Showing 202 items matching "20th century household items"
-
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Domestic object - Beaten Copper fire screen
Fire screens were developed early in the 19th century to prevent sparks from flying into the room or logs rolling out when a fire was left unattended. They also served as ornamental or decorative items, particularly ones such as this fire screen made from beaten or forged copper. Their decorations often depicted rural scenes.This item is representative of fire screens used in Australian homes to protect them from fire during the 19th and early 20th century when open fires were the main form of household heating.A fire screen made from beaten copper with a wooden frame. The screen design depicts a group of people sitting outside an Elizabethan building with a dog in the foreground and trees either side. The building is possibly a tavern as the people are seated on barrels. The frame is made from wood and has wrought iron legs screwed in place on either side and a handle attached at the centre top edge.forged copper, fire screens, decorative household items -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Domestic object - Kerosene Lantern
During the Victorian goldrushes of the 1850s thousands of Chinese migrants arrived to seek their fortunes. At that time many came to the lucrative gold fields of Northeast Victoria. After the Gold rush, many Chinese migrants returned home. However, a number settled in the area as merchants, hawkers and market gardeners in surrounding towns including Wodonga, the Ovens, King, Buffalo River and Kiewa Valleys. They also rented lands and established themselves in the hops and tobacco farming industries. Items of Chinese origin made their way into many households. Importation of Chinese mass produced items such as this lantern continued well into the 20th century and were common domestic items across Australia before households were connected to electricity.This item is representation of kerosene / paraffin lamps used throughout Australia to provide lighting inside and outdoors prior to the widespread availability of electricity.A small hurricane lamp with a rounded tank and small carry handle attached to the top. A larger handle is also attached at the top of the frame. It has a lever to open the glass tank. It has a metal base which is filled with kerosene. It has a screw knob to open the kerosene receptacle. The metal hood also has vents. The Chinese characters around the base translate to "Shanghai Guanghuaheng".Around base : Chinese characters. On top : "Made in China KWANG HWA"kerosene lamp, domestic appliances, chinese artefacts -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Functional object - Cast iron tin opener
Commercial tin openers first appeared in the mid 19th century and this model dates from the early 20th century. An improved version when a second serrated wheel was added came into operation about the mid 1920s. Tins (now cans) of food with sealed tops became popular in the 20th century and all households needed a tin opener. Today the can opener is still used but increasingly the can lids have an inbuilt clip that is pulled out to open the can.This tin opener has been retained as an early model of a tin opener from the past. It was used locally in Wodonga and donated by a Wodonga resident. It is also in relatively good condition.This is a cast iron tin opener with a cutting blade attached to a piece of metal with a screw. The metal handle curves out from the metal piece holding the blade. The opener is a little rusty in parts. The name ‘Guard ’ is on both sides of the handle in raised metal letters. "GUARD" in raised letters on both sides of the handle.household items, cast iron appliances, can openers -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Domestic object - Electroplated silver cake slide
... century. Domestic items electroplated silver Household items ...This item is from a collection donated by descendants of John Francis Turner of Wodonga. Mr. Turner was born on 6 June 1885. He completed all of his schooling at Scotts Boarding School in Albury, New South Wales. On leaving school, he was employed at Dalgety’s, Albury as an auctioneer. In 1924 John was promoted to Manager of the Wodonga Branch of Dalgety’s. On 15/03/1900 he married Beatrice Neal (born 7/12/1887 and died 7/2/1953) from Collingwood, Victoria. They had 4 daughters – Francis (Nancy), Heather, Jessie and Mary. In 1920, the family moved From Albury to Wodonga, purchasing their family home “Locherbie” at 169 High Street, Wodonga. "Locherbie" still stands in Wodonga in 2022. The collection contains items used by the Turner family during their life in Wodonga.This item comes from a collection used by a prominent citizen of Wodonga. It is also an example of silverware of the early 20th century.A cake slide or server made of electro plated nickel silver as marked on the back of the handle. Moulded in one piece with no joins obvious. The letters EPNS on the back indicate that the item is made from Electro Plate Nickel Silver. On back of slide handle "EPNS"domestic items, electroplated silver, household items -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Domestic object - Vintage Crumb Scraper Set
This item is from a collection donated by descendants of John Francis Turner of Wodonga. Mr. Turner was born on 6 June 1885. He completed all of his schooling at Scotts Boarding School in Albury, New South Wales. On leaving school, he was employed at Dalgety’s, Albury as an auctioneer. In 1924 John was promoted to Manager of the Wodonga Branch of Dalgety’s. On 15/03/1900 he married Beatrice Neal (born 7/12/1887 and died 7/2/1953) from Collingwood, Victoria. They had 4 daughters – Francis (Nancy), Heather, Jessie and Mary. In 1920, the family moved From Albury to Wodonga, purchasing their family home “Locherbie” at 169 High Street, Wodonga. "Locherbie" still stands in Wodonga in 2022. The collection contains items used by the Turner family during their life in Wodonga. A table scraper or sweeper was used in households and fine dining situations to ensure crumbs and small pieces of food could be easily and quickly removed.This item comes from a collection used by a prominent citizen of Wodonga. It is also an excellent example of domestic items used in the early 20th century.A small tray and scraper designed to sweep stray crumbs and bits of food off tabletops. This set has a kookaburra design on each piece,table crumber, dining items, domestic utensils -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Functional object - Small wooden bellows, Late 19th to early 20th century
The fireplace was the main heating source for small houses before 1900, so a bellows to coax a flame from a dying fire was important. They would also be used to keep the fire going in a woodfire oven for cooking. In later cooking ranges, domestic water supply was also heated through the cooking range so bellows helped to maintaing a supply of hot water.An item of local and social signifance throughout Australia, bellows were usedin homes to coax a domestic fire into flame for heating and cooking purposes. It was probably used in late 19th to early 20th century homes.A small set of wooden and canvas bellows with metal tip commonly used in households in the 19th and early 20th centuries.bellows, domestic tools -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Functional object - Sandstone Grinding Wheel
This item is representative of grinding stones used throughout Australia to enable people to maintain farm and domestic utensils.A large circular grinding stone with metal handle. It was used on a stand and also with water to shapen blades such as knives, axes and hand shears. The wheel is a large cirle of sandstone. These were common in the late 19th and early 20th Century. It would have been used on a wooden frame.domestic tools, household utensils -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Domestic object - Ironstone China Wash bowl and jug
Ironstone china pieces were common domestic items during the 19th to mid 20th century in many Australian households. This kind of china is not porcelain but porous earthenware, made of clay mixed with feldspar. Patented in 1813 by Charles James Mason in Staffordshire, England, it was an immediate success and became widely produced by a range of Staffordshire potters. J & G Meakin Pottery dates back to 1845 when James Meakin started a pottery business at Lane End in Staffordshire.nIn 1848 he moved the business to Hanley in Staffordshire, before retiring in 1852 and handing the business over to his two sons James and George, who carried on with the pottery, trading as J & G Meakin. The "SOL" and sun face trademarks were registered in 1912. The firm was taken over by the Wedgwood Group in 1970. In 2000, production under the Meakin name ceased. W. H. Grindley was founded at the Newfield Pottery in 1880 by William Harry Grindley (principal partner). Mr Turner and Mr Alfred Meakin were also involved. Early advertisements stated that they produced Earthenware and Ironstone China - particularly for the Canadian, United States, South American and Australian markets. The mark on this jug was used from c1891 until 1925. W. H. Grindley China was manufactured until 1991, making it one of the last Stoke on Trent potteries.These items are representative of a common domestic item used by households in the Wodonga district and throughout Australia, many manufactured specifically for the Australian market.A white ironstone jug and bowl. The jug features a leaf design embossed on the surface. The bowl has a small circle pattern around the rim. They are not as set as the jug bears the mark W. H. Grindley and the bowl was made by J & G Meakin.Underneath Bowl: above and below image of the sun: "IRONSTONE CHINA/ REGD. SOL 391413/ J & G MEAKIN/ENGLAND Underneath jug: above and below the royal insignia: ROYAL IRONSTONE CHINA / W.H. GRINDLEY & CO. / ENGLAND"ironstone, domestic items, staffordshire pottery -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Household, Demijon Large, Early 20th century
No specific information is available on this item. Demijohns were used for holding spirits and wicker coverings (usually woven osier or willow) were commonly used from the 1700s to the early 20th century. This item is of interest as an example of the containers used to store wine and spirits 100 years ago. Breweries and wine and spirit stores have been important businesses in Warrnambool in the past.This is a large ceramic demijohn with a ceramic lid and a cork stopper. Both the lid and the cork stopper are broken in parts. The demijohn has a wicker covering with handles. The wicker cover is fraying in parts. On lid: ‘2’demijohn with wicker covering, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Domestic object - Bean Slicer, Spong & Co, England, c.1920
This bean slicer was made about the 1920s by the British firm of Spong & Co. This firm was founded by James Osborn Spong in 1856 in London. James Spong invented over 100 labour-saving devices during his lifetime and his firm became well-known for its production of domestic labour-saving and safety devices, especially its grinding machine and its bean slicer. These domestic items were to be found in most households from the 1880s to the 1950s prior to the advent of electrical items that carried out similar labour-saving processes. This bean slicer is of interest as a reminder of the many labour -saving devices that were available to most women early in the 20th century, even those in the rural and more remote areas in AustraliaThis a heavy metal bean slicer with a circular piece with a rounded cut-out at the top for the insertion of the bean and an attached bolted handle with a wooden top. Attached to the circular top is a circular revolving piece with three cutters. Welded on to the top piece is a metal clamp with a large screw for attaching the slicer to a table or bench. The slicer is painted green and has the name of the manufacturer etched on the top piece.Spong & Co Ltd Made In England No 632 Bean Slicervintage bean slicers, spong & co london, vintage household items -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Ceramic - small vintage cups, c.1920
These are two vintage small cups, probably dating from early in the 20th century. They may have originally had saucers to match. Both cups have different inscriptions, and were likely given as a present to indicate friendship or love and other examples of the same type of cup have similar inscriptions such as 'Remember me' and 'Forget-Me-Not'. The cup may not have been used but kept for decorative purposes.This cup has no known provenance and is kept for display purposes as an attractive vintage household itemThese are two small china cups with a light greenish yellow and white body and a white handles. The white section has some gold lettering on it. The cup is decorated with s raised pattern of a gold chain and blue and gold flowers. The country of origin is stamped on the base..1 A Present .2 Remember me. Made in Germanysmall china cup, vintage china, household decorative items -
Lakes Entrance Historical Society
Book, Arnold, Ken, Bygones of Yesteryear, 1998
Some household items available to Australian homemakers in the 19th. and early 20th. centuries. Illustrated with catalogue advertisements and photographs. Illustrated and indexed.advertising -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Curling tongs, Hair Curlers, Early 20th century
These hair tongs were used to curl or wave hair. They have the name’ Marcel’ on them. In 1872 Francois Marcel Grateau invented a hairstyle called the ‘Marcel Wave’ where women’s hair styles had mostly deep waves rather than curls. The tongs that were held manually and heated and used at home to produce deep waves or curls become a commonplace item in a woman’s home in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By the 1930s electric hair tongs were introduced but the non-electric ones continued to be used until the 1950s. These hair tongs belonged to a woman from England and would have been used in the 1930s or 40s. They are a good example of the type of household article used by women 70 or 80 years ago and will be useful for display.This is a scissors-like article with wooden handles and metal blades for waving or curling hair. One blade is heavily curved and the other is a solid round shape. The ends of the blades are tapered. The blades were heated over a stove and used manually to enclose part of a woman’s hair to produce waves or curls. The handles were originally polished black and are somewhat rubbed and the blades and other metal parts are a little rusty. ‘Marcel’ ‘12’ hair curling tongs, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Container - Household, Tin Renown Tea, Early 20th century
John Gibson was a tea merchant in Warrnambool in the 1930's and later went on to run a clothing business in Fairy Street Warrnambool which also involved travelling to areas outside of Warrnambool and district farms with a range of clothing. His wife Mary was associated with the Nella Maris cafe in Liebig St where John Gibson was seriously wounded in a stabbing attack. He and his wife Mary were killed in a road accident in May 1965. It was not uncommon for items such as tea and other basic commodities to be purchased in large amounts. In an article on A common item from the early and mid 20th century with a link to a Warrnambool person and family businessRectangular metal tin with attached hinged lid.The front of the tin has a dark blue background with a white teapot and palm trees and buildings also in white. Text is in red.The tea of taste Renown Tea. J Gibson Warrnambool. Nett weight 12lbs.warrnambool, john alexander gibson, renown tea, j gibson warrnambool -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Butter Pats
Butter pats (also known as butter paddles, butter hands and butter workers) were widely used until the mid 20th century to form and shape butter that came out of butter churns.The butter pats are an example of an everyday domestic object that would have been an item in most farm households particularly the dairy farms of South-West Victoria.A pair of wooden butter pats with shaped handles. One side of the pat is covered with fine grooves the other side is flat.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, domestic object, butter pats, butter making, butter paddles -
Arapiles Historical Society
Container - Roy SCHMIDT Collection - Cotton Flour Bags (3)
[1] Three Bears Porridge Flaked Oatmeal Bag: This textile bag originates from Canadian Cereal Mills Ltd., which marketed "Three Bears" flaked oatmeal. Popular in the early 1900s to mid-century, this product combined functional packaging with a child-friendly incentive — a cut-out cloth doll. The practice of printing toys, games, or clothing patterns on flour or oat sacks was a common marketing strategy, encouraging reuse and appealing to families during times when thrift and creativity were essential, especially during the Depression and wartime years. The Three Bears brand played off the enduring popularity of children’s nursery tales, while the doll encouraged children (and parents) to reuse packaging creatively. This object captures a unique intersection of food marketing, household resourcefulness, and early 20th-century domestic life. [2] Mammy Self-Raising Flour Bag: This item is a mid-20th-century Australian flour bag, branded “Mammy Oven Puff”, produced by A. Mammy Products Pty Ltd in West Footscray, Victoria. The use of the name "Mammy" and the caricatured illustration draws on a now widely recognised and offensive racial stereotype originating from American minstrel culture, commonly used in product branding in the early-to-mid 20th century. While the bag reflects a specific period in Australian domestic and commercial packaging history, it also exemplifies racially insensitive advertising that would be considered inappropriate and harmful by today’s standards. Such items are preserved today in museum collections to help document past social attitudes, consumer culture, and the evolution of racial representation in advertising. [3] Bandung Blue Triangle Brand Flour Bag: This bag represents a mid-20th-century Australian flour export product, particularly aimed at international markets such as Indonesia (as indicated by "Bandung"). The “Blue Triangle Brand” was likely a registered trademark used by a Melbourne-based flour mill engaged in both local and overseas trade. The use of durable cloth bags for bulk flour was common prior to the widespread adoption of paper and plastic packaging. These bags were often reused domestically for household textiles, clothing patterns, or storage. The export reference (Bandung) underscores Australia's historical agricultural trade ties with Southeast Asia, especially in wheat and flour exports. – Roy SCHMIDT resided with his siblings Mabel and Jack at ‘Parklands’ 85 Lake Avenue Natimuk home of Heinrich Friederick ‘Heiny’ & Minna Christina SUDHOLZ nee LANGE and their children Louis, Sophie, Alma, Lena (Roy's Mother), Florence 'Florrie' and Edward ‘Ted’.[1] Three Bears Porridge Flaked Oatmeal Bag: A vintage cloth oatmeal bag printed with black ink on both sides. One side is branded with "Three Bears Porridge – Flaked Oatmeal", showing an image of three bears behind a gate, referencing the well-known “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” fairytale. The opposite side features a printed cut-out doll design, showing a young girl with curly hair holding a bouquet of flowers, intended to be sewn into a stuffed toy. Instructions note that the reverse side (the doll’s back) could be obtained from a second bag. The design combines product branding with a promotional activity for children, typical of early- to mid-20th-century grocery packaging aimed at reuse. [2] Mammy Self-Raising Flour Bag: A small vintage cloth flour bag with printed branding in faded red, blue, and black inks. The front of the bag features a central image of a caricatured smiling African American woman wearing a headscarf. The text is unevenly faded but legible in parts. The bag has a rectangular shape with an open top edge and signs of previous use, including creasing and some fraying at the corners. [3] Bandung Blue Triangle Brand Flour Bag: A large, rectangular vintage cloth flour bag made of cream-coloured calico or cotton. The front of the bag is printed in bold blue ink with branding and export information. It prominently features a large triangular logo reading “Blue Triangle Brand” and numerous lines of text in block and stylised fonts. The bag is open at the top with frayed edges, suggesting it was once machine-stitched shut and later opened.[1] Three Bears Porridge Flaked Oatmeal Bag: Front side (branding side): "THREE BEARS Porridge – FLAKED OATMEAL" "7 Lbs. Net." “Packed and guaranteed by Canadian Cereal Mills Ltd., Toronto” Reverse side (doll pattern): "This is the Front for Three Bears Cut-out Doll" "In order to complete this Doll it will be necessary to obtain the Back Design from another Bag of Three Bears Rolled Oats or Oatmeal." [2] Mammy Self-Raising Flour Bag: Main product name: “MAMMY OVEN PUFF SELF-RAISING FLOUR” Additional text: “The Only Creamed Flour” “Prepared with phosphate aerator” “A. MAMMY PRODUCTS PTY. LTD., Sunshine Rd., West Footscray. Phone: FW 7321” “7 LBS. NET” (near top edge, very faded) [3] Bandung Blue Triangle Brand Flour Bag: The bag is printed with the following: “10270” “G.W.C | H.L” “BANDUNG” “BEST AUSTRALIAN” “BLUE TRIANGLE BRAND” (inside the triangle logo) “GROWER & GRINDERS” (curved around the logo) “Patent Roller” “MELBOURNE” “FLOUR” “50 LBS. GROSS WHEN PACKED” These inscriptions indicate that this flour bag was manufactured in Melbourne, Australia, and was likely exported to Bandung, Indonesia.farm equipment, flour, milling, oats -
Greensborough Historical Society
Book - Book - Digital Image, NSW Cookery Teachers' Association, Domestic Science Handbook, 1942_
Front and back covers of "Domestic Science Handbook: for use by the pupils of domestic science schools". An example of 1940s advertising through sewing and homemaker books. In this book, instructions are given for many aspects of household management, interspersed with advertisements for useful items. The back cover is an advertisement for Nock and Kirby Ltd, a Sydney based retail store. An example of mid 20th century advertising through 'how-to' books.Digital copy of front and back covers of a bookhistoric advertisements, domestic science, nock and kirby, nsw cookery teachers association -
Greensborough Historical Society
Article - Advertisement - Digital Image, NSW Cookery Teachers' Association, Aeroplane Jelly: in Domestic Science Handbook, 1942_
Advertisement for Aeroplane Jelly from "Domestic Science Handbook: for use by the pupils of domestic science schools". An example of 1940s advertising through cooking and homemaker books. In this book, instructions are given for many aspects of household management, interspersed with advertisements for useful items. This Aeroplane Jelly advertisement tells of the health benefits of eating the jelly, its vitamin content and that it is made in Australia.An example of mid 20th century advertising through 'how-to' books.Digital copy of advertisement from a bookhistoric advertisements, domestic science, nsw cookery teachers association, aeroplane jelly -
Greensborough Historical Society
Article - Advertisement - Digital Image, NSW Cookery Teachers' Association, Berlei: in Domestic Science Handbook, 1942_
Advertisement for Berlei (foundation garments) from "Domestic Science Handbook: for use by the pupils of domestic science schools". An example of 1940s advertising through cooking and homemaker books. In this book, instructions are given for many aspects of household management, interspersed with advertisements for useful items. This Berlei advertisement is for corsetry that was popular at the time. Also on this page is an advert for War Bonds, to support the war effort in World War 2.An example of mid 20th century advertising through 'how-to' books.Digital copy of advertisement from a bookhistoric advertisements, domestic science, nsw cookery teachers association, berlei, war bonds, world war 2 -
Greensborough Historical Society
Article - Advertisement - Digital Image, NSW Cookery Teachers' Association, Gold Medal Milk: in Domestic Science Handbook, 1942_
Advertisement for Gold Medal Milk from "Domestic Science Handbook: for use by the pupils of domestic science schools". An example of 1940s advertising through cooking and homemaker books. In this book, instructions are given for many aspects of household management, interspersed with advertisements for useful items. This Gold Medal Milk advertisement is for tinned condensed milk. The page includes an advertisement for Soyer's Baking Powder.An example of mid 20th century advertising through 'how-to' books.Digital copy of advertisement from a bookhistoric advertisements, domestic science, nsw cookery teachers association, gold medal milk, condensed milk, baking powder, soyers baking powder -
Greensborough Historical Society
Article - Advertisement - Digital Image, NSW Cookery Teachers' Association, Cadbury's Bourneville Cocoa: in Domestic Science Handbook, 1942_
Advertisement for Cadbury's Bourneville Cocoa from "Domestic Science Handbook: for use by the pupils of domestic science schools". An example of 1940s advertising through cooking and homemaker books. In this book, instructions are given for many aspects of household management, interspersed with advertisements for useful items. This Cadbury's Bourneville Cocoa advertisement includes a recipe for chocolate cake.An example of mid 20th century advertising through 'how-to' books.Digital copy of advertisement from a bookhistoric advertisements, domestic science, nsw cookery teachers association, cadburys bourneville cocoa, chocolate cake -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Food Mincer, John Harper & Co, Early - Mid 20th Century
A meat grinder, commonly known as the meat mincer, is used for chopping meat into fine pieces. Alternatively, it can be used for the mixing of raw or cooked meat, fish and vegetables. It is the best way to process meat, and is a widely used piece of equipment by butchers and in the home.. Butchers have been known to use either mincing knives or meat cleavers in the kitchen for years to produce a quantity of minced meat. This was a slow and laborious process. The advent of the meat mincer has not only made the mincing process easier but also faster. The meat mincer has slowly evolved over the years into what it is today. The first meat mixer or meat mincer was invented in the 19th century by a German inventor named Baron Karl Drais. Although some versions of the device date back to much earlier. The oldest form of meat mincer was hand cranked which forced meat through a metal plate with several small holes in it, which resulted in long and thin strands of the meat. The meat was fed into the funnel that was placed at the top of the mixer. This meat would pass through a hand cranked screw conveyor that would squash and mix the meat before passing it through the metal plate. Needless to say, this was again a slow and laborious procedure to follow to produce large quantity of meat. With passage of time, this hand cracked machine became powered by electricity. The meat mincer has a great adaptability and efficiency now. The huge variety in mincer plates allows a butcher to produce different types of minced meat in any shape desired. However, traditional manual meat mincers have not really changed a lot. They are manually operated and made of cast iron, as earlier. They are similar to the original mincer designs, dating back to the early 1900s. Some butchers still prefer using a variety of mincer knives. Adapted from: https://brennan-group.com/blogs/news/history-of-the-meat-mincer This meat mincer belonged to the family of Dr.William Roy Angus, Surgeon and Oculist. It was donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village by his daughter, Bernice McDade. It is part of the “W.R. Angus Collection” that includes historical medical equipment, surgical instruments and material once belonging to Dr Edward Ryan and Dr Thomas Francis Ryan, (both of Nhill, Victoria) as well as Dr Angus’ own belongings. The Collection’s history spans the medical practices of the two Doctors Ryan, from 1885-1926 plus that of Dr Angus, up until 1969. ABOUT THE “W.R.ANGUS COLLECTION” Doctor William Roy Angus M.B., B.S., Adel., 1923, F.R.C.S. Edin.,1928 (also known as Dr Roy Angus) was born in Murrumbeena, Victoria in 1901 and lived until 1970. He qualified as a doctor in 1923 at University of Adelaide, was Resident Medical Officer at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 1924 and for a period was house surgeon to Sir (then Mr.) Henry Simpson Newland. Dr Angus was briefly an Assistant to Dr Riddell of Kapunda, then commenced private practice at Curramulka, Yorke Peninsula, SA, where he was physician, surgeon and chemist. In 1926, he was appointed as new Medical Assistant to Dr Thomas Francis Ryan (T.F. Ryan, or Tom), in Nhill, Victoria, where his experiences included radiology and pharmacy. In 1927 he was Acting House Surgeon in Dr Tom Ryan’s absence. Dr Angus had become engaged to Gladys Forsyth and they decided he would take time to further his studies overseas in the UK in 1927. He studied at London University College Hospital and at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and in 1928, was awarded FRCS (Fellow from the Royal College of Surgeons), Edinburgh. He worked his passage back to Australia as a Ship’s Surgeon on the on the Australian Commonwealth Line’s T.S.S. Largs Bay. Dr Angus married Gladys in 1929, in Ballarat. (They went on to have one son (Graham 1932, born in SA) and two daughters (Helen (died 12/07/1996) and Berenice (Berry), both born at Mira, Nhill ) Dr Angus was a ‘flying doctor’ for the A.I.M. (Australian Inland Ministry) Aerial Medical Service in 1928 . The organisation began in South Australia through the Presbyterian Church in that year, with its first station being in the remote town of Oodnadatta, where Dr Angus was stationed. He was locum tenens there on North-South Railway at 21 Mile Camp. He took up this ‘flying doctor’ position in response to a call from Dr John Flynn; the organisation was later known as the Flying Doctor Service, then the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A lot of his work during this time involved dental surgery also. Between 1928-1932 he was surgeon at the Curramulka Hospital, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. In 1933 Dr Angus returned to Nhill where he’d previously worked as Medical Assistant and purchased a share of the Nelson Street practice and Mira hospital from Dr Les Middleton one of the Middleton Brothers, the current owners of what was once Dr Tom Ryan’s practice. Dr L Middleton was House Surgeon to the Nhill Hospital 1926-1933, when he resigned. [Dr Tom Ryan’s practice had originally belonged to his older brother Dr Edward Ryan, who came to Nhill in 1885. Dr Edward saw patients at his rooms, firstly in Victoria Street and in 1886 in Nelson Street, until 1901. The Nelson Street practice also had a 2 bed ward, called Mira Private Hospital ). Dr Edward Ryan was House Surgeon at the Nhill Hospital 1884-1902 . He also had occasions where he successfully performed veterinary surgery for the local farmers too. Dr Tom Ryan then purchased the practice from his brother in 1901. Both Dr Edward and Dr Tom Ryan work as surgeons included eye surgery. Dr Tom Ryan performed many of his operations in the Mira private hospital on his premises. He too was House Surgeon at the Nhill Hospital 1902-1926. Dr Tom Ryan had one of the only two pieces of radiology equipment in Victoria during his practicing years – The Royal Melbourne Hospital had the other one. Over the years Dr Tom Ryan gradually set up what was effectively a training school for country general-practitioner-surgeons. Each patient was carefully examined, including using the X-ray machine, and any surgery was discussed and planned with Dr Ryan’s assistants several days in advance. Dr Angus gained experience in using the X-ray machine there during his time as assistant to Dr Ryan. Dr Tom Ryan moved from Nhill in 1926. He became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1927, soon after its formation, a rare accolade for a doctor outside any of the major cities. He remained a bachelor and died suddenly on 7th Dec 1955, aged 91, at his home in Ararat. Scholarships and prizes are still awarded to medical students in the honour of Dr T.F. Ryan and his father, Dr Michael Ryan, and brother, John Patrick Ryan. ] When Dr Angus bought into the Nelson Street premises in Nhill he was also appointed as the Nhill Hospital’s Honorary House Surgeon 1933-1938. His practitioner’s plate from his Nhill surgery states “HOURS Daily, except Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturday afternoons, 9-10am, 2-4pm, 7-8pm. Sundays by appointment”. This plate is now mounted on the doorway to the Port Medical Office at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool. Dr Edward Ryan and Dr Tom Ryan had an extensive collection of historical medical equipment and materials spanning 1884-1926 and when Dr Angus took up practice in their old premises he obtained this collection, a large part of which is now on display at the Port Medical Office at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in Warrnambool. During his time in Nhill Dr Angus was involved in the merging of the Mira Hospital and Nhill Public Hospital into one public hospital and the property titles passed on to Nhill Hospital in 1939. In 1939 Dr Angus and his family moved to Warrnambool where he purchased “Birchwood,” the 1852 home and medical practice of Dr John Hunter Henderson, at 214 Koroit Street. (This property was sold in1965 to the State Government and is now the site of the Warrnambool Police Station. ). The Angus family was able to afford gardeners, cooks and maids; their home was a popular place for visiting dignitaries to stay whilst visiting Warrnambool. Dr Angus had his own silk worm farm at home in a Mulberry tree. His young daughter used his centrifuge for spinning the silk. Dr Angus was appointed on a part-time basis as Port Medical Officer (Health Officer) in Warrnambool and held this position until the 1940’s when the government no longer required the service of a Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool; he was thus Warrnambool’s last serving Port Medical Officer. (The duties of a Port Medical Officer were outlined by the Colonial Secretary on 21st June, 1839 under the terms of the Quarantine Act. Masters of immigrant ships arriving in port reported incidents of diseases, illness and death and the Port Medical Officer made a decision on whether the ship required Quarantine and for how long, in this way preventing contagious illness from spreading from new immigrants to the residents already in the colony.) Dr Angus was a member of the Australian Medical Association, for 35 years and surgeon at the Warrnambool Base Hospital 1939-1942, He served as a Surgeon Captain during WWII1942-45, in Ballarat, Victoria, and in Bonegilla, N.S.W., completing his service just before the end of the war due to suffering from a heart attack. During his convalescence he carved an intricate and ‘most artistic’ chess set from the material that dentures were made from. He then studied ophthalmology at the Royal Melbourne Eye and Ear Hospital and created cosmetically superior artificial eyes by pioneering using the intrascleral cartilage. Angus received accolades from the Ophthalmological Society of Australasia for this work. He returned to Warrnambool to commence practice as an ophthalmologist, pioneering in artificial eye improvements. He was Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist to Warrnambool Base Hospital for 31 years. He made monthly visits to Portland as a visiting surgeon, to perform eye surgery. He represented the Victorian South-West subdivision of the Australian Medical Association as its secretary between 1949 and 1956 and as chairman from 1956 to 1958. In 1968 Dr Angus was elected member of Spain’s Barraquer Institute of Barcelona after his research work in Intrasclearal cartilage grafting, becoming one of the few Australian ophthalmologists to receive this honour, and in the following year presented his final paper on Living Intrasclearal Cartilage Implants at the Inaugural Meeting of the Australian College of Ophthalmologists in Melbourne In his personal life Dr Angus was a Presbyterian and treated Sunday as a Sabbath, a day of rest. He would visit 3 or 4 country patients on a Sunday, taking his children along ‘for the ride’ and to visit with him. Sunday evenings he would play the pianola and sing Scottish songs to his family. One of Dr Angus’ patients was Margaret MacKenzie, author of a book on local shipwrecks that she’d seen as an eye witness from the late 1880’s in Peterborough, Victoria. In the early 1950’s Dr Angus, painted a picture of a shipwreck for the cover jacket of Margaret’s book, Shipwrecks and More Shipwrecks. She was blind in later life and her daughter wrote the actual book for her. Dr Angus and his wife Gladys were very involved in Warrnambool’s society with a strong interest in civic affairs. Their interests included organisations such as Red Cross, Rostrum, Warrnambool and District Historical Society (founding members), Wine and Food Society, Steering Committee for Tertiary Education in Warrnambool, Local National Trust, Good Neighbour Council, Housing Commission Advisory Board, United Services Institute, Legion of Ex-Servicemen, Olympic Pool Committee, Food for Britain Organisation, Warrnambool Hospital, Anti-Cancer Council, Boys’ Club, Charitable Council, National Fitness Council and Air Raid Precautions Group. He was also a member of the Steam Preservation Society and derived much pleasure from a steam traction engine on his farm. He had an interest in people and the community He and his wife Gladys were both involved in the creation of Flagstaff Hill, including the layout of the gardens. After his death (28th March 1970) his family requested his practitioner’s plate, medical instruments and some personal belongings be displayed in the Port Medical Office surgery at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, and be called the “W. R. Angus Collection”.The English-made food mincer is an example of kitchenware available to households from the early 20th century. The W.R. Angus Collection is significant for still being located at the site it is connected with, Doctor Angus being the last Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool. The collection of medical instruments and other items and equipment is culturally significant, being an historical example of medicine from late 19th to mid-20th century. Dr Angus assisted Dr Tom Ryan, a pioneer in the use of X-rays and in ocular surgery.Metal food mincer labelled Harper No. 3181, Beatrice. Made in England. The object is part of the W.R. Angus Collection. Harper. No 3181. Beatrice. Made in England. No 3 Fine. Also a leaflet of instructions headed up: 'Harper No.3181 "Beatrice" Food Mincer. Instuctions for Use.'flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, mincer, grinder, meat, cooking, beatrice, made in england, harper, no. 3181, w.r. angus