Theme for April - 'Blue'

What a stunning array of items were on display: beautiful English china collected over the years; a blue-and-white tea towel brought home from a trip to Wales; a patchwork cushion in lovely shades of blue; and a Geelong Cats teddy and cushion.

There was also the lid from a blue-and-white upright piano—unfortunately, we weren’t able to identify it. Other items included a lovely cake plate; a brooch that is now back in fashion; a very pretty pale blue fluted bonbon dish with gold edging; beads; a very old blue bottle; and a pen.

We also saw a glass bowl from a glass blower at Lake Entrance, a small German plate, and the blue elephant.

​Theme for May: 'Something that will give us a giggle'

See you on 12 May.


Dorothy

​Our March theme of 'A Touch of History' gave us a chance to show some of the things we collect and keep in our families.

These are some of the items we viewed:

• Great grandfather’s first world war medals, the ribbon of his naval hat and a pocket watch.
• Lovely pink and green glass beads.
• Memories of the 1993 floods in Benalla.

​​At our class on April 14 the theme will be 'Something Blue'.

Happy collecting!
​
​
​Dorothy Webber

A piece of history is the theme for March 10th meeting at 2pm.

As this is our first for the year looking forward to seeing you all.
​
Dorothy Webber

.Our first session for 2026 is March 10th.

The theme is "A piece of history". 

Dorothy Webber
​0412263071

​​We had a lovely display of trinket boxes at our November meeting.

October's  metal-themed session of Collectors featured an interesting assortment of items.

A lovely decorative metal jug, bought from Holland by Corrie’s mother, was shown alongside a small metal bird used in the garden. A decorative metal bucket and two beautiful metal rabbit bookends completed the next show and tell.

Wilma brought two items purchased from June Little — a silver platter, a handmade kaleidoscope, and a wire ornamental bird’s nest. From an antique estate sale came what appeared to be the centrepiece of an old brass bedhead.

A variety of tins were displayed — an ice-cream tin, Cadbury Cocoa tin, a limited edition Bushells tea tin, two music tins, and a Harrods tin. There was also a “pot for under the bed” and a wire soap holder — both of which stirred fond (and amused) memories.

Other items of interest included a parsley cutter, a Ferguson Clan pin, and a gold coin from the Perth Mint. Heather brought along a range of spoons — RSL, Australia Cup — a beautiful cat brooch, and trophies from winning Siamese cats at the Perth Royal Show. We all enjoyed a laugh at a sign reading “Men to the left – Women always right.”

Also admired were a metal train fashioned into a wine bottle holder, Heather’s Defence Medal for Air Force service during peacetime, and two colourful garden ornaments — a red and green giraffe and a tin gardener. A beautiful silver necklace, bracelet, and earrings were shown, along with an Irish Trinity knot, two pewter mugs for keeping wine cold, and a silver tin from India.

Purchased at a second-hand sale was a jewellery box containing hidden treasures and a tiny box for ink nibs.

​There was a lovely collection of teapots at our August meeting.  Some were modern, some very old and a number of novelty pots.
 
One featured a cat with the tail and a mouse on the reverse.  By the same manufacturer, a horse with its tail on the reverses side; this also came with a matching coffee cup.  There were a number of beautiful old silver teapots and a coffee pot.
 
Such a lot novelty pots – cats, snowman, elephant, house, beehive.  Please look at the accompanying photos...

The theme for our July get together was 'Fridge Magnets' – and such a collection there was evoking memories of places visited.  It was a bit like “I’ve been everywhere man”.
 
Hobart, London, Rome, York, Swansea, Portugal, Scotland, Boscastle, Isle of Wight, Cornwall, Silverton, Paris, Cockington Green, Prague; the list goes on and on.
 
There were a number of novelty magnets – elephants, a butterfly, tram, London phone and bus, a Swiss cuckoo clock, a recipe, a prisoner escaping from Alcatraz, a Vietnamese couple, a Delft house from Amsterdam, a cow, a sewing machine, teapot,
“David”, family photo, doll – just to name a few.

There was a wonderful collection of pin cushions on display at our June meeting; all interesting and many quirky.
 
Included in the quirky were a cane duck, several mice, a tiny wooden cup and saucer, a coffee mug with an elephant head for a handle and a pin cushion on top, a cup cake and a wheel barrow.    A number of pin cushions featured embroidery, cross stitch, hardanger and silk ribbon flowers – too good to be used!
 
There was a shoe shape, very old with the date 1904 printed on the top.  Some were made from patchwork designs and another designed to hang over the edge of a table.
 
For the meeting on 8th July, the theme is fridge magnets – one that are special to the owners.

​Janet Gourley

​Our theme for June is 'Pincushions'.

Dorothy

​​The collection of tea towels consisted of Pro Hart, Harrods, Gold Coast, Map of Wales, York Minster, Commonwealth Games1962 and a set of large tea towels found in an op shop with fun embroidery.

​For the March session, the theme was baby/child photos. There were photos of collector’s as children themselves, siblings, grandchildren and parents.
 
Little girls in smocked dresses (and some boys too), many wearing hats.  Some boys had “curly” hair for the photo session.

There was a gorgeous photo of a little girl meeting her father for the first time on his return from World War II; dad was kneeling on the ground and having his hair ruffled.  Another little girl was busily mopping out the dog bowl with a huge mop; the same little girl filling a big watering can.  A tiny Wendy was snapped with “Lambie” her favourite stuffed toy.  “Lambie” came to the group in a well preserved state though missing its embroidered nose.

​The next group is on 8th April; please bring and item or several of linen.


Janet Gourley

After a recess in 2024, Collectors started again on February 11 with 13 collectors in attendance.  Dorothy gave an overview of past topics with the theme for today being “Something Special”. Participants were asked to bring along something that was special to them.  An eclectic display was amassed with fascinating stories about the items.
 
There was a copper work plaque made by a mother in the late 50’s – an intricate design.  A small clear glass jug and a small, depression glass jug evoked memories of homemade mint sauce served with the Sunday roast – a tradition still carried on today in one household.
 
There was a collection of very old handmade book marks made by relatives.  Two teapots were displayed – one in the shape of a tiger and the other an old English cottage (which had a matching toast rack).  Two porcelain doll statues – one from Santa 70 years ago and another purchased in West Germany about 40 years ago.  A brass camel with fine features; a pottery camel carrying salt and pepper shakers.
 
There were plenty of books including 1910’s Sunday School prizes; “Black Beauty” with memories of being read by an aunt; a New Testament given to British school children in 1953 on the occasion of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II; a collection of poems and writings of a late sister; and numerous very old cookery books.  One intriguing title “Titillating Recipes, Anecdotes & Hints” compiled by The Ladies Auxiliary of The James Cook Historical Museum.

Returning in 2025, Collectors recommences at 2pm on Tuesday 11 February in Room 1.  
​
For our first session, could you please bring along ‘Something Special’ from your collection, something which has special meaning in your life.

​Dorothy  

If you enjoy wandering around antique and secondhand stalls, you will enjoy the Collectors' group.

It's a 'show and tell' format and it's always so interesting to hear stories of special items.  They don't all have to be family heirlooms, they can be recent purchases from opp shops.

We're returning to a different time slot, still monthly, but will now meet on the 2nd Tuesday from 2 to 4 pm.

Dorothy Webber
​0412 263 071

​​The last meeting for the year was held on November 6 with a theme of dinner sets, more correctly, a sample from an everyday dinner set or a special one or even an oddment.  There were beautiful floral edged plates dating from pre-War II; inheritances from relatives; sets bought with engagement money and simply accumulated over the years.
 
Some were unbranded, others included Noritake, Coalport, Lotte (Norwegian), Doulton, Wedgwood and Johnson – altogether a beautiful array.

The first get together of the Collectors Group was in February 2016 and came about from the enthusiasm of Judith Borthwick.  Quite a large number attended; there was no set topic – just a wonderful collection of items special to their owners
 
After several years, Dorothy Webber became coordinator and has led the group up to the present.  We seem to be running out of topics/ideas and, with a decline in numbers, have decided to have a break in 2024.  We thank both Judith and Dorothy for their leadership and look forward to resuming in 2025.

Janet Gourley

​Janet Gourley

There were two topics for the September meeting: “Something from the Shed” and
“Bags”
 
The usual tools were presented: hammers belonging to a late dad and a late husband; tin snips, chisels, pinchers, screw drivers and an old Imperial metal tape measure made in Canada.  Not tools, a Dr. Pat old tobacco tin contained an assortment of devices/pins to hang pictures; a corrugated iron sign; and, a very old wooden box that had previously held chalk.  There was also a discussion on shoe lasts.
 
A collection of shiny horse bits were shown – a snaffle bit, thumb bit, racing bit and bits for training, racing and soft mouth sensitivities.
 
Fabric patchwork bags were presented often made from scraps with handy pockets to hold sewing essentials.  There were two evening purses – one beautifully beaded and the other made from men’s ties.  Three Oroton handbags were shown and an old crocodile skin handbag made in Madras.

The theme for the gathering on 2nd October is "Baby/Childhood Photos of oneself"


Janet Gourley. ​

It’s time to head out to the shed to find a collectable item or items from the past! 

Collectors will be returning on Monday 4th September at 10 am revisiting a previous topic: “Something from The Shed”.  All welcome.

​Janet Gourley

It was almost a case of “I’ve been everywhere man” with the variety of tea towels presented.  Many countries and many themes/topics:  Wales, York, Scotland, London, the Cotswold’s, Northumbria, Sydney, Iceland, Finland, Sandringham House (UK), Ireland, Benalla, Greenwich Cutty Sark, Melbourne, QANTAS and the list goes on…..
 
Themes included cats, Irish quotations, elephants, hens, lavender, sheep, military tattoo, Australian animals, London buses and Harrods, Ned Kelly, hand embroidered with kitchen/herb themes, recipes and the Richmond Football Club.
 
One enterprising collector had sewn a number of tea towels together to make a picnic tablecloth.

​Collectors will be taking a break in August.  The theme for the meeting on Monday 4th  September at 10 am revisits a previous topic: “Something from The Shed”.

​Janet Gourley

​A lovely collection of brooches were shown at our June meeting, too many to mention in detail.  Many were inherited from relatives, others gifts received on special occasions and those purchased by their owner often from op shops.
 
Of particular interest was a filigree butterfly made of the finest metal in a silver colour but not actually silver.  The strands of metal were like a cobweb.  Typical of their era were a number of bar style brooches with gems or plain.  Cameos were also popular.
 
There were a number of handcrafted brooches: a raffia basket and a bonnet both decorated with silk flowers; a fairly large round brooch with the surface filled with silk French knots; a handmade felt brooch with leaves and gum blossom and a leather flower like a camellia.
 
Other brooches included pearls, jade, opals rhinestone, enamel, paua shell and porcelain.  There was a colourful collection of brooches made in the former Maxart button factory.

​Tea towels is the theme for the meeting to be held on 3rd July – souvenirs from places afar or commemorative.
 
Janet Gourley

'Buttons' was the theme for the May meeting.  Many and varied and they came from many sources – mothers, mothers-in-law, grandmothers and aunties as well as special buys in collectibles and button shops and at garage sales.
 
There were buttons with many themes represented: buttons from military and police uniforms, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and other commemorative occasions, animals,  flowers, trains, covered buttons and those made from leather or mother of pearl, flowers, smiley faces – an almost unlimited range of designs and shapes.
 
Also featured was a framed topiary tree made out of beautiful buttons.
 
Some smaller collections were shown on the table, another lot in a big box and another large collection systematically stored by type in plastic trays.

An interesting array of dolls arrived for our ‘Toy’ themed day in April.

One, needing a hospital stay, was dressed in a red knitted outfit made by the owner’s grandmother. Lorna was found in an op/shop and has a full wardrobe of clothes for all seasons.  Beautifully handmade, dolls and bears by Marj.  A 70-years old car and wooden train.  A book that opened to reveal the secret life of Bears. A doll I made 30 years ago and the toy Sewing Machine I received for my seventh birthday.  

The theme for May is ‘Buttons’.


​Dorothy