Documents: North Deborah Mine Payroll Tax forms, Orange manilla folder containing completed Return of Payroll Tax Forms, markings read: ''North Deborah Mining Co NL Payroll Tax Regestered No 8269'' handwritten on front cover.organization, business, industrial - mining, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, mining, gold mining, north deborah

This machine was used by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme by office workers who worked in the payroll office.The State Electricity Commission of Victoria used the latest technology available for office equipment on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. This machine was used in the payroll office.Black metal table with machine on top. Electric motor with belt drive to machine which is situated under the rear left side of the table. Safety metal mesh protects the leather belt and is at the rear of the table. The operator faces the machine which has a tray on the left and is divided longitudinally into two and holds new shiny metal plates on each side. There is a brown bakelite wheel on the left and two printing wheels inside a myriad of moving parts that enable the metal plates to be embossed with payroll information i.e. "Gang No. etc. / Names / Pay No. / Rate type. This has to be checked out each time / Date"ULQ 11 10"state electricity commission of victoria. kiewa hydro electric scheme. payroll office. office work. payroll machine. office equipment

Document. 60 documents pertaining to returns of wages of payroll tax. The Commissioner of Taxation for North Virginia GMC.McColl, Rankin & Stanistreetorganization, business, north virginia gmc n l, mccoll, rankin & stanistreet, north virginia gmc n l, gold mining, pay roll tax returns

Victorian Railway Memo 14.8.1954, deductions from payroll for J Badham from H.T. Gale Auditor of Expenditure. Faded paper memo.document, memo, railway, h.t. gale auditor of expenditure

Documents: Napoleon Reef Gold Mining Co Pay Roll Tax Assessment File, Loop Python Flat File containing Payroll Tax Exemption Certificates and Return of Wages Paid (Annual) from 1941 - 1950, Also a Payroll Tax Refund notification dated 3 March 1944, Markings: File Name written in ink on front cover.organization, business, industrial - mining, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, mining, gold mining, napoleon reef

Document; loop cobra binder file contains documents relating to pay roll tax - correspondence with tax dept. , certificate of exemption from furnishing monthly returns, refund of payroll tax, return of wages paid. East Clarence N.L. - pay roll tax.MCCOLL RANKIN & STANISTREETorganization, business, gold mining tax, mccoll rankin & stanistreet

NAVAL PAY AND IDENTITY BOOK ISSUED TO ALL PERSONNEL DETAILING ADMIN AND PAYROLL ISSUES RELATING TO PELL, James Leslie. Stocker mechanic No 35213. Served in Korean War 17 January 1951 to 28 August 1952 on HMAS Bataan and later HMAS Melbourne. Pay book stamped 1954Booklet- small, green in colour for cover, 29 pages yellow in colour, Naval stamp on the first inside page.Cover “S43A Part 1 Naval Pay and identity book Anyone finding this book should hand it in at a Police Station or forward to *…………………. *address of Port Division to be inserted.”pay book, identity, book

Demonstrates method of calculating pay for SEC Motormen and Conductors and how the hours were tallied.Pre-printed sheets used for motorman and conductor and management staff to calculate pays based on actual hours work with allowances, various rates etc. Form No. 571 - 700 and titled "SEC Weekly Time Sheet". Record revised and image added 31/10/2013.trams, tramways, employee time sheets, ballarat, bendigo, secv, payroll

Printed form on brown paper, titled "Work Record for Drivers or Conductors" provides the various information for crews to fill in depot, day of week, person, shifts details actual times, detention times and other information to enable the calculation of pays etc. Has notes on the bottom of the sheet regarding completing the form and Carlton Control contact details. Form No. 3/133, not formally dated.trams, tramways, conductors, depots, crews, drivers, payroll

State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. Five page typed foolscap document, stapled, outlining the organisation's constitution and functions. The specific functions mentioned include Storage, Irrigation, Drainage - Flood Protection, Town Water Supply - Trust and Urban, Sewerage, Control, Crown's Rights, 1969 Groundwater Act, River Gauging’s, Survey and Research, Finance, Overseas Work, and Payroll (3500 employees). The document is undated, though some of the statistics given are from 1969.state infrastructure, water supply, coliban system, state rivers and water supply commission. coliban system.

Forms - white original and pink copy, titled "Summary for Week ending", used to calculate the pay hours for Gripman and Conductor. Has many columns to enable the calculation. Form 801-7/19. Also has number "1B" in top left hand corner.Both copies date stamped Jul 12 1919.trams, tramways, mmtb, management, personnel, payroll, gripmen, conductors

Yields information about the servicing of the trams and SEC maintenance practices. Has a strong association with Wayne Kell.Letter, 3 A4 pages + print of original letter from the Museum to Wayne Kell. Wayne provided further information on the meeting notes. Includes notes on the Painters and Carpenters, parking of trams, tram fleet and brake adjustments, servicing of trams, Depot staff, including Stan Lakey and Dan Irvin, Bill Trussler, payment of wages, Vin Dalton, relationship with SEC Management, union relationships and closure.trams, tramways, personnel, reunions, closure, sec, operations, payroll, tramcar brakes

Instruction - two foolscap sheets - titled "Traffic Wages - Rates of Pay", listing rates the various components of the pay, including weekly and hourly rates for Tram and Bus conductors, tram drivers, bus drivers two man and bus drivers one many. Gives details of service increments and how paid hours are calculated. Sheet 1 dated 4/11/1979 and sheet 2 - 1/7/1984.trams, tramways, mmtb, mta, wages, payroll, conductors, drivers, buses

Set of two Notices - Gestener printed foolscap sheet titled Signed using a machine stamp, W. O Strangward, Secretary. .1 - dated 30/6/1920, titled "Increased wages to Employees" and "Temporary bonus to other employees" advising of the cost of living adjustment for those with an agreement and a bonus for those not under the Union agreement. .2 - dated 1/7/1920 - titled "Notice to Employees at Kew, Malvern and Hawthorn Depots" advising that the pay week will end on Sunday in lieu of Wednesday, to bring into line with other depots under the board control. Two copies held.+trams, tramways, mmtb, payroll, wages, unions, agreements, hawthorn depot, kew depot, malvern depot, pmtt, htt

Magazine, published by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Victoria "Met Lines" (Metlines) - A4, printed on white gloss paper, centre stapled with the MTA logo or symbol. Issued under the name of Kevin Shea as Chairman. Continues from Reg Item 1183 "Met Lines" - printed in an A4 version. Notes Editor as Judi Lalor and writer Sandra McLaren. Chris Astridge Major tram and bus items listed. Tramway names only listed, not railway. .1 - March 1989 - 20 pages - Track gangs, graffiti, signalling, making recruitment videos, body building at Preston Workshops. .2 - June 1989 - 16 pages - Flinders St station cover theme - 16 pages - modifications to Z class tram lights to improve visibility at stops, payroll, Wattle Park rejuvenation project, Essendon Depot Soccer team, Ian Barkla on Puffing Billy. .3 - September 1989 - 20 pages - Show grounds theme - Met Planning, Metplan, Met Plan, Jolimont Rail Yards, Mill Park Light rail extension, photo of 2004, The Met shop, 60th anniversary of Camberwell tram depot, apprentice awards, Melbourne Stamp show 1989, Wattle Park, New billiard table at Malvern, recycling of W2 trams in to mobile Tramburgers - Jim Johnstone and Greg Hart - was going to franchise 60 trams cut in half. (See also Reg Item 406 for other background - also see Jim Johnson) .4 - December 1989 - 20 pages - Christmas theme cover - "On the buses", the Met Bus workshop, details the bus maintenance, bundy clocks - where they were maintained, size of the bus fleet and major depots. Festoon lighting at Flinders St station and retirement of Howard Smith - see image i5. For next year 1990 - see Reg Item 1185.trams, tramways, the met, mta, preston workshops, tramcars, repairs, wattle park, essendon depot, metplan, camberwell depot, postage stamps, post office, malvern depot, scrapped trams, w2 class, flinders st station, bundy clock, buses, tram 2004

This bag was used by the Timekeeper at Pretty Valley camp to carry timesheets to the administration building at Bogong and later at Mt Beauty. In the early days this bag was collected by the Timekeeper who rode a horse to the camps fortnightly.SECV - Kiewa Hydro Electric SchemeBrown leather mail bag with stitched gusset. Metal and leather handle fastened at the top by two metal rings attached to a leather covered rod. A flap at the front fastened by two metal press studs. Front pocket of leather and transparent material stitched on. Internal leather strap fastened by metal press stud in the centre. "SEC MAIL" stamped on the front flap and back of bag. Written inside in ink "BAG NO.11 TIMEKEEPER - PRETTY VALLEY". secv, khes, mail bag, timekeeper, pretty valley, payroll

The ink rolls were used in an addressograph machine. The addressograph machine used plates that contained names, addresses and classifications of each State Electricity Commission of Victoria employee working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The plates were put through the machine stamped in ink onto pay envelopes. See also: KVHS 0848, KVHS 1233The State Electricity Commission of Victoria employed many people on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and used the latest technology of the time to pay each of them including providing each one with a pay slip.2 large cardboard boxes, with lids, containing 3 by 4 rows of small white cardboard boxes. Inside the small boxes is a roll of ink covered by aluminium foil. Ref. KVHS 0848 which is the Addressograph MachineOn the end of one of the large boxes "For Addressograph / Purple / 1-1 and a quarter inches" / Class 22,000" Also a white label stuck on with '583' On each of the small boxes - For Addressograph / Purple / 1-1 and a quarter inches / Class 22,000 On the end of one of the lids handwritten in ink. "SF 125.7.0"addressograph machine; payroll; state electric commission of victoria; kiewa hydro electric scheme; office work;

This metal plate machine used plates that contained names, addresses and classifications of each State Electricity Commission of Victoria employee working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The plates were put through the machine onto pay envelopes.See also: KVHS 1046, KVHS 1233The S.E.C.V. employed many people on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and used the latest technology of the time to pay each of them including providing each one with a pay slip. Metal table with the addressograph machine set into the middle section. The electric machine is belt driven and controlled by three 52 cm long metal pedals. The operator uses 5 stops, 2 knobs and 1 winder while sitting at the machine. There are 5 extra metal parts (or pieces) which belong to this machine. Ref. KVHS 1046 - Ink Rolls - Labelling Cartridges for Addressograph MachineMetal plate attached to front of machine which reads "Class 22000 Serial No. B-01547. Addressograph regd. Addressing machine. Patents Pending Made in England Addressograph Multigraph Limited London.addressograph machine. state electricity commission of victoria. kiewa hydro electric scheme. payroll. office work.

Document: McColl, Rankin & Stanistreet Collection: Central Deborah Gold Mine NL, Pink manilla folder containing pay roll tax returns, for 1941, 1943 and 1949. Written on front ' Central Deborah N.L. Pay roll tax registered No. 8748.'organization, business, central deborah gold mine, mccoll, rankin & stanistreet collection: central deborah gold mine nl, gold mining, taxation

document, McCOLL, RANKIN & STANISTREET : DEBORAH UNITED GOLD MINING Co. NL. Orange folder 'Deborah United Gold Mining Co. NL.' 'Pay Roll Tax Assesment File' 'Pay Roll Tax.' Contains Pay Roll Tax & Assessment documents 1941-1950.organization, business, deborah united gold mine nl, mccoll, rankin & stanistreet: deborah united gold mining co. nl, gold mining

Mr. Evans is CEO of Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), and he is sitting in his office at RDNS Headquarters, 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne.Mr. Evans was CEO of Royal District Nursing Service for many years and introduced computers to improve the Payroll system and the Records Department. In his years at RDNS the Service expanded into many suburbs with Centres being built, more cars required, more nurses employed and a rise in patient numbers. He was CEO when RDNS underwent its initial 'Accreditation for 3 years' in 1985. A coloured photograph of Mr. Frank Evans, who has receding dark hair, and is wearing a pale blue long sleeve shirt and a brown patterned tie. He is looking at the camera as he sits on a grey chair behind his desk, and has a pen in his right hand poised over a white sheet of paper. Other sheets of white papers cover the desk., To the left rear is a small two shelf table, with papers and a blue cellotape dispenser on the top shelf, and books and cards on the bottom shelf. On the wall above it, part of a large map can be seen. Behind Mr. Evans, and to the right of the table, is a grey multi draw cabinet with some draws partly open, and one fully open with white papers in it. Multi coloured books and folders stand vertically on the top of it, and to there right are two rows of stacked open shelving with files and papers in the individual shelves. royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns ceo, mr frank evans

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

Nar Nar Goon, a town in Gippsland, Victoria, has a rich history dating back to the mid-19th century. Originally part of the Kulin nation, the area was home to the Boon Wurrung people. The name "Nar Nar Goon" is believed to come from a Boonwurrung word referring to either the koala or the rakali. European settlement began with the establishment of the Mount Ararat pastoral run in 1844, followed by land sales in the 1850s and 1860s. Many settlers came from Ireland, particularly from the Monteagle estate in Limerick. The arrival of the railway in 1881 was a turning point, facilitating timber and agricultural industries. Several sawmills operated in the area, transporting timber via wooden tramways to the railway station. By the early 20th century, Nar Nar Goon had developed into a thriving township with a general store, hotel, butcher, baker, and garage. The town had strong Catholic roots, with a church opening in 1905. Over time, timber milling declined, and dairy farming became the dominant industry. In 2021, part of Nar Nar Goon was annexed to form the new suburb of Pakenham East. Today, Nar Nar Goon is known for its murals, historical buildings, and community spirit. It remains a small but significant town in Victoria’s history. [AI generated text]Display book containing a table of contents and various newspaper clippings and other information pertaining to the Nar Nar Goon area.non-fictionnar nar goon (vic.), nar nar goon (vic.) -- history, bernie byrne, jack egan, mark & sylvia jones, daisy lia, bill doherty, michael o'brien, joan & frank lindsay, paddy henwood, bob rose, harry james, ray coombs, jack payroll, deb bramley, nar nar goon-maryknoll cricket club, john byrne, bernie dingle, jan van steensel, len & mary bramley, kylie shanks, bill bickerton, james dore, red gem potatoes, brydie cunningham

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