Historical information
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.
Physical description
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.
Inscriptions & markings
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)
