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A collection of writing tools used at Torquay Primary School, State School Number 3368

School writing tools comprising: set of 6 dip pens with plastic handles in assorted colours (red, blue and green)with black ribbed nib holder and metal nibs; white ink well with dip pen with wooden handle and no nib; clear glass ink bottle (empty) with metal screw cap.

On dip pens: Sunvale Series On ink bottle: 4oz // SWAN INK. Underneath: THIS BOTTLE REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF MABIE TODD & ----- LTD

education, stationery

Writing slate from Torquay Primary School, State School Number 3368

Rectangular slate with brown painted wooden border

Written in white (indelible) : NET NO // AM // BOYS GIRLS TOTAL // PM // BOYS GIRLS TOTAL

education, torquay primary school

Trophy awarded to James Baines by Torquay Table Tennis Club in 1940. James Austin Baines was a teacher, school principal and author. He moved to Torquay in 1937 with his wife Ray and took up a position as head teacher at the primary school. In 1942 the family moved to Melbourne where he taught for over 30 years in State primary schools. His last positions were as principal at Ringwood, Oakleigh South and Clayton North. In 1976 he moved back to Torquay. His book "Australian plant genera" was published in 1981. For further information about him see https://torquayhistoricalsociety.com.au/james-austin-baines/

Small silver cup with bakelite base

Hosford Cup // Torquay TTC // JA Baines // 11-7-40

trophy, award, james baines

Paperback book with green and yellow cover, 406 pages. There is also an index card with handwritten information about RHODOMYRTUS (Myrtaceae) on both sides.

non-fiction

james baines

School reader, Blue, green and cream illustrated card cover, 72 pages

fiction

Official reader for Grade 1 in Victorian schools

education

School reader, orange paperback cover, 24 pages

fiction

This reader was used at Torquay Primary School, State School Number 3368. It is from a series of official Prep readers used in Victorian schools from 1951 to mid 1960s.

education

Set of 8 "Victorian Readers" in a cardboard box. Originally published 1926, reprinted in 1989

This set of 8 readers was originally published in 1928 and was reprinted by the Victorian Ministry of Education

education

The shells were collected from Torquay beaches in the 1920s

This collection of shells reflects the geological history of the Torquay area. Shells of this type have largely disappeared from Torquay beaches so these provide a record of ones that used to be found on the local beaches.

Two large shells and glass bowl each containing a collection of small shells

shells, fossils

Part of a wooden oar that was broken during an international dory race at Huntington Beach California USA in 1971. A dory is a small flat-bottomed wooden boat with high sides that was used during ocean rescues. Dory racing pits two-person crews against each other to test their strength, endurance, and lifesaving skills.

This oar is significant for its connection with the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club

Part of a wooden oar from the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club

Presented to Torquay SLSC by John Russell & Peter Milburn. This oar was broken by the above members in the international Dory race at Huntington Beach California USA 1971

torquay surf life saving club

The two stones were found in middens between Whites Beach and Point Impossible in the mid 1960s. They are believed to be cutting tools used by the Wadawurrung local indigenous people.

Two stones, possibly shaped as cutting tools

indigenous, tools, waddawurrung

Sir Hubert Opperman (1904-1996) was an Australian cyclist and politician whose endurance cycling feats in the 1920s and 1930s earned him international acclaim. In 1949 he was elected to the Parliament of Australia for the Victorian electorate of Corio and held the seat for 17 years.

Card for debutante ball held at Torquay Hall on Friday July 18th, 1952. Cream card with green typeface, scalloped edge. It is signed on the back by Hubert Opperman MP and Mavys Opperman. There is also an envelope addressed to Miss Alva Smith, Torquay with a government stamp on the back in blue ink and postmarked 21 July 1952.

Commonwealth of Australia Federal Members Rooms Melbourne

Clear glass tumbler, 9 panels on body

On bottom of glass: Steelite // McDonald & Co Ltd Adelaide // British Made

The Two Bays guesthouse badges were souvenirs but were also worn by staff. The Rice family owned Two Bays Private Hotel, purchased in 1919 when it was a small cottage called "Cooee". It was immediately extended and renamed "Two Bays". Effie Rice ran the guesthouse for 29 years, selling in 1948 to Fred Vairy. Milton and Florence Rowe became the managers and later purchased the business. The next owners were the Williams from c1957 and then John and Wilma Pettigroves until in 1985 Two Bays was sold and demolished for a new apartment complex.

Two badges from the Two Bays guesthouse in Torquay. On the front is painted a beach scene with a surfer and surf board and surrounding it the name of the guesthouse.

Two Bays Torquay

guesthouses

The Rice family owned Two Bays Private Hotel, purchased in 1919 when it was a small cottage called "Cooee". It was immediately extended and renamed "Two Bays". Effie Rice ran the guesthouse for 29 years, selling in 1948 to Fred Vairy. Milton and Florence Rowe became the managers and later purchased the business. The next owners were the Williams from c1957 and then John and Wilma Pettigroves until in 1985 Two Bays was sold and demolished for a new apartment complex.

Two sided flyer advertising the Two Bays guesthouse in Torquay. On the front is an advertisement for the guesthouse, on the back is a map of the Bellarine Peninsula

guesthouses

The Rice family owned Two Bays Private Hotel, purchased in 1919 when it was a small cottage called "Cooee". It was immediately extended and named "Two Bays". Effie ran the guesthouse for 29 years. She was the daughter of Mrs Edwards (later Mrs Wolfe) one of Torquay's pioneers, who established other guesthouses - Melba and St Heliers. Effie Rice bought Melba House from her mother and renamed it Pioneer House.

Silver plated jam pot with lid and 2 handles. Opaque glass insert, removable

E.E. Rice

guesthouses

This basket was made with pine needles from the property "Hillside" at Mt Duneed belonging to Andrew White. It was made for (Dr) Violet Fullerton who married Douglas Alfred White, grandson of Andrew, by his sisters Mildred, Constance and Ruth. It was then owned by Violet and Douglas' daughter Judith.

Sewing basket and lid woven from pine needles. The basket is lined with printed cotton cloth and contains sewing threads, wools and needles.

sewing

This trunk belonged to Drs Erina and Vernon Batt. In 1956 they took over the medical practice in Torquay from Erina's father, James Lowson. In the late 1960s they moved to Scotland where Vernon studied to be an orthopaedic surgeon. When they returned to Australia in 1972 they lived in Newtown and Torquay became their holiday house until Erina returned to live there in the late 1970s. This is the trunk used by the Batts in their overseas travels.

Large metal travelling trunk with metal clasps and handle, with card label attached to handle

"Batt" printed in large red letters on centre of lid. "Batt//Melbourne" also etched at top of lid

luggage

This tea set was presented to Mr and Mrs Baines in appreciation from friends at Notting Hill in 1947. James (Jim) Baines was a teacher, school principal and author. He moved to Torquay in 1937 with his wife Ray and took up a position as head teacher at the primary school. In 1942 the family moved to Melbourne where he taught for over 30 years in State primary schools. His last positions were as principal at Ringwood, Oakleigh South and Clayton North. In 1976 he moved back to Torquay. Jim was the author of a handwritten history of Torquay as well as of schools in the Monash Inspectorate, and the book "Australian plant genera", published in 1981. See https://torquayhistoricalsociety.com.au/james-austin-baines/ for further information about him.

Silver three piece tea set consisting of teapot with black handle, covered two handled sugar bowl and covered milk jug

Inscribed on side of teapot "presented to Mr and Mrs Baines in appreciation from friends at Notting Hill 27-8-47"

james baines

Early souvenir from Torquay

Round china plate with illustration of Torquay beach with bathing boxes and with narrow black edging on rim. Mounted in a white wooden frame.

"The bathing beach, Torquay" under the illustration

souvenirs

The Joseph H Scammell was wrecked off Point Danger while on a voyage from New York to Melbourne with a general cargo worth $120,000.

Scale model of Joseph H Scammell, a Canadian sailing ship that was wrecked off Point Danger on 7 May 1891.

Plaque on front of stand: Joseph H Scammell

joseph h scammell, point danger

This fish line and hook is one of a number of items in a fishing basket that belonged to Arthur Rosser, son of Felix Rosser who was one of the early fishermen of Torquay. The tools and line kept in the basket may have been owned by Felix.

Felix Rosser was a well known early settler in Torquay. He became a local hero in 1891 when he spotted the SS Joseph Scammell stricken on the reef off Point Danger and played a pivotal role in the successful rescue of all passengers and crew ... and the ship's cat.

Cord fishing line, coiled, with metal hook at end attached with fine metal wire

fishing equipment, torquay victoria, felix rosser, scales and balances

This scale is one of a number of items in a fishing basket that belonged to Arthur Rosser, son of Felix Rosser who was one of the early fishermen of Torquay. The tools and line kept in the basket may have been owned by Felix.

Felix Rosser was a well known early settler in Torquay. He became a local hero in 1891 when he spotted the SS Joseph Scammell stricken on the reef off Point Danger and played a pivotal role in the successful rescue of all passengers and crew ... and the ship's cat.

Pocket spring balance that would have been used for weighing fish. At the top of the scales there is a metallic ring to fasten the object. This is attached to the main body on which is a bronze plate. On one side measurements are inscribed into the metal surface. There is a spring loaded mechanism which moves along the scales when weight is added to a hook at the bottom of the shaft.

EXCELSIOR IMPROVED SPRING BALANCE BELMONT-HDW-CO USA

fishing equipment, torquay victoria, felix rosser, scales and balances

This knife is one of a number of items in a fishing basket that belonged to Arthur Rosser, son of Felix Rosser who was one of the early fishermen of Torquay. The tools and line kept in the basket may have been owned by Felix.

Felix Rosser was a well known early settler in Torquay. He became a local hero in 1891 when he spotted the SS Joseph Scammell stricken on the reef off Point Danger and played a pivotal role in the successful rescue of all passengers and crew ... and the ship's cat.

Fishing knife in the shape of a small axe. Metal blade with wooden handle that is overlaid with bronze (?) .

fishing equipment, torquay victoria, felix rosser

This knife is one of a number of items in a fishing basket that belonged to Arthur Rosser, son of Felix Rosser who was one of the early fishermen of Torquay. It was crafted from a sheep shearing blade, with wood inserted in the shaft and bound with strips of oilskin, evidence of the improvisation required to sustain a living. The tools and line kept in the basket may have been owned by Felix.

Felix Rosser was a well known early settler in Torquay. He became a local hero in 1891 when he spotted the SS Joseph Scammell stricken on the reef off Point Danger and played a pivotal role in the successful rescue of all passengers and crew ... and the ship's cat.

Fishing knife that was kept in a wicker fishing basket. Metal blade with wood inserted in the shaft and bound with strips of oilskin

fishing equipment, torquay victoria, felix rosser

Glass tumblers (2) from the Scammell wreck. Relics from the wreck of the Joseph H Scammell were found in 1971 by Barry Poole of the Geelong Skin Diver Club. The items were originally part of a consignment for Hawkes Bros store of Geelong.

Glass tumblers (2) from the Scammell wreck. The smaller one has a decorative pattern inlaid near the bottom/

scammell collection, shipwrecks great ocean road victoria

Cut glass vase from Scammell shipwreck. Relics from the wreck of the Joseph H Scammell were found in 1971 by Barry Poole of the Geelong Skin Diver Club. The items were originally part of a consignment for Hawkes Bros store of Geelong.

Cut glass vase with scalloped edge in shape of triangles.

scammell collection, shipwrecks great ocean road victoria

Relics from the wreck of the Joseph H Scammell were found in 1971 by Barry Poole of the Geelong Skin Diver Club. The items were originally part of a consignment for Hawkes Bros store of Geelong.

Round cut glass bowl with scalloped edge, triangle on top with wave pattern

scammell collection, shipwrecks great ocean road victoria

Item recovered from wreck of Joseph H Scammell. Purchased at auction of Scammell cargo in 1911

Drinking glass tumbler with heavy base

Label attached showing provenance

shipwrecks great ocean road victoria, scammell collection

Probably from the wreck of the Joseph H Scammell as it was found in a rock pool at low tide at Point Danger, where the Scammell was shipwrecked. The Joseph H Scammell was a Canadian sailing ship that was wrecked off Point Danger, adjacent to the township of Torquay, on the 7th May 1891 on a voyage from New York to Melbourne with a general cargo worth $120,000 No lives were lost. Captain John albert Chapman was suspended as a ships master for 12 months. Whittemore Brothers Company was a large producer of shoe polish in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, between 1852 and the 1930s.

Small bottle, aqua in colour, containing traces of shoe polish and embossed with the maker "Whittemore". A cork stopper has been added later.

Whittemore/Boston/USA

shipwrecks great ocean road victoria, scammell collection