This bean slicer was made about the 1920s by the British firm of Spong & Co. This firm was founded by James Osborn Spong in 1856 in London. James Spong invented over 100 labour-saving devices during his lifetime and his firm became well-known for its production of domestic labour-saving and safety devices, especially its grinding machine and its bean slicer. These domestic items were to be found in most households from the 1880s to the 1950s prior to the advent of electrical items that carried out similar labour-saving processes. This bean slicer is of interest as a reminder of the many labour -saving devices that were available to most women early in the 20th century, even those in the rural and more remote areas in AustraliaThis a heavy metal bean slicer with a circular piece with a rounded cut-out at the top for the insertion of the bean and an attached bolted handle with a wooden top. Attached to the circular top is a circular revolving piece with three cutters. Welded on to the top piece is a metal clamp with a large screw for attaching the slicer to a table or bench. The slicer is painted green and has the name of the manufacturer etched on the top piece.Spong & Co Ltd Made In England No 632 Bean Slicervintage bean slicers, spong & co london, vintage household items

This is a camera that belonged to Dr Horace Iles Holmes (1877-1959). Born and educated in Tasmania, Dr Holmes completed his medical degree at Melbourne University. He commenced a medical practice in Warrnambool in 1906 and was the Honorary Medical Officer at the Warrnambool Hospital and Warrnambool’s Health Officer. His practice was at ‘Ierne’, at the corner of Spence and Kepler Streets. He was an early member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons and was prominent in community affairs in Warrnambool (foundation President of Warrnambool Rotary Club, a member of the local Masonic Lodge for over 50 years, the Warrnanbool Hospital Committee member, long-term Trustee of the Warrnambool Methodist Church and President of the Lyndoch Hostel for the Aged Committee. Dr Holmes also had agricultural interests and enjoyed bowls, golf and fishing. This is an interesting item as it comes from the Horace Holmes collection and he was a doctor who was prominently associated with the professional and community life of Warrnambool for well over 50 years. .1 This is a camera with an inside concertina mechanism and an outer covering of brown leather and silver-coloured metal. The camera has a leather handle and is scuffed and rusted in parts. .2 The cover is made of brown cloth and has leather tabs on the sides and on the tab fastener. The fastener has a metal buckle. There is a leather strap for carrying the camera and cover over the shoulder. The initials of the owner have been printed in ink on the front of the cover which is worn in places and torn at the bottom corner. H.I.H.dr horace iles holmes, warrnambool, history of warrnambool, cameras, photographic equipment

It is not clear what this basket was used for; however the shape and the position of the handles suggests it was used for carrying washing. Cane baskets are commonly used in domestic situations. This basket has no known provenance but is retained for display purposes. This basket is woven with cane. It is oval in shape with a lid attached with wire hinges. The base is concave. There are handles at two ends. basket, cane weaving, household objects

This bag could be used for carrying sheet music or similar documents. The item was owned by Gethla Forsyth who graduated as a nurse from the Alfred Hospital Melbourne in 1936. Gethla served in the Australian Nursing Corps in WW2. Gethla was a sister to Gladys who was married to Dr Angus , a long serving doctor in Warrnambool. her family had earlier connections to the district in the 1900's in the Koroit area.A common object but an interesting social connection.Brown leather bag with metal catches and handle. It has a small gusset in each side. Long rectangular in shape."Gethla Forsyth" written inside on right hand side.warrnambool, gethla forsyth, leather music satchel

This police baton or truncheon is typical of the ones used by police in Australia perhaps late in the 19th century or early in the 20th century. No information has yet been found as to the identity of the owner or the significance of the letters, ‘A P 1304’. There are several possibilities as the collection of the old Warrnambool Museum which operated from the 1870s to the 1960s included several police batons. The owner of this baton is not known but is retained pending further research.This is a wooden police baton. The rounded body is tapered towards the top and it has an incised ridge near the top and a knob on the top to form a handle. The ridge at the top may be for holding a string or rope to carry the baton on the wrist. The wood has been varnished but it is now much worn and discoloured. The letters have been etched into the surface.‘A P 1304’ history of warrnambool, police in warrnambool, police baton, police baton ap 1304

Tool used to carry plaster sheets on the ledge at the bottom.A handmade tool used locally.Metal tool with heart shaped handle and spade shaped base with right angled edge on the bottom. Weld join near bottom. Painted in silver. plaster sheet carrier, plaster tool

Information on the history of this knife and sheaf is not known. They were popular items for boys and young men to carry, especially when working in the bush or fishing. They are still in use today. These items have no known provenance and are useful for display only This is a belt knife, much rusted with a curved blade and a brown metal handle, silver-coloured at the top and end and brown-coloured with red and black bands near the end. The handle has a metal screw at the tip. The knife is in a leather sheaf or holder which is curved to suit the shape of the knife. It has stitching on the curved section with metal studs, two slots to enable the sheaf to be attached to a belt and a circular leather strop with a metal stud to hold the knife in place. The leather is rubbed. The belt may not originally have been for this knife.belt knife and sheaf, warrnambool

Stretchers were used to transport injured or sick people to receive treatment. Usually they were carried by two people, one at each end. Used in the Kiewa Valley.Orange material (canvas) held by studs attached to two wooden beams on each long side. The beams extend to form handles at each of the 4 corners. The stretcher can be altered to fold towards the middle of the length. The legs are made of stainless steel and the mechanism (stay) to fold it is also of stainless steel.stretcher, first aid

This bag was used by the Timekeeper at Pretty Valley camp to carry timesheets to the administration building at Bogong and later at Mt Beauty. In the early days this bag was collected by the Timekeeper who rode a horse to the camps fortnightly.SECV - Kiewa Hydro Electric SchemeBrown leather mail bag with stitched gusset. Metal and leather handle fastened at the top by two metal rings attached to a leather covered rod. A flap at the front fastened by two metal press studs. Front pocket of leather and transparent material stitched on. Internal leather strap fastened by metal press stud in the centre. "SEC MAIL" stamped on the front flap and back of bag. Written inside in ink "BAG NO.11 TIMEKEEPER - PRETTY VALLEY". secv, khes, mail bag, timekeeper, pretty valley, payroll

Canvas stretchers were portable and easily carried by pack horses. They were more luxurious than a hard wooden bed or the ground. Canvas was the best material to use at the time. This canvas stretcher may have been used on camping trips or by the cattlemen when visiting their huts on the Bogong High Plains.Used as a stretcher or camp bed and is very heavy. It is made of wood and 4 pieces of canvas sewn together. It has sides of elongated cubed wood with 4 handle extensions which are also cubed wood partly carved out near their ends for a more comfortable grip. The top has canvas attached to the wooden sides. The bottom has wood attached including the handles and a piece in the middle. Also attached are 4 steel rollers. A nail sticks out and stops the handles from going any further than the rollers. 4 metal strips are also attached for guidance of the sliding handles. 2 metal flat rods are attached to the sides at each end and joined in the middle by hinged nail enabling movement creating a metal strip at right angles to the length of the stretcher. The metal handles are attached here too. stretcher. bogong high plains. camping. sleeping.

This stretcher is for carrying an injured or sick person to another location for treatment or it may have been used as an extra bed. Two people would be able to do the carrying. This stretcher is not able to be folded so was probably not used for eg. a camping trip.Used in the Kiewa Valley.4 wooden rounded handles on each corner. Heavy (strong) material is pulled over both of the long sides and fastened with nails. Just in from each end is a steel rod across the stretcher to maintain the width and allow the stretcher to be put down onto the ground to rest on each of the 4 legs. The legs are steel and curved for extra strength."ARP" stamped in red on the material.stretcher, arp, first aid

Possibly 'Rega' pump insect spray used for protection against insects, especially those that bite or carry disease. Used before the invention of aerosol spray.Old Australian copper and brass Rega insect sprayer used by residents in the Kiewa ValleyPossible copper container and pump - joined with brass fittings including nozzle. Plunger - red steel. Handle -woodinsect repellent, insect pump sprayer

A basket is a popular way to carry a baby up to 6 months old as it may sleep or be awake and may be taken to another place. The woven cane has been used by mothers through the ages with prams, pushers, and slings becoming more popular and 'baskets' made of more modern materials.Used in the 1950s and 1960s by a resident of the Kiewa Valley. Relevant to the social history of the Kiewa Valley.Cane woven and covered by white plastic with a long handle on each side. The base is thin wood. Known as a 'Retro Moses Style baby carry basket'. Length 70 cm x width 40 cm, height 27 cm. The handles add 20 cm to its height.baby carry basket

Rubber tubes and a black rubber pump are in the case. Instructions for use and the connection of tubes and pump are written on the lid. Light and easy to carry. Rubber was used during the 1960s before plastic was available.Used in the Kiewa Valley during the 1960s.Green case with 2 clips used to attach the lid at the front. Lid is on hinges at the back of the lid. A handle is attached to the lid. Inside the lid are the instructions foruse. The Pump and hoses are detached and included and made of rubber.Made in Australia On lid: Air Viva Resuscitatorportable resuscitator 1960s

The 1950's saw a revolution in small appliances for use in the average household. This hand held self heating(kerosene) iron was introduced as a time saving and more convenient iron for pressing clothes and other cloth fabrics. It replaced irons needing a separate fire source to heat the ironing plate. These irons continued to be in service, even when electricity was available in cities and larger rural towns (domestic electric steam irons were invented in 1938). This item was used before and during the electricity supplies available from the Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme. These irons remained in use within regional rural areas that had limited or unreliable electrical reticulation.In the 1950s and later the Kiewa Valley was still a relatively isolated region which was home to rural properties and small settlements. The availability of electricity and or the financial means to afford new types of electric hand irons ensured that older and sometimes less efficient ironing remained for an extended period covering the 1960s to 1970s. Kerosene products, such as this kerosene iron was a cheaper method for farm based domestic and other rural activities requiring a heat source. The use of kerosene as a heat/light source was able to be supplied in bulk and able to be used when floods severed vital roads into this region. The supply of electricity was in summer time subject to interruption from bush fire damaged wooden poles carrying the electrical cables. Self sufficiency by rural populations was the backbone of survival and the ability to store energy sources "on the farm" was a prerequisite of isolated regions, such as the Kiewa Valley, circa 1950s.This Coleman kerosene iron has a solid steel chrome plated(press) base with a painted (blue) wooden handle. The handle is stud fastened onto an oblong shaped rolled steel handle frame and screwed (two screws) onto the base plate. Both the heating plate and the top securing plate are shaped similar to a river boat. The main housing enclosing the heating element is enamel coated(blue in colour) steel and has a half hole for lighting the kerosene at the rear end. Behind the handle and protruding upwards is a stainless steel fully enclosed container (bowl shaped) for the main supply of kerosene to the burner or generator(enclosed within the main body of the iron. The bowl has an air valve and inlet for pressurised air intake (hand pump) On the bottom rear of the fuel bowl there is a screw regulated fuel pump. The fuel heated base plate provides the heat for this advertised "self heating iron(instant lighting). See KVHS 0347B- Instruction sheet; KVHS 0347C- Wrench; and KVHS 0347D Fuel can.Stamped on the base plate of the handle, front region "COLEMAN LAMP & STOVE CO." below this "WICHITA KAN" below this"TORONTO CAN". In the middle of the handle base and in larger print "COLEMAN Instant-Lite" At the rear location in large print "MODEL 4" in smaller print below "MADE IN U.S.A." below this "PAT#1718473"household appliances, alternative non electrical ironing appliances, domestic appliances, kerosene appliances

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 typewriter case allowed the Olivetti typewriter to be securely and free from contaminants to be totally mobile. The Olivetti typewriter company was founded in Italy in 1908 and became a leader in portable dependable typewriters.This particular typewriter contained is a Olivetti Lettera 22, oblique front stroke and portable manufactured after 1950. During the 1950s and 1960s was a time when British and European manufactured goods were still purchased by many Australian consumers. After the 1970s however, there was a shift, mainly in the cities, to Japanese made goods. The invasion of Japanese manufactured goods was relatively slower, especially in rural areas. The demand for long lasting and dependable merchandise was in the rural area still the most important criteria. The ease of setting up this typewriter and its compact mobility was its major benefit to trades people and travelling professionals, e.g. rural doctors, other medical professionals, accountants, lawyers and educators. This item(carrying case) facilitated the growing numbers of professional nomads requiring a relatively light office stationery package e.g. travelling novelist, writer, businessman and academics. This typewriter needed no electrical or battery power to operate it therefore the inside compartment did not require additional storage pockets . Outback Australia, where at this point in time, good available electrical power reticulation and battery power, was a scarce and therefore could not be totally measured as a highly efficient office environment. The protective carrying bag provided the only mobile way to operate in some business and home locations.Although this typewriter cover and its typewriter was purchased from a business in Penrith, Sydney, N.S.W., it is significant that it travelled easily to the Kiewa Valley, demonstrating the mobility of certain sections of the community. This typewriter cover protected the expensive typewriter it contained which was designed by an Italian industrial designer, Marcello Nizzoli, in line with the art deco style of the 1930s and the colour and flexibility of the vibrant 1950s. The underlying theme of manufacturing in the 1950s was to produce equipment that was more efficient than what was inherited from the earlier period of 20th century. Improvements were made to this Olivetti typewriter by Giuseppe Beccio by reducing the number of parts made from 3,000 to 2,000. Protection of such a typewriter was of an utmost necessity. The need for mobile expensive typewriters waned as less expensive typewriters became available. This was the major principle of the Japanese manufacturing juggernauts of the post World War II. Efficiency and low cost material was becoming prime factors in the success of rural industries from the 1960s. Competition from overseas producers was starting to affect rural industries and the removal of the large range of tariff protection, especially rural products, required not only a shift of farm management but a more efficient cost savings modus operandi.This is a semi hard cover (cloth over cardboard on inside, plastic over cardboard on outside), camel coloured outside and tartan cloth covered pattern inside the typewriter case. the case can be opened up by "unzipping" the top from the bottom halves of the case. For carrying purposes the case has two plastic covering metal handles with brass fittings. There are two stitched on brown reinforcement straps encompassing both sides of the case. The two reinforcing straps are brown in colour and a securing strap with a press button at one end to allow an extra securing tongue to keep the cover secure. The top inside of the case has a three quarters long paper compartment (flap style). See KVHS 0455 for Olivetti Lettera typewriter.commercial, protective carry bags/cases for mobile office equipment, mechanical typewriter

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 Fire Fighting Backpack was donated by the Emerald Fire Brigade which was established on 14 March 1941 as the Emerald Bush Brigade. Originally its equipment was stored at Madigan's butcher's shop near the corner of Monbulk Road. The Brigade's first fire station was built around 1945. In 1966, this station was recorded as containing the fire truck and a Land Rover pumper, three radio sets, 40 knapsacks, six lengths of hose, helmets, rake hoes and other hand tools. In 2010, the Brigade moved into a new purpose-built building in Monbulk Road. This Fire Fighting Backpack dates from around c.1960s.This Fire Fighting Backpack Extinguisher was used for mopping-up and combating small fires by members of a crucial volunteer fire fighting service operating in the Emerald district since 1941.This galvanised metal Rega Fire Fighting Backpack Sprayer was used by Emerald CFA (formerly RFB) from 1960's. The main body of the spray tank is orange and has woven canvas shoulder straps with buckles for carrying on your back. On top of the oval tank is a lid with a chain which has "REGA SPRAYER" embossed onto it. It has a metal handle over the top of the lid, which is hinged and has two clips for docking the wooden handle of the sprayer hose when not in use. The wooden sprayer handle with a brass pump assembly is attached to the tank with a piece of hosing allowing for pressurized spraying. The backpack tank has the brand name "REGA" and "CFA" embossed on the front of the tank's well worn patina from many years of use. "Emerald RFB" on the side of the tank. "OK 1/97" on the top near the lidfire fighting, emerald fire brigade, cfa, rega firefighting brand

This lacemaker was owned by Kallista woman, Beryl Collett (1925-2018) who was a skilled lacemaker from her youth and who used this lacemaker most of her life. It may have first belonged to her mother (Hettie Collett nee Thorn) who was a very talented milliner and from whom Beryl first learnt her handicraft skills. This lacemaker is part of a large and varied range of objects relating to Beryl which has been donated to the Museum. The Dandenongs have been the chosen home of many creative people who, like Beryl, have found inspiration in the natural beauty of the area. Much of Beryl's own handiwork held by the Museum was created by her following her retirement from her accountancy job in 1980 and so epitomises the potential of the retirement phase of people's lives.This hand operated lacemaker enabled women like Beryl and her mother to create beautiful lacework.This lacemaker consists of twelve bobbins which are a tool for carrying the thread which gradually uncoils from the bobbin as it is handled and is then interlocked manually with surrounding threads to create a lacy structure. The bobbins are thin wooden cylinders. At their top, the shaft has been carved away to leave an even thinner cylinder where thread can be stored to be gradually unwound.Inside bodice opening, hand-written: 'H. Collett' which has had a line struck through it. Underneath that inscription is hand-written 'Thorn' beryl collett, 1900s, hettie collett, lacemaker

this pocket knife is imoportant because it was used by AB Bloggs (Navy Medal) to splice lines on the HMAS Vampire. Donated by daughter Louise. AB Bloggs died from wounds received during sea battle in April 1942 in the South Pacific. He was awarded the Navy Medal for bravery.This item is significant because it is a remaining item of an award winning navy man who gave his life for his country.metal pocket knife: ( multitool - knife, bottle opener,screwdriver, and skewer), in black leather embossed case with belt loop and press close stud and plaited carry cord on pocket knife handle."U S"embossed, knife, leather, metal, south, pocket knife, pacific, multi tool, bottle opener, screwdriver, skewer, belt loop, louise

Matching carry box for Astro Compass 98.1Wooden box painted blue grey, hinged lid with brass latches. Mounting brackets inside to stow Astro Compass. Canvass shoulder strap (broken)Delicate Instrument To Be Handled With Great Care, Astro Compass Mk.IIcarry box, storage box, box, astro compass, cramer

Chain link saw with eyelet ends, also two wooden handles complete with leather carry pouchSE Norris, 1939military equipment, saw, folding saw

140.1 Green wooden carry box with hinged lid and metal latch. 140.2 Metal device with spring loaded handle, rollers and pointer assembly and graduations. Box has brass plate with tension scale for various aircraft types, tool has 76 stamped on the handle.cable tension tool, tool

This food flask belonged to P C Toby and Grace Nixon of "Macclesfield", Jarrahmond. It was used for carrying food for bean and maize pickers and maize threshing crews during the period 1945-1950.The Orbost area was once a large bean growing area as the fertile snowy River flats produced good quality beans. Maize is still grown in the area.A large blue metal food flask. It has a screw off lid and a red vacuum seal top. It has a thin metal handle with a black plug in the base.On base-Made in Hong Kong Freezenhot Bottle Co.flask food-preservation macclesfield nixon-toby agriculture

These lamps belonged to Ernie Eaton and were used for spotlighting rabbits. Carbide lamps, or acetylene gas lamps, are simple lamps that produce and burn acetylene (C2H2) which is created by the reaction of calcium carbide (CaC2) with water. Acetylene gas lamps were used to illuminate buildings, as lighthouse beacons, and as headlights on motor-cars and bicycles. Portable acetylene gas lamps, worn on the hat or carried by hand, were widely used in mining in the early twentieth century. They are still employed by cavers, hunters, and cataphiles Torches, candles, oil lamps and kerosene lamps were designed to be carried around but they could be dangerous because they have flame as a source of light. These lanterns are significant examples of lighting devices widely used used before the use of battery powered devices. A pair of Germania lamps. They have brass cases with steel bodied generators and convex lens. .1 is a metal carbide coach lamp. .2 is a similar lamp but has the chimney missing. .3 is a metal handle used to attach a lamp to the front of the vehicle.Germania Base has circle with three leaves.lantern lamp germania coach-lamp

This school case was the type of case carried to school by thousands of children growing up in the early to mid 1900's. It was used by the Orbost Municipal BandThis case was used by the Orbost Municipal Band when they travelled to Kew to compete in the Australian National Band Championships in 1978.A brown "Globite" cardboard school case with brown-painted metal handle, two plated spring-loaded metal locking fasteners an internal metal frame and eight external metal corners for reinforcing. Inside the case there are an additional four internal reinforcing corners . Inside is a sticker from 1978 : Austn National Band Championships KEW CIVIC CENTRE, Easter March 24-27, 1978container globite orbost-municipal-band