Horse harness is composed of a number of items some leather and other pieces are metal such as these particular ones. The loose attachments allow for the movement of the horse without its muscles being impinged or hampered. There are a number of different types of harness which relate to the type of work or recreation being engaged at the time and for different breeds of horse. Many of the leather straps were also adaptable allowing for different sized horses to use the same set of harness. These items are quite heavy are were possibly used by work horses of an earlier era. They were possibly made locally at one of the many blacksmiths in the town.Parts of a common item from earlier times and as such has historic significance. It opens the discussion of the use of horses in everyday life and work.Three similar oval shaped items with a wider flatter section at one end and a thicker heavier section on the other end. They are made of iron and heavily rusted.history of warrnambool, horse harness

This ink well is of the type used in the 19th and 20th centuries as a container for ink. Because of its smallness it is presumed it was used in a household or small business. Pens and ink wells were used in writing up to about 1950 when fountain pens became more common and the ink was stored more in bottles or cartridges. The advent of the ballpoint pen eliminated the need for ink. This is a green-tinted glass container with a rectangular body and a smaller rectangular neck with an open top. The top of the container near the neck is ridged. The opening is chipped and partly broken off. ‘3’vintage household items, warrnambool

Bullock teams and bullockies were common sights in Australia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Bullock teams were used for the transport of heavy goods such as wool, wheat, timber, sugar cane, farm equipment, building supplies etc. and their presence and that of their colourful bullock drivers in the countryside have become part of Australia bush folklore. Bullocks were often favoured over horses as they could pull heavy loads over rough surfaces and were less expensive to maintain. As the bullock teams frequently varied in size (up to 40 bullocks have been recorded in the one team) the whip was always a very long one. This item is of considerable significance as a memento of the days (19th century and early 20th century) when bullock teams were the common form of transport for heavy goods. As in other parts of Australia, bullock teams were a feature of the area around Warrnambool and created much interest when they arrived in the smaller towns. This is a wooden stick, slightly tapered to the top, with a leather binding at the top with a small knob. Attached to the top of the stick is a whip made of plaited leather. The leather is brown and stained and slightly worn. At the end of the whip is a strip of plain leather with a knot at the end. bullocks and bullockies in the western district, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

These scales are a common type which would have been used in an industrial, farm or produce merchants of the day. many items were sold in bulk with little packaging. With a top weight of 30 lb, items weighed would have been bulky type items.The Avery company manufactured weighing equipment and scales from the 1730's. Scales of many different descriptions were used in sales over the years and these are a good example. These scales are painted black with a circular plate which is slightly dished. it has three chains attached to a metal bar at the top which is serrated and has a counter weight on it. Another attachment to the bar has the hook from which it would hang.The number 1 is on the counter weight.The serrated bar has graduated markings on it in half pound increments up to 30 lb. Avery Ltd to weigh 30 lb is stamped at the end of the bar. warrnambool

The firm of W.D. & H.O. Wills is a British firm which first began making tobacco and cigarettes in Australia in 1913. This tin is a reminder of the times when many people (especially men in rural areas) used to make their own cigarettes (‘rolling your own’). This tin is retained as an example of a tobacco tin in the times when smoking was more popular in society and when pipe smoking and ‘rolling your own’ cigarettes were more common.This is a round tin, originally painted brown, with a vacuum-sealing lid and a red and black painted label on the lid. The label has an image of a farm scene with a log cabin. The base of the tin has a ridge in the middle on to which the lid fits. The tin is empty and very rusty. ‘Log Cabin Fine Cut Tobacco’ ‘To open insert coin under lid and twist’ tobacco tin, log cabin tobacco tin, vintage tobacco tin

This hat pin stand would have been a common object in a woman’s bedroom in the past, especially about the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century when women wore large hats and they needed large pins to hold them in place. This hat pin holder has no known local provenance but it is kept as a memento of the past and will be useful for display.This is a silver-coloured metal stand with a round base with impressed patterns on the top and a central raised oval section containing a circular spike. Near the top of the spike is a circular-shaped piece of metal in a fretwork pattern. This fretwork has been welded on and has space to insert several hat pins women’s accessories, history of warrnambool, hat pin stand

These items are of a high quality and would have come from a household where the occupants had considerable means. It was not common to have silver plating on both of these items. Shaving brushes and strops were essential items for men shaving their faces regularly until the mid to late 20th century when electric shavers became more common. These two items are attractive ones and are retained because they represent a household item of the past and they are a rare example of a shaving strop enclosed within a case. They will be useful for display. .1 This is an extending razor strop made of brown leather. It has a heavily patterned silver handle attached to the leather by metal studs and it is contained within a cylindrical case of plated silver. The case has a heavily-patterned curved base and top and on one side there is an oval outlined space in which to put initials or an inscription. The case has a handle on one end to match the strop handle but this handle is for hanging the item on a hook to keep it upright and stable. This would then enable the user to pull hard on the other handle to use the strop to sharpen a razor .2 This is a shaving brush made of horsehair or other animal hair. It has a silver-plated handle with a double ridge in the middle. It was used to lather a person’s face or skin with cream or soap to lessen chafing during and after shaving. The silver on both items is a little tarnished. ‘British Made Ziff Sterilised’ ‘Falcon Silver Plate Co. Made in England 3533’ household items, history of warrnambool

This fish dish is an attractive household item which would have been used in the early to mid 20th century when the more affluent families in society were entertaining. It is not a common item and most likely would not be seen in households today. This dish has no known local provenance but is of considerable interest as a household item not seen today. It will be useful for display.This fish dish has an electro-plated nickel silver holder with two curved pieces of metal joined at the centre to form a base. There are four round metal balls at each end of the curved metal to stabilise the stand. Four curved metal pieces are attached to the base and hold a rectangular-shaped piece of metal and a handle. Fitting into this piece of metal is a cut glass container which is heavily patterned on the sides and base. The lid of this container is rectangular with rounded edges and silver-plated. The top of the lid has a silver-coloured free-standing fish model attached to the lid by a metal stud. The fish is a little loose on its stand. The handle can be folded down. ‘E P N S 62’ household items, history of warrnambool

This container is one of high quality and would have been found either in a bedroom containing small articles belonging to a woman or in an office or parlour containing small items used by the householder. The container would have been a relatively expensive item to purchase. This container has no known local provenance but it is a very attractive item from times past and one not common even when first purchased. It will be useful for displayThis is a round silver container with a plain base and the sides heavily-impressed with patterns of flowers, fronds and tendrils. There is an oval blank space on one side to insert a name or inscription. The lid is a detached one that fits over the top of the container. The lid has a curved top with the same impressed floral patterns. The name of the maker is on the base but it is difficult to decipher.‘quadruple plate’ Torun (?) …Company household items, history of warrnambool

A serviette ring such as this one would be part of a set of four or more. It would usually hold a starched white serviette and be used for formal dining. It is an object this is still in common use today.This serviette ring has no known local provenance and is kept for display purposes. This is a silver-coloured serviette ring. It is a hollow circle of metal curving slightly outwards at one end. The outer sides are impressed with an ornamental patterning of flowers and tendrils.household items, history of warrnambool

This is a bathroom jug and could have been part of a set for bathroom use. It would have held mainly water, hot or cold. In the days before there were sinks with hot and cold running water in bathrooms, a jug such as this was an essential item and would have been in common use up to the first three decades of the 20th century. Today this item is more likely to be used as a vaseThis jug has no known local provenance and is kept as a memento of a household item in use 100 years ago. This is a large white china jug. The body of the jug is spherical or bulbous shaped, tapering to a smaller neck and a large lip. There is gold trim around the handle, the rim of the top opening, around the base and around the top part of the jug. The handle has a straight edge. The jug is stained inside and there is a small piece of china missing on the base. bathroom accessories, history of warrnambool

This manicure set would have been used in a household in the early 20th century and beyond that date as the contents are usable to this day. The contents of manicure sets do not vary much but the purchase of an expensive silver set would not be common today. This manicure set is of interest as an attractive household item from the past. It will be useful for display.This is a rectangular-shaped wooden box with a black cloth covering. The lid of the box has triangular-shaped sides to allow for the shapes of the contents. The box has two gilt metal clips and the lid is lined inside with padded navy and white cloth. The base of the box is lined inside with navy felt material and has indentations or insets in which to fit the contents pieces. The contents include two pairs of scissors, a nail file, a pair of tweezers, two cuticle repair instruments, a brush or pad and two small jars for holding powder or paste. One jar contains some sort of powder. All the manicure set pieces are made of silver or have silver handles or tops. The silver is tarnished. One pair of scissors may not be the original piece. manicure aids

These over shoes or galoshes would have been worn by a woman wishing to protect the high-heel shoes she was wearing at the time. They would have been used in wintry weather or when walking over rough and wet country roads or tracks, perhaps when going dancing or to a function of some sort. With the advent of common car use and better roads, this type of over-shoe would no longer be used today.These shoes are of interest as examples of the footwear worn by women in the mid 20th century to protect lighter and more fragile shoes. This is a pair of black rubber over-shoes or galoshes for wearing over high-heeled shoes. They have moulded rubber soles with high heels, rubber uppers with a flap to cover the ankles and an opening with two metal press studs with black button tops. The inside is lined with light brown cloth. ‘Dunlop’ ‘DZM’ ‘LZA’ women’s fashions, history of warrnambool

An item such as this would have been used by a woman to put on her boots and lace them up. Button up boots were used extensively in the 19th and early 20th centuries and this item would have been common in households at that time.This item has no known local provenance but is retained as an interesting memento of the past.This is a metal shoe horn at one end of the item with a curved button hook at the other end. The item is much worn and stained.women's accessories, shoe horn, button hook, warrnambool history

This booklet was written by the Rev. J. E. (Eric) Owen in response to the campaign regarding the playing of Sunday sport in Warrnambool in the 1960s. The specific point of contention was the playing of football on Warrnambool City Council-managed grounds. The article written by the Rev. Owen concluded that there was nothing inherently wrong with the playing of Sunday sport. The Rev. Eric Owen served as the Presbyterian Minister at St. John’s Church in Warrnambool from December 1960 to 1965, dying in office in the May of 1965. Today Sunday sport, both organized and recreational, is an acceptable and common occurrence. This booklet is of interest as one written by a local Warrnambool person in the 1960s and as a memento of the time when the playing of Sunday sport was a contentious issue. This is a booklet of four pages. It has a pale blue cover with dark blue printing and a decorative edging around the printing. The pages are loose within the cover.

These badges were produced about 1918 or 1919 to gain finds to assist Australian soldiers discharged from the armed forces after serving in World War One. One source suggests that the badges were sold only in South Australia and raised £500,000 but, as these badges are part of the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society in Victoria it is likely that they were sold throughout Australia. The sale of badges such as these was a common way of raising funds for charitable causes, especially during World War One and also during the first half of the 20th century. These badges are retained as examples of the type of badges sold during World War One. They will be useful for display purposes. .1 A circular-shaped metal badge with a gold outer edging and a brown background with a laurel wreath, a star and brown printing within a cream-coloured heart. The badge has a clip at the back. .2 as above Discharged Soldiers’ Fund For Our Returned Soldiers Copyright world war one, warrnambool, history of warrnambool, australian soldiers, south australia

This kettle is a common household item and would have been used on the top of a wood stove. Copper was commonly used as it is an excellent conductor of heat. Elements of its construction would point to it being manufactured by hand. It could have originated from local plumber Alex Anderson who operated from Fairy St in the period 1920-1940. This is a common household item from the early 20th century when most household would have relied on wood stoves for cooking. As a handmade item it also has significance as an example of skills from earlier times.Circular copper kettle with lid with copper handle and handle with black bakelite handle which is eight ridges .The handle is rivetted to the body of the kettle.The base is rolled over the body of the kettle around the edge.The spout has a join along the top.warrnambool, copper kettle, alex anderson

These scales came from the Nullawarre Post Office, Nullawarre being approximately 25 ks East of Warrnambool. It is a small centre for the local farming community and has some services including a store, school and hall. The Post Office has closed in more recent times and these scales are one of a number of items which came to the WDHS on its closure including a brass fire extinguisher and a 1969 telephone book. Charles Williams was a postmaster at one time and Vida Williams was post mistress. These scales are an interesting and common item with a strong connection to a local community area.These scales have a cast metal frame with a circular base and a circular vertical section which frames a brass measurement circular plate which is marked in increments up to 11 lbs and held in place with two screws. There is a rectangular metal plate at the top on which the item to be weighed would be placed. The item is quite heavy in weight.On the brass plate,: POSTAL PARCEL BALANCE SALTER'S. NO. 25 BRITISH MADE.11 LB x 1/2 OZ. Underneath this is the Salter logo.warrnambool, nullawarre post office, charles williams, vida williams

This stool appears to have been home-made. It was used in the days (first half of the 20th century) when cows were mostly milked by hand. It was most likely to have been used to milk a house cow, perhaps in Warrnambool or a nearby town. The cow would have been kept during the day time on the town common and brought back to the home for milking and returned to the common the next day. The production of milk, cheese and butter has been an important industry in the Warrnambool district since the second half of the 19th century, with the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory at Allansford being established in 1888. It is the oldest surviving dairy company in Australia. This stool is of considerable interest as an example of the stools used when cows were hand milked and when many households in the towns and outer areas had a house cow to supply milk for the household. This is a hand-made wooden milking stool with a rectangular piece of wood for the seat and four rounded legs that taper slightly outwards. The legs have been inserted into four holes on the top seating part. The seat has a small circular hole in the middle. The stool is well-worn. dairying in western victoria

This kettle would have been used on top of a wood stove to boil water to make tea and other beverages and to use for other household purposes. It would have been a common household item in Australian homes from the beginning of European settlement up about the mid 20th century when wood stoves, although still in use in many country areas, were largely superseded by gas or electric stoves in most households. The kettle was made of durable material as it usually remained on the top of the stove for most of the day so that hot water was readily available. This kettle is retained as an example of an essential household item used in the past. It will be useful for display.This is a circular-shaped black iron kettle with a handle and a spout. The lid is circular. The kettle is rusting inside. vintage household items, history of warrnambool

Scales such as these were used to measure commercial quantities possibly grains and farm produce for quite large amounts of product.Bags of the product would have been hooked up and weighed. Salter has been a name long associated with weights and measures. Salters had their beginnings in England in the 1760's with a background in springs which are a main component of many scales. The actual mechanism for weighing objects in such scales has remained similar for over two centuries.These scales would have been a common item in most commercial operations which bought and sold items in bulk and have historical and scientific significance.Cast iron frame with circular brass face painted black.. There is a round metal ring at the top which runs through a circular metal section of the frame. A hook is attached to the bottom of the frame through a similar metal circle. The brass face has graduated markings in 1 lbs increments up to 150 lbs. On top section of scale face:Salter's Spring Balance. British Made. On lower section of scales face:To weigh 150 lb. Salter trademark of rope and anchor. warrnambool, salter scales, commercial scales, spring balance scales

This fire extinguisher was used for commercial purposes in the Nullawarre Post office. The item was made in England by the Pyrene Co Ltd (1914-1971), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fire fighting equipment in the early to mid 20th century. The extinguisher had a pump action and probably contained carbon tetrachloride. Nullawarre is a small agricultural settlement 25 kilometres south east of Warrnambool. The Nullawarre area was settled in the late 1860s and 1870s and today has a store and Post Office and a school. Charles Williams was the Post Master at Nullawarre in the early to mid 20th century and also delivered the mail. His wife, Vida was the Post Mistress. This fire extinguisher is of interest firstly as an example of a common item used commercially in the past and secondly as an item that came from the Nullawarre Post Office, used in this commercial building in the early to mid 20th century. This is a metal fire extinguisher which has been painted but the paint is mostly worn away. It is cylindrical in shape with ridged areas at the base and top. It has a clip handle. The cylinder is empty.‘Pyrene’vintage fire extinguishers, nullawarre post office, warrnambool

This object would have been used to place on a jacket around the button area. The buttons would have been brass and on a uniform of some sort; probably one belonging to the armed forces or a bandsman or a public utility such as the fire brigade. The source of the lettering has not been traced. An item such as this could still be used today.This item has been retained as a memento of past times when dress uniforms for men were more common.Brass flat oval shape with narrow space ending with a round space in the centre. There are some dents and stains on it.V A 1043 then crossed out 1070

A safari helmet was also called a pith helmet as it was made of sholapith material. It was first used by the Spanish forces in the Spanish East Indies and by the mid 19th century was used extensively by military forces in tropical countries and then became common civilian headwear for westerners in the tropics by the end of the 19th century. Safari helmets are still won today in tropical countries by both men and women and are part of the dress or ceremonial uniform for many members of the armed forces and music bands. This helmet has no known local provenance but is retained for display purposesThis is a pith or safari helmet made from a cream-coloured stiffened fabric. The crown has six segments with a small dome on top with three arch-shaped breathing holes. Around the edge of the crown is a white or stiffened cream cloth (puggaree) intertwined in layers and stitched onto the crown. The brim is peaked at the front and oblong at the back and tapered from front to back. The pleated cloth band is stiffened and has two brass clips. The edge of the brim is reinforced, perhaps with wire. Inside the helmet is the brass base of the top dome in eight circular sections. The interior of the helmet has green cloth in a damaged state. headwear, history of warrnambool

These items are typical of souvenir items which would have been commonly purchased by visitors and locals alike.The Warrnambool war memorial is one of the city's most recognisable monuments. The granite column is is 38 feet tall, and topped by the Angel of Peace.At the base is an Australian Soldier with head bowed which is carved in Italian marble. The monument is backed by a wall which has the names of 1100 soldiers from the First World War from Warrnambool and district. of whom 240 were killed. The names of WW 2 soldiers who lost their lives were added on the western section after that conflict. A common object which relates to one of Warrnambool's important landmarks..1 Spoon. .2 Fork. A silver spoon and fork both with a patterned handle with a medallion with an oval image of the Warrnambool War Memorial.It is in enamelled in colours of blue white green with outline in metal. The enamelled ovals are both surrounded by a silver scalloped rim. Both are in a red box with white text and have a clear cellulose cover. Peninsula plate EPNS A1. Soldier's memorial Warrnambool. Swann and Hudson Peninsula Plate is printed on the box.warrnambool, souvenir spoon, souvenir fork, warrnambool war memorial

A souvenir or promotional item for the Warrnambool Woollen Mill. Playing cards was a very popular and common pass time in the 20th century with a variety of games being played, some of which survive to this day.A common object which is related to one of Warrnambool's longest running businesses.A green cardboard box containing two packs of playing cards.The sets of cards have the same image of Warrnambool blankets with one set edged in orange and one in blue. With Compliments of The Warrnambool Woollen Mill Co Ltd, on the box. Warrnambool luxury blankets , Warrnambool Paradise on the cards. warrnambool, warrnambool woollen mill

This shoehorn is a typical household item which has been used since the Middle Ages to assist in manipulating shoes onto the feet. They are made from a variety of materials with horn being a popular and common material and being readily available in many cases are simply honed down to a smooth shape. The age of this particular one is unknown. A common item made from natural material which would have historical and social interest and significance.Made from a cow's horn, this is fawn to grey in colour with the narrow end more of a striped nature with the bottom section, a plain grey them cream. It remains a horn shape and has been filed to suit its purpose, that of a shoe horn.warrnambool, history of warrnambool, shoe horn

In 1869, the Warrnambool Meat Preserving Company commenced their business on the site, where it operated until 1875 when it was sold to the directors of the Warrnambool Woolen Mill Company. After being destroyed by fire in 1882 it wasn’t until 1910 that the Warrnambool Chamber of Commerce was approached by Marcus Saltau and Peter McGennan to invest in a new mill. The original directors were James Dickson, P J McGennan, Robert Swinton, M Saltau, and J W Younger. In 1955 the Warrnambool Woollen Mill formed a partnership with the Wangaratta Woollen Mills. Dunlop bought the mill in 1968. From that time until its closure in 2000 it had a number of different owners, the last being the Smith Family Industries.These coasters were part of the 75th Anniversary celebrations.A common item which has significance as it has links to one of Warrnambool's longest operating businesses.A boxed set of six coasters which are metal coloured gold. Each has an outline of Australia with text Buy Australian and the Australian flag. there is text below the outline. The backs are dark blue felt. Buy Australian Warrnambool Textiles A paper insert has " In recognition of your Safety Performance.75th Anniversary Warrnambool Textiles 1909-1984.warrnambool, warrnambool woollen mill, warrnambool woollen mill 1975

These three items are common items which were used by women in early 20th century.These items are simple common items which would have been in many households.1 Needle case . Cylindrical metal case with a black and silver label. .2 a number of hair slides in a paper packet. .3 a silver spring clasp.1 Stamped on one end: best of English steel needles. Numbered from 4-8 around the top. lewis &Baylis Redditch England..2. Brunette Brown Hair Pins..3 THV alongside hallmarkneedlecase, glove clip, scarf clip, hairpins

This is a manual hedge trimmer which has a push pull action. It is not a very common garden tool possibly a lot slower to use than clippers. It dates from mid 20th century.This is quite a rare tool.This tool is consists of a metal bar with a row of prongs attached . A blade on one end is moved along the length of the metal bar thereby trimming the bush. There is a wooden handle attached to the metal bar and a wooden ball and spring on the righthand side.Code Half Time. Made in England Pat App No 16418/49warrnambool, tool, hedgetrimmer, code halftime