Historical information

Jean and Bert Bergwerf bought this cream separator from Gerald Maggs hardware store in Dandenong in 1962, it having previously belonged to a farm in Gippsland. They used it to sell milk to their neighbours and supply milk and cream to the Emerald Fire Brigade. It was manufactured in Dursley, England by R.A. Lister & Co. Ltd. While we know it was bought from the farm in 1962, it is unclear how long it was in use before then. R.A. Lister & Co's Melbourne agency opened in 1893, but this likely isn't quite that old. A similar model held by the Jindera Pioneer Museum and Historical Society Inc. has been dated to c. 1937, and it would be viable for this to be of a similar origin.

Significance

This item is an example of the tools vital in providing milk and cream to communities through the 20th century.

Physical description

This is a hand-operated bench-mounted ball bearing cream separator consisting of a red-painted stand with a crank, a large drum for spinning, with an output pipe and a small output catchment drum.

Inscriptions & markings

Embossed Label: "MADE BY / R.A. LISTER & CO. LTD / AT DURSLEY ENGLAND / Lister / VICTORIAN AGENTS / GIPPSLAND & NORTHERN CO-OP / CO. LTD. MELBOURNE C.I."
Painted Label (Mostly Faded): "BALL BEARING / CREAM SEPARATOR"
Printed Label (Partly cutoff): "[illegible] EVERY TWO MONTHS. / [illegible] DRUM OVERFLOW MUST NOT / [illegible] USED AGAIN ON SEPARATOR."
Engraved on handle: "MADE IN ENGLAND"
Maker's Mark: "6658/6" [?]