On May 28, 2007 Bert Newton visited Vision Australia for a radio interview with Stephen Jolley on VAR.38 digital images of Bert Newton visiting Vision Australia Radiovision australia, bert newton, stephen jolley, gerard menses, roberta ashby, lynne kells

Photocopy of a newspaper article titled Oldtime Dance Band featuring the Wedderburn Old Timers. Mentioned is some of the history of the Old Timers and members of the band and some of the places they performed. Members mentioned are: Grummy Ross, Lindsay Holt (button accordion), Elma Ross (piano), Daisy Sutton (fiddle), Lional Collison (violin), Don Topley (whistle), Adrian Verrinder (guitar and banjo), Teddy Stephenson (MC) and Jack Condon (strohviol). They also played on the television program - The Penthurst Club hosted by Bill Collins and Mary Hardy.entertainment, music, wedderburn oldtimers, peter ellis collection, grummy ross, wedderbrn oldtimers, coral & lindsay holt, goldseeker motel, mechanics institute hall, elma ross, daisy sutton, lional collison, don topley, adrian verrinder, teddy stephenson, jack condon, dulcie stephenson, old leura hotel - camperdown, bill pollock, channel nine studios, henry hargreaves, collison orchestra, mary hardy, penthouse club, bill collins, don lane, bert newton

Methodist Tennis Club Premiers C. Grade S.D.T.A. 1931 photograph presented to Mr. H. Oliver. Back row Mrs. Bert Newton, Mrs. Belle Homes, Miss M. Newton, Miss A. Pope. Front Row H. Oliver, I. Newton, D. Lindsay, K. McMullen.Black & white photo of group of 4 females (standing) and 4 males (seated) with 2 tennis racquets and 2 tennis balls.Presented to Mr. H. Oliver From The Methodist Tennis Club. Premiers C. Grade S.D.T.A. 1931 stamp on back of card, W.J. Chapman Photo Artist Stawellstawell sport

Stawell Football Club 1925 premiers. Back Row: Joe Middleton (Trainer), Albert (Oliver)? Geo Gilbert, Ralph Dalkin, Jack Richards (lke's father), W.J. Earle (Pres), Jack Neylan? Bert Newton, A.E. Smith (ANZ Bank), Stan Freeland. Middle Row: Les Hutton, Rocky Davidson, Bill Northeast, Frank Spurrell? Mick Dalziel, Jack Gray, Ray Rowe, H. Hunt, XXX? Sam Ross (Boundry), Bill Lewis. Front Row Les Gram, Joe Brown, lke Richards, B. Hall, W. Twomey (V.C.), W. Walton (Chinga) (Capt. Coach) Dick Holliday, Wingie Ross, lke Cooper (Glenorchy), jack Sullivan, Len Clearson. Sitting in front Nat Powell (Masseur). Also, a list of people Hovie? Hunt, lke Cooper C. Hall, A. (Bert) Newton (Committee) eight on back row, lke Richards Junior, H. (Wingy) Ross, Dick Holladay, L. Clearson, Bill Twomey, W. (Chinga) Walton (Coach), Bill Earle (President), John Richards Senior, Sweeny, F. Spurrell (Policemen), Ralph Dalkin (Committee), jack Gray, L. Clearson, George Gilbert, Phillips, Blatchford, W. Lewis (Auditor) J. Sullivan, Nat Powell. Came from Bert Newton then to Isaac newton then to Hartley Newton (son). Black and white team photograph taken in front of No 1 Grandstand.Premiers 1925 Stawell Football Club W.J. Chapman Photo Artist Stawell. (see context for list of players names and Stawell Football Club)stawell sport

Club official's trainers and players Stawell Football Club. At central Park 1923. Trees in background. Stawell Football Club Probably 1924 W. Twomey was coach 1922-23, then W. Walton came as coach and Twomey stayed here as a player. J. Bissett was coach in 1926 &1927. Albert Oliver (Secretary); Mat Newton, Bill Twomey, Dunn, Lewis, A (Mick) Dalziel, (Committee), Auggy Greenberger, Davidson, Blachford, Swalwell, Ike Cooper, Jack Curran, Bill? Walton (Coach), G, Mealy, Ike Richards & Richards (Senior), Bert Newton, Stan Freeland, Spoerl (Policeman), George Gilbert, Bill Earle, Norm Gleason, Phillips, Back Row: Jim Phillips, (32). Sam Ross (33)? Jack Neylan (34). Matt Pope (35). XXXXX, (36). Jim Dunn (37). Bill Holmes? (38) in white laying in front of team on the ground. Third Row: Darkie Miller (21). XXXXX, (22). Bert Newton (23). Geo. Gilbert, (24). Stan Freeland, (Sec)(25). W.J. Earle (Senior) Pres. (26). Jack Richards, (27). XXXXX, (28). XXXXX, (29). Bill Lewis, (30). Charlie Oliver, (31). Second Row: ? Trainer? (10). Ros Attrill, (11). XXXXX, (12). Len Clearson? (13). Clarrie Richards, (14). S. Purell, (15). Tony O'Leary? (16). (17). Dick Hewitt, (18). Arthur Hart (Steve), (19). Trainer Angus Dalziel, (20). Front Row: Les Oram (1). Jack Curran, (2). Wingie Ross, (3). Jack Sullivan, (4). Dick Holiday, (5). W. Twomey Captain Coach (6). Tom Swalwell, (7). Ike Cooper, (8). Mick Dalziel (9). Information came From Bert Newton then to Isaac Newton on to son Hartley Newton. Fay Newton. Sepia photographic of a Football Team taken beneath trees and timber seating either side. Also, enlarged sepia copy plus a black & white copy. Also, a black and white print with numbering marked on each person and a page of names responding to the numbers. The original in Photo Drawer 7 has the names handwritten on the back.Post Card Kodak Australiastawell sport

HistoricalMedium framed black & white photo of Cowes football team, premiers 1922. Three rows of players, front row seated, with a trainer at each end. Middle player at front holding a football saying Premiers 1922.Names of players and trainers. Back says H.A.B. West 1983cowes football team 1922, pretty, charley craft, les walton, ernie walton, bill mclardy, clarry williams, andy morrison, guy borton, bryant west, frank hatfield, alex mclardy, arnie brown, newton mclardy, reg justice, harold west, bernie smith, ken west, ernie matthews, bert west, black & white photograph

Frame 6. Photo 1. Sergeant Jack Grinton, somewhere in France. Photo 2. Sergeant Bert Ginton DCM. From other photos in the same area it is believed to have been taken in the Codford area, England in early 1919. Photo 3. A Corporal and Military Medal winner somewhere in France. Believed to be Charles Newton No 951, C Coy 38th Batt. He won his "MM" at Clery between 26th and 31st August in 1918. he has a brother William No 950, C Coy who was KIA on 4/10/1917. There is a photo of William in Jack's collection. Photo 4. A sergeant and Military Medal winner, place unknown. Refer Cat No 5880P for exhibition details. Refer Cat No 1280 for Jack GRINTON Service records. Refer Cat No 1320P for Bert GRINTONs service details.Photographs - black and white on paper. 4 photographs - portraits of a soldier. Frame timber with black colour paint, glass front, mount black coloured cardboard. Backing cardboard with handwritten notation.Backing cardboard - handwritten blue felt tip pen -"6."framed photographs, grinton collection, ww1, 38th

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of the Phillip Island Premiership Football Team of 1922 Back row: D Pretty, L Walton, Ernie Jenner, W McLardy, C Williams, A Morrison, Guy Borton, Charlie Craft. Middle row: Bryant West, Hatfield, Alex McLardy, Arnie Brown, Newton McLardy, Reg Justice. Front row: Harold West, Bert Smith, Ken West, Ernie Matthews, Bert West. local history, photography, phillip island football team 1922, black & white photograph, phillip island football club, john jenner, bryant west

Stawell Football Club Team Premiers Wimmera League 1909. Photograph taken when a match played at Dunolly - between Dunolly and Stawell Premiers of Wimmera League, and Dunolly Premiers of Maryborough District League. Stawell winning by 5 points in 1909.Black and white photograph of a group of sports people. Three rows of people in sporting uniforms others in civilian dress with bowler hats. Taken against a background of a wooden building which has two large pennants hanging on it.BACK ROW (L to R) Alf Clearson, Bill Wilson, (Secretary S.F. C.), Fritz Thomson, Tom Mullins, Geo. Oliver (President 1910), Mat. Newton, Harry Peck, Ned. Walton, Tom Hunter, Gus. Mahnke, Bill McCullough, Bob Claringbold (President S.F.C. 1909), Frank Derry, Jim Wyatt, Roy Nettle, Jack Allison, Eddy Thomas, Hughie Dalziel, Dr. Fox, Archie Gilchrist, C. Murrells, Bill Tiddy. SECOND ROW, George (Piggy) Arnott, Herb Chester, Hughie Sparks, Paddy Doyle, Arthur Parsons (Captain) Bill Earle, Gordon Scriviner, Bert Crouch, Edgar Heal, Bert Errington, Fred Crouch, jack Thompson. FRONT ROW Ark Williams, Jackie Jackson or George Baylie. Match played at Dunolly between Dunolly and Stawell. Stawell Premiers of Wimmera League and Dunolly Premiers of Maryborough District League. Stawell winning by 5 points 1909.stawell sport

Early form of home heating and because of the copper dish was considered one of the better models|Manufacturing History Museum Victoria|Commentary: Australian manufacturing history Philip Wollen|Many years ago, when I was an ambition young man, I took over a company called Hecla.|This business was formed in 1872, long before Federation was even contemplated. The company established a rich tradition in the Australian manufacturing industry. The prodigious product range included kettles, mixers, toasters, hairdryers, urns, pie warmers, bain maries, and electric blankets for the domestic and commercial market. During the war it even manufactured parts for aircraft. It was one of Melbourne's largest employers.|Hecla was one of the pioneers in TV advertising, led by icons like Bert Newton, Bobby Limb, Evie Hayes and Graham Kennedy who ad Jibbed his way through irreverent and unscripted naughtiness about Hecla electric blankets and foot warmers. The slogan was 'By Hecla, its good.'. One can imagine the fun Bert and Graham had with their double entendres.|In the 60's Hecla entered into a partnership with General Electric and expanded rapidly. The massive factory, on the corner of Alexandra Parade and Chapel Street overlooking the Yarra River was a Melbourne landmark.|The business was formed by one of the scions of Melbourne industry. Mr Marriott was a metal worker of some repute, building the lights in front of Melbourne's Parliament House, the first steam car, the sideboard at the RACY Club, and the first factory to run on electricity.|By the time I acquired the company it was a shadow of its former self, incapable of competing with cheap Chinese imports. Wandering around the warehouse late one night I discovered a large, boarded up storeroom which appeared not to have been opened in decades.|Over several months I combed through the room, unearthing a treasure trove of products from a bygone era. Dusty files, engineering drawings, wooden prototypes, patent records, and correspondence from distributors on every continent.|I decided to track down an old man, Ray, long retired after 50 years with Hecla. He was not well off financially and welcomed the paid work. It turned out that he had done his apprenticeship with the company and there wasn't much he didn't know about it. He had been personally involved in the manufacture of almost every type of product on the Hecla smorgasbord's of products.|So for over 2 years he methodically assembled a mini museum of Hecla products, painstakingly polishing them and ensuring they were in working order. He attached the original brochure of each product and their respective warranty cards. For him it was ,a labour of love. For me it was a fascinating, if vicarious journey, into Australia's manufacturing past.|My colleagues complained that I was wasting money on his salary, our time and factory space on stuff that should have been dumped years ago. I tried to explain that I was merely a steward of the Hecla tradition, not merely an owner. Besides, the look on Ray's face convinced me that there was another dynamic at work. One I could see, but didn't really understand.|After he Passed away I faced a dilemma. What to do with this 'museum' of Hecla history. Nobody was interested.|So I kept the 'stuff' in private storage, hoping that same day someone would be interested in it. And the years passed.|Finally, I had a brainwave. Perhaps the Melbourne Museum would be interested. It was a long shot but I made the call. I had a nagging suspicion that they would think I was simply trying to get them to relieve me of paying for this huge collection to be taken to the tip.|To my surprise they said they would be willing to take a look, I secretly hoped that they would take the whole collection and not leave me with an incomplete jumble of appliances that I would indeed have to take to the tip.|On the appointed day, four serious looking young people showed up. Armed with digital cameras, note books and poker faces they spent four hours analysing the goods and the supporting materials. I asked them if they had any interest and their response was decidedly non-committal. It depends on the acquisitions committee, I was told. I was disheartened and packed up the exhibits to go back into storage.|Imagine my surprise when months later they telephoned to say that they had researched the history of the company, and yes, they would like to take the whole collection. And a truck with 'handlers' would arrive the following day to pick it up. Two years ago all Hecla's archives left me forever and went to the Museum's warehouse.|Well, to my delight I received a call yesterday inviting me to a private viewing of the exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. These young historians had meticulously assembled an impressive display of Melbourne's industry and technology going back to the 1800's. They thanked me like a significant benefactor when it is I who should have thanked them.|I saw the excitement in the eyes of these young people who had somehow managed to dig out and assemble memories from Australia's past. If this is the standard of care that the curators of the Melbourne Museum show all their exhibits, our history is in safe hands.|Their meticulous work took me back to those years long ago when I saw an old man lovingly assembling and cataloging a lifetime of his work.|It took me back to the day when Australians actually made things. Long before we became a nation of quarrymen. Before we became animal-factory 'farmers'. Of a time when products didn't break down, or dumped and replaced before the warranty expired. When men like Mr Marriott cared deeply about what their hands produced.|It reminded me of the call I received from an elderly lady in Tasmania asking for the electrical element for a Hecla K7 kettle. I searched the archives and called her back. The K7 was produced decades earlier and we no longer carried that spare part. She was quite disheartened and told me her kettle had finally 'given up the ghost' and she couldn't bear to part with it. It was a present from her husband on their wedding day 45 years ago. Her final words were 'they don't make them like that, do they? By Hecla they were good.'|I'm glad I followed my instinct and put Ray back on the payroll all those years ago..|I like to think Mr Marriott would have been pleased.Pedestal radiator. Base is cast iron with three feet with rose design on each. Pedestal supports a copper spherical reflector plate which has an electrical connection box at its base. The connection box is joined to the pedestal by a screw and nut to enable the reflector to be tilted. The element is cone shaped and is in the centre of the plate. The element is protected by a wire guard.Hecla Firedomestic items, heating

The story covers mostly men of C Coy 38th Bn as well as others to give a broader pictutre. Edgar Stanbury MM as a C Coy Scout retrieved the maps from Capt G.A Dutton who was KIA. Stanbury then proceeded to keep reconnoitering towards Clery until they reached trenches near Clery Copse. The photos relate to the following, Jack Grinton, Bert Grinton, Edgar Stanbury, C.E. Newton, D.T.Hull, A.E.Pegler, Albert Gilhooley, C.E.A.Dunn, Hugh Pippin, G.A.Dutton, C.J.Holmes, Capt Selleck, Major Maudsley, last photo is labelled “Past Clery Copse”. Jack Grinton No 1043 C Coy, refer Cat No 1280. Bert Grinton No 5024 C Coy, awarded DCM 31.8.1918, refer Cat No 1320P. Edgar Stanbury No 997 C Coy, awarded MM 1917, WIA 2nd occasion 31.8.1918, refer Cat No 5032.3P. Charles Newton No 951 C Coy, awarded MM 26/31.8.1918. David Hull No 904 C Coy, Gassed 24.8.1918. Albert Gilhooley No 890 C Coy, KIA 31.8.1918, refer Cat No 5047. Augustus Pegler No 967 C Coy, awarded MM 31.8.1918. Cyril Dunn No 3058 7th Reo’s C Coy, KIA 31.8.1918. Hugh Pippin No 1895 2nd Reo’s C Coy, WIA 2nd occasion 11.8.1918, refer Cat No 1502. George Dutton Lieut No 532 C Coy, KIA 29.8.1918. (Photo of his name on Map & note to Jack Grinton) Charles Holmes No 910 C Coy, KIA 24.8.1918. (Photo of original grave) Horace Selleck Capt C Coy, KIA 19.7.1918, refer Cat No 1515. (Photo of address book) Arthur Fyfe No 1841 2nd Reo’s C Coy, KIA 30.8.1918. (Photo of original grave) Arthur Maudsley Major D Coy, KIA 31.8.1918. (Photo of original grave) Fyfe, Maudsley and Duttons graves are in the one photo. Last photo labelled “Past Clery Copse” This is the area where Bert Grinton is awarded the DCM on 31.8.1918, photo was taken by his brother Jack. .1) Map of France, trenches corrected to 15.4.1918, 1/20,000, Sheet 62D N.E, covers an area from Ribemont to Bray. .2) Map of France, trenches corrected to 6.3.1918, 1/20,000, sheet 62C N.W, covers area from Suzanne to Mt St Quentin. Both maps follow the Somme River. .3) Photo - story covers the events relating to the two maps from July 17th. - Sept 1st 1918 on the Somme . There are 14 photos with the story, 3 sections make up the story, Map 1, Map 2 and then details on the advance, the men, casualties and other.maps, 38th bn, c coy, the somme

Manufacturing History Museum Victoria|Commentary: Australian manufacturing history Philip Wollen|Many years ago, when I was an ambition young man, I took over a company called Hecla. This business was formed in 1872, long before Federation was even contemplated. The company established a rich tradition in the Australian manufacturing industry. The prodigious product range included kettles, mixers, toasters, hairdryers, urns, pie warmers, bain maries, and electric blankets for the domestic and commercial market. During the war it even manufactured parts for aircraft. It was one of Melbourne's largest employers.|Hecla was one of the pioneers in TV advertising, led by icons like Bert Newton, Bobby Limb, Evie Hayes and Graham Kennedy who ad Jibbed his way through irreverent and unscripted naughtiness about Hecla electric blankets and foot warmers. The slogan was 'By Hecla, its good.'. One can imagine the fun Bert and Graham had with their double entendres.|In the 60's Hecla entered into a partnership with General Electric and expanded rapidly. The massive factory, on the corner of Alexandra Parade and Chapel Street overlooking the Yarra River was a Melbourne landmark.|The business was formed by one of the scions of Melbourne industry. Mr Marriott was a metal worker of some repute, building the lights in front of Melbourne's Parliament House, the first steam car, the sideboard at the RACY Club, and the first factory to run on electricity.|By the time I acquired the company it was a shadow of its former self, incapable of competing with cheap Chinese imports. Wandering around the warehouse late one night I discovered a large, boarded up storeroom which appeared not to have been opened in decades.|Over several months I combed through the room, unearthing a treasure trove of products from a bygone era. Dusty files, engineering drawings, wooden prototypes, patent records, and correspondence from distributors on every continent.|I decided to track down an old man, Ray, long retired after 50 years with Hecla. He was not well off financially and welcomed the paid work. It turned out that he had done his apprenticeship with the company and there wasn't much he didn't know about it. He had been personally involved in the manufacture of almost every type of product on the Hecla smorgasbord's of products.|So for over 2 years he methodically assembled a mini museum of Hecla products, painstakingly polishing them and ensuring they were in working order. He attached the original brochure of each product and their respective warranty cards. For him it was ,a labour of love. For me it was a fascinating, if vicarious journey, into Australia's manufacturing past.|My colleagues complained that I was wasting money on his salary, our time and factory space on stuff that should have been dumped years ago. I tried to explain that I was merely a steward of the Hecla tradition, not merely an owner. Besides, the look on Ray's face convinced me that there was another dynamic at work. One I could see, but didn't really understand.|After he Passed away I faced a dilemma. What to do with this 'museum' of Hecla history. Nobody was interested.|So I kept the 'stuff' in private storage, hoping that same day someone would be interested in it. And the years passed.|Finally, I had a brainwave. Perhaps the Melbourne Museum would be interested. It was a long shot but I made the call. I had a nagging suspicion that they would think I was simply trying to get them to relieve me of paying for this huge collection to be taken to the tip.|To my surprise they said they would be willing to take a look, I secretly hoped that they would take the whole collection and not leave me with an incomplete jumble of appliances that I would indeed have to take to the tip.|On the appointed day, four serious looking young people showed up. Armed with digital cameras, note books and poker faces they spent four hours analysing the goods and the supporting materials. I asked them if they had any interest and their response was decidedly non-committal. It depends on the acquisitions committee, I was told. I was disheartened and packed up the exhibits to go back into storage.|Imagine my surprise when months later they telephoned to say that they had researched the history of the company, and yes, they would like to take the whole collection. And a truck with 'handlers' would arrive the following day to pick it up. Two years ago all Hecla's archives left me forever and went to the Museum's warehouse.|Well, to my delight I received a call yesterday inviting me to a private viewing of the exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. These young historians had meticulously assembled an impressive display of Melbourne's industry and technology going back to the 1800's. They thanked me like a significant benefactor when it is I who should have thanked them.|I saw the excitement in the eyes of these young people who had somehow managed to dig out and assemble memories from Australia's past. If this is the standard of care that the curators of the Melbourne Museum show all their exhibits, our history is in safe hands.|Their meticulous work took me back to those years long ago when I saw an old man lovingly assembling and cataloging a lifetime of his work.|It took me back to the day when Australians actually made things. Long before we became a nation of quarrymen. Before we became animal-factory 'farmers'. Of a time when products didn't break down, or dumped and replaced before the warranty expired. When men like Mr Marriott cared deeply about what their hands produced.|It reminded me of the call I received from an elderly lady in Tasmania asking for the electrical element for a Hecla K7 kettle. I searched the archives and called her back. The K7 was produced decades earlier and we no longer carried that spare part. She was quite disheartened and told me her kettle had finally 'given up the ghost' and she couldn't bear to part with it. It was a present from her husband on their wedding day 45 years ago. Her final words were 'they don't make them like that, do they? By Hecla they were good.'|I'm glad I followed my instinct and put Ray back on the payroll all those years ago..|I like to think Mr Marriott would have been pleased.Large electric heater with two radiator bars and a protective grille at the top and false coals at the bottom.Replacements for this fire - Elements No. F314 - Illuminators No. 3P. Berry's Electric Ltd - Volts 230 - 240 -Watts 2000 V/AD/Cat No. 454 . Made in Australia by Hecla Electrics Pty Ltd Melbournedomestic items, heating

Used by Colin Sach during his employment as Manager of the Chemistry Dept. at the University of Melbourne over a period of forty years.Manufacturing History Museum Victoria Commentary: Australian manufacturing history Philip Wollen Many years ago, when I was an ambition young man, I took over a company called Hecla.|This business was formed in 1872, long before Federation was even contemplated. The company established a rich tradition in the Australian manufacturing industry. The prodigious product range included kettles, mixers, toasters, hairdryers, urns, pie warmers, bain maries, and electric blankets for the domestic and commercial market. During the war it even manufactured parts for aircraft. It was one of Melbourne's largest employers.|Hecla was one of the pioneers in TV advertising, led by icons like Bert Newton, Bobby Limb, Evie Hayes and Graham Kennedy who ad Jibbed his way through irreverent and unscripted naughtiness about Hecla electric blankets and foot warmers. The slogan was 'By Hecla, its good1'. One can imagine the fun Bert and Graham had with their double entendres.|In the 60's Hecla entered into a partnership with General Electric and expanded rapidly. The massive factory, on the corner of Alexandra Parade and Chapel Street overlooking the Yarra River was a Melbourne landmark.|The business was formed by one of the scions of Melbourne industry. Mr Marriott was a metal worker of some repute, building the lights in front of Melbourne's Parliament House, the first steam car, the sideboard at the RACY Club, and the first factory to run on electricity.|By the time I acquired the company it was a shadow of its former self, incapable of competing with cheap Chinese imports. Wandering around the warehouse late one night I discovered a large, boarded up storeroom which appeared not to have been opened in decades.|Over several months I combed through the room, unearthing a treasure trove of products from a bygone era. Dusty files, engineering drawings, wooden prototypes, patent records, and correspondence from distributors on every continent.|I decided to track down an old man, Ray, long retired after 50 years with Hecla. He was not well off financially and welcomed the paid work. It turned out that he had done his apprenticeship with the company and there wasn't much he didn't know about it. He had been personally involved in the manufacture of almost every type of product on the Hecla smorgasbord's of products.|So for over 2 years he methodically assembled a mini museum of Hecla products, painstakingly polishing them and ensuring they were in working order. He attached the original brochure of each product and their respective warranty cards. For him it was ,a labour of love. For me it was a fascinating, if vicarious journey, into Australia's manufacturing past.|My colleagues complained that I was wasting money on his salary, our time and factory space on stuff that should have been dumped years ago. I tried to explain that I was merely a steward of the Hecla tradition, not merely an owner. Besides, the look on Ray's face convinced me that there was another dynamic at work. One I could see, but didn't really understand.|After he Passed away I faced a dilemma. What to do with this 'museum' of Hecla history. Nobody was interested.|So I kept the 'stuff' in private storage, hoping that same day someone would be interested in it. And the years passed.|Finally, I had a brainwave. Perhaps the Melbourne Museum would be interested. It was a long shot but I made the call. I had a nagging suspicion that they would think I was simply trying to get them to relieve me of paying for this huge collection to be taken to the tip.|To my surprise they said they would be willing to take a look, I secretly hoped that they would take the whole collection and not leave me with an incomplete jumble of appliances that I would indeed have to take to the tip.|On the appointed day, four serious looking young people showed up. Armed with digital cameras, note books and poker faces they spent four hours analysing the goods and the supporting materials. I asked them if they had any interest and their response was decidedly non-committal. It depends on the acquisitions committee, I was told. I was disheartened and packed up the exhibits to go back into storage.|Imagine my surprise when months later they telephoned to say that they had researched the history of the company, and yes, they would like to take the whole collection. And a truck with 'handlers' would arrive the following day to pick it up. Two years ago all Hecla's archives left me forever and went to the Museum's warehouse.|Well, to my delight I received a call yesterday inviting me to a private viewing of the exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. These young historians had meticulously assembled an impressive display of Melbourne's industry and technology going back to the 1800's. They thanked me like a significant benefactor when it is I who should have thanked them.|I saw the excitement in the eyes of these young people who had somehow managed to dig out and assemble memories from Australia's past. If this is the standard of care that the curators of the Melbourne Museum show all their exhibits, our history is in safe hands.|Their meticulous work took me back to those years long ago when I saw an old man lovingly assembling and cataloging a lifetime of his work.|It took me back to the day when Australians actually made things. Long before we became a nation of quarrymen. Before we became animal-factory 'farmers'. Of a time when products didn't break down, or dumped and replaced before the warranty expired. When men like Mr Marriott cared deeply about what their hands produced.|It reminded me of the call I received from an elderly lady in Tasmania asking for the electrical element for a Hecla K7 kettle. I searched the archives and called her back. The K7 was produced decades earlier and we no longer carried that spare part. She was quite disheartened and told me her kettle had finally 'given up the ghost' and she couldn't bear to part with it. It was a present from her husband on their wedding day 45 years ago. Her final words were 'they don't make them like that, do they? By Hecla they were good1'|I'm glad I followed my instinct and put Ray back on the payroll all those years ago..|I like to think Mr Marriott would have been pleased.Square metal box with electrical elements inside. Used to stand on or to put feet on when sitting. Elaborate pattern in centre with inscription.Hecla Foot Warmerdomestic items, heating