Khaki canvas 5 Litre water bladder shaped to fit in front of shirtwater bladder, sas

Off the shelf medication produced by a well known medications firm, who still exist today - De Witt.The pills and the associated instruction sheet give a view of how common ailments were dealt with in a previous era.A small pill box containing De Witts kidney & Bladder pills (3) & InstuctionsDe Witt's Kidney & Bladder Pills/These pills also act on the liver/Not genuine without this signature (Signed - E.C.De Witt)/Australia Pty. Ltd./St.kilda, Melbourne/De Witt's Kidney & Bladder pills - for weak kidneys, rheumatism, inflammation of the bladder, bachache, scalding or scanty urine, too frequent desire to urinate, gravel and all uric acid complaints. Cleanse the system. Act surely but gently on the liver/Dose - Adults take 1 pill before each meal and 2 at bedtime, with glassful of pure water. After taking these pills the urine will become a bluish or greenish colour. Do not be alarmed. Read enclosed booklet/enclosed lengthy instruction sheet

1. Disruptive pattern water bag carrier with inner clear water bladder. Fitted with sewn-on web belt loop, adjustable over the shoulder carry strap and clip lock flap. 2. Disruptive pattern water bag carrier with inner clear water bladder. Fitted with sewn-on web belt loop adjustable over the shoulder carry strap and clip lock flap. 2. “CHAPMAN F 3156762”passchendaele barracks trust, water bag, bladder

Khaki, jungle type-1 waterproof flotation bladder, black blow up rip tube in top left hand corner.“C Swatton” on back “Type-1 Bladder Flotation Jungle Purchase Order 26043. Mar 9 1943 Specification PQD No 243. Stock No 74-1-308 Philadelphia QM Depot. Inspector”military equipment - army, passchendaele barracks trust

Bladder Syringe, Bonneau's, 50cc Clear glass with rubber bulbbladder, syringe, bonneau's, 50cc, ballarat

green - bladder typeequipment, c1980, army

Possibly WWIIThere is a maroon canister, flotation bladderMake of mask is "NOMAD" and stamp on bottom of canister says No.4A WILLOW 1942 Canvas carry bag stamped V11 M.H & CO. 1942gas mask, ww2 gas mask

This floatation bladder was made for survival whilst crossing rivers and streams. The device would have been inserted into clothing and the user would have blown air into the pipe. The pipe would have been folded in half and held in place to prevent air from escaping.Tough rectangular, flat, khaki coloured fabric and rubber bag. There is a rubber pipe at the top, right corner. There is a fabric flap at the base of this pipe which holds the pipe in a bent position. There are also inscriptions on the front/centre of the bag.The following inscriptions are at the front/cente of the bag, printed in red. The very last inscriptions ('M. KNAUSS') are printed in dark purple. 'BLADDER, FLOATATION, JUNGLE' 'THE B.F. GOODRICH CO.' 'CONTRACT W669QM21639 9-30-42' 'SPECIFICATION P.Q.D. 243' 'STOCK NO. 74-B-303' 'PHILADELPHIA QUARTERMASTER DEPOT' 'INSPECTOR______M. KNAUSS_____' floatation bladder, floatation device, world war two, ww2, wwii, second world war

Items in collection of K W Peatling. Refer Cat No. 5140.2. Box 173 for service details. Water bag holds the equivalent of 3 bottles.1. Clear rubber bladder with screw neck spot for filling, with green plastic cap. 2. Camouflage, plastic pouch for water bladder, webbing straps on back with black plastic buckle, metal press stud for closure on front, 3 eyelets in bottom on pouch.1. AGM M#G Co 1971 ^ 8465 66 024-4020equipment, army, water bag

Forceps for removing bladder growths, stainless steel with screw hinge and toothed closure adjustment, manufactured by Ramsay.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Bottle brown glass with paper label marked "Kidney and Bladder Pills" Screw metal cap with label "For Safety Buy From Your Chemist"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Khaki coloured nylon material ground sheet. Envelope styled reinforced. Blow up bladder inside outer envelope. Waterproof base for bedding.ground sheet

The inhaler can be used in hospitals in the labour ward for the patient to absorb trichloroethylene. The inhaler can be mounted on the bracket which can be secured to the leg of a labour bed. The inhaler contains a wick which absorbs trichloroethylene and will function for several hours.This inhaler was used in the Tawonga District Hospital.Wooden box with corners strengthened with steel plate and lid on 2 hinges. Lid has 3 rectangular lengths of wood attached to enhance packing and a yellow piece of paper with red writing stapled on. Box contains 2 metal clamps, a light metal stand/bracket with screw and holder and a hard black plastic mask. In the other side: 2 sheets including Instructions, a small paper bag with spare washers, a light brown extendable hose with metal attachment at one end and a light brown oval rubber bladder with a hole at one end to fit over the hose. Light metal Inhaler - 3 cylinders of different diameters attached to a plate. Red markings / writing and plate incl. serial no. Yellow paper on lid explains "...packing box is supplied free with the Tecota mark 6 Inhaler..." Mask: Cyprene Ltd / Keighley /Made in England Instructions / for the preparation of / Tecota / Mark 6 / Trichloroethylene B.P. / Inhaler Bladder: A Cig Product / 4 litre / Made in England to Inhaler: Cyprane Ltd. / Max Min / Pat No 646680 / Patents Pending / Tecota Mark 6 / Charge with / Trichloroethylene B.P. / Cyprane Ltd. / Serial No. / Keighley / Yorks.medical. hospital. inhaler. trichloroethylene. childbirth.tawonga district hospital

Glass with rubber bulb, 50ccbladder, bonneau, syringe

This ellipse shaped pessary, worn anteriorly, prevented dragging on the posterior wall of the bladder, thus preventing incontinence of urine often experienced by the wearing of a larger pessary.Vulcanite pessary. Pessary consists of a loosely tear shaped flange and a stem. Upper part of pessary is enclosed, with a keyhole opening for the stem. Upper part of body tapers to a stem. Lower part of body has been cut away, leaving a heart shaped opening. The stem is attached to the body through the keyhole opening. There are multiple perforations along the stem. intrauterine device, pessary

The sphygmomanometer is an early diagnostic instrument used to measure blood pressure. Since the discovery of blood circulation in 1628, the search for accurate, convenient, simple, and non-invasive tools has led to evolving measuring devices and cuffs. Until the twentieth century, few doctors tolerated the inconvenience of blood pressure measurers and relegated the exiting tools to laboratory research. The mercury and later aneroid sphygmomanometers provided the accuracy and portability required for clinical use.The sphygmomanometer is an early diagnostic instrument used to measure blood pressure. Since the discovery of blood circulation in 1628, the search for accurate, convenient, simple, and non-invasive tools has led to evolving measuring devices and cuffs. Until the twentieth century, few doctors tolerated the inconvenience of blood pressure measurers and relegated the exiting tools to laboratory research. The mercury and later aneroid sphygmomanometers provided the accuracy and portability required for clinical use. In common daily use by nurses for clinical assessment of patients' blood pressure.metallic box and contents -The sphygmomanometer is enclosed in the beige metal container. There is a click opening button on the exterior inferior end. The lid lifts via an internal hinge on the superior end to reveal a glass cartridge tube calibrated to 300 millimetres of mercury. The case and meter were manufactured in Germany (according to original museum catalogue worksheet) and identified as the “Mercurius Miniatur Modell.” The dark green rubber bulb and of tubing are in good condition. The black cotton fabric cuff shows signs of wear and is frayed at the bladder insertion opening. According to the company insignia on the bladder, it was manufactured by ACCOSON in England. superior lid - silver metal plaque in centre, engraved P.T.S., right corner of lid - white sticky label - black ink 176-01, manufacturers stamp inside lid - SPHYGMOMANOMETER/Mercurius/MINIATUR MODELL/Made in Germany, serial number 342308, on base of box, white paint - 176-01sphygmomanometer, medical instrument, blood pressure, alfred hospital nurses league, student nurse training alfred hospital

This lithotrite was donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village by the family of Doctor William Roy Angus, Surgeon and Oculist. It is part of the “W.R. Angus Collection” that includes historical medical equipment, surgical instruments and material once belonging to Dr Edward Ryan and Dr Thomas Francis Ryan, (both of Nhill, Victoria) as well as Dr Angus’ own belongings. The Collection’s history spans the medical practices of the two Doctors Ryan, from 1885-1926 plus that of Dr Angus, up until 1969. Surgeons used a lithotrite to crush and remove bladder stones a common ailment in earlier days. It was inserted into the bladder via the urethra. The knobs on the instrument would be manipulated to open up jaws at the other end of it. The lithotrite probably dates from around 1860-1880. The manufacturer's mark CHARRIERE is named after Mr Joseph-Frederic Charriere (1903-1876), a famous Swiss born inventor and maker of surgical instruments. In 1830 he founded a company in France to manufacture surgical instruments. He fame includes inventing and developing hypodermic needles and catheters, and creating the French Catheter Scale, a universal system for sizing catheters and urological instruments, often referred to now as the "French" unit of measurement. ABOUT THE “W.R.ANGUS COLLECTION” Doctor William Roy Angus M.B., B.S., Adel., 1923, F.R.C.S. Edin.,1928 (also known as Dr Roy Angus) was born in Murrumbeena, Victoria in 1901 and lived until 1970. He qualified as a doctor in 1923 at University of Adelaide, was Resident Medical Officer at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 1924 and for a period was house surgeon to Sir (then Mr.) Henry Simpson Newland. Dr Angus was briefly an Assistant to Dr Riddell of Kapunda, then commenced private practice at Curramulka, Yorke Peninsula, SA, where he was physician, surgeon and chemist. In 1926, he was appointed as new Medical Assistant to Dr Thomas Francis Ryan (T.F. Ryan, or Tom), in Nhill, Victoria, where his experiences included radiology and pharmacy. In 1927 he was Acting House Surgeon in Dr Tom Ryan’s absence. Dr Angus had become engaged to Gladys Forsyth and they decided he further his studies overseas in the UK in 1927. He studied at London University College Hospital and at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and in 1928, was awarded FRCS (Fellow from the Royal College of Surgeons), Edinburgh. He worked his passage back to Australia as a Ship’s Surgeon on the on the Australian Commonwealth Line’s T.S.S. Largs Bay. Dr Angus married Gladys in 1929, in Ballarat. (They went on to have one son (Graham 1932, born in SA) and two daughters (Helen (died 12/07/1996) and Berenice (Berry), both born at Mira, Nhill ) According to Berry, her mother Gladys made a lot of their clothes. She was very talented and did some lovely embroidery including lingerie for her trousseau and beautifully handmade baby clothes. Dr Angus was a ‘flying doctor’ for the A.I.M. (Australian Inland Ministry) Aerial Medical Service in 1928 . Its first station was in the remote town of Oodnadatta, where Dr Angus was stationed. He was locum tenens there on North-South Railway at 21 Mile Camp. He took up this ‘flying doctor’ position in response to a call from Dr John Flynn; the organisation was later known as the Flying Doctor Service, then the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A lot of his work during this time involved dental surgery also. Between 1928-1932 he was surgeon at the Curramulka Hospital, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. In 1933 Dr Angus returned to Nhill and purchased a share of the Nelson Street practice and Mira hospital (a 2 bed ward at the Nelson Street Practice) from Dr Les Middleton one of the Middleton Brothers, the current owners of what previously once Dr Tom Ryan’s practice. Dr Tom and his brother had worked as surgeons included eye surgery. Dr Tom Ryan performed many of his operations in the Mira private hospital on his premises. He had been House Surgeon at the Nhill Hospital 1902-1926. Dr Tom Ryan had one of the only two pieces of radiology equipment in Victoria during his practicing years – The Royal Melbourne Hospital had the other one. Over the years Dr Tom Ryan had gradually set up what was effectively a training school for country general-practitioner-surgeons. Each patient was carefully examined, including using the X-ray machine, and any surgery was discussed and planned with Dr Ryan’s assistants several days in advance. Dr Angus gained experience in using the X-ray machine there during his time as assistant to Dr Ryan. When Dr Angus bought into the Nelson Street premises in Nhill he was also appointed as the Nhill Hospital’s Honorary House Surgeon 1933-1938. His practitioner’s plate from his Nhill surgery is now mounted on the doorway to the Port Medical Office at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool. When Dr Angus took up practice in the Dr Edward and Dr Tom Ryan’s old premises he obtained their extensive collection of historical medical equipment and materials spanning 1884-1926. A large part of this collection is now on display at the Port Medical Office at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in Warrnambool. In 1939 Dr Angus and his family moved to Warrnambool where he purchased “Birchwood,” the 1852 home and medical practice of Dr John Hunter Henderson, at 214 Koroit Street. (This property was sold in1965 to the State Government and is now the site of the Warrnambool Police Station. and an ALDI sore is on the land that was once their tennis court). The Angus family was able to afford gardeners, cooks and maids; their home was a popular place for visiting dignitaries to stay whilst visiting Warrnambool. Dr Angus had his own silk worm farm at home in a Mulberry tree. His young daughter used his centrifuge for spinning the silk. Dr Angus was appointed on a part-time basis as Port Medical Officer (Health Officer) in Warrnambool and held this position until the 1940’s when the government no longer required the service of a Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool; he was thus Warrnambool’s last serving Port Medical Officer. (Masters of immigrant ships arriving in port reported incidents of diseases, illness and death and the Port Medical Officer made a decision on whether the ship required Quarantine and for how long, in this way preventing contagious illness from spreading from new immigrants to the residents already in the colony.) Dr Angus was a member of the Australian Medical Association, for 35 years and surgeon at the Warrnambool Base Hospital 1939-1942, He served with the Australian Department of Defence as a Surgeon Captain during WWII 1942-45, in Ballarat, Victoria, and in Bonegilla, N.S.W., completing his service just before the end of the war due to suffering from a heart attack. During his convalescence he carved an intricate and ‘most artistic’ chess set from the material that dentures were made from. He then studied ophthalmology at the Royal Melbourne Eye and Ear Hospital and created cosmetically superior artificial eyes by pioneering using the intrascleral cartilage. Angus received accolades from the Ophthalmological Society of Australasia for this work. He returned to Warrnambool to commence practice as an ophthalmologist, pioneering in artificial eye improvements. He was Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist to Warrnambool Base Hospital for 31 years. He made monthly visits to Portland as a visiting surgeon, to perform eye surgery. He represented the Victorian South-West subdivision of the Australian Medical Association as its secretary between 1949 and 1956 and as chairman from 1956 to 1958. In 1968 Dr Angus was elected member of Spain’s Barraquer Institute of Barcelona after his research work in Intrasclearal cartilage grafting, becoming one of the few Australian ophthalmologists to receive this honour, and in the following year presented his final paper on Living Intrasclearal Cartilage Implants at the Inaugural Meeting of the Australian College of Ophthalmologists in Melbourne In his personal life Dr Angus was a Presbyterian and treated Sunday as a Sabbath, a day of rest. He would visit 3 or 4 country patients on a Sunday, taking his children along ‘for the ride’ and to visit with him. Sunday evenings he would play the pianola and sing Scottish songs to his family. One of Dr Angus’ patients was Margaret MacKenzie, author of a book on local shipwrecks that she’d seen as an eye witness from the late 1880’s in Peterborough, Victoria. In the early 1950’s Dr Angus, painted a picture of a shipwreck for the cover jacket of Margaret’s book, Shipwrecks and More Shipwrecks. She was blind in later life and her daughter wrote the actual book for her. Dr Angus and his wife Gladys were very involved in Warrnambool’s society with a strong interest in civic affairs. He had an interest in people and the community They were both involved in the creation of Flagstaff Hill, including the layout of the gardens. After his death (28th March 1970) his family requested his practitioner’s plate, medical instruments and some personal belongings be displayed in the Port Medical Office surgery at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, and be called the “W. R. Angus Collection”. The W.R. Angus Collection is significant for still being located at the site it is connected with, Doctor Angus being the last Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool. The collection of medical instruments and other equipment is culturally significant, being an historical example of medicine, administration, household equipment and clothing from late 19th to mid-20th century. Dr Angus assisted Dr Tom Ryan, a pioneer in the use of X-rays and in ocular surgery. Surgical instrument, lithotrite, for bladder stone surgery; part of the W.R. Angus Collection. Stainless steel length, curved forcep end with holes on underside, knobs and round screws on top, top end has wheel with groove. Scale stamped on side "30 24 20 15 10 5" Manufactured by Charriere, Paris, circa 1860-1880.Impressed with "CHARRIERE 1 A. PARIS" and scale impressed on side"30 24 20 15 10 5"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, dr w r angus, dr ryan, surgical instrument, t.s.s. largs bay, warrnambool base hospital, nhill base hospital, mira hospital, flying doctor, medical treatment, urethral examination, urethral surgery, urethral forceps, charrifaf 1 a. paris

4220-66-022-0897

This bottle was found in the pine plantation in Orbost. De Witt’s Kidney and Bladder Pills were intended to ease backache, aches and pains in the muscles, and kidney problems. They are typical of a huge range of treatments that were available ‘over the counter’ at pharmacists for many years.This item reflects the changes and development in public health and medicine over the last century.An empty rectangular clear glass bottle that contained De Witts Pills. On bottom - DE WITTde-witt bottle medical health

Diamond Creek Bini Shell Community venue Built in 1979 in Diamond Creek opposite the hotel using a construction method invented by Dante Bini. A net of flexible steel rods were laid on the building’s circular base, on the top of a fabric bladder. Concrete was poured onto the mesh and a sealed cover laid over the concrete making a sandwich of cover, bladder and mesh. Compressed air was pumped into the bladder and the sandwich slowly began to rise and become a massive self-supporting dome. The inflation of the dome attracted crowds of onlookers many from various technical schools, VIPs and the famous football doctor, Donald Cordner. An opening night dinner was held to celebrate the construction and the Diamond Creek Bini Shell was used as a community venue for over ten years including for the Town Fair. The Shell was closed for safety reasons after a Bini Shell in another State had chunks of concrete fall off the dome due to a construction fault. At the Diamond Creek Town Fair in 1991 the demolition of the Bini Shell was an item on the Town Fair’s program. Information: Kevin Patterson, Nillumbik Historical Societybini shell, diamond creek community centre, nu-color-vue, postcard

Mannequin of SAS soldier fitted out for patrol wearing - US Army camo uniform, replica armalite rifle, replica 40mm grenade launcher, spare 40mm replica grenades, ammo pouches, water bladder on chest, M26 grenade, compass pouch, smoke cannister, bayonet, water bottles, , backpack with rations, sleeping gear, sweat rag on head, GP boots.sas, sas soldier, mannequin

Early water carrying bladder A number of accidents with these rubber tanks occurred on the fireline, particularly on tracks with steep side grades. The movement of the water sloshing and accumulating on the lower tank wall created an imbalance in the vehicle. The frayed anchor ropes, under strain due to constant rubbing on the high side wall of the vehicle, would snap, and the whole assembly of tank, pump and hose would break away from the vehicle and bounce down through the bushLarge rubber bag which held 80 gallons of water. Developed in the 1960s. It was strapped down in the back tray of Utes and attached to a small fire pump with a control valve. It was filled by a top tube that was clamped closed. It wallowed badly when the vehicle was moving, hence the common name of "Pig". When the bag was full it made driving dangerousDunlopforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump

De Witt's Kidney and Bladder Pills were produced by a firm founded in 1912 by E C De Witt, Cheshire UK, with branches in New Zealand, Chicago and New York. It became part of the CB Fleet Group in 1990, whose UK operation is currently based in Runcorn, Cheshire where they still manufacture toiletries, skin care products and pharmaceutical products. Aimed at adults and children above the age of eight, De Witt’s Kidney and Bladder Pills were intended to ease backache, aches and pains in the muscles, and kidney problems. They are typical of a huge range of treatments that were available ‘over the counter’ at pharmacists for many years. It is not known how effective the pills were but the label assures people not to be alarmed if their urine takes on a bluish colour after taking a dose. The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: A diuretic stimulant for the kidneys to promote the flow of urine, combined with analgesic action. Aids in alleviating muscular aches and pains, restlessness, dizziness, backache, headache, getting up at nights, loss of energy if caused by sluggish kidneys. An empty clear glass bottle with a metal screw top lid that contained De Witts Pills Front Label : NEW / DE WITT'S PILLS / rising sun trade mark / Relieve the pain of Rheumatism / Backache, Fibrositis, Sciatica / DIRECTIONS ......../ R.C.De Witt & Co (Aust) Pty Ltd. / St. Kilda Melbournepharmacy, medicines, glassware, bottles, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, de witt company ltd, cheshire england, cb fleet group ltd, glass manufacturers

This is the 'old' style of Gelhorn pessary, which is similar in appearance to the Matthews-Duncan disc and stem and the Simpson's shelf gutta-percha. "This type of pessary was used in cases of complete procidenture... thus preventing dragging on the posterior wall of the bladder and the associated incontinence of which most patients complained. When wearing a large pessary with a small pessary, the uterus often came down beside the pessary." (Dr. A.J.Helm-Montigue, Down Bros Ltd. Surgical Instruments and Appliances, p. 1038.Black vulcanite pessary . Consists of a rigid short think stem with bulb at the distal end, and a solid flange at the proximal end.intrauterine device, pessary

Educational teaching chart used at the Northern District School of Nursing, Rowan Street, Bendigo. The Northern District School of Nursing opened in 1950 in to address the issues around nurse recruitment, training and education that had previously been hospital based. The residential school was to provide theoretical and in-house education and practical training over three years. The students would also receive practical hands-on training in the wards of associated hospitals. The Northern District School of Nursing operated from Lister House, Rowan Street, Bendigo. It was the first independent school of nursing in Victoria and continued until it closed in 1989. Coloured educational chart of the Male Pelvis. sagittal section. Off white paper with clear plastic cover, wooden header and footer. Printed at the top of the poster - Male pelvis, sagittal section Underneath there is a coloured numbered diagram with a label underneath - CROSS-SECTION THROUGH THE PENIS. Below that there are names of parts of the diagram numbered 1 to 14. In the lower corners there are two smaller numbered black and white diagrams labeled DIAGRAMMATIC LONGITUDINAL SECTION THROUGH THE MALE PELVIS AND SEXUAL ORGANS and UNINARY BLADDER WITH SEMINAL DUCT, VIEWED FROM THE REAR. Printed on the rear of the chart - MALE PELVIS . northern district school of nursing, lister house, nurse training, educational chart, male pelvis sagittal section

This is one of a collection of items associated with Dr Felix Henry Meyer (1858-1937). Meyer was a very prominent early obstetrician and doctor, playing a part in the establishment of the role of the chair of obstetrics at the University of Melbourne in 1929. He was also a foundation member of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.Metal bladder irrigator. Resembles a shallow 's' in shape, with the ends of the instrument pointing in opposite directions. One end of the irrigator has a small nozzle for attaching a plastic tube. There are two small round attachments near the nozzle end of the device which function as grips. The opposite end is covered with a protective metal sheath, which unscrews from the main body to expose a thin hollow metal tube beneath. The metal sheath has a cut out along one side just below the tip, and a second circular cut out on one side of the lower end. Sheath is engraved with the number '44'. obstetrics, gynaecology

In 1978 Diamond Valley Shire recognised the need for a new public hall in Diamond Creek. Council considered the Bini shell form of construction which was in operation overseas and in use in New South Wales as libraries, gymnasiums, sports centres and multi-purpose centres. The Council gave the go-ahead. A site was chosen opposite the Hotel and close to the railway line. One day in - the following year, in 1979, activity stood still in Diamond Creek as school children and other excited spectators watched the one-hour inflation of the Bini Shell. This unusual method of construction was invented by Italian industrial designer and architect Dante Bini. The construction pneumatically raises a level of reinforced concrete from ground level which has not been set, using an internal balloon. The inner membrane inflates and compresses the mesh and concrete against the outer membrane. A net of flexible steel rods was laid on the building’s circular base, on the top of a fabric bladder. 300 tonnes of reinforced concrete were poured onto the mesh and a sealed cover laid over the concrete making a sandwich of cover, bladder and mesh. Compressed air was pumped into the bladder and the sandwich slowly began to rise and become a massive self-supporting dome. After inflation and removal of the outer membrane workmen filled in any holes. It was some days before pneumatic drills pecked out the first opening. The ceiling of the concrete dome was lined with fluffy insulating material. The dome was 36 metres in diameter at the base and 12 metres high in the centre with a usable floor space of 670 square metres. An opening night dinner was held to celebrate the new facility on March 12, 1980. Shire President Ron Pata made a speech and unveiled a plaque. It was the first public building in Victoria to be erected using the Bini Shell design method of construction The facility could cater for up to 400 people and in 1980 a fee for use was $100 for up to 200 people, $150 for up to 300 people and $200 for up to 400 people. For the next ten years or so, locals attended the hall for marital arts classes, basketball and netball games and school discoes and various other activities. After pieces of concrete fell off a Bini shell interstate due to a construction fault, the Council closed the centre. Demotion took place during the Diamond Creek Town Fair in 1991, as part of the annual Town Fair’s program. Research by L.P. Jan 2022This was the first public building in Victoria to be erected using the Bini Shell design method of construction.Colour photograph1991, diamond creek, bini shell, demolition, oval

In 1978 Diamond Valley Shire recognised the need for a new public hall in Diamond Creek. Council considered the Bini shell form of construction which was in operation overseas and in use in New South Wales as libraries, gymnasiums, sports centres and multi-purpose centres. The Council gave the go-ahead. A site was chosen opposite the Hotel and close to the railway line. One day in - the following year, in 1979, activity stood still in Diamond Creek as school children and other excited spectators watched the one-hour inflation of the Bini Shell. This unusual method of construction was invented by Italian industrial designer and architect Dante Bini. The construction pneumatically raises a level of reinforced concrete from ground level which has not been set, using an internal balloon. The inner membrane inflates and compresses the mesh and concrete against the outer membrane. A net of flexible steel rods was laid on the building’s circular base, on the top of a fabric bladder. 300 tonnes of reinforced concrete were poured onto the mesh and a sealed cover laid over the concrete making a sandwich of cover, bladder and mesh. Compressed air was pumped into the bladder and the sandwich slowly began to rise and become a massive self-supporting dome. After inflation and removal of the outer membrane workmen filled in any holes. It was some days before pneumatic drills pecked out the first opening. The ceiling of the concrete dome was lined with fluffy insulating material. The dome was 36 metres in diameter at the base and 12 metres high in the centre with a usable floor space of 670 square metres. An opening night dinner was held to celebrate the new facility on March 12, 1980. Shire President Ron Pata made a speech and unveiled a plaque. It was the first public building in Victoria to be erected using the Bini Shell design method of construction The facility could cater for up to 400 people and in 1980 a fee for use was $100 for up to 200 people, $150 for up to 300 people and $200 for up to 400 people. For the next ten years or so, locals attended the hall for marital arts classes, basketball and netball games and school discoes and various other activities. After pieces of concrete fell off a Bini shell interstate due to a construction fault, the Council closed the centre. Demotion took place during the Diamond Creek Town Fair in 1991, as part of the annual Town Fair’s program. Research by LP January 2022This was the first public building in Victoria to be erected using the Bini Shell design method of construction.Digital copy of colour photographfred mitchell collection, 1983, bini shell, diamond creek