artist, architectural drawings, margaret picken, camberwell, housesartist, architectural drawings, margaret picken, camberwell, houses

This photograph was taken of an avenuw of acacias on Sydney Rd, Beechworth. Picture on the left hand-side is a row of Liquidamber trees also known as American storax, hazel pine, bilsted, redgum, satin-walnut, star-leaved gum, alligatorwood, or simply sweetgum. On the right is a row of English Oak trees commonly known as common oak, pedunculate oak, or European oak. Behind the English oaks is Old Beechworth Goal. Many of the trees in the Beechworth township were planted in the 1860's and today have exceptional historical, botanical or cultural value. Their place within the built environment reflects the importance in the Victorian era of town planning for a community, wealthy in gold and civic pride.Black and white rectangular photograph. The image is printed on gloss photographic paper and mounted on cardboard. Obverse: NO INSCRIPTION Reverse: 7760 The old Acacia Avenue alongside the jail. Sydney Road Beechworth Gardens & Parks beechworth, acacia avenue, gaol, sydney road, burke museum, photograph, post card, english oak, liquidambar

12 colour photographs of plane trees, logging and acacia galls. Logging photograph dated 23.10.1998.trees, logging, plane tree, acacia, galls, street trees

Black and white photograph"Written on back of photograph" Mullum Mullum Creek Near Acacia St

This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historic Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. Iconography of Australian Species of Acacia and Cognate Genera Author: Baron Ferd. Von Mueller Publisher: Government Printer Date: 1888Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 5 582 MUE Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Inside front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service and the Warrnambool Public Museum warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, iconography of australian species of acacia and cognate genera, iconography of australian species of acacia, acacia, baron ferd. von mueller

Statue of airman in flying uniform holding helmet under right armRodgrove Handicrafts/ PO Box 174/ Acacia Ridge/ Qld 4110/ Phone & Fax (07) 3277 4673souvenir, uniform

Kate Hudson's highly patterned and decorative prints reflect her love of Australian birds and flowers from her immediate environment, as well as oriental art and her training in textile design. Her work is influenced by the Australian artist (printmaker) Margaret Preston and the vases depicted in her prints are based on the ceramic works of her husband Stephen Hudson. The wattle depicted is the Acacia Terminalis (Sunshine Wattle), a shrub or small tree that grows to six meters in height. It’s an Australian native commonly found in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.A reduction coloured lino print. A ceramic vase with a black and white target print at its' centre holds a bunch of Acacia Terminalis (Sunshine Wattle). The vase rests on an orange table cloth decorated in white stylised flowers. The background is light pink. Hand written in pencil: low left '8/26'; bottom centre ' Wattle and Circle Vase'; low right 'Kate Hudson' hudson, linocut print, sunshine wattle, acacia terminalis, still life, margaret preston, ceramics, textiles, orient

22 slides, 14 of the same plant and the remainder of other flowering plants. 4. Kniphophia uvaria. 5. Camellia white cv. 6. Camellia pink cv. 7. Fuchsia cultivar 'Charm Rose Purple.' 8-10 Acacia podalyriifolia. plants, flowering plants, kniphofia uvaria, camellia, fuchsia, acacia podalyriifolia, native garden, rhododendron, azalea indica, acanthus mollis, bear's breaches, grevillea, banksia spinulosa, hairpin banksia

Mulga, is an Acacia shrub or small tree native to arid outback areas of Australia. It is light, easy to carve and has strength and durability It is commonly used for turned objects or small decorative items. The wood is dark brown with yellow bands and polishes well. Traditional uses included spears, clubs and boomerangs. George Reed was a draftsman who lived in Bentleigh , City of Moorabbin in mid 20th CGeorge Reed was a draftsman who lived in Bentleigh , City of Moorabbin in mid 20th C and used this Mulga wood bowl in his officeA souvenir Mulga wood bowl with metal aeroplane on the lidearly settlers, market gardeners, wood carvers, souvenirs, mulga wood, acacia trees, boomerangs, vases, post world war 2 estates, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham,south australia, victoria,reed george, reed gladys, clark judy,

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from Friday, May 20, 2005. Softies: the Acacia softball team was all smiles in the 1960s. In the back row are: Noelene McGann, Joy Pain, Vib Kupke, Maureen Rowe, Beth Vercoe and Joy Strauch. In the front row are: Bev McNamara, Jacquie McGann, Annette Hope, Wendy Hogan and Floss McCaw.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

View of Squires land which was subdivided for housing - two parts Woodland Crest higher part off Woodland Grove and Calrossi Avenue, Briar Hill showing new roads with curb and channelling and footpaths. No date. Looking up Hyacinth Avenue, Briar Hill from Sherbourne Road. Hibiscus Avenue first on right then Acacia Court. The white house on Hibiscus Avenue still exists (No. 3)Black and white photograph printed with white bordersVerso: COO2briar hill, real estate, woodland grove, squires, roads, acacia court, hibiscus avenuse, hyacinth avenue, woodland crest estate, inge bros pty ltd

Box of 20 slides not labelled or dated. Relating to Arboriculture. Trees, machinery. One labelled Wombat Gardens. Feb-Sep.arboriculture, trees, acacias, wattles, machinery, ditch witch, street trees, wombat gardens

Ferdinand von Mueller was an examiner of botany at the Ballarat School of Mines (SMB) between 1880 and 1888. During that era he was active in donating related items to the School. When the Ballarat School of Mines Council agreed to introduce pharmacy and botany classes in 1879, it was apparent students would require access to botanical specimens in order to further their studies. Council members, who were inspired by the work of Baron Ferdinand von Mueller, authorised development of an area along the School's northern boundary, fronting Lydiard Street South, and oversaw the establishment of the new Botanical Gardens. Baron von Mueller took a practical role the development of SMB's Botanical Gardens from the beginning. He became a generous benefactor who 'donated collections of seeds and leguminous fodder plants, including valued grasses of interest and use to agriculturalists and graziers generally' to SMB over many years. Ferdinand von Mueller's entry on the University of Ballarat Honour Roll can be found at http://www.ballarat.edu.au/curator/honour-roll/honourroll_von_mueller.shtml A light brown, hardcovered book of 152 pages. Chapters include Eucalyptus Trees; Wattles or Acacias; Casuarinas or Sheoaks; Cypress Pines or Sandarac trees; Exocarpos trees of Natice Cherry trees; Mistletoes; Native Honeysuckles or Banksias; Bellflower, Lobelia and Goodenia; Heaths; Correas; Mallow; Buttercups and Clematis; Cruciferous Plants; Mints; Orchids; grasses; ferns. The book has numerous botanical line drawings, and a comprehensive index.Inside front cover "J. Clement Souter M.D."victorian, schools, botany, ferdinand von mueller, von mueller, botanic illustrations, j. clement souter

Large photograph of a group of 10 females holding exercise books standing in front of a large Acacia tree.Stamped, "Copyright 'The Age'." Handwritten note attached, "Peter (Esdale) I came across this old file which came from closure of "V.C.A.H. House" at East Melb. Photo should be of interest." Signature unclear, dated 3 February 1999, requests to various people to identify including The Age. Unsuccessful.exercise books, acacia, peter esdale, vcah

Six books Iconography of Australian Species of Acacia and Cognate Genera by Ferdinand Von Mueller. All books feature beautiful black and white botanical line images. .1) Fourth Decade, published 1887 .2) Fifth Decade, published 1887 .3) Eight Decade, published 1887 .4) Ninth Decade, published 1888 .5) Tenth Decade, published 1888 .6) Eleventh Decade, published 1888acacia, botany, ferdinand von mueller, john ferres, r. graff, c. troedel, steam litho government printing office

Yields information about the tram car fleets in both Ballarat and Bendigo following a query by letter.Photocopy of two letters from the SEC to K. (Kevin) D Stanes of 17 Acacia St Box Hill, regarding the tramcar fleets in Ballarat and Bendigo. .1 - Letter from F. K. White Manager of Mid Western Branch dated 30/5/1967 listing the single truck and double bogie cars. .2 - ditto from A. C. Sandow, Manager of Northern Branch, dated 1/6/1967 listing bogies, single truck and Birney and note the cleaner scrubber tram.trams, tramways, sec, ballarat, bendigo, tramcars

Letter, dated 24th September, 1973, to Mr P N Ellis from A B Court of the Royal Botanic Gardens and National Herbarium. In the A B Court thanks Mr Ellis for his letter and for the specimen of Acacia hakeoides. He was hoping it would turn out to be the same as the one known to him from the Moon Mines area. He had searched for this species? During the last several years but had been unable to find it. He suggest that if Mr Ellis or his associates find anything of interest in the locality it might be worthwhile forwarding a specimen for examination. Signed A B Court.communication, postal, letters, peter ellis collection, department of crown lands and survey victoria, royal botanic gardens and national herbarium, p n ellis, moon mines area, a b court

The Ballarat Scinece and Field Natualists' Club was closely associated with the Ballarat School of Mines. Two typed carbon copied letters from the Ballarat Science and Field Naturalists Club regarding wild flower exhibitions. .1) dated 1st October 1915 and signed C. A. Hoadley and H. L. Williamson (Honorary Secretaries). .2) dated 8th September 1916 and signed W. H. Collyer and H. B. Williamson (Honorary Secretaries). Letters describe the picking, packaging and delivery of flowers for the show..1) THE BALLARAT SCIENCE & FIELD NATUALISTS' CLUB 1st October, 1915 We intend holding an Exhibition fo Woldflowers on Saturday the 16th October next with a view of helping the Red Cross Fund. Thinking that in your locality there are a number of native shrubs in bloom, we appeal to you to help by sending along some bunches for show and sale. ... .2) THE BALLARAT SCIENCE AND FIELD NATUALISTS' CLUB 8th September, 1916 Dear ................................... Encourage by the interest in our Wild-floweres Show held in October last yer, and mindful of the fact that our efforts resulted in a substantial ampint being raised for the Red Cross fund, we have decided to hold another Exhibition on the 7th October next, in aid of the same Fund and the Lady Mayoress' League. May we hope for help from you in sending boxes of blooms for show and sale? It may be that you were one of our contributers last year. ... charles hoadley, c. a. hoadley, h. l. williamson, h. b. williamson, smb, ballarat school of mines, ballarat science and field naturalists club, flora, wattles, acacias, herbaceous plants, orchids, lilies

When used as a medical dressing, woven gauze is usually made of cotton. It is especially useful for dressing wounds where other fabrics might stick to the burn or laceration. Many modern medical gauzes are covered with a perforated plastic film such as Telfa or a polyblend which prevents direct contact and further minimizes wound adhesion. Also, it can be impregnated with a thick, creamy mixture of zinc oxide and calamine to promote healing, as in Unna's boot. (An Unna’s boot is a special gauze (usually 4 inches wide and 10 yards long) bandage, which can be used for the treatment of venous stasis ulcers and other venous insufficiencies of the leg. It can also be used as a supportive bandage for sprains and strains of the foot, ankle and lower leg. The gauze is impregnated with a thick, creamy mixture of zinc oxide and calamine to promote healing. It may also contain acacia, glycerin, castor oil and white petrolatum.) Gauze is also used during procedures involving accidental tooth loss; either the gauze is used to provide pressure as the tooth is moved back into its corresponding socket, or the tooth is wrapped in gauze and placed in milk or saline to keep it alive while the tooth is being transported or prepared for reinsertion. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GauzeAccess to emergency medical help in early settlement days of Victoria could take quite some time, especially in remote areas. From 1888 First Aid Kits and instructions became available for work sites, offices, community groups and individuals, helping to bridge the gap between the accident and the arrival of medical assistance. Gauze was widely used in many medical conditions.Gauze and maroon box with sliding top, purple bandage (gauze) inside. Gold rim top and bottom. None.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, first aid bandages, dressings, medical

When used as a medical dressing, woven gauze is usually made of cotton. It is especially useful for dressing wounds where other fabrics might stick to the burn or laceration. Many modern medical gauzes are covered with a perforated plastic film such as Telfa or a polyblend which prevents direct contact and further minimizes wound adhesion. Also, it can be impregnated with a thick, creamy mixture of zinc oxide and calamine to promote healing, as in Unna's boot. (An Unna’s boot is a special gauze (usually 4 inches wide and 10 yards long) bandage, which can be used for the treatment of venous stasis ulcers and other venous insufficiencies of the leg. It can also be used as a supportive bandage for sprains and strains of the foot, ankle and lower leg. The gauze is impregnated with a thick, creamy mixture of zinc oxide and calamine to promote healing. It may also contain acacia, glycerin, castor oil and white petrolatum.) Gauze is also used during procedures involving accidental tooth loss; either the gauze is used to provide pressure as the tooth is moved back into its corresponding socket, or the tooth is wrapped in gauze and placed in milk or saline to keep it alive while the tooth is being transported or prepared for reinsertion. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GauzeAccess to emergency medical help in early settlement days of Victoria could take quite some time, especially in remote areas. From 1888 First Aid Kits and instructions became available for work sites, offices, community groups and individuals, helping to bridge the gap between the accident and the arrival of medical assistance. Gauze was widely used in many medical conditions.Gauze and box entitled "MASTISAC?. The Combination Bandage" Bandage is complete with instructions for use inside.Mastisac ‘The combination Bandage. A convenient and effective FIRST AID. Prepared and distributed by Flexlock products, 15 Mills Street, Albert Parkflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, first aid, bandages, dressings, medical

Pru Sanderson, in her groundbreaking ‘City of Kew Urban Conservation Study : Volume 2 - Development History’ (1988), summarised the periods of urban development and subdivisions of land in Kew. The periods that she identified included 1845-1880, 1880-1893, 1893-1921, 1921-1933, 1933-1943, and Post-War Development. These periods were selected as they represented periods of rapid growth or decline in urban development. An obvious starting point for Sanderson’s groupings involved population growth and the associated economic cycles. These cycles also highlighted urban expansion onto land that was predominantly rural, although in other cases it represented the decline and breakup of large estates. A number of the plans in the Kew Historical Society’s collection can also be found in other collections, such as those of the State Library of Victoria and the Boroondara Library Service. A number are however unique to the collection.The Kew Historical Society collection includes almost 100 subdivision plans pertaining to suburbs of the City of Melbourne. Most of these are of Kew, Kew East or Studley Park, although a smaller number are plans of Camberwell, Deepdene, Balwyn and Hawthorn. It is believed that the majority of the plans were gifted to the Society by persons connected with the real estate firm - J. R. Mathers and McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, Kew. The Plans in the collection are rarely in pristine form, being working plans on which the agent would write notes and record lots sold and the prices of these. The subdivision plans are historically significant examples of the growth of urban Melbourne from the beginning of the 20th Century up until the 1980s. A number of the plans are double-sided and often include a photograph on the reverse. A number of the latter are by noted photographers such as J.E. Barnes. In 1910, the Willsmere Park Estate Dairy was lauded in the Box Hill Reporter as ‘an object lesson in dairying’. Ten years later, in 1923, it was to be sold. The first subdivision of the Estate included 77 grand allotments with frontages to Belford and Kilby Roads, Elm and Willow Groves, and Acacia Avenue. Every lot was claimed to be ‘high and dry’, and with panoramic views of Kew and East Kew. The balance of the Estate, and the largest proportion of allotments was to be subdivided and sold from 1940. This second sale included 109 lots fronting Kilby Road and Elm and Willow Groves. Annotations on the plan indicate that the more expensive lots faced Belford Road opposite the Kew Golf Links. Two of these sold for £310. Lots further to the west in Willow Grove were sold for £60 less. Many of the houses to be built on these 109 allotments after the War faced Government restrictions on building materials and the dimensions of each house due to postwar shortages.subdivision plans - east kew, willsmere park estate

Jackie Kerin's (donor's) story. In 1973, I was in my late teens and while I’d moved to Sydney from Melbourne, to begin my first year of drama studies at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. My parents had moved to Lake Bunga, a few kilometers north of Lakes Entrance (Victoria). On my first holiday visit to Bunga, I called into the Jolly Jumbuck Country Craft Centre in Bairnsdale http://jumbukwool.com.au/history. I was entranced by the place and spent the following weeks learning to spin lumpy wool on an Ashford Wheel. By the end of the holidays, I had my own Ashford and it travelled with me back to Sydney. After graduation, I returned to Melbourne and the hippy “back to nature” movement was in full swing; there were many shops and galleries selling handmade woollen items and pottery etc. So I found an outlet for my pieces. Sometime in 1976-77, I met a spinner and weaver of Swiss origin (I think) – her name was Ingeborg Guber (not sure of the spelling). She had a small gallery/shop at Brighton Beach where she worked, with her pet duck for company. Ingeborg had an upright Philip Elford wheel; an Australian wheel crafted from Acacia melanoxylon (blackwood). I was smitten and ordered one. I have a memory of Philip driving to Hampton from Ballarat to make the delivery. I used this wheel for years but as time and enthusiasm for spinning waned, the wheel became a decorative item in the house. Then in the 90s, and with my drama training, I set myself up travelling to schools and festivals, museums and galleries as a storyteller. The spinning wheel had a new life accompanying me on my adventures. For many children, familiar with references to spinning in fairy tales, seeing the little Philip Elford upright was magical. The wheel was donated to the National Wool Museum in 2021.Vertical tripod leg spinning wheel. 6 spoke wheel with three bobbins. Inscription “Philip Elford Ballart” can be read in gold text stamped to the base of the wheel. Wording, stamped, gold. Philip / Elford / Ballartspinning wheel, textile production, hobby textiles, aciacia melanoxylon (blackwood)