Toolbox, made by Salvation Army Brigadier Warren Trestrail (1895-1971), during the Great Depression from recycled kerosene tins and packing boxes. It proved to be a useful piece of furniture as the family moved around Australia during various postings within the Australian States and Territories. In World War II, Warren Trestrail embarked with the first convoy of soldiers from Australia to the Middle East and served as Salvation Army welfare officer through the Libyan campaign, at Tobruk, and in Greece. In 1942, it was announced that Salvation Army war services at Darwin would be placed under his direction. He had previously been in charge of South Australian war activities. The item was donated to the Society in 2001 by Sadie Trestrail, who had been a teacher at Kew East Primary School for many years. It is a fine example of vernacular furniture made of recycled materials .Depression-era toolbox constructed from recycled kerosene tins and parts of wooden packing boxes. The five tin drawers are made of sections of kerosene tins with handles soldered to the centre of each new drawer. A number of drawers have separators constructed of tin or aluminium. The wooden planks encasing the the drawers are covered with a degraded shellac coating. An analysis of the interior indicates that the brand names of the original parts are largely extant. furniture - recycled - depession era - 1930s, great depression - 1930s - australia, warren trestrail, salvation army, vernacular furniture

First Aid Tin issued to military personnel engaged on the war front in World War 2.Olive green first aid tin. On the lid in black writing is 'OUTFIT / FIRST AID / INDIVIDUAL'. On the inside of the lid written in black on a gold back ground is the 'DIRECTIONS OF USE'. Below the title is: 'BANDAGE 2 INCH Cut fingers and small wounds. / PLASTER ADHESIVE Cuts. / ANTISEPTIC PENCIL Apply to cuts and abrasions. / ANTISEPTIC JELLY Apply to burns. / TAB APC Take 2 tablets to relieve pain. / TAB ATEBRIN Directions on inside of Atebrin tin. / APERIENT PILLS 1 tablet to relieve constipation.' Remaining in the kit though not named in the list is a box of Sulphanilamide tablets with directions of use on the front. Also two used tubes of antiseptic jelly. first aid pack, australia - second world war 1939-1945

Booklet produced in 1940 for members of the 2nd AIF by the Australian Comforts Fund Victorian Division. The 128-page pocket-sized book could be carried everywhere and provided Australian soldiers with a wide range of useful information about the requirements of war service and many other important details such as: The Laws and Customs of War - including Geneva Convention guidelines, notes on spies and insignia of rank; Things a Soldier should Know - including over 60 points; Signaling - including flags, morse code, shipboard bell times and time zone; Decorations Awarded to Australians in the Great War; Arabic and Japanese words; First Aid for gas injuries etc.; Australian Historical Events, facts and figures etc.; and Conduct Overseas - including expectations of behaviour when representing Australia. non-fictionaustralian comforts fund (victoria), second world war 1939-1945, hugh george ferguson

One of a group of unprovenanced photographs donated to the Society by Betty Morgan.While its provenance is unclear, and it has suffered from fading, the photograph is a useful record of children's clothing in the first decade of the Twentieth Century. It is an example of Massingham's commercial photography at his studio in Bendigo. The clothing worn by the boys can be used to deconstruct social values in the period preceding the First World War.Faded sepia studio photograph of three unidentified boys, the oldest boy dressed in a quasi-military uniform; the two younger in berets and lace collars. The photographer is named as G.L. Massingham ( (George Leake, active 1866-1921) of View Street, Bendigo (and Geelong); active in View Street from 1901-c.1921.G. L. MASSINGHAM / VIEW STREET. BENDIGOaustralian photographers - g. l. massingham - view street - bendigo