The Moffat Virtue Company was founded by John Moffat (1841 – 1918) and William Virtue (1863 – 1926) in Sydney. Both men were born in Scotland, John Moffat was a mining entrepreneur who migrated to Queensland in 1861 and began mining in the far north of Queensland. William Virtue was a talented mechanical engineer who became acquainted with John Moffat through their mutual involvement with the New Jerusalem Church and the teachings of theologian Emanuel Swedenborg. Moffat invited Virtue to migrate to Queensland, which he did with his young family but they finally settled in Sydney. Moffat had become interested in shearing machines and Virtue’s engineering skills enabled the registration of several patents in 1891 – 1894. The Moffat Virtue alliance grew and prospered and by 1911 all the entrants in the first sheep shearing competition at the Sydney Royal Show chose the company’s machines. By 1914 Moffat Virtue was a household name in rural Australia due to manufacture of agricultural machinery and household appliances. The company began making petrol engines in 1920 at 205 Clarence Street, moved to 11 – 25 Palmer Street in 1929 and later moved to Rosebery. The petrol-kerosene engine was popular as the use of kerosene made it very cheap to run. The motor starts by using petrol and once the engine is warmed, the vaporiser is activated which enables the use of kerosene as the running fuel. The carburettor and cylinder head are designed to ensure thorough vaporisation and complete combustion of fuel, resulting in maximum horsepower at lowest fuel consumption The serial number indicates 1944 as the approximate date of manufacture.Green petrol engine with red trim and crank handle. Attached to green grain grinder“Moffat Virtue Petrol Kerosene Engine No. 9142 1000RPM 3HP Change oil every 90 working hours SAE 40 For severe service and in Summer SAE 30 Warranty void unless above instructions followed” farm, machinery, stationary engine, crank, belt driven, engine, churchill island

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the nineteenth century. This series provides an insight into the early days of Churchill Island as a Conservation site.Black and White photograph of a line of trucks, trailers, and tractors with a concrete grain silo in the background.Catalogue number written on reverse in pencil. Handwritten on reverse "NOT Churchill Island'churchill island

This trophy was presented to the winning team in the MTSSA girls squash competition in the late 1970s ad early 1980s. Winners engraved onto trophy are Preston Technical School and Fawkner Technical School.Nmaes of members of the winning team have been engraved onto the trophy.Laminated wood grain plaque with 22 labels. 4 labels have been engraved.On large label at top of plaque :"M.T.S.S.A. Perpetual Trophy - Girls Squash (Winter) "; 4 smaller labels are engraved with the nameon the winning school, date and names of participants.preston technical school, squash, pts, girls squash, fawkner technical school, nmit,

Cast iron grain mill with hand-cranked wooden handle, on a cast iron base.Watervilemill equipment

Photograph of two workers loading or unloading bags of grain (wheat?). There is a shed with a low Veranda extending from the front, there is a wagon drawn by two horses backed up[ to this Veranda. One man is standing in the wagon and the other is sitting on bags of grain on the veranda. There are numerous bags of grain on a low platform extending into the background. In the far background there is what appears to be a loading ramp. Written above the photo is Dingee negative 201topic, farming, loading wheat, dingee, loading wheat