Part of a collection of three blankets donated by Emily McNeight.Purple, brown, cream and blue blanket with tasselled edging.label: Laconia / Travel Rug / 127 x 182 cm / Made in Australia / ?2186 / PURE NEW WOOLwool, blankets, laconia mills

Part of a collection of three blankets donated by Emily McNeight.Pink, blue and cream chequered blanket with aqua blue edging.label: Challenge / LAMBSWOOL / SUPER GRADE BLANKET / pure new woolwool, blankets, challenge woollen mills

Part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.Printed booklet bound with plastic black ring binder consisting of approximately 32 pages. Image on front cover shows textile machinery.front: Wool Topmaking / Training Hints for Operators / Prepared by: / IWS International Pty. Ltd. / Melbourne / Australiastuart ascough, international wool secretariat, victoria wool processors, port phillip mills pty ltd, topmaking, career, wool industry, training, technical advice, mills

Part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.A series of ten A4 information leaflets with various titles on the theme of 'About Wool...'. Some leaflets are single sheets double sided, some are folded four sided leaflets. All have different colours and titles, including 'Australian Wool Industry Statistics', 'History of the Australian Wool Industry', 'Guide to Wool Textiles', 'Wool the Fibre', 'Trademarks of Wool', 'Wool and the Environment', 'The Australian Sheep Flock', 'Care of Wool', 'The Natural Properties of Wool' and 'The Processing of Raw Wool into Yarn'. Leaflets show illustrations, logos, images and text.8394.1: No.1 / AUSTRALIAN / WOOL INDUSTRY / STATISTICS 8394.2: No. 2 / HISTORY OF THE / AUSTRALIAN WOOL / INDUSTRY 8394.3: No. 3 / GUIDE TO WOOL TEXTILES 8394.4: No. 4 / WOOL THE FIBRE 8394.5: No. 5 / TRADEMARKS OF WOOL 8394.6: No. 6 / WOOL AND THE ENVIRONMENT 8394.7: No. 7 / THE / AUSTRALIAN SHEEP / FLOCK 8394.8: No. 8: / CARE OF WOOL 8394.9: No. 9 / THE NATURAL / PROPERTIES OF WOOL 8394.10: No. 10 / THE PROCESSING OF / RAW WOOL INTO YARNstuart ascough, international wool secretariat, victoria wool processors, port phillip mills pty ltd, topmaking, career, wool industry, mills, leaflet

This image shows members of the International Wool Secretariat, including Stuart Ascough, at the Chernihiv Worsted and Cloth Mill in the Ukraine. Part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.Image depicting five men holding guitars in an indoor setting.stuart ascough, international wool secretariat, topmaking, career, wool industry, training, technical advice, mills, ukraine, textile industry, chernihov, guitars

This image shows the team from the topmaking section at the Chernihiv Worsted and Cloth Mill in the Ukraine. Part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.Image depicting four men and two women seated and standing around a table with coffee cups.stuart ascough, international wool secretariat, topmaking, career, wool industry, training, technical advice, mills, ukraine, textile industry, chernihov

This image shows members of the International Wool Secretariat team, including Stuart Ascough, with Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv, Ukraine. Part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.Image depicting a group of men, most in military uniform, standing in front of a white building with green lattice.stuart ascough, international wool secretariat, topmaking, career, wool industry, training, technical advice, mills, ukraine, textile industry, kyiv, soldiers

This image shows members of the International Wool Secretariat team, including Stuart Ascough, with Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv, Ukraine. Part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.Image depicting a group of men, most in military uniform, standing in front of a white building with green lattice.stuart ascough, international wool secretariat, topmaking, career, wool industry, training, technical advice, mills, ukraine, textile industry, kyiv, soldiers

The Returned Soldiers and Sailors Mills was located near the Barwon river on Pakington Street, Geelong, where its building still stands. The mill was established in October 1922 with capital acquired from War Gratuity Bonds. The mill produced fine grade woollen products with its speciality being ‘Retsol’ travelling rugs.31 page red book bound with metal pins containing fabric samples glued onto paper, with some printed text.cover: [printed] A FORECAST OF TEXTILE VOGUES / FOR THE COMING SEASON / FROM / R. S. & S. Woollen Mill. / Geelongr. s. & s mill, soldiers, sailors, geelong, war, wool, mill

The Returned Soldiers and Sailors Mills was located near the Barwon river on Pakington Street, Geelong, where its building still stands. The mill was established in October 1922 with capital acquired from War Gratuity Bonds. The mill produced fine grade woollen products with its speciality being ‘Retsol’ travelling rugs.25 page red book bound with metal pins containing fabric samples glued onto paper, with some printed text.cover: [printed] A FORECAST OF TEXTILE VOGUES / FOR THE COMING SEASON / FROM / R. S. & S. Woollen Mill. / Geelongr. s. & s mill, soldiers, sailors, geelong, war, wool, mill

Long crinkle cut blue fabric sample with label stamped in ink. A brown paper tag is attached with string with hand written blue text.front: [tag] SW3 Dyed / Blue 4 / 37 ½ lln(?) – 70 yds / PeNo 678 front: [label] TRADEMARK / PHYSICIAN / REG No 76880 / SPOTLESS FINISH / CHILLPROOF / GUARENTEED PURE VIRGIN WOOLwool, fabric, blankets, sample, physician, collins bros mill pty ltd

Ten striped blanket samples held together with split pins. Colours include brown, pink, blue and cream. Each sample has an ink printed Physician label and a Physician sticker with a number.wool, fabric, blankets, sample, physician, collins bros mill pty ltd

Alexander Lau established his business in 1950 in the Nicholas Building, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne. He designed textiles and commissioned many of his textiles to be spun and woven in Geelong mills. He had a long association with the Returned Soldiers and Sailors Mill and with Mr Schofield, the manager. In 2000, he retired and closed the business.Glossy paper clothing tag with rainbow coloured logo and black printed text.front: CRESTKNIT KNITWEAR & / ALEXANDER LAU FABRICS / TOGHETHER IN / CO-ORDINATING FASHION / (SEE OVER) back: This ticket is your / SYMBOL GUIDE / to help you to / co-ordinate this garment with / a color-matched CRESKNIT lambswool / pullover or cardigan. / Look for the matching ticket on / CRESKNIT LAMBSWOOL KNITWEAR / and you'll find colors created to / give you sophisticated / CO-ORDINATION.

Card with fabric samples affixed with staples. Card has some hand written text and two holes punched in spine.front: [handwritten] Albion Mills Geelong / 627 20/4samples, fabric, brochure, school uniforms, albion woollen mills co. pty ltd

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

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

Journal written by John Fraser. Fraser's family migrated from Scotland in the 1850s on sailing vessel 'Countess of Cawdor' charted by a group of passengers for travel to Australia. John worked at the Victorian Woollen Mill, Geelong, and kept a diary of sample of cloth, people and happenings in Geelong from 1872. John was aged 6 months and 16 years when he began writing the journal. Book has a black cover which no longer covers all pages due to sample cloth and sheets of paper additionally being stuck into the book, making it too large/thick for the cover. Book shows signs of age particularly though fragile spine of the book and the discolouration of the internal pages. Book is starting to split at the spine, particularly from the bottom of the spine up and has visible signs of age on the black cover. Spots of missing leather are particularly visible on the front, centre right portion of the cover. Additional spots of missing leather dot the surrounding portions of the front and rear covers of the book.geelong, wool, textile design

The yarn was made in Geelong in the late 1980's or early 1990's by local woolen manufacturer J.L. McGregor Pty Ltd. The company closed in the early 1990s. The McGregor family still live in the Geelong area.A ball of grey yarn, 50% wool and 50% acrylic with a plastic label surrounding the wool with the product details.On Label: McGregors 50 Grams at standard condition 50% Wool 50% Flame resistant Acrylic Below Logo: Wool and Nu Acrylicwool, j.l. mcgregor pty ltd, yarn, geelong wool, geelong, geelong woollen mills

Set of 'Physician' blanket samples produced by Collins Bros Pty Ltd.Book of ten blanket samples in various colours held together with navy blue vinyl binder with two metal rivets. Sixteen samples of various colours and designs. The spine at the top of the book has a length of 6mm white nylon rope tied through to act as a carry handle for the sample book.[printed] Physician Blanket Range / Fashion Award Mill / AUSTRALIAN / MADEphysician, blankets, samples, textiles, collins bros mill pty ltd, marketing, wool

Letter written to Collins Bros Mills in Geelong from Gum Farinol Company in England. The letter details the instructions, use and benefits of gum farinol in woollen textiles. Letter consisting of two pages of cream paper with printed and typed black text. The second page has hand written text in pencil written on back. Both page show a letter head graphic image of a building with people and vehicles out the front. GUM FARINOL COMPANY / W. G. WEST. / Sole Manufacturers of Gum Farinol. / MILLS: WILSON STREET & PARK STREET / STOCKPORT, / ENGLAND. / Messrs. Collins Bros. Pty. Ltd. / Woollen Manufacturers, / Latrobe Terrace, / Geelong, Victoria, / Australia. / October 4th 1933letter, correspondence, company records, gum farinol company, textile industry, wool industry, wool mills, collins bros mill pty ltd, technology

Photograph probably for promotional purposes, of a "David Sowden and Sons" loom. Photograph was with other photographs in an envelope from Yarra Falls Mill.Black and white photograph showing a loom. 376textile machinery weaving, yarra falls mill david sowden & sons, weaving looms, weaving machinery, textile machinery, weaving, yarra falls mill, loom, manufacturing industry, wool industry

One of a batch of yarn sample cards. Alexander Lau established his business in 1950 in the Nicholas Building, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne. He designed textiles and commissionned many of his textiles to be spun andf woven in Geelong mills. He had a long association with the Returned Soldiers and Sailors Mill and with Mr Schofield, the manager. In 2000, he retired and closed the business.Yarn sample card: card wound with four samples of woollen yarn, each yarn sample is the same design but in a different colourway. The card is printed with the label COL: and handwritten with the colour names.NOIR/PURPEL/ STELL/WILLOWtextile design fashion textile industry - history, alexander lau pty ltd, textile design, fashion, textile industry - history

The history of the Stawell Woollen MIllsOff white card cover with hatching, colour photograph of a Water colour painted by Will Rees 1922.Back shows Mill Garden ets c 1990The Stawell Woolen Mills Graeme Bennet Evolution of the Bennett Textile Business Page iii: For my Parents John and Jessie Bennett, my family and the people of Stawell Best Wishes thanks Graemestawell industry

Diana Trewenack is the youngest daughter of Cedric Hirst and great granddaughter of Godfrey Hirst. Her father was Managing Director and Chairman of Directors of Godfrey Hirst Woollen Mills until its takeover in the 60’s. Diana was married at St David's Church in Geelong in May 1954. The material for the wedding gown was made with very fine cream wool woven at the Godfrey Hirst Woollen Mill. From discussion with Diana, the dress was put together by a local dressmaker in Geelong. It is fine pure wool and beaded on the edge of the wrap over skirt and on the long train.Cream coloured woollen wedding dress with long sleeves. Decorative beading pattern around cuffs and up the front edge of the dress. Zippers at each sleeve and back of dress. - 7825.1 Train, made with same cream woollen material as dress, with matching beaded edging. Attaches with clasp around waist of dress. - 7825.2 Veil made of cream tulle, with beaded headband. - 7825.3wedding dress, ceremony, godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd, woollen mills, textiles, fashion, dressmaking, diana trewenack, viel, gown

This flour bag came from the W.C. Thomas Flour Mill at Warracknabeal, Victoria. W.C. Thomas ran a number of flour mills throughout the Victorian wheat belt, with the Warracknabeal Mill operating from 1884 to 1964. After their use for flour storage, flour bags were able to be reused for bulk storage of other dry goods or sewn into domestic objects such as tea towels, pillowcases or waggas.This is a good example of a flour bag from a prominent Victorian flourmill, operating from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.Calico flour bag for 'Roller Flour' from the flour mill of W.C. Thomas in Warracknabeal, a large wheat growing area in Victoria. The stencil on the front of the bag includes an image of wheat overlaid with the written information in scroll format.W.C. Thomas, Finest, Patent, Roller Flour, Warracknabeal, Victoria, Australia. Wheat image.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, flour bags, calico, domestic object, textile, food storage, w.c. thomas, warracknabeal, flour mill