The story of 90 years of wool classing between father & son begins in 1936, when a young boy by the name of Stanley James Hucker walked through the doors of the Gordon Technical School in Geelong. Born in 1921, Stanley was 15 years of age when he began his 3-year course in Wool Classing. 30 years later, Stanley’s second son Denis completed the same 3-year wool classing course. Beginning in 1966, Denis attended the same Gordon Technical School and walked the same halls as his father before him. Stanley finished his course in 1938. He went back to the family farm in Lake Bolac for a brief period before enrolling in the Second World War. At the completion of the war, Stanley returned home and married before gaining a soldier settler allotment, north of Willaura. This enabled Stan to use his wool classing knowledge. He ran between 1,500 and 2,000 sheep for many years, while his wool classer stencil also allowed him to go out and class at various sheds around the area. He held his stencil from 1938 until he retired at the age of 60 in 1981. On retirement, his second son Denis was working in the district, managing a local property while also leasing land himself. Upon his father’s retirement, Denis had the opportunity to lease his father’s farm, an opportunity he could not refuse. Denis had finished his wool classing course at the Gordon Technical School in 1968, graduating dux of his class. He began working with a local contractor and started classing wool in his team. Denis gained a great deal of experience working as part of this team in big sheds of up to 8 stands servicing between 10 & 20,000 sheep. It was not all smooth sailing for Denis however, and he soon learnt an important lesson. Class wool the way you’re taught, don’t listen to the owner standing over your shoulder. At a clip of Corriedales near Casterton, Denis was pushing too many fleeces into the line of fine wool. This resulted in a notice from the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) “mixing counts too much, submit three clips for inspection”. Denis was able to submit 3 clips with no further complaints, however, this proved a valuable lesson he would never forget over his long career classing wool. In the early 1980s, when Denis was leasing two properties including his father’s, things were going well until drought struck. February 1983 was the date of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and saw Melbourne have three days over 40 °C for only the second time on record. This period saw Denis give away farming, turning towards contracting work instead. After the difficult times of the early 1980s, the next two decades were a good time for the sheep industry. 15 micron wool was selling for prices between 4 to 5,000 cents per kilo, double what you’d expect for the same wool in 2022. In 1995 a single bale of wool sold for a million dollars. This was a good time for Denis too. His contracting work saw him employing local shearers and shed staff. His team was involved with the shearing and classing of more than 130,000 sheep. After 20 years of contracting, it was time for Denis to transition into the next phase of his life. He gave up independent contracting, preferring instead to return to being a member of someone else’s team. In 2018, having completed 50 years of wool classing, it was time to call it a day and retire completely. At the annual Gordon Wool School Old Students Association dinner held in 2018, Denis was presented with his 50 years as a registered wool classer stencil awarded by the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). This is a rare honour achieved by few. As of February 2020, a total of 430 wool classers had achieved this 50-year milestone. For Denis however, his proudest achievement is achieving 90 years of wool classing with his father. The National Wool Museum is proud to share the collection of objects gained from 90 years in the wool classing industry by Stanley and Denis. This ranges from Stanley’s first stencil and Wool Sample book, started when he first attended the Gordon in 1936. The collection concludes 90 years later with Denis’ 50 years of wool classing Stencil. The collection contains many more objects, all telling the story of these 90 years, and the hard work invested by this dedicated father and son duo. Thin sheet of metal with letters and numbers cut to produce a consistent pattern for the surface below through the application of ink. In small text on the top edge of the stencil two separate phrases are engraved.” A.W.C. PROPERTY NOT TRANSFERABLE” and “PROFESSIONAL“. This wool classing stencil belonged to Stanley Hucker. It was his last Wool Classing Stencil. Dated to 1983, it is 45 years older than his first stencil. The role of a Wool Classer is to sort, classify, and grade wool into various ‘lines’ so that it can be sold for best market price. Wool Classers are typically also tasked with the managing and supervising of wool-handling teams. The stencil is used in the final step of preparing a bale of wool for sale. It is branded across the front of a wool bale to indicate the quality of the wool, with the classers number used as a seal of guarantee.Engraved letters. “A.W.C. PROPERTY / NOT TRANSFERABLE” Engraved letters. “PROFESSIONAL“. Cut imagery. Sheep’s head Cut letters, numbers, and imagery. “83 (Image Australia) P I / 50922”wool classing, stencil, 90 years wool classing between father & son

The Kangaroo Hoppet is Australia’s premier long distance cross country ski race, and a member of the Worldloppet series of international cross country ski events. The first race at Falls Creek was held in 1979 under the name of “Australian Birkebeiner”. It was a 21km race with about 80 participants organised by the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club of Mount Beauty. The course started and finished at Falls Creek Alpine Resort and took participants out into the Bogong High Plains. After running the event for 10 years, it was decided they should become part of the Worldloppet series of marathon ski races. Representatives from the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club and the Australian Ski Federation attended the Worldloppet Annual Meeting in Finland in June 1990 to put the case for the acceptance of an Australian event into the Worldloppet series. Before being admitted, they had to demonstrate that the Birkebeiner Club could run a world class event, so three months later in August 1990 a 42km event named the Australian International Ski Marathon was held at Falls Creek together with a 21km Birkebeiner race and a 7km event called the Birkebeiner Lite. The event was approved by delegates from USA, Norway and Austria, in 1991 Australia became the 12th member of Worldloppet, with the condition that there had to be a name change. After some late night discussion allegedly involving red wine from North East Victoria the main event became the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet, with the minor events being the 21km Australian Birkebeiner, and 7km Joey Hoppet. In the winter of 1991, the first Kangaroo Hoppet was held. It was a great success and has been a regular fixture on the international ski calendar ever since. It features the main 42km event as well as a 21km event and a 7km event. The Hoppet brings the Australian snowfields to an international audience. In 2017 the Men's Winner was Miles Havlick from USA in a time of 1:37:24.2. The winner of the Women's event was Barbara Jezersek of Australia in a time of 1:46:59.8. This poster is significant because it documents an event which brings international attention to Falls Creek and the surrounding region.A poster featuring two Australian skiers on a downhill slope with a group of spectators in the background. Logos of Worldloppet, AGL, Falls Creek, Alpine Shire Council, Victorian State Government, the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club and FIS are across the bottom of the poster. To the left of image: KANGAROO HOPPET 26 August 2017 42 km 21 km 7 km FALLS CREEK AUSTRALIA Beside the logos: www.hoppet.com.au Photo: Mike - www.fallscreekphotos.com.aukangaroo hoppet, worldloppet events, falls creek, mt. beauty

Round lapel pin.Image of the map of the world, light blue oceans, bright red abstract outlines of continents. Surrounded by navy blue border with STOKE MANDEVILLE GAMES GREAT BRITAIN written in gold.stoke-mandeville games

Black and white photographWritten on rear of backing sheet: "Herman Pump and family." Image shows Mr. Herman Pump and family outside family home on Canterbury Rd. Now site of Uniting Church.

Black and white photograph Written on back of photograph: "Declaration of the City of Ringwood, 1960." Image shows Governor of Victoria Sir Dallas Brooks, Ringwood Mayor Cr.A. Lavis, Town Clerk F. Dwerryhouse.

The photograph is a reproduction of a lantern slide produced in 1880. The image depicts a circus arriving in town. The wagons are being pulled by an elephant.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: 3291 / A03291 /entertainment album, circus, beechworth, 1800s, lantern slide, elephants, animals, performance, entertainment

The postcard image depicts the conning tower of a Japanese midget submarine that was involed in the attack on Sydney Harbour on May 31st, 1942.On the 31st of May 1942, in the midst of World War Two, Sydney found itself under attack from three Japanese midget submarines that entered Sydney Harbour under the cover of night. The first submarine became trapped in anti-torpedo nets and the third submarine was sunk in Taylor Bay. The second submarine fired on the heavy cruiser the USS Chicago. One of the torpedoes exploded near the depot ship the HMAS Kuttabul, killing 21 sailors.Black and white rectangular postcard printed on cardReverse: 7525-2/ POST CARD/ 3/ This postcard is a/ souvenir of the Exhibition/ of Japanese Midget Sub-/ marines sunk in Sydney Har-/ bour on the night of Sunday,/ May 31st, 1942, the night/ that the first attack on/ Sydney by a foreign power/ took place and was/ frustrated./ 30th JULY 1942/ SERIAL No. 3/ Conning tower of Japanese midget submarine/ The Con. Tower/ military album, beechworth, burke museum, ww2, world war two, wwii, maritime, sydney harbour, sydney, japanese, japan, submarine

Original held by Mr. Mike Rosel. Relates to series of images, reg. No P000027, P000028.2, P000029.3, P000030.2, P000031, P000032Photograph shows Port of Echuca from a slight height looking lengthways (north ward) with the steam train carriages and the wharf dominating the view. Murray river on the right, Murray esplanade on left with Star hotel visible and Federal Ale sign of the northern fence beyond the hotel. Sawmill is a commercial concern (steam visible above roof). Steam train marked A2 and 996 on the front of the engine. Various equipment , including manual cranes, visible on and around the wharf. Cargo shed is clearly visible on the wharf.Black and white photograph of the Port of Echuca from a slight height looking lengthways, (north) with steam train and wharf dominating the view. Murray river on the right and Murray Esplanade on left. Cranes and cargo shed clearly visible with other wharf machinery running along the side of the wharf. Star Hotel visible on the far left of the photograph. Saw mill (in background) is still a working operation.On train "A2" and "996". "Federal Ale" sigh on the fence beyond the Star Hotel.port of echuca, sawmill, steam trains, echuca wharf, rosel, mike

Digital images of houses at corner of Gladstone and Sherbourne Roads Briar Hill in 2021. This site was previously Crystal Car Wash.Part of a collection of miscellaneous historical images with a connection to the local area.Digital photographs. sherbourne road briar hill, gladstone road briar hill

Personal recollection of the day in Melbourne when Victory in the Pacific was announced, with images of contemporary badges, articles, posters and other memorabilia13 p typescipt and photographs of memorabilia of World War IIworld war ii, victory in the pacific, rosie bray

Bowen is a town in North Queensland, near the Whitsundays. The photograph taken in 1928 is an early image of sugar cane being harvested.One of a series of photographs from an album page where all photographs detached but with descriptive inscriptions. This image was matched to one of these.Small sepia photograph depicting depicting side on view of black horse hitched to a cart loaded with vegetation and one person wearing a hat loading up. sugar cane, horses, queensland, fan album, bowen

Digital copy of one of 7 slides depicting photographs of police from 1858 to 1930s. This image is of black trackers 1858.Digital copy of black and white slide.police, victoria police

The image was taken in the Ballarat School of Mines Metallurgy Laboratory at Lydiard Street, before moving to Mount Helen Campus in 1970.Jeff Coward looks through a Reichert microscope set up on a table at the Ballarat School of Minesballarat school of mines, microscope, reichert, coward, jeff coward

The image on this coin shows a British monarch, the mature Queen Victoria, in 1900. This was the period just prior to Australia's Federation in 1901,This coin represents the currency used in Australia at the turn of the 20th century, and just prior to the Federation of Australia in 1901..Coin, Queen Victorian Half Penny, 1900, Obverse shows the "Old Head" of Queen Victoria. Reverse shows Britannia. Coin well worn.Obverse: "VICTORIA : DEI : GRA : BRITT : REGINA : FID : IND : IMP : Reverse: "HALF PENNY" "1900"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, coin, british coin, currency, half penny, 20th century, queen victoria, old queen victoria, brittania, 1900, prior to federation

This images show the working Ceramics Studio, but it is in the process of being packed up for the proposed move to another building by December 2016. A number of panoramic photographs of the Federation University Arts Academy Ceramics Studio located on SMB Campus in the M.B. John Building. The people in the photographs are Peter Pilven, Claire Blake and students. ceramics, m.b. john building, arts academy, peter pilven, claire blake

Posters made as publicity for Ballarat Institute of Advanced Education. The show with designs, images and text the activities and courses available at the BIAE.One orange and one green poster on thick cardballarat institute of advanced education, posters, activities, design

Built 1870, photograph taken 1972, image of carpeted entrance hallway leading to stairway when being used as an office.Unmounted black and white photograph in good conditionLinden, 14-4-1972. Age photo Y7058/9 ABC'

This image is of a bullock team belonging to Mr. Camm at Rupertswood. There are two men in the dray and one man in a white coat walkingA black and white photograph of a bullock team belonging to Mr. Camm. There are two men in the dray and one man in a white coat walking.animals, livestock, men, bullocks, camm, - (mr), rupertswood, drays, george evans collection

Possibly Latrobe Valley power station. Images mounted in the same way as AHSV1460. Ambulance officer B. Quirke attendingTwo black and white photographs mounted on folio sized office paper. Shows injured workers being treated on ambulance officers and workers. b. quirke

Original photograph by William Bardwell, with the original image held by the State Library of Victoria. Edited by Richard Conn. Purchased by the Museum.Provides information about the appearance of Armstrong St from the Town Hall. Shows the topography of the area, along with many buildings, including W Milne & Cp and J N Healy in the Hall of Commerce and Doig & Co, Plumbers and Gasfitters.Black & White copy photograph aerial view A4 size, titled ""Ballarat looking north west from the Town Hall ca 1872" looking along Armstrong St. Original photo by William Bardwell.ballarat, armstrong st, w milne & co, doig&co, j n healy

Original photograph by William Bardwell, with the original image held by the State Library of Victoria. Edited by Richard Conn. Purchased by the Museum.Provides information about the appearance of Sturt St Ballarat, looking from the Town Hall. Shows the topography of the area, along with many buildings, including the London Chartered Bank of Australia (later the Commonwealth Bank), the Unicorn Hotel, J. Dodds Bucks Head Hotel, road works in Bridge St, Albion House Drapery, Bryce & Chalmers Produced Merchants, a fenced central median strip and two horse-drawn carriages parked in Lydiard St.Black & White copy photograph aerial view A4 size, titled ""Ballarat looking east from the Town Hall ca 1872" looking along Sturt St towards Grenville St. Original photo by William Bardwell.ballarat, sturt st, grenville st, lydiard st, bucks head hotel, bryce & chalmers, london chartered bank, albion house, bridge st

A. W. Glencross Esq. Illuminated Address 1909. Richardson Valley Railway League. Small image of Marnoo Railway Station.B/W Photo.:3 oval landscape inset photos across the top of Illuminated Address. In the design an oval portrait photo of a male. A printed proforma letter format. Bottom left landscape photo.Marnoo Victoria . Oct. 15th 1909. Dear Sir, The Richardson Valley Railway League upon its disbanding wish to the very excellent work done by you in bringing our efforts to a at issue. As Hon. Secretary to the League since its inception you have been assiduous and we tender to you our sincere thanks and that the success of our endeavours is in no small measure due to the able, intelligent and unselfish manner in which you have carried out the many duties pertaining to the position. As a small token of our appreciation we respectfully ask you to accept this address. On behalf of the League and it's supporters we wish you every success and beg to subscribe ourselves Yours faithfullymarnoo

This image depicts the intersection of increasing urbanisation and the rural landscape that once made up the area now known as City of Kingston.Black and white photograph of the intersection of Warrigal Road and Centre Road, South Oakleigh, viewed from the reservoir. In the foreground are paddocks and in the background is a shopping strip, including a petrol station.Handwritten in blue ink on reverse: 2196 Handwritten in red ink on reverse: 100%oakleigh, roads, shopping strip, paddocks

The photograph was taken at Linton State School in 1950. Printed from a digital image sent to LDHS by Maureen Stapleton in 2017.Black and white photograph showing three young girls sitting on a window ledge of a brick building.maureen stapleton, pauline o'beirne, edna head, linton state school no. 880

Digital images of Aussie Angler Greensborough, Corner Sherbourne Road and Graeme Avenue Briar Hill 19/09/2019Part of a collection of miscellaneous historical images with a connection to the local area.Digital colour photographsfishing, aussie angler, angling

Stereoscope is an optical instrument which enables a two dimensional image to appear three dimensional. They were popular mid 1850s.Collection of stereotypes and stereoscopesphotography, viewers

Image appears to be copied from an original postcard, maker unidentified|Also and enlarged copy of photograph 27 x 17Colour photograph of the LookOut Tree on Jemmys Point, shows a dead standing grey box tree supported by two logs and with a ladder over thirty feet long attached for access to the four branches used as a viewing platform. One person sitting on top, man in Indian dress halfway up ladder. Lakes Entrance Victoria.LookOut Tree at Lakes Entrance Cunninghame, Victoriahistoric sites, navigation

Also identical image, good condition, clearer print, collected, also enlargement 16 cm x 25.5 cmBlack and white postcard taken from the path up Kalimna Hill, showing the concrete North Arm bridge; Bullock Island; New Works area and Western side of Entrance. Lakes Entrance VictoriaNorth Arm Bridge Lakes Entrancewaterways, bridges, coast