For the First Peoples of south-eastern Australia, making possum skin cloaks has long been a culturally important practice. But during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, possums and other native animals were also heavily hunted by white colonists who coveted their warm and fashionable furs. This rug, made from fifteen possum pelts, was used in a Brighton home during cold winter months in the 1920s.Possum skin rug made from 15 rectangular cut pelts mounted onto a brown wool felt with cut scalloped edges. possum skin, rug, fur, 1920s

Part of the Wagga collection. Maker unknown, c. early 1940s. Possibly from South Australia. This 'travelling rug' was found in an opportunity shop in Campbell's Creek near Castlemaine in Victoria. Unfortunately, nothing is known about the maker but it could be surmised that the quilt had many uses. It is heavy and designed for warmth, lined with a woollen blanket and hessian. Its size suggests usage in an open buggy or car when travelling or as a picnic rug along the way. The sturdy canvas backing is of the type commonly used for awnings, chair coverings or tent cloth. The quality of the green velvet made it ideal for further use as a quilt after the original use as an overcoat or smoking jacket for either a man or a woman. Apart from the original machine stitched seams in the garment, it is sewn together by hand using herringbone stitch. It is not known if this quilt was designed to be used with a cover. However, the arrangement of pieces in the garment to create a shape with straight edges may suggest that this may have been a consideration.Travelling rug made of wool, cotton and green velvet.No. 27 "Travelling rug" Maker Unknown Running Stitch Collection...quilting history, handicrafts, running stitch group, blankets, running stitch collection, highlights of the national wool museum: from waggas to the wool quilt prize - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), quilting - history

The Returned Soldiers and Sailors Mills was located near the Barwon river on Pakington Street, Geelong, where its building still stands. The mill was established in October 1922 with capital acquired from War Gratuity Bonds. The mill produced fine grade woollen products with its speciality being ‘Retsol’ travelling rugs. The mill first began to run into financial troubles with the ‘Credit Squeeze’ or the ‘Holt Jolt’ of the early 1960s. This saw import restrictions lifted which triggered the start of a minor recession and a rise in unemployment. Included in these troubles was the RS&S Mill which saw the number of employees gradually decrease and business declining with cheaper imports beginning to grab an expanding part of the market share. The mill was eventually purchased by Godfrey Hirst in 1973 who tried to continue operations without success and in June 1975 textile production at the site ceased. Outside of financial considerations contributing to the closure of Woollen Mills in this period was the declining need for heavier fabrics as in-home heating and insulation improved. This need had been replaced for a demand for ever softer, finer and lighter worsted fabrics for more casual clothing. Modern day textile production requires fewer steps in the processing of materials for this use. This meant large factory complexes such as early woollen mills like the RS&S mills were no longer required. Compared to modern textile production which can spin a fine yarn out of synthetic fibre or imported cotton easily, spinning fine yarn from medium quality wool at a textile factory was cumbersome and no longer financially viable to suit new consumer demands. This rug provides context to this statement. It was gifted to Shirley and Gordon Green as a wedding present in November 1963 by one of Gordon's colleagues in the wool industry. Living in areas such as Neutral Bay, the Hornsby area and later in life retiring to the Central Coast, the blanket was too heavy for use in these weather conditions and hence it stayed in its original box for nearly 60 years. Top and bottom of rug has frilled edges. Pattern is titled the 'Clan Cameron' and is repeated in a 7x7 grid. Front of rug has a red background with 4 vertical and horizontal lines. All is surrounded by a yellow boarder. Label is stitched into the bottom right corner. Reverse of rug also has a repeating 7x7 grid. Blue background with thick green horizontal stripe. Yellow and red boarder to the grid with 4 red vertical and horizontal lines making up the interior. Rug measure 1550 x 2040mm, approximately the same size as a queen size mattress.Wording, Bottom right corner. THE GEELONG R.S&S. WOOLEN MILLS/ PURE/ WOOL/ AUSTRALIA/ The John Monash Rug (cursive)/ The Clan Cameron (cursive)rs&s mills, textile manufacture, rug, clan cameron, sydney greasy wool exchange

Metal tool used for hooking hand made rugs. May have been used to make rugs as a hobby.Metal tool used for hooking rugs. Hollow hexagonal handle with holed 'punch'.rug hook, hooking rugs, partington

Made by the Returned Soldiers & Sailors Mill in Geelong, post-1924. Rug was given to NWM from another museum in Western AustraliaTartan rug with cream base, featuring pattern with blue, black, green, yellow and red believed to be the Dress Stewart tartan pattern. RS&S label stitched on back of one corner. Label has stitched signature of John Monash. Two of the ends are tasseled. Appears used with several stains and small holes. Reverse of rug is free of design with solitary light brown colour Bottom left front corner has label which reads "THE/ Dress Stewart" On rear of same corner has label which reads "THE GEELONG R.S & S WOOLLEN MILLS/ PURE/ WOOL/ THE John Monash RUG wool, rs&s, reutrned soldiers and sailors mill, rug, quilt, blanket, john monash, the dress stewart, world war one, world war two, tartan

1997 Harley Davidson Trot, Norway. Grand Circuit Race. Winning Horse Rug Horse Rug won by Knight Pistol for winning the Harley Davidson, Grand Circuit race in Norway in 1997Orange with Black and White writing, Brown edgingFront: Harley Davidson / Norway / race / 1997 / Grand Circuit / Sorlandets Travpark. Back: Harley Davidson / Norway / race /1997 / Grand Circuit.harness racing, knight pistol, rug, 1997, horse rug, harley davidson, norway, grand circuit, ke manning, kerryn manning, p manning, peter manning

Collector says - "I can still recall one of my earliest childhood memories, of my nana's bright aqua shoes against the checks of our family travel rug on summer picnics. Maybe that's when this collection planted its seed in me - 40 years later I start my first blanket collection after stumbling across old Onkaparinga travel rugs. I would go to a vintage market in Collingwood every month and almost always found a good one, amassing enough for the entire household. Everyone had their favourite, even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one just for him." 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. " Tan and brown plaid fringed travel rug. Albany Woollen Mill/Travel Rug/All Pure Wool/Emblem: A, Albany blanket, blanket fever, wool, rug, albany, albany woollen mills

2003 Australian Trotting Grand Prix Horse RugHorse Rug won by Sumthingaboutmaori for winning the Australian Trotting Grand Prix at Moonee Valley in 2003White, Green & Gold background with Green & White writing, Gold fringing & edgingFront Top: Moonee Valley / Australian Trotting Grand Prix / Melbourne . Front Bottom: Australian Trotting Grand Prix / Moonee Valley / 2003.harness racing, rug, horse rug, moonee valley, australian grand prix, 2003, sumthingaboutmaori, r healy, ric healy, bryan healy, br healy, gavin lang, g lang, b healy, r mcd healy

Rug label produced by the RSS Mill in Geelong for the Blamey rug.Rug label from the RSS Mill's Blamey rug.THE GEELONG R.S.&S. WOOLLEN MILLS / PURE / WOOL / THE / T.A. Blamey / RUGworld war i textile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, 1918: australians in france - exhibition (19/02/2000 - 30/04/2000) logo merino: sheep in australian art and design - exhibition (29/07/2000 - 04/02/2001), blamey, lt gen. sir thomas albert gbe, kcb, cmg, dso, world war i, textile mills

A predominantely red carpet. Custom made with woven inscription Royal Australian Engineers 1959 Wilson R B 1968 - 2411848. Ubique Viet 66' 67' with fringes top and bottom. 5 wooden rings attached to topThis fully imported & hand woven rug was custom designed for Graeme Wilson.royal australina engineers

This rug was woven in the mid-1990s at the Tascot Templeton Carpet (TTC) mills in Devonport, Tasmania. It was an in-house design. The rug was woven as a one-off design exercise and was given a Golden Thread Award by the Australian Wool Corporation. The design never went into standard stock production and was never released for public sale. This rug has been woven with 100% wool on a 1 metre wide loom. The loom was purchased by TTC from United Carpet Mills of Preston and the rug was woven to demonstrate the capabilities of these looms. This rug is an example of Wilton weaving. Wilton differs from Axminster in that it is usually Loop Pile and 100% wool whereas Axminster is Plush (cut) pile and normally 80/20 wool nylon blend. TTC manufactured primarily high-quality narrow and broad loom, Axminster and Wilton carpets for the domestic and commercial market. They operated from the early 1960s until their closure in 2011. This rug was also on display in the Tascot Templeton head offices before being donated to the National Wool Museum in 2021 by Roger Warn. 3 x 3-meter carpet rug woven in 1-meter wide sections. The pattern repeats 3 times both in the width and the length. Starting from the bottom left corner, a square can be seen within a larger circular shape. These circular shapes connect end on end across the width and length of the rug. 5 Circles make up the length of the rug while 6 circles make up the width. Numerous small shapes encompass the entirety of the rug. These small shapes work together to form many interconnected repeating forms that draw your eye in a new direction every time you look at the rug. The predominant colour of the rug is a purple background with blue, cream and orange colours making up the foreground colours.carpet rugs, woollen rugs, tascot templeton carpets, axminster carpet loom

The rug was made at Albion Mills in Geelong. It was owned by Norman Downie, the uncle of Mary Virr (the donor) who inherited the rug after Mr Downie's death in the early 1990s. Mr Downie and his family had several connections to the wool industry in Geelong. He would send pieces of fabric out to Mrs Virr and her mother in Cobden every year. See attached history.W7215 Statement from Mary Virr on offer of donation Written family history by Mary Virr, page 1 Written family history by Mary Virr, page 2 Partial family tree of Mary Virr, including connections to the wool industry. Photocopy of marriage certificate dated 13th April 1881, marriage between James Downie and Mary Cairns, the grandparents of Mary Virr. A photocopy of a reference dated 15/09/1919 from Mr E. Plumridge from the Corio Wool Scouring Company for Miss M. DownieAlbion Mills Geelong Albion Rug All Wooltextile industry textile mills, albion woollen mills co. pty ltd, albion woollen mills, weaving, geelong, victoria, textile industry, textile mills

The Excelsior Woollen and Worsted Mills were controlled by Godfrey Hirst & Co. Pty. Ltd. The Excelsior name originated from the union in the one enterprise of two of the earliest mills established in Victoria, the Old Victorian Mill, and the Old Barwon Mill. Godfrey Hirst combined his expertise with the capital of Charles Shannon to purchase the Barwon Mill in 1890 and the Victorian Mill in 1899. They commenced production of high-quality flannels in readiness for an anticipated lifting of tariff barriers in 1901, the year of federation. These were the first flannels to be produced in Australia rather than imported from England. In April 1912 the No.2 Excelsior Mill burnt down during the installation of electricity and was rebuilt. The No.1 Excelsior Mill was closed in 1930, with most hands moving to the No.2 Mill. In 1966 the firm changed ownership and became a subsidiary of the McKendrick family and commenced manufacturing of tufted carpets. Godfrey Hirst has since emerged as Australia’s leading manufacturer of tufted carpets. It has also expanded into hard flooring, including timber, laminate, and other surfaces. In 2018, the Godfrey Hirst business was acquired by Mohawk Industries, the world’s largest flooring company. Brown blanket featuring a design of four lines of cream, and a single line of orange, spanning the blanket vertically and horizontally, to form a plaid pattern. At the vertical ends, the blanket ends in a fringe.Label. Stitched. "The Atlantic Rug / Excelsior/ Guaranteed Product / Australian Manufacture"godfrey hirst & co. pty. ltd., excelsior mill, the atlantic rug

The rug was owned by Mary Atkins who was born c. 1920 and died in 1959. She lived at Glenormiston South. The rug was used first as a buggy rug and later as a bed rug.Back of rug Front of rug Photo by donor W7229 Object/Article Offered Assessment Form page 4 W7229 Object/Article Offered Assessment Form page 2 W7229 Object/Article Offered Assessment Form page 3 W7229 Object/Article Offered Assessment Form page 4 W7229 Article offered selection checklist Letter to Lynette Christie from Helen Sweeney dated 15th January 2009quilting quilting - history, running stitch collection, blankets, quilting, quilting - history

Rug was made on National Wool Museum Brinton Axminster Gripper Loom by Brintons Carpets Geelong staff prior to the visit of Queen Elizabeth. On the afternoon of 28/4/1988 Queen Elizabeth was presented with a similiar rug but latex backed and labelled.Rug was made on National Wool Museum Brunton Axminster Gripper Loom by Brintons Carpets Geelong staff prior to the visit of Queen Elizabeth. Detail of rug made on National Wool Museum Brunton Axminster Gripper Loom by Brintons Carpets Geelong staff prior to the visit of Queen Elizabeth II. Label on rug made on National Wool Museum Brunton Axminster Gripper Loom by Brintons Carpets Geelong staff prior to the visit of Queen Elizabeth II. Label for rug made on National Wool Museum Brunton Axminster Gripper Loom by Brintons Carpets Geelong staff prior to the visit of Queen Elizabeth II.weaving, national wool museum, axminster

Blanket label from the RSS Mill, Geelong for the John Monash rug.RSS Mill rug label from the John Monash rug.THE GEELONG R.S.&S. WOOLLEN MILLS / PURE / WOOL / THE / John Monash / RUGworld war i, returned soldiers and sailors mill, label, 1918: australians in france - exhibition (19/02/2000 - 30/04/2000) logo merino: sheep in australian art and design - exhibition (29/07/2000 - 04/02/2001), monash, lt gen. sir john gcmg, kcb, vd

Mr Mears father Horace Mear bought the rug c1933. He was ex British Navy and had migrated to Australia in 1920. Horace worked as a loom tuner at Valley Woollen Mill Geelong in the early 1920's then worked at Federal Woollen Mills as the Manager of the Weaving Room until his death in 1952.RETSOL RUG D E MEARwoollen mills - history, returned soldiers and sailors mill valley worsted mill federal woollen mills ltd, retsol rugs, weaving

A rug designed to celebrate the exhibition of Egyptian art 'Life & Death Under the Pharaohs' from 'The National Museum of Antiquities' in Leiden, The Netherlands. It was made onsite at the National Wool Museum on the 1910 Axeminister loom. The rug was gifted to Brintons Carpets in 1999 as a gesture of thanks along with framed photographs and a certificate of authenticity.W7185 'The Egyptian' Rug Photograph of the wool bobbins on the loom Photograph of the wool bobbins on the loom Photograph of design being prepared for loom Photograph of design being prepared for loom Photograph of design being prepared for loom Photograph of rug being manufactured. Photograph of rug being manufactured. Photograph of rug being manufactured. National Wool Museum Catalogue Worksheet for W7185 page 1 National Wool Museum Catalogue Worksheet for W7185 page 2 Page 1 of a history of Brintons Carpets. Page 2 of a history of Brintons Carpets. A list of catalogues/items in the Brintons Collection donated after closure of Fellmongers Road factory in July 2008.furnishing textile industry, brintons australia pty ltd, carpet, geelong, victoria, furnishing, textile industry

These cards, presumably part of a pack of cards (or two packs) are an advertising tool for Warrnambool rugs made by the Warrnambool Woollen Mill. The Warrnambool Woollen Mill in South Warrnambool was opened in 1910 with John Bennett the first manager. It produced woollen blankets and rugs and woollen products during the war years for military purposes. It closed in 2000.These cards are of interest as an advertising tool for the Warrnambool Woollen Mill which was a major industry in Warrnambool for 90 years. It shows the advertising techniques used by businesses in the 20th century.These are two regulation-size playing cards, both showing the five of clubs, with a colour advertisement for Warrnambool Rugs on the back. The advertisement features an assortment of Warrnambool woollen rugs. On back of cards – ‘Warrnambool Rugs, pure wool’warrnambool woollen mill, cards

'Retsol' brand travel rug produced by the Returned Soldiers and Sailors Mill, Geelong. Retsol rugs were one of the specialities of the RSS Mill. This one was owned by Mrs A.T. Lucas who gave it to Running Stitch.RETSOLtextile production, textile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill running stitch group, retsol rugs, running stitch collection, blankets, lucas, mrs a. t., geelong

The rug was made at Albion Mill in Geelong. It was owned by Mr Angus Peter and Ms Mary Anne Downie, the parents of Mary Virr (the donor). They lived in Cobden. Ms Downie's family had several connections to the Geelong wool industry, in particular the Albion Mill. See attached histories and family tree.W7214 W7214 reverse. Statement from Mary Virr on offer of donation Written family history by Mary Virr, page 1 Written family history by Mary Virr, page 2 Partial family tree of Mary Virr, including connections to the wool industry. Photocopy of marriage certificate dated 13th April 1881, marriage between James Downie and Mary Cairns, the grandparents of Mary Virr. A photocopy of a reference dated 15/09/1919 from Mr E. Plumridge from the Corio Wool Scouring Company for Miss M. DownieAlbion Mills Geelong Albion Rug All Wooltextile industry textile mills, albion woollen mills co. pty ltd, weaving, albion woollen mills, geelong, victoria, textile industry, textile mills

Blanket label from the RSS Mill, Geelong for a Retsol rug.Retsol rug label from the RSS mill.THE GEELONG R.S.&S. WOOLLEN MILLS / PURE / WOOL / RETSOL RUGStextile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, retsol rugs, label, 1918: australians in france - exhibition (19/02/2000 - 30/04/2000) logo merino: sheep in australian art and design - exhibition (29/07/2000 - 04/02/2001)

Blanket label from the RSS Mill, Geelong for a Retsol rug.Retsol rug label from the RSS mill.THE GEELONG R.S.&S. WOOLLEN MILLS / PURE / WOOL / RETSOL RUGStextile mills, returned soldiers and sailors mill, retsol rugs, label, 1918: australians in france - exhibition (19/02/2000 - 30/04/2000) logo merino: sheep in australian art and design - exhibition (29/07/2000 - 04/02/2001)

These hooks were used to make 'hooked' rugs, usually as a craft or hobby. Popular in the 1970s.An example of craft tools from the mid to late 20th century.Metal hook with two-directional clip; varnished wooden handle.Letters scratched into handle "MITHI"rug hooks, rug hooking, crafts

Large square rug with floral motif in circular pattern. Square border and corners. Base colour beige with multicoloured flowers.No visible markingsmanchester, furnishings, rug, floor, flowers, textile

'made' by local Country Women's Association especially for the restored cottage.Large multi-coloured rag rug.domestic items, floor coverings, handcrafts, rug making

The floor covering in the living/dining room was originally seagrass matting as seen in the Strizic photographs of 1959 and 1963. This was replaced after the Boyd's saw a large cream rug floor covering at the Shelmerdine's house and liked it. It was purchased from Myer. In 2007, that rug was found to be moth-eaten and treated and put into storage. Now a similar rug of the same size has replaced the rug purchased by the Boyds.Cream wool with fringeswalsh st furnishings, robin boyd

Made by Elizabeth BakerHand-made tufted floor rug, with blue rectangular centre and triangle patterns around the edge. Dark and light grey toning. Hessian backing.rugs

Rug was made on National Wool Museum Brinton Axminster Gripper Loom by Brintons Carpets Geelong Staff prior to the visit of Queen Elizabeth. On the afternoon of 28/4/1988 Queen Elizabeth was presented with a similiar rug but latex backed and labelled.weaving, axminster

The green logo windcheaters were used to raise money for the Eltham Living and Learning CentreBlack and white photographclasses, eltham living and learning centre, rug weaving