Historical information

These scales come from the Nullawarre Post Office and would have been used there for most of the 20th century. Nullawarre is a small settlement 25 kilometres south east of Warrnambool. It was first settled in the late 1860s and 70s and the main agricultural pursuit for the area today is dairying. The first Nullawarre school was opened in 1878 and the Nullawarre Post Office operates today in the Nullawarre General Store.

Significance

These scales are of interest as a memento of the type of weighing scales used in Post Offices in Victoria in the early to mid 20th century. They are also of local interest as they come from the Nullawarre Post Office.

Physical description

This is a metal set of scales with a balance mechanism on a metal stand. The balance has a circular tray at one end to hold weights An oval dish to hold items to be weighed is a separate item that sits at the other end of the balance. The scales were once painted green and some traces of the green paint are visible. Two weights are with this item. The scales are much rusted.

Inscriptions & markings

‘W & T Avery Ltd Birm.’