The Australian Natives Association (ANA) Benefit Society was formed in 1871 at a meeting of young men in Grimwood's Hotel, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. The Association was one of many friendly societies that also aimed to promote the moral, social and intellectual advancement of its members. The young founders restricted membership to native-born Australians, but there were no Koories among them. The Australian Natives Association Ballarat Branch (No4) was founded in 1874. The association’s modest building was based in Camp Street and the branch was one of the most active in the colony, playing a key role in Federation. The Ballarat branch of the ANA was wound up in 1957 and the double storey building has since been used as for office space most recently for employment companies such as Tracey Recruitment. Ballarat's ANA Hall has heritage status under the City of Ballarat’s Camp Street heritage overlay HO186, however it is not listed by either the Victorian Heritage Register or the National Trust.Handwritten letter glued onto a lined page. The letter is from the Australian Natives Association Ballarat Branch No. 4, and is written to John Mateer at the time of his wife's death. The letter is signed by John Gray (President) and Fred Wainwright (secretary). Fred Wainwright was the first secretary of ANA branch No. 4. hew as a clerk at Ballarat Town Hall, and presented an essay on Federation of Australian Colonies in 1879.Australian Natives Association Ballaarat Branch No 4 14th December 1883. Dear Sir The members of this branch of the A.N.A. desire us to convey to you expression of their deep sympanth with you in the irreparable loss you have sustained by the death of your dearly beloved wife. The Members are fully aware that during the first month of such an overpowering infliction the most sincere sympathy of the truest friends can do little by alleviate the bitter pangs of remembrance and sorrow, still they trust that you may be enabled to submit with christian calmness and fortitude to the Will of Him, who, when seeming to act most severely wit us, is in His Own Divine Wisdom, ordering things for the best. We are Dear Sir Yours fraternally John Gray President fred Wainwright Secretary To Mr John Mateer australian natives' association, ana, ballarat branch no. 4. ballaarat branch no. 4, gray, john gray, wainwright, fred wainwright, mateer, john mateer

F2 - Coir matting loom is expertly handled by this blind operator. F5 - Machine cold binding of a millet broom. F7 - Final trimming of a special mat. F9 - Checking and packaging of brush ware is easy to this tradesman.4 B/W photographs of workers in the mat and brush shopsF2 - Mat Shop 1 1964 F5 - BFactory 3 F7 - Pic N123, 6846# F9 - Brush Factory 5 6846# 1964royal victorian institute for the blind, employment

Two material mats that were made in the workshop at RVIB2 matsroyal victorian institute for the blind, employment

A John Deere mat, produced by the RVIB mat shop, sits on the doorway of the RVIB main building. The mat was delivered to Des Byers at John Deere, 300 Bollows Road in Braybrook.1 B/W photograph of mat with jumping stagJO 7007royal victorian institute for the blind, employment

Worker at the loom in the mat shop.1 B/W photograph of man making a matroyal victorian institute for the blind, employment

Mat making was an essential part of many workshops staffed by blind or vision impaired employees since the 19th century. In Australia, it was a skill taught in along the eastern seaboard until the supply of cheaper mats from Asian sources rendered it financially non-viable as a source of employment. These examples were made in the RVIB workshops and demonstrate the variety that could be made, with a plain mat, one printed 'RVIB' in black on one side and in in reverse in various colours on the other, and the other with 'Welcome' on the front and 'Made by the blind' on the reverse.3 coir mats made by RVIB workersRVIB Made by the blindemployment, royal victorian institute for the blind

Images taken later October 1999, of Geoff Melvin signing documents to acquire a mat company.4 col. photographs of Geoff Melvin and an unidentified femaleVision QLD board lawyer Geoff Melvin finalising purchase of mat company Nov 1999vision qld, geoff melvin

This mat was donated to the Museum by the Rev. Andrew Rule Osborn. Reverend Osborn donated several artefacts including Aboriginal artefacts, Zulu and Pacific Islander objects. The Reverend came over from Tasmania to serve here in Warrnambool. His wife Annie was a fantastic author and wrote children's literature which was serialised in the newspapers. She was a supporter of women's suffrage and also the first woman editor of The Age.A flat circular mat made from native Australian grasses. Indigenous Australians would use this as a baby-carrier on the back. One band would be placed around the lower back and mat and two higher up. The child would be placed between the back and the mat. It was also sometimes used as a sun shade or something to sit on. It is a spiral form with grasses woven around to bind it together.aboriginal, indigenous, child carrier, mat, native grasses, reverend andrew rule osborn, annie osborn, women, mothers

This pair of comfortable kneeling mats is from the original furnishings of St Nicholas Seamen's Church, Williamstown, operated by the Williamstown Missions to Seamen organisation. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History): - The Missions to Seamen was an Anglican charity that has served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. Its symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today, there are centres in over 200 ports worldwide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria, the organisation began in Williamstown in 1857 as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’ in an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000, the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres, such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943, a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981, and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This pair of kneeling mats is historically significant for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for seafarers’ physical, social, and spiritual needs. The organisation originated in Bristol, England, when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. Mat, quantity of two. Kneeling mats used during prayer. Mats are rectangular and made of blue cloth with sewn edges and padding inside. The mats are part of the St. Nicholas Seamen's Church Williamstown Collection.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, religion, religious service, sailors rest, bethel sailors’ church, bethel floating church, ladies harbour light guild, lightkeepers’ auxiliary, missions to seamen victoria, mission to seafarers, flying angel’s club, st nicholas seaman’s church williamstown, st nicholas mission to seamen church williamstown, mission to seamen williamstown, st nicholas seamen’s church flagstaff hill, 139 nelson place williamstown, religious worship, anglican church, prayer accessory, kneeling mat, prayer mat, religious custom, religious tradition

The Boyd family recall how Robin Boyd loved gadgets for their beautiful industrial design and their functionality.Juice-O-Mat. Metal handle on right-hand side, metal squeezer on top. Cream coloured body to hold cup. When the handle pulled back the fruit can be inserted.On base: SINGLE-ACTION Juice-O-MAT. US CAT NO 462-C. Rival MFG. CO Kansas City MO. U.S.A.gadget, walsh st appliances, robin boyd, ohm2022, ohm2022_11

Hand-made child's doll's house. Built by Mrs Yvonne Fitzmaurice and finished in 1979. This house was built as a 1:12 scale and is a model of a Californian house called Peppercorn farm. House was built by Yvonne and her family and took a period of three years. A lot of the furniture is handmade and the rest is collected from various shops. Catalogued books, manuals, repair kits etc used when building the house.The white painted verandah has a brass plate beside the door with the name Susan Fitzmaurice. In front of the door is a door mat and the veranda has a white hanging seat and a timber flower box with flowers."Susan Fitzmaurice" name on front of building. Date on plaque on top of front wall. Contents: - flower box with flowers, wooden swing, door mat.

This poster is advertising 'Royal Packaging and Assembly Ind' coir mats. There is a line drawing of a jester's legs and shoes and the tip of a jester's staff on a coir mat. 1 rectangular white poster with red and black text with illustration Royal Packaging and Assembly Ind. Coir Mats For the Home, Office, Factory, Hall, School. Woven Business Logos, Monograms, Lettering. Standard Sizes or Made to Order Acknowledged as Top of the Range Manufactured at our factory from the finest Indian coir Packaging and Assembly Ind. - the Industrial Division of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind Telephone: 5292211royal victorian institute for the blind, employment

Can opener. Green; wall mounting; with magnetic lid holder.Can-o-matdomestic items, utensils

The fine white linen rectangular mat was possibly used on a side table there the chalice, collection plate and other ceremonial items could be stored. This item is part of the collection of Ecclesiastical Linen once used by St. Andrews Anglican Church on the corner of the Esplanade and 14 Drummond St, Dennington, Victoria. The first Anglican service was conducted on December 22nd, 1907. The church was decommissioned in January 2003. This item is part of the Ecclesiastical Linen collection, which is significant for its examples of handworked embroidery and drawn-thread work from the early 20th century. The items are also examples of a collection used for religious services during this period. The Ecclesiastical Linen is also significant for its association with the early development of the local township of Dennington and the importance the the community of setting aside land in the 1850's for the purpose of religious worship. The Ecclesiastical Linen is also significant for its connection to St Andrews Anglican Church, Dennington. The church was funded and attended by the local community in the early 1900's and is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Database (VHD 118083) as a building of historical and social significance. Mat, part of a set of Ecclesiastical Linen once used in St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Dennington, Victoria, between the years 1907 and 2003. The hem of the fine white linen rectangle has been hand stitched.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, st andrews anglican church dennington, dennington church, warrnambool church 1907, ecclesiastical linen, communion linen, hand worked linen, religious service, religious ceremony, ceremonial linen, needlework, fine linen, mat

The fine white linen rectangular mat was possibly used on a side table there the chalice, collection plate and other ceremonial items could be stored. This item is part of the collection of Ecclesiastical Linen once used by St. Andrews Anglican Church on the corner of the Esplanade and 14 Drummond St, Dennington, Victoria. The first Anglican service was conducted on December 22nd, 1907. The church was decommissioned in January 2003. This item is part of the Ecclesiastical Linen collection, which is significant for its examples of handworked embroidery and drawn-thread work from the early 20th century. The items are also examples of a collection used for religious services during this period. The Ecclesiastical Linen is also significant for its association with the early development of the local township of Dennington and the importance the the community of setting aside land in the 1850's for the purpose of religious worship. The Ecclesiastical Linen is also significant for its connection to St Andrews Anglican Church, Dennington. The church was funded and attended by the local community in the early 1900's and is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Database (VHD 118083) as a building of historical and social significance. Mat, part of a set of Ecclesiastical Linen once used in St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Dennington, Victoria, between the years 1907 and 2003. The hem of the fine white linen square has been hand stitched.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, st andrews anglican church dennington, dennington church, warrnambool church 1907, ecclesiastical linen, communion linen, hand worked linen, religious service, religious ceremony, ceremonial linen, needlework, fine linen, mat

The fine white linen rectangular mat was possibly used on a side table there the chalice, collection plate and other ceremonial items could be stored. This item is part of the collection of Ecclesiastical Linen once used by St. Andrews Anglican Church on the corner of the Esplanade and 14 Drummond St, Dennington, Victoria. The first Anglican service was conducted on December 22nd, 1907. The church was decommissioned in January 2003. This item is part of the Ecclesiastical Linen collection, which is significant for its examples of handworked embroidery and drawn-thread work from the early 20th century. The items are also examples of a collection used for religious services during this period. The Ecclesiastical Linen is also significant for its association with the early development of the local township of Dennington and the importance the the community of setting aside land in the 1850's for the purpose of religious worship. The Ecclesiastical Linen is also significant for its connection to St Andrews Anglican Church, Dennington. The church was funded and attended by the local community in the early 1900's and is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Database (VHD 118083) as a building of historical and social significance. Mat, part of a set of Ecclesiastical Linen once used in St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Dennington, Victoria, between the years 1907 and 2003. The hem of the fine white linen square has been hand stitched.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, st andrews anglican church dennington, dennington church, warrnambool church 1907, ecclesiastical linen, communion linen, hand worked linen, religious service, religious ceremony, ceremonial linen, needlework, fine linen, mat

The fine white linen rectangular mat was possibly used on a side table there the chalice, collection plate and other ceremonial items could be stored. This item is part of the collection of Ecclesiastical Linen once used by St. Andrews Anglican Church on the corner of the Esplanade and 14 Drummond St, Dennington, Victoria. The first Anglican service was conducted on December 22nd, 1907. The church was decommissioned in January 2003. This item is part of the Ecclesiastical Linen collection, which is significant for its examples of handworked embroidery and drawn-thread work from the early 20th century. The items are also examples of a collection used for religious services during this period. The Ecclesiastical Linen is also significant for its association with the early development of the local township of Dennington and the importance the the community of setting aside land in the 1850's for the purpose of religious worship. The Ecclesiastical Linen is also significant for its connection to St Andrews Anglican Church, Dennington. The church was funded and attended by the local community in the early 1900's and is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Database (VHD 118083) as a building of historical and social significance. Mat, part of a set of Ecclesiastical Linen once used in St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Dennington, Victoria, between the years 1907 and 2003. The hem of the fine white linen square has been hand stitched.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, st andrews anglican church dennington, dennington church, warrnambool church 1907, ecclesiastical linen, communion linen, hand worked linen, religious service, religious ceremony, ceremonial linen, needlework, fine linen, mat

The fine white linen rectangular mat was possibly used on a side table there the chalice, collection plate and other ceremonial items could be stored. This item is part of the collection of Ecclesiastical Linen once used by St. Andrews Anglican Church on the corner of the Esplanade and 14 Drummond St, Dennington, Victoria. The first Anglican service was conducted on December 22nd, 1907. The church was decommissioned in January 2003. This item is part of the Ecclesiastical Linen collection, which is significant for its examples of handworked embroidery and drawn-thread work from the early 20th century. The items are also examples of a collection used for religious services during this period. The Ecclesiastical Linen is also significant for its association with the early development of the local township of Dennington and the importance the the community of setting aside land in the 1850's for the purpose of religious worship. The Ecclesiastical Linen is also significant for its connection to St Andrews Anglican Church, Dennington. The church was funded and attended by the local community in the early 1900's and is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Database (VHD 118083) as a building of historical and social significance. Mat, part of a set of Ecclesiastical Linen once used in St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Dennington, Victoria, between the years 1907 and 2003. The hem of the fine white linen square has been hand stitched.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, st andrews anglican church dennington, dennington church, warrnambool church 1907, ecclesiastical linen, communion linen, hand worked linen, religious service, religious ceremony, ceremonial linen, needlework, fine linen, mat

Embroidered by donor (Richardson Pat) at Primary School in Grade 6 in 1948A rectangular tray cloth embroidered with a Faun and two Rabbits, Flowers and edged with yellow thread.Meal Mat by Semco No 1handcrafts, embroidery, domestic items, infants

Use: Domestic Bobbin lace mat

Use: DomesticCrochet lace mat

Use: DomesticCrochet lace mat

Use: DomesticApplique lace mat

Table mats presented after a visit to Schwerkolt Cottage and Museum Complex by delegates from City of Whitehorse's sister city MatsudoSymbol of White horse City and City of Matsudo's friendshipTwo table mats presented to WHS by our sister city Matsudo. Number 1 shows Togo Tea House built in 1884 with the garden in the foreground with pots of chrysanthemums in many colours. An insert in the left hand bottom corner 'Whitehorse-Matsudo Sister Cities Celebrating Friendship'. With black circle on left side with a yellow and pink flower and 1971 on it. Number 2 is Named ' Pear Orchard' with background of green trees gold pears hanging from branches. Insert in left hand bottom corner as above.Whitehorse- Matsudo Sister Cities Celebrating Friendship.domestic items, food & drink consumption

For domestic use. Possibly home madeCrochet edged oval mat

Use: Domestic. Probably home madeCrochet edged rectangular mat.

Use: Domestic5 sided tatted mat

Use: DomesticLace mat of tatting and crochet

Till collectionTHE TILL COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT|The significance of the Alwyn Till Collection is that Alwyn was born in Mitcham in 1921. He attended Mitcham Primary School and Box Hill Boys High School. He served his Community mainly through his activities within the Christ Church Anglican Church Mitcham. He joined the Royal Australian Airforce in World War II in September 1939. He trained as a Pilot in Australia and Canada, was posted to England and saw action in Europe. He was shot down over France and rescued by and then joined the French Resistance and while fighting with them was fatally shot. A Baron fighting with him wrote to his mother to inform her of his death.|Alwyn's parents were Evaleen Victoria Till (nee Maggs) and Sydney Norman Till who first lived in Creek Road Mitcham, before moving to 573 Whitehorse Road Mitcham. His father served in World War I where his eyesight was damaged and he was taught by the then Blind Institute in suitcase making of which we have two examples in this collection. He died in 1931. Alwyn took over responsibility for his mother and sister Alison. We can understand how devastated his mother and sister would have been at the news of Alwyn's feeling that he must serve his country in World War 11.|His letters home were so precious to them that they carefully kept all his correspondence, notices of death and condolences from friends. After Alison's death in 2007 her relation Joan Walker transcribed each of Alwyn's letters home into two bound volumes. The executors, Joan Walker and Anne Drew deposited the original letters with the Whitehorse Historical Society. Due to their significance as historical documents of one serviceman's complete correspondence with his family the Whitehorse Historical Society Committee after consultation with the donors deposited the original letters with the State Library of Victoria. The Whitehorse Historical Society retains the copies.|Alison and her mother kept many family memorabilia and personal items which make up this significant collection as they show how people lived, worked and served in the local community and municipality.|This collection represents the love and devotion of the women to their families during the course of two world wars. The father was disabled as a result of World War 1 and died an early death and a son who thereafter took on the responsibility as head of the family at an early age. This young handsome charismatic son served his community in peace time and gave his life in World War 11. This mother and sister were devoted to his memory.Cream woven place mat with fringing.domestic items, table setting, handcrafts, weaving

Use: DomesticNeedle weaving lace round mat