The design of this pair (RN 758 & 759) is based on Thonet’s No. 18 chair, which was originally produced in 1876 by Thonet, and is still one of the best-selling designs for café and restaurant owners. It is elegant, sophisticated and durable. The label notes the design as “AUS MASSIV GEBOGENEM HOLZE vorm” which translates to “solid curved sandals shape”, a good description for the back of the chair. The chairs have marks, paper labels and symbols on them that show that the maker was Harnisch & Co., Neuschler (also called Banská Bystrica) Furniture Factory in Neuschol (Beszterczebanya), Hungary, privileged makers for the Imperial and Royal Austrian-Hungarian Empire 1867 – 1918. Bentwood chairs are made by a process of wetting wood in water, bending it into curved shapes, then allowing it to dry so that the shape becomes permanent. This process originated by Michael Thonet, who had been given the right to bend wood into desired curves by the Austrian Courts in 1842. In 1856 he was granted a 13 year patent to manufacture chairs and table legs of bent wood treated by steam or boiling water. In 1859 his company Gebruder Thonet produced his original design. Thonet’s early designs also featured hand carved or laminated wooden seats. His Model No. 14 produced in the 1850’s, was his most popular design. After Michael’s death in 1871 the family went on designing and producing chairs. The No. 18 chair was produced in 1876, one of a group of chars with back inserts consisting of curves and loops of bentwood. These bentwood chairs are believed to be associated with the either the original Warrnambool Town Hall or the Toc H Group in Warrnambool. The Warrnambool Town Hall played a significant role in the both the local government and the social events of local and district areas. It was a place for Council meetings, community events and entertainment, theatrical and musical.Chair, bentwood, 'French Bistro Chair' with a floral pattern carved in seat. Backrest has inverted U shape inside that extends to the seat. Supports on either side of backrest's base join to back of seat. Legs have a wooded bracing ring. Marks are embossed into rim under seat. Paper label, cream with black print, on rim; Right side of label has the symbol of Heraldic Shield. Text on label. Made by NEUSOHLER FABRIK FUR MOBEL, AUS MASSIV GEBOGENEM HOLZE, vorm. HARNISCH & Co, NEUSOHL (BESZTERCaZEBANYA) UNGARN ' Hand written under seat "T H" in black paint, "T H " in white chalk.Marks; pressed into rim under seat is "3", and "Crown [over] (N)", Paper label, cream with black print, on rim; Left side has Mark “N inside circle under crown”. Right side has symbol of Heraldic Shield. Text on label “Trade – K.u.K.- Mark / NEUSOHLER FABRIK FUR MOBEL/ AUS MASSIV GEBOGENEM HOLZE, vorm. HARNISCH&Co / NEUSOHL (BESZTERCaZEBANYA) UNGARN ' Hand written under seat "T H" in black paint, "T H " in white chalk. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, bentwood chair, café chair, restaurant chair, thonet design chair, neusohler fabrik fur nobel, k.u.k. approved manufacturer, hungry, harnisch & co, k.u.k., public hall chair, toc h

The design of this set of four lightweight chairs is based on Thonet’s bentwood designs, which are still some of the best-selling designs for café and restaurant owners. It is elegant, sophisticated and durable. Some of these chairs still have their original seat, under which the letters “TH” or “RSL” are hand written. Flagstaff Hill has several bentwood chairs with these letters on them, in either chalk, black paint, or both. It is believed that the chairs were used in the original Warrnambool Town Hall, and later the RSL. The Town Hall was completed in 1891, built on the corners of Timor and Liebig Streets. (In 1977 the Town Hall was declared unsafe and was later replaced by the Warrnambool Performing Arts Centre.) Some of the chairs have marks, paper labels and symbols on them that show that the maker was Josef Jaworek, who had a small furniture factory in east Sinensia, which was at that time in Austria, from 1907 - 1914. Bentwood chairs are made by a process of wetting wood in water, bending it into curved shapes, then allowing it to dry so that the shape becomes permanent. This process originated by Michael Thonet, who had been given the right to bend wood into desired curves by the Austrian Courts in 1842. In 1856 he was granted a 13 year patent to manufacture chairs and table legs of bent wood treated by steam or boiling water. In 1859 his company Gebruder Thonet produced his original design. Thonet’s early designs also featured hand carved or laminated wooden seats. His Model No. 14 was produced in the 1850’s and his most popular design. After Michael’s death in 1871 the family went on designing and producing chairs. These bentwood chairs are believed to be associated with the original Warrnambool Town Hall. The Warrnambool Town Hall played a significant role in the both the local government and the social events of local and district areas. It was a place for Council meetings, community events and entertainment, theatrical and musical.Bentwood chair (4 of 4), painted black, inner back is curled loop, seat has leather cover attached with studs, ventilation holes under seat, legs are splayed and have a bracing ring. Marks: under seat, handwritten and stamped into wood.Marked with handwritten "TH", in both black paint & white chalk. Under rim is label printed "65" Stamped into wood on rim under chair "95".flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, bentwood chair, café chair, restaurant chair, josef jaworek, austrian chairs, furniture

This edition includes a report on the Progress Association's August 1971 meeting, Councillors' report, Our Council candidates - Harry Nash, Ian Cochrane, Tribunal - tribulation without explanation: a continuing story [Shell Oil Company], School and kinder news, Diamond Valley Repertory,, Diamond Valley Choral Society, Electric blankets, Letters to the Editor, Personal news. A digital copy of the Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 16 p., illus. greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills

This edition includes a report on the Progress Association's November 1973 meeting, Councillor's report, Historic decision: Planning Scheme passed, Continuation of the late Frank Andrew article, School and Kinder news, Diamond Valley repertory, Letter to Editor, From the Council Chamber, "Requiem for a small Valley" [Valley of the Eagles], A.C.F. [Australian Conservation Foundation] and its role. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 24 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills

This edition includes a report on the Progress Association's February 1974 meeting, Councillor's report, Sporting facilities in Diamond Valley, Ian Bennet, Mr. Poulter's report on child care, From the Council Chamber, Poisonous plants and trees. Supplement to February 1974 "Community News" Join in the fun of the fair at... The 1974 Diamond Ck. town fair. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 16 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills

This edition includes a report on the Progress Association's June 1974 meeting, Handicapped Minding Scheme starts, Diamond Valley Learning Centre, The public interest v personal interests, Letter to the Editor, From the Council Chamber, The Fish Scheme, The restrictive entrance to Willis Street, School and kinder news, Meet the natives. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 24 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills

This edition includes a report on the Progress Association's July 1974 meeting, Children: parental property or individuals?, A tribute to Lorrie Shore, Kinder news, From the Council Chamber, Meet the natives, Land subject to fill and inundation, Stage door notes [Diamond Valle Repertory], Letter to the Editor. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 24 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills

This edition includes a report on the Progress Association's August 1974 meeting, Willis St. restrictive entrance, Farewell to Harry Nash, Marriage counselling in Greensborough, From the Council chamber, School and kinder news, Pentridge, Meet the natives, M.M.B.W. rates. Open Forum. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 20 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills

This edition includes a report on the Progress Association's September 1974 meeting, Councillor's report, Yandell rally cross, Loyola Detention Centre ??, Open letter to the Shire Engineer, From the Council Chamber, Meet the natives, School and kinder news, Letter to the Editor, Planning prospects, For the environmentalists. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 24 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills

This edition includes a report on the Progress Association's December 1974 meeting, Councillor's report, Nillumbik Co-operative School, From the Council Chambers, Meet the natives, Diamond Valley Arts Society, Diamond Valley Repertory, This and that, Conservation notes, Conservation Trust. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 20 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills

This edition includes a report on the Progress Association's March 1975 meeting, Councillor's report, Progress Association President's report 1975, New code for control of multi-unit dwelling, Community News closes down, This and that, From the Council Chamber, Films in the Diamond Valley, The proper use of backyard incinerators, Supplement to "Community News". No. 3/75. Meet the natives. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 24 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills

This edition includes a report on the Progress Association's April 1975 meeting, Have you ever admired our trees? Stop press: purchase agreement for a 413 acre park in Diamond Valley [from Mr. and Mrs. Young's combined properties], Diamond Valley Repertory, From the Council Chamber, Letter to the Editor, In memoriam: Gertrude Kerry, Jack Moncrieff, This and that, Kinder news, Meet the natives, Half a horse. Is it better than no horse? A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 23 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills

This edition includes a report on the Progress Association's May 1975 meeting, Councillors' reports, Community News... we must keep it going, Kinder news, Progress in social welfare in Diamond Valley, Greenhills Amateur Basketball Club, From the Council Chamber, How to start a compost heap, Letter to the Editor, This and that, The Eltham Living and Learning Centre, Open forum. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 20 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills

This edition includes a report on the Progress Association's meeting, A park close to the heart of Greensborough, From the Council Chamber, The Plenty Gorge : can our region's major landscape resource survive? A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 4 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills

This edition includes a report on the Progress Association's [September 1975] meeting, Against all competition [Plenty River's footbridge at Flintoff Street], From the Council Chambers, Apollo Uprising! Family Day Care scheme. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 6 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills, apollo parkways progress association, apollo parkways

This edition includes a report on the Apollo Parkways Progress Association's October 1975 meeting, How green is our valley, From the Council Chambers, Apollo Parkways tree planting, The great drain robbery, Nillumbik Historical Society. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 6 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills, apollo parkways progress association, apollo parkways

This edition includes a report on the The Apollo Parkways Progress Association's February 1976 meeting, A feeling of belonging together. Developers play havoc... with our natural heritage, Meet the natives, This and that, Cameo of Johnny Chester, Public open space policy, From the Council Chamber, Letter to the Editor, School and Kinder news, Diamond Valley Repertory, Eltham Film Society. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 28 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills, apollo parkways progress association, apollo parkways

This edition includes a report on the The Apollo Parkways Progress Association's March 1976 meeting, Sporting complex for Diamond Valley, History in the district, 300 miles of park... the forestry concept, This and that, Functions of your local Health Department, School and Kinder news, Guide news, Battle of the bluestone, From the Council Chamber, Meet the natives, Diamond Valley Repertory, Apex Club in Greensborough. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society. Newsletter, 28 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills, apollo parkways progress association, apollo parkways

This edition includes a report on the The Apollo Parkways Progress Association's April 1976 meeting, When did you last ask your daughter: "Have you thought about being a plumber", However do you cope?, Cameo of Kay Steventon, Nursing Mothers Association, The battle of the bulge, Scout and Guide news, School news, This and that, Sc New squash Club. Supplement to "Community News". No. 4/76. Diamond Valley Shire: South-East Councillors' report, From the Council Chamber, Protect yourself against rubella, Allan Goldsworthy. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 24 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills, apollo parkways progress association, apollo parkways

This edition includes a report on the The Apollo Parkways Progress Association's May1976 meeting, Bicycle routes, lanes, paths and trails, Thoughts from young cyclists, It can happen to you [youth deaths on our roads], Lament for a traffic statistic, Returning to study, I can do it too!!, This and that, Cameo of Les James, How does the working mum cope?, From the O'Donnells, Diminishing community spirit?, School news, Greenhills basketball, Scout and Guide news, Nursing Mothers Association. Supplement to "Community News". No. 6/76. Diamond Valley Shire: South-East Councillors' report, From the Chamber Council, Art and craft survey, Letter to the Editor. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society. Newsletter, 24 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills, apollo parkways progress association, apollo parkways

This edition includes a report on the The Apollo Parkways Progress Association's June1976 meeting, Great Greenhills happening, A foreigner in Melbourne, Lonely people, Feeling -- Belonging -- Sharing, Nerve deafness, Family Day Care, From the Council Chamber, Cameo of Graeme Davies, Lost in Lerderderg Gorge, This and that, Meet the natives, Plenty Valley Squash Club, School and Kinder news, Scout and Guide news. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society.Newsletter, 27 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills, apollo parkways progress association, apollo parkways

This editions includes report of the annual general meeting of the Apollo Parkways Progress Association held at September 1976 meeting, Blasts from the past, Great Greenhills spring happening, Parent Australia, Cameo of Geoff Kerry, Our fountain, Apollo Parkways fountain, You need not "go it" alone, In appreciation of teachers, This and that, From the Council Chamber, Community Health Services, be more health conscious!, School news, Scout news, Letters to the Editor. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society. Newsletter, 28 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills, apollo parkways progress association

This edition includes a report on the The Apollo Parkways Progress Association's October 1976 meeting, Arts & crafts issue, A local art/craft who's who, Keeping embroidery alive, Creation pangs, We're hooked!, Warp & weft, Road signs, symbols and your child's art, Hooking your own rug, Cameo of Ron Reynolds, Diamond Valley Arts Society, From the Council Chamber, Letter to the Editor, Nursing Mothers Association, Diamond Valle Repertory, Kinder news, Scout and Guide news. Supplement to "Community News" No. 10/76. Women's Recreational Program. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society. Newsletter, 28 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills, apollo parkways progress association

This edition includes a report on the The Apollo Parkways Progress Association's November 1976 meeting, Goodbye to old Greensborough?, Lament for the loss of my loved one - Greensborough, Is bigger best?, Church of Christ, This and That, A breeding success story, Cameo of Eric and Prisca Rosario, Land of the brave & the free, Grief, Nursing Mothers Association, Parent Australia, From the Council Chamber, School news, Scout news, Plenty Valley Squash Club, Bird survey of Yandell Reserve. A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society. Newsletter, 24 p., illus., map.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills, apollo parkways progress association, apollo parkways

Proposed shopping complex - Public meeting, Super shops, Letters to the Editor, From the Council Chamber, Freedom from despair, Grow, Co-operative education in Diamond Creek, This and that,. Supplement to "Community News". No. 1/77. Geoff Kerry has a... Community News "family chat". A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society. Newsletter, 20 p., illus., map.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills, apollo parkways progress association, apollo parkways

This edition includes a report on the The Apollo Parkways Progress Association's March 1977 meeting, A word from our guest Editor, Briar Hill Primary School golden jubilee, From the Council Chamber, Promises! Promises! Promises!, Kinder news, Cameo of the Mckenzies, I remember when, I'm thinking aloud, Uranium: a moral issues not a political issue, Do you know about the... Montmorency Field Naturalists Club?, Scout news, This and that, Why oppose uranium mining? A digital copy of this Newsletter is available from Greensborough Historical Society. Newsletter, 24 p., illus.greenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills, apollo parkways progress association, apollo parkways

This edition includes a report on the Progress Association's February meeting, From the Council Chamber.Newsletter, 4 p., mainly textgreenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills, apollo parkways progress association, apollo parkways

This edition includes a report on the 1980 Annual General Meeting Progress Association, To fight the unbeatable foe......, From the Council Chamber.Newsletter, 4 p., text onlygreenhills and north greensborough progress association, greenhills, apollo parkways progress association, apollo parkways