Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. The dividers were home-made showing the resourcefulness of farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.Wood plank with wire attached through a hole at each end in from side edge to create a stand. Another piece of wire stands vertically and is folded over to create blunt edge at the top. At the bottom it goes through the wood and along a bit to hold the wire in place. There are 6 dividers and because they are handmade the measurements vary slightly. tobacco. kiewa valley. mongans bridge. parmeson. rossaro, lorenzi brothers. grading dividers.

Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. The picking bag was home-made showing the resourcefulness of farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.Picking bag known as 'Sacco'. The bag was used as a liner to the collecting bin in front of each of the 4 pickers on the picking machine. The bag was then hooked closed and held the leaf together for transport to the shed. Brown hessian woven length with 2 thick wires at 1 end hooked through 'bag' 100 mm from each side and hook on other end. Shaped in 1 rectangle rather than like a bag.Edges rough with wear and tear. A couple of holes where weave in 1 direction has torn.tobacco. picking bag. mongans bridge. kiewa valley. sacco. parmesan. rossaro. lorenzi brothers.

Mrs Clare Roper wore this dress to a garden party at Buckingham Palace when she was invited there to represent the Lions Club.The Roper Family is one of the pioneering farming families of the Kiewa Valley. They built and used Ropers Hut on the High Plains. The dress worn by Clare Roper has historical significance as it represents the importance of the CWA which Claire Roper was involved with as President thus being invited to Buckingham Palace. The dress also shows the fashions of the time and indicates ladies living in the small country towns still viewed fashion as important. Since we know it was Clare Ropers dress it is well provenances, is in reasonable condition and has very good interpretive capacity. This brown shirt waister dress has an 'A' line skirt with an inverted pleat on the lower half of both the front and back. The dress has a 'Peter Pan' collar, matching belt, pockets and short sleeves. There are 3 bound button holes and buttons, gold set with pearls, only one is complete. The front top, cuffs and pockets are embroidered with cream lace. There is a press stud and hook at the neck. There is also a side zip opening in the skirt.kiewa, farming; ropers hut; lions club; clothing; clothes; dress; clare roper; high plains; buckingham palace;

Folding button hook would have been used for bringing buttons through button holes for clothing such as gloves in Victorian times. this item dates from early 1900s to 1930s.Used by resident of the Kiewa Valley.Silver metal oval surrounding a straight silver metal prong which has a hook at one end and, at the other end, is attached to the oval shape which comes in and extends as a short handle. The hook is hinged on to the oval shape enabling the hook to be pushed out creating a long tool for hooking buttons. May be used on clothing including gloves. button hook, shoes, gloves, boots, clothig, victorian, folding button hook

This pack is made from materials available at the time and was used to carry supplies and equipment for bushwalking and/or cross country skiing. It is designed to protect the contents in all weather and to be as comfortable and practical as possible.The Bogong High Plains was a popular destination for bushwalking and cross country skiing. This backpack is an example of the equipment used for extended walks and/or cross country skiing.Orange nylon backpack with long flap at the top. This flap has a pocket inserted at the end and 2 holes at each side to tie the rope to the base of the pack. It has 5 zippered pockets each with a flap - 2 on each side top and bottom and 1 large one across the back. The frame is aluminium with a rod each side and 3 slightly curved rods joined to them horizontally and 2 curved thin vertical rods. There are 2 strips of wide canvas at the back. These are held by an adjustable white cord to increase comfort and for a better fit.backpack; bogong high plains; bushwalking; cross country skiing;

W.D.Chapman had a keen interest in botany and was particularly interested in Eucalyptus species. He was first to discover the tree which now bears his name on his numerous visits to the Kiewa power station which is situated near the Bogong High Plains. He was a Commissioner and later the Chairman of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, the organisation in charge of building the Kiewa Hydro Scheme. The tree is a cross between two eucalypts. The trees are unique as they cannot procreate. There were two 'Bogong Gum' trees. One at Cranky Charlies and one on the way up to the High Plains passed by the Ryder family on their way up.This plaque was beside the Falls Creek Road and indicated the location of the 'Bogong Gum' tree. The tree was burnt in the 2003 bush fires but survived only to be killed in the 2006 bush fires. There were two 'Bogong Gum' trees. One at Cranky Charlies and one on the way up to the High Plains passed by the Ryder family on their way up. Heavy bronze plaque embossed with inscription. On the back is a large rectangular steel piece bent at the bottom to form a 'U' shape. One end of the 'u' is attached to the plaque and the other end has two holes for bolts enabling the plaque to be attached near the tree. One bolt is in a hole."Type tree from which was first described the species / Bogong Gum / (Eucalyptus Chapmaniana, Cameron) / The species was identified by the / late Brigadier W. D. Chapman M.C.E., / D. Eng., M.I.E. Aust., M.I.C.E. Lond. Commissioner / of the State Electricity Commission / of Victoria from May 1944 to May 1955, / in his honour it was named."plaque; state electricity commission of victoria; w.d.chapman; eucalyptus; bogong gum tree; falls creek road

Grassmere is a small hamlet about 12 kilometres from Warrnambool. It is a farming area. The Grassmere Gold Mining Company, presumably established by local people in Grassmere, was created in 1898 for the purpose of acquiring from Messrs James and Mewha a lease of a Cassilis gold mine (23 acres). £5000 was to be raised in shares of five shillings and one shilling each. The Manager of the Company was Horatio Dickson of Melbourne and the brokers were McMeekin and Co. of Melbourne and Warrnambool and Dickson and Osborne of Melbourne. This reef mine was one of several in Cassilis, Gippsland, 12 kilometres north west of Swifts Creek. The gold-bearing quartz reefs were discovered in 1885 and worked to 1914. It is not known whether the Grassmere Cassilis mine was a financial success but the mining operations were impeded by the hardness of the stone in the area. William Robinson was a farmer in the Grasmere district. This receipt is of considerable interest as one of only three items the Warrnambool and District Historical Society has that is connected to the Grassmere Gold Mining Company. The gold mine establishment was one of the minor events in the district in the 1890s. This is a buff-coloured 1899 receipt for William Robinson who has paid six shillings and threepence for part payment of his shares in the Grassmere Gold Mining Company. The receipt has black printing and black-ink handwriting. There is one stamp of the Manager ‘H.S. Dickson’ and another of ‘Grassmere Gold Mining Company No Liability’. The receipt has several holes caused by silver fish damage. ‘March 11th 1899, Received from Mr Wm. Robinson the sum of six shillings and threepence being the amount of 3rd call of 1½ per share due on 50 shares nos. 12651/12700 in the above Company, H.S.Dickson, Manager’ grassmere, grassmere gold mining company, william robinson

This door plate was found at 28 Spence Street, Warrnambool by the builder Ray Hollingsworth, when he was renovating the building for the Warrnambool Presbyterian Church in June 2019. He realized that the inscription had been placed there by Leslie O'Callaghan, probably when he left the premises in 1942 after boarding there for some years. Leslie O'Callaghan (1918-2014) was born in Balmoral and left there at the age of 13 with a scholarship to study at Warrnambool Technical School. He became an industrial chemist, working at the Kraft Walker Cheese Factory in Allansford (Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory). His experimental work in cheese cultures over a 45 year period was regarded as cutting edge work in the Victorian dairying industry. Known as 'Mr History', Leslie O'Callaghan was also an important Warrnambool historian, serving as president of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society for 35 years. In later life Les wrote about his time in 28 Spence Street, noting the lay-out of the early building and other boarders at the time. He never mentioned the interesting memento of his time there that he left on the back of a door plate. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society Archives Centre is called 'Les O'Callaghan History House'This door plate with its inscription was found 77 years after the inscription was written. It is of considerable interest because the writer of the inscription was well-known in Warrnambool as a bacteriologist and an historian. He left his own personal historical message and by sheer chance it was found years later. (All the old door plates at the time of the renovation were thrown out and it was fortunate that the builder happened to see the writing on one of them and to recognize who the writer was.)This is a cream-coloured ceramic door plate. It is rectangular-shaped with curved edges at the top and bottom. It has been painted white and has two holes at the top and bottom for the insertion of screws for a5taching the plate to the door. The inside of the plate has handwriting in black pencilLeslie Alexander O'Callaghan lived here for some years 1939-1942 AD. His occupation was as assistant bacteriologist for Kraft-Walker Cheese Coy. at Allansford. Born at Balmoral, 40 miles NORTH of Hamilton, Victorialeslie o'callaghan warrnambool, kraft walker cheese company allansford, 28 spence street warrnambool

A hot water bottle such as this would have been used in the mid 20th century before the advent of rubber ones.This item is retained for display purposes.This is a cylindrical aluminium bottle with a detachable metal stopper .The stopper has a metal handle. It has traces of adhesive tape on one side to cover a small hole. The body of the cylinder is dinted. 20th century house hold items

These medals were issued by the Town of Warrnambool in 1897 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the reign of Queen Victoria of England. Walter John Hickford, the Mayor Warrnambool at that time, has his name on the medal. Walter Hickford (1855-1928) was a Warrnambool businessman, setting up a shop in Liebig Street in 1880, supplying the paint materials for householders, contactors, painters and artists. He also carried out decorative work in private homes, businesses and churches. Hickford was active in civic life in Warrnambool, serving as a Councillor from 1890 to 1903 and he was Mayor from 1895 to 1897.These medals are of considerable importance as they were produced for the Town of Warrnambool in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. They have both a local and a wider national significance.,1These two circular bronze medals have profiles of Queen Victoria as a young woman and as a crowned monarch on the reverse and the Warrnambool Coat of Arms on the obverse. Both have a punched hole with a metal ring on the top. .2 As above .3 These five circular medals, four of which are bronze and one brass are identical with those described above..1Queen Victoria 60th year of reign 1837 to 1897 obverse Town of Warrnambool W. J. Hickford Mayor .BY THESE WE FLOURISH Reverse .2 As above .3 As for .3 above Note one of the bronze ones has a fabric cord attached through a hole at the top.medals, queen victoria 60th anniversarry, warrnambool, mayor john hickford

This candle holder has a sharpened point to push or hammer into soft rock and a hook to hang on a ledge or piece of rock. It is intended to be used in a mine and many residents of Warrnambool and district went to the gold mining districts in the 19th century. But it could have been used in the Warrnambool district if a small night light was required in one of the many local quarries or even in the search for coal deposits in the region. It could also have been used in a household.This miner’s candle holder has no known local provenance but it is retained as an interesting example of a candle holder used in the past.This is a thin piece of metal tapering to a point at one end and curving around in a loop at the other end to make a handle. Along the straight metal piece is attached a curved metal hook. At the end of the loop is an open-ended circular piece with a serrated top. The circular piece has a rectangular-shaped end piece which enables the hole in the curved piece to be pushed out or pulled in to make the hole smaller or bigger. The metal is much rusted. 19th century mining, history of warrnambool

Stencils were used to mark produce before it went to markets and/or in transit. Produce such as bales of wool, dairy and fresh produce were so marked and the account credited to the relevant producer. The origins and provenance of the stencils is not known at this time.These stencils have no known provenance but have interpretive interest and significance..1 Oval metal stencil with the number 373 cut out of the metal and with WTC engraved above it. Circular hole in the metal on the left side. .2 Circular metal with 549 cut out of metal and S of W engraved above. One large circle and two smaller circles also cut out of the metal. .3 Oval metal stencil with the numbers 199 cut out of metal and TCW engraved above it. Circular hole has been cut out on the left..1 WTC Old catalogue number on rear 437 .2 S of W Old catalogue number on rear 442 .3 TCW. Old catalogue number on rear.433warrnambool, metal stencils, farm stencils

This shaving set was used, mostly by men, to lather the face prior to shaving. Ornamental mugs such as this one were often given as presents. Today most men use electric shavers. This shaving set has no known local provenance and is kept for display purposes.This is a shaving set with a white china mug in the shape of a fish with a mouth where the excess water and lather are ejected and it has a handle in the shape of a fish’s tail. The top open section that contains room for the lather and water has white ornamentation around the outer section and has three holes inside for drainage. There is evidence of some gilt decoration around the mouth and eye of the fish and the open top section but this is now mostly rubbed away. The brush has a wooden handle with cotton braiding and hair (probably horsehair). The brush is a little worn. bathroom accessories, history of warrnambool

This butter cooler was used in households to prevent butter from melting in the warmer weather. Ice would have been used in the butter container. The top of the container is domed, indicating the shape of the butter at that time (late 19th century). This butter cooler would have been a costly item and would have graced the dining table of a family that had considerable means. It would have been used on a dining table even after the invention of refrigeration in the 1880s as the eating rooms would have had little or no cooling mechanisms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This butter cooler has no known local provenance but it is a very attractive item and is retained as a good example of a household item no longer in use. It will be very useful for display.This is a silver butter cooler with a circular base with an ornamented edge. The base has a stem holding two highly ornamented arms branching out from the sides. These arms hold an oval container which has a chased silver base and an overhanging chased silver top. Inside the container is the space to hold ice or cold water. On top of the inside of the container sits a small round lid which holds the butter and the ice. The lid has several small holes for the ice water to drain underneath. The base of this lid is impressed with moulded fruit and leaves. The oval container has an over-arching handle attached. This is highly ornamented in fretwork. The sides of the container have two projecting pieces for holding the butter cooler and two other smaller projecting pieces with chains attached for hanging the object. One of these pieces has an oval holder for turning the hinged top of the container to close the container. This top has a chased silver patterning on its top. When the lid is closed the container adapts to a globe or egg shape.‘Made and Guaranteed by Meriden B. Company 5085 U.S.A. household items, history of warrnambool, silver butter cooler

These stoneware jugs and bowl had been perennially popular in homes for many years and are still in homes today.These jugs are kept as mementos of household items popular in the past. One jug (VC001906.3) appears to have come from Scotland in the mid 19th century and may have belonged to a member of a McGregor family.These are four brown earthenware jugs and one small brown bowl. .1 This jug has filter holes near the top of the rim and a mottled pattern on the lower part of the body of the jug with an ornamental pattern separating this mottled section from the smooth upper half. .2 This jug has a light brown lower section (both body and handle) and a darker reddish-brown upper section .3 This jug is dark brown with lighter shadings at the top section. The lip is chipped. .4 This jug has a mottled brown lower section and a smooth brown upper section. .5 the small bowl has a stipled lower section and plain upper.‘3 PT’ ‘1PT” household items, history of warrnambool, stoneware jugs, pottery jugs

A steel helmet, popularly called a tin hat, is used as protective headwear by military personnel and civil workers in times of emergency and disasters. Steel helmets were first used in World War One, with the Allies troops using a design produced in London by John Brodie in 1915. This helmet was constructed in one piece pressed from a single thick sheet of steel and variants of this design have been used by military personnel ever since. It is not clear whether this particular item comes from World War One or World War Two. This steel helmet is retained as a good example of the protective headwear worn by Australian military personnel in World Wars One or Two.The crown of his helmet or tin hat is of an oval shape and it has a short flattened brim. There are three small holes for the insertion of a chin strap. The hat has some white paint marks and is very rusted.military headgear, history of warrnambool

These plaques were once on display at the Warrnambool racecourse with the smaller one originally affixed to a seat. These plaques commemorate the winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase in Warrnambool in 1931. The Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase was first held in June 1872. Today it is part of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival and is run over 5,500 metres with 32 fences. Cooliel won two Grand Annuals, in 1927 and 1929 where he was ridden by jockey W McInnes. he was owned by the Lindsays of Quamby where he died in 1930 after a successful career over the jumps.These plaques are of interest as mementoes of the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase one of Australia's most significant hurdle races..1 Silver coloured metal plaque in a rectangular shape with four holes in each corner for attachment to a surface. There is black printing on the plaque. .2 A rectangular shaped metal plaque with ten perforations along the longer sides. The plaque has a sketch of a jockey's cap and silks with dark grey sleeves with dark grey and mustard yellow vertical stripes with mustard yellow cap .1 T & W Lindsay Cooliel Winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase 1927-1929. Infilled in black. .2 Coolier in black texta on backwarrnambool, racing club, warrnambool grand annual steeplechase, cooliel, lindsay quamby

These plaques were once on display at the Warrnambool racecourse with the smaller one originally affixed to a seat. These plaques commemorate the winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase in Warrnambool in 1931. The Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase was first held in June 1872. Today it is part of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival and is run over 5,500 metres with 32 fences. In 1931 Welcome Stranger's jockey was D. Wraight. The name "Welcome Stranger" is an echo of the name of the famous gold nugget found in Victoria in the 1850's. These plaques are of interest as mementoes of the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase one of Australia's most significant hurdle races..1 Silver coloured metal plaque in a rectangular shape with four holes in each corner for attachment to a surface. There is black printing on the plaque. .2 A rectangular shaped metal plaque with ten perforations along the longer sides. The plaque has a sketch of a jockey's cap and silks in blue and pink..1 MESSRS. M.R. McCRAE & H. BETTON WELCOME STRANGER .2 WINNER OF THE GRAND ANNUAL STEEPLECHASE 1931 ,2 WELCOME STRANGER 1931warrnambool racing club, warrnambool grand annual steeplechase

These plaques were once on display at the Warrnambool racecourse with the smaller one originally affixed to a seat. These plaques commemorate the winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase in Warrnambool in 1931. The Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase was first held in June 1872. Today it is part of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival and is run over 5,500 metres with 32 fences. Tardieu won the race in 1936 and was one of only two horses with riders to finish the course the other being Montargis. The owner of the the horse Mr Officer was chairman of the Warrnambool Racing club at the time.These plaques are of interest as mementoes of the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase one of Australia's most significant hurdle races..1 Silver coloured metal plaque in a rectangular shape with four holes in each corner for attachment to a surface. There is black printing on the plaque. .2 A rectangular shaped metal plaque with ten perforations along the longer sides. The plaque has a sketch of a jockey's cap and silks in blue and pink. Mr G J Officer TARDIEU Winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase 1936.warrnambool, racing club, warrnambool grand annual steeplechase

These plaques were once on display at the Warrnambool racecourse with the smaller one originally affixed to a seat. These plaques commemorate the winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase in Warrnambool in 1931. The Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase was first held in June 1872. Today it is part of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival and is run over 5,500 metres with 32 fences.In 1940 the winner was Martext and ridden by S McGee. It was owned by Mr J Latta , a family with a long association with racing in Warrnambool.These plaques are of interest as mementoes of the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase one of Australia's most significant hurdle races..1 Silver coloured metal plaque in a rectangular shape with four holes in each corner for attachment to a surface. There is black printing on the plaque. .2 A rectangular shaped metal plaque with ten perforations along the longer sides. The plaque has a sketch of a jockey's cap and silks in blue and white Mr J Latta Martex(T) Winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase 1940.warrnambool, racing club, warrnambool grand annual steeplechase, martext

These plaques were once on display at the Warrnambool racecourse with the smaller one originally affixed to a seat. These plaques commemorate the winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase in Warrnambool in 1931. The Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase was first held in June 1872. Today it is part of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival and is run over 5,500 metres with 32 fences. Lowther won the race in 1954 after also winning the Brierly steeple on Tuesday These plaques are of interest as mementoes of the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase one of Australia's most significant hurdle races..1 A rectangular shaped metal plaque with ten perforations along the longer sides. The plaque has a sketch of a jockey's cap and silks with white sleeves and body with two black diagonal stripes. Red Cap. .2 Silver coloured metal plaque in a rectangular shape with four holes in each corner for attachment to a surface. There is black printing on the plaque..1 Lowther written in black texta on back of plaque. .2 Mrs J King Lowther Winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase 1954.warrnambool, racing club, warrnambool grand annual steeplechase

These plaques were originally used for display purposes at the Warrnambool Racecourse. They commemorate Repellere, the winner of the Wangoom Handicap in 1928 and its owner, Mr T. Laidlaw. The Wangoom Handicap of six furlongs, first run in Warrnambool in 1886, is the most important sprint horse race in the Western District and is run at the annual Warrnambool May Racing Carnival which features the famous Grand Annual Steeplechase. These plaques are of interest as mementoes of the winner of the Wangoom Handicap at the Warrnambool Races in 1928. This race is one of the important events in the annual Warrnambool May Racing Carnival..1 This is a rectangular-shaped metal plaque. It has a yellow painted surface with a sketch of a jockey's silks and cap in red and beige. The paint is peeled and the plaque is rusty and slightly buckled. The plaque has ten holes on the sides for affixing to a surface with screws. .2 This is a small rectangular-shaped metal plaque with black printing and four holes on the corners for affixing to a surface with screws. .1 'Repellere' .2 Mr T. S.A. Laidlaw, Repellere, Winner Wangoom Handicap 1928' warrnambool, racing club, warrnambool grand annual steeplechase

This candle holder was probably home made and hung in a kitchen where the candles would be accessible and lit from the wood stove or a fireplace. Candles for lighting would have been in widespread use in Warrnambool until the mid 1920s when electric lighting was introduced and would have been used for a couple of decades after this in areas out of towns and cities where there was no electric lighting. This item is retained as an example of a household item from the early 20th century. It will be useful for display and school visits.This is a rectangular-shaped wooden container with a fitted lid. The container has been painted white but is now peeling in places. The top of the container has an extra wooden piece at the top with a hole in the middle for attaching a cord or string to hang the item on a door or wall. The word ‘candles’ is incised into the side of the container. Inside the container (originally space for six candles) are the remains of three candles with one other candle almost intact and another one intact with a wick. CANDLESvintage household goods, history of warrnambool, candles

The saddler and harness business of E.D. Evans and Co. in Liebig Street was prominent in Warrnambool from the 1870s to the early decades of the 20th century. Edward Evans came to Warrnambool in the 1850s, was a Warrnambool Councillor from 1875 to 1878 and from 1884 to 1888 and was prominent in racing circles in the town,These labels are of interest as E.D. Evans was a well known saddle and harness maker in Warrnambool's history..1 Light brown cardboard label, primarily rectangular with mitred corners at one end, a hole with a red reinforce sticker surrounding it. The label has black printed text and several parallel lines. Also there is a pencilled code. .2 Identical to .1 but smaller.1 FROM E. D. EVANS & CO. SADDLE & HARNESS MAKERS, WARRNAMBBO, PORT FAIRY, AND TERANG. C 1900 ( In pencil) .2 Identical to .1 edward evans, saddler, warrnambool councillor, warrnambool racing

John Marfell (1847-1927) established a hay and corn dealing business in Liebig Street in 1878 in partnership with Henry Phillips. In 1887 he built a grain store in Raglan Parade and carried this business on until his death. He also managed a Warrnambool flour milling company in Banyan Street and with several other local business men established the Warrnambool Woollen Mill. He was a Warrnambool Councillor for 22 years and Mayor in 1903.These labels are a mementoes of John Marfell a prominent late 19th and early 20th centuries business man in Warrnambool. He was a miller and a grain merchant. .1 Brown card label with black text. Two corners are mitred . There is a hole with a reinforce sticker at one end. .2 Identical to .1from JOHN MARFELL & SONS GRAIN MERCHANTS Phone Warrnambool 6 WARRNAMBOOL john marfell, miller, warrnambool woollen mill, warrnambool council

This medal was made by Stokes and Martin. Thomas Stokes established a medal-making business in Melbourne in 1856 and from 1867 to 1893 he had a partner, George Frederick Martin. In 1962 the Stokes business became a public company and operates today in Melbourne. The medal was awarded at the Annual Show of the Villiers and Heytesbury Agricultural Association in 1877. One of the earliest agricultural associations in Victoria, the V.& H.A.A., the forerunner of the Warrnambool Agricultural Society, was established in 1854 and the first Warrnambool Show was held in 1855 at the first Royal Archer Hotel in Koroit Street. The Warrnambool Agricultural Show is still held annually. The medal, first prize for the best horse hay rake, was awarded in 1877 to the brothers, Thomas and William Rutledge, sons of Eliza and William Rutledge. The latter was a pioneer settler who came to the Warrnambool/Port Fairy district as the purchaser of the Special Survey, Farnham Park in 1841. His land stretched from Tower Hill to Dennington. William Rutledge Senior was a pioneer breeder of a Lincoln sheep stud, the owner of a mercantile business in Port Fairy, a member of the Legislative Council of Victoria and the pioneer developer of farming land around Tower Hill. His son Thomas (1846-1918) was a Warrnambool Shire Councillor who farmed in the Farnham Survey, living at Werronggurt . He went to the Geelong area at the end of the 19th century. His brother William (1849-1935) also farmed in the Farnham Survey, living at Farnham Park, He later lived at Airlie in Henna Street, Warrnambool and Sherwood on the Hopkins River and had land in the Otway Ranges. He later went to New Zealand.This medal is of considerable significance because of its age and its association with Thomas and William Rutledge and with the Villiers and Heytesbury Agricultural Association.This is a bronze medal with an image of agricultural implements, agricultural produce and farm animals on one side and etched printing on the other side. There is also printing around the edge of the medal. The medal has a small hole at the top for attaching the medal to a cord. Villiers & Heytesbury Agricultural Association 1st Prize awarded to Rutledge Bro. for Horse Hay Rake Annual Show Warrnambool 10 Oct. 1877 Stokes & Martin Melbourne thomas and william rutledge, farnham special survey, villiers and heytesbury agricultural association, warrnambool agricultural society, history of warrnambool

This plate was probably shortened to fit an office or factory door. Alexander Robinson (1862-1932) established a coachbuilding business in Fairy Street Warrnambool in 1880. In 1883 he joined with Fred Morse to set up the coachbuilding business of Robinson and Morse. This firm was noted for its production of fine Abbott buggies. Later Morse established his own business in Warrnambool and Robinson’s business continued at Fairy Street and converted to motor car building in the early 1900s. Alexander Robinson was Mayor of Warrnambool from 1907 to 1909. In the early 1930s Robinson’s Motors was replaced by Callaghan Motors. This business traded on the Fairy Street site until 2018 but now operates from Raglan Parade. The grandfather of one of the donors of this item, Tom Smith, worked at Robinsons Motor Pty Ltd in the early 20th century. This plate is of great interest as it came from the motor car business of Robinson’s Motor Pty Ltd. The Robinson businesses (coach building & motor car building) existed in Warrnambool for over 50 years. This is a brass business plate with three small holes at each corner. The lettering etched on the plate is gold and black but the black may have been put on to the lettering at a later stage as only some of the gold lettering is still visible. The plate has been cut off on one side and part of the lettering is missing.‘Reg. Office’ ‘Robinsons Motor Pro..’ robinson & morse, history of warrnambool, robinson’s motor pty ltd, alex robinson, warrnambool

This top hat, with the initials J.H.H., belonged to John Hunter Henderson, a doctor who practised in Warrnambool from 1904 to 1939. For many years he was a member of the Warrnambool Hospital Board of Management. On his retirement in 1939 he went to live in Melbourne where he died aged 81. The John Hunter Henderson fund was established at the Warrnambool Hospital to develop the training facilities for medical and nursing staff. The bowler hat belonged to his driver (name unknown) and it is presumed that he drove a horse and buggy in the early years of the 20th century. These items are of considerable significance as they are associated with Dr Henderson, a long-serving doctor in Warrnambool and they show the status and comparative affluence of doctors in the first half of the 20th century. .1 This is a black top hat with the crown covered in beaver fur or felt of some kind. The upturned brim is slightly worn on one edge. The crown has a black corded band with a bow on one side. There is a stud with an air hole on the crown. Inside there is a brown leather lining with information on the maker on the inside base and a crown image. .2 This is a bowler hat made of black felt with lining on the edges of black cotton material. The brim is slightly turned up on the sides. The crown has a black corded band with a bow at one side. There is a circle of air holes on the side of the hat. Inside there is leather lining with some information on the maker on the inside base. .3 This is a hat box lid with a leather covering over cardboard. It is a spherical shape with some side damage where the leather is peeling. There is a leather strap handle with a metal buckle. There are remnants of travel labels pasted on to the lid. .4 This is a hat box made of leather with a metal lock on one side. It has remnants of paper travel labels on the sides. Inside the box is an insert made of maroon-coloured cardboard for storing the top hat. This insert has a leather strap to stabilize the hat. There is a name on the base of the box written on a piece of adhesive plaster. .1 J.H.H. Woodrow & Sons Hat Manufacturers to H.M. the King 13 Market St Manchester, 8 Castle St Liverpool, 45 Piccadilly London, 42 Cornhill, London, 11 Gordon St Glasgow, 40 Westmoreland St Dublin, Made in England Lincoln, Stuart & Coy Proprietary Limited Flinders St Melbourne .2 The Tropical Hat .3 Midland Railway .4 Dunedin, F.H.Moreton doctor john henderson, warrnambool, history of warrnambool, top hat