This bell was used by the public to ring encouragement to participants competing in the Kangaroo Hoppet. The Kangaroo Hoppet has its origins in the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club's 21 km Australian Birkebeiner, first held in 1979 at Falls Creek. In 1991 the first Kangaroo Hoppet of 42 km was conducted and became part of the Worldloppet being the first and, at the time, the only one in the southern hemisphere. It continues (2024) to be held on the fourth Saturday in August. It also includes the Australian Birkebeiner 21 km and the Joey Hoppet 7 km.

Used by local family to cheer on relatives competing in the 1995 Kangaroo Hoppet at Falls Creek.

Metal cylinder fastened with 3 metal rivets with metal ring handle on metal top. Attached is a metal ringer and a white ribbon with blue writing and boomerang and skis logo. Handmade.

Ribbon: "AASF Falls Creek 1995"

kangaroo hoppet; ski race; cross country skiing; bogong high plains, snow sports, metal bell

Schools of this era were very proud of their identity. This was particularly so in country based ones. Schools in isolated or semi-isolated regions provided social cohesion and pride and community involvement that was not so inherent in schools located in larger cities. The exception here being the Greater Public Schools.

Mt Beauty formal secondary education commenced in 1950 with the creation of central classes, with an enrolment of 35 pupils at the Mt Beauty Primary School to serve the children of employees on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme and other people of the district. The Mt Beauty HES was proclaimed on 25th May 1958. In 1962 Mt Beauty High School was proclaimed with 213 pupils. ref. Vision & Realisation Pages 1036-1037. This badge was worn by a local girl.

Mt Beauty Higher Elementary School badge made from brass. The front is coloured enamel depicting a scene of sky, mountains, grass and river. On the top it has 'H.E.S.' and on the bottom 'Mount Beauty'. The outside edges are decorated with gold colored ferns. See also KVHS 0371

mt beauty higher elementary school, school badge, brass badge

Each journal has eg January 50 pages and February 100 pages with advertisements, articles, etc updating farmers on current issues and the latest inventions.

Farmers in the Kiewa Valley subscribed to these journals enabling them to keep up with the changes in farming in Victoria, Australia.

Large, thick book box with monthly journals in 1949 enclosed. Each journal is held by string. Spine is black and cover is beige.

department of agriculture in victoria, farmers of the kiewa valley, 1949 journals

Published as a summary of 1878 newspaper's content

Historical with samples for 1878 advertising, articles etc. in the Albury newspaper.

Small light brown hard cover book 122 pages. Black print on cream colored pages. Each page has 'Border Post Almanac' in fancy print at the top, centre in a 'box'. Cover is embossed around the perimeter and in the corners.

First page in ink "2-8-1979 / $11.75" and a stamp: "Kiewa Valley / Historical Society"

albury almanac, border post, 1878 newspapers

The Tawonga hall was used for community events eg. Dances, Balls and Debutante Balls. The dance Program was displayed for the Musicians and Dancers/Guests to be ready to dance when the music started. Traditional Ballroom dances include the Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango and Quickstep. Latin Ballroom dances include the Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive

Handmade and used by residences of Tawonga and the Kiewa Valley. Possibly unique.

Handmade, tall wooden box with opening at the front showing wooden slots for dance labels eg. waltz,. It has a knob at the top side. The knob can be turned to rotate the dances so that the current dance is at the top. The labels are on white paper and printed in large green letters.

dances, balls, debutante ball, tawonga hall, entertainment

An analog sound medium. Played on a phonograph / gramaphone / turntable / record player. They play for 10 to 30 minutes per side. Made from shellac in the 1940s until 1948, then made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Single is 45 rpm, 12 inch is 33 and a third rev per minute, (LP) is long playing = 'album'. Late 1950s introduction of stereo phonic sound on commercial discs. His Masters Voice (HMV) is a British Record Compamny created in 1901. In 1961 EMI converted the HMV label into an exclusive classical music label. HMV has a logo of a dog listening to music.

The record collection is understood to have been held by a local school in the Kiewa Valley possibly Mt Beauty or Bogong primary schools.

Flat black disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove starting at the outside edge. Made from shellac - rotational speed of 78 revs per minute, 33 and a third rpm (largest) or 45 rpm (smallest). The collection consists of about 50 records including children's and adult's some with cardboard covers. Many of the adult records have the HMV label. Record stand has a rectangular base with padded wire stretching from one side to the other and placed a short distance away enabling the records to be stored vertically and safely so as not to be scratched or bent.

vinyl records, children's music, classical music, his masters voice

CWA of Victoria was a popular widely known organisation throughout Australia. The CWA aimed to improve health welfare, and education for women and children living in the country.

Each town / area in the Kiewa Valley had an active CWA. The Tawonga branch commenced in Feb. 1946 and often combined activities with other branches of the Kiewa Valley.

Country Women's Association of Victoria Group Map, June 1961. each area is colored ad each wit a letter of the alphabet. each group has a number and is listed. eg. blue, 'N' and "Tawonga 14'

country women's association, map of cwa groups, tawonga cwa

Used by the employees of National Parks. The maps show the topography and contours in 3D when used with the stereoscope KVHS 0743. This enables the photographed area to be compared to previous photos and enables the planning of construction of eg. new roads etc. Digital information is now available.

These photographs give the topography and contours of vast local areas eg. Mt Feathertop and Tawonga township.when used with a stereoscope.

Black and white large aerial photos of the Bogong High Plains area. 14 to 20 of them all on thick paper and the same size as the brown wooden box which holds them. The box hasn't got a lid at the top.

Identified and catalogued by National Parks

maps showing topography, national parks, stereoscope

Simpson was founded in 1853 by Alfred M. Simpson. It was a manufacturer of household appliances based in Adelaide, Australia. This stove has only 3 hotplates (not the usual 4) and may have been used in the 1950s.

Used by a resident of the Kiewa Valley.

Green ceramic stove with 3 hot plates - 2 solid (one small and one large) at the back and one at the front with coils (large). 5 black knobs - 2 for the oven and 3 for the hotplates. The oven has a tray and adjustable shelving. At the bottom there is a warming drawer. The stove is electric and has a warming drawer at the bottom. The handles are black.

"Simpson" on the front on the vertical panel and also on the control panel.

ceramic stove, simpson stove

Smith and H. W. Smith began in 1852 then became known as the Smith American Organ Company. Located in Boston, U.S.A.

This organ was used in St Aidens, the Church of England, Tawonga

Wooden organ with 2 hinges to raise the lid from one position and then to the next. There is a decorative wooden barrier to stop the music books from falling onto the keyboard. Above the keyboard are 5 knobs on the left and 6 on the right. The front of the organ is decoratively carved. The 2 foot pedals are covered with cloth. The middle panel on the back has been repaired. Wooden stool

"Boston U.S.A." on the inside "Organ Company / Melbourne" "Smith American / Allan & Co." "Wilkies' ?

church organ, music

This stretcher is for carrying an injured or sick person to another location for treatment or it may have been used as an extra bed. Two people would be able to do the carrying. This stretcher is not able to be folded so was probably not used for eg. a camping trip.

Used in the Kiewa Valley.

4 wooden rounded handles on each corner. Heavy (strong) material is pulled over both of the long sides and fastened with nails. Just in from each end is a steel rod across the stretcher to maintain the width and allow the stretcher to be put down onto the ground to rest on each of the 4 legs. The legs are steel and curved for extra strength.

"ARP" stamped in red on the material.

stretcher, arp, first aid

Possibly home made for a specific purpose requiring a long narrow spout.

Used by a resident of the Kiewa Valley

Old pale green watering can with a very long spout narrowing to its end. Barrel has spout and handle attached. The opening at the top is an oblong. There is no lid.

watering can, oil can

Hoover Model 0212 was advertised in Australia 1951 - 1956. Model 0212 enabled Hoover to diversify their floor care range as they turned their attention to non carpeted floors. It came with polishing brushes, lambs wool polishing pads for furniture, and with optional scrubbing brushes. Used over wood, lino, tiles, rubber and cork.

Used by a resident of the Kiewa Valley

Maroon long steel handle missing a cover at the top end. There is a long electric cord attached as the cord is wound onto the handle. The handle is fixed to a barrel which moves along the surface of the floor being cleaned. The motor rotates 2 round rotary brushes which clean the floor. There is a strip of rubber around the base.

"The Hoover Electric Polisher - Model 0212 ..""Hoover Ltd. Great Britain"

hoover floor polisher, electric polisher

The ambulance officers would use this splint to restrict further movement of a leg. It supports and protects a broken bone or injured tissue and reduces pain and promotes healing by keeping the injured part of the body still. Splints are now designed for specific parts of the body and leg. New materials are available eg. plastic moulds and velcro to fasten straps.

Used by ambulance officers in the Kiewa Valley

The splint is made with 4 shiny upright rods. At the bottom it has 1 moveable stand at the back and 1 solid steel foot rest at the front. These have hinges to enable up and down movement.there is green vinyl around the curve at the top and as support for the back of the leg. There are 3 green leather straps attached - on the top, middle and the foot.

"North Eastern Ambulance / Car 20" in white on green vinyl.

leg splint, ambulance equipment, first aid

After WWII demand for wheelchairs increased. The original wheelchairs were driven by the patient's hands pushing the wheels. Later a motor was added. Then the motor and battery were built into the chair under the seat. This was followed by developments in ergonomics (comfort), controls, comfort and performance.See KVHS 1796, KVHS 1797

Used by Wilma Davies, a Kiewa Valley resident, who suffered from polio from the early 1950s.

2 large wheels - The outer wheel is steel and the inner is rubber with metal spokes attached. The foot plates are of ribbed steel. The ribbed seat is blue made of thick canvas as is the back of the chair. Some plastic has been glued on the back. The arm rests are also covered with old torn plastic. There is a metal stick on the side used to brake the chair by being pulled enabling it to touch the wheel and slow it down or stop it from turning.

"Sibbing / Melbourne" on the foot plates

polio, wheelchair, pandemic

Used for polio patient for sleeping. Polio disability aid. Callipers were fitted to lock up the knee joints of weakened leg to enable a person to walk without their legs collapsing and to pick the foot up from the ground when foot drop had occurred due to paralysed skin muscles. The polio patient found these devices restrictive and uncomfortable. See KVHS 1796, KVHS 1798

Used by Wilma Davies, a Kiewa Valley resident, who suffered from polio from the early 1950s.

Metal frame for each leg to fit in a 'V' shape from the waist to the feet. Supported by canvas straps - 3 on the left side, and 2 on the right (1 has been torn off and replaced with leather straps). 2 flat foot shaped steel plates are at the foot end and are adjustable for the feet to be at several angles. The frame has a supporting frame attached giving depth to the calliper.

polio, calliper, pandemic

See KVHS 1797. KVHS 1798 Walking sticks are used for support, stability and balance while walking. This one was used as a medical aid from the 1950s.

Used by Kiewa Valley resident, Wilma Davies, who suffered from polio from the early 1950s.

Metal hollow stick with rubber 'plug' at the bottom. At the top 2 short pieces come out at an angle. The lower one, a handle, has a rubber cover . The other is longer, comes out on the same side, and supports the elbow.

walking stick, medical aid

Bill Sutton Collection Jacob Estey founded te Estey Organ Company Battleboro in the late 1800s. One of the largest manufacturers of reed organs in the world. The company closed in the 1960s. This organ possibly 1923

Used by a resident of the Kiewa Valley

Made of white Oak this small organ has a lid on 2 hinges at the sides and has 2 steel clips, each side, to keep it closed. At each end is attached a leather handle to move the organ.Next to the right-hand side of the keyboard is a movable silver knob. It has 2 wooden pedals each with a piece of non-slip material 'glued?' on. Each pedal is attached to the keyboard area with a leather strap. See "Reed Organ Society" La Vernia Tx, USA

"Estey Organ Co. Brattleboro Vt USA" on the lid. (Note: Vt = Vermont) "Allan and Co. Ltd / Melbourne / Sole agents for Victoria" on the lid.

reed organ, music, estey organs

The McKay pipeline was built by the SECV during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. It begins at the McKay Power Station, is above the ground going down the mountain.

The McKay pipeline was built by the SECV during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme

Black and white large photo of Mt McKay's pipeline going down the mountain. It has a black plastic frame.

no 1 pipeline mckay power station

13 strips of wood showing their different colour and grain and representing trees found in the Kiewa Catchment.

A record of timber found in the Upper Kiewa Catchment

13 different types of wood displayed in a wooden framed picture/wall hanging. Each wood is labelled. Green background and wooden frame.

Labelled: Timber Samples - Upper Kiewa Catchment

timber samples, upper kiewa catchment

Beginning in the mid 1800s, photographers used glass plates to capture image - collodion wet plate and gelatin dry plate. Collodion wet plate negatives were in use from c1851 until 1880s. Gelatin dry plate negatives late 1880s - 1920s. Called an ambrotype is comprised of an under exposed glass negative placed against a dark background . The dark backing material creates a positive image.

Man in photo is unknown in a uniform but not very serious so it could be a 'fun thing to do'. The significance is based on the photo being on glass.

A man in uniform sitting casually. The photo is on glass. Dark wood frame holding more layers making it thick with gold tin frame in the inside. The outer layer is wood with embossed (illegible?) cover facing the outside. The inside layer is the photo on glass. Next layer is another frame of gold with an oval frame and covered by glass to protect the photo. The photo sits inside the wooden frame.

An educational tool for the study of the human body. Prior to digital pictures - wall charts were used.

Used as a teaching aid in the Kiewa Valley before digitisation

15 sheets held together by red very thick cardboard with string for hanging attached. For educating people on the human body by displaying on the wall.

first aid, education, anatomy, wall charts, health

Part of Geological investigation into the characteristics of the rock formations and ground water.

Water supply and infrastructure requires prior investigation before construction work can commence.

Very small glass tubes (about 30) with cork toppers. Each tube is labelled. Resting on wool in a cardboard box with a lid. Stored in an old thick cardboard box with a very faint 'Harrietville ... Samples' on its lid.

On the tubes - place and number "Harrietville / samples"

geological samples, harrietville water

Banners were often used for school functions eg. Sports Days to mark an area for children to gather/ meet. Or to identify a group during an event eg. a parade. The Tawonga School was opened in 1880. See KVHS 04882

Tawonga School is in the Kiewa Valley. It is small rural school serving the farming and tourist town of Tawonga in Victoria's north east.

Large white banner with ST (overlapping) in red and a red fringe on the bottom edged forming a V. The back is red. There is nothing to assist it being hung up.

tawonga school banner, education, school sports

See KVHS 1481 Run by the Chamber of Commerce in November in 1994 and 1995

Held in 1994 and 1995 in the Kiewa Valley in recognition of the aboriginal people who lived and gathered in the Kiewa Valley.

Orange T-shirt with a iron-on green square which has white print on it. The print includes that of a moth.

White print: "Mt Beauty / Festival of the Bogong Moth"

bogong moth festival, mt beauty chamber of commerce, aboriginal

Lions Club was first formed in 1947 in Victoria. It is a Services club for the Community

The Upper Kiewa Valley Lions Club was charted in 1964 and continues today (2024)

Yellow T-shirts with brown collars and cuffs and at the waist.

On the back printed in brown "U.K.V. Lions / In Action" On the front is the Lions Club logo

upper kiewa valley lions club

1950s. Keeps boiling and doesn't turn off automatically.

Used by a resident of the Kiewa Valley

Yellowish cream ceramic body of jug with black bakelite hinged lid. One end is a spout and the other the plug and handle. The cord is brown and white and of medium length. It has a thermostat.

Printed on the Base: 240V - 1650W / Model No EEJ I-AC only / App. No. N550 / Jug Body by / Fowler Ware.

electric jug, fowlers ware

Used under a wringer and screwed onto a trough or lower tub to rinse and dry clothes (by spinning) after they have been soaked and washed with soap.

Used by a resident of the Kiewa Valley.

Outer green metal tub. Inner silver metal tub with holes all around it. Metal pipe vertical in the centre. Inner tub can spin. Underneath is a steel stand which is attached to the centre pipe to the outer edge. A screw with a 'plug' enables it to be attached to a stand or a lower tub. Underneath the bottom is a red hose which is attached and at its other end a connection for a tap.

"Patented / Rinsan Dry"

washing machine, washing tub, household work

Smiths were once the largest clock manufacturers in Europe. They produced clocks for the home.

Used by a resident of the Kiewa Valley

White clock face with black hands and numbers. The seconds hand is red. Electric cord attached at the back with details of makers embossed in the centre circle. The face of the clock is attached to a round tin mantel. It has a white knob at the bottom (for adjusting the hands). The electric wall plug has 3 cylinder shaped prongs (they are not flat).

On clock face "Smiths" On the back "Smiths / English clocks" Details re maker, watts etc. embossed on the back centre.

smiths clock, wall clock

Chains were used to prevent vehicles from slipping on the terrain. They were fitted onto the driving wheels for extra grip.

Used on large vehicles during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme when the terrain was slippery eg. mud, snow

Iron chains connected to form rectangles with extended links at each end with clips. Used to fit on the driving wheels of large vehicles eg. bus, tractor, snow vehicle.

heavy vehicles, construction vehicles, snow chains