Ron Bridger was an avid collector of items related to transport, predominately Trams. These items include newspaper cuttings, pamphlets, reports, timetables, fares prices plus special items relating to events. Items from Melbourne and regional Victoria, interstate - Adelaide and Sydney, plus overseas, make up this collection. Sheet showing examples of tram destination blinds in miniature. Geelong example is white with black print. Footscray/Melbourne examples are black with white print. Geelong blind starts with Kardinia Park going to the City, Eastern Park, Shannon Street, Belmont, Chilwell, Garden and Humble Streets, City, Newtown, Station, South Beach, Depot. This is one of the routes that provided tram travel for people in Geelong. The Maribyrnong blind shown was on the tram route that stopped at Explosives Factory, Ordnance Factory, Ammunition Factory and Pyrotechnic Factory. These trams carried local people and workers at the different factories. The last item listed SPECIAL.E was not to carry general passengers - workers only. Small example shows Caulfield area.Miniature blinds for Geelong area - white with black print and Melbourne area of Maribyrnong - black with white print.Names of stopping places listed for each routeas box 48a, destination blinds, geelong area, kardinia park, eastern park, football, belmont, chilwell, humble street, garden street, newtown, south beach, explosives factory, ordnance factory, williamstown road, russell street, football ground, ammunition factory, pyrotechnic factory, haymarket, special e, point ormond, south caulfield, elsternwick railway station, glenhuntly depot, special, ron bridger collection

Donor purchased this photograph from an op. shop. It depicts workman surfacing a road in the Geelong area. The steam engine present is driving a belt to operate a crusher which is crushing rock to surface the road. The drays are used to carry the crushed rock.Photograph, road surfacing in the Geelong area, c.1900-20.road surfacing

The map shows rivers and pastoral holdings from 1837 to 1838. Stations occupied around Geelong in 1837 are shown in red and those occupied in 1838 are shown in black. Reproduction of a coloured map shows pastoral stations around the Geelong area from 1837-1940. pastoralism, stations, farming, settlement, squatters

Copy photograph of a small photograph contained within item Reg. No. 587. Photo is Geelong Birney, No. 14 is central Geelong area in 1937. Caption on 587 is "Geelong Birney No. 14."trams, tramways, geelong, birney , tram 14

The wreck site identified as the Columbine, a two masted brig built in 1839 in Aberdeen, Scotland and wrecked on the 1st April 1854 at Ocean Grove, Victoria, was formally reported to Heritage Victoria as located on the 15th January 2003 by Peter Ferrier and Don Love. As the site is over 75 years old it is automatically protected under the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976. This diary is important as it outlines the eye witness account of the last moments of the Barque Columbine which is primarily of historic, technical, social and archaeological significance internationally and to the State of Victoria. It is a unique original account of that episode in early migrant history of Victoria and of Australia.A small leather bound black diary containing entries by John Clarke from 1843 to 1883, recording aspects of his life in Australia from the wreck of the Colombine as a child [approx 13 y.o.a.] to his experiences working in the gold fields and around the Geelong area. The diary is extensively damaged.john clarke, barque colombine, approaches to port phillip, ship wrecks, south coast

The handbook was distributed to all ex-servicemen on return from WW2 in the Geelong area and was a guide to civil life.This booklet for returned service personnel from World War 2 living in the Geelong Region is og local district significance as a part of the history of Geelong.The Road Back -two of The Ex-Serviceman's Handbooks,1947/ 1950 Geelong Issued Free.One is Light green in colour with black writingThe Road Back The Ex-Serviceman's Handbook Geelong.the road back, the ex-serviceman's handbook, world war 2, ww2, australian aif, australian serviceman, australian servicewoman, rss&aila, army, navy, air force, returned sailor's, soldier's and airmen's imperial league of australia, rsl

Fred Murgatroyd worked as a loom tuner at Yarra Falls, Tweedside and Collins mills in Victoria as well as in Sydney, and studied at Leeds University. The photograph is of Joseph Williams who lived all his life in the Geelong area.Murgatroyd Photograph CollectionF Murgatroydtextile machinery textile mills weaving mills textile mills, collins bros mill pty ltd tweedside woollen mills yarra falls mill, murgatroyd, mr fred murgatroyd, mr james williams, mr joseph - federal woollen mills ltd, textile machinery, textile mills, weaving mills

The yarn was made in Geelong in the late 1980's or early 1990's by local woolen manufacturer J.L. McGregor Pty Ltd. The company closed in the early 1990s. The McGregor family still live in the Geelong area.A ball of grey yarn, 50% wool and 50% acrylic with a plastic label surrounding the wool with the product details.On Label: McGregors 50 Grams at standard condition 50% Wool 50% Flame resistant Acrylic Below Logo: Wool and Nu Acrylicwool, j.l. mcgregor pty ltd, yarn, geelong wool, geelong, geelong woollen mills

The 1977-1982 Newspaper articles and race results provide information on well known cycling identities in the Geelong area, some of whom achieved Australian and World championships in this sport. Also included are minutes of meetings and correspondence 1978-1985.Well known racing identities of the time and Geelong Cycling Club members - Don Wilson - who won the Australian national road race title in 1975 and 1977. He also competed in the individual road race and the team time trial events at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico, and the Sun Tour during this period.Wilson won and set the fastest time in the amateur Goulburn to Sydney Classic in 1967 run in reverse direction from Milperra to Goulburn. and John Trevorrow - won the Australian national road race title in 1978, 1979 and 1980. He was also 3 time Sun Tour winner in 1975, 1977 and 1979.Newspaper articles and hard backed books with handwritten minutes and correspondence and race results for the period 1977-1982.

Family History - William Warboys BATSON 1815-1907. Mention in text of research being done at the Bendigo Library and cover of document has 'Mr Batson 9th? Bendigo Bowling Club; Family History etc.' handwritten. Otherwise, there appears to be no reference to Bendigo in the text of this document. Family settled in Geelong area with children later at Nhill and Clifton Hill. Account of journey to Australia in the 'Travancore' (1849) - one of three ships with immigrants settled by Dr. John Dunmore Lang. Location:person, individual, william warboys batson, william warboys batson. dr john dunmore lang. travancore.

The 1973-1979 Newspaper articles and race results provide information on well known cycling identities in the Geelong area, some of whom achieved Australian and World championships in this sport. The newspaper article shown is of Ken Evans - a Herald Sun Tour winner in 1972 and is shown in the photograph winning a sprint at the Melbourne to Warrnambool Road Race in 1973.Newspaper articles provide a great insight into the numerous competitions and esteem in which cycling events we held in the Geelong region.Newspaper Articles, GWCC Cycling Race Records and Results 1973-1979ken evans; herald sun tour; melbourne to warrnambool road race;

Godfrey Hirst Diamond blankets from the mid-1950s are always delight to find. Some of these were found in the Geelong area but one came back with me from an op shop road trip around Tasmania, another from the St Pauls op shop in Romsey. I love this pattern and find the lemon and grey colourway particularly special. Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Diamond blanket, mint and lemon"An All Wool Blanket" /By Godfrey Hirst of Geelong/100% Virgin Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, diamond blanket, godfrey hirst, geelong

The Geelong Harbour Trust Band was one of five brass bands existing in the Geelong area in the early 1900's. They were quite successful in competition under the direction of conductor Mr Harry Shugg. After their conductor, Harry Shugg left to conductor the Malvern Tramways Band in 1915, the band merged with the Geelong Municipal Band to become the Geelong City Band.This postcard is significant as it provides a historical window on this (former) brass band and their achievements. The postcard is also significant as it is part of a series of four in the VBL's collection which have Mr Harry Shugg (conductor) as a central figure.Rectangular black and white photograph printed on a postcard.Front: "GEELONG HARBOUR TRUST BAND, Winners of Double Event, Ballarat, 1910, B and C Grades On a Complete Set of Higham Clear Bore Band Instruments. LYONS, Sole Agend, 256 Bourke St., Melb.geelong harbour trust band, geelong, victoria, brass band, victorian bands' association, harry shugg, geelong city band, geelong municipal band, victorian bands' league

Note from collector: Godfrey Hirst Diamond blankets from the mid-1950s are always delight to find. Some of these were found in the Geelong area but one came back with me from an op shop road trip around Tasmania, another from the St Pauls op shop in Romsey. I love this pattern and find the lemon and grey colourway particularly special. Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Double-sized mint and cream diamond blanketAn All Wool Blanket" /By Godfrey Hirst of Geelong/100% Virgin Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, godfrey hirst, diamond blanket

Note from collector: Godfrey Hirst Diamond blankets from the mid-1950s are always delight to find. Some of these were found in the Geelong area but one came back with me from an op shop road trip around Tasmania, another from the St Pauls op shop in Romsey. I love this pattern and find the lemon and grey colourway particularly special.Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Double-sized, pink and mint diamond blanket"An All Wool Blanket" /By Godfrey Hirst of Geelong/100% Virgin Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, godfrey hirst, diamond blanket, geelong

Note from collector: Godfrey Hirst Diamond blankets from the mid-1950s are always delight to find. Some of these were found in the Geelong area but one came back with me from an op shop road trip around Tasmania, another from the St Pauls op shop in Romsey. I love this pattern and find the lemon and grey colourway particularly special.Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." King-sized, pink and mint diamond blanket, ribbon edgedName tag 'O'Malley' sewn above label/"An All Wool Blanket" /By Godfrey Hirst of Geelong/100% Virgin Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, diamond blanket, godfrey hirst, geelong

Collector says: Godfrey Hirst Diamond blankets from the mid-1950s are always delight to find. Some of these were found in the Geelong area but one came back with me from an op shop road trip around Tasmania, another from the St Pauls op shop in Romsey. I love this pattern and find the lemon and grey colourway particularly special. Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." King sized Diamond blanket, pink, mint and lemon Mothproofed/Godfrey Hirst/Pure Wool Pelage Blanketwool, blanket, blanket fever, diamond blanket, godfrey hirst, geelong

Collector says: Godfrey Hirst Diamond blankets from the mid-1950s are always delight to find. Some of these were found in the Geelong area but one came back with me from an op shop road trip around Tasmania, another from the St Pauls op shop in Romsey. I love this pattern and find the lemon and grey colourway particularly special. Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Godfrey Hirst diamond blanket in pink, grey and lemon"An All Wool Blanket" /By Godfrey Hirst of Geelong/100% Virgin Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, diamond blanket, godfrey hirst, geelong

Collector says: Godfrey Hirst Diamond blankets from the mid-1950s are always delight to find. Some of these were found in the Geelong area but one came back with me from an op shop road trip around Tasmania, another from the St Pauls op shop in Romsey. I love this pattern and find the lemon and grey colourway particularly special. Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Godfrey Hirst Diamond blanket in pink and grey"An All Wool Blanket" /By Godfrey Hirst of Geelong/100% Virgin Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, diamond blanket, godfrey hirst, geelong

Collector says: Godfrey Hirst Diamond blankets from the mid-1950s are always delight to find. Some of these were found in the Geelong area but one came back with me from an op shop road trip around Tasmania, another from the St Pauls op shop in Romsey. I love this pattern and find the lemon and grey colourway particularly special.Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Godfrey Hirst diamond blanket in pink and cream"An All Wool Blanket" /By Godfrey Hirst of Geelong/100% Virgin Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, diamond blanket, godfrey hirst, geelong

Note from collector: Godfrey Hirst Diamond blankets from the mid-1950s are always delight to find. Some of these were found in the Geelong area but one came back with me from an op shop road trip around Tasmania, another from the St Pauls op shop in Romsey. I love this pattern and find the lemon and grey colourway particularly special. It was hard to let go of this one!Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Queen sized diamond blanket , lemon & grey "An All Wool Blanket" /By Godfrey Hirst of Geelong/100% Virgin Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, godfrey hirst, diamond blanket, geelong

The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest.Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS. Tom Sheehy, past President of CMHS, was an Historian and Author of ‘Battlers Tamed the Sandbelt’. A4 paper printed both sides x1. Issue 7 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in June 2008. Notice for meeting June 29th and August 31st at which Ms Dorothy Booth’s topic will be ‘The Historical Mentone Railway Gardens’. Another excerpt from the CMHS Newsletter November 1965, by Tom Sheehy, President, called ‘Memories of Old Cheltenham’ This is the story ‘as told’ to Tom Sheehy by Jack McCarthy b 1890, a member of CMHS, and includes a photocopied photograph of passengers on SS Hygeia c 1900 on a trip across the Bay to the Geelong area. CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / JUNE 2008 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, chelsea, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, sheehy tom, box cottage museum, highett, cheltenham railway station victoria, mccarthy jack, power maurice j., charman road state school, standard certificate education, cheltenham post office, point nepean road, sports, moorabbin show, processions, parades, mentone ice skating rink, sheperd’s café, bourke street, horse tram, sandringham, beach road, ss hygeia, ss courier, ss edina, mechanics hall, memorial hall, magic lantern shows, crooks mr., engine drivers strike 1903, park road cheltenham, booth dorothy, mentone railway station gardens

Bruce & McClure were manufacturers of windmills and agricultural machinery including motor engines , pumps, tanks,and appliances for supplying and conserving water.Also included was brass,iron and steel foundry works. They won 11 first prizes at the Grand national Show of 1907 and in 1914 designed and manufactured a new water boring machine which could also be used for oil and gold exploration They operated from Lava Street well into the 1940's as well as from the geelong area. This plaque is possibly from one of their machines.A tangible link to one of Warrnambool's manufacturing businesses which was innovative and an essential part of the beginnings of machine use in farms and industry in the district. Cast iron plaque with moulded text which is coloured in gold. rectangular with rounded corners. Back is painted grey.Bruce & McClure Distributer Pat 2480.21warrnambool, bruce & mcclure, bruce & mcclure machinery

Report examining rail, tram and bus services to mainly North Geelong area. Drawing of PCC car- possibly a proposed MMTB car - 45' long. Looks at comparative costs, provision of rolling stock, recommendations for improvement, a comparison between buses and trams and the style of an operating authority other than the SEC. Follows on from the Mr. Hector Bell Jnr's report and comments on his report. See item 9819 for this report. Prepared by: Charles Craig (Chairman), Leon Marshall-Wood, Noel Gipps, Donald Wishart, John Beckett, John Stranger (Secretary) of the AETA. Yields information about the threats to the Geelong tram system in 1949 and ways that it could be upgraded and extended to continue to serve. Was the first of the SEC systems to close. Has a strong association with the AETA members.A 20 page report + index + cover sheet + drawing foolscap size + estimate - corner stapled. Second copy, original version, stapled in top left hand corner with rounded corners.trams, tramways, passenger services, geelong, reports, aeta

Mrs Thomas Austin was Charity Ford (or Foord), born in Tunbridge Wells (England) about 1823. She married her husband Thomas Austin in England, and they migrated to Victoria with three children in 1849. They lived first in the Geelong area (at Ashby), but by the 1860s they were in the Linton district, where by 1868 they were running a stationery shop and post office in Sussex Street, next to the Grenville Shire offices. Charity and Thomas Austin had at least another eight children born in Victoria. The 1939 "Historic Souvenir of the LInton Centenary 1839-1939" says that Charity Austin "gave fine service as a nurse" to women in Linton. Charity Austin died at Caulfield in 1908. She is buried at Linton. Photograph is part of Old Lintonian collection ; No. 2.Black and white portrait photograph of a lady wearing gown with lace collar, and bandanna or cap to keep hair back from forehead. The photograph has been pasted onto a piece of cardboard.Backing card of photograph has written text on it, including the words "sewing machine"; the card has been cut so that only part of the text can be read, and it is not clear if it refers to Charity Austin.mrs thomas austin snr., old lintonian collection, charity austin, charity ford (foord)

This is a 1923 booklet containing information on the Telephone Exchanges and the lists of subscribers in the areas of Geelong, Camperdown, Casterton, Hamilton, Mortlake, Portland and Warrnambool. Telephones were in use in Victoria as early as the 1870s with the first Telephone Exchange facility established in Melbourne in 1880. In 1890 the first Telephone Exchange in Warrnambool was established with 35 subscribers. In 1912 the first automatic Telephone Exchange for public use was established in Geelong. This was the second established in the British Empire. This booklet is of considerable importance as it lists all the telephone subscribers in the Warrnambool area in 1923. It is a great research tool as it gives not only the addresses of the subscribers but also in many instances their occupations and business names and in the areas around Warrnambool the names of the properties at that time. This is a soft-cover booklet of 104 pages. It has a dark grey cover with printed information on both sides. It was published in 1923. The pages are stapled together and contain lists of Telephone Exchanges, information on the distances from one Exchange to another in the area and the rates of charges for telephone trunk lines. It also has a list of subscribers in the Camperdown, Geelong, Hamilton and Warrnambool areas. The front cover has a small piece missing at the right hand side edge. There are some rubbing and dirt marks on the cover.Front Cover: ‘Victoria Country Telephone Exchanges, List of Subscribers And Other Information’warrnambool telephone exchange, 1923 telephone book, warrnambool

Linton bushfire 1998, Snake Valley Road area, five Geelong West firefighters died in this fire.Colour photograph of bushfire smoke over Linton."Linton Fire December 2, 1998/Looking North on Skipton Road".bushfires

‘Warrnambool Past and Present’ was written and published in 1907 by Edward Vidler. It is a seminal work on Warrnambool’s history. It is noted for its historical accuracy, its complementary value to Osburne’s History of Warrnambool published in 1887 and its presentation of historically important early photographs. Edward Vidler, born in England, was a writer, historian, journalist, editor and publisher. He was in the Geelong area in the 1880s where he produced a commemorative volume on that city. He was in Warrnambool in the early 1900s where he produced his book ‘Warrnambool Past and Present’ to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of Warrnambool. He also organized the establishment of the Warrnambool Pioneer Honour Board with the portraits of 204 pioneer men from the area. John Ward was a pioneer settler in the Warrnambool area. He was a Councillor (1880 to 1911) and Mayor and had a shop at the corner of Jamieson Street and Canterbury Road. He was an historian and wrote articles on aspects of early Warrnambool and a comprehensive history of Methodism in Warrnambool. Thomas Wicking was a noted Warrnambool historian in the second half of the 20th century. These two copies are most significant. Originals of this book are rare and the book is of key importance in the recording of Warrnambool’s history. Edward Vidler, John Ward and Thomas Wicking are all of importance in the telling of Warrnambool’s story.These are two copies of the book, ‘Warrnambool Past and Present’. .1 No cover, pages 1-82, (some pages missing at the back), bound with adhesive tape, inscriptions handwritten in black, stamp of Camperdown Historical Society, front and back pages slightly crumpled and torn. .2 Replacement hard cover in brown with gold lettering, pages 1-80, (some pages missing at the back), inscriptions handwritten in pencil and blue ink. Both books contain printed text, many advertisements and over a hundred photographs and illustrations of Warrnambool and district. .1 ‘M.Whitehead’ ‘Presented to the Camperdown Hist. Soc. by Hilda Whitehead, 1988’ .2 ‘Thos. Wicking’ ‘John Ward, 24 Hampton Rd. Armadale’ edward vidler, history of warrnambool, thomas wicking