Scythes were used to manually mow wheat or grass. Scythes were used with a long sweeping movement which made them much less tiring for labourers to use than reaping hooks or sickles though they still involved great physical labour and considerable skill to perfect. Both hands were in use and the operator did not have to bend his back to reach down to the crop. On farms scythes were sharpened on a sandstone wheel mounted on an axle with a crank handle on one side. This was hand powered and used with water. Scythes were not used as often on farms after the mechanisation of harvesting. They were still used for cutting awkward shaped small plots and for opening a path for the tractors. This item is an example of a tool used by the early settlers of the Orbost district. An iron scythe blade, curved and tapered. There is no handle and the blade is rusted and pitted."ROSE"scythe tool agriculture rural

This item shows the creativity and resourcefulness of rural families in the early 20th century.Three iron horseshoes welded together for use as an ornament or hanging hooks.horseshoes iron ornament

This set of winkers was probably used on draught horses in farming.Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.A set of horse winkers made of dark brown leather with a metal chain bit. The strap which goes behind the ears is green hide - possibly not original. winkers horse-equipment equestrian agriculture

These flares were possibly used during WW11. They were used by Orbost Aero Club at Marlo from 1964 onwards for transporting patients by aerial ambulance to Melbourne. They were placed on the L.H.S. of the runway to indicate wind direction. They were superseded in the late 1970's by pilot activated lighting (PAL) switched on by incoming pilots via radio.These lamps are associated with the history of the Orbost Aero Club.Eight kerosene smudge pot road flares - round metal bases painted red. There is a reservoir at the bottom used for kerosene storage. It was lit at the top for flare.DIETZ . 51 Use Kerosene only Made in U.S.A.lighting kerosene-flares road-flares beacons marlo-airport

Scythes were used with a long sweeping movement which made them much less tiring for labourers to use than reaping hooks or sickles though they still involved great physical labour and considerable skill to perfect. Both hands were in use and the operator did not have to bend his back to reach down to the crop. Scythes were not used as often on farms after the mechanisation of harvesting. They were still used for cutting awkward shaped small plots and for opening a path for the tractors. This item is an example of a tool used by the early settlers of the Orbost district.A curved iron blade with one sharp edge. It is attached to a curved hollow handle with two extensions on one side where the scythe can be held by two hands.scythe agriculture tool

Hand operated water pumps were used to supply water prior to the widespread use of windmill pumps, electric pumps and city water systems. Usually an old pump was made from cast iron, wood or tin. Pumps were very important to people up through the 19th century as farm houses seldom had indoor plumbing with running water. These pumps were also used for outdoor irrigation or laundry purposes.Hand operated water pumps were important before indoor plumbing was adequate. An iron water pump - hand-operated by a lever to the side. A plunger moves up and down (missing). It has a spout and has been painted brown.pump-water irrigation rural

Hames are attached to a horse collar used to distribute the load around a horse's neck and shoulders when pulling a wagon or plough. The collar often supports and pads a pair of curved metal or wood pieces, called hames, to which the traces, which attach to the wagon or plough, of the harness are attached. The collar allows the horse to use its full strength when pulling. This pair of hames would have been used on a farm in the Orbost district.Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.A pair of hames, joined together by a metal chain. Iron has been cased over wood to form the hames. Each has a hook attached and a ring.WARRANTED picture of bull's head FORGEDsaddlery equestrian agriculture horses hames

Hames are attached to a horse collar used to distribute the load around a horse's neck and shoulders when pulling a wagon or plough. The collar often supports and pads a pair of curved metal or wood pieces, called hames, to which the traces, which attach to the wagon or plough, of the harness are attached. The collar allows the horse to use its full strength when pulling. This pair of hames would have been used on a farm in the Orbost district. Horses played a vital role of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.A pair of hames, iron shaped over a wooden frame. They are linked together by a metal chain. Each has a hook attached and a metal ring at the end.WARRANTED PLOUGHMANBRAND FORGEDequestrian saddlery rural agriculture horses hames

Hames are attached to a horse collar used to distribute the load around a horse's neck and shoulders when pulling a wagon or plough. The collar often supports and pads a pair of curved metal or wood pieces, called hames, to which the traces, which attach to the wagon or plough, of the harness are attached. The collar allows the horse to use its full strength when pulling. This pair of hames would have been used on a farm in the Orbost district. Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.A pair of horse hames, iron shaped over a wood frame and linked together by a metal chain and hook. Each has a hook attached and a ring at the end held by string,WARRANTED SWAN BRAND FORGEDsaddlery horses hames agriculture rural equestrian

Possibly used for sieving bean seeds or corn seeds. Could have been a sand sieve.A round wooden framed sieve. It has a double frame with 1/4 " wire mesh held in through two frames. It has a galvanised iron inset.sieve agriculture tool

Probably used in the local bean growing industry. The Orbost area was once a large bean growing area as the fertile snowy River flats produced good quality beans. It was exported to other states of Australia. Green beans were sent to Melbourne by train and later to Sydney, either via Bombala where they were railed, or to Eden to continue the journey on fish trucks. One pound per bag was considered a good price in the early 1920's and pickers were paid one shilling and sixpence. (Ref: Newmerella Valley of Plenty)A round wooden framed sieve. The frame holds the wire mesh sieve. It is braced with seven thin wire strips.sieve agriculture tool

This set of winkers was probably used on draught horses in farming.Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.A set of horse winkers made of dark brown leather with a metal chain bit. There are two leather cups that are placed on either side of the eyes. agriculture winkers blinkers horse farming

This set of winkers was probably used on draught horses in farming.Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.A set of dark leather horse winkers. There is a metal chain bit and a leather strap to go around the top part of the horse's head.winkers blinkers farming agriculture horse

This harness would have been used on a rural property in the Orbost district.Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.A dark brown leather horse harness with a britchen strap.harness horse farming rural

Crosscut saws are used to cut down trees and to saw the trunks to length. This is a two man cross cut saw. The two-man crosscut saw has wooden handles that fit into a steel socket at each end. The teeth are designed to enable both users to have equal strength.Orbost has historically been based on the timber industry and it remains an important but diminishing economic activity. Timber cutting tools are reminders of this history.A steel bladed cross cut saw with wooden handles that fit into a steel socket at each end. The blade has one straight edge and a toothed curved edge. saw timber cross-cut-saw tool

Hames are attached to a horse collar used to distribute the load around a horse's neck and shoulders when pulling a wagon or plough. The collar often supports and pads a pair of curved metal or wood pieces, called hames, to which the traces, which attach to the wagon or plough, of the harness are attached. The collar allows the horse to use its full strength when pulling. This pair of hames would have been used on a farm in the Orbost district for pulling ploughs or other farm implements.Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.Wooden hames with leather traces which have chains and springs (to absorb shock) on each end.equestrian rural farming harness traces

Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.Part of leather harness. Brown leather straps with buckles.equestrian harness rural farming

Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.A brown leather harness (spider) with a chain on one side and a heavy hook at the end.harness equestrian rural farming horse

Built by the Buffalo Forge Company in New York, USA. It is of a typical hand operated design used in workshops. This item was probably used in an engineering shop locally.A cast iron workshop drill. It has two spanner holes.On wheel at top - BUFFALO FORGE Co. and on frame BUFFALO N.Y.drill press workshop hand-operated

This early draught-horse drenching bit was used by the early vets to administer paraffin oil and perhaps castor oil or epsom salts to a colicky horse. The bit was fitted to the horses mouth like a normal bit. A rope attached to the top of the bit pulled the head of the horse up. The drench was tipped into the funnel.This trickled through the hollow bit and down the throat of the horse. In the 1950's and beyond vets used a stomach tube, passed via the horse's nostril to administer drenches, which was much more effective and safe. This procedure spelt the end of drenching bits which are now only museum pieces.A brass horse drencher. It has a leather strap with a brass funnel. This one was probably used for larger horses.7668 Denyer ECLIPSEdrench horses denyer transport

These were used on a horse-drawn wagons, carriages, stagecoaches, and carts. A wheelwright would use this tool to make or repair the wheels. Horse-drawn wagons are an important part of Australia’s agricultural history. Light buggies were popular with farmers for trips into town before the common use of motorised vehicles.A metal buggy wheel spanner for various applications.buggy-spanner tool transport

A wooden tennis racquet press with separaters. It has a brass handle and three brass wing nuts on tightening screws. It is heavy and solid and could hold 4 racquets. It is shaped like a tennis racquet frame. Could be mahogany.tennis racquet-press sport recreation

A canvas golf bag with 5 clubs - two wooden and three metal. The bag has leather handles and leather binding. It has wooden handles with leather grips. The inscriptions are too worn to be legible.On one club : R. Forgan & Son Hand forged (crown) Another club St Andrews JIGGER Hand forged Scotlandgolf-clubs recreation leisure sport forgan

Shoe stretchers can expand the width and the length of shoes. Shoe stretchers work best for suede, leather, and other natural materials. These domestic stretchers would have been used for expanding length.This item is an example of an item commonly used in homes in early Orbost.A shoe stretcher which has a flexible metal band with wooden ends.shoes footwear shoe-stretcher

An ink bottle was made of glass or ceramic and typically sat on a desk. The writer would dip the pen (or quill) into the bottle to put more ink on the pen. Because they sat on a desk, ink bottles were often decorative. 'Stephens' Ink' was invented by the British physician, Dr Henry Stephens (1796-1864), who in 1832 first developed his indelible "blue-black writing fluid" that became the basis of a successful manufacturing enterprise lasting over 130 years. Stephens' ink revolutionised office life in the latter half of the 19th century saving clerical workers much time previously spent mixing powdered inks and cleaning nibs. It was indelible and non-fading. After changes to the Australian import duties on inks, a local manufacturing works was established in the early 1930s by Stephens Inks (Australia) Ltd.We have mostly dispensed with ink bottles and quills. This item is an example of early stationery equipment commonly used in schools, households and commercial enterprises. A cylindrical brown glazed ceramic bottle with a pourer lip. This would have contained ink and had a cork seal. It would have had a paper label.Near base - This bottle is the property of Stephens' Inks Aust. Ltdcontainer ceramic stephens'-inks writing-equipment communication bottle stationery

No accurate historical information, but possibly used in the Orbost district for some ceremonial or decorative purpose.An iron horseshoe which has been painted over with gold paint.horseshoe-gold

No historical information, but most likely used in a house in the Orbost district, as a display or occasional table.Towards the end of the nineteenth century, there was a revival of the taste for bamboo furniture featuring pseudo oriental styles. Bamboo furniture was mass-produced by several London firms. This item has aesthetic value.A smallish round table with four legs made from brown polished bamboo. A smaller round shelf is located near the bottom of the legs and below the table top. The table top is decorated with an oriental-style lacquered pattern with a bird and flowers and an edge pattern. The lacquer has the appearance of having darkened with age and there are a few chips in the surface.table-round table oriental-lacquer

Australia was not self sufficient in glass making until the turn of the 20th century and many bottles were made overseas and shipped to Australia with their contents and when emptied were re-filled with other company’s products. This bottle has an aesthetic element in that the shape and colour are visually appealing. It reflects the type of glassware that was in circulation in the first 20th century. A brown glass bottle which has a screw thread on the top of the neck.On the base - M684bottle container glassware

Australia was not self sufficient in glass making until the turn of the 20th century and many bottles were made overseas and shipped to Australia with their contents and when emptied were re-filled with other company’s products. This bottle has an aesthetic element in that the shapes and colourare visually appealing. The item reflects the type of glassware that was in circulation in the 20th century.A rectangular brown glass bottle with a screw thread at top of neck.On the base -J 826bottle container brown-glass

Australia was not self sufficient in glass making until the turn of the 20th century and many bottles were made overseas and shipped to Australia with their contents and when emptied were re-filled with other company’s products. This item reflects the type of glassware that was in circulation in the first half of the 20th century.A small clear glass bottle which is a flat rectangular shape. The top has a lip.bottle glass container