This item was used by Helena Warren (nee McKeown), a well known photographer and local press correspondent. She lived at Newmerella. The meat mincer was a particularly popular kitchen gadget. By means of the mincer left overs and off cuts could be transformed into shepherd's pie or mince steak. Gadgets like this Universal food chopper are typical of domestic inventions designed to reinforce the principles of thrift and labour-saving. Many of these gadgets were imported from the United States. A cast iron metal hand mincer with a long metal body with an opening at one end, inside which is a circular spiral blade and a screw clamp attachment at the other end. On one side of the mincer is a curved metal handle held in place by a metal nut and a wooden bulb shaped knob at the end. There is a metal circular webbed blade held in place by a metal nut and bolt."Universal No. 2 brand; L.F. & C., New Britain, Conn., U.S.A."mincer chopper food-preparation

These nails were made for Walter John Mundy (1868-1944). Often imported nails made for the softer English and North American timbers bent when hammered against the harder colonial woods and so The Mundy family were farmers / settlers in the Snowy River area since c. 1880s. The original Mundy family moved to a land "selection" at Betebolong in the early 1880's from Buchan. It's only over the past century or so that the mass-produced nail has become an inexpensive and common way to join materials. These three iron nails were hand made by an early Orbost settler or blacksmith in the 1880's, using iron, forge and anvil. They are examples of the types of nails used in the 19th century. A rectangular, wooden(athel pine?) board with three hand-made nails glued in fan design to top left corner of section of floorboard. There is a short length of yellow cord attached for hanging. To the right of the nails is hand-written text in black. the nails have irregular shanks and hammer marks on both shanks and heads.right of nails - " Flooring & nails from Walter Mundy's house at Jarrahmond built C.1885. Still in use to this day."mundy-walter hand-made-nails

By the late 1800s increasing numbers of Australian working men had at least one good suit as a sign of respectability. Suits could be purchased ready-made, made to measure from a local tailor. The introduction of electric irons meant that the old flat irons and gas stove no longer had to be used. This electric iron would have been used to flatten seams during the tailoring process. This item is representative of a now rare craft that has diminished in the contemporary world.An electric tailor's iron. It has a green base and a black handle. The body of the iron has a flat back and curves to a point at its front. Its handle is metal and is attached with large screws at the top and back side of the base. The top of the handle is covered in black plastic that has finger grooves. there is a black iron resting stand.

Flat irons were also called sad irons or smoothing irons. Metal handles had to be gripped in a pad or thick rag. Some irons had cool wooden handles and in 1870 a detachable handle was patented in the US. The detachable insulated handle was designed to be always cool for ironing. The handle was detachable, so that several irons could be on the stove at one time and the handle swapped between several bodies. This handle appears to belong to a Mrs Potts' sad iron - Reg. No. 1885. This item is an example of an invention that was universally adopted because it meant that users could keep several irons on the stove at one time and the handle swapped when needed. The original Mrs Potts irons had handles made of wood (walnut) and this enabled the user to us the iron without sustaining burns. The item reminds us of the difficult circumstances experienced in their daily routines by the early families in Orbost A wooden handle which has been painted green. The base is made of cast aluminium and is attached to the handle by two screws ( not original). In the base is a hinged piece for attaching to the iron, held to the base plate by a spring and operated by a wooden knob for quick release. A hook holds the handle to the iron.On the base is an indecipherable number.handle sad-iron flat-iron mrs-potts domestic laundry

This glue pot would have been used in woodwork projects. The glue used was probably an animal based glue.This item is an example of an accessory used by a trades person before the widespread availability of the modern liquid adhesivesA cast iron glue pot consisting of two separate pots - the larger of the two is designed to hold water and be hung over a fire. The smaller pot is placed inside so the glue can melt. each pot has a metal hanging / lifting hook / bail handle.glue-pot trades carpentry cast-iron container

A tall cylindrical shaped cast iron container. It is slightly mis-shapen.container cast-iron

Rectangular weights like these were often used with platform scales used for weighing large items or bags.Five rectangular cast iron handled weights - one smaller than the other four. Each of the larger ones has a moulded ring in the middle of the top. The smallest one is cubic and has a small rectangular recess in the front.On the top is a small oval shape on a stem. cast-iron weights

Sharpening is done by grinding away material on this implement with an abrasive substance harder than the material of the tool to be sharpened. A sharpening wheel is an efficient way to sharpen blade edges.Mobile knife-sharpening services are no longer commonly used. In the disposable society of the 21st century we can throw away our blunt scissors, knives or tools and buy replacements.A cast iron knife or tool sharpening wheel attach to a wooden base. It has a wooden turning handle.A McMillan Federal Knife Cleanerknife-grinder

Tea was one of the first goods to be packaged in metal containers. Early import/export companies shipped it in metal-lined wooden crates. Pewter (widely used in England) was used one of the earliest metals used to fashion oriental style tea containers. Tin plated iron was made into tea canisters as early as 1790, often hand painted with places of the tea's origin. This tin has been adapted for use as a money box.In the mid-nineteenth century custom branded tins developed as a tasteful form of advertising. They were often cheap and decorative and found their way into households as gifts, often being kept as ornaments and storage boxes.They have survived well in many homes. A cylindrical metal Lipton's tin. The lid has a slot cut into it. The front panel has "LIPTON'S" above a red drawing of a tea factory and plantation with" TEA" below it. The print is white. There are panels framed in bamboo around the tin."Lipton tea, coffee and cocoa planter: Tea merchant by special appointment to his majesty King George V"tea-caddy lipton's container

This plummet came from S.S. Auckland which was wrecked at Beware Reef near Cape Conran in 1871. The S.S. Aukland was a two masted , iron screw steamer built by C. Mitchell & Co. in 1863 in Newcastle, England. It was owned by the Australasian Steam Navigation Company who modified it in Sydney. In May 1871, on a voyage from Melbourne to Sydney, it ran into breakers and struck Beware Reef. Conditions were foggy and there was a strong easterly current. All passengers and crew were rescued by the S.S. Macedon. (ref. Victorian Heritage Database)The S.S. Aucckland is archaelogically significant. Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary is located five kilometres south east of Cape Conran. On one side of the reef lie the remains of old shipwrecks, including the SS Auckland, a steamship wrecked on the reef in 1871.A tapered conical shaped piece of a lead, a plummet, used for measuring the depth of water.s.s.aukland beware-reef sounding-lead shipwreck

This feed wheel is part of the drill press catalogued as No. 2030.A cast iron wheel ( a feed wheel) with three spokes (one has been broken off). It has a screw nut for fastening to the shaft of a workshop drill (cat. no. 2030).BUFFALO FORGE Co. BUFFALO N.Y.drill machinery engineering cast iron

This item was probably used in leather work for horse harnesses.A hand-operated heavy cast iron press. It has a detachable handle at the top for twisting the screw.THE J.D. RANDALL COpress machinery leather-harness

This was probably used on a farming property and would have been attached to various horse-drawn farm implements and machinery.Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.A heavy iron chain for attaching to a horse drawn implement. It has a strong hook at one end and a large ring at the other. It has several ring attachments and straps which have been added with wiring.chain farming

Could have been from a hay rake and used on a local farming property.This item is an example of early farming machinery used in the Orb ost district.Rim of an iron wheel. Possibly from agricultural machinery. The 13 spokes have been cut off.iron wheel-rim agricultural-machinery

This is a very common 'farm' style of old swinglebar. Blacksmiths and agricultural machinery suppliers made them by the thousands. They were used most commonly on heavy vehicles pulled by horses. This one would have been used on a farming property on the Orbost district.This item is an example of an early farming implement used in the Orbost district. It also demonstrates the improvisation skills of the agricultural community.Four pieces of wood connected by iron fittings. Two pieces have iron loops at both ends. The two straight pieces appear to be newer. There are two swingle trees. It appears to be a 2-horse set of swinglebars with a double-bar. which has been added to and repaired.agricultural-implement horses farming swinglebar

An iron brake mechanism possibly from a farm implement. It has been painted red.It was probably used to control height on braking when attached to an agricultural implement. farm-implement agriculture

This came from the butcher's/baker's cart on display at the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre). The cart came from Sederlan's Bakery and had been used outside the premises as advertising. The original chassis had been added to extensively with shafts, wheels and tyres added. This axle appears to have part of the cart - either a baker's or butcher's cart.An axle from a butcher's cart. It has been painted red and is made of iron. The shaft is rounded in the centre with square sections near the ends. It has 2 U-bolts to attach the shafts to the cast springs. It has a set of washers at both ends.axle cart transport

This item was used at The Men's Club Orbost in Livingstone Street, Orbost.This item is representative of the leisure activities of people during the nineteenth century and early 20th century. The Orbost Men's Club no longer exists. It is also significant as being associated with the history of Australia's leading manufacturer of billiard tables, Alcock of Melbourne who were established in 1854 and are still in business today.Billiard table iron; a heavy iron of cast metal. This has a large, rectangular face with attached, cast metal handle. This was used for pressing the cloth of a billiards table. Engraved/embossed on handle is ALCOCK THOMSON & TAYLOR PTY LTDrecreation billiards billiards-table-iron men's-club-orbost

E. Swan (of Bairnsdale) purchased the Orbost Tank Factory from Mr E. F. Reynolds. Swan was a tinsmith, coppersmith, plumber, zinc and iron worker who specialised in repairing tanks. Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is an example of the book-keeping of an Orbost business in the early 20th century and is a useful research tool.A very stained shite paper account with black print and red lines from E. Swan, Orbost Tank Factory, to R. Cameron.swan-e. cameron-robert-pullar

Donated by Mrs Catherine Ah Chow. A roughly improvised metal knuckle duster which is made of iron with cord wound around a metal shaft. A "U" shaped piece fits onto either end of the shaft. Presumably, a person's hand clasps the cord wound shaft and the metal "U" piece is for inflicting damage to the opponent in a fight.

This mincer was donated to the Slab Hut (Visitor Information Centre) as a display item.This domestic kitchen appliance is typical of the period when food processing was done at home. It would have been before the time of mass food processing factories.A cast iron food mincer with a wooden handle. It has a funnel shaped cup at the top through which the pieces of meat are pushed to come out of the side. The wooden handle is turned to help this action. It has one blade. The mincer clamps to a flat surface by a hand operated vice/screw. MODEL No 2food-preparation mincer appliance kitchen domestic

This was used by the Cameron family on their dairy farm at Orbost. The Cameron families were early farmers at Orbost and Marlo.This was used by the Cameron family on their dairy farm at Orbost. The Cameron families were early farmers at Orbost and Marlo.A rectangular shaped iron bell with a clapper inside. bell sheep-bell agriculture stock iron

Sad irons, also called flat irons or smoothing irons, are shaped pieces of metal that are flat and polished on one side and have a handle attached to the other, created for the purpose of de-wrinkling fabric. “Sad” is an Old English word for “solid,” and the term “sad iron” is often used to distinguish the largest and heaviest of flat irons. They often had a trivet on which to rest the hot iron.Two triangular flat irons. They are made of solid cast iron with hollow iron handles. Flat irons (often referred to as sad irons) were heated on trivets in front of open fires, or on the tops of closed ranges, or on specially-designed iron stoves in larger laundries. They were made in numbered series which related to their size, although there was no standardisation in the series between manufacturers. these two are Salter brands. 1872.1 is a No 7 and 1872.2 is a No 8 and slightly heavier.Salter 7 Salter 6flat-iron sad-iron domestic-appliance laundry

A black camp stove, single burner, which uses alcohol fuel. It is made of iron and has a steel reservoir for the fuel. There is a wooden handle for fuel control. Embossed on centre of burner: ”Brilliant / D.R. Patent”.stove burner fuel-stove cooking food-preparation

Mrs. Potts invented the Potts Removable Handle Iron. Her invention of the Cold Handle Sad Iron changed the clothing iron industry. The detachable insulated handle was designed to be always cool for ironing. The handle was detachable, so that several irons could be on the stove at one time and the handle swapped between several bodies.This item is an example of an invention that was universally adopted because it meant that users could keep several irons on the stove at one time and the handle swapped when needed. The original Mrs Potts irons had handles made of wood (walnut) and this enabled the user to us the iron without sustaining burns.A Mrs Potts Sad Iron.It is a double point design with detachable handle. The detachable insulated handle was designed to be always cool for ironing. The handle was detachable, so that several irons could be on the stove at one time and the handle swapped between several bodies. There is no handle with this iron. MRS POTTS. Rest is indecipherable.domestic-appliance mrs-potts sad-iron flat-iron laundry

Jabez and John Whitehouse had the Phoenix Foundry in Castle Street, Tipton. These scales are interesting because they are a common domestic kitchen item used when all meals were prepared at home. A set of cast iron balance scales with seven weights up to 4 lbs. The pan is detachable and painted green. The pan seems to be made of tin. The weights are labelled.TO WEIGH 14 LBS weights - J. & J. Whitehouse TIPTONscales food-preparation weights cast-iron measurement

Older gem scone trays were made of cast iron. This more modern one is made of cast aluminium.This domestic kitchen baking tin is typical of the period when when most food was made at home. It would have been before the time of mass food processing factoriesA solid cast aluminium gem scone tin. It has hemisherical indents for baking 12 small cakes.WAYdomestic food-preparation gem-scones baking

Historically, lasts were typically made from cast iron because this material retains its shape, even when in contact with wet materials (like leather) and subjected to the stresses of stretching and shaping shoes on them. This item is an example of the self-reliance shown by rural families when household necessities were not readily available.A cast iron boot last which can be used for three different sized sole placements boots / shoes.boot-last domestic shoes

An iron scraper or food chopper with an iron handle. It has a single blade.