This example of a sailing ship’s ‘dead-eye’ is from the wreck of the LOCH ARD, which sank near Port Campbell in 1878. The vessel was an iron hulled clipper ship constructed for the Loch Line in 1873. It was part of a fleet of similar merchant ships owned by that company, which specialised in bringing passengers and goods from London via the Great Circle route to Melbourne, and returning to Britain via Cape Horn with the colony’s wool clip. Deadeyes were a common feature of sailing ship technology in the nineteenth century. They were a simple, cheap, and hard-wearing device that, in conjunction with another deadeye, provided an effective means of levering, or tightening, attached ropes and stays. Lower deadeyes were fixed to the sides of the ship by an encircling metal collar (inset in a flattish groove chiselled around the outer circumference of the disc), which was bolted to iron bars attached to the hull (called chain-plates). Upper deadeyes were looped by a strong hemp or wire rope (inset in a rounded groove carved around the outer circumference of the disc), which was joined to the bottom ends of the rigging which reached up to secure the masts into position (called shrouds or stays). Connecting a Lower deadeye to its corresponding Upper deadeye was a rope (called a lanyard) which looped up and down through the three “eyes” of each disc, to form a pulley system. The hitching of the two deadeyes with a looped lanyard provided the means of tightening, or loosening, the tension on the mast rigging ― essentially by pulling against the chain-plates bolted to the outside of the hull. It was a procedure that could be performed by sailors at sea and in emergencies. For example, after a gale the stays may have stretched and the masts worked loose, requiring retightening. Or, in the extreme circumstance of shipwreck, the lanyards might need to be released on the weather side, so that the masts fall away from the stricken vessel. HISTORY OF THE LOCH ARD The LOCH ARD belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many ships from England to Australia. Built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the LOCH ARD was a three-masted square rigged iron sailing ship. The ship measured 262ft 7" (79.87m) in length, 38ft (11.58m) in width, 23ft (7m) in depth and had a gross tonnage of 1693 tons. The LOCH ARD's main mast measured a massive 150ft (45.7m) in height. LOCH ARD made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its final voyage. LOCH ARD left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of Captain Gibbs, a newly married, 29 year old. She was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers and a load of cargo. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. On board were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionary, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were items included that intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. At 3am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land and the passengers were becoming excited as they prepared to view their new homeland in the early morning. But LOCH ARD was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4am the fog lifted. A man aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and LOCH ARD's bow swung back. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold its position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time LOCH ARD was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind the ship. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves broke over the ship and the top deck was loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of LOCH ARD and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael had raced onto deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached LOCH ARD Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland, this time by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the LOCH ARD disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost all of her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the LOCH ARD tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of LOCH ARD still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some was washed up into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton porcelain peacock - one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today, the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artefact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. The shipwreck of the LOCH ARD is of State significance. Victorian Heritage Register S417. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. A reasonably well-preserved ship’s deadeye with rust-stained wire loop-rope still attached. It retains portions of its original hemp cord and hessian wrapping. The flat sides of this thick wooden disc have three holes drilled through in a triangular configuration. The artefact is from the shipwreck of the LOCH ARD (1878). The survival of the loop-rope (wire cable) indicates it was an Upper Deadeye, connected to the shrouds (mast rigging).flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, deadeye, rigging

This was used as a dummy propeller when test running aircraft engines.This is a heavy wooden propeller for an aircraft. It is painted blue with birch tips. It has a large centre hole of 8 cm diameter. It has 8 bolt holes of 18 mm diameter. The propeller tips are squared (ie not tapered). One side of the blades have an aeronautical curved form.aircraft maintenance, propeller

1. & 2. Tabulated planning guides for daily use of Class 3, Sup (Tonne). Part of the "Kevin John Herdman" No. 397661, collection. See catalogue No. 5942P.1. & 2. Quarto sized multi page documents with pages stapled in top LHC. Holes punched on LHS for placement in a ring binder. printing on one side of each page in black.kevin john herdman, army, planning guide, supplies

3rd Division Officers Training Course - Military Symbols - Exercises 1-4. Dates: 1971 and 1972.Collection of four multipage documents on green and cream coloured paper. Printing on one side of each page in black type. handwritten answers and anecdotes in blue and red ink. Pages have two holes punched on LHS for inclusion in a ring binder.Various handwritten anecdotes on paper in blue and red ink.military symbols, officer training, army, kevin john herdman

"Herbert Rex Wills" Reg. No.342872. Service details. Refer Cat No. 5231.3.1. Jacket, Khaki colour wool/ polyester fabric, service dress style, no buttons. Collar, shoulder epaulettes, four front pockets, top with concealed buttonhole and two metal press studs on flap, lower button hole on flap. Sleeve Insignia Australian Coat of Arms embroidered on khaki patch, gold green, blue, red, black and white thread for Warrant Officer First Class. grey colour polyester fabric lining with manufactureres white cotton label inside left. 2. Belt, Khaki colour, wool/polyester fabric with holes and gold colour plastic buckle. Leather strap and button belt keeper. 3. Trousers, khaki colour wool/ polyester fabric, service dress style with fob pocket, two side pockets and one back pocket. Green colour polyester fabric waist and pocket lining with manufacturers white cotto label inside, on back pocket.1,&,3. All print illegible.uniform, army, service dress, rex willis

This probably was used with single telephone cable earth return in WW1.This is a circular metal cable drum. The centre 'axle' is made a cylindrical piece of timber. It in turn, has a square metal bearing. This square metal bearing has a square hole in the centre 15 x 15 mm. This is held in place with 4 slotted screws. There is a small length of rubber covered cable exiting from one side of the drum. It is a 5 core cable. In the wooden drum is a metal sleeve. It can be slid around to reveal a metal screw terminal.On the side that has the cable exit can be seen, "HEARL & HEATON & SONS LTD 11 1918" ww1, cable drum

Part of the Kevin John Herdman No. 397661 Collection. See Catalogue No. 5942P for details of his service record.Two metal kit bag handles, one oval shaped and one U shaped. 1. Metal (silver plated cast) oval shaped handle with rectangular holes on each end for attachment to a bag. 2. Metal (silver plated cast) “U” shaped handle with rectangular holes on each end for attachment to a bag.kevin john herdman, kit bag handle, equipment

Servicemen allocated beer ticket for ration of beer and to return empty bottles. Issued by Dai Nipon Brewery. Item in the collection of Richard William McGILVERY, RAAF. Refer Cat No. 7287P for his service details, photos and awards.Small ticket on white paper with black writing. Instructions on one side. Blank on the other side and punch holes in shape of a letter 'U' and letter 'T' through ticket. Some writing is in Japanese and brewery identified.Titled "Beer for use of Allied Forces only". beer ration, bcof

Manual contains restricted information covering the following; Part One - Conduct of Operations. Volume 6 - Operational Staff Work. Pamphlet No. 2 - AIDE-DIEMOIRE Part of the collection of KEVIN JOHN HERDMAN, No 397661. See Cat No. 5942P for details of his service recod.Khaki coloured plastic four ring folder. White coloured pages have cut edges. Eash has four holes punched for filing into folder. Title on front in black type. Army logo in black. Text on pages in black type. Black tabs to match chapter. Abbreviated title in black type on spine.australian army, land warfare, manual, kevin john herdman

Items in a collection relating to Edward Judd VX27958, enlisted 18.6.1940 age 40 years, embarked for the Middle East on 1.9.1941 and allotted to 2/7th Field Coy Engineers, disembarked Australia 27.2.1943, discharged from the 2nd AIF on 8.11.1945. His record shows he was classed has having 545 days overseas service, awarded the Africa Star but was classed as not eligible for the 1939 - 45 Star.This is basically a leather funnel tube. The large end has a curved circumference, with one side reinforced. It has a sewn leather hem. Half way down the "tube" is a leather band and strap assembly with two smaller straps riveted to the main tube. At the end of the strap assembly -is a rectangular hole and a small round hole. At the small end of the tube is an opening. It also has a sewn leather hem. The leather colour is dark tan. It is a rifle protector.rifle, bucket

Part of the Cooper Collection.Collection of three large and two small metal army buttons. Each features an embossed crest. manufacturers details stamped on the back of each. one button has a metal loop on back. Other have two holes.On large button with loop: 'THE QUEEN'S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS'.cooper collection, buttons, british army, uniform

These renovations were first discussed by the Bendigo RSL in 1962 - 1963. This Document is headed, “Specifications of Workmanship and Materials required for Painting and Renovations etc, at R.S.S.A.I.L.A Hall, Pall Mall, Bendigo” There are 3 parts to the documents. First section has 22 parts, everything from “Tender - Insurance - Materials - Liability - Condition of Contract to the use of Sanitary conveniences. Second section has sections re “Carpenter and Joiner - Brick work - Plastering - Electrician - Painter and Glazier”. Each has sections under re their work to be done. Third section is a technical drawing of the Soldiers Memorial Institute minus the Main Hall, it shows scopes of work. The main works covered a new false ceiling in the Office, a new front door entrance to the Foyer in a different position, exhaust fan in the Billiard room, removal of a gate at the Stairwell entrance, fire place repairs, adding chair rails to walls to foyer, Committee room. These works were carried out. There was a false ceiling in the Meeting room but there was no mention re this in the above plans. This ceiling was removed during the 2016 - 2018 major renovations to the SMI. The false ceiling in the Office was removed in a major renovation to the room in 2011 - 2012 and taken back to original.Folder brown card covers with six typed in black pages and one map all black print, pages stapled in with 2 binder holes in.On front cover in black pen. "Specifications - Painting & Renovations R.S.L. Premises Pall Mall, Bendigo"brsl, renovations, smirsl

Item issued to John. D. Gardiner No 2832, refer Cat No 5892.2 for his service historyOne single Identity disc aluminium round shape with section at top with hole in, front is stamped with details, rear is blank."J.D. GARDINER 2382 5th BN Pres"accesory, identity, disc's

Disc used to identify individual in case of injury or death. Containing no, name, Unit and religion.Silver metal round identity disc with small hole at top and with name, unit and religion stamped on one side.Stamped with the following "2446, F. Scott, 5AI, CE"passchendaele barracks trust, identity disc, f. scott

The belt was gifted to Mr. Doug Paxton, of Neale Street, Bendigo c.1951. The donor was a "soldier": who billeted with the Paxton family. Correct date and soldier's name unknown.This is a leather belt, tan coloured. It is 42mm wide and has a brass buckle with one claw. The belt tongue has six holes. At the rear of the belt are two more holes. A larger section of leather is mounted behind the brass buckle.Belt - Printed on belt is an oval and inside the oval is stamped "Genuine Bridie Cowhide". On the left side of the oval are the numbers “217G”. On the right side of the oval are the numbers “36”. On the rear of the buckle, "Solid Brass" is stamped.uniform, leather belt and buckle, soldiers billet

These boots belonged to Captain Charlie Rogers of the Australian Army who wore these and ceremonial regalia when he was part of the 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. Rogers was a well-known Warrnambool identity in the 1930s, 40s and 50s as a horseman and an Army identity. He built a house in Birdwood Avenue, Warrnambool, in 1935 and was a long-serving Warrnambool Show official as a judge of equine events. Rogers died in 1961. These items are of great interest as examples of the boots worn by Army Lighthorse personnel in the 1930s. The mechanism for keeping the boots in good condition is of some technological interest. They are also of interest because they belonged to a well-known 20th century Warrnambool person. These are two knee-high brown leather boots with brown laces. The boots are slightly scuffed. Inside the boots are two pieces of red-striped canvas. The boots have wooden inserts to support the boots in storage. These wooden inserts, all varnished, are in four pieces - a solid foot shape to fit in the foot of the boots, two pieces shaped to fit the calf of the leg padded with green felt, one with slight indents at the top and the bottom and the other with a decided groove and the centre piece that has a hole cut out to fit the shape of the other two. This last piece has a wooden handle with a metal attachment. There is only one handle as it can be screwed out and fitted to either wooden insert. On the two wooden inserts ‘R ‘ for right and ‘L’ for left, marked twice on each insert.charles rogers, duke of gloucester, warrnambool

These shoes which would have been a child's first shoes are soft leather and possibly date from around the late 19th or early 20th century. We have no knowledge unfortunately as to whom they may have belonged. Baby's first shoes are often kept as a keepsake .These little shoes have significance from a social and historic viewpoint. A pair of leather maroon shoes with front straps which fasten in the front with a button. The inside of the shoes is cream in colour. The upper leather is quite soft . The sole is a harder substance possibly leather. Both shoes look to have pin holes in the soles.There is the remains of a small label inside one shoe. warrnambool, baby shoes, antique baby's shoes

The State Electricity Commission was established in 1920 with the development of the Yallourn Power Station and brown coal was used for 90% of Victoria’s electricity supplies. In the 1990s the Commission was abolished and electricity companies were privatized. In Warrnambool electricity was officially connected to the city in 1924. This plate is one taken from a Warrnambool power station. One power station in Warrnambool today being located in Botanic Road.This plate is of some interest as a reminder of the times when the State Electricity Commission controlled power supplies in Victoria.This is a small rectangular metal plate with four holes at each corner for attachment to a Warrnambool Power Station. S.E.C. of VICT. Generation Branch Warrnambool Power Station Alignment Indicator No. 1 s.e.c. warrnambool, state electricity commission victoria, warrnambool

This violin was made by Mr Edward Richter who lived in Warrnambool for 78 of his 85 years. he was born 10/03/1853 and was an expert model maker making models of ships. The Warrnambool Museum in 1937 held a model of the Cutty Sark which he had made from timber from the wreck of the Enterprise which was wrecked on Warrnambool beach. Violins were another of of his hobbies.This violin has a connection to Warrnambool through the maker who was a long time resident of the town. It belongs to an era when many people were interested in and turned their hand to making objects such as this.The body of the violin is stained brown in colour with black neck and bridge. The four strings are nylon. The pegs and scroll are timber of a finer grain than the front and back.The tailpiece and end button are black material. The bridge is missing. The stand is rectangular with violin shape cutout, painted in red with a ply backing. Small leather strap on one end. Six large and two small drilled holes around front section.Richter written in large letters on back of standwarrnambool, edward richter, handmade violin, richter warrnambool

A bathroom set would have been a common item in most households in the 19th century and up the mid 20th century. Not many of the bathroom sets, however, would have been as fine and as attractive as this one as this one would have belonged to a family with some wealth. Bathroom sets went out of common use once houses were sewered or had septic tanks and toilets and bathrooms were constructed inside the main house building. This set is of interest as an example of a common household item in houses 100 years ago or more. It will be useful for display.This is a five-piece china bathroom/ toilet set. The five pieces that comprise the set have a white background with a floral pattern in sage green monochrome with roses, carnations, sweet pea and dianthus. In the pattern are also tendrils and foliage. The jug is an elongated oval shape with a decorated handle. The interior of the lip is chipped. The circular bowl has an indented ridge at the top with interior and exterior decoration. The bowl is partly discoloured and there is some crazing. The toothbrush holder has a vase-like shape with an indented rim with fluting on the top. The chamber pot is circular with a decorated handle and one crack. The soap holder is circular and has three parts – the circular decorated base, the inset piece with a fluted edge and one large and six small holes for draining, and the decorated lid which is also fluted around the edge. The markings at the base of each item have a crown symbol as well as the lettering. Staffordshire England Camelia’ social history, bathroom set, china bathroom set

Slate has been used for hundreds of years as a base for writing and many young students began their schooling using one to practise their writing. They had many advantages among them the fact that they were reusable and errors could be erased and corrected. A small duster or cloth was often attached for cleaning. This is an example of a typical school slate and as such has representative and historic value.Many older people would identify it as an object from their own school days.Rectangular black slate, bordered with timber, which is painted green, darker on one side than the other. The lighter side has the alphabet engraved down either side and animals on the top and bottom. The reverse has numbers 1-10 at the top and also animals. engraved. There is a red felt tie at the top , threaded through a hole in the wood.The lighter side has the alphabet engraved down either side and animals on the top and bottom. The reverse has numbers 1-10 at the top and also animals engraved. Made In Portugal trade mark. warrnambool, school slate, slate, writing slate

This is a coat hanger made in Germany for the Warrnambool firm of Cramond and Dickson. John Cramond and James Dickson opened a general store in Warrnambool in 1856, selling men’s and women’s clothing, drapery and manchester and it had its own tailoring and millinery business. This store became a prominent one in Warrnambool for over 100 years, closing in 1973. The business operated for most of this time at the corner of Timor and Liebig Streets. This coat hanger is of great interest as a memento of the business of Cramond and Dickson, one of the most important businesses in Warrnambool’s history.This is a wooden coat hanger with a metal hook inserted in the centre of the hanger. The wood has been smoothed and stained to a light brown colour. The wood is curved and the ends are slightly tapered. The hook has a round stud at the bottom to prevent the hook from coming out of the hole. The hook is somewhat rusted. The printing on the hanger is in black.‘Cramond & Dickson Tailors & Outfitters Warrnambool Made in Germany’.cramond and dickson,, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

Ostrich eggs were a novelty item found in many homes in the 19th and early 20th centuries, though in Australian homes they were more likely to be emu eggs. Some ostrich eggs may have been brought to Australia from South Africa after the Boer War or purchased by travellers to foreign lands at other times. This ostrich egg has no known provenance.This ostrich egg has been in the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society for 45 years and the only known connection it has to Warrnambool is seen in the fact that the donor was Mrs Uebergang and the Uebergang name is well-known in our district as the Uebergangs were pioneering settlers in the Allansford/ Warrnambool area. This is a cream-coloured ostrich egg resting in a circular cavity in the centre of a rectangular wooden frame. The egg has a small hole on the top and has paintings of an African woman and child on one side of the egg and huts with palm trees on the other side. history of warrnambool, ostrich eggs, painted ostrich egg

These little tins were available for soldiers to buy before embarking to the first world war. As the candles and matches are contained within the tin , it would have been a ideal way to keep both dry. The lid of the tin could also have been useful as a windshield. The tin was donated in memory of Les Lawlor. James Leslie Lawlor was born in Mepunga and lived in Warrnambool and enlisted in October 1916. He was discharged as medically unfit as he had broken his wrist three years previously and the break had failed to heal well. The tin was donated in his memory by his sister Vera Maguire This item with its link to World War 1 soldiers has historical significance to Australians in general but is also a link to a local family. It is a complete object still with the candles and matches. Small rectangular tin box with image of three soldiers and tents in the background. Brown and yellow check pattern on sides and bottom. Small round hole in bottom with metal rim inside the tin , in which a candle would be placed. There are two small candles and a rectangular section in which a box of matches in sitting. Hinged lid.On lid," Camp pocket Candlestick. A soldier's friend. On base " Patented 19/7-15 No 16856." On tape on the bottom of tin, " Would like this to go to the historical society in memory of Les Lawlor, Vera Maguire.warrnambool, james leslie lawlor, vera maguire, camp pocket candlestick, world war 1

This coat hanger has been used in the Warrnambool department store of Cramond and Dickson. John Glass Cramond and James Dickson established a shop in Warrnambool in 1855 in Timor Street and moved to Liebig Street a few years later. New premises were erected in 1878 and the department store selling mens and ladies wear on the corner of Liebig and Timor Streets was a landmark building in Warrnambool until the business closed in 1973. Cramond and Dickson had their own tailors and milliners. This coat hanger is of interest as a memento of the store of Cramond and Dickson, a business that operated in Warrnambool for over 100 years. This is a wooden coat hanger in a curved shape with a part of the wood at one end missing. The centre of the hanger has a hole pierced through with a metal hook inserted for hanging on to a rod. The hook is somewhat rusted. The maker’s name is printed on the hanger in black lettering. ‘Tailors & Outfitters Cramond & Dickson Warrnambool Made in Germany’ cramond and dickson, history of warrnambool

Megger as the device was called, is in fact its brand name. It is a device that supplies a DC (direct current as per car batteries) voltage to enable testing of electrical apparatus. This particular device produces 250volts DC when the handle is turned vigorously. If an electrical device, such as a kettle or toaster, blew a fuse or tripped a circuit breaker, when switched on, then it must be checked electrically before any more use. Following the repair of the faulty item a megger would be used to check if either of the AC 240volt plugs leads were touching the metal case (earth). The output leads of the megger would be connected with one to the earth (metal case) and the other to each of the power connections in turn. A good megger reading of 50,000 ohms (resistance) would enable the device to be returned to service. A reading of zero ohms resistance would mean that it would again blow a fuse, and was therefore unsafe to use. In the electrical industry e.g. the former State Electricity Commission, a megger would be used to test lots of similar item in sequence. Because of the vigorous job of winding the handle, two persons were often used to save time. One would crank madly whilst the other shifted the leads. This particular megger is of a small voltage, but other meggers are bigger and have a few ranges of DC voltages able to be selected. The optimal megger for large Generating machines was motor driven megger. This was applied to the device being tested for a duration of approximately 30 minutes with reading of the resistance taken at regular intervals.All equipment belonging to the State Electricity Commission of Victoria was labelled with a metal plaque attached to it. The SECV constructed the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme in the Upper Kiewa Valley and on the Bogong High Plains. The scheme began in 1938 and finished in 1961 when this megger was used and also possibly later as the SECV remained to maintain and operate the Scheme. This megger is of significance in relation to the advancement of technology.A rectangular box in dark brown bakerlite casing. It has an agent's plaque fixed to the left of the face and on the right is the marker's recessed stamp. In the middle in a transparent window so the level of ohms can be read. The front also has two recessed fixing knobs in black. On one side is a crank handle with a knob that lifts up and is turned vigorously to create the voltage. The back has four recessed screws and four small leather pads. There is a hole on each side to insert wires. There are two copper insulated wires. The SECV Plaque states: State/Electricity Commission/of/Victoria/ Electrical Engineer's Section/ No.1747 The Agent's Plaque states: H. Rowe & Co. Pty Ltd/Melbourne & Sydney/Sole Agents/in Australia for/Evershed & Vignoles Ltd Maker's states: 500 volts/Megger/Regd Trade Mark/Made in England/Patent No/400728electrical meters, electrical equipment, fuses, safety, state electricity commission of victoria, mt beauty, bogong village

Historically this item would have been used by gold miners, rabbit shooters, mobile "Rag and Bone" traders and other mobile(in caravans and/or horse drawn cart) traders of various small goods and haberdashery. Although marked as not to be used as trade, the isolation and sometimes difficult terrain rules out using larger and more delicate scales. In the early 1900s rough roads and severe weather conditions forced traders to be more flexible in trading with weights and measures. The "close enough is good enough" doctrine was the Australian outback rule of thumb.The significance of this item in the Kiewa Valley during this period demonstrates the slower acceptance of accurate trading measure using the country side principle "my hand shake is my bond". In the Kiewa Valley small quantity commercial undertakings e.g. gold mining, fur pelts and rabbit meat trade did not require bulk weight type scales. Commerce in rural production e.g. fruit and vegetables involved more farmers and their staff in a barter and/or "in kind" payments. This was more so in the depression years 1929 to late 1930s. Self sufficiency was to a large extent more attainable in this region than in the city/ large country town environment. The Australian "fair go" ethical approach to life and commerce was very much ingrained in those living in country regions, like Kiewa Valley as is demonstrated by the not so accurate hand balance, spring loaded scales.This brass "faced" portable Pocket Balance ( Fish Scales) has front plate made from thin pressed brass. The mild steel spring mechanism enclosed by black painted medium gauge steel cover( three quarters cylindrical). Front scale face and rear spring casing fastened by three rivets. Spring loaded marker blade is located in the centre of the front plate. A steel " finger holder" ring is attached at the top of the scale unit from one of two pre drilled holes. The top is for holding the scale upright and the bottom for a hook to dangle the item to be weighed from the bottom. See item KVHS 0223 for similar scales"THE BILLY BALANCE" and at the bottom "MADE IN GERMANY"antique pocket balance, scales, mobile weights, vintage appliances

Before 1908 the words "melting pot" was a term relating to a "crucible" with a meaning of "a pot in which metals and other substances are melted (fused) to provide metal items of varying shapes and uses. From the mid 1900's this term changed and became more related to the "mixing" of social and ethnically diverse populations. The description used here is that of pre 1908. This melting pot was used in the early to late 1900's when produce and hardware shops were too far away from the Kiewa Valley and time was at the essence. The ability to manufacture as many "crucial " items at the home property was the difference between running a successful rural business or not. The isolation of the Kiewa Valley (before the 1950's), hindered the "time down" of machinery and important "widget" replacements. The ability of self sufficiency on properties is still a boon to rural properties as time lost is never really recovered.This melting pot is highly significant to the Kiewa Valley as it provides evidence that the graziers and cattle stations required to be self sufficient in all aspects of day to day maintenance and replenishment of worn materials requiring to be "manufactured " at the property and lack of replacements from commercially shelved products. This aspect of "survival" in the "bush" can be seen in the "huts" built on the Bogong High Plains to accommodate the seasonal grazing of cattle from the Kiewa Valley.This black melting pot is made of cast iron. The lid is missing. The top rim of the pot has three lips for poring accuracy. The formation of these lips are in a "triangle" formation. The top section of the body has a curve inwards reducing the pot diameter from 270mm at the base to 135mm.at the top. The handle is made from heavy gauge wire which is fastened to the body through two lugs (welded onto the top section of the pot) and fasten through a hole at the top of each lug. The handle has a "U" shape as it goes through the lug hole, ensuring no accidental fixture to any side thus allowing free swiveling from one side to the other . "BH" indented within a diamond shape. Opposite "No 3"camp fire cooking utensils, hot plate, cast iron cooking appliance, drovers kitchen

The harsh summer temperatures and the isolated rural environment(of the 1890's) provided the inventor of the "Coolgardie safe" (Arthur Patrick McCormick) with an idea to cool perishable foods by using water soaked "hessian" cloth to provide the "coolant" for the evaporation process to cool the inside temperature of the "safe". Items such as meat,cream/milk/butter and cool "drinks" are a few perishables that need cool environments , especially in isolated "ice free" locations. Cities during this time period had large "ice works" which delivered block ice to all areas that required a form of refrigeration. These ice blocks where held in early refrigerators to keep perishables cool to cold. This "Coolardie" safe was the next best thing for isolated rural households and travellers/campers/stockmen to provide a cooler environment for foodstuff affected by heat. Ice filled "esky" coolers and ice boxes are a modern day off shoot to the original Coogardie safe however they still rely on ice or frozen coolant bricks for cooling.This "Coogardie" safe is very significant to the Kiewa Valley and the Bogong High Plains because it represents not only the initiative thinking of the early settlers and communities but also the "primitive" solution to an everyday (1800s to 1930s) problem (before gas and electric run refrigerators) of keeping "perishables" at a low temperature and thereby prolonging their "shelf" life. This was before electricity and gas was available to the inhabitants of the Kiewa Valley and Bogong High Plains. Another cooling method for food was to have "water tight" containers dipped into the very cold streams running from the "cooler" alpine mountains and the Bogong High Plains. This however could not be carried out in all situations eg. fast flowing currents and locations away from streams. This "Coolgardie safe" is made from a medium grade steel enclosure and its appearance is of a perforated box with a wire handle and one side (long side) being a hinged "door" with a clasp securing "lock". There are air holes grouped into a small "boxed" pattern. Each "box" is divided by a crossed pattern, dividing the "holed" sections(4) into a diamond configuration of 49 small holes each. There are four sides (long) which have the perforations except for the base which does not. The base has an indentation with a loose "catch" tray to catch water spills. When in use the "box" is covered with a water "soaked" cloth. The wet cloth is used as "coolant" ie. fibers in the cloth hold the water droplets seep out evaporating the area and thereby (in mass) cooling the air inside the container.domestic refrigeration cabinets, coolgardie "safe", insect and vermin proof food containers, electric and gas free cold storage containers

This medical / hospital instrument was used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was built in the 1950s specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment.Shape is like a stapler. Stainless steel. 4 parts that fit together. 1. a screw with large top. 2. Flat piece with oblong hole and round hole at end which 3. fits in standing up. Has a black knob at one end. 4 attached to 2 with screw (1.) This is flat at screw end then rises up and bends over to clip on with part 3'Little / Trimmer/ 14 CM' embossed on flat piece (2)medical instrument. hospital equipment. circumcision. tawonga. mt beauty.