Sad irons, also called flat irons or smoothing irons, are shaped pieces of metal that are flat and polished on one side and have a handle attached to the other, created for the purpose of ironing fabric. “Sad” is an Old English word for “solid,” and the term “sad iron” is often used to distinguish the largest and heaviest of flat irons. They often had a trivet on which to rest the hot iron. These irons are representative of domestic appliances used prior to the advent of electricity in the home.A pair of triangular flat irons. They are made of solid cast iron with hollow iron handles. Flat irons were commonly heated on trivets in front of open fires, or on the tops of closed ranges. They were made in numbered series which related to their size, but there did not appear to be any standardisation in the series between manufacturers.domestic appliances, flat irons, sad irons

Mrs Potts Sad Iron Set . This double point design with detachable handle was patented in the United States of America by Mary Potts in 1871. It was sold in sets of three bodies with one handle and a stand or trivet. The detachable insulated handle was designed to always remain cool for ironing. The handle was detachable, so that several irons could be on the stove at one time and the handle swapped between several bodies. This item is an example of an invention that was universally adopted to make the task of ironing safer and more efficient.A set of double pointed flat irons which detachable handle. This set includes a trivet to rest the unused iron on. All components are made from cast irondomestic appliances, flat irons, sad irons, mrs potts irons

This silver and bone fork is part of a collection donated by Mrs. Jean Raper of Wodonga.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A silver cake fork with bone handle and etched design on the fork tines.sillverware, domestic utensils

This silver embossed fork is part of a collection donated by Mrs. Jean Raper of Wodonga.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A 3 pronged silver serving fork with a looped handle. The tines and handle are decorated with an embossed floral design on both sides. It includes a satin and velvet lined case. floral designsillverware, domestic utensils

This ostrich feather fan is part of a collection donated by Mrs. Jean Raper of Wodonga.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A black ostrich feather fan with vanes of faux tortoiseshell.accessories, fashion, vintage fashion

This inkwell is part of a collection donated by Mrs. Jean Raper of Wodonga.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A small inkwell with hinged lid. Inkwells such as these were used by naval officers during World War 1. The mark on the lid has been identified as being of either Austrian or Russian origin. KKA PRIV is an abbeviation for Kaiserlicher Konigslicher Adler Privilig – Imperial Royal Eagle Priviledge. This is said to be the Austro-Hungarian equivalent of ‘By Appointment to Her Majesty’.Engraved on inner cover `K.K.A. Priv" with double headed eagle and anchor.vintage inkwells, writing implements, naval equipment

This silver mirror is part of a collection donated by Mrs. Jean Raper of Wodonga. It was owned by her aunt, Mrs. Mary Burrowes nee Dinsmore.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A round silver hand mirror decorated with raised ribbon and floral designs repeated on the back and handle. The initial "M" is also embossed on the centre back.Engraved on back "M"vintage mirror, personal accessories

This cruet set is part of a collection donated by Mrs. Jean Raper of Wodonga. It was produced by Harrison Brothers & Howson of Sheffield, England. This company was founded in 1847 by James William Harrison, Henry Harrison and William Howson. The firm, originally at Norfolk Street, Sheffield expanded in the 1880s to the Shoreham Street Works. A new factory was built at Carver Street in 1898. The trademark was taken over by Viners of Sheffield in 1923. The firm used the trade mark ALPHA PLATE, BEACON PLATE, HALPHROID and LUSTROUSThis item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A condiment cruet set consisting of silver plate stand and handle and glass salt, pepper and vinegar holders. The maker's mark of Harrison Brothers and Howson is embossed on the underside of the stand.On base beneath a crown "ALPHA/HB&H/7932"domestic items, condiment set, silver plate

This belt buckle accessory is part of collection donated by Mrs. Jean RaperThis item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A rectangular gold metallic belt buckle with an embossed leaf design. It also features entwined loops.fashion accessory, metallic jewellery

This hair accessory is part of collection donated by Mrs. Jean Raper. It belonged to her great grandmother Mrs. Eliza Reardon.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A pronged hair ornament used to decorate a woman's bun and hold it securely in place.hair decorations, personal accessories

This pen and ink set is part of a collection donated by Mrs. Jean Raper. It was used by the teacher at Upper Gundowring Primary school, Victoria. The school, number 2733, opened on 13 July 1886. Due to changing demographics in the region, in 1953 the school was merged with schools from Dederang North, Kergunyah, Gundowring, Kiewa, Red Bluff, Charleroi and Gundowing North on a 10 acre site with 11 rooms at Kiewa to become Kiewa Valley Consolidated School.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A china pen and ink set painted with a floral design.pen and ink, personal items, teacher supplies, upper gundowring primary school

A hat pin is a decorative pin for holding a hat to the head. During the 1880s, bonnets gave way to hats, and the popularity of hatpins soared. They remained a standard women's accessory through the 1910s and were produced in a vast range of materials and types. They were typically around 20 cm in length, with the pinhead being the most decorated part. In some countries they were viewed as a potentially dangerous weapon which could be used by women in self-defence, so regulations were introduced to limit the length allowed. These hat pins were used c1900.This item is from the Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A pair of simple hat pins with faux silver ball shaped head.jewellery, hat pins, fashion accessory

This milk jug and cup are part of collection donated by Mrs. Jean Raper. They belonged to her grandmother, Mrs. Alice Dinsmore.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A navy blue and white china milk jug and cup. Both have a floral design and the cup has a blue line around the rim.domestic items, chinaware

This vase is part of collection donated by Mrs. Jean Raper. It belonged to her grandmother, Mrs. Alice Dinsmore.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A small ruby glass vase. Although this vase has no markings, decorative items made from ruby glass were popular during the Victorian era and the early 20th century.vase, glassware, decorative items

The First Australian Exhibition of Women's Work was held at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, from 23 October to 30 November 1907. It was opened by Lady Northcote (the wife of Australia’s Governor General) and Pattie Deakin (wife of the Prime Minister), who also ran a model creche during the exhibition. The five week exhibition showcased the work of women musicians, artists and craftswomen with over 16,000 exhibits in all fields of artistic endeavour. It was attended by approximately 250,000 people. Exhibits were divided into Classes, including Fine Arts; Applied Arts; Photography; Plain Needlework; Cookery, Preserves and Laundry Work; Horticulture; and Medical and Nursing. This item was owned by Mrs. Mary Burrowes, aunt of Mrs. Jean Raper.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A small ruby glass and crystal jug which was produced as a souvenir of the Australian Exhibition of Women's Work held at the Exhibition Building in Melbourne in 1907. It has been inscribed in gold coloured paint. "Mary Women's Exhibition 1907"vase, glassware, decorative items

The First Australian Exhibition of Women's Work was held at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, from 23 October to 30 November 1907. It was opened by Lady Northcote (the wife of Australia’s Governor General) and Pattie Deakin (wife of the Prime Minister), who also ran a model creche during the exhibition. The five week exhibition showcased the work of women musicians, artists and craftswomen with over 16,000 exhibits in all fields of artistic endeavour. It was attended by approximately 250,000 people. Exhibits were divided into Classes, including Fine Arts; Applied Arts; Photography; Plain Needlework; Cookery, Preserves and Laundry Work; Horticulture; and Medical and Nursing. This item was owned by Mrs. Alice Yardy nee Dinsmore, grandmother of Mrs. Jean Raper.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A small green glass vase with gilt edge which was produced as a souvenir of the Australian Exhibition of Women's Work held at the Exhibition Building in Melbourne in 1907. It has been inscribed in gold lettering. "Alice Women's Exhibition 1907"vase, glassware, decorative items

Pen-wipers or pen-cleaners were invented to prolong the usefulness of their pens by keeping them clean and dry between uses. This helped to prevent rusting of the nib from water-based inks. In the 1890s and 1900s, with the rise of the fountain pen, pen-cleaners remained a popular desktop accessory, since they could still be used to wipe away the excess ink from the nib and feed of a pen, once it had been refilled in an inkwell. Pen-cleaners died out in the second half of the 1900s when people started using ballpoint pens.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A blue/mauve glass bowl on 6 petal shaped metal feet. It contains a central black brush which was used to clean the ink from metal pen nibs.domestic items, writing implements, pen and ink

The mark on these items indicate that they are Gouda pottery. Gouda is a style of Dutch pottery named after the city of Gouda, where it was historically manufactured. Gouda pottery gained worldwide prominence in the early 20th century and remains highly desirable to collectors today. Gouda pottery is diverse and visually distinctive in appearance, typically illustrated with colourful and highly decorated Art Nouveau or Art Deco designs. Pieces were mass produced but painted by hand by many individual artists. The dating mark system used and the small house represent the pottery of Plateelbakkerij Zuid Holland (PZH). This is a simplification of the "Lazarus-poort" (the Lazarus Gate). It stands for a building in the town of Gouda that dates back to 1609 where they assisted people who suffered from leprosy. The PZH produced pottery from as early as 1898 until 1965.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. Hand painted pottery cup and bowl in art deco designs. These items are examples of Gouda pottery.Underneath cup : "LQ4/HENLY/A.R.J.T/HOLLAND" with 2 Vertical diamonds representing 1923 and house which is stylised image of the Gate of Lazurus. Underneath Bowl: "401/PEGGY/2 Vertical Diamonds 3 W v V/HOLLAND"domestic items, gouda pottery, ceramics

Pen-wipers or pen-cleaners were invented to prolong the usefulness of their pens by keeping them clean and dry between uses. This helped to prevent rusting of the nib from water-based inks. In the 1890s and 1900s, with the rise of the fountain pen, pen-cleaners remained a popular desktop accessory, since they could still be used to wipe away the excess ink from the nib and feed of a pen, once it had been refilled in an inkwell. Pen-cleaners died out in the second half of the 1900s when people started using ballpoint pens. This wiper was used by the teacher at Upper Gundowring Primary school, Victoria. The school, number 2733, opened on 13 July 1886. Due to changing demographics in the region, in 1953 the school was merged with schools from Dederang North, Kergunyah, Gundowring, Kiewa, Red Bluff, Charleroi and Gundowing North on a 10 acre site with 11 rooms at Kiewa to become Kiewa Valley Consolidated School.This item is was donated by Mrs. Betty Barberis, a well-known artist in the Wodonga district.ThIs ceramic pen wiper/ cleaner was produced to clean and maintain the nib on an ink pen. It has a blue line pattern at the base, middle and inside the rim.domestic items, writing implements, pen and ink

This glass design bears a leaf design etched into the surface. It is believe to have been produced in Melbourne, possibly at the Melbourne Glass Bottle Works Co Pty Ltd. It belonged to Mrs. Eliza Reardon, great grandmother of Mrs. Jean Raper.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A glass mug with and etched leaf design, thought to have been made in Melbourne, Victoria.glassware, decorative items, glass mug

Kerosene lamps were used as a main source of lighting throughout Australia prior to the supply of domestic electrical services. This was obviously later in many rural areas. This lamp was used in the home of Mrs. Gina Elizabeth Harris of Bethanga in Northeast Victoria where electricity was connected on 23 March 1959.This lamp is representative of the lamps used throughout Australia prior to the introduction of domestic electricity supplies. This vintage kerosene lamp is model No. 21 which was manufactured by Aladdin Industries in Greenford, Middlesex, England in the 1950s. Base stems were mostly made from wood, turned into several different patterns. More expensive table lamp stems were of metal. Bases were mostly steel filled with sand as a weight. When Bakelite became available it was used extensively in three different colours, although collectors say that white bases were used primarily in hospitals and churches and are more rare. On wick knob: "21/Aladdin Industries Ltd/GREENFORD" Inscribed around burner: "GB Patent No 9. 69-4273-4"kerosene lamp, bakelite, domestic appliances

The Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection provides invaluable insight into life in late nineteenth and early twentieth century north east Victoria. The collection comprises manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family on their farm in Wodonga, and a set of glass negatives which offer a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community. The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s. This item is from the Haeusler collection. It is a stoneware, urn-shaped vase. The mark "V210" underneath the vase identifies it as an Antique Majolica Green Glazed Victorian Mantle Vase. Majolica is an earthenware pottery decorated with a clear lead glaze. It became very popular during the Victorian era. This item is from the Hauseler Collection which documents social life of early settlers in the Wodonga community.A stoneware, urn-shaped vase. It has a waisted square foot, urn shaped body, trumpet neck and two curved side handles. It is decorated with scrolling leaves on the body and leaves on the foot, glazed with a monochrome dark green glaze.Underneath Base V210household items, decorative arts, ceramics, haeusler collection

This item belonged to Mrs. Eliza Reardon, great grandmother of Mrs. Jean Raper.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A rectangular black lacquered jewellery box. The lid in decorated with an image of 3 Chinese women, a man and a child in traditional clothing. They are looking at an open box on the floor which has mice coming out of it.decorative items, jewellery, lacquerware

This gilt bronze medal was issued to school children to commemorate the opening of the first Australian Federal Parliament which opened in Melbourne on 9 May, 1901. This item was used to commemorate an important Australian historical event.A gilt bronze medal in a shield shape with a crown at the top. On on the obverse side are images of Queen Victoria and Edward VII and an inscription. On the reverse side are images of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York and an inscription.Obverse side at top: "AUST. COMMONWEALTH/EST. 1 JAN. 1901/63D of VICTORIA, R.I". Below the images "FIRST PARLIAMENT OPENED/MAY 1902/1ST of EDWARD VII. Along the bottom rim: WA TAS NSW VIC SA QLD. Reverse side at the top:" OPENING OF THE FIRST /FEDERAL PARLIAMENT". Below the images: "T.R.H/ THE DUKE & DUCHESS OF CORNWALL/AND , MAY 1904"medallion, australian federal parliament opening, federal parliament melbourne

This item belonged to Mrs. Alice Dinsmore, grandmother of Mrs. Jean Raper.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. An ornate silver scabbard shaped spectacles case and lady's gold rimmed spectacles. The case is decorated with a leaf design and has the initials "FM" inscribed on it. There is a velvet lining and also has a chain and clasp attached. This allowed the case to be attached to a belt. On front "FM"decorative items, jewellery, spectacles

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. These bellows were handcrafted by Mr James Ripper, a great uncle of Mrs. Jean Raper. An item of signifance throughout Australia, bellows were used in 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 set of hand carved wooden bellows. Each side of the bellows was crafted from one piece of timber. The bellows were joined with leather, brass studs and a metal nozzle.bellows, handcragted items, domestic items

These small Chinese-influenced ornaments were popular in Australia in the early 1900s.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. 2 small metal containers with with embossed designs. The rectangular container has a leaf design whilst the rectangular container has dragon-like creatures on each side.decorative items, jewellery, lacquerware

Smiths patented moving coil clocks incorporating transistors, but did not put any models on the market until 1962 when they announced the Sectronic, which had a moving coil movement. This movement had three hairsprings which served to carry current to the coils. These were one of the first battery operated clocks created. This clock is representative of 1960s timepieces. These were the first battery clocks.A small round clock with Roman numerals and gold circular design around the centre. The clock was produced by Smiths Industries Ltd. in England. It is battery powered and features the Smith Sectronic battery which was first introduced in 1962. In centre of clock face "SMITHS/SECTRONIC BATTERY/MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN" clocks, smith sectronic

Lorgnette were a pair of spectacles with a handle, used to hold them in place, rather than fitting over the ears or nose. The name derives from the French lorgner, meaning to take a sidelong look. The lens were often just magnifiers although they later evolved to include prescription lenses. They became widely used in the 19th century and were popular in the Victorian Era.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A lorgnette or pair of hand-held brass-rimmed spectacles.lorgnette, women's spectacles

The first transistor radio (the Regency TR-1) was produced by Regency Electronics in cooperation with Texas Instruments in 1954. Transistor 4 , the AWA transistor radio was manufactured by Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Limited (AWA), Australia's largest and most prominent twentieth century producer of radios, televisions, audio and telecommunications equipment. Transistor radios went on to become the most popular electronic communication device of the 1960s and 1970s. Billions of transistor radios are estimated to have been sold worldwide between the 1950s and 2012. They were exceptionally popular amongst young people in Australia due to their portability, allowing them to be taken wherever you wanted to gather with friends or, due to the headphone attachment, without disturbing those around you. These pocket radios are representative of technological developments which had a vast influence on social life and activities throughout Australia.4 pocket transistor radios of various brands. No. 1 orange Sanyo RP 1280 manufactured in 1979/1980. No2. is white bakelite No. 2 K--181 pocket transistor made by the Kmart Corporation c1975 and No. 3 is a Nation Brand AM Portable Receiver made in Hong Kong c1980. No. 4 Is an AWA Radiola B121 Solid State pocket transistor. All of them include a socket to plug in an ear piece.No. 1 on the front "SANYO RP 1280 and tuning dial. On the back: "SANYO MODEL RP 1280/ DC 3 V 2 x "AA" BATTERY/ SANYO ELECTRIC CO. LTD." No. 2 on the front "K-181" and tuning dial. On the back "Code 600-857/ AM POCKET RADIO/DC-3VC (UM-3x2)/ART 181. HONG KONG" No. 3 AM Portable Receiver Nation Brand on front No 4. on the front: below dial - AWA Radiola B121 ad at bottom "SOLID STATE" On the back: AWA Thorn Consumer Products Pty. Ltd./Model No. B121/Batteries 2 x UM-3 OR AA Cells/AM 520 -1620KHz/ Serial No. 75686/ Made in Hong Kong"radio communications, transistor radio