Michael Crooks was the auctioneer responsible for selling Australia's million dollar wool bale on the 11th January, 1995 in Geelong, using this gavel. The wool was shorn from sheep of the Wyndarra and Rockbank bloodlines. A flock of 290 sheep were kept undercover at Kadinia, the property of the Appledore family from Brim in the Wimmera district of Victoria. Their record-breaking wool was produced by giving the sheep a special diet and providing each one with a UV-protective coat. Around 180 fleeces were selected for the million dollar bale. The sale of the first bale of wool measuring below 14 microns was held in the Auction Room here at the National Wool Museum. Bidding began at 40,000 (cents a kilogram) and steadily increased until there were only two bidders left. The bidders represented the Japanese firm Aoki International and Loro Piana of Italy. The hammer fell at 1,030,000 cents per kilogram, with Aoki International paying $1,194,800 for the 116kg bale. The fleece was scoured (cleaned) at the Goulburn Wool Scour, New South Wales. The degree of preparation and care taken with the task was extreme. The Scour closed production three days before and was extensively cleaned. On the day of scouring 12 tonnes of 17 micron wool was washed to condition the water, then nine bales of extra super fine wool, worth over $300,000 was washed as a trial run. Toabo Agaki Japan was employed to process the scoured wool into suit cloth. Taobo required the scoured wool to contain 0.5% residual grease, 12% moisture and a yield of 83kg. These requirements were met. The entire staff of the Scour wanted to be part of washing the best wool in the world. Without asking for payment both the night shift and afternoon shift crews assisted the day shift in the task. The bale was fed into the scour in seven minutes and fitted into three bowls, half the scour. It completely disappeared into the dryer and the last wool was fed before the first wool was out. The clean wool was hand-packed into cardboard cartons and freighted to Japan. Aoki International, based in Yokohama Japan, cut three suit lengths from the cloth, then blended the remaining wool into an exclusive line of commercially-available suits. These suits are labelled Kadinia.Small wooden hammer, with handle and double sided face.gavel, michael crooks, auctioneer, wool industry, million dollar bale, geelong, auction, kadinia, appledore

Presented to Cr J K McCaskill by J C Taylor & Sons Pty Ltd.|To lay Foundation Stone of the Ringwood Town Hall 27.6.1936.Wooden handled silver trowel with engravings EPNS - Apex. On trowel: Two bands of circular cut-outs on handle. Small knob on end of handle. In a presentation box - lined with pale blue silk. +Additional Keywords: McCaskill, Cr J K / Taylor, J C & SonsPresented to Cr J K McCaskill by J C Taylor & Sons Pty Ltd.; To lay Foundation Stone of the Ringwood Town Hall 27.6.1936.

No information is available on the history of this item but it was common in the 19th and early 20th centuries to have household items made from animal bone. Sometimes it was bone from more exotic animals from Asia and India. This item may have been used to attach a decoration to the hair. This item has no known local significance but it is of interest as an item used in the past and will be useful for display.This is a hair comb with a curved handle and a coarse comb section . It is made of some sort of animal bone and has one of the edges of the comb section broken off. It has three holes on the handle for attachment to other objects and there are several holes in the material, one around one of the holes in the handle.hair comb, warrnambool, bone hair comb

This iron is typical of the electric irons used in the 1950s. It didn't have a thermostat like the irons that followed so care had to be taken not to leave it on too long. Women in their domestic role used irons.The Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme commenced in the late 1940s when Mt Beauty township was created. Amongst the shops in the main street was an SEC shop which sold electrical items. "Creda" Electric Iron with plug-in cord. A metal steel base iron with a wooden handle and a thumb rest. The handle is bolted onto the iron with 2 large screws. The cord is coloured maroon except where it is repaired with black tape. The cord socket plugs in behind the handle of the iron. CREDA Cat. No 6; Man. No.; Volt 200; AMPS 2.7 iron, laundry, household, electric, pressing clothes, domestic

This bottle comes from the Warrnambool aerated water factory of Reg Reeves. This factory, in Koroit Street, Warrnambool, was established in the 1860s as the Union Cordial Factory by John Davis and then bought by John Fletcher in 1885. Fletcher’s business continued until 1930 when it was bought by Ralph Reeves. Coming to Warrnambool about 1900, Ralph Reeves managed a Banyan Street, Warrnambool cordial factory which had been established by John Rowley. Ralph Reeves bought a business in 1916 at Hamilton and sold it in 1929 to concentrate on the Warrnambool business. Reeves was joined by his son Reg in Warrnambool and Reg operated the business from 1946 to 1972. The trade name of Reeves was still used after Reg Reeves died and continued on for some years. This bottle is of interest as an example of a lemonade bottle form Reeves Cordial Factory in Warrnambool. The Reeves family operated this business in Warrnambool for 40 years. Cordial manufacturing was an important industry in Warrnambool for over 100 years. This is a clear glass lemonade bottle with a round base, a rounded body and a smaller circular neck with a screw top stopper made of composite material. A metal handle is attached to the neck section and it has a coil of metal on the handle for easier handling. The stopper has the name of the manufacturer of the soft drink. ‘R.V.Reeves R.V.R.’ (twice)reeves cordial factory, warrnambool, cordial manufacturing in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

8700.1 - Large wooden box with two pull down latches. 8700.2 - Large wooden box with two pull down latches. 8700.3 - Large brass weight with handle on top. 8700.4 - Large brass weight with handle on top. 8700.5 - Large brass weight with handle on top.

This instrument was used by Dr Fritz Duras (1896-1965), who moved to Australia from Germany in 1937. As his father was Jewish, Duras was forced to leave Germany, and came to Australia to take up a post as director of physical education at Melbourne University. This instrument was part of a collection of instruments given to his son-in-law, Dr Michael Kloss, who was an obstetrician. Dr Kloss subsequently had it engraved and used it in his own practice, before donating the item to the College. Metal instrument used for cervical sutures. Instrument consists of a handle and shaft. The end of the shaft is curved so as the tip of the instrument is almost perpendicular to the handle. The end of the shaft is in the shape of a loop to allow for sutures to be passed through it. The handle of the instrument is engraved with the word 'KLOSS', and the words 'MAW/LONDON'.'KLOSS' 'MAW/LONDON'obstetrics

A meat grinder or mincer was used for mincing or fine chopping of raw or cooked meat, fish, vegetables or similar food. It replaced tools like a mincing knife.A small vintage cast iron mincer with a wooden handle attached to the long cast iron handle. It can be screwed to a table or bench, secured tightly by a two pronged claws. It has a white enamel coated funnel at the top for the meat to be pushed into the mechanism which when the handle is turned operates the inner mechanism which forces the minced meat out through a side opening. The cast iron handle is curved.'Loveload London 1'domestic objects, kitchen equipment, cooking equipment, meat grinders, meat mincers

Pattern 1903 Sword Bayonet Leather scabbard painted black Kings Crown on blade 1903 Initials SOD stamped into handle painted black possibly from 1988 pattern sword bayonet

The cedar sideboard has two cupboard doors below two corresponding drawers. The style is in keeping with the completion date of the lightstation in 1884, when furniture in the late nineteenth century had squarer, more defined lines and angles, and ornamental features. This sideboard is a modest version of this trend combining a pediment‐shaped back board with turned side columns and finials, rectangular mirror, decorative drawer pulls and door handle, as well as cupboards and drawers with bevelled, raised panels. The initials ‘PWD’along with a crown motif and letters are inscribed on the side indicating that the furnishing was the property of the government and made in its workshops. The Public Works Department, which operated in Victoria from 1855 to 1987, was responsible for the design of Victoria’s major public buildings and provision of furnishings to its offices as well as residences where the need was required.301 The keepers’ quarters at Cape Otway Lightstation were supplied with two of the same sideboards, which remain there today; on is intact (COLS 0001), the other missing the backboard (COLS 0015). Two similar but plainer examples, which are probably earlier in date, also remain at Cape Schanck (CSLS 0007.3; CSLS 0009.3). The Cape Nelson sideboard has first level contributory significance as a fine example of the good quality domestic furnishings made by the Victorian Government and provided to lighthouse keepers and their families in the late nineteenth century. It is also significant for its provenance to the lightstationThe cedar sideboard has two cupboard doors below two corresponding drawers with pediments‐shaped back board with turned side columns and finials, a rectangular mirror, decorative drawer pulls and door handle, as well as cupboards and drawers with bevelled, raised panels.

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

A knobkerrie is a form of club used mainly in Southern and Eastern Africa. The large knob at one end can be used for throwing at animals in hunting or for clubbing an enemy's head. It would have been carved from a branch thick enough for the knob, with the rest being whittled down to create the shaft. The name is Afrikaans and comes from 'Knop', meaning knot or ball and 'Kierie', meaning cane. A short brown wooden knobkerrie club which has a thin handle and spherical club on one end. It has a leather thong threaded through a hole at the end of the handle. knobkerrie club weapon hunting

Ref: LA/07 HISTORY OF THE LOCH ARD The LOCH ARD belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many ships from England to Australia. Built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the LOCH ARD was a three-masted square rigged iron sailing ship. The ship measured 262ft 7" (79.87m) in length, 38ft (11.58m) in width, 23ft (7m) in depth and had a gross tonnage of 1693 tons. The LOCH ARD's main mast measured a massive 150ft (45.7m) in height. LOCH ARD made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its final voyage. LOCH ARD left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of Captain Gibbs, a newly married, 29 year old. She was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers and a load of cargo. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. On board were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionary, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were items included that intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. At 3am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land and the passengers were becoming excited as they prepared to view their new homeland in the early morning. But LOCH ARD was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4am the fog lifted. A man aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and LOCH ARD's bow swung back. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold its position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time LOCH ARD was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind the ship. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves broke over the ship and the top deck was loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of LOCH ARD and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael had raced onto deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached LOCH ARD Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland, this time by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the LOCH ARD disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost all of her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the LOCH ARD tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of LOCH ARD still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some was washed up into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton porcelain peacock - one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today, the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artefact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. Handle of a pocket knife, wood and metal. Badly encrusted Length 3". Recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard. Artefact Reg No LA/07. Handle is in 2 piecesflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, pocket knife

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme. This instrument was used in nasal surgery and is in a sterilised bag.Historically: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.In sterilised bag. Long pointed steel instrument with plastic handle with a protective shield a little along from the handle. The end of the steel rod has a very sharp point.medical instrument. hospital equipment. nasal. nose. mt beauty. tawonga. surgery., doctor. nurse

These tools belonged to Henry Phillips (1821-1896). He was a cabinet maker who came to Australia in 1849 and settled in Warrnambool, establishing in association with Christopher Beattie the undertaking firm of Beattie and Phillips in the 1860s. This was a prominent business in Warrnambool for over 100 years with James Beattie taking over from his father. These tools are significant because they belonged to Henry Phillips, one of the founders of the important Warrnambool undertaking business of Beattie and Phillips. They are also of interest because they are examples of the type of tools used 150 years ago. These are four chisels, three with wooden handles and the four have steel blades. One chisel has no handle. The blades are a little tarnished. The chisels belonged to Henry Phillips of Warrnambool. ‘T. Marsden’ ‘Moseley Cast Steel’ ‘H. Phillips’ henry phillips, beattie and phillips, history of warrnambool

The Marlo area has always been a destination for fishermen. This item was probably used in the first half of the 20th century in Marlo.A canvas fishing bag with rope handles - 1423.1. The fishing reel is a wooden reel with a wooden handle,brass star shaped back ratchet and lever. It has a nylon line.fishing-reel recreation

Mr.and Mrs Don Jessup and Mr.and Mrs.Ted Jessup presented the teaset to the then President of the Bright and District Historical Society, Mrs. Gwyneth Millar. The trophy was won by their uncle, Charles Jessup, in 1909 for cycling at the Bright Easter Sports Meeting.00053.1 Silver tray with ornate handles and holly decoration. 00053.2 Teapot. Spherical shape with attached lid. 00053.3 Two handled sugar bowl. 00053.4 Milk jug 00053.1 Presented by the, Tewksberry \ Amal. Gold Dredging Co. \ to the \ Bright \ Easter Sports Club \ Won by \ G. Jessup \ Easter 1909 00053.2 Lily E.P.N.S. A1 00053.3 Imperial A1 E.P.N.S. Hand soldered. 14 00053.4 26 A1 Imperial E.P.N.S. Hand soldered silver, teaset, jug, teapot, sugar bowl, tray, tewksberry gold dredging, jessup, sports, easter, cycling

This mug is one of many artefacts recovered from the wreck of the sailing ship Loch Ard during the 1970s. The ship was wrecked in 1878 on the southwest coast of Victoria. Only two of the 54 people on board survived.The mug is significant for its association with the wreck of the LOCH ARD, which is listed on Victoria's Heritage Register.Pewter mug, encrusted and dented body, with a hole near the handle. Mug's sides curve inwards at the centre. A large handle is attached. It was recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, pewter mug, pewter, mug, loch ard, tableware, drinking vessel, tankard

Most likely donated by the late Dr Frank ForsterPerforator, Blots's, with ebony handle, cross-hatch paterning. Stamped on handle,left side of joint screw "G.Marriere/ A. Paris". On right of joint screw, another illegible stamp.perforator, destructive instrument, obstetric delivery

Forceps, Milne-Murray with axis traction with detachable traction handle. No manufacturers's stamp. Screw missing on one of the traction arms, the traction handle does not attach- parts missing.obstetric delivery, forceps, milne-murray

These small heavy flat irons were used to iron clothes prior to electric irons being invented. They were heated on a wood fire stove top and used quickly before they lost heat to iron items of clothing and other small items. These irons were very heavy so that they retained the heat when heated by a wood fire stove top prior to electricity being connected to houses. Flat irons were used in the 1800's and in the early 1900's.Heavy black small flat iron with handle on top. Iron tapers from flat wide base to rounded point. It has a round logo on front under the handle.Unreadable round possibly manufacturers logo.social history, irons, ironing, domestic items, 1800's

Designer was John HoltPortable Radio A.W.A. Radiola in brown PVC case with handle. H11cm x L21cm x D5cm. No 9 Battery. The radio will handle short and medium wave reception. AWA Radiolaelectrical technology, appliances & accessories

Used to protect meat from the elementsOval mesh metal meat cover with metal rim at base, solid metal lid, handle at top and one side, other handle missing, evidence of patching and soldering

Made by internees at camp 3, using wood sourced from under the barracks ie : stumps. Tapered head used in blacksmithing or for rock chippingHammer medium size, metal head, wooden handle, pointed on one end and square on the other. Handle thick at bottom end and tapered at top where head fits on.kazenwadel, blacksmith, wood, tools camp 3, metal

Small broom or long handled horse hair hearth brush, black with red and gold decoration. Turned handle which screws off head with gold banding & leaves.domestic equipment, cleaning, brush

A double-handled Inova 'Handler' composite metal tennis racquet. Handles wrapped in non-original grip tape. Materials: Metal composite, Plastic, Adhesive tape, Nylontennis

Cream china Jug with three gold and two blue decorative lines painted around top, one gold line down handle. Small spout, angled handle.H. Aynsley & Co. Ltd. England' Painted on base, 'Made in England' imprinted on basedomestic items, food & drink consumption, jug, milk, stripes, china, h. aynsley, cream, england