A mortise axe is a specialist axe designed for hewing sills and notches in joints. The axe has a long, narrow head, making it easier to work on large logs. The shape enables the user to hew a long way down into the notch, where otherwise a chisel would be used. This tool has one blade, which may be pushed, swung or struck with a mallet. Others, have two, one of which is used for separating the fibres, and the other for levering out the waste.This is an example of a common woodworking tool used by the early settlers in the Orbost district.A long wooden handled axe used to cut mortises in posts for post and rail fences. The blade is made of iron and is quite long.axe mortise-axe fencing timber farm-tool

The sickle was used to cut crops and grass and vegetable matter. It has been in use for a very long time but has probably been superceded by electric tools in developed countries.This sickle was used by a resident of the Kiewa Valley.A curved steel edged blade fixed to a short wooden handle. It is used for harvesting the crops, grass and cutting other vegetative matters. The previous KVHS committee referred to it as a '"Hand Craft Cutter".sickle, farm tool, garden tool

During early farming in Australia (before motorised whipper snippers) the hand held sickle was used to cut long grass, in this case in or around railway tracks. The inside of the blade's curve was sharp, so that the user can either draw or swing it against the base of the grass, catching the stems in the curve and slicing them at the same time. Historic - Railway Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Grass SlasherWrought iron sickle with extended with wooden handle.puffing billy, extended sickle, farm tool, reaping hook, curved blade, grass cutting

An antique machine made forged steel pulley block with a hook at the top which moves sideways. It has a slot on the cylindrical section for the rope or chain. It is an old farm tool from the 19th or 20th century.MAKERS PATENT SNATCHpulleys, tools, lifting equipment, pulley blocks, steel

Hoof rasps are essential tools used by farriers (specialists in equine hoof care) for trimming, shaping, and maintaining horse hooves. They help in smoothing rough edges and correcting hoof growth after trimming. Traditional rasps like this were manually operated before modern electric hoof grinders became available. The small size of this rasp suggests it may have been a section cut from a larger rasp, repurposed for finer adjustments or as a portable tool.The item is a hoof rasp, a small, rectangular metal tool with a rough, raised, and textured surface designed for filing and smoothing horse hooves. The rasp is compact and appears well-worn, showing signs of use and rusting. The rasping surface consists of small, sharp teeth that efficiently remove layers of hoof material when rubbed against the surface.rasp, file, horse, teeth, farm equipment, tool, horse equipment

Leather thicknessers like this were commonly used in leatherworking and saddlery to ensure uniform thickness in leather pieces before making belts, harnesses, saddles, or other leather goods. This design suggests it was hand-operated, requiring the user to feed leather through the adjustable gap while controlling the pressure with the lever. These tools were essential in workshops and tanneries, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries, before the advent of more mechanized skiving machines. From HODGES Saddlery, Natimuk.This is a vintage manually-operated leather thicknesser, used for skiving or adjusting the thickness of leather pieces. The tool consists of a wooden base with four mounting holes, likely for securing it to a workbench. A horizontal metal bar runs across the top, supported by two vertical posts, and is adjustable via two round-headed screws. The tool also features a curved lever handle on one side, which is used to adjust or apply pressure to the leather being processed. The metal components show signs of oxidation and rust, while the wooden base has a well-worn appearance, suggesting extensive use.leather thicknesser, functional item, tool, farm equipment, harness, horse equipment, saddlery, leather, commercial equipment

Fret saws like this were commonly used in fine woodworking, cabinetry, and musical instrument making during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their thin, delicate blades made them ideal for cutting detailed patterns, scrollwork, and decorative inlays. This saw’s wooden frame and tensioning mechanism suggest it was an early design, as modern versions transitioned to all-metal frames. Fret Saw formerly owned by Mr JENDE of Jeparit.The item is a vintage fret saw, a manually operated woodworking tool used for cutting intricate shapes and curves in wood, metal, or other materials. The saw features a rectangular wooden frame with curved side arms, designed to maintain tension on the thin, fine-toothed metal blade. The blade is held taut between two adjustable metal fittings at the bottom of the frame. The two wooden handles, one at each end, allow for control and tension adjustment. The saw shows signs of age, with wear on the wooden frame and some oxidation on the metal components.fret saw, cutting tool, tool, farm equipment

Plow planes like this were widely used by woodworkers, cabinetmakers, and carpenters from the 18th to early 20th centuries for cutting grooves (plows) in wood to fit panels, joints, or decorative moldings. Before modern power tools, these hand planes were essential for precise joinery work in furniture making, cabinetry, and timber construction. The adjustable wooden rods allowed craftsmen to control the cutting width, making it a versatile tool for different woodworking applications. J BEDWORTH/BUNWORTH?The item is a wooden adjustable plow plane, a traditional carpentry and joinery tool used for cutting grooves or channels in wood. The plane consists of a solid wooden body with a slot for an iron cutting blade (not visible in the image). It has two pairs of wooden rods, which extend from the sides and are used to adjust the cutting width and depth. A metal thumbscrew on top is used to secure the blade or depth stop in place. The tool has a well-worn patina, with visible scratches, dents, and signs of age, indicating extensive use.timber plane, tool, farm equipment, commercial equipment, wood, carpenters, cabinetmakers, builders

The spoke shave is a traditional woodworking tool dating back centuries, commonly used by wheelwrights, carpenters, and furniture makers. It was designed to refine and shape rounded or curved surfaces, particularly in the crafting of wooden wagon wheels, tool handles, and furniture legs. The tool in the image has a well-worn appearance, suggesting significant use over time. The provenance note indicates that this specific tool was donated by Keith SUDHOLZ and was connected to Changi Camp, Toowoomba, possibly referencing an Australian military or post-war connection. This adds historical value to the artifact. Timber Wheel Spoke Shaver donated by Keith SUDHOLZ of Natimuk from 'Changbool' property owned by Errol OFFICER family of Toolondo (c 1950s)The tool is a vintage wooden spoke shave, a hand tool used for shaping and smoothing curved surfaces, especially wooden spokes, chair legs, and other rounded objects. The spoke shave consists of a curved wooden handle with an inset metal blade held in place by a clamp mechanism. The handles extend outward on either side, allowing the user to grip and pull the tool along the wood surface. A handwritten tag attached to the tool reads: "Spoke Shave, Donated by Keith SUDHOLZ of Natimuk from Changi Camp, Toowoomba."timber, wheel, spoke, horse, tool, farm equipment, commercial equipment, shaver

Wooden hand planes like this one were widely used by carpenters and woodworkers before the introduction of modern power tools. This design dates back centuries, with similar tools being used in cabinetmaking, joinery, and general woodworking. The plane works by guiding the blade along a wooden surface, removing thin shavings to achieve a smooth, even finish. Over time, these tools were replaced by metal-bodied planes, but wooden planes remained popular due to their lightweight construction and ease of use.The item is a vintage wooden hand plane, a traditional woodworking tool used for shaping and smoothing wood surfaces. It has a rectangular wooden body with a slightly curved top and a centrally positioned metal blade (iron) held in place by a wooden wedge. The wedge is inserted at an angle to secure the blade, which protrudes slightly from the base to shave off thin layers of wood when pushed forward.timber plane, tool, farm equipment, commercial equipment

Brace drills were widely used in woodworking, carpentry, and early construction before the advent of electric power tools. They allowed for precise drilling of holes in wood and other materials. The larger brace would have been used for heavier-duty work, while the smaller one might have been used for finer, more controlled drilling. These tools were common in workshops and homes throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.The image shows two antique hand tools, both of which are brace drills (also known as bit braces or hand braces). These were used for manual drilling before the widespread use of electric drills. The tool labeled "115.1" (bottom of the image) is a larger, more robust brace drill with a curved, cast metal body and a wooden grip at the top. It has a chuck at the front for holding drill bits. The tool labeled "115.2" (top of the image) is a smaller, more delicate brace drill, also with a curved metal body, but it appears more simplistic in design, with a squared chuck end.bit brace, tool, farm equipment, commercial equipment, drill

Old farm kitchen tool used for mincing meat manually.Used at Tawonga, in the Kiewa Valley, by resident Des WartonCast iron with dull smooth surface consisting of a tap to screw it onto a table, a barrel enclosing the auger that turns when the handle is wound around and forces the meat to spill out of a circular grinder. The hand crank is curved with a wooden knob . The outlet is oval shaped.Embossed on barrel: "Universal" Embossed on outlet "2" Embossed on handle "L.F. & c - New Britain Conn U.S.A."household tool, kitchen, meat mincer, grinder, universal no. 2

James Reid was born in Scotland near Glasgow and came to Victoria as a young man in 1854. Shortly after arriving he came to Bacchus Marsh where he lived until his death in 1902 at the age of 74 years. For most of these years he conducted a wheelwrights and coach builders business in Bacchus Marsh. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, wheelwrights and blacksmiths played an essential role in the functioning of the whole community. Before the industrialisation of manufacturing, wheels and other components of vehicles for transport, all metal objects, including farm implements, building requirements and domestic utensils were made by hand. As mechanisation of industry increased, the smith commonly performed the role of farrier in the times when horse power was pivotal to all aspects of society. Complementing this work, the forge was often allied with a wheelwright's shop. These premises also acted as a meeting place for the men of the town, where news was shared and friendships forged.Small sepia 'carte de viste' style unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. Housed in the album, 'Photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by Stevenson and McNicoll'. An image depicting a wheelwright and blacksmith's shop, with a group of men, boys and a woman shown in front. Two men are wearing the work clothes of the blacksmith, including the split leather apron worn by farriers to enable them to work on the hooves of the horses needing shoeing. Two young boys are standing by the door. A portly gentleman in formal clothes stands before the shop. The house shown at the rear was James Reid's residence. Two people, an elderly gentleman and a younger woman, are seated in a jinker on the road to the side of the shop. A collection of wheels and farm tools leans on the walls. A triple-tiered sign above the shop reads: JAMES REID WHEELWRIGHT BLACKSMITH. TIMBER - YARD PAINTS, OILS & GLASS.Printed On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME. On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun. Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE.wheelwrights, james reid 1828?-1902, stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district

In 1992 Shire of Eltham Historical Society member and Kangaroo Ground resident, Bruce Ness became aware that the old school teacher residence at Kangaroo Ground School was no longer being used. Over the years Bruce had been storing a growing collection of the Society's artifacts and objects including various machinery and farm tools. He proposed that this might present an opportunity to set up a museum with the Society's objects. It was proposed that a board be appointed containing representatives of the Society, the School Council, Shire of Eltham and "Friends of the Andrew Ross Museum." As a consequence, most of the Society's objects were transferred to the museum and the Society became more focused on documents, maps and photographs, etc.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsFuji 100shire of eltham historical society

In 1992 Shire of Eltham Historical Society member and Kangaroo Ground resident, Bruce Ness became aware that the old school teacher residence at Kangaroo Ground School was no longer being used. Over the years Bruce had been storing a growing collection of the Society's artifacts and objects including various machinery and farm tools. He proposed that this might present an opportunity to set up a museum with the Society's objects. It was proposed that a board be appointed containing representatives of the Society, the School Council, Shire of Eltham and "Friends of the Andrew Ross Museum." As a consequence, most of the Society's objects were transferred to the museum and the Society became more focused on documents, maps and photographs, etc.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsFuji 100shire of eltham historical society

In 1992 Shire of Eltham Historical Society member and Kangaroo Ground resident, Bruce Ness became aware that the old school teacher residence at Kangaroo Ground School was no longer being used. Over the years Bruce had been storing a growing collection of the Society's artifacts and objects including various machinery and farm tools. He proposed that this might present an opportunity to set up a museum with the Society's objects. It was proposed that a board be appointed containing representatives of the Society, the School Council, Shire of Eltham and "Friends of the Andrew Ross Museum." As a consequence, most of the Society's objects were transferred to the museum and the Society became more focused on documents, maps and photographs, etc.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsFuji 100shire of eltham historical society

In 1992 Shire of Eltham Historical Society member and Kangaroo Ground resident, Bruce Ness became aware that the old school teacher residence at Kangaroo Ground School was no longer being used. Over the years Bruce had been storing a growing collection of the Society's artifacts and objects including various machinery and farm tools. He proposed that this might present an opportunity to set up a museum with the Society's objects. It was proposed that a board be appointed containing representatives of the Society, the School Council, Shire of Eltham and "Friends of the Andrew Ross Museum." As a consequence, most of the Society's objects were transferred to the museum and the Society became more focused on documents, maps and photographs, etc.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsFuji 100shire of eltham historical society

In 1992 Shire of Eltham Historical Society member and Kangaroo Ground resident, Bruce Ness became aware that the old school teacher residence at Kangaroo Ground School was no longer being used. Over the years Bruce had been storing a growing collection of the Society's artifacts and objects including various machinery and farm tools. He proposed that this might present an opportunity to set up a museum with the Society's objects. It was proposed that a board be appointed containing representatives of the Society, the School Council, Shire of Eltham and "Friends of the Andrew Ross Museum." As a consequence, most of the Society's objects were transferred to the museum and the Society became more focused on documents, maps and photographs, etc.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsFuji 100shire of eltham historical society

In 1992 Shire of Eltham Historical Society member and Kangaroo Ground resident, Bruce Ness became aware that the old school teacher residence at Kangaroo Ground School was no longer being used. Over the years Bruce had been storing a growing collection of the Society's artifacts and objects including various machinery and farm tools. He proposed that this might present an opportunity to set up a museum with the Society's objects. It was proposed that a board be appointed containing representatives of the Society, the School Council, Shire of Eltham and "Friends of the Andrew Ross Museum." As a consequence, most of the Society's objects were transferred to the museum and the Society became more focused on documents, maps and photographs, etc.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsFuji 100shire of eltham historical society

In 1992 Shire of Eltham Historical Society member and Kangaroo Ground resident, Bruce Ness became aware that the old school teacher residence at Kangaroo Ground School was no longer being used. Over the years Bruce had been storing a growing collection of the Society's artifacts and objects including various machinery and farm tools. He proposed that this might present an opportunity to set up a museum with the Society's objects. It was proposed that a board be appointed containing representatives of the Society, the School Council, Shire of Eltham and "Friends of the Andrew Ross Museum." As a consequence, most of the Society's objects were transferred to the museum and the Society became more focused on documents, maps and photographs, etc.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsFuji 100shire of eltham historical society

In 1992 Shire of Eltham Historical Society member and Kangaroo Ground resident, Bruce Ness became aware that the old school teacher residence at Kangaroo Ground School was no longer being used. Over the years Bruce had been storing a growing collection of the Society's artifacts and objects including various machinery and farm tools. He proposed that this might present an opportunity to set up a museum with the Society's objects. It was proposed that a board be appointed containing representatives of the Society, the School Council, Shire of Eltham and "Friends of the Andrew Ross Museum." As a consequence, most of the Society's objects were transferred to the museum and the Society became more focused on documents, maps and photographs, etc.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsFuji 100shire of eltham historical society

In 1992 Shire of Eltham Historical Society member and Kangaroo Ground resident, Bruce Ness became aware that the old school teacher residence at Kangaroo Ground School was no longer being used. Over the years Bruce had been storing a growing collection of the Society's artifacts and objects including various machinery and farm tools. He proposed that this might present an opportunity to set up a museum with the Society's objects. It was proposed that a board be appointed containing representatives of the Society, the School Council, Shire of Eltham and "Friends of the Andrew Ross Museum." As a consequence, most of the Society's objects were transferred to the museum and the Society became more focused on documents, maps and photographs, etc.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsFuji 100shire of eltham historical society

In 1992 Shire of Eltham Historical Society member and Kangaroo Ground resident, Bruce Ness became aware that the old school teacher residence at Kangaroo Ground School was no longer being used. Over the years Bruce had been storing a growing collection of the Society's artifacts and objects including various machinery and farm tools. He proposed that this might present an opportunity to set up a museum with the Society's objects. It was proposed that a board be appointed containing representatives of the Society, the School Council, Shire of Eltham and "Friends of the Andrew Ross Museum." As a consequence, most of the Society's objects were transferred to the museum and the Society became more focused on documents, maps and photographs, etc.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsFuji 100shire of eltham historical society

In 1992 Shire of Eltham Historical Society member and Kangaroo Ground resident, Bruce Ness became aware that the old school teacher residence at Kangaroo Ground School was no longer being used. Over the years Bruce had been storing a growing collection of the Society's artifacts and objects including various machinery and farm tools. He proposed that this might present an opportunity to set up a museum with the Society's objects. It was proposed that a board be appointed containing representatives of the Society, the School Council, Shire of Eltham and "Friends of the Andrew Ross Museum." As a consequence, most of the Society's objects were transferred to the museum and the Society became more focused on documents, maps and photographs, etc.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsFuji 100shire of eltham historical society

In 1992 Shire of Eltham Historical Society member and Kangaroo Ground resident, Bruce Ness became aware that the old school teacher residence at Kangaroo Ground School was no longer being used. Over the years Bruce had been storing a growing collection of the Society's artifacts and objects including various machinery and farm tools. He proposed that this might present an opportunity to set up a museum with the Society's objects. It was proposed that a board be appointed containing representatives of the Society, the School Council, Shire of Eltham and "Friends of the Andrew Ross Museum." As a consequence, most of the Society's objects were transferred to the museum and the Society became more focused on documents, maps and photographs, etc.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsFuji 100shire of eltham historical society

This anvil is typical of the type used by Blacksmiths in Moorabbin Shire c1850 - 20thC Blacksmith were needed to make machinery, tools, farm and household equipment, wheels and wagons, horseshoes and saddle irons.This anvil is an example of the type used by blacksmiths in Moorabbin Shire 1840- 20thC as early settlers developed the land. built homes, shops and schoolsSolid steel single horn shaped block used by a Blacksmith to make tools, horseshoes, kitchenware, farm equipment, wagon wheelsmarket gardeners, early settlers, moorabbin shire, dendy special survey 1841, bentleigh, moorabbin, cheltenham, tools, anvils, steel, horses, wagons, washing pots, cooking pots, blacksmiths, county of bourke

The Blacksmith used these tongs to make repairs at his forge. He could mend wheel bands, tools, farm equipment and also fine tune generic sized horseshoes on site. He needed tongs to work on any heated metal as required at his forge A Blacksmith was an essential person for the maintenance and making of farm and household equipment, and shoeing horses, in the pioneer settlements of Brighton, Moorabbin, Cheltenham c1900 A pair of forged steel blacksmith tongsmarket gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, blacksmith, tools, metalwork, forges, ploughs, horse-drawn carts

Branding irons were essential tools in livestock management, particularly in cattle and sheep farming, to identify ownership and prevent theft. This manual iron would have been heated in an open flame and then applied to the animal’s hide, leaving a permanent mark. The presence of rust and wear suggests this branding iron was used extensively on a working farm. These tools have been used for centuries, especially in Australia, the United States, and Europe, where cattle ranching played a major role in agricultural economies.This is a long-handled metal branding iron, traditionally used for marking livestock with a permanent identification symbol. The iron consists of a straight, sturdy metal shaft with a looped handle at one end, designed for gripping or hanging. The opposite end features a flat, engraved or raised branding head with a distinct shape or pattern, which would have been heated and pressed against the animal's hide to leave a lasting impression. The entire tool shows signs of age, rust, and wear, indicating extensive past use.Mc & Cobranding iron, farm equipment, sheep, cattle, livestock