Collection
Objects
EXPLORE THE WMA OBJECTS COLLECTION
The Women’s Museum of Australia collection holds over 2500 objects including domestic technology, photographs, manuscripts, clothing, jewellery and books.
Digitising the collection and making it available online is an evolving resource that will, over time, represent many more of the Museum’s collection highlights.
You can also explore our Library, which holds books and audiovisual materials by clicking HERE.
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White Ceramic Jug
White ceramic jug, measures 18.8 cm in height, 11.2 cm in diameter, and approximately 15 cm in width including the handle. The top rim is scalloped. Looking at it with the spout on the left and the… Read more…
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Hair Bun
Hair bun/sequined hair net. Measures 12 cm width by 7.5 cm length. The spangles are interspersed and are purple, orange, silver, green, and red in colour. Bun is brown with the netting and bangles… Read more…
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Gay Blade Razor Blade Bank
Gay Blade razor blade bank. Is in the shape of a man with a black mustache. He is wearing a black bowler hat. His body is in the shape of a red and white barber pole design with a slot, and has… Read more…
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Chip Heater
Chip heater. Measures 59 cm high by 35.5 cm in diameter with the spout being 13 cm in length. On top is “Simpson’s Pirie Chip Heater”. The sides appear to be aluminum with the top a heavier metal. Read more…
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Clothes Brush
Clothes brush, curved in almost half circle. Handle is wooden, painted black, with much of it worn off. Bristles are golden and are secured to wood with metal wire in a zig zag pattern. The end… Read more…
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Clothes Brush
Clothes brush. Handle is wooden, medium brown, with some of the “varnish” worn off. Bristles are black. Measures 30 cm in length and 7 cm at the widest. Good condition, bristles hardly worn.… Read more…
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Crocheted Pie Frill
Crocheted pie frill. Off-white with five, horizontal row at the bottom and many vertical columns leading off. The top is a zig zag design with two holes near the top of every column. Measures 23… Read more…
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Hat Box
Hat box that belonged to Molly Clark. Beige weave in appearance with two sets of four vertical lines on the top and bottom. The shape is flat across the bottom (17 cm) and then curves into a… Read more…
Maker: PERMACASE Travelling goods
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Photograph of Margaret WOODFORDE née LENNON
Black and white photo of Margaret Woodforde née Lennon. Wife of John William Woodforde. Measures 10.6 cm width by 15 cm length.
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Photograph of Mary Theresa WOODFORDE
Black and white photo of Mary Theresa Woodforde. Measures 10 cm wide by 14.4 cm length. On the back is the annotation, “Mary Theresa Woodforde Eldest daughter of John & Margaret Woodforde:… Read more…
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Manual of Devotion
Manual of Devotion, 186 pages. Measures 5.2 cm wide, 9 cm length, 1 cm height. Black leather (leather-like) cover with title in gold font. Etched into the leather, front and back covers, is a… Read more…
Maker: Charles Eason
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Short, Black Leather Gloves
Short, black leather gloves with 3 seams stitched for decoration on outside and a clip at the wrist. There is a slit 6cm long on either side of a male and female half of a clip.
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Long Black Gloves with Three Pearls
Long,black gloves with 3 black buttons that look like round pearls. On outside 3 seams stitched as decoration.
Maker: MYJOY
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Long White Gloves with Buttons
Long white gloves with two plastic shiny buttons inside which have 2 buttonholes opposite with a long slit in between (91÷2 cm) Maker’s tag in left glove 3 seams stitched as decoration on outer side… Read more…
Maker: SATALON
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Long White Gloves with Pearl Buttons
Long white gloves with 3 pearl buttons (i missing on 1 glove) Buttonholes opposite buttons with a long slit in between. Size 7and half, nylon.
Maker: Nylon Simplex
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Short White Embroidered Gloves
Short white embroidered gloves Size 7. Kayser, cotton, made in Italy . embroidery on outside of each glove stems with shamrocks on ends of each stem.
Maker: KAYSER
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Bottle Opener Fowler's Vacola
Flat piece of metal tapered to a point. Other end is inserted into a yellow handle of plastic/bakelite? similar to a knife handle.
Maker: Fowler's Vacola
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Letter to Mary Theresa WOODFORDE
Letter to Mary Theresa “Polly” WOODFORDE at Sliding Rock [Flinders Ranges, South Australia]. Measures 12.6 cm width by 20.2 cm length. Had been folded into thirds, which have become three pieces of… Read more…
Maker: John William WOODFORDE
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Pattern Book ''Those beautiful days in Feathersoft'' Patons book 391
The book contains some advertisements and patterns for knitting dresses, cardigans, jumpers and pixie hoods for babies. It has twenty pages and the cover is colourful with a picture of babies in it. Read more…
Maker: COATS PATONS [AUSTRALIA] LTD.
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Pearson’s Pumice Soap
Trapezoid-shaped, measures:bottom: 10.4 cm in width,top: 9.5 cm in width,height: 8.5 cm,length: 7 cm at bottom and 6 cm at topThe background colour is orange with black text. Weight is 375 g. Read more…
Maker: The Pearson’s Soap Company
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Caldwell’s Blu Nob
A cylinder wrapped in unbleached muslin. It is tied with string at the top. Red label and white text. “CALDWELL Blu-Nob” on the front and “FINEST LAUNDRY BLUE” on the back. Along the side is… Read more…
Maker: Caldwell’s Pty Ltd
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Silver-coloured Bracelet
Silver-coloured link bracelet. No marking indicating that it is sterling silver. Composed of 13 links. Eight and a half (8.5) cm in diameter.
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Old-fashioned Dolly Peg
Old-fashioned dolly peg, otherwise called a clothes peg (UK English) and a clothespin (US English). One piece, made of wood and measures 10 cm in length and 1.5 cm in width.
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Tin for Figsen Laxative
A tin, formerly containing an unknown quantity of laxatives. It measures 6.8 cm in width by 5 cm in length by 1.5 cm in height. Hinged lid. The background is orange with black lettering, except… Read more…
Maker: Nyal Company
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Butter Churn
Butter churn, cherry.
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''Cleckheaton Nursery Book 1''
This book contains patterns for knitting and crocheting baby’s jumpers, cardigans, pants, bonnets and bootees. It also contains baby’s crocheted shawl as well as baby’s pram coat. The book is in… Read more…
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Pattern book ''Paton's Classic Collection in 5 and 8 ply for children No.51''
This book contains patterns for knitting children’s jumpers and cardigans. It also shows the measurements according to children’s age, and the materials used, the accessories like the knitting… Read more…
Maker: COATS PATONS PTY, LIMITED
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Pattern book ''The Australian Women's Weekly Great Winter Knits''
The book contains some advertisements and patterns for knitting for all the family. It contains patterns for great winter knits like a Cable knit designer jumper, man’s colour block sweater and a… Read more…
Maker: The Australian Women's Weekly
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Clay Medallion
Clay disc with hole punched at top and leather thong threaded through to enable it to be worn around the neck. One side stamped with old logo — wagon wheel and map of Australia with dot to mark Alice… Read more…
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Postcard - One of Qantas' First Offices
Postcard, printed in Australia. The message/address side, located in the bottom, left, states: One of Qantas’ FIRST OFFICES – at Duck Street, Longreach, Queensland Dividing the message and the… Read more…
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Hat Pin
Hat pin. Measures 12.2 cm total length. Pin/shank measures 10.1 cm. Fixed to the top is an onion-coloured ball measuring ca 1.9 cm diameter.
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Hat Pin
Hat pin. Measures 11.8 cm total length. Pin/shank measures 7 cm. Fixed to the top is a black, tear drop-shape wrapped with a braid of gold-coloured metal.
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Hat Pin
Hat pin. Measures 10.8 cm total length. Pin/shank measures 9 cm. Fixed to the top is a round, mahogany-coloured ball with a gold sepal holding it.
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Postcard - AVRO 504K, 1921
Postcard, printed in Australia. The message/address side, located in the bottom, left, states: AVRO 504K, 1921. Pilot and 2 passengers. 65 m.p.h. Intrepid passengers flew in this, Qantas’ first… Read more…
Maker: Qantas
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Doll - Edith BOHNING
Female doll made of composition, known as “compo”, a sort of tough papier mâché, the doll has a cloth body and imitates the German porcelain variety. Measures 40 cm in length by 16 cm width. She has… Read more…
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Breast Pump
A manual breast pump with original box. On the box, written in blue ink, is “$2.59”. One-piece consisting of round, red pump and clear glass (?) suction receptacle. Measures approximately 13.5 cm… Read more…
Maker: Continental
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Book - "Songs"
Book: Songs: Selected for Use by Home League Meetings. The cover has a drawing of a home sitting on an open book. Red, fabric cover, with two staples holding it together. Measures 10.6 cm wide… Read more…
Maker: “Wholly set up and printed in Australia by Citadel Press”
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Book - "Red Shield Huts"
Book — Red Shield Huts. Measures 9.5 cm wide by 13.1 cm length. Red, fabric cover, with two staples holding it together. The cover has, in black, an outline of Australia with The Salvation Army… Read more…
Maker: The Salvation Army Press
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Pattern book ''Green Label Cottons'' Standard of the World.
The book contains patterns and instructions for making Yokes, such as a Night-gown yoke and a Dainty Yoke, night-gown yoke with a rose pattern, combination yoke with diamond pattern and fillet yoke… Read more…
Maker: Richardson Silk Company
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Pattern book ' Bestway Book no. 60 Lingerie Crochet Book''
The book contains crochet patterns for lingerie items like Chemise and Knicker Trimmings and Lingerie Edging with Crochet Trimmings. There’s also a pattern for a Crochet-Trimmed Nightgowns, a… Read more…
Maker: The Fleetway House
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Dress Pattern, 9149
Woman’s Dress Pattern
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Bag of Potch, no Colour
In Fayes inventory, she describes it as Bag of Potch non precious opal no colour). Many medium pieces of potch in a sealed GLAD bag with POTCH hand-written in black marker to the right of the logo. Read more…
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Photograph of Esther and John Bohning
Photograph of Esther and John BOHNING.
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Photograph of 1922 Dort and A.I.M. Sisters
A sepia-coloured photo 87 mm wide by 129 mm length. The photo has multiple pin holes in each corner. A plastic label, black background and white lettering, made by a label maker, is stuck across the… Read more…
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CD - Gentle Giants of the Deep
CD Gentle Giants of the Deep, music lyrics & vocals Faye Nayler. Sound recording by Airplay Recording Studio 1996 AR00001. Four tracks: 1. Gentle Giants of the Deep 2. Australian Blue Skys… Read more…
Maker: Airplay Recording Studio
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Photograph 1/10A Gladys Ware/Baker (nee Andrews), aged 76, 1984
1/10A GLADYS WARE/BAKER (née ANDREWS) aged 76 (1984). Black & white and measures 177 mm wide by 126 mm length. On back written in black ink is 1/10A ANDREW.
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Photograph of Group of Ladies and One Man at Old Police Station Picnic Race Meeting, 1923
A GROUP OF LADIES, AND ONE GENTLEMAN, SITTING UNDER THE PEPPER TREES AT THE OLD POLICE STATION, JUST THROUGH THE GAP. THEY WERE ATTENDING A CHRISTMAS PICNIC RACE MEETING. THE RACE COURSE WAS AT… Read more…
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National Geographic
Photocopied on A3 size paper is the October 1976 issue of National Geographic (Vol. 150, No. 4). In addition, are pages 565 – 566, the end of what should be the article Opal Capital of Australia’s… Read more…
Maker: National Geographic, Vol. 150, No. 4
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Photograph 1/31A Topsy, Jack and Nora
TOPSY, JACK & NORA 1/31A. Black & white photo and measures 254 mm wide by 202 mm length. On back written in black ink is 1/31A WALKER. The photo contains a humpie/hut with three… Read more…
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Bottle of Full Colour Uncut Opal
Faye describes it as Small bottle of full colour Uncut opal. The glass bottle appears to have been a spice bottle because it has a plastic insert with 6 holes. Taped to it is a yellow Post-It note… Read more…
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Photograph of Edith and William McDonald
Photograph of Edith BOHNING and William McDONALD.
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Photograph of Maudy Nichols and 1925 Buick
Black and white, woman facing right, in front of car MAUDY NICHOLS AND 1925 BUICK. Had at one time been thumb tacked to wall, as there are multiple holes in each corner. Measures 215 mm wide by 164… Read more…
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DVD - "Icon Towns"
DVD, presented by Readers Digest. Australian Icon Towns, Volume Three. Five audio files: Coober Pedy, Launceston, Ballarat, Tenterfield, Tanunda. Copyright 2007. Running time 55 minutes approx. Read more…
Maker: Reader's Digest
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Photograph 1/11 A Gladys Arbon, aged 19, 1945
Two copies of the same photo. Black & white One (original ?) measures 119 mm wide by 163 mm length. Corners slightly bent. Some stains (1) left margin, (2) bottom left corner (3) bottom middle.… Read more…
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Photograph of Molly and Pearl PRICE Washing Clothes
LATE IN 1924, MRS PRICE AND HER FOUR CHILDREN RETURNED TO START [sic] RUNNING HARPERS SPRINGS AND WOOLA DOWNS STATIONS, TWO PROPERTIES THAT MR PRICE HAD WANTED TO RETIRED [sic] BUT HE DIED IN AUGUST… Read more…
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Coober Pedy Regional Times
Article FAYE NAYLER RETURNS TO COOBER PEDY A NEW ROUND OF HISTORY EMERGES, page 1 (no author). On page 3 is the article FAYE NAYLER AND TINY PECO COMBINE FOR 2007 OPAL FESTIVAL WEEKEND MUSICAL… Read more…
Maker: Coober Pedy Regional Times
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Photograph 1/32A Royal Hotel, Bedourie with Allan, Nancie and Mr. Gaffney, Proprietor
1/32A 1/32A ROYAL HOTEL, BEDOURIE with Allan, Nancie & Mr Gaffney (Proprietor). Black & white and measures 254 mm wide by 202 mm length. On back written in black ink is 1/32A WALKER. Read more…
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Bottle of Black Opal
Faye describes it in her inventory as small bottle of Black opal specimens. The glass bottle appears to have been a spice bottle because it has a plastic insert with 6 holes. Taped to it is a… Read more…
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Photograph of Isobel Price née Hesketh in Her Wedding Dress
MRS ISOBEL PRICE (NEE HESKETH) IN HER WEDDING DRESS. MR & MRS PRICE WERE MARRIED AT THE PALMERSTON WESLEY CHURCH, 5TH MARCH 1898 ISOBEL WAS 21 YEARS OF AGE AND FRED WAS 30. MRS PRICE LEFT… Read more…
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Book Warm in My Heart
Paperback book Warm in My Heart: Ballads and Stories of the Coober Pedy Opal Field. Measures 14.6 cm wide by 20.7 cm length. One hundred thirty-two pages not including the cover.
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Photograph 1/13A Gladys Ware/Baker (nee Andrew) with Daughters Raelene and Zona, ca 1957
1/13A 1/13A GLADYS WARE/BAKER (N ANDREW) [Andrew in photo 1/13A but Andrews in photo 1/12A] with daughters Raelene (L) & Zora ® 1957. Black and white. Measures 248 mm wide by 202 mm length. Read more…
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(no photo) Pearl, Alf, Mrs Price, Molly, Ron Standing in Front of Bough Shed
PHOTO MISSING: PEARL, ALF, MRS PRICE, MOLLY AND RON STANDING IN FRONT OF THE BOUGH SHED THEY BUILT AS THEIR FIRST HOME ON HARPERS SPRINGS. PHOTO MISSING.
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Opal Crew Really Down Under
Article Opal Crew Really Down Under photocopied on A3 paper. No dates of other markings.
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Photograph 1/33A Bedourie Bore, 1939
1/33A BEDOURIE BORE 1939. Black & white and measures 254 mm length by 202 mm wide. On back written in black ink is 1/33A WALKER. Photo is of a woman in a long-sleeve, V‑neck, knee-length dress… Read more…
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Bottle of Black Opal Chips
This is a glass bottle with WHITE OPAL CHIPS hand- written in black ink on a yellow Post-It note and taped to the bottle. The bottle appears to have been a spice bottle because it has a plastic… Read more…
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Photograph 1/0A Nancie in Camp, ca 1940
NANCIE IN CAMP c1940. Black & white and measures 254 mm wide by 202 mm length. On back written in black ink is 1/0A WALKER.
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Photograph of Isobel Price at Telegraph Station, Stuart Town (Alice Springs)
ISOBEL PRICE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE POSTMASTERS RESIDENCE AT THE OVERLAND TELEGRAPH STATION, STUART TOWN. APPROX. 1923.
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Justice of Peace Instruction Book and Badge
Faye’s Justice of the Peace badge and her book of instructions to Justices of the Peace. Faye has pinned the badge to the book. (a) The pin is on the bottom right corner of the book. It measures 2… Read more…
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Photograph 1/14A The Gregory Children Uanita, Beryl, Rhoda, Eric, Illma
A THE GREGORY CHILDREN 1/14A Uanita (10) Beryl (8) Rhoda (6) Eric (5) Illma (2). Black & white and measures 254 mm length by 202 mm wide. On back written in black ink is 1/14A GREGORY.
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Photograph of First and Second Price Family Houses
THE FIRST AND SECOND HOUSES TO BE BUILT BY THE PRICE FAMILY ON HARPER SPRINGS STATION. THE FIRST HOUSE, BUILT IN 1925 IS ON THE LEFT, THE CHILDREN THEN WERE MOLLY 18, PEARL 15, ALF 13 AND RON 11.… Read more…
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Faye Nayler's Tourist Mecca
Article FAYE NAYLERS TOURIST MECCA printed on A4 paper. Two photos are included: Faye Nayler outside the Opal Cave and Three tourist coaches at Faye Naylers [sic] Opal Cave.
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Photograph 1/34A Flying Doctor Plane at Glengyle
1/34A 34A FLYING DOCTOR PLANE AT GLENGYLE. Black & white and measures 254 mm wide by 202 mm length. On back written in black ink is 1/34A WALKER.
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Opal Stone
Triplet. Oval shape. The black back looks as though it had been glued to something, as a display piece. Measures 20 mm length, 10 mm width.
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Photograph 1/1A Nancie with Lizzie, ca 1940
1/1A NANCIE WITH LIZZIE c1940 Black & white and measures 253 mm high by 201 mm wide On back written in black ink is 1/1A ANDREW
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Photograph of Isobel and Fred Price Returning to Telegraph Station
ISOBEL AND FRED PRICE PREPARING TO RETURN TO THE TELEGRAPH STATION AFTER A DAY IN STUART TOWN. STANDING BEHIND FRED PRICE, ON THE VERANDAH OF THE STUART ARMS HOTEL, IS MRS LEN, WIFE OF THE MANAGER… Read more…
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Letter to Drivers
Printed on two sheets of A4 paper and taped (backside only) together making it A3 in size is a letter, signed and dated 1 April 1982, from Faye to drivers and Touring Companies when she was preparing… Read more…
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Photograph 1/15A Metha Gregory
1/15A METHA GREGORY. Copy of a black & white photo and measures 254 mm length by 202 mm wide. The original had a crease from side to side approximately 22 mm from the top. On back written in… Read more…
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Map Kingoonya to Marla
An A3-size black and white photocopied map of Kingoonya to Marla Near the middle, in a frame, is Wilkins Tourist Maps. No dates of other markings.
Maker: Wilkins Tourist Maps
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Photograph 1/35A Aborigine Workers at Station
1/35A A Aborigine workers at station ?. Black & white and measures 254 mm wide by 202 mm length. On back written in black ink is 1/35A WALKER.
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Opal Stone
White, oval shape. Solid crystal opal stone measuring 18 mm length, 13 mm width.
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Photograph 1/2A Bedourie, 1943, Colleen Clancy, J. Clancy, P. Finch ?, Nancie, J. Smith, Mr. Gaffney, Eric Sammon
1/2A BEDOURIE 1943 Colleen Clancy, J. Clancy, P. Finch ?, Nancie, J. Smith, Mr Gaffney, Eric Sammon Black & white and measures 254 mm wide by 202 mm high On back written in black ink is 1/2A… Read more…
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Photograph of Price Rriends Returning to Stuart Town (Alice Springs)
A GROUP OF FRIENDS OF THE PRICE FAMILY RETURN TO STUART TOWN AFTER A PICNIC DAY AT SIMPSONS GAP. 1923.
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Letter from Parliament House
Printed on A5 paper is a letter, dated 25 January 1980, from Graham Gunn, Member for Eyre & Chairman of Committees, to Faye informing her of her appointment as a justice of the peace.
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Photograph 1/16A Illma Baldock (nee Gregory), 18 years old
1/16A Illma Baldock (née Gregory), 18 years old. Black & white and measures 254 mm length by 202 mm wide. On back written in black ink is 1/16A GREGORY.
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Set of Three Doilies
Three (3) doilies, of beige linen, featuring a red bottlebrush flower with green leaves, brown stems, and buds. Lace around the border of each. Hand embroidered.
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Press Release
From the Birubi Recording Studio, 56 Mangan Street, Tongala Vic., a four-page press release. Two pages of A4 paper, copied both sides, taped together to pages 2 and 3, making a sheet A3 size. PRESS… Read more…
Maker: Birubi Recording Studio
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Photograph 1/36A Donkey Team Near Station Home
DONKEY TEAM NEAR STATION HOME 1/36A. Black & white photo and measures 254 mm wide by 202 mm length. On back written in black ink is 1/36A WALKER. The photo contains three houses. The one in… Read more…
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Opal Stone
Round. Solid white crystal opal stone measuring 12 mm diameter.
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Photograph 1/3A Albert Blinman and Daughter with Mailman from Marree to Birdsville (Tom Kruse)
1/3A ALBERT BLINMAN & DAUGHTER WITH MAILMAN FROM MAREE TO BIRDSVILLE (TOM KRUSE) Black & white and measures 254 mm wide by 202 mm high On back written in black ink is 1/3A WALKER The… Read more…
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Photograph of Ron, Alf, Pearl Price Children Riding Cow
THE THREE PRICE CHILDREN GO FOR A RIDE ON THE FAMILY PET COW AT THE TELEGRAPH STATION, 1921 FROM THE BACK, RON, ALF AND PEARL The photograph is stamped in purple ink Eileen McRae (on line 1) and… Read more…
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Letter from Opal Cave
Printed on A4 paper is a letter, dated 17 July 2006, from Caroline/Opal Cave to Faye wishing her well and thanking her for coming back to the field for a visit in 2006.
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Photograph 1/17A Metha Gregory and Her Five Children
1/17A Metha Gregory and Her Five Children. Eric (2) Cedric Errol (10) Uanita Mary (7) Beryl Elder (5) Rhoda Viola (3).
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Glass
Glass mug with clear, glass handle; gold rim. When the handle is on the right, 20th Anniversary is printed in black on the front. When the handle is on the left, there is a map of Australia… Read more…
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Profile Faye Nayler
Article PROFILE FAYE NAYLER, June 1994 on A3 paper. Originally was two A4 pages but has been photocopied as an A3. The text is all in capital letters.
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Photograph 1/12A Andrew
Four women, black and white, measures 253 mm wide by 202 mm length. 1/12A 1/12A GLADYS WARE/BAKER (N ANDREWS). [Andrew in photo 1/13A but Andrews in photo 1/12A] with daughters Zona (L) Raelene ©… Read more…
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Opal Stone
Tear-drop/triangle. 15 mm at base, 19 mm length. Solid crystal opal stone measuring
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Photograph 1/4A Dinner at Birdsville Track
1/4A DINNER AT BIRDSVILLE TRACK Black & white and measures 254 mm wide by 202 mm length. On back written in black ink is 1/4A WALKER The photo is of a truck with goods on the back. In front of… Read more…
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Photograph of Molly, Pearl, Ron Price Pulling Rope
MOLLY, PEARL AND RON PRICE PULL ON THE ROPE THAT IS SECURED TO A MILKING COW, KEEPING HER TIGHT AGAINST THE RAILS. THEY WERE GIVEN SOME MILKERS FROM MR & MRS DRAPER OF BOND SPRINGS STATION. Read more…