An early strung table or indoor tennis racquet, with handle covered with brown velvet and green fringed trim. Materials: Wood, Metal, Gut, Velvet, Cloth, Threadtennis

An early strung table tennis racquet, with handle covered with blue velvet and gold trim. Materials: Wood, Metal, Gut, Velvet, Cloth, Threadtennis

Large shuttlecock with natural feathers and weight covered with hide, velvet and cloth tape. Materials: Velvet, Bird feather, Leather, Cloth tape, Gluetennis

Brooch in shape of two crossed racquets and horseshoe. Birmingham Sterling silver. Materials: Silver/Metaltennis

This outfit belonged to Mary Ann Henty [nee Lawrence] (1821-81), the wife of Francis Henty (1815-89). Her husband, Francis Henty, was the youngest son of Thomas Henty, who with his family, their retainers and property moved to the Australian colonies between 1829 and 1832. In 1834, Francis’ older brother, Edward, sailed from Launceston in Van Diemen’s Land to what was to become Portland in the western part of Port Phillip District [Victoria]. Francis, together with the first flock of Merino sheep [in Victoria], followed some months later. The first and second generations of the Henty family established vast pastoral properties in the Western part of the Port Phillip District. Francis Henty managed ‘Merino Downs’ near Casterton, while also living in his retirement at ‘Field Place' in Kew.The Henty Collection of nineteenth and twentieth century clothing, including outerwear and underwear, was collected, stored and exhibited over time by female family members descended from Francis and Mary Ann Henty. During the twentieth century, items from the collection were modelled in two fashion parades by various descendants [1937, 1959]. The items in the collection are historically and aesthetically significant, with provenance provided by oral and written tradition within or held by the family. A number of the items in the collection are very rare survivors, and provide researchers with the evidence needed to reconstruct the lives of notable women in the Port Phillip District [later Victoria] during the nineteenth and early twentieth century.A two-piece silk taffeta chalk-striped afternoon dress worn by Mary Ann Henty, aged 49, in the period when she lived at Merino Downs near Portland. The outfit has bands of black silk and rows of fabric covered buttons on the bodice and skirt. Measurements (mm): BODICE: Girth - Neck 355.6, Chest 889, Waist 736.6, Hip 863.6, Cuff 254, Hem circumference 2032. Vertical - Front neck to hem 419.1, Front waist to hem 152.4, Back neck to hem 558.8, Back waist to hem190.5 , Sleeve length 584.2. Horizontal - Neck to sleeve head 165.1, Chest back 330.2, Underarm to underarm 406.4. SKIRT Girth - Waist 609.6, Hip 1270, Hem circumference 4064. Vertical - Front waist to hem 1117.6, Back waist to hem 1371.6.francis henty, fashion -- 1870s, women's clothing, afternoon dresses, mary ann (lawrence) henty

'Ordsall', renamed 'Southesk' in the 20th century was built for John Halfey in or before 1865. The house was rebuilt in the 1870s to designs by architect Michael Hennessy. In 1882 the house was redecorated by the firm of Cullis Hill & Co., who hired the artists 'Mr Vandenbrandt' and 'Signor Rizzi" to paint the ceilings of the ballroom and the drawingroom. The artistic triumph was described in detail in The Argus, 30 October, 1882. In 1947, Southesk was purchased by the Kew City Council. For 23 years it was used as a meeting place for community groups. The house was then demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Town Hall.Rare, and possible unique fragment of a plaster cornice from one of the most architecturally distinctive houses in Kew, demolished 1970.Section of plaster cornice removed from Southesk on the corner of Charles Street and Cotham Road, Kew, when it was demolished in 1970 by the City of Kew. The cornice has a narrow layer of previously coloured plaster which is now overlaid with a grey distemper. The foundation of the cornice is moulded cement. Remnant flowers moulded in the central band of the cornice include a rose and a sunflower. The plaster decoration was probably located in the entrance hall, dining room or ballroom, all of which were created in the 1870s by Michael Hennessy and decorated by the firm of art decorators, Cullis Hill & Co in 1882.Nilordsall, south esk, cullis hill, plasterwork, cornices, victorian interiors

One of five group and individual portraits of the Noble family of Kew, two in the rear garden of what is presumed to be ‘Charnwood’, in Station Street, Coburg. The photographs date from the period c.1890-1914. One of the larger framed photographs is a portrait of the entire family group, while another is of two of the children, Frederick and Winifred. The father, Frederick William Noble was a businessman, and, at one period Secretary of the Victorian Creamery & Butter Company in South Melbourne. Later he was to manage J. Bartram & Co., Ice & Cold Storage Department in Flinders Lane. By 1906, the Noble family had moved to Kew, living for almost 20 years at 100 Walpole Street before relocating to 26 Molesworth Street in the mid 1920s. The five photographs in the collection reveal details of family life and social values as expressed through attire. The family is formally costumed in a manner indicative of their social status. Mrs Noble, in one of the large framed portraits, is dressed in a sombre manner in a long, dark-coloured long-sleeved, high-necked gown. It is difficult to know whether she is dressed in mourning wear in this black and white photograph. It was not uncommon for a woman to regularly wear mourning attire due to the high mortality rate in the Victorian era. This situation was compounded for women due to the size of extended families. A woman might rarely be out of mourning due to the death of a parent, a sibling, a husband, a child or a near relative. The portraits of the Noble family children, particularly Frederick and Winifred, show the elaborateness of formal attire worn by the children of wealthy families during the late Victorian era. Winifred is dressed in a long cotton dress and a broad-rimmed hat; both liberally covered in lace. Winifred and Frederick’s lace collars extend to their shoulders. Winifred’s diaries, covering the period 1908-50, are now in the collection of the State Library of Victoria. The most detailed of the diaries is from 1914, just before the outbreak of World War 1, and includes ‘Accounts of my Dancing Evenings - Season 1914’. The diaries were the inspiration for an art exhibition by Jim Pavlidis in 2014. One of the family’s two sons, Frederick, was to work at The Age newspaper for 50 years. His obituary records that “He was regarded as the epitome of accuracy and a fount of knowledge on many subjects, but especially cricket, the Royal Melbourne Show and Gilbert & Sullivan”. With Robert Morgan he compiled Speed the Plough, a history of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and its role in developing agriculture in Victoria.Framed oval portrait of Mrs P. W. Noble in a carved wooden frame."P. W. Noble" handwritten on label on reverse. noble family

Acquired, 1976Oil on canvasgippsland, artwork, permanent collection

Acquired, 1976Oil on canvasgippsland, artwork, permanent collection

Square Advertising China Teapot (T. Thomas Merchant Stawell)stawell

Part of Pocket Watch no case & Key. Engraved H McGibbony Stawellstawell

Sheet of Gal Iron from Former Commercial Hotel. Awarded Mention Honourable 1878 Parisstawell

Ill, p.264.non-fictionA description of Cook's journeys for a juvenile audience.exploration, james cook - travels

Ill, p.403.fictionThe novel follows the story of a group of men who are stranded on a lighthouse located on the Goodwin Sands, a treacherous group of sandbars located in the English Channel. The men must find a way to survive as they are constantly beset by storms and high seas. The novel is an example of naturalist fiction, which focuses on the natural world and its effects on humans.england - fiction, adventure fiction

Brown leather and marbled hardboard cover, With embossed detailing on cover and spine 'Gentleman's Magazine Vol 5.' 772 pages ; 22cm; Illus;Handwritten inscription on first page - '155, 050 R 72' Stamp on various pages 'Kilmore Mechanics Institute'british magazine, kilmore mechanics institute library.

Donald Clark Collection. A monochrome photograph of members of Tarnagulla Fire Brigade in their uniforms, posed with hose reel outside Burstall Hall, Tarnagulla (demolished in 1980s). Back row: W. Radnell, J. Patterson, F. Cousins, H. Reilly, G.Nelson Centre row: A. Smith, Thomas Page Front row: J. Cousins, W.Smith, J. May, __________, J. Whimpey, ___________ , Joe Radnell, L. Radnell, Bob Abbot. Lady in background: Mrs Spencer. Copy photograph. fire brigade