This photograph captures the rotunda at A'Vard Picnic Ground in Emerald (where Avard Road meets Menzies Creek). The A'Vard Park area was previously a mining camp for prospectors on the Menzies Creek in the 1890s, with signs of mining said to be visible near the picnic ground. The area was transformed into a picnic ground in the intervening years, and in 1914 Jim Stuart built this rotunda, allegedly for brass bands. Vandals eventually destroyed the original rotunda, but in 1996-7 a replica was built by John Currie and opened by George A'Vard under the direction of Gus Ryberg, the park curator. This photograph is said to have been taken by George W. A'Vard (1890-1966) and donated by George A. A'Vard (1914-2007).A'Vard Park was a significant gathering and recreation space for the local community in the early 20th century. The community considered this rotunda significant enough to be reconstructed in the 1990s, indicating its importance.This item is a relatively large black and white photograph of a covered rotunda. The rotunda stands in the middle of the frame on open, flat ground with occasional sticks and stones. The background shows trees rising behind a wooden fence. Two men sit under the rotunda, their features obscured by shadow; one is sitting on the wall of the rotunda, while the other leans on it. Both are leaning on the posts supporting the roof. The reverse features handwritten annotation in both pencil and blue pen, including information and an accession number. "Rotunda A'Vard Park Emerald 1913-1914 P294 / Jim Stuart Built / 28 x 17"a'vard family, a'vard picnic ground, jim stuart, george a'vard, 1910s, emerald

This hook was used by George and Noel A'Vard on their farm from the 1940s to lift bags of potatoes, chaff, and animal food. Sack or bag hooks were designed to make carrying these heavy bags far easier. The pointed end was sharp enough to pierce a woven bag and the handle was designed to fit ergonomically into the palm of a farmer's hand. This saved them from having to bend to pick the bags up or strain their fingers by gripping the necks of many bags over the course of a long and laborious day. Many sack hooks had a wooden handle which was attached to the shank later in the construction process, but the A'Vard family's hook is made from one continuous piece of iron, likely shaped with a tool by a local blacksmith in the early-mid 20th century.This hook is a prime example of the many tools farmers in Emerald and its surrounding agricultural areas used around their properties to ease the strain of manual labour. Prior to the mass mechanisation of farms, difficult tasks were done by hand, and any tool that could assist in their completion would have been greatly valued. A large, rusted iron or steel hook, tapered to a sharp point at one end. The other end of the hook's shank is wrapped into a large handle.emerald, a'vard family, 20th century, 1940s, farming

This hook was used by George and Noel A'Vard on their farm from the 1940s to hitch animal trailers or other dragged farming tools. The loop, which passes through the eye of the hook, would have once been attached to a sturdy chain and used to attach various implements for towing, dragging, or lifting heavy farming equipment or items. It may have assisted on the A'Vard fields, or in any number of tasks that were unable to be completed with only human labour.This hook is a prime example of the many tools farmers in Emerald and its surrounding agricultural areas used around their properties to ease the strain of manual labour. Prior to the mass mechanisation of farms, difficult tasks were done by hand, and any tool that could assist in their completion would have been greatly valued.A large, rusted iron hook with a blunt point on one end. An iron loop is threaded through the eye of the hook.emerald, a'vard family, 20th century, 1940s, farming

This Floating Dairy Thermometer was used on the A’Vard farm between 1930 and 1964. It is designed to enable the easy measuring of the temperature of liquids. In particular it facilitates checking whether dairy is at the right temperature for cheesemaking, churning and freezing. It was made to remain at the surface of the liquid, allowing workers to accurately take temperature readings with relative ease. Similar models of floating thermometers were used to measure the temperature of bath water in hospitals; these functioned identically but had different markers for their different use case.This was a specialised tool used historically in the local dairy farming industry.A glass vial thermometer housed in a wooden case. The glass thermometer has temperature markings visible from 20 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. There are long gaps with rounded ends on the front and rear of the wooden casing, allowing a user to see the temperature markings and labels. There is also a round hole in the front and rear of the wooden casing near the bottom, exposing the tip of the thermometer. At the top of the wooden casing is a handle, with string passed through a small hole allowing for the suspension of the thermometer from the string.Front side of glass vial, middle: "Made / in Germany" Front side of glass vial, upper: "FLOATING DAIRY THERMOMETER" Rear side of glass vial, 85 degrees: "85 Cheese" Rear side of glass vial, 62 degrees: "62 Churning" Rear side of glass vial, 32 degrees: "32 Freezing"a’vard family, farming, tools, 20th century, a’vard dairy farm, dairy

This was used by the A'vard family for sealing wine bottles. The neck of the bottle was placed under the base, the cork was placed in the centre hole, and then the wooden plunger was pushed down from the top to insert the cork into the bottle. The top of the plunger was then struck with a wooden hammer driving the cork to its final location. The cylinder is lined on the inside with metal to allow the cork to slide freely down the chamber.This was used by the A'vard family, who were early settlers in Emerald.Cylindrical shaped wooden cork press, containing an internal dowel plunger. The plunger has a brass plate at the end of it. None discerniblea'vard family, cork press