This wooden sword is said to “possibly be the only remaining part of the figurehead from the sailing ship Eric the Red.” It was previously part of the collection of the old Warrnambool Museum and the entry in its inventory says “Wooden sword, portion of the figurehead, held by “Eric the Red” at the bow.” A large part of the ship’s hull was found on the rocks and a figurehead may have been attached or washed up on the shore. The shipping records for E. & A. Sewall, the builders, owners and managers of Eric the Red, are now preserved in the Maine Maritime Museum. There is no photograph on record of Eric the Red but photographs of other ships built around that time by the same company show that these did not have figureheads, and there is no record found of a figurehead for Eric the Red being ordered or paid for. Further research is being carried out. The ship building company E. & A. Sewall, from Bath, Maine, USA, built Eric the Red, a wooden, three masted clipper ship. She had 1,580 tons register and was the largest full-rigged ship built at Bath, Maine, USA in 1871. She was built and registered by Arthur Sewall, later to become the partnership E. & A. Sewall, and was the 51st ship built by this company. The annually-published List of Merchant Vessels of the U.S. shows that Bath was still the home port of Eric the Red in 1880. The vessel was named after the Viking discoverer, Eric the Red, who was the first European to reach the shores of North America (in 980AD). The ship Eric the Red at first traded in coal between America and Britain, and later traded in guano nitrates from South America. In 1879 she was re-metalled and was in first class condition. On 10th June 1880 (some records say 12th June) Eric the Red departed New York for Melbourne and then Sydney. She had been commissioned by American trade representatives to carry a special cargo of 500 exhibits (1400 tons) - about a quarter to a third of America’s total exhibits - from America for the U.S.A. pavilion at Melbourne’s first International Exhibition. The exhibits included furniture, ironmongery, wines, chemicals, dental and surgical instruments, paper, cages, bronze lamp trimmings, axles, stamped ware, astronomical and time globes, samples of corn and the choicest of leaf tobacco. Other general cargo included merchandise such as cases of kerosene and turpentine, brooms, Bristol's Sarsaparilla, Wheeler and Wilson sewing machines, Wheeler’s thresher machine, axe handles and tools, cases of silver plate, toys, pianos and organs, carriages and Yankee notions. The Eric the Red left New York under the command of Captain Z. Allen (or some records say Captain Jacques Allen) and 24 other crew including the owner’s son third mate Ned Sewall. There were 2 saloon passengers also. On 4th September 1880 the ship had been sailing for an uneventful 85 days and the voyage was almost at its end. Eric the Red approached Cape Otway in a moderate north-west wind and hazy and overcast atmosphere. Around 1:30am Captain Allen sighted the Cape Otway light and was keeping the ship 5-6 miles offshore to stay clear of the hazardous Otway Reef. However he had badly misjudged his position. The ship hit the Otway Reef about 2 miles out to sea, south west of the Cape Otway light station. Captain Allen ordered the wheel to be put ‘hard up’ thinking that she might float off the reef. A heavy sea knocked the man away from the wheel, broke the wheel ropes and carried away the rudder. The sea swamped the lifeboats, the mizzenmast fell, with all of its rigging, then the mainmast fell and the ship broke in two. Some said that the passenger Vaughan, who was travelling for his health and not very strong, was washed overboard and never seen again. The ship started breaking up. The forward house came adrift with three of the crew on it as well as a longboat, which the men succeeded in launching and keeping afloat by continually bailing with their sea boots. The captain, the third mate (the owner’s son) and others clung to the mizzenmast in the sea. Then the owner’s son was washed away off the mast. Within 10 minutes the rest of the ship was in pieces, completely wrecked, with cargo and wreckage floating in the sea. The captain encouraged the second mate to swim with him to the deckhouse where there were other crew but the second mate wouldn’t go with him. Eventually the Captain made it to the deckhouse and the men pulled him up. At about 4:30am the group of men on the deckhouse saw the lights of a steamer and called for help. At the same time they noticed the second mate and the other man had drifted nearby, still on the spur, and pulled them both onto the wreck. The coastal steamer Dawn was returning to Warrnambool from Melbourne, its sailing time different to its usual schedule. Cries were heard coming from out of the darkness. Captain Jones sent out two life boats, and fired off rockets and blue lights to illuminate the area. They picked up the three survivors who were in the long boat from Eric the Red. Two men were picked up out of the water, one being the owner’s son who was clinging to floating kerosene boxes. At daylight the Dawn then rescued the 18 men from the floating portion of the deckhouse, which had drifted about 4 miles from where they’d struck the reef. Shortly after the rescue the deckhouse drifted onto breakers and was thrown onto rocks at Point Franklin, about 2 miles east of Cape Otway. Captain Jones had signalled to Cape Otway lighthouse the number of the Eric the Red and later signalled that there was a wreck at Otway Reef but there was no response from the lighthouse. The captain and crew of the Dawn spent several more hours searching unsuccessfully for more survivors, even going back as far as Apollo Bay. On board the Dawn the exhausted men received care and attention to their needs and wants, including much needed clothing. Captain Allen was amongst the 23 battered and injured men who were rescued and later taken to Warrnambool for care. Warrnambool’s mayor and town clerk offered them all hospitality, the three badly injured men going to the hospital and others to the Olive Branch Hotel, then on to Melbourne. Captain Allen’s leg injury prevented him from going ashore so he and three other men travelled on the Dawn to Portland. They were met by the mayor who also treated them all with great kindness. Captain Allen took the train back to Melbourne then returned to America. Those saved were Captain Z. Allen (or Jacques Allen), J. Darcy chief mate, James F. Lawrence second mate, Ned Sewall third mate and owner’s son, John French the cook, C. Nelson sail maker, Clarence W. New passenger, and the able seamen Dickenson, J. Black, Denis White, C. Herbert, C. Thompson, A. Brooks, D. Wilson, J. Ellis, Q. Thompson, C. Newman, W. Paul, J. Davis, M. Horenleng, J. Ogduff, T. W. Drew, R. Richardson. Four men had lost their lives; three of them were crew (Gus Dahlgreen ship’s carpenter, H. Ackman steward, who drowned in his cabin, and George Silver seaman) and one a passenger (J. B. Vaughan). The body of one of them had been found washed up at Cape Otway and was later buried in the lighthouse cemetery; another body was seen on an inaccessible ledge. Twelve months later the second mate James F. Lawrence, from Nova Scotia, passed away in the Warrnambool district; an obituary was displayed in the local paper. The captain and crew of the Dawn were recognised by the United States Government in July 1881 for their humane efforts and bravery, being thanked and presented with substantial monetary rewards, medals and gifts. Neither the ship, nor its cargo, was insured. The ship was worth about £15,000 and the cargo was reportedly worth £40,000; only about £2,000 worth had been recovered. Cargo and wreckage washed up at Apollo Bay, Peterborough, Port Campbell, Western Port and according to some reports, even as far away as the beaches of New Zealand. The day after the wreck the government steam ship Pharos was sent from Queenscliff to clear the shipping lanes of debris that could be a danger to ships. The large midship deckhouse of the ship was found floating in a calm sea near Henty Reef. Items such as an American chair, a ladder and a nest of boxes were all on top of the deckhouse. As it was so large and could cause danger to passing ships, Captain Payne had the deckhouse towed towards the shore just beyond Apollo Bay. Between Apollo Bay and Blanket Bay the captain and crew of Pharos collected Wheeler and Wilson sewing machines, nests of boxes, bottles of Bristol’s sarsaparilla, pieces of common American chairs, axe handles, a Wheelers’ Patent thresher and a sailor’s trunk with the words “A. James” on the front. A ship’s flag-board bearing the words “Eric the Red” was found on the deckhouse; finally those on board the Pharos had the name of the wrecked vessel. During this operation Pharos came across the government steamer Victoria and also a steamer S.S. Otway, both of which were picking up flotsam and wreckage. A whole side of the hull and three large pieces of the other side of the hull, with some of the copper sheathing stripped off, had floated on to Point Franklin. Some of the vessels yards and portions of her masts were on shore. The pieces of canvas attached to the yards and masts confirmed that the vessel had been under sail. The beach there was piled with debris several feet high. There were many cases of Diamond Oil kerosene, labelled R. W. Cameron and Company, New York. There were also many large planks of red pine, portions of a small white boat and a large, well-used oar. Other items found ashore included sewing machines (some consigned to ‘Long and Co.”) and notions, axe and scythe handles, hay forks, wooden pegs, rolls of wire (some branded “T.S” and Co, Melbourne”), kegs of nails branded “A.T. and Co.” from the factory of A. Field and Son, Taunton, Massachusetts, croquet balls and mallets, buggy fittings, rat traps, perfumery, cutlery and Douay Bibles, clocks, bicycles, chairs, a fly wheel, a cooking stove, timber, boxes, pianos, organs and a ladder. (Wooden clothes pegs drifted in for many years). There seemed to be no personal luggage or clothing. The Pharos encountered a long line, about one and a half miles, of floating wreckage about 10 miles off land, south east of Cape Otway, and in some places about 40 feet wide. It seemed that more than half of it was from Eric the Red. The ship’s crew rescued 3 cases that were for the Melbourne Exhibition and other items from amongst the debris. There were also chairs, doors, musical instruments, washing boards, nests of trunks and fly catchers floating in the sea. Most of the goods were saturated and smelt of kerosene. A section of the hull lies buried in the sand at Parker River Beach. An anchor with chain is embedded in the rocks east of Point Franklin and a second anchor, thought to be from Eric the Red, is on display at the Cape Otway light station. (There is a photograph of a life belt on the verandah of Rivernook Guest House in Princetown with the words “ERIC THE RED / BOSTON”. This is rather a mystery as the ship was registered in Bath, Maine, USA.) Parts of the ship are on display at Bimbi Park Caravan Park and at Apollo Bay Museum. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village also has part of the helm (steering wheel), a carved wooden sword (said to be the only remaining portion of the ship’s figurehead; further research is currently being carried out), a door, a metal rod, samples of wood and a medal for bravery. Much of the wreckage was recovered by the local residents before police and other authorities arrived at the scene. Looters went to great effort to salvage goods, being lowered down the high cliff faces to areas with little or no beach to collect items from the wreckage, their mates above watching out for dangerous waves. A Tasmanian newspaper reports on a court case in Stawell, Victoria, noting a man who was caught 2 months later selling tobacco from the wreckage of Eric the Red. Some of the silverware is still treasured by descendants of Mr Mackenzie who was given these items by officials for his help in securing the cargo. The gifts included silver coffee and tea pots, half a dozen silver serviette rings and two sewing machines. The wreck and cargo were sold to a Melbourne man who salvaged a quantity of high quality tobacco and dental and surgical instruments. Timbers from the ship were salvaged and used in the construction of houses and sheds around Apollo Bay, including a guest house, Milford House (since burnt down in bushfires), which had furniture, fittings and timber on the dining room floor from the ship. A 39.7 foot long trading ketch, the Apollo, was also built from its timbers by Mr Burgess in 1883 and subsequently used in Tasmanian waters. It was the first attempt at ship building in Apollo bay. In 1881 a red light was installed about 300 feet above sea level at the base of the Cape Otway lighthouse to warn ships when they were too close to shore; It would not be visible unless a ship came within 3 miles from it. This has proved to be an effective warning. The State Library of Victoria has a lithograph in its collection depicting the steamer Dawn and the shipwrecked men, titled. "Wreck of the ship Eric the Red, Cape Otway: rescue of the crew by the Dawn".The Eric the Red is historically significant as one of Victoria's major 19th century shipwrecks. (Heritage Victoria Eric the Red; HV ID 239) The wreck led to the provision of an additional warning light placed below the Cape Otway lighthouse to alert mariners to the location of Otway Reef. The site is archaeologically significant for its remains of a large and varied cargo and ship's fittings being scattered over a wide area. The site is recreationally and aesthetically significant as it is one of the few sites along this coast where tourists can visit identifiable remains of a large wooden shipwreck, and for its location set against the background of Cape Otway, Bass Strait, and the Cape Otway lighthouse. (Victorian Heritage Database Registration Number S239, Official Number 8745 USA)This carved wooden sword, recovered from the Eric the Red, is possibly the only portion of the figurehead recovered after the wreck. There are spirals carved from the base of the handle to the top of the sword. The hilt of the sword is a lion’s head holding its tail in its mouth, the tail forming the handle. The blade of the sword has engraved patterns on it. Tiny particles of gold leaf and dark blue paint fragments can be seen between the carving marks. There are remnants of yellowish-orange and crimson paint on the handle. At some time after the sword was salvaged the name of the ship was hand painted on the blade in black paint. The tip of the sword has broken or split and the remaining part is charcoal in appearance. On both the tip and the base of the handle are parts made where the sword could have been joined onto the figurehead There is a white coating over some areas of the sword, similar to white lead putty used in traditional shipbuilding. The words “ERIC the RED” have been hand painted on the blade of the sword in black paint sometime after it was salvaged.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, sword, wooden sword, eric the red, carved sword, figurehead, snake head on sword

File sizes Review ideal file sizes for photos http://www.tennishistory.com.au/equipment/vintage-racquets/racquet-retailing.html Extract - Born in Bendigo in 1905, Albert Brewer came to Melbourne in 1920 to commence work as a furniture factory machinist at Rojos Pty.Ltd. in Little Lonsdale Street Melbourne . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catgut Catgut is a type of cord[1] that is prepared from the natural fiber in the walls of animal intestines.[2] Usually sheep or goat intestines are used, but it is occasionally made from the intestines of a hog, horse, mule, pig or donkey. The name neither implies nor derives from any association with cats. The word catgut may have been an abbreviation of the word "cattlegut". Alternatively, it may have derived by folk etymology from kitgut or kitstring -- the word kit, meaning fiddle, having at some point been confused with the word kit for little cat. According to legend, string makers of the 17th century deliberately misled people to believe that the strings were made of cat intestines in order to protect their industry, as any association with cats was superstitiously believed to be extremely bad luck, and to be avoided at all costRacket or Racqet. A teardrop shaped wooden frame with tight interlaced network of strings. The strings are made of Cat-gut, several are broken. See narrative on Cat gut.The racket is branded Colt at the base of the tear drop and Designed for Young Players. Made by Brewer Australia. Maker of the Worlds famous style,is printed on the handle on both sides. The frame is made of laminated wood. The paint is in poor condition.The racket has a leather grip, the grip is is worn and stained. .Powerhouse Museum Collection Thesaurus Light bats consisting of a network of cord or nylon stretched in an elliptical frame, used chiefly in playing ball games like tennis, badminton, etc.Colt. Made by Brewers Australia. Maker of the Worlds Famous style leader. Designed for young playersball, sport, leather, game, racquet, racket, colt, cat gut, strings, young players, brewer, handle, grip

Item is a red Merryweather Fire Pump. Item is pulled to scene of the fire by horses and the a team of men move the handles on each side in a see-saw motion pumping water from the creek into hoses to fight the fire. Item is situated on top of fore wooden Spock wheels, each with a steel band around the out side. The cart features leaf suspension, outlets on each side, foldable handles on each side, Compartments on each side for hose storage and room to seat six firefighters plus the driver.

An ink stand was a basic household item in the homes of the more affluent people in past generations before the more common use of the fountain pen and the biro (late 1940s). The ink stand in a home would have been used mainly for letter writing. It was also a basic item in business houses in the same time frame. There is no provenance for this particular item but it is of interest as a household object of the past and is useful for display. Wooden base with indentations for two ink bottles and pens and white metal handles (000633.1). Two ink bottles made of cut glass with white metal necks and hinged glass tops (000633.2 and .3). One ink pen with bone handle, brass top and rusty nib (000633.4).Pen marked 229.2 (old cataloguing number) Base has name in handwriting ‘Mrs A.H. Davidson’ (the donor) communication, ink set, writing set, warrnambool

This fishing reel belonged to Arthur Smith (1874- 1955). About 1908 he was employed by the Western District Co-Operative at the corner of Raglan Parade and Kepler Street as a field representative. In this capacity he became one of the earliest motorists in Warrnambool. In 1928 he took on a similar job with Saltau and Son in Kepler Street. This fishing reel is of some interest as it belonged to Arthur Smith who was a resident of Warrnambool for many years. His son, Reg, was a Life Member of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. Fishing was and is a popular pastime for many Warrnambool residents. This is a wooden fishing reel with a metal holder and screw and a bakelite turning handle and a gut line. The wood and the gut are painted a dark red. There is some rust in the metal.arthur smith, warrnambool, saltau and son

The spectacles case comes from G.H. Morton, an optician at 192 Liebig Street, Warrnambool in the 1930s and 40s. He advertised as being ‘near Bloore’s Corner’. The two pair of spectacles may not have been from Morton’s business but may have been stored in the case separately. These glasses and the case are of some interest, firstly because the case comes from the business of G.H.Morton, a Warrnambool optician for a number of years. They also have a social significance as representing the type of eyewear used early in the 20th century. This is a blue leather spectacles case with a wooden insert to hold the glasses. There are two pair of spectacles – one with rimless glass and a gold nose piece (there is a small chip at the edge of one piece of glass) and one with gold rimmed glass and gold handles. The latter has a small piece of metal attached to the side of the glass. On spectacles case: ‘G.H.Morton, FSMC, FBOA, FIO, by exam, London, Qualified Optician, Warrnambool’g.h.morton, optician, optician, warrnambool

These items have no known provenance and no information has been found on the Barnards on the printing blocks, delivery paper and stamps. The stamp for ‘W.I.O. Barnard’ was sent to an address in Camberwell so it is presumed that the Barnard family members were in Melbourne and not in the Warrnambool district.The only interest in these items is in the printing blocks and stamps. They are good examples of the type of printing used in the early 20th century and the type of stamp used by individuals for letterheads, visiting cards, personal items etc. There are 5 objects in this collection:- 1. A small red cardboard box 2. A printing block with a tapered wooden base and metal type – E.D. Barnard There are three small nails holding the type to the wooden block. 3. A printing block with a metal ring handle – R. Barnard 4. Five metal type letters (G, I, K, O, W) 5. A much-tattered sheet of paper showing delivery of stamp to ‘W.I.O. Barnard’ Wooden Block – E.D. Barnard Metal Block – R. Barnard Box - stamped E.D. Barnard Paper – ‘Linen Stamp Co. 231 Elizabeth St. Melbourne, Please deliver stamp and pad at 2/6, Name: W.I.O. Barnard, Address: 29 Bowen St. Camberwell, Signature: E. Barnard’ barnard, printing blocks

This bat was awarded to Thomas William Southcombe in 1876 for the best batting average during the 1875-6 season at Warrnambool Cricket Club. Thomas William Southcombe was the son of Thomas and Mary Southcombe of Port Fairy. With his parents, Thomas and Mary, he arrived in Port Fairy in 1854. Thomas Senior was a carpenter who established several businesses in Port Fairy and served on the local Council for many years as a Councillor and Mayor. Thomas Junior appears to have migrated to U.S.A. and died there in 1904. The cricket bat was manufactured by the British firm of James Lillywhite, Frowd & Co. James Lillywhite was an English cricketer whose uncle had originally established the sports store and manufacturing business which lasted under various names until the 21st century. A cricketer named Lillywhite played in Warrnambool in 1874 with an All England Team under the captaincy of W.G.Grace. It is not known whether this was James Lillywhite or another member of the Liilywhite family as several of them played first class cricket.. The impression of the signature of W.H.Ponsford on the bat is an intriguing one. W.H. (Bill) Ponsford was a famous Australian cricketer who retired in the late 1930s. The Southcombe cricket bat was given by Mary Southcombe (Thomas’ sister) to the old Warrnambool Museum in 1923 and it is surmised that Bill Ponsford visited Warrnambool in 1957 (tthis appears to be the date under the signature imprint) and was shown the bat. It is then surmised that he rested a piece of paper or an album page on the bat while he signed his name and the impression of the signature has come through onto the bat. The old Museum closed in the 1960s and the bat was then passed on to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society from the Warrnambool City Council collection of items from the Museum. This bat is of considerable importance because of its provenance and its connection with the Warrnambool Cricket Club, the Southcombe family of Port Fairy, the Lillywhite manufacturers, the old Warrnambool Museum and Bill Ponsford. It is also a good example of the type of cricket bat used in Australia in the 1870s. This is a wooden cricket bat (light colour wood, presumably willow) with a handle covered in oiled thread. It has an etched inscription on one side of the bat and the names of the manufacturer and distributor on the other side. There is also a faint impression of another signature. The blade of the bat is slightly curved. ‘W.C.C. Season 1875-6 Presented to T.W. Southcombe, for Best Batting Average’ ‘James Lillywhite Frowd & Co., Manufacturers, Borough, England’ ‘Made for George Marsh, Melbourne’ ‘W.H.Ponsford, -/1/1957’ warrnambool cricket club, thomas william southcombe, w.h.ponsford, warrnambool’s old museum

This writing desk was used by the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia personnel and the date associated with it (through unproven Historical Society records) is 1859. The Bank of Australasia was established in Sydney in 1835. The Warrnambool branch of the Bank of Australasia was established in 1854 in a stone cottage in Merri Street leased for two years. The bank was next located in a leased building in Timor Street with new purpose-built premises at the corner of Timor and Kepler Streets opening in 1860. In 1951 the Bank of Australasia merged with the Union Bank to form the A.N.Z. Bank Limited. In 1970 the E. S. & A. Bank and the London Bank of Australia merged with the A.N.Z. Bank forming the A.N.Z. Banking Group Limited with the business transferring to Liebig Street. The old Bank of Australasia building was purchased by the Warrnambool City Council and later sold to a private buyer. It is now a nightclub. The writing desk may have been used in both the Timor Street leased building and the bank building at the corner of Kepler and Timor Streets. William Palmer was the Bank Manager when the desk would have been first used. This is a most significant item as it comes from the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, the first bank to be established in Warrnambool and a major banking business in Warrnambool for nearly 100 years. The desk was handed over to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society by Clarrie Kempton, the A.N.Z. Bank Manager in Warrnambool from 1964 to 1971.This is a wooden writing desk, possibly made of walnut wood. The base is rectangular with a drawer with a brass handle at the base. From the base the desk slopes up to a triangular shape with a slightly curved top. The middle of the desk has a front opening with two doors with four brass hinges with a brass lock. There are six bolts, one with a slot missing. Inside the doors are inset 10 wooden slots of different sizes to hold papers, letters, ink, dockets etc. Also inside the doors, behind a transparent material, are spaces for the day, date and month. These numbers and letters were once able to be changed according to the date. The writing desk is in good condition but a little stained. ‘Tuesday’ ‘8’ ‘November’ bank of australasia, history of warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This police baton or truncheon is typical of the ones used by police in Australia perhaps late in the 19th century or early in the 20th century. No information has yet been found as to the identity of the owner or the significance of the letters, ‘A P 1304’. There are several possibilities as the collection of the old Warrnambool Museum which operated from the 1870s to the 1960s included several police batons. The owner of this baton is not known but is retained pending further research.This is a wooden police baton. The rounded body is tapered towards the top and it has an incised ridge near the top and a knob on the top to form a handle. The ridge at the top may be for holding a string or rope to carry the baton on the wrist. The wood has been varnished but it is now much worn and discoloured. The letters have been etched into the surface.‘A P 1304’ history of warrnambool, police in warrnambool, police baton, police baton ap 1304

This gong and gavel was presented to the Warrnambool Apex Club in 1953 when the club was re-formed following the disbanding of the club during World War Two. The Warrnambool Apex Club was the fifth club formed in the early 1930s and was a strong and important service club in Warrnambool for many years. It supported the Warrnambool-based Western Region Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre and Beyond Blue, an organization concentrating on men’s mental health. The Warrnambool Apex Club was disbanded in 2011. The Apex gong and gavel are of historical interest as they are a memento of the now-defunct Warrnambool Apex Club. For many years it was an important service club in Warrnambool. These are a gong on a stand and a gavel, used by the Apex Club of Warrnambool to call a meeting to order. The gong is circular and made of silver-coloured metal. It has a metal triangular-shaped emblem of Apex, featuring a rising sun in red and gold colouring and the word ‘Apex’ in gold lettering on a blue background. The gong is hollow at the back and has a wooden insert with a metal plaque attached with four metal screws. The gong is mounted on a rectangular wooden platform, in four layers, pyramidal-shaped. The platform has been lightly polished. The gavel is made of wood and has a round handle and a rectangular knob inserted into the handle. The knob has rounded edges. ‘Presented to Warrnambool Apex Club on the occasion of their re-charter 28.3.53 by the Camperdown Apex Club’. warrnambool apex club, history of warrnambool

A darning mushroom such as this was a common household item in Australia up to the 1950s. Socks were mostly made of wool and when holes appeared, (particularly in the heel) they had to be darned, usually in a criss-cross pattern. The darning mushroom gave the darner a good smooth and stable surface. Many of these darning tools were homemade. The darner could also have been used to mend torn sleeves or other items of clothing. Some people may still use a darning mushroom today but in general socks are not darned but disposed of when holes appear. This darning mushroom has no known local provenance but it is a good example of a household item of times past. This is a light-coloured wooden darning tool. The mushroom-shaped top is attached to a handle which is elongated at the bottom end and has a slight ridge near the base and a small hole at the end. There are some pit marks on the top surface. darning mushroom, social history, history of warrnambool

According to the handwritten information accompanying the item this umbrella has an ivory handle carved by native Africans on a Christian mission station in South Africa. The umbrella was sent to Mrs Donohue of Warrnambool who was an active member of the Church of England in Warrnambool early in the 20th century. No further information has been found on Mrs Donohue. This umbrella is of interest because of its carved ivory handle and because it was sent from South Africa to an Anglican Church adherent in Warrnambool early in the 20th century. This is a black silk umbrella with a carved ivory handle. The carving includes representations of leaves and seeds. Some of the silk is torn, some has disintegrated and some of it is detached from the metal spokes. The umbrella top is wooden. The information about the umbrella is handwritten in blue ink and is contained in a small wooden frame. church of england,, warrnambool

This is a mantel clock used probably in the dining room or lounge room of a house. It would have been a common item in a household in the 20th century and was often an heirloom passed down from grandparents. This type of clock is an attractive item and is still regarded as highly desirable today.This clock has no known local significance but is retained as an attractive and historical item and serves as an example of a high quality household object of the past. This is a black wooden clock with a rectangular base with ornamental metal corner pieces and two ornamental gilt metal patterns. The clock has an overhanging rectangular top with two gilt handles on the side. Also on the sides of the lock are two green inset faux columns with two metal ornaments in between. The brass mechanism at the back of the clock has four wheels. The clock face has a glass front, black numbers and metal hands. There is a strip of brass around the outside of the face. There are two key holes on the face. 'Sessions'warrnambool, mantel clock

Stretchers were used to transport injured or sick people to receive treatment. Usually they were carried by two people, one at each end. Used in the Kiewa Valley.Orange material (canvas) held by studs attached to two wooden beams on each long side. The beams extend to form handles at each of the 4 corners. The stretcher can be altered to fold towards the middle of the length. The legs are made of stainless steel and the mechanism (stay) to fold it is also of stainless steel.stretcher, first aid

Old farm kitchen tool used for mincing meat manually.Used at Tawonga, in the Kiewa Valley, by resident Des WartonCast iron with dull smooth surface consisting of a tap to screw it onto a table, a barrel enclosing the auger that turns when the handle is wound around and forces the meat to spill out of a circular grinder. The hand crank is curved with a wooden knob . The outlet is oval shaped.Embossed on barrel: "Universal" Embossed on outlet "2" Embossed on handle "L.F. & c - New Britain Conn U.S.A."household tool, kitchen, meat mincer, grinder, universal no. 2

A shock of different voltages was delivered to a person using the two metal handles or two heavy soft wire combs (missing but known of) were moved across the skin. Perhaps this was an early TENS Unit. The unit came to the donor's grandfather (Roy F. Leibig - Chief Electrical Inspector of the Brunswick (Melbourne) Electric Supply) for repair and returned to his keeping once it had become obsolete (upgraded by newer machine). Donor often helped his Pa repair electrical equipment.Historical: The Resuscitator or Electric Therapy Unit was used in hospitals, possibly Mental hospitals. Provenance: The donor worked at Mt Beauty in the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme with the State Electric Commission of Victoria as an electrician. Black wooden smooth box with clip fastener which is screwed on - 3 screws for the base and 2 for the lid. On top of the box is a leather strap for the handle fastened by steel screwed into the box. Inside: A mask with attached strap. Tap fitting loosely into steel box. Metal cylinders and a Cardboard box. A wooden lockable case, housing electrical equipment suitable for issuing high voltage shocks.In red, middle of the side with fastener - "SPARKLETS RESUSCITATOR" Scruff marks inside the lid. A cream plastic tag is screwed on and inscribed"Manufacturers:- / SPARKLETS LIMITED / EDMONTON, LONDON, N.18 / Made in ENGLANDmedical, hospital equipment, resuscitator, tawonga district hospital, doctor

This rounders bat was used by the students at Bogong Primary SchoolHistorical: The Bogong Primary School was opened for the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme workers. Provenance: Bogong Primary School and sportWooden bat with rubber around the cylindrical handle. The face of the bat is flat and the other side becomes thicker (is tapered) towards the centre's longitude.On the face of the bat are indented circles 5mm in diameter. The tip of the bat is chipped and worn on both sides. The edge of the longitudinal fat part is scraped. The rubber around the handle has 2 tears near the face of the bat. bogong primary school. sport. rounders. kiewa hydron electric scheme., kiewa hydro electric scheme

This rounders bat was used by the students at Bogong Primary School.Historical: Bogong Primary School was opened for the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme workers. Provenance: Bogong Primary School sport.Wooden bat. The face of the bat is flat and the other side becomes thicker (is tapered) towards the centre in a longitudinal direction. The handle is cylindrical.'Champion' 3 quarters of the way up the bat towards the handle on the flat side of the bat. On the reverse side same position, Made in / Pakistan. On the flat side: Bogong has been written in thick black but faded paint.rounders. sport. bogong primary school. kiewa hydro electric scheme. game

Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of it major industries. Many of the italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.Wooden, panelled red (painted on outside) rectangular box on side are iron bars with steel reinforcements around the box, near the top and bottom on 4 sides and across the middle on the 2 ends and front (not back). Diagonal steel between bottom and middle iron on the front. Ends: 2 iron bars from the ground curved up to top holding an iron rectangular beam that goes from end to end. Midway of beam is a vertical long screw at the top of which is a cross formation of 4 iron rods forming a handle for turning. Inside, the screw is attached to an iron frame which is attached to a wooden panelled platform enabling it to be raised or lowered as required.tobacco. mongans bridge. kiewa valley. hand press. parmesan. rossaro. lorenzi brothers.

Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. The sand sieve was home-made showing the resourcefulness of farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.Used for sifting sand over the sowing of tobacco seed in seed beds. Rectangular wooden frame with tin attached on all 4 sides. Tin has been punched randomly to form ragged holes about 20 mm apart. A wooden beam has been attached vertically to the frame and extends upwards to form a handle tapered towards the end. Tin is nailed on. tobacco. kiewa valley. mongans bridge. vannucci. sand sieve. rossaro.

A long brown wooden elongated oval shaped body and shaped handle with stiff black pig bristles costume accessories, personal effects, clothing

Canvas stretchers were portable and easily carried by pack horses. They were more luxurious than a hard wooden bed or the ground. Canvas was the best material to use at the time. This canvas stretcher may have been used on camping trips or by the cattlemen when visiting their huts on the Bogong High Plains.Used as a stretcher or camp bed and is very heavy. It is made of wood and 4 pieces of canvas sewn together. It has sides of elongated cubed wood with 4 handle extensions which are also cubed wood partly carved out near their ends for a more comfortable grip. The top has canvas attached to the wooden sides. The bottom has wood attached including the handles and a piece in the middle. Also attached are 4 steel rollers. A nail sticks out and stops the handles from going any further than the rollers. 4 metal strips are also attached for guidance of the sliding handles. 2 metal flat rods are attached to the sides at each end and joined in the middle by hinged nail enabling movement creating a metal strip at right angles to the length of the stretcher. The metal handles are attached here too. stretcher. bogong high plains. camping. sleeping.

There are many ways of travelling over snow - skis, toboggans, sleds, using snow shoes, machines, horses etc. This 'snow scooter' appears to have been handmade for faster transport (than walking) over snow. Machines with engines 'snow mobiles' are more commonly used nowadays. This snow scooter was possibly used at Falls Creek for moving around the village during winter.Wooden plank curved and lifting at the front and at the end of the back an attached small rectangular wooden framed plastic grid (for non slippery foothold). Underneath plank - at front is a metal rudder that swivels when the handle is turned and at the back are 2 metal fixed 'rudders'.At the front, on top, is a metal stand forming a triangle (for stability) with a steel rod which goes through the plank to the front rudder and up to a bicycle type handle at the top. The handle has red plastic handle grips on the ends. The join of the metal bars half way up is with a butterfly nut. snow scooter; snow transport; falls creek

Sewing machines were used by some ladies to mend and make clothes for the family as shops were some distance away and bought clothes were much more expensive. The sewing machines were also used to sew items for fund raising e.g.. Church and School fetes.Used in the Kiewa Valley.The machine has a brown wood veneer base and a lid with a metal handle in the centre of the top. There is a long screw that fits in a hole at the top of the lid. The screw can be lifted out and used to open and take off the lid. Inside there is a black metal machine which is fitted onto the wooden base. There is a compartment in the base, right of the wheel of the machine, which holds an instruction manual and a tube of ""Singer" lubricant for electric machines". The light, above the needle is covered by bakelite. A leather belt runs around the wheel on the right to enable the machine to run. There is a foot pedal and an electric cord attached."Singer Manufacturing Company" - gold embossed "No. EL 249 355" - oval disc "99K" - disc "Singer Manfg. Co. - discsewing machine; singer manufacturing company; kiewa valley

There were many different musical bands in existence throughout the 20th century in Warrnambool, from Warrnambool City Band to Pipes and Drums as well as trumpet, mouth organ, and military bands. They officiated at many social events and parades and celebrations which were held at the time. The Camperdown Chronicle lists the Dennis King Banjo and Mandolin band as performing at such events around the 1950’s. No information could be found on the owner of this instrument, Sylvia Broomfield.An object which relates to social events in the district.001056.1 Banjo mandolin. Eight stringed instrument with dark wooden frame and pig skin front screwed in with metal surround. It has a red chord shoulder strap. 001056.2 Black leatherette case with tan card lining and two metal clips and metal handle. A small box underneath the neck contains a pick and two plectrums. It contains a sheet of music called melody in F. Case has written in blue pen” Silvia Broomfield Nullawarre North. Dennis Kings Banjo mandolin Groupwarrnambool, dennis king banjo band, sylvia broomfield,

These stamps, with three of them used as official Common Seals, belonged to the Warrnambool Co-operative Society Limited and its associate business, the Warrnambool & District Artificial Breeders’ Co-operative Society Limited. This co-operative group of businesses was established in 1960 as the Allansford & District Artificial Breeders’ Co-operative Society to provide herd improvement services to district farmers. In the mid 1970s it had become the Warrnambool Co-operative Society Limited with other associated businesses and had a retail store in Timor Street with other services established in other local buildings. The co-operative gradually expanded until by the late 1990s it had 8000 members, 84 full-time employees and 120 casual employees and, by the 21st century a complex of new buildings in Warrnambool. The Warrnambool Co-op, as it was known, closed in 2007. These stamps and Common Seals are mementoes of the Warrnambool & District Co-operative Society Ltd, an important group of businesses in Warrnambool for over 30 years. Many local people were members of this co-operative venture. These are four stamps from the Warrnambool Co-Operative Society Limited and its associated businesses:- 1. Circular blue Common Seal on a square wooden base with a black plastic handle. 2. Circular blue Common Seal on a square glass base with a red plastic handle. 3. Oblong black stamp on a plastic base with a grey plastic handle. 4. Circular blue Common Seal on a wood and glass base with no handle. The four stamps have the relevant printed material on the back of the stamps to indicate the nature of the stamp. 1. & 2. ‘The Common Seal of Warrnambool Co-operative Society Ltd.’ 3. ‘Warrnambool & District Artificial Breeders’ C-operative Society Pty.Ltd. 38 Fairy Street Warrnambool 3280’ 4. ‘The Common Seal of Warrnambool & District Artificial Breeders’ Co-operative Society Limited’ warrnambool co-operative society limited, farming in warrnambool and district

This item belonged to Dr Horace Holmes. It is a floating thermometer used to determine when bath water was suitable for use. The reference to Dr Forbes is to John Forbes, a Scottish physician who recommended therapeutic bathing at a time when taking a bath at home or in a hospital was not a common practice (19th century). Dr Horace Iles Holmes (1877-1959) was born and educated in Tasmania and completed a medical degree at Melbourne University. He commenced a practice in Warrnambool in 1906 and was the Honorary Medical Officer at the Warrnambool Hospital and Warrnambool’s Health Officer. His practice was at ‘Ierne’, at the corner of Spence and Kepler Streets. He was an early member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons and was prominent in community affairs (foundation president of Warrnambool Rotary Club, a member of the local Masonic Lodge for over 50 years, Warrnambool Hospital Committee member, long-term Trustee of the Warrnambool Methodist Church and President of the Lyndoch Hostel for the Aged Committee) Dr Holmes also had agricultural interests and enjoyed fishing, golf and bowls. This is an important medical item from the collection of Horace Iles Holmes, a doctor who was prominently associated with the professional and community life of Warrnambool for well over 50 years. This is a thermometer with a glass tube containing mercury with funnel endings. A piece of paper with gradations and printed matter is rolled up inside the tube. The thermometer is encased in an unpainted wooden container which has a handle and a hollow middle for taking the thermometer readings. ‘Dr Forbes Specifications’ ‘Hot, Warm, Tepid, Temp, Cool, Cold Bath, Freezing’ dr horace holmes, warrnambool, hospital equipment, thermometers, history of warrnambool

This machine was used to sharpen men’s razors several decades ago and is thus a vintage item of historical interest. It belonged to a local Warrnambool man, Henry Cain. This item has local provenance and it is retained for this reason. Also it is an interesting memento of times past when men used razors and razor blades and needed some sort of sharpening or stropping device to keep the razors sharp. Today men mostly use disposable razors or electric razors. This is a silver-coloured oval-shaped metal object with a hinged lid and a catch.Inside the machine are two rotating brown leather pieces which form the sharpening aspect of the machine. A razor blade is inserted between the two rotating pieces.There is a turning handle on the outside of the machine and part of this folds back into the inside of the machine when the lid is closed. The handle has a wooden end. The machine is in a rectangular-shaped cardboard box. The base is white and the top is dark blue with an image of the machine on the top and the side and gold and white printing. One section of the top of the box is missing. The name of the owner is printed in black ink on the inside of the machine. ‘Abziehappart fur Rasierklingen, Barba No. 740’ ‘Stropping Machine, Barba No. 740, Made in Germany’ ‘Afilador Barba No. 440’ ‘H. Cain’ henry cain

This barrel was probably used to hold ice but minus its insert could have been a biscuit barrel. In the days before refrigerators were common household items the barrel would have been a useful portable ice carrier for use in a hotel bar or at a table. The plaque on the side of the barrel suggests that the barrel could have been awarded as a trophy or prize in a sporting competition. This item has no known local provenance but is retained as an example of a household item from times past.This is a wooden barrel with silver-coloured metal bands on the top and bottom of the barrel, a metal handle and a detachable metal lid. A metal plaque is attached to the side of the barrel with metal pins. The inside of the barrel has a ceramic insert with a metal rim. The metal bands are much oxidized. ‘E.PN.Svintage household items, biscuit barrel, warrnambool