A Bread fork was mainly used in Victorian times, when touching food was frowned up. Even in common households, you had to have a bread fork to help yourself to the bread from a bread basket in the middle of table. Bread was an important part of any meal, and would be served as a side dish to most dinners, so bread forks were in common to use. More expensive ones would be made from silver and be very ornately decorated. An engraved, silver-plated Bread fork with a bone handle cutlery, forks, cheltenham, moorabbin, early settlers, bentleigh, silver-plate, bread forks, victorian etiquette,

Frank Cobb founded his business in West Street , Sheffield in 1903. The firm specialised in plated goods, but also registered marks for silver with Sheffield Assay Office in 1903, 1905 and 1907. The firm grew steadily and aquired Boardman, Glossop & Co in 1923. By 1927 the workforce numbered 250. The manufacture of stainless steel table knives helped the firm expand further in the 1930s, moving to Howard Works in Broad Street in 1933. Records at Sheffield Assay Office indicate that Frank Cobb registered the firm's mark 'FC' on the 15th November 1934. The Frank Cobb Group of companies continued in business well beyond the death of Cobb himself in 1957, eventually being liquidated in 1986. This Stainless steel knife with a bone handle is typical of the cutlery used by early settlers in Moorabbin shire c1930A stainless steel table knife with a bone handle used for the main course of a mealFRANK COBB & C0. / CUTLERS SHEFFIELD / FIRTH'S STAINLESScutlery, stainless steel, frank cobb & co sheffield, england, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh,

WALTER THORNHILL SP London The firm established in 1734 by Joseph Gibbs changed its style in early 19th century to Morley & Thornhill. The firm changed to Thornhill & Co (1820), Walter Thornhill (1850), Walter Thornhill & Co (1875) Walter Thornhill & Co Ltd (1895) and Walter Thornhill & Co (1905). Advertisement in The Argus, Saturday January 22 1921 FOY & GIBSON'S Pty Ltd. Smith Street Collingwood Summer Fair Bargains Thornhill. Bednal, and Co.' Ivoride Handle TABLE KNIVES, stainless steel blades, 35/- per ½ dozen. Per TROVE A butter knife with stainless steel blade and bone handle on blade ; TRADE 'ORIS' MARK / THORNHILL, BEDNAL & CO. / SHEFFIELD ENG. / STAINLESS STEELbutter knife, sheffield england, cheltenham, moorabbin, bentleigh, early settlers, pioneers, cutlery, stainless stell, thornhill bednal & co

A metal candlestick shaped like a leaf with and coiled metal finger hold lights, candles, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham

White enamel jugs with graduated measurements were use by early settler women when measuring liquids for cooking and preserving foodA Measuring jug used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900A white enamel jug with graduated measurements to 40oz / 2pintsSWEDENkitchen equipment, cooking, crockery, casserole, stewed meat, vegetables, early settlers , market gardeners, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenhsm,

A typical enamel jug used by families in City of Moorabbin for measuring liquids for cooking and preserving c1970A typical enamel measuring jug used by families in City of Moorabbin c1970A cream enamel jug with a green rim graduated measurements 40 oz, 2 pints, 1000gramsInside jug graduated measurements 40oz, 2 pints 1000gms kitchen equipment, cooking, crockery, casserole, stewed meat, vegetables,post world war 11 settlers, moorabbin estates c1970, early settlers , market gardeners, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenham,

This cheese cutter was made and used by an early settler family in Moorabbin Shire c 1900Early settler families in Moorabbin Shire were self sufficient making their own tools , kitchen equipment, and clothing while they established market gardens, dairy farms , poultry farms, orchards and flower nurseries. Each family had a 'house cow ' to provide dairy products of milk, cheese, cream and butter.A wooden frame with wire cross pattern for cutting cheesecheese cutter, equipment, box cottage, dairy

A china plate with cover to protect cheese

A china plate with cover for protecting cheese. Rose pattern

Bakelite crockery became inexpensive and popular c 1930 and was used for a variety of goods because of its almost unbreakable quality. . Gladys Reed was a member of the Ormond Choral Society c 1950. who performed plays and musicals the City of Moorabbin. Bakelite became affordable and plentiful so it was used in many homes like Gladys Reed in City of Moorabbin c1960 Green bakelite cup, saucer, egg cup c1930bakelite, crockery, clothing, manufactured lace, dressmaking, blouses, theatrical props, craftwork, sequins, beading, early settlers, moorabbin shire, mechanics institute cheltenham, ormond choral society, postworld war 11 settlers, housing estates moorabbin 1950, bentleigh, ormond, moorabbin, cheltenham, drama societies, musical society cheltenham, clark judy

Earthenware is lightly fired, readily absorbs water if not glazed, and does not allow light to pass through it. Coarse earthenware is made from clay and grog (ground up fired pot). There are two main types of glazed earthenware: One is covered with a transparent lead glaze; when the earthenware body to which this glaze is applied has a cream colour, the product is called creamware. The second type, covered with an opaque white .in glaze, is variously called tin-enamelled, or tin-glazed, earthenware, majolica, faience, or delft. G&S marking could be Grove & Stark, Longton, England (1871-1884). In the 19th century, J. & G. Meakin ,1851 based in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, was known for the vast quantities of cheap ironstone china it produced for the domestic English market and for export to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. Grove & Stark were taken over by Meakin early 20thC The Mark could also be Gibson & Sons (Ltd), were notably manufacturers of earthenware Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. Founded around 1885 and traded until the mid 1970's. They were previously Gibson, Sudlow & Co. Manufactured between 1885 to 1905. Small earthen-ware, black-glazed tea-pot. 8 sided. The body of the tea-pot is decorated with hand-painted gold flowers and raised cream flowers. The lid is also hand -painted with green leaves and flowers. This floral pattern is named "Garland" The lid is not of the same pattern as the base. The spout was broken when brush tailed possum entered Cottage via chimney 27/4/2014. Can be repairedOn the base of the tea-pot. Makers Mark is G & S. "Garland". (Pattern), Rg. No. 175153. Also 'Made in England'. Under glaze there is the word: England.crockery, earthenwarre, gibson & son ltd, grove & stark ltd, pioneers, early settlers, bentleigh, market gardeners, moorabbin, cheltenham, pottery, stoke- on - trent, england, longton, burslem, wedgwood

This crumb tray with brush was used to clear crumbs spilt during meal times from the tableSmall timber poker-work crumb tray and brush. Both also have hand-painted decoration, and wording. There is a colourful painted scene of a couple seated in front of a fire-place, with the words "Darby and Joan".At the back of the tray base the words " Crumb Tray" are painted. The words "Darby and Joan" are painted on the tray. At the rear of the tray there is the price 1/6 in lead pencil.pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, craftwork

Spills and tapers were used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire to light fires, candles and gas lamps. . Late 19 century. A light-wieght black enamelled tin for holding spills and wax tapers. Spills and tapers were used to light fires and gas lamps. The tin is decorated with gold scrolls, and green and blue flowers. The paint work is damaged. No makers mark.kitchen equipment, lights, candles, fireplaces, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, market gardeners

Wax tapers were used by early settlers in Moorabbin Shire to light fires, candles and gas lamps. A narrow and shallow, cardboard box with blue and white label on the top. "Price's Dropless White tapers" " Medium" 2ounces "for lighting candles and gas fires". Makers mark is a sailing ship, set in an oval with the words "Ship Brand". Around the circumference of the oval are the words " London, Liverpool, Price's Candle Company Limited.kitchen equipment, lights, candles, fireplaces, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, market gardeners

Electro Plated Silver cutlery. Part-set comprising of 2 teaspoons, 1 butter-knife and 1 sugar- tongs in an olive coloured cotton-sateen lined, embossed-paper covered box.EPNSkitchen equipment, cutlery, silverplate, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, market gardeners

Earthenware, 2 teacups, 2 saucers, 2 side plates and 1 cereal bowl with side plate in 'Real Old Willow' pattern. Traditional dark blue Willow Pattern, with hand-painted gold rims. Small Willow Pattern cameo at the base inside each cup.Pattern Number 8025. Small Willow Pattern cameo at the base inside each cup.ornaments, earthenware, booths pty ltd, tunstall, england, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, ormond, market gardeners

Small white child's china cup with handle, c 1950 -60. Colourful transfer-printed decoration of children playing with a selection of toys. Possibly part of child's tea-set.Stamped made in Czechoslovakia. Colourful transfer-printed decoration of children playing with a selection of toys.ornaments, kitchen equipment, crockery, chinaware, czechoslovakia, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, ormond, market gardeners

Early settlers had to be self sufficient, growing their own vegetables, making tools and clothing and usually had a house cow to produce their milk supply. .All the buttermilk separated from the butterfat had to be rinsed out. This would improve texture and flavour, and also help the butter keep well, since milk turns rancid more quickly than fat alone. Salt was usually mixed in at this stage - for flavour and preservation. The rinsing could be done simply by washing in water, followed by draining, salting and working or "kneading" the butter with a pair of wooden butter pats, or with bare hands. c1880 A pair of wooden butter patspioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, cheltenham, milk, dairy farmers, butter pats, dairy cows

Early settlers had to be self sufficient, growing their own vegetables, making tools and clothing and usually had a house cow to produce their milk supply. .All the buttermilk separated from the butterfat had to be rinsed out. This would improve texture and flavour, and also help the butter keep well, since milk turns rancid more quickly than fat alone. Salt was usually mixed in at this stage - for flavour and preservation. The rinsing could be done simply by washing in water, followed by draining, salting and working or "kneading" the butter with a pair of wooden butter pats, or with bare hands. c1880 2 wooden butter patsearly settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, cheltenham, dairy farmers, dairy cows, milk, butter

Early settlers could only obtain clean water by sinking a well on their land. A pump was built to draw water for use by the family and this tin dipper would have been used for drinking water. The Lachlan Mackinnon family were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireEarly settlers had to sink wells on their land and build water pumps in order to obtain water. This tin dipper would have been used for drinking at the water pump . In 1846 Lachlan and Charles Mackinnon bought 117 acres of land in the 'Dendy's Special Survey' from J.B.Were This area is now known as the suburb of 'McKinnon' and may have been named after them.A tin water-dipper for obtaining drinking water from water pumpmoorabbin, wells, water supply, pioneers, ormond, bentleigh, mckinnon, market gardeners, early settlers, kitchen equipment, water pumps, mackinnon jessie, mackinnon donald, mackinnon lachlan, mackinnon charles, mackinnon daniel

The invention of the Coolgardie Safe is credited to Arthur Patrick McCormick, a contractor in Coolgardie, and later the Mayor of Narrogin. Coolgardie is in the Eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia. Gold was first discovered there in 1892; the townsite became a municipality in 1894, and by 1898 its population of 15,000 made it the third largest town in Western Australia after Perth and Fremantle. In the last decade of the 19th century, Coolgardie was the capital of the West Australian goldfields. Being 180 kilometres from the nearest civilisation, food supplies were initially scarce and expensive. As fresh food was a valuable commodity there was incentive to preserve it, and keep it out of reach of scavengers such as birds, dingos, dogs, ants, and flies. It was in an effort to do this, in the extreme heat of the Australian Interior, that McCormick came up with his design for the Coolgardie Safe. McCormick noticed that a wet bag placed over a bottle cooled its contents. He further noted that if this bottle was placed in a breeze, the bag would dry out more quickly, but the bottle would get colder. What McCormick had discovered was the principle of evaporation: ‘to change any liquid into a gaseous state requires energy. This energy is taken in the form of heat from its surroundings.’ Employing this principle, McCormick made a box for his provisions which he covered with a wet hessian bag. He then placed a tray on top, into which he poured water twice daily. He hung strips of flannel from the tray so that water would drip down onto the hessian bag, keeping it damp. As the water evaporated, the heat dissipated, keeping the food stored inside cool and fresh. The success of McCormick’s invention would not have worked without a steady supply of water. Fresh water was scarce in the eastern goldfields at this time but the demand for water from a steadily growing population encouraged innovation. The solution was to condense salt water. Heating salt water in tanks produced steam that was condensed in tall cylinders, cooled and then collected in catchment trays. By 1898 there were six companies supplying condensed water to the goldfields, the largest company producing 100,000 gallons of water a day. In the early 20th century, Coolgardie Safes were also manufactured commercially. These safes incorporated shelving and a door, had metal or wooden frames and hessian bodies. The feet of the safe were usually placed in a tray of water to keep ants away. (MAV website) The early settlers of Moorabbin Shire depended on this type of Food Safe to protect their food from flies and vermin as they established market gardens in the fertile area around the notorious Elster Creek A metal framed, 4 sided structure standing on 4 legs with 2 hinged doors on one side, a metal tray at base of food safe and a metal cover over top. Ridges on which to rest trays carrying food are inside safe. The Safe is enclosed by fly-wire mesh.'...IN.....GEELONG' A manufacturer's oval metal plate is embossed on one side of Safe but it is illegible.elster creek, moorabbin, brighton, dendy's special survey 1841, market gardens, infant mortality, disease, cemeteries, fruit, vegetables, pioneers, coolgardie safe, mccormick arthur patrick, dendy henry, vaccination, jones martha, jones ethel may

c1881 Henry W Seely, of New Jersey, USA, designed and patented an electric sad iron for pressing and smoothing material. He continued to modify and improve his designs, with his partner Richard Dyer, and other electrical appliance firms, e.g Hotpoint, began producing these flat irons that could provide continuous heat by connecting via an electrical flex to a light socket and hence without the need for hot fires, ash, or burning hot handles. Women with access to an electricity supply were delighted and their ironing chore became much less arduous No heat was felt at all from the iron as it is all concentrated on the bottom surface. By the early 20th century enthusiasm was building for the new electric smoothing irons: clean, powerful, adjustable, and labour-saving. This c1935 Premier System 'Smoothwell' flat iron was used by a resident of City of Moorabbin and is an example of the progress made from the sad irons used by the pioneers that are displayed beside it.A "Premier Smoothwell" electric flat iron with switched control lead and original box, c 1935 On plate of handle attached to Iron ' HARRODS Ltd. / LONDON On attached plate at rear of iron ' The "SMOOTHWELL" / "Premier System" /......... Plate on cord Plug " PREMIER/ FLAT IRON CONNECTOR/ THIS SIDE OUTWARDS/ (2 columns) 1) FOR 100-125 VOLTS/ USE THREE TERMINALS/ THUS ..... 2) FOR 200 - 240 VOLTS/ USE TWO RIGHT/ HAND TERMINALS/ ONLY/ THUS......seely henry w., sad irons, electric flat irons, dyer richard, edison thomas, hotpoint pty ltd., premier electric company birmingham england, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, laundry, sewing, craftwork, table ware, irons

Common soap was made from mixing animal fat with potash a form of the potassium based alkali present in plant and wood material. Early settlers, made their own soap from the waste fats and ashes they saved from their daily work. They did not then have to rely on waiting for soap to be shipped from England and waste their goods or money in trade for soap. In making soap the first ingredient required was a liquid solution of potash commonly called lye. Animal fat, when removed from the animals during butchering, must be rendered to remove all meat tissues and cooking residue before soap of any satisfactory quality can be made from it. To render, fats and waste cooking grease were placed in a large kettle with an equal amount of water. Then the kettle was placed over the open fire outdoors, because the smell from rendering the fats was too strong to wish in anyone's house. The mixture of fats and water were boiled until all the fats had melted. After a longer period of boiling to insure completion of melting the fats, the fire was stopped and into the kettle was placed another amount of water about equal to the first amount of water. The solution was allowed to cool down and left over night. By the next day the fats had solidified and floated to the top forming a layer of clean fat. All the impurities being not as light as the fat remained in water underneath the fat. In another large kettle or pot the fat was placed with an amount of lye solution ( known by experience ). This mixture was boiled until the soap was formed - 6-8 hours - a thick frothy mass, and a small amount placed on the tongue caused no noticeable "bite". The next day a brown jelly like slippery substance was in the kettle and this was 'soft soap' . To make hard soap, common salt was thrown in at the end of the boiling and a hard cake of soap formed in a layer at the top of the pot. But as salt was expensive most settlers used 'soft soap',. The soap could be scented with oils such as lavender for personal use. These 3 cakes of home-made soap are examples of the self sufficiency of the early settlers as they had to be self reliant ,growing food and making and mending their own farm equipment, tools and clothes while establishing their market gardens in Moorabbin Shire3 cakes of home-made, white hard household soap. 1 cake of soap eaten by a brush tailed possum when he entered the Cottage via the chimney 27/4/2014soap making, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, brighton, dendy's special survey 1841. kitchen equipment, laundry equipment, bentleigh

The sections of this wardrobe can be lifted apart so that it can be transported easily and when assembled provides suitable hanging and storage space for the clothes and bed covers of an early settler family This wardrobe is of a type commonly used by early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900Wooden Wardrobe with 3 sections- top, hanging space with a central oval glass window, a shallow central drawer and 2 doors with key locks, and drawer section with 2 deep drawers early settlers, market gardeners, poultry farmers, mechanics institutes, furniture, kitchen equipment, clothing, drapery, haberdashery, green pederson carol, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, parish of moorabbin, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis,

As the population of Melbourne grew, and market gardens flourished, profits from food production enabled early settler families to enjoy nicer crockery and furnishingsTypical crockery used by residents of City of Moorabbin during 20thCA floral china eggcup holder with 4 four eggcupsmoorabbin shire, city of moorabbin, early settlers, kitchenware, china plates, egg cups, market gardeners, poultry farms, pottery,

Early settler market gardeners had a good source of nourishing food and casseroles and stews were common meals for the families in Moorabbin Shire. Typical of the crockery used in early 20thC homes to cook casseroles and stews for early settler families in Moorabbin ShireA green crockery casserole dish with a lidkitchen equipment, cooking, crockery, casserole, stewed meat, vegetables, early settlers , market gardeners, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenhsm,

The early settler women of Moorabbin Shire managed the household while their market gardener husbands cultivated the produce to be sold at the market Normal daily life involved washing clothes, ironing, cooking meals and baking cakes, scones, bread, and pastries. whilst caring for the children and making and mending the family's clothes The early settler women of Moorabbin Shire had to be self sufficient and were skillful cooks providing meals for their familiesAn a assortment of metal pastry, biscuit and scone cutters and tartlet tins with straight and scalloped edges in original condition with no repairs. kitchen equipment, cooking, baking, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenham, market gardeners, farmers,

Teaspoons of Loose Leaf Tea are placed in the china or earrthenware teapot then boiling water is added with the lid replaced an infusion occurs. Holding the handle the hot drink is poured from the spout through a strainer into a cup, mug or pannekin and milk, sugar or lemon may be added This drink was very popular with early settlers in Moorabbin Shire. The Temperance Society built a Tea Palace in Mentone - now Kilbreda College. The tea leaf was imported from Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and stored in tall silos in Melbourne where it was packaged and delivered to grocery stores.The early settlers in Moorabbin Shire enjoyed a well brewed pot of tea several times during the day.An opaque white china teapottea leaf, teapot, china crockery, earthenware, tea palaces, mentone, bentleigh, moorabbin shire, cheltenham, ceylon, temperance society, billy tea,

Market gardeners in Moorabbin Shire had many successful seasons and bought luxury items with their profitsAs market gardeners and other early settlers achieved prosperity they purchased luxury items.A silver embossed serving bowl with 4 curved legs and a lid with finial and embossed rim silverware, serving bowls, dinnerware, early settlers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, moorabbin shire, cheltenham, market gardeners,

A white china cup with 2 saucers c1950 commonly used by post World War 2 residents of the City of MoorabbinAfter World War 2 more market gardens were sold in allotments to the returning soldiers and the population of the City of Moorabbin increased dramatically. White china cup and 2 two saucers c1950Japankitchen equipment, crockery, post war settlers, city of moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, highett, tea sets,