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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Machine - Fusee Clock Mechanism, early 20th Century
The origin of the fusee is not known. Many sources credit clockmaker Jacob Zech of Prague with inventing it around 1525. The earliest dated fusee clock was made by Zech in 1525, but the fusee appeared earlier, with the first spring-driven clocks in the 15th century. The idea probably did not originate with clockmakers, since the earliest known example is in a crossbow windlass shown in a 1405 military manuscript. Drawings from the 15th century by Filippo Brunelleschi and Leonardo da Vinci also show fusee mechanisms. The earliest existing clock with a fusee, also the earliest spring-powered clock, is the Burgunderuhr (Burgundy clock), a chamber clock whose iconography suggests that it was made for Phillipe the Good, Duke of Burgundy about 1430. Springs were first employed to power clocks in the 15th century, to make them smaller and portable.[1][5] These early spring-driven clocks were much less accurate than weight-driven clocks. Unlike a weight on a cord, which exerts a constant force to turn the clock's wheels, the force a spring exerts diminishes as the spring unwinds. The primitive verge and foliot timekeeping mechanism, used in all early clocks, was sensitive to changes in drive force. So early spring-driven clocks slowed down over their running period as the mainspring unwound. This problem is called lack of isochronism. Two solutions to this problem appeared with the first spring-driven clocks; the stack freed and the fusee. The stack freed, a crude cam compensator, added a lot of friction and was abandoned after less than a century. The fusee was a much more lasting idea. As the movement ran, the tapering shape of the fusee pulley continuously changed the mechanical advantage of the pull from the mainspring, compensating for the diminishing spring force. Clockmakers empirically discovered the correct shape for the fusee, which is not a simple cone but a hyperboloid. The first fusees were long and slender, but later ones have a squatter compact shape. Fusees became the standard method of getting constant force from a mainspring, used in most spring-wound clocks, and watches when they appeared in the 17th century. Around 1726 John Harrison added the maintaining power spring to the fusee to keep marine chronometers running during winding, and this was generally adopted. The fusee was a good mainspring compensator, but it was also expensive, difficult to adjust, and had other disadvantages: It was bulky and tall and made pocket watches unfashionably thick. If the mainspring broke and had to be replaced, a frequent occurrence with early mainsprings, the fusee had to be readjusted to the new spring. If the fusee chain broke, the force of the mainspring sent the end whipping about the inside of the clock, causing damage. The invention of the pendulum and the balance spring in the mid-17th century made clocks and watches much more isochronous, by making the timekeeping element a harmonic oscillator, with a natural "beat" resistant to change. The pendulum clock with an anchor escapement, invented in 1670, was sufficiently independent of drive force so that only a few had fusees. In pocketwatches, the verge escapement, which required a fusee, was gradually replaced by escapements which were less sensitive to changes in mainspring force: the cylinder and later the lever escapement. In 1760, Jean-Antoine Lépine dispensed with the fusee, inventing a going barrel to power the watch gear train directly. This contained a very long mainspring, of which only a few turns were used to power the watch. Accordingly, only a part of the mainspring's 'torque curve' was used, where the torque was approximately constant. In the 1780s, pursuing thinner watches, French watchmakers adopted the going barrel with the cylinder escapement. By 1850, the Swiss and American watchmaking industries employed the going barrel exclusively, aided by new methods of adjusting the balance spring so that it was isochronous. England continued to make the bulkier full plate fusee watches until about 1900. They were inexpensive models sold to the lower classes and were derisively called "turnips". After this, the only remaining use for the fusee was in marine chronometers, where the highest precision was needed, and bulk was less of a disadvantage until they became obsolete in the 1970s. Item is an example of clock mechanisms used until 1910 for many different styles of clocks and went out of fashion in the 1970s due to improvements in clock and watch making.Brass fusse clock movement, It has very heavy brass plates and wheels, high-count machined pinions, and a fusee. The mounting of the pendulum is missing and It has a recoil escapement. A fusee is a conical pulley driven through a chain by the spring barrel. As the spring runs down, the chain acts at a larger and larger radius on the conical pulley, equalising the driving torque. This keeps the rate of the clock more even over the whole run. It has motion work to drive an hour hand as well as a minute hand and the centre arbor is extended behind the back plate to drive some other mechanism.Inscription scratched on back"AM 40" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, clock mechanism, fusee mechanism, horology -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Plough, Syracuse Chilled Plow Co, 1876-1900
The Syracuse Chilled Plough Company was created in 1876 and specialised in the manufacture of agricultural ploughs. Harry Wiard invented the chilling process in plough manufacture. The company was originally founded as the Robinson Chilled Plough Company in 1876 and changed its name 3 years later. At its peak, in the early 20th century. The company made more than 100,000 horse-drawn ploughs and road scrapers of various designs that were sold from the Syracuse plant each year and exported around the world. The company slogan of the day was, “The sun never sets on a Syracuse plough." Eventually, other farming implements were added to the line. The company employed more than 300 people in its local plant, which covered a square block on the cities Near West Side. In 1910-11, Deere and Company began expanding its holdings, and with the success of the Syracuse Chilled Plough Company, Deere sought to acquire the company. The management of the Syracuse operation after John Deere took over remained in the hands of Wiard and Chase, and the manufacturing operations were left in Syracuse. The only change from previous Syracuse operations was the selling of the companies products through Deere retail outlets instead of directly to the trade. The factory in Syracuse continued to produce ploughs until 1955. The subject item in the Flagstaff collection is an early model Syracuse Chilled plough with a wooden beam frame it is very much lighter in weight and was adapted to work sandy or light loamy soil. This plough has a sloping landside, which tends to keep the clods and dirt from falling into the furrow, making the ploughman's work much more comfortable and easy. This design was made in eight sizes for both right and left-handed ploughing and became very popular in the far West and South of the USA. Note: The definition of a chill plough means : a plough having the share and mould-board of chilled semi steel or cast iron.The subject item is believed to be a very early plough given its wooden beam frame and was made before 1900 probably around 1880. This makes it a significant example of the types of plough that early settlers were using in Victoria. There would not be very many of this type of vintage plough left with a wooden beam and frame, making it today a desirable collector's item. Syracuse Wood Beam Chilled single furrow plough metal wheel in front. Syracuse Chiller Co Syracuse & 50 L stamped on ploughshare.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, plough, syracuse chiller co, chiller plourh, farm equipment, furrow -
Bendigo Military Museum
Plaque - Mounted Klimsch Commodore Cartographic Camera Lenses, WYCOMBE Constructions Pty Ltd, 1997
These are the Lenses from the Klimsch Commodore Cartographic Camera that was located in Lithographic Squadron at the Army Survey Regiment, Fortuna, Bendigo. The KLIMSCH Commodore camera was originally introduced to the Survey Regiment in 1953 and was the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. It was replaced with a new model of the same size in 1977. These lenses are from this new model. The new model with its computer-based interface provided productivity gains with improved speed and its consistent results led to less wastage in time and materials. Its variomat lens system provided improved retention of map feature linear weights during the camera reduction process. The camera which was specially made for the Australian Army in Germany was fully automatic and power operated. It was claimed to be one of the biggest automatic cameras of its type in the world. It was made to the specifications of the Royal Australian Army Survey Corps to assist in the production of the very high standard maps for the Australian Army. THIS KLIMSCH COMMODORE CARTOGRAPHIC CAMERA was in operation 1977 - 1997". It was a Precision Darkroom Camera especially suited for Cartographic Reproduction of Line, Continous Tone, Halftone and Colour Separation. Reproduction of Negatives and Positives from a variety of Reflection or Transmission Originals. Its characteristics were: Maximum Negative Size 1.27m sq, Copy Holder (Vacuum) 2m sq, Maximum Enlargement 400%, Maximum Reduction 13%, Automatic 60, 90 and 120cm Focal Length Lens, Transmission or Reflection Originals, Pulsed Xenon, Photo Flood or Fluorescent Tube Light Source, Maximum Reflection Original 1.3m x 1.85m, Maximum Transmission Original 1.3m x 1.85m, Exposure Light Monitoring System." The camera was superseded by computerized image manipulation software associated with the Automap system. These significant and extremely high-quality Lenses were retrieved by WYCOMBE Constructions Pty Ltd during the demolishment of the camera in 1997 and then mounted on a display board. See also Item 6189.4P for more photographs of the camera.Lenses from the Klimsch Commodore Cartographic Camera mounted on a very heavy timber display board. The display board contains an engraved plate that describes the technical characteristics of the camera."KLIMSCH COMMODORE CARTOGRAPHIC CAMERA 1977 - 1997", "FUNCTION: Precision Darkroom Camera especially suited for Cartographic Reproduction of Line, Continous Tone, Halftone and Colour Separation. Reproduction of Negatives and Positives from a variety of Reflection or Transmission Originals." "CHARACTERISTICS: Maximum Neg Size 1.27m sq, Copy Holder 2m sq, Maximum Enlargement 400%, Maximum Reduction 13%, Automatic 60, 90, 120cm Focal Length Lens, Transmission or Reflection Originals, Pulsed Xenon, Photo Flood or Fluorescent Tube Light Source, Maximum Reflection Original 1.3m x 1.85m, Maximum Transmission Original 1.3m x 1.85m, Exposure Light Monitoring System." royal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr, litho -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Instrument - Scale, George Salter & Co, ca. 1886
There were at least three 1880s vessels named Lady Loch, all built in Victoria; a river launch (ca 1884-ca 1916, originally named Lady of the Lake), a steamer ferry (1884-1920s) and a government lighthouse tender steamer HMV Lady Loch (1886-1962.) The spring balance scale was part of the equipment on the HMV Lady Loch. The scale was made by the renowned company Salter Weighing Machines in the United Kingdom. It was made to Silvester's patent design. Salter Weighing Machines, Britain, began making spring scales in the 1820s. In 1908 Salter opened up an Australian branch named Salter Scales Pty. Ltd. The scale, marked HMV SS Lady Loch, would be suspended by its top ring, a basket or other container is hung from the hook, and the items inside the basket then pull downwards on the hook, which stretches the springs inside the works. The pulling action moves a rack and gears a calculated distance and the gears turn the pointer on the dial to indicate the weight of the goods. This scale measures up to 200 pounds capacity. The HMV SS Lady Loch was an iron steamship built in Footscray, Melbourne, by Campbell, Sloss and McCain in 1886 for the colonial Victorian government’s Department of Trade and Customs. It was armed with a 6-inch gun and two 1-inch Nordenfelt guns. The Sydney Morning Herald of 27th January 1888 describes the vessel in detail. It even comments on the interior of the Saloon “The wood work … is on a very elaborate scale and is exceedingly neat …”. The HMV Lady Loch performed Customs duties, and serviced the lighthouses along the coast. The scale could have measured goods for the Customs Tax, or for measuring out supplies for the lighthouse keepers. The vessel was named after Lady Elizabeth Loch, wife of Sir Henry Loch, Governor of Victoria from 1884 to 1889. In 1932 Lady Loch was converted to a hulk and used in Brisbane, and finally scuttled in 1962 at Moreton Bay, Queensland.The scale has importance due to its connection to the 1886 HMV Lady Loch, a vessel of great significance to Melbourne’s shipbuilding industry. It was the largest auxiliary vessel in the Victorian Colonial Government’s fleet and the first prominent vessel launched by Melbourne’s shipbuilding industry. The scale is also important for its connection with the colonial navy's Custom's work, as the scale was available to weigh goods that could attract taxes and deal out goods for distribution to lighthouse keepers. The HMV Lady Loch was also important part of Victoria's maritime history for its communication and support of the lighthouse keeper's along the coast of Victoria.Scale; Salter's spring balance mechanical hanging scale, brass and iron. Equally spaced marks around the circular dial have values from 0 to 200 in increments of 10, each increment is also divided into 10. An iron ring is attached to a fitted loop on the top of the scale, and an iron hook is attached to the fitted loop onthe bottom of the scale. A moving pointer attached to the centre of the dial has a calibration screw joined to its base. Four screws fix the brass face to the works at the back. There are stamped and embossed inscriptions. Made by Salter in Britain, to Silvester's Patent design. The scale was once equipment carried abourd the steamship HMV SS Lady Loch. Stamped: "SALTER'S / SPRING BALANCE" "SILVESTOR'S / PATENT" Embossed in script: "HMV SS / Lady Loch"warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, scale, salter, spring balance, silvester's patent, lady loch, steamship, hmv, colonial navy, victoria, lady elizabeth loch, custom's vessel, lighthouse tender, 1886, government vessel, victorian government, measuring instrument, weight, weighing instrument, mechanical scale, hanging scale -
Puffing Billy Railway
Steam Engine - Tangye single cylinder vertical, Circa 1920
Used by the Malvern city council until 1969 to drive a rock crushing plant. While large horizontal steam engines predominated in major factories, small vertical steam engines like this were the workhorses of industries that had modest power requirements. This reliable little engine, made by leading UK manufacturer Tangye Bros of Birmingham Steam engines had the advantage that any fuel could be used to fire their boilers, but they were less convenient and efficient than internal combustion engines, required operators with higher skill levels, and had lower power to weight ratios. Tangye Limited was founded in 1857 in Birmingham by businessman Richard Tangye (1833-1906) and his mechanic brothers James and Joseph; brothers Edward and George joined them later. Richard was born near Redruth in Cornwall and educated at the Friends School at Sidcot, Somerset, where he became a pupil-teacher. From there he moved to Birmingham to work as a clerk for an engineering firm. In 1856 he started a hardware factor and commission agent business in Birmingham whose customers were mainly Cornish mine-owners in the Redruth district. From 1858 Tangyes concentrated on the manufacture of machinery and secured the sole right to manufacture Weston's differential pulley block (object 2003/45/1). They established their Cornwall Works in the Birmingham suburb of Smethwick in 1864 and soon developed a huge range of products. It was stated that 'there are perhaps no other works in the kingdom so largely employed upon so great a variety of specialities as the Cornwall Works of Messrs Tangye Bros.' The Tangyes attracted creative people to work for them. They wrote: 'We are in a position to offer unusual facilities to Inventors for carrying out their patents.' Info about Tangye Bros of Birmingham from Powerhouse Museum https://ma.as/207954 Donated by Malvern City Council in 1969 Of Interest : The Vertical and Horizontal Tangye engines on display are of the design that won a Gold Medallion at the Paris Industrial Exhibition of 1878.Historic - Industrial Steam Engine Equipmentsingle cylinder vertical Steam Engine made of Cast Iron, (Painted)Tangye Birmingham Builder's number 2462tangye, vertical steam engine, steam engine, puffing billy, stone crushing, george and george, malvern -
Puffing Billy Railway
Tank Locomotive, 0-6-2 T No.1 "Delta", 1950
0-6-2 Tank Locomotive No.1 "Delta" Gauge 2'0" Identification: 1 Delta Type: 0-6-2T Builder: Perry Engineering, Mile End, South Australia Builder's number: Perry 7967.50.4 of 1950 Building date: 1950 Current status - Static Exhibit Wheel Arrangement 0-6-2T Cylinders (Diameter X Stroke) 10 inches X 18 inches Boiler Pressure 180 psi Driving Wheel (Dia.) 28 ½ inches Weight 16 tons Coal Capacity 27 cubic feet Water Capacity 500 gallons The Perry Engineering Co, Mile End, South Australia built a total of 18 locomotives for the 2’0” gauge tramways used by the sugar industry in Queensland. This 0-6-2T locomotive was built by Perry Engineering Co. Ltd. of Mile End, Adelaide as their Builder's No. 7967.50.4 of 1950. It was used at Qanaba Mill, Bundaberg where it was known as No.1 "Delta". / Qanaba Mill No.1 No. 1 “DELTA” 0-6-2 TANK LOCOMOTIVE Gauge: 2 foot Built by Perry Engineering Company of South Australia in 1950 (Builder’s number 7967.50.4), “DELTA” is a medium sized Australian designed locomotive featuring Walschaert’s valve gear driving piston valves. Weighing 16 tons (16.3 tonnes) it was one of the post-war narrow gauge steam locomotives, which worked in the canefields of Queensland until 1978. “DELTA” worked at various sugar mills in the Bundaberg area and was finally withdrawn from service at Quanba Mill after a life of 28 years. Obtained by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society in 1981. Delivered to Australian Estates Co., Kalamia Mill named DELTA in 1950. Purchased by Fairymead Mill as No 20 DELTA. Purchased by Millaquin Sugar for Qanaba Mill as No. 1 DELTA, 1970 Withdrawn from service, 1978. Obtained by Puffing Billy Preservation Society for display at the Puffing Billy Museum.Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Steam Locomotive used in Queensland in Sugar Mill service. Locomotive No.1 "Delta" - Steam Locomotive - made of steel, and wrought ironDelta0-6-2 tank locomotive no.1 "delta" perry engineering - puffing billy railway perry 7967.50.4 of 1950, puffing billy, qunaba sugar mill, bundaberg, perry engineering, delta, steam locomotive, 0-6-2 tank locomotive no.1 -
Puffing Billy Railway
Explosives Wagon, unkown
This 2 foot 6 inch (762mm) gauge wagon was used for carrying explosives and was used with the Greenbat Battery loco. It was donated to the Walhalla Goldfields Railway on long term loan in 2013 along with a large quantity of narrow gauge trollies and light rail from Orica’s now closed munitions factory in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Orica - Deer Park Munitions factory Orica Deer Park in Melbourne’s west has been used since circa 1875 for various forms of manufacturing and storage of chemicals. Although the site is bounded by Ballarat Road, Station Street, Tilburn Road and the Western Ring Road, the current entry point for industrial operations is situated at Gate 6 of Tilburn Road. Operations include: • a specialty chemicals facility producing products for mining services operations • quarry services • other chemical manufacture activities. The Deer Park factory complex The factory complex is of historical significance for the major role it played in Australia's manufacturing and mining industries through the development of progressively more efficient and safer explosives. It also contributed to wartime production in ammunition, initiators and the development of synthetic ammonia production and construction of the Defence Explosives Annexe No 5 (later the Albion Explosives Factory) during World War Two. The factory complex is also of technical significance for the unusual and specialised design of many of the buildings and structures, both in the layout of the works and the individual design of buildings. Blast protection and safety measures such as mounds around the buildings, 'cleanways' and buffer zones between production areas were employed extensively. A characteristic of many production buildings was the elimination of cavities where explosive compounds could lodge. The combination of concrete barriers and light-weight construction was designed to direct explosion debris away from operators or other buildings. The narrow gauge tramway, which ran through the explosives section, is a rare survivor of nineteenth century materials-handling methods. Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Wagon for carrying Explosives at the Orica - Deer Park Munitions factory, Deer park, Victoria, Australia Wagon for carrying explosives made from Timber and steelwagon for carrying explosives, puffing billy, industrial narrow gauge railway, orica - deer park munitions factory, explosives wagon -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Book, State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV), "Electric Tramways of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria By-Law No. 1", 1943
Demonstrates aspects of the SEC governance system in issuing By-laws for the travelling public, as part of their Act. Yields information about fares charged for tram services in Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong. Issued to crews.Twenty Four page booklet, plus medium weight card brown colour covers centre stapled. Book cover has title "Electric Tramways of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria By-Law No. 1". Pages are numbered pages 1 to 24, revoking By Laws dated 5/9/1932 (See Reg. Item 3109). Dated 9/3/1937. Gives definitions, fares and charges, regulations re passengers, behaviour, smoking, dangerous goods, luggage and behaviour of crews. Gives schedule of fares and charges for Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong. Fares applied from 1937 to 1949 - see Reference. Details names of SEC Commissioners, Minister in Charge of Electrical Undertakings. Four copies held. Copy 1 - as printed. Copy 2 - has numerous changes marked in red ink internally and pasted in changes to the text. The schedules have been crossed out. Copy 3 - has changes marked in black ink, including fare and charges changes that were made in 1949. No pasted in sections. Copy 4 - missing back cover. Copy 5 - missing front and back pages. Has Government Printer, H. E. Daw, number 11928/43. Given the printing number on Reg. Item 3110 is a lower number and that the H. Green was the Government Printer in 1936 (See Reg. Item 3068), "43" indicates a reprinting date. See Fares in Ballarat – from Alan Bradley 11/4/2005 – appendix for Book Copy 1 - has "1937" and "No. 1" written in red ink on top of cover. Copy 2 - has "No. 2" written in red ink in top right hand corner of cover and "Ballarat Tramway Preservation Society No. 202" written in black ink on top of cover and numerous changes marked in red ink internally and pasted in changes to the text. The schedules have been crossed out in red ink. Copy 3 - has "Ballarat Tramway Preservation Society No. 202" written in black ink on top of cover and numerous changes marked in black ink including changes to fares and schedules.trams, tramways, secv rules, by laws, tickets, fares, ballarat, bendigo, geelong -
National Wool Museum
Letter - Letter of reference for Margaret Burn, 03/11/1939
Letter of Reference for Miss Margaret Burn detailing her work as a bookkeeper, machine operator, typist, and stenographer over seven years at Dennys Lascelles Limited. The letter details her leaving the company as she married in 1939. In the same year, Ms Burn returned to the office owing to the shortage of staff caused by various employees being called away for Military Training. Included in the staff called away for military training was her newlywed husband, Mr Jack Ganly. A fellow employee of Dennys, the Ganly name was well known within the company, with three generations of the Ganly family working at Dennys. Margaret worked at Dennys for 7 years during the 1930s. The Letter of Reference is accompanied with a story written by Margaret about her time working at the company. WORKING CONDITIONS & OFFICE WORK DUTIES. Written by Margaret Burn in 2021. Worked at Dennys Lascelles in the 1930s. In the 1930s coming out of the Depression, jobs were hard to come by and had to be clung to by efficiency and subserviency. There was no union to protect workers – bosses could be tough and rough. Dennys Lascelles revolved around fortnightly wool sales in the “season” – September to May. Sale day was always a day of suppressed excitement. Preparation from a clerical point of view was complete and we now awaited the aftermath of the actual wool auction. The building teemed with people. There were country people down to see their wool sold, buyers of many nationalities, or from the big cities, who were coming in and out of the building all day. Their role was to inspect the acres of wool bales displayed on the show floors; however, caterers were present to feed clients, and there was plenty of social interactions on top of business. The office staff did not go home but waited until the first figures came back from the wool sales and the machines went in to action, both human and mechanical, preparing the invoices for the buyers’ firms. This comprised of lists of lot numbers, weights, prices per lb., and the total prices paid. A lot of this was done by old-school typewriters, making this work a big, heavy, tiring job. Before the finished lists could be dispatched, they were collated on an “abstract”. The lists had to balance with the catalogue from which the invoices had been prepared. This never happened automatically. All the paperwork had to be split up amongst pairs of workers and checked until discrepancies were found. This would happen until midnight but occasionally went until 2 or 3 am. Once complete, the invoices could then be rushed off to the buyers’ firms usually in Melbourne, and hire cars took the staff home. It was back on the job the next morning, usually around 8.30. The office hours varied according to the size of the sale and work involved. Some days started as early as 8 and could finish around 5.30. The second phase of work began with the account sales to be prepared for the sellers of the wool. These detailed all the weights, descriptions of wool, brands, and prices. One Sales account could have multitudes of lot numbers, all needing to be individually described. Various charges needed to be deducted such as finance for woolpacks, extra stock, or farmers who were given a loan to live on during the season. Details of how payment was to be made was also noted, whether the seller was to be paid by cheque, to a bank, or credited to their account with the company (which often left the seller still in debt). For a couple of months in the winter, things were quieter when staff took holidays and were sometimes given afternoons off. But there were still weekly skin sales and stock sales around the state. The annual end of June figures to be prepared for a big company like Dennys with branches all around the state also kept the staff busy. In good years there was sometimes a bonus. On sale days there was a bar open for the clients and wool buyers. This added to the excitement for the young girls, who were strictly barred from using it, but somehow managed to sneak a gin and tonic. This is how I had my first ever, before the evening meal. There was also the romantic notion in some minds, with all the influx of males, that some of us might end up on a wealthy station, or be noticed by an exotic buyer. To my knowledge, this never happened at Dennys Lascelles Limited. Group staff photo at Dennys Lascelles Limited. Margaret Burn. Age 18 or 19. Jack Ganly (Margaret’s future husband). 22. Sheet of paper shorter in length than A4 size, creamed with age. Paper has a header for Dennys, Lascelles Limited’s Head Office at 32 Moorabool Street, Geelong. Body of paper is made up of 3 paragraphs in a typewritten message of black ink with subheadings highlighted with a red underline. The text is finished with a signature at the bottom of the paper. Paper is accompanied by its original envelope. Envelope has typewritten text in black ink with a red underline located at the centre. It also has return to sender instructions to Dennys, Lascelles Limited in the lower left-hand corner.Typewritten text, black and red ink. Multiple. See multimediadennys lascelles ltd, worker conditions 1930s, letter of reference -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Clocks, 1950
In 1865 James Jones Elliott of 156 Cheapside in the City of London, was apprenticed to a clockmaker"Bateman" of 82 St John Street, Smithfield, London., to learn the art of clock making. Initially, J J Elliott specialized in producing pinions and balance shafts for clocks. He eventually progressed to making, and patenting, a weight-driven movement which had chimes on tubes. This clock was very successful and resulted in considerable trade with America. James Elliott's son, Frank Westcombe Elliott, when he was 17 years old, went into business with his father after his father had bought a partnership with a jeweler called “Walden” of Brompton Road, London. In 1904, JJ Elliott died and Frank succeeded his father in clock making business. In 1909 company of JJ Elliott amalgamated with Grimshaw Baxter, and the factory moved to Grays Inn Lane, London, in 1911, followed by a further move, in 1917, to larger premises in St Ann’s Road, Tottenham, London. In 1921 the partnership with Grimshaw Baxter was dissolved and Frank Elliott joined a well-known firm of Bell Founders and Clockmakers, Gillett and Johnson Ltd, in Croydon. In 1923, two years later, he took over their clock factory and formed the famous company of F.W. Elliott Ltd. He was joined by his two sons, Leonard and Horace Elliott, who had served their apprenticeships in the trade. The third son, Ronald, joined the company in 1929. Elliott's started to produce clocks for the armed forces when war was declared in 1939, together with test gear and apparatus for the Rolls Royce engines used in the RAF planes. In 1944, Frank Elliott died at the age of 69 and Horace Elliott assumed the role of Managing Director. Whilst Horace controlled sales from a showroom in Hatton Garden. In 1952, Horace Elliott was elected Chairman of the British Horological Institute in the same year as Tony, one of Horace's sons, joined the company after he had completed training as a cabinet maker. Ronald Elliott died suddenly in 1966, at the age of 54, his son Peter continued to manage the company until 1998 when it ceased trading. An item that is now regarded as vintage, sought by horology collector’s worldwide and is in excellent condition. The item is unique in that it was made specifically for ships by a well-known British clock manufacture. Its provenance is well established as the serial numbers on the clock indicate it was made in 1950. Production by F.W Elliott for this design of ships clock ceased in 1959. Clock has a gold color case with a 150 mm white painted dial and Roman numerals. The movement has a balance wheel escapement and a slow-fast timekeeping adjuster to the top of the dial. The back of the clock is stamped “made by F W Elliott Ltd of Croydon” and a serial number 21B/829, an additional number 994 is also stamped on the back casing. Thsi model clock finished production in 1959. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, clock, f w elliott, maritime clock -
Australian Gliding Museum
Machine - Glider –Sailplane, 1960
The FS-24 Phonix is the first sailplane design to be built using a moulded fiberglass sandwich technique. It was designed by Hermann Nagele and Richard Eppler leading a group setup for the purpose at Stuttgart Technical University in the early 1950s. Initial construction was undertaken at workshops of Wolf Hirth and the first prototype was completed at the Bolkow Aircraft Company where Nagele and another member of the group, Rudi Lindner, had gained employment. It flew on 27 November 1957. Two further prototypes were built incorporating a T-tail and other refinements. Eight in all were built before production was stopped in 1961. A number of gliding records were broken in Phonix sailplanes in Germany in 1962-1963. It was found to have a best glide ratio of 40:1. The Museum’s example, No. 403 was originally a prototype built on 25 May 1960 [Registration D-8354]. It was converted at Bolkow to a Phonix T in 1963 and sold to a private owner in Switzerland [Registration HB-746] and later then to gliding club Segelfluggruppe Solothurn in 1965. The glider returned to Germany in 1971 (Meersburg) and re-registered as D-0738. It moved to a new owner in Allershausen in 1976, and again to Lindhoft in 1982. In 1983 the glider was sold to owners at Hasselt, Belgium and given registration OO-ZQD. In 1989 a further change of ownership occurred and the glider went to Leusden in the Netherlands where it was registered as PH-949. In 2006 the Phonix No.403 was imported into Australia by John Ashford of the Geelong Gliding Club. On 30 January 2007, it was registered as VH-GRP. However, as at January 2016 it has not been flown in Australia. In the course of its flying history the glider was damaged several times and repaired. At one stage a larger rudder was fitted and later on this modification was reversed. With the original conversion to a Phonix T and subsequent repairs and changes to equipment the weight of the airframe increased from 182 kg to approximately 220 kg. Nevertheless, the wing loading is a modest 20kg/square metre. As at January 2016, minor repairs and airworthiness certification are required to return the glider to flying condition. This exhibit is highly significant as it is one of only eight of this pioneering sailplane design. It is the only one in Australia. Glassfibre single seat sailplane, finished white with blue stripes on fin and rudder.Australian registration GRP on rudder; Serial Number 403 and Vintage glider club of Netherlands plaque in cockpitaustralian gliding, sailplane, glider, fs-24, phonix, nagele, eppler, lindner, stuttgart technical university, bolkov aircraft company, segelfluggruppe solothurn, ashford, geelong gliding club. -
Puffing Billy Railway
5 NBD, June 1901
NBD This is a Puffing Billy Railway reclassification of the first series of NB carriages. COMBINED NB PASSENGER CAR AND GUARD'S VAN. A saloon or end platform NB which has had a guard's compartment temporarily added in one end. Due to the temporary nature of this conversion, this vehicle also retains its original number in the NB numbering sequence but is classed NBD to differentiate it from the standard NBC and the NAC. The use of the letter 'D' in the classification is recognising the code for guard's vans prior to 1910. NB Class - Number Built (1st Series) 6 - Number Built (2nd Series) 17 - Number Built (3rd Series) 4 NB (1st series) NB 5 was equipped with a vertical hand brake at one end to enable it to be used as the last vehicle of a train. Body Length 20 feet 6 inches ( 6248 mm) Vehicle Length 25 feet 2 inches ( 7671 mm) Coupled Length 27 feet 4 inches (8330 mm) Width 6 feet 3 inches (1905 mm) Height 9 feet 5 inches (2870 mm) Weight 8 tons Capacity 16 passengers Built 1898 - 1904 Number Built 6 In use NBD 1, 2, 5 NB - Puffing Billy Railway classed these as NBD to indicate their use as a trailing vehicle with guard's accommodation. 5 NBD Victorian Railways Service History NBB 5. ( it's original number ) Built new - - / 6/1901 Newport Workshops 4/ 2/1902 - In Service "Commenced running" circa 1910 - renumbered To NB 5 *NB 5. - / 6/1926 - Modified AC Malco 5/ 2/1951 - Scrapped - Body and underframe purchased by Puffing Billy Preservation Society from Pakenham. Restored by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society 1975. In July 2006 work commenced on 5 NB to make it a temporary kitchen car for the luncheon/dinner train. It has had the seating removed from the saloon and kitchen equipment installed. Plans are for a kitchen car to be constructed and 5 NB restored to carry passengers.Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Passenger Rolling Stock: Passenger and Guard's Van carriage 5 NBD - converted into Catering Car and Guards vanMade of Timber and steel 5NBDvictorian railways, narrow gauge rolling stock, 5nbd - catering car and van, puffing billy -
Puffing Billy Railway
3 NUU - Louvred Truck, 3/12/1900
Van 3 NUU - Louvred Truck (11) VR Service History 3/12/1900 NWS Built new Vehicle Length 25 feet 2 inches ( 7671 mm) Coupled Length 27 feet 4 inches (8330 mm) Width 6 feet 3 inches (1905 mm) Weight 7 tons Capacity 10 tons Built 1898 - 1911 Number Built 14 In use 5 To be restored None *NUU 3.VA - 3/12/1900 NWS Built new - / /1926 - To NU 3.VA - NU 3.VA - circa 1926 - Modified AC Malco 1/10/1977 - Off Register To ETRB Sec76/3630 RS77/4223 NUU The standard louvre van design for the Victorian narrow-gauge lines, the NUU vehicles were constructed in three batches; the first seven from 1899 to 1901, an eighth in 1906 and the last six in 1911, for a total class of fourteen. They looked very similar to the U vans of the Broad Gauge, although two photographs[1][2] of NUU 1 show that its body may have been white for some time. NU In 1926 the class was relettered to simply NU, with no changes to numbers. NU 4 was scrapped in 1938, but otherwise the class remained intact until 1954, when seven members (2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12) were sold to Coulston & Hyder, who dispersed the wagons among locations on the Wangarrata to Whitfield line. As of 1996, vans 7 and 12 were at Moyhu, while van 11 was destroyed by fire in 1978. Wagons 6 and 1 were scrapped in 1957 and 1958 respectively, while in 1954 van 13 was recorded as being sold to the Puffing Billy Preservation Society. In 1977, the remaining vans 3, 10 and 14 were handed over to the Emerald Tourist Railway Board, and removed from Victorian Railways records. The Puffing Billy Railway now posesses vans 3, 8, 10, 13 and 14. Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Rolling Stock - Louvered VanWooden Louvered Van - Made of Timber on a Wrought iron frame3 NUUpuffing billy, 3 nuu, louvered van, 2'6" guage, victorian railways, narrow gauge rolling stock -
Geelong Football Club
1931 Geelong Football Club Premiership Medallion George Moloney
George ‘Speca’ Moloney Born: 07/08/1909 From: Claremont-Cottesloe (WA) Height: 174cm Weight: 73kg Natural kicking foot: Right Guernsey number: 14 First senior match: Round 1, 1931 v Collingwood at Victoria Park The remarkably effective full-forward created an impact in his relatively short career. Although quite short for a key position, he was able to produce spectacular results frequently. He possessed remarkable ground play, elusiveness and goal sense. Amazingly, he was able to snap goals with either foot from virtually anywhere within range. Many of his goals came from kicks over his head or shoulder as he ran away from the scoring area to dodge opponents. He was fast, clever and a good mark. His League career commenced spectacularly; in his first two matches he scored a total of 19 goals. He later became the first player in history to score 10 goals or more in two successive matches (Round 15 and 16, 1932). In that year he became the first Geelong player to score 100 goals in a season. During 1935 he played successfully in the centre. Total Brownlow Medal votes: 33 Premiership team selection: 1931 Runner-up in Brownlow Medal count: 1932 (equal) Club Best & Fairest: 1932 Club leading goalscorer: 1931 (74 gls), 1932 (109 gls), 1933 (68 gls) Competition leading goalscorer: 1932 (109) Instances of seven goals or more in a match: 12 Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee GFC Hall of Fame inductee (2002) GFC Life Membership (2012) Career span: 1931-35 Total matches: Premiership 88 Interstate 1 Total goals: Premiership 303, Interstate 3 Finals matches: 7 Finals goals: 15 Last senior match: Round 17, 1935 v Hawthorn at Corio Oval Died: 05/01/1983 Information provided by Mr Col Hutchinson GFC HistorianGeelong F.C. GFC 1931 Victorian Football League Premiers Medallion Gold with blue enamel. Circular shape with VFL in the centre. Back of medallion has engraving Geelong F.C 1931 George MoloneyBack of medallion has engraving Geelong F.C 1931 George Moloneygfc, 1931 premiership, grand final, medal, george moloney -
National Wool Museum
Textile - Quilt, Rosemary A.O. Cameron, Celebration Quilt, 1990
From Rosemary Cameron - This quilt has been made in 100% wool to celebrate the diversity, durability and beauty of pure wool, especially the lightweight cool wools. The woollen patches were kindly donated by Mr. David Jones, managing Director of Fletcher Jones and Staff which were pre-cut samples of European Fabrics in various weights, textures and colours. I had the task of creating a design around the fabrics available, some of which I only had to sample. I chose to surround my design with dark shades to encompass at the top of the quilt, the lightness of the sky and the trees, in the middle the warmth of summer, the dryness of central Australia and at the bottom the rick tones of Opals, our mineral wealth and the internal heart of earth. To add excitement and texture to this design I chose 31 Australian Wildflowers including all the Australian Floral Emblems, some unusual wildflowers and favourite small wildflowers. Twice life size, these flowers have been made of silk wool and cotton, embroidered, painted and beaded by our creative and talented Hamilton Quilters, their results are fantastic! The brilliance and timeless quality of these Australian Wildflowers intensify and complement the colours of the Wool Quilt. The Quilt was hand pieced and hand quilted at quilting bees. It has a woollen batting, binding and backing which was a delight to work with and very easy to quilt. The flowers were assembled and attached in small working bees. To the fifty-two Hamilton Quilters who have worked on this quilt for six months thank you for you hard work and creativity especially Joan H. Lyons for her time, enthusiasm and knowledge when difficulties arose. Joan M. Lyons has worked with me on various stages of this Quilt, her help and support has been tremendous. To my family who have tolerated scraps of wool and silk, photographs, wildflower books and specimens and drawings which have at times almost taken over our house, a year from ideas to completion, thank you for your support and help in many ways.Multi coloured patchwork quilt with native flowers protruding from centre in a diamond shape.Embroidered on back - "The Celebration Quilt" Made in 1990 by The Hamilton Quilters, Designed by Rosemary A.O. Cameron. Made of Pure Wool. Beryl Anderson, Joan Askew, Bett Basham, Marilyn Baulch, Rau Blaby, Pauline Boyd, Aileen Beckwith, Dorothy Beveridge, Ros Brommell, Rosemary Cameron, Gwen Cook, Anne Cordner, Kaylene Cowland, Elaine Denby, Barbara Dolman, Rosalie Duffield, Helen Fry, Glennys Gardner, Nola Gunning, Margaret Irvine, Bev Jeffrey, Emma Jensen, Betty Lacy, Helen Lampard, Joan H. Lyons, Joan M. Lyons, Elaine McDonald, Carole McEwan, Joy McLeod, Joyce McLeod, Mary May, Joan Mallinson, Susan Mason, Anne Menzel, Val Mills, Betty O’Brien, Di Pettigrew, Therese Read, Sherry Robertson, Lee Rowland, Irene Saddler, Nanette Templeton, Glenys Tindall, Liz Wallis, Ruth Walter, Marion Warburton. Alison Waterman, Pat Wilmot, Nola Malcolm, Ann Nicholls, Margaret Rowe, Jill Hillier.celebration, flowers, hamilton quilters, quilt, native flowers -
Parks Victoria - Point Hicks Lightstation
Corbel
In architecture a corbel serves a decorative as well as structural function as a solid piece of stone, wood or metal that is built into a wall and juts out like a bracket to carry a weight. The smoothly shaped corbel was formerly built into the external wall of the lighthouse facing the sea. It consists of two cupped, rounded forms, one bigger than the other, which are attached to a damaged flat base. Made of cast concrete, it is the same fabric as the lighthouse and shows evidence of white paint on its surface. An early architectural drawing of the tower shows the corbel as a projecting, decorative moulding underpinning the balcony floor associated with the auxiliary light. It indicates the original corbel was a much larger architectural feature which started as a solid rectangular block and terminated with a smaller block and then two tapering, rounded forms. Prepared in mid-1888, the architectural drawings for the lighthouse by Victorian Public Works Department architect, Frederick Hynes, were amended in 1888-89 to provide for an auxiliary light, which comprised an arched opening and door in the tower wall below the lantern room and small balcony. In the late nineteenth century all of Victoria’s lightstations installed a red auxiliary light to serve as a danger warning to mariners sailing too close to shoare. Existing lightstations, like Cape Otway, built a pavilion below their lighthouse facing out to sea, but newly constructed towers like Point Hicks and Split Point incorporated them into their designs. The efficacy of auxiliary lights became a controversial issue and all were discontinued on 1 January 1913. The Point Hicks balcony was removed from the face of the tower in 1971 after it was found to be badly rusted. This resulted in the complete removal of the corbel, from which the rounded moulding and part of the base survives. The auxiliary light and door were subsequently removed in 1975 and glass blocks now fill the opening. Cape Schanck Lightstation retains four cast iron brackets from its auxiliary light balcony which are currently stored in the lighthouse on the ground floor. No other architectural fabric associated with the auxiliary light has been identified at Point Hicks Lightstation. The fragment of corbel has first level contributory significance for its historic and architectural values as a relic of the auxiliary light and as an original moulding from the fabric of Victoria’s first concrete lighthouse.A masonary corbel. -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Webbing, Belt, No maker discernible, Unknown
Used with dress uniform for ceremonious purposes.An example of the standard issue webbing belt used by Australian service personnel. The name "Bretterecker" and the number 360053, (possibly a post World War 2 service number) is written in black ink on the inside surface of the belt. The belt has been "blackened" for ceremonial use and has brass fittings, the 2 angled buckles normally located on the rear of the belt have been removed. The 1937 pattern equipment (also known as '37 webbing') was an item of military load-carrying equipment. Pattern 37 replaced the 1908 Pattern and 1925 Pattern—on which it was based—and was standard issue for British and Commonwealth troops from its introduction in 1937, throughout World War II, and in the post-war period until it was superseded by 58 pattern webbing. The design was confirmed on 8 June 1938 and wide-scale issue began in 1939. Towards the end of World War II, some 37 Webbing was produced in jungle green for troops fighting in the Pacific Theatre, although purpose-made 44 Pattern Webbing was then introduced for the humid jungle conditions, being lighter in weight, quicker drying, and rot-proofed.[ Although 44 Pattern continued in use with the British Army for jungle warfare in its various post-World War II colonial conflicts, it did not replace 37 Pattern in general service, which was in use up until the introduction of 58 Pattern. However, 37 Pattern was used for ceremonial purposes and still issued to Cadets in the 1990s. 1937 Pattern Webbing was made from cotton webbing, which was waterproofed and dyed before being woven. The fittings were made of stamped brass and it was produced by various manufacturers.Written in black ink on the inside "Bretterecker" and the number 360053, possibly a post World War 2 service number.webbing belt, dress webbing -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - THE AUSTRALIAN BOY SCOUT DIARY 1933, 1933
The Australian Boy Scout Diary 1933. Inside front cover is an intimate picture of Chief & his family. With specially written notes and Sketches for Cubs, Scouts, Rovers and Scouters. Obtainable at all State Headquaters in Australia. Prepared and Published by the Victorian Section in conjuntion with the Federal Scout Council of Australia. Printed by Exchange Press Pty Ltd, 310 Spencer Street, Melbourne. Index: Boy Scouts. Bush Fires. Calendars 1933, 1934. 1934 Calendar. Conventional Signs and Maps. Fires. First Aid. Headquaters Address. Holidays. Knots, Bends and Hitches. List of Badges. Local Fixtures. Morse. Our Flag. Personal Memoranda. Pioneering. Plan of Camp. Rover Scouts. Scout Uniform. Scout Signs and Salutes. Sea Scouts. Sea Scouting - Notes on Boat Handling. Semaphore. South by the Stars. Swimming. Torch. Treatment of Snakebite. Troop Camps. Weights and Measures. Wolf Cubs. Wood Badge. Uses of Scout Staff. Inside rear cover is a sepia photo of the site of the 1933 Jamboree at Godollo, Hungary. Book is very detailed giving information on all aspects of Scout life, with sketches for knots, maps, etc. Inscriptions are on page 58: Troup or Pack - 1st Epsom Pack. Watch No. 4133033. Season Ticket No. Commonwealth acc 957. Savings No. 4729. Size in Hats: 7. Size of Boots: 5. Size of Collar 14 1/2. Size of Gloves 6 1/4. Iinscription on page 60: Books Read: In Search of Wales, Morton. Faraway, Priestly. Jock the Scot, Alice Grant Rosemary. Bernard Shaw, Frank Harris.Exchange Press Pty Ltd., Melbournebook, bendigo, scouts, the australian boy scout diary 1933. photo of chief & his family. notes and sketches for cubs, scouts, rovers and scouters. obtainable at all state headquarters in australia. published by the victorian section in conjunction with the federal scout council of australia. exchange press pty ltd, melbourne. index: boy scouts. bush fires. calendars 1933, 1934. 1934 calendar. conventional signs and maps. fires. first aid. headquarters address. holidays. knots, bends and hitches. list of badges. local fixtures. morse. our flag. personal memoranda. pioneering. plan of camp. rover scouts. scout uniform. scout signs and salutes. sea scouts. sea scouting - notes on boat handling. semaphore. south by the stars. swimming. torch. treatment of snakebite. troop camps. weights and measures. wolf cubs. wood badge. uses of scout staff. sepia photo of the site of the 1933 jamboree at godollo, hungary. information on all aspects of scout life, with sketches for knots, maps, etc. inscriptions page 58: troup or pack - 1st epsom pack. watch no. 4133033. season ticket no. commonwealth acc 957. savings no. 4729. size in hats: 7. size of boots: 5. size of collar 14 1/2. size of gloves 6 1/4. page 60: books read: in search of wales, morton. faraway, priestly. jock the scot, alice grant rosemary. bernard shaw, frank harris. -
Villa Alba Museum
Decorative object - Curtain tie backs w tassels, 3 pairs (6 objects), 1850-1900
The Villa Alba Museum is cultural institution committed to the collection, study and display of 19th century interior decorative finishes, and the components of 19th and 20th century interior decoration. These include artefacts (wallpapers, textiles, carpet samples), furnishings, printed materials (catalogues, books, periodicals), and pictures (photographs).The tiebacks complete with tassels are historically significant for being associated ensuite with DAD-035-0001, the suite of curtains. The tassels have aesthetic significance as beautiful and intricate pieces of late 19thC interior decoration.6 parts of a total of 3 pairs of curtain tiebacks. Each pair comprises a length of plain gold silk cable cord plus a second, equal length with a magnificent tassel in the middle; the two pieces would loop around the lower-middle length of each curtain, pulling it open in a graceful drape. One pair is slightly shorter than the other two. The tie backs are made of floss (soft, shiny) silk cord, composed of two thick strands twisted together into a cable cord. Three lengths have an elaborate tassel attached to the middle of each cord, to weight the tieback in an elegant loop, with the loose ends attached to hooks or pins on the window frame. Each tassel is formed on a turned wooden core, wrapped with floss silk thread; further decorated with knotted netting, applied braid, and 16 glass beads. The big end of the mould forms a large, flattened shape, from which hangs a ring of long bullion fringe. Today this looks tarnished-silver (nearly black), colour, but as shown by the card of detached lengths of bullion fringe (DAD-035-0005), the untarnished colour would have been bright gold. Part of a group of 7 curtains with associated furnishings which includes a curtain with original fittings, fringe and braid unpicked from other curtains, and these 6 curtain tie backs. The six curtain tie backs are identical, though one pair is shorter. These curtain decorations are truly luxurious; the original suite of curtains would have been very expensive, an eloquent item of conspicuous consumption of luxury goods.Attached handwritten note : "VA Th. 7/6/2012 Ric Freeman 0419875707 (Nat Trust member) & Julie Freeman 0419875706 / re soft furnishings, tassels, trimmings, braid set / Jessie, Terry (and Chris St) to view, collect". The phone numbers were tried in October 2024, and though picked up, the contacts did not want to talk about the curtain donation.interior decoration - history, curtain accessories, tassels -
National Wool Museum
Functional object - Typewriter, Remington Typewriter Company, c.1925
This Remington No.12 typewriter is of the typebar, front-strike class. It was made by the Remington Typewriter Company of Ilion, New York, U.S.A. in about 1925. The Model No. 12 was introduced in 1922 and was one of the first 'visible writer' machines, in which the typed characters were visible to the operator. Previous models were of the upstrike class in which the characters were typed on the underside of the platen. To see what had been typed the operator had to raise the platen, meaning the typist was typing blind much of the time. This machine was used by Margaret Ganly née Burn in the 1930s. It was purchased for her by one of the sons of William Pride, a famous saddle maker in Geelong, William was Margaret’s grandfather. The typewriter was donated with original sales receipt and servicing tools. Margaret worked at Dennys for 7 years during the 1930s. The typewriter is accompanied with a story written by Margaret about her time working at the company. Margret married Jack Ganly, a fellow employee of Dennys. The Ganly name was well known within Dennys, with three generations of the Ganly family working at the company. WORKING CONDITIONS & OFFICE WORK DUTIES. Written by Margaret Burn in 2021. Worked at Dennys Lascelles in the 1930s. In the 1930s coming out of the Depression, jobs were hard to come by and had to be clung to by efficiency and subserviency. There was no union to protect workers – bosses could be tough and rough. Dennys Lascelles revolved around fortnightly wool sales in the “season” – September to May. Sale day was always a day of suppressed excitement. Preparation from a clerical point of view was complete and we now awaited the aftermath of the actual wool auction. The building teemed with people. There were country people down to see their wool sold, buyers of many nationalities, or from the big cities, who were coming in and out of the building all day. Their role was to inspect the acres of wool bales displayed on the show floors; however, caterers were present to feed clients, and there was plenty of social interactions on top of business. The office staff did not go home but waited until the first figures came back from the wool sales and the machines went in to action, both human and mechanical, preparing the invoices for the buyers’ firms. This comprised of lists of lot numbers, weights, prices per lb., and the total prices paid. A lot of this was done by old-school typewriters, making this work a big, heavy, tiring job. Before the finished lists could be dispatched, they were collated on an “abstract”. The lists had to balance with the catalogue from which the invoices had been prepared. This never happened automatically. All the paperwork had to be split up amongst pairs of workers and checked until discrepancies were found. This would happen until midnight but occasionally went until 2 or 3 am. Once complete, the invoices could then be rushed off to the buyers’ firms usually in Melbourne, and hire cars took the staff home. It was back on the job the next morning, usually around 8.30. The office hours varied according to the size of the sale and work involved. Some days started as early as 8 and could finish around 5.30. The second phase of work began with the account sales to be prepared for the sellers of the wool. These detailed all the weights, descriptions of wool, brands, and prices. One Sales account could have multitudes of lot numbers, all needing to be individually described. Various charges needed to be deducted such as finance for woolpacks, extra stock, or farmers who were given a loan to live on during the season. Details of how payment was to be made was also noted, whether the seller was to be paid by cheque, to a bank, or credited to their account with the company (which often left the seller still in debt). For a couple of months in the winter, things were quieter when staff took holidays and were sometimes given afternoons off. But there were still weekly skin sales and stock sales around the state. The annual end of June figures to be prepared for a big company like Dennys with branches all around the state also kept the staff busy. In good years there was sometimes a bonus. On sale days there was a bar open for the clients and wool buyers. This added to the excitement for the young girls, who were strictly barred from using it, but somehow managed to sneak a gin and tonic. This is how I had my first ever, before the evening meal. There was also the romantic notion in some minds, with all the influx of males, that some of us might end up on a wealthy station, or be noticed by an exotic buyer. To my knowledge, this never happened at Dennys Lascelles Limited. Group staff photo at Dennys Lascelles Limited. Margaret Burn. Age 18 or 19. Jack Ganly (Margaret’s future husband). 22.The typewriter has a black painted metal frame. The top section of the typewriter consists of a cylindrical platen on a carriage featuring plated metal fittings. A curved folding paper guide sits behind the platen and moves on the horizontal axis when the user types on the keyboard. A horizontal semicircular type basket with typebar links the top section to the lower keyboard. The ink ribbon is carried between two spools on a horizontal axis, one on each side of the type-basket. At the rear, a paper tray features gold lettering which reads ‘Remington’. At the front, a four-row QWERTY keyboard is found with 42-character keys total. 'SHIFT LOCK' and 'SHIFT KEY' are to the left of the keyboard, 'BACK SPACER' and 'SHIFT KEY' to the right. All keys are circular, white with black lettering. At the top of the keyboard are five circular red keys with the numbers 1-5 displayed behind their respective keys. A Spacebar is found along the front of the keyboard. The typewriter is accompanied by a cardboard box. This box contains the original sales receipt, on blue paper with grey lead handwriting. It also contains spare parts, a spare ribbon stretched between two spools, and cleaning tools such as brushes of differing sizes. Serial Number. Engraved. "LX45395" Gold lettering. Paper tray. “Remington” Gold Lettering. Behind keyboard. “Made in Ilion, New York, U.S.A. Gold Lettering. Mirrored both sides of type-basket. “12”remington, dennys lascelles ltd, worker conditions 1930s -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Juggling Club, late 19th to early 20th century
This wooden juggling club or exercise club may also be referred to as a juggling pin. It is very similar in shape to a bowling pin or an Indian club. It dates approximately to the early 20th century. It may have been used as one of a pair for gymnastics or exercise, or part of a larger set used by a juggler for entertainment in a circus or carnival. At some time it may have been used with a ball or disc as part of a Skittles or bowling game set. The historical collection of Federation University Australia, Victoria, includes a very similar but slightly shorter club, labelled ‘timber skittle”, as can be seen in their photograph. Another example of very similar-shaped, same-sized clubs can be seen in the collection of Nobelius Heritage Park and Emerald Museum, Emerald, Victoria. JUGGLING Jugglers entertain audiences with their tricks and routines at events such as circuses, amusement parks, parties, shows on television or theatre, schools and parties. Juggles also compete at International Championships to obtain world records, performing as individuals or in groups or teams. Contemporary champion juggler David Cain performs a Juggling History Show that both entertains and educates his audience. His routines date from the early 1600s to the 20th century. He uses a wide variety of equipment in his acts including juggling clubs. EXERCISE Exercise clubs or Indian clubs were used in 19th century Victorian times as part of exercise or strengthening programs when they were swung in certain patterns and movements. Even in the early 20th century workplace a few minutes of Indian club swinging was common practice for the relief of tension. A video clip of an American school room in 1904 shows a group of boys and girls skilfully wielding clubs in an exercise sequence (see ‘Links” section). The 1904 and 1932 Olympic Games had an event called Club Swinging. Rhythmic gymnastics was added to the Olympic Program at the L.A. Games in 1984 where competitors use apparatus such as rope, hoop, ball, ribbon and clubs. The clubs come in a variety of weights and heights and have been used from the mid-1800s until around the 1930s in schools and military institutions. They are decorated in a variety of patterns and colours and some have feature lines or scored rings on them. This juggling club is significant for its association with education, entertainment and sport in the late 19th and early 20th century.Wooden juggling club (or pin, skittle or Indian club). Vintage, bottle-shaped club with a flat, slightly concave, base. Its turned, solid timber body tapers out from the base then in again to a very narrow handle with a round knob joined onto the top. Two concentric feature lines are scored into the wider part of club. It was possibly used in exercise, gymnastics or as a skittle. Sections of the club have two brown painted stripes; paint on the lower strip has been worn off at the base . There are remnants of white paint in two areas, possibly the remains of a maker’s name or decoration. There also appears to be an inscription stamped into the wooden handle but this is illegible. Late 19th to early 20th century.Remnants of what appears to be stamped lettering and painted labelling.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, wooden skittle, entertainment, bowling skittle, wooden juggling pin, wooden juggling club, wooden exercise club, indian club, exercise club, club swinging, rhythmic gymnastics, sport equipment, juggling equipment, wooden club -
Federation University Historical Collection
Memorabilia - Object, Ballarat School of Mines Boer War Memorial for Alfred Gresham Johnston, c1901
Former SMB mining student Alfred Johnston was the son of Charles Johnston of Cork, Ireland, and Elizabeth Jameson, the family owning a large furniture store in Fitzroy. Alfred joined the Fifth Victorian (Mounted Riffles) contingent at the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn. The October 1901 Ballarat School of Mines (SMB) Students Magazine reported 'Alf. Johnston's gone. The news came as a shock to all of us at the school. He who was with us a few short months ago, in all strength of sturdy manhood, has met a soldier's death in South Africa, and we sincerely mourn his loss…. His heart was in the school, and he did his best to further its interests … His last act on leaving Australian shores was to send a telegram from Albany to Prof. Mica Smith, to whom he was warmly attached, wishing the School and all connected with it "Good-bye". In his short, all to short, life of 29 years, he had more adventure than falls the lot of most men, and possibly the spirit of adventure, and also, of duty, prompted him to throw in his lot with the "colors," and leave for the front. The news of his death comes to us with added weight of sadness when we remember that he was one of the organisers of the School entertainment last year to help swell the fund for the erection of a statue to fallen Victorian soldiers.' The SMB Annual Report of 1901 recognised the loss of one of their students: 'Mr Johnston was, until the date of his leaving for active military service in South Africa, one of our students. While here besides being regarded as a general favourite for his urbanity and manliness, he was noted as a faithful, diligent, and most successful student. The news of Lieutenant Johnston's death cast quite a gloom over the school and it was early decided that in addition to a letter of condolence sent to his parents a bronze tablet, suitably inscribed, be erected to his memory in some prominent part of the school. On the 4th November last the ceremony of unveiling the memorial tablet was performed by Professor A. Mica Smith in the presence of several members of the late Lieutenant A.G. Johnston's family, the President and Members of Council, the Staff and Students of the School, and a number of prominent citizens.Brass shield used to commemorate the death of former Ballarat School of Mines graduate Alfred G. Johnston who died during the Boer War. In memory of Alfred G. Johnston Lieut. Fifth Regt V.M.R., and student of this school who fell at Rhenoster Kop, South Africa May 7th 1901 aged 29 years. An esteemed student and a gallant soldier.boer war, victorian mounted rifles, alfred johnston, memorial, rhenoster kop, south africa, south african war -
Puffing Billy Railway
TACL - Erica State Sawmill Rail Tractor, 1928
TACL-Tractor Appliance Company Limited TACL rail tractors manufactured by Malcolm Moore of Port Melbourne Located in the Parishes of Moondarra and Telbit, Gippsland, the tramway terminated at Collins Siding on the Moe Walhalla 2'6"gauge branch of the Victorian Railways. Its construction by the Forests Commission of Victoria was to facilitate the extraction of timber from the Southern and Western slopes of Mount Erica and to replace the outlet tramways destroyed during the disastrous forest fires of February 1926. Tyers Valley Tramway The line, following the Eastern arm of the river, passed Ingrams Siding (7m.) to terminate at a forest area, known as "Ten Acre Block", 8m. 60c. from Collins Siding. The western branch of the line followed the Western Tyers Valley to Growlers Creek, 13m. 40c. from Collins Siding. THE T.A.C.L. TRACTORS at Tyers Valley tramway. On the 19th January 1928, T.A.C.L. locomotive, purchased from Tractor Appliance Co. Ltd. (Malcolm Moore), was delivered. This unit had a 20 h.p. Fordson engine coupled by a chain drive to the two axles, providing a tractive effort of approx. 2000lbs. Wheelbase was 5’ and weight was four tons. It was intended that the two tractor locomotives, working with the grade, would deliver timber from the branch lines to Tyers Junction, from which place it would be steam hauled out to the Collins Siding transfer point. Following a breakdown of the steam locomotive, haulage during the early months of 1928 was carried out by the T.A.C.L. unit, supplemented by the Nattrass, which was, by this time, becoming unreliable. During April 1928, after ensuring that no suitable locomotive was available in Australia, an order was placed with the Climax Manufacturing Co., U.S.A. for the supply of a geared locomotive. A second T.A.C.L. engine was purchased during May and, on the 27th, the local mill owners, having obtained running rights on the tramway, commenced haulage with the Harman. The three tractor units worked the branch lines and transported ballast, whilst the Harman hauled the timber to Collins Siding in rakes of eight trucks (56 tons). The weekly loading of the line for the first, second and third weeks were 54, 62 and 71 trucks respectively. info from : http://www.nmra.org.au/tyersvalley/Tyers-Tram.html Historic - Industrial Narrow gauge Railway - Timber working - Rail Tractor used by the the Forests Commission of Victoria on the Tyers Valley TramwayRail Tractor with Fordson engine coupled by a chain drive to the two axles - made of steel and wrought ironerica sawmill, puffing billy, tacl, rail tractor, tractor appliance co. ltd. (malcolm moore), industrial narrow gauge railway, tyers valley tramway, forests commission of victoria -
Puffing Billy Railway
DH59 - Diesel Hydraulic locomotive (formerly DH 31), 1970
DH31 - DH59 Diesel Hydraulic locomotive Built to 3'6" gauge in 1970 this Diesel Hydraulic locomotive entered service for the Queensland Railways where it remained until withdrawn in 1994. Purchased by the E.T.R.B. in 1995, it was converted to 2'6" gauge in Queensland and transported to Belgrave in 1996 for overhaul. It re-entered service later in 1996, although instead of receiving a V.R. type classification & number and V.R. style livery, it retained its Q.R. number of DH59 and its Q.R. livery minus the Q.R. logo, but has since been repainted the traditional Blue & Gold of V.R. diesel locomotives and reclassified DH31. It has since been returned to DH 59. The DH class was a class of diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by Walkers Limited, Maryborough for Queensland Railways between 1966 and 1974. In 1966 Queensland Railways tested a Walkers Limited built diesel-hydraulic shunting locomotive. This was later purchased and by 1974 the 73 DH class locomotives had taken over shunting duties in most Queensland yards. They were also used on short distance freight services. With the closure of many freight yards and the move to longer trains withdrawals started in the 1980s. Many were sold for further use on Queensland sugar cane railways. Locomotive's Queensland Railways Service History : Locomotive : DH59 Serial No: 646 In Service : 19/05/1970 With drawn from Service : 20/05/1991 LOCOMOTIVE DETAILS DH class No. originally constructed : 74 No. in service : 2 No. stored : Wheel arrangement : Bo-BoDH Roadworthy weight : 40T Maximum axle load : 10T Tractive effort (85%) Length overall: 33' Height overall : 12' 6 1⁄2" Driving wheel diameter : 36" Date of manufacture :1970 Manufacturer :Walkers Place of manufacture : Maryborough, Queensland Locomotive type : Diesel Hydraulic DH Class Type Diesel-Hydraulic Introduced 1966 Number in class 73 Manufacturer Walkers Gauge Narrow (QR, MIM) 900mm (SECV) Axles B-B Length 11.1 m Mass 37 t Engine Caterpillar D355E Transmission Voith L42U2 Power 347 kW / 465 HP Tractive effort 114 / 82 kN Speed 50 / 10 km/hHistoric - Queensland Railways - Diesel Hydraulic locomotive DH59DH59 Diesel Hydraulic locomotive made of steel and metalDH59 Diesel Hydraulic locomotivepuffing billy, diesel-hydraulic locomotive, dh59, dh31, walkers diesel hydraulic, queensland railways -
Puffing Billy Railway
24 NB passenger carriage, 18/ 9/1909
24 NB - Carriage (NB 3rd series) 6 compartments (36) Vehicle Length 29 feet 6 inches ( 8992 mm) Coupled Length 31 feet 4 inches (9550 mm) Width 6 feet 7 inches (2007 mm) Height 9 feet 9 inches (2972 mm) Weight 11 tons Capacity 40 passengers, or 36 with guard's compartment. Built 1906 - 1915 Number Built (1st Series) 6 Number Built (2nd Series) 17 Number Built (3rd Series) 4 In use NB 24 VR Service History NABAB 4.VA - 18/ 9/1909 NWS Built new - circa 1910 - To NAB 4.VA - NAB 4.VA - 18/ 6/1917 - To NB 24.VA - *NB 24.VA - / 6/1926 - Modified AC Malco 19/ 1/1932 NWS Into Workshops - 10/ 5/1932 NWS Out of Workshops (113 days) 21/ 6/1933 NWS Into Workshops - 17/ 8/1933 NWS Out of Workshops (58 days) 28/ 8/1934 NWS Into Workshops - 13/ 9/1934 NWS Out of Workshops (17 days) 9/ 2/1937 NWS Into Workshops - 17/ 3/1937 NWS Out of Workshops (37 days) 31/ 5/1940 NWS Into Workshops - 5/12/1940 NWS Out of Workshops (189 days) 27/ 1/1948 NWS Into Workshops - 29/ 7/1948 NWS Out of Workshops (185 days) 12/12/1954 - Scrapped Body to Eng. Spcl Works 17/ 8/1957 - Traced at Stocktake STET - Return to Register Puffing Billy Service History or Notes NB (3rd series) The Puffing Billy Railway built a guard's compartment built in 24 NB. This reduced the passenger capacity to 36. The car retained its classification as NB in an attempt to emphasise that this was only a temporary conversion. The NBC classification was already in use. One day the guard's compartment will be removed and the vehicle returned to the classification of NB. The guard's compartment has a radio, air brake taps and gauges but no hand brake.Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Passenger Rolling Stock: NB Passenger carriage Passenger carriage 24NB - Carriage (NB 2nd series 6 compartments), Timber body on a steel frame 24NBpuffing billy, 24nb, nb passenger carriage, 2'6" guage, victorian railways, narrow gauge passenger rolling stock -
Puffing Billy Railway
6 NB - Saloon carriage, 22/ 8/1904
NB Class - Number Built (1st Series) 6 - Number Built (2nd Series) 17 - Number Built (3rd Series) 4 6 NB - Saloon carriage (24) Body Length 20 feet 6 inches ( 6248 mm) Vehicle Length 25 feet 2 inches ( 7671 mm) Coupled Length 27 feet 4 inches (8330 mm) Width 6 feet 3 inches (1905 mm) Height 9 feet 5 inches (2870 mm) Weight 8 tons Capacity 16 passengers Built 1898 - 1904 Number Built 6 In use NB 1. NBD 2, 5 Awaiting restoration NB 6 VR Service History NBB 6.VA - 22/ 8/1904 NWS Built new - circa 1910 - To NB 6.VA - *NB 6.VA - / 4/1926 - Modified AC Malco 4/ 3/1938 - Scrapped - Puffing Billy Service History or Notes NB (first series) NB - There were three types: -Nos. 1-6 were Saloon cars having end platforms and a ladies toilet, and were built from 1899-1904. Nos. 7-23 were 5-compartment side loading cars, built from 1906-1915. Nos. 24-27 were the former NAB class cars mentioned previously and were also side loading, having 6 compartments and two ladies toilets. Rescued by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society from Ocean Grove Victorian in Nov 2010 Nov 2010 Two carriages have been rescued from Ocean Grove where they had been built into a house. They are now at Emerald, one being a platform NB carriage and the other a swing door NB carriage. Storage of these vehicles is being considered. Many people were involved in the move: thanks go to Raymond and Thelma Cotter for providing tarps to protect the cars from the elements. Dec 2010 Two carriages rescued from Ocean Grove are now at Emerald, one being a platform NB car (6NB) and the other a 2nd Class swing door carriage. Minor refurbishment has taken place along with covering with Tarpaulins.Historic - Victorian Railways Narrow Gauge - Passenger Rolling Stock: Saloon carriagePassenger Rolling Stock: Saloon carriage 6NB - Made of Timber. 6 NBpuffing billy railway, pbr, rolling stock , 6 nb, puffing billy, 6nb, saloon carriage, victorian railways, narrow gauge passenger rolling stock, 2'6" guage -
Puffing Billy Railway
DH 5 - Diesel Hydraulic locomotive, 1968
DH5 Diesel Hydraulic locomotive The DH class was a class of diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by Walkers Limited, Maryborough for Queensland Railways between 1966 and 1974. In 1966 Queensland Railways tested a Walkers Limited built diesel-hydraulic shunting locomotive. This was later purchased and by 1974 the 73 DH class locomotives had taken over shunting duties in most Queensland yards. They were also used on short distance freight services. With the closure of many freight yards and the move to longer trains withdrawals started in the 1980s. Many were sold for further use on Queensland sugar cane railways. Locomotive's Queensland Railways Service History : Locomotive : DH5 Serial No: 587 In Service : 27/08/1968 With drawn from Service : 7/07/1992 LOCOMOTIVE DETAILS DH class No. originally constructed : 74 No. in service : 2 No. stored : Wheel arrangement : Bo-BoDH Roadworthy weight : 40T Maximum axle load : 10T Tractive effort (85%) Length overall: 33' Height overall : 12' 6 1⁄2" Driving wheel diameter : 36" Date of manufacture :1970 Manufacturer :Walkers Place of manufacture : Maryborough, Queensland Locomotive type : Diesel Hydraulic DESCRIPTION - B-B DH FORMER CLASS AND NUMBER - 8/1968 Built By - Walkers, Maryborough, Queensland Service History Date built - 1968 Original owner - Queensland Government Railways Original gauge - 1067mm Withdrawn - Next owner - State Electricity Commission of Victoria DH5 8/1968 Sold to SECV as CC2, In service 8-1993 Sold to Mackay Sugar CC02 (Ex DH5). CC02 was purchased by Cooks Construction in 1992 and used on the 900mm Yallourn railway in Victoria. Mackay Sugar purchased in 2001. Title Value Status Preserved - Operational Gauge Narrow 2ft 6in (762mm) Owners Puffing Billy Railway Operators Puffing Billy Railway Manufacturer Walkers Ltd - Maryborough, Queensland Builders number 587 Associated locos Renumbered from CC02 Liveries carried VR Blue & Gold Puffing Billy Service History or Notes Date acquired - 2008 Acquired from - Mackay Sugar Mill ? State when acquired - Operational ? Work done - Regauged, overhauled Restored to service - Current State - Operational Historic - Queensland Railways - Diesel Hydraulic locomotive DH5DH 5 Diesel Hydraulic locomotive made of steel and metalDH 5puffing billy railway, dh5, locomotive, cc02, diesel,, queensland railways, diesel hydraulic locomotive dh5, walkers diesel hydraulic -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Rakehoe, McLeod Tool
Bushfire perimeter rather than bushfire area is the main control problem for firefighters on the ground. A conundrum rapidly compounded by spot fires. A small 5 ha fire can be nearly 1 km around the perimeter. That's a long way to build a control line by hand in rough bush. Dry firefighting techniques by hand were mostly confined to “knocking down” or “beating out” the flames, as well as "digging out". Digging or raking a “mineral earth” trail down to bare dirt proved most effective in forest fuels which, unlike grass, tend to retain heat and smoulder. Early tools were whatever happened to be close at hand. They were simple and primitive and included shovels, slashers, axes, hoes, beaters and rakes. A cut branch to beat the flames was often the only thing available. Farming and logging tools, developed over centuries of manual labour, and readily available at local hardware stores came into use, but little thought was given to size, weight, and balance. For years foresters experimented with combination tools. In about 1952 fire beaters and other implements were being replaced with Rakuts. However, its believed the now common Rakehoe is an Australian variation of the American McLeod Tool which was developed in 1905 by forest ranger Malcolm McLeod of the Sierra National Forest. The late Athol Hodgson advised that predecessors, Reg Torbet who had been the Chief Fire Officer for the Forests Commission from 1948-1956, along with his QLD counterpart Clive Price, went in late 1951 as Australian delegates on a 10 week fire study tour of Nth America organised by the United Nations. They came back with a couple of McLeod tools from Canada. Cam MacLeod (different spelling) had been the Head of Fire Research for the Canadian Forest Service at the time and had supplied them. The tools were ideal for deciduous forests in the eastern provinces and Clive arranged to have them manufactured in QLD. The Rakho, as it was then spelled, was first issued to FCV crews 65 years ago in 1955-56. The American Pulaski had been trialled, but never found favour with Australian firefighters.First used in 1955Rakehoebushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv) -
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Pulaski
Bushfire perimeter rather than bushfire area is the main control problem for firefighters on the ground. A conundrum rapidly compounded by spot fires. A small 5 ha fire can be nearly 1 km around the perimeter. That's a long way to build a control line by hand in rough bush. Dry firefighting techniques by hand were mostly confined to “knocking down” or “beating out” the flames, as well as "digging out". Digging or raking a “mineral earth” trail down to bare dirt proved most effective in forest fuels which, unlike grass, tend to retain heat and smoulder. Early tools were whatever happened to be close at hand. They were simple and primitive and included shovels, slashers, axes, hoes, beaters and rakes. A cut branch to beat the flames was often the only thing available. Farming and logging tools, developed over centuries of manual labour, and readily available at local hardware stores came into use, but little thought was given to size, weight, and balance. For years foresters experimented with combination tools. In about 1952 fire beaters and other implements were being replaced with Rakuts. However, its believed the now common Rakehoe is an Australian variation of the American McLeod Tool which was developed in 1905 by forest ranger Malcolm McLeod of the Sierra National Forest. The late Athol Hodgson advised that predecessors, Reg Torbet who had been the Chief Fire Officer for the Forests Commission from 1948-1956, along with his QLD counterpart Clive Price, went in late 1951 as Australian delegates on a 10 week fire study tour of Nth America organised by the United Nations. They came back with a couple of McLeod tools from Canada. Cam MacLeod (different spelling) had been the Head of Fire Research for the Canadian Forest Service at the time and had supplied them. The tools were ideal for deciduous forests in the eastern provinces and Clive arranged to have them manufactured in QLD. The Rakho, as it was then spelled, was first issued to FCV crews 65 years ago in 1955-56. The American Pulaski had been trialled, but never found favour with Australian firefighters.Pulaski Fire Tool Digging end and cutting end with short wooden handleforests commission victoria (fcv), hand tools, forest harvesting, bushfire -
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Fire beater (canvas)
Bushfire perimeter rather than bushfire area is the main control problem for firefighters on the ground. A conundrum rapidly compounded by spot fires. A small 5 ha fire can be nearly 1 km around the perimeter. That's a long way to build a control line by hand in rough bush. Dry firefighting techniques by hand were mostly confined to “knocking down” or “beating out” the flames, as well as "digging out". Digging or raking a “mineral earth” trail down to bare dirt proved most effective in forest fuels which, unlike grass, tend to retain heat and smoulder. Early tools were whatever happened to be close at hand. They were simple and primitive and included shovels, slashers, axes, hoes, beaters and rakes. A cut branch to beat the flames was often the only thing available. Farming and logging tools, developed over centuries of manual labour, and readily available at local hardware stores came into use, but little thought was given to size, weight, and balance. For years foresters experimented with combination tools. In about 1952 fire beaters and other implements were being replaced with Rakuts. However, its believed the now common Rakehoe is an Australian variation of the American McLeod Tool which was developed in 1905 by forest ranger Malcolm McLeod of the Sierra National Forest. The late Athol Hodgson advised that predecessors, Reg Torbet who had been the Chief Fire Officer for the Forests Commission from 1948-1956, along with his QLD counterpart Clive Price, went in late 1951 as Australian delegates on a 10 week fire study tour of Nth America organised by the United Nations. They came back with a couple of McLeod tools from Canada. Cam MacLeod (different spelling) had been the Head of Fire Research for the Canadian Forest Service at the time and had supplied them. The tools were ideal for deciduous forests in the eastern provinces and Clive arranged to have them manufactured in QLD. The Rakho, as it was then spelled, was first issued to FCV crews 65 years ago in 1955-56. The American Pulaski had been trialled, but never found favour with Australian firefighters.Fire Beater (canvas) 1930s designforests commission victoria (fcv), hand tools, forest harvesting, bushfire