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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The Barossa Cookery Book
Yellow Post-It note: “DONATION – Mrs Arizona Mundy – Cookery Books x 4.”The Barossa Cookery BookFourth edition. Soldiers’ Memorial Institute, Tanunda, S.A. Two hundred seven (207) mm length by 139… Read more…
Maker: Soldiers’ Memorial Institute
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Green and Gold Cookery Book
Yellow Post-It note: “DONATION – Mrs Arizona Mundy – Cookery Books x 4.”Yellow Post-It note: “I think this is an early Green & Gold cookery book – 1st pub 1923.” One hundred eighty-two (182) mm… Read more…
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Gladys Ware/Baker with Daughters Photo
Four women, colour, in gold-coloured frame.The original of 1/12A from the Mundy photo album.Photo measures 176 mm wide by 126 mm high.On the back, written in pencil, is “10X8.”Included with the… Read more…
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Gladys Ware/Baker Photo
Color, original, photograph of Gladys Ware/Baker (née Andrews).The original of 1/10A from the Mundy photo album.Photo measures 151 mm wide by 102 mm high.The frame is black enamel with a gold inner… Read more…
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Gladys Ware/Baker with Daughters Photo
three women, sepiaThe original of 1/13A from the Mundy photo album.Measures 199 mm wide by 152 mm high.Glued to cardboard backing, now peeling off. The cardboard had been taped to something, as all… Read more…
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Mantle Clock
56.8 cm high, 36 cm wide Made of dark brown wood. The clock front is framed glass, 33 cm high by 15 cm wide etched with palms in planters on each side and a hanging basket containing a plant,… Read more…
Maker: Ansonia Clock Co.
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Half/Waist Apron
Half/waist apron, white. About 40.5 cm at waist. U‑shaped: three (3) U‑shapes with the inner shape a double U, or a rounded “W” overall. Inner (double U) pocket. Ties ~50.5 cm length.… Read more…
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Half/Waist Apron
Half/Waist apron. Green with flowers. Sides and bottom edged with lace. The right pocket is set at an angle, edged with lace. The lace is torn on the left side of the pocket, when wearing it; the… Read more…
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Crocheted Jug Cover
Crocheted jug cover with red and light blue beads to weigh it down. Excellent condition; no stains. Sixteen cm diameter.
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Irish Linen Handkerchief
Irish linen handkerchief, 26.25−26.5 cm wide by 25 cm in length. Diamond shaped linen, surrounded by lace. Excellent condition with one small spot. Green and gold label still attached: “D/PATONA… Read more…
Maker: Datona/Patona
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Pair of Hat Pins
The pair of hat pins are white and gold in colour. They are rounded at the top with smaller, circular mother-of-pearl inlays [some of which are missing]. The decoration continues along…
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Leach's Outdoor Wear in Knitting and Crochet
Women’s magazine that contents womens pattern for knitting and crocheting. The magazine is dated way back in the 1920’s. And the cover is missing. Sixteen pages.
Maker: Outdoor Wear
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Book - "Tales of Tirah and Lesser Tibet"
Hardback, 12.8 mm wide, 18.8 mm length, 4 mm high. Brown cover with black font on spine, “TALES OF TIRAH AND LESSER TIBET – LILIAN A. STARR.” The front, right endsheet has “6” written on it in the… Read more…
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Book – "The Golden Hills”
The Golden Hills by Robert Ormond Case. 12.8 mm wide, 19 mm length, 3.2 mm high.Hardback. Water spots on cover. Red cover with gold font on spine “THE GOLDEN HILLS – ROBERT ORMOND CASE – HOODER… Read more…
Maker: The Camelot Press Limited
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Book - "Christy’s Mission"
Grey cover with yellow outside border. Inside are yellow flowers made of three circles (two on top, one under), a black stem with four black leaves. Off the stem are eight smaller circles, four on… Read more…
Maker: Hazell, Watson and Viney
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Pictorial Review Book of Crocheting and Knitting
Feminine handicrafts that are ever new and interesting. One of the most interesting forms of feminine handicraft both from the standpoint of doing it. And laundering articles of worsted, silk or… Read more…
Maker: The Pictorial Review Company
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Photocopy of a photograph of the Noblet Family, 11 December 1929
Photocopy of “The NOBLET FAMILY DEC 11th, 1929.” Copied on A4 paper, portrait mode, thus measuring at 210 × 297 mm or 8.27 × 11.69 inches. The photograph measures 13 mm wide by 22.2 mm high.… Read more…
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Photocopy of a Photograph of the Ghan Train, 11 December 1929
Photocopy of a photograph of the Ghan train. The photocopy is in landscape mode, printed on A4 paper, thus measuring at 210 × 297 mm or 8.27 × 11.69 inches. The photograph measures 22.1 mm wide by… Read more…
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Christmas baubles (2)
Two Christmas baubles, silver metal with red paint at the tips covering about one-third. A bent metal wire for hanging protrudes from one. They are home made from soda bulbs partially dipped into… Read more…
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Photocopy of a Photograph of Alice Springs, 1933
Photocopy of a panoramic photograph of Alice Springs, 1933. It was found in a brown cardboard tube, with “P.W.H.F.” written in black marker on the side. The photocopy is on A3 paper, measuring 297… Read more…
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Photograph of John O'Keefe and Patsy
Black and white photograph, 58 mm wide by 85 mm high. On the back is written, in blue ink: “John O’Keefe & Patsy (Aboriginal girl) at Telegraph Stn 1946”
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Photograph of Olive O'Keefe and Joan Deans
Black and white photograph, 58 mm wide by 85 mm high. On the back is written, in blue ink: “Mrs O’Keefe and Joan Deans Dec 1946.”
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Photograph of Olive O’Keefe and Others
Black and white photograph, 58 mm wide by 85 mm high. On the back is written, in blue ink: “on left — Skipper & Gerta [unsure of the spelling of those two names] PARTRIDGE — Mrs O’Keefe at… Read more…
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Weldon's Practical Needlework - Weldon's Modern Applique
Modern Appliqué Table-centres in Linen and Velvet Appliqué, Nursery Cushion and Rug, Sideboard Cloth, Square for Bedspread, Border and corner in Appliqué on Net, dÓyley in Shadow Appliqué, Jacobean… Read more…
Maker: WELDONS Ltd.
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Slotted Spoon
Slotted spoon, 21.6 mm in length. The handle is 13.8 in length. The bowl has 13 holes, which have been punched, not machine drilled: four rows of three and one at the tip. On the back of the… Read more…
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Saucer
White china doll’s saucer, 6.5 mm in diameter. On the front/top side are three objects: what looks like an apple, bow, and flower followed by a chip 3 mm. On the opposite side is a heart followed… Read more…
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Telegraph Key
Circa 1980Maker unknownA telegraph key is a specialized electrical switch used by a trained operator to transmit text messages in telegraph systems, usually in Morse Code. Keys are used in all forms… Read more…
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Box for Bra, 1960s
Bra box. Hickory ‘Softly Softly’ brand. Box measures 123 mm width, 51 mm height, and 280 mm length.The box lid has “Hickory ‘Softly Softly’ France’s incredible body-soft crêpe bra invented for… Read more…
Maker: Hickory
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Pair of Shoetrees
Pair of spring shoetrees, 280 mm in length. The tip (toe area) is arrowhead-shaped, made of brown colored wood, and measures 55 mm in length and 42 mm in width. The handle is made of brown colored… Read more…
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Leather Collar Box
Leather collar box, 180 mm diameter, not including strap, and 75 mm high, with lid strap.Stitching around top of lid, along the top side of the rim and along the bottom side.The strap has three holes… Read more…
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Christmas garland
This Christmas garland from the 1940’s was commercially manufactured. It is a string of plastic beads coated with a reflective paint to imitate metal or glass. The pattern repeats two red beads, two… Read more…
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Booklet "Etiquette: A Handbook for All Occasions to Suit Australian Conditions"
Etiquette: A Handbook for All Occasions to Suit Australian Conditions. Eighty-five (85) mm wide, 135 mm high. Held together with two staples. Book cover has green background. “ETIQUETTE” is… Read more…
Maker: Certified Productions Pty. Ltd.
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Hat Pins x 5
Plastic bag has written on it: “Hat Pins (6) Donated by Julie Heller; however, there are five (5).Hat pins:(a) & (b) are the same: 12.6 mm length, two sets of six black rings set with pave… Read more…
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Booklet: "Pine Gap - The Images"
Twelve page booklet printed paper black on white double sided. Stiffened cover. Content text and image relating to the Pine Gap protests of 1963. Pages held together by two staples at the spine. Read more…
Maker: Women for Survival, Women's Action Against Global Violence
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Photocopied A3 Article from Newsletter
Three pages of A3 paper single sided photocopied & printed on white paper with black ink from ‘Girls Own’ no 14 March/April 1984. Article is titled ‘Close the Gap’ and is about the womens… Read more…
Maker: Girls Own
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Stapled, photocopied typed speech (2pp): Nancy Lynch talks to the women who want to come and camp at Pine Gap"
Two A4 single sided pages of typed photocopied text of Nancy Lynch’s 1983 speech relating to the local indigenous Arrerente women and how Pine Gap affects their community. Nancy Lynch is an Arrerente… Read more…
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Photocopied speech (2pp): "Speech by Maria Langton at the Gates of Pine Gap, 19 Oct 1986" (Alice Springs Peace Group Bases Campaign
Two A4 single sided pages stapled together at top left corner. The first page (and part of the second) is the text from Marcia Langton’s speech at the gates of Pine Gap about foreign bases,… Read more…
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Newsletter: "Survival News" No. 3 October 1984 12pp (National publication for Women for Survival)
12 pp booklet A4 in size. Mix of black and white photographs, illustrations, articles, and letters relating to peace protests of Pine Gap, feminism, global and local affairs as well promoting a cross… Read more…
Maker: Women for Survival, Publications Collective of Sydney WAAGV
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Photocopied, typed A4 leaflet: "Alice Springs - Women for Survival"
One page single sided, printed and typed, black on white and A4 in size outlining the aims of women’s anti-nuclear group Women For Survival.
Maker: Women for Survival
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Photocopied, printed A4 flyer: "Clean Up Pine Gap!" Oct 19 1987 (Alice Springs Peace Group Bases Campaign)
Printed A4 paper black on white, single sided with an illustration of a women sweeping the broken perspex domes found at Pine Gap alongside a bottle of ‘Pine-o-Clean’. Beneath the illustration there… Read more…
Maker: Alice Springs Peace Group Bases Capaign
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Booklet: "Join Hands" Autumn 1984, 24pp (Journal of Women, Liberation and Socialism published by the Communist Party of Australia)
Printed paper, black on white with glossy cover. Pages inside are numbered and eld together by two stables on the spine of the booklet. This edition of ‘Join Hands’ has three articles on women and… Read more…
Maker: Red Pen Publications Pty Ltd
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Folded A4 brochure "Everything you always wanted to know about PINE GAP but were afraid to ask" (The Alice Springs Peace Group)
A4 paper folded three times. Printed black on white with text, illustrations, and maps about Pine Gap published by The Alice Springs Peace Group.
Maker: Alice Springs Peace Group
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Booklet: "Women for Surival: Pine Gap Handbook Nov 11-25 1983" 28pp
Small booklet, printed paper and card consisting of 28 pages relating to the aims and life of women at the Pine Gap peace protest camp during November 11 – 25 1983. The 23 pages are held together by… Read more…
Maker: Women for Survival
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Postcard: "Women for Survival Pine Gap Camp 1983"
Printed card yellow and black ink on white, double sided. On the front of the postcard there is an illustration of a desert landscape with barbed wire and an ‘alangkwe’ bush banana in front of white… Read more…
Maker: J. Green
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Newsletter: Wimminews December 1983 6pp
Women’s publication Wimminews, three pages of A4 paper (black ink, white paper) double sided (6 pp in total). The contents is described as containing articles about Pine Gap stemming from an… Read more…
Maker: Wimminews
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Doily, Embroidered
Off-white, embroidered doily, 19 cm in diameter. Inner circle is embroidered while outer edges are crocheted. In black thread are a coach, coachman, footman, horses, a street light, and a fence.… Read more…
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Silk Olympic Scarf
Silk scarf, 40.2 cm wide, 41 cm high. Yellow background with Olympic seal inside a square in the middle. 1956. Various Olympic events are depicted around the outer border.
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Doily, Embroidered
Embroidered, beige doily, 25 cm wide, 10.7 cm high with crocheted edging. Almost oval in shape. Stained. Each side has a vine containing yellow and pink flowers with green leaves and a brown… Read more…
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Doily, Embroidered
Embroidered, off-white doily, 20 cm in width, 19 cm in height. Has a water mark. Almost square in shape, with a crocheted edge. Light blue cross stitching forms a border except for the corner… Read more…
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Doily, Embroidered
Embroidered (cross stitched), off-white doily, 44.8 cm wide, 31 cm high, with crocheted edging. Water mark stains. Along the top and bottom (width) are flowers in the same design. The two center… Read more…
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Doily, Embroidered
Embroidered, off-white doily 20 cm wide, 13.5 cm high. The edge is discolored. Above the hills is a water mark stain. There is a dark stain in the cloud. The scene is of tulips growing in a… Read more…
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Doily, Embroidered
Embroidered, beige linen doily, 20 cm wide, 19.5 cm high, with crocheted edge. Up the center is a brown tree trunk. At the bottom of it are two clumps of green grass with an orange sun ray-type… Read more…
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Doily, Embroidered
Linen, rectangular in shape, 42.5 cm in length, 29 cm wide to joining/excess thread, but 28.5 cm to edge. Crocheted border. There is a rectangular brown and green border. Outside of it is a dark… Read more…
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Doily, Embroidered
Embroidered, off-white doily, 29 cm in length, 13 cm in width. Linen fabric with crocheted trim. There are three sets of flowers. On each edge are two flowers in red thread with a yellow center.… Read more…
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Doily, Embroidered
Embroidered, off-white doily, 22 cm in length and 21.5 cm in width. The shape is almost a circle, but scalloped, with four curves. Embroidered is a garden scene: purple flowers and orange flowers… Read more…
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Doily, Embroidered
Embroidered, off-white doily, 42 cm in length and 27.3 cm in width. Some stains. Linen, scalloped in shape, with six curves. The motif is a Dutch scene. A Dutch girl is standing in a field of… Read more…
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Doily, Tatted
Beige, tatted doily, 26 cm in diameter.
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Doily, Tatted
Tatted, beige, bow shaped doily. Eighteen and four-tenths (18.4) cm in length, eleven (11) cm in width.
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Doily, Tatted
Tatted, beige, tatted doily, 13.5 cm in diameter. Faint, dark red stain at edge.
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Doily, Crocheted
Off-white, crocheted doily, 22.5 cm in diameter. Inner doily is linen with crocheting around outer edge.
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Doily, Crocheted
Crocheted, ivory, square doily, 21 cm wide by 20.5 cm high. Dark brown stain. The inner square is linen surrounded by crochet work.
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Doily, Crocheted
Ivory, crocheted doily, 14 cm in diameter. The inner circle is linen surrounded crochet work.
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Doily, Crocheted
Crocheted, ivory doily, 20.5 cm in diameter. The inner circle is linen surrounded by open work; a thin, linen, circular border, open work; and a very thin, linen, circular border which then has… Read more…
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Doily, Crocheted
Crocheted, ivory doily, 25.6 cm in length, 10.5 cm in width. Some staining towards the arrow points.
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Doily, Crocheted
Crocheted, ivory doily, 38.5 cm in diameter. Some reddish-brown staining towards the middle and on the edge.
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Glass, Royal Visit to Australia, 1954
Clear glass commemorating 1954 Royal Visit to Australia. Design incorporates crown, map of Australia, and the words “1954 Royal Visit To Australia.” A gold rim is at the top, middle, and bottom.… Read more…
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Set of six shot glasses, Coronation, 1953
Gold rimmed bearing a coat of arms, commemorating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953. A complimentary set supplied by Fraser & Neave LTD, and so not made for retail. On the back, within… Read more…
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Small Flour Sifter (Asian Pattern)
Sifter with yellow background and blue Asian designs (pagoda, birds, etc.) around it. The word “sifter” in Chinese Takeaway font is opposite the handle. The outside is well worn, with pieces of the… Read more…
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Glass Vase, Adelaide Show, 1952
Nine and three/tenths (9.3) cm high, with the opening 5.9 cm in diameter. Clear glasss. Surrounded by a border are the words “Adelaide Royal Show 1952” with a kangaroo above and “Mother”… Read more…
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White and Green Spot Jug
White jug. Lime green line at rim. Two line green lines going doen handle. Lime green polka dots at top. Five etched grooves under polka dots.
Maker: Kirkhams Ltd.
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White China Jug
White china jug. Pattern across top and bottom. Sculpted handle. Stamped in green ink on bottom “Made in England — L & Sons Ltd — Hanley Eng.” with mark. Scalloped base diameter.
Maker: Lancaster & Sons Ltd. (L & Sons Ltd.)
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Cookery Book
Brown two-ring binder. A quote is pasted inside the front cover. The pages are lined with recipes glued to them and hand-written. Most of the pages have reinforcements around the hole. On the… Read more…
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Cookery Book
Ledger book, stained, held together with brown packaging tape. Front cover is stamped “C of A” with upward arrow under it. On the next line is “Sched. C.__ 2:80.” Leather corners on right front… Read more…
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Brownies/Girl Guides Articles
Three Brownies/Girl Guides articles. (a) (1993, August). Sensitive New Age Guides. ITA, 78 – 82. 19.6 mm wide by 27.4 mm high. (b) Newspaper clipping glued to blank sheet of white A4 paper: Now… Read more…
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Photo Album
DESCRIPTION Blue photograph album, cardboard cover with “Snapshots” written on front. Two-hole punched with burgundy and pink-colored string holding it together. Twenty brown leaves of paper for… Read more…
Maker: John SCHNEIDER inserted photographs into the album
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Plutarch's Lives
Translated from the original Greek with notes critical and historical and a New Life of Plutarch. The book appears to have belonged to Triphena Lucilla Willesee Benstead, a gift from her father. It… Read more…
Maker: Printed for B.Crosby and Co. Stationers Court
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Hair Curling Tongs
All steel tongs. Scissor-like action. One side is a rod; the other a groove that the rod fits into. (Handles are metal. May be missing leather or perhaps never did.)
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Hair Curling Tongs
All steel tongs. Scissor-like action. One side is a rod; the other a groove that the rod fits into. (Handles are metal. May be missing leather or perhaps never did.)
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Hair Curling Tongs
All steel tongs. Scissor-like action. One side is a rod; the other a groove that the rod fits into. (Handles are metal. May be missing leather or perhaps never did.)
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Hypodermic Needles
Hypodermic needles. Two identical boxes of hypodermic stainless steel needles. Boxes are rigid cardboard boxes, each containing one dozen needles, size 23 1 and one quarter inch long. Inset into… Read more…
Maker: Medos Equipment Pty. Ltd.
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Pitman's Shorthand Instructor Book
The book was developed by Englishman Sir Isaac Pitman [1813 – 1897]. Like most systems of shorthand, it is a phonetic system; the symbols do not represent letters, but rather sounds. It contents… Read more…
Maker: Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd.
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Pitman's Shorthand Instructors Book
The book was developed by Englishman Sir Isaac Pitman [1813 – 1897]. Like most system of shorthand, it is a phonetic system; the symbols do not represent letters, but rather sounds. The contents of… Read more…
Maker: Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd.
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Department of Correctional Services Annual Report, 1993 - 1994
Department of Correctional Services Annual Report for the year 1993 – 1994. It outlines the Custodial Operations, Probation Parole and Juvenile Justice, Corporate Management and Financial Statements. Read more…
Maker: Northern Territory Government
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Apron
Apron made from NT Women’s Advisory Council bag. Made by Emmy Van Maarseveen, Alice Springs. The bag is in the middle part and with two panels added in each side with dark green trimmings, pocket… Read more…
Maker: Emmy Van Maarseveen
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Box of Hypodermic Needles
a) Bone Marrow biopsy trephine: needle like instrument for obtaining bone marrow samples (eg Leucaemia) hollow with slightly bevelled tip sharpened for cutting into bone (usually the sternum) At the… Read more…
Maker: needles unknown box Everett Co.
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Ear Syringe
Cylindrical chromed steel syringe , thumb and two finger (index & middle) grip on the upper end. Thumb circle is attached to the plunger allowing the plunger to be moved through the cylindrical… Read more…
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Girl Guide/Brownie Guide Badges
Collection of 15 cloth Brownie/Guide badges. a, circular, a frilled neck lizard with a kangaroo’s tail about to dive off some blocks “PACIFIC SCHOOL GAMES DARWIN 1992” D 5.2 cm b. circular, a blue… Read more…
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Girl Guide Pennant
Girl Guide Pennant. The pennant is a triangular-shaped, brown felt pennant. Embossed in the felt in white, starting at the widest point is a sketch of a sailing ship with the words “CAMP…
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Girl Guide Pennant
Girl Guide Pennant from a camp in 1970. Pennant is triangular shaped and made of blue felt. Embossed in yellow is a diamond shape within which is the southern cross, 1970 and the three leafed clover… Read more…
Maker: ÜNKNOWN
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Girl Guides Felt Pennant
Pennant triangular-shaped in blue felt . Embossed in yellow on the felt is the three-leafed clover insignia of the Girl Guides.
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Brownie Guide Uniform Hat
Brownie Guide Uniform Hat. Brown,floppy hat size small with six holes around the crown for ventilation. No badge.
Maker: Leuts and Sam Jung
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Brownie Guide Uniform Hat
Brownie guide uniform hat. The hat is floppy, brown and a small size. It has a brown and tan cloth badge with the Brownie guide insignia stitched to the front of the crown. There are 2 labels… Read more…
Maker: Reo and Sam Jung
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Guide Uniform Hat
Guide Uniform Hat. A dark blue floppy hat with broad brim and four holes around the crown for ventilation. There is a press stud on either side of the crown for fastening the brim to the crown. Read more…
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Guide Uniform Hat
Guide uniform, dark blue floppy hat with Girl Guide badge sewn to front of crown. The hat has a broad brim and holes around the crown for ventilation. There is a press stud on either side of the… Read more…
Maker: Sam Jung
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Brownie Guide Uniform
Brownie Guide uniform, citrus yellow polo shirt from 1990’s. The short- sleeved shirt has three buttons down the neck and is a size 8.
Maker: The Australian Top Company
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Brownie Guide Uniform Culottes
Brownie Guide uniform in 1990’s. Dark blue pair of culottes shorts. The culottes have an elasticised back waist band, belt hooks and pockets. The culottes are pleated at the front.
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Nurse's Uniform
Nurse’s uniform, blue, size 12, from Alice Springs Hospital. The uniform is in a plastic bag. The plastic bag has an opening at the back for ease of opening.
Maker: Career Wear
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Nurse's Uniform
Nurses’s uniform, green and white striped, size 16, from Alice Springs Hospital. The dress is folded in a plastic bag. On the collar of the uniform is a small sticker with the numbers ‘155 1970… Read more…
Maker: Career Wear