This video depicts the history of mechanical farming in Australia. It captures the transition from horse powered farming and early mechanical inventions to the forerunners of today's modern equipment. The filmmaker, Ian Sloane captured these contrasting modes of operation during 1935.Heritage Farming In Victoriafarming, ian sloane

This is a book of 71 pages. The cover is grey with a colour photograph of a jersey cow's head, black printing and dark blue binding. The pages contain black and white photographs, sketches and tables, printed text and a colour fold out of a cow showing internal organs etc. The cover is partly detached from the pages.non-fictionInformation on dairy farming in Australiadairy farming in australia, dairy cows, warrnambool, western victoria

farming, massey ferguson

Black video tape box, white wrap around cover, brown writing & sepia photos on front.Tan writing with description of video contents, running time etc on back. Soft covered book on the subject as well.

Daniel Harvey was dubbed 'The Father of Power Farming in Australia' and produced equipment for the farming industry.Daniel Harvey was dubbed 'The Father of Power Farming in Australia' .danial harvey, finger, stan, blacksmiths, harvey, hugh, box hill cemetery, warren, frances

Newspaper copy,Gathering of the Clan, The McKays of Drummartin and Sunshine. Like many other early immigrants to Australia, this family came from Ireland, and like so many arrivals they made for the diggings.This family's name became famous for its contribution to agriculture through the Sunshine Harvester, the invention of Hugh Victor McKay, which revolutionised farming in Australia.Weekly Timesnewspaper, weekly times, h.v.mckay the sunshine harvester

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

The wire strainer was commonly used on Australian farming properties for putting fences up. Sure Grip Wire Strainers were advertised in Australia from 1917 to 1953. The distinctive grips were patented in Britain in 1913 (William Swann, (spring, hook and chain manufacturer, Walsall,in England).Improvements in or relating to means for gripping wire or the like: British patent 24,520/13. 29 October 1913.Steel bar with 2 interlocking grips for fastening the wire.Corroded marking about halfway along the lever. wire strainer

This promotional photograph by the Tobacco Growers Association was in response to a 1935 meeting of tobacco growers from Victoria, South Australia and Queensland which produced four major resolutions for the industry covering the remainder of the 1900s. These four resolutions were: (1) Adequate tariff protection (2) Control of pests and diseases (3) Orderly marketing (4) The formation of an advisory council of growers. History has produced the following results. (1) adequate tariff protection was never achieved,(2) control of disease through benzol vapour (CSIRO) breakthrough, was later identified as carcinogenic, (3) orderly marketing was achieved through (4) the establishment of the Tobacco Growers Association(1984). In October 2006, by way of Government buy back of tobacco leases from growers, resulted in the end of Tobacco farming in Australia (after 136 years of planting the first crop). It was also significant that the major tobacco companies such as Philip Morris and The British American Tobacco Australasia advised the industry that it would source its tobacco requirements overseas by 2009.The remnants of the Tobacco Industry can still be viewed throughout the Kiewa Valley and adjacent regions on the former tobacco farms which still have the tobacco drying sheds and now converted into hay sheds. The problems from the large quantities of carcinogenic infused soil of farmlands in the region, still remains a problem now and for future generations. This particular photograph shows the lack of understanding by farmers and the contracted labour, at that time, and is demonstrated by the bare footed farmer walking next to the seed canister. Some workers did use protective "gum" boots but the majority of farm owners were skeptical of city scientists and their carcinogenic concerns, and it was only after the younger generation of farmers , who had attended Agricultural colleges, encompassed the scientific approach to farm management and began working closely with agricultural scientists. The "she'll be right mate" attitude of the earlier farming/rural community has since mid 1970s, been slowly dissipating. Stricter controls of herbicides and pesticides used in agriculture are now in force. The death of the tobacco industry(2006) resulted in the expansion of the dairy , sheep, beef cattle, venison and lama wool producers in the Kiewa Valley and surrounding regions.Coloured photograph pasted onto a thick wood chip backing. Two galvanised eyelets at the top of the frame, 50mm from each end, with a twine cord stretch from each, for hanging purposes. See also KVHS 0054(B) to KVHS 0054(F)A sign, which has been removed from the picture at some previous point in time is "The Tobacco seed, being so fine, is suspended in water and sown onto the seed base using a watering can [as in the photo] or similar device - August - Sept."tobacco, farming, rural industry, licences, ollie mould, blue mould, benzol vapour

This promotional photograph by the Tobacco Growers Association was in response to a 1935 meeting of tobacco growers from Victoria, South Australia and Queensland which produced four major resolutions for the industry covering the remainder of the 1900s. These four resolutions were: (1) Adequate tariff protection (2) Control of pests and diseases (3) Orderly marketing (4) The formation of an advisory council of growers. History has produced the following results. (1) adequate tariff protection was never achieved,(2) control of disease through benzol vapour (CSIRO) breakthrough, was later identified as carcinogenic, (3) orderly marketing was achieved through (4) the establishment of the Tobacco Growers Association(19840. In October 2006, by way of Government buy back of tobacco leases from growers, resulted in the end of Tobacco farming in Australia (after 136 years of planting the first crop). It was also significant that the major tobacco companies such as Philip Morris and The British American Tobacco Australasia advised the industry that it would source its tobacco requirements overseas by 2009.The death of the tobacco industry(2006) resulted in the expansion of the dairy , sheep, beef cattle, venison and lama wool producers in the Kiewa Valley and surrounding regions. The remnants of the Tobacco Industry can still be viewed throughout the Kiewa Valley and adjacent regions on the former tobacco farms which still have the tobacco drying sheds and now converted into hay sheds. The problems from the large quantities of carcinogenic infused soil of farmlands in the region, still remains a problem now and for future generations. This particular photograph shows the lack of understanding by farmers and the contracted labour, at that time, and is demonstrated by the lack of protection of hands when handling seedlings and attached soil. Hand and foot protection was rarely used, even when later warnings were issued of the carcinogenic toxicity of the soil. The majority of farm owners, up until Health authorities stepped in the later stages of 1900s, were skeptical of city scientists' "carcinogenic" health warnings and it was only after the younger generation of farmers, who had graduated from Agricultural colleges, encompassed the scientific approach to farm management. The "she'll be right mate" attitude of the farming/rural community has since the 1970s been slowly dissipating. Stricter controls of herbicides and pesticides used in agriculture are now in force.Coloured photograph pasted onto a thick wood chip backing. Two galvanised eyelets at the top of the frame, 50mm from each end, with a twine cord stretch from each, for hanging purposes. See also KVHS 0054A, KVHS0054C to KVHS 0054FA sign, which has been removed from the picture at some previous point in time is "Pulling seedlings for planting"tobacco, farming, rural industry, licences, ollie mould, blue mould, benzol vapour, photograph

This promotional photograph by the Tobacco Growers Association was in response to a 1935 meeting of tobacco growers from Victoria, South Australia and Queensland which produced four major resolutions for the industry covering the remainder of the 1900s. These four resolutions were: (1) Adequate tariff protection (2) Control of pests and diseases (3) Orderly marketing (4) The formation of an advisory council of growers. History has produced the following results. (1) adequate tariff protection was never achieved,(2) control of disease through benzol vapour (CSIRO) breakthrough, was later identified as carcinogenic, (3) orderly marketing was achieved through (4) the establishment of the Tobacco Growers Association(1984). In October 2006, by way of Government buy back of tobacco leases from growers, resulted in the end of Tobacco farming in Australia (after 136 years of planting the first crop). It was also significant that the major tobacco companies such as Philip Morris and The British American Tobacco Australasia advised the industry that it would source its tobacco requirements overseas by 2009.The remnants of the Tobacco Industry can still be viewed throughout the Kiewa Valley and adjacent regions on the former tobacco farms which still have the tobacco drying sheds and now converted into hay sheds. The problems from the large quantities of carcinogenic infused soil of farmlands in the region, still remains a problem now and for future generations. This particular photograph shows the lack of understanding by farmers and the contracted labour, at that time, and is demonstrated by the lack of protection of hands when handling seedlings and attached soil. Hand and foot protection was rarely used, even when later warnings were issued of the carcinogenic toxicity of the soil. The majority of farm owners, up until Health authorities stepped in the latter stages of 1900s, were skeptical of city scientists' "carcinogenic" health warnings and it was only after the younger generation of farmers, who had graduated from Agricultural colleges, encompassed the scientific approach to farm management. The "she'll be right mate" attitude of the farming/rural community has since the 1970s been slowly dissipating. Stricter controls of herbicides and pesticides used in agriculture are now in force. The death of the tobacco industry(2006) resulted in the expansion of the dairy , sheep, beef cattle, venison and lama wool producers in the Kiewa Valley and surrounding regions.Coloured photograph pasted onto a thick wood chip backing. Two galvanised eyelets at the top of the frame, 50mm from each end, with a twine cord stretch from each, for hanging purposes. See also KVHS 0054A ,KVHS 0054B and KVHC 0054D to KVHS 0054F A sign, which has been removed from the picture at some previous point in time is "The Tobacco crop being topped (flower removed)". tobacco, farming, rural industry, licences, ollie mould, blue mould, benzol vapour

This promotional photograph by the Tobacco Growers Association was in response to a 1935 meeting of tobacco growers from Victoria, South Australia and Queensland which produced four major resolutions for the industry covering the remainder of the 1900s. These four resolutions were: (1) Adequate tariff protection (2) Control of pests and diseases (3) Orderly marketing (4) The formation of an advisory council of growers. History has produced the following results. (1) adequate tariff protection was never achieved,(2) control of disease through benzol vapour (CSIRO) breakthrough, was later identified as carcinogenic, (3) orderly marketing was achieved through (4) the establishment of the Tobacco Growers Association(1984). In October 2006, by way of Government buy back of tobacco leases from growers, resulted in the end of Tobacco farming in Australia (after 136 years of planting the first crop). It was also significant that the major tobacco companies such as Philip Morris and The British American Tobacco Australasia advised the industry that it would source its tobacco requirements overseas by 2009.The remnants of the Tobacco Industry can still be viewed throughout the Kiewa Valley and adjacent regions on the former tobacco farms which still have the tobacco drying sheds and now converted into hay sheds. The problems from the large quantities of carcinogenic infused soil of farmlands in the region, still remains a problem now and for future generations. This particular photograph shows the lack of understanding by farmers, at that time, and is demonstrated by the lack of protection of hands and no masks over their noses, when handling plants. Hand, nose and foot protection was rarely used, even when later warnings were issued of the carcinogenic toxicity of the soil. The majority of farm owners, up until Health authorities stepped in the latter stages of 1900s, were skeptical of city scientists' "carcinogenic" health warnings and it was only after the younger generation of farmers, who had graduated from Agricultural colleges, encompassed the scientific approach to farm management. The "she'll be right mate" attitude of the farming/rural community has since the 1970s been slowly dissipating. Stricter controls of herbicides and pesticides used in agriculture are now in force. The death of the tobacco industry(2006) resulted in the expansion of the dairy , sheep, beef cattle, venison and lama wool producers in the Kiewa Valley and surrounding regions.Coloured photograph pasted onto a thick wood chip backing. Two galvanised eyelets at the top of the frame, 50mm from each end, with a twine cord stretch from each, for hanging purposes. See also KVHS 0054A to KVHS 0054C and 0054E to KVHS 0054FA sign, which has been removed from the picture at some previous point in time is "The Tobacco fully grown prior to start picking"tobacco, farming, rural industry, licences, ollie mould, blue mould, benzol vapour

This promotional photograph by the Tobacco Growers Association was in response to a 1935 meeting of tobacco growers from Victoria, South Australia and Queensland which produced four major resolutions for the industry covering the remainder of the 1900s. These four resolutions were: (1) Adequate tariff protection (2) Control of pests and diseases (3) Orderly marketing (4) The formation of an advisory council of growers. History has produced the following results. (1) adequate tariff protection was never achieved,(2) control of disease through benzol vapour (CSIRO) breakthrough, was later identified as carcinogenic, (3) orderly marketing was achieved through (4) the establishment of the Tobacco Growers Association(19840. In October 2006, by way of Government buy back of tobacco leases from growers, resulted in the end of Tobacco farming in Australia (after 136 years of planting the first crop). It was also significant that the major tobacco companies such as Philip Morris and The British American Tobacco Australasia advised the industry that it would source its tobacco requirements overseas by 2009.The remnants of the Tobacco Industry can still be viewed throughout the Kiewa Valley and adjacent regions on the former tobacco farms which still have the tobacco drying sheds and now converted into hay sheds. The problems from the large quantities of carcinogenic infused soil of farmlands in the region, still remains a problem now and for future generations. This particular photograph shows the lack of understanding by farmers and the contracted labour, at that time, and is demonstrated by the lack of protection of hands when handling the tobacco leaves and nose from tobacco dust. Hand and foot protection was rarely used, even when later warnings were issued of the carcinogenic toxicity of the soil. The majority of farm owners, up until Health authorities stepped in the later stages of 1900s, were skeptical of city scientists' "carcinogenic" health warnings and it was only after the younger generation of farmers, who had graduated from Agricultural colleges, encompassed the scientific approach to farm management. The "she'll be right mate" attitude of the farming/rural community has since the 1970s been slowly dissipating. Stricter controls of herbicides and pesticides used in agriculture are now in force. The death of the tobacco industry(2006) resulted in the expansion of the dairy , sheep, beef cattle, venison and lama wool producers in the Kiewa Valley and surrounding regions.Coloured photograph pasted onto a thick wood chip backing. Two galvanised eyelets at the top of the frame, 50mm from each end, with a twine cord stretch from each, for hanging purposes. See also KVHS 0054A to KVHS 0054D and KVHS 0054Ftobacco, farming, rural industry, licences, ollie mould, blue mould, benzol vapour, photograph

This promotional photograph by the Tobacco Growers Association was in response to a 1935 meeting of tobacco growers from Victoria, South Australia and Queensland which produced four major resolutions for the industry covering the remainder of the 1900s. These four resolutions were: (1) Adequate tariff protection (2) Control of pests and diseases (3) Orderly marketing (4) The formation of an advisory council of growers. History has produced the following results. (1) adequate tariff protection was never achieved,(2) control of disease through benzol vapour (CSIRO) breakthrough, was later identified as carcinogenic, (3) orderly marketing was achieved through (4) the establishment of the Tobacco Growers Association(19840. In October 2006, by way of Government buy back of tobacco leases from growers, resulted in the end of Tobacco farming in Australia (after 136 years of planting the first crop). It was also significant that the major tobacco companies such as Philip Morris and The British American Tobacco Australasia advised the industry that it would source its tobacco requirements overseas by 2009.This particular photograph shows prospective buyers (from the major processing firms of Philip Morris and British American Tobacco Australasia) inspecting the dried tobacco leaves at the Melbourne sales, before 2009, when they moved to overseas growers.The remnants of the Tobacco Industry can still be viewed throughout the Kiewa Valley and adjacent regions on the former tobacco farms, which still have the former tobacco drying sheds but now converted into hay sheds. The death of the tobacco industry(2006) resulted in the expansion of the dairy , sheep, beef cattle, venison and lama wool producers in the Kiewa Valley and surrounding regions. The problems from the large quantities of carcinogenic infused soil of farmlands in the region, still remains a problem now and for future generations. The tighter restrictions of where the final product can be smoked and the higher tax levied (no tariff protection) was the main contributor to this one time lucrative industry's demise.Coloured photograph pasted onto a thick wood chip backing. Two galvanised eyelets at the top of the frame, 50mm from each end, with a twine cord stretch from each, for hanging purposes. See also KVHS 0054A to KVHS 0054EA sign, which has been removed from the picture at some previous point in time is "Tobacco sale floor"tobacco, farming, rural industry, licences, ollie mould, blue mould, benzol vapour, photograph

FROM - Albert KLOWSS of Natimuk Lake This Wallis tractor represents one of the early generations of internal-combustion-powered agricultural machinery that transformed farming practices during the first decades of the twentieth century. Manufactured by the Wallis Tractor Company of Racine, Wisconsin, USA, these tractors gained a reputation for durability and reliability and were imported into Australia in significant numbers. Wallis tractors were widely used throughout grain-growing regions such as the Wimmera, where they gradually replaced horse teams for ploughing, cultivation, seeding and haulage work. Their introduction allowed farmers to cultivate larger areas, reduce labour requirements and improve efficiency during critical farming operations. The tractor belongs to a period when Australian agriculture was undergoing rapid mechanisation. Early tractors such as this often worked alongside horses for many years before fully replacing animal power on farms. Significance: This Wallis tractor is significant as an example of the machinery that helped usher in the mechanised farming era in Australia. It illustrates the technological advances that transformed agricultural production during the early twentieth century and contributed to the expansion of grain farming throughout western Victoria. The tractor demonstrates the transition from horse-drawn implements to engine-powered machinery and represents an important stage in the evolution of Australian farming practices. Machines such as this reduced the reliance on horse teams and enabled farmers to increase productivity on larger holdings. As a surviving example of an early imported tractor, it provides valuable insight into the development of agricultural technology and the changing nature of rural life in the Natimuk district and the wider Wimmera region. An early Wallis tractor mounted on four steel-spoked wheels, featuring a compact engine unit positioned between the front and rear axles. The tractor is finished in green paint, much of which has weathered and worn through years of agricultural use. The machine incorporates a large radiator assembly at the front, an exposed engine and transmission, operator's platform, steering wheel and steel wheel lugs designed to provide traction in cultivated soil. The tractor retains many of its original mechanical components, including the engine, transmission housing, steering system and drawbar arrangement. Its narrow profile and steel wheels are characteristic of tractors manufactured during the transition from horse-powered farming to mechanised agriculture in the early twentieth century.farm equipment, transport, klowss, wallis

Angora goats are believed to have originated in the Himalaya Mountains of Asia. Angora goats were first imported into Australia in 1832 and 1833. They came from M Polonceau’s stud in France to the property of the Riley family of Raby N.S.W. Pure bred Angoras were imported from Turkey in subsequent years up to 1873, to properties in New South Wales, Victoria, and later South Australia. Farming Angora goats became popular in the 1970s.Sepia photo of three Angora Goat Bucks with four men wearing white shirts and and brim hats in a landscape format.On rear top edge - Duaes(?) Anorgra Bucks 19-560wool, angora goat, goat

A windmill may be considered one of the most iconic sights of Australian Farming life. A pump like this rest at the heart of all such windmills, turning wind energy into water for farmers both here in Australia and worldwide alike. The water windmills access is referred to as an aquifer, an underground layer of water trapped in rocks but accessible with use of water wells and windmills. Australia is home to an underground aquifer known as the Great Artesian Basin. It is the largest and deepest aquifer in the world. Stretching over 1,700,000 square kilometres, the Basin underlies nearly a quarter of the continent including most of Queensland, the south- east corner of the Northern Territory, the north-east part of South Australia and the northern part of New South Wales. The basin is 3,000 metres deep in places and is estimated to contain 64,900 cubic kilometres of groundwater. To try and give this number context, a megalitre is a million litres. The Great Artesian Basin contains 65,000 million megalitres of water. This would be enough to cover all the land on the planet in almost half a metre of water.Lift style piston pump typical of an Australian farm connected to a multi-bladed windmill. Bronze cylindrical construction coming up from removable wood base. Rotating lever is above outlet pipe which would send water to the storage tank.windmill, australian farming, great artesian basin, aquifer

This is a Reading Book of the Irish National Board of Education adapted for use in schools in Victoria, Australia. Irish School Readers were used in Victoria under the National School System in the 1850s and continued to be used in the 1860s and 70s under the Common School System and the introduction of the State School System after 1872. Readers produced in Victoria for Australian children did not become prominent until the 20th century (School Papers 1898 and Victorian Readers 1928). The signature of Hugh Adams in this book indicates that the book may have come from one of the Adams families farming in the Wangoom area near Warrnambool. There were several boys in these families named Hugh and it is unclear which one owned this book. This book is of interest as an early school reader used in the Warrnambool area and as a book belonging to a member of a local Adams family in the 19th century.This is a hard cover book of 285 pages. It has a brown cover with the title and ornamentation etched into the cover. The book contains prose extracts and poetry with the extracts headed by the derivation and pronunciation of some of the words in the text. There are a few illustrations and sketches. Some of the illustrations have been coloured and scribbled on. The book has been bound with string and glue with the lower portion of the spine cover missing. The book is very tattered. ‘Hugh Adams’ (back pages and on page 279) school readers, education in warrnambool, hugh adams

This is a book of 190 pages. It has a green cover with embossed floral patterns and a rising sun sketch outlined in gold. The black printing on the cover and spine has a gold patterned background. The pages contain advertisements, printed material and black and white sketches. fictionA Children's Annual formed by re-publishing one year's issues of a monthly magazine matilda logan, st. john's presbyterian church warrnambool, logan's beach

This stencil has been made to label packaged produce (wool bales, packaged meat etc) from a farm in Grasmere, near Warrnambool. The name, W. Robinson, suggests that this is William Robinson the son of James and Jane Robinson. James Robinson came to Australia in 1857 and he and his family farmed at Springvale at Hopkins Point, then at what was termed 'Manning's old Purnim Farm' on the Merri Rive at Grasmere (the Manning brothers, Frederick and John were early farmers in the district). The Robinson brothers, James and Stuart were well-known in the Warrnambool district as champion ploughmen. James's son, William married firstly Christina MacLennan and then Elizabeth Neale of Tooram, Allansford. William died in 1959 but the stencil was probably used on the property after his death. This farm stencil is of interest as a memento of farming at Grasmere in the first half of the 20th century.This is a metal stencil, oval in shape. It has letters cut out in the metal for stencilling purposes. It has been painted or sprayed and is rusted in places.W. Robinson 20 Grasmerewilliam robinson grasmere, manning's purnim farm

This ledger was used between 1883 and 1892 to record returns and activities on a farming property including numbers of sheep shorn, chaff cut, fencing contracted and people employed. One envelope within the ledger is addressed to Mrs J Edwards, Morven via Branxholme. The Edwards family, lived on the MORVEN property situated about 11 kilometres west of Branxholme in the Western District of Victoria. This property was sub divided in 1911 into 25 farms. The not fully used ledger has later been repurposed as a recipe book with a collection of newspaper cuttings (1924-1929) inserted and recipes handwritten on 16 pages at the rear. The pages also include some household hints including instructions on how "To prepare sheep skins for mats"This ledger is typical of farming records kept in the period 1883 to 1892. The repurposing of the ledger as a recipe book was a common practice. This ledger has cardboard patterned covers. The paper pages are bound with cotton. Some pages are handwritten in ink. There are loose newspaper cuttings within the ledger as well as two addressed envelopes and a small red recipe booklet.ledger, farming records, recipes, morven, edwards family morven, canvassing department of the australian dried fruits association

This tin comes from the Melbourne firm of Rolfe and Co. and would have held tea. Rolfe & Co. was established by George Rolfe (Senior) in 1854 as a wholesale wine, spirit and provisions business. George Rolfe was a member of the Upper House of the Victorian Government from 1860 to 1862 and in 1867. He died in 1871 and his son, also George, succeeded him as the managing director of the business. This George Rolfe (1837-1919) came to Australia with his family in 1849 and lived first in South Australia and then came to Melbourne, joining his father’s business, George Rolfe was a keen farmer and fisherman and after holidaying in Warrnambool for some time, bought, in the early 1870s, the property at the mouth of the Hopkins River which he named Lyndoch after the town in South Australia. He came frequently to Warrnambool. He later extended his farming interests which included the properties of Fairy Hill and Shipley. George Rolfe married Jane Ann Lake in 1891 and the Lyndoch property passed to two of his stepdaughters. Today the Rolfe property is the site of an aged care facility. The business of Rolfe & Co. continued well into the 20th century.This tin is of great interest as a memento of George Rolfe of Lyndoch, Warrnambool and his Melbourne business, Rolfe & Co. George Rolfe was a prominent person in the Warrnambool district in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This is a metal container, rectangular in shape. It originally held tea. The sides of the tin have painted lettering regarding the contents and the supplier. This paint was originally in yellow, blue and brown tonings. The lid is round and slots into the rounded opening. The tin has been re-painted in a silver colour on the top and inside. The tin, especially the lettering on the sides, is much rusted and in some places the words are illegible. A small hole has been pierced in the top of the tin‘Rolfe’s Tea’ ‘Rolfe & Co. Ltd 300 King Street Melbourne’ rolfe & co, george rolfe senior, george rolfe junior, lyndoch, warrnambool

This grain scale tester was used to work out the percentage weight of a sack of grain after the grain husk, dust and dirt were removed, thereby allowing for the calculation of the true value of the sack. The parts were attached to the box via the screw on top of the box and the cleaned grain went into the funnel to measure a fixed grain amount, before being released from the bottom of the funnel into the barrel which was then hung on the end of the scale. The weight was then slid down the graduated ruler until the scale balanced. Grain scale testers would have been used in farming in the Western District in the past and similar objects may still be in use. This grain scale tester is retained as a good example of an agricultural item from the past.This is a grain tester scale in a wooden box. .1 The wooden box has two metal hinges and wooden inserts inside with blue felt on the tops of the inserts. The box has a metal plaque on the lid and a round metal hole section for inserting a piece of equipment. .2 This is a metal flask on a stand. Part of it is rusty. .3 This is small metal cylinder with a lid. .4 This is a metal bar with measurements, a hook at the top and a slide or weight fitting on to the bar. .5 This is a small metal screw. ‘Lbs per bushel’ ‘Australian Manufacture by Australasian Scale Co. Ltd., Thomas Street, Sydney N.S.W.’ agricultural instruments, history of warrnambool, grain scale tester

This chair is believed to have come from the homestead of Dr. Daniel Curdie (1810-1884) who arrived in Australia in 1839. He established a property called Tandarook ten miles south of Camperdown. At first he combined farming with a medical practice as he was the only doctor in the coastal regions between Geelong and Portland. After 1850 he concentrated on farming and exploratory tours of the region. The chair may have been used for some or all of his ten children.This chair is of considerable significance firstly because of its rustic nature and age, being a hand made item and secondly because of its association with Dr. Daniel Curdie, one of the important pioneers of the Western District.This is a hand made wooden chair with two struts at the back and four struts supporting the legs. The seat is also wooden. Wooden pegs in some places have been replaced by screws.rustic furniture, childs highchair, dr. daniel curdie