's warehouse.|Well, to my delight I received a call yesterday inviting me to a private viewing of the exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. These young historians had meticulously assembled an impressive display of Melbourne's industry and technology going back to the 1800's. They thanked me like a significant benefactor when it is I who should have thanked them.|I saw the excitement in the eyes of these young people who had somehow managed to dig out and assemble memories from Australia's past. If this is the standard of care that the curators of the Melbourne Museum show all their exhibits, our history is in safe hands.|Their meticulous work took me back to those years long ago when I saw an old man lovingly assembling and cataloging a lifetime of his work.|It took me back to the day when Australians actually made things. Long before we became a nation of quarrymen. Before we became animal-factory 'farmers'. Of a time when products didn't break down, or dumped and replaced before the warranty expired. When men like Mr Marriott cared deeply about what their hands produced.|It reminded me of the call I received from an elderly lady in Tasmania asking for the electrical element for a Hecla K7 kettle. I searched the archives and called her back. The K7 was produced decades earlier and we no longer carried that spare part. She was quite disheartened and told me her kettle had finally 'given up the ghost' and she couldn't bear to part with it. It was a present from her husband on their wedding day 45 years ago. Her final words were 'they don't make them like that, do they? By Hecla they were good.'|I'm glad I followed my instinct and put Ray back on the payroll all those years ago..|I like to think Mr Marriott would have been pleased.Large electric heater with two radiator bars and a protective grille at the top and false coals at the bottom.Replacements for this fire - Elements No. F314 - Illuminators No. 3P. Berry's Electric Ltd - Volts 230 - 240 -Watts 2000 V/AD/Cat No. 454 . Made in Australia by Hecla Electrics Pty Ltd Melbournedomestic items, heating -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Painting - Painting, framed, The Speke, 1891
The ship Speke ran aground on the coast of Phillip Island on the 22nd of February 1906. The ship was painted by Artist Woolston L Barratt in 1891 and hung in the saloon of the Speke. It was given by Captain Tilston to John Cleeland, captain of the rocket rescue team and the painting used to hang in his home Wollomai house on Phillip Island. It was restored by Mal Campbell to fix smoke damage.The Speke was an all steel ship built in Wales in 1891, the second largest 3-masted full-rigged ship in the world. She was delivering wheat to Geelong and confused a bushfire in Cowes for navigation lights. Many local people salvaged goods from the resulting wreckage.Restored painting of the Speke mounted in the original gold frame.phillip island, art, speke, woolston barratt, woolamai house -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Sculpture - Figurehead, Late 19th Century
Saved from the ship Speke which ran aground on the coast of Phillip Island on the 22nd of February 1906. The figure head of the Speke was in the shape of woman, wearing a flowing white dress with blue cuffs and collar and carrying a large bunch of daffodils. It was originally nine feet four inches long. This sculpture went missing after the event and decades later the head only was re-discovered in Mr Thompson’s garage. It was then restored by Headmaster Kevin and the senior children of Cowes State school in 1940.The Speke was an all steel ship built in Wales in 1891. She was delivering wheat to Geelong and confused a bushfire in Cowes for navigation lights. Many local people salvaged goods from the resulting wreckage.Large wooden figure head, carved to resemble a woman. Painted aspects of hair, face, collar. Mounted on an undecorated wooden shield.phillip island, speke, kitty miller bay, figurehead, cowes state school -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Electric Foot Warmer
Used by Colin Sach during his employment as Manager of the Chemistry Dept. at the University of Melbourne over a period of forty years.Manufacturing History Museum Victoria Commentary: Australian manufacturing history Philip Wollen Many years ago, when I was an ambition young man, I took over a company called Hecla.|This business was formed in 1872, long before Federation was even contemplated. The company established a rich tradition in the Australian manufacturing industry. The prodigious product range included kettles, mixers, toasters, hairdryers, urns, pie warmers, bain maries, and electric blankets for the domestic and commercial market. During the war it even manufactured parts for aircraft. It was one of Melbourne's largest employers.|Hecla was one of the pioneers in TV advertising, led by icons like Bert Newton, Bobby Limb, Evie Hayes and Graham Kennedy who ad Jibbed his way through irreverent and unscripted naughtiness about Hecla electric blankets and foot warmers. The slogan was 'By Hecla, its good1'. One can imagine the fun Bert and Graham had with their double entendres.|In the 60's Hecla entered into a partnership with General Electric and expanded rapidly. The massive factory, on the corner of Alexandra Parade and Chapel Street overlooking the Yarra River was a Melbourne landmark.|The business was formed by one of the scions of Melbourne industry. Mr Marriott was a metal worker of some repute, building the lights in front of Melbourne's Parliament House, the first steam car, the sideboard at the RACY Club, and the first factory to run on electricity.|By the time I acquired the company it was a shadow of its former self, incapable of competing with cheap Chinese imports. Wandering around the warehouse late one night I discovered a large, boarded up storeroom which appeared not to have been opened in decades.|Over several months I combed through the room, unearthing a treasure trove of products from a bygone era. Dusty files, engineering drawings, wooden prototypes, patent records, and correspondence from distributors on every continent.|I decided to track down an old man, Ray, long retired after 50 years with Hecla. He was not well off financially and welcomed the paid work. It turned out that he had done his apprenticeship with the company and there wasn't much he didn't know about it. He had been personally involved in the manufacture of almost every type of product on the Hecla smorgasbord's of products.|So for over 2 years he methodically assembled a mini museum of Hecla products, painstakingly polishing them and ensuring they were in working order. He attached the original brochure of each product and their respective warranty cards. For him it was ,a labour of love. For me it was a fascinating, if vicarious journey, into Australia's manufacturing past.|My colleagues complained that I was wasting money on his salary, our time and factory space on stuff that should have been dumped years ago. I tried to explain that I was merely a steward of the Hecla tradition, not merely an owner. Besides, the look on Ray's face convinced me that there was another dynamic at work. One I could see, but didn't really understand.|After he Passed away I faced a dilemma. What to do with this 'museum' of Hecla history. Nobody was interested.|So I kept the 'stuff' in private storage, hoping that same day someone would be interested in it. And the years passed.|Finally, I had a brainwave. Perhaps the Melbourne Museum would be interested. It was a long shot but I made the call. I had a nagging suspicion that they would think I was simply trying to get them to relieve me of paying for this huge collection to be taken to the tip.|To my surprise they said they would be willing to take a look, I secretly hoped that they would take the whole collection and not leave me with an incomplete jumble of appliances that I would indeed have to take to the tip.|On the appointed day, four serious looking young people showed up. Armed with digital cameras, note books and poker faces they spent four hours analysing the goods and the supporting materials. I asked them if they had any interest and their response was decidedly non-committal. It depends on the acquisitions committee, I was told. I was disheartened and packed up the exhibits to go back into storage.|Imagine my surprise when months later they telephoned to say that they had researched the history of the company, and yes, they would like to take the whole collection. And a truck with 'handlers' would arrive the following day to pick it up. Two years ago all Hecla's archives left me forever and went to the Museum's warehouse.|Well, to my delight I received a call yesterday inviting me to a private viewing of the exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. These young historians had meticulously assembled an impressive display of Melbourne's industry and technology going back to the 1800's. They thanked me like a significant benefactor when it is I who should have thanked them.|I saw the excitement in the eyes of these young people who had somehow managed to dig out and assemble memories from Australia's past. If this is the standard of care that the curators of the Melbourne Museum show all their exhibits, our history is in safe hands.|Their meticulous work took me back to those years long ago when I saw an old man lovingly assembling and cataloging a lifetime of his work.|It took me back to the day when Australians actually made things. Long before we became a nation of quarrymen. Before we became animal-factory 'farmers'. Of a time when products didn't break down, or dumped and replaced before the warranty expired. When men like Mr Marriott cared deeply about what their hands produced.|It reminded me of the call I received from an elderly lady in Tasmania asking for the electrical element for a Hecla K7 kettle. I searched the archives and called her back. The K7 was produced decades earlier and we no longer carried that spare part. She was quite disheartened and told me her kettle had finally 'given up the ghost' and she couldn't bear to part with it. It was a present from her husband on their wedding day 45 years ago. Her final words were 'they don't make them like that, do they? By Hecla they were good1'|I'm glad I followed my instinct and put Ray back on the payroll all those years ago..|I like to think Mr Marriott would have been pleased.Square metal box with electrical elements inside. Used to stand on or to put feet on when sitting. Elaborate pattern in centre with inscription.Hecla Foot Warmerdomestic items, heating