These reading glasses plus the two additional replacement lenses were highly fashionable in the late 1800's and early 1900's due to their light frames ie. wire. They are of light material and are not as obtrusive, or heavy, as horn rimmed reading glasses.This minimisation of the eye wear was to allow the facial features to be presented without any obstructing eye wear, "au naturel". The "light weight" wire connections to nose and ears was to minimise weight upon those physical areas. It was an eye piece preferred by accountants and all forms of "book worms". This was a period when the "written word" was at its peak. This was well before the light enhanced computer screen and at an age where the "written word" was in the majority as compared to the typed word. These reading glasses are very significant to the Kiewa Valley as they provide additional material which supports the "isolational factors" which were prevalent in the 1800's and early 1900's. Poor lighting and lack of available optical technicians in rural areas, required those suffering with eye troubles in these rural areas to go to Melbourne. An advertisement placed by H B Bissel "eyesight specialist" in the "Independent" Newspaper in 1915 on page 3 " Every person's eyes are liable to be affected by some little weakness or other and these weaknesses, if not corrected at once, are apt to assume a most serious aspect as time goes on". This type of advertisement is putting "the fear of God" on those with slight eyesight problems. It also does not factor the poor lighting used by most in rural areas at this point in time. By the mid to late 1950's, electricity in the Kiewa Valley was available to all households and improved lighting helped nighttime readers. These reading glasses, made in Melbourne, highlight the fact that the Kiewa Valley and its region were still reliant on Melbourne based "specialists" and travel to and from these highly professional health practitioners not only involved a long, and time consuming journey, but also an expensive one.The frames of this oval wire reading glasses is made from gold plated copper wire. There are three nose bridges each with a slightly different angle and shape, each has a different magnification. This may suggest that they were in use at different developmental periods during the wearers ages. Each of the three lenses were fixed onto the frame by a screw and fastened directly onto the glass. Two of the glasses have nose "guides/rests" and one without.. The fine wire ear "loops" has a small "ball" feature at its end (to stop the glasses from slipping off the face).personal effects, spectacles, eye fashion, reading glasses

When this winter appeal badge was produced the Australian economy was in recession (financial down turn) and the ability of some of the unemployed sectors of the community required but could not purchase warm clothes. The Australian recessions of 1945 and 1961 left their mark on the economy and accounted for a long and slow recovery in the 1960's and 1970's. The Red Cross was one of a few benevolent agencies/organisations that provided those more affluent in society to donate money to these types of appeals for financial donations. the money collected was used in obtaining warm close for those in need.In the Kiewa Valley the lingering recessional consequences (high interest rates, slowdown in Australian manufacturing) had an effect upon those whose produce was consumed by large towns and cities. The manufacturing industries including textile and clothing industries were feeling the start of the invasion of cheaper imports. Unemployment was beginning to be an ongoing major political and social issue. The need for support for the financial strapped city and country towns was on the increase and this Red Cross Badge (Winter Appeal) was one of several appeals to help those financially disenfranchised families to overcome the severe clothing shortages in both country and city environments.This badge has an enamel front with red and blue lettering and the circumference is marked to represent a 'life ring, life buoy, life belt' which has all of the red lettering with in its boundary. The fastening mechanism is a "stick" pin made from mild steel (fashioned as a semi circular spring contained within the back rim of the badge. The "stick" protrudes beyond the badge allowing it to be fastened onto clothing.At the top of the badge and in red print "RED CROSS" and at the bottom "WINTER APPEAL" with a"1/-" (one shilling coin - modern equivalent to 10 cents). In the middle of the badge is printed a red cross and above that "HELP"societies, red cross appeals, apparel badges, numismatics badges

The Kiewa Hydro Workmen's Club was established in 1948. It was a recreational facility for the men working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The Kiewa Hydro Workmen's Club was established firstly as a shop by the SECV during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. It became a Club to enable members to purchase and consume liquor on the premises. Alex McCullough was a member in 1955 and was a prominent citizen.Small, thin booklet with grey cardboard cover with 16 pages (out of order) stapled at the spine. Copies of the By-Laws are enclosed but not attached. Ticket: 'Member's Ticket with expiry date and the names of the committee printed on it.A, McCullough printed on the member's line.kiewa hydro workmen's club, recreation at mt beauty, alex mccullough

The Mt Beauty Workmen's Club was established in 1946. Formerly known as the Kiewa Hydro Workmen's Club. It was a recreational facility for men working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme.Established as a shop by the SECV during the construction of the KHES and its aftermath. It became a club to enable members to purchase and consume liquor on the premises.Oval shaped badge with green background on the top half and white below. "Mt Beauty" at top in gold with red background. "Workmens Club" in gold with white background and in the middle dark green mountains with a power pole outlined in gold at the centre. A red line added to the edges at the bottom on each side.On the back, embosssed "Pilcher / Melb."workmen's club, community club, recreation in mt beauty

This ledger was started in 1901 when ledgers and other bookkeeping methods were hand written and with nib or fountain pen application. The various ink spots on the pages of this ledger suggests that when the office worker scribed they used the nib and the owner used the fountain pen. It was not until the mid 1950s that ball point pens were discovered and used in rural areas. The owner of this rural general store was more interested in recording transactions, be it in ink or pencil than the aesthetics of a neat and tidy document. Even though in this era, the principle of neat and tidiness was instilled in workers, this was overlooked and fell away through the economics of employing one staff member to do a variety of tasks for which they may not have had the proper training. It was in the early 1900s that the rural areas such as the Kiewa Valley "had to do" with local employees who had basic training but knew their customers very well and were very respectful of age and the mores of the trading public. The respect by shop owners and staff towards their customers was greater in small rural townships and villages within the Kiewa Valley than in the larger towns and cities. Their was no rushing to get the groceries or to spend the least amount of time within the shop. The social interactions where mixed with commercial activities at a very personalised level of one on one. This closeness gave the customer the confidence that those in the commercial transactions in the shop, where looking after them. This ledger is very significant to the Kiewa Valley as it lists the personal transactions of local businesses, farmers, graziers and miners. Larger accounts and other businesses had one or more pages set aside for their transactions. The words are in large freehand (Capitals 5 mm high) possibly to be read by those with poorer eyesight. The relative long distance to travel for reading glasses or specialised optometrist was overcome by writing in larger fonts. The time taken to register produce or other consumables was not critical during the period when this ledger was in use because the local population was not at the critical level where the demand was not as intense as later on when periods of tourist influx became more demanding. The lay back and relaxed attitude of the local population during this period (early 1900s) was not intense and impersonal as within the larger city shopping and commercial environment. The ability of the shop keepers to interact with their customers not only in the commercial sense but also in a social atmosphere permitted the long hand scribbling of purchases without causing any offence.This item is a cloth and suede leather covered ledger.The spine is suede leather with a red stamped "LEDGER" title. The cover is covered with a dark blue cloth and shows a faded unrecognisable pattern. Each page has light blue lines running horizontal and 90 mm apart. Each page has, from the second line going horizontal two fine 1 mm apart red line. Each page is divided horizontally by single vertical line (except for the two double lines in the centre of the page). The first division separates the month from the day.Next to these lines is an area for the description of the item being purchased. Within the central double lines are vertical lines separating the type of tender paid, i.e., pounds, shillings and pence. The last section of the page has various comments, as required by the scribe.Each page is approximately 160 g/ms. The ledger has 698 pages drawn up on both sides and page numbers of 5 mm in height. 'On spine " LEDGER"commerce, book keeping, shop ledger, local history

This McMillan Tobacco Cutter was used to cut plugs of tobacco suitable for pipes.Tobacco cutters were important tools for pipe smokers until self-made or manufactured cigarettes began to dominate the tobacco sales market from the 1920s. This item is a link to a previously common means of consuming tobacco.Large wooden block inset with metal tobacco cutter. It has a metal handle and is painted black.tobacco-cutter smoking-accessories personal-effects

This McMillan Tobacco Cutter was used to cut plugs of tobacco suitable for pipes.Tobacco cutters were important tools for pipe smokers until self-made or manufactured cigarettes began to dominate the tobacco sales market from the 1920s. This item is a link to a previously common means of consuming tobacco.Metal tobacco cutter (guillotine style), mounted on wooden base, with brass striker plate.Inscription "McMillan" appears on the striker plate.smoking tobacco-cutter

This plug tobacco cutter was collected locally and displayed as part of the memorabilia display at the Tobacco Company of Victoria Ltd., Myrtleford. Plug tobacco could be acquired on tobacco farms or purchased at local outlets.Tobacco cutters were significant tools for pipe smokers until self-made or manufactured cigarettes began to dominate the tobacco sales market from the 1920s. Such cutters are a link to a previously common means of consuming tobacco.A small cast iron and wooden guillotine-style tobacco cutter. The metal cutter is mounted on the wooden base, with a wooden striker plate.Inscription "McMillan" appears on the striker plate.tobacco cutter

A chart for taking measurements of the Legacy boys. This was a copy of the form that was kept as an example. The data was of measurements of junior legatee W. Gallagher. The form was signed J. Teirney, which was Jim Teirney who was the first paid employee of Melbourne Legacy, he was the fitness instructor for many years. The date was 1927 so very early in the history of Legacy working with children of deceased servicemen. Shows Legacy was active in record keeping with proper medical supervision for physical activities of the children, in 1927.The method of record keeping was all done by hand, time consuming and the storage of records took up a lot of space.Diagram of a measurement chart with sketch of a male body. Printed in black and white.Medical Officers Report. Junior Legacy Club. Name: Gallagher. W., age 10, Group Junior, section Lone Pine. Measurements of the neck, chest, thigh, calf, arm, height and weight. Signed by J.E. Tierneyjunior legatee, exercise classes