Part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.Black pin badge with gold woolmark logo and gold Australian flag and Olympic rings.front: WOOLMARK back: ACC / 1987 / # 986482 / CASH'S-AMINSCO / MADE IN AUSTRALIAstuart ascough, international wool secretariat, victoria wool processors, port phillip mills pty ltd, topmaking, career, wool industry, training, technical advice, mills, badge

Poster, promoting Pure New Wool.Laminated poster depicting a bar scene with a man sitting on a stool with women's legs, with the wording "Appearances can be deceptive but you can trust the wool that wears the WOOLMARK."Appearances can be deceptive/ but you can trust the wool/ that wears the WOOLMARK.wool marketing, poster, gender, bar, ephemera, advertising

Part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.Mustard coloured neck tie with rams and woolmark logo repeated.back: [label] Wool Mark / since 1964stuart ascough, international wool secretariat, victoria wool processors, port phillip mills pty ltd, topmaking, career, wool industry, training, technical advice, mills, clothing

Rectangular black and white printed sticker attached to green backing.GET REAL GET WOOL / PURE NEW WOOLwoolmark, wool, advertising, stickers, promotions

Gold rectangle badge with black lettering. Woolmark logoThe woolmark golden thread club

Colour poster for the Woolmark Company. Long, landscape orientation illlustrating flock of sheep with text in white below: "Wool. The feeling of Australia" with Woolmark logo.One of several posters donated by Woolmark.sheep - australian, woolmark company australian wool corporation

Poster produced by the Woolmark Corporation.One of several posters donated by Woolmark.shearing shearing sheds, australian wool corporation, shearing, shearing sheds

Black and bronze rectangle badge with Australian flag, Olympic rings and woolmark symbolwoolmark, olympic rings

Small silver badge with ram, Australian flag, Olympic rings and Woolmark symbololympic rings, woolmark, ram

The Albertville 1992 Winter Olympics were the last Games to be staged in the same year as the Summer Games. It was the third time France had hosted the Winter Olympics. Australia sent 23 athletes to the 1992 Winter Olympic Games.Burgundy and cream women's woollen jumper printed with eucalyptus leaves and gumnuts.On hem of jumper - 'Eucalyptus' - Hand printed by 'Elly Originals'1992 albertville winter olympics, france, design, australian, the woolmark company, athletes, uniform, jumper, textile, fashion, eucalyptus, gumnuts

Australian womens jacket from the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Designed by Mambo Graphics.Ochre coloured jacket lined with Mambo illustrated material. Left proper base pocket features embroidered Australian Coat of Arms above Olympic rings and the words "SYDNEY 2000". Jacket features zipped cuffs, and four buttons. Inside left features a decorative garment label with Stars of the Southern Cross and the words "AUSTRALIA / MADE IN AUSTRALIA / MAMBO".SYDNEY 2000 AUSTRALIA / MADE IN AUSTRALIA / MAMBOfashion, woolmark company mambo graphics, sport, the woolmark company 2000 australian olympic display - exhibition (21/12/2001 - 24/05/2002)

This commemorative signature panel was signed by athletes who competed in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The panels were originally housed in Woolmark Woolshed located in the Expo area of the Olympic Games site during the games. Over 300 Olympic athletes from 25 countries and competing in 20 different sports visited the Woolshed and every athlete who paid a visit was invited to sign the 'Athlete's Wall'.Athletes signature panel from the Woolmark pavilion at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.woolmark company, sport

This commemorative signature panel was signed by athletes who competed in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The panels were originally housed in Woolmark Woolshed located in the Expo area of the Olympic Games site during the games. Over 300 Olympic athletes from 25 countries and competing in 20 different sports visited the Woolshed and every athlete who paid a visit was invited to sign the 'Athlete's Wall'.Athletes signature panel from the Woolmark pavilion at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.woolmark company, sport

This commemorative signature panel was signed by athletes who competed in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The panels were originally housed in Woolmark Woolshed located in the Expo area of the Olympic Games site during the games. Over 300 Olympic athletes from 25 countries and competing in 20 different sports visited the Woolshed and every athlete who paid a visit was invited to sign the 'Athlete's Wall'.Athletes signature panel from the Woolmark pavilion at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.woolmark company, sport, the woolmark company 2000 australian olympic display - exhibition (21/12/2001 - 24/05/2002)

This commemorative signature panel was signed by athletes who competed in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The panels were originally housed in Woolmark Woolshed located in the Expo area of the Olympic Games site during the games. Over 300 Olympic athletes from 25 countries and competing in 20 different sports visited the Woolshed and every athlete who paid a visit was invited to sign the 'Athlete's Wall'.Athletes signature panel from the Woolmark pavilion at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.woolmark company, sport

This commemorative signature panel was signed by athletes who competed in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The panels were originally housed in Woolmark Woolshed located in the Expo area of the Olympic Games site during the games. Over 300 Olympic athletes from 25 countries and competing in 20 different sports visited the Woolshed and every athlete who paid a visit was invited to sign the 'Athlete's Wall'.sAthletes signature panel from the Woolmark pavilion at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.woolmark company, sport, the woolmark company 2000 australian olympic display - exhibition (21/12/2001 - 24/05/2002)

Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Wool has been renowned for its excellent properties for thousands of years, by people from all over the world. Not only good for thick winter woollens, it can help keep you cool in summer, as well as being durable and resistant to water, fire, ultraviolet light, stains and odour. In a world where wool garments all had to be washed by hand, the invention of machine-washable acrylic fibres and widespread adoption of washing machines in ordinary Australian homes in the 1950s and 60s posed a major risk to the wool industry, and by extension the entire Australian economy. With the price of wool falling, the CSIRO and the Australian Wool Board worked together from the 1950s on a number of developments to keep Australian wool competitive and desirable to the public, many of which came out of the Geelong research labs. While progress had been made in the preceding decades, 1970 saw a major breakthrough; the invention of a new method of making wool washable and shrink-proof, most commonly known as ‘Superwash’. It is a technology that is still highly used to this day, and is very recognisable to those who use commercial wool yarn to knit or crochet. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history.Blue wool turtleneck ‘skivvy’ jumper in all over rib pattern with long sleeves. .2) swing tag with woolmark logo for ‘Superwash Wool’1.)[white label at back neck with blue writing] KATHRYN REGD. (Woolmark Logo) PURE NEW WOOL Superwash SIZE 2 HGT. 92cm MADE IN AUSTRALIA 2.)[retail swing tag for ‘Superwash Wool’] [OBVERSE] [woolmark logo] [handwritten in blue pen] 314 [printed] PURE NEW WOOL [handwritten] 2 Superwash Wool Machine Washable [INTERNAL] [woolmark logo] PURE NEW WOOL YOU ARE NOW THE OWNER OF A SUPERWASH WOOL GARMENT That has been specially treated to withstand a lifetime of machine washing. SUPERWASH WOOL has all the desirable qualities of wool – soft handle, comfort, warmth and style. Not all wool knitwear has the SUPERWASH treatment so remember always to look for the special “SUPERWASH” label and swing ticket. To was SUPERWASH WOOL just follow the instructions of the garment label. [woolmark logo] PURE NEW WOOL SUPERWASH WOOL THE WOOL YOU WASH IN THE MACHINE.knitwear, children's knitwear, clothing, children's clothing, jumper, manufacturing, fashion textile production, machine knitting, csiro, national wool board, superwash, australian wool innovation

Part of a four part series of posters describing the Australian wool industry from 1788 to 1988, produced for the Australian bicentenary.Part of series donated by Woolmark.wool - history, australian wool corporation

Part of the casual Winter Olympic uniform, 2002 as worn by both sexes. (This item is sized 'L' most likely worn by a man.)WOOLMARK WOOLMARK SALT LAKE 2002fashion, sportwool, costume, sport, salt lake city

Large poster with title "The Australian Sheep Flock". Illustrated with photographed sheep breeds with descriptions of each, also includeds coloured map of Australia.One of several posters donated by Woolmark.sheep - australian, woolmark company australian wool corporation

Woolmark logo. Silver round logo pin with black indents

Part of a collection of books, manuals, photographs, letters and clothing relating to the working life of Stuart Ascough. Stuart's career in the wool industry spanned over 43 years from 1960 to 2003 in various roles including Topmaking Plant Manager at Courtaulds Ltd. in Spennymore, U.K., Operations Manager at Port Phillip Mills in Williamstown Victoria, Marketing Executive, Early Stage Wool Processing at the International Wool Secretariat Melbourne, Australia and General Manager of Victoria Wool Processors Pty. Ltd. in Laverton North, Victoria. Throughout his career Stuart travelled extensively, and in the 1990s worked at many topmaking mills in China on quality improvement projects. He also provided technical advice and training at mills in India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Latvia, Byelorussia and other parts of Europe and Asia.Dark green neck tie with ram and woolmark logo repeated.stuart ascough, international wool secretariat, victoria wool processors, port phillip mills pty ltd, topmaking, career, wool industry, training, technical advice, mills, clothing

Part of the Winter Olympic Uniform, 2002 and worn by both sexes.Salt Lake City 2002 WOOLMARKfashion, costume, sport, salt lake city

Poster promoting the Australian wool product collection.Australian wool product collection/ Woolmark Woolblendmarkwool marketing

Poster promoting the Australian wool product collectionAustralian wool product collection/ Woolmark Woolblendmarkwool marketing

Eight page double sided multi-coloured fold out paper brochure featuring text and graphics. Text is in both Japanese and English languages.Front: WOOL-MAN / Wool-Man Power Diagram / I am the Wool-man, the Guardian of the future of the Earth, / I have possessed formidable strength and yet many genial qualities. / Let me show you the secret behind all these my power! / awi / WOOLMARK / NIKKE / Wool-Man originated fron NIKKE, Japan / www.wool.comwool-man, japan, wool, australia, nikke, australian wool innovation, woolmark

Stanley Couzens of the Wathourong community was commissioned by Geelong Wool Combing Ltd to create a painting of the You Yangs and Corio Bay to be reproduced on a jumper. The jumper itself was designed by Jeni McMahon using Merino wool from her property McMahon Farm Pty Ltd. Jumper and miniature wool bale packaging were presented as a gift at the opening of the Geelong Wool Combing LtdSynthetic miniature wool bale packaging containing jumper. Miniature wool bale features two stenciled design with black ink. First stencil reads "Pure Australian Wool" with Woolmark logo. Second stencil reads "A Gift From Geelong Wool Combing GWC". Small tag on bottom right corner reads "XL". Has two removable staples closing top opening. Woolen Jumper inside contains red, mustard, green and cream colours depicting Indigenous artwork. Features two stenciled design with black ink. First stencil on front reads "A Gift From/ GWC/ Geelong Wool Combing ". Second stencil on back reads "Pure/ Australian/ Wool" with Woolmark logo above. Small tag on bottom right corner reads "XL".

Collector says: Once I had gathered a dozen or so blankets, I started noticing the many different labels; where they were made, by who, the logos and fonts used. Then the labels became a thing, then the blankets had to have a label to join the collection. My favourite labels are by Physician, they had at least 4 different labels over the decades but the best has to be the Lady In Bed logo. Physician, Onkaparinga, Eagley and others matched the colour of the label to the colour of the blanket - a nice touch. Strangely, Castlemaine labels were always sewn on the back of the blanket where all the other mills sewed theirs on the front. To this day I always roll or fold a blanket with its label on display."Collector's note: "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."Double sized checked blanket , khaki, cream and green Royal Slumber/Woolmark Emblem/Pure New Woolwool, blanket, blanket fever, royal slumber