This device would separate the cream from milk using a hand operated lever. When turned, the lever would activate a disc which would spin the separator bowl at a great speed. Through this use of centrifugal force, the cream would gather in the middle while the milk would be pulled towards the outside walls of the bowl. Once the rotation ceased, the milk and cream would flow out of two separate spouts. Prior to the invention of the separator, gravity was used to naturally separate the cream from the milk. The cream rose to the top and was then skimmed by hand. This process was lengthy and often resulted in sour milk, so the invention of the mechanical separator was popular in the dairy industry as there was less waste and encouraged greater production levels. Silver bowl with black base with handle; mounted on boardfarm, machinery, dairy, equipment, milk, cream, separator, hand operated, churchill island

Mrs. Potts invented the Potts Removable Handle Iron. Her invention of the Cold Handle Sad Iron changed the clothing iron industry. The detachable insulated handle was designed to be always cool for ironing. The handle was detachable, so that several irons could be on the stove at one time and the handle swapped between several bodies.This item is an example of an invention that was universally adopted because it meant that users could keep several irons on the stove at one time and the handle swapped when needed. The original Mrs Potts irons had handles made of wood (walnut) and this enabled the user to us the iron without sustaining burns.A Mrs Potts Sad Iron.It is a double point design with detachable handle. The detachable insulated handle was designed to be always cool for ironing. The handle was detachable, so that several irons could be on the stove at one time and the handle swapped between several bodies. There is no handle with this iron. MRS POTTS. Rest is indecipherable.domestic-appliance mrs-potts sad-iron flat-iron laundry

The man in the photograph is John McGrath who regularly travelled to Bulla from Essendon to catch rabbits, which he sold at the market. He made a compact mobile refrigeration unit to keep the rabbits fresh in transit. His invention resulted in larger companies in Australia adopting the use of refrigerated trailers to transport perishables. Refrigerated transport systems resulted in perishables being carried quickly and to many more markets across the nation.A sepia photograph with a cream border of a man seated on a dry stone wall.mcgrath, jack.

The scales were made by Harrison (Birmingham), founded 1898, which went on to become Harrison Drape. Balance scales for full and half sovereigns also measured the circumference and the thickness. As gold is one of the heaviest metals one way to forge a sovereign in brass would be to make it slightly larger to make up the weight. This clever invention put a stop to that.An item from an outstanding and diverse collection of photographs, postcards and artefacts, assembled by members of the Christian and Washfold families of Kew. Harrison Brass Sovereign Rocker Coin Scale in original leather container. The balance scale for full and half sovereigns also measured the circumference and the thickness. It was made from the 1850s to the early 1900s. Scales in perfect condition.cairn scales, sovereign rocker scale, christian-washfold collection

This device would separate the cream from milk using a hand operated lever. When turned, the lever would activate a disc which would spin the separator bowl at a great speed. Through this use of centrifugal force, the cream would gather in the middle while the milk would be pulled towards the outside walls of the bowl. Once the rotation ceased, the milk and cream would flow out of two separate spouts. Prior to the invention of the separator, gravity was used to naturally separate the cream from the milk. The cream rose to the top and was then skimmed by hand. This process was lengthy and often resulted in sour milk, so the invention of the mechanical separator was popular in the dairy industry as there was less waste and encouraged greater production levels. Alfa Laval is a Swedish company founded in 1883. Beginning with domestic farm machinery and dairy products, they expanded to heavy industry and are still successful today. Metal cream separator mounted on red base with bowl, double spouts.Alfa Lavalfarm machinery, dairy equipment, milk, cream, separator, hand operated

This device would separate the cream from milk using a hand operated lever. When turned, the lever would activate a disc which would spin the separator bowl at a great speed. Through this use of centrifugal force, the cream would gather in the middle while the milk would be pulled towards the outside walls of the bowl. Once the rotation ceased, the milk and cream would flow out of two separate spouts. Prior to the invention of the separator, gravity was used to naturally separate the cream from the milk. The cream rose to the top and was then skimmed by hand. This process was lengthy and often resulted in sour milk, so the invention of the mechanical separator was popular in the dairy industry as there was less waste and encouraged greater production levels. This separator is missing its bowl, however the two spouts for the milk and the cream can clearly be seen.Metal top, bowl missing ;burgundy pedestal base with handlefarm machinery, dairy equipment, milk, cream, separator, hand operated

The Eureka A4 was a Melbourne invention, designed to capitalise on the growth of IBM PCs. It attached to the PC and allowed blind and vision impaired people to utilise screen orientated programs. The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind supported the project and in this image, David Blyth and the managing director of Robotron Milan Hudecek, pose for a publicity shot at the launch of the Eureka A4 Notetaker in July 1997. Black and white photograph of two men at the Eureka A4 computer standDavid Blyth, Director of Community Services at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, carrying a Eureka A4, while Milan Hudecek, Managing Director of Robotron Pty Ltd looks on.royal victorian institute for the blind, braille equipment, david blyth, milan hudecek

An account of the part played by science and industry in the defence of Australia during the war 1939-1945The role of Science and IndustryAustralia in the War of 1939-1945 - The Role of Science and Industry Photographs, maps, illustrations Canberra Australian War Memorialmobilising industry for war, mobilising science for war, raw materials - steel, machine tools, fuel and power, guns, torpedoes and mines, chemical warfare, radar, meteorology, inventions

Before the invention of spin driers around the 1950's most households had a mangle. A mangle or wringer is a mechanical laundry aid. This one is powered by a hand crank and used to wring water from wet laundry and seems to be a commercial one. This mangle is from the Orbost Club Hotel. It was used in the Club Hotel and later by Bronwen Di Bari in her art workshop.This item was used by the Orbost Club Hotel, the first hotel in the Orbost district.It was built in 1884 by Mr J.A. Petterson with the licence in the name of Mr Thomas Maguire, Mr Petterson's step-son (more information in Deborak Hall's In Times Gone By).A large commercial wooden and cast iron laundry mangle. It has two wooden trays and two wooden rollers. It was originally painted green. There are four metal casters on the bottom. It has a metal spring to adjust the tension with two tap handles.On side - EWBANK On turning wheel - 511 On wood at top - 24 X 5 1/4 (size of rollers) EMERALD laundry mangle wringer

Photograph of Charles Treleaven ob the cover, 372 pagesnon-fictionThere's no doubt that Charles has had an interesting life. Born in England during the Depression, he experienced the Blitz on London, the Flying Bombs, and then the V2 rockets. From the age of sixteen Charles spent the next 24 years travelling the world aboard British, New Zealand, Fijian, and Australian ships, then settled ashore in Melbourne to start his own packaging business. He was later asked to work with the U.N. in Jordan, based in Amman for some time. On his return to Melbourne, he was appointed CEO for the continued restoration of the award winning sailing ship Polly Woodside, now the pride of our City. Whilst there, Charles initiated the construction of the ship "Enterprize" replica. Finally, he used his knowledge as a navigator to excite over 800,000 Victorian school children with the basics of Science and Astronomy. Charles decided to retire after teaching for 23 years, at the tender age of 82. It is quite a Lifetime. It is quite a story !charles treleaven, polly woodside, seamen, ww2, entreprize, melbourne, britain, merchant navy, cosmodome, maritime heritage association of victoria, mhav, starlab, blitz, saint gregory, interest group

Francis Percival de Caux invented this endotracheal tube which was devised for use during nitrous oxide/oxygen anaesthesia. Though he wasn't the first to use a two-tube method of anaesthesia, de Caux's invention was particularly effective; in 1930 he reported having given 20,868 nitrous oxide/oxygen anaesthetics in a four year period without a fatality. A long flexible metal tube formed from tightly wound metal with a small bulbous introducer at the distal end. The tube is mostly encased in a metal and rubber sheath. The proximal end has a finger ring and screw clamp.endotracheal, de caux, airway, nitrous oxide, anaesthesia

From the Argus, Friday 18 July 1879:- SAFETY MINING CAGES. The report of the board on safety mining cages was laid on the table of the Legislative Assembly fortnight The board, which has tested the following inventions Nances, Williams patent, Jackson and Middleton's patent Sesmours patent, Allans patent, and Hassan a patent, reports as follows - 1. That the preponderance of evidence given by miners and others qualified to form an opinion is strongly in favour of the adop-tion of a safety cage for general use in the mines of this colony, provided that a reliable invention can be brought forward, and its practical utility satisfactorily determined 2. That in view of the rapid increase of cage accidents, and supported by the evidence before them, the board are of opinion that some special provision should be made to check such a prolific source of danger as is shown to exist in the working of the shaft and machinery employed for winding purposes. 3. That this check could be imposed by means of such a regulation as that at present contained in the statute, i e -" Every cage used in a mine shall be fitted with special and suitable appliances to prevent its sudden fall down a shaft and also to prevent its coming into contact with the poppet heads." The board, however, consider that mine proprietors should be permitted to exercise their own discretion in the selection of safety cages, but safety hooks and balance catches must be used in connexion with every case 4. That the board have witnessed trials of all the inventions brought under their notice, and from the result of their observations the members are of opinion that the adoption of these safety appliances will afford additional security to the large section of the community engaged in mining operations.48 foolscap pages report stitched together. safety cages, safety mining cages, george collins levey, mining, mitchell and osborne's patent safety catches for mining cages, mining cages, seymour's patent safety cage, pryor's safety cage, white's safety cage, mining accidents, dyke's freehold gmc creswick, angelo mining co castlemaine, britannia qmc ballarat, alexander kennedy smith, george r. fincham, henry roberts williams, robert clark, r. richardson, allan's patent balalrat, hassan's patent daylesford, david white, charles stewart, w.h. grainger, h.b. nicholas, t. hassan, r. allan, a.k. smith, james thomson, william collard smith, j.h. seymour, john s. delbridge, william buttle, james davidson, j.p. carolin, r. clark, thomas eyre, george marshall, g. thureau, william bottoms, robert carr, j.c. march, john keam, david park, j.a. lewis, lester's hotel, ballarat, robert allan, nancarrow saftey cage, robert malachi serjeant, robert henderson, g.f. smith, r.w. newman, william benson, f. bennett, john sharp, thomas couchman, john a. wallace, john small, william h. grainger, james cowling, tools

Magneto wall telephones such as this one were commonly in use in Australia around the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The wall telephone, powered by dry cells, was an invention of the late 1870s. In the first half of the 20th century many old wall telephones were restored and put back in use by the Australian P.M.G. when there was a shortage of telephones in the 1930s Depression and during World War Two. This item, a reminder of the days of early technology, has no known local provenance but is retained for display and research purposes.This telephone piece is contained within a brown wooden box with a back board that has curved edges and extends over the edges of the box. On the back there are three metal screws for attaching the box to a wall or door. The front section of the box has curved edges with an inset panel around the edges. There is a metal turning handle on one side of the box and on the other side there is a metal clip holding a hearing piece attached to the box by a cord. On the front of the box is a speaking piece attached to the box by a metal piece. Attached to the front of the box are two semi-circular ringing pieces now situated some centimetres out from the box. The box was originally varnished but the edges are now rubbed and there are some splotches of paint. vintage wall telephones, history of warrnambool, magneto wall telephones

Elastoplast was the first plaster to incorporate a gauze pad, which made it suitable for dressing wounds. Elastoplast dressings were devised in 1928 by employees at T. J. Smith & Nephew, a firm which was originally founded in 1856 as a small dispensing chemist’s in Hull. The original Elastoplast was an adhesive material, Smith & Nephew alerted doctors to their invention in the British Medical Journal in 1929, and Elastoplast was on display at the 1931 London Medical Exhibition.A small rectangular tin with removable lid. The exterior is red with white and black text: "Elastoplast, FIRST AID DRESSINGS. Gauze pad medicated with Domiphen Bromide BPC (for sterilising) 0.1% The logo S & N in white print is inside a white dotted circle towards the bottom of the lid.tin elastoplast medical first-aid

Celluloid was the first plastic. The first Celluloid experiments began in 1856 by Alexander Parkes in Birmingham, England. Later in the same year, he patented his invention "Parkesine". By 1868, no advancement was achieved, and Parkes' labor and efforts were ended. In 1869, Englishman Daniel Stills created a company called Xylonite to experiment and create a product similar to Parkesine. These efforts ended in 1874 when Stills went bankrupt. Celluloid / xylonite was made into toiletry articles, novelties, photographic film, and many other mass-produced goods. Its popularity began to wane only toward the middle of the 20th century, following the introduction of plastics based on entirely synthetic polymers. This item is an example of a personal item made of this synthetic plastic.A xylonite backed man's hairbrush. Backing is yellowish/cream. There is a small ornate decoration (initials?). The top is scooped. the bristles are possibly boar bristles.toiletries-men's hairbrush xylonite celluloid

Celluloid was the first plastic. The first Celluloid experiments began in 1856 by Alexander Parkes in Birmingham, England. Later in the same year, he patented his invention "Parkesine". By 1868, no advancement was achieved, and Parkes' labor and efforts were ended. In 1869, Englishman Daniel Stills created a company called Xylonite to experiment and create a product similar to Parkesine. These efforts ended in 1874 when Stills went bankrupt. Celluloid was made into toiletry articles, novelties, photographic film, and many other mass-produced goods. Its popularity began to wane only toward the middle of the 20th century, following the introduction of plastics based on entirely synthetic polymers. This item is an example of a personal effect made from celluloid.A creamy yellow xylonite backed hand mirror with a narrow handle. The back is decorated with a swirling pattern (initials?).

This ink-well was used in the Bacchus Marsh Court House, possibly for book-keeping and/or for court records. This type of ink-well and pen were in use everywhere in schools, businesses, courts, etc before the invention of the type-writer and the ball-point pen. Clerks were usually male and a good copperplate hand-writing was admired. Ink was often mixed by hand used a powdered ink mixed with water.Of local significance in the history of the town of Bacchus Marsh.Round pewter ink-well, with hinged lid and ceramic insert. Five round holes pierced in inner rim of metal to hold pens. Two ribbed bands around exterior of pot. Two bands indented around top of lid. Insert designed to hold ink. Pen with marbled blue handle, metal nib holder and metal nib.Indecipherable imprint on bottom of pot, possibly machine markings. Illegible written marks on side of pewter pot. Ceramic insert marked on side and bottom by red and black ink.ink, ink well, hand writing, record keeping, pens, nibs, clerical work, court records

A boy sits in the board room at the RVIB building in St Kilda Road, holding a Taylor's mathematical slate. Developed by Rev. William Taylor in the mid-late 19th century, this English invention provided a device that allowed pegs to represent a variety of numbers upon an array, rather than using raised numbers. Various models were produced around the world before it's eventual demise around the early 1970's.B/W image of a boy holding a metal grid in his laproyal victorian institute for the blind, braille equipment

Hotpoint Irons were first developed in 1903 in California. The invention was named Hotpoint, after the heating elements that converged in the iron's tip, allowing it to be used to press around buttonholes and in and around ruffles and pleats on clothing and curtains. 'Hotpoint' electric irons were first sold in Australia around 1914 and remained a popular product for many decades. From the late 1920s they were manufactured in Australia by the Australian General Electric Co. Ltd.This iron is representative of early electrical appliances manufactured under licence in Australia from the late 1920s onwards.Early electric iron manufactured under license by Hotpoint Australia. The iron has a metal base into which a power cord is plugged. The iron has a wooden handle.Label: " Hotpoint. Made in Australia. Licensed by Edison Elelectric Appliance Co. Inc. Chicago, U.S.A. Cat.915 F61. W.575, W200."domestic appliances, early electric appliances, hotpoint australia

A razor strop is flexible strip of leather or canvas used to maintain a shaving edge on a thin blade such as a straight razor. Fine powdered jeweler's rouge or other pastes can be added as an abrasive to polish the blade. The strop may be a hanging strip or a hand-held paddle. This one is a hanging strop. Strops were quite commonly found in barber shops and homes before the invention of the safety razor, They are still used for sharpening tool blades.This item is an example of the self-reliance shown by rural families when household necessities were not readily available.A flexible double-layered horse hide leather strop. One strip has a slightly coarser texture. This is a hanging strop which has a metal swivel on top so that the strop can be turned over while hanging from a hook/peg.On hand grip The Keen Edge Strop, genuine horse hide All Black Stropper No. 2strop razor-strop shaving personal-effects

The album is a collection by Phil Harper obviously from a tour in 1965 to Eygpt, France and Turkey , this would have co incited with the 50 years of “ANZAC”. “Bunty Lawrence was regarded by Phil Harper as his “second Dad”. The glass plate photos are of ANZAC, dead Turkish/Australian soldiers, burials, ANZAC Armistice,, all have 1915 hand written on. Bunty Lawrence was one of the instrumental soldiers with the invention of the Telescope Rifle used on ANZAC.Photo album green buckram hard covers with 10 leafs double sided. Page 1. Colour photos re Tobruk and Nile 1965 page 2. Photo postcards France WW1, photo of “Bunty Lawrence”. Page 3. Letter to “Bunty Lawrence” from M.Gen R. Grey DSO. Page 4 - 11. Reproductions of glass plate photos of ANZAC. Page 12 - 18. Photos 1965 of Turkey and ANZAC in colour.One single photo of a stadium has, B & W 1965 Turkey”albums, anzac, turkey

These were worn by Mr Whiteman, Marjorie Burton's father, when he sang in the church choir. Marjorie Burton ( nee Whiteman), born 12 June, in Birmingham, England came to Orbost in 1995. She came from a middle-class, working, church-going family. The invention of the dickey was to make the front of a full dress shirt a separate entity in itself, like the detachable collar, so it could be laundered and starched more easily than a traditional shirt with the front attached.Cloth dickeys simulated many different styles and were often often used in marching band or choir uniforms. However they are rarely worn now. These items are examples of a menswear accessory commonly used in the first half of the 20th century. Two silk white dickeys, men' shirt fronts. 2483.29 has tapes with press studs ant the top and bottom and 2 button holes. 2483.30 has 3 button holes and is a double thickness. Both have pleats.men's-clothing accessories shirt-fronts-dickeys burton-marjorie

Mankind has been bothered by flies ever since time began. This has led to the invention of a number of different fly traps or fly catchers.Glass fly traps were popular during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The flies, being attracted by some sweet liquid or other bait in the bottom, were unable to find their way out. This trap has small glass legs enabling it to be used standing on a flat surface such as a table. Most were suspended by wire handles. This is an example of a common domestic item no longer commonly used today.Moulded clear glass fly catcher on small glass legs. Glass stopper. A piece of bait is suspended in the centre and the top opening is covered up with a piece of cloth and a fluid such as kerosene or similar is put in the gutter below the outer part of the dome. The flying insect is drawn inside by entering the underside opening and then, when trying to leave, flies against the glass and then drops into the catching fluid below.fly-catcher pest-control glassware

Used before the invention of electronic calculators, mechanical adding machines were most often used for long calculations. This calculator was used in the Ballarat School of Mines Physics Department. Addition and subtraction were perfomed by turning the larger side mounted crank forward or backward. the smaller crank lever zeros the two registers. Two buttons are provided to set the machine either to clear the number entry with each revolution of the crank or to repeat the entry. The largest button resets the keybord to all 0s.A calculator with shiftable carriage and digit separator rods between each row of keys.ballarat school of mines, calculator

In the 1820s perforated cardboard first became available. Then, with the invention of the printing press, designs such as sentimental or religious mottos were pre-printed on the card and a Victorian craze began as it provided a simpler and cheaper method of embroidering for the masses compared to the previously far more expensive linen embroidery. Over the following decades embroidering of punched-card grew enormously in popularity and a variety of articles from Christmas decorations to birthday cards, and in this case a Neele case to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden Jubilee in 1887. The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items used to exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. Small cream coloured Punched-Cardboard needle case,with red satin lining and red cross-stitch decoration. The case contains four paper packets each containing sewing needles of a different gauge. Each packet of needles is 3 1/2 cms long and 1 cm wide. The size of the needles In red cot tonCross stitch on one side of the card needle case the word "NEEDLES" is embroidered, and on the other side the word "JUBILEE". Inside the needle case is four packets of different sized needles, by Wm Mattins1887, queen victorias golden jubilee, victorian punched card work, hand embroidery, different packets, different gauge sharp needles, wm shrimpton and sons, william mattins, abel morrals, copestakes, cross stitch

Beehive smokers douse bees with smoke to calm them and make them less likely to sting while honey is extracted from beehives. They were invented in the mid nineteenth century, prior to which bees were killed in order to extract their honey. The invention of the bee smoker was an important innovation in the history of apiary. The Wodonga Historical Society beehive smoker appears to be of the same design as the patented Woodman’s Bingham Bee Smoker, produced from 1878 by T. F. Binghan of Albronia, Michigan. The Wodonga Historical Society beehive smoker is an important artefact connected to local history, and the history of apiary in Wodonga. Beekeeping was a popular pastime in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, and apiaries were subject to regulation by the Wodonga Shire Council. At a 1914 meeting of the council, for instance, a by-law governing beekeeping in Wodonga was enacted after Mrs Smyth complained that Mr Bassett’s bees were swarming the watering holes in her paddocks and preventing livestock from drinking. There were areas within the Wodonga township where apiaries were prohibited, and Mr Bassett’s bees had fallen foul of the law. A canvas, wood and metal beesmoker from the early twentieth century. apiary, bees, beekeeping, honey, apiarists, wodonga, council, wodonga council, wodonga shire council, rural, livestock

Dry plate photography was a photographic technology invented by R.L. Maddox in 1871. Images were captured on a glass plate covered in a gelatin emulsion, which acted as a photographic negative. A negative could then be stored to develop at a later time in a dark room. The introduction of this technology allowed for greater flexibility in photographic practice outside of indoor studios, as earlier wet plate photographic technology required immediate exposure and development. Dry plate photography was superseded by the invention of celluloid film in the early twentieth century. This object forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of social life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history, social history, and the history of photography.Box of dry glass negative plates for developing photographs. In pencil on face of box "MR PHIL GEEPER/46 THOMAS MITCHELL DRIVE WOD"photography, wet plate photography, dry plate photography, photos, haeusler collection, history of photography, historical photographs, technology, wodonga

Native Sulphur in its solid form is a yellow crystalline mineral that forms near volcanic vents and fumaroles where it is the solid form of hot gases. It is also frequently found in the subsurface as a by-product of sulphide ore mineralization. In all its forms, sulphur is one of the most commonly occurring minerals on the planet, especially in natural gases, and is key to the make-up of a range of other minerals. It is essential to continuing life on earth, and was used in ancient societies as part of medical care, religious rites, and entertainment, and was key to the invention of gunpowder by the Chinese. Native Sulphur in its solid form is a yellow crystalline mineral that forms near volcanic vents and fumaroles where it is the solid form of hot gases. It is also frequently found in the subsurface as a by-product of sulphide ore mineralization. In all its forms, sulphur is one of the most commonly occurring minerals on the planet, especially in natural gases, and is key to the make-up of a range of other minerals. It is essential to continuing life on earth and was used in ancient societies as part of medical care, religious rites, and entertainment, and was key to the invention of gunpowder by the Chinese. The exact site of extraction for this specimen is unknown, but it was probably collected in New Zealand in the 1850s. Sulphur is significant both for its historical and current uses, and for its nature as one of the most abundant minerals on the planet. Sulphur's importance comes both from its abundance and its role in ensuring survival, creating other minerals, and daily human life. This specimen is significant as representative of sulphur's solid properties. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A solid, small, crystalline mineral specimen that is largely bright yellow, with some darker spotting. geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, sulphur, native sulphur, new zealand, native sulphur specimen, sulphur specimen

A razor strop is flexible strip of leather or canvas used to maintain a shaving edge on a thin blade such as a straight razor. Fine powdered jeweler's rouge or other pastes can be added as an abrasive to polish the blade. The strop may be a hanging strip or a hand-held paddle. This one is a hanging strop. Strops were quite commonly found in barber shops and homes before the invention of the safety razor, They are still used for sharpening tool blades. This one was owned and used by Mr Bill Weston, an early Orbost sleeper cutter.This item is an example of the self-reliance shown by rural families when household necessities were not readily available.A brown leather (probably horse hide) razor strop with a double hook at one end. It consists of two strips of leather with padded 'tongue' at bottom. This is a hanging strop which has a metal swivel on top so that the strop can be turned over while hanging from a hook/peg Front top in gold : MALWA Base in gold: 910razor-strop shaving personal-effects

This butter cooler was used in households to prevent butter from melting in the warmer weather. Ice would have been used in the butter container. The top of the container is domed, indicating the shape of the butter at that time (late 19th century). This butter cooler would have been a costly item and would have graced the dining table of a family that had considerable means. It would have been used on a dining table even after the invention of refrigeration in the 1880s as the eating rooms would have had little or no cooling mechanisms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This butter cooler has no known local provenance but it is a very attractive item and is retained as a good example of a household item no longer in use. It will be very useful for display.This is a silver butter cooler with a circular base with an ornamented edge. The base has a stem holding two highly ornamented arms branching out from the sides. These arms hold an oval container which has a chased silver base and an overhanging chased silver top. Inside the container is the space to hold ice or cold water. On top of the inside of the container sits a small round lid which holds the butter and the ice. The lid has several small holes for the ice water to drain underneath. The base of this lid is impressed with moulded fruit and leaves. The oval container has an over-arching handle attached. This is highly ornamented in fretwork. The sides of the container have two projecting pieces for holding the butter cooler and two other smaller projecting pieces with chains attached for hanging the object. One of these pieces has an oval holder for turning the hinged top of the container to close the container. This top has a chased silver patterning on its top. When the lid is closed the container adapts to a globe or egg shape.‘Made and Guaranteed by Meriden B. Company 5085 U.S.A. household items, history of warrnambool, silver butter cooler