Model of the ship served on by W Thomson during WWII.Scale model of the HMAS Maryborough that was operated by the Australian Navy during WWII.Grey and black painted plastic and wood scale model of the Bathurst class HMAS Maryborough (1940 to 1946) minesweeper (commonly known as corvettes) mounted in a wooden frame glass sided and top case. It has cotton rigging with metal anchor chains. An inscribed metal plate is located on the front glass side. The upper of the model is painted grey, and the bottom black. J195 is painted in black lettering on the bow of the model.J195 H.M.A.S Maryborough 1940 - 1946 Made by W. Thomsonmodel, hmas maryborough, bathurst class, minesweeper, corvette

Displayed in History House. The King Regula III series were a range of 35mm viewfinder and rangefinder cameras made by King between 1956-1959. The Regula III series models all have a similar look and have a characteristic front plate. This is a flat rectangular Eloxal (ELectrolytic OXidation of ALuminum) plate, with distinctive chrome-black-chrome stripes each side. The King logo is at the top of the left-hand stripe, and a PC flash sync connector on the bottom right stripe. The other common things across the range are the film advance/film counter lever, a "cold" accessory shoe, rewind knob, 1/4" tripod socket, textured leatherette and having the model name engraved on the front of the camera. The film counter on all models is on the film advance lever but has a reliability issue, it relies on a tiny rod in the film advance lever, and a fixed rod on the camera body pushing against each other every time the lever is advanced; the problem is the rods are so small that they wear down with repeated use until the film counter stops working.Regula IIIa Camera Regula IIIa is a basic viewfinder camera with a Prontor-SVS shutter, but no focus aids, light meter, frame lines in the viewfinder or strap lugs on the body. 367.1 - Single lens reflex camera. 367.2 - Light metre in leather case. 367.3 - Brown leather case.Front: Regula-werk king KG/Bad Liebenzell/Prontor - SVS (on lens) Regula/IIIa (on body)camera, photography

The post World War II migration of European "snow skiiers" into Australia combined with the construction of Hydo Electricity Schemes in both the N.S.W.and Victorian Alps regions, opened up these winter snow areas to a greater influx of tourists and holiday adventurers interested in "winter" sports. The ability to project, on a global scale, skiing facilities of international standards to those in the northern hemisphere during their summer has opened up the Australia ski resorts and their facilities to a much greater winter sport orientated population. These cross country skis were purchased by a member of the Bogong Ski Club and were part of a bulk ski stock consignment from Finland in 1966/67. They were introduced into the Victorian Alps to encourage skiers to take up cross country skiing both at Falls Creek and Mount Buller. This initiative spurred on the now annual 42 kilometre cross country "Kangaroo Hoppet" race at Falls Creek. This race is currently the biggest cross country snow skiing race in Australia. These snow skis were made in Finland. They are wooden (hickory) skis and made from four strips (glued and shaped) pieces of wood that are not laminated. There is a painted blue flash on the top of the skis that extends the full length of the skis. The face of the underside of the skis is flat and is coated in black Stockholm tar. Glider or grip wax was applied onto this base. The top body of the skis is tapered from shoe position to both front and back tips.Tapered curvatures from foot radiating to all sides provides the required aerodynamics. Metal boot bindings consisting of a toe plate with adjustable toe clip and a heel plate, both of which are screwed onto the skis. "KILPA, KARHU URHEILUTARPEITA SPORTART1KLAR, Karhu-Valtz Finland. Hickorypohjin"snow skiing, cross country skiing, falls creek winter tourism

This book was written before the "preservation of Australian Flora and Fauna" movement became a household edict. The book covers all the "known" marsupials of the time and coloured prints are provided where required to show physical and other distinguishing features. Time and extensive searches of hard to reach places in Australia has uncovered a greater range of marsupials than presented in this book. Rural Australia (1940s) had not been as developed and altered as the 1980s onward. This book was used in Primary schools as reference material. Although rural school children would have come across many "real life" encounters with some of the mammals referred to, the diversity and range of mammals presented in this book is quite extensive. Most "city" born children would have only seen the mammals presented in this book at animal zoos in the larger cities.This book details the Australian wide range of mammals, and not just those which school children in the Kiewa Valley could meet "face to face". However the rural based pupils would find the chapters and coloured prints more "real" than city located students because they are living day to day in the Australian bush, home to all the various mammals and marsupials presented in this book.This green coloured hard covered book has 178 double sided printed pages and twenty five plate detailing the appearances of native mammals. The first two pages are frayed and all pages show colouration (yellow) of age. The book has a clear plastic cover as protection placed at a later dateOn the spine "FURRED ANIMALS OF AUSTRALIA" and underneath "BROUGHTON" and at the bottom "ANGUS & ROBERTSON"australian mammals and marsupials, nature books, australia wild life

This item was used at a time when there was a limited range of spices available and sought after by domestic and commercial kitchens. The taste buds of the average Australian diner were limited to the basic English style dishes which had been delivered by the early colonial days. Rural areas where slower in experimenting with Asian and European cuisine. The influx of European cuisine from refugees fleeing both World War I and world War II brought a different appreciation of gourmet food. The increase in Asian spices was brought about by Australians becoming more aware of the Asian "scene" through the conflicts of Korean and Vietnam military action. The "standard" type spices such as Cinnamon, nutmeg and similar spices offered by Robert Harper and later other Food and Spices whole sellers and processors where a direct result of a greater influx of migrants from spices rich societies and resulted in a greater range of "Asian" spices This became more visible after demise of the "White Australian Policy" on immigration and the great media revolution of Televised cooking shows from the 1950s on. The sustainability of containers such as this re-useable tin and cardboard spice holder, which could be replenished and not thrown away after it was empty was it a time period well before the "throw away" society had crept into the Valley.This spice container was used mainly in domestic kitchen within the Kiewa Valley. Those European construction workers of the SEC Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme had brought their continental cuisine into the valley and that was the beginning of a new era in highlighting different tastes. This rural valley had a greater interaction with people from other nation's cuisines and by association became more infused with a broader range of spices and food preparations.This item (spice shaker) is constructed by using a thick cardboard cylinder with both ends closed by tin plated light steel lids. The bottom lid is not removable however the top lid is removable to allow the contents (Cinnamon Spice) to be refilled. The lid has thirteen small holes which allow the contents to be shaken out. The outer side of the cylinder has been covered (glued on) by a printed black and yellow label detailing contents , weight, and supplier.On the front side of the printed label outside of the label boundary is "To make a shaker of this tin - take the lid off and remove the paper from inside the lid" Within the marked horse shoe shaped boundary is" HARPER'S ground spices star brand" underneath "CINNAMON" underneath this is printed "1 oz. NET WEIGHT" and under this, within its own frame " ROBERT HARPER COMPANY LIMITED (incorporated in Victoria) AUSTRALIA." On the back within its own box is "HARPER'S star brand GROUND SPICES" and underneath "These Pure Spices are packed in the following Varieties". Below this is a list (going down) "CINNAMON CARRAWAYS CAYENNE MIXED CLOVES CASSIA CORIANDER GINGER MACE TURMERIC NUTMEGS PIMENTO"kitchen spices, spice shakers, food preparation

This large bean slicer was first manufactured in the late 1800's in England and exported to Australia. Due to the transportation costs it was not used in many Domestic kitchens. This slicer would have been in a kitchen of a higher socio/economic family within the Kiewa Valley. In the 1930's the manufacturer traded this slicer as "domestic labour-saving slicers". This was the beginning of new generation of the kitchen "gadget". The introduction of the Asian "gadget" manufacturer from the late 1950's saw English export diminish by the cheaper Asian products.This item has great significance because it demonstrates that even "remote rural" locations, such as the Kiewa Valley in the early 1900s still were able to optain "state of the art" labour saving "kitchen" appliances. It was these English and European goods that were made "to last" which brought the mind set "British is best" This mindset was only altered by periods of Australian economic down turns and the cheap Asian product availabilityThis bean slicer is made from cast iron with a round body housing three rotating blades screwed into a riveted spinning base plate. The whole body of this slicer is green with a "natural coloured" handle. A "G" clamp is part of the main frame to fasten the slicer onto a table/counter top (when in use). On the side of the handle and along the top plate "SPONG & Co Ltd" and opposite "BEAN SLICER" below this "No 633"domestic kitchen time savers, food processors, bean slicers

This type of mobile spring weighing scales were in high use before legislative Weights and Measure standards where in force throughout Australia. This was in a time when a "mans word and handshake" was his legal document. It was a time, especially in rural areas that the term "she'll be right" was extensively used and these types of scales (the accuracy over time) would produce a near "enough is good enough" measure. These scales are very significant for the rural produce within the Kiewa Valley. Rural produce such as hay milk and butter tubs,tobacco bundles could be easily weighed (in relatively smaller packages) for both markets and for use within the valley.This spring scale (!/2 Once to 4lb) was used as general weight scale. Because it is spring loaded the accuracy would fade over time and by over weighted loads. The spring enclosure is made from cast iron painter black. There is an iron ring at the top (attaching/holding) and an iron hook at the bottom (holding). There is a brass front plate with engraved markings(on the left side) running from top to bottom and a movable pin weight indicator running in the middle indicating the weight of the item being weighed.At the front top"SALTER'S SPRING BALANCE 4LB BY 21/2 OZ" underneath "No 1A" At the bottom in smaller print "MADE IN ENGLAND PATENT"weighing instruments, spring balances

This cigarette or pipe lighter was in use in the mid 1900's when the majority of users were men. Ladies did smoke but mainly not in "public" The activity was still regarded as a male activity. Middle to Upper "Class" of women nearly always had a gentleman "at hand" that would "light up" her cigarette. This was seen as a "social" activity only but later in the mid 1900's onward it was quite acceptable for both sexes to "smoke" at anytime.This type of lighter was male orientated due to the degree of lighting the flint with the horizontal movement required a strong thumb action across the lighting wheel. It is significant to rural areas such as the Kiewa Valley as the majority of men (especially during and after World War II) regarded smoking as a way to ease off the "tension" of hard work. The socio-economics of the Australian work place changed after the emancipation of women in the "workforce" after the World War II depleted the male workforce for the duration of the War and changed the Australian ethics of women in all aspects of both city and rural working "so called" male only occupations.This Polo Swift lift arm cigarette/pipe lighter has a chrome plated shell and is fueled by petrol. To operate this lighter you lift the "snuffer" arm exposing the wick, then scrape the flint wheel to create a spark from the adjacent flint(resting on the brass ignition wheel).At the bottom of the lift arm station "POLO". Each side of the lighter are "Art Deco line running from the top of the lighter to the bottom. Between these is a rectangular box with "diamond crossed lines"early hand lighters, smoking in the 1930's, cigarette lighter, tobacco, cigerettes, lighter

This item has historical value as it shows part of the importance of fashionable money containers specific to a more affluent rural family. The period when sheep properties producing high grade wool were providing Australia with the high yield capital return to sustain an ever growing population. This was an era where most of the manufactured goods were imported from England and the European continent.This has relevant significant value as it portrays the earlier reliance that the growing Australian population had from the rural sector. The wealth capital was from the rural sector and the elaborate fashion accessories, such as this money purse, shows how that wealth was utilised. The Kiewa Valley was part of the "rich" farm regions of Victoria and besides gold mines and tobacco plantations, dairy and cattle properties provided for not only the needs of the Victorian region but also the rest of Australia. This gold plated filigree money purse has a clasp on top for fastening purposes and has on either side inside a small extension frame which would have contained a felt/silk padding buffer. The buffer would have highlighted the intricate pattern of the filigree metalwork.hand purse, money purse, filigree women's accessories

This "outdoor" dinner plate was made in Hong Kong and is therefore dated well after World War II. It was imported from Hong Kong at the beginning of the start of the great Asian influx of cheap household/camping kitchen and dinner plates(1960's onward). It is also during the time before stronger and more resilient plastic "camper" goods. It was at the start of the city based outdoor campers Australian bush adventure holidays.This plate is very significant to the High Plains cattlemen of the Victorian Alpine Region. Because of its unbreakable and easy to clean qualities this type of plate and associate mugs where a necessity for overnight workers and campers in the upper Kiewa Valley and its high plains regions. The Kiewa Valley has small township centres and to survive in the Australian bush high country environment camp-side fires and meals required sturdy utensils and plates.This yellow enameled tin soup/salad/dinner plate has a green boarded rim and can hold a variety of different meals. This plate is sturdy enough for any outdoor activity and was used by campers and cattlemen.Stamped on the bottom base " made in Hong Kong 24 cm E MELLING CO LTD"enamel outdoor plates and mugs, camping kitchen utensils

This serving meat plate/platter dates to the 1914 to 1930's period in time. This was a period when fine bone china and crockery was imported from England or Europe (mainly Germany). It was highly regarded not only as good crockery but also a linkage to "mother" England and showed a that the family was "well to do". This plate has important relevance to the socio- economical "atmosphere" of rural life (Kiewa Valley) in the early 20th Century. The quality of good English merchandise and the "British best" attitude of the Australian psyche of this period, especially in rural regions, was strongly entrenched into the population. However after World War II this psyche changed drastically as European refugees from war torn Europe "invaded" the mainly "British" based cultural mores. This was the beginning of cultural diversity and rolled out onto multi-culturalism of the latter 20th Century. This large bone china oval shaped serving plate has a green floral pattern around the the base extending up the sides, similar to the "Brussels" pattern. The top edge is delineated with a swirling pattern emphasised with gold leaf. On the rim and detailing 15mm before the edge are oyster or scollop like bubbles in three rows.manufacturers stamp (dating manufacture 1914-1925) and numbered "36" domestic kitchen crockery, english crockery, serving plates and platters

This aluminium kettle was manufactured between 1940 to 1960's and replaced the heavier caste iron "open fire" stove ones (in doors or in the bush). A cast iron flat base between the open fires and the kettle was required. This kettle was used extensively with indoor open fire places. It was part of the evolution in "tea" making kettles. These were the only method of making hot beverages before introduction of electric kettles. For the Kiewa Valley the connection to the major electricity grid was post 1950's.This kettle is significant demonstrating the type of kitchen utensils required before electrical home connections became a reality. The aluminium structure of the kettle was an advancement over the heavier caste iron kettles. This type of kettle is still in use for bush and mountain hikers/climbers due to the light weight. This kettle was used by the Tawonga C.W.A. Branch. The C.W.A. motto "Honour our God, Loyalty to the throne, Service to the country, Through country women, For country women, By country women."This 99% aluminium hot plate kettle with lid (bakelite handle) is Australian made for flat stoves (cooking or room heating). It has a "tea style" spout and a bakelite hand grip(knob) on the top of the lid. The lid has nine ridges (for strength) radiating from the central hand grip. The two handle prongs are bop riveted onto the the body of the kettle. The bakelite hand grip has been fashioned to fit the natural contours of a clutching hand.On both sides of the aluminium handle "HOT PLATE WARE" and covering an oblique shaped triangle "99% PURE ALUMINIUM" and below that "MADE IN AUSTRALIA".Within the triangle "DURALIFE"cwa, homeware aluminium kitchen utensils, made in australia cook ware

When this AVOMETER leather case was being utilised in the early 1950's it contained the "leading" edge of electrical measuring instrumentation.The first meter was produced by Automatic Coil Winder and Electrical Equipment Co. in 1923. This model was produced in the time from 1933 to 1951 when it was superseded by the most popular model, Model 8 (1951 to 2008).This leather case which holds its AVO Meter brought the measuring of three electrical power indicators i.e., amps, volts and ohms into one measuring unit. By using a "one fits all" unit, the carrying of separate measuring devices was reduced considerably. The need for a mountainous and a large area of operational requirements, such as the SEC Vic Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme, to minimise the weight of equipment carried by electricians and technicians was of the utmost relevance. The significance of this meter to the Kiewa Valley region relates to the impact of modern technology (at that time) upon a mainly rural environment. This equipment shows how the boost of "modern" equipment into the area because of the "Hydro Scheme" was facilitated a lot faster than would have taken under "normal" evolutionary time. The speed of information on all "new technology" had a relatively slow assimilation rate to those living in rural communities. The use of solid leather carrying bags for transporting equipment up and down the mountains provided some form of protection against bumps and dust.This carry case for its AVO meter has an outer leather covering with an inner thick cardboard liner. The case has two mild steel buckles but stitched onto one side but no lid to fasten down. The sides are stitched together with strong tick twine. On either side there are small strap holds. On the bottom are four large chromed metal lugs acting as feet to keep the bottom from lying flat on any floor. The outside bottom has been branded "SOLID COWHIDE"Between the front two buckles is a identification plate riveted onto the cowhide "STATE ELECTRICITY COMMISSION OF VICTORIA ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SECTION"electrical meters, electrical equipment, sec vic., state electricity commission of victoria, mount beauty, bogong village

This "camp fire" hot plate has been used from the early 1900's on camp drafts /droving cattle onto and from the Victorian high plains. The size of "camp" kitchens would depend on the amount of "cattle" men required to collect and move the "herd" to and from the "lush" high plains.This "camp fire" hot plate is significant because it was donated by a member of the Roper family (the Roper's of the Kiewa Valley) a "pioneer" family. This particular camp fire hot plate originated in Tasmania however the Victorian Alps are very similar to the Tasmanian mountain regions and this type of cooking utensil was, and still is, used in isolated regions e.g. large cattle properties in the Northern Territory. This Camp Fire hot plate was used on the High Plains at the Roper Hut for approximately 35 years.This open fire hot plate is made from caste iron. It has a circular flat (cooking) base, ideal for a few thick pieces of prime steak, a high semi circular handle with a large circular carry ring, to apply a thick stick or rod through it as an insulated handle (to position the hot plate where required over a fire). The "handle" can be folded down to save space when packing it in the saddle bags. The handle has a strong metal rivet on each end (is loose enough to allow it to be moved to either side e.g. flattened). One end, of the handle, has a movable sleeve to fasten the the handle in an upright positioncamp fire cooking utensils, hot plate, cast iron cooking appliance, drovers kitchen, cattlemen

This large deep pan (with a long handle) was used by pioneer families, mainly rural folk, that needed a pan which could cope with an open fire heat source, in or mainly outside the homestead. This pan was used in the early to late 1900's for the "stews" and other meals required by hard working stock men and farmers that had irregular "lunch and dinner" breaks under sometimes hard and gruelling conditions. Hot plates were normally not in use.This "open fire" saucepan belonged, and was used by a Kiewa Valley, pioneer family, the Roper Family. This saucepan was moved from their Kiewa Valley property to their hut built on the Bogong High Plains. This saucepan was one of an array of "open fire" cooking utensils used in the "camp draft" grazing in the Bogong High Plains and this could take up to six weeks. This kettle belonged and was used by a Kiewa Valley, pioneer family, the Roper Family. This kettle was moved from their Kiewa Valley property to their hut built on the Bogong High Plains. A scientific study started in 1947 to study the impact of grazing cattle on the natural Alpine and sub Alpine vegetation found grazing cattle had an adverse affect on the natural Alpine and sub alpine vegetation, and grazing on the plains was stopped by the Victorian Government in 2005.This large (black, soot infused) cast iron saucepan has a "ten pint" holding capacity and was used on the "open fire", possible on the fire direct. It has a long all metal handle coming from the top half of the pot and angled at approximately sixty degrees upwards. This angle insures that both distance from flame intensity and least bending of knees when lifting is at a minimum.On bottom of pan (underside) "N0. 8 JSJ SIDDONS" on the other side "WEST BROMWICH 5 QUARTS"camp fire cooking utensils, hot plate, cast iron cooking appliance, drovers kitchen

This Pie Iron was used in the mid to late 1900's when stock, both cattle and sheep, were grazed on the Bogong High Plains. Providing meals for stockmen over open fires, even in log cabins in the Victorian Alpine region, was usually by a "camp cook" or a stockman designated "cook" from the Valley station/property. The use of "camping cooking utensils were a necessity and not a "weekend" affair. Stockmen could spend up to six weeks on the plains and all their cooking needs required had to "pack horsed" from the valley below. A scientific study started in 1947, to study the impact of grazing cattle on the natural Alpine and sub Alpine vegetation found grazing cattle had an adverse affect on the natural Alpine and sub alpine vegetation, and grazing on the plains was stopped by the Victorian Government in 2005.This item is highly significant to the Kiewa Valley as it demonstrates the kind of cooking utensils that were required for camp drafts in the Bogong High Plains environment. As the control of cattle and sheep in the High Plains was very demanding upon horse and rider, good "tucker" was a pre- requisite for a successful operation. As the time spent in this remote location was governed by the climatic condition maximum utilisation of the very good pastures in the High Plains was crucial to a successful and profitable season.This pie iron has two pie forms in horizontal configuration and both top and base rounded forms are connected at one end (Top) with pop rivet application. This application allows for the "opening" up of the two halves. The bodies are made from cast iron in a "cup" form and a metal rod and wooden handle extend to permit the opening of the two sides. The inner side of the "cups" are smooth which relates to pie requirements and not the jaffle/sandwich irons. A clasp metal "D" ring is installed at the end of one wooden handle (to keep the iron in the close/cooking position).camp fire cooking utensils, hot plate, cast iron cooking appliances, pie irons, jaffle irons, drovers kitchen