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." Gay as a highland gathering (lamb playing bagpipes)Gay as a highland gathering….good for a lifetime of comfort/Onkaparinga/100% Pure Wool Rugs/Buy Well-Buy Wool blanket, blanket fever, wool, onkaparinga, advertisement

Begonia Festival Highland Gathering 1956RP5/6-00074Begonia Festival Highland Gathering Band contest 2nd Prize B grade.V.S.R Pipes & Drums 19505/6 rvr, begonia festival highland gathering, v.s.r pipes & drums 1956

Daylesford Highland Gathering - 1966 - 7 BRUCE SHELLARD TROPHYLarge to medium size trophy - One handle is missing (left) Daylesford Highland Gathering - 1966 - 7 BRUCE SHELLARD TROPHY - Best Display by Drum Major5/6 rvr bhq, daylesford highland gathering, daylesford highland gathering - 1966 - 7, bruce shellard trophy

This is a 1985 invitation to the 50th anniversary of the re-establishment in 1935 of the Warrnambool Pipes and Drums group. The event was called a ‘ceilidh’, a celebration featuring Scottish songs, music, dance and other entertainment. The Warrnambool Pipes and Drums Inc.was originally formed as the Warrnambool Pipe Band in 1906 with the object of popularising Scottish music and in particular bagpipe music. Simon Fraser was the first Pipe Major (1906-1910) and the group featured in early events in the town, including the annual Highland Gatherings and street marches and celebrations. The group was in recess from 1916 to 1935 when it was re-formed. It has been in existence since then except for a short recess during World War Two. This card is of interest as a souvenir of a 1985 invitation to the 50th anniversary celebration of the re-formation of the Warrnambool Pipes and Drums organization in 1935. This group is important in the musical life of Warrnambool today. This is a white card with a blue border, blue printing and a logo featuring a belt, a tree and the motto, ‘Stand Sure’. Warrnambool & District Pipes and Drums Inc. 50th Anniversary Ceilidh Saturday September 28th 1985 8 p.m. Performing Arts Centre warrnambool & district pipes & drums inc., highland gatherings, history of warrnambool

A silver trophy with rounded handles on a plastic trophy standDaylesford Highland Gathering 1967 Grade 11 Drum Corps Donor: Wentworth Hoteldrum corps, 5/6 rvr pipes and drums, regimental property

A silver trophy with rounded handles on a plastic trophy standDaylesford Highland Gathering 1967 Street Marching Display First Donor: R.J.McNamara 175/6 rvr

A silver trophy with arched waved handles that protrude from the bottom, on a plastic trophy standHighland Gathering Shepparton Band contest 3rd Prize 'C' Grade 1955 V.S.R Pipes & Drums5/6 rvr, 5/6 rvr pipes and drums

A silver trophy on a plastic trophy cup. Curved handles with the stem of the trophy having six ribsDaylesford Highland Gathering ....1956.... Drum Corps Competition 3rd Prize Won by Donor Beadels Wentworth Hotel Daylesford5/6 rvr, daylesford highland gathering

A silver trophy on a plastic trophy cup stand. The handle is curved with the ends protruding. On the top of the handle there are four horizontal lines. The left handle is missingA.P. Sykes Trophy Melbourne St Andrews Day Highland Gathering Grade music 1955 V.S.R Pipes & Drums 145/6 rvr, vsr, 5/6 rvr pipes and drums

A silver trophy with missing handles on a plastic trophy standBallarat Begonia Festival Highland Gathering 1968 Best Drum Corps Grade 2 1968 Pipes and Drums 5 RVR 265 rvr, 5/6 rvr pipes and drums

Beautifully ornamented and engraved Scottish military dirk dating from the 1790s, presented to Comunn Na Feinne Society Geelong in the 1850s and passed on to Newtown Council during their reinvigoration of the Highland Gathering.

These medals have been issued to members of the Warrnambool and District Caledonian Society (one to a committee member). This group is dedicated to preserving and promoting Scottish heritage in the local area and sponsors Scottish country dancing and Highland dancing. The group has its origins in the establishment in Warrnambool of the Western Caledonian Society in 1864 and annual Highland Gatherings were held in the district for many decades after this. These medals, artistically-pleasing ones, are of interest as mementoes of a long- established society in Warrnambool – the Warrnambool & District Caledonian Society. .1 aA gold-coloured medal with gold lettering within a blue circle, a thistle image at the top of the medal and an image in the centre of a coat of arms surrounding an enamelled shield. The medal is attached by a metal clip to a metal chain. .2 A medal in the shape of a shield with gold lettering and images of a thistle and leaves in green and maroon colouring set against a gold background. The medal has a metal bar attached to the top and this bar has a metal clip at the back. .1 Warrnambool & District Caledonian Society In Defence Nemo Me Impune Lacessit Newman .2 Warrnambool & District Caledonian Soc. Committee Stokes warrnambool & district caledonian society, history of warrnambool, warrnambool and district caledonian society, scottish country dancing and highland dancing

This is a programme for a ball and a supper conducted by the Warrnambool and District Caledonian Society in 1937. The Western Caledonian Society was formed in Warrnambool in 1864 to promote and preserve Scottish culture in the region and in the 19th century ran many highland gatherings. The Warrnambool and District Caledonian Society still operates today.The programme indicates the Society was also active in the 20th century. The motto of the Society is that of the first Stuart King of Scotland. This programme is of considerable historical importance because of its menu, its toasts and its list of office bearers of the Warrnambool and District Caledonian Society in 1937.A piece of light weight card folded in two to make four pages with blue printing on each page on a buff coloured background. The front page has a decorative border and a society crest.Warrnambool & District CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Grand Highland Ball and Haggis Supperwarrnambool, warrnambool & district caledonian society, haggis supper

One booklet with a tartan front cover. Also on the cover are the words, 'Official Programme. Fourteenth Annual Daylesford Highland Gathering. Saturday, 20th November, 1965. Victoria Park, Daylesford. Victorian Highland Pipe Band Championships, grades1, 2, 3. Victorian Highland & National Dancing Championships. Highland Games & Piping. Scottish Country Dancing. Massed Bands Display and Parades. Street March. Dan N. McKinnon, Organising Secretary/ Price 2/-. 40pgs. Illustrations, advertisements, photos.program, music, daylesford highland gathering, lydia chancellor, collection, event, dancing, music, bands, program, programme, victorian highland pipe band, daylesford

Zilles Printers was begun by Lewis Zilles in the early 1930s. It was in McKenzie Street Ballarat. His son Jeffrey also became a printer - letterpress, offset and screen printer. The business became Zilles Printers/Graphics and was in Armstrong Street and later Bell Street Ballarat. Lewis Zilles was in Brass Bands and on the Ballarat Begonia Festival Committee. As part of their activities they held the Highland Gathering, another interest of his. The Ballarat Municipal Band Certificate is the awarding of Life Membership. Adjudicator's Certificate is for the Victorian Highland Pipe Band Association. Presented to those who qualify the examination.Eureka Marching Girls Association certificate presented for valued assistance. Three certificates printed on card. Gold borders. Coloured print.Section for officials' signatures. Badge for Pipe Band and Eureka Marching Girls.zilles printers, brass bands, municipal, ballarat begonia festival, victorian highland pipe band association, eureka marching girls association, life member, adjudicator's certificate, valued assistance

Set of sheets with small newspaper clippings and a circular advertising the Ballarat Tourist Tramway operational details and fares collected by Paul Nicholson on behalf of the BTPS. 3725.1 - series of four number A4 BTPS letterhead with cuttings from The Age and other sources - dated Jan. 1978 to May 1980 pasted onto the A4 sheets with handwritten notes about date and source. 3725.1 - RACV Touring Bulletin - Volume 19, Number 4 - foolscap, double side duplicated sheets, with a blue banner on the front. Dated Wed. 7/3/1979, with items about 25 Years of Moomba, Tourist Tramway - Ballarat, giving dates, time and fares, Highland Gathering, Melbourne Tattoo and the Pioneer Country Sound and Wheels Festival - Swan Hill.tram, trams, btps, advertisements, publicity, racv

28 page bookletInside cover, Page 1- Details of Games: Ringwood Highland Games 1969 Jubilee Park, Ringwood. Saturday, 1st March, 1969. Sponsored by the Ringwood City Council. Organised by the Lions Club of Ringwood. Chief of the Gathering- The Hon. J. W. Manson, M.L.A., Minister of State Development.

28 page bookletInside cover, Page 1- Details of Games: Ringwood Highland Games 1972. Jubilee Park, Ringwood. Sunday, 20th February, 1972. Sponsored by the Ringwood City Council. Organised by the Lions Club of Ringwood. Chief of the Gathering- The Hon. J. W. Manson, M.L.A..

Newspaper Clipping from "The Post", 10-3-98, Page 6Former Victorian Premier and current Ringwood Highland Games chieftain, Sir Rupert Hamer, games organiser Sue Mcleod and games chief John Cooper are looking forward to the 15th gathering of the Scottish clans, as well as 'traditional' pastimes such as caber tossing, haggis hurling and welly throwing.

Photograph of unidentified event, late 19th/early 20th century, possibly a gathering of the Linton Caledonian Society. Photograph shows group of people gathered on a grassy area/open space in front of a wooden building, trees in background. Some of the group are wearing uniforms and appear to be members of a brass and/or highland band. To the left is a wagon/cart with baggage and chairs(?) loaded on it. To the right is a horse-drawn cart with people seated on it, other people standing just behind it. About ten small children are in a row at the front of the group. A sign just behind them reads "A Chip Off the Old Block". Two flags are flying, one an Australian flag, the other a Union Jack.