"Catalogue of Improved Machinery for Preparing, Carding and Spinning Wool" - John Hetherington and Sons Limited, proprietors of Curtis, Sons and Co., c.1930.Book: "Catalogue of Improved Machinery for Preparing, Carding and Spinning Wool" - John Hetherington & Sons Limited, Manchester, c.1930.textile machinery, john hetherington and sons limited curtis, sons and co., carding, spinning machinery, scribbling, cloth - woollen, cloth - worsted

Two wooden paddles with fine mettle pins on one side, wooden handles on each paddle.wool-knitting, handwork

This drum carder was purchase by Gill Stange at the Whittlesea Show in the late 1980s. The carder allowed Gill to spin fleece from her own Merino sheep. Merino is a difficult wool to spin when compared to other popular varieties, such as Corriedale or crossbred wool. The carder helped her to tease out the fleece, slightly separating the fibres before spinning. It also allowed for easier removal of foreign matters, such as seeds and mud. Little is known about the Kacoonda brand who produced the carder. They were Australian based and appear to have only operated throughout the 1980s.The carder has one large central roller with two smaller rollers on either side. The larger roller rotates in the inverse direction of the two smaller rollers. The carding cloth is a mint green in which closely spaced wire pins are embedded. The shape, length, diameter, and spacing of these wire pins is that of a standard carder. On one side of the carder a handle is found that is used to spin the three rollers. Additionally on this side is a sticker which reads “The Kacoonda Carder. Subject to Patent Action”. A Silver grip for the easy movement of the carder can also be found high on this side. On the opposite side of the carder, many nuts and plates can be found which hold the rollers in place. This is opposed to the other side of the carder, which has a brown plastic cover plate attached underneath the handle. The walls providing a path for the carded wool to follow when being carded, are made of wood. The carder comes complete with a teasing tool. This tool has the same mint green carding cloth as the carder’s rollers. It is attached to a simple wood handle for ease of use.Wording, green, printed. Sticker on side of carder. “The Kacoonda Carder / SUBJECT TO PATENT ACTION”whittlesea show, drum carder, textile production, carding wool, kacoonda

Ertoel Wheels made a wide range of looms, chairs, drum and hand carders, and spinning and weaving accessories. Small drum carder, designed to be used on a table and operated by hand to card wool and or other fibres in preparing them for spinning or felting. This wooden carder has two cylindrical drums covered with coarse or fine metal “tines” designed to rake through and comb the natural fibre. The manufacturer's name 'Ertoel Wheels' is glued at one end"Ertoel Wheels"wool carding, drum carders, carding equipment

Sales photograph for William Tatham Ltd. of Rochdale, to showcase new Carding Machines in a newly developed textile factory. The photograph was taken in Glasgow, Scotland.A black and white photo of a room filled with working Carding Machines in a portrait format. A man is working at the end of the closest machine.On rear - top margin - Showing Card Sets in new Card Room. Bottom right corner - Commercial Artists photographers and blockmakers Scottish Studios and Engravers LTD. 196 Clyde st. Glasgow. C C.P.D 6893 Dtextile machinery, wool manufacture, carding, wool, glasgow

Manufactured by Ashford of New Zealand, probably sometime in the 1990s. Ashford would produce various wool-related machines (weavers, carders, spinning wheels, etc) as kits which the purchaser could then assemble.Mini drum carder, assembled from kit. Carder is a natural wood colour. Has a base with two sloping sides, the right side has two cogs and a handle to drive the carders. The carder rolls are a red/orange covered in steel bristles. A hand-written tag is tied to the handle.ASHFORD / MADE IN NEW ZEALANDcarding, wool

This card is the sixth in a set of 16 information cards produced by the Stamina Clothing Company re: Australian Woollen Mills as give aways. It looks the process of wool carding.Card no. 6 from the Crusader Mills information card set, c.1945-55. Verso of card no. 6 from the Crusader Mills information card set, c.1945-55.No. 6 Carding the scoured wool at the Crusader Mills.australian woollen mills pty ltd stamina clothing company, carding

These are sales photographs for William Tatham Ltd. of Rochdale. These photographs are taken in the fitting shop at William Tatham Ltd. where final assembly would have taken place. A carding machine disentangles and cleans wool fibres and then aligns the individual fibres so that they are parallel with each other.The photographed machine was made by William Tatham Ltd, a textile engineering company based in Rochdale, UK. Established in 1866 Tatham developed innovative textile machinery and send their products to Australia and other countries around the world.Two black and white photos of an Semi-Continental Card Set in a landscape format. The first photo is of the whole machine, the second is a close up of the mid section of the machine.8038.1 - Front - top margin: For description see over. Front mid right edge - Wm. TATHAM Ltd. ROCHDALE. Machine Maker Front bottom right corner - 1131 Rear - Semi-Continental Card Set arranged to receive latest pattern Automatic Feed fitted with Peralta, improved type Parallel Fiber Feed permitting of passageway between Scribbler and Carder. Four-tier Continuous Tape Condenser. 8038.2 - Front - top margin: For description see over. Front mid right edge - Wm. TATHAM Ltd. ROCHDALE. Machine Maker Front bottom right corner - 1132 Rear - Showing Peralta with hydraulic pressure to rollers and working with improved pattern Parallel Fibre Feed arranged with passage between the two main sections.textile machinery, tatham, carding machine, wool manufacture

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with five other black and white photographs showing interior and exterior views of woollen mills in the 1960's and 1970's. This photo shows the exterior of James Seymour & Co. Mills in Williamstown in 1968.Black and white photograph showing exterior views of factory buildings. A road, cars and truck are shown in the foreground.Back: [printed] PHOTOGRAPH BY DALGETY - N.Z.L. / Neg. No. .... Date 19 MAY 1970 Back: [handwritten] 3A / WP MILLS WILLIAMSTOWN. VICvictorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with five other black and white photographs showing interior and exterior views of woollen mills in the 1960's and 1970's. This photo shows the wool sorting process inside the mill in Williamstown in 1968.Black and white photograph mounted on backing card, showing interior of a factory with men sorting wool into large metal baskets.Front: [printed] Wool Sorting into Qualities and Types Back: [handwritten] 4Avictorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring, footscray, wool sorting

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with five other black and white photographs showing interior and exterior views of woollen mills in the 1960's and 1970's. This photo shows the exterior of Port Phillip Mills in Footscray in 1965.Black and white photograph showing exterior views of factory buildings. A road and cars are shown in the foreground.Back: [printed] PHOTOGRAPH BY DALGETY - N.Z.L. / Neg. No. .... Date 19 MAY 1970 Back: [handwritten] 2A / PORT PHILLIP MILLS FOOTSCRAY. VICvictorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring, footscray

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with five other black and white photographs showing interior and exterior views of woollen mills in the 1960's and 1970's. This photo shows the exterior of Port Phillip Mills in Footscray in 1965.Black and white photograph showing exterior views of factory buildings. A river and boats are shown in the foreground.Back: [printed] PHOTOGRAPH BY DALGETY - N.Z.L. / Neg. No. .... Date 19 MAY 1970 Back: [handwritten] 1A / MILLS FOOTSCRAY. VICvictorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring, footscray

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with five other black and white photographs showing interior and exterior views of woollen mills in the 1960's and 1970's. This photo shows the wool scouring process inside the mill in Williamstown in 1960.Black and white photograph mounted on backing card, showing interior of a factory with industrial wool processing machinery.Front: [printed] Wool Scouring Back: [handwritten] 6Avictorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring, footscray

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with three others taken in 1984 at the Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown. This image shows the combing and finishing process.Colour photograph showing industrial wool processing machinery during the combing and finishing process, with slivers of wool in the foreground. Two women are shown in the background operating machinery.victorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with five other black and white photographs showing interior and exterior views of woollen mills in the 1960's and 1970's. This photo shows the wool scouring process inside the mill in Williamstown in 1974.Black and white photograph showing interior of a factory with industrial wool processing machinery. A man is shown standing near machinery.Back: [printed] COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY BS / Barry M. Sutton / 80 Ferguson St., Williamstown / Telephone 937-6017 / FOR REPRINT QUOTE NO Back: [handwritten] LW33 / 5A / 22 / SCOURSvictorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring, footscray

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with seven other black and white photographs showing staff associated with the Port Phillip Mills. This photo shows senior staff A. King, Factory Manager, A. S. Webster, Senior Wool Buyer, D. H. Brown, Accountant, R. P. McDonald, Sales Manager, A. B. Oliver, Group Manager and F. E. Course, Assistant Manager, in 1965.Black and white photograph mounted on board, showing a group portrait of six men in suits.Front: [printed] R. KING / Factory Manager / A. S. WEBSTER / Senior Wool Buyer / D. H. Brown / Accountant / R. P. McDONALD / Sales Manager / A. B. OLIVER / Group Manager / F. E. COURSE / Assistant Manager Back: [handwritten] D8victorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring, footscray, wool sorting

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with seven other black and white photographs showing staff associated with the Port Phillip Mills. This photo shows a staff portrait taken in 1926.Black and white photograph showing a group of men and women seated and standing for a staff portrait against a brick wall.Back: [handwritten] 1926 / D5 / Goking(?) / Malcolm (?) / Chas Mills / Smelan(?) Burs(?) / Geoff Smith / Jack Austin / Bob Walker / Jed (?) Van(?) / Hammond (?)victorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring, footscray, wool sorting

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with seven other black and white photographs showing staff associated with the Port Phillip Mills. This photo shows a staff portrait taken in 1923.Black and white photograph showing a group of men and women seated and standing for a staff portrait against a brick wall.Back: [handwritten] D4victorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring, footscray, wool sorting

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with seven other black and white photographs showing staff associated with the Port Phillip Mills. This photo shows a portrait of S. S. Nevile O. B. E., Managing Director, Port Phillip Mills, 1956-1979.Black and white photograph showing a man holding a microphone.Back: [handwritten] D6victorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring, footscray, wool sorting

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with seven other black and white photographs showing staff associated with the Port Phillip Mills. This photo shows a portrait of R. B. Vaughan, Chairman, Dalgety Australia Holdings Limited.Black and white photograph showing a man holding a microphone.Back: [handwritten] D2victorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring, footscray, wool sorting, dalgety

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with seven other black and white photographs showing staff associated with the Port Phillip Mills. This photo shows a portrait of F. Nunami, President of Nippon Keori Kaisha Ltd, 1981.Black and white photograph showing a man holding a microphone.Back: [handwritten] D3victorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring, footscray, wool sorting

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with seven other black and white photographs showing staff associated with the Port Phillip Mills. This photo shows W. H. Hollow, Secretary, Port Phillip Mills, 1946-1962.Black and white photograph mounted on board, showing a portrait of a man in a suit and hat.Back: [handwritten] W. H. Hollows / 1962/63 / D7victorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring, footscray, wool sorting

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with seven other black and white photographs showing staff associated with the Port Phillip Mills. This photo shows W. G. Stanley, Managing Director, Port Phillip Mills, 1932-1955, seated at his desk.Black and white photograph mounted on board, showing a man in a white coat seated at a desk holding a telephone receiver.victorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring, footscray, wool sorting

Part of a collection of photographs previously housed at Victorian Wool Processors (VWP), who were the last early stage wool processing company in Melbourne, and the second last in Victoria. The photographs were collected from other companies as they closed, and were donated to the museum by David Ritchie who was the General Manager at VWP. Victoria Wool Processors (Aust) Pty Ltd was founded by Jim Kim in 1983 as a dedicated international wool trading firm. Seeking greater quality control, the company opened its first physical processing plant in Melbourne in 1990 before scaling up to a state-of-the-art, 24-hour carbonising and scouring facility at Laverton North in 2002. For decades, it stood as one of the largest early-stage wool processing operations in the Southern Hemisphere, known for incorporating modern water-recycling and waste-management infrastructure. However, a severe domestic energy crisis and soaring natural gas prices forced the permanent closure of its manufacturing plant in December 2024, culminating in the company's official corporate liquidation in April 2026. This photo was previously in a frame with three others taken in 1984 at the Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown. This image shows the wool scouring process.Colour photograph showing industrial wool processing machinery from a high angle during the wool scouring process. Two men are shown stading beside the machinery.victorian wool processors, early wool processing, textile industry, jim kim, topmaking, port phillip topmaking pty ltd, williamstown, pressing, carding, combing, wool scouring

Made by Ashford in New Zealand, possibly in the 1990s. Ashford would make and sell various wool-related machines (carders, weavers, spinning wheels, etc) as kits which the purchaser would then assemble.Small drum carder, natural wood colour. Rectangular base with two sides, the right side has a handle with which to rotate the carding rolls. The left side has four cogs (one large, three small) joined with a green rubber band. There are two carding rolls, one large, one small, both are an orange/red colour and covered in steel.wire bristles. There is a hand-written tag tied to the handle.ASHFORD/ MADE IN NEW ZEALANDwool, carding

After scouring, the wool fibres are still tangled together. Carding untangles the fibres by brushing and straightening. The wool moves through a series of wire brush rollers that revolve at different speeds and in different directions to tease apart the wool. The fibres emerge from the machine as a continuous filmy web - called a sliver. The sliver must be thinned and divided into strands before the next process. Carding machines constantly require tuning. A highly skilled technician maintained and adjusted the speed of the rollers on the machine. This machine was developed by the CSIRO in the 1960s as a small-scale experimental machine. Industrial carding machines were four times the size of this one. Gold plaque on display with machine until 2018 read: G.H. Mitchell & Son, Adelaide have celebrated 125 Years of involvement with the Australian Wool Processing Industry by contributing the funds necessary to restore The Carding Machine, Noble Comb & The Gill Box. Also another gold plaque read: Experimental Carding Machine donated to The National Wool Museum by C.S.I.R.O Ryde has been rebuilt by Nick Sokolov of Comb Research & Development with the help of Bernard Tolan.Carder with small roller missing at coiling end. Driven by three horse power motor. Wooden slated feed table synchronised to overall gearing.carding machine, machines, wool industry, manufacturing, wool processing

Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Salesman's Wool sample card containing samples of wool at different stages of processingJohn Taylor/With Compliments from Onkaparinga/Woollen Co.Ltd/Adelaide, Sth Aust. Mills Lobethal and Thebarton, S.A/Always insist on Onkaparinga Rugs.Blankets.Worsteds.Melanges.Woollens and Flannelswool, blanket fever, advertisement, onkaparinga, sample