North east Victoria was a major dairy producing region in the late nineteenth century. The Wodonga Butter Factory Ltd was established in 1892. Many families living in the town or on farms also owned their own cow for family needs and produced their milk and butter. This churn is representative of the equipment they used to process their own dairy products at home. This churn was made by E. Cherry & Sons which was established in Gisborne, Victoria in 1858. Edward Cherry (1830-1910) arrived in Australia from Hertfordshire, England, in 1855. The business manufactured churns and in 1875 opened a larger factory. On his death, the business was taken over by his son and continued to operate until the 1970s.This item has strong links to the history of Wodonga and north east Victoria. It has interpretative potential in the areas of local agricultural history, and the social history of food and farming.A wooden butter churn with metal turning handle and removable lid. The wooden paddle inside is attached to the turning handle which rotates to churn the butter. The model number is T1. It was probably made by E Cherry & Sons of Gisborne although the brand is blurred.On one side in black: "T 1"butter churns, dairying industry, domestic appliances, e. cherry churns

In November 2024, a small group of cheerful volunteers from the Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA) toiled over nine days to dust-off, photograph and record nearly 300 artifacts in DEECA's Altona Museum. It followed a similar project at the FCRPA's Beechworth Museum in February 2024. The Altona project was generously supported by DEECA / FFMVic to engage professional photographer Mark Jesser from Wodonga whose boundless energy and good humour helped to create these amazing images. Special thanks go to the FFMVic Chief Fire Officer, Chris Hardman, as well as Andrew Stanios and Kat Jensen for making it happen. FFMVic crews and the ever-patient staff from Altona took a strong interest and also helped to shift some of the heavy items like pumps and the Bedford tanker which was very welcome. The Forests Commission and its successors continuously encouraged bushfire research and innovation. In 1946 a large parcel of industrial land was purchased at North Altona as a fire cache and workshop. The Altona workshop became a hotbed of new technological thingumajigs… a marvellous blend of Aladdin’s Cave of Wonders coupled with Wallace and Gromit’s madcap contraptions… an exhilarating place where lots of gizmos were invented and tested… mostly with astounding results... but nearly always with some head-scratching frustrations… and thankfully not too much explosive mayhem. In fact, a lot of Australia’s pioneering equipment development was led by staff from Altona, often in collaboration with other State forestry and fire authorities. The CSIRO also contributed significantly. The US Forest Service, the US Bureau of Land Management and US State agencies such as the California Department of Forestry and Fire (CalFire) as well as the Canadian Forest Service faced similar challenges and proved strong and willing partners in sharing knowledge, ideas, equipment and expertise over many decades. The collection at Altona started in the 1970s by fire equipment wizard Barry (Rocky) Marsden. As obsolete equipment was returned to the Fire Protection Workshop for auction, Rocky began the process of selecting some which would be interesting to retain and display. The items at Altona represent just a small sample of the amazing story of Victoria's forestry and bushfire heritage. The largest item was undoubtedly the Bedford tanker which took two days and nearly 1000 photos which were later stitched together with photoshop. The oldest item is probably the Ericsson wall telephone from 1904. There are also many unique items, but the CSIRO incendiary machine and ping-pong incendiary machine developed at Altona probably had the most significant impact on fire management in Australia. There are plenty of gaps in the collection, but some items are in regional DEECA offices. It’s hoped to merge the FCRPA's Beechworth collection to Altona one day and rename the site to honour Rocky Marsden. There may be some additions to the Altona museum over time, but space is limited. The museum is available to visit by appointment. Peter McHugh - January 2025 forests commission victoria (fcv)

The Phoenix Wool Company was started in 1919 by Brigadier-General Robert Smith. The works were located on the Barwon River, near the end of Shannon Avenue; some remnants of the original buildings can still be seen at the site. Phoenix was one of the first to develop the wool carbonising process (the removal of vegetable matter from wool through the use of chemicals) and during its heyday in the 1930s-50s the company operated 24 hours per day and employed a workforce of over 100. The company closed in 1997. This box of carbonised wool samples may possibly have been used by a salesman promoting the activities of the company.Display case, brown cardboard printed with text in black on the lid at the top. Lined in blue. Interior divided into five sections, each containing samples of carbonised wool. There are five labels attached to the inside of the box lid.THE PHOENIX WOOL COMPANY / PTY. LTD. / WOOL CARBONISERS / GEELONG / VICTORIA / AUSTRALIA / TELEPHONE: 2241, GEELONG / CABLE AND TELEGRAPHIC ADRESS: / "PHOEWOOL" GEELONGphoenix wool company pty ltd, wool industry, wool carbonising, barwon river, geelong, company history, brigadier-general robert smith

Jim (James Bernard) Williams, who was the owner of this manual, was a long-time resident of Warrnambool having the opportunity to work at two notable historical businesses of the town. The first, Cramond & Dickson a drapier store established around 1852-1855 and which remained a store that traded under the same name for the longest in Victoria, before it closed its doors in 1974. The second business was Fletcher Jones a highly successful textile and clothing Australian business. Some of Jim’s spare time was devoted to the model ship making which would conjure up many fascinating stories of maritime history. In addition to Jim witnessing the tail end of ships at port in Warrnambool, his "father was as sea captain and operated his vessel in Bass Strait coastal trade between Tasmania and Victoria". The intricately detailed model made by Jim is full of precise detail. The manual and the blueprints held by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village also reflect the intricate process and devotion to the task completed by Jim. The history of the shipwreck and maritime stories of the Victorian Southwest coast surrounding Warrnambool would have continued to inspire his passion. Three photos of the model and Jim, like the photo of Harold T. Bodkin in the manual, attest to the enthusiasm and enjoyment that was gained by him through this hobby. The manual opens to a photo of “Mr. Harold T. Bodkin adding finishing touches to model of the “Sovereign of the Seas”. The “Forward to Reader” which is on the next page is written by “E. R. HAAN, Technical Editor, Popular Mechanics Magazine. The forward explains the methodology used to achieve the fine detail that is part of the body of the model, by “applying imitation carvings”, and is cited as “a museum type of model”. The following page “Blueprints and Craftmats on the ‘Sovereign of the Seas’” discusses the availability of a set of blueprints to purchase separately. Followed by a description of the moulding process for the “miniature carvings”. “Historical Notes of Interest on the “Sovereign of the Seas (1637)” follow on the next page. The manual is divided into the following parts from pages 8 to 71: “Part I – Shaping the Hull/Part II – The Rudder, Quarter Galleries and Gunports/Part III Wales, Gunport Covers and Initial Ornamentation/Part V – Beakhead Decoration, Bulkhead and Rails, Etc./Part VI Carvings, Lanterns, Knights, Bitts and Painting/Part VII – Details of Mast Construction/Part VIII – Standing Rigging/Part IX – Running Rigging and Final Details. All of these instructions include photographs and detailed graphs. Then instructions on “How to Read and Use Ship-Model Drawings”, “The Shop-Model Maker’s Tools”, and “Simplified Ship-in-a-Bottle”. This is finished off with “Helpful Hints….” And numerous pages of advertising. Some adverts include aids for completing the “Sovereign of the Seas” model. Part I uses blue and black ink to illustrate a dramatic picture of the “Sovereign”, otherwise all print is in black ink on buff paper. This book in significant to the collection as it was donated along with other tools and blueprints which have been used by the donor of the "Sovereign of the Seas" model ship. It also connects with the wider community in that it is related to historical maritime interest and the donor, Jim Williams is also connected to other significant retail and manufacturing businesses of the past in Warrnambool. This manual has been covered with brown paper, including an extra strip for the spine. The front has a watermark at the top middle, some pencilled compass circles segmented into eight parts across the area and a small amount of script writing. The back also has the same type of compass circles and some other small shapes. There are also grease marks. The cover has a patina adding to variations of colour to the paper indicative of the book being handled often. The title page reads “Sovereign of the Seas” in an Old English font. This is followed by a lithograph print around 1 inch square of a ship at full sale. By HAROLD T. BODKIN/Charter President of the Ship Model Club of Chicago/Copyright, 1933, By Popular Mechanics Company/POPULAR MECHANICS PRESS/CHICAGO/Printed in the U.S.A. By HAROLD T. BODKIN/Charter President of the Ship Model Club of Chicago/Copyright, 1933, By Popular Mechanics Company/POPULAR MECHANICS PRESS/CHICAGO/Printed in the U.S.A.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, model ship, vessel sovereign of the seas, jim williams, james bernard williams, the forth tasmania, freda williams, heather williams, phyllis bowditch, fletcher jones staff 1936, 17th century sailing ship, cramond and dickson, sovereign of the seas, royal sovereign, sovereign, charles 1, fletcher jones, warrnambool breakwater

This black and white mage depicts large group of men dressed in military uniform of the Light Horse - with most wearing bandoliers and slouch hat, some with emu plumes. The 13th Light Horse Regiment was formed at Broadmeadows in Victoria in March 1915; it was the third light horse regiment to have been raised in that state. Its regimental number quickly led to it becoming known as the "Devil's Own" regiment. It left Australia on 28 May and disembarked in Egypt on 29 June 1915. In 1921, Australia's part-time military forces were re-organised to perpetuate the numerical designations of the AIF following its demobilisation. Through this process, the 13th Light Horse was re-raised as a Citizens Forces unit in Victoria, adopting the territorial designation of the "Gippsland Light Horse". In 1939, the regiment was amalgamated with the 19th Light Horse to become the 13th/19th Light Horse.In August 1940, during the opening stages of the Second World War, the 13th was re-formed in its own right. It was later mechanised and re-designated the "13th Motor Regiment". In May 1942, it was converted into an armoured regiment – designated as the "13th Armoured Regiment" – as part of the 2nd Armoured Division's 6th Armoured Brigade, which had been formed for defensive duties to guard against a possible invasion of mainland Australia. After moving to Puckapunyal in July, the regiment was equipped with M3 Grant tanks. Further training was undertaken in Murgon, Queensland, throughout 1943. By that time, manpower within the Army was scarce and as the threat of an invasion by the Japanese diminished during the year, so too did the need for large-scale armoured forces. A number of armoured units were subsequently disbanded as men and equipment were reallocated as the Army reorganised for jungle warfare. As a result, the 13th was disbanded in October 1943. In the post war period, the unit was perpetuated by the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles, which existed between 1948 and 1991–92. During WWI three light horse regiments were raised in Victoria for the AIF, the 4th ALH, the 8th ALH and the 13th ALH. These regiments served with distinction at Gallipoli, in the Middle East and on the Western Front.Wide and narrow rectangle shaped black painted frame with gold colour mount. The frame contains a black and white photograph depicting a large group of men dressed in military uniform with bandoliers and slouch hat, some with emu plumes. A small black strip of plastic is attached in the centre of lower edge.Front - 13th Light Horse Rear - 2nd Division Cavalry School Broadmeadows 20-09-1935victoria, 13th light horse

Tourmaline is a group of minerals belonging to the complex borosilicate mineral class. These minerals are known for their striking and varied colours, making them prized gemstones. Tourmaline crystals can come in various shades, including pink, green, blue, brown, black, and colourless. They are often transparent or translucent. Tourmaline's chemical composition is complex, but it typically includes elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, and potassium. The specific arrangement of these elements in the crystal lattice gives rise to the different colours and properties of tourmaline specimens. Tourmaline specimens from Beechworth, Victoria, Australia, are a notable part of the region's mineral heritage. These tourmalines are of interest to mineral collectors and enthusiasts. While the tourmaline found in Beechworth is not as well-known as some other tourmaline varieties, it has unique characteristics and a historical context associated with the gold mining areas in Beechworth.The significance of tourmaline in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia, lies in its unique geological and historical context, contributing to both scientific and cultural aspects. The tourmaline mined in Beechworth is a rare and unique variety of tourmaline that is primarily found in the historic gold mining areas surrounding Beechworth. Its occurrence is closely linked to the geological processes that shaped the region during the Gold Rush era. The discovery of tourmaline in Beechworth adds to the rich mineral heritage of the area, which was historically known for gold mining. The specimens serve as a tangible connection to the region's mining history and contribute to preserving its geological legacy. The presence of tourmaline in Beechworth showcases the mineralogical diversity of the area. Tourmaline is known for its wide range of colours and unique properties, making it a valuable subject of study for mineralogists and geologists. Tourmaline specimens from Beechworth have educational significance, providing opportunities for research and study. They offer insights into the geological processes and mineral formation in the region, contributing to a better understanding of Earth's geological history.A hand-sized solid mineral specimen in shades of brown, green, light grey and dark greyTOURMALINE (schorl) / (Silicate of boron and aluminum) burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, geological, geological specimen, mineralogy, tourmaline

The design of the bottle is called a Codd, sometimes referred to as a marble bottle or "Codd's patent bottle". During the mid-to-late 1800s, there were many inventions to keep the fizz in carbonated drinks such as ginger ale, soda water, and fruit drinks. Hiram Codd, an English engineer invented a successful process that he patented as "Codd's patented globe stopper bottle" in 1872. The Codd-neck bottle (commonly called Codd or marble bottle) is manufactured in two parts. The body of the bottle is cast in two sections. At the time of joining the sections, glass marble and rubber seal are inserted into the neck section. The lip is then applied to the top of the bottle. The Codd bottle is filled upside down as the pressure of the gas from the carbonated liquid holds the marble up and out of the way. When the bottle stands upright the gas pushes the marble up against the washer, creating a firm seal to keep the fizz inside. The bottle is opened by pushing the marble down firmly to allow some of the gas to escape. The marble drops down and is caught in a depression formed in the neck. When the bottle is tilted to pour or drink the liquid the marble rests in a dimple. Two Ballarat miners, Evan Rowland and Robert Lewis started manufacturing mineral and aerated waters, bitters, cordials, and liqueurs in 1854, in a tent on the shores of Lake Wendouree Ballarat. Another 13 firms at that time employed manual operations, whereas they introduced Taylor's No. 1 machine that speeded up the process and laid the foundation for their fortune. Evan Rowland was a pioneer in the aerated water trade in Australia. He was born on August 2, 1826, in North Wales. In 1852, during the gold rush, he emigrated to Melbourne, and in 1854 he went to Ballarat and formed a partnership with Robert Lewis, the firm being called ‘‘Rowlands & Lewis’’. Their next step was to secure a supply of pure water. Using mineral Waters that they found via a natural spring at Warrenheip, Victoria. From the outset, the beverages made from this water gained repute and were in great demand. Their business prospered so well that in 1858 they were able to build a factory at the corner of Sturt and Dawson Streets, Ballarat, and to fit with the most up-to-date machinery then in use. By 1870 their business had increased so much and demand had grown to such an extent that Mr. Rowlands erected another factory, covering over an acre of ground at the corner of Dana and Doveton Streets, costing £13,000. The factory was fitted with the most modern equipment of the time to manufacture cordials and aerated water. In 1873 Rowlands established an agency at 116 Collins St, Melbourne, because the demand for the products of the Melbourne factory became so large. The company expanded to Sydney opening a factory at the corner of Burns & Hay Streets Darling Harbour obtaining spring water to supply this plant from Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. The water was brought to Sydney by rail. In the meantime, the Melbourne concern had progressed so rapidly that in 1888 a magnificent factory embodying all the latest ideas and equipment was built in King Street Melbourne. Robert Lewis was a fellow Welshman born in 1816, and he arrived in Port Phillip in 1853 and became a partner in the early day with Evan Rowland but with lesser and shorter involvement in the firm, from which he retired in 1876. Robert Lewis was perhaps better known as Ballarat's first mayor and a Member of the Legislative Assembly. He was a strong supporter of local charities, president/treasurer of the Eisteddfod Committee, a major force in the development of the Ballarat Hospital, and he was the mayor of Ballarat five times, the first in 1863, (having been a counsellor as early as 1859) and for the last time in 1881. Lewis died in 1884 of a stroke in Ballarat. Rowlands continued in the firm and invented and patented an improved soda water bottle. The water used in Rowlands products was filtered four times but his attempts to use local corks failed on quality grounds. He was a stickler for quality, which was so good that many outside Victoria were prepared to pay the 'premium' imposed by inter-colonial customs duty payable at that time. By the 1890s, Rowlands had factories in Ballarat, Melbourne, Sydney, and Newcastle. He died in 1894 but his company continued until well after the Second World War when it was sold to Schweppes. Bottles such as this popular brand, containing soda water, were often used on paddle steamers for refreshments.An early manufacturing process producing the first mineral waters in Australia was invented and developed by an early Welsh migrant to Australia. The Evan Rowlands story gives an insight into the early development of manufacturing industries in Australia that allowed their workers and the towns they were situated in to prosper and develop into what they are today. A good example of hand blown glass.Bottle; clear glass Codd neck bottle with small marble in top. Once contained soda water or soft drink. Manufactured in 1921 by E. Rowlands of Ballarat, Melbourne, Katoomba and Sydney. The bottle is 'recyclable' - the message on the base says that it remains the property of E. Rowlands Pty Ltd. Inscriptions on three adhesive labels at time of donation"E. ROWLANDS BALLARAT MELBOURNE KATOOMBA AND SYDNEY". Imprinted into bas "1921" "THIS BOTTLE REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF E. ROWLANDS PTY LTD" On adhesive labels (3) " 1921 ON BASE (LASTED 1924) CODD PATENT 702" "SMALL SIZE. MARBLE TOP SODA WATER PAPER LABEL. USED" "ON PADDLE STEAMERS. POPULAR BRAND"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, bottle, codd bottle, hiram codd, glass marble bottle, e. rowlands bottle manufacturer, soda bottle australia, early recyclable bottle, codd's patent bottle, marble bottle, refreshments, soda water, marble top, 1920s, codd patent 702, handmade, blown