Depicts an eastern view of the Victorian Woollen Mill. This was the first woollen mill in Victoria and was producing cloth by 1868. It became defunct and was purchased by Godfrey Hirst and his partners in 1899, who renamed it Excelsior Mill No. 2. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096textile mills, godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, victorian woollen mill, excelsior mill no. 2

Depicts the dyehouse from one of the Godfrey Hirst mills in 1966. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, dyeing

Exterior view of the engine room and boiler house of the Barwon Mill (built 1874; taken over by Godfrey Hirst and renamed Excelsior One in 1890) in 1966. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096textile mills, godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, barwon woollen mill, excelsior one mill

Exterior view of the main office of Godfrey Hirst and Co. Pty Ltd mills. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096textile mills, godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd

Exterior view of the dining hall (looking west) of the Godfrey Hirst and Co. Pty Ltd mills. Dining hall opened in December 1922. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd

Exterior view of the dining hall (looking west) of the Godfrey Hirst and Co. Pty Ltd mills. Dining hall opened in December 1922. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd

Exterior view of the gardens of Godfrey Hirst and Co. Pty Ltd mills (looking east). In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd

Depicts the west side of the Victorian Woollen Mill. This was the first woollen mill in Victoria and was producing cloth by 1868. It became defunct and was purchased by Godfrey Hirst and his partners in 1899, who renamed it Excelsior Mill No. 2. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096textile mills, godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, victorian woollen mill, excelsior mill no. 2

Depicts the west side of the Victorian Woollen Mill. This was the first woollen mill in Victoria and was producing cloth by 1868. It became defunct and was purchased by Godfrey Hirst and his partners in 1899, who renamed it Excelsior Mill No. 2. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096textile mills, godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, victorian woollen mill, excelsior mill no. 2

Exterior view of the main office of Godfrey Hirst and Co. Pty Ltd mills. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096textile mills, godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd

Combing removes the short or broken fibres and draws out the long fibres into even strands suitable for spinning. The process is necessary to produce long and soft strands needed for worsted yarn. These machines remove the short fibres and blend the remaining long fibres together to form the top. The short fibres that are removed, known as the noil, are used in the woollen system. The long fibres are drawn together, ready for spinning. To retain as many of the valuable long fibres as possible, a skilled operator always needed to be on duty in the factory to precisely set the machine. Machine has been completely rebuilt and set up by Nick Sokolov of Comb Research and Development with the help of Bruce Hill and others. NSC Schlumberger Comb PB25L machine No 3953, year of manufacture 1964. A rectilinear version of the Noble Comb, this machine separated long and short fibres. Donated to the National Wool Museum by Port Phillip Wool Processing Pty Ltd in 1993.French comb machine. 1962 Shlumberger and Co, France Model PB 251 NO. 3953.french comb, wool processing, textile industry, factory, machine, comb, restoration, fibres

Combing removes the short or broken fibres and draws out the long fibres into even strands suitable for spinning. The process is necessary to produce long and soft strands needed for worsted yarn. These machines remove the short fibres and blend the remaining long fibres together to form the top. The short fibres that are removed, known as the noil, are used in the woollen system. The long fibres are drawn together, ready for spinning. To retain as many of the valuable long fibres as possible, a skilled operator always needed to be on duty in the factory to precisely set the machine. A Nobel Comb separates short (Noils) fibres while also blending long (Tops) fibres together. The long fibres are used for worsted materials while the short fibres are used for woollen fabrics. Woollen materials are soft, bulky and fuzzy, such as a picnic blanket; whereas worsted materials are fine, smooth and crisp, such as a suit jacket. The Valley Worsted Mills in Geelong, now the Little Creatures Brewery, ran 12 noble combs up until 1981. Gold plaque on display with machine until 2018 read: G.H. Mitchell & Son, Adelaide have celebrated 125 Years of involvement with the Australian Wool Processing Industry by contributing the funds necessary to restore The Carding Machine, Noble Comb & The Gill Box.Noble Comb with plates - 'Prince Smith & Sons, Burlington Shed, Keishley' (One plate located on each gear box). 'Prince Smith & Sons, Burlington Shed, Keishley' (One plate located on each gear box).wool manufacturing, noble comb, textile industry, geelong, little creatures brewery, valley worsted mills, fibres, wool, factory

Photo depicts male members of staff examining first piece of Harek tweed to be manufactured. Adrian Boddington Photography.textile industry, textile design, photographs

Exterior view of the Barwon Mill (built 1874; taken over by Godfrey Hirst and renamed Excelsior One in 1890) in 1966. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096textile mills, godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, barwon woollen mill, excelsior one mill

Depicts the weaving room in one of the Godfrey Hirst mills in 1966. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, weaving machinery

Depicts the weaving room in one of the Godfrey Hirst mills in 1966. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, weaving machinery

Depicts the weaving room in one of the Godfrey Hirst mills in 1966. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, weaving machinery

Depicts the woollen carding room in one of the Godfrey Hirst mills in 1966. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, carding

Depicts the woollen carding room in one of the Godfrey Hirst mills in 1966. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, carding

Depicts the woollen carding room in one of the Godfrey Hirst mills in 1966. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, carding

Depicts the west wall of the Barwon Mill, looking north in Factory Road. The Barwon Mill was built in 1874 and taken over by Godfrey Hirst and renamed Excelsior One in 1890. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096textile mills, godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, barwon woollen mill, excelsior one mill

Depicts the west wall of the Barwon Mill, looking north in Factory Road. The Barwon Mill was built in 1874 and taken over by Godfrey Hirst and renamed Excelsior One in 1890. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096textile mills, godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, barwon woollen mill, excelsior one mill

Depicts a northern view of the Victorian Woollen Mill. This was the first woollen mill in Victoria and was producing cloth by 1868. It became defunct and was purchased by Godfrey Hirst and his partners in 1899, who renamed it Excelsior Mill No. 2. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096textile mills, godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, victorian woollen mill, excelsior mill no. 2

Depicts the carpenters shop from one of the Godfrey Hirst mills in 1966. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd

Depicts the engineering shop from one of the Godfrey Hirst mills in 1966. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd

Depicts the blending room (where fibres were blended prior to carding) from one of the Godfrey Hirst mills in 1966. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, blending, carding

Depicts the blending room (where fibres were blended prior to carding) from one of the Godfrey Hirst mills in 1966. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, blending, carding

Depicts the caretakers cottage from the Godfrey Hirst mills in 1966. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd

Depicts the piece drying room from one of the Godfrey Hirst mills in 1966. In 1966 McKendrick Consolidated Industries Ltd purchased Godfrey Hirst Ltd to operate a carpet manufacturing concern and this photo was taken at the time of the takeover.Proof IAN HAWTHORNE / PHOTOGRAPHER / Commercial, Portrait, Wedding, Colour Processor / Upstairs, 140 Moorabool St., Geelong Ph. 98096godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, drying