This fork is believed to belong to the household of Chiltern writer and historian, W.C. Busse. It displays a level of tarnish indicating it may be comprised of silver or silver plate. It has no evident hallmark to determine its maker or date of manufacture, but may pre-date World War Two as mass production methods and the growing popularity of stainless steel in cutlery and other tablewares saw a reduced reliance on silver in such goods after this period. The handle of the fork appears to display the initials 'WB', potentially indicating it was made to order. Wilfred Clarence Busse was born in Chiltern in 1898. He went to school at Wesley College in Melbourne, studied law at the University of Melbourne and became a barrister. Additionally, after spending time on a Victorian station in his early twenties, he wrote two historical novels about bush life. His first novel was 'The Blue Beyond: a Romance of the Early Days in South Eastern Australia', written in 1928 and published in 1930. Busse's second novel was titled 'The Golden Plague: A Romance of the Early Fifties'. The judges of the Henry Lawson Society's T.E. Rofe competition to advance Australian literature unanimously awarded it the Gold Medal in 1931 for the best historical novel of 1930. Newspaper articles about the award mention the writer's meticulous documentary and oral history research regarding life on the Gold Fields in the 1850s. It became a best-seller. Busse also wrote a series of articles about local history for "The Federal Standard" newspaper in Chiltern. He was a member of the Chiltern Athenaeum. He died in 1960.This fork is significant for the detail it conveys of ordinary domestic life in the household of a significant Victorian writer with special reference to Chiltern and the surrounding region.Fork with decorative pattern on handle and tarnished patina, design may include owner's or maker's initials. WB w.c. busse, chiltern, chiltern athenaeum, gold fields, indigo shire, gold mining, gold rush, henry lawson society, fork, silverware, cutlery, tableware, 1930s, 1850s, wilfred clarence busse, historical fiction, t.e. rofe, t.e. rofe gold medal, north-east victoria, federal standard, golden plague, blue beyond

Round cream crocheted milk jug cover heavily encrusted with green beads in a triangle pattern.handcrafts, crocheting or crochet work, domestic items, food storage & preservation

Clear glass tumbler with leaf pattern etched and 'Centennial Exhibition 1888 R & ER' engravedAs aboveglass technology, engraved, civic mementoes, royal souvenirs

Till collectionTHE TILL COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT|The significance of the Alwyn Till Collection is that Alwyn was born in Mitcham in 1921. He attended Mitcham Primary School and Box Hill Boys High School. He served his Community mainly through his activities within the Christ Church Anglican Church Mitcham. He joined the Royal Australian Airforce in World War II in September 1939. He trained as a Pilot in Australia and Canada, was posted to England and saw action in Europe. He was shot down over France and rescued by and then joined the French Resistance and while fighting with them was fatally shot. A Baron fighting with him wrote to his mother to inform her of his death.|Alwyn's parents were Evaleen Victoria Till (nee Maggs) and Sydney Norman Till who first lived in Creek Road Mitcham, before moving to 573 Whitehorse Road Mitcham. His father served in World War I where his eyesight was damaged and he was taught by the then Blind Institute in suitcase making of which we have two examples in this collection. He died in 1931. Alwyn took over responsibility for his mother and sister Alison. We can understand how devastated his mother and sister would have been at the news of Alwyn's feeling that he must serve his country in World War 11.|His letters home were so precious to them that they carefully kept all his correspondence, notices of death and condolences from friends. After Alison's death in 2007 her relation Joan Walker transcribed each of Alwyn's letters home into two bound volumes. The executors, Joan Walker and Anne Drew deposited the original letters with the Whitehorse Historical Society. Due to their significance as historical documents of one serviceman's complete correspondence with his family the Whitehorse Historical Society Committee after consultation with the donors deposited the original letters with the State Library of Victoria. The Whitehorse Historical Society retains the copies.|Alison and her mother kept many family memorabilia and personal items which make up this significant collection as they show how people lived, worked and served in the local community and municipality.|This collection represents the love and devotion of the women to their families during the course of two world wars. The father was disabled as a result of World War 1 and died an early death and a son who thereafter took on the responsibility as head of the family at an early age. This young handsome charismatic son served his community in peace time and gave his life in World War 11. This mother and sister were devoted to his memory.Cream cotton hand woven place mat with shades of orange patterns fringing on long sides.domestic items, table setting, handcrafts, weaving

From the Betty McPhee writing equipment collectionSmall clear glass bottle. It appears that it was used for glue or paste. Base has a flower pattern .commerce, office equipment / stationery, domestic items, writing equipment

Majolica - English Popular colourful relief-moulded ware, often in naturalistic shapes covered in various types of opaque white ground to secure glowing effects with brush-painted colour glazes, clear or opaque. Products ranged from umbrella stands to dishes of fruit or nuts. Evolved at the Minton factory in 1851 under Art Director Leon Arnoux, who might use parian ware for majolica figures etc. Widely produced, with little similarity to the Italian Renaissance ornament although some designed for Mintons by the artist Alfred Stevens was inspired by such motifs.Unusual multi-coloured patterned tea pot and lid. Basic colours - green, pink and blue'Estrucan/Majolic/E24domestic items, crockery

Fine china cup and saucer. Both decorated in elaborate gold pattern overlay. Eggshell thindomestic items, crockery

Tortoise-shell hair comb. 1 tooth broken, 4 complete teeth. Scroll pattern.Made in Germany.costume accessories, hair accessories

Child's dress forming part of knitted woolen layette. Cream wool hand knitted.Cream knitted child's dress Short puff sleeves Patterned and plain stitches Ribbon decoration knitting, wool, child's dress

Silver trophy cup-shaped with stem and round base. Decorative engraving floral patterns. No handlesNumurkah Agricultural and Pastoral Association for best yearling draught colt presented by T Richards President 1884 W N Nelson numurkah show, numurkah a&p society, nelson,

Purple yearbook with colourful geometric patterns and squiggles in the background reading Wangaratta High School 2016Wangaratta High School 2016

Leather, 03 pattern, 5 pouch bandolier. Turn of 20thC, before WW1( Made 1910)equipment, cmf, army

Replica 08 Pattern Bayonet Scabbard and Entrenching Tool Handle (use with blade in scabbard EQ520)equipment, ww1, army

Assorted terracotta building blocks of various shapes and colours, 18 in total with cardboard box & patterns.toys, general, blocks

Book: 'PATTERN PLAY TENNIS'. Hardcover with dustjacket. First edition. Materials: Ink, Paper, Cardboardtennis

Book: 'AUTHENTIC VICTORIAN FASHION PATTERNS'. Softcover. Copyrighted 1999. Materials: Ink, Paper, Cardboardtennis

Portrait of woman with short brown hair lying on a blue and white patterned pillow with white coverlet. Signed (L.r) 'Clifton 22 July '82'. clifton pugh, painting, portrait, adriane

Ingrid purchased these rabbit fur ski pants on her honeymoon in St. Moritz, Switzerland in 1965. She immigrated to Australia in February 1968 with her husband, although she skied in Australia she never wore the pants here.Rabbit fur ski pants printed in tiger skin pattern. Side zip and slits at ankles.skiing, ski clothing

Worn by Rose Caplan who was the donor, Ida Gouttman's mother. Immigration records show that Morris and Rose (Rosa) Caplan emigrated to Australia from England in 1910 on the Orsova. Rose died from a sudden illness in 1928 while she and her husband were travelling in Europe and had just visited her father in Latvia. Rose was buried in Berlin. Rose and Morris' daughter Ida, who had kept the shawl, married Leon Gouttman in Sydney in 1938. Ida was an active member of the Brighton Historical Society when she moved back to Melbourne later in life. Large blue silk shawl with reversible woven metallic thread floral pattern and deep fringing. shawl, 1920s fashion, metallic thread, weaving, rose caplan

Green tie with gold stripes. Australian Olympic emblem pattern on front and back with tag on back. On emblem - Austrlia On tag - "Austico" Wash Wear Made in Australiadesign, australian, athletes, uniform, textile, fashion, tie, olympics

Owned by Miss Eva SebireEarly wine decanter with floral and leaf etching around the base. Has patterned glass stopper.decanters, eva sebire

Two cut glass round butter dishes, with a diamond pattern on the base and sides and fluted edges.butter dishes, butter containers, dishes

Johnson Brothers was a British tableware manufacturer and exporter that was noted for its early introduction of "semi-porcelain" tableware. In 2003, the manufacturing of Johnson Brothers products in Britain ceased and was transferred to China. Owned by Wandin J. SebireWhite ceramic patterned soap dish with green floral design. Set includes base and lid."Vienna" Johnson Bros Englandsoap dish, dishes

Belonged to Colonel Otter.Steel military sword with decorative and patterned hilt and leather strap. Brown leather and metal scabbard.swords, military equipment

Connects to a kitchen sink tap.Hydro Mixer water powered whisk, with marble patterning on body of enamelled cast iron mechanism.Hydro Mixer Pat. App.whisks, food processing equipment

1950's era apron with no known provenance.Black cotton apron with pattern applique and binding, back tie fastening. Very good condition.domestic

Murray Comrie Collection. Information written by Murray Comrie: Albert C. Nicholls was a councillor of the Borough of Tarnagulla and Mayor at one time (c.1911?) Monochrome photographic portrait of a clean-shaven man with raised collar and patterned tie. Dark background.Accompanying note identifies subject as Albert C. Nicholls.borough of tarnagulla, albert c. nicholls, mayor, council, local government, local people