Two hand held fishing reels with string lines. Both made of carved and polished wood with metal handles which is possibly brass. The knob is missing from 398.1.fishing-reels recreation

John Tomlinson was the eldest son of Arthur James and Jessie Tomlinson who selected land at Tabbara in 1887. He worked in Temple's , the Herbert's store and for the Butter Factory until beginning his own business in 1906. He remained in business until 1933.A round metal tray with decorated edge. It is an engraved advertisement for J.S. Tomlinson.advertisement tomlinson commerce-orbost

This is a peephole from a solitary confinement cell cell at Port Arthur. There were 12 cells, measuring 3m x 1.5m, used for solitary confinement. Convicts there would sleep on a narrow wooden shelf, the only furnishing in the cell, and were watched through a peephole in the cell door.A rectangular iron peephole from a prison door. it has a bolted metal flap that can be pushed aside to allow an outside person a view of the inside of the cell.peephole port- arthur convict

The Isle of the Dead is located in the harbour off Port Arthur. Between 1833 and 1877, around one thousand burials took place thereThree home-made nails.port-arthur nails isle-of-the-dead

The instrument belongs to a very old family of instruments, believed to date back over 12,000 years!Small black ocarina wind instrument with finger holes. It is made of carved wood.Front - 2 manufacturing stamps and "D5"

Iron leg shackles were worn by convicts to both punish inmates and prevent escape. Combined with physically exhausting labour, they helped control prisoners. The shackles weighed a considerable amount (there were differing sizes) which made it difficult to walk easily, resulting in a shuffling gait.A pair of very heavy leg irons. They are made of iron with holes at each side so they can be bolted around the legs. There is a long iron chain connecting the two D-shaped pieces.leg-irons shackles convicts

The Jew's Harp was gripped between the teeth and strummed with the thumb. The tone changed according to the pressure applied by the teeth.A rusty metal "jew's harp" with a thin wire prong through the centre.jew's-harp musical-instrument

Control of feral animal pests was and is a major problem in agricultural areas, and methods are widely debated. For over a century traps such as this one were in common use where wild dogs and dingoes were a problem, and indeed are still permitted in certain conditions in certain Australian states. Feral animals, including rabbits, foxes and hybridised dogs (dingo mix), have been a major problem in agricultural Australia since colonisation. This example of a dog or dingo trap would have inflicted great pain on the target animal, and focuses the viewer towards aspects of the problem not otherwise faced. This trap illustrates the historic treatment of animals, in particular native Australian animals. It also signifies the larger debate around the balance between wilderness and agriculture. Metal dingo trap. The spring-loaded jaws of the trap are held upright by metal pieces turning back onto themselves and ending in rings attached to the trap. There is a short chain attached to the trap.trap dingo-trap agriculture

A painted black rectangular shaped tin gunpowder flask with original labels on the front and back. It has a wooden cork stopper with gauze.gunpowder-flask curtis&harvey hunting

A long black leather belt which has two metal gunpowder dispensers at one end.gunpowder-belt hunting

A black painted brass bullet mold which casts a single round bullet. It has square ends with a hollow inside for the mold.bullet-mold arms

This tool was dug up at Murrangower, East Gippsland.A large rusted tool with long handles that fold together so that the metal is forced into a hole to make the bullet.bullet-maker arms murrangower

By 1914, when Australia joined the war against Germany, there were 23 Light Horse regiments of militia volunteers. Many men from these units joined the Light Horse regiments of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF).This WW1 item is a reminder of the roles that men from Orbost played in that conflict.Large brown leather saddle used by the Light Horse Brigade in WW1. The saddle is built on a pair of felt-padded wooden "bars" which sat on either side of the horse's spine. These are joined by steel arches with a shaped leather seat laced between them. C G H F The saddle also has a few other numbers on it which are difficult to read with accuracy. saddle military-history army transport horse

Used during WW1.This item is a reminder from WW1 of those from Orbost who played a role in this conflict.A pair of brown leather horse leggings with brass fixtures.horse-leggings transport ww1

Used by the Light Horse Brigade in WW1. Donated by the family of Fred Christmas.This WW1 item is a reminder of those who took part in that conflict.A pair of dark brown horse leggings. Straps run around outside to a buckle. They are 'Light Horse Brigade" leggings from World War 1.horse-leggings transport ww1 light-horse-brigade

Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.421.3 is a leather horse stirrup. 421.4 is a leather belt with one shoulder strap. It has brass attachments.On 421.4 -34 MARTINS ?AMMLLIMPbelt stirrup leather horse-transport

A set of cream scales with a metal base and a copper swinging weight. It has an aluminium dish on top.scales-cream instruments-weighing

Small circular print in a brass porthole type frame with a hinge on one side. The picture is of a model boat and books.picture illustration reproduction

This McMillan Tobacco Cutter was used to cut plugs of tobacco suitable for pipes.Tobacco cutters were important tools for pipe smokers until self-made or manufactured cigarettes began to dominate the tobacco sales market from the 1920s. This item is a link to a previously common means of consuming tobacco.Large wooden block inset with metal tobacco cutter. It has a metal handle and is painted black.tobacco-cutter smoking-accessories personal-effects

A cork screw with a hand-carved handle. It has a metal screw lever. The handle appears to have come from a domestic tool which has been hollowed out for the metal screw.corkscrew domestic food-drink

From the premises of Auctioneers James and Bird in the early 20th century. It was a small building beside abandoned shop on the corner of Tarra & Nicholson Streets. An early 20th century light switch from the James and Bird premises. It is painted pastel green and has large screws poking out through the mounting block. The two fuses were originally white porcelain and have been painted over. The brass fixtures have been painted over.On back -1917 electric lightlight-switch james-and-bird lighting

These butter pats are typical of the period when food processing was done at home. It would have been before the time of mass food processing factories.A pair of small wooden butter pats with ridged surface on one side and smooth on the back . Each has a hole in the handle for hanging. butter-pats domestic food-preparation

This item was hand-carved by Mark Richardson in 1899 at Tabbara. He operated the Richardson saw mill on the Brodribb at Tabbara and was a farmer at Bete Bolong.A hand-carved wooden rolling pin made from local blackwood."by Mark Richardson 1899"rolling-pin domestic food-preparation richardson-mark

This butter mold is typical of the period when food processing was done at home. It would have been before the time of mass food processing factoriesA wooden bowl which uses the lid as an imprint plunger. The imprint is a floral design and has a long handle. The bowl has a hole in the base for easy removal of butter.butter-mould domestic food-preparation

One small thin butter stamp rolling pin covered in tiny squares. One larger butter stamp rolling pin. Both are wooden.butter-stamps domestic food-preparation

Following the use of flat irons the base of the iron was made into a container to put glowing coals inside it and keep it hot a bit longer. This was called a charcoal iron. It had a hinged lid and air holes to allow the charcoal to keep smouldering. They are sometimes called ironing boxes, or charcoal box irons, and may come with their own stand.This item is an example of a domestic appliance in common usage before the advent of electricity.This is a charcoal iron which was heated by burning charcoal inside it. It is made of iron and has wooden handles, one on top for lifting it and one on the catch at the front that keeps the iron closed. Both of these handles were needed to load the iron with charcoal easily. As wood does not conduct heat well, these handles made the task of filling the iron much easier. The holes around the base of the iron are for letting the fumes out.Top- "M.G."iron-charcoal domestic

These large, heavy irons were used by tailors to press trousers. It would be heated on the range or stove to achieve a high temperature. This item is an example of a commercial appliance in common usage before the advent of electricity.A goose iron. These large, heavy irons were used by tailors to press trousers. It would be heated on the range or stove to achieve a high temperature. It has a twisted handle. It has a stand with it.iron goose-iron tailor

Charcoal irons followed the use of flat irons when the base was made into a box in which to put charcoal which would keep the iron hotter for a longer time.This item is an example of a domestic appliance in common usage before the advent of electricity.Large black ornate charcoal iron with a chimney on the top. It has an ornate metal hand protector. It has a hollow base into which charcoal is placed. The small hole at the back has a sliding cover that was used to regulate the temperature of the iron. ir0n-charcoal domestic

Metal rope making machine, "The New Era Rope Machine". It has three claws through which roping material is threaded. The internal wheels have cogs around the perimeter and it is bolted together in two pieces.rope-making-machine handcraft

Charcoal irons followed flat irons when the base was made into a hinged box into which charcoal could be placed, This would keep the iron hotter for a longer time.This item is an example of a domestic appliance in common usage before the advent of electricity.A large charcoal iron with chimney. It has a carved wooden handle.charcoal-iron domestic