The story of 90 years of wool classing between father & son begins in 1936, when a young boy by the name of Stanley James Hucker walked through the doors of the Gordon Technical School in Geelong. Born in 1921, Stanley was 15 years of age when he began his 3-year course in Wool Classing. 30 years later, Stanley’s second son Denis completed the same 3-year wool classing course. Beginning in 1966, Denis attended the same Gordon Technical School and walked the same halls as his father before him. Stanley finished his course in 1938. He went back to the family farm in Lake Bolac for a brief period before enrolling in the Second World War. At the completion of the war, Stanley returned home and married before gaining a soldier settler allotment, north of Willaura. This enabled Stan to use his wool classing knowledge. He ran between 1,500 and 2,000 sheep for many years, while his wool classer stencil also allowed him to go out and class at various sheds around the area. He held his stencil from 1938 until he retired at the age of 60 in 1981. On retirement, his second son Denis was working in the district, managing a local property while also leasing land himself. Upon his father’s retirement, Denis had the opportunity to lease his father’s farm, an opportunity he could not refuse. Denis had finished his wool classing course at the Gordon Technical School in 1968, graduating dux of his class. He began working with a local contractor and started classing wool in his team. Denis gained a great deal of experience working as part of this team in big sheds of up to 8 stands servicing between 10 & 20,000 sheep. It was not all smooth sailing for Denis however, and he soon learnt an important lesson. Class wool the way you’re taught, don’t listen to the owner standing over your shoulder. At a clip of Corriedales near Casterton, Denis was pushing too many fleeces into the line of fine wool. This resulted in a notice from the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) “mixing counts too much, submit three clips for inspection”. Denis was able to submit 3 clips with no further complaints, however, this proved a valuable lesson he would never forget over his long career classing wool. In the early 1980s, when Denis was leasing two properties including his father’s, things were going well until drought struck. February 1983 was the date of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and saw Melbourne have three days over 40 °C for only the second time on record. This period saw Denis give away farming, turning towards contracting work instead. After the difficult times of the early 1980s, the next two decades were a good time for the sheep industry. 15 micron wool was selling for prices between 4 to 5,000 cents per kilo, double what you’d expect for the same wool in 2022. In 1995 a single bale of wool sold for a million dollars. This was a good time for Denis too. His contracting work saw him employing local shearers and shed staff. His team was involved with the shearing and classing of more than 130,000 sheep. After 20 years of contracting, it was time for Denis to transition into the next phase of his life. He gave up independent contracting, preferring instead to return to being a member of someone else’s team. In 2018, having completed 50 years of wool classing, it was time to call it a day and retire completely. At the annual Gordon Wool School Old Students Association dinner held in 2018, Denis was presented with his 50 years as a registered wool classer stencil awarded by the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). This is a rare honour achieved by few. As of February 2020, a total of 430 wool classers had achieved this 50-year milestone. For Denis however, his proudest achievement is achieving 90 years of wool classing with his father. The National Wool Museum is proud to share the collection of objects gained from 90 years in the wool classing industry by Stanley and Denis. This ranges from Stanley’s first stencil and Wool Sample book, started when he first attended the Gordon in 1936. The collection concludes 90 years later with Denis’ 50 years of wool classing Stencil. The collection contains many more objects, all telling the story of these 90 years, and the hard work invested by this dedicated father and son duo. This is the fourth in a series of 5 wool classing exercise books. They were written by Stanley Hucker in his time at the Gordon Technical College from 1936-1938. This book begins in a white cover with blue ink illustrations and writing. It has a centrepiece-coloured emblem of King George VI & Queen Elizabeth with flags of the Union Jack & Australia in background. Internally, the book is handwritten on yellowed pages with blue lines for the assistance in clarity of handwriting. The pages are also surrounded by a margin of red pen. The exercise book’s content is about wool studies relating to the health and productivity of wool sheep. It is handwritten. A selection of pages have been photographed to give an impression of the information taught in classes, 90 years ago. This includes information about: - Wool scouring - Shearing - Lamb marking - Breeding - Fellmongering - Comparison between wool and artificial fibres - Characteristics of good wool - Wool selling methods - Established studs in Victoria - Award rates (1937-38)Front Cover. Wording, printed and handwritten. “CORONATION / EXERCISE BOOK / NAME Stanley Hucker / GRADE SUBJECT Wool / SCHOOL Gordon Front Cover. Illustration’s colour, printed. King George VI & Queen Elizabeth with flags of the Union Jack & Australia in background.gordon institute geelong, wool classing, 1930s sheep farming, 90 years wool classing between father & son

This is a photograph of the twin daughters of Mrs Trixie Mason - Marion and May,. They had a brother Alec Mason. The Mason Twins are the granddaughters of George and Agnes Thomas from Newmerella . The photographer was Warren, Helena (1871-1962) who was a self-taught photographer who became both the local press correspondent and a producer of humorous trompe l'oeil postcard images. Helena Warren was a thirty-two year old settler living on a small mixed farm with her husband, William, at Newmerella, near Orbost in Gippsland, Victoria, when she bought her first camera, an Austral Box quarter-plate. Her family says she was entirely self-taught, like many women photographers who started out with nothing but the instructions on the packets of film and chemicals. In over fifty years practice she graduated from the total novice, who opened all her first mail order plates in bright sunlight and ruined them, to a competent photographer who became both the local press correspondent and an inveterate producer of humorous trompe l’oeil postcard images.This photograph has significance in its association with Helen Frances Warren, a popular Orbost identity who was well known as an accomplished photographer and needleworker.A black / white photograph of two small twin Aboriginal girls in a large pumpkin floating on water. There is a Union Jack at each end with "HMAS CENTENARY 1934" on the side.pumpkins-orbost warren-helena-photographer mason-marion mason-may aboriginal-children

Robert Hunter GOLDIE, VX40795 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 9.7.1940 age 25 years. He was discharged with the rank of Sgt on 24.11.1941 serving in the 2/24th Battalion.Coloured certificate with Australian & Union Jack flags mounted with green border. Tan wooden frame with glass front & white cardboard backing with wire hanging strap. On certificate: “GOD, KING AND COUNTRY SHIRE OF MCIVOR. Presented to Private Robert Goldie for active service overseas. 31st August 1940” Signed by: “President, Councillor & Shire Secretary” Bottom L: “Red seal” In black print on white background under certificate: “Donated by R Fair”certificate, shire, mcivor

The Flag of Victoria dates from 1865 and was first used to distinguish Victorian Ships from British Ships. A flag to denote the State of Victoria, Australia.Flag of Victoria, oblong, Cloth predominantly blue, Union Jack in left top corner. with the crown of St Edward and the stars of the Southern Cross on the right hand side.Australian made by Carroll & Richarsdon Pty Ltd 194-196 Whitehorse Road Blackburn Vicflag, australia, victoria, .

Cornish Community of Bendigo Book Launch Ruth Hopkins ''Where now, Cousin Jack?'' Newspaper Article Advertiser, Saturday, May 28, 1988 -Page 3.bendigo, history, cornish community book launch

Denise Ryan in the Happy Jack store. Photograph appeared in the article Small Towns With Big Hearts. Written on rear of image Lockwood Sth 10/8/93.Bill Hawkinsregion, small towns, lockwood south

EIG School - Ralph Birrell Collection. - Construction of Latrobe Uni. C1966. Bendigo Institute of Technology, Engineering School, Applied Science. Man using jack hammer.Kodakeducation, tertiary, latrobe university bendigo, eig school - ralph birrell collection. - construction latrobe uni. c1966. bendigo institute of technology, engineering school, applied science. man jack hammer.

Each child was given a copy. Back row - L - R -Graeme McKENZIE; Max CATON; Kevin IRETON; in front Roger GOULD. Middle row - L - R - Elma DIMOLINE; Norma IRETON; ? BARNETT; Judith McKENZIE; ? BARNETT; Dianne CATON; Julie Ann CATON. Ian GOULD; Jim POWER. Small photograph taken around 1947 by Jack GOULD, of neighbourhood children in front of his house at 2 Poolman Street; twelve seated, four boys standingchildren, jack gould, graeme mckenzie, mac caton, kevin ireton, roger gould, elma dimoline, norma ireton, barnett, judith mckenzie, julie ann curtin, ian gould, jim power, dianne caton

ABC Television program Landline visited Tatura Museum in January 1997 after an Anthrax scare in the Tatura area. With Ted Price (centre) and Jack Lowry (right).tatura, museum, costume, female, male, photography, cameras, camera, accessory

Flag belonged to W. Hawkins who founded the Carry On Club. A group of returned servicemen and businessmen of Melbourne . The Club was to assist and help World War I veterans who were experiencing hard times after the economic collapse of 1929Union Flag (Union Jack) with plaited wool loop and small length of cord (78cm) on the hoist edge of the flag. Red cross on White Cross on Blue background.Inscription :Greenwood-Smith. Stamped Made in England All Woolflags, national

An ensign is a national flag used within a naval or military context. A naval ensign is usually required to be flown when entering and leaving harbour, when sailing through foreign waters, and when a ship is signalled to do so by a warship. They are also flown during battles and when the ensign is lowered, the ship is said to have surrendered. This Victorian Naval Ensign was used by the Victorian Naval Contingent in the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900. The contingent was led by Captain Frederick Tickell who had commanded the Victorian Naval Forces since 1897. In around 1901, Captain Tickell presented the ensign to Frederick Thomas Sargood [1834-1903] who had been Minister of Defence and Education for the Colony of Victoria and was a Senator in Federal Parliament. In September 1986 the ensign was stolen from Parliament House. The suspect was described as a young man wearing 'a beret and bow tie' ("The Age" 26 September 1986). Fortunately the ensign was recovered a week later. Victorian Ensign wool flag with Union Jack, Southern Cross and crown emblem. Hand written ink inscription on white linen sleeve. Rope attached. Framed.Handwritten black ink on flag header: "This Victorian Ensign (the first on active service) was used by the Victorian Contingent during service in 1900 in China. It was presented to Senator Sir F.T. Sargood K.C.M.G. by Captain Tickell C.M.B. Lieut. Col."colony of victoria, boxer rebellion, victorian navy

Photo looks west from the Ballarat Fire Station (East) tower, and has a good view looking along Barkly St. Shows the crossing loop between Eastwood and Main St with one tram in the view. Wal has dated the photo as 1914 in his album notes. See item 8243 for an actual postcard. Yields information the buildings, buildings and scene looking west from the Fire Station tower along Barkly St. East BallaratDigital image of a postcard from an album compiled by Wal Jack, loaned to the Museum. The Rose Series Postcard No. P 4614. For rear of postcard - see second image.trams, tramways, esco, ballarat east, barkly st

Newspaper Article 'Chinese New Year of the Goat' Photo of Russell Jack, from the Chinese association - gives Ping a feed before the dragon comes out to celebrate.history, bendigo, chinese, sun loong, russell jack

Negative and Digital images of the Wal Jack Geelong Negative file of Geelong No. 25 at the Beach terminus. The tram has the destination of Newtown. Photo mid 1940's. trams, tramways, geelong, beach, tram 25

Bendigo, old scrubber tramcar inside depot In front are wheel sets and by tram, two lifting jacks. Taken 7-3-1954. Photo by Keith Kings.Stamped on 'K.S.Kings etc.' and in blue ink 'K(j)(19), Bendigo, old scrubber car at depot, 7/3/54, 1 sec at f8'tramways, trams, bendigo, scrubber tram, scrubber

The Kew Historical Society's Fashion & Design collection includes a small and representative collection of reticules, purses and handbags, purchased, inherited or collected by members of the Society. These items date from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries, and conform to fashions and styles popular during the period of their use. Some of the items are handmade, while others are mass-produced commercial products. Jack Eaton Handbags Pty Ltd was a designer/manufacturer located at 175d Liverpool Street, Sydney. The earliest known reference to the company was in the Sydney Morning Herald in 1954. The company appears to have been liquidated in 1970. Black calf art deco style evening bag with a white metal clasp. The bag was made by Jack Eaton Handbags Pty Ltd of New South Walespurses, bags - handbags, fashion accessories, evening bags

Photograph of Frank Sedgman, Ken McGregor, Jack Kramer and Pancho Seguro after signing business contracts. United Press photo. Materials: Photographic emulsion, Papertennis

Copyright for this image is unknown, although likely commissioned by Council. It has been digitised and published here for educational and research purposes. If you believe that you have copyright to this image and would like it removed from the site please contact us through the 'Leave a Comment' tab below. Full length portrait photograph of Cr Jack Campbell in mayoral attire including blue robe, chain, collar and cuffs and leaning on a green chair and a side board.

Black and white negative, by Wal Jack, of W5 800 in Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda at the tram terminus. Tram has the destination of City, Route 2A c1954?trams, tramways, w5 class, beaconsfield parade, fitzroy st, route 2a, tram 800

Black and white copy negative obtained by Wal Jack of V 214, towing two trailers, undertaking ballasting operations on the Royal Park tram line, 1925.trams, tramways, v class, royal park, ballast, trailers, tram 214

Black and white negative, by Wal Jack, of Scrubber 8 in Maribyrnong Road. Wal's album notes that the photo is near the River terminus and dated 15-3-1945.trams, tramways, maribyrnong rd, scrubber tram, work trams, tram 8

Excerpts from the Diary of John McLenna and Notes on the history of S.S. Great Britain.White card cover, Union Jack Flag, Red Print B/W photo of a sailing ship in heavy seas below which is more print Black.Travel was Tough 100 years Ago! Excerpts from the diary of John McLennan and Motes on the History of S.S Great Britain Written and complied by Neil A. McLennan Stawell, Australia 1971. On Last Page in blue ink: From - Estate Ruby Willy 1998stawell transport

Black and white small format photograph of Roy, Jack and Eric Carstairs, Arthur Henning, Ernie Howard and Bill Doyle Fire Brigade Lakes Entrance Victoriafire brigade, community services