Historical information

The courier bag was once government property, as indicated by the broad arrow symbol. The flap has the name 'Boronia' - an area near Melbourne - overstamped with the town name 'Merino', and on the other side of the flap is the town 'Casterton'. Merino and Casterton are renowned for large sheep farming properties in Victoria's western district. Perhaps the courier bag was originally used between Melbourne and Boronia.

During the late 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries, a government-operated railway service was active in in the western district of Victoria. It served remote properties, including a line between Merino and Casterton. The train delivered mail, cash, supplies documents, business records and people between the sheep farm properties and the township of Casterton.

Significance

This courier bag is an example of the connections and business between people in the remote areas of western Victoria. It was likely used by Victoria's railway system that transported people, goods, documents and cash between the districts of western Victoria.

Physical description

Courier bag; beige canvas rectangular bag with triangular black canvas flaps and a leather strap and buckle closure. The bag has stencilled stamps of three towns - Casterton, Merino and Boronia. It also has the government property symbol of a broad arrow.

Inscriptions & markings

White stencilled paint "CASTERTON"
Black stencilled paint "BORONIA" [barely visible]
White over-stamped stencilled paint "MERINO"