Collector says: "This pair of Physician blankets was found at the Mission op shop in Blackburn South. I remember having such a lovely chat with the solo staff member there as we shared some blanket appreciation, a regular occurence when rehoming a relinquished blanket."Collector's note: "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from."Queen sized checked blanket, corn and bluePhysician Blankets/Pure Virgin Lambswool/Mothproofed/Made in Australiawool, blanket, blanket fever, physician, collins bros, geelong

Collector says: "This pair of Physician blankets was found at the Mission op shop in Blackburn South. I remember having such a lovely chat with the solo staff member there as we shared some blanket appreciation, a regular occurrence when rehoming a relinquished blanket."Collector's note: "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Queen sized blanket, corn and bluePhysician Blankets/Pure Virgin Lambswool/Mothproofed/Made in Australiawool, blanket, blanket fever, physician, collins bros, geelong

Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Advertisement Castlemaine blankets "Warm as a summer breeze"Warm as a Summer Breeze/Light as a Floating Cloud/Castlemaine Blankets/Castlemaine-the Aristocrat of Blanketswool, blanket, blanket fever, advertisement, castlemaine, australian women's weekly

Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Advertisement, Challenge blankets, ElectracolourFirst Time Ever!/Clan Murray Challenge Blankets/Bring You New Colours Glowing like Early Morning Sunlight/Electracolour/from New Swiss Miracle Dyes/Still with the Super Luxury of Kitten-soft Double "Perma-Nap" Finishwool, blanket, blanket fever, challenge, advertisement, australian women's weekly

Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." There's no question about the brand, only the colour (blanket range) There's no question about the brand….only the colour!/Onkaparingablanket, blanket fever, onkaparinga, wool, advertisement, australian women's weekly

Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Wonderfully, naturally, beautiful (couple on picnic blanket)Onkaparinga/Wonderfully, Naturally, Beautiful blanket, blanket fever, wool, onkaparinga, advertisement, australian women's weekly

Photographic postcard depicting the newly constructed Valley Worsted Mill, c.1923.Photographic postcard, black and white. Depicts an aerial view of the newly constructed textile mill. A chimney stack and many saw toothed roofs can be seen.POST CARD / CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS ONLY / KODAK / AUSTRALtextile mills, valley worsted mill foster valley mill pty ltd, aerial photography, factory, wool, industrial building

Part of the womens casual "sportwool" uniform for the Winter Olympics, 2002.AUSTRALIA SALT LAKE 2002fashion, costume, shoes, wool, sport, salt lake city

Taken from Collins Mill around 1984.Painted rectangular sheet metal sign reads "SHORT Mule Weft Bobbins ONLY". The sign is painted on one side and has a white background with a green strip around border.SHORT(red paint) Mule Weft Bobbins (black paint) ONLY (red paint)collins mill, signs, textile industry, wool, bobbins, weft

Slide of a carpet pattern dating from the mid to late 1950s.Photographic slide, colour. Depicts a floral carpet design. Black plastic slide mount.carpet, floral, wool, 1950s, pattern, design

Knitted fabric is made with a single yarn or sets of yarns moving in only one direction. Whether done by hand or by machine, the process is the same. The knitting needle loops the yarn through itself to make a chain of stitches. These chains, or rows, are connected to produce the knitted cloth. There are two types of commercial knitting machine. A flat-bed has its needles, one for each loop, arranged in a straight line to produce a flat fabric. A circular machine has its needles arranged on a rotating circle. The cloth forms as a tube which can be made into seamless clothing. Personal history of Edna Harris who used the machine.knitting machine, industry, design, socks, clothing, wool

Hiking socks to be worn with hiking boots for opening ceremony of Winter Olympics, 2002Australia Salt Lake City 2002fashion, costume, shoes, wool, sport, salt lake city

Used at Foster Valley Mills.Kidney-shaped plastic textile container with lacing on joins.foster valley mills, textile industry, loom, weaving, container, wool

Ten striped blanket samples held together with split pins. Colours include brown, pink, blue and cream. Each sample has an ink printed Physician label and a Physician sticker with a number.wool, fabric, blankets, sample, physician, collins bros mill pty ltd

This tag came with the donation of two kilts. The donor's mother, Joy Newall owned these kilts. She lived on a wheat/sheep farm in the Wimmera where her husband also bred merino sheep. Joy was well known in the district for the way she dressed when out in public.Four page fold out paper tag with black and white graphics and text. Graphic on the front and back shows a full length portrait of a person wearing traditional Scottish clothing resting with their hand holding an upright rifle. A piece of string is attached through a hole in the top left corner. Printed: Authentic Clan Tartans / by Fletcher Jonesclothing, fashion, tartan, kilt, scottish, wool

The donor's mother, Joy Newall owned these kilts. She lived on a wheat/sheep farm in the Wimmera where her husband also bred merino sheep. Joy was well known in the district for the way she dressed when out in public.Maroon, brown, yellow and blue tartan kilt with eye and hook fastening clips and buttons on three different size settings. A metal clasp and large safety pin fastens on the left side.tag: Fletcher Jones / AUSTRALIA'S FINEST CLOTHING / MADE IN AUSTRALIAclothing, fashion, tartan, kilt, scottish, wool

Knitting by Joyce Hucker. She began working with unspun wool and making dyes from the natural sources from her garden and the farm trees around her. From knitting and croceting articles, she progressed to felting and a 'wrapping' technique, always using unspun wool. She was a successful exhibitor at many craft shows and was always willing to pass on her experience and knowledge to others, often travelling widely to help groups requiring a demonstration.Knitting by Joyce Hucker.knitting, hucker, mrs joyce

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. This book was produced by Coats Patons and contains knitting patterns for baby clothes.No. 617 / AZALEA . BABY WOOL . SWIFTAKNIT / NIMBLA . PATONYLE 3-PLY AND 4-PLY / No. 617 / Patons / KNITTING BOOK 617 / BABIES' WEAR / up to 18 months / 2'-handicrafts - history knitting, coats patons (australia) limited patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for baby clothes.Patons / No. 499 / KNITTING BOOK / No. / 499 / Babies' Wear / In PATONS SWIFTAKNIT and / PATONS PATONYLE, 3-Ply (Lilac Label) / With a Shawl in PATONS NIMBLA / P&B / WOOLS / 1'6knitting handicrafts - history, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history

Large Legacy torch symbol on a yellow background. Legacy used gold/yellow as an official colour until the mid 1990s. This flag could be one that was flown at the Shrine flagpoles as it is labelled 'Legacy' on the top left corner and is about the size required for the Shrine's flagpoles. The maker was Evan Evans of Melbourne and the label said they supplied flags for the XVIth Olympiad - which was Melbourne in 1956; and the VIIIth Commonwealth Games which was 1966. The flag dates from about that time.A record that the Shrine flew the yellow Legacy flag at special Legacy events.Very large yellow Legacy flag with rope and metal attachments for flying on a flag pole.Makers label says "Evan Evans Flags, 300 Elizabeth St Melbourne. Official Flag Makers for XVIth Olympiad and VIIIth Commonwealth Games. 75% Nylon 25% Wool".legacy promotion, logos

These coins belonged to Wilhelm Eckels who was a wool buyer in Sydney when war broke out. He was interned in Camp 1, aged 22 years.2 Australian pennies, 1938 and 1940. Kings head on one side has been erased and "Tatura Meister 1942" (Tatura Master 1942) has been stamped or etched on it. Australian Penny on other side.as abovewilhelm eckels, woolbuyers, australian penny 1940, australian penny 1938, tatura meister

This banner belonged to Wilhelm Eckels, a wool buyer in Sydney , NSW, when war broke out. He was interned in Camp 1, aged 22 years. Red cloth banner with hand stitched green tassels on one end. Hand painted Comedy and Tragedy symbol and writingas abovewilhelm eckels, wool buyer, rod eckels

Letter from Edwrd Waters & Sons, Patent Attorneys, 1949, to W R Lang re. R M Poole invention of a process for scouring wool.wool processing wool - research, scouring, lang, dr w. roy poole, r m, wool processing, wool - research

Letter from H Munz to W R Lang contains seven pages of reviews for his book "The Australian Wool Industry" (Angus & Robertson, Sydney)Please return after perusal... Quite good/..../27/7/1950 G W McDwool - research wool processing, h munz wool trading co gordon institute of technology, lang, dr w. roy munz, mr h., wool - research, wool processing

Letter from the The Kelson Products Co to W R Lang 25th June 1947, requesting information on the wool testing service at the Gordon College of Technology.wool - research wool - testing merino sheep - history, gordon institute of technology s kidman & co, lang, dr w. roy, wool - research, wool - testing, merino sheep - history

Letter, on "Murgha Pastoral Company" letterhead, dated 15th May 1943, from Bill Austin to W R Lang regarding wool samples for testing..wool - research wool - testing sheep breeding world war ii, gordon institute of technology murgha pastoral company limited, lang, dr w. roy austin, mr bill - murgha pastoral company limited, wool - research, wool - testing, sheep breeding, world war ii

Each illustration is of a scene inside the Dennys Lascelles Building in the early days of its use as the National Wool Museum. The artists were members of the CEP Project.CEP P3oject/ Drawings and watercolours/ of/ Dennys Lascelleswool stores

Letter from the Warrnambool Woollen Mill Company Limited, Victoria, 1947 to W.R. Lang, Gordon Institute of Technology, Geelong re: Wool Top samplesRBS 17.2.47textile mills - staff woollen mills textile fibres, warrnambool woollen mill, lang, dr w. roy, textile mills - staff, woollen mills, textile fibres

Stick pin featuring a merino ram. Part of a collection of Australian Wool Corporation promotional memorabilia believed to have used in the era of Sir William Gunn.wool marketing, australian wool corporation, gunn, sir william