Historically this item was used before the spirit and the electrical iron took over Circa 1930s -1950s. The main body of the iron was placed on a flat heated surface of a stove (wood, coal or gas fired). It was mainly used by women in their domestic role, ironing the family clothes and linen. In the Kiewa Valley the supply of coal or gas was not available or too expensive than the locally cut hard wood trees. This particular iron was an improvement on the fixed handled iron because it allowed (by use of its easily detachable handle) to use multiple bases and thereby allowing a constant heat supply to be maintained and not having to waste time for a base to reheat to the required level of application.The significance of this item was that it allowed for a faster method of ironing clothes and linen. It's invention was a progress towards reducing the time it took to undertake a very labour and intensive domestic function. The reduction of time taken for this household duty provided women great flexibility to undertake other activities. These type of improvements to basic domestic tasks liberated housewives not only physically but also mentally from the isolation of the home environment.This flat iron has a removable, clip-on handle. The handle and its release knob are of wood. The base of the handle together with the heavy flat body are made of cast iron. The body of the iron is oval shaped tapered at each end and is 40mm thick.Underneath the handle frame and on the main body, on one side, in raised lettering is "Mrs Potts" and on the other side "Iron". Both are clearly visible when viewed from an aerial position. Under removable handle and on a plate (screwed onto the main body) is "No 2"iron, antique, household, pressing clothes, domestic, laundry

Skittles or Nine Pins has been played since the 4th century. It is an old European lawn game. In general, players take turns to throw wooden balls down a lane at the end of which are several wooden skittles in an attempt to knock them all over. It evolved into ten pin bowling, one of the most popular pastimes around the world. This is an indoor children's toy probably played on a carpeted passage inside. Skittles was an indoor game which could be played by the whole family.This item reflects a time when simple games were enjoyed as a family. In rural areas where there was limited access to commercial recreation skittles would have been a popular pastime.Four wooden skittles. They are tapered with a knob at the top. All are painted black with two red bands towards the base. Two are smaller and have rounder bases. Under the bases are T-shaped ridges.recreation skittles indoor-games

This type of logbook was issued by the Royal Australian Air Force to non-pilot aircrew to record their flight hour and experience. This information was required for official administrative purposes. The book is incompletely filled in as recorder was "Discharged on compassionate grounds".This book is a useful reference tool.A blue, hard cover log book with details of R.A.A.F. observer/ air gunner/ telegraph operator/ radio operator, used to record exercises from bases in Victoria and South Australia. Inside, each page is printed with a table. Each column in the table has a title, 'Date', 'Hour', ' Aircraft Type and Number', 'Pilot', 'Duty', 'Remarks', 'Flying time / Day / Night'. The table has handwritten entries. air-transport flight-information royal- australian-air-force

Awarded to Alan Bowers (A236814) who was a R.A.A.F. dental mechanic who serverd during WWII including service in Darwin, and then continued in the R.A.A.F. for some years after the end of WWII The Royal Australian Air Force (and all Commonwealth Air Forces) Long Service and Good Conduct Medal: Awarded to NCOs and ORs of the RAAF (RAF, RCAF etc) for 15 years service. A cupro-nickel plated medal, the obverse features the sovereign's head, the reverse features the crown and eagle emblem of the RAAF (and RAF). Officers are eligible for the award provided they have served a minimum 12 years in the ranks. The riband is dark blue and maroon with white edges. This medal ceased to be awarded in Australia in 1975 when it was replaced by the National Medal (and sbsequently the DFSM and DLSM) in the Australian system of honours and awards. http://www.heritagemedals.com.au/medals-1/service-long-service/air-force-long-service-and-good-conduct-medal.html History of the RAAF Dental Branch It took six years following the formation of the RAAF in 1921 for the first Dental Clinic to be established at Point Cook, Victoria. On 10th June 1927 Flying Officer James Carl Rosenbrock commenced work as an RAAF Dental Officer for the FlyingTraining School at Point Cook. As personnel numbers were still relatively small, Rosenbrock was also responsible for the dental care of all Victorian RAAF units, which involved treating members at 1AD Laverton, as well as Air Force Headquarters at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne. As Army Dental Officers were currently caring for RAAF personnel at Richmond, NSW, the Senior Dental Officer of the 3rd Military District in Victoria (SDO 3MD) requested through the military board that a similar arrangement be established, where that the newly appointed RAAF Dentist provide part time dental services to the Army units stationed at Queenscliff. This was seen as an effective reciprocal arrangement, with both units having a Dental Officer in attendance for, in total, around 3-4 weeks a year. Rosenbrock continued to serve as the sole RAAF Dental Officer until the middle of 1933, when the Air Board asked for his service to be terminated following ‘behaviour unbecoming of a RAAF officer'. He had borrowed several sums of money, of around 40 Pounds or so, from junior ranks on base (as well as from the Regimental Sergeant Major) and had failed to pay the money back. He was replaced by a fellow Victorian, FLGOFF Norman Henry Andrews, on the 18th Sep 1933, who went on to become our first Director of Dental Services, and was instrumental in establishing the organisations and conditions of the Branch that are still present today. Through a fair amount of persistence and hard work on the part of Norman Andrews, the RAAF Dental Branch began to expand from 1937, with the introduction of 2 additional positions, at RAAF station Richmond, and at the FlyingTraining School at Point Cook. This gave the RAAF 3 uniformed Dental Officers, which was expanded to 5 in the months leading up to WW2. 4 of these Dental Officers were based in Victoria and 1 at Richmond, with the other two RAAF units being cared for by the Army (as in the case of Pearce in WA) or by civilians (as in Darwin). With the sudden increase in RAAF personnel required at the outbreak of WW2, the number of RAAF Dental Officers increased dramatically, from 5 in 1939, 28 in 1940, 64 in 1941, 147 in 1942, 193 in 1943, 219 in 1944, and peaking at 227 in 1945. RAAF Dental Officers were required to work in a variety of locations, both in and out of Australia. Between 1940 and 1942 a massive construction programme occurred, with new dental clinics being established around Australia. Priority was given to aircrew training units in order to get these personnel dentally fit for operational deployment, but Dental Officers could equally find themselves posted to recruit depots, fixed stations, medical clearance stations, mobile dental sections, and RAAF and civilian hospitals. RAAF Dental Officers were posted to the large dental centres at Ascot Vale (Vic) and Bradfield Park (NSW) when first appointed, where they received military and clinical training, before being deployed to their needed location. Mobile Dental Units When Japan entered the war in 1941, the rapid deployment of troops to northern operational areas with less than ideal dental fitness was extremely high. As a result, the RAAF deployed a range of mobile dental units, either alone or with medical sections, to support the increasing number of isolated deployed personnel within Australia and overseas. There were three types of mobile unit used: a. Mobile Dental Unit – relied on using either a semi-trailer to get around or by building a surgery directly on to the truck chassis, and installing hydraulic chairs, units, x-rays, and laboratory equipment. They were able to move around between small units, such as RAAF radar stations, where they could plug into the local power supply and work immediately. b. Transportable Dental Units – used for stops of longer duration, where field equipment was carried in panniers from one unit to another by road or rail and housed in whatever accommodation was available at the destination. They were often carried within Australia on Tiger Moths and Dakota aircraft. c. Itinerant Dental Units – in some areas, the dental equipment was installed at the RAAF unit and the Dental Officer and their staff would travel from unit to unit, using the equipment available at each location. RAAF Dental BadgeAs the war developed in Europe, it soon became obvious that the RAF Dental support was not capable of supporting the increasing numbers of RAAF aircrew that were being sent for service with the RAF, with only enough Dental Officers available to provide one to every 2000 men ( instead of the preferred 1 to 600). As a result, the RAAF provided a mobile dental unit, fitted out in a caravan and pulled by a Ford V8 Coupe, to travel around England in support of RAAF personnel at various squadrons. Some degree of tact was needed to ensure that the RAF did not take this as a comment on the treatment they were providing, but it proved successful in maintaining a satisfactory state of dental fitness in RAAF personnel, and a second mobile unit was soon dispatched. They were also set up with a laboratory on board as well as the surgery, which was a major difference between the RAF and RAAF, as the RAF did not provide dentures for their troops (the RAAF would, providing they had served for 6 years). In 1943 the RAF was no longer able to provide Dental support to Australian troops in the Middle East, which resulted in the need for a transportable dental unit to be deployed from Australia. It functioned in a similar manner to the RAF, by moving from one squadron to another. It served in the Middle East and Africa, from Cairo across North Africa, to Italy, and eventually back to England to treat returned prisoners of war. GPCAPT Norman Andrews The growth and development of the RAAF Dental Branch owes a debt to one man in particular, GPCAPT Norman Andrews. As the second RAAF Dental Officer to enlist on 18 Sep 1933, Andrews became the principal architect of the structure and organisation of the RAAF Dental Branch leading up to and during WW2. Until early 1940, the RAAF Dental Branch was administered by the Director of Medical Services (Air), which placed it under the control of the Army Medical staff. The Army would provide their Inspector of Dental Services for advice whenever needed. In April 1940, the RAAF Medical service separated from the Army, resulting in the control of the RAAF Dental Branch shifting back to the RAAF. Andrews became the first Director of Dental Services, when the position was created in 1943 as recognition of the higher profile the Dental Branch was now playing in the RAAF Medical service. Until this time, Andrews's title had been as the Dental Staff Officer to the RAAF Medical Service. Andrews was responsible for the establishment of the war-time structure of the Dental service, establishing new dental centres at all major bases, creating mobile and transportable dental units, ensuring the continual growth of the Branch, maintaining professional development of staff through the establishment of a professional journal, and by organising renowned lecturers to speak at RAAF bases. He also believed in visiting as many dental units as possible to see for himself what conditions were like and to talk first-hand to staff in remote units. His itinerary during the war years, both in and out of Australia, shows a large number of trips in a variety of modes of transport in order to reach remote areas where units were serving. He was promoted to GPCAPT in July 1944, as the numbers of Dental Officers soon peaked at 227 towards the end of the war (1 GPCAPT, 9 WGCDRs, 60 SQNLDRs, and 157 FLTLTs). After the war, with the reduction in RAAF personnel required in uniform, the Dental Branch also reduced its numbers significantly. By 1947 there were only 18 Dental Officers serving (many part-time), with 1 GPCAPT, 1 WGCDR, 10 SQNLDRs, and 6 FLTLTs, and only 13 by 1950. With the decrease in Branch personnel numbers, the ‘powers to be' saw fit to reduce the Director of Dental Service rank to WGCDR, and as a result Norman Andrews found that in order to continue serving in the RAAF he would have to wear a reduced rank. This appears to have been a contributing factor in his decision to discharge at the relatively early age of 43 and accept an administrative job as Director of the Victorian Government's School Dental Service. Norman Andrews holds the proud honour of being the founder of the RAAF Dental Branch, which during the war was instrumental in educating servicemen of the importance of dental health and maintaining the dental fitness of troops in a variety of areas. Dental Orderlies (Assistants) The dental orderly mustering was first introduced in 1937. Until that time, medical orderlies were assigned to assist the Dental officer with their duties. As early as 1931 it had been noted by both RAAF and Army Dental Officers working in Victoria and Richmond that a lot of the troubles they were having would be solved by appointing a permanent Dental Orderly. Often they would find that the medical orderly they were assigned was a different one each day, and as a result the administration and work in general was very inefficient. By 1937, with the increase in Dental Officers to 3, it was realised that a Dental Orderly mustering needed to be created. Dental Mechanics/Technicians Before WW2, dental laboratory work was provided by civilian laboratories, as most RAAF units were stationed around metropolitan areas. At this time, service personnel were still required to pay for their own dentures, unless they had served for six years or had their dentures damaged during performance of their duties. In July 1940, mainly in response to the development of more remote RAAF dental units and the increasing demand for dental prostheses, the Dental Mechanic mustering was established. Unfortunately there was a very limited pool of civilian dental mechanics to recruit from, and as a result the RAAF set up a training school at Laverton (which was later moved to Ascot Vale) in June 1941 which conducted an intensive 6 month course in Dental mechanics. Dental mechanics were quickly in demand. In all fixed and mobile dental units at least 1 Mechanic was supplied for each Dental Officer, and indeed the RAAF supplied Dental Mechanics throughout all its deployments, something the RAF were unwilling, or unable, to do. Two grades of dental mechanic existed: the Senior Mechanic (with the rank of NCO), who was competent in all phases of laboratory work; and the Junior Mechanic, who could only handle routine work and not more advanced denture work. The progression to Senior required a further trade test in techniques including setting up, clasp-forming, casting and backing teeth. During the course of the War, two special courses were held for Mechanics. The first, directed at senior mechanics so that they could instruct others, was in 1942 when Acrylic Resin was first introduced as a denture base material, as an alternative to the current option of vulcanite. Later, towards the end of the War, a ‘refresher' course was provided for those that had served for the greatest period of time in order to allow them retraining in techniques that they had not practised during their service and which were common in civilian life. This included cast base dentures, crowns and bridges, partial dentures, and retainers. Towards the end of the War, a course was held with WAAAF trainees to train them as Mechanics. However, as the War was soon to end they never had the opportunity to progress within the mustering to become Senior Mechanics. The RAAF Dental Branch has survived 75 years of turbulence, with reviews of its viability occurring regularly every few years from as early as 1937. The Branch continues to provide excellent service to the ADF community and, despite reduced manpower, will continue to play an important role in Air Force Health operations. http://www.defence.gov.au/health/about/docs/RAAFDental.pdf40cm cupro-nickel plated medal, the obverse features the sovereign's head, the reverse features the crown and eagle emblem of the RAAF (and RAF). A23814 BOWERS.A. A. F.r.a.a.f long service medal, r.a.a.f good conduct, r.a.a.f. dental service medal

Black wooden mantle clock with pendulum bob, made in U.S.A. by the Sessions Clock Company, mounted on ornate metal feet with metal handles on each end, four faux marble columns in green with metal tops & bases. Round gold dial with black numerals and hands, brass bezel with flat glass. 8 day time and strike, chiming the hours on a gong and half hour on a bell. Original paper label on back with manufacturers details and operating instructions.The Sessions Clock Cohorology, clocks, mantle

Metal surgical instrument. Consists of four slightly curved arms approximately 25cm long, attached by pins to a central metal plate. A four pronged handle sits atop the metal plate, which operates a small jack that sits below the metal plate. The jack is attached to all four arms, and opens and closes the arms as the handle is turned. There is a gauge beneath the handle to provide a reading as to how open the arms are at any given time. A foot with a flat base in a quarter circle shape is attached to the bottom of each arm. When the arms are fully closed, the bases of the feet meet up to form a complete circle. The numbers, '1', '2', '3' and '4' are each engraved on one of the feet.gynaecology, obstetrics

Gwyneth "Gwen" Goedecke collectionHiroshima|Historical articles, Hiroshima Day Speech (Rally 2007) Melbourne|Campaign for International Co-operation & Disarmament (CICD) - 40 years on - Commemoration (1985) |Nuclear Disarmament - People for Nuclear Disarmament (PND) including the Footscray Sunshine PND group|signed petition World Disarmament Campaign (1982) sponsored by the UN Association of Australia|Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (post 2007) - Why the US is targeting Russia and Iran ...... Nuclear Primacy|publication of the Medical Association for Prevention of War (Australia) 2007 titled ' Understanding the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty'|Australian Nuclear Free Zones Secretariat including minutes and correspondence - Sunshine Council|Non- Proliferation Legislation Amendment Bill 2003 (Australia) Uranium Mining - protest groups meetings, rally notices, newspaper articles, Atomic Energy in Australia magazines Volume 18, number 4 |Campaign for International Co-Operation and Disarmament (CICD) - Australia's longest runing peace movement, founded in 1959 by unionists, church leaders and peace activists (originally called World Congress for Disarmament and International Co-Operation) |United Nations - Australia and the United Nations Annual Report Card (2007) - report by Gwen Goedecke (1995) - 50th Anniversary Conference : The United Nations - Between Sovereignty and Global Governance - (La Trobe University)|UNITY - newsletters, publications of the UN Association of Australia -#274 (September 2001) AND #331 (March 2003) -compiled from Federal Parliamentary and other sources relevant to Australia's obligations to the UN | Arms Race/Spending: Newspaper clippings '70s to 2008 Senate Motion on National Missile Defence (200?) Submission re Australian involvement in Missile Defence dated? Defence White Paper Community Consultation Process and correspondence (July to September 2008) Exposing the Bare Essentials Behind the Arms Trade: Connecting Women's Rights & The Peace Process - by Yum Lee, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (1995) Various articles on arms/disarmaments/national security/defence spending including Senate Questions (1994 &1995) Australian Controls on the Export of Defence & Related Goods - Guidelines for Exporters - Department of Defence (1992) World Action to Stop the Deadly Arms Race - report isssued by Alf Watt for the Australian Socialist Group NSW (post 1975) Anti US/Foreign bases in Australia - '80s to 2000 Anti US bases in Australia and the Paciic including PINE GAP newspaper - Oceania (1986) |East Timor Article by Vera Butler (PHD, Political Science, Uni of Melbourne) on Australia, East Timor and The Clinton Doctrine - September 1999 |Middle East List of UN Resolutions against Israel (1955-1992) Map of Middle East Theatre of War, from the Centre for Research on Globilisation, Canada (2003) Brief - Middle East highlights (1973) by Israel Press Ltd., Tel Aviv |Iraq War (1998-2004 Newspaper arlticles Flyers protesting the war, rally notices Reports, emails, correspondence, media releases, petitions, newsletters Socialist Worker pamphlet - 'Is the UN an alternative to the US Empire?' Report by Dr Carmen Laswrence MP - 'What War?' (April 2003) A.N.S.W.E.R Coalition response to President Bush's National TV address of September 7, 2003 |Peace andTerror World Peace Council Presidential Committee meeting, Stockholm (1975) (2 reports) 'Challenging the Cold War' - an analysis of the motivation and strategies of the Victorian Peace Council in the 1950's, by Nancy Florence Phillips B.A. (Oct 1986) Palm Sunday Peace Rally & Festival poster (1988) Media Report (2003 'Managing Terror in the Media', together with Gwen's notespeace

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A coloured photograhp of Johhny O'Keefe and his rock and roll band belt out a tune for the Diggers at 1st Australina Task Force Bases', Nui Dat, Luscombe Bowl. the O'Keefe show presented rock and roll that was the top of the pops at the time and was a great hit with the diggers.photograph, 1 atf, nui dat, luscombe bowl, entertainers, johnny o'keefe, gibbons collection catalogue, diggers, 1st australian task force, the johnny o'keefe show, denis gibbons

Illustrated book with blue cover. Front cover has a coloured illustration by Vivian and Marjorie Mare of a nurse in uniform standing in front of a plane, the title is printed in blue and the author's name printed in white. Title and author's name are also printed in white on the spine. The back cover has a collage of black and white photographs of RAAF personnel including nurses. Limited edition of 1000 copies.non-fictionEstablished in July 1914, the Royal Australian Airforce Nursing Service (RAAFNS) personnel expanded from 45 in December 1940 to 616 in December 1945. Miss Margaret Irene Lang was appointed Matron-in -Chief and her staff's conditions in service were similar to those of the Australian Army Nursing Service. The nurses were originally attached to RAAF bases in Australia but later served in New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. With the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Unit (MAETU), established in 1944, nurses helped with aerial evacuation of casualties and were involved with the liberation of Prisoners of War from Singapore and other areas. The service was disbanded at the end of World War Two, but in 1948 a peace-time service was formed, and the RAAF nurses have served in the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War. They continue to care for the sick and injured at RAAF hospitals. Includes honours, awards and the nominal roll of RAAFNS 1940-1952.royal australian air force nursing service-history, world war 1939-1945-medical care-australia, military nursing-australia, nurses, nursing

Thomas Stoddart, 1828 - 1905, bought 12 white marble statues during a visit to Italy. Stoddart arranged for them to be shipped to Victoria and placed on pedestals of Sicilian marble and on bases of Victorian granite. These statues were unveiled in the gardens on Queen Victoria's birthday, 24th May, 1884. His intention was for the statues to adorn and add interest to the gardens. Summer is portrayed with the handle of a sickle and holding a sheaf of grain, symbolising harvest time.The artwork is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of BallaratWhite marble figure shown with handle of sickle and holding a sheaf of grain, symbolising harvest time.Summersummer, stoddart

On the 19 February 1942, 242 Japanese aircraft, in two separate raids, attacked the town of Darwin, ships in the harbour and the town's two airfields in an attempt to prevent the Allies from using them as bases to contest the invasion of Timor and Java during World War II. Darwin was lightly defended, relative to the size of the attack, and the Japanese inflicted heavy losses upon Allied forces at little cost to themselves. The two Japanese air raids were the first, and largest, of more than 100 air raids against Australia during 1942–43.The Bombing of Darwin, also known as the Battle of Darwin, on 19 February 1942 was the largest single attack ever mounted by a foreign power on Australia. The urban areas of Darwin also suffered damage from the raids and there were a number of civilian casualties. As a result more than half of Darwin's civilian population left the area permanently, before or immediately after the attack. Timber framed containing coloured print of planes depicting the bombing of Darwin Harbour. Gold metal plaque - BOMBS OVER DARWIN Presented to Wangaratta RSL Limited Edition Print 234/1800 by James Baineswwii, bombing of darwin, battle of darwin

Image depicting the explosion of a ship, filled with TNT and ammunition, hit during the first Japanese air raid on Australia's mainland, at Darwin on 19 February 1942. In the foreground is HMAS Deloraine which survived unscathed. On that day, 236 people were killed when 242 Japanese aircraft, in two separate raids, attacked the town, ships in Darwin's harbour and the town's two airfields in an attempt to prevent the Allies from using them as bases to contest the invasion of Timor and Java during World War II. MV Neptuna was a 5,952 ton cargo motor vessel. and was 1 of 11 sunk during the Japanese air raid on Darwin on 19 February 1942. In January 1942 HMAS Deloraine evaded an attack by the Japanese submarine I-124 north-west of Darwin and was jointly credited with the submarines' sinking after she inflicted the initial damage. The Bombing of Darwin, also known as the Battle of Darwin, on 19 February 1942 was the largest single attack ever mounted by a foreign power on Australia. Brown timber frame containing blue black and white print of ships being bombed.February 19th 1942, Darwin Harbour In the foreground the corvette HMAS Deloraine. Smoke billowing in the background is from burning oil tanks on shore, the mushroom cloud is from the explosionof the ammunition ship Neptuna. Watercolour by Tom Offordbombing of darwin, battle of darwin, 19 february 1942, ww2, mv neptuna, hmas deloraine

Robin Boyd developed a close friendship with the founder of the Bauhaus in Weimar Germany, Walter Gropius, who had moved to the USA in the 1930s. Through this connection, Boyd was invited to be the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Bemis Professor at the School in the North American academic year 1956-7. During this time, the Boyds purchased this set of Revere kitchenware, which carries the prized "Process Patent" maker's mark on the thick copper bases. Mandie Boyd recalls: "I don’t remember a lot of cooking going on in them, if any, as they were a pain to clean but looked fabulous hanging on the wall absolutely gleaming. We would all check our hair and make up in them."A set of Revere Ware Saucepans and Frying Pans. A set of four Revere Ware copper clad, stainless steel saucepans with lids and black handles and hanging rings. A set of three Revere Ware copper clad, stainless steel pans with black handles and hanging rings. The largest flat one has no lid. Saucepans: largest 175mmx140mm, smallest 120mmx180mm. Frying Pans: largest 350mmx10mm, smallest 80mmx50mm.Revere Ware company engraving. Made under process patent #2363973. 'Revere Ware 1801' 'Patent # 22726091'revere, revereware, revere ware, cookware, walsh st kitchenware, robin boyd, ohm2022, ohm2022_10

Lily and William Downton owned and ran a flower farm on Reservoir Road (now Belgrave-Hallam Rd) Belgrave South for many years. William Ernest Downton, known as Ernest, was born in Toxteth, Liverpool, England in late 1888, and Lily May Renshaw was born in Chorlton, a suburb of Manchester, England, in mid-1891. They married in Victoria in 1915. Their son Arthur Ernest was born in Cheltenham in 1922 and their daughter Elizabeth (Betty) was born in 1927. Around 1937 they bought land off the Potter family, bounded by Reservoir Rd, Engelke Rd and Potters Rd, and set up their flower farm where they grew chrysanthemums, daffodils and heath, which they sold at markets. When they retired they sold the farm and shifted to Gilmore Road (now Orana Court). Ernest died in South Melbourne in 1959 and Lily died in Ringwood in 1972. As with so many of the early residents of Belgrave South and Heights, the Downtons were heavily involved in the local activities and groups. Their son Arthur, who provided these family photos to our society, enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942 and served in New Guinea as well as at various Australian bases. At the time of enlistment he was employed as a flower grower and gardener. He married Marjorie (Madge) Van Graaph in 1948. Arthur worked as a bus driver for U.S Motors. He died in 2007, Madge having predeceased him in 1987. Their daughter Betty married Alex Hall and lived on Gilmore road across from Lily and Ernest. Photo shows Lily and William Downton, who owned and ran a flower farm on Reservoir Road (now Belgrave-Hallam Rd) Belgrave South for many years. They are seated or standing in a garden with a hedge behind them. Lily is wearing a floral dress. Her hair is pinned back. She is wearing glasses. Ernest is wearing a short-sleeved shirt and wide tie. They are smiling broadly.