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National Wool Museum
Book, Surprise and Enterprise: fifty years of science for Australia
"Surprise and Enterprise: fifty years of science for Australia" Andrew McKay, CSIRO, 1977. First published in 1976 and reprinted in 1977. Looks at various scientific developments made by CSIRO over the past 50 years, including advances in measuring wool, spinning, processing and sheep breeding.wool growing sheep breeding textile finishing textile testing, csiro, spinning, wool growing, sheep breeding, textile finishing, textile testing -
National Wool Museum
Photograph
Photo was taken on location of the filming of the mini series "The Dunera Boys". The photographer was Paul Baitz who was an extra working amongst the sheep in the pen on a freezing cold December day. Taken: ?December 1984. (this photo appears in a circular format on the title page of "Wool and the Australian Imagination") -
National Wool Museum
Taxidermy Sheep, Bilby Bill, c1980
Originating in New Zealand, the Drysdale, represented by Bilby Bill, was developed in the 1930s at Massey University (Canterbury) by crossing a coarse haired Romney and the hardy Cheviot breed. First imported to Australia in 1975, the Drysdale, due to a genetic abnormality, produces coarse, long staple fleece. This same gene also gives them their horns, something that generally does not occur in the parent breeds. Their fleece grows very fast, up to 25cm every six months; as such shearing is carried out twice a year. The coarse and hard wearing wool is mostly used for the manufacture of carpets. The Drysdale is a medium to large stocky sheep, weighing approximately 55kg and produces about 6 to 8kg of fleece per animal annually, which is 35 to 45 microns in diameter. The yarn used on the National Wool Museum’s Axminster Gripper Loom to make the Manor House Rug is spun from the wool of Drysdale sheep.Taxidermied male Drysdale sheep. Medium sized animal with white body coloration. Large horns protruding from the top of the skull. drysdale, sheep, new zealand -
National Wool Museum
Textile Handcraft, The Afternoon Tea Party: Plate of cheese and asparagus rolls
The Geelong Handweavers and Spinners Guild Inc. entered "The Afternoon Tea Party" , designed by Val Ingeme, into the "Five Articles" Section of the Melbourne Sheep and Woolcraft Show c.1992. To qualify, the entry needed to by from a group of five people and be able to demonstrate a number of wool crafts in at least five different items. "The Afternoon Tea Party" was loaned to the NWM for display and was subsequently donated in 2003. This piece was designed and made by Val Ingeme from wool fleece.agricultural shows textile art handicrafts knitting, geelong handweavers and spinners guild inc., felting, ingeme, mrs val, agricultural shows, textile art, handicrafts, knitting -
National Wool Museum
Textile Handcraft, The Afternoon Tea Party: Strawberry Pie
The Geelong Handweavers and Spinners Guild Inc. entered "The Afternoon Tea Party" , designed by Val Ingeme, into the "Five Articles" Section of the Melbourne Sheep and Woolcraft Show c.1992. To qualify, the entry needed to be from a group of five people and be able to demonstrate a number of wool crafts in at least five different items. "The Afternoon Tea Party" was loaned to the NWM for display and was subsequently donated in 2003. This piece was designed and made by Val Ingeme from commercial wool.agricultural shows textile art handicrafts knitting, geelong handweavers and spinners guild inc., embroidery, ingeme, mrs val, agricultural shows, textile art, handicrafts, knitting -
Benalla Art Gallery
Painting, J. H. SCHELTEMA, Full swing on the board, 1904
Born: The Hague, Netherlands 1861; Arrived: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1888; Died: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 1941RealismGift of Mr Gordon S. Ross, 1978Interior of shearing shed with figures, shears, animals and wool. Copper coloured gesso frame.Recto: Signed "J. H. Scheltema" in brown oil in l.l.c of composition; Not dated; Not titledpainting, interior, shed, shearing, sheep, figures, animals, wool, farm -
National Wool Museum
Photograph - Slide, Stuart Ascough, Sheep Ready for Shearing, 1990s
This slide is part of a collection of visual resources used by Stuart Ascough while conducting training and technical advice at mills in China, India, Russia and Australia. This item is part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.35mm colour transparency mounted in plastic slide mount showing sheep in stockyards in the foreground, with shearing sheds in the background.wool, industry, australia, australian wool board international wool secretariat, factory, training, shearing shed, sheep, rural property -
National Wool Museum
Book, Knitting, Your Family Knitting with Wool Pattern Book
This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was published by the Australian Wool Corporation to be given away with the magazine "Family Circle". It contains patterns for crocheted toy sheep, as well as knitting patterns for womens, mens and childrens garments.PURE NEW WOOL / Your / Family Knitting / with wool / Pattern Book / 11 Patterns for all your Family / from Family Circle and / The Australian Wool Corporation.knitting handicrafts - history crochet, family circle australian wool corporation, knitting, handicrafts - history, crochet -
National Wool Museum
Slide, Super Fine Merino Ram
Slide of a superfine Merino ram. A superfine merino produces the finest and best wool in the world. Found in higher rainfall areas. Formerly stored in presentation folder as part of "Merino & Australasian Breeds of Sheep Set No. A866" series by the Audio Visual Education Centre, Education Department of Victoria.Slide of a superfine Merino ram.Merino & Australasian Breeds / of Sheep / Set No. A866 / No. 1 / Super Fine Merino Ram VISUAL EDUCATION CENTRE / EDUCATION DEPT. OF VICTORIAmerino sheep, wool superfine, slide, wool - superfine -
National Wool Museum
Textile Handcraft, The Afternoon Tea Party: Chocolate Roll
The Geelong Handweavers and Spinners Guild Inc. entered "The Afternoon Tea Party" , designed by Val Ingeme, into the "Five Articles" Section of the Melbourne Sheep and Woolcraft Show c.1992. To qualify, the entry needed to be from a group of five people and be able to demonstrate a number of wool crafts in at least five different items. "The Afternoon Tea Party" was loaned to the NWM for display and was subsequently donated in 2003. This piece was designed and made by Val Ingeme from commercial rug wool, the plate by an unknown member.agricultural shows textile art handicrafts, geelong handweavers and spinners guild inc., macrame, embroidery, ingeme, mrs val, agricultural shows, textile art, handicrafts -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Tool - Shearing Hand Set, c1960
The wool industry has been critical to the Australian economy from the early days of European settlement. The increase in wool production in the mid to late 19th century led to the need to replace the hand shears with some mechanized forms of shearing.The first commercially successful sheep shearing machinery by Frederick York Wolseley in New South Wales who was granted a patent for his machine on 28 March 1877. Many of the early settlers to North East Victoria droved sheep overland from both Sydney and South Australia and established large pastoral runs in the district. Wodonga became a major service centre for the industry and established major saleyards for the pastoral and cattle industries. The handset has the company name "Heiniger" on the side. Heiniger is a Swiss company with subsidiaries in Australia and New Zealand. It was originally established in 1946.This item is connected to a major rural industry in North East Victoria.A metal handpiece for a sheep shearing. A toothed blade is held in place with metal adjustable screws at one end. A jointed metal pipe at the other end allows attachment to the shearing machine. The hinge has been covered with leather.On adjustment knob "Heinger"shearing industry, shearing equipment, shearing handset -
National Wool Museum
Ribbon
Presented to Joyce Hucker for objects entered in the Australian Sheep Breeders' Association 1972 Show. Hucker began working with unspun wool and making dyes from the natural sources from her garden and the farm trees around her. From knitting and croceting articles, she progressed to felting and a 'wrapping' technique, always using unspun wool. She was a successful exhibitor at many craft shows and was always willing to pass on her experience and knowledge to others, often travelling widely to help groups requiring a demonstration.Presented to Joyce Hucker for objects entered in the Australian Sheep Breeders' Association 1972 Show.Australian Sheep Breeders' Assn, 1972 Show Late J Hucker 1972 1st Ribbonagricultural shows, hucker, mrs joyce -
National Wool Museum
Ribbon
Presented to Joyce Hucker for objects entered in the Australian Sheep Breeders' Association 1972 Show. Hucker began working with unspun wool and making dyes from the natural sources from her garden and the farm trees around her. From knitting and croceting articles, she progressed to felting and a 'wrapping' technique, always using unspun wool. She was a successful exhibitor at many craft shows and was always willing to pass on her experience and knowledge to others, often travelling widely to help groups requiring a demonstration.Presented to Joyce Hucker for items entered in the Australian Sheep Breeders' Association 1975 Show.Australian Sheep Breeders' Assn, 1975 Showagricultural shows, hucker, mrs joyce -
National Wool Museum
Ribbon
Presented to Joyce Hucker for objects entered in the Australian Sheep Breeders' Association 1972 Show. Hucker began working with unspun wool and making dyes from the natural sources from her garden and the farm trees around her. From knitting and croceting articles, she progressed to felting and a 'wrapping' technique, always using unspun wool. She was a successful exhibitor at many craft shows and was always willing to pass on her experience and knowledge to others, often travelling widely to help groups requiring a demonstration.Presented to Joyce Hucker for items entered in the Australian Sheep Breeders' Association 1975 Show.Australian Sheep Breeders' Assn, 1975 Showagricultural shows, hucker, mrs joyce -
National Wool Museum
Book, The Australian Woolshed
"The Australian Woolshed: build your own model woolshed complete with shearers' huts, cookhouse, shearers, sheep, woolpress, wool classing tables, woolcart, pens, water tanks, the station cat and a galah" - John Nicholson, 1986. The pages contain a model shearing shed which can be cut out and put together.shearing shearing sheds wool sheds, shearing, shearing sheds, wool sheds -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Functional object - hand shears
Hand shears - also called blade shears - were used to shear sheep prior to the introduction of machine shears and are still used today where no power machinery is available. Hand shears consist of two blades with a hinge at the end furthest from the point. The cutting edges pass each other as the shearer squeezes them together and shears the wool close to the animal's skin. In 1892 Jack Howe an Australian shearer sheared 321 sheep in one day using hand shears. This record has never been broken. hand shears with single spring, surface rust, unused, unsharpenedhand shears, sheep shearing, churchill island heritage farm -
National Wool Museum
Certificate
Diploma for Gold Medal won by John Baker for best Lincoln Wool in show at the Earls Court Greater Britain Exhibition, London, 1899. John Baker owned a Lincoln sheep stud with 300 ewes and rams in Pomborneit, Victoria. The property was named Lakeside and the stud was Flock No. 5 in the first Flock Book of British Breed Sheep published in 1898. Lakeside rams and ewes were awarded Champion Ram and Ewe at the Sydney Show in 1892. By 1919 Lakeside was the largest registered Lincoln stud in Australia. The stud was dispersed in 1925.Brown timber frame with glass covering at front. Pale gold timber framed paper certificate inside. Certificate has a painting of a man being drawn by four horses beneath and arch with more people in the background and a tall ship. Front foreground depicts three men, one carrying a tray of food, another with a tray of gold and a third shearing a sheep. There is an embossed gold medal on the right centre of the page.EARL'S COURT, LONDON. 1899 GREATER BRITAIN EXHIBITION DIPLOMA FOR GOLD MEDAL AWARDED TO Mr J Baker FOR Wool, pure Lincoln BY THE LONDON EXHIBITIONS LIMITED DIRECTOR GENERAL. CHAIRMAN WEINERS LTD LONDON N.W -
National Wool Museum
Photograph
Photo depicts the combined Elders, Dennys sheep sale held at Jerilderie on 5 Oct. 1973, where 60,000 sheep were sold, which constituted the largest wool sale at that time. The photographer was Frank Johnstone, now retired, of the newspaper 'Stock and Land' who covered the sale. Those identified in the photos are: Ray Hobson in mid-foreground behind in pen, Harry Gibbs (back to hat), Ken McKenzie (hat), Clive Hoelter (book), Danny Reilly (behind leaning on fence), right - Bob Falconer (white hat).Sheep sale at Jerilderie, 5 Oct. 1973.Jerilderie Sheep Sale 5th October 1973 / 60,000,00 sheep. Largest sheep sale in Australia COMBINED ELDERS, DENNYS SALE / Ray Hobson in mid- / foreground / behind, in pen, / Harry Gibbs (back & o,hat) / Ken McKenzie (hat) / Clive Hoelter (book) / behind leaning on fence / Danny Reilly / right Bob Falconer (white hat)sheep sales, dennys, lascelles limited elders vp -
Port Fairy Historical Society Museum and Archives
Photograph
S.s.Casino 1910. The people on the decks are tourists coming from Terang and surrounding areas to spend the day at the seaside. The steamer S.S.CASINO was much loved by the whole Port Fairy community- with the possible exception of some of the fishermen whose boats she ran down! Transport of the large quantities of wool, potatoes, onions, grain, sheep, cattle and other produce grown on the rich lands of the Western District Belfast was served by a plethora of shipping, both sail and steam, but only one of the steamers then in the regular trade (S.S. DAWN) would ever be able to get up the river and reap the cost savings of loading against a wharf. It was not unusual for four steamers to be anchored in the bay at once and for seven or eight different steamers to call during a week. A number of inter-colonial steamers also called to pick up produce for delivery to Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. Production in the Western District was increasing and virtually all of that production had to go through one of the western ports in order to reach markets. By 1882 a meeting 15ft. March, 1882, in the office of auctioneer, J.B. HoIden in Cox Street took action and it was unanimously resolved - that the Belfast & Koroit Steamship Company be formed with a capital of £20,000 in 10,000 shares of £2 each". A number of steamers were offered by letter to the fledgling company, including the new and almost sister ships, CASINO and HELEN NICHOLL. The CASINO was on her delivery voyage from England was due to arrive in Warrnambool to load potatoes for Sydney and, initially, arrangements were made for her to call into Port Fairy for inspection by the BKNS Co directors. She eventually proceeded direct to Warrnambool and the Directors inspected her there. Without hesitation they purchased her even though they had to raise a large bank loan to do so. The CASINO arrived in Port Fairy on Saturday, 29th. July, 1882, steaming triumphantly up the Moyne River, and was greeted by crowds, many of whom had driven in from the surrounding countryside, which gave her “loud ringing English cheers". By 1884 the CASINO could not carry all the cargoes available to her and in December of that year the company purchased the new steamer BELLINGER to provide additional capacity. She helped to open up the intermediate ports of Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell, but the BELLINGER was not really suitable for the trade and she was sold in 1887, leaving the CASINO to operate alone -as she was to do for almost all of the next 45 years. The opening of the railway in 1890 decreased the cargo available to the steamers and the economic depression of the early 1890's worsened the situation. The weak soon began to fall by the wayside and when the Portland & Belfast SN Co. decided to go into liquidation in April 1895, the Belfast & Koroit Company bought the Portland Company's steamer DAWN on advantageous terms, a substantial part of the payment being in BKSN Co shares. The BKNS Co and the Howard Smith Line came into direct head to head competition and nearly forced the BKNS Co out of existence. Cargo dropped to such an extent that in 1899, they reached agreement that only one ship would run and that the ship which ran would pay a weekly amount to the competitor to stay out of the trade. This controlled service ceased in1909, and competition intensified when Howard Smith placed the newly built, larger steamer EUMERALLA on the run. The BKNS Co survived this competition and even prospered during it partly by extending on a more regular basis, the CASINO'S voyages to South Australian ports Port Macdonnell, Kingston, Beachport, Robe and, on occasions Adelaide. There were setbacks when, on 20 October 1924, CASINO went ashore at the Kennett River, near Apollo Bay, and again, in February l929, when she struck a submerged object at Warrnambool and had to be beached. The railways placed great competitive pressure on the small steamship company and this pressure was intensified when the Great Depression slashed the market for Western District produce, BKNS Co struggled on, paying dividends in most years, and the company planned a big celebration for the CASINO'S fiftieth anniversary in the trade on 29th July, 1932. Disaster struck soon after 9 o'clock on the morning of Sunday I0 July, 1932 when the CASINO was lost at Apollo Bay together with the lives of 10 crew members. Black and white photograph of tourists crowded on the decks of s.s.Casino during a sail around the bay for Terang dayship, boat, sea, river, s.s.casino 1910, transport, 1910, wool, onions, grain, sheep, cattle, steam, terang day -
National Wool Museum
Tool - Stencil, 1983
The story of 90 years of wool classing between father & son begins in 1936, when a young boy by the name of Stanley James Hucker walked through the doors of the Gordon Technical School in Geelong. Born in 1921, Stanley was 15 years of age when he began his 3-year course in Wool Classing. 30 years later, Stanley’s second son Denis completed the same 3-year wool classing course. Beginning in 1966, Denis attended the same Gordon Technical School and walked the same halls as his father before him. Stanley finished his course in 1938. He went back to the family farm in Lake Bolac for a brief period before enrolling in the Second World War. At the completion of the war, Stanley returned home and married before gaining a soldier settler allotment, north of Willaura. This enabled Stan to use his wool classing knowledge. He ran between 1,500 and 2,000 sheep for many years, while his wool classer stencil also allowed him to go out and class at various sheds around the area. He held his stencil from 1938 until he retired at the age of 60 in 1981. On retirement, his second son Denis was working in the district, managing a local property while also leasing land himself. Upon his father’s retirement, Denis had the opportunity to lease his father’s farm, an opportunity he could not refuse. Denis had finished his wool classing course at the Gordon Technical School in 1968, graduating dux of his class. He began working with a local contractor and started classing wool in his team. Denis gained a great deal of experience working as part of this team in big sheds of up to 8 stands servicing between 10 & 20,000 sheep. It was not all smooth sailing for Denis however, and he soon learnt an important lesson. Class wool the way you’re taught, don’t listen to the owner standing over your shoulder. At a clip of Corriedales near Casterton, Denis was pushing too many fleeces into the line of fine wool. This resulted in a notice from the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) “mixing counts too much, submit three clips for inspection”. Denis was able to submit 3 clips with no further complaints, however, this proved a valuable lesson he would never forget over his long career classing wool. In the early 1980s, when Denis was leasing two properties including his father’s, things were going well until drought struck. February 1983 was the date of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and saw Melbourne have three days over 40 °C for only the second time on record. This period saw Denis give away farming, turning towards contracting work instead. After the difficult times of the early 1980s, the next two decades were a good time for the sheep industry. 15 micron wool was selling for prices between 4 to 5,000 cents per kilo, double what you’d expect for the same wool in 2022. In 1995 a single bale of wool sold for a million dollars. This was a good time for Denis too. His contracting work saw him employing local shearers and shed staff. His team was involved with the shearing and classing of more than 130,000 sheep. After 20 years of contracting, it was time for Denis to transition into the next phase of his life. He gave up independent contracting, preferring instead to return to being a member of someone else’s team. In 2018, having completed 50 years of wool classing, it was time to call it a day and retire completely. At the annual Gordon Wool School Old Students Association dinner held in 2018, Denis was presented with his 50 years as a registered wool classer stencil awarded by the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). This is a rare honour achieved by few. As of February 2020, a total of 430 wool classers had achieved this 50-year milestone. For Denis however, his proudest achievement is achieving 90 years of wool classing with his father. The National Wool Museum is proud to share the collection of objects gained from 90 years in the wool classing industry by Stanley and Denis. This ranges from Stanley’s first stencil and Wool Sample book, started when he first attended the Gordon in 1936. The collection concludes 90 years later with Denis’ 50 years of wool classing Stencil. The collection contains many more objects, all telling the story of these 90 years, and the hard work invested by this dedicated father and son duo. Thin sheet of metal with letters and numbers cut to produce a consistent pattern for the surface below through the application of ink. In small text on the top edge of the stencil two separate phrases are engraved.” A.W.C. PROPERTY NOT TRANSFERABLE” and “PROFESSIONAL“. This wool classing stencil belonged to Stanley Hucker. It was his last Wool Classing Stencil. Dated to 1983, it is 45 years older than his first stencil. The role of a Wool Classer is to sort, classify, and grade wool into various ‘lines’ so that it can be sold for best market price. Wool Classers are typically also tasked with the managing and supervising of wool-handling teams. The stencil is used in the final step of preparing a bale of wool for sale. It is branded across the front of a wool bale to indicate the quality of the wool, with the classers number used as a seal of guarantee.Engraved letters. “A.W.C. PROPERTY / NOT TRANSFERABLE” Engraved letters. “PROFESSIONAL“. Cut imagery. Sheep’s head Cut letters, numbers, and imagery. “83 (Image Australia) P I / 50922”wool classing, stencil, 90 years wool classing between father & son -
National Wool Museum
Tool - Stencil, 1938
The story of 90 years of wool classing between father & son begins in 1936, when a young boy by the name of Stanley James Hucker walked through the doors of the Gordon Technical School in Geelong. Born in 1921, Stanley was 15 years of age when he began his 3-year course in Wool Classing. 30 years later, Stanley’s second son Denis completed the same 3-year wool classing course. Beginning in 1966, Denis attended the same Gordon Technical School and walked the same halls as his father before him. Stanley finished his course in 1938. He went back to the family farm in Lake Bolac for a brief period before enrolling in the Second World War. At the completion of the war, Stanley returned home and married before gaining a soldier settler allotment, north of Willaura. This enabled Stan to use his wool classing knowledge. He ran between 1,500 and 2,000 sheep for many years, while his wool classer stencil also allowed him to go out and class at various sheds around the area. He held his stencil from 1938 until he retired at the age of 60 in 1981. On retirement, his second son Denis was working in the district, managing a local property while also leasing land himself. Upon his father’s retirement, Denis had the opportunity to lease his father’s farm, an opportunity he could not refuse. Denis had finished his wool classing course at the Gordon Technical School in 1968, graduating dux of his class. He began working with a local contractor and started classing wool in his team. Denis gained a great deal of experience working as part of this team in big sheds of up to 8 stands servicing between 10 & 20,000 sheep. It was not all smooth sailing for Denis however, and he soon learnt an important lesson. Class wool the way you’re taught, don’t listen to the owner standing over your shoulder. At a clip of Corriedales near Casterton, Denis was pushing too many fleeces into the line of fine wool. This resulted in a notice from the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) “mixing counts too much, submit three clips for inspection”. Denis was able to submit 3 clips with no further complaints, however, this proved a valuable lesson he would never forget over his long career classing wool. In the early 1980s, when Denis was leasing two properties including his father’s, things were going well until drought struck. February 1983 was the date of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and saw Melbourne have three days over 40 °C for only the second time on record. This period saw Denis give away farming, turning towards contracting work instead. After the difficult times of the early 1980s, the next two decades were a good time for the sheep industry. 15 micron wool was selling for prices between 4 to 5,000 cents per kilo, double what you’d expect for the same wool in 2022. In 1995 a single bale of wool sold for a million dollars. This was a good time for Denis too. His contracting work saw him employing local shearers and shed staff. His team was involved with the shearing and classing of more than 130,000 sheep. After 20 years of contracting, it was time for Denis to transition into the next phase of his life. He gave up independent contracting, preferring instead to return to being a member of someone else’s team. In 2018, having completed 50 years of wool classing, it was time to call it a day and retire completely. At the annual Gordon Wool School Old Students Association dinner held in 2018, Denis was presented with his 50 years as a registered wool classer stencil awarded by the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). This is a rare honour achieved by few. As of February 2020, a total of 430 wool classers had achieved this 50-year milestone. For Denis however, his proudest achievement is achieving 90 years of wool classing with his father. The National Wool Museum is proud to share the collection of objects gained from 90 years in the wool classing industry by Stanley and Denis. This ranges from Stanley’s first stencil and Wool Sample book, started when he first attended the Gordon in 1936. The collection concludes 90 years later with Denis’ 50 years of wool classing Stencil. The collection contains many more objects, all telling the story of these 90 years, and the hard work invested by this dedicated father and son duo. Thin sheet of metal with letters cut to produce a consistent pattern for the surface below through the application of ink. This wool classing stencil belonged to Stanley Hucker. It was his first Wool Classing Stencil. It was used on Stanley’s property named “Yohhatnbu” in Willaura. Stanley gained the property as part of the Returned Soldiers Settlement Scheme for his service in World War 2. The role of a Wool Classer is to sort, classify, and grade wool into various ‘lines’ so that it can be sold for best market price. Wool Classers are typically also tasked with the managing and supervising of wool-handling teams. The stencil is used in the final step of preparing a bale of wool for sale. It is branded across the front of a wool bale to indicate the quality of the wool, with the classers number used as a seal of guarantee.Cut letters. “SJH / BOLAC ”wool classing, stencil, 90 years wool classing between father & son -
National Wool Museum
Ephemera - Wool Tags, Younghusband Limited
The company was founded by merchant squatter, Isaac Younghusband, originally as Younghusband & Co Ltd and was registered in Victoria on 1 May 1889. The business was engaged in woolbroking and as stock and station agents. In 1897 it became a proprietary company under the name of Younghusband & Co Pty Ltd. Another change in name occurred in 1902 when the company took over the woolbrokers R Goldsbrough Row & Co Pty Ltd and became known as Younghusband Row & Co Pty Ltd. In 1920 the company became known as Younghusband Limited. In September 1971 the company was taken over by Elder Smith Goldsbrough Mort Ltd.Orange and cream wool tag with black printed text. Front: [printed] TO / YOUNGHUSBAND LIMITED / WOOL, SKIN, HIDE AND TALLOW BROKERS / KENSINGTON / Owner / Address / Date Despatched / No. of / Packageswool brokers, kensington, textile industry, wool, skin, tallow, hide, sheep, wool industry, younghusband limited -
National Wool Museum
Tool - Drum Carder, Kacoonda, c.1980
This drum carder was purchase by Gill Stange at the Whittlesea Show in the late 1980s. The carder allowed Gill to spin fleece from her own Merino sheep. Merino is a difficult wool to spin when compared to other popular varieties, such as Corriedale or crossbred wool. The carder helped her to tease out the fleece, slightly separating the fibres before spinning. It also allowed for easier removal of foreign matters, such as seeds and mud. Little is known about the Kacoonda brand who produced the carder. They were Australian based and appear to have only operated throughout the 1980s.The carder has one large central roller with two smaller rollers on either side. The larger roller rotates in the inverse direction of the two smaller rollers. The carding cloth is a mint green in which closely spaced wire pins are embedded. The shape, length, diameter, and spacing of these wire pins is that of a standard carder. On one side of the carder a handle is found that is used to spin the three rollers. Additionally on this side is a sticker which reads “The Kacoonda Carder. Subject to Patent Action”. A Silver grip for the easy movement of the carder can also be found high on this side. On the opposite side of the carder, many nuts and plates can be found which hold the rollers in place. This is opposed to the other side of the carder, which has a brown plastic cover plate attached underneath the handle. The walls providing a path for the carded wool to follow when being carded, are made of wood. The carder comes complete with a teasing tool. This tool has the same mint green carding cloth as the carder’s rollers. It is attached to a simple wood handle for ease of use.Wording, green, printed. Sticker on side of carder. “The Kacoonda Carder / SUBJECT TO PATENT ACTION”whittlesea show, drum carder, textile production, carding wool, kacoonda -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Audio - Audio tapes, Shire Centenary meeting 1963, Circa 1963
The Warrnambool Shire commenced in 1863 and was 613 square miles in area and had a population of about 8000. It was divided into three ridings each with three councillors. Its industries were dairying, general farming, cheese and butter making, wool growing, sheep and cattle raising. There are more than 20 parishes and more than 29 small townships in the area The industries, agriculture, and people of the Warrnambool Shire provided substantial support to the city of Warrnambool over a long period of time. Three audio reel to reel tapes two in green and white boxesShire Centenary meeting 1963 tape1, 2, 3. depth. Two tapes stored in grey and white cardboard box, Irish recording tape, a product of AMPEXwarrnambool, warrnambool shire council, warrnambool shire centenary -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Artefact, Lister, Shearing heads, Early 20th century
The woollen industry has always been of the utmost importance in Australia. Although exports have declined over the past decades the production of fine wool still remains important in our economy. The great increase in wool production in the mid to late 19th century in Australia led to the need to replace the hand shears with some mechanized form of shearing. The first sheep shearing machine in Australia was patented in 1867 and improvements to this early model were made over the ensuing years. The early 1890s saw the introduction of flexible drive shafts. The two items here described show this innovation. These two items are of interest as examples of handpieces used early in the 20th century in the mechanized shearing of sheep. They would be typical of the pieces used in the wool industry in the early 20th century in Western Victoria. There are today many local shearers living in Warrnambool and nearby towns and working in the district. .1 This is a metal handpiece for a sheep shearing mechanism. It has a toothed blade attached with metal screws at one end and a jointed metal pipe at the other end for attachment to the shearing machine. The middle section has been covered with black leather for easier gripping. .2 This is a metal handpiece for a sheep shearing mechanism. It has a toothed blade at one end and a flexible metal attachment at the other end to connect it to the shearing machine. Both items are rusted and stained. ‘Sunbeam Flight Lister’sheep shearing in the western district, warrnambool -
National Wool Museum
Taxidermy Sheep, Mr. Polwarth, c1980
The Polwarth is the first new breed of sheep developed in Australia for Australian conditions. 75% Merino and 25% Lincoln, the fleece is white, soft and high yielding, and is resistant to fleece rot. A dual purpose breed, the Polwarth produces fine wool as well as a quality carcass that is particularly lean and well suited to lamb and mutton. A large breed of sheep, mature ewes generally reach 50 to 60kg, while the mature rams, like Mr Polwarth, typically weigh in at 66 to 80kg. This breed has approximately 7kg of fleece per animal which is 23 to 25 microns. The Polwarth was bred to the west of Geelong at Tarndwarncoort Station, just outside of Colac, in the state electorate of Polwarth. Settled by the Dennis family in 1840, the station is still owned by the same family and they still breed Polwarth sheep.Polwarth ram sheep. Has a medium size body and short legs with white fleece covering his eyes. sheep, polwarth -
National Wool Museum
Book, Wool Classing Exercise Book, 1960-62
The National Wool Museum accepted a donation from Brian Licence in 2022 of several mementoes relating to his career in the wool industry. This Wool Classing Exercise Book was written by Brian in his time at the Gordon Technical College from 1960-62. Brian studied Wool Classing and worked for a decade in this profession before moving to Melbourne which required him to change careers.This Wool Classing Exercise book begins with a grey cover and a blue and silver metal binder. It has the number “240” handwritten in white pencil at the centre of the cover and “Brian Licence Animal Husbandry” written in blue ink on the top right corner. Internally, the book is handwritten with occasional hand drawn images. This work is completed on yellowed pages with faint blue lines, for assistance in clarity of handwriting. The pages are surrounded by a margin of red pen. The exercise book’s content is about basic animal husbandry for sheep that a Wool Classer may need to know while in a shearing shed. It is handwritten. A selection of pages have been photographed to give an impression of the information taught in classes 60 years ago. This includes information about: - Dentistry - Skeletal - Blood Circulation - Breathing - Internal parasites The book has 50 completed pages of handwriting on both front and back. Handwritten, white pencil. Centre of cover. “240” Handwritten, blue ink. Top right corner of cover. “Brian Licence. / Animal Husbandry” gordon institute geelong, 1960s sheep farming, wool classing, sheep dentistry, sheep skeletal, sheep blood circulation, sheep breathing, sheep internal parasites -
Port of Echuca
Functional object - metal stencil ' X Bred'
Metal stencils were predominately used in the late 1800s to mark wool bales with sheep station identifiers. This stencil is a good example of the types of hand-marking that took place in the industrial landscape of Echuca, where bales were transported from nearby stations to places around Australia using the barge system that the Port has captured in its exhibition precinct to date.This item is in excellent condition and adds to the interpretative capacity of the Port Echuca collection. Small rectangular flat metal stencil with letters XBRED cut out.XBRED port of echuca, stencil -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Purse Money Filigree, circa early 1900s
This item has historical value as it shows part of the importance of fashionable money containers specific to a more affluent rural family. The period when sheep properties producing high grade wool were providing Australia with the high yield capital return to sustain an ever growing population. This was an era where most of the manufactured goods were imported from England and the European continent.This has relevant significant value as it portrays the earlier reliance that the growing Australian population had from the rural sector. The wealth capital was from the rural sector and the elaborate fashion accessories, such as this money purse, shows how that wealth was utilised. The Kiewa Valley was part of the "rich" farm regions of Victoria and besides gold mines and tobacco plantations, dairy and cattle properties provided for not only the needs of the Victorian region but also the rest of Australia. This gold plated filigree money purse has a clasp on top for fastening purposes and has on either side inside a small extension frame which would have contained a felt/silk padding buffer. The buffer would have highlighted the intricate pattern of the filigree metalwork.hand purse, money purse, filigree women's accessories -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Functional object - Chains - bullock harness, n.d
Thought to be the chains used for the Henty's bullock harness. The Henty family are known as Victoria's earliest European settlers and pastoralists, emigrant squatters who played a defining role in the establishment of Portland and the development of the region's wool trade. Facing challenges as a farmer in early 19th-century England, West Sussex grazier Thomas Henty (1775–1839) turned his sights south to the colonies, where he believed his seven sons would have a brighter future as sheep breeders and wool producers. He had been the first to introduce merino to the south of England, and would do so in the colonies also.Thought to be the chains used for the Henty's bullock harness.Iron chains with fittings for bullock harnesses.farming, rural industry, henty, bullock, chains