Historical information

Photo depicts a final year woolclassing class from the Gordon Institute in Geelong. They have prepared a display re: woolclassing for the visit of the Prince of Wales to Geelong in 1920. They are on the top floor of the Dennys Lascelles woolstore.

The donor's father, Mr Cyril Cameron, can be seen in the photo at sixth from the right. Cyril Cameron (known as 'Cam') came from the family property 'Burnside' near Glenthompson in the Western District. He joined Strachan & Co. as an office boy in Aug. 1914 and then joined the 8th Battalion, 1st AIF in January 1915. He returned to Australia in early 1920 and started work at Strachan's again. He did the wool classing course (one year, evening?) at the Gordon in 1920-21. He became Head Wool Valuer at Strachan's in 1938 and retired in 1970. His office at Strachan's was on the top floor, directly overlooking what is now the entrance to the National Wool Museum (formerly Dennys Lascelles woolstore). He died in 1983. Interestingly, within the photo, can be seen a poster on the wall advertising the RSS or Diggers' Mill. The mill opened in 1922 but had been advertising for investors since the end of the war.

Physical description

Sepia photograph mounted on a dark brown mat. The photo depicts a group of 17 men in ties and shirtsleeves with white coats or aprons. They are standing behind a trestle table which is heavily laden with wool and open scrap books containing wool samples. The photo has been taken in a large, light room with signs on the walls and a Union Jack flag in the background.

Inscriptions & markings

GEOFFREY S. WOOD, PHOTO, GEELONG Dennys Lascelles Show Floor 1920 / Visit of Prince of Wales