Funding from Bicentenary Committee. Valerie Kirk assisted with cartoon, PFG did the rest. Presented to Cr. Bernard Wallace, 11 December 1992, and unveiled at Portland Library.Large tapestry with central image depicting people, animals, landmarks and activities on the foreshore of Portland harbour. Surrounded by a yellow border with symbols of history, industry and immigration on both sides. Hung by a wood panel across top.Back: VKIRK RT JH RS DA - - (tapestry letters in varied colours, lower right edge) PS GWEC ODME OK MS (Tapestry letters in varied colours, lower left edge)textile, tapestry, tall ships, bicentenary

This book, written by Graeme Bennett, gives information on the Bennett family history and the history of the Stawell Woollen Mills. The Bennett family was associated with the textile industry for more than 200 years. The book gives information on John Edward Bennett (1862-1928) who, in 1909 became the first manager of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill. This mill opened in 1910 and closed in 2000 and was a dominant business, known throughout Australia for its woollen blankets. John Bennett was a highly-successful manager at the Warrnambool Woollen Mill from 1909 until his death in 1928. His son, who was the assistant manager at the mill, left in 1926 to take over the Stawell Woollen Mill.This book is of considerable interest as it contains valuable information on the author’s grandfather, John Edward Bennett, important in Warrnambool’s history as the first manager of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill, a prominent business in Warrnambool for 90 years.This is a soft cover book of 384 pages. The front cover has a mottled cream and black background with black lettering and a colour photograph of a painting of the Stawell Woollen Mill. The back cover and spine have the same mottled pattern with black lettering. The book has 22 chapters and several colour and black and white photographs. john e bennett, warrnambool woollen mill, stawell woollen mill