Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothes, tools and utensils as they established their farms, market gardens and retail businesses, Bootmakers, farriers and blacksmiths were very important in these communitiesA pair of child's brown leather shoes c1890 with button hole strapsboots, shoes, footwear, bootmakers, leatherworkers, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltemham,

Robert Keys,1818-87 b.Ireland, arrived Australia 1841 and joined parents on a farm in Brighton.Victoria. 1870 he commenced his own 15 acre 'fruit garden' in Keys Rd Moorabbin and in 1881-82 was awarded the 'Leader Cup', by the Leader Newspaper, as the Winner of the Brighton Horticultural Society 'Best Fruit Garden' competition. Robert Keys, early settler 1841, was a talented orchardist , Brighton Councillor 1860 and Moorabbin City Coucillor until his death 1887. Item donated by Keys Family c1985 The 1879 Schedule of Prizes booklet of the Brighton Historical Society ( MAV 00022),describes in detail this trophy, prize moneys and rules and regulations of the competition. The booklet, cat. no. 00022, is on display with this trophyThis item is significant because of its connection with the Keys Family who were early settlers in District of Brighton/ Moorabbin and were greatly involved in community activities. After the 1841 Dendy Special Survey allotments of land were sold or rented to pioneer settlers who developed market gardens, fruit farms ( orchards), vineyards, poultry farms in the area now known as Bentleigh, Cheltenham, Oakleigh. They were very proud of their fine produce and hence enthusiastically entered these 'Annual Exhibitions' by the Brighton Horticultural Society.The Sterling Silver goblet shaped Trophy. Base has engraved beaded rim with chevron type motif. Embossed ring midway up stem and fern leaves engraved on bowl of goblet engraved on bowl of goblet " Brighton Horticultural Society/ 1881-82/ Leader Cup/ Awarded To/ Robert Keys/ For Best Fruit Garden/ Brighton District." Hallmarked 'GU', Birmingham, UK. George Unite circa 1880keys robert, trophy, 1881, leader newspaper, leader cup, brighton, horticultural, silver cup, silver, moorabbin, brighton horticultural society

Late 1800s-early 1900s A horse-drawn furrow plough is an example of the type of farm implement widely used by pioneer market gardeners in the Moorabbin Shire following 'Dendy's Special Survey' of 1841 and the Crown Land Sale in 1852. Land allotments were bought by pioneer settlers who established or rented allotments for market gardens in the area. They supplied produce to the markets in St Kilda and Melbourne. During the gold-rush of the 1850s the rapidly increasing population of Melbourne saw a huge demand and a rise in prices for all foodstuffs, including the vegetables and fruit grown in the Shire of Moorabbin. This heralded a time of prosperity for market gardeners, and an equally rapid expansion of the numbers of vegetable and produce growers in the area. The 'knock-on effect" resulted in an increased interest and development of the community in the Shire of Moorabbin.Following 'Dendy's Special Survey' of 1841 and the Crown Land Sale in 1852, land allotments were bought by pioneer settlers who established or rented allotments for market gardens in the area and they supplied produce to the markets in St Kilda and Melbourne. During the gold-rush of the 1850s the rapidly increasing population of Melbourne saw a huge demand and a rise in prices for all foodstuffs, including the vegetables and fruit grown in the Shire of Moorabbin. Circa late 1800's to early 1900s. A horse-drawn furrow plough was the most common type of agricultural implement used by the pioneers of the 1800s and continued on into the 1940s when motorised tractors came into use. This plough is an example of a two furrow, mullboard plough which would most likely have been pulled by two horses. The long handle was used to lower the silver plates, (mullboards), to the chosen depth of soil. Painted yellow. Although this Box Cottage museum plough is unbranded, the most widely used plough in the Shire of Moorabbin was made by Oliver. This plough appears to be identical to that brand. brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, fruit, bentleigh, vineyards, vegetables, plough, market gardens, plow

This heavy, detachable lace collar is an example of the dressmaking and needle work skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire c 1880 The Maggs family settled in the Brighton district in the late 1800,s. After the Dendy's Special Survey of the Brighton area in 1841 land allotments were rented or sold to pioneers who established market gardens, dairy farms, fruit gardens and vineyards. The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these familiesThis heavy, lace collar is detachable and consists of hand crochet work.clothing, crochetwork, pioneers, early settlers, dendy henry, maggs geoff, brighton, bentleigh, moorabbin, market gardeners, craft working, dressmakers

Early settlers had to daily maintain a fire in their kitchen hearth for cooking and heating purposes. Preservation of meat entailed curing by smoking in the kitchen hearth, hence domestic bellows were an important item of kitchen equipment. These domestic fire bellows were used to maintain the fire in the kitchen hearth for cooking,preserving and heating purposes by an early settler family in Moorabbin Shire.A small, domestic, fire bellows for maintaining a fire in the kitchen hearth for cooking and heating. brighton, moorabbin, cooking, pioneers, market gardeners, early settlers, kitchen equipment, bellows, meat, betleigh, fireplaces, farm equipment

Early settlers and market gardeners in Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant, producing their food making and maintaining their own equipment, clothing and utensils This Singer boot-makers sewing machine is an example of the skills and craftsmanship of the pioneer settlers in Moorabbin Shire.A black, Singer 29K2, treadle, boot-maker's sewing machine c1914' SINGER ' on body of machine / 'SINGER 29K2' on plate/ emblem plate on right shaft shows 'S entwined with a shuttle/ bobbin over a reel of cotton' ./ ‘Singer Manef.c Co’ on iron support framebrighton, moorabbin, pioneers, bentleigh, market gardeners, early settlers, farm equipment, sewing machine, singer manufacturing company, boot-makers, leatherwork

This treadle Bootmaking machine was used by early settlers and market gardeners in Moorabbin Shire, who had to be self reliant, producing their food and making and maintaining their own equipment, clothing and utensils This Claes 'Patent Elastic' boot-making machine is an example of the skills and craftsmanship of the pioneer settlers in Moorabbin Shire c1900 A black, 'Patent Elastic' treadle, boot-maker's, sewing machine.'PATENT ELASTIC' on iron framebrighton, moorabbin, pioneers, bentleigh, market gardeners, early settlers, farm equipment, sewing machine, boot-makers, leatherwork, patent elastic manufacturing company

Pioneers migrating to Moorabbin Shire brought items they thought would assist them in the new Country. They had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils while establishing their market gardens and farms. A wooden wool winder, with extending arms for winding hanks of wool into balls prior to knitting. For ease of use the winder also rotates. Circa 1860s this winder was made in Ireland.The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items used to exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. Phillip Jones migrated from Ireland c1852 and his son, James Jones 1857 – 1940 was born in East Brighton , married Mary Ann Moore and raised his family in Bentleigh, as the area became known. A wooden wool winder, with extending arms for winding hanks of wool into balls prior to knitting. For ease of use the winder also rotates. Circa 1860s this winder was made in Ireland.brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, bentleigh, market gardeners, wool, craft work, early settlers, knitting, craft equipment, jones mary ann, jones james, jones phillip, herron john

This gold miner's pick from the Ballarat Goldfields c 1920 was donated by Mr David Hopcraft, a dealer at the Arkuna Market Berwick, Victoria in December 2010. When Gold was discovered in Victoria c1853 most of the labourers and some landowners left the market gardens and farms to try their luck on the goldfields. Local Blacksmiths made picks similar to this one for them. There was a great shortage of labour in Melbourne and at the same time, due to the huge influx of people lured by the Gold, there was an increased demand for food. The market gardeners were getting very good prices for their produce and many increased their wealth considerably and many of these tenant farmers were able to purchase their blocks of land and live a profitable life. There was such a shortage of labour that J.B.Were applied for Irish immigrants to work the farms. This pick is an example of the hand made tools many pioneers took with them when they abandoned their farms and market gardens in the District of Brighton to try their luck at prospecting when gold was discovered in Ballarat and Bendigo c1853. Some were successful , most were not and retuned again to the hard life of farming. A forged steel pick with a wooden handle. The steel pick-head was hand-forged by a blacksmith. This miner's pick was used on the Ballarat gold-fields c1920gold mining, ballarat, bendigo, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, mining equipment, gold rush, immigrants, blacksmiths, forges, tools

The Blacksmith could take this portable 'leg vice' and make repairs away from his forge.He could mend wheel bands, tools, farm equipment and also fine tune generic sized horseshoes on site. He would build a fire and secure his leg vice to a stable point thus allowing him to work on any heated metal as required. A Blacksmith was an essential person for the maintenance and making of farm and household equipment, and shoeing horses, in the pioneer settlements of Brighton, Moorabbin, Cheltenham c1900Blacksmith's 'leg' vice. Sturdy blacksmith leg, post (vice). 15cm jawsblacksmith, vise, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, market gardeners, forges, tools, early settlers, pioneers, ploughs, carts horse-drawn, anvils

c1880 This tiny tape measure, in Imperial measurements, was part of a Victorian era lady's sewing basket. The case is of polished timber, and the little winder, to retract the tape, is made of brass with a small ivory handleEarly settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant producing their own food and making their farm equipment and clothing. The women of these families were skilful in all craftwork.c1880 this tiny, retractable, tape measure, in Imperial measure, is made of polished timber with a brass winder and ivory handle. Imperial ‘inch’ measurements on tape dressmaking, tape measure, sewing, craftwork, pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh cheltenham

Common soap was made from mixing animal fat with potash a form of the potassium based alkali present in plant and wood material. Early settlers, made their own soap from the waste fats and ashes they saved from their daily work. They did not then have to rely on waiting for soap to be shipped from England and waste their goods or money in trade for soap. In making soap the first ingredient required was a liquid solution of potash commonly called lye. Animal fat, when removed from the animals during butchering, must be rendered to remove all meat tissues and cooking residue before soap of any satisfactory quality can be made from it. To render, fats and waste cooking grease were placed in a large kettle with an equal amount of water. Then the kettle was placed over the open fire outdoors, because the smell from rendering the fats was too strong to wish in anyone's house. The mixture of fats and water were boiled until all the fats had melted. After a longer period of boiling to insure completion of melting the fats, the fire was stopped and into the kettle was placed another amount of water about equal to the first amount of water. The solution was allowed to cool down and left over night. By the next day the fats had solidified and floated to the top forming a layer of clean fat. All the impurities being not as light as the fat remained in water underneath the fat. In another large kettle or pot the fat was placed with an amount of lye solution ( known by experience ). This mixture was boiled until the soap was formed - 6-8 hours - a thick frothy mass, and a small amount placed on the tongue caused no noticeable "bite". The next day a brown jelly like slippery substance was in the kettle and this was 'soft soap' . To make hard soap, common salt was thrown in at the end of the boiling and a hard cake of soap formed in a layer at the top of the pot. But as salt was expensive most settlers used 'soft soap',. The soap could be scented with oils such as lavender for personal use. These 3 cakes of home-made soap are examples of the self sufficiency of the early settlers as they had to be self reliant ,growing food and making and mending their own farm equipment, tools and clothes while establishing their market gardens in Moorabbin Shire3 cakes of home-made, white hard household soap. 1 cake of soap eaten by a brush tailed possum when he entered the Cottage via the chimney 27/4/2014soap making, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, brighton, dendy's special survey 1841. kitchen equipment, laundry equipment, bentleigh

As the population of Melbourne grew, and market gardens flourished, profits from food production enabled early settler families to enjoy nicer crockery and furnishingsTypical crockery used by residents of City of Moorabbin during 20thCA floral china eggcup holder with 4 four eggcupsmoorabbin shire, city of moorabbin, early settlers, kitchenware, china plates, egg cups, market gardeners, poultry farms, pottery,

A Lady's white, long, cotton nightdress, with lace inserts and small mother of pearl buttons, was made by an early settler woman in Moorabbin Shire c1900. The women of the pioneer families made and repaired their families clothing as they developed the market gardens , dairy farms and fruit orchards This Lady's white long cotton nightdress with lace inserts is an example of the needlework and dressmaking skills of the early settler women in Moorabbin Shire ,Lady's white, long, cotton nightdress with lace inserts, short sleeves and small mother of pearl buttons clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire blackburn nance, dairy farms, fruit orchards

A Lady's white, long, cotton half petticoat with a gathered flounce and lace insert at hem. The petticoat has a placket on the side seam and is fastened with bone buttons, The pioneer families had to be self sufficient making their own tools, clothing, while developing their market gardens, fruit orchards and dairy farms in Moorabbin Shire The pioneer women in Moorabbin Shire had to make and repair the clothes for themselves and their families and were accomplished in dressmaking, needlework , craftwork and knitting A Lady's white, long, cotton half petticoat with a wide flounce lace edging and bone buttons at side seam clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire blackburn nance, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These 2 pillow shams in white voile,lace and with needlework were made by a woman of an early settler family in Moorabbin Shire c1900. Women made and mended clothes, haberdashery and drapery for their families as the market gardens and farms were established in Moorabbin, East Brighton, Cheltenham.These 2 pillow shams in white voile, lace and with needlework are examples of the dressmaking and needlework skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 2 Haberdashery, pillow shams in white voile,with lace edging , a) Is an envelope type with bone buttons and has a central needlework floral and butterfly design . b) is single layer with a central needlework ribbon design c1900clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, dairy farms, fruit orchards

This white cotton Antimacassar has a hand crocheted lace pattern of flowers and a fringe of cotton strands tied to form tassels and was made by a woman from an early settler family in Moorabbin Shire c1900 The women of the early settler families made the clothing, haberdashery and napery for their families as the market gardens and farms were established in Moorabbin Shire c1900 A hand crocheted white cotton antimacassar with tassel fringe clothing, haberdashery, crochet brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire , dairy farms, fruit orchards

The women of the early settler families made the clothes, haberdashery and napery as the market gardens and dairy farms were established c1900. The square of linen is edged with hand crochet and a flower in one corner is sewn with coloured silk The women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1910 were skilled dressmakers and craft workers. 2 cream linen serviettes with crocheted edge and a coloured needlework flower clothing,haberdashery, napery, serviettes, linen, crochet, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, dairy farms, fruit orchards

The women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 were skilled dressmakers, craft workers and decorated their haberdashery with fine needlework . While the market gardens and farms were established the women made the clothes, haberdashery and napery for their families. The women of the early settler families were skilled dressmakers and craft workers c1900One long and one short white Linen table runners with central hand needlework floral design clothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These Tray Covers were made by women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and show their needlework skills . Although living conditions were basic families still held onto their traditional English and European customs and took pride in presenting elements of refined society. These tray covers are examples of the dressmaking, crochet and needlework skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 5 x Linen Tray Covers with coloured silk needle work and crochet edging a) oval with flowers, b) oval with 2 small baskets of flowers, c) oval with large flowers, d) rectangle with flowers, cup ,saucer , writing, e) oval with 2 large baskets of flowers clothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These Tray Covers were made by women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and show their needlework skills . Although living conditions were basic families still held onto their traditional English and European customs and took pride in presenting elements of refined society These tray covers are examples of the dressmaking, crochet and needlework skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 4 oval and 1 rectangular small white linen Doilies with crochet and coloured and white needlework a) oval white with white needlework patterns and crochet edge; b) oval white with coloured flowers and crochet edge; c) oval white with coloured flowers and over-sewn edge; d) oval white with 2 coloured flowers crochet edge; d) rectangular, with coloured flowers and hemmed edgeclothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These dressing table doilies were made by women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and show their crochet skills . Although living conditions were basic families still held onto their traditional English and European customs and took pride in presenting elements of refined society. These tray covers are examples of the crochet skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 2 x small ecru crocheted dressing table doilies a) oval with flowers and shapes, b) star shaped lacyclothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These white linen circular doilies were made by women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and show their needlework skills . Although living conditions were basic families still held onto their traditional English and European customs and took pride in presenting elements of refined society. These linen doilies are examples of the dressmaking, crochet and needlework skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 5 x Linen doilies with coloured silk needle work and crochet edging a) square with coloured flowers and crochet edge , b) round with blue flowers and crochet edge , c) round with coloured flowers and crochet edge, d) round with coloured vase of flowers and crochet edge , e) round with blue flowers and crochet edge clothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These white table cloths were made by women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and show their needlework skills . Although living conditions were basic families still held onto their traditional English and European customs and took pride in presenting elements of refined society. These table cloths are examples of the dressmaking, crochet and needlework skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 2 small white table cloths a) linen with wide crochet edge b) cotton with coloured needlework flowers and crochet edge clothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These Table Runners were made by women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and show their needlework skills . Although living conditions were basic families still held onto their traditional English and European customs and took pride in presenting elements of refined society These table runners are examples of the dressmaking, crochet and needlework skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 2 Table Runners c1900 a) cream fine cotton with bands of cut-work and needlework border b) white linen with crochet squirrels at one end clothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These white linen serviettes were made by women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and show their needlework skills . Although living conditions were basic families still held onto their traditional English and European customs and took pride in presenting elements of refined society. These linen serviettes are examples of the dressmaking, crochet and needlework skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c190012 Linen serviettes with cutwork in one corner and crochet edging clothing, haberdashery, serviettes, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

These white damask serviettes were made by women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and show their needlework skills . Although living conditions were basic families still held onto their traditional English and European customs and took pride in presenting elements of refined society. These white damask serviettes are examples of the needlework skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 5 White damask linen Serviettes. clothing, haberdashery, damask, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

Lady's silk short nighties with shoulder straps, button crutch, crochet edging and needlework flowers is typical of the fashion c1930 and is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C These lady’s silk nighties are an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C 2x Lady's silk short nighties,with shoulder straps, 2 mother of pearl buttons at crutch, crochet edging,and needlework flowers clothing, , crochet, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, needlework, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

This painted wood Doiley Holder was used to store and protect the linen, cotton and net doilies, hand sewn with needlework, crochet and beads that were used by households c1900 This Doiley holder is an examples of the craftwork skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900Two circular varnished wooden discs each with 2 holes through which ribbon was threaded to hold them together. The top disc is painted with flowers, kookaburra and the word Doyleys ."DOYLEYS' clothing, haberdashery, crochet brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire , dairy farms, fruit orchards

This cotton 1/2 slip with large lace flounce was made by a woman of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and shows the needlework and lace work skills . The Cotton 1/2 petticoat is an example of the dressmaking, and lace work skills of the women of the early settler families in Moorabbin Shire c1900Lady's white cotton 1/2 Petticoat cotton lace flounce, elastic waist and 2 bone buttons at side seam clothing, petticoats, underwear, crochet, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, dairy farms, fruit orchards