This photograph was given to Horace Lawson on the occasion of his retirement in 1918 as Town Clerk of Warrnambool. The photographs are of the Town Clerk, the Town Surveyor, the Mayor and Councillors in June 1918. The Mayor, William Swinton and the Town Clerk, Horace Lawson are in civic robes. Horace Lawson had a distinguished career as the Town Clerk of Warrnambool from 1893 to 1918 (which is actually 25 years, not 30 years as stated on the photograph). Lawson was a keen cyclist and a member of the Warrnambool Volunteer Army Corps. He left Warrnambool in 1918 to take up the position in Melbourne as Secretary of the Municipal Association of Victoria. The photographer, Arthur Jordan, working in Warrnambool at the end of the 19th century and in the early 20th century, was well-known, particularly for his photographs of civic affairs.

This photograph is of considerable interest as it concerns the retirement of Horace Lawson, an influential and highly-respected municipal officer in Warrnambool at a time of great growth in the town/city.

This is a black and white photograph in a wooden frame with a heavy card inset and glass covering. The glass is broken at the right hand corner. On the back is a wire piece for hanging the photograph. The photograph is of 14 men with the names and inscription included.

Presented to Mr. H.E. Lawson by the Mayor & Councillors of the City of Warrnambool on his retirement from the position of Town Clerk after 30 years faithful service June 1918 A.Lavercombe Town Surveyor W.E.Downing 1917 F.J.Gill 1917 M.L.Carter 1917 W. Burleigh 1915 H.H.Smith 1917 H.E.Lawson Town Clerk W. Swinton Mayor 1903 R.P. Christian 1917 W.H. Haberfield 1917 C. Jukes 1917 J.D.Anderson 1913 J.D. McConnell 1914 F.T. Retford 1916 Arthur Jordan Wbool

arthur jordan, horace lawson, william swinton, warrnambool councillors

This is a framed photograph showing a key event in Warrnambool's history - the proclamation by Sir Arthur Stanley of Warrnambool as a city in 1918. Warrnambool was the fifth non--metropolitan town in Victoria to be declared a city and a large crowd gathered outside the Town Hall to see this event. Sir Arthur Stanley (Lord Stanley of Alderley) was an English nobleman, Parliamentarian and soldier who was the Governor of Victoria from 1914 to 1920. The photographer was Arthur Jordan who, like his father Joseph, was a prominent photographer in Warrnambool at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries and took many official photographs of civic affairs. The donor of the photograph, probably immediately after the event to the Warrnambool Museum at the time under the auspices of the Warnambool Mechanics' Institute, was George Mackay, a prominent Warrnambool lawyer, Councillor and Mayor. He was probably responsible for the framing of the photograph.

This is a significant photograph as it is a record of an important event in Warrnambool's history and is a great research tool

This is a black and white photograph in a polished wooden frame with a card inset and a glass covering. The photograph shows the Governor of Victoria, Sir Arthur Stanley, in civilian dress standing on a platform outside the Warrnambool Town Hall proclaiming Warrnambool a city. Behind the Governor on the platform are many men and some women and in the foreground left is a band and in the foreground centre are Army school cadets. The photograph frame has a wooden backing with a piece of wire attached for hanging the object. In the photograph also is a columm with a sign on it.

His Excellency the State Governor Sir Arthur Stanley Proclamation- Warrnambool a City 23rd May 1918 Warrnambool Museum & Art Gallery Presented by G.S.Mackay Warrnambool Arthur Jordan

warrnambool -a city in 1918, sir arthur stanley, george s. mackay, arthur jordan

This is a photograph of the ship, 'Speculant' at the Warrnambool Breakwater. There is another ship alongside the 'Speculant' and the dredge, 'Pioneer' is in the background. The 'Speculant' was a three masted barquentine of 412 tons built in Scotland in 1895. It was purchased by P. J. McGennan in 1902 and wrecked at Cape Patton, near Apollo Bay, in 1911. It was one of the few ships to be registered at the Warrnambool port. Peter John McGennan (1844-1920) was a cooper by trade, initially operating a shop in Warrnambool making cheese vats, churns, coolers and tanks. He then opened a factory in South Warrnambool making butter boxes, nails and barbed wire. He owned several ships, using them to import material for his businesses, especially white pine timber from New Zealand, and to export his own products. He was a Warrnambool Councillor from 1885 to 1891.

This photograph is of interest as a reminder of the importance in the late 19th century and early 20th century Warrnambool of Peter McGennan and his industries and community work.

This is a black and white photograph of three ships. It is enclosed in glass with a varnished wooden frame with an ornate edging. The photograph shows one ship in the background and two at the Warrnambool breakwater with some railway cartage trucks in the foreground.

ship 'speculant', dredge 'pioneer', p.j. mcgennan

These items have been in the collection of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society for many years and the source of the donation is not known.

These items are the administrative records of a Warrnambool building society, mainly collated by the Secretary of the time

These items are catalogued and stored in the Ledgers section of our collection and held in the Archives Room

These items are administrative records in ledger form and include Cash Books, Day Books, Borrowers' Ledgers, Investors' Day Book. Docket Book, Stewards Book and Investment Ledgers.

warrnambool permanent building and investment society, building societies in warrnambool, a.a. briggs warrnambool

warrnambool permanent building and investment society, building societies in warrnambool, a.a. briggs warrnambool

This drum comes from the group which is now called " Warrnambool & District Pipes & Drums". As the Warrnambool Pipe Band it was formed in 1906 and today its aim is to foster a taste for bagpipe music. A separate Ladies' Band was set up in 1950 and combined with the Mens' Band in 1974. The Warrnambool & District Pipes & Drums is held in high regard nationally.

This drum is a memento of an important musical group in Warrnambool

This is a large, circular drum for a pipe band. The outside centre is skin surrounded by wooden rings, one of which is painted black. Between the rings is a cream and black mottled pattern on a curved piece made of composite material. There are eight silver tuning rods equally spaced along the side. One of these has two pieces of red tape attached. There is printing on both sides of the drum.

Warrnambool Ladies Pipe Band Warrnambool Pipe Band

warrnambool ladies' pipe band, warrnambool & district pipes & drums

Hip baths, such as this one, were used in past times in households for individuals to bathe. Generally the bath was placed in front of the fire in the kitchen and filled with hot water from the kitchen stove.

This item is retained as an interesting memento of past household customs.

This tin hip bath for an adult is in the shape of a cradle. The exterior is painted light brown. It has curved edges around the rim with two protruding curved pieces for the bather's hands to grip when getting out of it. The base is concave. It appears to be have been constructed in pieces. The bath is rusted and stained.

hip bath, vintage domestic item, bathing practices in the past

This is a can used for storing milk at a dairy farm for transport to the local butter, milk or cheese factory. It comes from a farm (number 16) in Dennington, a settlement and now a suburb west of Warrnambool. It may have been supplying milk to the Nestles factory at Dennington by a truck or taken to a Nestles depot nearby. The Nestles factory was established in Dennington in 1907 and closed in 2005.

This can is an interesting memento of dairying practices in the early to mid 20th century.

This is a metal can with a circular base tapering to an open top. It has two handles on the side and a circular lid with a handle. It has a stencil on the side. The entire can is rusted.

Den 16

milk can, dairying in warrnambool district, nestles factory dennington

This hat stand appears to have been made by the English firm of Battersby & Company, a hat manufacturer established in England in the late 19th century. The stand may have been fitted on to the head by the Melbourne firm Ramie Specialty Co. Battersby hats must have been sold extensively in Australia.

This hat stand is useful for display purposes and of interest because of its possible composition (ramie)

This is a model of a head used for displaying men's hats. The head is made of composite material , originally a gold colour and lined what what may be the vegetable fibre, ramie. The head is mounted on a wooden stand with a stepped base. There are two labels, one on the neck of the head and the other on the back of the stand. The head is chipped and stained, with exposed nails.

Battersby Hats Ramie Specialty Co. Pty. Ltd. Melbourne

battersby hats, model head stand, vintage men's clothing, ramie

This is a ticket for a complimentary concert to the Victorian soprano, Miss Mollie Hayres, in the Warrnambool Town Hall in 1926. Inez Mary (Mollie) Hayres (1897-1980) was born in Port Fairy and received her early musical training from the Good Samaritan Sisters in Port Fairy. She received local funding to enable her to study at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music under Madame Weiderman and toured the Western District in 1926, supported by the pianist May Broderick and the violinist Cecil Parkes, in a series of complimentary concerts to give her funding to study in Europe. She became a well-known singer and singing teacher in Melbourne, featuring in radio programs and concerts.

This ticket is of interest as a memento of Mollie Hayres, a noted singer in Victoria in the first half of the 20th century.

This is a small white card with black edging and printing.

Grand Complimentary Concert to Miss Mollie Hayres

mollie hayres soprano, good samaritan sisters port fairy

This tin or trunk came from the old Kepler Street, Warrnambol Tait legal offices. The tin originally held legal documents connected to John Hyland (1830-1908). Irish-born John Hyland came to the Warrnambool district in 1850 working as a mounted trooper and a rate collector. He then farmed in the Mortlake district for some years before returning to Warrnambool and setting up as an auctioneer and stock and station agent. He was a Warrnambool Councillor (1880s and 90s) and Mayor (1891-2). His trunk of legal documents was first held by the lawyer, Henry Parrington, operating in Warrnambool from 1888 to 1917 (1888-1900 Higgins and Parrington, 1900 Parrington and Tait, 1901-1917 Parrington). Following Hyland's death in 1908 Henry Parrington has used the tin to house his probate documents and when John Sym Tait purchased the Parrington practice in 1917 he has obviously taken over the Hyland trunk.

This tin is of some considerable interest as a memento of past Warrnambool identities - John Hyland and Henry Parrington

This is a metal tin, rectangular in shape. It has a ridged top, two metal handles and a key mechanism.

John Hyland Esq. Parrington Probates & Deeds (keep)

henry parrington warrnambool lawyer, john hyland warrnambool, john sym tait warrnambool lawyer

These pieces of fleece of a Lincoln sheep come from the property, Carrakoorte, in Grasmere, 13 kilometres from Warrnambool. Lincoln sheep are a large British breed producing strong, heavy wool. Carrakoorte was established in the 1850s and the Manifold family members were the owners in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1886 William Henderson, a dairy farmer and cheese maker, became the manager of Carrakoorte. He purchased the property in 1911 and the Henderson family retained the property until 2012 when the owner, Jim Henderson died. Carrakoorte was renowned for the breeding of Ayrshire Stud Dairy Cattle. The Lincoln fleece pieces are included in our collection of Henderson/Carrakoorte historical items.

This fleece is of interest as a memento of the Henderson property, Carrakoorte

These are nine pieces of fleece of a Lincoln sheep. They are light brown in colour and have a curly texture.

carrakoorte property grasmere, lincoln sheep, henderson family grasmere

These saws date from about the early 20th century and would have been used to cut timber in the days before the advent of machine-operated saws. They are of a simple design and could easily be hand made.

These tools are of interest as examples of tools used over a hundred years ago.

.1 Two-person saw with wooden curved sides, two wooden pieces attached across the sides, a metal blade at the bottom and a metal piece across the top to keep the tool rigid. .2 as .1 above

vintage tools, warrnambool & district historical society collection

This tub probably dates from the early to mid 20th century and would have been a common item in households in those times. It could have been used for laundry items or for other washing processes in the kitchen. Wash houses in the early to mid 20th century were usually separate buildings or sheds outside of the house.

This item is retained for display and discussion purposes

This is an oval- shaped metal tub wider at the top than at the base. It has a ridged top, a strengthening metal band around the base and two metal handles. It is somewhat rusty.

vintage household items, warrnambool & district historical society collection

This ledger contains the names of clients and financial entries of business transactions of an unknown person or firm in the Warrnambool district from 1913 to 1916. The amounts recorded and the names on the loose sheets suggest the cash book may be connected to a stock and station agent of that era.

This cash book is of minor interest as the name of the business involved is unknown. The mase of clients listed may be of some use to researchers.

This is a ledger of 300 pages. The cover, made of brown hard board with a composite material covering, has a brown leather-covered spine. with a label almost indecipherable. The cover is torn and dirty and in parts missing the covering material The pages have ruled red lines with handwritten entries in blue and black ink. There are several loose sheets possibly relating to the handwritten information.

warrnambool businesses in the early 20th century, warrnambool stock and station agents

The ownership of this ledger, dating from 1943 to 1945, is not known. It contains financial details of jobs done and sales and the names listed are those of residents of Warrnambool and district and local businesses. In general the amounts registered are small but there is no indication of the type of jobs done or goods supplied. It is conjectured that the ledger belonged to a local tradesman who also had a shop outlet.

The origin of this ledger is unknown so the only interest is in the names included.

This is a hard cover ledger with a dark green cover. The insides of the cover have a red and green mottled pattern. The 250 pages have ruled red lines and contain handwritten entries in blue ink. There are some loose sheets connected to the entries. Some pages at the back are blank. The pages are bound with string.

warrnambool businesses, warrnambool financial ledger dating from world war two

The Salvation Army was founded in England in 1865 and bonnets were introduced in the 1880s for women officers. These bonnets were worn until the 1960s. The Salvation Army came to Warrnambool in 1887 and was initially based in Raglan Parade before opening a citadel in Lava Street in 1905. In the mid 1960s they purchased the old Congregational Church and Manse at the corner of Lava and Henna Streets.

This bonnet is a fine example of the bonnets worn by Salvation Army Officers as part of their uniform.

The bonnet is made of black raffia with a brim. It has black and maroon grosgrain ribbbons around the front, sides and back. The maroon ribbon has THE SALVATION ARMY machine printed in gold letters. A grosgrain black strap is attached to the head band to enable the bonnet to be worn securely. The bonnet is lined with black cotton.

THE SALVATION ARMY

salvation army, bonnets, warrnambool salvation army

This bonnet would have been worn when the wearer was out doors and has been, perhaps, remodelled from a previous bonnet. All women wore a head covering out of doors in the past up to about the 1950s.

This bonnet has no known provenance but is retained for display purposes as an example of a lady's bonnet from a previous era.

This lady's bonnet is made of cream straw with dark brown cloth pleated trimming and cream felt flowers and leaves. The centre of some of the flowers have gold small buttons attached by fine wire covered in straw. Long faded light brown ribbons are attached to the sides of the bonnet to enable it to be tied to the lady's head.

vintage women's clothing., bonnets, straw hats

It is not clear what this basket was used for; however the shape and the position of the handles suggests it was used for carrying washing. Cane baskets are commonly used in domestic situations.

This basket has no known provenance but is retained for display purposes.

This basket is woven with cane. It is oval in shape with a lid attached with wire hinges. The base is concave. There are handles at two ends.

basket, cane weaving, household objects

This Christening gown belonged to William Edward Housden who was born in Castlemaine in 1890 and died in Warrnambool in 1972. He served in World War One and married Lucy Knowles in 1921. It was on occasions, and still is, a common practice to make a special dress for a baby's Christening or to use a gown that has been handed down over the generations.

This is a fine example of a Christening gown made for a baby 130 years ago.

This is a Christening gown made of cream cotton. It is high waisted with a gathered skirt and a pintucked bodice with hand embroidered leaves and fine drawn thread work. The draw string waist opens at the back. It has long sleeves with lace and embroidered cuffs. There is lace and draw string tape around the neck. The seams have been machined.

william edward housden, christening gowns

These thread spools come from the Fletcher Jones Factory in Warrnambool. They would have been used in the sewing and manufacture of the men's and ladies' garments made at the factory. The Fletcher Jones factory was established by David Fletcher Jones in 1948. David Fletcher Jones (1895-1977) set up as a travelling hawker selling drapery in the Western District in the 1920s. In the same decade he opened a shop in Warrnambool manufacturing men's clothing, specialising in the production of men's trousers. In 1946 a Fletcher Jones shop was opened in Melbourne and a company, Fletcher Jones and Staff, was established in 1951. The company expanded to manufacturing both men's and women's clothing, opening outlets in all States and becoming well-known Australia-wide. The company was dissolved in 2011 and the Warrnambool factory was sold.

These items are of interest as a memento of the Fletcher Jones Factory and the Fletcher Jones company, one of the most important businesses ever established in Warrnambool and certainly one of the most cherished by the local Warrnambool community.

.1 A wooden stand with upright spikes holding 11 spools containing coloured thread (various colours). The threads are on blue and black plastic reels. .2 A wooden stand with upright spikes holding 16 spools containing coloured thread (various colours). The threads are on blue and black plastic reels.

fletcher jones and staff pty ltd, fletcher jones factory warrnambool

Although the organization name is not in the book, this ledger appears to have been used as a financial record for the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute from 1904 to 1911. Most of the entries are the names of those subscribing to the Mechanics' Institute Library, the finances connected to the School of Art and Design and moneys received in connection with the Mechanics' Institute billiards room. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute was one of the earliest established in Victoria, being founded in 1854. The School of Art and Design, the second of its kind in Warrnambool, was established in 1883 and continued to be administered by the Mechanics' Institute until 1908. It eventually became part of the Warrnambool Technical School, opened in 1913. A local Museum was a feature of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute for many years. A billiards room was a recreational feature of many Mechanics' Institutes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute closed in the 1960s with the library section continuing and the building was demolished in 1975 to make way for new Warrnambool Council buildings (including a new library)

This ledger is of considerable interest as it is an early record of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute, one of Warrnambool's most influential organizations. The names listed in this ledger are of historical interest and provide much material for local history researchers.

This is a ledger with a black cover with gold printing on the front. The pages have ruled red and blue lines and handwritten entries in black ink and blue crayon. The spine of the cover is somewhat tattered on the edges.

warrnambool mechanics' institute, warrnambool school of art and design, ethel mitchell warrnambool school of art and design

This is a notebook used to keep some of the farm accounts of the Bonnett farm in Mepunga. As the handwriting is the same throughout, most of the entries appear to have been made by George Bonnett, the son of Frederick and Charity Bonnett. The accounts date from 1920 to 1981 and commence with the sale of stock (pigs, sheep and cattle) in 1920 and go on to record purchases as well as sales in a variety of goods and services - cartage costs, electricity bills, garage repairs, stock feed, household goods etc.

This notebook is an interesting memento of Westen District farm finances over a period of sixty years in the 20th century

This is a small note book with a black cover. It contains pages with ruled lines and handwritten entries in red, blue and black ink. Some pages have been cut out at the back of the book.

mepunga farming, bonnett family of mepunga

This book contains the Minutes and financial details from the Allans Forest Red Cross Hospital Auxiliary from 1925 to 1930. Allans Forest is a small locality on the Great Ocean Road about three kilometres from the township of Allansford on the eastern fringe of Warrnambool. The Hospital Auxiliary was formed as an extension of the Allansford group in 1925 to provide support for the Warrnambool and District Hospital. The group raised funds with dances and jumble sales and donated to the hospital such items as groceries (especially home made jams and soaps), hospital linen and baby wear. The hospital would provide tins of fat for the ladies to make the soap.

This exercise book is of interest as a memento of the activities of a small group in a small settlement in the Warrnambool area nearly a hundred years ago. It shows the reliance in the past of a town hospital on local groups to provide basic items such as food and linen.

This is an exercise book with a dark red cardboard cover and black binding on the spine. The pages have ruled black lines and handwritten entries in ink. Some pages are blank.

Allan's Forest Red Cross Hospital Auxiliary

allans forest, warrnambool and district hospital, allans forest red cross

This is a food cover, most commonly used in homes in the days before refrigeration and plastic containers. It usually contained food, mainly meat, to protect it from flies, heat or draught while allowing the air to circulate around it and it could be hung in sheds, kitchens, cellars etc.

This food cover is retained as a memento of domestic objects used in the past and will be useful for display purposes.

This is a food cover made of metal with a circular base and decorative sides, finely pierced to create a mesh pattern. It has a fluted and patterned top with a ring handle. It is rusted.

vintage kitchen items, warrnambool & district historical society collection

This scrapbook contains newspaper cuttings, mainly about football, and other written material from the late 19th century. It belonged to Martin Carter ((1870-1943), a Warrnambool saddler who worked for many years in the saddlery business established by his father, Samuel. Martin Carter was very active in community affairs - President of the Warrnambool Bowling Club, a member of the local Volunteer Militia, Secretary of the Progress Association, a football player and umpire and a local cricketer. He was the Secretary of the Warrnambool Town (later City) Band for fifty years and a memorial plaque in his honour was erected at the Band headquarters in Warrnambool. He was also a Warrnambool Councillor (1917-1925) and Warrnambool Mayor (1922-24). His interest in football can be seen from the great number of football newspaper cuttings in this notebook.

This little notebook is most interesting as it provides us with details on football in the Warrnambool district in the late 19th century and gives us an indication of the popularity of the game at that time. It is a valuable research tool.

This is a small notebook with a black cover. The pages contain ruled red lines over which have been pasted newspaper cuttings. Some pages have handwritten material and some pages are blank. There are also several loose cuttings. The notebook has been stapled but the staples have been removed.

M.L.Carter Warrnambool June 13th 1887 S.Carter Saddler Warrnambool (stamp)

warrnambool town band, martin carter warrnambool, football in the warrnambool district, sydney giddings warrnambool saddler

The heavy quality of the cloth in this lady's night gown suggests it may have been made for use as a shroud. It has been, and still is, a common practice to bury a woman in a night gown.

This item has no known local provenance but is retained because of its interpretive character and use in displays.

This is a night gown made of white, heavy cloth with hand crocheted cuffs, collar and front panel. It has long sleeves and is gathered on the shoulders and the bodice. There is one mother of pearl button on the front of the bodice.

shrouds, women's vintage clothing

This is a dress for a young girl aged about twelve. It seems to date from the late 19th century and would have been worn at a wedding or a family celebration.

This dress is a fine example of vintage clothing and is a valued display item.

The dress is made of fine muslin. It has a round neck with lace edging, the gathered skirt has pin tucks with a spoke stitched wide hem. There is lace insertion at the waist and on each shoulder. On the three quarter sleeves there is lace edging at the cuffs. The bodice has machine made embroidery, spoke stitching and tucks. The back has press studs and hooks and eyes .

vintage clothing, warrnambool and district historical society collection

This jacket would have been worn with a long black skirt by an elderly woman or by one in mourning, probably in early Edwardian times.

This item is retained for display purposes.

This is lady's black satin top with long sleeves. There are hooks and eyes for the full length of the front. with a fitted, boned waist. It has panels on each side of the opening on the front with black embroidered " frog" decorations. The sleeves are pleated with three bands of black velvet on the cuffs at the wrist. The garment is lined with black cloth. The cream lace around the neckline appears to have been added at a later time.

vintage woman's clothing, edwardian era, warrnambool and district historical society collection

This is a vintage clothing item , probably specifically made in the 1950s for a woman of some means. It may have been made in Tasmania. Ownership of a fur coat was once considered to be a valued item in a woman's wardrobe.

This item is retained for display purposes.

This is a light brown fur coat with long sleeves and three metal fasteners in the front. It is unlined except for strips of stiffening material on the inside edges. There is a short collar. A tear is on the upper right side. It is considerably worn on the sleeves. Internal stitching has created a geometric pattern on the external fur. It is considered that the fur is Tasmanian wallaby.

vintage clothing, fur coats, warrnambool and district historical society collection

This spinning wheel was recovered in pieces from N.S.W. and re-assembled in the 1980s by Les O'Callaghan, a Warrnambool historian and President of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society for many years. The spinning wheel is believed to have belonged to Alice Allan (nee Mullaly) who married William Osborne Allan in 1844. They had three sons. William Allan was a pioneer settler who, in 1839/40, established, with his brothers, a property (Allandale) east of the Hopkins River in the area known today as Allansford. During the 1840s the property was divided with William taking up the Allandale section and his brother John taking the Tooram section. William died in 1860 and Alice continued to manage the property with the assistance of her sons until her death in 1887 when the Allandale estate was sub-divided. A spinning wheel such as this would have been an important item in a pioneer settler's home with the wife needing to spin wool or sometimes flax to produce cloth for clothing and furnishings.

This spinning wheel is of considerable significance as it is believed to have belonged to Alice Allan, a pioneer settler in the Warrnambool district. This would make it one of the oldest and most interesting items in our collection.

This is a spinning wheel made of metal and wood. The base stand has a foot pedal attached to the wheel and other sections of the spinning mechanism above

alice allan of allandale, william osborne allan of allandale, vintage household items, les o'callaghan warrnambool historian