Part of an advertorial for the OGilpin stores produced in 1932. The whole article is on p.14 of 'just a pocket for the money', by Muriel Perry.Framed advertising print of O.Gilpin's fleet of trucks.O.GILPIN LTD LORRY OF O.GILPIN'S CHAIN STORES

Poster gives a brief outline of the history and growth of Gilpin organization.Light Brown paper with dark brown writing and images.gilpin, drapery, ironmongery, chain stores, advertising

This figurine of the drapery store owner, Oliver Gilpin, represents the many similar figurines used within his chain stores to display hats and ties. Gilpin’s first store was in Korumburra and then expanded across regional Victoria. in 1951, the Gilpin business and chain was purchased by G.J. Coles & Co. Ltd.Heavy, painted plaster figurine of man in grey coloured three-piece business suit. Head is of larger proportion, cigar end inserted in mouth. O. GILPIN / SPECIALoliver gilpin, drapery store owner, 1895, korumburra, gippsland, figurine

Crofts Stores (a chain of grocery stores) entered this float in the City of Moorabbin centenary procession held in 1962. Crofts had several stores in the City of MoorabbinCrofts Stores was established by Archibald Crofts with a single grocers store in South Melbourne. It eventually expanded to include 137 branches throughout Victoria, trading as Crofts Stores. Several Crofts stores existed in the City of Moorabbin and the chain pioneered self-service food stores in Australia. In 1962 the City of Moorabbin celebrated its centenary, which was marked with a procession through the streetsBlack and white photograph of a float being driven down a busy street. There are five people aboard the float, three behind a counter, and two at the rear. There are small flags reading Crofts (the business name) all around the float. Signage along the long edge of the float reads 'Crofts Stores congratulates the City of Moorabbin 1962'. Signage along the front shorter side reads 'Famous for fine foods', and signage above the counter reads 'Your grocer 1962'. There are people visible on the front porch of a house in the background, watching the float pass. Cars are parked along either side of the road and are also travelling in the opposite direction to the float.Handwritten in red ink: 60%grocery, centenary, city of moorabbin

Paul Duval was an Australian company selling fairly inexpensive products although they were usually available from pharmacies and department stores rather than chain stores. They would have chosen the name Duval for it's "french" sound hoping to add to the prestige of the product. Australian manufacturers of perfumes and cosmetics tried using European sounding names to trick the local market into thinking the product was importedA small narrow rectangular bottle made of clear glass.On base - Paul Duvalbottle cosmetics perfume duval-paul

auchiehall Street /ˈsʌxihɔːl/ is one of the main shopping/business streets in the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland. Along with Buchanan Street and Argyle Street, it forms the main shopping area of Glasgow, containing the majority of Glasgow's high street and chain stores.[1] Although commonly associated with the city centre, Sauchiehall street is over 11⁄2 miles (2.5 km) long, finally meeting Argyle Street in the West End, in front of the Kelvingrove Museum, where they form Dumbarton Road which continues through Partick. The two streets run parallel through the city centre, before starting to conjoin westward of the M8 motorway at Charing Cross. (Wikipedia)Colour postcard of a street with cars, double decker buses and four storey buildings. The street is Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, Scotland.chatham-holmes family collection, glasgow, scotland, double decker bus

Moran and Cato was the largest chain of grocery stores in Australia in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century The partnership was established in Melbourne between cousins Thomas E Moran & Frederick John Cato in 1881Glass bottle squareMoran & Cato Pty.Ltdbottles

The flour bag is an example of packaging from the grocery store, Moran & Cato's. Moran & Cato's were a large chain of grocery stores operating from the late nineteenth century to the mid twentieth century across Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales. The address on the flour bag is for the warehouse (wholesale depot) of the business which was a significant building in Brunswick St, Fitzroy.The flour bag provides a snapshot of packaging for a well known grocery store of the early twentieth century. The advertisement on the back for 'Cleaned Fruits' is an example of advertising that highlighted important facts relevant to that time (e.g. "latest Special Machinery" and "with running water").Small calico flour bag for self-raising flour (7lb) supplied from Moran & Cato's in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne. The front of the bag includes not only the detail of the business but ideas for baking, images of wheat and claims as to its excellence. The back of the bag has a written advertisement for 'Cleaned Fruits' another product of the company.Front - Wheaten Flour, Moran & Cato's, Trade mark The M & C Brand Registered, 7lbs Nett, The Highest Standard of Purity and Excellence, prepared with phosphate aerator, Self-raising Flour, For making scones bread cakes puddings & pastry, Warehouse & Office- Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne Back - Moran & Cato's, Cleaned Fruits are Perfection, (advertising text), The Same High Quality, The Same Prices at all our Branches.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, calico, domestic object, textile, food storage, moran & cato's, flour bag, self-raising flour

Sydney Myer was born in Russia in 1878 and came to Australia in 1896. He was initially a travelling salesman before opening a drapery store in Bendigo in 1900. In 1908 he opened a second store in Bendigo. In 1911 he purchased Wright and Neil Drapery in Bourke Street. This led to the formation of the Myers Emporium that became the largest chain of department stores with branches in all states and territories.Myer's Invoice: Cream paper with black print. Registered Office : Pall Mall, Bendigo. Pall Mall and Williamson Street. Bendigo 3/2/198 (sic) Phone 1500, 3 lines. Bought of Myer's (Bendigo) Pty Ltd. Drapers and Outfitters. Wholesale and Retail Grocers. Ironmongery, Crockery, Glassware. Wine and Spirit Merchants Carpet and Furniture Warehouse. Sold By 14. Lamson Paragon Limited. Exd By. Purchased was: 1 Swimsuit at 17/9. Amount Tendered 170 Invoice no. 31. Purple stamp with paid on. Small tear. Box 625business, retail, myer's store, myer's bendigo

Born in goldfields (Stawell) in 1858. Began work as teacher in Victoria and then New Zealand. In July 1881, joined cousin Thomas Moran and established their chain of grocery stores. By 1935, they operated some 120 stores in Victoria and Tasmania, plus 40 in New South Wales. Died 1935. Ardent Methodist, philanthropist - gave properties to MLC Hawthorn and Elsternwick, Wesley College and other institutions.Head and shoulders studio portrait of Mr. Frederick John Cato wearing suit.moran and cato grocery stores, cato, f. j., methodist, methodist ladies' college, wesley college

Born in goldfields (Stawell) in 1858. Began work as teacher in Victoria and then New Zealand. In July 1881, joined cousin Thomas Moran and established their chain of grocery stores. By 1935, they operated some 120 stores in Victoria and Tasmania, plus 40 in New South Wales. Died 1935. Ardent Methodist, philanthropist - gave properties to MLC Hawthorn and Elsternwick, Wesley College and other institutions.Line drawing by E. Powell of Mr. Frederick John Cato from the shoulders up (reproudced in Church + Nation in 22/06/1988, page 20).Identification on rear.moran and cato grocery stores, cato, f. j., methodist, methodist ladies' college, wesley college

Moran & Cato was the largest chain of grocery stores in Australia in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The partnership was established in Melbourne on 24 July 1881 when Frederick John Cato joined his cousin Thomas Edwin Moran who ran two grocery stores in Fitzroy and Carlton. Moran died in 1890 at the age of 30 and was succeeded by his widow. The following years saw expansion into Tasmania and New South Wales and incorporation of the company in 1912. By 1935 the company was employing nearly one thousand people and had about 120 branches in Victoria. Moran & Cato had a grocery store in Nicholson Street, Orbost. Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex. This document is an example of an account from an early Orbost business. It is a useful research tool.Five paper accounts from Moran & Cato, Grocers to Robert Pullar Cameron. At the top are blue print illustrations of shop buildings. The items are typed. cameron-robert-pullar moran-&-cato-grocer accounts

Paper patterns have been used by seamstresses and home sewers throughout the 20th century and are still used today. The Simplicity Pattern Company was established in New York City in 1927 by James Shapiro and distributes patterns world-wide. Spotlight is the largest chain store in Australia selling fabrics, craft and interior decorator supplies at 100 stores throughout Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. It is currently situated in Warrnambool at 84 Raglan Parade. This dress pattern is of minor interest as coming from a local Warrnanmbool shop. It may be useful for display. This is a paper envelope containing the instructions and cut-out material for a child’s dress. There are three loose items inside the envelope. ‘Simplicity, 7009, Daisy Kingdom’ ‘No Exchange, Spotlight, Warrnambool’ spotlight store, warrnambool, sewing patterns, warrnambool

Author W M Smart, M.A., D.SC., F.R.A.S. (William Marshall Smart), (1889-1975) Regius Professor of Astronomy in the University of Glasgow, Instructor-Lieut. in the Royal Navy during World War I. and John Couch Adams Astronomer in the University of Cambridge. In 1943 he was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburg. From 1949-1951 he was President of the Royal Astronomical Society and a member of the Royal Institute of Navigation. In 1958 he was awarded the Lorimer Medal of the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh. The publisher firm, Longmans, Green & Co, was originally founded in 1724 in London by Thomas Longman under the name Longman. In August of that year, he bought the two shops and goods of William Taylor and set up his publishing house there at 39 Paternoster Row. The shops were called Black Swan and Ship, and it is said that the 'ship' sign was the inspiration for Longman's Logo. After many changes of name and management, the firm was incorporated in 1926 as Longmans, Green & Co. Pty Ltd. The firm was acquired by Pearson in 1968 and was known as Pearson Longman or Pearson PLC. The book was sold by Collins Book Depot which was founded by Frederick Henry (Harry) Slamen in 1922. In 1929 the form became a Proprietary Limited Company with an additional two stores, at 95 Elizabeth and 361 Swanston Streets, Melbourne. Collins Booksellers is still owned by the Stamen family. It is the largest Australian-owned bookselling chain.The book is significant due to its connection with navigation at sea. Its author W M Smart was a learned astronomer and an Instructor-Lieutenant for the Royal Navy during World War I. His achievements were recognised in 1958 when he was awarded the Lorimer Medal of the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh.A Handbook of Sea Navigation: The Theory & Practice of Astronomical Navigation at Sea, with diagrams and charts Author: W M Smart, M.A., D.SC., F.R.A.S. (William Marshall Smart) Publisher: Longmans, Green and Co Printer: Collins Book Depot Date: 1943 Textured green hardcover book. Inscriptions on the Fly page.Pencil: "12/6" [12 shillings 6 pence] Sticker: "G.F. Byrne / Faunce Crescent / O'Connor, A.C.T. / Australia 2001" Stamp: "COLLINS BOOK DEPOT PTY. LTD. / Technical Book Department / 361 Swanston St., Melb. G - - -"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, longmans green and co., thomas longman, paternoster row london, w m smart, william marshall smart, astronomer, navigator, professor of astronomy, 1943, g.f. byrne, collins book depot, technical book department, 361 swanston st., melbourne, frederick henry (harry) slamen, 361 swanston street melbourne, a handbook of sea navigation, maritime handbook, navigation instructiono, sea navigation

A bandage is a piece of material used either to support a medical device such as a dressing or splint, or on its own to provide support to the body; it can also be used to restrict a part of the body. G. J. Coles opened the 'Coles Variety Store' on 9 April 1914 on Smith Street in the Melbourne, Victoria suburb of Collingwood. Further expansion occurred and Coles' interest in food retailing was spurred in 1958 when it acquired 54 John Connell Dickins grocery stores. It then acquired the Beilby's chain in South Australia in 1959 and 265 Matthews Thompson grocery stores in New South Wales in 1960 .In 1960, the first supermarket was opened in the Melbourne suburb Balwyn North, at the corner of Burke and Doncaster Roads where a modernised version continues to operate. By 1973, Coles had established stores in all Australian capital cities. From 1962, its supermarkets were branded Coles New World with accompanying rocket imagery. In 1991, the stores were re-branded Coles Supermarkets and from 1998, simply as Coles. George James (G. J.) Coles learned the retail trade working for his father's 'Coles Store' business from 1910 to 1913. The store continued operating as "The Original Coles" at Wilmot, Tasmania until it was destroyed by a fire on 24 January 2014. An unused, 1 inch ( 2.5cm ) x 6 yards ( 2metres) cotton, ‘open wove’ bandage in a cellophane wrapper sold by G.J. Coles Pty Ltd Variety StoresCellophane wrapper top: WHITE OPEN WOVE / BANDAGE / 1 X 6 YDS. / SPECIAL QUALITY / G.J.COLES * pharmacy, medicines, bandages, wounds, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, cotton, gauze, coles g j pty ltd., variety stores, supermarkets, smith street collingwood, retailers, shops

The design of this small disc is from the Australian Colonial period. The cedar wood desk was made in Australian by Foy & Gibson in the 1880s, most probably in the business’s works in Collingwood, Victoria. The heavy brass locks fitted into the desk drawers were made by the famous Hobbs & Co of London, mid-late 19th century. In 1860 the business changed hands but the locks were still branded Hobbs & Co. The desk is branded with the symbol of Victoria’s Public Works Department. There is currently no information on when, where and by whom this desk was used. However, a very similar desk with Hobbs & Co. locks is on site at the Point Hicks Lightstation in Victoria and was formerly used by the Point Hicks head light keeper there. Other light stations also have similar desks from the P.W.D. (see also ‘Desk, Parks Victoria – Point Hicks Lightstation, Victorian Collections’.) HOBBS & CO., LONDON Alfred Charles Hobbs, 1812-1891, was American born. He became an executive salesman in 1840 for renowned lock manufacturer Day & Newell. His technique of exposing the weaknesses of people’s current locks was very successful in generating sales. He represented Day & Newell at London’s Great Exhibition of 1851, competing with other lock makers. Through the Exhibition he became famous for picking the best trusted Bramah and Chubb locks. Hobbs’ fame led him to found his own company in 1851 then register it in 1852 as Hobbs & Co., London. Hobbs was awarded the Telford Medal by the British Institution of Civil Engineers in 1854 for his paper 'On the Principles and Construction of Locks'. In 1855 the very successful company added partners and became Hobbs, Ashley and Co. In 1860, it traded under the name of Hobbs, Hart & Co. and was based in Cheapside London, where the business remained. Hobbs then returned to America, having sold the complete company to John Mathias Hart. He briefly returned to attend the 21st anniversary celebrations of the successful business in 1872. Hobbs kept himself busy in America, inventing and manufacturing firearm ammunition, for which he held several patents. He passed away there in 1891, a month after his 70th birthday. FOY & GIBSON Mark Foy wan an Irish draper who migrated to Bendigo, Victoria in 1858, attracted by the gold rush. He lived and worked in the area, establishing a drapery business. In the 1870s he moved to Melbourne where there were better prospects for expansion. He chose a place in Smith Street, Collingwood, a suburb of Melbourne, and started his business at the rear. In 1883 Foy retired, bringing in William Gibson as a partner, and then transferred his own share of the company to his son Francis Foy. Not long afterwards Francis sold his half share to Gibson, and the business continued under the name of Foy & Gibson. Francis Foy and he and his brother Mark Foy (junior) moved to Sydney. They established a business there in 1885, named after their father, Mark Foy. Gibson added to his business by starting his own manufacturing works from 1887, producing clothing, millinery, furniture, bedding and hardware for his stores. The factories, warehouses and stores complex became one of Victoria’s largest employers. He set up branches of his stores in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide and two more branches in Melbourne. Foy & Gibson (usually referred to as Foys) became one of Australia’s largest retail department stores. In 1931 Foy’s little house in Collingwood was still part of the entrance to Foy & Gibson Emporium. In 1955 the company was bought out by Cox Brothers. Later on the stores were sold to various businesses such as David Jones, Woolworths and Harris Scarfe. In 1968 Cox Brothers went into receivership, ending almost 100 years of the business known as Foy’s. The former Foy & Gibson Complex is registered by Heritage Council Victoria. “Designed by William Pitt, this magnificent 19th and early 20th century complex of factories, warehouses and showrooms saw the production of a remarkable range of goods for Foy & Gibson, Melbourne’s earliest department store chain”. (Quoted from the Plaque erected by the Collingwood Historical Society 2007) P.W.D. – Public Works Department, Victoria The desk is stamped “P.W.D,” signifying that it is from the Public Works Department in Victoria, which operated from 1855-1987. The department was responsible for, among other things, the design and supply of office furniture and equipment for public buildings and organisations. This desk is significant historically as it originated from Foy & Gibson, a colonial Australian company that had a positive and strong impact on employment, manufacturing and retailing in Melbourne, Victoria and Australia. The significance of Foy & Gibson to Victoria’s and Australia’s history is marked by the Collingwood Complex being registered in both Heritage Victoria Register (H0755, H0897 and H0896) and National Trust Register (B2668). This locks on this desk are significant for their connection with their manufacturer, Hobbs & Co, who invented a lock that surpassed the security of any other locks produced in the mid-19th century. Desk; Australian Colonial cedar desk, honey coloured. Desktop has a wooden border with a rolled edge and a fitted timber centrepiece. The four tapered legs are tulip turned. Two half-width drawers fit side by side and extend the full depth of the desk. The drawers have dovetail joints. Each drawer has two round wooden knob handles, a keyhole and a fitted, heavy brass lever lock. Inscriptions are on the desktop, drawers, desk leg and lock. Made in Australia circa 1880 by Foy & Gibson, lock made by Hobbs & Co, London.Impressed into timber frame of one drawer “FOY & GIBSON” Impressed into lock “HOBBS & CO / LONDON”, “MACHINE MADE”, “LEVER” Impressed along the front edge of the desktop [indecipherable] text. Impressed into the timber of right front leg “P. W. D.” below a ‘crown’ symbol Handwritten in white chalk under a drawer “206” flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, desk, cedar desk, colonial desk, 1880s desk, australian colonial furniture, furniture, office furniture, office equipment, australian made furniture, colonial furniture, colonial hardware, foy & gibson, alfred charles hobbs, hobbs & co london, hobs & co lever lock, cabinetry lock, machine made lever lock, p.w.d., public works department victoria, day & newell, great exhibition of 1851, bramah lock, chubb lock, telford medal 1854, cheapside london, mark foy, mark foy – bendigo draper, smith street collingwood, william gibson, foy & gibson emporium, foy & gibson complex, cox brothers

S.E. Dickins was one of Victoria’s most important early self‑service grocery chains, founded in 1920 by former Moran & Cato manager Samuel Edward Dickins. It grew from a single Geelong store into a 54‑store Victorian network before being taken over by Coles in 1958 (Australian Food Timeline). After the Coles take over, some stores were rebranded Coles New World, whereas others kept the Dickins name for several years. In 1991, the New World name was phased, and all stores were rebranded simply as Coles Supermarkets. This store was subsequently rebranded as Bi-Lo Supermarket which was also part of the Coles Group. This store is now closed, and is now the Palms Pokie and Bingo Club.This store in Maidstone opened in 1964 and featured the branding "Dickins New World Supermarket".Dickins New World Supermarket New World Supermarket in Maidstone in 1964new world supermarket, dickins supermarket, rosamond road, maidstone

Articles from the Sunshine Reviewoutlining McKay Stores Department Bulk Store and the manufacture of link belt steel sprocket chainh.v. mckay, sunshine harvester

Oliver Gilpin (1874-1942), chain store proprietor, was born on 8 July 1874 at Seven Creeks near Euroa, Victoria, fourth child and second son of William Gilpin, farmer, and his wife Dinah, née Barton, both from Tyrone, Ireland. He was educated at local state schools and became a draper's assistant at Euroa. A testimonial as 'an energetic, pushing salesman, a careful stock-keeper … honest and industrious' gained him city experience with Ball & Welch Ltd, drapers, in their Carlton store. He used an inheritance to open a drapery store at Korumburra, south Gippsland, in 1895, moving to Rutherglen in the upper Murray valley in 1899. Frustrated by irregular stock deliveries, he moved to Fitzroy, Melbourne, in 1902, seeking a warehouse and the benefits of combined supplies for effective development of country trading. By 1905 he was producing many stock items at Northcote and had established retail outlets at Bendigo and Warracknabeal. Branches at Echuca, Numurkah and Yarrawonga followed in 1906, with ten more in 1907. He moved his city establishment to East Malvern in 1911, and had opened forty shops by 1920 and seventy-four by 1928. All were managed by women, on a strictly cash basis. Drapery remained the main line, supplemented by ironmongery, crockery, school requisites and toys. Gilpin saw the Depression years as a challenge. Between 1928 and 1931 he established eighteen new branches, including two in Tasmania, at Devonport and Ulverstone. The chain included South Australian branches at Mount Gambier, Millicent and Renmark, twenty-five stores in southern and western New South Wales, and ten in suburban Melbourne. Gilpin's Chain Store News was issued monthly. In 1944 Foy & Gibson acquired a controlling interest in Gilpin's business and in 1951 the chain was bought by G. J. Coles & Co. Ltd for £1,250,000. Three wooden blocks used to display hats. 9042.1 Slightly head shaped on top 9042.2 Light timber, flat on top, a wedge at back. 9042.3 Dark timber, flat on top.hat blocks, millinery, haberdashery, gilpin, korumburra

This light woollen evening dress is made from Peppinella, a new fabric Norma Tullo introduced into her range in 1973. The fabric was used exclusively by Tullo, and came from the wool of Peppin Merino (first introduced into Australia in 1858 by the Peppin brothers). According to the papers of the day Tullo’s 1973 winter collection featured ‘St. Trinian’s styles to garments dripping lace, in bold plain colours to floral prints.” Shirley Lyle designed the floral fabric. Norma Tullo (1935-2019) was one of the leading fashion designers of her time, establishing her label in 1956. After establishing a business the Old Metropole Arcade in Melbourne in 1956, with three sewing machines, Tullo's ready to wear fashions for young women became sought after, and her business flourished. In 1966 the Japanese department store chain Isetan Co Ltd began to mass-produce her garments for their stores across Japan. Tullo closed her label in 1977, and later worked for Fletcher Jones. Ann Carew, 2020The dress is historically significant as a dress designed by Norma Tullo, a leading fashion designer of the 1960s and 1970s. During this period the Australian Wool Industry strove to promote wool, and to develop light woollen fabrics to compete with new synthetic fibres such as rayon. The garment is historically significant for the use of a merino wool showcasing its versatility for dress fabrics. Full length woman's dress with full skirt and long sleeves, collared with open neck and pleat work on bodice. Material is predominately red with a repeated pattern featuring posie of blue and mauve flowers.Inscribed, black label on back neck left of zip, 'TULLO/IN/PEPPINELLA/AUSTRALIA MERINO WOOL'; Inscribed, white satin label on back neck right of zip, 'DRY CLEAN ONLY'; Inscribed, white satin label underneath above label, 'SIZE 12/To Fit Bust 34"/To Fit Waistwool, rmit design archives, rmit university, woman's dress, textile design, australian fashion

Fur stole consisting of two black mink pelts with heads at one end and tails at the other. Heads contain plastic eyes and noses. Black satin lining. Decorative front fastening consisting of a fabric-covered chain secured to a clip at one side and a hook fastening at the other.Label: "FURRIERS / Buckley & Nunn LTD/ MELBOURNE".fur, fur stole, mink, buckley & nunn, department stores

No. 1 RAAF Stores Depot in Braybrook (often called the Tottenham RAAF Stores Depot) was one of the most important defence facilities in Melbourne’s west, a massive wartime logistics base built in 1944–45 and operated until 1993. The site expanded significantly after WWII, adding: RAAF Police Dog Training Centre (established 1962), supply‑officer training facilities, accommodation blocks, mess halls, chapels, gyms and sports grounds which transformed the depot into a self‑contained military community. It shaped Braybrook’s industrial landscape, employed hundreds of locals, and played a central role in Australia’s WWII and post‑war supply chain. These photographs capture only a small part of the No. 1 RAAF Stores Depot that one of Australia’s major wartime and post‑war defence logistics centres, representing the scale, organisation, and industrial capability required to support the Royal Australian Air Force from 1945 to 1993. Established during the critical final years of the Second World War, the depot consolidated dozens of scattered storage sites into a single purpose‑built facility, demonstrating the Commonwealth’s shift toward modern, centralised military supply systems. Its extensive warehouses, rail sidings, and specialised training areas illustrate mid‑20th‑century defence planning and the functional architectural style of the Department of Works. The depot played a vital role in national logistics, handling equipment, clothing, barracks stores, demobilisation materials, and returned overseas supplies. It was also a major employer in Melbourne’s western suburbs, shaping the social and economic life of Braybrook, Sunshine, and Tottenham for nearly five decades. The presence of the RAAF Police Dog Training Centre further highlights the site’s operational diversity and long‑term importance to defence readiness. Although most of the depot has been demolished, the surviving guard house and office block on Ashley Street remain as rare physical evidence of a once‑vast military complex. The depot’s legacy endures in the urban form of Braybrook and in the community memory of the thousands who worked there. Its significance lies in its contribution to Australia’s defence history, its impact on the development of Melbourne’s west, and its representation of large‑scale wartime infrastructure.R.A.A.F. Base Tour 285.1raaf no 1 store, south road, braybrook

Original pre-WWII commercial export field bottle manufactured in Japan during the 1920s or 1930s. During this era, Japanese aluminum manufacturers stamped their civilian-market exports with localized nature motifs such as a soaring crane or eagle over Mount Fuji or stylized mountain peaks framed inside a circular border such as the one on the base of this canteen. Many Japanese soldiers, particularly officers and infantrymen, frequently purchased their own tactical gear from commercial department stores or military supply shops before being deployed. Allied troops fighting in the Pacific routinely collected Japanese field gear as combat trophies. Item belonged to and probably souvenired by John Williams JAMES born 4/5/1922 at Benalla. V22561 served with the 8th Light Horse prior to enlisting in WW2 - VX90269 served with the 2/5 Commandos and 2/16 Battalion in New Guinea and Morotai/Borneo, prior to discharge in 1946.An original pre-war Japanese aluminum export canteen with a fully intact base stamp, brown screw cap, and its retaining chainUnpainted aluminium oval shaped water canteen with brownish screw top lip with chain attached.Maker's logo stamped on basejapanese canteen, ww2, new guinea, borneo

Device to convert Imperial measurements of length, area, weight etc to the metric system. Decimal currency was spectacularly introduced in an overnight overthrow on 14 February 1966, but it took another 8 years before metrication finally arrived in the forest and timber industry. Eventually, the measurement of logs and sawn timber changed from imperial, and excruciating, measures such as super feet of sawn timber, billets and cunits (100 cubic feet) of stacked pulpwood and hoppus log volumes to simpler cubic metres. Measuring firewood was a particular nightmare. For example, there were standard chords, stove cords, kitchen cords, running cords, face cords, thrown chords, fencing cords, country cords, long cords, raummeter or steres (1m x 1m x 1m). A standard cord of firewood had a volume of 128 cubic feet, measured as a pile 8 feet long, 4 feet high and 4 feet wide (3.624 m3). And how about this for confusing…. in Victoria, an imperial or long ton (by measure) of green firewood was a stack 5 feet long billets (2 axelengths at 2′ 6″ each), one axelength high (2′ 6″) and two axelengths long (5 feet) equalling 62.5 cubic feet. For added befuddlement, there were three different sorts of tons: Imperial tons or long tons, American short tons and metric tonnes (spelled with two n’s). Not forgetting that a cubic imperial ton of firewood (40 cubic feet) which equalled 1.133 cubic metre. The metrication process began in 1974 and was completed by 1976 but the transition was not without its challenges along the supply chain for foresters, overseers, logging contractors, sawmillers, hardware stores and builders alike. Timber lengths changed from feet to metres but were still sold in multiples of one foot or 0.3 m (1.8, 2.1, 2.4, 2.7 etc) whereas a menacing lump of 4-Bee-2 transformed into a rather less colourful 100mm by 50mm. Measurement and calculations of area also became so much easier in hectares rather than complicated acres, roods and perches. The Forest Metriverter slide-rule was issued by the Forestry and Timber Bureau to make metric conversions easier.Forest MetriverterRoss Pennyforest measurement, surveying, forests commission victoria (fcv)