This preserving jar was used in the first half of the 20th century to preserve cooked food - pickles. Preserving home produce in bottles is a method that applies heat to food in a closed glass home canning jar to stop the natural spoilage that would otherwise take place. It removes air from the jar to create a seal. he bottling process forms an air tight seal between the bottle and the lid. Residents of Orbost have long been self sufficient growing their own fruit and vegetables with earlier market gardeners They preserved their produce for use all year. Fowlers Vacola preserving kits were common in most kitchens.A brown glass Fowler's Vacola preserving jar filled with pickles. It is a No. 27 bottle with a size 3 metal clip. It has an 850ml capacity. The lid has metal tension clips which are secured during the canning process and are removed once a vacuum seal has formed. The lid is tin-plated with a lacquer coating, double-coated on the underside.On lid Fowlers Vacola Size 3 Top of jar- embossed with the words Fowlers Vacola food-preservation fowlers-vacola container-glass

This hanging rack has been made out of used horse shoes. It may have been used separately or as part of a longer rack attached to a wooden backing.This item shows the skill and craftmanship of self-reliant rural families.A home-made coat hook made from two small horseshoes which have been bent and welded together to make a hook for hanging coats. It has been painted black.horse-shoes handicraft hanging-rack

A hand operated knife/blade sharpener was a very important implement for farmers to keep tools in good working condition. A hand-operated grinding and blade sharpening wheel. It has a wooden handle, stone wheel and a clamp for attachment to a flat surface. grinder knife-sharpener

Historically, lasts were typically made from cast iron because this material retains its shape, even when in contact with wet materials (like leather) and subjected to the stresses of stretching and shaping shoes on them. They were for home mending of shoes. This item is an example of the self-reliance shown by rural families when household necessities were not readily available.A black cast iron boot last which can be used for three different sized sole placements boots / shoes. domestic shoe-last boot-last cast-iron

A rim splitter was used on the outer rims of older vehicles to facilitate removal and replacement of tires. The tool was used to remove a tyre and replace it onto a split wheel rim. After the air was let out, the safety rim key was pulled. The swing arms were spread out and the three arms evenly spaced around the rim. The single arm with the screw gear needed to be close to the split so that the hooks fit on the rim and the rim was then pulled inward and the tyre could be be removed from the rim. After the tire was repaired or a new one was ready to be put on the collapsed rim the tool was used to push the rim back together and the safety key could be reinserted. A rim splitter were a universal type tool used for many cars of the 1920's and 1930's.A cast iron rim splitter which has two hinged side arms with hooked ends. The middle shaft has a hooked end and an inner bolt that can be screwed up or down.St Joseph Michigan Hercules Product Co Made in U.S.A. L 7motoring rim-splitter tyres tool

A ball-peen ) hammer, also known as a machinist's hammer, is a type of peening hammer used in metal-working. Its steel head is harder than that of a claw hammer, so is less likely to chip on impact. Ball peen hammers are commonly used to drive cold chisels, set rivets, and bend and shape metal. Before the advent of pneumatic rivet guns, ball peen hammers were commonly used for riveting. First the flat head drove the nail through, then the round ball was used to "peen over" the other side of the rivet. Before the advent of pneumatic rivet guns, ball peen hammers were commonly used for riveting. First the flat head drove the nail through, then the round ball was used to "peen over" the other side of the rivet. These hammers were made to last.Wooden handled ball peen pein) hammer. The handle has been nailed in and may not be the original. The metal head has one end shaped into a sphere and the other flat.hammer-ball-peen tool metal-work

This is an example of a once common motoring accessory no longer used.A hand-operated car tyre pump with brass fittings. It has a steel tube, a wooden handle and a metal foot rest.pump tyre-pump car-accessories

A cattle prod, also called a stock prod, is a handheld device commonly used to make cattle or other livestock move by striking or poking them. This is a home-made prod.This is an example of the resourcefulness of rural families in economising and re-cycling.A wooden stick - probably a handle from a tool - with rope threaded through the top. It was probably a home-made animal prodder.livestock prod

This was probably for a light buggy. Heavy farm, and lumber wagons had wider tires. It would have been made by a blacksmith. The blacksmith fitted steel rims onto wooden wagon wheels. The red hot metal rim expands when hot, so it can be fitted to the wagon wheel. Then it contracts to create a tight fit as it cools after being dropped into a tank of water.Horse-drawn wagons are an important part of Orbost’s agricultural history. Light buggies were popular with farmers for trips into town before the common use of motorised vehicles.A large iron rim for a wagon wheel.wheel-rim wagon transport agriculture

Many of the early sewing machines were powered by a treadle mechanism. The treadle was operated by pressing down on it with a foot, or both feet, to cause a rocking movement. This movement spins a large wheel on the treadle frame, connected by a thin leather belt to a smaller driving wheels on the sewing machine.A treadle sewing machine flywheel mad of cast iron. It is three tangent circles within a larger circle.3treadle sewing-machine flywheel

Sprockets are used in machinery either to transmit rotary motion between two shafts where gears are unsuitable or to impart linear motion. This one was probably used on farm machinery.A black painted steel chain drive sprocket. It has six triangular shaped holes around a circular centre hole. The rim has teeth / cogs that mesh with a chain.machinery chain-drive-sprocket

Adzes are used for smoothing or carving wood in hand woodworking. It is similar to an axe but with the cutting edge perpendicular to the handle. It is used chiefly for shaping wood.A square ended adze that has a thin arched blade set at right angles to the wooden handle. The handle is not original.wood-working-tool adze carpentry

Glass washboards were popular during World War II due to a shortage of metal. The body was made of wood, but the scrubbing area was glass. Washboards were normally two-sided with one side having more refined ridges and also came in a variety of sizes. The smaller washboards were used for delicates such as undergarments and petticoats, while larger washboards were used for such items of clothing as shirts and pants. They were used over the laundry tubs. (ref. Antique Traders)This glass scrubbing board is an example of the typical laundry equipment used by families in the Orbost district in the early 20th century.A rectangular glass washboard with a wooden frame. The glass insert is corrugated glass and the backing at the top is original. Frame is new (original had borer damage).On backing at top - Possum trademarklaundry-equipment washing scrubbing-board

During the Great Depression from 1929 to 1932, rabbit trapping was a means of survival for many people. Rabbits provided meat and pelts which were sold for making felt hats such as the Akubra. Rabbit populations are controlled in the 21st century by poisoning, destroying or 'ripping' burrows (warrens), biological control with rabbit haemorrhagic disease and myxomatosis, and by shooting. Rabbit-proof fences also prevent the spread of rabbits into some areas. (ref. Powerhouse Museum) This trap was used in the Orbost district. Steel-jawed rabbit traps were widely used in urban and rural Australia from 1880 to 1980. This trap is symbolic of the battle that Australians have waged against burgeoning rabbit populations for over a century. Rabbits cause enormous damage to Australian soils and biodiversity. The introduction of rabbits to this country was an environmental disaster.A rusted iron rabbit trap which consists of a pair of jaws held closed by spring tension and a triggering mechanism. When the trap is triggered the jaws close over the top of the bridge, plate and tongue mechanism that is designed to trigger the trap. A chain is attached by a hook on the bent end of the trap's spring with a long steel spike looped over the last link of the other end of the chain. The trap is designed so that the metal jaws snap shut against each other when the trap is activated by the application of weight to the pressure plate. In use, traps are set with open jaws, buried lightly just below the surface of the earth. When an animal steps on the pressure plate, the jagged teeth of the jaws snap around the animal's leg, usually breaking bone and sinew. Thus the animal is immobilised. rabbit-trap rural

A bit is a type of horse tack used in equestrian activities, usually made of metal or a synthetic material, and is placed in the mouth of a horse to assist a rider in communicating with the animal. It rests in the mouth where there are no teeth.Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.An iron horse bit. It has a small piece of leather at one end - possibly from the bridle. It has a piece of wire attached as a hook for hanging.equestrian horse-bit transport

These were used on a horse-drawn wagons, carriages, stagecoaches, and carts. A wheelwright would use this tool to make or repair the wheels. All sizes of buggy spanners, or wagon wrenches, were needed as wagon wheels were of many different sizes. Horse-drawn wagons are an important part of Australia’s agricultural history. Light buggies were popular with farmers for trips into town before the common use of motorised vehicles.A collection of thirteen iron wheel spanners on an iron hook. One spanner has a wooden handle and is an adjustable spanner.tool wagon-wrench-spanner transport

A sledge hammer is generally wielded with both hands and is used for driving wedges and posts and for other heavy work. It can be used to remove concrete slabs, to drive heavy steel bolts into concrete, to hammer large stakes as well as for demolition.This item was a common tool used by farmers or blacksmiths.A large flat hammer with a wooden handle.Underneath hammer - 10hammer sledge-hammer tool

A food safe was a piece of domestic equipment widely used in Australia before refrigeration to preserve perishable food in summer. A food safe was a common domestic item widely used in rural Victoria before cheap refrigeration was available.A rectangular tin food safe. It is painted green and has thin wire bent into a triangular shape for hanging.Inside is a cream coloured painted shelf. It has six circular air vents on three sides and four on the door.domestic food-preservation food-safe

Coal scuttles or hods were made with some sort of tipped lip that made it easy to pour out the lumps of coal. It also was used to carry ashes away from the fireplace. This one could have been used to carry firewood more likely to be used in Orbost.A metal coal scuttle with two handles - a tipping handle and a carrying handle. scuttle fireplace-accessories domestic

This landing net is a small, bag-shaped net with a long handle at the mouth, for scooping a hooked fish out of the water and bringing it to shore or into a boat. this one is home-made by an Orbost angler.This fishing net is an example of a home-made piece of equipment. It shows the self-reliance of rural people.A home-made fish landing net. It has a long wooden handle. Hose clamps hold the wire frame of the net,. The end of the bag shaped string net is bound with tape.fishing-net handcraft

This item shows the creativity and resourcefulness of rural families in the early 20th century.Seven iron horse shoes welded together to make an ornament.horse-shoes ornament

This hook was probably used in lift sacks of corn / maize to the lofts in the barns using a pulley beam system sometimes driven by a small tractor or a horse.This item is connected to the agricultural history of the Snowy River flats of the Orbost district. Intensive farming for maize was an integral part of the history of Orbost.A double bag hook consisting of two double metal hooks on a metal ring.bag-hook rural

This vice is used to secure an object to allow work to be performed on it. It would have been attached to a workbench.A large metal bench vice. It has two parallel jaws, one fixed and the other movable, threaded in and out by a screw and lever.Dawn 3 1/2bench-vice

Scythes were used to manually mow wheat or grass. Scythes were used with a long sweeping movement which made them much less tiring for labourers to use than reaping hooks or sickles though they still involved great physical labour and considerable skill to perfect. Both hands were in use and the operator did not have to bend his back to reach down to the crop. On farms scythes were sharpened on a sandstone wheel mounted on an axle with a crank handle on one side. This was hand powered and used with water. Scythes were not used as often on farms after the mechanisation of harvesting. They were still used for cutting awkward shaped small plots and for opening a path for the tractors. This item is an example of a tool used by the early settlers of the Orbost district. An iron scythe blade, curved and tapered. There is no handle and the blade is rusted and pitted."ROSE"scythe tool agriculture rural

This item shows the creativity and resourcefulness of rural families in the early 20th century.Three iron horseshoes welded together for use as an ornament or hanging hooks.horseshoes iron ornament

This set of winkers was probably used on draught horses in farming.Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.A set of horse winkers made of dark brown leather with a metal chain bit. The strap which goes behind the ears is green hide - possibly not original. winkers horse-equipment equestrian agriculture

These flares were possibly used during WW11. They were used by Orbost Aero Club at Marlo from 1964 onwards for transporting patients by aerial ambulance to Melbourne. They were placed on the L.H.S. of the runway to indicate wind direction. They were superseded in the late 1970's by pilot activated lighting (PAL) switched on by incoming pilots via radio.These lamps are associated with the history of the Orbost Aero Club.Eight kerosene smudge pot road flares - round metal bases painted red. There is a reservoir at the bottom used for kerosene storage. It was lit at the top for flare.DIETZ . 51 Use Kerosene only Made in U.S.A.lighting kerosene-flares road-flares beacons marlo-airport

Scythes were used with a long sweeping movement which made them much less tiring for labourers to use than reaping hooks or sickles though they still involved great physical labour and considerable skill to perfect. Both hands were in use and the operator did not have to bend his back to reach down to the crop. Scythes were not used as often on farms after the mechanisation of harvesting. They were still used for cutting awkward shaped small plots and for opening a path for the tractors. This item is an example of a tool used by the early settlers of the Orbost district.A curved iron blade with one sharp edge. It is attached to a curved hollow handle with two extensions on one side where the scythe can be held by two hands.scythe agriculture tool

Hand operated water pumps were used to supply water prior to the widespread use of windmill pumps, electric pumps and city water systems. Usually an old pump was made from cast iron, wood or tin. Pumps were very important to people up through the 19th century as farm houses seldom had indoor plumbing with running water. These pumps were also used for outdoor irrigation or laundry purposes.Hand operated water pumps were important before indoor plumbing was adequate. An iron water pump - hand-operated by a lever to the side. A plunger moves up and down (missing). It has a spout and has been painted brown.pump-water irrigation rural

Hames are attached to a horse collar used to distribute the load around a horse's neck and shoulders when pulling a wagon or plough. The collar often supports and pads a pair of curved metal or wood pieces, called hames, to which the traces, which attach to the wagon or plough, of the harness are attached. The collar allows the horse to use its full strength when pulling. This pair of hames would have been used on a farm in the Orbost district.Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.A pair of hames, joined together by a metal chain. Iron has been cased over wood to form the hames. Each has a hook attached and a ring.WARRANTED picture of bull's head FORGEDsaddlery equestrian agriculture horses hames