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 no known local provenance but it is retained as an early model of a tin opener from the past. It will be useful for display. 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’ household items, history of warrnambool

These sulphur fumigator cubes were used in the past to fumigate areas in such places as hospitals, plant nurseries, farms and homes. The cube was placed in a tin containing soil and the top wick was set alight and the cube would burn overnight and kill off insects, mites and germs. One cube was sufficient for a room six feet square. This is a square cardboard box with no lid. The box is brown with orange, red and black printing. The box contains three cubes of sulphur fumigators. There should be four but one cube is missing. The cubes are square-shaped with beige-coloured sides and yellow tops. The tops have raised sections which serve as wicks. ‘Light This’ ‘Johnson’s Sulphur Fumigator prepared by Johnson & Johnson, Manufacturing Chemists’ household items, history of warrnambool

This glass dish would probably have been used at the dining table to hold salt, mustard or another condiment. Or it could have been used in an office to hold small pins etc. or it could have held a flower or flowers but it is a little shallow for this purpose. This item has no known local provenance but is retained for display purposes as an item more likely to have been used in past days. This is a small oval-shaped glass dish. The base is made of plain glass but the sides are patterned with plain glass interspersed with ridged glass. household items, history of warrnambool

This hat pin stand would have been a common object in a woman’s bedroom in the past, especially about the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century when women wore large hats and they needed large pins to hold them in place. This hat pin holder has no known local provenance but it is kept as a memento of the past and will be useful for display.This is a silver-coloured metal stand with a round base with impressed patterns on the top and a central raised oval section containing a circular spike. Near the top of the spike is a circular-shaped piece of metal in a fretwork pattern. This fretwork has been welded on and has space to insert several hat pins women’s accessories, history of warrnambool, hat pin stand

This item is one that was sold to tourists in Warrnambool in the mid to late 20th century. The dish has been mass produced in England and the image of Shelly Beach in Warrnambool added later, probably in Australia. As it is a Royal Stafford china piece it would have been a relatively costly item. It could have been bought for use in the buyer’s home or as a present for another person. Souvenir dishes such as this one have been popular souvenir items for tourists for over 100 years. Warrnambool, as a coastal location, has always been a tourist town and it remains today an important industry for the city. This dish is of interest as an example of the items sold to tourists in the mid 20th century. It will be useful for display.This is an oval-shaped china dish with fluted sides and a fluted edge and gold paint around the edge. The gold edging is partly worn off. The dish is white with a multi-coloured image set into the base of the dish. There is a crack on one side of the dish. On the base of the dish is a crown symbol and details of the manufacturer. ‘Shelly Beach, Warrnambool, Victoria’ “Royal Stafford China Made in England” tourism in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

Condiment sets were more a feature of a table setting 100 years ago than they are today. The condiment sets, some very elaborate, have been mostly replaced by simple salt and pepper shakers. This item has no known local provenance but it is an attractive set and is suitable for display as an example of a household This is a condiment set. It has a metal stand with a looped handle and three metal rings for holding a salt container, a pepper container and a mustard dish. The three containers are made of china and are yellow with a decorative border of blue and red flowers. The tops of the salt and pepper containers are made of electro plated nickel silver and these are slightly tarnished. The mustard dish has a silver spoon. household items, history of warrnambool

This item is a boxed set of teaspoons from the Rodd Silverware Company. G. & E. Rodd Pty Ltd was founded in Melbourne in 1919 and by the 1930s it was the leading manufacturing jewellery business in Australia. In 1948 the business was taken over by Max Rodd, the son of one of the founders and by that time it was known mostly for its household silverware. Rodd products were very popular wedding presents in the mid 20th century. This item has no known local significance but is retained as an excellent example of the Rodd Silverware that was found in so many households in Australia in the early to mid 20th century. It will be useful for display.This is a black leather-bound box with a gilt rim around the edge of the lid. The lid is attached to the box by two metal clips. One of these is broken. The box has a gilt metal clasp for closing the box. The box is lined inside with purple satin material and contains five electro plated nickel silver teaspoons. There should be six in the set but one spoon is missing. The spoons are held in grooves cut into a purple block across the middle of the inside of the box (perhaps made of wood). The box is somewhat stained and the leather is scuffed in places. The teaspoons are in excellent condition.Back of spoons: ‘Rodd E.P.N.S. A1’ rodd silverware, household items

These items are of a high quality and would have come from a household where the occupants had considerable means. It was not common to have silver plating on both of these items. Shaving brushes and strops were essential items for men shaving their faces regularly until the mid to late 20th century when electric shavers became more common. These two items are attractive ones and are retained because they represent a household item of the past and they are a rare example of a shaving strop enclosed within a case. They will be useful for display. .1 This is an extending razor strop made of brown leather. It has a heavily patterned silver handle attached to the leather by metal studs and it is contained within a cylindrical case of plated silver. The case has a heavily-patterned curved base and top and on one side there is an oval outlined space in which to put initials or an inscription. The case has a handle on one end to match the strop handle but this handle is for hanging the item on a hook to keep it upright and stable. This would then enable the user to pull hard on the other handle to use the strop to sharpen a razor .2 This is a shaving brush made of horsehair or other animal hair. It has a silver-plated handle with a double ridge in the middle. It was used to lather a person’s face or skin with cream or soap to lessen chafing during and after shaving. The silver on both items is a little tarnished. ‘British Made Ziff Sterilised’ ‘Falcon Silver Plate Co. Made in England 3533’ household items, history of warrnambool

This butter cooler was used in households to prevent butter from melting in the warmer weather. Ice would have been used in the butter container. The top of the container is domed, indicating the shape of the butter at that time (late 19th century). This butter cooler would have been a costly item and would have graced the dining table of a family that had considerable means. It would have been used on a dining table even after the invention of refrigeration in the 1880s as the eating rooms would have had little or no cooling mechanisms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This butter cooler has no known local provenance but it is a very attractive item and is retained as a good example of a household item no longer in use. It will be very useful for display.This is a silver butter cooler with a circular base with an ornamented edge. The base has a stem holding two highly ornamented arms branching out from the sides. These arms hold an oval container which has a chased silver base and an overhanging chased silver top. Inside the container is the space to hold ice or cold water. On top of the inside of the container sits a small round lid which holds the butter and the ice. The lid has several small holes for the ice water to drain underneath. The base of this lid is impressed with moulded fruit and leaves. The oval container has an over-arching handle attached. This is highly ornamented in fretwork. The sides of the container have two projecting pieces for holding the butter cooler and two other smaller projecting pieces with chains attached for hanging the object. One of these pieces has an oval holder for turning the hinged top of the container to close the container. This top has a chased silver patterning on its top. When the lid is closed the container adapts to a globe or egg shape.‘Made and Guaranteed by Meriden B. Company 5085 U.S.A. household items, history of warrnambool, silver butter cooler

This fish dish is an attractive household item which would have been used in the early to mid 20th century when the more affluent families in society were entertaining. It is not a common item and most likely would not be seen in households today. This dish has no known local provenance but is of considerable interest as a household item not seen today. It will be useful for display.This fish dish has an electro-plated nickel silver holder with two curved pieces of metal joined at the centre to form a base. There are four round metal balls at each end of the curved metal to stabilise the stand. Four curved metal pieces are attached to the base and hold a rectangular-shaped piece of metal and a handle. Fitting into this piece of metal is a cut glass container which is heavily patterned on the sides and base. The lid of this container is rectangular with rounded edges and silver-plated. The top of the lid has a silver-coloured free-standing fish model attached to the lid by a metal stud. The fish is a little loose on its stand. The handle can be folded down. ‘E P N S 62’ household items, history of warrnambool

This container is one of high quality and would have been found either in a bedroom containing small articles belonging to a woman or in an office or parlour containing small items used by the householder. The container would have been a relatively expensive item to purchase. This container has no known local provenance but it is a very attractive item from times past and one not common even when first purchased. It will be useful for displayThis is a round silver container with a plain base and the sides heavily-impressed with patterns of flowers, fronds and tendrils. There is an oval blank space on one side to insert a name or inscription. The lid is a detached one that fits over the top of the container. The lid has a curved top with the same impressed floral patterns. The name of the maker is on the base but it is difficult to decipher.‘quadruple plate’ Torun (?) …Company household items, history of warrnambool

A serviette ring such as this one would be part of a set of four or more. It would usually hold a starched white serviette and be used for formal dining. It is an object this is still in common use today.This serviette ring has no known local provenance and is kept for display purposes. This is a silver-coloured serviette ring. It is a hollow circle of metal curving slightly outwards at one end. The outer sides are impressed with an ornamental patterning of flowers and tendrils.household items, history of warrnambool

These tacks, made in U.S.A., would have been used in carpentry and small building processes and would most likely have been for household use. In many cases they have been replaced by clips and adhesive materials but are still used today. This box of tacks has no known local provenance and is kept for display purposes as an example of a household item from the past.This is a buff-coloured cardboard box containing metal tacks. The box is torn away at the top and has black printing on two sides. The box has been covered with clear cellophane to keep the contents safe. The tacks have a blunt head and taper to a point. They are rusted. ‘When you get a good thing remember where you got it’ ‘This trade mark is your protection. It guarantees the greatest quantity of quality at the price. Atlas Tack Corporation. Fairhaven Mass. St. Louis Mo.’ household items, history of warrnambool

Of the seventeen items on this board, most appear to be from British military units – Rifle Regiments, Despatch, etc. They appear to be shoulder and arm patches or badges. One appears to be of German origin and two come from Italy. This item is of great interest, firstly because it is a good example of the crude, but effective way, items were organized for display at the Warrnambool Historical Society in the 1960s and 70s. Secondly, the display contains an interesting variety of military insignia, many requiring further study.This is a piece of cardboard covered with black cloth which has been stitched to the board with black cotton. Attached to the cloth by metal clips are 17 metal and cloth badges and insignia from military units. The cloth material is red, white and green. ‘Gott Mit Uns’military insignia, history of warrnambool

This ceremonial regalia belonged to Captain Charles Rogers of the Australian Army (Light Horse Regiment). He wore this regalia when he was part of the mounted Guard of Honour during the visit of the Duke of Gloucester in 1934. The visit was part of Victoria’s Centenary celebrations and the Duke officially opened the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. Charles Rogers was a well-known Warrnambool identity in the 1930s, 40s and 50s as a horseman and Army identity and he and his horse frequently led parades and celebrations in the city. He was a long-serving Warrnambool Agricultural Show official as a judge of equine events. Rogers died in 1961. These items are of great interest as examples of the regalia worn by Australian military personnel in the 1930s. They are also good mementos of Charles Rogers, a notable personality in Warrnambool in the 1930s, 40s and 50s.1 This is a piece of ceremonial regalia worn over the shoulder and called an aigullette. It has a plaited silver-coloured cord ending in silver metal tagged points. The metal points or stakes are highly decorated. The cords also have an accompanying smaller silver-coloured cord and another attachment of cord with an end of interwoven material in the shape of an elongated pear or acorn. The item is a little tarnished. .2 These are epaulettes worn on the shoulder. One is attached to the aigullette and the other is detached. They are made of silver plaited cord with a brown felt backing and have two star-shaped gold and yellow badges indicating the rank captain charles rogers, duke of gloucester visit, centenary of victoria, history of warrnambool

This belt was worn by Captain Charles Rogers of the Australian Army (Light Horse Regiment) when he was part of the mounted Guard of Honour during the visit of the Duke of Gloucester in 1934. The visit was part of Victoria’s Centenary celebrations and the Duke officially opened the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. Charles Rogers was a well-known Warrnambool identity in the 1930s, 40s and 50s as a horseman and Army member. He was often seen on horseback leading parades and celebrations in the city. He was a long-serving Warrnambool Agricultural Show official as a judge of equine events. He died in 1961. This belt is of interest as an example of the ceremonial regalia used by Army personnel in the 1930s and as a memento of a notable 20th century Warrnambool person, Charles Rogers.This is a belt made of silver thread material with a thick cloth backing. The belt has a cloth-covered metal clasp. There are two tassels hanging from the clasp area with beige and maroon threads with tops covered in silver mesh. These mesh tops may have a wooden frame underneath. The belt is a little tarnished.captain charles rogers, duke of gloucester visit, history of warrnambool

This jug is decorative and attractive and may have been used on special occasions to hold water or cordial. It could also have been used as a vase. There may have been a set of glass tumblers to match the jug. This vase is retained as an excellent example of a jug used in a household in the past. It is a timeless piece and would grace any table in a house todayThis is a glass jug with a round base and a body tapering slightly to a fluted rim and opening. The handle is clear glass. The upper section of the jug has a white raised decorated pattern with a band of pink raised decorations above it. There are six small red dots in the white decorated section. household items, history of warrnambool

This glass is a souvenir of the awarding to Warrnambool of the title of Victoria’s Premier Town for the period 1979-1982. The Premier Town Awards were given by the Victorian Government to the town or city that best protected and enhanced its environment. Warrnambool won the award in 1958, 1979-1982 and 1988-1991.This glass is retained as an example of the type of souvenir sold locally to celebrate the winning of Victoria’s Premier Town Award. It will be used in displays. This is a glass in the form of a goblet with a circular base, a thin stem and a top with gilt edging around the rim. On the side of the glass is a Warrnambool logo and lettering in gold print.‘Warrnambool Premier Town 1979-82 Victoria Australia’ victorian premier town awards, history of warrnambool

This cup was produced by Ken Sadler as a souvenir of the 150th anniversary of the settlement of Warrnambool. Ken Sadler was a potter in Liebig Street, Warrnambool for many years (end of 20th century and beginning of 21st century). Warrnambool was founded as a planned town in 1847 to provide port facilities for the produce of squatters who had settled in the area. The town centre was surveyed by William Pickering at the request of Superintendent La Trobe of Melbourne and the first land sales were held in Melbourne in July 1847. The celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of Warrnambool included concerts, race meetings, church services and the erection of an anniversary tablet on Cannon Hill. Ken Sadler, a well-known Warrnambool potter, made 500 of these cups which are now collectible souvenirs of the city’s 150th anniversary celebrations. This one retained by the Warrnambool and District Historical Society is numbered 189. The 150th anniversary of the founding of Warrnambool was an important event in the city’s history.This is a ceramic cup with a round base and larger rounded body with a round overhanging rim at the top opening. The cup is mottled green with an impressed image of a ship and lettering in white, gold and brown. There is some lettering on the bottom of the cup.‘Warrnambool 150th Anniversary 1847-1997’ ‘Sadler 97 189/500 Warrnambool’ warrnambool’s 150th anniversary, history of warrnambool, ken sadler, warrnambool potter

This item is a container that would have been used by a woman to hold small items such as pins. It may also have originally contained some lotion or powder but there is no trade name to indicate this. It would have been found in a bedroom. Such items as these would have been given as presents to members of the more affluent families in the early 20th century. This container has no known local provenance but is retained as an attractive item from the past. It will be useful for display.This is a round-shaped cut glass container with a plain glass base and a metal lid which fits over the top of the container. The top of the lid has an enamel circular piece inserted into the metal. This piece has a white background with a painted image of the head and shoulders of a woman in brown and flesh-coloured tonings. The lid has some dents and some discoloration.household items, dressing table containers

souvenir glass was produced to commemorate the 1841 arrival in Australia from Ireland of James and Margaret Jellie . They were early settlers in the Warrnambool district, settling first at Port Fairy and then acquiring property along the Merri River in the Warrnambool area. Their children and families were prominent in the 19th and 20th centuries in the Warrnambool district as pastoralists, particularly in the Grasmere area. One son, James had an auctioneering firm in Warrnambool in the late 19th century and two of James’ and Margaret’s granddaughters, Mary and Dorcas. were well-known as teachers at the Warrnambool State School in the 20th century. This glass is of interest as a memento of the Jellie families who have been so prominent in the history of Warrnambool and district.This is a glass tumbler with a rounded base and a rounded body with a gilt rim around the top of the glass. An image of a ship and gold lettering have been impressed on both sides of the glass. ‘James & Margaret Jellie 1841-1991 150th Anniversary’ ‘To commemorate the arrival of James & Margaret Jellie and their children on the Thomas Arbuthnot at Hobson’s Bay, Port Phillip District of New South Wales on 2 October 1841 and their journey to Port Fairy in early 1842’ jellie families, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This item would have been used to apply rouge to the face to make the cheeks red. This rouge holder was made to fit into a purse or pocket for quick and easy application of the rouge. Variants of rouge or reddening materials are still used in cosmetics today. This item is of minor interest as an example of a cosmetics holder in use in the 20th century. It will be useful for display. This is a small brass container. It is rectangular in shape and has curved sides with ridged lines along the top and bottom edges. It opens via a small clip to reveal two compartments hinged in the middle. One compartment has an oval recess containing rouge powder and the other compartment has an inset mirror which is broken in two. A cloth pad for daubing the rouge on to the cheeks is also inside the container. ‘Velvet Grape’ cosmetics, history of warrnambool

This vase would have been used to hold five small flowers or fronds and would have been a decorative item on a dining table or mantelpiece. Today a vase holding one or a small number of flowers is called a specimen vase and the style of these tends to be less decorative than the item described here. This item has no known local provenance but is retained as an example of a household item from the past.This is a white china vase with a central pillar representing the trunk of a tree and (originally) four pillars branching out from the main pillar to represent the branches of a tree. One of these pillars is now missing. The china stems holding the branch columns have embossed flowers and fronds. The main pillar and the branch pillars have irregular-shaped openings for flower insertion.household items, history of warrnambool

This souvenir plate was sold to tourists in Warrnambool in the 20th century. It features an image of a popular tourist spot off the coast of Warrnambool – Thunder Point. Tourism has always been an important industry in Warrnambool and souvenir items such as this one continue to be sold, although colour images would most likely be used now. This plate is of interest as an example of items sold to local tourists in the 20th century. It will be useful for display. This is a circular glass plate with a ripple pattern on the rim and an outer edge with the glass heavily-impressed and patterned. The base of the plate has a sepia-coloured image of Thunder Point, Warrnambool. The image has been taken from a photograph. This has been affixed to the back of the plate and has a dark blue backing. ‘Thunder Point Warrnambool’ tourism in warrnambool

This dish features an image of Warrnambool Harbour taken from the location of the Lower Lighthouse on Flagstaff Hill. This area is popular with tourists and the dish has been sold as a souvenir of a visit to Warrnambool. The Lower Lighthouse was first used in 1871. This dish is retained as an example of a tourist souvenir item in the late 20th century. Tourism in Warrnambool has always been an important industry. This is a white china oval-shaped dish with a fluted edge and a gold trim around the edge. The base of the dish has a multi-coloured image of Warrnambool Harbour and the Lower Lighthouse on Flagstaff Hill. The base of the dish is a little stained and has the printed name of the manufacturer.‘The Harbour, Warrnambool, Vic.’ ‘Fine China Westminster Australia’ tourism in warrnambool

This glass has been issued to mark the end of the name of St. Ann’s College, Warrnambool in 1990 and the school’s amalgamation with the Warrnambool Christian Brothers College in 1991. St. Ann’s School commenced in 1872 and was then known as St Mary’s Convent of Mercy School, Wyton. The latter name was the name of the ex-John Ardlie home in which the school was then situated. There were eight foundation Sisters of Mercy. In 1888 the name was changed to St Ann’s School and in 1991 it amalgamated with the Warrnambool Christian Brothers College to form Emmanuel College. This glass is an interesting memento of the year that the name of St Ann’s College in Warrnambool ceased to exist. This is a clear drinking glass in the shape of a goblet with a round base and an elongated body with a round opening at the top. The crest of the school is impressed onto the glass in gold outline. ‘St. Ann’s Warrnambool Omnia Vincit Labor 1872-1990’ st ann’s college, warrnambool, emmanuel college, warrnambool

Swagger sticks were carried by army officers as a mark of authority. They were usually carried under the arm. The use of a swagger stick is now largely obsolete.Thus item is retained as an example of an object previously used by Army officers. It will be useful for display. This is a rounded cane stick with a spherical-shaped top that is slightly curved. The top is of a slightly darker colour. The stick is a little marked and stained. australian army, history of warrnambool

This is a bathroom jug and could have been part of a set for bathroom use. It would have held mainly water, hot or cold. In the days before there were sinks with hot and cold running water in bathrooms, a jug such as this was an essential item and would have been in common use up to the first three decades of the 20th century. Today this item is more likely to be used as a vaseThis jug has no known local provenance and is kept as a memento of a household item in use 100 years ago. This is a large white china jug. The body of the jug is spherical or bulbous shaped, tapering to a smaller neck and a large lip. There is gold trim around the handle, the rim of the top opening, around the base and around the top part of the jug. The handle has a straight edge. The jug is stained inside and there is a small piece of china missing on the base. bathroom accessories, history of warrnambool

This fragment is a piece of a cup that came from the Criterion Hotel in Warrnambool. This hotel, on the western side of Kepler Street near Lava Street, Warrnambool, was opened in 1872 with John Tate as the first licensee. Two notable families associated with the Criterion Hotel were the Humm family, (late 19th and early 20th centuries) and the McGennan family ( from the late 1920s on) The name on the fragment is that of Theresa Lynch who was the licensee of the hotel from 1919 to 1926 and the owner for most of that time. The hotel was closed in 2008 and, following a fire, the building was demolished in 2013.This fragment is of interest as it is one of the few items we have that date from the time of Theresa Lynch and the Criterion Hotel.This is a curved piece, one half of a white china cup. The fragment has been broken and mended. The fragment has imprinted on it in a red circle the name of a Warrnambool hotel and its proprietor. ‘Lynch’s Criterion Hotel Warrnambool’ theresa lynch, warrnambool

This manicure set would have been used in a household in the early 20th century and beyond that date as the contents are usable to this day. The contents of manicure sets do not vary much but the purchase of an expensive silver set would not be common today. This manicure set is of interest as an attractive household item from the past. It will be useful for display.This is a rectangular-shaped wooden box with a black cloth covering. The lid of the box has triangular-shaped sides to allow for the shapes of the contents. The box has two gilt metal clips and the lid is lined inside with padded navy and white cloth. The base of the box is lined inside with navy felt material and has indentations or insets in which to fit the contents pieces. The contents include two pairs of scissors, a nail file, a pair of tweezers, two cuticle repair instruments, a brush or pad and two small jars for holding powder or paste. One jar contains some sort of powder. All the manicure set pieces are made of silver or have silver handles or tops. The silver is tarnished. One pair of scissors may not be the original piece. manicure aids