This pair of milk bottles, produced for the Model Dairy in Cotham Road, Kew, were donated by Vik Sabaliauskas. They belonged to his father who worked at Model Dairy in the 1950s and 1960s. Vik wrote about his father: "As for my father, his whole life story is interesting. He was part of the big immigration program after WW2. He was a displaced person in Germany like lots of others who came out looking for a new life. Our family name is actually SABALIAUSKAS which is of Lithuanian descent. My Dad was also named Vik (Viktoras). He was known as Big Vik and I was little Vik. He arrived in Australia in 1947 and then did his 2 years of work organised by the Government and then he came to Melbourne. We lived in Tyler St Preston and he rode his pushbike to and from Kew every working day for years. In my estimation that was about 13 kms for about 6 or 7 years. Imagine that happening today. Freezing Winter mornings and hot Summer afternoons. His English was poor but he had a great work ethic like all European immigrants. His duties related to maintaining and operating all the machines. One story that he told me about was that after I was born (in 1959) he made friends with one of the drivers who delivered milk to the dairy. He asked him to get a container of milk from the farmer everyday which was just for me. I remember going to the Model Dairy Family Christmas parties which were always well patronised. I also remember visiting him in the PANCH Hospital (Bell Street Preston) where he was treated for kidney stones caused by drinking very creamy milk. He wasn't happy when he was told by the doctor to cut back on milk. My Dad was one month short of his 95th birthday when he died and he lived a pretty healthy life." (2019)Kew was a major milk producing district in the Nineteenth and early Twentieth centuries, with three major dairy farms lining the Yarra between Studley Park in the west and Burke Road in the east. In addition to these dairy producers, there were also a number of accredited dairy retailers in the suburb. The largest and most enduring of these was the Model Dairy founded by the Kew pioneer James Venn Morgan. Milk bottles that include the name of the producer or retailer are historically significant as they represent a period in Kew's history before the mass production of milk in the second half of the Twentieth Century. A number of these named bottles have the additional attribute of rarity.Pair of plastic milk bottles, designated on the front as to be used in the refigerator on on picnics. One bottle has a red screw on lid and the other a green lid. The bottles are semi-transparent. [The record also includes a photograph of Vic Sabaliauskas, provided by his son. The photograph dates from the period when he was employed at the Model Dairy].Impressed on the front of both bottles: "Unbreakable picnic and refrigerator bottle made expressly for Model Dairy Pty Ltd Cotham Rd Kew"dairies - kew, model dairy - cotham road - kew (vic)

This well-known Kew business, which would become known as The Model Dairy, was founded in 1863 by James Venn Morgan. Morgan sold the company in the 1890s to John Simonton who renamed the business The Model Dairy Co. Simonton had experience in the local dairying industry having previously leased the Willsmere Park Dairy. He moved the business to Belmont Avenue in c.1899. In 1924, following his retirement, the company expanded to become The Model Dairy Pty Ltd with Arnold Thompson Simonton and John Tanner as its owner/directors. With new techniques and processes such a pasteurisation, the Belmont Avenue site no longer met required standards for processing and bottling, so its operations moved to 191 Cotham Road. The company celebrated its centenary in 1963. A new factory, built in 1959 to a design by Bates, Smart & McCutcheon, was purchased by Bib Stillwell Motors after the dairy closed. The entire site has since been redeveloped.Original black and white photographic positive of a Model Dairy Truck emerging onto Kent Street, Kew.the model dairy pty ltd, the model dairy co, john simonton, james venn morgan, john tanner, cotham road, kent street, ridgeway avenue, bates smart & mccutcheon, dairies -- kew (vic.)

This well-known Kew business, which would become known as The Model Dairy, was founded in 1863 by James Venn Morgan. Morgan sold the company in the 1890s to John Simonton who renamed the business The Model Dairy Co. Simonton had experience in the local dairying industry having previously leased the Willsmere Park Dairy. He moved the business to Belmont Avenue in c.1899. In 1924, following his retirement, the company expanded to become The Model Dairy Pty Ltd with Arnold Thompson Simonton and John Tanner as its owner/directors. With new techniques and processes such a pasteurisation, the Belmont Avenue site no longer met required standards for processing and bottling, so its operations moved to 191 Cotham Road. The company celebrated its centenary in 1963. A new factory, built in 1959 to a design by Bates, Smart & McCutcheon, was purchased by Bib Stillwell Motors after the dairy closed. The entire site has since been redeveloped.Original black and white photographic positive of a Model Dairy Truck emerging onto Kent Street, Kew.the model dairy pty ltd, the model dairy co, john simonton, james venn morgan, john tanner, cotham road, kent street, ridgeway avenue, bates smart & mccutcheon, dairies -- kew (vic.)

This well-known Kew business, which would become known as The Model Dairy, was founded in 1863 by James Venn Morgan. Morgan sold the company in the 1890s to John Simonton who renamed the business The Model Dairy Co. Simonton had experience in the local dairying industry having previously leased the Willsmere Park Dairy. He moved the business to Belmont Avenue in c.1899. In 1924, following his retirement, the company expanded to become The Model Dairy Pty Ltd with Arnold Thompson Simonton and John Tanner as its owner/directors. With new techniques and processes such a pasteurisation, the Belmont Avenue site no longer met required standards for processing and bottling, so its operations moved to 191 Cotham Road. The company celebrated its centenary in 1963. A new factory, built in 1959 to a design by Bates, Smart & McCutcheon, was purchased by Bib Stillwell Motors after the dairy closed. The entire site has since been redeveloped.Original black and white photographic positive of a Model Dairy Truck emerging onto Kent Street, Kew.the model dairy pty ltd, the model dairy co, john simonton, james venn morgan, john tanner, cotham road, kent street, ridgeway avenue, bates smart & mccutcheon, dairies -- kew (vic.)

This well-known Kew business, which would become known as The Model Dairy, was founded in 1863 by James Venn Morgan. Morgan sold the company in the 1890s to John Simonton who renamed the business The Model Dairy Co. Simonton had experience in the local dairying industry having previously leased the Willsmere Park Dairy. He moved the business to Belmont Avenue in c.1899. In 1924, following his retirement, the company expanded to become The Model Dairy Pty Ltd with Arnold Thompson Simonton and John Tanner as its owner/directors. With new techniques and processes such a pasteurisation, the Belmont Avenue site no longer met required standards for processing and bottling, so its operations moved to 191 Cotham Road. The company celebrated its centenary in 1963. A new factory, built in 1959 to a design by Bates, Smart & McCutcheon, was purchased by Bib Stillwell Motors after the dairy closed. The entire site has since been redeveloped.Original black and white photographic positive of a Model Dairy Truck emerging onto Kent Street, Kew.the model dairy pty ltd, the model dairy co, john simonton, james venn morgan, john tanner, cotham road, kent street, ridgeway avenue, bates smart & mccutcheon, dairies -- kew (vic.)

This well-known Kew business, which would become known as The Model Dairy, was founded in 1863 by James Venn Morgan. Morgan sold the company in the 1890s to John Simonton who renamed the business The Model Dairy Co. Simonton had experience in the local dairying industry having previously leased the Willsmere Park Dairy. He moved the business to Belmont Avenue in c.1899. In 1924, following his retirement, the company expanded to become The Model Dairy Pty Ltd with Arnold Thompson Simonton and John Tanner as its owner/directors. With new techniques and processes such a pasteurisation, the Belmont Avenue site no longer met required standards for processing and bottling, so its operations moved to 191 Cotham Road. The company celebrated its centenary in 1963. A new factory, built in 1959 to a design by Bates, Smart & McCutcheon, was purchased by Bib Stillwell Motors after the dairy closed. The entire site has since been redeveloped.Original black and white photographic positive of a Model Dairy Truck parked in Kent Street, Kew.the model dairy pty ltd, the model dairy co, john simonton, james venn morgan, john tanner, cotham road, kent street, ridgeway avenue, bates smart & mccutcheon, dairies -- kew (vic.)

This well-known Kew business, which would become known as The Model Dairy, was founded in 1863 by James Venn Morgan. Morgan sold the company in the 1890s to John Simonton who renamed the business The Model Dairy Co. Simonton had experience in the local dairying industry having previously leased the Willsmere Park Dairy. He moved the business to Belmont Avenue in c.1899. In 1924, following his retirement, the company expanded to become The Model Dairy Pty Ltd with Arnold Thompson Simonton and John Tanner as its owner/directors. With new techniques and processes such a pasteurisation, the Belmont Avenue site no longer met required standards for processing and bottling, so its operations moved to 191 Cotham Road. The company celebrated its centenary in 1963. A new factory, built in 1959 to a design by Bates, Smart & McCutcheon, was purchased by Bib Stillwell Motors after the dairy closed. The entire site has since been redeveloped.Original black and white photographic positive of a Model Dairy Truck parked in Kent Street, Kew.the model dairy pty ltd, the model dairy co, john simonton, james venn morgan, john tanner, cotham road, kent street, ridgeway avenue, bates smart & mccutcheon, dairies -- kew (vic.)

This well-known Kew business, which would become known as The Model Dairy, was founded in 1863 by James Venn Morgan. Morgan sold the company in the 1890s to John Simonton who renamed the business The Model Dairy Co. Simonton had experience in the local dairying industry having previously leased the Willsmere Park Dairy. He moved the business to Belmont Avenue in c.1899. In 1924, following his retirement, the company expanded to become The Model Dairy Pty Ltd with Arnold Thompson Simonton and John Tanner as its owner/directors. With new techniques and processes such a pasteurisation, the Belmont Avenue site no longer met required standards for processing and bottling, so its operations moved to 191 Cotham Road. The company celebrated its centenary in 1963. A new factory, built in 1959 to a design by Bates, Smart & McCutcheon, was purchased by Bib Stillwell Motors after the dairy closed. The entire site has since been redeveloped.Original black and white photographic positive of two Model Dairy Trucks in Kent Street, Kew. Barenya Court and Cotham Shopping Centre in distancethe model dairy pty ltd, the model dairy co, john simonton, james venn morgan, john tanner, cotham road, kent street, ridgeway avenue, bates smart & mccutcheon, dairies -- kew (vic.)

This well-known Kew business, which would become known as The Model Dairy, was founded in 1863 by James Venn Morgan. Morgan sold the company in the 1890s to John Simonton who renamed the business The Model Dairy Co. Simonton had experience in the local dairying industry having previously leased the Willsmere Park Dairy. He moved the business to Belmont Avenue in c.1899. In 1924, following his retirement, the company expanded to become The Model Dairy Pty Ltd with Arnold Thompson Simonton and John Tanner as its owner/directors. With new techniques and processes such a pasteurisation, the Belmont Avenue site no longer met required standards for processing and bottling, so its operations moved to 191 Cotham Road. The company celebrated its centenary in 1963. A new factory, built in 1959 to a design by Bates, Smart & McCutcheon, was purchased by Bib Stillwell Motors after the dairy closed. The entire site has since been redeveloped.Original black and white photographic positive of Model Dairy Trucks in Kent Street, Kew. Barenya Court and Cotham Shopping Centre in distancethe model dairy pty ltd, the model dairy co, john simonton, james venn morgan, john tanner, cotham road, kent street, ridgeway avenue, bates smart & mccutcheon, dairies -- kew (vic.)

This well-known Kew business, which would become known as The Model Dairy, was founded in 1863 by James Venn Morgan. Morgan sold the company in the 1890s to John Simonton who renamed the business The Model Dairy Co. Simonton had experience in the local dairying industry having previously leased the Willsmere Park Dairy. He moved the business to Belmont Avenue in c.1899. In 1924, following his retirement, the company expanded to become The Model Dairy Pty Ltd with Arnold Thompson Simonton and John Tanner as its owner/directors. With new techniques and processes such a pasteurisation, the Belmont Avenue site no longer met required standards for processing and bottling, so its operations moved to 191 Cotham Road. The company celebrated its centenary in 1963. A new factory, built in 1959 to a design by Bates, Smart & McCutcheon, was purchased by Bib Stillwell Motors after the dairy closed. The entire site has since been redeveloped.Digital copy of a business card advertising the Model Dairy in Belmont Avenue, Kew, managed by John Simonton. (The card was donated by John Harvey Simonton in 2021,)"Milk delivered fresh twice daily in / Kew, Hawthorn & Camberwell / All Milk guaranteed free from chemicals, used either to preserve or colour it / Our butter (Model Dairy Brand) / I Manufactured from Pure Cream by the most improved Machinery / [DRAWING] The Model Dairy Co Belmont Avenue Kew / Model Dairy Co / Belmont Avenue, Kew / John Simonton, Manager"model dairy -- kew (vic.), john simonton, belmont avenue -- kew (vic.), dairies -- kew (vic.)

This well-known Kew business, which would become known as The Model Dairy, was founded in 1863 by James Venn Morgan. Morgan sold the company in the 1890s to John Simonton who renamed the business The Model Dairy Co. Simonton had experience in the local dairying industry having previously leased the Willsmere Park Dairy. He moved the business to Belmont Avenue in c.1899. In 1924, following his retirement, the company expanded to become The Model Dairy Pty Ltd with Arnold Thompson Simonton and John Tanner as its owner/directors. With new techniques and processes such a pasteurisation, the Belmont Avenue site no longer met required standards for processing and bottling, so its operations moved to 191 Cotham Road. The company celebrated its centenary in 1963. A new factory, built in 1959 to a design by Bates, Smart & McCutcheon, was purchased by Bib Stillwell Motors after the dairy closed. The entire site has since been redeveloped.Digital copy of the front side of an invoice, for week ending 22 June 1907 by John Simonton of the Model Dairy in Belmont Avenue to Watson for delivery of 17 bottles of milk on six occasions during the week . A drawing of the Model Dairy is printed at the top of the invoice. (The card was donated by John Harvey Simonton in 2021,)"[To M] Watson" / "Paid A Simonton 26/6.07"model dairy -- kew (vic.), john simonton, belmont avenue -- kew (vic.), dairies -- kew (vic.), invoices

This well-known Kew business, which would become known as The Model Dairy, was founded in 1863 by James Venn Morgan. Morgan sold the company in the 1890s to John Simonton who renamed the business The Model Dairy Co. Simonton had experience in the local dairying industry having previously leased the Willsmere Park Dairy. He moved the business to Belmont Avenue in c.1899. In 1924, following his retirement, the company expanded to become The Model Dairy Pty Ltd with Arnold Thompson Simonton and John Tanner as its owner/directors. With new techniques and processes such a pasteurisation, the Belmont Avenue site no longer met required standards for processing and bottling, so its operations moved to 191 Cotham Road. The company celebrated its centenary in 1963. A new factory, built in 1959 to a design by Bates, Smart & McCutcheon, was purchased by Bib Stillwell Motors after the dairy closed. The entire site has since been redeveloped.Rare silver plate salver commemorating one of Kew's most famous businesses. The salver is one of a pair, identically engraved with Model Dairy 1963-1963.Hecworth reproduction old sheffield plate salver with foliate edge on three feet, with impressed maker mark on reverse rim and engraved with the words 'Model Dairy 1963-1963' in the centre of the reverse. "Heckworth Plate was made by Platers Pty Ltd at 39 Greeves St, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria. Platers introduced 'Hecworth' Sheffield Reproduction Silverware in 1940 and in 1946 'Hecworth' was acquired by Rodd Pty Ltd." (MAAS)MODEL DAIRY 1863 - 1963model dairy -- kew (vic.), commemorative silver, john tanner, tanner family

This well-known Kew business, which would become known as The Model Dairy, was founded in 1863 by James Venn Morgan. Morgan sold the company in the 1890s to John Simonton who renamed the business The Model Dairy Co. Simonton had experience in the local dairying industry having previously leased the Willsmere Park Dairy. He moved the business to Belmont Avenue in c.1899. In 1924, following his retirement, the company expanded to become The Model Dairy Pty Ltd with Arnold Thompson Simonton and John Tanner as its owner/directors. With new techniques and processes such a pasteurisation, the Belmont Avenue site no longer met required standards for processing and bottling, so its operations moved to 191 Cotham Road. The company celebrated its centenary in 1963. A new factory, built in 1959 to a design by Bates, Smart & McCutcheon, was purchased by Bib Stillwell Motors after the dairy closed. The entire site has since been redeveloped.Rare silver plate salver commemorating one of Kew's most famous businesses. The salver is one of a pair, identically engraved with Model Dairy 1963-1963.Hecworth reproduction old sheffield plate salver with foliate edge on three feet, with impressed maker mark on reverse rim and engraved with the words 'Model Dairy 1963-1963' in the centre of the reverse. "Heckworth Plate was made by Platers Pty Ltd at 39 Greeves St, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria. Platers introduced 'Hecworth' Sheffield Reproduction Silverware in 1940 and in 1946 'Hecworth' was acquired by Rodd Pty Ltd." (MAAS)MODEL DAIRY 1863 - 1963model dairy -- kew (vic.), commemorative silver, john tanner, tanner family