This cape was on display at the University of Ballarat School of Nursing before being given to the curator. A purple lined (double layer) wool nurse cape. It has a collar and stitched down epaulettes on the shoulders and a hook and eye fastening at the neckline.Written in marking pen on a piece of tape stitched to the back lining - J. Barbernursing, nurse cape, purple cape, costume, textiles

Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these familiesThe skill and craftsmanship shown in these infant's bibs, bonnet and bootees is an example of the clothing made by the pioneer settlers and market gardeners in Moorabbin Shire Baby's bibs, bootees and bonnet (i) booties crocheted silk (ii) 2 x embroidered bibs (iii) bonnet & bootees wool clothing, craftwork, knitting, crochetwork, moorabbin, cheltenham, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners

These two chairs and another pair of chairs (item F044) are Grant Featherston prototypes of the 1947 Relaxation Chairs. These chairs came from the Boyd family's Camberwell home (666 Riversdale Road, Camberwell, formerly 158 Riversdale Road) and were originally upholstered with webbing. The fixings were modified in the final product relaxation chairs. Robin Boyd designed the Ivanhoe home of Grant and Mary Featherston (1967).Set of two black and grey fine checked wool fabric. Laminated timber legs and frame. 9 self-covered buttons. No arms.walsh st furnishings, robin boyd, grant featherston

Purchased in Hong Kong by Mrs Myrtle Bennett in 1960 and given to Barbara Gardiner in 1980 and worn at three dinner dances.1960 Black wool evening top or bodice oversewn with black sequins and beads on hem - lined in rayon. Full length. Zip on back.costume, female

A Dunlop (UK) Wartime tennis balls box. Contains one Wilson 'Matchpoint' ball. Materials: Ink, Cardboard, Glue, Wool, Rubbertennis

For the First Peoples of south-eastern Australia, making possum skin cloaks has long been a culturally important practice. But during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, possums and other native animals were also heavily hunted by white colonists who coveted their warm and fashionable furs. This rug, made from fifteen possum pelts, was used in a Brighton home during cold winter months in the 1920s.Possum skin rug made from 15 rectangular cut pelts mounted onto a brown wool felt with cut scalloped edges. possum skin, rug, fur, 1920s

Through improvements in productivity after 1095, Dennys, Lascelles, Austin and Co. determined to expand and engaged the Sydney-based engineer Edward Giles Stone. The resulting Bow Truss Building was claimed as being the largest flat-roof space in the world (almost an acre) without visible support. The Bow Truss Building was demolished amid a blaze of publicity in May 1990.Collage of 15 photographs mounted in a grey/brown cardboard backing depicting various stages of construction of wool & grain stores. Wooden frame.Wording: Dennys Lascelles Austin & Co. 1910-11;Location: Top centre Wording: G.C. Wilmot Photo Geelong;Location: Bottom right cornerdennys, lascelles, austin, construction, grain, wool, building, geelong, architecture

The co-operative was registered in 1919 as the Graziers Co-op Shearing Company Limited. It changed its name in September 1948 to Grazcos Co-operative Ltd. In 1981 the co-operative merged with Farmers & Graziers Co-op Ltd to form Farmers Grazcos Co-op Ltd. This item is part of a collection of Annual Reports from Grazcos dated from 1949 - 1980.Booklet featuring a colour graphic on the cover of horses pulling a cart load of wool bales, with the sun setting in the background and black printed text.front: GRAZCOSagricultural co-operative, agricultural wholesaling, annual reports, rural life, rural industry, business, corporate body

Hessian apron edged with blue binding. Wool embroidery - blue flowers with green leaves - top and bottom pocket (2) rope tiesdomestic items, laundering, costume, female working

1. Jacket - Khaki polyester jacket Officer's pattern. Four front pockets held shut with a brass button. It has RACT badges on each collar. The brass buttons are RACT motif, Lt Col badges on epaulettes. 2. Lanyard - blue and red. 3. Trousers - polyester khaki, zip fly, four pockets. 4. Shirt, khaki polyester, two pockets, long sleeve. 5. Tie, khaki, wool with elastic neck loop. 6. Sock - wool, dark khaki. 7. Sock - wool, light khaki.1. Inside is written - “Purcell M.W.R” then crossed out. 4. “NR59” is written in texta on manufacture's label.uniform, officer, army, passchendaele barracks trust

Now 100 years old, this quilt belonged to the donor’s grandfather John William Huffstutter. John was Born in 1898 in a log cabin in the Ozark mountains of Missouri, USA. Tragically, John’s mother died when he was four years old. John said that he could always remember her voice calling his name as he hid under the porch in one of the many thunderstorms that frequent the area with his dog. John was raised by his grandmother and was treated as the youngest to her other children, growing up with his aunties and uncles rather than brothers and sisters. John began to study engineering at the State University of Iowa before serving in the US Army Engineer Corps in The Great War. He enlisted when he became eligible and served briefly before the Great War ended. He then returned to his engineering studies in Iowa, and shortly after finishing his studies got his first job with Westinghouse in Pittsburgh at age 23. It was when John was leaving for this job that he was given the quilts as a reminder of home from his grandmother Sarah Jane "Sallie" Tindall Coble, and her daughter (John's Aunt) Ottie Maude Coble Bittick. Widowed at age 78, John took to sleeping in his screen porch under one of these quilts. John remembered one winter in Missouri waking in his log cabin to find snow covering him and his quilt. When he died at age 94, the quilt he used was completely worn out and discarded. This remaining quilt was shipped to Australia, where Carol’s (the donor) immediate family had emigrated in 1970. Opening the box that contained the quilt released a wave of comforting smells, emotions, and a flood of childhood memories. Carol distinctly remembers sleeping under these quilts for afternoon naps at her grandparents' house. The quilt is 74 x 80 inches (1880 x 2030mm), matching the size of a modern-day king bed. It is made of various four-inch (100mm) squares. These squares are made of old men woollen suits in dark colours of browns and greys. The quilt is layered with a wool backing fabric and a batting lawyer of unknown material, possibly cotton or wool. The quilt is tied together with red wool yarn and the backing fabric is folded over the edge to be used as a binding. Embroidered across the front of the quilt in purple wool yarn is "John Huffstutter", "13 Oct 1921". A small, printed cloth label "HUFFSTUTTER" is pinned on the reverse of the quilt. The quilt is well-worn but in good condition considering its age. The care instructions passed down by word of mouth with the quilt were to "never wash, only air".Front embroidered. Purple handstitching: "John Huffstutter / 13 Oct 1921" Reverse. Printed cloth label: "HUFFSTUTTER"ozark, missouri, usa, textile history, quilt heritage

Nino Corda was a Geelong based textile designer who worked at various textile mills between 1957 & 2003. He travelled the world in search of the latest fashions and techniques and developed timeless designs that were much loved by Australians. These items are on rotational display at the National Wool Museum’s ‘In the Factory’ exhibition. For many years, Nino also worked as part of the Honorary Staff of the National Wool Museum. His passion for the world of textiles provided energy and knowledge to the visitors and staff of the museum. Although Nino has now retired from his honorary position and has hung up his Australian Tartan vest, these items will continue to serve the community in sharing the stories of Australian Textile design. These three bolts of fabric come from the same run of fabric used to tailor Suit Jacket 8045. All fabrics were designed by Nino Corda while he was working at the Foster Valley Mill. The bolts of fabric have an attached swing tag. This swing tag details information such as composition of the fabric, total amount of fabric and the design number.Three bolts of fabric with repeating pattern in 100mm grid. All three bolts have frayed edges, indicative of their need to be sent for finishing. The dominant colour in all three fabrics is grey. 8044.1 has red and green lines running vertically and horizontally and an attached swing tag. 8044.2 has red and orange lines running vertically and horizontally and an attached swing tag. Fabric bolt has yellow label attached to one edge of fabric, depicting the fabric’s number. 8044.3 has orange and blue lines running vertically and horizontally. No swing tag is attached.8044.1. Swing tag. Typed wording. Front. foster / valley / Pty / Ltd. / (Incorporated in Victoria) 8044.1. Swing tag. Typed and handwritten wording. Reverse. JONO TAILORING / CALL NO……………. / DESIGN 6302-49-5 / PIECE NO 9528 / METERS 3.5 STRINGS…………… / NET METERS…………… / COMPOSITION / 70% WOOL 30% POLYESTER 8044.2. Swing tag. Typed wording. Front. foster / valley / Pty / Ltd. / (Incorporated in Victoria) 8044.2. Swing tag. Typed and handwritten wording. Reverse. left over (?unknown handwriting?) / CALL NO…………… / DESIGN 6302-49-2 / PIECE NO…………… / METERS 6.0 STRINGS…………… / NET METERS…………… / COMPOSITION / 70% WOOL 30% POLYESTER.textile design

This cotton wool, used by Dr.William Roy Angus, Surgeon and Oculist, was donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village by his daughter, Bernice McDade. It is part of the “W.R. Angus Collection” that includes historical medical equipment, surgical instruments and material once belonging to Dr Edward Ryan and Dr Thomas Francis Ryan, (both of Nhill, Victoria) as well as Dr Angus’ own belongings. The Collection’s history spans the medical practices of the two Doctors Ryan, from 1885-1926 plus that of Dr Angus, up until 1969. ABOUT THE “W.R.ANGUS COLLECTION” Doctor William Roy Angus M.B., B.S., Adel., 1923, F.R.C.S. Edin.,1928 (also known as Dr Roy Angus) was born in Murrumbeena, Victoria in 1901 and lived until 1970. He qualified as a doctor in 1923 at University of Adelaide, was Resident Medical Officer at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 1924 and for a period was house surgeon to Sir (then Mr.) Henry Simpson Newland. Dr Angus was briefly an Assistant to Dr Riddell of Kapunda, then commenced private practice at Curramulka, Yorke Peninsula, SA, where he was physician, surgeon and chemist. In 1926, he was appointed as new Medical Assistant to Dr Thomas Francis Ryan (T.F. Ryan, or Tom), in Nhill, Victoria, where his experiences included radiology and pharmacy. In 1927 he was Acting House Surgeon in Dr Tom Ryan’s absence. Dr Angus had become engaged to Gladys Forsyth and they decided he would take time to further his studies overseas in the UK in 1927. He studied at London University College Hospital and at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and in 1928, was awarded FRCS (Fellow from the Royal College of Surgeons), Edinburgh. He worked his passage back to Australia as a Ship’s Surgeon on the on the Australian Commonwealth Line’s T.S.S. Largs Bay. Dr Angus married Gladys in 1929, in Ballarat. (They went on to have one son (Graham 1932, born in SA) and two daughters (Helen (died 12/07/1996) and Berenice (Berry), both born at Mira, Nhill ) Dr Angus was a ‘flying doctor’ for the A.I.M. (Australian Inland Ministry) Aerial Medical Service in 1928 . The organisation began in South Australia through the Presbyterian Church in that year, with its first station being in the remote town of Oodnadatta, where Dr Angus was stationed. He was locum tenens there on North-South Railway at 21 Mile Camp. He took up this ‘flying doctor’ position in response to a call from Dr John Flynn; the organisation was later known as the Flying Doctor Service, then the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A lot of his work during this time involved dental surgery also. Between 1928-1932 he was surgeon at the Curramulka Hospital, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. In 1933 Dr Angus returned to Nhill where he’d previously worked as Medical Assistant and purchased a share of the Nelson Street practice and Mira hospital from Dr Les Middleton one of the Middleton Brothers, the current owners of what was once Dr Tom Ryan’s practice. Dr L Middleton was House Surgeon to the Nhill Hospital 1926-1933, when he resigned. [Dr Tom Ryan’s practice had originally belonged to his older brother Dr Edward Ryan, who came to Nhill in 1885. Dr Edward saw patients at his rooms, firstly in Victoria Street and in 1886 in Nelson Street, until 1901. The Nelson Street practice also had a 2 bed ward, called Mira Private Hospital ). Dr Edward Ryan was House Surgeon at the Nhill Hospital 1884-1902 . He also had occasions where he successfully performed veterinary surgery for the local farmers too. Dr Tom Ryan then purchased the practice from his brother in 1901. Both Dr Edward and Dr Tom Ryan work as surgeons included eye surgery. Dr Tom Ryan performed many of his operations in the Mira private hospital on his premises. He too was House Surgeon at the Nhill Hospital 1902-1926. Dr Tom Ryan had one of the only two pieces of radiology equipment in Victoria during his practicing years – The Royal Melbourne Hospital had the other one. Over the years Dr Tom Ryan gradually set up what was effectively a training school for country general-practitioner-surgeons. Each patient was carefully examined, including using the X-ray machine, and any surgery was discussed and planned with Dr Ryan’s assistants several days in advance. Dr Angus gained experience in using the X-ray machine there during his time as assistant to Dr Ryan. Dr Tom Ryan moved from Nhill in 1926. He became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1927, soon after its formation, a rare accolade for a doctor outside any of the major cities. He remained a bachelor and died suddenly on 7th Dec 1955, aged 91, at his home in Ararat. Scholarships and prizes are still awarded to medical students in the honour of Dr T.F. Ryan and his father, Dr Michael Ryan, and brother, John Patrick Ryan. ] When Dr Angus bought into the Nelson Street premises in Nhill he was also appointed as the Nhill Hospital’s Honorary House Surgeon 1933-1938. His practitioner’s plate from his Nhill surgery states “HOURS Daily, except Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturday afternoons, 9-10am, 2-4pm, 7-8pm. Sundays by appointment”. This plate is now mounted on the doorway to the Port Medical Office at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool. Dr Edward Ryan and Dr Tom Ryan had an extensive collection of historical medical equipment and materials spanning 1884-1926 and when Dr Angus took up practice in their old premises he obtained this collection, a large part of which is now on display at the Port Medical Office at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in Warrnambool. During his time in Nhill Dr Angus was involved in the merging of the Mira Hospital and Nhill Public Hospital into one public hospital and the property titles passed on to Nhill Hospital in 1939. In 1939 Dr Angus and his family moved to Warrnambool where he purchased “Birchwood,” the 1852 home and medical practice of Dr John Hunter Henderson, at 214 Koroit Street. (This property was sold in1965 to the State Government and is now the site of the Warrnambool Police Station. ). The Angus family was able to afford gardeners, cooks and maids; their home was a popular place for visiting dignitaries to stay whilst visiting Warrnambool. Dr Angus had his own silk worm farm at home in a Mulberry tree. His young daughter used his centrifuge for spinning the silk. Dr Angus was appointed on a part-time basis as Port Medical Officer (Health Officer) in Warrnambool and held this position until the 1940’s when the government no longer required the service of a Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool; he was thus Warrnambool’s last serving Port Medical Officer. (The duties of a Port Medical Officer were outlined by the Colonial Secretary on 21st June, 1839 under the terms of the Quarantine Act. Masters of immigrant ships arriving in port reported incidents of diseases, illness and death and the Port Medical Officer made a decision on whether the ship required Quarantine and for how long, in this way preventing contagious illness from spreading from new immigrants to the residents already in the colony.) Dr Angus was a member of the Australian Medical Association, for 35 years and surgeon at the Warrnambool Base Hospital 1939-1942, He served as a Surgeon Captain during WWII1942-45, in Ballarat, Victoria, and in Bonegilla, N.S.W., completing his service just before the end of the war due to suffering from a heart attack. During his convalescence he carved an intricate and ‘most artistic’ chess set from the material that dentures were made from. He then studied ophthalmology at the Royal Melbourne Eye and Ear Hospital and created cosmetically superior artificial eyes by pioneering using the intrascleral cartilage. Angus received accolades from the Ophthalmological Society of Australasia for this work. He returned to Warrnambool to commence practice as an ophthalmologist, pioneering in artificial eye improvements. He was Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist to Warrnambool Base Hospital for 31 years. He made monthly visits to Portland as a visiting surgeon, to perform eye surgery. He represented the Victorian South-West subdivision of the Australian Medical Association as its secretary between 1949 and 1956 and as chairman from 1956 to 1958. In 1968 Dr Angus was elected member of Spain’s Barraquer Institute of Barcelona after his research work in Intrasclearal cartilage grafting, becoming one of the few Australian ophthalmologists to receive this honour, and in the following year presented his final paper on Living Intrasclearal Cartilage Implants at the Inaugural Meeting of the Australian College of Ophthalmologists in Melbourne In his personal life Dr Angus was a Presbyterian and treated Sunday as a Sabbath, a day of rest. He would visit 3 or 4 country patients on a Sunday, taking his children along ‘for the ride’ and to visit with him. Sunday evenings he would play the pianola and sing Scottish songs to his family. One of Dr Angus’ patients was Margaret MacKenzie, author of a book on local shipwrecks that she’d seen as an eye witness from the late 1880’s in Peterborough, Victoria. In the early 1950’s Dr Angus, painted a picture of a shipwreck for the cover jacket of Margaret’s book, Shipwrecks and More Shipwrecks. She was blind in later life and her daughter wrote the actual book for her. Dr Angus and his wife Gladys were very involved in Warrnambool’s society with a strong interest in civic affairs. Their interests included organisations such as Red Cross, Rostrum, Warrnambool and District Historical Society (founding members), Wine and Food Society, Steering Committee for Tertiary Education in Warrnambool, Local National Trust, Good Neighbour Council, Housing Commission Advisory Board, United Services Institute, Legion of Ex-Servicemen, Olympic Pool Committee, Food for Britain Organisation, Warrnambool Hospital, Anti-Cancer Council, Boys’ Club, Charitable Council, National Fitness Council and Air Raid Precautions Group. He was also a member of the Steam Preservation Society and derived much pleasure from a steam traction engine on his farm. He had an interest in people and the community He and his wife Gladys were both involved in the creation of Flagstaff Hill, including the layout of the gardens. After his death (28th March 1970) his family requested his practitioner’s plate, medical instruments and some personal belongings be displayed in the Port Medical Office surgery at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, and be called the “W. R. Angus Collection”.The W.R. Angus Collection is significant for still being located at the site it is connected with, Doctor Angus being the last Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool. The collection of medical instruments and other items and equipment is culturally significant, being an historical example of medicine from late 19th to mid-20th century. Dr Angus assisted Dr Tom Ryan, a pioneer in the use of X-rays and in ocular surgery.Box of cotton wool. The cotton wool sheet is covered in blue tissue paper that has been rooled tightly and stored within a rectangular blue cardboard box. The box has white printed text on one side and a coloured paper label on another side. The text includes instructions for use. Made by Johnson & Johnson Pty Ltd, Sydney. The object is part of the W.R. Angus Collection.'Red Chain Cotton. 1 Pound Interleaved. Johnson & Johnson Pty Ltd, Sydney. Sterilized after packaging. Made in Australia. Absorbent.' 'To open, cut along the perforation. To close tuck-in flap. This cotton is of superior grade specially made for wound and surgical purposes. It will also be found useful in the household, office or factory and as a general toilet accessory.'flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, cotton wool, medical, johnson & johnson, red chain cotton, w.r. angus

Thirty page knitting pattern book featuring black and white text and colour images. The colour cover features a man and woman wearing matching knitted jumpers.front: [printed] to market ... to market / in Patons / 12 ply / Winter / Wool / PURE NEW WOOL / EASY / TO FOLLOW / PATTERNS / 1 front: [hand written] MRS GRAHAM TO KNIT / DESIGN NO. 3.fashion, design, knitwear, home made, wool, pattern book, patons

This wooden tray has been purchased from the Warrnambool Fancy Goods shop of M. Giblett. She had taken over this shop early in the 20th century from Mrs Martha Wright who was well-known in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for her shop in Liebig Street (95 Liebig Street today) and for her needlework classes in the town. Many of her pupils won prizes at the local Agricultural Shows. This tray is of some interest as an object bought at the Wright/Giblett Fancy Goods Store in Warrnambool early in the 20th century. This is a rectangular-shaped wooden tray with four raised pieces of wood attached to form edges. The tray has been painted yellow. There is a label on the base of the tray indicating the shop from where it was purchased. The tray has some chipped paint, some dirt marks and some small cracks in the wood. ‘Millinery, Art Needlework, Baby Wear and Wool Specialists, Wrights (M.I.Giblett) Warrnambool’ martha wright, warrnambool, m. giblett, warrnambool, history of warrnambool, art needlework in warrnambool

This finely crafted skirt has been made at the Fletcher Jones clothing factory. David Fletcher Jones served in World War One and following this had an itinerant hawker's business in the Western District . In 1924 he opened a tailoring shop in Liebig Street, Warrnambool and began to specialise in the production of men's trousers. In 1946 he opened a shop in Melbourne and in 1947 the firm of Fletcher Jones and Staff Pty. Ltd. was registered. In 1948 a clothing factory was opened in Warrnambool and in the 1960s Fletcher Jones shops had extended to other states of Australia and later the merchandise was extended to men's and women's clothing. It was one of the best known businesses in Australia. The Fletcher Jones company was dissolved in 2011. This is a fine example of a Fletcher Jones item of clothing. The Fletcher Jones clothing business was one of the most important businesses ever to have been in Warrnambool and the factory gardens survive as a tourist attraction in Warrnambool.This is a reversible black, grey and white checked woollen, woman's skirt. It is fully pleated on a waist band which can be buttoned either side. There is a zip on the side next to the waist band.THE Two -Way SKIRT by FLETCHER JONES PURE NEW WOOL SIZE 14fletcher jones clothing company, warrnambool industries

Black Felt Beret with RAR (Royal Australian Regiment) gilt metal badge. Unlined. Black polyester/cotton edging. Adjustment tape missing. Manufacturer's tab sewn to edging.Tab "Christie's Sydney" Stamp inside mostly indecipherable except for "PURE WOOL"headgear, beret

Promotional poster, "Men Knitting - the first Australian Exhibition."Promotional poster, "Men Knitting - the first Australian Exhibition."MEN KNITTING/ THE FIRST/ AUSTRALIAN EXHIBITION/ PROUDLY SPONSERED BY/ THE AUSTRALIAN WOOL CORPORATIONknitting wool marketing, australian wool corporation, knitting, wool marketing

Promotional poster, "Men Knitting - the first Australian Exhibition,.."Promotional poster, "Men Knitting - the first Australian Exhibition."MEN KNITTING/ THE FIRST/ AUSTRALIAN EXHIBITION/ PROUDLY SPONSERED BY/ THE AUSTRALIAN WOOL CORPORATIONknitting wool marketing, australian wool corporation, knitting, wool marketing

Sample book of the Knighthood range of Physician blankets manufactured by Collins Bros.Sample book of the Knighthood range of Physician blankets manufactured by Collins Bros.Knighthood satin bound luxury blankets Knighthood and Pure new wool logotextile design textile mills, collins bros mill pty ltd, label, textile design, textile mills

Envelope with stamp issued on the occasion of the birthday of HRH Queen Elizabeth 11.National Wool Museum/ 22 Aug 1991/GEELONG/ VICTORIA 3220/ AUSTRALIAroyal visits, national wool museum, hrh queen elizabeth 11

Collector says - "I can still recall one of my earliest childhood memories, of my nana's bright aqua shoes against the checks of our family travel rug on summer picnics. Maybe that's when this collection planted its seed in me - 40 years later I start my first blanket collection after stumbling across old Onkaparinga travel rugs. I would go to a vintage market in Collingwood every month and almost always found a good one, amassing enough for the entire household. Everyone had their favourite, even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one just for him." Note from collector-"For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from. " Tan and brown plaid fringed travel rug. Albany Woollen Mill/Travel Rug/All Pure Wool/Emblem: A, Albany blanket, blanket fever, wool, rug, albany, albany woollen mills

Collector says: Once I had gathered a dozen or so blankets, I started noticing the many different labels; where they were made, by who, the logos and fonts used. Then the labels became a thing, then the blankets had to have a label to join the collection. My favourite labels are by Physician, they had at least 4 different labels over the decades but the best has to be the Lady In Bed logo. Physician, Onkaparinga, Eagley and others matched the colour of the label to the colour of the blanket - a nice touch. Strangely, Castlemaine labels were always sewn on the back of the blanket where all the other mills sewed theirs on the front. To this day I always roll or fold a blanket with its label on display.Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Queen sized checked blanket, pink, grey and lemonThe Celebrated Waverley Blanket/100% Pure Wool/"The Best for Rest"/Made in Australiawool, blanket, blanket fever, waverley

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns of knitted garments for women. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Patons KNITTING BOOK no. 350 / 8 DESIGNS / 1'4d. / P&B / WOOLShandicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

Rug label produced by the RSS Mill in Geelong for the Blamey rug.Rug label from the RSS Mill's Blamey rug.THE GEELONG R.S.&S. WOOLLEN MILLS / PURE / WOOL / THE / T.A. Blamey / RUGworld war i textile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, 1918: australians in france - exhibition (19/02/2000 - 30/04/2000) logo merino: sheep in australian art and design - exhibition (29/07/2000 - 04/02/2001), blamey, lt gen. sir thomas albert gbe, kcb, cmg, dso, world war i, textile mills

Blanket label from the RSS Mill, Geelong for the John Monash rug.RSS Mill rug label from the John Monash rug.THE GEELONG R.S.&S. WOOLLEN MILLS / PURE / WOOL / THE / John Monash / RUGworld war i, returned soldiers and sailors mill, label, 1918: australians in france - exhibition (19/02/2000 - 30/04/2000) logo merino: sheep in australian art and design - exhibition (29/07/2000 - 04/02/2001), monash, lt gen. sir john gcmg, kcb, vd