Acquired when "Classweave Industries" closed downWool Sorting 11/87 14textile mills - staff woollen mills, classweave industries pty ltd federal woollen mills ltd, textile mills - staff, woollen mills

This card is the fourth in a set of 16 information cards produced by the Stamina Clothing Company re: Australian Woollen Mills as give aways. It looks the process of wool sorting and classing.Card no. 4 from the Crusader Mills information card set, c.1945-55. Verso of card no. 4 from the Crusader Mills information card set, c.1945-55.No. 4 Wool Sorting at the Crusader Mills.woolclassing, australian woollen mills pty ltd stamina clothing company

This is a badge of an Australian association of fellmongers, wool sorters and scourers. This group may have been part of the Amalgamated Fellmongers, Wool Sorters and Wool Scourers Union of 1912-1918 or it may have been an earlier association. A fellmonger was a dealer in the hides or skins of animals, especially sheep, or a person who removed the skins from animals. There were several fellmongery and wool scouring establishments in 19th century Warrnambool and district. These included the Dallimore Fellmongery at Lake Gillear, the Bennett Merri Bank Fellmongery at Dennington and the fellmongery businesses of James Evenett and Henry Mawbey on the Merri River in South Warrnambool.Although it has no known local provenance, this badge is of interest because there were several fellmongery establishments in the Warrnambool district in the 19th century so it may have belonged to a local person.This medallion has a gold coloured image of a suspended lamb on a circular royal blue enamel background which in turn is surrounded by a white enamel annulus with text. The external brass edging is filigree. The medallion has an attached ring at the top with narrow gold ribbon threaded through an additional ring FELLMONGERS WOOL SORTERS & SCRS' . AUST. WOOLANDSKIN 82? G.P.O.PLACE W fellmongers, warrnambool history, dallimore fellmongery, bennett merri bank fellmongery, james evenett, henry mawbey

Display board was once property of Port Macquarie Historical Society & Museum, but they de-accessioned it in 2016 before donating it to the National Wool Museum. Reason for de-accession was that it no longer fit with their collection aims, nor was it relevant to their location. Item appears to have been made in 1963, or at least using wool samples from 1963. Wool samples were grown by a S.F. PICKER at 'BIGGA' in New South Wales. No further information was given by donor.Light brown timber framed display board with glass cover. Light brown backing board with 25 wool samples taped to the board, each with a paper lable with printed text. Main label reads -WORLD RECORD PRICE / 1963...468d / SUPER FINE MERINO. / COUNT. 74/80. / GROWN BY. / S.F. PICKER. BIGGA. / N.S.W.-wool samples, wool sorting, wool breading

Photograph album containing 15 photographs of the textile processes which took place at the Valley Worsted Mill which was established in 1923.Photograph album contains 15 photographic postcards of textile processes from the Valley Mill, c.1920s. Valley Mill, Geelong, c.1920s. Wool sorting at the Valley Mill, Geelong, c.1920s. Wool scouring at the Valley Mill, Geelong, c.1920s. Woollen carding at the Valley Mill, Geelong, c.1920s. Worsted carding at the Valley Mill, Geelong, c.1920s. Combing and drawing at the Valley Mill, Geelong, c.1920s. Woollen spinning at the Valley Mill, Geelong, c.1920s. Worsted spinning at the Valley Mill, Geelong, c.1920s. Winding at the Valley Mill, Geelong, c.1920s. Warping at the Valley Mill, Geelong, c.1920s. Weaving at the Valley Mill, Geelong, c.1920s. Mending at the Valley Mill, Geelong, c.1920s. Wet finishing at the Valley Mill, Geelong, c.1920s. Dry finishing at the Valley Mill, Geelong, c.1920s. Warehouse at the Valley Mill, Geelong, c.1920s.PHOTOGRAPHS THE / VALLEY WORSTED MILLS / GEELONG WOOL SORTING / WOOL SCOURING / WOOLLEN CARDING / WORSTED CARDING / COMBING & DRAWING / WOOLLEN SPINNING / WORSTED SPINNING / WINDING / WARPING / WEAVING / MENDING / WET FINISHING / DRY FINISHING / WAREHOUSE C.J. Frazer Photographer / Melbournetextile mills warehouses, weaving, textile production, textile mills, valley worsted mill, scouring, carding, combing, drawing, spinning, winding, warping, wet finishing, mending, milling, dry finishing, textile mills - warehouses

Wool samples prepared at the School of Wool Sorting, Gordon Institute of Technology, Geelong. This object hung in the Wool Exchange Building until 1985 and is now displayed in the National Wool Museum using copy prints of photographs. Wool samples were prepared at the School of Wool Sorting, the Gordon Institute of Technology, Geelong.THE WOOL INDUSTRY OF GEELONG 1935textile mills wool stores, gordon technical college - woolclassing department, textile mills, wool stores

Album contains photos of the Elliott and Dibb wool sorting and blending operations; also six photos showing operations inside the Oriental Scouring Mills, Geelong. There were yellow sticky notes (non-contemporary, written by Gerald Van Rompaey) containing information on each photo scattered throughout the album. These have been removed for conservation reasons and their details transcribed here. The first note stated: "Michael's mother (the donor's mother, Mrs Elliott) said this album was got up as a promotional tool for an expensive overseas trip by Harold E. (her brother in law in 1950)". The 1st photo shows the skirtings in the reclass bins in the former Australian Estates Collins Street show floor. The 2nd photo is similar to the first; the 3rd photo shows the fleeces being reclassed. The 4th photo shows the wool sorters at work (Harold Elliott can be seen in the double breasted suit). The 5th photo is of more reclassing, and the 6th is similar. The 7th photo shows Harold Elliott with the sorters and the 8th photo is similar. The 9th photo shows the first and second pieces of the skirtings being sorted. The 10th photo is a general shot of full bales and the reclass bins. The 11th photo shows a double dumping press at work, compressing the already full bales for shipment. The 12th photo shows scouring operations at Oriental Scouring Mills in Geelong (the scouring has been contracted out by Elliott and Dibb). The 13th, 14th and 15th photos shows more scouring at the Oriental Scouring Mills. The 16th photo shows two men (Keith Dibb on the right) viewing the scoured wool. The 17th photo shows the scoured wool being pressed at the Oriental Scouring Mills, Geelong. The final six photos (the photos of the Oriental Scouring Mills operations) are all stamped on the verso with a photographer's stamp (Frazer Studios, Melbourne), suggesting that Elliott and Dibb commissioned a photographer to go to Geelong to take the photos. (a note from Gerald Van Rompaey identifying five photos has been found and is now located in supp. file 1417. It does not seem to identify photos in this album; the photos he identifies may turn up at a later stage.)Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, 1950. This photo shows the skirtings in the reclass bins in the former Australian Estates Collins St show floor. Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, 1950. This photo shows the skirtings in the reclass bins in the former Australian Estates Collins St show floor. Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, 1950. This photo shows fleeces being reclassed. Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, 1950. This photo shows the wool sorters at work (Harold Elliott can be seen in the double breasted suit). Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, 1950. This photo shows wool being reclassed. Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, 1950. This photo shows wool being reclassed. Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, 1950. This photo shows Harold Elliott (double breasted suit) with the wool sorters. Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, 1950. This photo shows Harold Elliott (double breasted suit) with the wool sorters. Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, 1950. This photo shows the first and second pieces of the skirtings being sorted. Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, 1950. This photo shows the full bales and the reclass bins. Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, 1950. This photo shows a double dump wool press at work, compressing the already full bales of wool even smaller for shipment overseas. Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, in 1950. This photo shows the scouring operations at the Oriental Scouring Mills in Geelong (the scouring had been contracted out by Elliott and Dibb). Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, in 1950. This photo shows the scouring operations at the Oriental Scouring Mills in Geelong (the scouring had been contracted out by Elliott and Dibb). Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, in 1950. This photo shows the scouring operations at the Oriental Scouring Mills in Geelong (the scouring had been contracted out by Elliott and Dibb). Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, in 1950. This photo shows the scouring operations at the Oriental Scouring Mills in Geelong (the scouring had been contracted out by Elliott and Dibb). Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, in 1950. This photo shows two men (Keith Dibb on the right) viewing the scoured wool at the Oriental Scouring Mills in Geelong (the scouring had been contracted out by Elliott and Dibb). Photograph from album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, in 1950. This photo shows the scoured wool being pressed at the Oriental Scouring Mills in Geelong (the scouring had been contracted out by Elliott and Dibb). Photograph album front cover. Album compiled by Elliott and Dibb, wool merchants, 1950.Frazer Studios / (C.J. FRAZER) / 165 BOURKE STREET / MELBOURNE, C.1 / CENT. 4358woolclassing, wool processing, elliott and dibb oriental scouring mills, scouring, wool press, wool press - double dump

The Working Men’s College was founded in 1881 by a prominent grazier and philanthropist, The Hon. Francis Ormond, who donated £5000 towards the establishment of the college. The Council of the Melbourne Trades Hall then matched Ormond's initial donation by rallying its members. On 4 June 1887, the college opened in its purpose-built building on the corners of Bowen Street and La Trobe Street in Melbourne, with a gala ceremony. It became the third official provider of higher education in the new Colony of Victoria (the Melbourne Athenaeum was founded in 1839 and the University of Melbourne in 1853). The college was the predecessor to the current-day Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University). Adjoining the college in the 1890s were the Supreme Court of Victoria (later the Melbourne Magistrates' Court) and the Melbourne Gaol - both which are now part of RMIT today. A list of Scholarship Governors and Life Governors is included. The former have donated 250 Pounds Sterling and upwards, the later have donated 20 Pounds and over but less than 250 Pounds Sterling. The Patron of The Working Men's College was His Excellency The Right Honourable Lord Brassey. The President of the Council was Professor W C Kernot. The majority of classes were at night and on Saturdays. Tan soft covered book of 112 pages. The thirteenth edition of the Working Men's College (later Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology [RMIT]). It inlcudes the following photographic images: Main Building, Assaying, 1899 council (W.C. Kernot, W.H. Embling, Thomas smith, F.H. Bromley, John Reid, R.H. Solly, E. Findley, D. McIvor, James Robb, John Hancock, C.E. Oliver, A.J. Arnot, James Smith, Joseph Nixon, R.L.Jellery. C.S. Paterson), UNveiling the Ormond Statue, Victorian Lead and Shot Works, Francis Ormond, Telegraphy room, Lecture Theatre, photography, painting class, wool sorting, plumbing, Remington typewriter, W. Ison, H.D. Evans, library, Verdon prize, Denton Hat Mills. working men's college melbourne, rmit, w.c. kernot, w.h. embling, ormond statue, f. ormond, electricity, surveying, architecture, photography, assaying, dressmaking, veterinary science, plumbing, letterpress printing, w. ison, h.d. evans, library, denton hat mills, literary and commercial department, typewriting department, languages, telegraphy, department of music, department of mathematics, department of engineering, 'department of architecture, department of art and applied art, department of mining and metallurgy, department of chemistry, department of household economy, department of agriculture and rural industries, woodworking, carpentry and joinery, turning and fitting, coachbuilding and carriagedrafting

Colour patch is probably 2/2nd Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment.1. Jacket, wool. Colour sort of grey tinted khaki. Has 4 front pockets. Buttons are darkened AMF type - 4 on front. Epaulettes have darkened "AUSTRALIA" name badge on each collar have darkened Rising Sun Badges. Shoulders have a triangular shaped colour patch. Red and Blue triangle on grey felt triangle. Chest has a ribbon bar showing 4 service medals. 2. Trousers - wool - colour Khaki. 3. Hat - Khaki, slouch. WW1 style hat band. Darkened Rising Sun Badge- AMF. Service ribbons are; 39 - 45 star. Pacific Star. British War Medal. Australian Service medal.Trousers - in green texta - “21-95” in waistline.ww2, uniform, army, passchendaele barracks trust

John Griffin’s wool classing exercise books from 1941-1943 when he was a student at the Gordon Institute in Geelong. John and his father John Henry Griffin owned a farm in Dunkeld and bred fine merino wool. One year they topped the wool sales figures for the area, in the late 1940s. There are four books in total. One book is on the topic of Veterinary Science and is from 1941. It contains information on topics such as birth and early lamb life, bone structure and other internal organisms of a sheep, such as the heart. Another book is on Wool Classing with topics such as wool scouring, dipping, shearing and micron counts. The third book is on general shearing shed knowledge. This includes a diagram for rolling a fleece, correct method for stamping a wool bale and branding abbreviations. The final book is on the History the Merino Sheep. It is a long form essay answer booklet. The Gordon institute and wool are synonymous with one another, the first class in wool sorting was offered at the Gordon in 1891. With much of the wool clip sent directly to England at this time, The Gordon's focus soon shifted to wool classing and marketing. By the 1930s, The Gordon's wool school was renowned as the state's wool industry training centre. Early specialist short courses were offered around Victoria to assist wool growers in preparing their clip for market, with modules on sheep breeding and pasture development included in the programs. Anne Griffin’s, John’s daughter, donated the exercise books to the National Wool Museum in 2021. Book 1 is predominately blue circular cover with cream background. Middle of book has pink highlighter mark. Reverse of book has an Arithmetical Table and a Multiplication Table in a blue ink on cream paper. It also has four black ink markings Book 2 is predominately blue circular cover with cream background. Book has red tape across the spine. Reverse of book has an Arithmetical Table and a Multiplication Table in a blue ink on cream paper. Book 3 is predominately blue plaid cover with cream background. Middle of book has pink highlighter handwriting which has been crossed with the same colour, leaving the text unreadable. Reverse of book has an Arithmetical Table and a Multiplication Table in a blue ink on cream paper. Book 4 is predominately blue diagonal striped book with cream background. Middle of book has small picture of Australia. Reverse of book has an Arithmetical Table and a Multiplication Table in a blue ink on cream paper. Book 1. Front cover: “All Schools” / EXERCISE BOOK / NAME Jack Griffin Grade Gordon Institute School of Technology(?) / Approved by the / Education Department Back cover. Reverse. ARTHMETICAL TABLES / (Numerous, see media) Book 2. Front cover: 2nd & 3rd / “All Schools” / EXERCISE BOOK / Name Jack Griffin / Grade 2 / School the Gordon / Approved by the / Education Department Back cover. Reverse. ARTHMETICAL TABLES / (Numerous, see media) Book 3. Front cover: Embassy / EXERCUSE BOOK / Name John Griffin / Grade 1 / School (?) / APPROVED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / Back cover. Reverse. ARTHMETICAL TABLES / (Numerous, see media) Book 4. Front cover: EXERCISE / APPROVED BY EDUCATION DEPT. / BOOK / NAME Jack Griffin / GRADE 3 / SCHOOL Gordon Back cover. Reverse. ARTHMETICAL TABLES / (Numerous, see media) gordon institute geelong, wool classing, 1940s sheep farming, note book, study, student

The story of 90 years of wool classing between father & son begins in 1936, when a young boy by the name of Stanley James Hucker walked through the doors of the Gordon Technical School in Geelong. Born in 1921, Stanley was 15 years of age when he began his 3-year course in Wool Classing. 30 years later, Stanley’s second son Denis completed the same 3-year wool classing course. Beginning in 1966, Denis attended the same Gordon Technical School and walked the same halls as his father before him. Stanley finished his course in 1938. He went back to the family farm in Lake Bolac for a brief period before enrolling in the Second World War. At the completion of the war, Stanley returned home and married before gaining a soldier settler allotment, north of Willaura. This enabled Stan to use his wool classing knowledge. He ran between 1,500 and 2,000 sheep for many years, while his wool classer stencil also allowed him to go out and class at various sheds around the area. He held his stencil from 1938 until he retired at the age of 60 in 1981. On retirement, his second son Denis was working in the district, managing a local property while also leasing land himself. Upon his father’s retirement, Denis had the opportunity to lease his father’s farm, an opportunity he could not refuse. Denis had finished his wool classing course at the Gordon Technical School in 1968, graduating dux of his class. He began working with a local contractor and started classing wool in his team. Denis gained a great deal of experience working as part of this team in big sheds of up to 8 stands servicing between 10 & 20,000 sheep. It was not all smooth sailing for Denis however, and he soon learnt an important lesson. Class wool the way you’re taught, don’t listen to the owner standing over your shoulder. At a clip of Corriedales near Casterton, Denis was pushing too many fleeces into the line of fine wool. This resulted in a notice from the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) “mixing counts too much, submit three clips for inspection”. Denis was able to submit 3 clips with no further complaints, however, this proved a valuable lesson he would never forget over his long career classing wool. In the early 1980s, when Denis was leasing two properties including his father’s, things were going well until drought struck. February 1983 was the date of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and saw Melbourne have three days over 40 °C for only the second time on record. This period saw Denis give away farming, turning towards contracting work instead. After the difficult times of the early 1980s, the next two decades were a good time for the sheep industry. 15 micron wool was selling for prices between 4 to 5,000 cents per kilo, double what you’d expect for the same wool in 2022. In 1995 a single bale of wool sold for a million dollars. This was a good time for Denis too. His contracting work saw him employing local shearers and shed staff. His team was involved with the shearing and classing of more than 130,000 sheep. After 20 years of contracting, it was time for Denis to transition into the next phase of his life. He gave up independent contracting, preferring instead to return to being a member of someone else’s team. In 2018, having completed 50 years of wool classing, it was time to call it a day and retire completely. At the annual Gordon Wool School Old Students Association dinner held in 2018, Denis was presented with his 50 years as a registered wool classer stencil awarded by the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). This is a rare honour achieved by few. As of February 2020, a total of 430 wool classers had achieved this 50-year milestone. For Denis however, his proudest achievement is achieving 90 years of wool classing with his father. The National Wool Museum is proud to share the collection of objects gained from 90 years in the wool classing industry by Stanley and Denis. This ranges from Stanley’s first stencil and Wool Sample book, started when he first attended the Gordon in 1936. The collection concludes 90 years later with Denis’ 50 years of wool classing Stencil. The collection contains many more objects, all telling the story of these 90 years, and the hard work invested by this dedicated father and son duo. Thin sheet of metal with letters and numbers cut to produce a consistent pattern for the surface below through the application of ink. In small text on the top edge of the stencil two separate phrases are engraved.” A.W.C. PROPERTY NOT TRANSFERABLE” and “PROFESSIONAL“. This wool classing stencil belonged to Stanley Hucker. It was his last Wool Classing Stencil. Dated to 1983, it is 45 years older than his first stencil. The role of a Wool Classer is to sort, classify, and grade wool into various ‘lines’ so that it can be sold for best market price. Wool Classers are typically also tasked with the managing and supervising of wool-handling teams. The stencil is used in the final step of preparing a bale of wool for sale. It is branded across the front of a wool bale to indicate the quality of the wool, with the classers number used as a seal of guarantee.Engraved letters. “A.W.C. PROPERTY / NOT TRANSFERABLE” Engraved letters. “PROFESSIONAL“. Cut imagery. Sheep’s head Cut letters, numbers, and imagery. “83 (Image Australia) P I / 50922”wool classing, stencil, 90 years wool classing between father & son

The story of 90 years of wool classing between father & son begins in 1936, when a young boy by the name of Stanley James Hucker walked through the doors of the Gordon Technical School in Geelong. Born in 1921, Stanley was 15 years of age when he began his 3-year course in Wool Classing. 30 years later, Stanley’s second son Denis completed the same 3-year wool classing course. Beginning in 1966, Denis attended the same Gordon Technical School and walked the same halls as his father before him. Stanley finished his course in 1938. He went back to the family farm in Lake Bolac for a brief period before enrolling in the Second World War. At the completion of the war, Stanley returned home and married before gaining a soldier settler allotment, north of Willaura. This enabled Stan to use his wool classing knowledge. He ran between 1,500 and 2,000 sheep for many years, while his wool classer stencil also allowed him to go out and class at various sheds around the area. He held his stencil from 1938 until he retired at the age of 60 in 1981. On retirement, his second son Denis was working in the district, managing a local property while also leasing land himself. Upon his father’s retirement, Denis had the opportunity to lease his father’s farm, an opportunity he could not refuse. Denis had finished his wool classing course at the Gordon Technical School in 1968, graduating dux of his class. He began working with a local contractor and started classing wool in his team. Denis gained a great deal of experience working as part of this team in big sheds of up to 8 stands servicing between 10 & 20,000 sheep. It was not all smooth sailing for Denis however, and he soon learnt an important lesson. Class wool the way you’re taught, don’t listen to the owner standing over your shoulder. At a clip of Corriedales near Casterton, Denis was pushing too many fleeces into the line of fine wool. This resulted in a notice from the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) “mixing counts too much, submit three clips for inspection”. Denis was able to submit 3 clips with no further complaints, however, this proved a valuable lesson he would never forget over his long career classing wool. In the early 1980s, when Denis was leasing two properties including his father’s, things were going well until drought struck. February 1983 was the date of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and saw Melbourne have three days over 40 °C for only the second time on record. This period saw Denis give away farming, turning towards contracting work instead. After the difficult times of the early 1980s, the next two decades were a good time for the sheep industry. 15 micron wool was selling for prices between 4 to 5,000 cents per kilo, double what you’d expect for the same wool in 2022. In 1995 a single bale of wool sold for a million dollars. This was a good time for Denis too. His contracting work saw him employing local shearers and shed staff. His team was involved with the shearing and classing of more than 130,000 sheep. After 20 years of contracting, it was time for Denis to transition into the next phase of his life. He gave up independent contracting, preferring instead to return to being a member of someone else’s team. In 2018, having completed 50 years of wool classing, it was time to call it a day and retire completely. At the annual Gordon Wool School Old Students Association dinner held in 2018, Denis was presented with his 50 years as a registered wool classer stencil awarded by the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). This is a rare honour achieved by few. As of February 2020, a total of 430 wool classers had achieved this 50-year milestone. For Denis however, his proudest achievement is achieving 90 years of wool classing with his father. The National Wool Museum is proud to share the collection of objects gained from 90 years in the wool classing industry by Stanley and Denis. This ranges from Stanley’s first stencil and Wool Sample book, started when he first attended the Gordon in 1936. The collection concludes 90 years later with Denis’ 50 years of wool classing Stencil. The collection contains many more objects, all telling the story of these 90 years, and the hard work invested by this dedicated father and son duo. Thin sheet of metal with letters cut to produce a consistent pattern for the surface below through the application of ink. This wool classing stencil belonged to Stanley Hucker. It was his first Wool Classing Stencil. It was used on Stanley’s property named “Yohhatnbu” in Willaura. Stanley gained the property as part of the Returned Soldiers Settlement Scheme for his service in World War 2. The role of a Wool Classer is to sort, classify, and grade wool into various ‘lines’ so that it can be sold for best market price. Wool Classers are typically also tasked with the managing and supervising of wool-handling teams. The stencil is used in the final step of preparing a bale of wool for sale. It is branded across the front of a wool bale to indicate the quality of the wool, with the classers number used as a seal of guarantee.Cut letters. “SJH / BOLAC ”wool classing, stencil, 90 years wool classing between father & son

The story of 90 years of wool classing between father & son begins in 1936, when a young boy by the name of Stanley James Hucker walked through the doors of the Gordon Technical School in Geelong. Born in 1921, Stanley was 15 years of age when he began his 3-year course in Wool Classing. 30 years later, Stanley’s second son Denis completed the same 3-year wool classing course. Beginning in 1966, Denis attended the same Gordon Technical School and walked the same halls as his father before him. Stanley finished his course in 1938. He went back to the family farm in Lake Bolac for a brief period before enrolling in the Second World War. At the completion of the war, Stanley returned home and married before gaining a soldier settler allotment, north of Willaura. This enabled Stan to use his wool classing knowledge. He ran between 1,500 and 2,000 sheep for many years, while his wool classer stencil also allowed him to go out and class at various sheds around the area. He held his stencil from 1938 until he retired at the age of 60 in 1981. On retirement, his second son Denis was working in the district, managing a local property while also leasing land himself. Upon his father’s retirement, Denis had the opportunity to lease his father’s farm, an opportunity he could not refuse. Denis had finished his wool classing course at the Gordon Technical School in 1968, graduating dux of his class. He began working with a local contractor and started classing wool in his team. Denis gained a great deal of experience working as part of this team in big sheds of up to 8 stands servicing between 10 & 20,000 sheep. It was not all smooth sailing for Denis however, and he soon learnt an important lesson. Class wool the way you’re taught, don’t listen to the owner standing over your shoulder. At a clip of Corriedales near Casterton, Denis was pushing too many fleeces into the line of fine wool. This resulted in a notice from the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) “mixing counts too much, submit three clips for inspection”. Denis was able to submit 3 clips with no further complaints, however, this proved a valuable lesson he would never forget over his long career classing wool. In the early 1980s, when Denis was leasing two properties including his father’s, things were going well until drought struck. February 1983 was the date of the Ash Wednesday bushfires, and saw Melbourne have three days over 40 °C for only the second time on record. This period saw Denis give away farming, turning towards contracting work instead. After the difficult times of the early 1980s, the next two decades were a good time for the sheep industry. 15 micron wool was selling for prices between 4 to 5,000 cents per kilo, double what you’d expect for the same wool in 2022. In 1995 a single bale of wool sold for a million dollars. This was a good time for Denis too. His contracting work saw him employing local shearers and shed staff. His team was involved with the shearing and classing of more than 130,000 sheep. After 20 years of contracting, it was time for Denis to transition into the next phase of his life. He gave up independent contracting, preferring instead to return to being a member of someone else’s team. In 2018, having completed 50 years of wool classing, it was time to call it a day and retire completely. At the annual Gordon Wool School Old Students Association dinner held in 2018, Denis was presented with his 50 years as a registered wool classer stencil awarded by the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX). This is a rare honour achieved by few. As of February 2020, a total of 430 wool classers had achieved this 50-year milestone. For Denis however, his proudest achievement is achieving 90 years of wool classing with his father. The National Wool Museum is proud to share the collection of objects gained from 90 years in the wool classing industry by Stanley and Denis. This ranges from Stanley’s first stencil and Wool Sample book, started when he first attended the Gordon in 1936. The collection concludes 90 years later with Denis’ 50 years of wool classing Stencil. The collection contains many more objects, all telling the story of these 90 years, and the hard work invested by this dedicated father and son duo. Thin sheet of orange plastic with letters and numbers moulded to produce a consistent pattern for the surface below through the application of ink. This wool classing stencil once belonged to Denis Hucker. The top number is Denis’ Wool Classing Stencil Number. On the next line is the emblem of the Australian Wool Exchange, followed by an image of Australia, and finally the letters AW. The final line reads 50 years, indicating Denis’ experience in the profession of wool classing. This stencil is reserved for wool classers who have held their stencil and been actively classing wool in Australia for more than 50 years. Wool classers sort, classify, and grade wool into various lines so that it can be sold at best market price. They also manage and supervise wool-handling teams. The stencil is used in the final step of preparing a bale of wool for sale. It is branded across the front of a wool bale to indicate the quality of the wool, with the classers number used as a seal of approval. Accompanying the stencil are two sheets of white A4 paper with printing in gold and black ink. The first sheet was presented by the Australian Council of Wool Exporters & Processors to Denis Hucker for achieving 50 years of wool classing. Surrounded by a thin gold boarder, the page is made up of black text with gold headings. In the top right corner, an image of a sheep with an outline of Australia is found. The second piece of paper was presented by the Australian Wool Exchange to Denis Hucker for achieving 50 years of wool classing. Two thirds of the page is made up of a gold stencil which reads “50 years”. Accompanying the stencil is black text. Moulded letters, numbers, emblem, and imagery. “950326 / (emblem AWEX) (Image Australia) AW / 50 Years” A4 Paper. Printed. See Multimedia A4 Paper. Printed See Multimedia wool classing, stencil, 90 years wool classing between father & son

This certificate stub book contains the subject certificates of the graduates of the School of Mines and Indutsries, Ballarat, a predecessor of Federation University Australia.This item highlights the subjects studied and graduates of the School of Mines between 1938 to 1964. It also records the change of cursive over that time.This book includes stubs of subject certificates from the School of Mines and Industries, Ballarat. This also contains a number of uncollected certificates. It is a brown hardback book with black binding. Its contents covers certificates between 1938 to 1964. Names of recipients include: Charles Holt, Henry Elford, Irvin Singleton, J. H. Hughes, John Morcom, Alfred Amor, John Wastell, John Rudwick, Jared Hines, Harry Allan, L. F. J. Hillman, Arthur Davies, Letitia Stanley, Victor Wright,Raymond Ball, Mary O'Callaghan, Ethna Burke, Alec Foyster, James Duggan, Leonard Auchettl, Reeves Collins, James Patterson, Stanley Douglas Webb, Oswald Lyle, Marvis Orr, Eric Roberts, Jack Clennell, A. R. Millar, Heith Smyth, Walter Hines, Harold Leslie, Joseph Fisher, Geoffry Burns, Alick Dait, George Hill, Raymond Wines, Robert Manson, Albert O'Neill, Thomas Green, William Stargatt, William Harrison, Reginald Allen, Albert Wilson, Allan Curtis, Arthur Donald, John Wynn, Sydney Robinson, John Blackic, Percy Elsdon, Hubert Jenkins, Kingsley Callister, Douglas Hall, Norman Lawson, Winfield Tonkin, Artuhur Williams, Allan Curtis, Ernest, Billinge, John Daelon, Harold Bunting, Stanley Wilton, Robert Sugden, Heith Foster, Winsome Stevens, Herbert Stanbridge, Robert Pittard, Henry Brew, Ernest Berriman, Carlyle West-Onley, William Blackic, Lorna Dunstan, Cedric Pike, Stanley Jephson, Hugh Hendrick, Joseph Fisher, Ernest Grove, Ronald Fisher, Heith Halsall, Henry Harris, Maxwell Silvey, Stanley Trengove, Donald Trescowthick, Harold Tolliday, Russell Lucas, John Boyd, John Keys, Stanley Betteridge, Ernest Betteridge, Michael Ross, Robert Stewart, Joseph Beasley, William Beasley, Ray Deveson, George Hennessy, Charles Matthews, Maxwell Silvey, Ian Creek, Geoffrey Moorhouse, Hector Tonks, John Donald, Hugh Hendrick, Stanley Jephson, Ian McIntosh, Robert Nice, Ralph Scott, Walter Martin, Grant Coutts, Lindsay Hannah, John Tainsh, Hubert Robinson, John Donald, George Beaton, Heather Harris, Brian McCarthy, Samuel Perry, Valentine Pascoe, Philip McLean, Geoffrey Hewish, Hubert Robinson, John Borch, Frederick Gale, Ian Grundell, Albert Perry, Frank Hutchinson, Horace Shuttleworth, Kenneth Mason, David Hatt, Malcom Foster, George Jones, Graham McKinnon, Ronald Newton, John Betts, Leonard Wade, Robert McClure, David Beaumont, Leslie Powell, Samuel Perry, Donald Treweek, Edgar McArthur, Russell Fraser, Edgar McArthur Bartrop, Clive Carmichael, Leslie Fuhrmeister, Lindsay Coon, Zigurds Plavina, Victor Gingell, Rupert McKenna, Graham McKinnon, David Fairley, Johannes Meennen, Ronald Murphy, Johannes Naus, John McConville, Graham Melonie, William Cutter, Thomas Chalkley, Kenneth Morton, Stanley Shears, Robert Auld, Donald Campbell, John Cofield, Brian Whykes, William Milford, Noel Richards, Stewart Jacobs, James Robertson, Clement Rose, Eric Brown, Allan Raworth, Ernest Salter, Neville Cartledge, Peter Stacey, Robert McClure, Antonius Goossens, Rodney Cartledge, Rodney Hayes, Bevan Grigsby, James Robertson, Neil Stephens, John Riddle, Andreas Aaus, Bruce Fletcher, Keith Pedler, Allen Flavell, Robert Cartledge, Ronald Shaw, Kenneth Hibberd, William Lockland, Percival Bilney and Petrus Damen. Uncollected certificates for James Patterson, Robert Sugden, Ernest Berriman, Stanley Jephson, Henry Harris, Maxwell Silvey, Joseph Beasley, Charles Matthews, Maxwell Silvey, Ian Creek, Geoffrey Hewish, Robert McClure, Kingsley Callister, Winfield Tonkin, Raymond Wines, Oswald Wilde and Kenneth Mason are included within. The subjects covered include: Printing, mining, geology, metallurgy, mining geology, mine surveying, mechanics applied to mining, electric welding, machine shop practice, algebra, trigonometry, mechanics and heat, applied mechanics, heat treatment, graphics, oxywelding, engineering drawing, blacksmithing, shorthand theory advanced, shorthand speed, commercial English, intermediate English, plain dressmaking, dressmaking advanced, electric wiring, physics, electric technology, carpentry, machine shop, plumbing, trade science, carpentry and joinery, building construction, heat treatment, wiring, oxyacetylene welding, foremanship, turning and fitting, electric wiring, arithmetic, social studies, commercial correspondence, office routine, bookkeeping, typewriting, shorthand, electric refrigerator servicing, refrigeration, radio mechanics, trade maths, sheetmetal, wool sorting, motor mechanics, human relations in management and industrial supervision. Many of the stubbs are signed by principal Dick Richards. Each certificate is signed by the current principal of the School of Mines and Industries, Ballarat, and a number have also been signed by the students.school of mines, school of mines andindustries, certificate, richard w. richards, horace william shuttleworth, dick richards, charles holt, henry elford, irvin singleton, j. h. hughes, john morcom, alfred amor, john wastell, john rudwick, jared hines, harry allan, l. f. j. hillman, arthur davies, letitia stanley, victor wright, raymond ball, mary o'callaghan, ethna burke, alec foyster, james duggan, leonard auchettl, reeves collins, james patterson, stanley douglas webb, oswald lyle, marvis orr, eric roberts, jack clennell, a. r. millar, heith smyth, walter hines, harold leslie, joseph fisher, geoffry burns, alick dait, george hill, raymond wines, robert manson, albert o'neill, thomas green, william stargatt, william harrison, reginald allen, albert wilson, allan curtis, arthur donald, john wynn, sydney robinson, john blackic, percy elsdon, hubert jenkins, kingsley callister, douglas hall, norman lawson, winfield tonkin, artuhur williams, allan curtis, ernest billinge, john daelon, harold bunting, stanley wilton, robert sugden, winsome stevens, herbert stanbridge, robert pittard, henry bre, ernest berriman, carlyle west-onley, william blackic, lorna dunstan, cedric pike, stanley jephson, hugh hendrick, joseph fisher, ernest grove, ronald fisher, heith halsall, henry harris, maxwell silvey, stanley trengove, donald trescowthick, harold tolliday, russell lucas, john boyd, john keys, stanley betteridge, ernest betteridge, michael ross, robert stewart, joseph beasley, william beasley, ray deveson, george hennessy, charles matthews, maxwell silvey, ian creek, geoffrey moorhouse, hector tonks, john donald, hugh hendrick, stanley jephson, ian mcintosh, robert nice, ralph scott, walter martin, grant coutts, lindsay hannah, john tainsh, hubert robinson, john donald, george beaton, heather harris, brian mccarthy, samuel perry, valentine pascoe, philip mclean, geoffrey hewish, hubert robinson, john borch, frederick gale, ian grundell, albert perry, frank hutchinson, horace shuttleworth, kenneth mason, david hatt, malcom foster, george jones, graham mckinnon, ronald newton, john betts, leonard wade, robert mcclure, david beaumont, leslie powell, samuel perry, donald treweek, edgar mcarthur, russell fraser, edgar mcarthur bartrop, clive carmichael, leslie fuhrmeister, lindsay coon, zigurds plavina, zig plavina, victor gingell, rupert mckenna, graham mckinnon, david fairley, johannes meennen, ronald murphy, johannes naus, john mcconville, graham melonie, william cutter, thomas chalkley, kenneth morton, stanley shears, robert auld, donald campbell, john cofield, brian whykes, william milford, noel richards, stewart jacobs, james robertson, clement rose, eric brown, allan raworth, ernest salter, neville cartledge, peter stacey, robert mcclure, antonius goossens, rodney cartledge, rodney hayes, bevan grigsby, james robertson, neil stephens, john riddle, andreas aaus, bruce fletcher, keith pedler, allen flavell, robert cartledge, ronald shaw, kenneth hibberd, william lockland, percival bilney, petrus damen, james patterson, robert sugden, ernest berriman, stanley jephson, henry harris, maxwell silvey, joseph beasley, charles matthews, maxwell silvey, ian creek, geoffrey hewish, robert mcclure, kingsley callister, winfield tonkin, raymond wines, oswald wilde, kenneth mason, trades

The donor (Lynn Fitzpatrick) purchased these knitting needles 20 years ago from an opportunity shop. Aero Knitting Pins are a discontinued brand that were popular in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. They are made of smooth, aircraft-quality anodized aluminium. To this day, they are a popular and sort after knitting needle. Being a long-lasting product, they are often given as heirlooms. Abel Morrall was a major needle manufacturer from Studley, a town near Redditch. In 1785, Michael Morrall who was taught the art of needle making by a maternal uncle, moved to Studley. He founded the Abel Morrall company with his brother Abel, and another unnamed brother-in-law. Within five years the company was producing 40% of the 2.5 million needles that were made each week in the Redditch area. In 1811 the company introduced the concept of creating the eyes by using a stamping press. Additional machines were invented by them throughout the 19th century leading to major improvements in the way needles were produced. Abel Morrall demonstrated their needle making machinery at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and Queen Victoria personally inspected it. The company selected the demi-griffin for its trademark in 1861, which can be seen on older products produced by the company. Set of four knitting needles stored within paper packaging. Packaging features black, red, and white ink, detailing the selling points of the Aero Knitting Pins. The packaging folds with 3 main sections, each providing different insights into the knitting needles. Examples of this are " CANNOT SOIL LIGHT WOOL", "...SPECIALLY TAPERED POINTS WHICH WILL NOT INJURE THE FINGERS" and "RUSTLESS-NON-GLITTER FINISH". As the packaging unfolds, the grey knitting needles become visible. The needles can be removed from the packaging by sliding them through small bands of paper that hold the needles secure while in transportation. The four knitting needles are a “NEUTRAL” grey colour finished in a double point style.Printed. Orange, White and Black Ink Numerous, see multimediaabel morrall, knitting needles, knitting pins, 1960s home knitting

Part of the Zakrzewski Collection of spinning wheels donated to the National Wool Museum by Mr Wlodzimierz Zakrzewski. For many years, Mr Zakrzewski collected, researched and repaired spinning wheels from all over the world. This spinning wheel is Australian and is made from Queensland Kauri pine. It dates from c.WWI and was designed by someone inexperienced in spinning wheel design, but who was able to solve the problems encountered in an innovative way. For instance the flyer and bobbin mechanism were made from the sort of bits and pieces that would have been found laying around a workshop. The wheel was acquired from a private home in Glen Iris, from the owner who knew nothing about it.Spinning Wheelhandicrafts - history, spinning wheels, highlights of the national wool museum: the zakrzewski spinning wheel collection - exhibition (28/07/2001 - 02/12/2001), zakrzewski, mr wlodzimierz

Depicts a wet finishing process within a mill, c.1950s. Possibly some sort of size or mordant is being added to the vat in which the fabric is being dipped. Part of a series of photos depicting the various operations within a textile mill, all of which have been edited for publication.textile mills - operation, wet finishing, sizing, mordanting

This postcard was found in the old wool shed in Mannibadar that was owned by Roy Nicol. The property was bought in 1942 from Theophilus Gribble (affectionately known as Topo). It was found when sorting out for sale to current owner James Draffin. It is thought the original name of the property was "Bonnie Hills", as a board with that name is part of the roof structure.Embroidered postcard showing a bird with flowers and the words "TO MY DEAR MOTHER & FATHER" sewn on in red thread."Fondest love Gunner Theo Gribble Feb 5th 1918".postcard, theophilus gribble, gunner theo gribble, feburary 5th 1918, embroidery, ww1