Smokers are used to calm bees. This is done by putting some kind of fuel into the chamber (pine needles, hessian, anything that smokes a lot when it burns), lighting it, then puffing the bellows to bring forth the smoke. The smoke has a calming influence over the bees, and helps stop them from stinging. The guard around the outside is to prevent burns via contact with the hot chamber.Circular canister, metal, with spout attached. Connected by metal struts is bellows. Bellows have wooden front and back, joined by leather that is attached by metal.smoker, antique, beekeeping, beechworth honey

The queen bee cage is designed to hold a queen bee, and up to three or four escort worker bees. The design allows for adequate ventilation, and has a spot for 'queen candy' -candied honey- to block one end. The queen is placed in her new hive inside the cage, and once the queen candy has been eaten through -allowing her access to the hive- the hive has become accustomed to her smell and accept her. Bees could be sent through the post in this cage.Mesh cage stapled onto top and bottom metal bands. One metal strut running between top and bottom. Base is metal, larger than lid. Lid is wooden, with circular hole.cage, queen, bee, transport, queen bee cage, beechworth honey

Honey tins were made to industry standards, and beekeepers bought tins from manufacturers. One of the largest manufacturers was Pender Bros, based in Maitland NSW. When a customer had emptied a tin, they returned it to the beekeeper when they went to buy more honey.Metal honey tin. Front label; "Pure Honey Produced and Packed by [no association label]" "Product of N.S.W" "6 LB NET" Back Label; "Honey The Commercial Apiarists Association of N.S.W Member" Also on the back label is a pseudo coat-of-arms. Tin has no lid.old, honey, tin, honey tin, beechworth honey

Honey tins were made to industry standards, and beekeepers bought tins from manufacturers. One of the largest manufacturers was Pender Bros, based in Maitland NSW. When a customer had emptied a tin, they returned it to the beekeeper when they went to buy more honey.Metal honey tin. Front Label; "Pure Honey 7LB Net Weight" Banner Title; "Pure Honey Gathered in the Australian Bushland" Two notices on label; first detailing chemical composition of honey, "Honey at Breakfast Time", second "In Sickness and in Health" Tin has no lid. Tin is very rusty inside.old, honey, tin, honey tin, beechworth honey

Honey tins were made to industry standards, and beekeepers bought tins from manufacturers. One of the largest manufacturers was Pender Bros, based in Maitland NSW. When a customer had emptied a tin, they returned it to the beekeeper when they went to buy more honey.Metal honey tin with metal handle and lid. Front label; "Finest Honey for your daily Diet" "NET WEIGHT 3Kg" Two notices on label, first notice; "Honey is an ideal breakfast food" second notice is a general statement on use of honey.old, honey, tin, honey tin, beechworth honey

Honey tins were made to industry standards, and beekeepers bought tins from manufacturers. One of the largest manufacturers was Pender Bros, based in Maitland NSW. When a customer had emptied a tin, they returned it to the beekeeper when they went to buy more honey.Metal honey tin with metal handle and lid. Front label; "Finest Honey for your daily Diet" "NET WEIGHT 3Kg" Two notices on label, first notice; "Honey is an ideal breakfast food" second notice is a general statement on use of honey.old, honey, tin, honey tin, beechworth honey

Honey tins were made to industry standards, and beekeepers bought tins from manufacturers. One of the largest manufacturers was Pender Bros, based in Maitland NSW. When a customer had emptied a tin, they returned it to the beekeeper when they went to buy more honey.Metal honey tin, no lid. Very rusty inside and out. No content label, has rusty metal handle.rusty, old, honey, tin, honey tin, beechworth honey

Honey tins were made to industry standards, and beekeepers bought tins from manufacturers. One of the largest manufacturers was Pender Bros, based in Maitland NSW. When a customer had emptied a tin, they returned it to the beekeeper when they went to buy more honey.Metal honey tin with lid and handle. Rusty, no label.rusty, old, honey, tin, honey tin, beechworth honey

Honey tins were made to industry standards, and beekeepers bought tins from manufacturers. One of the largest manufacturers was Pender Bros, based in Maitland NSW. When a customer had emptied a tin, they returned it to the beekeeper when they went to buy more honey.Metal honey tin with lid. Front label; "Finest Honey for your daily Diet" "NET WEIGHT 1.5Kg" Two notices on label, first notice; "Honey is an ideal breakfast food" second notice is a general statement on use of honey. Is in good condition; little to no rust.old, honey, tin, honey tin, beechworth honey

Smokers are used to calm bees. This is done by putting some kind of fuel into the chamber (pine needles, hessian, anything that smokes a lot when it burns), lighting it, then puffing the bellows to bring forth the smoke. The smoke has a calming influence over the bees, and helps stop them from stinging. The guard around the outside is to prevent burns via contact with the hot chamber.Circular canister, metal, with spout attached. Connected by metal struts to circular bellows. Bellows are missing. Canister very rusty, extensive use wear. Lid is fused to canister.rusty, smoker, antique smoker, beechworth honey

Smokers are used to calm bees. This is done by putting some kind of fuel into the chamber (pine needles, hessian, anything that smokes a lot when it burns), lighting it, then puffing the bellows to bring forth the smoke. The smoke has a calming influence over the bees, and helps stop them from stinging. The guard around the outside is to prevent burns via contact with the hot chamber.Circular canister, metal, with spout attached. Connected by metal struts to bellows. Bellows have wooden front and back joined by leather that is attached by metal. Very rusty; lid fused shut. Extensive use wear.rusty, smoker, antique smoker, beechworth honey

This was used with an ink-stamp pad. It was stamped onto plain cardboard boxed, to show that the contents belonged to the Robinsons. Using stamps such as this was a cheaper alternative to ordering specifically designed boxed. This stamp was used between 1978 and 1990.Box labeller with red plastic handle. Marks as "Robinson Honey 6x1.5Kg"stamp, labelling stamp, robinsons, beechworth honey

This was used with an ink-stamp pad. It was stamped onto plain cardboard boxed, to show that the contents belonged to the Robinsons. Using stamps such as this was a cheaper alternative to ordering specifically designed boxed. This stamp was used between 1978 and 1990.Box labeller with red plastic handle. Marks as "Robinsons Honey 12x1Kg". Shows use wear.stamp, labelling stamp, robinsons, beechworth honey

This was used with an ink-stamp pad. It was stamped onto plain cardboard boxed, to show that the contents were the property of Beechworth Honey. Using stamps such as this was a cheaper alternative to ordering specifically designed boxed. Box Labeller with red plastic handle. Marks as "Pure Beechworth Honey Steven & Jodie Goldsworthy RMB 1125, Bobinawarrah, 3678, Vic. Ph: (057) 273 639 (018) 059242"stamp, labelling stamp, beechworth honey

In the early days of beekeeping, protective veils were not worn. It was considered a sign of weakness if you could not put up with bee stings. This veil was made by Amy Robinson- her husband and his brother had no interest in putting up with being stung. The solid cloth at the back stops bee stings completely; the veil, while good, does not stop stings if it is pushed up against skin.Original handmade beekeepers veil belonging to Bill Robinson. Mended many times over by his wife Amy Robinson.Handmade beekeepers veil; metal mesh over front facing, cloth veil. Repaired with brown cotton. Very fragile.beekeeper, veil, antique, equiptment, beekeepers veil, beechworth honey

These beeswax moulds are second-hand bread tins from a baker. Beekeepers would re-use anything suitable for melting blocks of wax, this is an example. These weren't so good, the wax was a bit hard to get out.Metal rectangular tub, joined on one side to identical tub. No lids. Rusty, shows use wear. metal, mould, beeswax, beeswax mould, beechworth honey

Metal lid for honey tank. Has protruding knob on top.lid, honey tank lid, beechworth honey

This honey tank supplied honey to Beechworth residents for between 40 and 50 years. The beekeeper (William Robinson) would warm some honey, and pour it into this tank. This tank was then used to dispense the honey in other jars/ containers for customers. His wife, Amy, typically sold the honey.Creamish-coloured metal tank with lid. Pouring handle on front. Inside shows evidence of considerable use. Front handle is metal.Embossed on front handle; "Pender made in Maitland N.S.W"tank, pender, honey tank, beechworth honey

This is the diary of Frank L. Frost; a beekeeper who worked in North-East Victoria. It covers from 1915 to 1924.This diary is very significant as it gives details about the methods used by early beekeepers in Australia. As it also contains information such as location and condition of flowering plants preferred by bees in specific locations, this diary is very significant because it can be used to see how those locations have changed over the years.Hand-written diary containing notes, maps, drawings, charts, tables, some newspaper cuttings and financial information. It contains approximately 72 pages. The original diary was encased in wooden frames.hand written, hand-written, diary, beekeeper, record, frost, beechworth honey

This is one of the maps drawn by Frank L. Frost while he was beekeeping in North-East Victoria. This particular map may be reference in the "Wooden" Diary on pages 12, 13 and 17.Front Side: Hand-drawn map centred on Chiltern showing the Melbourne road [Hume Freeway] and the Beechworth-Rutherglen road with detailed locations of flora in the region. Flora includes; Iron Bark, Stringy Bark, Red Box and Yellow Box. Details regarding quantity of flowers and quality of trees is included. Back Side: Some names and addresses are recorded in pencil. Drawn with black pen and grey lead on paper. A grid and other symbols are marked in red ink.hand drawn, hand-drawn, map, chiltern, 1915, beekeeper, frost, beechworth honey

This is one of the maps drawn by Frank L. Frost while he was beekeeping in North-East Victoria. This particular map may be reference in the "Wooden" Diary on page 8.Hand-drawn map centred on Myrtleford, Palmerston, Gapstead Road, the Ovens River and the Myrtleford-Wangaratta Road. Shows locations of flowering eucalypts. Scale is 1 mile to 1 inch. Drawn with black pen and grey lead on paper. Names of towns are marked in red pen. hand drawn, hand-drawn, map, myrtleford, palmerston, gapstead, ovens, beekeeping, frost, beechworth honey